Kill Team's February 2026 Errata: Precision or Patchwork?

The Crit Sheet has been poring over the latest missive from Games Workshop, the February 2026 Kill Team FAQ and Erratas, a document that promises to refine the battlefield experience for operatives across the galaxy. John from Can You Roll a Crit? over at Goonhammer gave us the initial heads-up, and now it's time for the veteran's analysis: what does this mean for *your* games?

Let's get straight to the crunch. The most impactful change, in my estimation, revolves around the 'Obscuring' and 'Heavy' terrain interaction, specifically how it affects Line of Sight (LoS) for models within 2 inches of a terrain feature. Previously, the interpretation of 'Obscuring' often led to ambiguity when an operative was *inside* an area terrain piece that also possessed the 'Heavy' trait. The new errata clarifies that if an operative is within 2 inches of any part of a terrain feature with the 'Heavy' trait, they gain the benefit of 'Obscuring' from *that specific terrain feature* even if its general profile doesn't include it, provided the terrain is at least 3 inches tall. This closes a critical loophole where models could effectively 'hide' in plain sight within certain structures, denying LoS to distant enemies while maintaining it themselves. It forces players to be far more deliberate with their positioning, moving away from a 'fuzzy' LoS interpretation towards a more rigorous, verifiable standard. Furthermore, the 'Lethal 5+' weapon trait, particularly prevalent on Deathwatch Veteran boltguns and various Genestealer Cult weapons, has seen a subtle but significant rephrasing. It now explicitly states that a critical hit is scored on an unmodified roll of 5 *or* 6, rather than a 5+ *after* modifiers. This corrects a common misinterpretation that allowed certain abilities to push a 4 into a critical hit, maintaining the intended difficulty curve for these potent weapons and ensuring that 'Lethal' truly represents a lucky, precise shot.

From a lore perspective, these adjustments ground the desperate, close-quarters nature of Kill Team in a more tangible reality. The terrain clarification reinforces the idea that an operative's survival hinges on understanding every nook and cranny of their environment. They're not just abstract tokens moving across a board; they are individuals seeking cover, exploiting shadows, and making split-second decisions. A well-placed shot through a gap in a ruin now feels earned, rather than a lucky fluke due to a rules grey area. The 'Lethal 5+' clarification, meanwhile, underscores the precision and lethality of the weapons themselves. A bolter round from a Deathwatch Veteran isn't just powerful; it's designed to punch through armour with specific, devastating impact. It’s a subtle nod to the narrative power of a critical hit – not just sheer force, but hitting a vital spot. These aren't grand narrative shifts, but rather the kind of granular detail that enhances the immersion for players who care about *why* a rule works the way it does.

So, what's the verdict for the table? These erratas are a resounding positive for the competitive health and clarity of Kill Team. The terrain changes, in particular, will streamline gameplay, reducing disputes over LoS and encouraging more thoughtful tactical movement. No more 'is it obscuring or isn't it?' arguments holding up the flow of a critical turn. The 'Lethal 5+' update, while less dramatic, ensures consistency and prevents unintended power spikes for specific factions, maintaining a fairer playing field. This kind of surgical precision in rules adjudication is what separates a good skirmish game from a truly great one. It demonstrates that Games Workshop is listening to the community and actively refining the core experience of Kill Team 2026. For those looking to dive deeper into the strategic nuances, I highly recommend picking up the Kill Team Core Book, as a solid understanding of the fundamentals is now more crucial than ever. These updates won't reinvent the game, but they will make every operative's decision feel more weighty, every shot more meaningful, and every victory more deserved.