If you've been looking for a reason to jump into the Leagues of Votann, the hernkyn yaegir kill team might just be the push you need. While the standard Hearthkyn are cool with their chunky armor and NASA-punk aesthetic, the Yaegirs bring something a bit different to the table. These are the frontiersmen, the scouts, and the rugged survivalists who spend their time out in the harsh environments of the galactic frontier rather than digging in a hole. They've got a distinct "mountain man in space" vibe that sets them apart from almost every other faction in the game.
Who Exactly Are These Guys?
In the lore of the Leagues of Votann, the Hernkyn are the ones who don't really fit into the rigid, structured life of the Kindreds. They're a bit more independent, maybe a bit more stubborn (if that's even possible for a Kin), and they prefer the open air—or vacuum—to the confines of a subterranean hold. The Yaegirs are specifically the scouts and vanguard units.
When you look at the models, you can really see that personality. They're wearing lighter gear, long coats, and carry a mix of high-tech gadgets and reliable, rugged weaponry. They look like they've been living off the land for months, and honestly, they probably have. For a hernkyn yaegir kill team, it's all about being the first on the scene, securing the perimeter, and making sure the rest of the League knows what they're walking into.
Breaking Down the Box
The Yaegirs originally dropped in the Kill Team: Termination box, where they faced off against the Genestealer Cults Brood Brothers. It was a pretty hyped release because it gave Votann players a second flavor of Kill Team to play with. In the box, you get ten miniatures, and like most modern Kill Team releases, there are a ton of build options.
You're not just building ten guys with pistols; you're building a specialized squad where every member has a job. You've got your leader, your heavy hitters, and your tech specialists. The sculpting is fantastic, with plenty of character in the faces and gear. You can really tell the difference between a veteran who's seen it all and a younger scout just trying to keep their boots dry.
Standout Operatives on the Team
Every team has its stars, and the hernkyn yaegir kill team is no exception. While you'll always need your basic warriors to hold the line, the specialists are where the fun is.
The Yaegir Sergeant
This is your leader, and he's exactly what you'd expect—tough, reliable, and capable of handing out orders that keep the team from falling apart when things get messy. He's got some decent weapon options, but his real value is in his ability to coordinate the rest of the squad.
The Kognitâar
Think of this guy as the brain of the operation. He's the one lugging around the advanced scanning equipment. In game terms, he's great for messing with your opponent's plans and helping your own guys see through the "fog of war." He's essential if you want to play the objective game effectively.
The Yaegir Sniper
You can't have a scout team without a sniper. The Yaegir version is particularly nasty because the Kin don't do things halfway. His rifle is punchy, and he's great for sitting back in cover and picking off key enemy operatives before they can get close enough to do any real damage.
The Bombast
If you like things that go "boom," the Bombast is your friend. He carries a massive grenade launcher that can clear out clumps of enemies or soften up a particularly tough target. He's the loud part of an otherwise stealthy team.
How They Play on the Table
If you're used to the Hearthkyn Salvagers, playing the hernkyn yaegir kill team will feel like a bit of a shift. The Salvagers are tanky; they move slow, take hits, and grind the opponent down. The Yaegirs are much more proactive.
One of their biggest strengths is their deployment. Since they're scouts, they have rules that let them get further up the board early on. This is huge in Kill Team, where positioning is everything. If you can get your shooters into good fire lanes or your objective-takers onto a point before the opponent even moves, you're in a great spot.
However, they aren't as indestructible as their armored cousins. You have to be a bit smarter with how you use cover. You can't just stand in the open and expect your armor to save you. It's a "hit and run" style of play—or more accurately, "hit and then hide behind a rock" style.
Comparison: Yaegirs vs. Salvagers
It's the question every Votann player asks: which one should I play?
The Hearthkyn Salvagers are great if you want a reliable, sturdy team that feels like a wall of plastic moving across the table. They're forgiving for newer players because they don't die easily.
The hernkyn yaegir kill team, on the other hand, is for the player who wants more tactical flexibility. They feel more "modern" in their ruleset, with lots of tricks to move around the board and manipulate the flow of the game. They're a bit more "glass cannon-y" (well, as much as a dwarf can be), but the payoff for playing them well is much higher. Personally, I think the Yaegirs are a bit more interesting to play over a long campaign because their specialists have such unique interactions.
Painting Your Yaegirs
From a hobby perspective, these guys are a dream. Because they're scouts, you can go wild with weathering. You don't need to worry about pristine, factory-fresh armor. Think mud on the boots, scratches on the leather, and maybe some camouflage patterns on the coats.
If you're a fan of Contrast paints, the Yaegirs are perfect. The mix of fabrics, leathers, and metallic bits means the paint will settle nicely into all those details. I've seen some great schemes using forest greens and browns, but they also look killer in "urban" greys or even bright orange if you want that classic Votann look. Don't be afraid to make them look a little dirty—they're supposed to be living in the wild, after one.
Final Thoughts on the Team
At the end of the day, the hernkyn yaegir kill team adds a much-needed layer of variety to the Leagues of Votann. They break the mold of the "slow but steady" dwarf trope and give you a team that feels fast, reactive, and dangerous.
Whether you're picking them up because you love the models or because you want a team that can actually contest the center of the board on turn one, you're probably going to have a blast with them. They've got character, they've got great rules, and they look awesome on the table. Just remember to keep your head down and make every shot count—those Kin credits don't grow on trees, you know.