Bre4depticon - Adepticon AoS Tournament Review

What is Adepticon?

Adepticon is a four-day convention located in Schaumburg, Illinois, about 45 minutes from Chicago. The event hosts a plethora of different events, including painting expos, a massive vendor hall, tournaments varying across a massive amount of game systems, Golden Demon, and much much more. With so many cool and interesting things to do and see, I did what anyone would do – I played AoS the entire weekend and didn’t see anything else.

Introduction

The singles event for Age of Sigmar at Adepticon has developed quite an interesting reputation, especially among the competitive scene. Although it has hosted the singles and teams GTs for AoS in years past, it has been largely regarded as heavily hobby focused and a little questionable regarding pairings and placings. This year, the singles GT was being hosted by my good friend Nic True, assisted by the head judge of AoS Worlds, Madigan Mason. Myself, along with many others agree that these two and the rest of the team absolutely nailed the event, and I look forward to the many years of continued success to come to the AoS Championship GT at Adepticon.

The Venue

The convention was located in The Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel, and was lovely. The hotel food wasn’t outrageously expensive, which was especially nice because I always needed to buy a sandwich in between my first and second rounds of the day. They also had a Chili Potato station that was super clutch when the line was too long for the normal concessions. The location was also surrounded by a multitude of great options for food within a quick drive away, including Kuma’s Corner, Portillos, and Kumas, which was serving a Mountain Dew marinated Adepticon Burger that was…interesting. Our hotel room had no issues and all the staff I interacted with was friendly

Yes, they are all metal. My A-Case is so heavy

[expand title="The Bing Bong Brigade" ] 
Army Faction: Skaven
Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant
Triumph: Indomitable
LEADERS
Thanquol (400)*
4 x Warpfire Projectors
Spells: Skitterleap


Warlock Engineer (90)**
General
Command Traits: Deranged Inventor
Spells: Hoarfrost


Warlock Engineer (90)**
Artefacts of Power: Vial of the Fulminator
Spells: More-more-more Warp Power!


BATTLELINE
Skryre Acolytes (140)*


Clanrats (200)**
Clawleader 
Rusty Blade
4 x Clanrat Standard Bearer
4 x Clanrat Bell-ringer


Skryre Acolytes (70)**


ARTILLERY
Warp Lightning Cannon (130)*
Warp Lightning Cannon (130)**


OTHER
Gutter Runners (200)*
Gutter Runners (200)*
Skryre Acolytes (70)*
Skryre Acolytes (70)*
Skryre Acolytes (70)**
Skryre Acolytes (70)**
Skryre Acolytes (70)**


CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
[/expand]

The idea of the list is to be able to apply board presence and pressure with the Gutter Runners while also having the ability to send Acolyte torpedoes with their 21 inch threat range due to their ability to run and shoot. These 70 point missiles also serve as great MSU screens, making anyone trying to get into melee combat with my recursive 40 clanrat screen having to take bad trades on their way. The two Warp Lightning Cannons also put a clock on my opponent, since having a potential 30 inch threat (not counting gnawhole shenanigans!) of 12 mortal wounds is scary. The icing on the cake is Thanquol with the classic four Warpflamer loadout, allowing me to wipe out any units with lots of models in addition to being a threat in the hero phase with +3 to unbind, going up to +4 when next to a Gnawhole. He also allows me to use commands on two units for one Command Point, which really helps with Skaven’s terrible bravery or auto running two units of Acolytes across the board.

Skaven have a lot of ‘skew’ inherently with their abilities. Having enough of one thing helps even out that skew, and really shows the insane output and positioning potential of the army. I have been playtesting with Acolytes for about a year now, and I believe that this build is probably the most ‘balanced’ I am going to be able to get it until the 4th edition of AoS comes out. The high rend and mortal output is very helpful into high save armies, and the quantity of attacks and Thanquol even out matchups like Nighthaunt where they don’t care about modifiers to save.

Finally, the most important thing about the list ~ it’s an absolute blast to play, and is extremely rewarding. The deepstriking of Gutter Runners, Acolytes hoofing it from downtown, and the Gnawholes give you so many options when trying to solve how to approach a matchup, as well as taxing my opponent's mental when they are trying to figure out how to navigate through all of my tricks. Another reason it feels so good to play is that I don’t have a lot of wiggle room to mess up. I sometimes have to triple screen with the Acolytes to ensure that if my opponent is able to shoot and charge through everything that I still have enough to counterattack.

Special shout out to Jiwan Noah Singh, who has lent me all of these Skryer Acolytes that continue to bring me and many passers-by so much joy. To quote an opponent, "Are those all the real metal ones? I didn't know I was playing against an oil baron!"

Two Cannons and a Dream vs Cities of Sigmar

[expand title="Jason Zajac's List" ]
- Army Faction: Cities of Sigmar
- Subfaction: Excelsis
- Grand Strategy: Banners Held High
- Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS
Alchemite Warforger (100)*
- Artefacts of Power: Mastro Vivetti’s Magnificent Macroscope
- Spells: Transmutation of Lead
Sorceress (100)*
- Spells: Tenebrael Blades
Battlemage (100)*
- Spells: Merciless Blizzard
- Arcane Trinkets: Ritual Dagger
Freeguild Cavalier-Marshal (120)**
- General
- Command Traits: Master of Ballistics
Ionus Cryptborn (400)**
BATTLELINE
Freeguild Cavaliers (360)**
- Arch-Knight
- Cavalier Herald
- Arch-Knight’s Blade
Freeguild Steelhelms (100)**
Freeguild Fusiliers (340)**
OTHER
Drakespawn Knights (140)**
Freeguild Command Corps (200)**
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x The Burning Head (20)
CORE BATTALIONS
*Andtorian Acolytes
**Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000
Created with Warhammer Age of Sigmar: The App
[/expand]

My first round was against Jason Zajac’s beautifully painted Cities of Sigmar on Geomantic Pulse. He was running a big block of 30 Fusiliers, a bunch of cavalry, and Ionis. My thinking was that if I could take care of the Fusiliers, I would be able to screen out and clean up all the horsies and the big dragon. I knew the firing back could be devastating, with the Fusiliers being able to Return Fire using the Cities command and split their shots between my Acolyte units, causing me to lose a lot of pewter due to battleshock. I thought about taking the first turn to try and neuter their output, but after measuring out our deployment I figured that I would rather have the potential to get a double turn, while also not being totally out of the game if Jason won priority.

Between both Warp Lightning Cannons and the Gutter Runners, I was able to take out most of the noob tubes during my turn, as well as being able to run up my “Surround and Destroy setup” ball boys on the side to do some additional damage to one of his cavalry units. I then won priority, and was able to screen and position to take advantage of whatever side the pulse was going to end up on while cleaning up most of the rest of his horses and the Fusiliers. After this, I had most of my army still up and planted where the pulse was going to be for the rest of the game and Jason was unable to score enough to catch up.

Hippity Hoppity, Rats on your Property vs Stormcast

[expand title="Dylan Catlett's List" ]
- Army Faction: Stormcast Eternals
- Army Type: Scions of the Storm
- Subfaction: Hammers of Sigmar
- Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant
- Holy Command: Thunderbolt Volley
- Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS
Knight-Relictor (90)*
- Prayers: Bless Weapons, Translocation
Ionus Cryptborn (400)*
- Prayers: Divine Light, Translocation
Lord-Arcanum on Gryph-Charger (170)*
- General
- Command Traits: Master of Magic
- Artefacts of Power: Mirrorshield
- Mount Traits: Scintillating Trail
- Spells: Lightning Blast
BATTLELINE
Dracothian Guard Tempestors (420)**
Vindictors (110)**
- Vindictor-Prime
- Azyrite Signifier
Liberators (100)**
- Liberator-Prime
- Heavens-wrought Weapon and Sigmarite Shield
- Grandweapon
OTHER
Evocators on Celestial Dracolines (480)*
- 4 x Grandstave
Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows (230)**
CORE BATTALIONS
*Warlord
**Redemption Brotherhood
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
Created with Warhammer Age of Sigmar: The App
[/expand]

Round 2 was against the wonderful Dylan Catlett, who was running what he called “Stormcast Good Stuff,” including Ionis, and some Tempestors that were riding bears instead of those funky dragon donkey things. This round was Limited Resources, and due to how objectives are scored, I almost botched the win because I held more than the minimum amount of objectives needed to score max points early, meaning the additional VP I would gain from primary later in the game was significantly more difficult. Luckily, I had enough mobility and was able to kill enough of his units early on to be able to deny Dylan’s ability to score enough primary and take the win by one point!

The MVP of this game was the gutter runners, being able to clear a screen and get some additional shots into Ionis, then grabbing a charge to be able to take him out before he could cause me any trouble. The 40 block of Clanrats and the rest of the Acolytes were then able to control the board and mitigate where the few units of bears and leaders that were left could move so they couldn’t score enough to catch up to my early game points lead.

Thanquol’s Day Off vs Nurgle

[expand title="Brandon Harvey's List" ]
Army Faction: Maggotkin of Nurgle
- Army Subfaction: Munificent Wanderers
- Grand Strategy: Blessed Desecration
- Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
LEADER
1 x The Glottkin (580)
- Spells: Cloying Quagmire, Gift of Disease
1 x Orghotts Daemonspew (320)
1 x Harbinger of Decay (170)*
- General
- Command Traits: Overpowering Stench
- Artefacts: The Splithorn Helm
- Prayers: Heal
1 x Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (150)*
- Daemonic Axe
- Wings
1 x Poxbringer (130)*
- Spells: Merciless Blizzard, Fleshy Abundance
BATTLELINE
10 x Plaguebearers (120)
- Plagueridden
- Icon Bearer
- Piper
10 x Plaguebearers (120)
- Piper
- Icon Bearer
- Plagueridden
9 x Untamed Beasts (80)
10 x Plaguebearers (120)*
- Plagueridden
- Icon Bearer
- Piper
ARTILLERY
1 x Plagueclaw (90)
OTHER
3 x Nurglings (100)
CORE BATTALIONS:
*Warlord
TOTAL POINTS: (1980/2000)
[/expand]

Round 3 was Power Flux against another fantastic lad, Brandon Harvey. Brandon brought his Glottkin, Orgotts, and all of their stinky Plaguebearing friends. I thought I would be able to get the Glottkin to counter charge in the middle of the board and then blast him to the moon ~ this was not the case. I put Thanquol up front in my deployment, simply assuming that he would be able to unbind Gift of Disease and deal with the blocks of plaguebearers. This was not the case, as almost my entire army was hit with disease on turn one by the spell, and that along with the Plagueclaw Catapult that he allied in just absolutely rinsed the majority of what I had by the time he got his big boys onto my side of the board.

I don’t even think if Thanquol was able to unbind Gift of Disease that I would have been able to take that game. I needed to spread out a bit more, and have the Gutter Runners keep pressure while I advance up the board, although Glottkin makes that a little more tricky. It’s definitely a tough matchup, but was fun to play regardless!

Globehammer.com vs Lumineth

[expand title="Jos Changs's List" ]
Army Faction: Lumineth Realm-lords
- Army Subfaction: Zaitrec
- Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant
- Triumphs: Indomitable
LEADER
1 x Scinari Enlightener (170)*
- General
- Command Traits: Shaman of the Chilled Lands
- Artefacts: Rune of Senthoi
- Spells: Protection of Hysh, Speed of Hysh
1 x Scinari Cathallar (120)*
- Spells: Total Eclipse, Hoarfrost
1 x Sevireth (270)**
1 x The Light of Eltharion (230)**
1 x Ellania and Ellathor (190)**
- Spells: Overwhelming Heat, Etheral Blessings
BATTLELINE
10 x Vanari Bladelords (120)
- Bladelord Seneschal
10 x Vanari Bladelords (120)
- Bladelord Seneschal
5 x Vanari Dawnriders (120)
- Steedmaster
- Standard Bearer
- Spells: Overwhelming Heat, Speed of Hysh
10 x Vanari Auralan Wardens (150)**
- High Warden
- Spells: Protection of Hysh, Solar Flare
ENDLESS SPELL
1 x Ravenak's Gnashing Jaws (70)
1 x Hyshian Twinstones (30)
1 x Suffocating Gravetide (30)
TERRAIN
1 x Shrine Luminor (0)
OTHER
5 x Vanari Dawnriders (120)
- Steedmaster
- Standard Bearer
- Spells: Overwhelming Heat, Speed of Hysh
CORE BATTALIONS:
*Andtorian Acolytes
**Warlord
TOTAL POINTS: (1980/2000)
Created with Warhammer Age of Sigmar: The App
[/expand]

The ever-illusive Nexus Collapse was Round 4, and I got to play against the extremely lovely Jos Change's Lumineth, consisting of Sevireth, 2 blocks of Bladelords, and an assorted suite of wizards. Turn one I was able to snipe the sneaky fox bozo with Gutter Runners and a cannon, while the rest of my army advanced pretty aggressively up the field. I was able to keep priority, and get rid of the two objectives that his castle was planted on. Taking care of Sevireth early meant I didn’t have to worry about anything touching the back of my territory, so the Warp Lightning Cannons and everything else was able to get maximum efficiency for the rest of the game. Although my battle tactic scoring wasn’t perfect, I was able to hold objective priority the entire game as well as throw enough scary green rocks and microwave beams at the Aelves to keep them contained until taking the win.

The Dragon Haters Guild vs. Flesh Eater Courts

[expand title="Zano Koreillo's List" ]
- Army Faction: Flesh-eater Courts
- Subfaction: Gristlegore
- Grand Strategy: Expand the Kingdom
- Triumph: Bloodthirsty
LEADERS
Abhorrant Archregent (150)*
- Spells: Hoarfrost
Abhorrant Gorewarden (150)*
- General
- Command Traits: Master of the Menagerie
- Spells: Merciless Blizzard
Abhorrant Ghoul King on Royal Zombie Dragon (440)*
- Artefacts of Power: The Grim Garland
- Mount Traits: Venerated Zombie Dragon
- Spells: Deranged Transformation
BATTLELINE
Morbheg Knights (300)*
- Champion of Morbheg
- 2 x Standard Bearer
- 2 x Hornblower
Royal Zombie Dragon (240)*
Royal Zombie Dragon (240)*
OTHER
Crypt Flayers (320)*
- Crypt Infernal
Cryptguard (140)*
CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000
Created with Warhammer Age of Sigmar: The App
[/expand]

My last game was Lines of Communication, where I got the pleasure of hanging out with Zano Koreillo, who gave me the challenge of figuring out how to navigate not getting screamed off the board by three Zombie Dragons that were backed up by six Morbheg Knights. The game was decided pretty quickly, as on turn one after successfully casting Carrion's Call he charged all three dragons and the knights into my 40 block of Clanrats, giving me a full turn to throw all the damage my list can do at the meat of his army. I was able to pick up the six Morbhegs and two dragons on my turn one, and winning the double gave me the ability to further secure the win by being able to take over the board and take off most of the rest of Zano's army.

Conclusion

The Adpeticon GT was cleanly ran, well put together, and all of my games were extremely enjoyable. Anytime I needed to ask a judge a question, the staff were very prompt to respond and vastly knowledgeable. The venue and surrounding area has fantastic food options on top of being easy to navigate as well. I would highly recommend going to future Adpeticons, whether you can't shake the competitive brain worms in your head, elevate your hobby prowess, or experience a new environment for tabletop games, this convention has everything.