Warhammer Kill Team 40k’s Hivestorm Launch Box offers a ton of value; here’s the price, contents list, unboxing, release date, and review breakdown!
Updated November 16th, 2024, by Rob Baer with the latest pre-order and pricing information, along with the confirmed release date announcement for the 2024 Kill Team Starter Set from Games Workshop.
If you are looking for comparisons to the other Kill Team starter sets over the years, be sure to read our articles on 2024’s Hivestorm, 2021’s Octarius, and 2019’s Kill Team starter with Tau and Space Wolves.
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!
The new Kill Team Hivestorm box’s release date is October 5th, 2024, along with tons of other expansions and accessories for the new edition.
Price Vs. Value
So, you’re thinking about grabbing the Hivestorm Launch Box? This box not only gets you a decent number of new minis, but it also has the rules, terrain, accessories, and more!
Hivestorm Launch Box Contents Value
| Models | Unit Name | Value |
| 11 (Including Servitor) | Tempestus Aquilons Kill Team | $62.50 (Based on Exaction Sqaud) |
| 11 (Including Drone) | Vespid Stingwings Kill Team | $62.50 (Based on Exaction Sqaud) |
| 1 | Volkus Terrain Set | $90 (Based on previous KT Terrain) |
| 1 | Rules | $60 |
| 1 | Kill Team Equipment Pack | $45 |
| 1 | Approved Operations Card Pack 2024 | $35 (Only available from GW) |
| Hivestorm Kill Team | ||
| Total MSRP: | $355 | |
| Savings Versus Box Price: | $125 | |
Kill Team Hivestorm Price Comparisons
Below, you can see how the new Hivestorm Launch Box compares to older Battleforces and KT launch boxes.
| Box Set Name | Price | Qty of Minis | Value |
| Deathwing Assault | $220 | 22 | $124 |
| SM Spearhead Force | $230 | 20 | $100 |
| Chalnath KT Box | $170 | 10 | $80 |
| Hivestorm Launch Box | $230 | 22 | $120 |
| Into the Dark Kill Team Box | $210 | 22 | $150 |
Is This Worth It?
For most new players, this new Kill Team Hivestom box is definitely worth it, yes! This will not only get you access to a ton of new miniatures, but it will also be the first place to grab the new rules, cool terrain, and all the accessories! Like most of the KT Starter boxes, not all the value comes from the models themselves, as a lot of the value is wrapped up in the terrain and accessories.
However, that’s all useful content, so even if you just want the minis, the rest of the content will be a great addition to your collection.
- 1x 112-page softcover Kill Team: Core Book
- 1x 72-page Hivestorm Dossier
- 22x Multi-part plastic miniatures
Last update on 2024-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
40k Kill Team Hivestorm Launch Set YouTube Unboxing Reviews:
If you’re looking for the new Warhammer 40k Kill Team Hivestorm unboxing reviews on YouTube, be sure to watch your favorite presenters talk about their take on the new box set with a release date (actual date on store shelves) of October 5th, 2024 at the links below:
40k Kill Team Hivestorm Launch Box List Price: $230 CAD$280 €180 £140
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- Base Size: Varies
- Height: Varies
- Alignment: Imperial & Xenos
- Faction: Astra Militarum & Tau
- Role: Troops, HQ, Elite
- Material: Plastic
- Number of Minis: 22
- Release Year: 2024
Buy The Hivestorm Kill team Box
Pricing By Country
| Country | Price |
| United States | $230 |
| Canada | CAD$280 |
| United Kingdom | £140 |
| Europe | €180 |
40k Kill Team Hivestorm Launch Box Contents Description
When the skies above Volkus blacken with thrusters and battle cries, it’s clear that something big is about to go down. The latest edition of Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team isn’t just an expansion – it’s a full-throttle, no-holds-barred clash between Imperial elites and Xenos outcasts.
With its sleek new rules and deadly factions, Hivestorm is both a refreshing start for new players and a feast for lore hounds. All contents in the Warhammer 40k Kill Team Hivestorm box:
- Vespid Stingwing Kill Team (11 models)
- Tempestus Aquilons Kill Team (11 models)
- Killzone: Volkus Terrain (14 new and existing pieces of terrain)
- Kill Team upgrades and accessories sprue
- 3rd Edition Kill Team Core Book
- Kill Team Approved Ops 2024 card pack
- Hivestorm Dossier expansion book
- Two sheets of cardboard tokens
New Tempestus Aquilons (Jump Pack Scions) Models:
When the Militarum Tempestus drop in, they don’t come quietly. The Tempestus Aquilons – a new breed of Scions – make a point of entering the battlefield like human thunderbolts. Unlike their more terrestrial kin, these warriors hurtle into the fray on grav-chutes, storming enemy lines with all the subtlety of a chainsword to the face.
Aquilons are handpicked for their no-nonsense attitude and knack for survival in hostile territory. Their weapons? Only the finest the Imperium can muster. From hot-shot lascarbines that can punch through armor like it’s wet paper to plasma carbines that turn enemies into glowing piles of regret, these guys aren’t here to mess around.
In close quarters, they wield melta carbines and other short-range terrors, ideal for when you need to disintegrate something – or someone – fast.
New Tau Empire Vespid Stingwings Models
On the other side of this metal-rich deathtrap is the Vespid Stingwings – the T’au Empire’s buzzing, winged vanguard. The Vespid have always been the quiet workhorses of the T’au’s auxiliary forces, and in Hivestorm, they finally take center stage. This time, they’re not just backing up the Fire Warriors – they’re leading the charge.
Originally known for wielding neutron blasters that could vaporize targets faster than you can say “For the Greater Good,” the Vespid have now evolved into versatile skirmishers equipped with cutting-edge tech.
Guided by their Strain Leaders and the ever-watchful MV44 Oversight Drones, they can pull off surgical strikes that leave enemy commanders sweating.
Hivestorm Kill Team Terrain
The world of Volkus is a hellscape of smog-choked hive spires and ancient orbital defenses. One of its most infamous landmarks is the Great Gun of Massif Ballistus – a fortress-sized weapon aimed skyward, ready to rain fiery judgment on any Xenos craft foolish enough to enter orbit.
Within this gritty landscape, operatives weave through towering ruins, bombed-out manufactorums, and debris-choked streets, using the environment to outmaneuver their foes.
Accessories
In Hivestorm, no battle-ready squad is complete without the right kit. From new barricades and booby traps to skull-encrusted range markers, the box set has everything a commander needs to plunge their operatives into the thick of it.
The added Approved Operations cards streamline mission prep, while the pop-out token sheets ensure you can keep tabs on everything, even in the heat of battle.
Rules & Core Book
For those who like their games fast and brutal, Hivestorm has introduced fresh rules to keep things snappy, with options for both casual skirmishes and high-stakes tactical encounters. Whether you’re throwing down in a dilapidated hive or a haunted space hulk, the new edition ensures each fight is as tense and cinematic as possible.
New Rules in the 2024 Edition
The new edition of kill team shakes things up with a mix of tactical depth and simplicity. First up, there’s the updated turn structure that keeps the pace fast and ferocious, so no more long drawn-out rounds that feel like an eternity. Players now alternate activations more fluidly, creating that lovely sense of chaos you’d expect from a brutal skirmish in the dark alleyways of the 41st millennium.
Now, your units act in rapid succession, leaving little room for hesitation—one wrong move, and the enemy capitalizes immediately.
There’s also a noticeable tweak to mission variety. Missions are now more dynamic, with secondary objectives making or breaking your chances. Each kill team has more flexibility in tailoring their objectives to suit their strengths, which means even the underdogs can turn the tide if they play smart.
Faction abilities have been tightened up too. The Vespid Stingwings now harness advanced Tau tech for lightning-fast maneuvers, while the Tempestus Aquilons bring a hearty dose of Imperial discipline and brutal firepower. These changes bring fresh tactical layers to a game already brimming with strategic choices.
How the Tempestus Aquilons Play in Kill Team
The Tempestus Aquilons are the kind of unit that doesn’t care much for subtlety—they come crashing into the battlefield like a wall of angry chainblades and plasma fire. Equipped with grav-chutes, these Imperial elites can jump right into the thick of things, bypassing traditional movement restrictions. Their motto: why walk around obstacles when you can just vault over them?
Their role in the game is clear—high mobility, high damage, and an ability to sow chaos behind enemy lines. They’re built for shock tactics, able to rip apart high-value targets or swarm objectives before the enemy knows what hit them. Armed with hot-shot lascarbines, plasma carbines, and melta guns, they can vaporize infantry and melt through vehicles like butter.
Synergy with other Imperial forces? Oh, absolutely. Combine them with Cadian infantry for a classic hammer-and-anvil tactic, or pair them with heavier units like Ogryns for brutal close-quarters takedowns. They can also work well with Inquisitorial retinues, offering both firepower and tactical precision.
Just don’t expect them to hold objectives for long—they’re meant to strike hard and fast, then move on.
How the Vespid Stingwings Play in Kill Team
On the Tau side, the Vespid Stingwings offer a very different playstyle—think precision over brute force. These winged warriors are all about mobility and hit-and-run tactics. Their neutron blasters are nasty weapons, capable of vaporizing targets with a single well-placed shot, but the real trick is knowing when and where to strike.
They thrive on outflanking enemies and taking out isolated units before the enemy can react.
Vespid units excel when they’re darting around the battlefield, finding weak points in enemy lines. You won’t see them wading into melee unless they absolutely have to; they’re best used as fast-moving fire support that can reposition quickly to avoid retaliation.
In terms of synergy, they fit perfectly into the greater Tau Empire strategy of combined arms. Let your Fire Warriors hold the line while the Vespids zip around to pick off priority targets. Their synergy with Tau drones can also be game-changing, especially when using Markerlight support to increase their effectiveness in precision strikes.
Killzone: Volkus Terrain Review
Unboxing, Building, & Painting Kill Team Hivestorm: Volkus Terrain
The Killzone: Volkus terrain set brings a heap of character to your battlefield, with chunky, Imperial-style ruins that tell a story of a once-great city now reduced to crumbling wreckage. The centerpiece? Two O-shaped structures that dominate the board, along with smaller L-shaped ruins and scatter terrain like debris piles and barricades.
These aren’t just decorative; they change the way you play.
Assembly is fairly straightforward, though you might need to file down a few tricky pieces, especially where the larger walls meet at awkward angles. Pro tip: dry-fit everything before committing to glue, and keep a hobby knife handy to clean up the mold lines.
Once everything’s built, you’ve got a gothic playground of destruction, perfect for skirmishing units to duck, dive, and fire from behind cover.
For painting, start with a neutral basecoat like Grey Seer or Mechanicus Standard Grey. Then, hit the terrain with a combination of Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade washes for that grimy, war-torn look. Drybrushing with metallic tones (Leadbelcher or Necron Compound) will help bring out those details like exposed machinery or metalwork.
To really make the terrain pop, consider using Streaking Grime or other weathering techniques, especially in recessed areas, to simulate years of decay and battle damage. Learn how to paint with our tutorials here!
How Killzone: Volkus Terrain Affects Gameplay
Terrain isn’t just for show in kill team—it’s a game-changer, and Killzone: Volkus brings that strategic element in spades. The large O-shaped buildings offer fantastic vantage points for sniper units or units with long-range weapons, while the L-shaped ruins provide valuable cover as you advance through the battlefield.
The modular design allows you to rearrange the board for a fresh experience every time, though the predefined layouts are excellent starting points for new players.
Height advantages play a huge role here. Units perched on top of the ruins can rain fire down on enemies below, forcing opponents to stay in cover or risk getting picked off. However, there’s a flip side—being elevated also makes you an easy target for anything with a long-range weapon or artillery, so don’t get too comfortable up there.
The smaller scatter terrain—barbed wire, broken machinery, and debris—offers crucial cover for troops advancing through the open. Smart players will use these bits to shield vulnerable units or block off pathways, forcing the enemy into unfavorable firing lanes.
The terrain pieces don’t just look grimdark—they actively shape how you strategize every move.
What to Buy Next?
Any of the new Kill Team expansions may be worth a pickup, along with any accessories you think will be helpful to you. You definitely can’t go wrong getting any other team you want to play after you get the starter box, though!
Final Thoughts on Warhammer 40k Kill Team Hivestorm Launch Box
In conclusion, the Warhammer 40k Kill Team Hivestorm Launch Box is a must-have for both new players and seasoned veterans. With its impressive contents, including new models, terrain, accessories, and a sleek new rulebook, this set a home run for Warhammer 40k hobbyists.
Whether you’re into high-flying Imperials or buzzing xenos, there’s something for everyone in this box
Getting Started with Warhammer 40k Kill Team: Your Ultimate Rules Guide
What do you think of the new Warhammer 40k Kill Team Hivestorm, its contents, review, release date, unboxing, value, and price?
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
