Alright, let me break down what makes the Tempestus Aquilons and Vespid Stingwings from Kill Team: Hivestorm so deadly on the larger Warhammer 40,000 battlefield—because these squads are straight-up game-changers, even outside the small skirmish format.
Tempestus Aquilons – Elite Precision Strikers
These guys are a force to be reckoned with in 40k. The Tempestus Aquilons are absolute masters of Deep Strike missions, with their Precision Drop ability. They can drop right into the thick of it, within 3 inches of enemy units, which is a crazy advantage when you need to capture objectives fast or land in spots where the enemy thinks they’ve got a solid screen up. It’s almost like they can slip through cracks that don’t even exist.
Now, when they hit the ground, they come loaded for bear. The melta carbine is one of their big guns for close-quarters. This weapon just melts through everything, whether it’s tanks, heavy infantry, or fortifications. Plus, their leader (the Tempestor) has servo-sentry weapons built right into his profile. The hot-shot volley gun stands out here, cranking out eight shots at close range—that’s some serious suppression fire. The coolest part? The Servo-sentry rule lets them fire off their heaviest weapons immediately after dropping in. So you’re not only getting into an enemy’s face, but you’re also hitting them with heavy ordnance before they can react!
The options you’ve got for your squad loadout are also fire. You can bring a flamer for frying infantry in tight spaces or go for a grenade launcher for versatility. With all of these choices, the Aquilons are super flexible for different strategies—whether you’re going after backline artillery, contesting objectives, or just causing all kinds of chaos.
And all of this for only 90 points? That’s honestly a steal for a unit that can drop behind enemy lines and disrupt their plans while holding their own in a firefight.
Vespid Stingwings – Deadly and Nimble T’au Allies
On the flip side, the Vespid Stingwings are getting a serious boost too. These alien mercs from the T’au Empire already had some slick mobility thanks to their Airborne Agility and Deep Strike rules, but now they’re even deadlier with their new squad size of up to 10 models. More bodies means more firepower and more flexibility to control space on the battlefield.
But it’s not just about squad size—they’ve got some sick new weapon options. You can kit them out with a T’au flamer for short-range devastation, a neutron grenade launcher to hit harder, and a neutron rail rifle, which adds serious long-range punch to a unit that’s already about mobility and harassment. The combo of these weapons with their ability to land pretty much anywhere means they can constantly apply pressure to vulnerable spots on the battlefield.
Now, let’s talk about their Strain Leader—this guy can bring an Oversight Drone, which is a major tactical play. Once per game, your squad can completely ignore cover, meaning your opponent’s troops hiding in ruins or behind barricades? They’re getting hit full-force anyway. Combine that with their Deep Strike capabilities and these Stingwings become a serious threat all over the map, swooping in and picking apart weak spots.
Bigger Picture
Both of these teams—Aquilons and Stingwings—are making their Warhammer 40k debut with Hivestorm, but it’s clear they’re going to have a lasting impact. The Aquilons are built for precision strikes, sneaking past enemy defenses and hitting where it hurts, while the Vespid Stingwings are all about mobility and keeping pressure on your opponent.
Also, their datasheets will be added to the Warhammer 40k app later this month, just in time for the October balance update. That means we’ll see how they fit into the larger meta very soon, but with the kind of skills they bring, both of these squads could be serious contenders in objective-based games.
All in all, Kill Team: Hivestorm isn’t just giving us cool new squads for skirmish games—it’s expanding the potential for these units in the full-blown chaos of 40k battles. Get ready to shake up your lists!
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