Don’t miss all the latest rules rumors for 40k’s Genestealer Cults as they look to be next in line for their new 8th Edition codex.
With GW previewing new models left and right but has yet to showcase any new rules, rumors are popping up for Warlord Traits, special character rules, and more. Take everything you read here with a pinch of salt because these are just rumors until proven otherwise.
GSC Warlord Traits Rumors
Coming from Stepping Between Games, this looks to be a warlord trait table for the Genestealer cult. We first saw this a while ago and then it sort of “died off”. Someone like a playtester could have managed to snap a pic of some work in progress…or this could all just be a clever hoax.
Regardless if it’s real or not, the Ambush Leader Warlord Trait would be bananas on the tabletop. You get to PICK your result and come in with a unit.
Cult Stratagems Rumors
There were even more rumored rules that have not been corroborated by anyone besides “a reader on Faeit 212″.
- –Sabotaged! (1CP) – When an enemy unit is destroyed and has an explosion effect, do not roll any dice – that effect automatically triggers. -Confusion in the Ranks (3CP) – Choose an enemy unit in your opponent’s army. Select one of its aura abilities – that ability cannot be used until the start of your next turn.
- –Final Detonation (3CP): Use this stratagem at the start of the fourth battle round. Roll a D6 for each unit on the battlefield. On a 1-3, the unit being rolled for cannot advance this battle round. On a 4+, the unit being rolled for suffers a mortal wound and cannot advance this battle round.
- –The Anointed one Rises: Use this stratagem if an Abominant is slain. At the end of the phase, that model is set up again, as close as possible to the previous position and more than 1″ from enemy models, with D3 wounds remaining.
- –Density Analysis Lenses (1CP) Ignore cover on the chosen target.
- –Inhuman Reflexes (2CP): A unit gets a 5++, or has its invulnerable save increased by 1.
- –Industrial Brutality (1CP) – Double the attacks of all mining weapons in an acolyte squad (rock saw, rock drill or rock cutter only).
- –Frenzied Hammering (2CP) – Select a unit of Aberrants – each model in that unit increases its attacks by D3 (roll once for the whole unit), but takes a -1 to hit rolls.
- –Strength of Faith (1CP) – 5+ feel no pain, but only vs. mortal wounds in the psychic phase.
- –Demolition Claw (1CP) – When a unit with demolition charges makes its attacks while embarked within a goliath truck/rockgrinder. That units demolition charges are not expended in the attack.
- –Deliverance Broodsurge (1CP) – Allows a unit embarked on a Goliath Truck to disembark after it moves, though for each one that disembarks roll a D6 – for every roll of 6+ the unit takes a mortal wound.
- –Numbers beyond counting (3CP) – Remove a unit from the board, next turn deploy it via Cult Ambush at its full strength.
- –Breaking Formation (2CP) – You may deploy a unit with the VEHICLE keyword from your army with the GENESTEALER CULTS keyword as per the Cult Ambush rules.
GSC Debunked & Legit Rumors Spotted
GSC got a hefty preview of new models at the Warhammer New Years Open event. And with that, rumors on what the new models would be doing on the table began to pop up. However, there have been some confirmed FAKE rumors out there as well.
Debunked GSC Rumors
There were some rumors spotted on the web that was apparently confirmed to be fake by CaptainBetts on the GSC Discord server. How do we know they’re fake? Well, the guy that made the rumors told him they were fake after all. In fact, most of the inspiration from the fake rumor was the GSC 7th edition codex.
They used the 7e codex in a photo, pretended it was the new 8e codex, and made a bunch of false claims, piggybacking off the false reliability from the 7e codex. The leaks look like this, and I know them to be 100% fake, and I know this because I know the person who made up these fakes.
Legit GSC Rumors Spotted
CaptainBetts also added some rumors that he thinks is actually from a reliable source:
Purestrain Genestealers are going to be getting a new and updated kit. This will be one of the last things they reveal before the codex goes up for pre-orders. The Genestealer kit is specifically for GSC Genestealers, and they are based off the most recent Space Hulk Genestealer design. They will be on 32mm bases and will be coming in boxes of 12.
Remember there were some new (but otherwise unreleased) Genestealer Sculpts included in the box game “Deathwatch: Overkill” back in 2016 when Genestealer Cults first came out (in their new form). They looked like this if you can’t remember.
Furthermore, there will apparently be a “Start Collecting!” box for Genestealer Cults. This will not include the aforementioned Genestealers, as Start Collecting!: Tyranids already includes Genestealers.
I’m about 70% sure this is real – the source I got it from was correct on a few things in the past (such as the Triple Pistol Primus being released as a Kill Team box, and specifics about the Vigilus campaign).
Seperate Set of Rumors Spotted on Dakka Dakka
We aren’t sure about the validity of this set of rumors. Neither Captain Betts or the post below talked about the same thing twice for GSC.
Coming from Dakka:
- GSC bikers – 14” with -1 to hit.
- The new ambush rules… complete overhaul. Blip markers and stuff.
- If you have first turn you can decide your layout after deployment, if it’s your opponents turn first you just leave a lot of them as blip markers.
- You get the markers with the codex.
- There’s a deep strike blocking bloke.
- The Nexos lets you move the blip markers around. Sounds fundamentally different in almost every way.
- The assassin can have a sniper rifle.
- The scenery causes earthquakes and can redeploy your troops anywhere.
- Couple more minor things: the units marked by a blip are not subject to moving with heavy weapons penalties when they appear.
- There will be six cult traits.
- Pauper Princes are in the codex a bit more.
- One of the character models is some kind of vox hacker who denies deep strike in some way.
More Rumors from GW HQ:
I was at GW HQ yesterday and whilst I wasn’t allowed to actually look at the codex, I got sooo close!
Found out a few bits though (this guy was particularly tight-lipped but others there were more sharing).
Here’s what I found out –
- We’ll have a weird “blip” system for deployment, like motion detector marks, where we can choose which is what unit when we reveal them (not necessarily on the first turn).
- The map guy allows us to move these markers.
- The gunslinger allows us to reroll misses once he’s killed someone.
- The loud speaker guy stops enemy deepstrikers coming down within 12″ of him.
- The sniper bike is HQ, the Female Magus is just an alternative Magus model. The other characters are Elite (although not sure).
- Astra Millitarum detachments can be taken, but don’t contribute as many (or any?) Command Points, don’t get Regimental bonuses, but do get +1 Ld. No AM named characters allowed.
- Baneblades and other Lords of War equivalents can be fielded.
- There will be 6 Cult “Cults” with there own rules (like Chapter Tactics/Hive Fleets). This includes Bladed Cog and Pauper Princes.
- There is still one version of Patriarch, but between 6 psychic powers, warlord traits and heirlooms he’ll be customizable. One Patriarch per detachment.
- The big frag drill terrain will allow us to cause earthquakes.
What Does our Timeline Look Like?
Well, someone from GW was spotted walking around the New Year Open event with a Cult Codex. That means they’ve already had their first print run for the faction. And as for right now, we don’t know how much truth is behind these rumors we just went over.
One thing is for sure. We can keep an eye out on the horizon and wait for GW to drop solid previews in the days to come. We don’t have any dates on when that’ll happen just yet. But we do know that GSC are already confirmed to be next for the codex. Be patient and keep watch!
What do you think about the GSC faction if these rumors end up being true? Will you be starting an army for yourself? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
