2023 World Championships 40k Player Profile: TJ Lanigan

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 TJ Lanigan to talk to them about their plans and expectations for the event itself.

Competitor Profile

Player name: TJ Lanigan Age: 34 Country of Origin: USA Where you won your ticket: GW US Open Kansas City (Singles Event)

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

Genestealer Cults.

TJ's List - Click to expand

I've lost control of my life..... (1990 points) Genestealer Cults Strike Force (2000 points) Ascension Day

CHARACTERS

Abominant (105 points)

Warlord
1x Power sledgehammer
Enhancement: Inscrutable Cunning

Nexos (60 points)

1x Autopistol

1x Close combat weapon

Primus (90 points)

1x Cult bonesword

1x Scoped needle pistol

1x Toxin injector claw

Primus (90 points)

1x Cult bonesword

1x Scoped needle pistol

1x Toxin injector claw

Primus (90 points)

1x Cult bonesword

1x Scoped needle pistol

1x Toxin injector claw

Reductus Saboteur (65 points)

1x Autopistol

1x Close combat weapon

1x Demolition charges

1x Remote explosives

BATTLELINE

Acolyte Hybrids (170 points)

1x Acolyte Leader
1x Hand flamer

1x Leader’s cult weapons

9x Acolyte Hybrid
1x Cult Icon

9x Cult claws and knife

4x Demolition charges

4x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids (170 points)

1x Acolyte Leader
1x Hand flamer

1x Leader’s cult weapons

9x Acolyte Hybrid
1x Cult Icon

9x Cult claws and knife

4x Demolition charges

4x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids (170 points)

1x Acolyte Leader
1x Hand flamer

1x Leader’s cult weapons

9x Acolyte Hybrid
1x Cult Icon

9x Cult claws and knife

4x Demolition charges

4x Hand flamer

Neophyte Hybrids (180 points)

1x Neophyte Leader
1x Autopistol

1x Close combat weapon

1x Hybrid firearm

19x Neophyte Hybrid
19x Autopistol

19x Close combat weapon

1x Cult Icon

4x Grenade launcher

11x Hybrid firearm

4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (180 points)

1x Neophyte Leader
1x Autopistol

1x Close combat weapon

1x Hybrid firearm

19x Neophyte Hybrid
19x Autopistol

19x Close combat weapon

1x Cult Icon

4x Grenade launcher

11x Hybrid firearm

4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (90 points)

1x Neophyte Leader
1x Autopistol

1x Close combat weapon

1x Hybrid firearm

9x Neophyte Hybrid
9x Autopistol

9x Close combat weapon

9x Hybrid firearm

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aberrants (370 points)

1x Aberrant Hypermorph
1x Heavy power weapon

1x Hypermorph tail

9x Aberrant
9x Heavy power weapon

Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points)

1x Heavy mortar

1x Ridgerunner wheels

1x Survey Augur

1x Twin heavy stubber

ALLIED UNITS

Cyclops Demolition Vehicle (25 points)

Cyclops Demolition Vehicle (25 points)

Cyclops Demolition Vehicle (25 points)

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

I have been playing Genestealer Cults since the faction came out in 8th and I really love the way they play. I enjoy the combos you can create with the army. They have a super unique play style that I felt I really connected with. I decided I would play them after the most recent balance update because my other Chaos faction felt weak into the current meta. I designed this list with the help of my friends in an attempt to combat the current meta with both Eldar and CSM running rampant. The acolytes are an attempt at dealing with Eldar and some of the Horde elements and abberents are an attempt to deal with CSM melee.

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

I think the list handles Eldar pretty well but I am really hoping to avoid infiltrator armies because I don't really have a good answer for them!

Fixed or Tactical?

I have built in the ability to run tactical or fixed but honestly the list really thrives in a tactical situation.

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?

Towards the end of 9th edition I thought I had a pretty good handle on the meta, winning a lot of GT’s in a row so something on my bucket list is to be able to win a GW event. I was very happy I was able to cross that off my list!

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

It's definitely different. I feel nervous about how my army looks and if I did enough hobby for the army to look good. I am also nervous about army selection and making sure I don't let the country down.

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

I think it will be very interesting to see how other countries interact with the different game systems. I know other countries have a much larger following for other game types.

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

Well everyone here is a winner so there definitely adds an extra level of strategy to how you should approach each matchup. These people are here for a reason and they are also here to represent their country. Unfortunately we don't have the mission order or even which ones we are playing so it's all about understanding the terrain and the army lists.

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

I just want to make sure my opponents have a good time and that they enjoy the experience. This is something I have spent a lot of time correcting from the past. I would love to be able to make some new friends and hope to just go positive haha.

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

I mean the Meta is definitely in a better place than before the balance update. I think a lot of armies are viable, which is great for the game. Would I like to see some changes in regards to the top armies over performing? Of course but it's never going to be perfect and I think as a community sometimes we forget this. Hopefully this data will be used for the next balance update and it gets released in time to be used at LVO.

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 am number 2 in the ITC right now and I won't lie and say that I am hoping that I can replace one of my scores with this but I don't want that to cloud the experience for me and end up becoming overstressed about the situation. I find that the best way to approach these things is just try and do your best and understand that everyone loses and just try and be gracious if it isn't your time to win.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. Good luck at the event!

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