This website uses cookies. Learn more.

Gaming | Tactics | Warhammer 40k | Meta Analysis | Competitive Play | Goonhammer | Core Games | 40K Competitive Innovations

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Cybork Bullying pt.2

by James "One_Wing" Grover | May 10 2024
It's me (Wings) in charge again today, freeing me to be monstrously self-indulgent and write about a Showdown I was in. I won't say that no one can stop me, because there are several people who probably could, but they won't, so you'll have to put up with it.

Today I'm covering:
  • Open de Carcassonne
  • The Saffron Walden GT
  • AZ Warhammer 40K League 2024 Spring Championship
  • Winchester 40K GT - May 2024
If you're looking for any of the following, go check out part 1:
  • The Richmond Open 40K Event Hosted By Away Games
  • Slagmark Fyn
  • Clan Wars Scottish Open 5
  • Loaded Dice Games May the 4th Open
  • PCG Hosts Lightly Salted's 40k Spring GT

Open de Carcassonne

All the lists for this event can be found in MiniHeadQuarters.

This event was pre-Dataslate.

AltF4 - Grey Knights - 1st Place

Grey Knights Nemesis Dreadknights. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Char1: 1x Brotherhood Librarian (110 pts): Nemesis Force Weapon, Purge Soul, Combi-Weapon

Char2: 1x Brotherhood Librarian (125 pts): Warlord, Nemesis Force Weapon, Purge Soul, Combi-Weapon Enhancement: Inescapable Wrath (+15 pts)

Char3: 1x Brotherhood Librarian (110 pts): Nemesis Force Weapon, Purge Soul, Combi-Weapon

Char4: 1x Brotherhood Techmarine (60 pts): Flamer, Omnissian Power Axe, Plasma Cutter, Servo-arms, Bolt pistol

Char5: 1x Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (230 pts): Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon Enhancement: Sigil of Exigence (+30 pts)

5x Brotherhood Terminator Squad (210 pts) • 1x Justicar: Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter • 1x Terminator: Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter • 1x Terminator with Ancient's Banner: Ancient's Banner, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter • 1x Terminator with Heavy Weapon: Nemesis Force Weapon, Incinerator • 1x Terminator with Narthecium: Narthecium, Nemesis Force Weapon

5x Brotherhood Terminator Squad (210 pts) • 1x Justicar: Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter • 1x Terminator: Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter • 1x Terminator with Ancient's Banner: Ancient's Banner, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter • 1x Terminator with Heavy Weapon: Nemesis Force Weapon, Incinerator • 1x Terminator with Narthecium: Narthecium, Nemesis Force Weapon

5x Strike Squad (125 pts) • 3x Grey Knight: 3 with Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter • 1x Grey Knight with Heavy Weapon: Close combat weapon, Incinerator • 1x Justicar: Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter

1x Grey Knights Land Raider Redeemer (260 pts): Armoured tracks, 2x Flamestorm Cannon, Hunter-killer Missile, Multi-melta, Storm Bolter, Twin Assault Cannon

1x Nemesis Dreadknight (185 pts): Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon

1x Nemesis Dreadknight (185 pts): Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon

1x Nemesis Dreadknight (185 pts): Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon

Archetype

Dreadknights and Terminators

Thoughts

Brotherhood Terminators are a really good deal, whether in an MSU or a full brick with Draigo, and they'd been creeping up in popularity prior to the Dataslate, as seen in action here. It gives you a nice bit of diversity in how you can attack foes, and helps on the heavy tables that are common in Europe. Given other top players like Dreadknights and Librarians have now gone up in cost, expect to see even more of them (especially as they make the Redeemer even better value). Well done AltF4 for taking the win.

Loukas - Astra Militarum - 2nd Place

Leman Russ Demolisher. Credit: Rockfish Leman Russ Demolisher. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Char1: 4x Platoon Command Squad (60 pts) • 2x Veteran Guardsman 1 with Master Vox, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun, Laspistol 1 with Medi-pack, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun, Laspistol • 1x Platoon Commander: Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Pistol, Power Fist • 1x Veteran Heavy Weapons Team: Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol, Mortar

Char2: 1x Tank Commander (220 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter-killer Missile, Demolisher Battle Cannon, Lascannon, 2x Multi-melta, Heavy Stubber Enhancement: Grand Strategist (+15 pts)

Char3: 1x Tank Commander (205 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter-killer Missile, Demolisher Battle Cannon, Lascannon, 2x Multi-melta, Heavy Stubber

Char4: 1x Lord Solar Leontus (125 pts): Warlord, Conquest, Konstrain's Hooves, Sol's Righteous Gaze

Char5: 1x Ursula Creed (55 pts): Duty and Vengeance, Power Weapon

10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts): Death Korps Watchmaster, 5x Death Korps Trooper, Death Korps Trooper w/ Death Korps Medi-pack, Death Korps Trooper w/ Grenade Launcher, Death Korps Trooper w/ Meltagun, Death Korps Trooper w/ Plasma Gun

6x Bullgryn Squad (160 pts) • 1x Bullgryn Bone 'ead: Brute Shield, Bullgryn Maul • 5x Bullgryn: 5 with Brute Shield, Bullgryn Maul

6x Bullgryn Squad (160 pts) • 1x Bullgryn Bone 'ead: Brute Shield, Bullgryn Maul • 5x Bullgryn: 5 with Brute Shield, Bullgryn Maul

10x Kasrkin (100 pts) • 9x Kasrkin Trooper 2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun 1 with Melta mine, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol 1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Marksmen Rifle 1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lasgun 2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun 2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun • 1x Kasrkin Sergeant: Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol

10x Kasrkin (100 pts) • 9x Kasrkin Trooper 2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun 1 with Melta mine, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol 1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Marksmen Rifle 1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lasgun 2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun 2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun • 1x Kasrkin Sergeant: Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol

1x Basilisk (135 pts): Armoured Tracks, Earthshaker Cannon, Hunter-killer Missile, Heavy Bolter

1x Basilisk (135 pts): Armoured Tracks, Earthshaker Cannon, Hunter-killer Missile, Heavy Bolter

1x Manticore (180 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter-killer Missile, Storm Eagle Rockets, Heavy Bolter

1x Manticore (180 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter-killer Missile, Storm Eagle Rockets, Heavy Bolter

1x Scout Sentinels (60 pts): Close Combat Weapon, Hunter-killer Missile, Sentinel Chainsaw, Lascannon

5x Ratling Snipers (60 pts): 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Sniper Rifle

Archetype

Pre-Dataslate Guard

Thoughts

This build has been discussed to death, and while I think it probably ended up as merely part of A-tier rather than actually S-tier, it's fair to say we're leaving a period where Guard outperformed pretty much everyone except 40K Fireside and Nassim's predictions. Well done to Loukas for racking up a second place finish with it to close.

Anthanora - Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) - 3rd Place

Blood Angels Assault Intercessor Blood Angels Assault Intercessor. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTER

Char1: Captain (80pts): • 1x Bolt Pistol, Master-crafted Bolt Rifle, Melee Weapon, • 1 with Bolt Pistol, • 1 with Master-crafted Bolt Rifle, • 1 with Power Fist

Char2: Captain (80pts): • 1x Bolt Pistol, Master-crafted Bolt Rifle, Melee Weapon, • 1 with Bolt Pistol, • 1 with Master-crafted Bolt Rifle, • 1 with Power Fist

Char3: Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70pts) • 1x Paired Combat Blades, • 1x Combi-weapon

Char4: Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack (90pts): • 1x Astartes Chainsword, • 1x Bolt Pistol

Char5: Lemartes (110pts): • 1x Bolt Pistol, • 1x The Blood Crozius, • 1x Warlord

Char6: The Sanguinor (140pts): • 1x Encarmine Broadsword

BATTLELINE

5x Assault Intercessor Squad (75pts): • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant, • 1 with Plasma Pistol, Thunder Hammer, • 4x Assault Intercessors, • 4 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol

5x Assault Intercessor Squad (75pts): • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant, • 1 with Plasma Pistol, Thunder Hammer, • 4x Assault Intercessors, • 4 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

10x Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (260pts): • 10x Death Company Marine, • 10 with Power Fist, Inferno Pistol

5x Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (130pts): • 5x Death Company Marine, • 5 with Power Fist, Inferno Pistol

5x Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (130pts): • 5x Death Company Marine, • 5 with Power Fist, Inferno Pistol

5x Infiltrator Squad (100pts): • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant, • 1 with Marksman Bolt Carbine, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, • 4x Infiltrators, • 4 with Marksman Bolt Carbine, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Helix Gauntlet, Infiltrator Comms Array

5x Scout Squad (65pts): • 1x Scout Sergeant, • 1 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt Pistol • 2x Scout, • 1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Missile Launcher, • 1 with Scout Sniper Rifle, Close Combat Weapon, Bolt Pistol, • 2x Scouts, • 2 with Astartes Shotgun, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon

5x Scout Squad (65pts): • 1x Scout Sergeant, • 1 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt Pistol • 2x Scout, • 1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Missile Launcher, • 1 with Scout Sniper Rifle, Close Combat Weapon, Bolt Pistol, • 2x Scouts, • 2 with Astartes Shotgun, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon

10x Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (210pts): • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant, • 1 with Vanguard Veteran Weapon, Storm Shield, • 9x Vanguard Veterans, • 9 with Vanguard Veteran Weapon, Storm Shield

Gladiator Lancer (160pts): • 1x Armoured Hull, • 1x Icarus Rocket Pod, • 1x Ironhail Heavy Stubber, • 1x Lancer Laser Destroyer, • 1x 2 Storm Bolters

Impulsor (80pts): • 1x Armoured Hull, • 1x Ironhail Heavy Stubber, • 1x Bellicatus Missile Array, • 1x 2 Fragstorm Grenade Launchers

Impulsor (80pts): • 1x Armoured Hull, • 1x Ironhail Heavy Stubber, • 1x Bellicatus Missile Array, • 1x 2 Fragstorm Grenade Launchers

Archetype

Transport Sons

Thoughts

Lots of your common or garden Sons of Sanguinius flying nonsense here, but the build is set apart by the two Impulsors with an MSU of Assault Intercessors and a Captain each. The beauty of Sons, as was the case with Blood Angels in 8th and 9th, is that the detachment trait pushes their offence hard enough that even small units like this are suddenly terminal threats, and this is a really nice way to get some additional board control down. A layer of Transport wrapping around a counterpunch unit is going to be super good in an Ork-heavy metagame, and the cost of that package stayed the same while other stuff in the builds went up, so I think it's got real potential for wider use. Well done Anthanora for trying out something clever and new!

Druchii - Adepta Sororitas - 4th Place

Credit: Evan "Felime" Siefring

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Characters

Char1: Junith Eruita (90 points) -Lance-flammes lourd du Ministorum jumelé, La Masse de Castigation

Char2: Morvenn Vahl (145 points) -Fidelis, Lance-missiles Parangon, Lance d'Illumination

Char3: Chanoinesse (65 points) -Pistolet Inferno, Lame bénite Enhancement: Epée de Saint Ellynor

Line

10x Soeurs de Bataille (100 points) -6 Bolter, 9 Pistolet bolter, Fuseur, Multi-fuseur, 9 Arme de corps à corps, Simulacrum Imperialis -1x Sœur Supérieure, Pistolet Inferno, Arme énergétique

Others

Immolator (115 points) -Bolter lourd, Missile traqueur, Multi-fuseur jumelé, Chenilles blindées

Rhino Sororitas (75 points) -Bolter storm, Missile traqueur, Chenilles blindées

Rhino Sororitas (75 points) -Bolter storm, Missile traqueur, Chenilles blindées

10x Arco-Flagellants (150 points) -10 Arco-Fléaux

10x Arco-Flagellants (150 points) -10 Arco-Fléaux

2x Croisés (25 points) -2 Arme énergétique

2x Croisés (25 points) -2 Arme énergétique

10x Escouade Repentia (110 points) -9 eviscerator de pénitent, 1x Repentia Supérieure, Pistolet bolter, Fouets Neuraux

5x Escouade Séraphine (70 points) -4 Pistolet bolter, 4 Lance-flammes léger du Ministorum, 4 Arme de corps à corps -1x Séraphine Supérieure, Pistolet à plasma, Arme énergétique

5x Escouade Séraphine (70 points) -4 Pistolet bolter, 4 Lance-flammes léger du Ministorum, 4 Arme de corps à corps -1x Séraphine Supérieure, Pistolet à plasma, Arme énergétique

Castigator (140 points) -3 Bolter lourd, Missile traqueur, Obusier Castigator, Chenilles blindées

3x Exo-harnais Parangon (170 points) -3 Pistolet bolter, 3 Lance-grenades Parangon, 3 Multi-fuseur, 2 Lame de guerre Parangon, Masse de guerre Parangon

Exorcist (180 points) -Bolter lourd, Lance-missiles Exorcist, Missile traqueur, Chenilles blindées

Exorcist (180 points) -Bolter lourd, Lance-missiles Exorcist, Missile traqueur, Chenilles blindées

Machines de Pénitence (60 points) -Lance-flammes de pénitent, Scies circulaires de pénitent jumelées

Archetype

All-rounder Sisters

Thoughts

Lots of the standard Sisters hits here, with a marginal skew towards hulls via the inclusion of multiple Exorcists. That's another thing that'll help out on heavy Euro tables, but there's not much more to say beyond that - this is all stuff that's known good. Well done to Druchii on rounding out the top four, though why you aren't playing Drukhari with that name is beyond me.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Kahr-Noss - Tyranids (Unending Swarm): The detachment isn't actually listed here, but I'm taking an educated guess based upon the presence of 110 horde infantry of various stripes, supported by Exocrines and Maleceptors.
  • 6th - Paulo_LaSamba - Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius): 10 of each Death Company flavour, a big Jump Intercessor unit and a Redeemer.
  • =7th - Pinpin - Imperial Knights: Canis, lots of Armigers and some Voidsmen with an Inquisitor.
  • =7th - Asthenia - Aeldari: Go-wide Aspects, plenty of indirect, and a big Troupe in a Wave Serpent to threaten objective flips.
  • 9th - Cédric - Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon and a shooty core of Vindicators and an Obliterator unit, then Raptors and Legionaries to go wide.
  • 10th - Skully - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Double C'tan and some Immortals, then leaning in to the power of the Monolith a bit with a full Skorpekh brick to send through the portal.

The Saffron Walden GT

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on May 04 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event was pre-Dataslate.

Luke Townsend - Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
They see me rolling... (1990 points)

Chaos Daemons Strike Force (2000 points) Daemonic Incursion

CHARACTERS

Be’lakor (350 points) • Warlord • 1x Betraying Shades 1x The Blade of Shadows

Bloodthirster (320 points) • 1x Great axe of Khorne 1x Hellfire breath

Great Unclean One (260 points) • 1x Bilesword 1x Plague flail 1x Putrid vomit • Enhancement: The Endless Gift

Rendmaster on Blood Throne (150 points) • 1x Attendants’ hellblades 1x Blade of blood

Skullmaster (100 points) • 1x Blade of blood 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

BATTLELINE

Nurglings (40 points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm • 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Nurglings (40 points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm • 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Nurglings (40 points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm • 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Plaguebearers (110 points) • 1x Plagueridden • 1x Plaguesword • 9x Plaguebearer • 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 9x Plaguesword

OTHER DATASHEETS

Bloodcrushers (220 points) • 1x Bloodhunter • 1x Hellblade 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn • 5x Bloodcrusher • 1x Daemonic Icon 5x Hellblade 1x Instrument of Chaos 5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

Bloodcrushers (220 points) • 1x Bloodhunter • 1x Hellblade 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn • 5x Bloodcrusher • 1x Daemonic Icon 5x Hellblade 1x Instrument of Chaos 5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

Flesh Hounds (70 points) • 1x Gore Hound • 1x Burning roar 1x Collar of Khorne 1x Gore-drenched fangs • 4x Flesh Hound • 4x Collar of Khorne 4x Gore-drenched fangs

Flesh Hounds (70 points) • 1x Gore Hound • 1x Burning roar 1x Collar of Khorne 1x Gore-drenched fangs • 4x Flesh Hound • 4x Collar of Khorne 4x Gore-drenched fangs

Exported with App Version: v1.13.0 (41), Data Version: v373

Archetype

Bloodcrusher Spam

Thoughts

All evidence suggests that Bloodcrushers are going to be serious players in the metagame that's to come, given they were leading the charge on wins like this beforehand and didn't catch any nerfs. They can roll over any C'tan that are still kicking around (impact Mortals and volume S6 Lance D1+1 attacks are the perfect foil to those), and are newly relevant for carving through Ork hordes. Add in their previous predator, the Adeptus Custodes, getting a real kicking and everything's coming up Bloodcrusher. Well done to Luke on the win, and hopefully we'll see plenty more from his Daemonic hordes as the new metagame evolves.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on X-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Jack Tite - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Triple Arcos and triple Castigator with the triumph, and doing the powerful flex of choosing to run an army legal under the new points (quite a bit under using the old).
  • 3rd - Harley Scully - Aeldari (Battle Host): Go-wide Aspects and indirect with one big Troupe.
  • 4th - Leigh Churchward - Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness): Abaddon Predator gunline with double Accursed Commune to protect it, and Warp Talons to cause mischief.
  • 5th - Jamie East - Leagues of Votann: Sagitaur spam with three units of Beserks.
  • 6th - Christopher Axe - Chaos Space Marines: A big unit each of Raptors and Legionaries (with Haarken and Lucius respectively) backed by a tonne of gun platforms.

AZ Warhammer 40K League 2024 Spring Championship

30-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Glendale, AZ, United States on May 04 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event was pre-Dataslate.

Timothy Borowiec - Necrons (Canoptek Court) - 1st Place

Canoptek Wraiths. Credit: Rockfish Canoptek Wraiths. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
two codexes released the same day and one of them is not like the other, and I'd rather be playing the bad codex because it's my favourite army and I have over 10000 points of it with current points which means I have a problem phone for help, my number is 123-HELP (2000 points)

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Canoptek Court

CHARACTERS

C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (255 points) • 1x Gaze of death 1x Scythe of the Nightbringer

C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon (270 points) • 1x Canoptek tail blades 1x Spear of the Void Dragon 1x Voltaic storm

Hexmark Destroyer (70 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

Technomancer (80 points) • 1x Staff of light • Enhancement: Dimensional Sanctum

Technomancer (75 points) • 1x Staff of light • Enhancement: Hyperphasic Fulcrum

Technomancer (60 points) • Warlord • 1x Staff of light

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Doomstalker (135 points) • 1x Doomsday blaster 1x Doomstalker limbs 1x Twin gauss flayer

Canoptek Doomstalker (135 points) • 1x Doomsday blaster 1x Doomstalker limbs 1x Twin gauss flayer

Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 points) • 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm • 3x Feeder mandibles

Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 points) • 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm • 3x Feeder mandibles

Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 points) • 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm • 3x Feeder mandibles

Canoptek Wraiths (220 points) • 6x Canoptek Wraith • 6x Particle caster 6x Vicious claws

Canoptek Wraiths (220 points) • 6x Canoptek Wraith • 6x Particle caster 6x Vicious claws

Canoptek Wraiths (220 points) • 6x Canoptek Wraith • 6x Particle caster 6x Vicious claws

Deathmarks (65 points) • 5x Deathmark • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Synaptic disintegrator

Tomb Blades (75 points) • 3x Tomb Blade • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Shadowloom 2x Twin gauss blaster 1x Twin tesla carbine

Exported with App Version: v1.12.0 (40), Data Version: v357

Archetype

Pre-nerf Court

Thoughts

I fear there is little to say here - we all know that this build was one of the very best pre-Dataslate lists, and needs considerable re-tooling afterwards. The only thing I'll highlight is that taking lots of Scarabs might see a bit more use, as they're genuinely not bad in Court, and still very cheap. Otherwise, congratulations to Timothy.

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Daniel Olivas - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Extra transport-tastic Skysplinter, adding a third Raider and fifth Venom to the standard 2/4 setup, compensating by cutting out Scourges.
  • 3rd - Justin Winfrey - Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness): Abaddon with double Accursed Commune and gunline tools, plus one full Khorne Chosen squad.

Winchester 40K GT - May 2024

All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event was super well run with custom terrain sets that I liked, and you should come to their next one - I'll certainly be back. Their website is here.

The Showdown

Vital Ground - Targets of Opportunity - Dawn of War

Me, Wings - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty)

Army List - Click to Expand


Slate awakened (1995 Points)

Necrons Awakened Dynasty Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chronomancer (65 Points) • 1x Chronomancer’s stave

C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon (290 Points) • 1x Canoptek tail blades 1x Spear of the Void Dragon 1x Voltaic storm

Illuminor Szeras (175 Points) • Warlord • 1x Eldritch Lance 1x Impaling legs

Lokhust Lord (100 Points) • 1x Lord’s blade 1x Resurrection Orb • Enhancements: Veil of Darkness

Overlord with Translocation Shroud (85 Points) • 1x Overlord’s blade 1x Resurrection Orb

Plasmancer (65 Points) • 1x Plasmic lance

Royal Warden (40 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Relic gauss blaster

Skorpekh Lord (95 Points) • 1x Enmitic annihilator 1x Flensing claw 1x Hyperphase harvester • Enhancements: Enaegic Dermal Bond

Technomancer (105 Points) • 1x Staff of light • Enhancements: Nether-realm Casket

BATTLELINE

Immortals (150 Points) • 10x Immortal • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Tesla carbine

Necron Warriors (200 Points) • 20x Necron Warrior • 20x Close combat weapon 1x Gauss flayer 19x Gauss reaper

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Reanimator (75 Points) • 2x Atomiser beam 1x Reanimator’s claws

Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points) • 6x Canoptek Wraith • 6x Particle caster 6x Vicious claws

Flayed Ones (60 Points) • 5x Flayed One • 5x Flayer claws

Lokhust Destroyers (30 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gauss cannon

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (150 Points) • 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Gauss destructor

Skorpekh Destroyers (90 Points) • 3x Skorpekh Destroyer • 1x Plasmacyte 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons



vs.

My nemesis, Sam Nash - Thousand Sons

Army List - Click to Expand


ITT (2000 Points)

Thousand Sons Cult of Magic Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Ahriman on Disc of Tzeentch (140 Points) • 1x Black Staff of Ahriman 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Psychic Stalk

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (115 Points) • 1x Arcane Fire 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol

Infernal Master (90 Points) • 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Screamer Invocation

Infernal Master (90 Points) • 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Screamer Invocation

Infernal Master (115 Points) • 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Screamer Invocation • Enhancements: Arcane Vortex

Magnus the Red (440 Points) • Warlord • 1x Blade of Magnus 1x Gaze of Magnus 1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

Thousand Sons Sorcerer (130 Points) • 1x Fires of the Abyss 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol • Enhancements: Lord of Forbidden Lore

Thousand Sons Sorcerer (115 Points) • 1x Fires of the Abyss 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol • Enhancements: Umbralefic Crystal

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (105 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Warpflame pistol 1x Warpsmite • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (105 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Warpflame pistol 1x Warpsmite • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (105 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Warpflame pistol 1x Warpsmite • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (105 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Warpflame pistol 1x Warpsmite • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (105 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Warpflame pistol 1x Warpsmite • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Thousand Sons Rhino (75 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Havoc launcher 1x Inferno combi-bolter 1x Inferno combi-bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Thousand Sons Cultists (55 Points) • 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion • 1x Brutal assault weapon 1x Cultist firearm • 9x Thousand Sons Cultist • 9x Brutal assault weapon 6x Cultist firearm 1x Flamer 1x Grenade launcher 1x Heavy stubber

Thousand Sons Cultists (55 Points) • 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion • 1x Brutal assault weapon 1x Cultist firearm • 9x Thousand Sons Cultist • 9x Brutal assault weapon 6x Cultist firearm 1x Flamer 1x Grenade launcher 1x Heavy stubber

Thousand Sons Cultists (55 Points) • 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion • 1x Brutal assault weapon 1x Cultist firearm • 9x Thousand Sons Cultist • 9x Brutal assault weapon 6x Cultist firearm 1x Flamer 1x Grenade launcher 1x Heavy stubber

Thoughts

Oh I see how it is. Two weeks ago Sam beat me in round 5 of the Oxford GT playing for a top four spot, and I swore I'd get him next time. I have to admit, I thought I'd have more time for a training montage.

This matchup...does not thrill me. I was trying out something new, mostly because I wanted to put my Skorpekh on the table, and the good news is that this Awakened build had been performing well up to this point. The Skorpekh are a neat little package with how durable an Enhanced lord is, and the Warrior brick had overperformed my expectations considerably. My main complaint was not having enough throwaway scoring units, but that doesn't super matter in this game, as with Targets of Opportunity I'm definitely going Tactical anyway.

More the issue here is that the Warrior brick is a huge liability against Thousand Sons, as they can use Twist of Fate to just evaporate the unit. The Immortals have a slightly better time of it simply because they threaten to do much the same back to multiple units of Rubricae if they get the first strike, forcing a bit of caution. That doesn't stop this being tough though, but I did have a plan.

The nature of the map meant that both the mid-field objectives would be pretty vulnerable to stuff coming out of Strategic Reserves, so I put the Void Dragon into that to ensure I had a high pressure play that could be unleashed on whichever side it was needed. From there, the goal is to just try and stop him scoring Primary as much as possible, while picking up Secondaries and hoping that I can collapse one flank enough to eke out some late game Primary.

This gets a lot easier if I go second, which I did not, but the opening was OK I sent Wraiths onto one objective (on the side he was more heavily concentrated on) and left the other clear, with the Warriors and Szeras ready to make a play for it turn two. I'd also deployed my Flayed Ones very aggressively to box him in, and charged them into some cultists turn 1, aiming for Engage and BEL. Unfortunately they failed to kill the Cultists, so I only got the Engage, but it still tangled up his early movement considerably.

I turned out to have left a gap behind them and the Skorpekh that the Umbralefic unit could just warp into, but this was actually fine - they smoked the non-Lord Skorpekh, but were guaranteed to rolled up in response, and crucially meant he now couldn't get an additional unit across to the far side of the table if the Warriors pushed, giving them the best possible chance of tanking a turn. The Wraiths also narrowly survived the fusilade of firepower unleashed on them, though sadly were depleted enough that Overwatch sealed the deal the following turn.

Still, this gave me a narrow route into the game, but unfortunately it fell through pretty quickly. The Void Dragon came in on his heavy side, made it into combat with a re-roll and did some OK shooting damage, but whiffed in combat and didn't kill enough Rubricae to flip the objective (before dying messily). Meanwhile, Magnus used Indirect alongside a smaller number of Rubricae on the other flank to still roll up the Warriors in a single turn, and that was kind of game - I teleported the Destroyers over to obliterate Ahriman to make me feel better, but it was extremely over, and the game closed out a few turns later with my last model being Szeras encircled by a squad of Cultists, who he shamefully only managed to kill two of.

I'll get you next next time, I guess.

In all seriousness, this was a useful exercise, because it showed that I 100% need some specific anti-Thousand Sons tech if I want to run this build that was otherwise very good. They're going to be a major part of the metagame, so the matchup being this much of a nightmare is a problem. My current plan is to cut the Destroyers for a smaller shooting threat, a Canoptek Spyder for the Gloom Prism and change. That lets me move the Veil of Darkness over to the Warriors, giving them a chance to actually do something meaningful in this game before they die horribly. That's the theory anyway, tune back in next month to see how it goes when I roll it out again.

Result

++ Overwhelming (82-40) Thousand Sons Victory ++ 

++ Humiliation for loser Wings ++

Sam Nash - Thousand Sons - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Rubricae Tsons

Thoughts

It's post-Dataslate Tsons! It looks quite a lot like pre-Dataslate Tsons, only going harder on Cultists as space fillers since they're now super cheap. Otherwise, it's your usual recipe of tricks galore and incredible damage concentration when it really matters. Congratulations to Sam!

The Best of the Rest

There were two more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - James "One_Wing" Grover - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): See showdown.
  • 3rd - Joshua Cowlard - Orks (Bully Boyz): Many Meganobz, one Nobz unit and two squads of Boyz in five Trukks and a Tellyporta, with Warbikers to carry out early skirmishing.

Wrap Up

I love putting myself in the newspaper, it's big and clever. Now I don't have another event for a month, and I weep. Lots of exciting Warhammer coming up though, so see you next week as we delve into more of it.

Tags: Space Marines | blood angels | Necrons | Warhammer 40k | Thousand Sons | grey knights | chaos daemons | Astra Militarum | adepta sororitas | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

Thank you for being a friend.

AGE OF SIGMAR 4th EDITION

AoS 4th Edition

WARHAMMER 40,000 10th EDITION

40k 10th Edition

Support us on Patreon to get access to our Discord and exclusive App features.

Thank you for being a friend.

ABOUT US

Tabletop Battles is a very real website full of Posts and Friends.

OUR SOCIALS
Facebook | Instagram | Bsky | YouTube

Sick of the ads? Login with Patreon.

Manage your cookie settings