Warhammer 40K Meta Hotness: Genestealer Cult – Atalan Jackals
Today’s outside the box meta hotness is the Atalan Jackals – aka the Dirt Bike Boiz from the GSC book. VROOM VROOM!
The Genestealer Cults Codex felt like a blip on the radar when it came out. It had some interesting rules that were hurt by the sheer amount of bullet hell we see in the current 40k Meta. Still, the army in the right hands can be a rough monster to face.
Pressure can help you win games by locking your opponent down for a few turns. The Atalan Jackals are one of those pressure units with their ability to quickly get into your face. They have a large footprint of annoyance and can be a bear to dig thru with a few rule combos. If you combo a few spicy traits you start to get a very tough little unit that again utilizes its speed to pin people down. There was always a thought of mine in utilizing your army to lock your opponent in place. Sure you might lose all your models. But if you are really the only one scoring for the first 3 turns that usually means you win. Even without the majority of your army on the table.
Atalan Jackals Basics
You have a model with a large footprint, a way to stack a lot of powerful survivable abilities, and decent damage output. Plus you can help get yourself Crossfire tokens as well. Are they the best in the world? No but speed really helps and the ability to quickly pressure the opponent is something that can very usable in the current meta – especially with Space Dwarves coming. Pop a wheelie and get to doing donuts on the battlefield as you get mixed into the enemies line as quick as you can.
Powerful Buffs
Stacking buffs and building a Custom Cult brings you a bunch of models that are hard to deal with and get in your face quickly. This is going to be especially important with the new shooting hell that is Leagues of Votann coming. I expect these aggressive play styles to be key in putting players on the back foot. You will have to force poor decision-making on the Votann as they have to deal with waves of GSC coming from all directions.
Sample List
Erik Lathouras won the TNA Open – 76-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Bray Park, QLD, AU this past weekend with an out of the box GSC build that utilizes as many tough things they can put together mixed with some pressure options in the Jackals.
Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids – Genestealer Cults)
+ Configuration +
Cult Creed
. Myriad Cult: Accustomed to Turmoil (1), Cold-eyed Killers (1), Industrial Affinity (1), War Convoy (1)
HQ
Acolyte Iconward [4 PL, 75pts]
Primus [4 PL, 80pts]: Warlord
Troops
Acolyte Hybrids [3 PL, 45pts]
. 4x Acolyte Hybrid: 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Cult Claws and Knife, 4x Frag Grenades
. Acolyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Claws and Knife
Acolyte Hybrids [3 PL, 48pts]
. 3x Acolyte Hybrid: 3x Autopistol, 3x Blasting Charges, 3x Cult Claws and Knife, 3x Frag Grenades
. Acolyte Hybrid (Hand Flamer): Hand Flamer
. Acolyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Claws and Knife
Neophyte Hybrids [9 PL, 200pts]: Proficient Planning: Lying in Wait
. 4x Neophyte Hybrid (Seismic): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Seismic Cannon
. 15x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun): 15x Autopistol, 15x Blasting Charges, 15x Cult Shotgun, 15x Frag Grenades
. Neophyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Shotgun
Neophyte Hybrids [9 PL, 195pts]: Proficient Planning: A Perfect Ambush
. 4x Neophyte Hybrid (Seismic): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Seismic Cannon
. 15x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun): 15x Autopistol, 15x Blasting Charges, 15x Cult Shotgun, 15x Frag Grenades
. Neophyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Shotgun
Neophyte Hybrids [4 PL, 90pts]
. 2x Neophyte Hybrid (Seismic): 2x Autopistol, 2x Blasting Charges, 2x Frag Grenades, 2x Seismic Cannon
. 7x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun): 7x Autopistol, 7x Blasting Charges, 7x Cult Shotgun, 7x Frag Grenades
. Neophyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Shotgun
Elites
Clamavus [3 PL, 50pts]: Relic: Oppressor’s Bane
Kelermorph [3 PL, 80pts]: Relic: Wyrmtooth Rounds
Nexos [3 PL, 50pts]: Relic: Cranial Inlay
Purestrain Genestealers [8 PL, 150pts]: Proficient Planning: They Came From Below
. 10x Purestrain Genestealer: 10x Cult Claws and Talons
Sanctus [4 PL, 80pts]: Cult Sniper Rifle, Proficient Planning: From Every Angle
Fast Attack
Atalan Jackals [9 PL, 169pts]: Demolition Charge
. 7x Atalan Jackal (Small Arms): 7x Atalan Small Arms, 7x Blasting Charges
. Atalan Leader: Atalan Small Arms
. 2x Atalan Wolfquad (Incinerator): 2x Atalan Incinerator, 2x Atalan Small Arms, 2x Blasting Charges
Atalan Jackals [9 PL, 174pts]: 2x Demolition Charge
. 7x Atalan Jackal (Small Arms): 7x Atalan Small Arms, 7x Blasting Charges
. Atalan Leader: Atalan Small Arms
. 2x Atalan Wolfquad (Incinerator): 2x Atalan Incinerator, 2x Atalan Small Arms, 2x Blasting Charges
Atalan Jackals [9 PL, 174pts]: 2x Demolition Charge
. 7x Atalan Jackal (Small Arms): 7x Atalan Small Arms, 7x Blasting Charges
. Atalan Leader: Atalan Small Arms
. 2x Atalan Wolfquad (Incinerator): 2x Atalan Incinerator, 2x Atalan Small Arms, 2x Blasting Charges
Heavy Support
Goliath Rockgrinder [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Seismic Cannon
Goliath Rockgrinder [6 PL, 115pts]: Cache of Demolition Charges, Heavy Seismic Cannon
Goliath Rockgrinder [6 PL, 115pts]: Cache of Demolition Charges, Heavy Seismic Cannon
Total: [102 PL, 2,000pts]
Atalan Jackals Final Thoughts.
Pressure is the key to a lot of aggressive strategies right now – with the Ork Goff pressure and Creations of Bile matching this type of mentality. It is great to see GSC do well as the book was a very interesting design strategy and a rewarding book to play. Pulling out a victory from the Shadows is one of the best ways to win the game and prepare the world for the 4-Armed Emperor.
Let us know what units you think are hot right now, down in the comments!
