Uncover what’s new in 40k Kill Team, from streamlined rules and classic inches to co-op play and refined datacards for better skirmishes.
40k Kill Team Ditches Symbols for Real Measurements & New Rules
Welcome to the war-torn, skirmish-filled corners of the 41st Millennium – where squads of battle-hardened warriors clash in shadowy ruins, derelict space hulks, and hive cities darker than a Necron’s sense of humor. Whether you’re a fresh recruit or a grizzled commander who remembers when everything was measured in base sizes, there’s plenty to enjoy in Kill Team’s latest edition, Hivestorm. It’s a lethal mix of new rules, clarified mechanics, and a dash of that grimdark flair we all can’t get enough of.
Kill Team: Hivestorm – What’s New
New Kill Team Edition, New Excitement
The buzz is real – Kill Team is back with its latest edition, Hivestorm, and it’s time to dig into what’s cooking. The designers have been busy sharpening the rules and adding layers of grimdark goodness for both rookies and veterans alike. Whether you’re gunning for quick skirmishes or a full-on narrative campaign, there’s something tasty here for everyone.
Getting Started with Kill Team
Getting into the game has never been more straightforward. The Core Book lays out the essentials in a slick, organized way. You’ve got everything you need to get rolling right from the start – no guesswork. What’s great is how the book now points out both the basics and the extras with new icons, giving players a visual cue on what’s essential and what’s optional but cool. The upper three icons focus on the must-haves: the rulebook, tokens, and your chosen team. Meanwhile, the lower three offer ways to expand your experience, whether through new terrain, campaign modes, or thematic elements.
A neat touch is the inclusion of QR codes linking directly to updated rules for each kill team. Gone are the days of flipping through endless errata and FAQs – just scan, read, and get back to blasting heretics.
Inches Make a Comeback (Bye, Bye Symbols)
Kill Team players have always loved precise measurements – maybe a bit too much. The previous edition’s use of circles, squares, and triangles was a bit… abstract. We’re back to the old reliable inches, letting you measure your battlefield maneuvers like the God-Emperor intended. Whether you’re leaping across cover or charging headlong into melee, those familiar rulers and tape measures are ready to see some action. For veteran players, this feels like a homecoming, while new players will appreciate the straightforwardness.
Clearer Rules and Helpful Hints
Rules are like sacred texts in Warhammer – but we all know some passages can be cryptic. This edition polishes and streamlines those little grey areas, making it easier to grasp both the basics and the more intricate tactics. The universal actions like Reposition and Shoot are now boxed up neatly with color-coded notes, clarifying when to use them. The added designer commentary is the real hero here, giving you a peek behind the curtain on why some rules work the way they do. These nuggets of wisdom are scattered throughout the book, helping players avoid rookie mistakes and boosting tactical depth without needing a mentor at your side.
Kill Team Has New Co-op and Solo Play Modes
Teaching Kill Team to a friend often meant toning down your skills, but Hivestorm offers a more elegant solution. Enter Joint Ops – a co-op mode that pits players against automated Non-Player Operatives (NPOs). This mode is fantastic for learning the ropes without needing a live opponent. The NPOs, which can be anything from cultists to Necrons, follow a simple AI-like behavior pattern, keeping the action unpredictable and challenging. It’s also a neat way to run solo missions when your gaming buddies are busy fighting their own battles in the real world.
Updated Datacards & Sleeker Stats
The new edition is a masterclass in trimming the fat. Gone are Group Activation and Defense characteristics, replaced by a more streamlined setup that keeps the action fast and fluid. Almost every kill team released so far gets a makeover, with reworked datacards that offer clarity without sacrificing flavor. Even the old favorites are getting in on the action – you’ll be seeing refreshed rules for teams all the way back to Octarius.
Final Thoughts on the New Kill Team Rules
As the dust settles and the last bolt shell clatters to the ground, it’s clear that Hivestorm is shaping up to be a killer edition. With smarter rules, a nod to classic measurements, and fresh ways to throw down solo or with friends, the grimdark skirmish game we all love is more accessible and vicious than ever. So, whether you’re sharpening your bayonets or calibrating your plasma, it’s time to pick your squad, roll those dice, and dive into the carnage.
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
What do you think about the new Kill Team rules and getting rid of the symbols for normal number measurements?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
