INTRODUCTION
Welcome! You’ve landed on the ultimate beginner-friendly guide to Kill Team, a fast-paced, exciting tabletop war game from the creators of Warhammer 40,000. Known for its intense skirmishes, strategy, and tactical depth, Kill Team gives you the thrill of large-scale warfare but on a much smaller, manageable scale. Perfect for those who love the thrill of combat but short on time! This guide is designed to introduce you to the game, its mechanics, and how to get started in a way that’s easy to understand, whether you are completely new or returning after a long break.
WHAT IS KILL TEAM?
In a nutshell, Kill Team is a miniatures-based tabletop war game developed by Games Workshop, the creators of Warhammer 40,000 (or 40K). It is set in the same grimdark science fantasy universe as its larger cousin, but instead of controlling vast armies, players command a small band of specialists known as a ‘Kill Team’.
The game focuses on low-key skirmishes between these teams, making for encounters that are far more tactical and intimate than you would typically find in larger scale battle games. Matches are swift, usually wrapping up in less than an hour, making Kill Team perfect for those with limited time who still want to indulge in their love for strategic warfare.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO START
As with any game, the first step is setting up the play area. Kill Team is played on a 22″x30″ playing field, marked by terrain like buildings, ruins, and other obstacles which provide cover and strategic opportunities.
The player starts by choosing a team from one of the many Warhammer 40,000 factions – Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, just a few examples. Each Kill Team is personalized and built around a small team of individual specialists, each with specific skills and roles.
Gameplay itself is broken down into phases: Initiative phase, Movement Phase, Psychic Phase, Shooting Phase, Fight Phase, and Morale Phase. Dice are used to determine various factors in each phase, from which player gets to move first, to whether an attack is successful and the amount of damage it does.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To get started, you’ll need a few necessary items. First and foremost, you’ll need a copy of the Kill Team Core Manual. This is your Bible for all things Kill Team, containing all the rules you need to play. You’ll also need a Kill Team box set for your chosen faction, which will include your miniatures and sometimes some terrain. A set of polyhedral dice, a ruler or measuring tape for movement, and lots of imagination are also essentials.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Start small. One of the great things about Kill Team is you do not need a vast amount of miniatures to get started.
2. Learn your team’s strengths. Each team has its specialty. Some are swift, others tough. Knowing your team’s strengths (and weaknesses) will help you in the strategy.
3. Remember to use cover. Terrain isn’t just there to make your battlefield look cool; it provides a tactical advantage.
4. Practice makes perfect. The more you play, the better your understanding of the game mechanics and the strengths of your team.
5. Have fun! It’s the most important part after all.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
The Warhammer community website is a wealth of resources for players new and old. YouTube Channels like Tabletop Titans, Midwinter Minis, and StrikingScorpion82 all provide excellent guides and gameplay videos to help you along. Reddit also holds communities like r/killteam where you can engage and learn from other players.
GLOSSARY
1. Faction: The various distinct groups in the Warhammer 40,000 universe
2. Miniature: The small models that represent the characters you are playing in the game.
3. Terrain: The environmental features on the game board that can be used as cover or obstacles.
4. Dice roll: A common method in tabletop games to add the element of chance.
5. Skirmish: A term for smaller-scale encounters or battles.
NEXT STEPS
After understanding the basics, the best next step is to start assembling your team and learning the game. A visit to your local game shop can also be beneficial. They often hold demo games and have staff with an in-depth understanding who can help. Remember, the journey gets easier and more fun as you plunge deeper into the Kill Team universe. Happy gaming!
