The new Dead Silence box drops two wildly different playstyles onto the same tomb world.
Wolf Scouts bring veteran swagger, plasma spam, and a supernatural storm that bends the fight around them. Meanwhile, the T’au XV26 Stealth Battlesuits arrive with near-invisibility, Kauyon precision, and nasty tech tricks. Consequently, every activation feels like a trap waiting to spring. Moreover, the narrative flavor is strong, turning each game into instinct versus calculation.
Wolf Scouts: Plasma, Tempests, and Veteran Cunning
The Wolves field six operatives chosen from eight roles, and they must bring a Fenrisian Wolf that can pounce before the turn even starts. Hunting Astartes lets each operative take two Shoot or two Fight actions, and yes, plasma can fire twice by paying 1 extra AP on the second blast.
Additionally, their Elemental Storm places a movable Storm marker; within 6 inches, Scouts can Charge from Conceal and even change orders when counteracting. Storm’s Bite trims enemy melee dice inside the storm, so your counterpunch lands harder.
Furthermore, the Fangbearer is a standout: he heals D3+3 for 1 AP, fires an absolver pistol that hits like pocket plasma, and spreads Spiritual Chirurgy so the team ignores stat debuffs, Shock, Stun, and APL penalties.
Finally, Frost Weapons push blades to Lethal 5+, with the Pack Leader’s power weapon hitting Lethal 4+, which makes their brawl finish just as scary as their opening volley.
XV26 Stealth Battlesuits: Kauyon Traps and Tech Superiority
The XV26s run five suits plus two drones, and they are practically invisible beyond 3 inches while Concealed. Kauyon rewards patience with scaling Accurate X, peaking at Accurate 3 when enemies drift near the T’au drop zone or territory. Consequently, burst cannons and fusion blasters punish overextension with ruthless consistency. Prepare Ambush seeds an Ambush marker that grants Seek, letting suits dig targets out of heavy terrain and deny safe hides. Moreover, the Neutraliser equips a Multispectrum Sensor Package that lets allies Dash away or flip orders to evade charges and shots.
Additionally, the Lodestar’s Electrochaff Launcher throws reactive smoke that keeps a key suit alive for the counterstrike. Unusually, this team performs best clustered, layering fields, sensors, and support so the whole cell becomes harder to see and easier to aim.
Matchup Mindset: Reading the Weather and the Void
Into Wolves, do not stand where the storm wants to be next. Therefore, force them to spend gambits moving the marker, and bait double-plasma into cover or bad angles. Conversely, against T’au, refuse their patient lines and pressure the cluster from multiple vectors so Accurate never spikes for free. Moreover, Wolves thrive on decisive tempo swings, so heal, flip, and charge from Conceal to steal priority fights. Meanwhile, XV26s win by information and timing, so stack markers, sensors, and chaff before revealing guns at the exact scoring moment. Ultimately, both teams reward discipline: Wolves through order-flex inside the storm, and T’au through perfect ambush geometry.
Final Thoughts: Two Masters of Control, One Silent Tomb
Dead Silence is not just a box fight; it is a rules showcase for control, denial, and tempo. The Wolf Scouts weaponize weather to break the turn order and protect their charges. The XV26s weaponize absence, making you miss until the math says you do not. Consequently, every board becomes a puzzle of where the storm will land and where the shadows are thickest. Pick your side, set your traps, and let the tomb decide who hunts and who gets hunted.
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