What Is Combat Patrol: Genestealer Cults?
Combat Patrol: Genestealer Cults is Games Workshop's entry-level box for one of Warhammer 40,000's most unique and guerrilla-style factions. Priced at £105, it gives you 17 miniatures built around fast, flanking, ambush-based gameplay. Genestealer Cults are xenos-corrupted human insurgents — part alien, part human, and entirely deadly in the right hands.
Box Contents: What Do You Get?
- 1x Jackal Alphus — a fast biker character who provides orders and sniper support
- 1x Achilles Ridgerunner — a fast scout vehicle with heavy weapon options
- 5x Atalan Jackals — biker scouts: fast, excellent at harassing and objective play
- 10x Hybrid Metamorphs (or Acolyte Hybrids) — the core melee infantry, part-alien with rending claws and industrial weapons
Playstyle: How Do Genestealer Cults Play?
Genestealer Cults are a guerrilla faction. They use Cult Ambush rules to appear from unexpected angles, overwhelming opponents before they can react. Key traits:
- Kultischer Hinterhalt: Many Cult units can arrive from reserve anywhere on the board edge, creating threat from every direction.
- Geschwindigkeit: The Jackals and Ridgerunner give this patrol exceptional mobility for objective control and harassment.
- Hybrid Metamorphs/Acolyte Hybrids: Melee powerhouses on the charge — rending claws shred even armoured targets.
- Schakal Alphus: Buffs nearby Jackals and provides reliable sniper fire on key targets.
- Achilles Ridgerunner: Flexible fire support with a range of heavy weapon options.
Genestealer Cults require more experience to play effectively — managing reserves and ambush timing is crucial. Highly rewarding for skilled players.
Value: Is the Genestealer Cults Combat Patrol Worth It?
At £105, solid value. The Achilles Ridgerunner and Atalan Jackals are unique kits not found in other 40k factions. The unit variety covers all three battlefield roles: HQ, fast attack, and core infantry.
Recommended Paints for Genestealer Cults
- Purple and blue for alien skin: Genestealer Purple highlight, Druchii Violet shade
- Industrial browns and greys for human armour: Rhinox Hide, Agrax Earthshade
- Flesh tones for partially-human faces: Cadian Fleshtone, Reikland Fleshshade
- Leadbelcher for industrial tools and weapons
Growing Your Genestealer Cults Army
From this patrol, add a Patriarch for your Psychic phase, more Acolyte Hybrids for melee weight, or Neophyte Hybrids for cheap objective holders. Genestealers themselves are a terrifying melee unit to add next.
See all Combat Patrol factions in our Warhammer 40k Combat Patrol complete guide.