Genestealer Cult questions?

[genestealerdude]

Just a few questions for the oldies, I remember a release list sometime ago that mentioned a patriach, whats the chance of the return of the cult? Anyone heard anything, seems like a good way of adding anti-flyer to the nids.

Also how many people would object to using Brood Brothers (IG guardsmen) and using Imperial vehicles with the same points but with lower Armour values due to being salvaged (no limos lol) alongside Tyranids?

I was never sure whether the Cult would fight alongside the 'nids or would just jump into sloshy digestion pools. In the fluff would they fight side by side?

On another note, is it really fluffy to field 'stealers on the battlefield with mainline troops (due to them trying to escape on shuttles/ships via codex fluff)?

Any answers or opinions much appriciated

Peace

[Davor]

I say yes, field it. I would play it. Thing is, I play for fun while it seems a lot of people on the net, are sticklers and would say NO because Tyranids can't have allies. Hopefully when you meet someone they will play you and not raise a fuss.

[infornography]

I know I probably wouldn't be able to get away with it around my club because we tend to be strict by the book plus forgeworld.

If your club is a bit more lax with the rules, you can probably get away with it.

[FTGTEvan]

I have actually been considering building a cult list and use it as a - counts as army. I don't think I will because I have far too many models as it is, but if I did, for the time being, I would probably run it as a straight up guard list with maybe allied someone with a nice CC unit. The allied detachment would be small and represent the purestrain stealers, while the guardsmen would be the cult, with maybe some specialists or veterans of some sort as hybrids.

Obviously, it's a little theoretical (don't even have the current IG 'dex), but it would give me an excuse to collect more tanks and fliers.

As far as fluff goes - I'm not sure I would run the cult side-by-side with the main fleet since I don't see them fighting side-by-side. The cult causes confusion and disrupts the defenses before the fleet itself lands. I think if the cult did march out against a defensive position to help the fleet, the nids would attack them as much as loyal defenders.

Stealers on the other hand - in the fluff, still fight alongside the main fleet, serving as shock troops and infiltrating defenses. They were some of the biggest problems the Ultramarines faced in the battle for Macragee - they got into the underground tunnel defenses and wreaked havoc.

[Jabberwocky]

Normal cults would be attacking the enemy from the rear and from underground as they would be hidden within the civilian population.

Don't forget though that Synapse is what triggers a lot of their behaviour and they are still controllable by the Hive Mind so could fight alongside nids when necessary but they would be considered as disposable as gaunts so probably still get blasted and eaten like anything else.

[swarm492]

Up to your opponent I guess, I have a small cult army and use its original army list that is found within citadel miniature magazine from way back when. I have also used them as allies to great deals of fun. No one has ever given me beef for it, if you use the old rules the point values a bit more and they have less options than whats out today. Personally anyone out just to play a fun match I don't think would have a issue with it really.

[adamwelton]

Some suggestions I have heard (and used) are Guard as a Cult force painted well and modded using Tyranid parts instead of certain weapons, and Hybrids for certain specialist squads.

Patriarch: Lord Commissar
Magus: Psyker
Neophyte Hybrid: Veterans
Acolyte Hybrids: Guardsmen
Brood brothers: Conscripts
Genestealers: Priests
Scratch-built Cult Limo: Chimera.

There was a fellow on Warseer who came up with this idea and it looked quite good. The alternative is to field a Tyranid list using Guard and Hybrid models in a "counts-as" role such as lasgun Guard/Termagants, ccw Guard/Hormagaunts, Heavy weapon Guard/Hive Guard/Biovores, and so on-a sort of role-reversal of the Guard cult army above. You may need lots of patience as many players won't like the idea of playing your army because it will unnerve them-it doesn't look like it's supposed to and they may forget what something is and (gods forbid) lose a model as a result.

Stuff them-give it a try. A good paintjob always goes a long way.

[Jabberwocky]

I run a cult army using Orks.

Boyz are Genestealers, Nobz are Broodlords. Warboss is a Prime and I now have 4 walkers as Carnifex.

I also run some purestrain Genestealers alongside.

I did consider the boy hybrids as gants and the Nobz as warriors, but I prefer the way a combat army plays, plus it let me reach higher points and run smaller units much easier and quicker.

For IG 'allies' you could easily have lasgunners as gants and some vets as stealers, even Ogryn as warriors or Broodlords. Just run them on a flank and it looks plenty fluffy.

[adamwelton]

Nice one Jabberwocky, I like it lots. There was a GS Boyz cult army kicking around in the mid-nineties that was a riot of mixed units and went down very well on the show-game circuit. Of course you would be lucky to get that sort of thing on a table outside a close friendly group these days.

There's your motivation gsdude-imagination and innovation. Get stuck in.

[barbedsparky]

To the OP: I have the the 2nd ed codex in which the list originated and for a few years tried to adapt it to the ever changing ruleset.

If you need any info pm me and I can try to help if you wish.

[Davor]

www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m3050151a_Praedis_Zeta_rules_pack_V.1.pdf

Semi official rules for Genestealer cults now. No point costs but have some rules for them now.