How to Use Combat Zone Dead Bodies on the Tabletop

Learn practical ways to use Combat Zone Dead Bodies terrain to enhance your cyberpunk battlefields. Includes placement tips, scenario ideas, and a common mistake to avoid.

Publishing teamXI LANGS Editorial

PublishedOct 22, 2026

Page updatedOct 22, 2026

Reading time3 minutes

How to Use Combat Zone Dead Bodies on the Tabletop

Quick answer

Use Combat Zone Dead Bodies to add narrative, line-of-sight blockers, and objective markers to your cyberpunk tabletop battles. The 12 detailed corpse miniatures based on Tyger Claws and Maelstrom members work best when placed in clusters or near cover.

Why Dead Bodies Improve Gameplay, Not Just Looks

Dead bodies on the tabletop do more than set a grim mood. They create partial line-of-sight obstacles that force players to reposition, add narrative weight to territory control, and can double as scatter terrain for cyberpunk kill teams or skirmish games outside Combat Zone.

The trade-off is that bodies are low-profile and can be accidentally knocked over or confused with living models. Painting them in muted colors or gluing them to a small base helps keep them stable and visible.

How to Put Dead Bodies to Use on the Tabletop

1. Prime and Paint Realistically: Spray prime with a dark gray or black undercoat, then drybrush with a tan or pale green to bring out the Tyger Claws' cyberpunk color accents. A wash of brown or black adds depth. Use a matte varnish to protect the paint when handling. Avoid bright colors that make bodies look like living models—stick to desaturated skin tones and gang-themed accents.
2. Use Bodies as Partial Cover Markers: Place 2–3 bodies behind a low wall or crate to indicate that the area provides only partial concealment. Players can claim cover bonuses from the terrain object but not from the bodies themselves. Do not count dead bodies as cover—they represent a hazard zone, not a defensive position. Mark the actual cover terrain clearly.
3. Create Narrative Objectives: Design a scenario where players must retrieve a data chip from a dead Maelstrom ganger or clear the bodies to score points. Assign the objective to a specific body miniature and mark its location with a token. Make sure all players agree which body holds the objective before deployment to avoid mid-game disputes.
4. Scatter for Immersive Kill Zones: Spread 4–6 bodies near doorways, intersections, or ambush points to signal that the area is dangerous. This works well in Cyberpunk Red: Combat Zone sectors or any cyberpunk skirmish. Avoid covering more than 30% of a 12x12 inch sector with bodies—too many can slow movement and clutter the board.
5. Store and Transport Safely: Glue each body to a 20mm plastic base or place them in a foam tray with individual cutouts. The resin casts are detailed but fragile—basing prevents dislodging during transport. Never stack unpainted bodies on top of each other in a box: they’ll chip paint and snap limbs. A dedicated tray or segmented storage box is essential.

What You Get

Combat Zone: Dead Bodies: Includes 12x Dead Bodies based on Tyger Claws and Maelstrom gang member designs. The gang-specific designs let you tie the terrain directly to your opponent's or your own faction, reinforcing the cyberpunk narrative.

Combat Zone: Dead Bodies