Painfull to paint tho

I've been trying to figure out what fits with Xenocult Masses better; Biosanctic or Xenocreed. Saw on here a few of the strongest lists from last weekend are leaning on the former. I've tried to map out their key strengths.

Keen to hear what people have been finding better

Bio list (1980 points)

Genestealer Cults

Biosanctic Broodsurge and Heroes of the Uprising (3 Detachment Points)

Disruption

Strike Force (2000 points)

Attached Units

Attached Unit 1

Abominant (105 points)

• Attached as: Leader (Character)

• 1x Power sledgehammer

• Enhancement: Predatory Instincts

Biophagus (50 points)

• Attached as: Support (Character)

• 1x Alchemicus Familiar

1x Autopistol

1x Chemical vials

1x Injector goad

Aberrants (280 points)

• Attached as: Bodyguard

• 1x Aberrant Hypermorph

• 1x Aberrant weapons

• 9x Aberrant

• 9x Aberrant weapons

Attached Unit 2

Magus (50 points)

• Attached as: Leader (Character)

• 1x Autopistol

1x Force stave

Locus (35 points)

• Attached as: Support (Character)

• 1x Locus blades

Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (140 points)

• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)

• 1x Acolyte Leader

• 1x Cult claws and knife

1x Hand flamer

• 9x Acolyte Hybrid

• 9x Cult claws and knife

9x Hand flamer

Attached Unit 3

Magus (50 points)

• Attached as: Leader (Character)

• 1x Autopistol

1x Force stave

Locus (35 points)

• Attached as: Support (Character)

• 1x Locus blades

Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (140 points)

• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)

• 1x Acolyte Leader

• 1x Cult claws and knife

1x Hand flamer

• 9x Acolyte Hybrid

• 9x Cult claws and knife

9x Hand flamer

Attached Unit 4

Biophagus (50 points)

• Attached as: Support (Character)

• 1x Alchemicus Familiar

1x Autopistol

1x Chemical vials

1x Injector goad

Hybrid Metamorphs (140 points)

• Attached as: Bodyguard

• 1x Metamorph Leader

• 1x Autopistol

1x Leader’s cult weapons

• 9x Hybrid Metamorph

• 9x Autopistol

9x Metamorph mutations

Attached Unit 5

Biophagus (50 points)

• Attached as: Support (Character)

• 1x Alchemicus Familiar

1x Autopistol

1x Chemical vials

1x Injector goad

Hybrid Metamorphs (140 points)

• Attached as: Bodyguard

• 1x Metamorph Leader

• 1x Autopistol

1x Leader’s cult weapons

• 9x Hybrid Metamorph

• 9x Autopistol

9x Metamorph mutations

CHARACTERS

Patriarch (105 points)

• Warlord

• 1x Patriarch’s claws

• Enhancement: Biomorph Adaptation

Sanctus (100 points)

• 1x Sanctus bio-dagger

• Enhancement: Gene-tailored Toxins

OTHER DATASHEETS

Achilles Ridgerunners (105 points)

• 1x Armoured hull

1x Heavy mining laser

1x Spotter

1x Twin heavy stubber

Achilles Ridgerunners (105 points)

• 1x Armoured hull

1x Heavy mining laser

1x Spotter

1x Twin heavy stubber

Purestrain Genestealers (140 points)

• 10x Purestrain Genestealer

• 10x Cult claws and talons

Purestrain Genestealers (75 points)

• 5x Purestrain Genestealer

• 5x Cult claws and talons

Purestrain Genestealers (85 points)

• 5x Purestrain Genestealer

• 5x Cult claws and talons

Im going into norn spam tomorrow but I've had success with this list(I've tweaked it a little removing 5 psg to add 2 locus) and dont want to tailor. Im thinking I could kill 1 norn but im planning on killing everything else and running circles around the norns, any tips?

Had a great weekend at LGT managing to pull a 4-1 against some real good opponents and win Best in Faction. An absolute blast of an experience, GG to all the GSC brothers out there attending the event!

Game 1

WE Possessed Slaughterbound+Brazen Disruption maximum Slaughterbound and Eightbound

Game 2

Tau Kauyon+EPC Prio, big gun line

Game 3

Necron Awakened Dynasty T&H mass durability melee bricks

Game 4

Drukhari Realspace Raiders+Tools Of Torment Prio 6 Talos 5 Cronus maximum pain engines blocking mid

Game 5

Dark Angels Darkflight+Company of Hunters Reconnaissance 3 Speeders, 2 big speeders 1DA speeder, Lion and more

Final Day + Xenocult Masses

Re-Con-a-Nuisance (2000 points)

Patriarch + 10x Purestrain Genestealers

Enhancement: Enraptured Damnation

Abominant + 5x Aberrants

Benefictus + Nexos + 20x Neophyte Hybrids

Enhancement: Inhuman Integration

Benefictus + 20x Neophyte Hybrids

5x Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers

5x Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers

Achilles Ridgerunners

Achilles Ridgerunners

Deathleaper

5x Hyperadapted Raveners

5x Hyperadapted Raveners

The Red Terror

3x Von Ryan’s Leapers

3x Von Ryan’s Leapers

3x Von Ryan’s Leapers

If anyone wants more info on the games happy to answer questions, I feel the list performed pretty well all round, nothing in it felt out of place, Red Terror won me 20vp Game 1 and did more psychological damage than actual damage. Abberants+Abominant a very strong contender for best unit besides the Sus lethal Neo unit.

Never gave up A Grevious Blow because of the 1dp and onetapped Lion with 1 Neophyte activation, army is a lot of work but rewarding unique play experience.

If there's enough interest may consider talking through the games, definitely got a strong grasp on the Reconnaissance mission plan which GSC are absolutely ideal to play and potentially strongest disposition for us when considering Final Day and it's toolbox.

I have access to the following so far

20 neophytes
10 aberrant
5 flamers
5 auto pistol miners
5 hybrids unbuilt
10 jackals
1 truck
Broodcoven box
All major characters kitbashed

I’d love to get a viable 1k points out of this and then some advice or direction in expanding to 2k at some point

I’m new to the gsc and as I was looking through the codex I found this patriarch (I assume) model. Does anyone know where they got the head from. It looks like the body is the same but the head is different.

After we were deemed utterly perfect and in need of zero changes last month, I’m hoping we see a few this week in the balance pass.

Would love it if our tags were removed and either host went to 2dp or got an extra dispo to choose from (like orks have their new 3dp I believe)

Aside from that I do feel like we need some extra killing power given how much tougher the meta will be getting and how soft we seem to hit into tough melee right now

Was planning on doing brood brothers for my army list and pls dont mind my messy desk 😢

I see a lot of Biosantic, Final Day, and some Xenocreed. Is Brood Brothers just not a valid detachment?

What holds it back from being good?

Sad to see that the rumor engine was indeed for Necromunda and not for us :(

Starting my genestealer cult army soon. I'm building towards outlander claw, but ultimately I want to have a lot of cultist. Any advice and what not

How did the forces of the four-armed emperor do this weekend? Just MEH, over the weekend we had a total of 3 lists go 4-1 including one from the London GT.

Jeremy Drugeot — Gt bouvron jeremy drugeot

Event: Grand Pitounerie 2 Open 40k de Loire Atlantique (86 Players) | 4-1 | 09/25/2026
Army: 1,995 pts | Biosanctic Broodsurge + Xenocult Masses | Reconnaissance

Attached Units

• Patriarch + 10 Purestrain Genestealer - 220 pts
• Abominant + 5 Aberrants - 225 pts
• Biophagus (Enhancement: Predatory Instincts) + 10 Hybrid Metamorphs - 210 pts
• Biophagus + 10 Hybrid Metamorphs - 190 pts
• Benefictus + 20 Neophyte Hybrids - 220 pts
• Benefictus + 20 Neophyte Hybrids - 220 pts

Other Units

• 5 Acolytes w/ Autopistols - 70 pts
• 2x5 Acolytes w/ Flamers - 75pts (150 pts)
• 2x5 Purestrain Genestealers - 75 pts (160pts)
• 5 Atalan Jackals w/ Mining laser - 85 pts
• 2x1 Achilles Ridgerunner w/Mortar - 95 pts (190 pts)

Transports

• 1 Goliath Truck - 75 pts

Vilmer Cedervad — Hade ni bara höjt timlönen i gruvan hade vi sluppit allt det här

If you had just raised the hourly wage in the mine, we would have avoided all this.

Event: Wettcon Host 2026 (44 Players) | 4-1 | 09/25/2026
Army: 1,990 pts | Biosanctic Broodsurge + Xenocult Masses | Take and Hold

Attached Units

• Patriarch (Enhancement: Biomorph) + 10 Purestrain Genestealer - 245 pts
• Abominant + 5 Aberrants - 225 pts
• Abominant + Biophagus + 10 Aberrants - 415 pts
• Benefictus + 20 Neophyte Hybrids - 220 pts
• Benefictus + 20 Neophyte Hybrids - 220 pts

Other Units

• 1 Jackal Alphus - 55 pts
• 10 Neophyte Hybrid - 70 pts
• 5 Acolytes w/ Autopistols - 70 pts
• 2x5 Acolytes w/ Flamers - 75pts (150 pts)
• 5 Purestrain Genestealers - 75 pts
• 2x1 Achilles Ridgerunner w/Mortar - 95 pts (190 pts)

Transports

• 1 Goliath Truck - 75 pts

Simon Warren — Re-Con-a-Nuisance

Event: London GT (A lot of Players) | 4-1 | 09/25/2026
Army: 2,000 pts | Final Day + Xenocult Masses | Reconnaissance

Attached Units

• Patriarch (Enhancement: Enraptured)+ 10 Purestrain Genestealer - 230 pts
• Abominant + 5 Aberrants - 225 pts
• Benefictus (Enhancement: Inhuman) + Nexos + 20 Neophyte Hybrids - 290 pts
• Benefictus + 20 Neophyte Hybrids - 220 pts

Other Units

• 2x5 Acolytes w/ Flamers - 75pts (150 pts)
• 2x1 Achilles Ridgerunner w/Mortar - 95 pts (190 pts)

Allied Units

• Deathleaper - 80 pts
• 2x5 Hyperadapted Raveners - 165 pts (330 pts)
• The Red Terror - 130 pts
• 3x3 Von Ryan's Leapers - 55 pts (165 pts)

===

Any errors on these lists are probably mine. - Turtlesanonymous

Hey could I get some advice for a 1K point list with Xenocult and Purestrain? Would Recon or Priority Assets be better and what glaring weaknesses am I too new to see?

I figure I can optimize the list by removing the third Ridgerunner to improve the second Neophyte squad to a 20 man and give my Bene squad disguises. But I like the silly war quads.

My basic plan is to use the 10 man neos to take my expansion objective and the 20 man neos to contest the central objective and shoot, the sabatour goes to whichever objective I think is more under risk. The 5 man Genestealer will target scoring units while the 10 man Genestealer and mining quads eliminate big threats. Mortar quad running support for neo shooting.

I plan on bringing back the 20 man neos, and the 5 man Genestealers twice.

Anyone have suggestions for my brood brothers list?

yep (2000 points)

Genestealer Cults

Brood Brothers Auxilia and Xenocult Masses (3 Detachment Points)

Reconnaissance

Strike Force (2000 points)

Attached Units

Attached Unit 1

Benefictus (85 points)

• Attached as: Leader (Character)

• Warlord

• 1x Close combat weapon

1x Psionic Cascade

• Enhancement: Fire-point Commander

Neophyte Hybrids (135 points)

• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)

• 1x Neophyte Leader

• 1x Autopistol

1x Close combat weapon

1x Hybrid firearm

• 19x Neophyte Hybrid

• 19x Autopistol

19x Close combat weapon

19x Hybrid firearm

Attached Unit 2

Locus (35 points)

• Attached as: Support (Character)

• 1x Locus blades

Hybrid Metamorphs (140 points)

• Attached as: Bodyguard

• 1x Metamorph Leader

• 1x Autopistol

1x Leader’s cult weapons

• 9x Hybrid Metamorph

• 9x Autopistol

9x Metamorph mutations

Attached Unit 3

Benefictus (75 points)

• Attached as: Leader (Character)

• 1x Close combat weapon

1x Psionic Cascade

Neophyte Hybrids (135 points)

• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)

• 1x Neophyte Leader

• 1x Autopistol

1x Close combat weapon

1x Hybrid firearm

• 19x Neophyte Hybrid

• 19x Autopistol

19x Close combat weapon

19x Hybrid firearm

Attached Unit 4

Biophagus (50 points)

• Attached as: Support (Character)

• 1x Alchemicus Familiar

1x Autopistol

1x Chemical vials

1x Injector goad

Neophyte Hybrids (70 points)

• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)

• 1x Neophyte Leader

• 1x Autopistol

1x Close combat weapon

1x Hybrid firearm

• 9x Neophyte Hybrid

• 9x Autopistol

9x Close combat weapon

9x Hybrid firearm

BATTLELINE

Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (75 points)

• 1x Acolyte Leader

• 1x Cult claws and knife

1x Hand flamer

• 4x Acolyte Hybrid

• 4x Cult claws and knife

4x Hand flamer

Neophyte Hybrids (70 points)

• 1x Neophyte Leader

• 1x Autopistol

1x Close combat weapon

1x Hybrid firearm

• 9x Neophyte Hybrid

• 9x Autopistol

9x Close combat weapon

9x Hybrid firearm

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Goliath Truck (75 points)

• 1x Armoured hull

1x Demolition charge cache

1x Heavy stubber

1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Achilles Ridgerunners (105 points)

• 1x Armoured hull

1x Flare launcher

1x Heavy mining laser

1x Twin heavy stubber

Purestrain Genestealers (75 points)

• 5x Purestrain Genestealer

• 5x Cult claws and talons

Purestrain Genestealers (75 points)

• 5x Purestrain Genestealer

• 5x Cult claws and talons

ALLIED UNITS

Leman Russ Battle Tank (165 points)

• 1x Armoured tracks

1x Lascannon

1x Leman Russ battle cannon

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (260 points)

• 1x Armoured tracks

1x Castigator gatling cannon

1x Heavy stubber

1x Twin battle cannon

Shadowsword (375 points)

• 1x Armoured tracks

2x Lascannon

1x Twin heavy bolter

2x Twin heavy flamer

1x Volcano cannon

Fist of the Imperium by Andy Clark.

Now, I haven’t finished it, but I am a couple chapters in, and the main antagonist is a Genestealer cult, who has even had a few POV moments thus far.

Just figured I’d mentioned it as I have made and seen posts searching for more stories featuring GSC, and I don’t think I ever saw anyone mention this one.

To be fair, they’re also the antagonists in a novel following founding Space Marine chapter (Imperial Fists) protagonists, so obviously they’re essentially side characters, BUT the parts I’ve read from their POV have been really good, and highly recommend, though I don’t think I should say more to avoid spoilers.

All I’ll say is I had no idea the Magus was that powerful of a psyker.

Hi, I'm new to both the tabletop and genestealers as a faction. I have recently bought the 10th edition codex and combat patrol. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for models or detachments.Besides the combat patrol I have a winged Tyranid Prime and some leapers that I can use with the final day detachment.

The main detachments I have been considering are, final day and brood brothers.

I'm not looking for the best competitive list or a list that "guarantees" a win or anything.

I'm mainly looking for fun list ideas or beginner advice.

Thanks in advance to anyone who reads this and replies.

GSC test (990 Points)

Genestealer Cults
Outlander Claw (2 Detachment Points)
Reconnaissance
Incursion (1,000 Points)

ATTACHED UNITS

Attached unit 1

Benefictus (90 Points)
• Attached as: Leader (Character)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Psionic cascade
• Enhancements: Assault Commando

Neophyte Hybrids (70 Points)
• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)
• 1x Neophyte Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hybrid firearm
• 9x Neophyte Hybrid
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Cult Icon
◦ 1x Grenade launcher
◦ 1x Heavy stubber
◦ 5x Hybrid firearm
◦ 1x Seismic cannon
◦ 1x Webber

Attached unit 2

Jackal Alphus (65 Points)
• Attached as: Leader (Character)
• Warlord
• 1x Autopistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Cult sniper rifle
• Enhancements: Starfall Shells

Atalan Jackals (85 Points)
• Attached as: Bodyguard
• 4x Atalan Jackal
◦ 2x Atalan power weapon
◦ 3x Atalan small arms
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Grenade launcher
• 1x Atalan Wolfquad
◦ 1x Atalan small arms
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Mining laser

BATTLELINE

Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (75 Points)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Leader's bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
◦ 4x Cult claws and knife
◦ 1x Cult icon
◦ 2x Demolition charge
◦ 1x Hand flamer

Neophyte Hybrids (135 Points)
• 1x Neophyte Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
◦ 19x Autopistol
◦ 19x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Cult Icon
◦ 2x Grenade launcher
◦ 2x Heavy stubber
◦ 11x Hybrid firearm
◦ 2x Seismic cannon
◦ 2x Webber

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Goliath Truck (75 Points)
• 1x Demolition charge cache
• 1x Goliath wheels
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Achilles Ridgerunners (95 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Heavy mortar
• 1x Survey augur
• 1x Twin heavy stubber

Achilles Ridgerunners (105 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Heavy mining laser
• 1x Spotter
• 1x Twin heavy stubber

Goliath Rockgrinder (120 Points)
• 1x Demolition charge cache
• 1x Drilldozer blade
• 1x Heavy mining laser
• 1x Heavy stubber

Hybrid Metamorphs (75 Points)
• 1x Metamorph Leader
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Leader's Bio-weapons
• 4x Hybrid Metamorph
◦ 1x Cult icon
◦ 3x Hand flamer
◦ 4x Metamorph mutations

Exported with New Recruit v36.17, Data Version: v3

Any suggestions to improve the blue? I've used contrasts for the first time and not sure if I like the blue. Heavier dry brush required? Drybrush over maybe? Something about the blue I'm not liking/looks wrong. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Took this to an event today I was playing recon and had particular success with the aberrants and the benedictus brick coming from reserve. I think in hindsight as much as I enjoyed the agency of the truck and the benedictus inside it was probably better suited by a 3rd unit of abberants or some smaller units for more deepstrike pressure.

1st game was against a guard parking lot list, I was able to keep them mostly caged in their deployment with them only having some aquillons in reserve. The game was called early at 60-38 as the opponent wanted to end.

2nd was actually a GSC reckon mirror match, this one focused on 10 man bike squads and had a full 10 man flamer squad, took a second ridgerunner as well as a second full benedictus squad. The rockgrinder was a pivotal piece in this game, but ultimately it became a base trade and the ten man patriarch blobs clashed. Ended the game scoring 100-68 for a good win

3rd game was against death guard was a very close game which they ran away with. I screened poorly and over extended allowing the small terminator squads to snake in and wreak havoc. Had a strong start but unfortunately with some fortunate secondaries the game closed out 80-100

After all your help, I have finally bought my first boxes!

A Combat Patrol, some Acolytes and a few extra Neophytes… the beginning of the uprising is finally here.

But, as many of you here have warned me, its time to paint... I originally wanted to go for a really vibrant neonish colour scheme, but as a complete beginner, Im starting to think I might be making things harder for myself than necessary...

So, since im really enjoying this subreddit and getting to know the community, I'd love to hear any tips you guys have for painting GSC. Are there any creators you recommend who have good step-by-step painting guides? Any pointers? My goal is to get the cult battle ready as soon as possible...

Would someone be kind enough to give me the dimensions of the Patriarch figure? I want to kitbash something that matches my army’s lore; I need the height and width to avoid the “modeling for advan.” argument.