Kill Team Astartes are among the most powerful and intimidating forces you can encounter in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. These elite squads of Space Marines bring unmatched discipline, superior weaponry, and resilience to any battlefield scenario, making them formidable opponents in the game of Kill Team. For players who want to compete against these elite warriors, developing a clear and calculated strategy to counteract them is crucial. Going head-to-head without proper planning is a sure path to defeat. Understanding how to counter Kill Team Astartes requires deep familiarity with their strengths, weaknesses, and the strategic tools at your disposal.
Understanding Astartes Strengths
Elite Durability and Firepower
Astartes operatives are known for their toughness. With a high number of wounds and excellent saves, they can withstand multiple hits that would easily take down other units. This makes them incredibly durable and able to dominate in smaller engagements.
In addition to their resilience, Astartes boast powerful weaponry. Whether it’s boltguns, plasma weapons, or melee options like power swords, their arsenal can easily wipe out enemy units in a single activation. This combination of defense and offense makes them a terrifying presence on the tabletop.
Limited Numbers, But High Impact
Most Astartes Kill Teams consist of relatively few models usually between five to six operatives. Each one, however, counts as a force multiplier. They often act independently, perform key actions, and still dish out significant damage. This low model count is both a strength and a potential vulnerability, depending on how the game unfolds.
Strategies to Counteract Kill Team Astartes
Exploit Their Numbers
One of the most effective ways to counter Kill Team Astartes is to capitalize on their low model count. Teams with larger numbers, such as Astra Militarum, Genestealer Cults, or Kommandos, can overwhelm the Astartes by flooding the board with more operatives and denying them control of objectives.
- Use swarm tactics to force multiple engagements and outmaneuver isolated Astartes operatives.
- Play aggressively with numbers to control objectives early and hold them against small elite teams.
- Deny activations through suppression or pinning, which becomes more effective when they have fewer models to act with.
Focus Fire and Overkill
Given their durability, Astartes operatives often require concentrated firepower to bring down. Don’t waste time spreading damage. Focus your fire on one model at a time until they’re eliminated. Overcommitting may feel excessive, but removing just one Astartes operative can shift momentum in your favor.
- Coordinate multiple operatives to fire at a single target within the same activation round.
- Use high-damage weapons such as meltas, plasma guns, or fusion blasters to punch through Astartes’ saves.
- Don’t hesitate to spend CP (Command Points) to reroll hits or damage when it means a guaranteed takedown.
Utilize Terrain and Line of Sight
Kill Team places a strong emphasis on verticality and obscuring terrain. Astartes rely on direct engagements to maximize their damage output. Use terrain to limit their sightlines, force movement, and break their line of fire.
- Hide squishier units until it’s their time to act, reducing unnecessary casualties.
- Force Astartes players to spend activations repositioning rather than attacking.
- Set up traps and overwatch positions behind corners or on elevated platforms.
Target Mission Objectives
Many games are not won by simply killing enemy operatives they’re won by completing mission objectives. Use fast or infiltrating units to achieve objectives that the Astartes may not be able to reach in time due to their small size or slower movement.
If the Astartes player focuses solely on combat, use that to your advantage by completing secondary or narrative objectives that reward clever positioning and movement.
Effective Factions and Unit Choices
Tau Pathfinders
With their long-range firepower and markerlight synergies, Tau Pathfinders can inflict heavy damage before Astartes get close. Their ability to focus fire from a distance plays directly into the tactic of overwhelming a single target.
Veteran Guardsmen
Although individually weaker, their numbers and order system make them a top choice for countering elite teams. Plasma gunners and grenade specialists can do serious damage when used properly.
Harlequins
Fast, elusive, and able to dance around slower Astartes, Harlequins can tie up elite enemies in melee while their speed lets them accomplish objectives quickly.
Kommandos
Ork Kommandos combine decent durability with unpredictable tactics. They can apply pressure through sneaky movement and brutal melee attacks that can overwhelm even an Astartes operative.
Tactical Ploys and Equipment
Saving CP for the Right Moment
Don’t burn through Command Points early unless necessary. You’ll want to have them available for rerolls, extra actions, or denying key enemy ploys. Keeping CP in reserve allows you to respond to the Astartes’ offensive surges.
Using Stun and Debuff Abilities
Abilities that reduce Astartes effectiveness, such as stunning, pinning, or debuffing their AP (action points), can shift the tide in your favor. Taking away their action economy means they accomplish fewer objectives or lose combat effectiveness.
Optimizing Equipment Loadouts
Choose loadouts that specifically address elite armor. Weapons with armor penetration, high critical damage, or crowd control elements are preferred. Also, consider taking smoke grenades or other tools that obscure vision and allow your units to reposition safely.
Psychological Warfare and Mind Games
Baiting and Trapping
Lead a confident Astartes player into a false sense of security. Present vulnerable targets, only to trap them with overlapping overwatch, hidden melee operatives, or chain activations that leave them surrounded and exposed.
Targeting Leaders or Specialists
Taking out a leader or key specialist like a heavy gunner can drastically reduce the Astartes team’s efficiency. Even if they lose just one model, their overall strength is reduced, making it easier to control the rest of the board.
Closing Thoughts
Defeating a Kill Team Astartes squad is no easy feat. Their toughness, firepower, and elite status demand respect but they are not invincible. By exploiting their small numbers, using focused fire, applying battlefield control, and thinking several steps ahead, you can tip the balance in your favor. Whether you’re a seasoned commander or just learning the ropes of Kill Team strategy, understanding how to counteract Astartes is essential for competing at higher levels. Victory comes not from brute strength alone but from smart decisions, clever positioning, and precise execution. When you learn to outthink the Space Marines, even the Emperor’s chosen can fall before you.