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40K: Genestealer Cults Are Here At Last!

5 Minute Read
Jan 27 2019
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The moment we’ve all been waiting for (and arriving right at the end of the month when Codex announcements usually do), Codex; Genestealer Cults is up next weekend for Pre-Order, and that means it’s a release-stravaganza. Come take a look and praise the Four-Armed Emperor!

Let us all give thanks to the Four-Armed Emperor, long may he reign, for the Stars have finally answered humanity’s search for answers: Next Week will be the day that the new Genestealer Cult arrives, bringing with it updated Cult Ambush rules, all the sweet new models you have been seeing over the last few months (plus several you might not have!), and of course Stratagems, Warlord Traits, and Relics. Let’s see what the GSC have been cooking up.

via Warhammer Community

Holy cow, it is a massive launch weekend for the Genestealer Cults. As you might expect, they have been lurking in the dark and brewing up all sorts of new weapons to unleash upon the Imperium. There’s a lot to dig into so let’s get right to it. First up, the Codex you’ve all been waiting for:

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The essential book for all fans of Genestealer Cults, featuring army background, miniatures showcases and all the rules you need to field your Genestealer Cults miniatures in games of Warhammer 40,000. The codex also comes with a card sheet containing 28 Cult Ambush markers and a 9″ range ruler, used when setting up Genestealer Cults in ambush. (With more on this new rule to come soon)

And of course, you can celebrate the glorious ascension of the Genestealer cults with new custom dice and accessories, as well as the fancy limited edition covers that look like defaced Imperial books.

But then on top of that… there are a ton of new miniatures accompanying this one. Let’s take a look:

Tectonic Fragdrills can make a pinpoint assault on the most volatile parts of the planet’s crust, resulting in a localised earthquake. The Genestealer Cults have learned to harness these machines to cause maximum disruption to their foes on the battlefield.

Jackals act as the eyes and ears of the Genestealer Cults. They ride a variety of rugged Atalan-class exploratory machines, of which the most common are dirtcycles and four-wheeled Wolfquads. These outriders are swift and skilled at evading enemy fire as they speed around the battlefield. The Wolfquads also offer the Jackal packs some handy fire support with a heavy weapon mount.

A Jackal Alphus is far from just the leader of a cult’s Jackal packs – they can coordinate targeted strikes on priority threats and even take matters into their own hands with well-placed shots from their high-powered sniper rifle.

A Genestealer Locus is a mysterious, austere character that serves as bodyguard to their gene-sect’s Magus or other senior cult leaders. They are poised to strike at a moment’s notice should any threat to their master reveal itself, their actions so sudden and swift that their intended target often has little or no warning as to the Locus’ intervention – usually with terminal consequences.

This new miniature sees a Magus available separately for the first time. A Magus serves as the cult’s spiritual leader, fortifying the minds of their kin against the psychic influence of their enemies. Each Magus is a formidable psyker, wielding subtle Broodmind powers to confound their foes or galvanise their fellow cultists to frenzied acts of devotion.

A Nexos is a consummate strategist. By analysing and interpreting every subtle ebb and flow of battle, they can identify vulnerable positions for their kin to exploit, pointing out potential flanking routes and subterranean passages perfect for arranging sudden ambushes.

To their fellow gene-sect members, the Clamavus is the spreader of truth – a hero who broadcasts the emancipatory creed of the cult far and wide. They use a scrambler array to thwart the enemy’s battleplans, all the while inspiring their kin with booming oratory amplified by their suit’s integrated proclamator hailer.

In order to meet their agenda or deter prying eyes from their clandestine activities, a Genestealer Cult must sometimes resort to less subtle forms of intervention by eliminating the problem directly. Whether by a sniper’s bullet or a knife in the dark, those assassinated for the survival of the cult will invariably have been the mark of a camo-cloaked Sanctus.

Before their long-planned uprising, the third and fourth generation Neophyte cultists will often seek to infiltrate their world’s Planetary Defence Force and Astra Militarum regiments, providing the cult with trained soldiery to call upon when the time comes. This handy combined set features 10 Cadian Shock Troops, a 2-man Cadian heavy weapon team, and a Genestealer Cults Upgrade Frame with which to subvert them to Brood Brothers that serve your cause.

This is a massive release, and it’s a huge step forward for the Genestealer Cults. You better believe we’ll be seeing more previews and news all next week about these scheming friends–in the meantime, feast your eyes.

What do you think of the GSC release? Let us know in the comments!

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Author: J.R. Zambrano
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