Genestealer: Difference between revisions

From 2d4chan
Jump to navigation Jump to search
1d4chan>Tyrant
m (276 revisions imported)
 
(219 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:GenestealerBroodlord.jpg|thumb|right]]
[[Image:GenestealerBroodlord.jpg|thumb|right|They're not just called Genestealers for nothing!]]
{{Topquote|Iä! Iä! Tyrannicus fhtagn!|One of many unholy Genestealer Cult prayers}}


'''Genestealers''' are [[xenos|alien]] creatures in the [[Warhammer 40,000]] universe. They have undergone many [[fluff]] revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that [[Space Marine]] [[power armor]] is like tissue paper to them), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, and reliant on other species for reproduction.
{{Topquote|Praise be! The star children deliver us!|White Dwarf October 2016}}
 
{{Topquote|Mankind has always looked to the stars for salvation...and finally, THE STARS HAVE ANSWERED!|Unnamed Magus}}
 
'''Genestealers''' (''Corporaptor hominis'') are [[xenos|alien]] creatures in the [[Warhammer 40,000]] universe. They have undergone many [[fluff]] revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that [[Space Marine]] [[power armor]] is like tissue paper to them, no exaggeration), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, protected by a thick shell of [[Carapace]] and reliant on other species for reproduction.
 
Basically what would happen if the Xenomorphs decided to run a Lovecraftian doomsday [[Genestealer Cult|cult]]... IN SPAAAAACE!


== Rogue Trader ==
== Rogue Trader ==
 
[[Image:Oldschool genestealers.png|thumb|right|The 2nd edition pic that has defined the identity of Genestealer Cults for decades.]]
In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl; they could be extremely dangerous at close range, as each of their six strong limbs ended in sharp claws, and they had a gruesome lifestyle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves; notably, they were not connected with the [[Tyranids]] at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with [[human]] ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish."
In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl. They could be extremely dangerous in close quarters, as each of their six strong limbs ended in [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Rending Claws|sharp claws]], and they had a gruesome lifecycle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves. Most notably, they were not connected with the [[Tyranids]] at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with [[human]] ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish." They also ignored armour saves until 4th ed. That was annoying.


== Space Hulk ==
== Space Hulk ==
When the [[Space Hulk]] board game was released a few years later, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's [[Terminators]] as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a hive-mind, represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.
When the [[Space Hulk]] board game was released a few years after 40k: Rogue Trader, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's [[Terminators]] as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a [[Hive Mind|hive mind]], represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.


== Later Editions ==
== Later Editions ==
In later editions of [[Warhammer 40,000]], the Genestealers were revealed to be (or [[retcon]]ned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets.
In later editions of [[Warhammer 40,000]], the Genestealers were revealed to be (or [[retcon]]ned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. They are capable of thinking for themselves and operating without the Hive Mind's leadership, a rare trait among Tyranids, although they are not synapse creatures. [[Space Hulk]]-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves.


[[Space Hulk]]-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves. They are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain an ovipositor; when they encounter sentient humanoids, they [[Rape|use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body]], combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer). The seed alters the host both physically and psychologically so that it loses all memory of the infection and becomes helplessly subservient to the Purestrain's brood. The host is also driven to have children and infest the gene pool with this alien STD; the brood's psychic network will enforce a slavish devotion on the host's part.
Genestealers are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain a barbed ovipositor; when they encounter sentient anthropoid, they [[Rape|use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body]], combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer.) This is a method called the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is either a face-biting parody of a kiss or an injection under the ribcage. Fun fact, this biological process exists in real life under the name of "horizontal gene transfer", and is mostly used by bacteria to help other bacteria develop resistances to antibiotics, and more importantly is the main process involved in genetic engineering! More recently, the Genestealer Cult of the Twisted Helix has discovered how to extract this "seed" for use in contaminating food and medicine, allowing the Genestealer curse to spread to locations far removed from any actual Genestealer.


As the family grows, they will isolate themselves as a Genestealer Cult from the normal humans so as to avoid discovery, while the intelligent and "human" members infiltrate and spy in almost every sector of society. Their psychic network lets them communicate with one another, even though some of the less-human hybrids (and the Purestrains) are incapable of speech, and when it becomes large enough, it will act as a beacon to [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets.  These fleets travel at sub-light speeds, which means it is impractical for them to travel blindly, so they home in on the signal created by a large Genestealer Cult. When their arrival is imminent, they will directly contact the Cult, which will then engage in a full rebellion, sabotaging their planet's defences in preparation for the fleet. The fleet will consume the Cult along with everything else on the planet, but the Genestealers (and their hybrid servants) are just fine with that.
== Dawn of War 2 ==
[[Image:Jeanstealers.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An Assault Terminator trying to protect his power pants from Jeanstealers]]
Genestealers are pretty lore accurate in Dawn of War 2. They eat whatever they face. They act as the ultimate melee troops for Tyranids '''in tier 2.''' Let's run some numbers: A regular Tactical Marine starts with 60 melee skill, a standard melee squad starts with 70. These motherfuckers are starting with 80 by default! And this even gets worse if they have any synapse support. If they are under Improved Synapse of the Hive Tyrant, their health increases by 25%. If they ever get into the melee synapse of Warrior Brood, their health increases by '''75%''', and melee skill by 10, and you can combine these 2 synapses together! Yeah, they can basically murderfuck anything in melee combat. And this gets even worse if they use their Adrenal Rush ability. Gains increased speed and damage, gains small amount of health in each hit they make, and decreases incoming ranged damage.


It's like they attempted to make the already grimdark-as-fuck Xenomorphs even more grimdark by crossing it over with ''[[H.P. Lovecraft|The Shadow over Innsmouth]]''.
Everything aside, the most simple solution to deal with them is to get a walker out. Genestealers can't purchase their anti vehicle klaws until tier 3. That makes them balanced right? I hope so. But when they get them, they can solo a Dreadnought! Thankfully, they have light infantry armour, which means that they can be killed easily with most ranged weaponry and struggle against melee fighters that are able to survive long enough to get a few hits in themselves. AoE melee attacks are your friend against them.


=== Genestealer Variants ===
== On the Tabletop ==
The [[Broodlord]] is an Alpha Genestealer, being connected to the Hive Mind as well as being a psyker (Though he cannot use Warp Lance), thus enabling his to gain control over his burgeoning army of bastard children.
[[Image:Genestealers-in-the-grass.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Fist of the North Star|You're already dead]].]]Both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and crunch. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a [[Land Raider]] due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to be close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. A Zerg rush has ''nothing'' on these guys. In the fluff, their [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Rending Claws|claws]] are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons (back in 2nd Edition and pre-codex 3rd Edition they WERE power weapons), slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through rice paper. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. The fact they are '''[[derp|faster than Eldar]]''' lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.


After the Purestrain infects a host, a Genestealer Cult will end up with members with various levels of Genestealer ancestry. In general, Genestealer Hybrids will breed with their non-Genestealer parent species, and their descendants will resemble that species, until (for some unexplained reason) the fourth hybrid generation, whose children will be Purestrain Genestealers capable of "founding" new Genestealer Cults.
In some editions Genestealer broods could upgrade one of the members to a [[Broodlord]], which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth Edition turned Broodlords into rape machines in challenges, as they are able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.


The [[Rogue Trader]]-era Genestealers also get a special mention, in the form of "Ymgarl Genestealers," a strain that supposedly comes from a population of Genestealers that got isolated on the moons of Ymgarl.  They have tentacled, lamprey-like mouths and the ability to partially transform themselves depending on the circumstances, at the cost of being genetically unstable and only being able to feed on blood. In fact, they're so unstable that the Hive Mind deliberately abandoned them for fear that they would contaminate the Tyranid gene pool. Because of this, they compulsively seek to reach planets that have recently been visited by the Tyranids in a futile attempt to be reabsorbed into the Hive Fleets. If they weren't horrible monstrosities, their predicament would almost be pathetic. However, at some point between 5th and 6th Edition, the Ymgarl Genestealers lucked out and got absorbed into a Hive Fleet by some very desperate/caring Norn Queen.  The result of this is that 6E Tyranids now have a Bio-Artefact (If you feel unclean about the name, that's natural) called the ''Ymgarl Factor'' (Jesus Christ) that gives a squad of Genestealers the same unstable properties rule, but now lack the assaulting from Outflanking because, y'know, assaulting was '''SO FUCKING BROKEN''' and GeeDubs needed every assault unit to be shit.
In 8th Edition, Genestealers are still great, but other armies have some melee options that are pretty on-par with them. A horde of Ork Boyz, for example, can pump out 30 more melee attacks in a turn, and cost 110 points less. Granted, they don't have the 5++ invuln, but they still will wreck a horde of Genestealers' shit if they get the first attack. On the other hand, the Genestealers are also very speedy and can rocket to the other side of the board with the right Stratagems. They can also charge after advancing (or lose that ability in exchange for a better armor save that can go up to MEQ-tier if in cover or under the benefits of Jormungandr's Hive Fleet Attribute) and can take [[Tyranid_Bio-Weapons#Acid Maw|Acid Maws]] for a few extra MEQ-killing attacks. Oh, and they also get a Deep Strike similar to a Terminator's teleport homers. They're especially potent with Hive Fleet Kraken since they'll have better advances as well as the ability to charge after falling back, which not only saves them from running the risk of being trapped in melee with something too tough for them to deal with but also improves their already impressive maneuverability and ensures that they'll always get the first swing in.


=== On the Tabletop ===
== Gallery ==
[[Image:Genestealers-in-the-grass.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Fist of the North Star|You're already dead]].]]In battle, both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and on the tabletop. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a [[Land Raider]] due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. In the fluff, their claws are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons, slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through a rice paper wall. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. <s>The Genestealers' potency in melee is compensated, at least when they could [[cheese]] through infiltrate and outflank, by their lack of any shooting ability, weaker armor save, and their cost that meant that a Tyranid player couldn't let them die like flies like they could other troop choices</s> The fact they are '''[[derp|faster than Eldar]]''' lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.
<gallery>
File:Genestealer_orks.jpg| ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
File:Warhammer 40k the tyranid outcast by randize-d4jl7lq.jpg|
File:Ymgarl.jpg| Fanart of a Ymgarl Genestealer Hybrid.
File: Genestealer_Variants.jpg| Fanart of Genestealer Hybrids of most WH40K races, along with some other Xenos from Popular Culture.
</gallery>


Genestealers have a squad leader upgrade, which the 5th edition changed from an HQ to a troop choice, called the [[Broodlord]], which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth edition turned broodlord into rape machine in challenges, as he able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.
== See Also ==


Also take note that genestealers do NOT like [[Hellhound]]s. They bring the smell of burning chitin into [[rape|genestealer's breakfast]]. Avoid them at all costs. A Banewolf squadron will just make them shit out their guts under AP 3 fleshbane templates.
*[[Genestealer Cult]]
*[[Jeanstealer]] - One of /tg/'s creations. A rather confused Tyranid genestealer that is only driven to steal denim trousers.
*[[Hivestrain Azure]]- A fapfic about a particularly unusual strain of genestealer, likely part of a cult tainted by [[Slaanesh]].
*[[Zoats]]


Thanks to 7th edition allowing "Come the Apocalypse" alliance this can be done once more!
[[Category: Warhammer 40,000]]


=== Non-human Hybrids ===
[[Category: Dawn of War]]
As a final note, [[Warhammer 40,000]] fiction is very [[human]]-centric, and so most Genestealer infestations depicted have occurred among human populations, but the [[Ciaphas Cain]] novels have suggested that [[Tau]] and [[Orks]] are also susceptible to Genestealer infection.  What, exactly, an Ork Genestealer Hybrid or a Tau Genestealer Hybrid would look like is the subject of much speculation.


It should be noted that Orks reproduce asexually by way of fungal spores they secrete from their skin, so it's pretty hard to envision an Orkified Genestealer actually working, or lasting beyond the first generation or two, since they have no ways of mixing genes to produce purestrains in time. Even if they could, the Orks have an inherent ability to determine if one of their own isn't proppa Orky and will inevitably krump the gits. All that's known for sure is that Purestrain genestealers descended from Ork hybrids tend to have denser musculature (and most likely greater physical strength), which suggests that while not as prevalent as human hybrids, they're not exactly rare either.
[[Category: Xenos]]


Tau, similarly, have certain complications to the procedure -- not counting the fact their Kroot allies can taste if a person is infected or not simply by tasting some of their blood, or the fact tau-tech is probably advanced enough to scan for this threat once they know about it. <s>Firstly, tau are implied to have much lower sex drives than humans. </s> Nope, Tau like it just as much as humans, it's just tempered by [[Grimdark|their authoritarian ideology]] when it comes to actually having kids. Tau explicitly practice caste-restricted bureaucratically arranged breeding processes; Tau don't have kids until their higher ups decide they should, and they don't even get to pick their own partners. Two tau get paired up by the decision of a committee, spend a couple of days off work and having sex, then separate and go their separate ways. This means the genestealer taint is seriously difficult to spread amongst the race. The caste-based structure of tau society also poses problems to any potential Tauified Genestealers, and that's without presuming the caste-system is now so inherent that different castes can't even physically breed with each other anymore.
[[Category: Tyranid]]


While it probably is possible for Genestealers to infect the [[Eldar]], it's unlikely that they'd really get anywhere with any of the four varieties due to their highly advanced medical technology (all four, yes even the Exodites), universal empathic abilities, very regimented lifestyles (Craftworld), and the fact that irregular psychic activity amongst them gets located and dealt with very quickly (all four, heck mind bulletry is pretty much the only thing the [[Dark Eldar]] ban). Thus it's going to stay as pretty much just a possibility for fa/tg/uys to wild mass guess over. 
[[Category: Genestealer Cults]]


As for the [[Necrons]], they're fucking robot skeletons. If you even consider this possibility you're fucking ''retarded''.
{{Template:Tyranids-Creatures}}
 
Let's not forget Tyramids... sounds stupid but hive fleets fight all the time so you could see some gene stealer of say, hive fleet leviathan infecting some hive fleet Behemoth Gaunts. While they would not fool a synapse creature, it could pass it self off among the more scent based gaunts, but aside from "stealing" interesting genetic mutations, (say the other sides Hormgaunts have springier tendons for better leaps) Genestealers infecting other tryanid would be less effective then if they infected another race.
 
Some may also wonder about <s>Squat gene-cults</s> {{BLAM}} {{BLAM|Heresy!}}
 
== Genestealer Army list ==
For those of you who wish to field these in their entirety rather than through a Tyranid army, well then you are in luck. The Fly Lords of Terra have come up with a list that can be used in Apocalypse games. But since this army has an underdog feel to it, you could get away with using it in standard games as well. Not only that but the file provides the reader with a conversion ideas section. Brilliant!
 
== Unofficial codexs ==
 
*Fly Lords of Terra Genestealer Apoc codex [http://www.box.com/shared/lyyxvnpk48]
*So not only do genestealer cults have a codex now, but this man, Chris Showers, actually made a army of them! You'll have to Google Search them yourself, though, since the GamesWorkshop website *cough* [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?community=true&catId=&categoryId=300005&aId=11600017] *cough* is slowly deleting anything that isn't the webstore
 
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Genestealer_Cult.jpg
</gallery>


==See Also==
{{Template:Genestealer-Cult}}
*[[Jeanstealer]] - One of /tg/'s creations. A rather confused Tyranid genestealer that is only driven to steal denim trousers.
*[[Hivestrain Azure]]- A fapfic about a particularly unusual strain of genestealer.


{{Template:Tyranids-Creatures}}
{{WH40k-Factions}}
[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Tyranid]]

Latest revision as of 09:08, 21 June 2023

They're not just called Genestealers for nothing!

"Iä! Iä! Tyrannicus fhtagn!"

– One of many unholy Genestealer Cult prayers

"Praise be! The star children deliver us!"

– White Dwarf October 2016

"Mankind has always looked to the stars for salvation...and finally, THE STARS HAVE ANSWERED!"

– Unnamed Magus

Genestealers (Corporaptor hominis) are alien creatures in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. They have undergone many fluff revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that Space Marine power armor is like tissue paper to them, no exaggeration), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, protected by a thick shell of Carapace and reliant on other species for reproduction.

Basically what would happen if the Xenomorphs decided to run a Lovecraftian doomsday cult... IN SPAAAAACE!

Rogue Trader[edit]

The 2nd edition pic that has defined the identity of Genestealer Cults for decades.

In Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl. They could be extremely dangerous in close quarters, as each of their six strong limbs ended in sharp claws, and they had a gruesome lifecycle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves. Most notably, they were not connected with the Tyranids at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with human ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish." They also ignored armour saves until 4th ed. That was annoying.

Space Hulk[edit]

When the Space Hulk board game was released a few years after 40k: Rogue Trader, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's Terminators as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a hive mind, represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.

Later Editions[edit]

In later editions of Warhammer 40,000, the Genestealers were revealed to be (or retconned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the Tyranid Hive Fleets. They are capable of thinking for themselves and operating without the Hive Mind's leadership, a rare trait among Tyranids, although they are not synapse creatures. Space Hulk-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves.

Genestealers are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain a barbed ovipositor; when they encounter sentient anthropoid, they use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body, combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer.) This is a method called the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is either a face-biting parody of a kiss or an injection under the ribcage. Fun fact, this biological process exists in real life under the name of "horizontal gene transfer", and is mostly used by bacteria to help other bacteria develop resistances to antibiotics, and more importantly is the main process involved in genetic engineering! More recently, the Genestealer Cult of the Twisted Helix has discovered how to extract this "seed" for use in contaminating food and medicine, allowing the Genestealer curse to spread to locations far removed from any actual Genestealer.

Dawn of War 2[edit]

An Assault Terminator trying to protect his power pants from Jeanstealers

Genestealers are pretty lore accurate in Dawn of War 2. They eat whatever they face. They act as the ultimate melee troops for Tyranids in tier 2. Let's run some numbers: A regular Tactical Marine starts with 60 melee skill, a standard melee squad starts with 70. These motherfuckers are starting with 80 by default! And this even gets worse if they have any synapse support. If they are under Improved Synapse of the Hive Tyrant, their health increases by 25%. If they ever get into the melee synapse of Warrior Brood, their health increases by 75%, and melee skill by 10, and you can combine these 2 synapses together! Yeah, they can basically murderfuck anything in melee combat. And this gets even worse if they use their Adrenal Rush ability. Gains increased speed and damage, gains small amount of health in each hit they make, and decreases incoming ranged damage.

Everything aside, the most simple solution to deal with them is to get a walker out. Genestealers can't purchase their anti vehicle klaws until tier 3. That makes them balanced right? I hope so. But when they get them, they can solo a Dreadnought! Thankfully, they have light infantry armour, which means that they can be killed easily with most ranged weaponry and struggle against melee fighters that are able to survive long enough to get a few hits in themselves. AoE melee attacks are your friend against them.

On the Tabletop[edit]

You're already dead.

Both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and crunch. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a Land Raider due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to be close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. A Zerg rush has nothing on these guys. In the fluff, their claws are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons (back in 2nd Edition and pre-codex 3rd Edition they WERE power weapons), slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through rice paper. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. The fact they are faster than Eldar lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.

In some editions Genestealer broods could upgrade one of the members to a Broodlord, which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth Edition turned Broodlords into rape machines in challenges, as they are able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.

In 8th Edition, Genestealers are still great, but other armies have some melee options that are pretty on-par with them. A horde of Ork Boyz, for example, can pump out 30 more melee attacks in a turn, and cost 110 points less. Granted, they don't have the 5++ invuln, but they still will wreck a horde of Genestealers' shit if they get the first attack. On the other hand, the Genestealers are also very speedy and can rocket to the other side of the board with the right Stratagems. They can also charge after advancing (or lose that ability in exchange for a better armor save that can go up to MEQ-tier if in cover or under the benefits of Jormungandr's Hive Fleet Attribute) and can take Acid Maws for a few extra MEQ-killing attacks. Oh, and they also get a Deep Strike similar to a Terminator's teleport homers. They're especially potent with Hive Fleet Kraken since they'll have better advances as well as the ability to charge after falling back, which not only saves them from running the risk of being trapped in melee with something too tough for them to deal with but also improves their already impressive maneuverability and ensures that they'll always get the first swing in.

Gallery[edit]

  • ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!

    ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Fanart of a Ymgarl Genestealer Hybrid.

    Fanart of a Ymgarl Genestealer Hybrid.

  • Fanart of Genestealer Hybrids of most WH40K races, along with some other Xenos from Popular Culture.

    Fanart of Genestealer Hybrids of most WH40K races, along with some other Xenos from Popular Culture.

See Also[edit]

Tyrannic Bio-Organisms
Leader Organisms: Broodlord - Hive Tyrant - Neurotyrant - Norn Queen - Tyranid Warrior
Small Creatures: Barbgaunt - Gargoyle - Genestealer - Hormagaunt
Neurogaunt - Ripper - Spinegaunt - Termagant
Medium Size
Creatures:		 Biovore - Hive Guard - Lictor - Neurothrope - Parasite of Mortrex - Pyrovore
Ravener - Tyrant Guard - Venomthrope - Von Ryan's Leaper - Zoanthrope
Monstrous Creatures: Carnifex (Screamer-Killer - Stone Crusher - Thornback) - Dimachaeron
Exocrine - Haruspex - Malanthrope - Maleceptor - Mawloc
Psychophage - Tervigon - Toxicrene - Trygon - Tyrannofex
Gargantuan Creatures: Cerebore - Dactylis - Hierodule - Malefactor - Nautiloid - Viragon
Flying Creatures: Harpy - Harridan - Hive Crone - Mucolid Spore
Bio-Titans: Dominatrix - Hierophant - Hydraphant - Viciator
Floral Structures: Capillary Tower - Reclamation Pool
Spaceborne Creatures: Ether-Swimming Brood - Mycetic Spore - Tyrannocyte
Other Organisms: Bio-Weapons - Cortex Leech - Meiotic Spore - Neurocyte
Neuroloid - Spore Mine - Sporocyst - Zoats
Unique Creatures: Deathleaper - Laius Horror - Old One-Eye - The Red Terror - Swarmlord
Auxiliaries: Genestealer Cult
Members of the Genestealer Cult
Cult Leaders: Broodlord - Genestealer Patriarch
Specialists: Biophagus - Clamavus - Jackal Alphus
Locus - Magus - Primus - Nexos
Cultists: Abominants - Atalan Jackal - Brood Brothers
Genestealers - Genestealer Aberrants - Sanctus
Hybrids: Acolyte Hybrids - Hybrid Metamorphs
Neophyte Hybrids - Kelermorph Hybrids
Familiars: Alchemicus - Mindwyrm - Soulsight
Vehicles: Achilles Ridgerunner - Chimera - Dirtcycle - Goliath Truck
Leman Russ - Sentinel - Tectonic Fragdrill - Wolfquad
Allies: Tyranids
Playable Factions in Warhammer 40,000
Imperium: AdMech: Adeptus Mechanicus - Mechanicus Knights
Army: Imperial Guard - Imperial Knights - Imperial Navy - Militarum Tempestus - Space Marines
Inquisition: Inquisition - Sisters of Battle - Deathwatch - Grey Knights
Other: Adeptus Custodes - Adeptus Ministorum - Death Cults - Officio Assassinorum - Sisters of Silence
Chaos: Chaos Daemons - Chaos Space Marines - Lost and the Damned - Chaos Knights
Xenos: Aeldari: Dark Eldar - Eldar - Eldar Corsairs - Harlequins - Ynnari
Tyranids: Genestealer Cults - Tyranids
Others: Necrons - Orks - Tau - Leagues of Votann
Retrieved from "http://23.235.193.55/mediawiki/index.php?title=Genestealer&oldid=252465"