Genestealer Cult  by Patrick Eibel
Way back in the days of Second Edition 40K, my friend John had a Genestealer Cult army that used to terrorize us on a regular basis. He was particularly proud of his tactic of putting Genestealers in Rhinos (because he could) and zooming them up the board in the relative protection of the vehicle.

Thankfully, those days are gone.

However, the idea of a Genestealer Cult army is pretty neat, and I am sure there are some of you out there that still have the figures for them. Here is my attempt to replicate some rules for a Genestealer Cult. While I have done my best to be reasonable, these rules are unofficial and your opponent is under no obligation to allow you to play them. However, in a loose and friendly environment, I am sure they would be allowed.

Background
Genestealer Cults worship the awe-inspiring terror of the Hive Mind. They are made up of humans that either serve, or have been mutated by, the Tyranids and their mycetic spores.

Philosophy
Prepare the way for the Great Devourer.

Note
This army uses units from two lists: the Lost and the Damned (L&D), from Codex: Eye of Terror, and the Tyranids (T).

HQ
Cult Magos, which counts as an Arch Heretic (Chaos Sorcerer) (L&D). You may also have 0-1 Broodlord and retinue (T).

Elites
Big Mutants (L&D) and 0-1 Elite choice from Codex: Tyranids.

Troops
You may take Mutants (L&D) but no Plague Zombies. You may also take Cultists, which count as Traitors (L&D) and 0-2 broods of Genestealers (T).

Fast Attack
You may take one Traitor Recon unit (L&D) for every unit of Cultists you take. You may also take 0-1 Fast Attack choice from Codex: Tyranids.

Heavy Support
You may take one Traitor Tank (L&D) for every unit of Cultists taken. You may also take 0-1 Carnifex (T).

Modeling And Painting
The key to the army will be modeling the mutants. For Big Mutants, I would use a combination of the plastic Fantasy Ogres and Tyranid Warriors; for regular mutants, use Genestealers and Cadian Imperial Guard. I would use the human (or Ogre) legs and torsos and Tyranid arms and heads. You will want to paint your human part of the army to have a strong visible association with the Tyranid part, either similar colors schemes, iconography, or slogans (“All bow before the Devourer,” etc.)

General Tactics
This army creates a balance between the shooty human forces and the assault-oriented Tyranid and mutated forces. As such, you will want to reserve some assault element to protect your shooting element from counterattack. Your opponent should have fits deciding which is the greater threat, the Tyranids advancing on their lines or the Traitor with the heavy weaponry. 
 

Related Pages
Other Tyranid Themed Army Ideas
 

© Copyright Patrick Eibel, October 2005. Used with permission.
 

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