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So, like everyone else by now, I've seen the "free" datasheets released by GW for using their new Deathwatch and Genestealer Cult units in regular games of 40k. And while I like that they've finally gotten around to making the Genestealer Cult, at the same time I'm annoyed that anyone who wants to use them is forced to use them in a very specific way. There are no options provided, no variable unit sizes, or anything like that-- just everything as it comes out of the box, no exceptions.

I have no idea whether or not GW will be doing an actual GSC codex in the future or not, but in the meantime, I'm proposing the following fanlist to give players some more flexibility. Note that all of the unit prices are based on those provided in the original datasheets.

A NOTE ON ALLIES:

Genestealer Cultists can be taken as Battle Brothers for both Tyranids and Astra Militarum. Note, however, that if an Astra Militarum force is allied with Genestealer Cultists, then no other Imperial army may ally with them, as they are considered to be under the hypnotic influence of the Cult.



HQ:


GENESTEALER PATRIARCH
WS7 BS0 S5 T5 W3 I7 A4 LD10 SV 4+

COST: 80

WARGEAR:
-Patriarch's Claws

SPECIAL RULES:
-Bulky
-Fear
-Fearless
-Fleet
-Hit and Run
-Independent Character
-Infiltrate
-Move Through Cover
-Psyker (Mastery Level 1)
-Stealth

PSYKER: Generates powers from the Telepathy discipline. May take an extra mastery level at +25 pts

OPTIONS: May take any of the following:
-Scything Talons- 4
-Genestealer Familiar- 10
-Adrenal Glands- 15
-Toxin Sacs- 10
-Regeneration- 30
-Acid Blood- 15



PRIMUS
WS4 BS4 S4 T3 W2 I4 A3 LD10 SV 5+

COST: 55 pts

WARGEAR:
-Autopistol
-Close combat weapon
-Flak armour
-Blasting charges (assault grenades)

SPECIAL RULES:
-Independent Character
-Rending
-Zealot

OPTIONS:
May exchange any of his weapons for the following:
-Bolt pistol- 2 pts
-Plasma pistol- 10 pts
-Needle pistol- 5 pts
-Shotgun- 2 pts
-Power weapon- 10 pts
-Bonesword- 15 pts
-Power fist- 20 pts

May upgrade his flak armour to carapace armour at +5 pts
May take melta bombs at +5 pts
May take a refractor field at +15 pts



MAGUS
WS4 BS4 S3 T3 W2 I4 A2 LD9 SV 5+

COST: 25

WARGEAR:
-Autopistol
-Force stave
-Ceremonial Robes (counts as flak armour)

SPECIAL RULES:
-Independent Character
-Psyker (Mastery Level 1)

PSYKER:
-Generates powers from Telepathy. May take an extra Mastery Level at +25 pts

OPTIONS
-Genestealer Familiar- +10 pts


TROOPS:

ACOLYTE HYBRIDS
WS4 BS3 S4 T3 W1 I4 A2 LD9 SV 5+

COST: 7 pts per model

UNIT SIZE: 10-30

WARGEAR:
-Autopistol
-Close combat weapon
-Rending claws
-Flak armour
-Blasting charges (assault grenades)

SPECIAL RULES:
-Fearless


NEOPHYTE HYBRIDS
WS3 BS3 S3 T3 W1 I4 LD8 SV 5+

COST: 5 pts per model

UNIT SIZE: 10-30

WARGEAR:
-Autogun
-Close combat weapon
-Flak armour
-Blasting charges (assault grenades)

OPTIONS:
Up to two Neophyte Hybrids may exhange their autoguns for the following:
-Flamer- 5 pts/model
-Grenade launcher- 5 pts/model
-Meltagun- 10 pts/model

Up to two Neophyte Hybrids may exhange their autoguns for the following:
-Heavy stubber- 5 pts/model
-Mining laser- 20 pts/model



PURESTRAIN GENESTEALERS

(As in Codex: Tyranids)




ELITES:

ABERRANTS
WS4 BS1 S5 T4 W2 I2 A2 LD8 SV 5+

COST: 20 pts/model

UNIT SIZE: 3-10

WARGEAR:
-Power picks
-Rending claws

SPECIAL RULES:
-Stubborn
-Feel No Pain

OPTIONS:
-Any Aberrant may exchange his power pick for a power hammer at +15 points per model.



Any thoughts on this? One thing I realized is that Neophytes should be a bit pricier (as they are the same cost as a Guardsman for better basic leadership).

So you've deconstructed the preset units they've given us to flesh out a points scale, then stripped the units down to bare essentially but added more options. Seems fair, I agree that Neophytes should have access to the conventional weapons, but I disagree that the squad should always have access to 2 special and 2 heavy weapons. If so, why would you ever take a squad larger then 10? I suggest 1 Heavy Weapon and 1 Special weapon for a 10 man squad, then 1 heavy and 1 special more for every 5 man increments. So 15 Hyrbids (what comes in the box) has access to 2 of each (what comes in the box).

A few points however. Your acolytes have Bs 3 when they should have Bs 2. You've done nothing with Genestealers when the formation has. The Purestrain 'Stealers in the formation are 15pts each but have Stealth and Hit'n'run as standard. You could argue they are benefits of the formation, but the rest of your rules don't seem to take that into account.

If you want to make this into an actual fandex it's also missing Warlord Traits, perhaps 3-4 relics and you even have the option to add a new unit or two. Such as an Armoured Limo transport.

Considering the GSC rules have their own symbol I would be shocked if a new nid dex and GSC dex were not on their way within the next 6 months.

Both need it and the rumor mill has said that has been coming for some time from quality sources.