INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the fascinating world of wargames! If you’ve ever felt the thrill of strategizing, the joy of painting miniatures, or the camaraderie of a gaming community, it’s high time you got acquainted with Kill Team. This beginner-friendly guide will take you through everything you need to know about Kill Team – from its basics to the resources you may need. Whether you’re new to the hobby or returning after a long break, we will make the journey enjoyable and easy to follow.
WHAT IS KILL TEAM?
Kill Team is a game born out of the massive universe of Warhammer 40,000 (also known as WH40K or 40K). Developed by Games Workshop, Kill Team is a skirmish-level game, a scaled-down and more intimate version of a typical Warhammer 40K battle. Instead of controlling entire armies, players command a small squad, or ‘kill team’, comprising hand-picked individuals.
The appeal of Kill Team lies in its smaller, intricate and diverse matches. Reduced model count means investing more into each individual unit, providing opportunities to personalize your team and mold them according to a specific strategy. With each member becoming a distinct character of its own, Kill Team is as much about the narrative as it is about strategic gameplay.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO START
Starting with Kill Team can be as straightforward as picking a box set. Games Workshop offers a Kill Team ‘Starter Set’ which includes everything you need to begin – two Kill Teams, a battlefield and all rulebooks. Once you’ve assembled your miniatures and the battlefield, you’re ready for your first Kill Team game!
A game of Kill Team progresses in phases. The first is the ‘Initiative Phase’ where you define who has the initiative for this round by rolling dice. Next comes the ‘Movement Phase’ where you move your models. After that, we have the ‘Shooting Phase’ where teams engaged in a firefight using their ranged weapons. After that comes the ‘Fight Phase’ where battles get up close and personal, with models attacking each other in hand-to-hand combat. Finally, the ‘Morale Phase’, where the impact of the battle on your Kill Team’s morale is determined.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
Now that we know how Kill Team works let’s take a look at the things you need to get started:
1. Kill Team Core Manual: This is the primary rulebook, and it’s essential. The manual offers a detailed guide to playing the game, with all the rules and scenarios available.
2. Kill Team box set: As previously mentioned, a great way to kickstart your Kill Team journey is to get a starter set. It includes everything from two unique Kill Teams to a fully-fledged battlefield set-up.
3. Dice: You’ll need a bunch of six-sided dice (commonly known as D6 in gaming lingo)
4. Tape Measure: Just like Warhammer 40K, Kill Team involves a lot of measurement, so a good tape measure also comes in handy.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Start Small: Take time to understand each member of your team and focus on the tactics that each one brings to the table.
2. Practice: Like any other game, practice makes perfect. The more you play, the more you will understand the intricate rules and strategies.
3. Community: Connect with others in the Kill Team community. They are a valuable source of tips, strategies, and camaraderie.
4. Enjoy Painting: Though sometimes intimidating, painting your Kill Team can be a therapeutic and rewarding process.
5. Keep the Narrative Alive: Remember, Kill Team thrives on the narrative. Let your team’s story enhance your gameplay and vice versa.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
1. Games Workshop: This is where you buy official Kill Team boxes, rulebooks, etc.
2. Kill Team Community at Reddit: A helpful forum to offer tips, showcase your models, and discuss strategies.
3. BattleScribe: A brilliant app to help you build and manage army lists.
GLOSSARY
1. Kill Team: A small squad of individual characters controlled by the player in the game.
2. Starter Set: A box set produced by Games Workshop, it contains everything needed to start playing the game.
3. D6: A six-sided dice used in gaming.
4. Core Manual: The primary rulebook of the game.
5. Initiative Phase/Movement Phase/Shooting Phase/Fight Phase/Morale Phase: Different phases/stages of the game.
NEXT STEPS
Now it’s time to dive into the fray! Purchase your Kill Team Starter Set, build and paint your models, then find an opponent and start developing your strategies. Remember, the heart of Kill Team is not just in winning battles, but also in immersing yourself in the lore, and painting and personalizing your miniatures. As you play, you’ll find that there’s always something new to learn which makes the experience richer with each game. So, assemble your Kill Team, hone your strategies, and let your epic journey begin!
