INTRODUCTION
If you’re looking for a new and exciting tabletop game that involves strategy, team building, and an immersive universe, you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the world of Kill Team! As a beginner-friendly guide, this article aims to introduce you to this thrilling game, understand the ropes, and get started on your glorious journey into the grim-dark universe of the 41st Millennium. With immense fun, exciting gameplay, complex tactical decisions, and edge-of-the-seat thrill factors, Kill Team is worth trying out.
WHAT IS KILL TEAM?
Kill Team is a standalone skirmish game set within Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe – a dark, dystopian future where interstellar warfare is a way of life. In Kill Team, players form small squads of specialized troops – the eponymous “Kill Teams” – and pit them against each other in fast-paced, tactical miniatures battles. Unlike Warhammer 40,000, where players might field armies of hundreds of models, Kill Team focuses on a much smaller scale, often featuring only 5-20 models per side. This smaller scale allows for more detailed gameplay, with individual characters gaining their personality, story, and progression. Comparably, Kill Team can be likened to Dungeons & Dragons, except with sci-fi combat focus.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO GET STARTED
In Kill Team, each player assembles a kill team of individually modeled soldiers (or miniatures), where each soldier can act independently in the game. The game progresses in turns, where each turn is segmented into phases; it typically starts with the initiative phase (roll dice to see who goes first), the moving phase (where you move your soldiers), the shooting phase, and the close combat phase. There are also specific rules governing each soldier’s movements, abilities, and how they engage in combat which add depth and strategy to the game.
Start by choosing a faction (there are various factions like Space Marines, Orks, Tau, etc.). Once selected, you build your kill team depending on your chosen faction’s options from the rulebook. Creating a well-balanced team with various capabilities (handling objectives, tanking damage, dishing out damage, etc.) is the key to winning.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To dive into playing Kill Team, you will need a Kill Team Starter Set. A starter set typically includes a squad of miniatures, a battlefield play map, and terrain pieces for creating an engaging play experience. You will also need a rulebook, dice, and a measuring tape for movement and range measurements. Optionally, you can also get miniature painting kits for personalizing your miniatures, making your kill team truly your own.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Spend time learning the rules: Kill Team has quite an involved ruleset. Spending time upfront to learn the rules can make your gaming experience much more enjoyable.
2. Choose a balanced team: A team with varied capabilities often does better than a specialized one.
3. Start Small: Start with smaller, less complicated battles to understand the game before going for larger, complex scenarios.
4. Use the Terrain: Understanding how to use the terrain can be beneficial in both attacking and defense.
5. Practice: Like anything else, getting good at Kill Team requires practice – so keep playing!
HELPFUL RESOURCES
For beginners, Warhammer’s official site and Games Workshop YouTube channel are great places to start. Additionally, there are dedicated communities on Reddit and Discord where you can connect with other players, share strategies, and ask questions.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Faction: The distinct races or groups that players can choose from for their kill team. Each faction has unique abilities and characteristics.
2. Miniatures: The individual soldier models used to play the game.
3. Terrain: Physical objects on the battlefield that can be used for cover or other strategic purposes.
4. Battle Rounds: Also known as turns, a round in which both players move their pieces and implement actions.
5. Wargear: Equipment and weapons that can be used by the miniatures in the game.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Now that you’re armed with the basics, the next step is to get a Kill Team starter set, assemble your team, and start playing! If you can, try a demo game at a local hobby shop or with a friend who already plays. Remember, the journey might seem a bit challenging initially, but as you navigate through it, the path becomes more exciting and fun. Go ahead, launch your Kill Team adventure!
