Phobos Strike Team 2024 kit out now for Warhammer 40k:Kill Team

Published by Hellenic Moon on November 10, 2024November 10, 2024

The new Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team box set featuring the Phobos Strike Team just came out this week, which brings the new edition of the elite, stealth-focused warriors of the Space Marines into the skirmish-level combat of Kill Team. In this article we will discuss the Phobos Strike Team, who Phobos was in Greek mythology, and the Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team board game. We are assuming you at least know what Warhammer 40,000 is. If not, please read our article about Warhammer first to get a general idea. Now on to Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team.

Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team

Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team is a fast-paced, skirmish-level tabletop game set in the dark, dystopian universe of Warhammer 40K. Unlike the large-scale battles of standard Warhammer 40,000 which can last very long, Kill Team focuses on small, elite squads of operatives engaging in close-quarters combat in games that can be over in less than 2 hours. Players assemble customized teams of around 5-10 miniatures, each with unique abilities and roles, and compete in various missions that require strategy, stealth, and tactical positioning. The game emphasizes narrative-driven play, where every decision can turn the tide of battle, making it a deeply immersive experience. With its streamlined rules and intense, objective-based gameplay, Kill Team offers a dynamic, accessible entry point for newcomers and a fresh, tactical challenge for veteran Warhammer players.

There are over 33 Kill Teams to choose from in Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team, allowing for a great variety of play options. The main thing you need to play Kill Team is just one of these teams and some minor accessories, making the entry level to Kill Team fairly easy to get into. If you want to get a better idea of the rules of Kill Team, you can download a free copy of the Kill Team Lite Rules, as well as info sheets on all Kill Teams here on the official Warhammer 40K Kill Team Downloads page, just go to the Key Downloads tab.

The Phobos Strike Team is the only one of these 33 teams that has a link to Greek mythology, and they just released the new boxed set for them this week. For newcomers and experienced players alike, this set offers a deep dive into one of the more tactically versatile factions in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Let’s explore this new box set, its significance in the Kill Team format, and the mythological background of “Phobos” in Greek lore.

The Mythological Origins of Phobos

Before diving into the gameplay elements and the unique traits of the Phobos Strike Team in Warhammer 40K, it’s intriguing to understand the mythological origins of “Phobos.” In Greek mythology, Phobos was one of the two sons of Ares, the god of war, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Phobos, whose name means “fear” or “panic,” personified the dread and terror of battle. Alongside his twin brother Deimos, who represented “dread,” Phobos would accompany Ares into battles, spreading fear and chaos among their enemies. Today Phobos and Deimos are best remembered as the moons of planet Mars (which is the Roman name of their father Ares!).

The concept of Phobos and Deimos has been influential throughout history, symbolizing the psychological effects of war beyond mere physical violence. The imagery of the two brothers riding alongside Ares speaks to the ancient understanding of war’s emotional and psychological toll, a theme that resonates deeply with the grim and brutal universe of Warhammer 40K. This mythical origin influences the design of the Phobos Strike Team, whose members are often tasked with sowing fear and confusion among their enemies through covert operations and precise strikes, embodying the spirit of the god of fear.

Overview of the Phobos Strike Team

In the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the Phobos Strike Team represents an elite group of Space Marines specialized in reconnaissance, sabotage, and surgical strikes. They are a part of the Primaris Marines, a newer breed of Space Marines introduced to bolster the ranks of the Imperium in the face of growing threats from Chaos, Xenos, and internal strife. The Phobos Armor worn by these units is designed for stealth, lightness, and flexibility, allowing them to perform covert operations behind enemy lines.

The Phobos Strike Team operates using a variety of tactics that reflect their mythological namesake’s ethos. Rather than engaging in full frontal assaults, they utilize stealth, psychological warfare, and guerrilla tactics to disrupt and dismantle enemy forces. Their loadouts often include suppressed bolt carbines, sniper rifles, and other specialized gear designed to eliminate targets silently and with precision. This playstyle makes them an excellent choice for players who prefer strategic, hit-and-run tactics over direct engagement.

Components of the Phobos Strike Team Box Set

The new Kill Team box set for the Phobos Strike Team is designed to bring this versatile faction into the skirmish-based battles of the Kill Team format. The box set includes:

1. Phobos Marines Miniatures: The set features multipart plastic miniatures that represent a variety of Phobos Marine specialists, including:
   • Infiltrators and Incursors: Basic troop types for the Phobos Strike Team, equipped with bolt carbines or marksman bolt carbines for silent, efficient kills.
2. Kill Team Rules and Equipment Supplement: The box set comes with a rules supplement and equipment specifically for the Phobos Strike Team, detailing their unique abilities, special operatives, and strategic options that make them stand out from other factions. This supplement includes new datasheets, tactics, and strategic ploys tailored to their playstyle.

Strategic Playstyle and Abilities

The Phobos Strike Team is characterized by its emphasis on stealth and precision. Unlike some factions in Kill Team that rely on brute force or overwhelming numbers, the Phobos Strike Team leverages a variety of specialized tactics to gain the upper hand:

1. Concealment and Stealth: One of the primary strengths of the Phobos Marines is their ability to remain undetected until the moment they strike. In Kill Team, this is represented by their Conceal order, which allows them to remain hidden from enemy line of sight until they decide to engage. This mechanic is crucial for setting up ambushes and positioning units for maximum impact.
2. Precision Shooting: The Phobos Strike Team can include sniper specialists who can take out high-priority targets with precise, long-range shots. Their sniper rifles often come with unique abilities such as Mortal Wounds, representing the lethality of their shots, capable of bypassing even the toughest armor.
3. Psychological Warfare: The Phobos Strike Team can disrupt enemy plans through abilities that reflect psychological manipulation. For example, units like the Reivers have abilities that cause enemy operatives to take Nerve tests at a disadvantage, representing the fear and confusion sown by their presence. This can reduce the effectiveness of enemy units, causing them to act unpredictably or flee.
4. Flexibility in Loadouts: One of the defining traits of the Phobos Strike Team is the flexibility in their loadouts. Players can equip their operatives with a variety of weapons and gadgets depending on the mission at hand. From the smoke grenades and grav-chutes of Reivers to the multi-spectral optics of Incursors, the options available ensure that players can tailor their team to specific scenarios and enemy types.

Thematic Integration and Lore

The Phobos Strike Team’s lore within the Warhammer 40K universe is deeply integrated with the narrative of the Indomitus Crusade and the rise of the Primaris Marines. The Phobos armor marks a departure from the traditional bulky Space Marine power armor, reflecting the need for a more versatile and stealth-oriented force as the Imperium faces new and insidious threats.

In narrative missions, the Phobos Strike Team often undertakes missions behind enemy lines, gathering intelligence, disrupting supply lines, and assassinating key figures. This aligns thematically with their mythological namesake, Phobos, the bringer of fear. Just as Phobos accompanied Ares into battle to terrify their enemies, the Phobos Marines infiltrate the darkest corners of the battlefield, spreading panic and confusion before delivering a killing blow.

The Phobos Strike Team is also notable for its role in combating the forces of Chaos, particularly those led by the Alpha Legion. This traitorous legion is known for its own mastery of subterfuge and deception, making the match-up between Phobos Marines and Alpha Legion operatives a clash of the Imperium’s best infiltrators against the most insidious traitors.

Customizing and Building Your Phobos Strike Team

For players assembling their Phobos Strike Team, there is a wealth of options available to customize and optimize your force. The Kill Team rules for the Phobos Marines allow for a mix of Infiltrators, Incursors, and Reivers (Reivers not included in the Phobos Strike Team Box, you need to get those separately), each bringing unique abilities to the table:

• Infiltrators are excellent for positioning early in the game, thanks to their ability to deploy further up the board. They can effectively deny enemy movement and provide early intelligence on enemy positions.
• Incursors are adept at detecting hidden enemies and ignoring cover, making them invaluable against opponents who rely on concealment or fortified positions.
• Reivers excel in close-quarters combat and psychological warfare, using their fearsome appearance and shock grenades to disrupt enemy formations.

This variety allows players to build a team that fits their preferred playstyle, whether that means a force focused on stealth and sniping or a more aggressive, close-combat approach.

Tactical Ploys and Strategic Options

The Phobos Strike Team also comes with a set of unique Strategic Ploys and Tactical Ploys that enhance their thematic focus on stealth and psychological warfare:

1. Guerilla Tactics: This ploy allows a Phobos Marine to retreat from an engagement and redeploy, representing their skill in hit-and-run tactics. This can be used to reposition units for better shots or to escape a potentially dangerous melee engagement.
2. Shock and Awe: Utilizing this ploy can force enemy operatives to take a Nerve test, effectively lowering their efficiency for the next turn. This represents the fear and confusion spread by the sudden, precise attacks of the Phobos Marines.
3. Sniper: A sniper operative can use this ploy to take a shot without breaking concealment, allowing them to eliminate a target without revealing their position. This is particularly effective for taking out key enemy leaders or specialists early in the game.

Playing Phobos Strike Team

The Phobos Strike Team adds a layer of strategic depth and variety to Kill Team that many players will find appealing. Their emphasis on stealth, psychological manipulation, and precision strikes offers a unique playstyle compared to other factions that rely on overwhelming firepower or sheer numbers. This set provides a rich narrative and tactical experience, embodying the spirit of fear and terror that their mythological namesake Phobos would bring to the battlefield.

Whether you are a seasoned player looking to add a new team to your roster or a newcomer interested in exploring a different tactical approach, the Phobos Strike Team offers a compelling and engaging option. With a mix of versatile units, customizable loadouts, and a variety of strategic ploys, they are well-suited for players who enjoy the challenge of outmaneuvering and outthinking their opponents in the deadly skirmishes of Kill Team.

In the grim darkness of the far future, where fear is a weapon as potent as any bolter, the Phobos Strike Team stands as a testament to the power of psychological warfare. Like their mythological namesake, they spread dread and confusion among their enemies, making them an iconic and formidable force in the Warhammer 40K universe.