M
6"
T
6
SV
5+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
The Broodmind Ascendant
Genestealer Cults
“The Stars Are Ripening”
Generations before a single Tyranid bio-ship darkens a world's sky, a Genestealer Cult has already taken root — miners, nobles, and even Imperial officials bound by blood and psychic broodmind to a purestrain progenitor. They labor in secret, sabotaging defenses, converting the desperate and the greedy, and breeding new generations of increasingly monstrous hybrids, all while awaiting the Star Children's call. When the Hive Fleet finally arrives, the cult rises as one, seizing void shields, disabling planetary defenses, and opening the way for total biological annexation. It is a patient, insidious war fought in shadows and boardrooms alike, and by the time the Imperium notices, it is already too late.
Army Rule
Broodmind
Friendly GENESTEALER CULTS units can attempt to Infiltrate and use the Cult Ambush rule, arriving from concealed tunnels and hidden positions. Additionally, many units share Psychic Hybrid abilities that grant re-rolls and bonus movement when acting in concert with the Patriarch's will.
4 available
Detachments & Enhancements
Heroes of the Uprising
Killer Reputation
What passes for folk heroism amongst the deviants of the Genestealer Cults is part broodmind compulsion and unwilling worship, and part these champions' ability to commit deeds of great and terrible violence against any who stand in the way of the cult. - Friendly KELERMORPH/LOCUS/REDUCTUS SABOTEUR/SANCTUS models have KILLER. - Friendly KILLER models' attacks can: ▫ Re-roll hit rolls of 1. ▫ Re-roll wound rolls of 1.
Gene-tailored Toxins
35 ptsYears of experimentation and stolen biodata have gone into the fabrication of these unique and horrible toxins, which are now used to coat the weapons of the cult's favoured champions. LOCUS/SANCTUS model only. This model's attacks have +1 D.
Contraband Munitions
20 ptsCarefully husbanded against the Day of Ascension, these rare and powerful black-market rounds are issued only to the cult's finest marksmen. KELERMORPH/REDUCTUS SABOTEUR model only. This unit's ranged attacks have +2 S.
Purestrain Broodswarm
Enemy Within
Genestealers on the hunt combine malevolent cunning and inhuman agility to strike and fade again and again, until their prey are reduced to panicked disarray. At the end of your opponent's Fight phase, friendly unengaged PURESTRAIN GENESTEALER units can be placed in strategic reserves. This detachment has the PURESTRAIN tag and cannot be taken with another PURESTRAIN detachment.
Mark of the Star Children
30 ptsSpontaneous biomorphs amongst this brood of Purestrains render them bigger, stronger, and mark them out as surely being the chosen of the Star Children themselves. PURESTRAIN GENESTEALERS unit only. This unit has: - +1 T. - 4+ Sv. - This unit's melee attacks have +1 S.
Talons of the Sire
15 ptsThe broodmind bond between this Patriarch and its Purestrain spawn is so strong that it can virtually wield them like its own vicious talons. PATRIARCH model only. This unit's attacks can re-roll wound rolls of 1.
Xenocult Masses
Hordes of the Faithful
More and yet more Neophytes surge from tunnel mouths, mine entrances and derelict fortifications, drowning the foe in a tide of fanatical killers. In your Command phase, if a friendly NEOPHYTE HYBRIDS unit is within a terrain area, that unit heals 3 wounds. This detachment has the HOSTS tag and cannot be taken with another HOSTS detachment.
Inspired to Greatness
15 ptsFighting under the eyes of the very leaders of their cult, the faithful are gripped by an unwavering determination to excel in battle. MAGUS / PRIMUS model only. This unit's attacks can re-roll damage rolls.
Devious Disguises
15 ptsWhether it be stolen uniforms, ad-hoc camouflage or even some chameleonic xenomutation, these Neophytes are able to blend into their surroundings. NEOPHYTE HYBRIDS unit only. This unit has -3" detection range.
Final Day
Psionic Parasitism
With each tug on the synaptic leash, the Hive Mind drains more of its hapless worshippers. At the end of your Movement phase, for each Tyranids Synapse unit from your army, you can select one friendly Genestealer Cults unit (excluding Purestrain Genestealer and Patriarch units) and one friendly Tyranids unit each within 9" of and visible to that Synapse unit. If you do, that Genestealer Cults unit from your army suffers D3+1 mortal wounds and one model in the selected Tyranids unit regains up to that many lost wounds and until the start of your next Movement phase, each time a model in the selected Tyranids unit makes an attack, add 1 to the Hit roll. Tyranids units from your army have the following ability: Catalyst (Aura): While an enemy unit is within 6" of this unit, each time a friendly Genestealer Cults unit makes an attack that targets that enemy unit, add 1 to the Hit roll. THE STAR CHILDREN'S BLESSINGS You can include Tyranids Vanguard Invader units (excluding Aircraft, Broodlord and Genestealers units) in your army. The combined points cost of such units depends on your battle size: ■ Incursion: Up to 500 pts ■ Strike Force: Up to 1000 pts ■ Onslaught: Up to 1500 pts 5 No Tyranids models from your army can be your Warlord.
Synaptic Auger
15 ptsInvisible psionic tendrils drift around this bioform's cranium, stabbing out to force alien demands into fragmenting hybrid minds and suck the bioenergy from them in merciless draughts. Tyranids model only. Each time the bearer would regain one or more lost wounds from the Psionic Parasitism Detachment rule, it regains up to twice that number of lost wounds instead.
Enraptured Damnation
10 ptsThough hollowing them out like acid, the insidious power of the Hive Mind blazes from this delirious fanatic and forces their enemies to recoil. Genestealer Cults model only. Enemy units cannot use the Fire Overwatch Stratagem to shoot at the bearer's unit.
Vanguard Tyrant
25 ptsAdapted by the Hive Mind to lead the first invasion swarms, this leader organism's bioweapons emphasise vicious shock assault and maximum bloodshed. Winged Hive Tyrant model only. Improve the Strength and Armour Penetration characteristics of melee weapons equipped by the bearer by 1.
Inhuman Integration
20 ptsThis cult leader's powerful psyche has withstood Hive Mind integration better than most, at least for now. It even relays a crude approximation of synaptic signals to their underlings. Of course, this only makes them and their followers more selflessly obedient drones. Genestealer Cults model only. Weapons equipped by models in the bearer's unit have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability while targeting an enemy unit within 6" of one or more friendly Tyranids units.
15 stratagems
Stratagems
Living Up to Legend
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Heroes of the Uprising
WHEN: Your Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when a friendly KILLER unit has attacked, if those attacks destroyed an enemy unit or an enemy CHARACTER model. TARGET: That KILLER unit. EFFECT: Each visible friendly battle-shocked GENESTEALER CULTS unit within 12" of your unit is no longer battle-shocked.
Surging Broodworship
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Heroes of the Uprising
WHEN: Your Shooting phase or the Fight phase, when a friendly KILLER unit is selected to attack. TARGET: That KILLER unit. EFFECT: Attacks made by KILLER models in your unit have [DEVASTATING WOUNDS].
Loyal to the End
1 CPDetachment · Fight phase · Heroes of the Uprising
WHEN: Fight phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly KILLER unit. TARGET: That KILLER unit. EFFECT: When a KILLER model in your unit is destroyed, if your unit has not been selected to fight this phase, roll one D6: - On a 1, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound. - On a 2+, do not remove that model from the battlefield. When your unit has fought, or at the end of the phase (whichever comes first), that model is removed from the battlefield.
Lurk and Strike
1 CPDetachment · Movement phase · Purestrain Broodswarm
WHEN: Your Movement phase, when a friendly PURESTRAIN GENESTEALERS unit is selected to make a fall-back move. TARGET: That PURESTRAIN GENESTEALERS unit. EFFECT: That move does not prevent your unit from being eligible to declare a charge.
Crawling Horror
1 CPDetachment · Movement phase · Purestrain Broodswarm
WHEN: Start of your opponent's Movement phase. TARGET: One friendly PURESTRAIN GENESTEALERS unit. EFFECT: Your unit has -6" detection range until the end of the turn.
Inhuman Reactions
1 CPDetachment · Movement phase · Purestrain Broodswarm
WHEN: Your opponent's Movement phase, when an enemy unit ends a move within 8" of a friendly unengaged PURESTRAIN GENESTEALERS unit. TARGET: That PURESTRAIN GENESTEALERS unit. EFFECT: Your unit can make a normal move of up to D3+3".
Eyes of the Cult
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Xenocult Masses
WHEN: Start of your Shooting phase. TARGET: One friendly NEOPHYTE HYBRIDS unit within a terrain area. EFFECT: Enemy units within that terrain area have +6" detection range.
Fanatical Hail
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Xenocult Masses
WHEN: Your Shooting phase, when a friendly NEOPHYTE HYBRIDS unit is selected to shoot. TARGET: That NEOPHYTE HYBRIDS unit. EFFECT: Select one enemy unit. Your unit's ranged attacks that target that enemy unit can re-roll hit rolls.
Slunk from the Underbelly
1 CPDetachment · Shooting phase · Xenocult Masses
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase, when an enemy unit targets a friendly NEOPHYTE HYBRIDS unit with every model within a terrain area. TARGET: That NEOPHYTE HYBRIDS unit. EFFECT: Ranged attacks that target your unit have -1 AP until that unit has attacked.
Hyperferocity
1 CPBattle Tactic · Fight phase · Final Day
WHEN: Fight phase. TARGET: One Genestealer Cults unit from your army that has not been selected to fight this phase. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack that targets an enemy unit, re-roll a Wound roll of 1. If one or more friendly Tyranids units are within 6" of that enemy unit, you can re-roll the Wound roll instead.
Psi Surge
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Any phase · Final Day
WHEN: Start of any phase. TARGET: One Tyranids unit from your army. EFFECT: Until the start of your next Command phase, increase the range of your unit's Catalyst ability by 3". RESTRICTIONS: Each time you use this Stratagem, until the end of your next Command phase, you cannot use this Stratagem again.
Avenge the Star Children
1 CPBattle Tactic · Shooting phase · Final Day
WHEN: Your opponent's Shooting phase or the Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has shot or fought. TARGET: One Tyranids Character unit from your army that was destroyed by that enemy unit this phase. You can use this Stratagem on that unit even though it was just destroyed. EFFECT: Until the end of the battle, each time a Genestealer Cults model from your army makes an attack that targets that enemy unit, add 1 to the Hit roll and add 1 to the Wound roll.
Divine Imperative
1 CPBattle Tactic · Charge phase · Final Day
WHEN: Your Charge phase, when a friendly Genestealer Cults unit within 12" of a friendly engaged Tyranids unit declares a charge. TARGET: That Genestealer Cults unit. EFFECT: • Your unit has +1 to charge rolls. • You can use this part of this stratagem. If you do: • Your unit can re-roll charge rolls. • Your unit must end that charge move engaged with an enemy unit engaged with that friendly Tyranids unit.
Darting Attacks
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Shooting phase · Final Day
WHEN: Your Shooting phase or your Charge phase. TARGET: One Tyranids unit from your army. EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, your unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Fell Back.
Resistance Tunnels
1 CPStrategic Ploy · Fight phase · Final Day
WHEN: End of your opponent's Fight phase. TARGET: One Genestealer Cults or Tyranids unit from your army that is not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units. EFFECT: Remove your unit from the battlefield and place it into Strategic Reserves.
21 units
Datasheets
M
6"
T
6
SV
5+
W
5
LD
7+
OC
1
M
12"
T
7
SV
3+
W
8
LD
7+
OC
3
M
6"
T
4
SV
5+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
2
M
6"
T
4
SV
5+
W
3
LD
6+
OC
1
M
12"
T
4
SV
5+
W
2
LD
7+
OC
1
ATALAN WOLFQUAD
M
12"
T
4
SV
5+
W
4
LD
7+
OC
1
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
3
LD
6+
OC
1
M
12"
T
10
SV
3+
W
10
LD
7+
OC
3
M
12"
T
9
SV
3+
W
10
LD
7+
OC
2
M
6"
T
4
SV
5+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
1
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
M
6"
T
4
SV
5+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
4
LD
6+
OC
1
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
1
LD
7+
OC
2
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
M
8"
T
5
SV
4+
W
6
LD
6+
OC
1
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
4
LD
6+
OC
1
M
8"
T
4
SV
5+
W
2
LD
7+
OC
1
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
M
6"
T
3
SV
5+
W
3
LD
7+
OC
1
Rules digest
How This Force Plays
Our own plain-speech digest of how this force's rules hang together — army rule, detachment choice, command-point economy and roster shape. Written by us, not reproduced from the pack; the official PDF is the only authority on exact wording.
Read the official pack PDFHow the army rule shapes play
Every list in this force answers to Broodmind, so plan your turns around it rather than treating it as a bonus. There is no secondary doctrine to pick, which keeps the force predictable to learn and unforgiving to misplay. Exact wording lives in the official pack PDF; the summary here is ours.
Choosing a detachment
You commit to one of 4 detachments (Heroes of the Uprising, Purestrain Broodswarm, Xenocult Masses, Final Day), and that choice locks in both your detachment rule and the 10 enhancements available to your characters. Pick the detachment that matches the units you already own, then buy enhancements last.
Command points and stratagems
There are 15 stratagems on offer, costing between 1 and 1 CP. In a normal game you will bank enough for two or three interventions a turn at most, so decide before deployment which one or two plays you are saving command points for.
Building to a points limit
The roster runs to 21 datasheets. The cheapest entry comes in at 40 points and the most expensive at 330, so a single flagship choice can eat a fifth of a 2,000-point army. Use the list builder to keep the Rule of Three, character limits and your points ceiling honest as you add units.
Official faction pack v1.1
What Changed & Rulings
Our own plain-speech summary of what the current pack alters for this force — no rules text reproduced. The exact wording is authoritative only in the Games Workshop PDF. Legal for matched play from 22nd July 2026.
Read the official pack PDFArmy Rules
Cult Ambush
Cult Ambush has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Aberrants
Aberrants is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Hybrid Metamorphs
Hybrid Metamorphs is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Atalan Jackals
Atalan Jackals is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Neophyte Hybrids
Neophyte Hybrids is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Purestrain Genestealers
Purestrain Genestealers is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
UNITS IN CULT AMBUSH
UNITS IN CULT AMBUSH is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
cannot be targeted with the Rapid Ingress Stratagem, but can be set up
cannot be targeted with the Rapid Ingress Stratagem, but can be set up is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
CULT AMBUSH MARKERS
CULT AMBUSH MARKERS is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Units in Cult Ambush can make an ingress move in the first battle
Units in Cult Ambush can make an ingress move in the first battle is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Biosanctic Broodsurge Detachment
Evasive Vanguard Stratagem, When and Effect Sections
Numbers change only: Evasive Vanguard Stratagem, When and Effect Sections now reads 8" where it used to read 9".
Stimulated Bio-surge Stratagem, Effect section
Stimulated Bio-surge's effect section has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Predatory Instincts Enhancement
Predatory Instincts has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Brood Brothers Auxilia Detachment
Adaptive Reprisal Enhancement
Adaptive Reprisal has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
In the Shadow of Iron Stratagem, When and Effect Sections
Numbers change only: In the Shadow of Iron Stratagem, When and Effect Sections now reads 8" where it used to read 9".
Regimental Reinforcements Stratagem, Effect Section
Regimental Reinforcements's effect section has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Integrated Tactics Detachment Rule, Brood Brothers Section
This pack amends Integrated Tactics Detachment Rule, Brood Brothers Section. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
MILITARUM models from your army lose the Voice of Command ability
MILITARUM models from your army lose the Voice of Command ability is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Host Of Ascension Detachment
Primed and Readied Stratagem, CP cost
Primed and Readied Stratagem, CP cost has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Return to the Shadows Stratagem, When and Target Sections
Return to the Shadows Stratagem, When and Target Sections has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Tunnel Crawlers Stratagem, Effect Section
Tunnel Crawlers's effect section has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Prowling Agitant Enhancement
Prowling Agitant has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Outlander Claw Detachment
Along Shadowed Trails Stratagem
Along Shadowed Trails has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Rapid Feint Stratagem, Target Section
Numbers change only: Rapid Feint's target section now reads 8" where it used to read 9".
Rapid Takeover Detachment Rule
Rapid Takeover has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
JACKALS units from your army are within range of an objective
JACKALS units from your army are within range of an objective is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Xenocreed Congregation Detachment
The Downtrodden Rise Stratagem, When and Effect Sections
The Downtrodden Rise Stratagem, When and Effect Sections has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Tireless Fervour Stratagem, Effect Section
Tireless Fervour's effect section has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Deeds That Speak to the Masses Enhancement
Deeds That Speak to the Masses has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Datasheets
Biophagus, Clamavus, Locus, Nexos - Core Abilities Section
This pack swaps out part of Biophagus, Clamavus, Locus, Nexos - Core Abilities Section; treat the old text as dead. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Acolyte Iconward, Summon the Cult Ability
This pack amends Acolyte Iconward, Summon the Cult Ability. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Hybrid Metamorphs, Brood Surge Ability
Hybrid Metamorphs, Brood Surge Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Primus, Cult Demagogue Ability
Primus, Cult Demagogue Ability has been rewritten for this pack, so the old wording no longer applies. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Reductus Saboteur
Reductus Saboteur is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Sanctus
Sanctus is updated in this pack. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Goliath Rockgrinder, Goliath Truck - Keywords Section
This pack bolts an extra clause onto Goliath Rockgrinder, Goliath Truck - Keywords Section — the rule does everything it did before, plus more. See the official pack PDF for the exact wording.
Ruling on Warrior Elite
Ruled yes in the official pack.
Ruling on Tunnel Crawlers
Ruled yes in the official pack.
Ruling on CHARACTER
Ruled yes in the official pack.
Ruling on unused
Ruled no in the official pack.
Ruling on a rules interaction in this army
Ruled no in the official pack.
Ruling on Space Marine Infiltrator Squad’s Omni-scramblers
Ruled yes in the official pack.
0 / 2000 pts · 0 units
Army List Editor
21 available
No units yet — add a datasheet above to begin your Order of Battle.
Total 0 / 2000 pts Full builder
Re-checked automatically · 0/2000 pts
Saved Genestealer Cults lists
Checking your vault…
My codex PDFs
Keep your own 11th edition Genestealer Cults PDFs beside this codex. Files are private to your account — nobody else can list, open or download them.
Checking your locker