Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I read in the tyranid rumors that genestealer cults may be coming back as an ally or something similar. I just started about a month or two before 6th came out so I've got no idea what the cult is. I googled some pics and what I saw looked kinda silly. What exactly is the genestealer cult and where's a good place to read up on it?

First google hit gets this article: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Genestealer_Cult
Also this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genestealer

History: In the early days, Tyranids were not well defined beyond being inspired by Aliens. We had the Space Hulk game featuring plastic Genestealers, later Tyranid Warriors and plastic Genestealer Hybrids. In metal we had 2 Hunter Slayers (Proto-termagants), 3 or so Zoats (don't ask ) plus about 25 Genestealer cult miniatures. So they were clearly dominant in Rogue Trader days and integral part of the 2nd Edition Codex. In 3rd edition the Genestealer cult had a semi-official in a GW magazine, fans tried to keep that list updated in the following editions.

Genestealer Cult has very nice OOP miniatures and a nice background appealing to most Tyranid fans. So new official Genestealer Cult rules are on many wishlists.

http://www.collecting-citadel-miniatures.com/wiki/index.php/Genestealers_%28First_Edition%29_-_Collectors_Guide

Thanks. Did they have a codex in 2nd ed.? I may see if I can snag one if so and look it over.

No they never had their own codex.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
No they never had their own codex.

 Ol'Dirty wrote:
Thanks. Did they have a codex in 2nd ed.? I may see if I can snag one if so and look it over.

Never a full codex but they did get a fair entry in the 2nd Ed Compilation of about 45 pages, including army lists.

 Ol'Dirty wrote:
Thanks. Did they have a codex in 2nd ed.?

Genestealer cult was integral part of the Tyranid Codex. 2nd edition Codices are in no way compatible with later editions, but sometimes nice for background. Don't have the Tyranid Codex right beside me, but AFAIK it was not really big on background in contrast to some others.

thanks, I'll try and look up an older nid codex.

Just for the record: Genestealer cult was only included in 2nd edition Codex, not any other (other than as a side remark in background that is).

 darthnatus wrote:
No they never had their own codex.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
No they never had their own codex.

not their own codex, but the cult was part of the tyranid codex at one point, so they were in there and could be used as a stand alone list with official GW rules ECT

If you are interested in starting a 'stealer cult, check out RUNE's excellent thread. Sadly not updated in some time, but he did some excellent work.

You could also run Chaos worshiping genestealer cults. I had a bloodthirster possessed patriarch at one stage, madness but heaps of fun!

I am not a fan of sticking spikes and tentacles to everything just because there is left over greenstuff. Adds nothing to the fascination of genestealer cults, on the contrary makes it bland.

Just make sure it is a proper Jeanstealer cult and put them all in denim.

One of my best friends used to play Squats, Genestealer Cult, and Legion of the Damned armies. Yep, those were his three armies....

Anyway, GC is not silly (almost all models were silly back then). They're one of the most horrifying aspects of Tyranids, who are one of the most horrifying factions in an extremely horrifying setting. They were cut for the same reason that Chaos Cult was cut and that GW don't support Looted Vehicles properly anymore (IMHO): it's hard to quantify indirect sales in terms of bits and secondary markets. GW would prefer you buy complete kits from them. Armies that involve a lot of converting, even if they didn't need a whole lot of extra model support, seemed to get universally left behind. I applaud GW for recognizing that heavily converted armies actually generate them more money. All they have to do is write a rulebook and people will do the rest, largely with existing bits.

Genestealer cult was the subject of a tourney at whw recently. Part of the Praxis Zeta campaign iirc.

They even put out tourney rules for a magos and a squad.
I'd post them, but I'm not sure its allowed.

 PredaKhaine wrote:
Genestealer cult was the subject of a tourney at whw recently. Part of the Praxis Zeta campaign iirc.

They even put out tourney rules for a magos and a squad.
I'd post them, but I'm not sure its allowed.

The gene-stealer units' stats were publically posted on the open internet for all to see before the tourney so that people could create their lists in advance, though I dunno if the website is still up.

Be good to see them back - maybe it will be another digital Codex - maybe post it up on their digital FB page?