The new Codex: Chaos Space Marines is coming soon, and brings all sorts of insidious new ways to field the mortal followers of the Ruinous Powers. We’ve seen the new miniatures for the Cultist Mob and the Accursed Cultists, but who are these malicious mutant militias – and what can they do on the tabletop?
Chaos cults lurk throughout every corner of the Imperium, drawn from its downtrodden masses and levied from fallen worlds. Cultists Mob is the new name for the Chaos Cultists that we know and love – these belligerent blasphemers are great for claiming objectives and taking gunfire instead of your more valuable Chaos Space Marines.
In fact, the cold-hearted Iron Warriors specifically use their CULTISTS as a wave of Cannon Fodder.
Want to keep your elite Havocs safe as they blast away? With the right positioning, you can force your enemy to waste time and bullets chewing through a tide of disposable chaff.
CULTISTS may not benefit from Legion Traits,* but almost all of the ancient Traitor Legions have their own unique tricks for putting their profane patsies to good use. If you prefer the Word Bearers, you can use one of your CHARACTERS – such as a Dark Apostle – to encourage your mortal troops to new heights of Fanatic Zealotry.
The Alpha Legion love to employ undercover agents – seriously, there’s a 60% chance that you’re a Cultist and just don’t realise it yet. They’ve got a bunch of tricks up their power armoured sleeves, including the Cult Leader Warlord Trait – for those who want to turn their expendable pawns into highly-trained expendable pawns.
This bonus also helps your ranged attacks – the new Chaos Cultists kit is loaded with brutal blades and cudgels, but your Cultists Mobs can still blast away with assorted firearms and special weapons. The Cultists of the Abyss models are armed for a firefight, and fit right in with the whole “masks and rags” aesthetic.
And all these tricks and tactics aren’t limited to your Cultist Mobs – they also work with the new Accursed Cultists.** These (un)fortunate mortals have been blessed (or cursed? blursed?) by the Chaos Gods, making them stronger, tougher, and more deadly.
This newfound power comes at a terrible cost, though – they can no longer buy clothes off the rack.
If you thought the new Possessed were an unnerving sight, you might want to look away – these Troops are seriously twisted. Even Rhino drivers won't let them on board – but that’s a small price to pay when you’re part of a writhing, regenerating, Accursed Horde.
Of course, your enemy might still be feeling cocky – even if you can return destroyed models to the unit, they still count as destroyed, and that means Morale tests aplenty. Unfortunately for them,*** life is cheap for the Mutant Rabble that make up most of the unit – their deaths are ignored when taking Morale checks.
There are two types of model in Accursed Cultists units – the basic members are called Mutants, but the squad can also take Torments. These are larger and even more heavily-warped creations, bordering on Chaos Spawn, with an impressive 2D3 attacks from their hideous mutations.
Even Space Marines need to be wary of those Damage 2 tentacles – whatever their allegiance. After all, the Heretic Astartes have two Wounds now, too…
We’ve still got loads more to show you from the forthcoming Chaos Space Marines codex – sign up for our newsletter to get the latest heretical updates straight to your inbox.
* Earning those benefits takes millennia of hard work, dedication, and pure festering hatred.
** And the fancy new Dark Commune, but shhhh – no-one’s told them they’re disposable yet.
*** And for the Mutants, honestly.