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The grimdark future of Warhammer 40,000 is a terrible place to live. Ceaseless wars set whole planets aflame, while hulking superhumans destroy their sworn enemies at the behest of tyrannical leaders. But even if aren’t born in the middle of an active warzone, one-one is truly safe from the dangers in the shadows.
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Lurking in the alleyways of towering hive-cities and crawling through abandoned industrial complexes, the Genestealer Cults grow in number. Infected by Tyranid infiltrators known as Genestealers, each generation of cult members looks more and more human, until they blend near-perfectly into the general populace. They will lay the groundwork for an uprising, attacking from within as the Hive Fleet descends from above.
Why Play Genestealer Cults
In some ways, you are the ultimate underdog faction – you don’t have the training of the Imperium, the reality-warping magic of Chaos, or the advanced tech of other Xenos armies. But what you do have is fanatical devotion to a cause – and a willingness to fight dirty.
On the tabletop, the Genestealer Cult is a hybrid ranged/melee horde army with the ability to respawn select units, arrive suddenly from Deep Strike, and support your forces with cross-unit synergies.
While your units won’t win fights alone, your strategy will revolve around tipping the odds in your favour.
Army Rules
The signature ability of the Genestealer Cult is Cult Ambush: you start the battle with a set amount of Resurgence Points. When a friendly non-Character, non-Vehicle unit is destroyed, you can spend Resurgence Points to put a copy of that unit in Cult Ambush, a special form of Reserves.
At the same time, you can put down a Cult Ambush Marker somewhere on the battlefield more than nine inches away from enemy units. Units in Cult Ambush can appear near the Cult Ambush Marker instead of arriving from Reserves normally. If an enemy unit gets too close to a Cult Ambush Marker, it is destroyed.
Important Units
What the Genestealer Cults lack in unit variety, they make up for in broad usefulness. There are very few units that aren’t worth taking in the right list, so pay close attention to what your army needs.
Characters
The Genestealer Cults have a frankly ridiculous number of Characters, each one providing niche buffs and differing combat capabilities.
|
Character |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Patriarch |
The big daddy Genestealer, gorged on sacrifices and psychic energy. Very similar to the Tyranid Broodlord, this mini-monster can make the Purestrain Genestealers they lead even deadlier with Devastating Wounds while using their psychic powers to force Battle-shock tests on nearby enemy units. They are very bad at sharing the spotlight, so if you take a Patriarch, it must be your Warlord – and you can’t take more than one. |
|
Benefictus |
A big-brained psychic powerhouse, more of a living weapon than a person. Their mental powers give the unit they lead Lethal Hits, making them a good addition to big blobs of Neophytes, while the Benefictus themselves deals anti-tank damage via mind-bullets. And once per game, they can give their unit a psychic force field – protecting them with a handy Invulnerable Save. |
|
Nexos |
This unassuming strategist provides solid value to your army over time, making everyone else more efficient. Each Command Phase, they can move one of your Cult Ambush Tokens six inches, repositioning your forces for maximum impact or protecting them from being removed by enemy movement. In addition, once per battle round, they can reduce the cost of a Stratagem on their unit by one Command Point. |
|
Primus |
Your frontline generalist, powerful in any Genestealer Cult army. They can tear through Infantry in melee, but you’re bringing them for their abilities: the Primus allows you to reposition up to three units before the game starts, even putting those units into Reserves to Deep Strike with later. As if that wasn’t impactful enough, the unit they lead can re-roll all failed hit rolls, at range or in melee. |
|
Sanctus |
A cheap and effective assassin unit with Lone Operative. If loaded out for melee, they can ignore Overwatch while closing the distance – and if they have a gun, they can move for free when enemies start to get too close. They also mark an enemy unit at the beginning of the match, gaining re-rolls to Hit and Wound against them for the rest of the game. |
Battleline
The weakest and most numerous of your forces, these groups of insurgents can still put out impressive damage with the right support.
|
Groups |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Acolyte Hybrids with Autopistols/Hand Flamers |
These mutated weirdos are multi-armed and dangerous. Wielding repurposed mining equipment alongside their Genestealer-like claws, Acolytes can do a number on enemy Infantry, especially with support from other units. If given Hand Flamers and Blasting Charges, they function as a close-range Objective clearer – and with Autopistols and Heavy Mining Tools, they can take on heavy Infantry like Space Marines and potentially give you free Command Points while holding Objectives. |
|
Neophyte Hybrids |
The most numerous and humanoid of the Cult’s members. These are your Objective takers, popping up in awkward places to annoy your opponent and forcing them to commit resources to deal with the problem. While their accuracy leaves something to be desired, they can carry a surprising number of special weapons, and their Cult Icon allows them to bring back dead models every turn. Use them to overwhelm your opponent with small-arms fire while they take bullets for your more important units. |
Infantry
A motley assortment of mutants and misfits, all of which have their place in the Patriarch’s grand plan.
|
Group |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Aberrants |
Big, tough, and mighty ugly. These misshapen brutes are a reliable source of high-Strength melee attacks, though they are very expensive and require planning around. Best used with a Biosanctic Broodsurge Detachment and/or a supportive Character alongside them. |
|
Hybrid Metamorphs |
A solid middle ground between the cheap Acolyte Hybrids and elite Purestrain Genestealers, Hybrid Metamorphs can move after being shot at and are great at mulching Infantry of all flavours. Keep in mind that if you don’t take any Hand Flamers, your free Brood Surge move becomes stronger. |
|
Purestrain Genestealers |
If you’ve played as (or against) Tyranids before, you know just how fast and deadly Genestealers can be. These Genestealer Cult specimens trade Scouts for Infiltrate, making them better at taking Objectives early and lying in wait for prey to come to them. They can be led by a Patriarch for extra punch, but also work well in small packs, attacking vulnerable backline units via Cult Ambush and/or Deep Strike. |
Mounted And Vehicles
None of these vehicles were intended for military use, but anything can become a weapon in the hands of the desperate.
|
Group |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Atalan Jackals |
Fast-moving skirmishers on dirtbikes. They can throw out a scary number of Mortal Wounds via their Demolition Run ability mixed with the Grenade Stratagem, and they can also bring a single heavy weapon Wolfquad along for the ride to deal with specific threats. Their rules make using Cult Ambush more difficult, but if you need a mobile chaff-clearer, Jackals will serve well. |
|
Achilles Ridgerunners |
Your fire-support light Vehicle with a good mix of options. Their main draw is the Crossfire rule: any time a Ridgerunner hits an enemy unit, the rest of your army gets a boost to AP while targeting that unit. Bring the Mining Laser and Spotter for semi-reliable anti-tank shooting, or the Heavy Mortar and Survey Auger for maximum support value. |
|
Goliath Rockgrinder |
A brutal close-range Vehicle with limited transport capacity, you’ll want to pair this hulking slab of metal with a small close-combat unit that needs to reach the front lines. Bring the Clearance Incinerator to torch light Infantry, the Heavy Seismic Cannon for heavy Infantry, or the Heavy Mining Laser for anti-tank – just keep in mind that this thing wants to be in melee as much as possible, so don’t waste time trying to out-shoot actual tanks. |
|
Goliath Truck |
The Genestealer Cults’ most iconic transport, because nothing says insurgency like riding into battle in the back of a pickup truck. After the Goliath Truck shoots, it can mark one enemy it hit: a friendly unit that disembarks from the Truck can re-roll Wounds against that unit. A bit expensive compared to the Dedicated Transports of other factions, but nonetheless reliable. |
Detachments
Every planet in the Imperium is unique, and so are the Genestealer Cults that call these places home. Each Detachment specializes in a specific kind of guerrilla warfare, bringing unique tactics (and sometimes unique units) into the fray.
|
Detachment Name |
Description |
Suggested Units |
|---|---|---|
|
Host of Ascension |
A highly mobile Detachment that improves your Deep Strike and Cult Ambush. Whenever a friendly unit comes in from Reserves, they gain Sustained Hits and Ignores Cover until the end of the following Fight phase. Ranged units without Torrent benefit the most from this, and the available Stratagems will help them position themselves and jump back into Reserves if necessary. |
Neophyte Hybrids, Atalan Jackals, Acolyte Hybrids |
|
Xenocreed Congregation |
The most well-rounded option on this list, focused on empowering your Characters and the units they lead. Units with Hybrid in their name that are being led by a Character get re-rolls to Advance and Charge, and you’ll be bringing a lot of them. This Detachment leans toward horde-style board control, suffocating the non-believers in a tide of bodies. |
Hybrid Metamorphs, Acolyte Hybrids, Goliath Trucks |
|
Biosanctic Broodsurge |
When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. The Broodsurge focuses on three units: Aberrants, Purestrain Genestealers, and the Biophagus. The latter is a support character that passes this Detachment’s Rule to your other units, in addition to making them stronger in melee against Infantry. Risky and melee-heavy, but devastating in the right hands. |
Patriarchs, Purestrain Genestealers, Aberrants |
|
Outlander Claw |
Do you like to go fast? Everything in the Outlander Claw likes to go fast, and Atalan Jackals are especially prized here. Your Mounted and Vehicle units are better at holding Objectives, and Jackals keep control over Objectives even after they leave the area. What you’ll lack in raw damage, you’ll make up for with mobility and early Charges – just make sure that your high-mobility units don’t get cornered or stuck in pointless brawls. |
Atalan Jackals, Goliath Trucks, Achilles Ridgerunners |
|
Brood Brother Auxillia |
You know what’s scarier than an army of mutants? An army of mutants with military training. The Brood Brothers Auxillia represent the Genestealer Cult infiltrating nearby Astra Militarum forces, stealing some of their weapons and units in the process. You are allowed to bring a set amount of Astra Militarum units, with a point limit based on the size of battle you’re fighting. In addition, when an Astra Militarum unit focuses all of its shooting on one nearby enemy unit, your Genestealer Cult units get a bonus to hit with ranged attacks against them. |
Kasrkin, Leman Russ Tanks, Neophyte Hybrids |
|
Final Day |
The apocalypse has begun, and your Cult’s star-gods have arrived. Now all that’s left to do is help them mop up the non-believers. This Detachment allows you to bring in some Vanguard Invader Tyranid allies, with a point limit based on the size of battle you’re fighting. Your Genestealer Cult units will get stronger by fighting near the Tyranids, and you can heal nearby Tyranids by sacrificing your Cult models. |
Gargoyles, Von Ryan’s Leapers, Lictors |
Sample Armies
With the propaganda published and munitions stockpiled, all that’s left to do is wait for the Day of Ascension. But while you’re watching for the right moment to overthrow the oppressors, let’s look at some Genestealer Cult armies to get a feel for how the Cult operates on the tabletop.
Each army detailed below is designed to show off a particular Detachment, but don’t worry – everyone has a place in the flock of the Four-Armed Emperor.
Rise As One (Host of Ascension)
- Biophagus (Enhancement: Our Time is Nigh)
- Nexos (Enhancement: Prowling Agitant)
- Primus
- Reductus Saboteur
- Acolyte Hybrids with Autopistols
- Neophyte Hybrids x2
- Aberrants
- Achillies Ridgerunner
Strategy
This is a well-balanced list to take board control and chip away at enemy units until they fall before your combined arms. The Biophagus will Deep Strike with the Aberrants, Charging as soon as possible to demolish dangerous enemy units before they reach the rest of your forces. Meanwhile, the Nexos will accompany a maximum-size unit of Neophytes as they claim mid-board Objectives, relying on their Cult Icon and the occasional free Stratagem to stay alive and score points.
The smaller unit of Neophytes will run around claiming safe Objectives, and the Achillies Ridgerunner will chip in where needed, making your other shooting stronger while acting as your main anti-tank with its Mining Laser. The Reductus Saboteur is a versatile anti-everything unit, scaring enemy units from getting too close via the threat of their Demolition Charge and Planted Explosives.
Finally, the Primus will lead the Acolyte Hybrids as they Deep Strike into position, setting upon the foe with their Heavy Mining Tools and taking valuable Objectives anywhere they’re needed. His ability to redeploy friendly units is critical here, as it allows you to put more than half your army into Reserves – all the better to utilize your Detachment Ability.
Golf Sierra Charlie (Brood Brothers Auxilia)
- Primus (Enhancement: Fire-point Commander)
- Neophyte Hybrids x2
- Hybrid Metamorphs
- Achillies Ridgerunner
- Attilan Rough Riders
- Hellhound
- Kasrkin
- Leman Russ Battle Tank
Strategy
The Genestealer Cults aren’t known for having especially deadly shooting, so this army list may catch some players by surprise. The Primus will do their best Officer impression, buffing a big unit of Neophytes as they capture Objectives in no-mans land, assisted by the Kasrkin. The latter is especially valuable in a Brood Brothers army, as they can issue Orders to themselves without an Officer present (Officers lose Voice of Command in a Brood Brothers Auxilia list, so they can’t issue Orders anyway).
The Hybrid Metamorphs and Attilan Rough Riders will circle the flanks, looking to Charge Infantry and light Vehicles, respectively – though the Rough Riders also carry Lasguns, allowing them to trigger the Detachment Ability before Charging a different unit – and the extra Neophytes will clean up leftover Objectives.
Last but not least, The Hellhound will deal with any cheap Infantry you come up against (while removing the Benefit of Cover), the Leman Russ will blast away at enemy tanks and elite Infantry, and the Achillean Ridgerunner will make everyone else more accurate.
Look To The Skies (Final Day)
- Acolyte Iconward (Enhancement: Enraptured Damnation)
- Patriarch (Enhancement: Inhuman Integration)
- Sanctus
- Winged Tyranid Prime
- Acolyte Hybrids with Autopistols
- Gargoyles x2
- Neophyte Hybrids
- Lictor
- Purestrain Genestealers
- Von Ryan’s Leapers
- Achillies Ridgerunner
Strategy
As you might imagine from a Tyranid-focused Detachment, this is a melee swarm army list with a focus on keeping your Tyranid units as close to the fighting as possible: any time your Patriarch, Purestrains, and/or Acolytes are in melee, there should be a Tyranid unit nearby to assist and buff them.
The Winged Tyranid Prime will fly separately from the Gargoyle units, all the better to spread Catalyst to your Cult units. The Lictor, Leapers, and Sanctus will Infiltrate ahead, lying in wait for your other units to arrive or picking off enemy skirmishers as required.
Your Patriarch and Purestrain Genestealers will also deploy via Infiltrate, but they’ll take a more aggressive position, aiming for early Charges on vulnerable units. The Acolyte Iconward – a solid support Character who gives out Feel No Pain and allows you to bring back destroyed Cult Ambush Tokens – will Deep Strike with the Acolytes, the Neophytes will go capture Objectives, and the Ridgerunner will bring a Heavy Mortar to easily apply Crossfire without needing line-of-sight.
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