A note on the first part of this post: Please note that it was written before I had decided on an actual army list for the force. I just didn't want to post it until I had something to show, and so far it represents my thoughts fairly accurately. Everything is subject to change without prior notice, though. Forewarned is four-armedI haven't properly played 40k since the 4th edition and can't even remember when I painted my last Dark Angel. But with a weekly 500 point 40k league just starting in the store, I couldn't resist starting a new project. Which is really amazingly stupid, since I'm an expert in starting projects and not finishing them... But as I said, I couldn't resist. And it's something I have been thinking about doing for over 15 years. I'm not kidding. I saw the picture of Adrian Wood's Genestealer Cult Chimera in the 1997 February (#206) issue of White Dwarf and I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I knew I would have to build a Cult force at some point in time. I didn't think it would take me this long to actually get to it, though...
So, here's my take on the Genestealer Cult force. It has already gone through several revisions in my head, and it will probably change a lot more before it's finished. (If I ever get it finished...) If you don't agree with something, I am always open to comments and suggestions. I know a lot of these ideas are not original. I was certainly not the only person to think "OMG, HYBRIDS!" when the Vampire Counts Crypt Ghouls were released. I have also looked closely at both Tim Huckleberry's Codex: Genestealer Cults from Citadel Journal #40 and the Fly Lords of Terra's Cult Codex, as well as the work of Ambiance 327 on the 40kOnline forums.
I will be using Codex: Imperial Guard until something better comes along. I would say it's entirely possible that a digital Codex: Genestealer Cults will be released this year or next, especially in the wake of the new Tyranid release. But for now, IG it is. I should also mention that my plan is to only use models currently available, so no vintage minis.
MagusThis I think will easily be represented by a Primaris Psyker, if I choose to include one. My gut feeling says the Magus would not get directly involved in smaller battles. But if I build one (and I really want to), it will most likely be based on the Empire Battle Wizards kit, although the Astropath from the Imperial Guard Regimental Advisors set looks good.
PatriarchThis guy needs to stay home. Period. I don't think he would make a personal appearance on the battlefield until the Final Days, when the Mother Hive is close to descend on the world in full force.
HierarchThis is the HQ of choice for me on this project. I envision the Hierarch as a 4th generation Hybrid. He looks human and can easily pass as such unless closely scrutinised. I'm thinking he should be masked, though, together with most of the other 3rd and 4th generation Hybrids. They have roles to play in society and must protect their identities as best they can. In Codex: IG, this will be an Infantry Platoon Commander. For a model, I'm thinking about the axe-wielding cultist leader from the Dark Vengeance box. It's possible the Empire Wizards kit will help me here, too.
HybridsI see these as a mix of 3rd and 4th generation Hybrids, with the occasional 1st and 2nd generation Hybrid thrown in. Ruleswise, I'm thinking Penal Legion. Some of these models will have a third arm with a Genestealer claw, and I think the Desperadoes special rule (with a chance of them getting Rending attacks in close combat) will work nicely for them. For models, I'm going to use the Chaos Cultist models. Most of them are masked, which is what I want, and I can easily add a few extra arms to make the 3rd generation Hybrids stand out a bit.
Brood BrothersThese are basic cultists. 4th generation Hybrids as well as newer Cult members who have been implanted with Genestealer genetic material and become privy to some of the secrets of the Cult. More Chaos Cultist models, but with some heavy weapons. Ruleswise these will be standard IG Infantry Squads.
Brood Brother ComradesBasically, these are corrupted Imperial Guard and Planetary Defence Forces. I think of these as joining the battle on special occations only. They will most likely be outnumbered by loyalists in their own ranks and will not risk exposing themselves unless absolutely necessary. If I include any, they will look like ordinary IG troopers, with perhaps only subtle hints that would suggest they are corrupted. Slightly purple skintones, perhaps. And blacked out unit markings to make identification harder.
CultistsThis is the rabble. The poor and the insane that flock around the Cult's masked leaders, looking for salvation. They know nothing about the true purpose of the Cult and they are expendable. During operations, they act as meat shields and diversions, happily throwing themselves in harm's way for the good of the Father. The obvious rules choice here is Conscripts. For models, I'm thinking Empire Flagellants mixed with more Chaos Cultists.
Hybrids and PurestrainsI can definitely see a few 1st and 2nd generation Hybrids, and even Purestrain Genestealers joining in. The Purestrains are easy enough. Basic Genestealer models and an allied unit from Codex: Tyranids. (Yes, in our league this will be allowed. I know, because I'm in charge.
) For the more beastial Hybrids, I'm thinking minis based on Crypt Ghouls and used as Imperial Guard Veterans. I also think 2nd or 3rd generation Hybrids could be represented by Commissars in some IG squads.
Praise be to the Four-armed Emperor!
Hybrids!I have decided on an army list! Two of my Troops choices will be broods of Hybrids, using the Penal Legion entry in Codex: Imperial Guard, so today I've been building Hybrids. I'm going for speed on this project, so no advanced conversions. I really want to actually finish this project...
Each of the Hybrid Broods will be lead by a 1st generation hybrid based on ordinary 'stealer models.
1st generation Hybrid #1, left:
1st generation Hybrid #2, right:
1st generation Hybrid #2, right:
The Crypt Ghouls turned out to be a lot smaller than I thought they would be. I expected them to be beefier. Nevertheless, the kit is a great source of extra arms! And I had to build at least one 2nd generation hybrid. Quite bestial still, but a lot more humanoid than the 1st gen. That huge 'stealer arm looks absolutely ridiculous, but I like him.
2nd generation Hybrid:
The bulk of these broods will be 3rd generation hybrids, though. They look mostly human, but often have a third arm that sometimes has a 'stealer claw. So here they are...
3rd generation Hybrid, nicknamed 'High Five':
More 3rd generation Hybrids:
Now, I wasn't planning on doing any head swaps, but I couldn't resist this one, as an homage to The Great Cthulhu. Tentacles FTW!!!
3rd generation Hybrid, Cthulhu-style:
I also built five Purestrain Genestealers when I realised I better build them early or I would run out of arms for them.
No pictures of these though, as they're just normal 'stealers...
That's all for today. Thanks for reading!