Genestealer Cults are very much driven by the strong (if not hypnotic) leadership of its elders, especially the Magus and Patriarch. Cult members are instilled with a religious belief in the divinity of these creatures from the start. Obviously seeing them die in battle is unsettling at the least, but it can also lead the Cult to insane acts of bravery in the name of vengeance.
If the Magus and Patriarch are both killed, at the moment the last has died all Brood Brother units and Hybrid Broods (but not Genestealer Broods) must take a Morale test with the following (possibly cumulative) modifiers:
- -1 if the unit is below 50% of starting strength
- -1 if the unit is Pinned or Falling Back
If this special test is passed, the squad will automatically pass any and all further Morale tests required for the rest of the game. If failed, the squad will Fall Back immediately, though they can Regroup in later turns as normal using their own normal Leadership. If the squad was engaged in an Assault at the time, enemy units in the Assault may not Advance (as the unexpected retreat takes them by surprise), but may Consolidate.