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I quite like the idea of Chaos Space Marines having their own personal meat shields. The number of cultists that follow the CSM around in various novels poses the question- Why aren't they present? Surely the CSM are smart enough to simply send them out first, to absorb the fire, so that the proper soldiers can get in close, where they excel.
To reflect this likelihood, I would like to propose a Datasheet. The following is a template, please comment and provide feedback.

Chaos Cultist WS-3 BS-2 S- 3 T-4 W-1 I-3 A-1 Ld-6 Sv- 6+

5 points each
Unit Size- 10- 30
Wargear- Laspistol, Close Combat Weapon ( Bolt Pistol for +4 points each) 1 Model can be upgraded to CSM for +10 pts
Special Rules- Fanatics: Cannot be pinned. Re- roll failed morale if within 6'' of Chaos Icon.

Check the following website for the initial drafts: http://gruntbuster7.piczo.com/
Or check the 7th post.

I would make them 5 points with a CCW and pistol as standard. And why do they have T4?

I'm attempting to use the IG as a template. I thought perhaps their fervour, or devotion, would allow them to take a little more damage. Perhaps I should replace it with FNP or similar.

Aren't cultists more or less civilian fanatics rather than trained soldiers? I'd say take the IG statline and reduce WS and BS by 1. Give them the option of chosing between CCW+Pistol and normal IG rifle.
Ever played Dawn of War? Model them like that Pure cannon fodder doesn't really need anti-pinning rules. If they get pinned, they've already performed their function. Maybe some sort of fanatic rule that emulate specific IG combat orders if you feel 4 points per model is a bit much for a unit that shoot like an ork, survive like an IG and fight in melee like a gretchin.
Pinning them should be easy, killing them should be easy, but it should be a wasted effort...

I'll give it some thought. Also, I would love to get suggestions for other cult units too. Once I get a few, I'll probably publish them somehow.

Actually I'd prefer the cultists be the main army, and the CSMs just be the elite and possibly (but not always) the HQ-- IE a Lost and the Damned army.

Take a GEQ statline, have the squad be 10-30 in size, lower their armor to 6+, and apply one of the following:

Servants of Chaos
+1 Ld, re-roll failed morale and pinning checks
Servants of Khorne:
+1 WS, Furious Charge
Servants of Nurgle:
+1 T, Feel No Pain
Servants of Slaanesh
+1 WS, +1 I, Stubborn
Servants of Tzeentch
Armor save becomes invulnerable, sergeant becomes Sorcerer

Costed appropriately.



Then there would be mutants as a second troops choice. Mutants cost more, but purchase mutations similar to how one could purchase special weapons. Dunno how exactly that might work out, but I'm thinking like the upgrades Daemon squads have.

Alternatively, you can get it here.

From what I remember, Cultists aren't exactly immune to being pinned in the Fluff.

Why not make them Stubborn? Perhaps LD 9 and not ever have their leadership lowered?

Also, if they're cannon fodder, make them not take up a Troops Slot and make it so they can't capture objectives.

An interesting idea would be making them Vulnerable to Templates, that is something I think GW should add in for squads that are over 20 men or so.

Troops. 0-1 per unit of chaos space marines taken as troops.
Cultist
WS: 2 BS: 2 S: 3 T: 3 W: 1 I: 2 A: 1 Ld: 6 Sv: -
Cultist Acolyte
WS: 3 BS: 3 S: 3 T: 3 W: 1 I: 3 A: 2 Ld: 7 Sv: -

Unit size: 9 cultists, 1 acolyte (45 points) upto 20 more cultists at 4 points each.
Special Rules: Stubborn, cannot claim objectives
Wargear: autopistol, autogun
The unit may purchase ccw's for +1 point each
The unit may purchase flak armour for +2 points each
1 in 10 models may take a specialist weapon (insert list here, flamer, melta, etc)
The Acolyte may take... (insert list here, bolt pistol, power weapon, etc)

Troops. 0-1 per unit of chaos space marines taken as troops.
Mutant
WS: 3 BS: 2 S: 3 T: 3 W: 1 I: 3 A: 1 Ld: 7 Sv: 6+
Mutant Boss
WS: 3 BS: 3 S: 4 T: 3 W: 2 I: 3 A: 2 Ld: 8 Sv: 6+

Unit size: 9 cultists, 1 boss (55 points) upto 20 more mutants at 5 points each
Special rules: cannot claim objectives
Wargear: autopistol
The unit may purchase ccw's for +1 point each
1 in 10 models may take a specialist weapon (insert list here, flamer, melta, etc)
The Boss may take... (insert list here, bolt pistol, power weapon, etc)
The unit must purchase a mark for 30 points.
-Mark of Khorne: +1 A, +(1) S
-Mark of Nurgle: +(1) T, FNP
-Mark of Tzeentch: Boss becomes a sorceror, 6+ invun save
-Mark of Slanesh: +1 I, Fleet
-Mark of undivided: +1 Ld, Stubborn

Elites. 0-1 per unit of mutants taken as troops.
Big Mutant
WS: 4 BS: 2 S: 5 T: 4 W: 2 I: 2 A: 2 Ld: 7 Sv: 6+
Big Mutant Boss
WS: 4 BS: 2 S: 5 T: 4 W: 3 I: 2 A: 3 Ld: 8 Sv: 6+

Unit size: 4 big mutants 1 boss (110 points) upto 10 more big mutants at 20 points each
Special rules: Relentless
Wargear: Heavy stubbers
1 in 5 models may take a specialist weapon (insert list here, flamer, melta, etc)
The Boss may take... (insert list here, bolt pistol, power weapon, etc)
The unit must purchase a mark for 30 points.
-Mark of Khorne: +1 A, +(1) S
-Mark of Nurgle: +(1) T, FNP
-Mark of Tzeentch: Boss becomes a sorceror, 6+ invun save
-Mark of Slanesh: +1 I, Fleet
-Mark of undivided: +1 Ld, Stubborn

----------------------

Taken some of that from the eye of terror codex, from what i can remember of it.
Too lazy to write in wargear options and points.
Feel free to change up those stats/costs/marks as it was a rush job.

That's really cool, something I'd use in a fluffy campaign battle.

I like the idea of the "Boss" becoming a sorcerror if you take Tzeentch. Maybe a full-blown Chaos Sorcerer (If that's what you mean) might be too strong.

I definitely like the idea of them only having Auto-pistols, perhaps also give them the option to buy Autoguns at +1 points?

This is definetly a cool idea, but personally I would tone down on the fanaticism aspects. It's probably just me but I always envisioned cultists as cowardly and meek like human grots or their portrayal in Dawn of War 1 and Dawn of War 2. Admittedly if you made them more cowardly they would pretty much be gretchins gameplay-wise, so your rules make them more interesting and unique units.

why not take the conscript rules from the old IG codex and modify them a bit to feel more chaosy?