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It's done so for the sake of special and heavy weapons. That and otherwise people would just field an uneven number of models as a single platoon. If you really want that fodder to be effective, take the Independant Commissar doctrine and slap him in the platoon, give the platoon flamers, then send it into the path of whatever you want them to stop. Seeing as screening is no longer a viable use of this entry, you can either use it as a speedbump or meatshield. Nobody can hack through 30 - 50 men in a single turn.

You deploy the platoon as a single choice, but the squads may be set up apart from one another and move independantly. Though they count as a single choice, they may move seperately etc. (This is one of those things other, more inexperienced people see the IG as a cheese cake army because of it's "massive amount" of Troop and HQ choices. I got into a stupid fight over it once... It's a funny anecdote posted somewhere in the beginning of this thread.)

A conscript platoon is placed as a single mass of 20-50 men and moves as a squad of 20-50 men. I field a 30 men large Conscript platoon with three flamers (BS 2, makes them able to hurt something) and use them as a speed bump against horde armies or as an inplaceable way of holding an objective. The only flip side is moving the unit. Gah, thirty models at a time...

Ah. I'm thinking of the "light infantry" doctrine. It says it applies to all infantry platoons. So that should INCLUDE conscript infantry platoons, right?

so? conscript squads cost sod all anywho. Having all of that then adding 10 is nothing!

It's more likely to be due to the fact many guard players use them for what they're good at - tanks and cheap veterans with meltas to speed up the field and molest your armor support. My army however... I want mostly infantry... I think an army of infantry looks neat. I'll have one or two tanks, obviously - for sometimes, you need some heavy busting power.. but it's mostly going to be infantry and some conscripts to get in the way.

Sorry, but what did you smoke? Imperial Guard does not field Rhino tanks, we cannot field heavy weapon support squads as troop choices and leman russ tanks CANNOT have three heavy stubbers. The Imperial Guard also cannot field assassins unless an Inquisitor or Inquisitor lord is included in the list. If the storm troopers are from an inquisitor army, then they are to be fielded as troops choices, not elites.

Also, mixing lascannons in squads with flamers is not the greatest idea.

Let me put it like this, you need a new codex! Read it through thoroughly and think things over.

My thoughts exactly.

My advice for new Guard players is to go without Doctrines in the first games, as most can't seem to find the right mix in kit and traits. Remember that you can only choose from five doctrines and that you must comply to the rules in the description. If uncertain of which set of doctrines to use, look at the studio armies in the codex for inspiration or reference. Some studio armies have more then five doctrines, but that does not allow the smart asses here to create an army with seven different doctrines and special troops.

I myself simply use the Cadian Doctrines and use six of the seven listed. I find Grenadiers a tad of a waste, but the others are put to good use.

One thing to keep in mind is that while some skills and drills apply to all squads, they do not always benefit from it. Prime example is Sharpshooters, allowing you to reroll 1's on the to hit rolls. While I find it a waste for normal infantry squads, this drill is ideal for heavy weapon support squads with say, lascannons or autocannons. In nine out of ten battles, you'll get your ten points back as well spent.

One other thing to note is when taking carapace armour, all units designated as Guard Infantry must take the upgrade for 20 pts PER squad. That means you have to pay 20 points for that six man heavy weapons squad.

A thing to think about when fielding a Guard horde army:
Doctrines:
- Close order drill
- Conscript platoons
- Heavy weapon platoons
- Die hards / Iron Discipline (Both are great, though my heart goes out to iron discipline)
- Independant Commissars

Fielding some vehicles may be viable, but when going for the 2.000 points infantry mob, take sentinels, as they fit in and act as handy support platforms for advancing fodder. If going into character all the way, field mortars, lot's and lot's of mortars. They may seem weak, but they can hurt foes quite well and the pinning they cause is ideal.

But when fielding a sea of men, be sure to have the command bubble up close as they are bound to receive heavy fire/in your face damage.