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Hello, so this will be my 4th main army, I had planned an IG army, however that kind of fell through due to me thinking they are infantry heavy (yeah I could've run just a tank army but that only stays fun for a bit)
I really like the look of the new Genestealer Cult hybrids that came out and want an army of them, however, they are the same - if not worse - than IG when it comes to numbers. But it gives me something new to play with.

What is the Genestealer Cult tactic? Most likely overwhelming numbers?
Is there a chart showing the different colour schemes of cults and brotherhoods etc? Like what is in the T'au codex for their septs
What's the best way to spend money on this army? Apparently they can take Pure stain genestealers and they may be the bulk of the army for now.

I have no idea were to start but I was planning on the Death Watch Overkill box as that seems really worth it, especially with the payback of selling the DW. My target is usually at least 1500 points.

Genestealer cults can incorporate IG units, so in theory they can have the shootiness and durability of the guard, combined with the punchiness of the genestealers. Maybe wait until we get a codex, but that could be a while off.

In terms of colour schemes, we're not entirely sure on all the cults that we'll get at this rate either, although it's a fair bet to say that all the cults appearing in the 7th ed codex will make an appearance. Because genestealer cults are very different from other armies, and generally don't live to see multiple wars across several planets, you can probably paint them any colour you want, and that's probably a better idea because then when we get specific cult rules you can decide which one represents your cult.

DW: Overkill is a very good box set to get. Would recommend, and it's the only way so far to get aberrants - although there are plenty of conversion options out there. Purestrains are one of the best units IMO, combined with a Primus for maximum infiltration precision, whereas aberrants with hammers do hit like a truck. The problem is, under the current rules, you cannot deploy more than half of your army in reserve, so you need a rock or an anchor to hold the board turn one - probably IG tanks and infantry.

Right now, the only charts you'll find are from the previous codexes, which you probably want to hold off on buying, because they're from a previous edition of the game. In theory, a new Genestealer Cult codex should be out this summer or fall, so you shouldn't have to wait long at all!

A classic Genestealer Cult tactic is to have a large number of Astra Militarum units, specifically the tanks and Heavy Weapons teams supported by Orders and shooting buffs, to provide a strong shooting element to the army, while hybrids and Genestealers use Cult Ambush to arrive right where your opponent doesn't want them, and likely getting some first-turn charges off that cripple your opponent's first or second turn shooting capabilities. In effect, most opponents will excel against you in shooting or close combat prowess, but you have the ability to lock them down better to remove those strengths. If you can keep your opponent locked down for 2 turns, you should gain enough of an advantage to win.

AM is usually the best choice, But( ) Nids can work as your table holding force. You can run a Gunline of Carnifexen, with termagants to screen and get your table presence that way...Termagants are big bunches of figures, but Canifexen are MC's so maybe paint 20 Termagants and run them as two Broods of x10 each...?

Currently GSC is more of a glass hammer than anything else but if you add Guard and or Tyranid allows you to Soup with the best of them. Being able to cult ambush a big blob of 20 genestealers with a primus and nearly guarantee a 1st turn charge(3d6 on cult ambush with rerolls I think about 95% chance of 5 or 6)

The only problem is after they kill their first target they will die to the opp's small arms fire.

We also have 2 of the best psychic powers in the game.

Mind control is the bane of anything that's got a lot of guns (and since when you do control them it's not the shooting phase you can snipe characters)

Mass hypnosis turns off overwatch and more. Need to assault a baneblade with 8 heavy flamers.... Mass hypnosis is your best friend.

All this with I'd say the most mobile psykers in the game since they can all cult ambush.

Really? Mind control can snipe?

The_Real_Chris wrote:
Really? Mind control can snipe?

Wording on the Character rule in the BRB and the Psychic power are seperate. It does not state 'you may shoot as if it were the Shooting Phase', only that "that model can immediately shoot another enemy unit of your choice, -snip melee bit- as if it were part of your own army".

Ok great, nice to see plenty of replies and help.
So I'm ordering some neophyte hybrids to add some cannon fodder, I already have 3 chimeras from when I planned to start IG.

Sounds like there may be some new stuff coming for the cult.... Oh happy times

I'd definitely wait until the codex drops to buy a lot of new stuff, but I'd be hopeful. The cool thing about GSC is that you can also Branch out into normal nids and IG, so it gives you a lot of flexibility and modeling options, and the ability to focus on just the best units from the three books.

Fun campaign idea:

If your AM units are already painted, fight them in a skirmish battle against a pure nid army with a broodlord and purestrains (maybe a lictor or two).

Any AM model killed by a purestrain or the broodlord gets replaced with one of the AM-lookin hybrid models. If the broodlord survives the battle, add a patriarch to your army; add a purestrain to your army for any purestrain that survives the battle.

Rematch until you have finally earned your patriarch.

From that point forward, fight human armies as often as possible. Necromunda crossover to round out your force- maybe fight goliaths with GSC vehicle and if you win, add the vehicle to your army. This also allows you the right to field necromunda models- just use the AM brood brother rules.

Play out the breeding cycle of the cult; evolve your magus and primarch before you add the models to your army. By the time the codex drops, your cult will be legendary.

oh yeah, the new hybrid/ aberrant looking model:

https://www.warhammer-community.com/2018/06/01/codexes-kings-cawdors-and-more/

This means the codex is dropping soon. GW will guaranteed release aberrants in a box or as singles with the dex, and they will drop the Overkill box from the range as soon as that happens.

Anyone planning to use overkill to kickstart a gsc better do it soon.

Well I managed to find someone who would split the GSC DW:Overkill boxset, so I have all those models and I've also bought 2 boxes of neophyte hybrids. Pretty cool so far, 1,000 points Next task is paints, which will cost me pretty much the same amount.

Which genestealer cult army?

The index one?

The one where you just play 'nid book genestealers?

Or one of the Marine books?

Which genestealer cult army?

Well, I don't really know, probably the box one, no idea what it is though.
If there is a chart of either the different GSC armies or the paints for the box art army (blue sleeves one) that'd be appreciated.