2023 World Championships 40k Player Profile: Jack Harpster

The World Championships of Warhammer are next week and we’re prepping by talking to some of the key competitors at this year’s event - many of whom are also competing for top honors in the ITC. We sat down with 2022 ITC Champion and winner of the 2022 finale event, Jack Harpster, to talk about his plans and prep for this year's event.

Competitor Profile

Player name: Jack Harpster Age: 29 Country of Origin: USA Where you won your ticket: LVO 2023

Let’s start with the basics. What army are you bringing to the World Championships, and why did you choose them?

 

I’m taking a Black Templar Gladius.  I was in a bit of a list spiral ahead of the event and unsure which army I wanted to play when, on the eve of battle, I had a vision from the Emperor.  I literally woke up at 2 in the morning with the list concept suddenly in my head and was unable to go back to sleep for the next four and a half hours until I had it worked out in the app.  I then tested it a few times and it felt powerful.  I tried to make changes but there were very few changes to make so I donned my Armor of Faith, picked up The Black Sword and submitted it.



Run us through your list a little bit. What made you choose this list, and why do you enjoy playing it?

This list is basically a loyalist version of the CSM chosen and rhino list but for hipsters.  Instead of the advance and charging Chosen with a lord I have advance and charging Sword Brethren with Captains and Helbrecht which hit even harder if anything.  Backing that up is standard good Marine stuff with a Redeemer full of angry Fire Discipline Aggressors as well as good skirmish units like Scouts, Inceptors and Eradicators.

What does the list do well against? What match-ups are you hoping to avoid?

I think the list performs well across the board, I’m just looking to avoid the inevitable headache that comes with playing triple Night Spinner Eldar even though I think I’m fine into the matchup.  It kind of inherits CSM’s good matchup spread by just doing the same thing they’re trying to do.  Turns out fast, 3-wound marines coming out of transports with high damage is just good right now.

Fixed or Tactical?

Tactical, I want the CP so I can smash face and control primary harder

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? 

I got one of the first available tickets so by the time I really knew what the finals would end up looking like I already knew I had a ticket and just watched excitedly as the vision for the event expanded.  I believe I’m the only player to play in all three of the Games Workshop Finals and I’m just as excited for this year

How does it feel to be going to the event? Are you nervous? Excited? How does it compare to LVO?

I’m excited.  There’s a ton of international players coming over who I’d only see at WTC and maybe LVO along with many of my friends from over here.  The smack talk has started already and I can’t wait to see everyone

How do you feel about the event’s unique country-based scoring? Does it add excitement to later rounds for you?

I like that it gives people who get knocked out of contention something to fight for.  Also the smack talk it leads to is *chef’s kiss*

How do you expect the competition to be different from other events? Is there anything you’re doing differently to prepare?

I’ll start playing into top-tier competition earlier than I ordinarily would so this is almost like double value if I get to play the best of the best earlier and sooner.  I’ve looked over a large swathe of the event and am pretty familiar with the armies being played

How do you expect you’ll do at the event? What’s a “good event” look like for you, record-wise?

I’m aiming for X-1 or better but given the strength of the field I wouldn’t be surprised to go X-2, especially given some portions of the event are double elimination

How do you feel about 10th edition competitive play heading into this event? How does the meta feel to you right now?

The meta feels the best 10th has ever been, still some room for improvement but overall this feels like we’re back on track.  Most factions are competitive so just taking whatever you like the most or are most comfortable with is a very viable plan.  I don’t run lists I’m not excited for so this is an excellent change from Eldar/GSC absolute dominance even if Eldar are still strong.

You’re currently still in the hunt for the ITC crown this year, and this event could replace one of your scores. How does that factor into your plans?

I won’t turn down ITC points but I’m not chasing the championship this year.  I’ve already been the 2022 ITC champion and someone else can have it this year.  I’ve been competing for fun but I’m not making a concerted push for the crown again.  I’ve proved to myself all I need to and I’ll be looking forward to a more relaxed end of season.  I’m looking forward to commentating LVO with Joe from WargamesLive while other people brawl for the title

 

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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