Get free Warhammer 40k rules PDF datasheets for Tempestus Aquilons and Vespid Stingwings from Kill Team Hivestorm, and bring these units to your big battles!
Updated February 20th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest rules updates from the Dataslate and pricing information.
Death From Above: New 40k Rules
In the vast, chaotic expanse of Warhammer 40,000, where towering war machines and armies clash across shattered worlds, there’s always room for a little flair — and a lot of carnage. Enter the Tempestus Aquilons and Vespid Stingwings, two very different squads that specialize in making the enemy’s life considerably shorter and far less enjoyable.
- 1x 112-page softcover Kill Team: Core Book
- 1x 72-page Hivestorm Dossier
- 22x Multi-part plastic miniatures
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One drops in from the sky like the universe’s angriest delivery service, and the other buzzes around with enough radioactive firepower to make anything that crosses their path instantly regret its life choices.
Astra Militarum Tempestus Aquilons Rules
Flying in for the Astra Militarum, the Aquilons have quickly become a must-have for Imperial Guard armies, even with the new codex out. Using their Precision Drop ability, they bypass all the usual nonsense of fumbling into position and land exactly where they need to be, often within a mere 3″ (now 6″ with the recent changes) of their bewildered foes. For an enemy that thinks it has prepared defenses, seeing these guys materialize out of thin air is the very definition of a bad day.
But landing with finesse is only half the fun. Once these troopers hit the ground, things get even worse for their enemies. Equipped with everything from melta carbines to plasma carbines, these soldiers pack enough firepower to turn anything from tanks to Terminators into smoldering wreckage.
What Makes Them Good?
Don’t forget the sentry weapons that automatically fire upon landing, making sure their welcoming party is as explosive as it is precise. The Servo-Sentry rule is what turns this group into a real nightmare. On the battlefield, nothing says “surprise!” quite like an automated flamethrower or grenade launcher lighting up the area before the Aquilons even take their first proper shot.
The enemy barely has time to blink before they’re engulfed in fire and shrapnel. These guys don’t need to charge — their weapons handle the “hello” just fine.
Are They Worth It?
And at 90 points for the full squad? That’s highway robbery. Tempestus Aquilons make the elite killing look effortless, whether they’re dismantling an artillery nest or steamrolling an objective in a final, desperate gambit.
Big Changes to Precision Drop in the Balance Dataslate
The GW team decided it was time to dial back those sneaky 3” Deep Strikes with the Balance Dataslate. Turns out, it wasn’t exactly the fairest or most engaging mechanic—it left some armies flexing reserve denial while others stood around looking helpless. Now, the minimum range is 6”, giving everyone a bit more breathing room (and a chance to actually do something about it). This hits the Aquilons, but they are still quite strong and totally worth it!
Tau Vespid 40k Stingwings Rules
On the other side of the conflict, we have the Vespid Stingwings, the T’au Empire’s unsung aerial aces. These insectoid mercenaries have been buzzing around the galaxy for ages, but don’t let their membranous wings fool you — they’re not just here for the aesthetic. Vespid Stingwings are built for blitz attacks and strike wherever their allies need a swift and brutal answer to entrenched foes.
What Makes Them Worth Running?
Speed is their game. With Airborne Agility, these Stingwings flit around the battlefield like hornets on a mission. And if they sense that things are getting a little too dangerous, they can always vanish back into Strategic Reserves, ready to launch another hit-and-run attack later.
Their neutron blasters aren’t for swatting flies, either. These guns pack serious heat, stripping away armor like it’s last season’s fashion faux pas. But the new goodies are what make Stingwings even more lethal. Options like the neutron grenade launcher and neutron rail rifle add layers of devastation that keep them competitive in any firefight. The grenade launcher is perfect for crowd control, while the rail rifle can punch holes in even the toughest enemies with ease.
Are They Worth Grabbing?
Of course, the pièce de résistance is the Oversight Drone. This little gadget turns the Stingwings into an airborne nightmare by allowing them to ignore cover once per battle. Picture it: you thought you were safe, hunkered down behind that wall, only to realize too late that the Stingwings don’t care about your defenses.
All of this wrapped up in a sleek, flying package at 130 points for the full squad.
40k Kill Team Hivestorm Launch Box Miniatures: $230 CAD$280 €180 £140
You can save even more on your purchase by using our exclusive list of redeemable discount codes from some of the best hobby retailers and miniature manufacturers!
If you’re the kind of player who enjoys watching elite squads go toe-to-toe in abandoned hives while alien tech hums menacingly in the background, then the contents of Warhammer 40k’s latest Kill Team set, Hivestorm, has you covered. This time, it’s high-flying Imperials and buzz-happy xenos clashing in a cityscape that’s seen better days.
The new box will have a bunch of those cool Imperial ruins for terrain, new Tau Vespid, new Tempestus Aquilons, cards, rules, accessories, and more! If you want to jump headfirst (or feet first, as you’ll have a jump pack on) into Kill Team, you’ll want to unbox the Hivestorm Launch Set! Order yours here.
Final Thoughts on the New 40k Rules & Datasheets
And there you have it: the Tempestus Aquilons and Vespid Stingwings, two squads that prove the galaxy’s finest warriors don’t always need to come in hulking power armor.
Whether you’re a fan of precision drops that turn an enemy’s day from bad to worse, or you prefer the nimble, radioactive sting of the T’au Empire’s winged allies, these units bring a new flavor of chaos to the battlefield.
40k Kill Team Hivestorm Values & Pricing
What do you think about the new Warhammer 40k rules for Vespid Stingwings and Tempestus Aquilons?
