I’ve had this Death Guard Kill Team sitting on my painting table for quite a while now, which feels a bit odd because it makes a great faction for teaching new players how to get started. Most of the models I used came from the First Strike box set, but since that didn’t add up to enough points for a full team, I ended up buying another cheap and easy build set to fill it out. This combination gave me a solid lineup that works well within the 100-point limit.
There are more Poxwalkers shown in my photos than will be included in the standard team, but since I painted them, I figured I’d share them too. The extra Poxwalkers aren’t part of the official list, but they add to the overall theme and make the models look a bit more interesting when I’m teaching. These models have been a fun project, and even though I don’t expect to expand the team further, they serve their purpose well for games with friends or solo practice.
The Team List and Composition
Here’s the final list I put together:
Leader
- Plague Champion [22pts]: Armed with a plaguesword, plasma gun, and power fist. This leader is tough and versatile, capable of handling both melee and ranged combat.
Specialists
- Plague Marine [14pts]: Veteran
- Plague Marine Gunner [18pts]: Equipped with a blight launcher, specialized in demolitions.
- Plague Marine Gunner [18pts]: Also with a blight launcher, but focused on heavy weapons.
Non-specialists
- Plague Marine [14pts]
- Poxwalkers [3pts each] x4 = 12pts
The total points add up to 98, which fits nicely within the 100-point limit. I created this list using BattleScribe, a handy tool for assembling squads and ensuring they meet points restrictions.
Painting Approach and Techniques
I painted the models using a mix of paints from Reaper, Army Painter, and Vallejo. To get the colors right, I started with a three-color zenithal priming method to help with shading and highlights. To thin the paints properly, I used a flow improver solution, which helped the colors blend smoothly and kept the details crisp.
One of the more interesting parts was painting the horns, where I tried to make them look like teeth growing out of gums. It was a challenge but fun to do. The Champion’s chest featured some detailed teeth as well, which I enjoyed highlighting. For the armor, I used bronze and brass colors with touches of purple to give the models that corrupted, plague-ridden look.
The fleshy parts were painted by mixing Grimoire Purple with Scholar’s Flesh, which gave a sickly, infected feel. On the gunners, I added darker shades with bright pink highlights to create depth and emphasize the disease spreading through their bodies.
Bases and Final Touches
The bases were a highlight of the project. I sculpted some greenstuff bubbles over Astrogranite texture, then painted over them with Army Painter’s Toxic Cloud color to give a toxic, corrupted ground effect. After sealing the models with a couple of layers of Testor’s Dullcote spray, I went back and added gloss varnish to the slime effects to make them look wet and disgusting. It brings the bases to life and fits the Death Guard theme perfectly.
For the Poxwalkers, I tried a different approach by experimenting with pure ink painting. I patched on brown, green, and purple inks before blocking in the base colors. Their horns were painted with blended colors ranging from brown to green to black, creating an eerie, decayed look. Each Poxwalker got red eyes and some blood effects splattered on their weapons to enhance the horror vibe.
Reflections on the Project
These models have been some of the longest sitting figures on my painting table, mostly due to a mix of apathy and competing projects. But I’m glad to have finally finished them up. They aren’t going to be the centerpieces of my army or anything, but they work perfectly for solo games or for teaching friends the basics of Death Guard tactics and gameplay.
Thanks for sticking with me if you read this far. And if you just checked out the pictures and bounced, that’s fine too. Either way, I’m happy to have these models completed and ready for action.
Strategy and Gameplay with My Death Guard Kill Team
Building and painting my Death Guard Kill Team was just the first step. Now, it’s time to talk about how the team performs on the tabletop and how I approach playing them during games. Given the unique mix of Plague Marines and Poxwalkers, the team has some distinct strengths and weaknesses that shape my strategy. With a points limit close to 100, every decision in list-building and deployment counts, and I’ve tried to make the best of these limitations.
The leader of the team, the Plague Champion, is crucial for holding objectives and leading assaults. Equipped with a plaguesword and power fist, he is a strong melee fighter who can also threaten enemies at range with his plasma gun. This versatility allows the champion to adapt to changing battlefield conditions, moving between front-line fighting and picking off targets from a distance when needed. Because the champion carries multiple weapons, I often try to maximize his potential by positioning him where he can use the plasma gun without risking too much exposure.
Roles of Specialists and Non-Specialists
The specialists in the team bring unique tactical options. The demolitions expert armed with a blight launcher is especially effective for clearing clusters of enemies or dealing with vehicles. The heavy specialist with another blight launcher adds firepower, making the team more dangerous at medium range. These two gunners are my primary source of ranged damage, so I usually keep them protected but ready to strike from cover.
The veteran Plague Marine has more experience, making him a reliable unit for holding key positions or supporting the leader in combat. His higher skill means he can make the most of special abilities or weapons, so I like to pair him with the champion or keep him in reserve to respond to threats.
On the other hand, the non-specialists — including the standard Plague Marine and the Poxwalkers — serve more general roles. The Plague Marine adds additional firepower and durability, while the Poxwalkers provide cheap bodies to swarm objectives or tie up enemy units. Because Poxwalkers are inexpensive and expendable, I use them aggressively, pushing them forward to soak up fire or overwhelm the enemy in close quarters.
Balancing Survivability and Aggression
One of the challenges with a Death Guard Kill Team at this point’s level is balancing survivability with aggression. Plague Marines are tough, but they aren’t invincible, and Poxwalkers, while numerous, are fragile. My strategy focuses on using the Poxwalkers to screen and distract the enemy, allowing my heavier models to move up the field safely. The team’s strength lies in its resilience, but that requires careful movement and use of cover.
I often deploy the Poxwalkers in groups, advancing them rapidly to threaten enemy flanks or secure objectives early in the game. Their sheer numbers can overwhelm opponents or force them to split fire. Meanwhile, the Plague Marines and the champion work together to control the center of the battlefield, making use of their better armor and weapons to engage tougher targets.
Painting as a Motivator for Gameplay
Painting the models in this team helped me connect with their personalities and strengths on the battlefield. The details, like the teeth-like horns and infected flesh, make them stand out visually and remind me of their narrative background. The careful use of bronze, brass, and purple on their armor highlights their corrupted nature, which is fitting for the Death Guard’s lore.
I found that having well-painted models made me more enthusiastic about using them in games. When the bases glisten with toxic slime and the Poxwalkers’ red eyes gleam under the tabletop lights, it adds an immersive layer to playing. This connection between the hobby side and the gameplay encourages me to try different tactics and enjoy teaching the game to others.
Teaching with the Death Guard Kill Team
Because this team is compact and thematic, it works very well as a teaching tool. The variety of unit types – leader, specialists, and non-specialists – allows me to explain the roles different models play within the Kill Team system. New players can easily understand the importance of squad composition and how to balance ranged firepower with melee threats.
Using this Death Guard Kill Team, I can show how to deploy units effectively and how to prioritize targets. The presence of the Poxwalkers demonstrates the concept of using cheap, expendable units to hold objectives or distract opponents, which is a valuable lesson for beginners. The champion and specialist models illustrate how unit abilities and weapons change the flow of combat.
Limitations and Future Considerations
While I’m happy with this team for teaching and casual play, I’m aware of its limitations in more competitive settings. The lack of heavier firepower or more specialized models can leave the team vulnerable to highly mobile or well-armed enemies. However, given the point constraints, this is expected.
If I ever decide to expand this team beyond teaching or solo games, I might consider adding additional models or upgrading weapons to increase versatility. For now, though, I appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of the current setup. It offers enough depth to explore tactics but remains manageable for new players to grasp quickly.
A Practical and Thematic Team
Overall, this Death Guard Kill Team is one of the best I could create within the available resources and points limit. The combination of painted models, thematic detail, and balanced gameplay roles makes it a solid choice for teaching and casual gaming. While I probably won’t add more models or use them in highly competitive matches, they serve as a useful introduction to the Death Guard faction and the Kill Team game system.
Playing with this team reminds me why I enjoy the hobby: the blend of painting, storytelling, and strategic gameplay. It’s satisfying to see the models come alive on the table, moving together to achieve objectives and overcome opponents. For anyone interested in learning how Death Guard operate or wanting a compact, thematic Kill Team, this setup offers a great starting point.
Delving Deeper into Death Guard Kill Team Strategy and Painting Techniques
The Death Guard Kill Team is a fascinating force to work with, blending resilience, strategic firepower, and thematic depth. After spending considerable time painting and refining this team, I’ve found that both the tactical approach on the battlefield and the creative process of bringing the models to life are equally rewarding. This part explores advanced gameplay strategy, painting insights, and how these elements combine to create a truly engaging experience.
Strategic Positioning and Battlefield Control
Positioning is critical when fielding a Death Guard Kill Team. The Plague Champion, armed with a plaguesword, plasma gun, and power fist, serves as a versatile leader who can shift between ranged and melee combat fluidly. This adaptability means the champion can take command of key areas on the battlefield, holding ground or pressing the attack depending on the flow of the game. The champion’s durability allows him to act as a frontline anchor while supporting specialists focus on disrupting enemy forces.
The specialists, particularly the Plague Marines equipped with blight launchers, bring a unique form of ranged threat. Their ability to lob shots that cause both damage and psychological pressure on opponents makes them excellent at controlling lanes and denying movement. Effective use of cover and terrain enhances their survivability, as these units are often primary targets due to their firepower.
The Poxwalkers, while fragile individually, are crucial for controlling space and objectives. Their low cost allows them to be deployed in numbers, effectively swarming and overwhelming enemy units or tying them down. Managing Poxwalkers requires balancing aggression with caution, advancing them under the protection of more durable models to maximize their utility without unnecessary losses.
Coordinated Movement and Synergy
A successful Death Guard Kill Team uses coordinated movement to keep pressure on the opponent. The champion and specialists should advance cautiously, maintaining firing lines while avoiding overexposure. Meanwhile, Poxwalkers can exploit gaps or distractions to move quickly and secure objectives or flanks. This combined arms approach ensures that the team remains flexible, capable of both defense and offense.
Synergy between the units amplifies their strengths. For example, the champion can protect specialists while they provide suppressive fire, forcing enemies to choose between engaging heavily armored Plague Marines or risking exposure to the blight launchers’ ranged attacks. This division of attention often frustrates opponents, leading to mistakes or poor positioning that the Death Guard player can capitalize on.
Adapting to Different Opponents and Missions
Each game scenario demands a tailored approach. Against highly mobile foes, the slow but durable Plague Marines can form a defensive line, using their toughness to absorb attacks while specialists pick off targets from a distance. Poxwalkers are especially effective here as a screen or distraction, complicating enemy advances.
Against more heavily armored or powerful enemies, it’s wise to focus on chipping away with plasma shots and blight launcher attacks before committing to close combat. The champion’s power fist and plaguesword then become valuable for finishing off weakened targets. Using terrain to funnel enemies into kill zones where specialists can focus fire also maximizes damage output and survivability.
Painting Techniques and Color Choices
Painting this Death Guard Kill Team was as much a journey as playing them. The combination of Reaper, Army Painter, and Vallejo paints gave the models a textured, organic look, fitting the theme of decay and corruption. The zenithal highlighting technique added depth and definition, emphasizing armor edges and organic details.
One of the more challenging and enjoyable parts was painting the horns to resemble teeth with gums, creating a grotesque yet captivating visual effect. The champion’s chest teeth were similarly rewarding to paint, adding character and detail to the centerpiece of the team. Using bronze and brass tones on armor complemented the purples and pinks of the fleshy areas, balancing metallic decay with vibrant infection.
The fleshy parts used a mix of purples and flesh tones to simulate infected, corrupted skin. Highlighting with brighter pinkish colors brought out the texture and suggested the spread of infection. The darker tones of the specialists created contrast, making them stand out on the battlefield.
Basing and Finishing Touches
The bases were an experiment in creating an eerie, toxic environment that enhances the narrative of the Death Guard. Using Greenstuff to sculpt bubbles on Astrogranite gave a textured, bubbling effect reminiscent of toxic sludge or chemical spills. Painting the bubbles and surrounding ground with toxic green hues, then sealing with a dull coat and adding gloss to the slime, resulted in a slimy, disgusting look that fits the team’s aesthetic perfectly.
For the Poxwalkers, I tried pure ink painting to capture a blotchy, raw look that suits their decayed nature. Using layered browns, greens, and purples created natural variations in skin tone and texture. Red eyes added a touch of menace, while blood effects on weapons suggested recent combat, making them visually striking despite their small size.
Teaching and Solo Play Applications
One of the reasons I painted this team was to use it as a tool for teaching the game. The mix of unit types and point values makes it ideal for newcomers to learn about different roles and strategies without being overwhelmed. The Death Guard’s resilience allows players to experiment with tactics safely, while the diverse weapons teach the importance of ranged and melee combat.
Playing solo with this team also helped me explore different scenarios and tactics without the pressure of competitive play. It offered a chance to refine strategies, test deployment options, and deepen my understanding of the game mechanics. This personal practice proved invaluable when teaching friends, as I could anticipate common mistakes and offer advice based on experience.
Reflection and Future Prospects
Looking back, this Death Guard Kill Team stands as one of my more personal hobby projects. It represents a blend of strategic challenge and creative expression, both of which I find essential in miniature wargaming. While I may not expand the team further due to point limitations and my focus on teaching, it remains a satisfying and functional force.
Future projects might explore larger squads or different factions, but this team will always be a reminder of the fun and satisfaction found in careful painting, tactical planning, and sharing the hobby with others. For anyone interested in Death Guard or Kill Team gameplay, this setup offers a solid foundation and plenty of opportunities to learn and enjoy the game.
Combining strategy, painting, and gameplay, this Death Guard Kill Team delivers a rich, immersive experience. From mastering coordinated tactics to experimenting with painting techniques, the journey has been rewarding and educational. The team’s unique synergy and thematic elements make it not just a force on the battlefield but a personal project filled with character and narrative depth. Whether for teaching or casual play, this Kill Team offers both challenge and charm in equal measure.
Refining Tactics and Final Thoughts on the Death Guard Kill Team
After spending significant time with the Death Guard Kill Team, both on the painting table and in actual play, I have come to appreciate the nuances and strengths of this faction. This part explores refining tactics, understanding the dynamics of a small points team, and concluding reflections on the experience of using this Kill Team. It highlights the balance between learning, creativity, and gameplay that makes this faction a rewarding choice.
Fine-Tuning Tactical Approaches for Death Guard
The Death Guard excels in durability and attrition warfare. One of the key aspects I focused on in refining tactics was how to maximize the survivability of the Plague Champion and the specialists while leveraging the swarm potential of the Poxwalkers. Due to the limited points, every move and unit placement carries a lot of weight. This forces careful planning and prioritization of objectives.
The Plague Champion is best used as a centerpiece for the team’s assault or defense. With the plaguesword and power fist, he can dish out reliable melee damage, while the plasma gun adds ranged flexibility. Keeping the champion moving alongside the gunner specialists allows for a balanced approach to offense and defense. Positioning the champion where he can both soak damage and apply pressure on enemy units creates a constant threat that opponents have to deal with.
Specialists armed with blight launchers add a powerful ranged threat that can control enemy movement and soften up targets before melee engagements. Using terrain and cover effectively helps maintain their survivability while focusing fire on high-priority targets. Coordinating their fire with the champion’s movement helps ensure that opponents cannot focus on one part of the team without exposing themselves to counterattacks.
Poxwalkers provide tactical versatility. While individually weak, their numbers can overwhelm opponents or hold objectives. Sending them into secure areas early in the game puts pressure on opponents and can disrupt their plans. However, they should not be left exposed; using the champion or specialists to shield or support them minimizes losses. The ability to field multiple Poxwalkers at low point costs adds flexibility in deployment and objective control.
Adapting to Varied Missions and Opponents
Each game presents different challenges, requiring adjustments in tactics. Against aggressive, fast-moving teams, the Death Guard’s resilience allows for a more defensive posture. Specialists can pick off enemy units while Poxwalkers and the champion hold key points. This slows down the opponent and forces them into unfavorable engagements.
When facing more heavily armored or slow teams, the Death Guard can leverage ranged firepower and plasma shots to chip away at enemy defenses before moving in for close combat. The champion’s ability to engage in melee remains crucial here, especially with his power fist, which can damage or disable tougher units.
The small points limit demands prioritization: focusing fire on the most dangerous threats or the objectives that matter most. Flexibility and adaptability are key to making the most of this team’s strengths and minimizing its weaknesses.
Painting and Modeling as a Part of Tactical Expression
The painting process complements tactical refinement by giving each model personality and presence. The effort spent creating detailed horns that resemble teeth, mixing colors for fleshy infection effects, and adding bronze and brass touches to armor helps bring the team’s thematic identity to life. This attention to detail enhances immersion during gameplay, as each model looks like a part of a cohesive, grimy force of corruption.
The bases, featuring greenstuff bubbles and toxic slime effects, not only add visual interest but also help set the mood for the game. When models look the part, it’s easier to engage fully with the narrative of Death Guard as a relentless, infectious force. This connection between art and gameplay enriches the overall experience.
Lessons Learned and Future Exploration
Working with a 100-point Death Guard Kill Team taught valuable lessons about efficiency and focus in both gaming and hobby aspects. The constraints pushed me to think carefully about unit roles, painting priorities, and how to maximize impact without overspending points or time.
Though I do not plan to expand this team further, it has proven a great platform for teaching the game to newcomers and for casual solo play. It provides enough variety to cover different gameplay concepts, from ranged attacks to melee combat and objective control. The thematic unity also makes it memorable and enjoyable to use.
Future projects might involve exploring other factions or building larger teams with more specialized units. However, this Kill Team will always serve as a reminder of how much fun and satisfaction can come from a small, well-crafted group of miniatures.
Conclusion:
The Death Guard Kill Team is a unique combination of tactical depth, thematic richness, and painting creativity. Over the course of building, painting, and playing with this team, I have come to appreciate its strengths and challenges alike. Its resilience on the battlefield, combined with a distinctive visual identity, makes it a compelling choice for both new and experienced players.
The small points value encourages strategic thinking, careful movement, and prioritization of objectives, which are essential skills in any form of miniature wargaming. The mixture of specialists, a versatile leader, and a swarm of Poxwalkers allows for a variety of tactics, keeping games interesting and dynamic.
From a hobbyist’s perspective, the painting process brought a personal connection to the models. Experimenting with colors, textures, and effects created a visual story that complements the tactical story told on the tabletop. This artistic aspect deepens the enjoyment of the hobby and helps bring the Death Guard’s grim narrative to life.
While this Kill Team may remain primarily a teaching tool and a source of solo play enjoyment, its impact goes beyond simple numbers and stats. It embodies the spirit of perseverance, corruption, and unyielding advance that the Death Guard represents. For those looking for a small but rewarding project, both in gameplay and painting, this Kill Team offers a balanced and engaging experience.
Thanks for following along through this exploration of the Death Guard Kill Team. Whether you’re here for strategy, painting tips, or just the love of the game, I hope this has inspired you to explore the rich world of miniature wargaming and the fascinating faction that is the Death Guard.