Is it worth playing Genestealer Cults?

[TheHiveKing]

Are they worth it or are we fine with 4 tyrants that we don't even need them?

[hiveminded]

I don't think the genestealer cult is more competitive than flyrant spam. The 'nid codex needs a lot more help than just the genestealer cult models. 

That said, I'm painting mine up now. The rules look fun.

[Deleted]

Not auto-include, but one of the better formations "tyranids" have access to.

Could be REALLY good some games and "meh" other games. at 600 points, I think you'll see it about half the time. It is over 32 models for 600 points that are almost in every feasible scenario better than our current troops(with the exception of like...hey, I need a 30 man obsec squad of gaunts with a 5++ or better venomthrope save).

But at 600 points it's big enough that people might not want to sack that extra tyrant or two.

[gigasnail]

Still think the formation is a gimick. Just take the meat in a CAD.

[Kark]

Rigth now genecult is very limited in options, all ICs are unique, units can't choose their loadout, can't increase/decrease the unit size.

I agree with gigasnail that's better to run them as CAD or allied detachment.

We shall wait for full supplement release

[No One]

Yeah, Patty+Magos+2 acolytes is only 350 pts, almost half the cost of the formation, and you still get the best bits (4 shots at invis and some pretty nasty cc ob sec units). Or just magos+acolytes for a cheap shot (150 pts) at invis, and scream even if you don't get it.

I think the formation benefits are pretty good though - not the 1st turn charge. I'll agree that it's a gimmick, albeit a potentially very useful gimmick (at least on the stealers/patty). But stealth+shrouded across the entire army is pretty good - massively increases survivability, at least against anything they'd have some chance of surviving in the first place. I'll agree that taking the whole formation just for that is probably too much, but if you feel like taking most of it anyway the 'tax' as it were is well worth the pay off (in my opinion).

[hiveminded]

In reality, only three models will be guaranteed a 1st turn charge. And those three models could easily die to a strong overwatch. Furthermore, none of those three models have assault grenades. So smart opponents can simply deploy in terrain and then you're 5+ save models are hitting at init 1 and basically guaranteed to be dead before they swing.

The units that do have assault grenades are only init 4 and are limited to the normal infiltrate distance (18" if within line of site), so likely are not assaulting turn 1. Furthermore, half of those models with assault grenades are the 3rd/4th generation models, which are garbage in CC.

At first glance the first turn assault sounds OP, but when you work through the details, it's not very strong.

Fun yes, competitive no.

[kazetanade]

Press refer to devious' two threads here. Grotscon and annihation 4.

It gives you so far, a few more options and mind games to work with in turn 1. It also gives you cheaper genestealers that do what genestealers do best - go after an advancing elite unit with mass rending or sit on an objective and be really scary.

Does it give you more raw power than 2 more flyrants? No. But it gives you tools and options to work with to threaten the enemy, as long as they don't have heavy flamers in drop pods...

[gigasnail]

Eh, that's not a seriously rousing endorsement of the formation's versatility (4-2 and then 1-1-1). As noted, it's ok but has a lot of junk in the trunk.

[purestrain]

I'm still bummed about the aberrant, it makes zero sense to have something with three arms fight at i1 while the same guy holding a pick half the hammers size is still i1??
Str 6 shooting is going to molest them, I'd just spam acolytes, if only I had more than one set!! I can feel my bonesword getting harder and h.... *smh*
They're just so cute with the guns and grenades and all genestealery

[hiveminded]

S6 shooting would be overkill. Aberrants are T4 and 5+, they will get absolutely slaughtered by basic bolt guns.

[N.I.B.]

I have the WD but I'm not sure how I can use the GC (assuming they are BB with Nids). Can I pick and chose from it? Because those Fearless 12 man broods looks kind of tasty, I'd have them as my Troops.

[gigasnail]

Yeah, just make a CAD or allied detachment, fill as needed.

Everyone is playing it as BB with nids, even though in the WD that's not exactly what it says (and what it does say is...well. it's WD...).

[reitifoh]

While I do not yet have them, I agree with hiveminded, on paper the first turn charge sounds awesome, but due to the size of most squads, unless you go second (and they are foolish enough to advance) its unlikely you'll get to charge with anything but the patriarch (and since you loose a bonus rule when he dies..... not worth charging him alone.... unless their warlord is unguarded)

however, just the threat of 1st turn charge can be enough if you play smart, at 600 point, you still have enough for DL assassins, 3 mucolid, 2 mawlocs and 3 flyrants. with the threat of 1st turn charge they may want to keep their army as far away as possible, clustering up larger armies, making the perfect target for the mawlocs and mines when they arrive, and by turning 1 flyrant into melyrant you'll have more than enough cultists to eat the overwatch, while he charges in and dices everything.

not saying this would be a great build for us... but could still be fun and interesting (when I eventually get the cultists DX)

[gauntlet]

I congratulate all those playing Genestealer cult and providing us battle reports and showing off their painting schemes. Much appreciated, please keep the reports coming. I think the major importance of the Genestealer Cult right now, is that we are desperate for something to provide a bit of interest and give variety. On the one hand, well done GW, this is a major step towards a Genestealer army. On the other hand not much compensation for the last 6 years and the still growing monotony of Flyrants and Mucolids.

Everyone, please consider squeezing some Cultists into your lists.