That's why I would make up something that has the same general feel as Genestealers, but aren't. Hey... maybe somebody has been heretically experimenting with Tyranid DNA and something got loose? Hey... mayb e somebody tried to recreate a Genestealer by mixing human and Tyranid DNA?

Something like tjhat.

One fanfiction I once read had guardsmen going up against genestealers.

The writer used a interesting reasoning to explain why these stealers could be defeated by guardsmen at the loss of only one named character.

They had been stuck on a space hulk for perhaps centuries and the lack of nutrition had made them sluggish and brittle as their bodies had used up all stored nourishment (in muscles, bone and armor) to keep them alive and have a small chance of propagation.

Could be used if the station has been isolated for a long time.

(and then of course later hit your overconfident players with the fury of fresh, well-nourished genestealers..)

What about having them run into a small 'stealer cult instead? The marines can handle the purestrains while the squad takes on various hybrid generations. The earlier generations provide a similar feel to fighting the real thing, except it'd be less likely to tenderize everyone. Maybe they can help deal with the Patriarch while it tears through the marines by opening an airlock or something (everyone loves a direct Alien reference!) The cult could have been created from an earlier Explorator team or Severan troops trying to get the Orbiana platform online.

What about having them run into a small 'stealer cult instead? The marines can handle the purestrains while the squad takes on various hybrid generations. The earlier generations provide a similar feel to fighting the real thing, except it'd be less likely to tenderize everyone. Maybe they can help deal with the Patriarch while it tears through the marines by opening an airlock or something (everyone loves a direct Alien reference!) The cult could have been created from an earlier Explorator team or Severan troops trying to get the Orbiana platform online.

Its a nice Idea but I don't think it would work specifically since there are no other humans other then the guardsmen on the platform. Plus the Marines really are only there for a brief time, its not like they are going to join the group as I said before they have more important things to do.

As for making up my own race rather than use a debuffed stealer I am hesitant to use other races as the Genestealers are an active force in this campaign since the Broodlord is smart enough to instinctively realize that the teleportation matrix can give them a way onto the planet (or rather they somehow sense it).

'Stealers are pretty smart, they open doors ("What do mean THEY cut the power?! They're animals!" -just for you Spinner ) & know not to let that innocent looking human touch that innocent looking red button. That is what makes them so scary.

The Brood-mind lets them share the knowledge of all the brood members, just think what would happens if a brood had Einstein; Hawking; Openheimer (may have mispelt that one ); & Bohr as members! Bye Bye universe!

8-)

The first time I played this game, I rolled "Cocky" for my Comrade's demeanor. Enter Trooper Hadsen and his never-ending stream of mouthy boasting.