Vespid Stingwings

ReconSeek & Destroy

KILL GRADE [11]

1	2	3	4	5
2	4	7	9	11

What to Know

Tactical Overview

Meet the Vespid Stingwings - a fast-moving aerial assault force! With 11 operatives including a Strain Leader and Oversight Drone, they dominate with FLY movement and deadly neutron weapons. Manage Communion points to unleash their full potential - breaking target restrictions, re-rolling attacks, and charging freely. They're glass cannons with 5+ saves but hit hard in both shooting and melee. Unique ploys like Aerial Agility and Hardened Exoskeleton keep them mobile and surprisingly durable. Perfect for players who love high-speed tactical positioning and explosive firepower!

Core Abilities

Unusual Shooting ✓

Swarmguard: Flamer (Skytorch) ignores cover and obscuring during Skytorch Assault.

Unusual Melee ✗

Super Conceal ✗

Out of Order Movement ✗

Activation Manipulation ✗

APL Modifiers ✗

Bitter Demise ✗

Block Rerolls ✗

Damage Reduction ✓

Strategic Ploy: Hardened Exoskeleton: reduce damage by 1 for normal damage of 4+.Strategic Ploy: Aerial Agility: ignore damage on 5+ dice roll.

Faction Rules

Communion: Gain Communion points to allow Vespid Stingwings to ignore targeting restrictions and reroll attack dice.
Neutron Charge: Neutron weapons gain Piercing 1 when Vespid Stingwings move or fly.
Fly: Vespid Stingwings can teleport instead of moving, avoiding terrain and enemy control.

Strategic Ploys

Hardened Exoskeleton: Reduce damage from Normal Dmg 4+ by 1
Aerial Agility: 5+ save vs shooting after move or setup
Airborne Predators: Gain Balanced weapon rule after moving
Sting: +1 Hit, Lethal 5+, and Shock on claws

Firefight Ploys

Ocelli: Gain Vantage benefits, treat as 3" higher
Darting Flight: Move extra D3", no Shoot or Fight after
Neutron Overload: Critical hit adds D3 damage if within 4"
Vicious Venom: Critical strike in fight adds D3 damage

Equipment

Neurostimulant: Roll two D3 and pick one for Communion points in Ready step
Convergence Stimulant: Once per turning point, Vespid can perform action without Communion point
Accelerant Stimulant: Vespid gains +1" movement on Charge/Dash, extra 1" setup if using FLY
Aggression Stimulant: Vespid melee weapons gain Ceaseless weapon rule when fighting

Rules Commentary

2 Q&As

In killzones that use the close quarters rules, does the VESPID STINGWING SWARMGUARD's torch zone for the Skytorch weapon rule bend around any Wall terrain that's intervening?

Yes.

If there are no enemy operatives within 8" of a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative, do I need to spend a Communion point to target an enemy operative more than 8" from it?

Yes.

Operative Selection

1 VESPID STINGWING STRAIN LEADER operative
1 VESPID STINGWING OVERSIGHT DRONE operative
9 VESPID STINGWING operatives selected from the following list:
- LONGSTING
- SHADESTRAIN
- SKYBLAST
- SWARMGUARD
- WARRIOR

Other than WARRIOR operatives, your kill team can only include each operative on this list once.

Operative Datacards

7 operatives

Strain Leader

2 6" 5+ 10

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Neutron Blaster	4	3+	3/3	Devastating 2 Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. Neutron Blaster - Weapon Rules Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it.
⚔ Claws	3	4+	3/4	-

Additional Rules

Communion Helm

Once during each of this operative's activations, you can spend 1 Communion point for free. Commune: When selecting your operatives for the battle, also select one VESPID STINGWING strategy ploy. Whenever this operative is in the killzone and isn't within control range of enemy operatives, that ploy costs you 0CP.

Oversight Drone

2 8" 2+ 5

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚔ Ram	3	5+	1/2	-

Additional Rules

Evasive Drone

This operative cannot perform any actions other than Aerial Guidance, Charge, Dash, Fall Back, Fight and Reposition. Whenever determining control of an objective marker, treat this operative's APL stat as 1 lower. Note this isn't a change to its APL stat, so any changes are cumulative with this. Whenever determining what's visible to this operative, the round disc at the top of the miniature is its head. Whenever this operative has a Conceal order and is in cover, it cannot be selected as a valid target, taking precedence over all other rules (e.g. Seek, Vantage terrain) except being within 2". Whenever an operative is shooting this operative, ignore the Piercing weapon rule.

Unique Actions

Aerial Guidance 1AP

Until the start of this operative's next activation, whenever another friendly VESPID STINGWING operative within 6" of this operative is shooting an enemy operative visible to this operative, that friendly operative's ranged weapons have the Lethal 5+ and Saturate weapon rules. This has no effect while this operative is within control range of an enemy operative.

This operative cannot perform this action while within control range of an enemy operative.

Longsting

2 6" 5+ 9

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Neutron Rail Rifle (Standard)	4	4+	4/4	Devastating 2 Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. , Neutron Fragment: If the target of this weapon isn't incapacitated but you resolve any attack dice, the target gains one of your Neutron Fragment tokens. Whenever an operative that has one of your Neutron Fragment tokens is activated, inflict D3 damage on it for each Neutron Fragment token it has (roll separately for each). Neutron Rail Rifle (Standard) - Weapon Rules Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it.
⚡ Neutron Rail Rifle (Aimed)	4	3+	4/4	Devastating 2 Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. , Heavy (Dash only) Heavy An operative cannot use this weapon in an activation or counteraction in which it moved, and it cannot move in an activation or counteraction in which it used this weapon. If the rule is Heavy (x only), only that move is allowed. , Lethal 5+ Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes. , Neutron Fragment: If the target of this weapon isn't incapacitated but you resolve any attack dice, the target gains one of your Neutron Fragment tokens. Whenever an operative that has one of your Neutron Fragment tokens is activated, inflict D3 damage on it for each Neutron Fragment token it has (roll separately for each). Neutron Rail Rifle (Aimed) - Weapon Rules Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. Heavy An operative cannot use this weapon in an activation or counteraction in which it moved, and it cannot move in an activation or counteraction in which it used this weapon. If the rule is Heavy (x only), only that move is allowed. Lethal Your successes equal to or greater than x are critical successes.
⚔ Claws	3	4+	3/4	-

Shadestrain

2 6" 3+ 9

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Neutron Sting	4	4+	3/3	Range 8" Range Only operatives within x of the active operative can be valid targets. , Devastating 2 Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. Neutron Sting - Weapon Rules Range Only operatives within x of the active operative can be valid targets. Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it.
⚡ Neutron Grenade	4	4+	3/3	Range 6" Range Only operatives within x of the active operative can be valid targets. , Blast 2" Blast The target you select is the primary target. After shooting the primary target, shoot with this weapon against each secondary target in an order of your choice. Secondary targets are other operatives visible to and within x of the primary target. Secondary targets are in cover and obscured if the primary target was. , Devastating 2 Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. , Limited 1 Limited After an operative uses this weapon a number of times in the battle equal to x, they no longer have it. , Saturate Saturate The defender cannot retain cover saves. Neutron Grenade - Weapon Rules Range Only operatives within x of the active operative can be valid targets. Blast The target you select is the primary target. After shooting the primary target, shoot with this weapon against each secondary target in an order of your choice. Secondary targets are other operatives visible to and within x of the primary target. Secondary targets are in cover and obscured if the primary target was. Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. Limited After an operative uses this weapon a number of times in the battle equal to x, they no longer have it. Saturate The defender cannot retain cover saves.
⚔ Claws	3	4+	3/4	-

Additional Rules

Ghost Rig

While this operative has a Conceal order, your opponent cannot select it as a valid target unless it's within 6" of the operative trying to target it. Note that this rule has no effect if this operative isn't selected as the valid target, e.g. if it's a secondary target from the Blast weapon rule.

Camouflaged

Whenever an operative is shooting this operative, ignore the Piercing weapon rule and all cover saves are retained as critical successes. This rule has no effect if this operative isn't selected as the valid target, e.g. if it's a secondary target from the Blast weapon rule.

Skyblast

2 6" 5+ 9

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Neutron Grenade Launcher	4	4+	3/3	Blast 2" Blast The target you select is the primary target. After shooting the primary target, shoot with this weapon against each secondary target in an order of your choice. Secondary targets are other operatives visible to and within x of the primary target. Secondary targets are in cover and obscured if the primary target was. , Devastating 2 Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. , Neutron Bombardment: Place one of your Neutron Fallout markers within the primary target's control range. Neutron Fallout: Once during each enemy operative's activation, as soon as it's within 2" of one of your Neutron Fallout markers, inflict D3 damage on that operative (multiple markers aren't cumulative). Neutron Grenade Launcher - Weapon Rules Blast The target you select is the primary target. After shooting the primary target, shoot with this weapon against each secondary target in an order of your choice. Secondary targets are other operatives visible to and within x of the primary target. Secondary targets are in cover and obscured if the primary target was. Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it.
⚔ Claws	3	4+	3/4	-

Swarmguard

2 6" 5+ 9

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Flamer (Standard)	4	2+	3/3	Range 8" Range Only operatives within x of the active operative can be valid targets. , Saturate Saturate The defender cannot retain cover saves. , Torrent 2" Torrent Select a valid target as normal as the primary target, then select any number of other valid targets within x of the first valid target, but not within control range of friendly operatives, as secondary targets. Shoot with this weapon against all of them in an order of your choice. Flamer (Standard) - Weapon Rules Range Only operatives within x of the active operative can be valid targets. Saturate The defender cannot retain cover saves. Torrent Select a valid target as normal as the primary target, then select any number of other valid targets within x of the first valid target, but not within control range of friendly operatives, as secondary targets. Shoot with this weapon against all of them in an order of your choice.
⚡ Flamer (Skytorch)	4	2+	3/3	Saturate Saturate The defender cannot retain cover saves. , Torrent 0" Torrent Select a valid target as normal as the primary target, then select any number of other valid targets within x of the first valid target, but not within control range of friendly operatives, as secondary targets. Shoot with this weapon against all of them in an order of your choice. , Skytorch: An operative can only use this weapon during the Skytorch Assault action (see other side of card). If it does, don't select a valid target. Instead, shoot against each operative within its torch zone (excluding operatives wholly underneath Vantage terrain); they aren't in cover or obscured. Roll each sequence separately in order of furthest operative to closest. The torch zone is the horizontal area between the operative's current and previous location. A 28mm round Skytorch marker can be temporarily placed underneath this operative before it moves to help determine this. Torrent 0" means you cannot select secondary targets outside of its torch zone, but this weapon still has the Torrent weapon rule for all other rules purposes, e.g. the Condensed Stronghold rule (see Killzone: Volkus, Kill Team Core Book). Flamer (Skytorch) - Weapon Rules Saturate The defender cannot retain cover saves. Torrent Select a valid target as normal as the primary target, then select any number of other valid targets within x of the first valid target, but not within control range of friendly operatives, as secondary targets. Shoot with this weapon against all of them in an order of your choice.
⚔ Claws	3	4+	3/4	-

Unique Actions

Skytorch Assault 2AP

Perform a free Reposition action with this operative. During that action, it must FLY and can move an additional 2". Then perform a free Shoot action. You can only select a flamer (skytorch) for that Shoot action.

This operative cannot perform this action while it has a Conceal order, or while within control range of an enemy operative.

Warrior

2 6" 5+ 9

NAME	ATK	HIT	DMG	WR
⚡ Neutron Blaster	4	4+	3/3	Devastating 2 Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it. Neutron Blaster - Weapon Rules Devastating Each retained critical success immediately inflicts x damage on the operative this weapon is being used against. If the rule starts with a distance, inflict x damage on that operative and each other operative visible to and within that distance of it.
⚔ Claws	3	4+	3/4	-

Additional Rules

Warrior Instincts

Whenever this operative is shooting, if you don't spend Communion points during that sequence, its neutron blaster has the Accurate 1 weapon rule until the end of that sequence.

Faction Rules

3 rules

Communion

Faction Rule

Gain Communion points to allow Vespid Stingwings to ignore targeting restrictions and reroll attack dice.

Vespid Stingwings 💀

Other species struggle to understand and interact with Vespids. The T'au have managed to establish strong links through various technological aids, most notably their communion helms. The Vespids have accepted these aids as beneficial, but the true extent of their impact is unknown.

Communion points are used to maintain the tactical focus of friendly VESPID STINGWING operatives. In the Ready step of each Strategy phase, you gain D3 Communion points, plus 1 if a friendly OVERSIGHT DRONE operative is in the killzone. Communion points are used as follows (OVERSIGHT DRONE operatives aren't affected by the following):

Whenever a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative is performing the SHOOT action, it can only target the closest enemy operative within 8" of it (excluding enemy operatives within control range of other friendly VESPID STINGWING operatives) unless you spend 1 of your Communion points. For weapons with the Blast and Torrent weapon rules, only the first target must be selected in this way.
Whenever a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative performs the CHARGE action, it must end the action within control range of the closest enemy operative it can unless you spend 1 of your Communion points.
Whenever you would perform the PICK UP MARKER or a mission action (excluding OPERATE HATCH) with a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative, you must also spend 1 of your Communion points to do so.
Whenever a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative is shooting, you can spend 1 (and only 1) of your Communion points to re-roll one of your attack dice.

Neutron Charge

Faction Rule

Neutron weapons gain Piercing 1 when Vespid Stingwings move or fly.

Vespid Stingwings 💀

Neutron weapons are powered by radioactive crystals from the Vespids' home world. The harmonic thrumming of Vespids' wings resonates within the crystals to charge them. When unleashed, even heavy combat armour can barely protect against this atom-stripping energy charge.

Neutron weapons are any weapons that have the word 'neutron' in their name, e.g. neutron blaster, neutron grenade launcher, etc. Whenever a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative moves or uses FLY, its neutron weapons have the Piercing 1 weapon rule until the end of the turning point.

Fly

Faction Rule

Vespid Stingwings can teleport instead of moving, avoiding terrain and enemy control.

Vespid Stingwings 💀

The thrumming wings of the Vespids bear them aloft with speed and remarkable agility.

Whenever a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative performs an action in which it moves, it can FLY. If it does, don't move it. Instead, remove it from the killzone and set it back up wholly within a distance equal to its Move stat (or 3" if it was a DASH) horizontally of its original location (in a killzone that uses the close quarters rules, e.g. Killzone: Tomb World, this distance cannot be measured over or through Wall terrain, and that operative cannot be set up on the other side of an access point - in other words it cannot FLY through an open hatchway). Note that it gains no additional distance when performing the CHARGE action. It must be set up in a location it can be placed, and unless it's the CHARGE action, it cannot be set up within control range of an enemy operative.

Strategy Ploys

4 ploys

Hardened Exoskeleton

Strategy Ploy

Reduce damage from Normal Dmg 4+ by 1

Aerial Agility

Strategy Ploy

5+ save vs shooting after move or setup

Vespid Stingwings 💀

Vespids jink and weave through the air, following unpredictable flight paths that confound foes who have not had time to line up clean shots.

Whenever an operative is shooting a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative while counteracting, or during an activation in which that shooting operative moved or was set up, roll one D6 whenever an attack dice would inflict Normal Dmg: on a 5+, ignore that inflicted damage. You cannot ignore more than one attack dice per Shoot action sequence this way.

Airborne Predators

Strategy Ploy

Gain Balanced weapon rule after moving

Sting

Strategy Ploy

+1 Hit, Lethal 5+, and Shock on claws

Firefight Ploys

4 ploys

Ocelli

Firefight Ploy

Gain Vantage benefits, treat as 3" higher

Vespid Stingwings 💀

The multispectral eyesight and esoteric sensory acuity of the Vespids are equal to any scanning technologies. As they sweep over the battlefield, they easily pick out even the most well-concealed enemies.

Use this firefight ploy when a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative performs the Shoot action during an activation in which it's used FLY . Until the end of that action, it gains all benefits from the first and second main features of Vantage terrain. When determining the height difference between operatives for Vantage terrain rules, treat that friendly operative as being 3" higher than it currently is (but not when determining the distance for Communion).

Darting Flight

Firefight Ploy

Move extra D3", no Shoot or Fight after

Vespid Stingwings 💀

Vespids are capable of tremendous airborne speed, allowing them to rapidly reposition during a firefight.

Use this firefight ploy when a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative performs the Reposition action. Until the end of that action, it can move an additional D3", or be set up an additional D3" away if it uses FLY . In either case, it cannot perform Shoot or Fight actions for the rest of the turning point.

Neutron Overload

Firefight Ploy

Critical hit adds D3 damage if within 4"

Vespid Stingwings 💀

Augmented in some ineffable fashion by the rapid wing beats of the Vespids, their neutron weaponry can unleash horrific point-blank energy blasts.

Use this firefight ploy when you resolve a critical success for a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative that's shooting with a neutron weapon during an activation in which it's moved or used FLY . If the target is within 4" of it, inflict D3 additional damage.

Vicious Venom

Firefight Ploy

Critical strike in fight adds D3 damage

Vespid Stingwings 💀

Many Strains of Vespid produce various neurotoxins and inflammatory agents from their abdominal stingers, which can reduce victims to convulsing wrecks or anaphylactically bloat their flesh to bursting point.

Use this firefight ploy when a friendly VESPID STINGWING operative (excluding OVERSIGHT DRONE ) is fighting and you strike with a critical success. Inflict D3 additional damage.

Faction Equipment

4 items

Neurostimulant

Faction Equipment

Roll two D3 and pick one for Communion points in Ready step

Convergence Stimulant

Faction Equipment

Once per turning point, Vespid can perform action without Communion point

Accelerant Stimulant

Faction Equipment

Vespid gains +1" movement on Charge/Dash, extra 1" setup if using FLY

Aggression Stimulant

Faction Equipment

Vespid melee weapons gain Ceaseless weapon rule when fighting

Universal Equipment

0 items