Alright, Kill Team fans, buckle up because the Hivestorm boxed set for the new edition of Kill Team is about to drop, and it’s packed with all kinds of goodies. The launch includes more than just the core game – we’re talking new miniatures, a fresh rulebook, and all the terrain you need to get stuck into some brutal skirmishes. Warhammer’s studio has pulled out all the stops to make this edition the best yet, perfect for anyone who loves fast-paced, tactical combat set in the grimdark future. Let’s dig into what’s in the box, the new rules, and some other exciting updates.
The Launch: Kill Team Hivestorm Set
This box is stacked with 22 brand-new miniatures, split into two kill teams: the Tempestus Aquilons, those fearless elite Imperial troopers dropping from orbit to wreak havoc, and their opposition, the Vespid Stingwings – terrifying, winged xenos armed with some of the most lethal neutron weapons in the galaxy. They’re fighting over Volkus, a planet with one of the biggest guns in the galaxy, so you know the stakes are high.
Both teams come with a ton of build options. Whether you want to roll with standard troopers or lean into a more specialized approach, these squads can be customized for your preferred playstyle. And don’t sleep on the Aquilons’ servo-sentry gun, a nasty little automated turret that will keep your enemies on their toes.
On the flip side, the Vespid Stingwings are all about mobility and advanced weaponry, allowing them to zip around the board and hit where it hurts the most. They can be devastating in the right hands, especially with that neutron tech they’re packing.
Core Rulebook and Dossier
Of course, you get the brand-new 112-page Core Rulebook with all the rules you need to get into the action, plus a 72-page Hivestorm Dossier that fleshes out the story of Volkus and includes the full rules for both the Aquilons and Stingwings. The rules are tighter, more refined, and set up for this edition’s theme of covert ops in a more vertical, 3D killzone environment.
The Extras
As if the miniatures and the rulebooks weren’t enough, the set also includes a Core Token Sheet with 92 double-sided tokens, another sheet with 55 team-specific tokens, 36 Approved Operations Cards for missions, objectives, and more. You also get 10 dice, a game board, and a whopping 14 pieces of new terrain that are designed to make your battles on Killzone Volkus feel intense and dynamic. And don’t forget the Kill Team Equipment Pack featuring 30 pieces of universal plastic equipment. This pack is also available separately and works with any kill team – ladders, barricades, grenades, you name it.
Pre-Order Perks
If you’re hyped about pre-ordering, Warhammer is throwing in some extra swag. Order directly from their site, and you’ll snag a set of 12 bases with wound-counter dials, perfect for keeping track of damage. Third-party stores will offer wound-counter dice trays that hold two d6 dice, and both sets come with a cool little drawstring bag.
Rulebook Available Separately
If you’re not going all-in on the Hivestorm box but still want the new rules, the 112-page Core Book is also available on its own. It covers the basics of gameplay, weapon keywords, phases, actions, and gives you terrain rules for three separate Killzones: Volkus, Bheta-Decima (which is all about watery terrain), and Gallowdark (think close-quarters combat in a voidship). Plus, you get two Mission Packs, including the new Joint Ops, which lets you play against the game itself, thanks to a range of automatically controlled enemies called Non-Player Operatives (NPOs).
Approved Operations Card Pack 2024
This standalone card pack is your go-to for matched play games. You get 36 cards with everything from Tac Ops and Crit Ops, to Primary Ops and even Mission Maps for the different Killzones. It’s flexible and fun, perfect for keeping your missions varied and fresh.
Re-Releases with New Rules
Drukhari Mandrakes
- These twisted Aeldari emerge from the darkest depths of Commorragh. They’re highly stealthy and specialize in shadow manipulation, making them ideal for sneaky, high-lethality missions. Their eldritch blades and shadowstep abilities make them a formidable melee threat, while their tokens and datacards give you all the tools you need to run them in the new edition.
Night Lords – Nemesis Claws
- One of the most infamous Chaos subfactions, the Night Lords are all about terror tactics. The Nemesis Claws kill team brings this to life with their ability to inflict fear and panic, using lightning-fast assaults and psychological warfare. Expect brutal close-combat specialists and a range of terrifying ploys to break your opponents’ morale.
Ork Kommandos
- Cunning and brutal, the Ork Kommandos are back with updated rules and a token sheet to make your games extra sneaky and extra brutal. Featuring a Bomb Squig, Kommando Grot, and a range of Ork specialists, this team excels at infiltration, traps, and ambush tactics.
Space Marine Scout Squad
- Space Marine Scouts return with their flexible roster, perfect for reconnaissance and long-range engagements. These guys are the stepping stone to full Astartes, but don’t underestimate them – they come with plenty of equipment options and can pack a punch.
Hernkyn Yaegirs
The Leagues of Votann get a scouting force with the Hernkyn Yaegirs. These rugged dwarves specialize in long-range reconnaissance and resource gathering, with the ability to build as a variety of troopers or specialists. Expect high durability and methodical tactics from this team.
Corsair Voidscarred
The Corsair Voidscarred are one of the most unpredictable kill teams in the game. These space pirates are notorious for their hit-and-run tactics, and their roster includes a mix of specialists like psyker sorcerers, sharpshooters, and blademasters. You can customize them as a mix of basic Corsairs or tricked-out specialists, making them one of the most flexible teams. Their psychic powers and unique abilities make them dangerous at both range and in close quarters.
Blooded
The Blooded are traitor guardsmen who have turned their backs on the Emperor, and they bring a gritty, brutal style of play to Kill Team. This team is all about overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers. You get 12 miniatures in the box, including 10 traitor guardsmen, a mutated Traitor Ogryn, and a Traitor Enforcer. The Blooded can be built with a mix of specialists, each bringing a unique ability to the battlefield, like heavy weapons, snipers, and more.
Brood Brothers
The Brood Brothers are the human followers of the Genestealer Cults, and they bring a unique blend of stealth and adaptability to the table. This team of 10 cultists has been upgraded from the Cadian Shock Troopers sprue, giving you a wide variety of specialists and basic troopers to build. They’re not the strongest fighters on their own, but when paired with their Genestealer kin, they can become a devastating force in covert operations.
New Killzones
Three major Killzones are supported in this new edition: Volkus, Bheta-Decima, and Gallowdark. Volkus is in the Hivestorm set, while Bheta-Decima and Gallowdark have been repackaged for the new edition, offering completely different tactical challenges. Bheta-Decima is all about maneuvering through water-heavy environments, while Gallowdark is intense close-quarters combat inside a voidship, where every corner could be hiding an enemy operative.
Final Thoughts: Time to Lock and Load
This new edition of Kill Team feels like a massive leap forward for the game. The Hivestorm set looks like a killer start, especially with all the extra value packed into it – 22 all-new minis, tons of terrain, and two kill teams that offer radically different playstyles. Whether you’re dropping from orbit with the Tempestus Aquilons or zipping around with the Vespid Stingwings, it feels like there’s something fresh for everyone. Get ready to dive in, because the Chalnath Expanse isn’t going to conquer itself!
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