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So I what are the corresponding generations for the model kits? I'm assuming:

Hybrid 1st Gen
Acolyte 2dn Gen
Neophyte 3rd Gen

I'm pretty curious about GSC and I felt like this would be a good jumping off point for them. I'm also wondering where I should go from here too

Acolytes are 1st & 2nd Gen, Neophytes 3rd & 4th (although the Neophyte with the mining laser has 3 arms...).

The Kelermorph is late 3rd, Aberrants & Metamorphs are happy accidents.

There's actually a piece of weirdness here.

Technically speaking, the first "generation" are the infected hosts. The dex doesn't make it perfectly clear about whether or not they formally call this a generation.

Another point of weirdness is that the hybrid heads on the upgrade sprue are referred to as brood brothers, but brood brothers are not supposed to change their appearance upon infection; the genestealer curse modifies the host's breeding cycle and leaves them susceptible to the psychic control of the patriarch without compromising their appearance.

I use the headswap hybrids to represent the 4rth gen (excluding brood brothers- ie the 2nd wave of neophytes).

As for Aberrants and Metamorphs, they are indeed happy accidents, but I would add that Metamorphs are unlikely to appear in the first, or even second brood cycle. Their presence often heralds the approach of the hive fleet.

Aberrants can technically occur in the first brood cycle, but the likelihood of the mutation increases as the cult grows.

A quick guide to genestealer cult generations.

1st generation
Here are two 1st generation genestealer cult hybrids. 1st and 2nd generation hybrids are the hardest to tell apart. The key places to look are their feet and their heads.
The first generation hybrids have a spike on the heels of their feet, which the second generation lack. The first generation hybrids also have larger crests on their foreheads.
1st generation hybrids most commonly have 3 arms, but very occasionally can have 4. Like on the unit leaders.


2nd generation
Here are two second generation hybrids. Note they have rounded heels on their feet, rather than spiked heels like the 1st generation hybrids. Also the forehead crest is smaller and less well defined than on the 1st generation models.
2nd generation hybrids seem to always have 3 arms.


3rd generation
Here are two 3rd generation hybrids. These are fairly easy to tell apart from the 4th generation, due to their hunched posture and bulbous heads. Also the exposed skin on their arms retains some alien features, like ridged flesh and clawed fingers.
3rd generation hybrids most commonly have 2 arms, but sometimes can have 3. Such as on the heavy weapons models, or the primus.


4th generation
Here are two 4th generation hybrids. Quite easy to tell apart from the 3rd generation hybrids. They have upright postures, and no obvious alien features aside from the forehead crest.

I always thought one of the 4 generations where the Genestealer models?

Also byer beware. I did not know this but the neophyte Kitt bits fit differently for 3rd and 4th generation.

 Niiai wrote:
I always thought one of the 4 generations where the Genestealer models?

No, purestrain genestealers are the 5th generation.

Fantastic visual breakdown Arson! I didn't know about the ankle spike, which was new info for me, and the rest of it is spot on!!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I also really like how you painted them with subsiding skin tones between your generations. Love the hard work you put into those.