The Core Set: Kill Team: Hivestorm
Priced at $230, Kill Team: Hivestorm serves as the entry point for the new edition. The set is centered around a conflict on the Imperial world of Volkus, where Vespid Stingwing kill teams attempt to disable the planet’s defenses while elite Tempestus Aquilons launch a counterattack.
The box contains:
- 22 new plastic miniatures (11 Tempestus Aquilons and 11 Vespid Stingwings)
- A 112-page softcover Core Book
- A 72-page Hivestorm Dossier
- 14 pieces of Killzone: Volkus terrain
- A double-sided 762mm x 559mm game board
- 10 six-sided dice
- 147 double-sided tokens
- The Approved Operations card pack (36 cards)
- A Kill Team Upgrade: Equipment Pack (30 pieces)
The miniatures are multi-part plastic kits, offering various build options and allowing for customization. The Tempestus Aquilons are described as elite Human specialist operatives, while the Vespid Stingwings are airborne alien auxiliaries armed with advanced weaponry.
The Rules and Gameplay
The new Core Book ($60 if purchased separately) aims to streamline the Kill Team experience while maintaining its tactical depth. The 112-page hardcover book includes:
- A comprehensive overview of the setting and factions
- Streamlined core rules focusing on fast action
- Mission rules for standard matched play, co-op, solo play, and multiplayer games
- An appendix with helpful guides and reference material
The game retains its alternating activation system, where players take turns activating individual operatives. This creates a dynamic back-and-forth that can lead to tense, cinematic moments on the tabletop.
One notable aspect of the rules is the complexity of terrain interactions. The game introduces concepts like “obscured” targets, which add tactical depth but may present a learning curve for new players. The Conceal and Engage orders system adds another layer of strategy, allowing operatives to hide or commit to combat.
Expanded Kill Team Options
Beyond the core set, Games Workshop has released a range of additional kill teams, each offering unique playstyles and narrative opportunities:
- Space Marine Scout Squad ($80): 10 Scouts with various weapons and equipment options.
- Drukhari Mandrakes ($80): 10 otherworldly shadow-assassins from Commorragh.
- Chaos Space Marines Nemesis Claw ($75): 10 twisted killers from the Night Lords Legion.
- Blooded ($75): 12 models including 10 Traitor Guard, a Traitor Enforcer, and a Traitor Ogryn.
- Ork Kommandos ($70): 10 sneaky Ork fighters, including a Kommando Grot and Bomb Squig.
- Hernkyn Yaegirs ($65): 10 brave prospectors from the Leagues of Votann.
- Brood Brothers ($65): 10 Genestealer Cult-infected Astra Militarum soldiers.
- Corsair Voidscarred ($65): 10 Aeldari pirates with a variety of esoteric wargear.
Each of these sets contains multi-part plastic miniatures, faction-specific tokens, and in some cases, transfer sheets. These teams can be used in Kill Team or integrated into larger Warhammer 40,000 armies, offering flexibility for collectors and players.
Additional Accessories and Terrain
To support the game, several accessory products are available:
- Approved Operations Card Pack 2024 ($35): Includes 36 cards with Tac Ops, victory conditions, and mission maps for all current Killzones.
- Equipment Pack ($45): Provides 30 physical representations of in-game equipment like barricades, grenades, comms devices, and even ladders.
The game also introduces three Killzones: Volkus (included in Hivestorm), Bheta-Decima, and Gallowdark. Each offers unique terrain and tactical challenges, with Bheta-Decima featuring perilous seas and platforms, and Gallowdark presenting claustrophobic, close-quarters combat environments.
Gameplay Depth and Narrative Elements
Kill Team aims to blend competitive play with narrative experiences. The Core Book includes rules for solo and co-op play, expanding the ways players can engage with the game. The Hivestorm Dossier provides lore about the war for Volkus and unique missions, adding depth to the game’s narrative aspect.
The game’s combat system involves rolling pools of dice for attacks and defense, with critical hits triggering special weapon abilities. This, combined with the unique abilities of each operative and the strategic use of equipment, creates a deep tactical experience.
Is it Worth It?
For those considering a deep dive into Kill Team, it’s worth examining the potential financial investment. If one were to purchase the core set and all currently available additional kill teams and accessories, the total cost would be substantial: $885!
It’s a considerable sum that reflects the breadth of content available for the game, but it also highlights why many players might choose to focus on one or two kill teams rather than collecting everything.
For most players, a more reasonable approach might be to start with the core set ($230) and perhaps one additional kill team ($65-$80), which would provide a solid foundation for exploring the game without breaking the bank.
However, the complexity of the rules and the significant financial investment required may present barriers for some potential players. The game demands a commitment to learning its intricacies and, for many, a substantial monetary investment to fully explore all the available factions and options.
The game’s strength lies in its ability to create cinematic moments within a balanced, competitive framework. The variety of kill teams available allows players to find a playstyle that suits them, whether they prefer stealthy operations with Kommandos or high-tech warfare with the Leagues of Votann.
However, potential players should be prepared for a learning curve and a significant financial commitment to fully engage with all the game has to offer. The complexity of the rules, particularly around terrain interaction and the various special abilities of each kill team, may require several games to fully grasp.
As with any tabletop game, the true value of Kill Team: Hivestorm will be determined by the experiences it creates on gaming tables around the world. Only time will tell if this new edition will cement Kill Team’s place in the competitive skirmish game market, but the depth of content and the quality of the components certainly provide a strong foundation for success.