Kill Team is Warhammer 40,000 shrunk down to a handful of soldiers per side. You control each model individually, fighting over cluttered terrain in fast, tense missions. It’s the cheapest and quickest way into the 40k universe, and it’s also a deep tactical game in its own right.
What kill team actually is
Kill Team is a skirmish game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Where regular 40k has you pushing whole squads and tanks around, Kill Team is about a small group of specialists, usually somewhere between six and fourteen models, fighting another small group.
That scale changes everything. Every model matters, every wound hurts, and you’ll get attached to your little band of killers in a way that’s harder with a 2,000-point army. Games run 45 to 90 minutes on a board roughly 22 by 30 inches, packed with terrain.
The current edition, often called Kill Team 2021 or Third Edition, broke away from the main 40k rules. If you know 40k, don’t assume you know Kill Team. The core mechanics are different enough that you’ll want to read the rules fresh.
How a game plays out
You and your opponent pick missions, set up terrain, and deploy your teams. Then you alternate activating one model at a time, moving, shooting, fighting, or using a special action. This back-and-forth keeps both players involved the whole time, so there’s no waiting around while your opponent moves their entire army.
Distance is measured with custom gauges rather than a tape measure, which speeds things up and removes arguments. Dice rolls resolve attacks: you roll to hit, your opponent rolls to save, and damage goes through. Cover and line of sight matter a lot, so hugging terrain is usually the smart play.
After four turning points (the Kill Team term for rounds), the game ends and you check mission objectives. Most missions aren’t about wiping out the enemy. You’ll be grabbing objectives, planting bombs, or assassinating a target. Winning the firefight but losing the mission is a real and common experience.
What you need to start
You don’t need much. A kill team’s worth of models, some dice, the core rules, and a flat surface with terrain. The starter set is the obvious buy if you’re brand new, since it includes two teams, terrain, and the rules in one box.
If you already own 40k models, you can probably build a team from what’s on your shelf. Most factions have rules for a basic kill team, and you can often use your existing infantry as-is.
- Core rules (free online, or in the starter set)
- 6 to 14 models for your team
- Six-sided dice, at least ten
- A 22×30 inch board and plenty of terrain
- The measuring gauges that come with the game
Campaigns and why they hook people
Kill Team really shines in campaigns. You play a series of linked games, and your operatives gain experience, new abilities, and scars between battles. A lucky trooper who survives three missions becomes a character you actually care about.
This narrative layer is optional, but it’s the reason a lot of players stick with Kill Team over bigger games. You’re more than playing a match. You’re telling the story of a squad trying to survive in a galaxy that wants them dead.
Key facts
- Kill Team is a skirmish game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, with roughly 6 to 14 models per side.
- The current edition (2021, sometimes called Third Edition) uses rules separate from main 40k.
- Players alternate activating individual models rather than moving whole units.
- Games last four turning points and usually take 45 to 90 minutes.
- Campaign play lets operatives gain experience and abilities between games.
FAQ
Do I need to play Warhammer 40k to play Kill Team?
No. Kill Team uses its own rules and stands alone. It’s actually one of the best entry points into the 40k hobby because you only need a handful of models.
How many models are in a kill team?
Usually between six and fourteen, depending on the faction. Some elite teams have very few models, while horde teams can field more.
How long does a game of Kill Team take?
Most games run 45 to 90 minutes once you know the rules. The alternating activation keeps things moving.
Can I use my regular 40k models in Kill Team?
Often yes. Many factions have rules that let you use standard infantry kits. Check the current rules for your faction to see what’s legal.