Where do I start with Genestealer cult?

[TheHiveKing]

So i have been taking a break from warhammer and i saw these genestealer cults and there are so many cool models out there. the problem is i am overwhelmed and i dont know what is good and what isnt. i was thinking about doing something with genestealer and tyranid ally list amybe add a few hivetyrants and a few mawlocs, but i have no idea what to add for the genestealer part. what kits would be best to buy first to create a decent genestealer/tyranid list.

[Xenothios]

The cheapest and most cost-effective way to get into the GSC is to buy the cult half of the Deathwatch: Overkill box (ideally, twice). If you can find someone to split the box with, it comes with a playable formation whose rules are available in a white dwarf issue. The formation is about 600pts and is pretty solid on it's own.

Once you're ready to expand the cult, either get another copy of the cult's half of the box or buy them piecemeal as you see fit. They have a pretty solid detachment that has two core choices to choose from. Find yourself a core and an auxillary that you like, and use that as a guide as to what to buy.

One of the command choices is a blob of 20 genestealers and a patriarch (easily subbed with a broodlord). That formation runs around 400 points or so, and is a quick and easy way to fill out a list with a surprise unit that'll murder the christ out of anything it can reach.

[TheHiveKing]

Nov 19, 2016 9:44:10 GMT Xenothios said:

The cheapest and most cost-effective way to get into the GSC is to buy the cult half of the Deathwatch: Overkill box (ideally, twice). If you can find someone to split the box with, it comes with a playable formation whose rules are available in a white dwarf issue. The formation is about 600pts and is pretty solid on it's own.

Once you're ready to expand the cult, either get another copy of the cult's half of the box or buy them piecemeal as you see fit. They have a pretty solid detachment that has two core choices to choose from. Find yourself a core and an auxillary that you like, and use that as a guide as to what to buy.

One of the command choices is a blob of 20 genestealers and a patriarch (easily subbed with a broodlord). That formation runs around 400 points or so, and is a quick and easy way to fill out a list with a surprise unit that'll murder the christ out of anything it can reach.

that seems like a good place to start i will check ebay to see if someone is just selling the GSC models. what about the tanks are they worth getting at all?

[No One]

TheHiveKing said:

what about the tanks are they worth getting at all?

Unlikely for something to just chuck in with nids - I'd just stick with cult infantry I think.

[kazetanade]

The tanks would be good if you built around them. Not so great plug and play.

For more in-depth, refer to Hive Bahamuts thread Brood Cycle vs Neophyte Cavalcade.

[Xenothios]

Nov 19, 2016 11:37:47 GMT kazetanade said:

The tanks would be good if you built around them. Not so great plug and play.

For more in-depth, refer to Hive Bahamuts thread Brood Cycle vs Neophyte Cavalcade.

Yeah, the discussion between both core choices is a hot topic right now. It would probably be best to proxy until you get a feel for which one suits you best, as there doesn't seem to be a clear winner yet.

You're unlikely to find the GSC half of the box on ebay, and if you do, expect it to cost you +75% of the entire box itself (at least, last I had checked) even if you buy the units separately (which are available, but marked up due to demand). Neophytes are just about the closest thing to being cost-effective ($$$ wise) due to how few models you get out of the acolyte kits. On the other hand, if you start your cult off with the overkill models, you'll probably want to buy the acolyte/neophyte boxes anyways in order to get the heavy/special weapons and other unique goodies that you may want to summon up later.


If you know a friend with some old guardsman/vehicles, those could be a shoe-in to filling out the cavalcade core formation. Even random vehicles you get your hands on can be plugged in due to the flexible aux choices if you can't quite make it. There's no easy way to plug in the troops choices though, so you kinda have to work around the core/aux formations which can have strange obligatory requirements.

[Hive Bahamut]

I would start off picking a Core choice, deciding which Command formation (if any) and going from there.

Do you want to ally Tyranids? Bring a bunch of Brood Cycle and plunk the rending blenders where they need to be. Remember, the Cult Ambush on these guys is better used to reinforce than rely on.

Do you want to ally Militarum? Maybe Brood Cycle could help again, but you want Subterranean Uprising in there somewhere. Cavalcade is inferior to anything Militarum can field.

Straight Cult? I am under the initial impression Cavalcade provided a stronger anchor, but with only 1 trial so far my data is inconclusive.

Either route you go the Overkill is a good start. I would hunt stores before buying online. People get ridiculous when they unbox and sell models.