Marked for death! Don’t miss these top six character tactics that you need to know from the Warhammer 40k Genestealer Cults codex!
Genestealer Cults got the full character package when their codex dropped. Now that we’ve had a little time to explore, we can talk about their best uses!
A single Genestealer Cultist isn’t exactly potent on their own. However, when you add the combined efforts of like-minded characters, they operate like a well-oiled machine. Check out the new Characters and how to get the maximum use out of each one.
Jackal Alphus
The Jackal Alphus is a character you only really need one of. She’s got a built-in ability called Priority Target Sighted that lets units closeby add +1 to hit rolls. Another part of this ability says An enemy unit can only be selected as the target of the ability once per phase. Essentially, you should just be marking the scariest thing on the board that’s in your reach to get rid of. On top of that…Always play her in a Rusted Claw detachment with a ton of other Bikes.
Clamavus
The Clamavus is THE support unit in the army. At only 55 pts he’s worth his weight in gold. Especially against the fast hard-hitting melee armies like Orks. If he’s on the field, your friendly Cultists add +1 Ld and +1 to charge but the real value is a 12″ anti-deepstrike bubble. You can put these guys near the edge of your deployment and create a field where you can keep things like pesky Da Jumping Orks out of your face turn one.
On the flipside, you can keep these guys back in your deployment as everyone else moves up to just cover your rear with as few models as possible.
Nexos
The Nexos is another unit that is an auto-include at only 50 pts. You only need one in your force but make sure you have him, a Primus, and a Clamavus all in the same detachment. He lets you manipulate your deployment blips a little but, his real value comes in with CP regeneration. If you’ve got a Primus and a Clamavus on the field in the same Cult, he lets you get any CP spent by any player back on a 5+. Your chances are so high you could be getting a CP back a turn. That’s a free five or more CP all game!
Kelermorph
The gunslinger model out of the new Kill Team box is a fantastic option to run. He’s the kind of guy you really only need one of as well. Just keep him in your back pocket until the time is right. If you see a character that’s looking a little too “brave” in the frontline, drop him down and unleash an unholy amount of pistol fire. He can actually target characters even if they aren’t closest. Plus, he gets an extra shot for each hit he gets. (that’s a potential total of 12 shots on a 2+ BS). The Pistols are decent at killing characters with each shot 2 dmg a pop and he buffs the dudes around him after he kills a model.
Sanctus
If you’ve got an extra 60 pts lying around, you might as well throw a Sanctus into your list as well. He’s the new Assassin character that can be given a knife or a sniper rifle. In our opinion, it’s best to give him the sniper. If you go the knife route, he will have a hard time even getting characters because of all the screens in the meta. (At least the Kelermorph can shoot past the screens to get to the character).
What really makes this guy potent is his built-in ability called Cult Assassin that reduces the cost to 0 CP on A Perfect Ambush. He can drop in and shoot in any movement phase and if you do it on your turn, he can drop in, shoot, and then shoot again in the shooting phase all for 0 CP. Did we mention his Sniper can cause a Perils of the Warp on a Psyker?
Locus
The Locus is there mainly to hip-check your more squishy characters. Sit him beside a Nexos or a Magus and dare the enemy to get too close. This man can heroically intervene 6″, always fights first AND slaps a lot harder than you’d expect with 2 damage flat weapons. The Locus really forces your opponent to either pick killing your character or doing some damage on another unit he charged.
Genestealer Cults seem to beone of those armies that work best with all kinds of characters sprinkled in. Which characters you choose comes down to what kind of General you are and how you want your uprising to function. Make sure you playtest and see which units fit your playstyle the most!
What are your thoughts on the new Genestealer Cult characters? Which Cult is your favorite? Do you use one of every new unit in your list? 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.
