Kill Team: the complete guide to Warhammer 40,000 skirmish

Kill Team is the skirmish game of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Each player fields a handful of miniatures on a small, terrain-heavy board, so you need very few models and a small table. It suits newcomers who want to learn the hobby with a modest first purchase, and veterans who want a tactical game with a lot of character per model.

The simplest start is the Kill Team: Starter Set. It is a boxed game built to get two people playing. From there you add teams, datacards and terrain as your interests develop.

What is Kill Team?

Kill Team is a tabletop miniatures game in which each model matters individually. You command a small squad on a mission, with objectives, cover and positioning shaping the game as much as raw firepower. Games are quick compared with the large-scale battles of Warhammer 40,000, and the small model count makes it a good way to try painting and collecting without a big commitment.

It uses the same grim far-future setting as the main game, with factions such as Space Marines, Necrons, Orks, T'au and Tyranids all represented. If you want to see how Kill Team fits next to the rest of the hobby, our Warhammer buying guide maps out the whole range.

What do I need to start playing Kill Team?

You need four things:

• The rules, either from a starter set or the core book.
• A team of miniatures, and the datacards for it.
• Some terrain, because cover is central to how the game works.
• Dice, a tape measure and a flat surface.

You also need an opponent with a team of their own. Two starter sets between friends is one route; another is one starter set plus a second team bought separately.

Where should a beginner start?

Option 1: the Starter Set

The Kill Team: Starter Set (English) is the most straightforward entry point. It is designed so that a new player can open one box and get to a first game. If you have never played a Warhammer game, begin here.

Option 2: the Core Book plus a team

If you already know which faction you want, buy the Kill Team: Core Book (English) for the rules and pair it with a team kit. This works well for players who have already played other games and want to pick their own side.

Option 3: a team you love

Choose the models you want to paint. In a game with so few miniatures, enjoying the look of your team matters more than any theoretical advantage.

Which Kill Team should I choose?

The range is split into teams, each a compact box built around a different style of play. Here is how to think about them by faction.

Space Marines and the Imperium

• Deathwatch is the Space Marine specialists who hunt alien threats.
• Scout Squad and Wolf Scouts suit players who like stealthy, flexible Space Marine teams.
• Tempestus Aquilons brings elite Imperial troops.
• Ratlings is a team of small, sharp-eyed snipers from the Imperial Guard side of the setting.
• Inquisitorial Agents gathers the Inquisition's operatives in one varied box.
• Celestian Insidiants is another Imperial option for players who like a distinctive look.

Xenos teams

• Canoptek Circle brings Necron machines.
• Raveners is a fast, aggressive Tyranid team.
• Wrecka Krew is the Ork choice, loud and chaotic in the way you would expect.
• XV26 Stealth Battlesuits and Vespid Stingwings cover the T'au side.
• Mandrakes and Blades of Khaine bring the Aeldari to the table.
• Hernkyn Yaegirs is a scouting team for the Leagues of Votann.

Chaos and others

• Nemesis Claw and Goremongers are for players drawn to Chaos.
• Brood Brothers, Murderwing, Battleclade, Sanctifiers and Spectre Squad round out the range. Check each product page for what is in the box and which faction it belongs to.

The Kill Team: Equipment Pack is a useful extra once you are playing regularly, since it supports the gear and tokens used in games.

What are datacards and do I need them?

Datacards put the information for a team on cards you can keep next to the table. They are quick to reference during a game, so most players want the set for the team they use. The store stocks cards for many teams, including:

• Blades of Khaine – Datacards
• Brood Brothers – Datacards
• Hierotek Circle – Datacards
• Mandrakes – Datacards
• Ratlings – Datacards
• Scout Squad – Datacards
• Tempestus Aquilons – Datacards

There is also Kill Team: Nemesis Operatives (English), a book for players who want to widen their options beyond the basics.

What terrain do I need for Kill Team?

Terrain is not optional decoration here. Walls, ruins and obstacles decide where models can move and hide. Two Killzone sets are available:

• Killzone: Tomb World gives you a Necron-flavoured battlefield of ancient structures.
• Killzone: Volkus gives you an industrial, ruined-city setting.

Pick whichever matches the world you want your games to feel like. You can mix the two with scratch-built or other Warhammer terrain once you have more pieces.

How do I paint Kill Team miniatures?

Small teams are a good way to learn. You paint a few models at a time, so you see results quickly. Start with our guide on how to start painting Warhammer miniatures, then use the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide to choose your paints and tools. A simple, consistent scheme across the whole team looks better than a complicated one on a single model.

If you enjoy the setting, the Black Library reading guide is a good place to find novels that suit the faction you pick.

Kill Team FAQ

Is Kill Team the same as Warhammer 40,000?

No. Both are set in the same universe, but Kill Team is a separate skirmish game with its own rules and much smaller forces. Miniatures can often be used in both, though you should check the rules for each game.

How many miniatures do I need?

Only a small team, usually a few models per side. That is why the game suits small tables and modest budgets.

Do I need to paint my miniatures?

No. Many stores and clubs welcome unpainted models, though painting is a large part of the hobby for most players. You can begin playing and paint as you go.

Can I play Kill Team with only the Starter Set?

The Starter Set is made for learning the game. After that you will likely want terrain and a team of your own choosing to expand your options.

Does Universe TCG ship Kill Team internationally?

Yes. Universe TCG has shops in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès and Segovia, and ships worldwide from Spain. We are an independent hobby store, not an official Games Workshop partner.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures
• Black Library reading guide: where to start