Guard your psykers! Genestealer Cults got a powerful character package when their codex dropped. Check out how deadly the Sanctus really is!
Genestealer Cults are under the spotlight as the next faction to shake the meta. While the pros are still toying with lists, we feel like there’s a real powerhouse hidden within the faction.
GSC Sanctus: A Psyker’s Worst Nightmare
Looking at the Sanctus, he clocks in at 60pts with the sniper rifle (which is what you want). Just doing a quick overview of the model, he can target characters, ignores cover, and can Cult Ambush. His sniper rifle is decent at S4 -1AP D3 damage and any unsaved wound to a Psyker automatically causes a Perils of the Warp.
Remember, if they die as a result of the perils of the warp, everyone around them takes mortal wounds as well! You really shouldn’t be shooting at any non-Psyker characters until all those pesky Librarians have been wiped out with this guy. (Just to get max value for him).
Now, at this point, you’re probably thinking that power armor would counter this sniper. But for those tough cookies that are harder to crack, you’ll want to give him the Gift from Beyond relic.
The Gift From Beyond adds 2 to your wound rolls for the weapon. Now keep in mind that this is still a sniper weapon which means you’ll be doing mortal wounds on a 6+. But, because of the +2 modifier, you’ll be doing a mortal wound on T4 targets on a 4+. That’s a solid way to get past a 2+ Terminator save or even a 3++ storm shield character!
He Gets Better
The Sanctus has a built-in rule that brings the 3CP cost of this stratagem down to 0. The best part about this is that you can use this stratagem in your OPPONENT’s movement phase as well. As soon as you see the Psyker step from behind cover, you can pop out and shoot at him before anything else happens. That can outright kill some of the cheaper Psykers like Weirdboys and Guard Primaris Psykers. If you use the stratagem on your turn, you essentially get to shoot twice with him! Doubletap!
We really feel like the Gift From Beyond on the Sanctus is one of the best relic combos for the faction. Once you start taking a Sanctus, you’ll realize that cheap Psykers are running rampant in 8th edition and this guy will keep them in check. Keep in mind you get a mortal wound bomb sniper rifle AND a free-costing stratagem for just 60 pts. It’s an auto-include.
Let us know what you think about the Sanctus and your experience with him 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.
