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Made in us
Slave on the Slave Snares




I have been playing genestealer cult since seventh and been into 40k since 7th, I feel they have lost some good tools since 7th ed and are only competitive in 8th with allies. i have taken to running genestealers in every game at least 15 to maximize attacks and survival, the primus or patriach goes along with them they are effective but i am looking for another great unit to compliment them. the leman russ got helped out by the IG codex and i want to bring them since they are the only source of long range firepower, but they are to expensive with now way to buff them. I want genestealer cult to stand on their own but all the toughness 3 acolytes and neophytes don't stand up long to anything and the rockgrinder and goliath truck are nice but not good enough to sink points into, and the hybrids and the abberants are a non starter for me too expensive and for the abberants hard to come by. have any of you had success running your lists, i normally play at 100pl or 2000pts. I usually can stay on the table and kill things but struggle to stand up when pushed back against, by turn 3 most of my stuff is dead and i struggle to secure the board or score objectives. i normally bring 2 to 3 squads of neophytes and acolytes, the acolytes with chimeras or in the shadows, neophytes in ruins or chimera, neophytes are kitted out with autoguns, grenade launchers and mining lasers, acolytes with rock saws, rock drills, or demo charges. i try to run at least one chimera and golaith truck per game.
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut






I reckon GsC are in a pretty bad place at the moment. I think the biggest problem is everything being pretty heftily overcosted in relation to comparable units from other armies. It's a bit of a case of patiently awaiting the Codex at the moment, tbh.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/01/21 14:37:32


 
   
Made in ie
Deranged Necron Destroyer





If your going to run Leman Russ's you might as well take them in an Astra Militarum Spureme Command Detachment and use them as Tank Commanders.

What make GSC so strong is that we can take allies from 2 top tier armies (Tyranids and AM).

Also, GSC fluff is all about the infiltrating AM regiments and getting them to join our side as well as being puppets for Tyranids forces. You shouldn't feel like it's a bad thing to bring Allies since we have direct access to them.

GSC on their own can be a weak army to to general low Toughness but we can nearly Deploy anywhere on the board, we can re-deploy for 1CP, our Iconward grants 6+ FnP to models within 6" and our Pysker powers are pretty strong even if we have 3 of them.

Of using Aberrants is a no n because of price/availability then go onto 2nd hand websites or Facebook pages and request some. I was able to get 8 Abberants for £50/€62 which was a good deal. You could also buy some Nectomunda Goliaths and convert them if you want.

Show us your 1000pt list and 2000pt list so we can see your issues.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Nazrak wrote:
I reckon GsC are in a pretty bad place at the moment. I think the biggest problem is everything being pretty heftily overcosted in relation to comparable units from other armies. It's a bit of a case of patiently awaiting the Codex at the moment, tbh.


If this is your issue then go play Necrons. I promise your opinion will change when you see our point costs for our units. Necrons didn't even get changes for Chapter Approved. At lest GSC units like Abberants dropped a good bit and made them more viable.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2018/01/21 15:02:31


I have a Youtube. Rage Against The Imperium. Here is the link if you are interested - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0WxDMsMyI7WcChiSfApB4Q

Necrons - Legion of The Silent King - [756-809 PL, 15038-16076pts]
Spoiler:

Unbound Army (Faction) (Necrons)
HQ
Anrakyr the Traveller
Catacomb Command Barge
Selections: Gauss Cannon, Warscythe - 3
Cryptek
Selections: Canoptek Cloak, Staff of Light - 2
Cryptek
Selections: Chronometron, Staff of Light - 3
Destroyer Lord
Selections: Warscythe
Destroyer Lord
Selections: Staff of Light
Illuminor Szeras
Imotekh the Stormlord
Lord
Selections: Warscythe
Nemesor Zahndrekh
Orikan the Diviner
Overlord
Selections: Resurrection Orb, Voidscythe
Overlord
Selections: Resurrection Orb, Warscythe - 3
Overlord
Selections: Resurrection Orb, Staff of Light
Overlord
Selections: Hyperphase Sword, Resurrection Orb
Trazyn the Infinite
Vargard Obyron

Troops

Immortals
Selections: Gauss Blaster, 15x Immortal
Immortals
Selections: 15x Immortal, Tesla Carbine
Immortals
Necron Warriors
Selections: 100x Necron Warrior
Necron Warriors

Elites

C'tan Shard of the Deceiver
C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer
Canoptek Tomb Stalker
Deathmarks
Selections: 25x Deathmark
Flayed Ones
Selections: 20x Flayed One
Lychguard
Selections: Hyperphase Sword and Dispersion Shield, 10x Lychguard
Lychguard
Selections: 6x Lychguard, Warscythe
Triarch Praetorians
Selections: Rod of Covenant, 10x Triarch Praetorian
Triarch Stalker
Selections: Heat Ray*
Triarch Stalker
Selections: Particle Shredder*
Triarch Stalker
Selections: Twin Heavy Gauss Cannon*

Fast Attack

Canoptek Scarabs
Selections: 63x Canoptek Scarab Swarm
Canoptek Scarabs
Canoptek Tomb Sentinel
Canoptek Wraiths
Selections: 3x Canoptek Wraith
Canoptek Wraiths
3x Canoptek Wraith w/ Transdimensional Beamer
Selections: 3x Transdimensional Beamer
6x Canoptek Wraith w/ Whip Coils
Selections: 6x Whip Coils
Destroyers
5x Destroyer
Selections: 5x Gauss Cannon
Destroyers
5x Destroyer
Selections: 5x Gauss Cannon
Tomb Blades
Selections: Shadowloom, Shieldvanes
Two Gauss Blasters - 9
Heavy Support
Annihilation Barge
Selections: Gauss Cannon - 3*
Canoptek Spyder
Selections: Fabricator Claw Array, Gloom Prism
Canoptek Spyder
Selections: Fabricator Claw Array, Gloom Prism
Canoptek Spyder
Selections: Fabricator Claw Array, Gloom Prism
Doomsday Ark
Doomsday Ark
3x Heavy Destroyer
Monolith
Tesseract Ark
Two Tesla Cannons
Selections: 2x Tesla Cannon
Transcendent C'tan

Flyer
Doom Scythe - 4*
Night Scythe - 4*


Dedicated Transport
Ghost Ark - 3*

Lord of War
Gauss Pylon
Obelisk

* - This unit is magnetized so can be either model e.g. Doomscythe or Nightscythe
 
   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut




I'm going to get started with GSC when I get around to it. The answer to making them competitive for me is to include plenty of subverted Astra Miltarum forces for the best of both worlds.
   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut




Pure GSC is relatively poor right now. Allied with either or both nids and IG however... Acolytes with rocksaws, magus, primus and aberrants are the best units and can bring massive amounts of melee power to the table (like kill a superheavy in one turn massive). Use allies to supplement this
   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut




Can anyone clarify the GSC Brood Brothers rule? Can Astra Militarum units be included in a GSC detachment? In which case an all Astra Militarum force with a single Patriarch HQ would be classed as a GSC? Or do Astra Militarum and GSC units have to be taken in their own separate detachments?
   
Made in us
Infiltrating Broodlord






craftworld_uk wrote:
Can anyone clarify the GSC Brood Brothers rule? Can Astra Militarum units be included in a GSC detachment? In which case an all Astra Militarum force with a single Patriarch HQ would be classed as a GSC? Or do Astra Militarum and GSC units have to be taken in their own separate detachments?


They have to be in separate detachments. The Brood Brothers rule simply allows you to take an Astra Militarum detachment in Matched Play despite not sharing faction keywords. My experience has been if you want to do a lot of Ambushing you will need allies to provide efficient on-table presence. If you don't want allies you'll want to load up on vehicles to provide the anvil instead.

While it might be a bit of self promotion, it might not hurt to check out the main GSC tactics thread. While the first part is pre-chapter approved, the last couple pages are up to date with the changes.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2018/01/21 22:12:47


 
   
Made in no
Liche Priest Hierophant





Bergen

I am a nid player. I do not play conpetetive, but I like to have a good understanding of how the conpetetive lists work so I can roll with the punches and land some good hits myself.

First the good thing. IG are generally considered very undercosted. I am talking spesifically about the humble guardsman. Neophyte hybrids are only 1 point more, so they are still very good. For 50 points you get 10 5+ saves. One of the best units for tyranids are gaunts (a similar role at 4 pointa). Nids also runn ripper swarms. Cheap units that can capture points. 50 point squads can also do this.

The other troop choise is also good. Blasting charges in transports are good. Also 4 buss saws with a primus has a very hugh chance of getting a charge and killing a key unit. (Aberants and genestealers also fit this role.)

Weapon teams is groups are very durable.

The scout sentinel is good for aria denial. Vs alpha strikes.

The leman russ shoots a lott an is durable. It can be. Bit of a ttap though as high S high Ap weapons get a really good target. Othervice you mostly have guard models.

I would try 2 primuses. One with 15 man group with buss saw and banner, and the other with 15 purestrains. Use the stratagem on them. One rurn 1, 1 turn 2. Have a magus buff them.

Of you can't get good charges use turn 1 to remove chaff.

Dont take any tankses for heavy weapon saturation.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
How about this list? 2000 points.

Sentinels deny deepstrike.

Primuses go with the saws and the genestealers in ambush. The 2 50 man squads go in ambush for objectives.

The 3 big blobs walk up with the icon bearer, patriarch and maguses. Or deep strike them as you se fitt.

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Tyranids - Genestealer Cults) [68 PL, 1190pts] ++

+ Troops +

Acolyte Hybrids [20 PL, 352pts]: Cult Icon
. 11x Acolyte Hybrid
. Acolyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Autopistol, Heavy Rock Saw
. Acolyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Autopistol, Heavy Rock Saw
. Acolyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Autopistol, Heavy Rock Saw
. Acolyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Autopistol, Heavy Rock Saw
. Acolyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Autopistol, Heavy Rock Saw
. Acolyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Autopistol, Heavy Rock Saw
. Acolyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Autopistol, Heavy Rock Saw
. Acolyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Autopistol, Heavy Rock Saw
. Acolyte Leader: Autopistol, Cultist Knife

Neophyte Hybrids [10 PL, 138pts]
. 15x Neophyte Hybrid
. Neophyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Mining Laser
. Neophyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Mining Laser
. Neophyte Hybrid (Special Weapon): Grenade Launcher
. Neophyte Hybrid (Special Weapon): Grenade Launcher
. Neophyte Leader: Autogun, Autopistol

Neophyte Hybrids [10 PL, 138pts]
. 15x Neophyte Hybrid
. Neophyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Mining Laser
. Neophyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): Mining Laser
. Neophyte Hybrid (Special Weapon): Grenade Launcher
. Neophyte Hybrid (Special Weapon): Grenade Launcher
. Neophyte Leader: Autogun, Autopistol

+ Fast Attack +

Cult Scout Sentinels [2 PL, 55pts]
. Cult Scout Sentinel: Lascannon

Cult Scout Sentinels [2 PL, 55pts]
. Cult Scout Sentinel: Lascannon

+ HQ +

Primus [4 PL, 76pts]: Bonesword

Primus [4 PL, 76pts]: Bonesword

+ Elites +

Purestrain Genestealers [16 PL, 300pts]: 20x Purestrain Genestealer

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Tyranids - Genestealer Cults) [26 PL, 433pts] ++

+ Troops +

Neophyte Hybrids [5 PL, 70pts]: 8x Neophyte Hybrid
. Neophyte Leader: Autogun, Autopistol
. Neophyte Weapons Team: Lascannon

Neophyte Hybrids [5 PL, 70pts]: 8x Neophyte Hybrid
. Neophyte Leader: Autogun, Autopistol
. Neophyte Weapons Team: Lascannon

Neophyte Hybrids [5 PL, 70pts]: 8x Neophyte Hybrid
. Neophyte Leader: Autogun, Autopistol
. Neophyte Weapons Team: Lascannon

+ HQ +

Magus [4 PL, 73pts]: Power: Might From Beyond

Patriarch [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Mind Control

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Tyranids - Genestealer Cults) [27 PL, 365pts] ++

+ Troops +

Neophyte Hybrids [5 PL, 70pts]: 8x Neophyte Hybrid
. Neophyte Leader: Autogun, Autopistol
. Neophyte Weapons Team: Lascannon

Neophyte Hybrids [5 PL, 70pts]: 8x Neophyte Hybrid
. Neophyte Leader: Autogun, Autopistol
. Neophyte Weapons Team: Lascannon

Neophyte Hybrids [10 PL, 99pts]
. 12x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun)
. Neophyte Hybrid (Special Weapon): Flamer
. Neophyte Hybrid (Special Weapon): Flamer
. Neophyte Leader: Autogun, Autopistol
. Neophyte Weapons Team: Mortar

+ HQ +

Acolyte Iconward [3 PL, 53pts]: Icon of the Cult Ascendant

Magus [4 PL, 73pts]: Power: Mass Hypnosis

++ Total: [121 PL, 1988pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2018/01/22 02:32:57


   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




I had my Pure GSC list BTFO yesterday against Aeldari. I rolled at least 3 1's to cult ambush and ambushed my Magus, 2 units of hybrids, and a unit of Neophytes ended up on a dead side of the map. my Patriarch and 20 Purestrains got in on a 4 (This was using the stratagem and a Command reroll) but didn't make my charge and subsequently died to shooting in the next phase. When you roll that 6 engulf your enemy get your MFB off in the psychic phase everything is great but it rarely works that way.
   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut




 Strat_N8 wrote:

While it might be a bit of self promotion, it might not hurt to check out the main GSC tactics thread. While the first part is pre-chapter approved, the last couple pages are up to date with the changes.


Thanks, I'll take a look
   
Made in ca
Regular Dakkanaut




they way I run mine is make a big backline of guard units w heavy weapons and artillery like basilisks/manticores and support characters like techpriest, comissar, psyker, etc... then ambush things like rockgrinders w abberants/acolytes, 20 man neophyte squad in RF range, or Patriarch with Purestrain deathstar in chimaera or footslogging (sheer damage vs protection from shooting/points).

Right now anything the Cult units can do guard or nids can do either better and/or cheaper with the arguable exception of genestealers. Your paying extra for the ability to dump anything in your list practically on top of the enemy though a bad role can really mess you up, (attaching primus to units can mitigate this) so i think it's best to ensure all you gsc units start in ambush to make the most of that rule. by having the more cost effective allies hold the board while the cult pops up and either wrecks in melee/ effective but very short range shooting or draws fire away form your tyrannofex/basilisk/insert long range dangerous shooting unit here.

Alternatively ambushing neophyte squads can be pretty effective as even the worst ambush roll will still give you potential RF range right away or allow str 4 shotguns next turn




 
   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut




Sadly your right about guards and nids doing almost everything better. Nids even do the genestealers better thanks to kraken trait or jormungandr ambush. Neophytes ambushing are inferior to devourers Gants in every way except cost. The main selling points of GSC atm are acolytes and aberrants w/ primus ambush, cheap open topped transports (despite having nothing particularly good to put in) and their psyker powers, which tbf are amazing
   
 
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