The first ever World Championships of Warhammer are this week and we couldn’t be more excited. As part of our event coverage, we’re interviewing competitors from around the world about how they secured an invite, their plans for the event, and what they’re hoping to accomplish.
Nanavati and John Lennon (right). Credit: Art of War
Competitor Profile
Player name: John Lennon (The Art of War)
Age: 27
Country of Origin: USA
Where you won your ticket: GW Kansas City, ATC, Crucible
Let’s start with the basics. What army are you bringing to the World Championships, and why did you choose them?
Ultramarines Vanguard detachment.
John's List - Click to Expand
Ultra Memes (2000 Points)
Space Marines
Ultramarines
Vanguard Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Apothecary Biologis (80 Points)
1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
Enhancements: The Blade Driven Deep
Marneus Calgar (185 Points)
1x Marneus Calgar
Warlord
1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
2x Victrix Honour Guard
2x Victrix power sword
Uriel Ventris (75 Points)
1x Bolt Pistol
1x Invictus
1x Sword of Idaeus
OTHER DATASHEETS
Aggressor Squad (220 Points)
1x Aggressor Sergeant
1x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Twin power fists
5x Aggressor
5x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
5x Fragstorm grenade launcher
5x Twin power fists
Centurion Devastator Squad (350 Points)
1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
1x Centurion fists
1x Centurion missile launcher
1x Twin lascannon
5x Devastator Centurion
5x Centurion fists
5x Centurion missile launcher
5x Twin lascannon
Company Heroes (95 Points)
1x Ancient
1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
1x Company Champion
1x Bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
2x Company Veteran
2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted heavy bolter
Eradicator Squad (95 Points)
1x Eradicator Sergeant
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
2x Eradicator
2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta
Eradicator Squad (95 Points)
1x Eradicator Sergeant
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
2x Eradicator
2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta
Inceptor Squad (220 Points)
1x Inceptor Sergeant
1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
5x Inceptor
5x Close combat weapon
5x Plasma exterminators
Inceptor Squad (220 Points)
1x Inceptor Sergeant
1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
5x Inceptor
5x Close combat weapon
5x Plasma exterminators
Inceptor Squad (110 Points)
1x Inceptor Sergeant
1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
2x Inceptor
2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon
Scout Squad (55 Points)
1x Scout Sergeant
1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
4x Scout
2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle
Scout Squad (55 Points)
1x Scout Sergeant
1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
4x Scout
2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle
Scout Squad (55 Points)
1x Scout Sergeant
1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
4x Scout
2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle
ALLIED UNITS
Callidus Assassin (90 Points)
1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Run us through your list a little bit. What made you choose this list, and why do you enjoy playing it?
After a few events of non-stop Tyranids, I wanted to turn my gaze towards my other favorite army. A new space marine codex gives me lots of opportunity to write new lists! Going in, I really wanted to take an unconventional army. With such a tough field, I figured tha taking something unique would give me better odds than trying to win three consecutive Eldar mirror matches. From there, I decided I wanted a list that was less about pre-solving matchups and more about having the tools to play a game against as much of the field as possible. I want to play some old fashioned 40K! I have a soft spot for ultramarines, and the Vanguard felt like a great toolbox detachment with loads of tricks, plus a glorious opportunity to take Marneus Calgar. I’ve managed to play a few games with this detachment and found it more fun than some of the other options, so I sent it!
What does the list do well against? What match-ups are you hoping to avoid?
This list has tons of movement tricks to deliver shooting infantry, and abilities to redeploy and get some nice buffs on key targets. I’m hoping that this list is very rewarding to good positional 40K, and should have a decent game into some of the better armies out there like Eldar. I’d like to avoid world eaters if possible, because I have never played against them or read their rules. I’m pretty sure they have a lot of plasma pistols?
Fixed or Tactical?
A bit of both! Calgar gives me CP, so I’ll put the fix in if it feels right, but I have enough mobility to make tactical feel like a real option as well. I like choosing in the moment!
The World Championships of Warhammer isn’t the largest event ever, but it’s certainly the first of its kind. What was your road getting to the event like? Was it something you were aiming for?
It’s been a wild year! I’ve been more focused on teams play than individual success this year, and have ended up at much fewer events as a result. Still, I’ve had great fun with tenth edition and certainly wanted to get to this point. I’m happy to have qualified for another GW final, and very excited for the new format!
How does it feel to be going to the event? Are you nervous? Excited? How does it compare to LVO?
I expect this to be a bit harder than lvo, but with a much different feel. There’s a very random aspect to lvo where not all paths to the top 8 are equal. I can’t imagine anyone having a clean path to victory this time though, whoever comes out on top will be forced to beat several world class players in a row. At last year’s finals I brought 9 paragon warsuits and ultimately fell in a double elimination final match. As much fun as that was, hopefully Centurion warsuits can take me to victory this time!
How do you feel about the event’s unique country-based scoring? Does it add excitement to later rounds for you?
I love the added twist, but I was always going to be rooting for the red white and blue. The international nature of the event is going to be phenomenal, as it’s the best part of WTC.
How do you expect the competition to be different from other events? Is there anything you’re doing differently to prepare?
Everyone knows the competition will be fierce. I wish I could say I was practicing extra hard to get ready, but I’m instead painting models and moving apartments. I don’t need reps right?
How do you expect you’ll do at the event? What’s a “good event” look like for you, record-wise?
The sky is the limit! I’d really love to make the top 8 cut and get into the double elimination round, but even a positive record and a good time would make me happy.
How do you feel about 10th edition competitive play heading into this event? How does the meta feel to you right now?
Better than before! The meta feels fairly open, even if it’s obvious that a few armies need to be addressed. I didn’t attend a singles event in tenth until the September FAQ, and it feels very much like the foundations are set for an excellent edition.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. Good luck at the event!
Have any questions or feedback? Drop us a note in the comments below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com.
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Nanavati and John Lennon (right). Credit: Art of War
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