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

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Mayhem in Mechelen pt.1

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Aug 14 2024

It's been another massive week in the 40k world, with the World Team Championships giving us one of the largest annual showcases that the game gets. We're going to start and end with that this week - today and Friday we'll cover singles events as normal, then on Saturday I'll take a look at the top teams from the WTC, and see what the various national laboratories have cooked up. The WTC is often a source of breakout lists and strategies that go on to shape the singles metagame, so even if teams isn't your thing, you might still want to take a look when Saturday comes around.

In terms of the singles metagame - still all over the place, with various factions zipping up or down, though I think it's fair to say that non-standard Marines overall have maybe ended up a little pushed - Blood Angels and Space Wolves have consistently been at the top of the win rates, and while Dark Angels don't perform as consistently on percentages, they're making a huge impact on the top tables. They're not without challengers though, and this week the Aeldari are joining the Dark Angels in the bracket of putting in some great top finishes despite a low overall win rate.

Prior to hitting teams on Saturday, we're going to be breaking things down as follows. Today I'll be covering:
  • WTC Warmaster GT 2024
  • Iowaaagh! Open 2024
  • Arch City GT III
  • Tables and Towers Summer GT
  • Club Seal Cup Part II
On Friday Lowest of Men, fresh from doing coverage at the WTC, will be looking at:
  • The Salt City GT 2024 Warhammer 40K
  • Grand Onslaught 8
  • Cross-Swords War At The Westward V
  • Atomic GT: These Lethal Hits Got Me Dying for the Emperor
  • Trønderdome
This week's Patron-voted Showdowns will be:
  • A solemn farewell for the Deathwatch's Black Spear Task Force, up against World Eaters at the Tables and Towers Summer GT.
  • The ultimate wizard battle as Grey Knights face Thousand Sons at Grand Onslaught 8.
We will also have a bonus deep dive from our own James "Boon" Kelling, who has been out doing his bit for the Aeldari win rate once again, and will be talking about his list and final game.

WTC Warmaster GT 2024

466-player, 8-round Supermajor in Mechelen, Vlaams Gewest, BE on August 06 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Weiss Olivier - Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders) - 1st Place

Black Templar Primaris Initiate with a power fist. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + Player Name: Olivier "Père Kstor" WEISS + Team Name: France + Faction Used: Imperium - Adeptes Astartes - Black Templar + Army Points: 2000pts + Army Enhancements: Tännhauser's Bones (on Char4: Lieutenant) + Detachment Rule: Righteous Crusaders +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTERS

Castellan (100 Points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Master-crafted power weapon • Enhancements: Tännhauser's Bones

Chaplain (60 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Crozius arcanum

Chaplain Grimaldus (120 Points) • 1x Chaplain Grimaldus • 1x Artificer crozius 1x Plasma pistol • 3x Cenobyte Servitor • 3x Close combat weapon

High Marshal Helbrecht (120 Points) • Warlord • 1x Ferocity 1x Sword of the High Marshals

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Paired combat blades

BATTLELINE

Primaris Crusader Squad (280 Points) • 1x Primaris Sword Brother • 1x Power weapon 1x Pyre pistol • 11x Primaris Initiate • 7x Astartes chainsword 11x Bolt pistol 11x Close combat weapon 7x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Power fist • 8x Primaris Neophyte • 8x Astartes chainsword 8x Bolt pistol

Primaris Crusader Squad (280 Points) • 1x Primaris Sword Brother • 1x Power weapon 1x Pyre pistol • 11x Primaris Initiate • 7x Astartes chainsword 11x Bolt pistol 11x Close combat weapon 7x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Power fist • 8x Primaris Neophyte • 8x Astartes chainsword 8x Bolt pistol

Primaris Crusader Squad (280 Points) • 1x Primaris Sword Brother • 1x Power weapon 1x Pyre pistol • 11x Primaris Initiate • 7x Astartes chainsword 11x Bolt pistol 11x Close combat weapon 7x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Power fist • 8x Primaris Neophyte • 8x Astartes chainsword 8x Bolt pistol

Primaris Crusader Squad (280 Points) • 1x Primaris Sword Brother • 1x Power weapon 1x Pyre pistol • 11x Primaris Initiate • 7x Astartes chainsword 11x Bolt pistol 11x Close combat weapon 7x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Power fist • 8x Primaris Neophyte • 8x Astartes chainsword 8x Bolt pistol

Primaris Crusader Squad (280 Points) • 1x Primaris Sword Brother • 1x Power weapon 1x Pyre pistol • 11x Primaris Initiate • 7x Astartes chainsword 11x Bolt pistol 11x Close combat weapon 7x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Heavy bolt pistol 4x Power fist • 8x Primaris Neophyte • 8x Astartes chainsword 8x Bolt pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Scout Squad (65 Points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 2x Combat knife 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

Scout Squad (65 Points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 2x Combat knife 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (41), Data Version: v434

Archetype

Primaris Crusader Spam

Thoughts

While some players bring two lists to the WTC, one for Warmaster and one for teams, many can't do that so we often see some of the highly-skewed builds that team events encourage breaking out in the Warmaster GT. This build is very much one of them - it's not particularly subtle, but asks an incredible amount from opponents, demanding that they somehow clear 100 2W bodies, many with varying degrees of Feel No Pain, which even alpha units from other melee Marines will struggle to do. You've also got enough OC and volume of attacks to drown almost anything on scoring and tear down even large targets, especially once you start switching on Lethal Hits. Even better, some high threat shooting armies which might be able to clear this have to worry about one of the units trapping their stuff in combat, which can quickly become game ending.

My honest opinion is that the only reason we don't see this strategy a lot is how nightmarish it is to get on the table, but Weiss was able to do that, then navigate it through one of the most vicious shark tanks you'll see anywhere in the world to victory - big congratulations!

Arnaud Allot - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) - 2nd Place

Skorpekh Destroyers. Credit: Rockfish Skorpekh Destroyers. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Player Name: Arnaud "Ashord" ALLOT Team Name: FRANCE Factions Used: Xenos - Necrons Army Points: 2000pts Army Enhancements (list on which model): Dimensional Overseer (on Hexmark Destroyer) & Arisen Tyrant (on Lokhust Lord) Detachment Rule: Hyperphasing ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Hypercrypt Legion

CHARACTERS

Hexmark Destroyer (95 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols • Enhancement: Dimensional Overseer

Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points) • Warlord • 1x Gauntlet of Fire 1x Staff of the Destroyer

Lokhust Lord (105 points) • 1x Lord's blade 1x Resurrection Orb • Enhancement: Arisen Tyrant

Overlord with Translocation Shroud (85 points) • 1x Overlord's blade 1x Resurrection Orb

Skorpekh Lord (80 points) • 1x Enmitic annihilator 1x Flensing claw 1x Hyperphase harvester

BATTLELINE

Immortals (75 points) • 5x Immortal • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Tesla carbine

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathmarks (60 points) • 5x Deathmark • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Synaptic disintegrator

Deathmarks (60 points) • 5x Deathmark • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Synaptic disintegrator

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

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

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

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 Enmitic exterminator

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (100 points) • 2x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Enmitic exterminator

Lychguard (170 points) • 10x Lychguard • 10x Dispersion Shield 10x Hyperphase sword

Monolith (375 points) • 4x Death ray 1x Particle whip 1x Portal of exile

Skorpekh Destroyers (180 points) • 6x Skorpekh Destroyer • 2x Plasmacyte 6x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons

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

Triarch Stalker (125 points) • 1x Heavy gauss cannon array 1x Stalker's forelimbs

Archetype

Destroyer Hypercrypt

Thoughts

A fascinating spin on Hypercrypt in the runner up slot, dialing back on the heavy-duty tools that have been popular recently for a much more cerebral and toolboxy take on the army, which I am of course a sucker for. You've still got a Monolith and plenty of toys to do fun tricks with, whether it be Immortals appearing to blast stuff to oblivion, or Lychguard/Skorpekh to burst through the breach and chop something up. As I have repeatedly said, if you haven't tried Skorpekh at their new price you should, and I particularly like what the Lord does here - if you need one unit to hit appallingly hard he can go with the 6, but if you'd rather split your threats more he can go with the 3.

Also on the Destroyer front we have the enmitic Heavy Lokhusts with a lord, and the cool tech of bringing a Triarch Stalker alongside them. Units relying on massed AP-1 firepower love access to Ignore Cover, and the Stalker is ideal for setting that up, plus is another durable hull that can be zapped somewhere around the table if needed. A very cool addition that helps this build get over the line of hitting hard enough, particularly in a metagame with lots of power armour, great choice from Arnaud to earn second!

Alexandre Sacco - Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) - 3rd Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PLAYER NAME : Alexandre "Salysia" Sacco + TEAM NAME : France + FACTION USED : Chaos - Thousand Sons + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + ENHANCEMENT: Arcane Vortex (on Infernal Master) & Umbralefic Crystal (on Infernal Master) & Lord of Forbidden Lore (on Thousand Sons Sorcerer) + DETACHMENT RULE : Kindred Sorcery +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTERS

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (105 Points) • 1x Arcane Fire 1x Force weapon 1x Prosperine khopesh 1x Warpflame pistol

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (105 Points) • 1x Arcane Fire 1x Force weapon 1x Prosperine khopesh 1x Warpflame pistol

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (105 Points) • 1x Arcane Fire 1x Force weapon 1x Prosperine khopesh 1x Warpflame pistol

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

Infernal Master (110 Points) • 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Screamer Invocation • Enhancements: Umbralefic Crystal

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

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 Warpflame pistol • Enhancements: Lord of Forbidden Lore

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 Points) • 1x Betentacled maw 1x Mutalith claws 1x Warp vortex

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 9x Cultist firearm

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 9x Cultist firearm

Tzaangor Enlightened (45 Points) • 1x Aviarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Fatecaster greatbow • 2x Enlightened • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Fatecaster greatbow

Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (41), Data Version: v434

Archetype

All-rounder Tsons

Thoughts

In third place we've got one of the game's powerhouse factions, going for a single Mutalith Vortex Beast alongside a mostly standard loadout of Characters and Rubricae, though Ahriman has been left at home to free (up the points for) the Beast. That gives the list a second powerful counter-charge threat, which can be helpful against some of the harrassment plans players might try and deploy against this in a teams environment, and the Mutalith is also just never bad thanks to its combination of durability and power. Great work from Alexandre as Tzeentch's preeminent disciple at the event!

Georgios Floros - Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) - 4th Place

Sanguinary Guard Sanguinary Guard. Credits: That Gobbo

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Player Name: Georgios Floros Team Name: Hellas Factions Used: Blood Angels Army Points: 2000 Army Enhancements (list on which model): None Detachment Rule: Sons of Sanguinius - The Red Thirst ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTERS

Captain with Jump Pack (85 Points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

Commander Dante (120 Points) • Warlord • 1x Perdition 1x The Axe Mortalis

Lemartes (120 Points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x The Blood Crozius

The Sanguinor (140 Points) • 1x Encarmine broadsword

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 Points) • 1x Intercessor Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Bolt rifle 1x Thunder hammer • 4x Intercessor • 1x Astartes grenade launcher 4x Bolt pistol 4x Bolt rifle 4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Death Company Dreadnought (145 Points) • 1x Heavy flamer 1x Heavy flamer 1x Magna-grapple 1x Twin Furioso fists

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (280 Points) • 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Pack • 10x Inferno pistol 10x Power fist

Sanguinary Guard (310 Points) • 10x Sanguinary Guard • 10x Encarmine blade 10x Inferno pistol

Sanguinary Guard (310 Points) • 10x Sanguinary Guard • 10x Encarmine blade 10x Inferno pistol

Scout Squad (65 Points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Combat knife

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (105 Points) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Storm Shield 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon • 4x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack • 4x Storm Shield 4x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Archetype

High Threat Blood Angels

Thoughts

Closing out the top four we've got Blood Angels, with a build that once again diverges a bit from the norm. You've still got three big jump pack threats, but where the recent trend has been to go for the "durable" option of Lemartes' Death Company and 2x10 VanVets with Priests, Georgios goes for the extra violent version with 20 Sanguinary Guard. That seems like a decent choice in Teams (and I checked, this was his list for the team event too), as you generally get less mileage from building to be an "all-rounder" than you do by going hard on what you do best, especially when your faction is a known quantity. This build is either going to get a favourable matchup, in which case you want to flatten the foe in double time for a 20-0, or it's going to pair into something build to kill VanVets, in which case this is still going to be a better bet - it might hit the foe hard enough to degrade their army so they can't walk away with a big score, and using 2+ Save models with access to Armour of Contempt as its core throws a defensive curveball the enemy might not have plans for - you kill VanVets with lots of AP-1 Ignore Cover or AP-2 firepower, Sanguinary Guard can potentially walk that off.

Interesting showcase of how to adapt a top meta build to face its predators, and a fourth-place finish at the Warmaster to boot - great work from Georgios!

The Best of the Rest

This event was using 20-0 scoring and was spectacularly huge, so I'm just going to hit the rest of the top 16.
  • =5th - Jonty Larsen - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Silent King and Double Monolith with plenty of Immortals to fire through the breach.
  • =5th - Stroh Benjamin - Leagues of Votann: Surprising Hearthguard-free Votann with two full bike units, double Land Fortress, and lots of Beserk MSUs in Sagitaurs.
  • 7th - Jul Champion - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash, including the dakkafex/One-Eye unit, and plenty of Raveners for board control.
  • 8th - Matt Bonnet - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Extreme aggro-Raiders with three Accursed Communes, a second wave of Legionaries in Rhinos, and some Destructors for a bit of dakka.
  • 9th - Innes Wilson - Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Triple Deathwing Knights, one big unit of Inner Circle Companions with a Judiciar, and a Repulsor full of buffed-up Eradicators to finish.
  • 10th - Liam Van Sichelen Logé - Ynnari: MSU Aspects galore, backed by Scourges and Lelith's Wyches.
  • 11th - Kyle Grundy - T'au Empire (Kauyon): Breacherfish, plasma Fireknife units and Riptides.
  • 12th - Alexander Ulsøe Jessen - Thousand Sons: Tsons on the big Scarab brick, maintaining board presence with an extra ration of cultists and Enlightened.
  • 13th - Borja FM - Blood Angels (Gladius Task Force): A wildly out there shooting and hulls build, spamming Death Company Dreadnoughts and Baal Predators, then backing them up with Eradicators and Centurions with a Librarian Dread to hurl them around the battlefield.
  • 14th - Ben Clarke - Thousand Sons: Most of the standard Rubricae/Character Tsons stuff, but squeezing in one Mutalith.
  • 15th - Alexander Kondakov - Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame):  Heavy Flame Sisters with Retributors and a double Penitent squad instead of Dominions (but keeping the Fire and Fury Seraphim unit).
  • 16th - Clement Cordeau - Death Guard: Rhino Plague Marines and lots of shooty Plagueburst and Brigand hulls.

Iowaaagh! Open 2024

69-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Cedar Rapids, IA, United States on August 10 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

James "Boon" Kelling - Aeldari (Battle Host) - 1st Place

Avatar of Khaine. Credit: James "Boon" Kelling

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Just Elfin Around (2000 points)

Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Battle Host

CHARACTERS

Asurmen (115 points) • 1x The Bloody Twins 1x The Sword of Asur

Autarch Wayleaper (115 points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Howling Banshee Mask 1x Star glaive

Avatar of Khaine (335 points) • 1x The Wailing Doom

Death Jester (105 points) • 1x Jester's blade 1x Shrieker cannon • Enhancement: Fate's Messenger

Farseer (80 points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Singing spear

Fuegan (130 points) • 1x Searsong 1x The Fire Axe

Karandras (90 points) • 1x Arhra's Bane 1x Isirmathil 1x The Scorpion's Bite

BATTLELINE

Guardian Defenders (100 points) • 10x Guardian Defender • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Shuriken catapult • 1x Heavy Weapon Platform • 1x Bright lance 1x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dire Avengers (70 points) • 1x Dire Avenger Exarch • 1x Avenger shuriken catapult 1x Avenger shuriken catapult 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Dire Avenger • 4x Avenger shuriken catapult 4x Close combat weapon

Falcon (140 points) • 1x Bright lance 1x Pulse laser 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Falcon (140 points) • 1x Bright lance 1x Pulse laser 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Skyweavers (105 points) • 2x Skyweaver • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Skyweaver haywire cannon 2x Zephyrglaive

Skyweavers (105 points) • 2x Skyweaver • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Skyweaver haywire cannon 2x Zephyrglaive

Striking Scorpions (65 points) • 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch • 1x Biting blade 1x Mandiblasters • 4x Striking Scorpion • 4x Mandiblasters 4x Scorpion chainsword 4x Shuriken pistol

Swooping Hawks (85 points) • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Aeldari power sword 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

War Walkers (110 points) • 2x Bright lance 1x War Walker feet

War Walkers (110 points) • 2x Bright lance 1x War Walker feet

Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (46), Data Version: v434

Archetype

Herohammer Aeldari

Thoughts

Take it away Boon.

Top Table Match

When the superior James came knocking and asking for his pound of Competitive Innovations flesh, I was less interested in discussing the top-table game (no disrespect to my repeated top-table sparring partner, Alex Vian, who played an excellent match) but I thought it may be a nice change of pace to deep-dive my off-meta list and thoughts on construction rather than the game itself. Quick shout out to Josh Thomas who continues to run an excellent event that you should mark on your calendar and all my opponents for their excellent games. 

To summarize this match, Alex was running a rather terrifying and durable Dark Angel list that seems to be all the rage these days. My round four opponent, Tundra Tactics’ own Dakota Kramer, ran a similar list in what was at once the dumbest and best game of 40k I have played in many years - a game where not a single model died until turn five and could be a case study in understanding mission play. You can see Alex’s list below, it’s strong but it’s also limited in its ability to engage at range and predictable in creating charges. So my game plan focused on minimizing his ability to easily get shots from the Repulsor/Erads or getting good value charges, and then using my speed to isolate and overwhelm the more exposed flank. It worked, but I should note that there was a lot of ‘game’ that happened in this game – I had a rough dice turn, then he had a disastrous dice turn, and then the Avatar ended the game.

So let’s talk inside baseball.

List Breakdown

Unlike in years past, the demands of life have conspired to ensure that I have far less time to think about, tinker, and play Warhammer. As a result, I wanted to minimize the number of new variables in my list to limit the risk of a misplay in the rules or error in my game. So, when thinking about my list, I turned to the most recent list I ran at the Bugeater Open which had won me a golden ticket. Problem is, since that event back in June there had been an update to the game, and while the indirect change had a significant impact on D-cannons, I didn’t think the fundamentals of the army really changed all that much, and on the contrary, the meta became more favorable to my style of play as Marines and vehicles seemed to take on a greater role. So, when I sat down to rewrite the list with a mind on the fundamentals, my approach can be best summarized by this scene in ">Moneyball. There is no replacing Giam… D-Cannons. I could no longer afford the points and resource investment I’d pay to make them work. I cannot replace them. What I can do is cobble together a set of units that achieved a similar impact, in the aggregate, and allow my list to continue functioning like previous.

What I lost in the change was the ability to deliver heavy, anti-tank firepower, create space, and dig out units behind walls. Additionally, to make the changes necessary, I needed to sacrifice the Shroud Runners which meant a loss in Scouting capability. To compensate, I added a couple of War Walkers which more than offset the Scouting and traded lower-quality anti-tank for greater mobility and durability.  The remainder of the list saw some point increases since June (Skyweavers and Hawks) which was partially offset by a decrease to Karandras. After adding in the War Walkers I had 115 points remaining and boy wouldn’t you know it Papa Smurf Asurmen himself just so happened to find himself sitting at a newly discounted 115. What self-respecting Eldar player is going to pass on the opportunity to take three Phoenix Lords and an Avatar out for a spin?

Let’s talk about Avatars. I don’t think it’s any surprise he brings a strong capability that the army otherwise lacks and as a result many people have found space for one in their lists. His output is obvious, his durability, obvious. What I warn every player about is his overwatch. Even now, over a year later, people still get caught out by it - but it’s not the Overwatch itself that makes him matter, it’s actually the Farseer behind the throne and the battery of Fate generating citizen-soldiers. This list is Fate-dice hungry, it wants to take that 1 and make it a 6, and it wants to do it at every opportunity it can. Moreover, it wants to make sure key units survive at the key moments - it all takes Fate and a lot of it. People have preferred Storm Guardians for the objective-holding ability, but this list cannot function without the extra dice generated by the Defenders. That means that the position of that unit, and where that Farseer is, needs to be planned a full turn in advance so that it can continue to support the Avatar as it wades its way forward towards destiny. Do not forget that they generate a dice for each objective they are on (lol The Ritual).

Skyweavers are excellent for anti-vehicle, and even in matches where they don’t have good targets (Thousand Sons, Tyranids) they can find opportunity with Devastating Wounds, glaive attacks, and screening/actioning. The Scorpions with Karandras are often misunderstood as I am commonly asked why they don’t infiltrate. I personally see no reason why I should ever start them on the board or infiltrate as it’s an excellent way to lose a unit that can create space, create uncertainty, plug a hole, and gain the ability to reroll its Devastating Wounds by charging out of a Falcon. Feugan? Well he’s Feugan and as with Giambi there is no replacing him. Everyone knows the Death Jester - my personal anecdote is that he once one-shot a full health Tank Commander. What a cool dude, he’s in. Wayleaper is boring but very useful. Hawks? I don’t need more than one squad, the army is fast enough as is, but one squad is a lock for tricksy secondary scoring. 

Let’s talk about Dire Avengers. Many people have asked me about the Dire Avengers after these events and I routinely see Eldar players decry them. I agree that they aren’t going to light the world on fire, they don’t have a super useful profile into any particular meta threat, but [points at Jonah Hill] they get on base.  They’re cheap (for Eldar) and provide me with a unit that can:
  •  Give me a mass of anti-infantry firepower at good range
  •  Provide an objective grabber
  • Provide a GRENADES unit
  • Provide chip damage on anything (Lethal Hits)
  • Gives Asurmen an extra six ablative wounds with a 4+/5++
That first one is critical into armies like GSC, Tyranids, Orks, Dark Eldar, Sisters, etc – armies that can bring high model counts, low toughness units, or both – things that the rest of my army just won’t have the number of shots to effectively handle. That second bullet is important, particularly when combined with the third and fourth items in being capable of delivering enough damage to any unit that they either finish it off directly or allow the remainder of the army to more easily clear it. Then there’s Asurmen. With his point decrease he became a little more viable, but he’s no less squishy than he had been. That 3+ invulnerable? It’s a scary number, it stops your opponent in their tracks. But then they roll the dice, his toughness 3 kicks in and suddenly that 3+ invulnerable and 5 wounds feels non-existent. You want some ablative wounds for your boy blue because he’s a real problem solver with his six attacks at S6, AP-3, 3D and Devastating Wounds.

Am I going to walk around with 3x5 or 3x10 units of these guys? No. But am I going to stick one squad in a Falcon, plop them out to fill a gap and throw Asurmen into the breach? Yes, and repeatedly. And it turns out they’re very good at that, can clean up some spare wounds that would otherwise require more dedicated shooting that you can’t or don’t want to spare, and can even do so effectively in your opponent’s turn. One final note - I deploy Feugan and the Death Jester in one of the Falcons and then swap them for the Avengers on turn one. You get a boost on the Death Jester from the Falcon rerolls, and Feugan can get an extra few inches in case he needs to dig out something like Snikrot or a Callidus that got a little too brave in deployment. Why can he do that? Because he’s Feugan and the guy refuses to die.

I wanted to lay this all out because I don’t think people really dissect their list building very often. I have observed that many people commonly think about tournament list construction with a game in mind rather than six-games in mind. Things which have a low rate of failure will eventually fail across six games - can your list manage it when it happens? Finally, as you consider your own list decisions keep in mind the following; all units are just a collection of tools and capabilities. There’s tradeoffs and balances, but no matter what you determine, at the end of the day you still need to engage at the table and work with what your opponent is giving you.

Kyle McCord - Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force) - 2nd Place

Credit: Kevin Stillman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Indomitable Angels (1995 points)

Space Marines Dark Angels Strike Force (2000 points) Gladius Task Force

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (85 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • Enhancement: Fire Discipline

Azrael (105 points) • Warlord • 1x Lion's Wrath 1x The Lion Helm 1x The Sword of Secrets

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Paired combat blades

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessor • 4x Astartes chainsword 4x Heavy bolt pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathwing Knights (235 points) • 1x Watcher in the Dark • 1x Knight Master • 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Mace of absolution

Deathwing Knights (235 points) • 1x Watcher in the Dark • 1x Knight Master • 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Mace of absolution

Deathwing Knights (235 points) • 1x Watcher in the Dark • 1x Knight Master • 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Mace of absolution

Eradicator Squad (190 points) • 1x Eradicator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle • 5x Eradicator • 5x Bolt pistol 5x Close combat weapon 3x Melta rifle 2x Multi-melta

Land Raider Redeemer (285 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Flamestorm cannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Multi-melta 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin assault cannon

Scout Squad (65 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 (65 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

Vindicator (175 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Vindicator (175 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (47), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Gladius Deathwing Knight Spam

Thoughts

The Deathwing Knight menace shows up in force in second place here, providing an exceptionally durable and threatening wall for Vindicators and Eradicators to operate from behind of. Kyle's version splashes out for the Land Raider Redeemer as the transport for the Eradicators rather than a Repulsor, which also provides a tremendous Overwatch threat for anything trying to run rings around the Knights. Not much more to say here - you get both tremendous durability and extreme threat in one glorious Marine package, congratulations to Kyle for taking it to second place here.

Dan Sammons - Leagues of Votann (Oathband) - 3rd Place

Sagitaur. Credit: Rockfish Sagitaur. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Certainty Of Death? Small Chance Of Success? What Are We Waitin' For? (2000 points)

Leagues of Votann Strike Force (2000 points) Oathband

CHARACTERS

Einhyr Champion (80 points) • Warlord • 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter 1x Mass hammer 1x Weavefield Crest • Enhancement: Appraising Glare

Grimnyr (65 points) • 1x Grimnyr • 1x Ancestral Wrath 1x Ancestral ward stave • 2x CORV • 2x Autoch-pattern bolter 2x Close combat weapon

Grimnyr (65 points) • 1x Grimnyr • 1x Ancestral Wrath 1x Ancestral ward stave • 2x CORV • 2x Autoch-pattern bolter 2x Close combat weapon

BATTLELINE

Hearthkyn Warriors (100 points) • 1x Theyn • 1x Close combat weapon 1x EtaCarn plasma pistol 1x Kin melee weapon 1x Weavefield Crest • 9x Hearthkyn Warrior • 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol 7x Autoch-pattern bolter 9x Close combat weapon 1x Comms Array 1x L7 missile launcher 1x Magna-rail rifle 1x Medipack 1x Pan Spectral Scanner

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Sagitaur (115 points) • 1x Armoured wheels 1x HYLas beam cannon 1x Twin bolt cannon

Sagitaur (115 points) • 1x Armoured wheels 1x HYLas beam cannon 1x Twin bolt cannon

Sagitaur (115 points) • 1x Armoured wheels 1x HYLas beam cannon 1x Twin bolt cannon

Sagitaur (115 points) • 1x Armoured wheels 1x HYLas beam cannon 1x Twin bolt cannon

Sagitaur (115 points) • 1x Armoured wheels 1x HYLas beam cannon 1x Twin bolt cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Cthonian Beserks (100 points) • 5x Cthonian Beserk • 5x Concussion maul 1x Mole grenade launcher

Cthonian Beserks (100 points) • 5x Cthonian Beserk • 5x Concussion maul 1x Mole grenade launcher

Cthonian Beserks (100 points) • 5x Cthonian Beserk • 5x Concussion maul 1x Mole grenade launcher

Einhyr Hearthguard (160 points) • 1x Hesyr • 1x Concussion hammer 1x Exo-armour grenade launcher 1x Volkanite disintegrator 1x Weavefield Crest • 4x Einhyr Hearthguard • 4x Concussion gauntlet 4x Exo-armour grenade launcher 4x Volkanite disintegrator

Einhyr Hearthguard (160 points) • 1x Hesyr • 1x Concussion hammer 1x Exo-armour grenade launcher 1x Teleport Crest 1x Volkanite disintegrator • 4x Einhyr Hearthguard • 4x Concussion gauntlet 4x Exo-armour grenade launcher 4x Volkanite disintegrator

Hekaton Land Fortress (225 points) • 1x Armoured wheels 1x Cyclic ion cannon 1x MATR autocannon 1x Pan Spectral Scanner 2x Twin bolt cannon

Hernkyn Pioneers (90 points) • 3x Hernkyn Pioneer • 3x Bolt revolver 3x Bolt shotgun 1x HYLas rotary cannon 3x Magna-coil autocannon 1x Pan Spectral Scanner 3x Plasma knife 1x Rollbar Searchlight

Hernkyn Pioneers (90 points) • 3x Hernkyn Pioneer • 3x Bolt revolver 3x Bolt shotgun 1x HYLas rotary cannon 3x Magna-coil autocannon 1x Pan Spectral Scanner 3x Plasma knife 1x Rollbar Searchlight

Hernkyn Pioneers (90 points) • 3x Hernkyn Pioneer • 3x Bolt revolver 3x Bolt shotgun 1x HYLas rotary cannon 3x Magna-coil autocannon 1x Pan Spectral Scanner 3x Plasma knife 1x Rollbar Searchlight

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (47), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Go-wide Votann

Thoughts

A highly dispersed Votann formation is up next, adapting to the very lethal metagame by packing numerous relevant threats. That both exploits the initial harvest of Grudge tokens very well and ensures a steady supply of them, while also ensuring you can pivot to Primary denial and scoring if you don't think you're going to win a damage race. I do also like the cute trick you can do with 2x5 Hearthguard and a Land Fortress, which is to fire one squad out with Fire Support while the other gets in, then repeat next turn - a brutal cycle of violence against foes lacking the reach to reliably drop the tank. Nice to see Votann getting stuff done, good work from Dan.

Alex Vian - Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force) - 4th Place

Apothecary Biologis. Credit: Charlie Brassley

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
My Other Car is a Land Raider Redeemer (1995 points)

Space Marines Dark Angels Strike Force (2000 points) Gladius Task Force

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (85 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • Enhancement: Fire Discipline

Asmodai (70 points) • 1x Crozius arcanum and power weapon 1x Heavy bolt pistol

Azrael (105 points) • Warlord • 1x Lion's Wrath 1x The Lion Helm 1x The Sword of Secrets

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Thunder hammer • 4x Assault Intercessor • 4x Astartes chainsword 4x Heavy bolt pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 points) • 1x Armoured hull 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Shield dome

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 4x Heavy bolt pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 4x Heavy bolt pistol

Deathwing Knights (235 points) • 1x Knight Master • 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Mace of absolution

Deathwing Knights (235 points) • 1x Knight Master • 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Mace of absolution

Deathwing Knights (235 points) • 1x Knight Master • 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Power weapon

Eradicator Squad (190 points) • 1x Eradicator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle • 5x Eradicator • 5x Bolt pistol 5x Close combat weapon 3x Melta rifle 2x Multi-melta

Inner Circle Companions (180 points) • 6x Inner Circle Companion • 6x Calibanite greatsword 6x Heavy bolt pistol

Repulsor (180 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Hunter-slayer missile 1x Las-talon 1x Repulsor defensive array 1x Twin lascannon

Scout Squad (65 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (100 points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (47), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Gladius Deathwing Knight Spam

Thoughts

Rounding out the top four here we have pretty much the "standard" Deathwing  Knight Gladius build, with the one tweak being the addition of Asmodai instead of a Judiciar to give additional killing power to the Inner Circle Companions (the option to fish for Lethals broadens their target options a fair bit). Not certain you need any more killing power than you already have, but it does also give you a fallback plan if you somehow hit the one remaining Green Tide player and need to clear a horde in a hurry. Congratulations to Alex for the strong showing!

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - John Teets - Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): A full Sword Brethren brick in a Redeemer backed by jump MSUs and Predator Annihilators.
  • 6th - Jacob Ott - Astra Militarum: Triple Dorn with a full Armoured Sentinel squad to run interference and max the value of the respawn.
  • 7th - Travis Stewart - World Eaters: Extra heavy World Eaters running Forgefiends and Maulerfiends.

Arch City GT III

60-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Columbus, OH, United States on August 10 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Peter Elias - Aeldari (Battle Host) - 1st Place

Credit: Wings

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Arch City (2000 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (150 Points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun • 1x Mandiblasters • 1x Star glaive • Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

Avatar of Khaine (335 Points) • 1x The Wailing Doom

Death Jester (105 Points) • 1x Jester's blade • 1x Shrieker cannon • Enhancements: Fate's Messenger

Farseer (80 Points) • 1x Eldritch Storm • 1x Shuriken pistol • 1x Singing spear

Fuegan (130 Points) • 1x Searsong • 1x The Fire Axe

Karandras (90 Points) • 1x Arhra's Bane • 1x Isirmathil • 1x The Scorpion's Bite

Solitaire (115 Points) • 1x Solitaire weapons

BATTLELINE

Guardian Defenders (100 Points) • 10x Guardian Defender ◦ 10x Close combat weapon ◦ 10x Shuriken catapult • 1x Heavy Weapon Platform ◦ 1x Bright lance ◦ 1x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Falcon (140 Points) • 1x Bright lance • 1x Pulse laser • 1x Shuriken cannon • 1x Wraithbone hull

Falcon (140 Points) • 1x Bright lance • 1x Pulse laser • 1x Shuriken cannon • 1x Wraithbone hull

Fire Dragons (90 Points) • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Firepike • 4x Fire Dragon ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Dragon fusion gun

Rangers (55 Points) • 5x Ranger ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 5x Ranger long rifle ◦ 5x Shuriken pistol

Shroud Runners (80 Points) • 3x Shroud Runner ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Ranger long rifle ◦ 3x Scatter laser ◦ 3x Shuriken pistol

Skyweavers (105 Points) • 2x Skyweaver ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Skyweaver haywire cannon ◦ 2x Zephyrglaive

Striking Scorpions (65 Points) • 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch ◦ 1x Mandiblasters ◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword ◦ 1x Scorpion's claw • 4x Striking Scorpion ◦ 4x Mandiblasters ◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword ◦ 4x Shuriken pistol

Support Weapons (135 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x D-cannon • 1x Shuriken catapult

Swooping Hawks (85 Points) • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch ◦ 1x Aeldari power sword ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Lasblaster

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Herohammer Aeldari

Thoughts

As is a trend among the current best performing Aeldari lists, Peter's build here leans hard on the extremely powerful roster of Characters the faction has access to, then fills out with a mix of powerful scoring pieces and burst damage threats like Falcons and Fire Dragons. I've been on a similar kick myself recently, and these builds are great fun (if terrifying) to play - you can apply spectacular damage when you need to, the tricks the Characters can do are great for locking in scoring and running rings around the foe, and if you throw away even one unit too cheaply you can be in huge trouble. With that in mind, huge props to Peter for holding steady and taking this build to the top!

Folger Pyles - Aeldari (Battle Host) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Greg Narro

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
3 Headed Monster (2000 points)

Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Battle Host

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (150 points) • Warlord • 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Star glaive • Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem

Avatar of Khaine (335 points) • 1x The Wailing Doom

Farseer (80 points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Witchblade

Farseer Skyrunner (90 points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Twin shuriken catapult 1x Witchblade

Spiritseer (80 points) • 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Witch staff • Enhancement: The Weeping Stones

The Visarch (90 points) • 1x Asu-var, the Sword of Silent Screams

Yvraine (125 points) • 1x Kha-vir, the Sword of Sorrows 1x Storm of Whispers

BATTLELINE

Guardian Defenders (100 points) • 10x Guardian Defender • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Shuriken catapult • 1x Heavy Weapon Platform • 1x Bright lance 1x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Rangers (55 points) • 5x Ranger • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Ranger long rifle 5x Shuriken pistol

Swooping Hawks (85 points) • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Lasblaster • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Troupe (180 points) • 1x Lead Player • 1x Harlequin's blade 1x Shuriken pistol • 11x Player • 11x Harlequin's blade 11x Shuriken pistol

Warp Spiders (125 points) • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death spinner • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Warp Spiders (125 points) • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death spinner • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Wraithguard (380 points) • 10x Wraithguard • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Wraithcannon

Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (46), Data Version: v434

Archetype

Heavy Aeldari

Thoughts

In second place we have another undefeated Aeldari build, albeit one about as far away from the previous one as possible. While there are still lots of Characters, this build goes hard, with a full squad of Wraithguard and a massive Harlequin brick to scare off various kinds of foes. Tanks and Monsters need to avoid Wraithguard like the plague, while Harlequins with Yvraine and the Visarch can be a huge problem for all melee builds to handle, especially with access to a Bikeseer to Guide them up. There really isn't much that can safely charge them thanks to Fights First from the Visarch, and they cover a good amount of ground too thanks to model count. Yvraine's Feel No Pain and revival even keeps them safe against chip damage from pistols and the like!

Finally, if all else fails there's still the Avatar, and in this build he and the Wraithguard can select who is at the tip of the spear depending on the enemy's threat profile, giving you the flexibility to play a genuine durability game as Aeldari. Will wonders never cease. Great to see a different take on the faction, well done Folger.

David DeLisle - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) - 3rd Place

Old One Eye. Credit: Rockfish Old One Eye. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Buggin (1995 Points)

Tyranids Invasion Fleet Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Neurotyrant (105 Points) • 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes • 1x Psychic scream

Neurotyrant (105 Points) • Warlord • 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes • 1x Psychic scream

Old One Eye (140 Points) • 1x Old One Eye's claws and talons

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (85 Points) • 10x Gargoyle ◦ 10x Blinding venom ◦ 10x Fleshborer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (50 Points) • 1x Chitin-barbed limbs • 1x Spore Mine launcher

Carnifexes (250 Points) • 2x Carnifex ◦ 2x Bio-plasma ◦ 2x Carnifex scything talons ◦ 2x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 2x Deathspitters with slimer maggots ◦ 2x Spine banks

Exocrine (135 Points) • 1x Bio-plasmic cannon • 1x Powerful limbs

Exocrine (135 Points) • 1x Bio-plasmic cannon • 1x Powerful limbs

Lictor (55 Points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Lictor (55 Points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Maleceptor (170 Points) • 1x Massive scything talons • 1x Psychic overload

Maleceptor (170 Points) • 1x Massive scything talons • 1x Psychic overload

Tyrannofex (190 Points) • 1x Powerful limbs • 1x Rupture cannon • 1x Stinger salvoes

Von Ryan's Leapers (75 Points) • 3x Von Ryan's Leaper ◦ 3x Leaper's talons

Von Ryan's Leapers (75 Points) • 3x Von Ryan's Leaper ◦ 3x Leaper's talons

Zoanthropes (200 Points) • 1x Neurothrope ◦ 1x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 1x Warp Blast • 5x Zoanthrope ◦ 5x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 5x Warp Blast

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

All-rounder Invasion Fleet

Thoughts

Next up, bugs! Efficient Monsters, a couple of nice alpha threats between the Zoanthropes and Dakkafex unit and some good, cheap Infiltrators and scoring stuff to play with. This list can do reasonably well at everything, and combining that with the go turn from Shadow in the Warp and a reliable scoring tail into the late game from Lictors and the like makes this a versatile and effective army. Good work from David.

Geoff Perry - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) - 4th Place

Necron Warriors w/ Gauss Reapers. Credit: Rockfish Necron Warriors w/ Gauss Reapers. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
500$v2 (2000 Points)

Necrons Hypercrypt Legion Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chronomancer (85 Points) • Warlord • 1x Chronomancer's stave • Enhancements: Osteoclave Fulcrum

C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer (295 Points) • 1x Gaze of death • 1x Scythe of the Nightbringer

Hexmark Destroyer (95 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols • Enhancements: Dimensional Overseer

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

Imotekh the Stormlord (100 Points) • 1x Gauntlet of Fire • 1x Staff of the Destroyer

Plasmancer (90 Points) • 1x Plasmic lance • Enhancements: Arisen Tyrant

Transcendent C'tan (285 Points) • 1x Crackling tendrils • 1x Seismic assault

BATTLELINE

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

Necron Warriors (200 Points) • 20x Necron Warrior ◦ 20x Close combat weapon ◦ 20x Gauss reaper

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathmarks (60 Points) • 5x Deathmark ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 5x Synaptic disintegrator

Deathmarks (60 Points) • 5x Deathmark ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 5x Synaptic disintegrator

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

Monolith (375 Points) • 4x Gauss flux arc • 1x Particle whip • 1x Portal of exile

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Warrior/C'tan Hypercrypt

Thoughts

Another pushback against the tyranny of Heavy Hypercrypt here, going for a combination of two powerhouse infantry units with a Monolith to zap them round, two C'tan and Szeras to cause mayhem, and some cheap scoring stuff to round out. Much like some of the Aeldari builds you're in a world of trouble if an opponent spikes a key unit to early, but Hypercrypt's scoring power and capacity for big plays continues to give it some legs even in the face of repeated nerfs. Great work from Geoff.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Brian Daugherty - World Eaters: All the usual toys then a full squad of Terminators out of nowhere.
  • 6th - Nicolas Chesnick - Thousand Sons:  A hefty spin on Tsons with a full Scarab unit and a Mutalith, plus one Rubricae unit built out to the full 10.
  • 7th - Garrett Stacy - Death Guard: Mortarion and 32 Terminators, hell yeah.
  • 8th - Conan Jennings - Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius): The durability-optimised variant of Sons, taking Lemartes unit and two full VanVet/Priest squads.
  • 9th - Alex Brudnicki - Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Four Infantry bricks, two Caladius tanks, a scattering of Sisters to turn on the buffs.
  • 10th - Patrick Schmidt - Leagues of Votann: A particularly go-wide spin on Votann with 2x5 Hearthguard (one unit in a Fortress), some extra Hearthkyn and Yaegirs, and lots of small bike squads. A full Thunderkyn unit with a Brokhyr helps with any heavy lifting requires.

Tables and Towers Summer GT

36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Westminster, MD, United States on August 10 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Take and Hold - Hidden Supplies - Search and Destroy

Mark Hertel - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force)
Army List - Click to Expand
Deathwatch (2000 Points)

Space Marines Deathwatch Black Spear Task Force Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Judiciar (85 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Executioner relic blade • Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

Librarian (95 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Force weapon 1x Smite • Enhancements: Beacon Angelis

Watch Master (145 Points) • Warlord • 1x Vigil spear • Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veteran • 5x Astartes shield 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer 5x Long Vigil melee weapon

Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veteran • 1x Astartes shield 4x Close combat weapon 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer 4x Frag cannon 1x Long Vigil melee weapon

Deathwatch Veterans (100 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 4x Deathwatch Veteran • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Deathwatch thunder hammer 2x Infernus heavy bolter

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Rhino (75 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Inceptor Squad (260 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 5x Inceptor • 5x Assault bolters 5x Close combat weapon

Inceptor Squad (130 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 2x Inceptor • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (130 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 2x Inceptor • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Plasma exterminators

Sternguard Veteran Squad (180 Points) • 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Power fist 1x Sternguard bolt pistol 1x Sternguard bolt rifle • 9x Sternguard Veteran • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Sternguard bolt pistol 7x Sternguard bolt rifle 2x Sternguard heavy bolter

Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (160 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Stormfury missiles 1x Thunderstrike las-talon 1x Twin Icarus rocket pod

Exported with App Version: v1.17.0 (40), Data Version: v430


vs.

Lucas Peacher - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband)
Army List - Click to Expand
The Boyzzz (1995 points)

World Eaters Strike Force (2000 points) Berzerker Warband

CHARACTERS

Khârn the Betrayer (100 points) • Warlord • 1x Gorechild 1x Khârn's plasma pistol

Lord Invocatus (140 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Coward's Bane 1x Juggernaut's bladed horn

World Eaters Master of Executions (125 points) • 1x Axe of dismemberment 1x Bolt pistol • Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive

World Eaters Master of Executions (100 points) • 1x Axe of dismemberment 1x Bolt pistol

BATTLELINE

Jakhals (65 points) • 1x Jakhal Pack Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Jakhal chainblades • 1x Dishonoured • 1x Skullsmasher • 8x Jakhal • 8x Autopistol 1x Icon of Khorne 7x Jakhal chainblades 1x Mauler chainblade

Jakhals (65 points) • 1x Jakhal Pack Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Jakhal chainblades • 1x Dishonoured • 1x Skullsmasher • 8x Jakhal • 8x Autopistol 1x Icon of Khorne 7x Jakhal chainblades 1x Mauler chainblade

Khorne Berzerkers (180 points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion • 1x Berzerker chainblade 1x Icon of Khorne 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Khorne Berzerker • 7x Berzerker chainblade 7x Bolt pistol 2x Khornate eviscerator 2x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (90 points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion • 1x Berzerker chainblade 1x Bolt pistol • 4x Khorne Berzerker • 3x Berzerker chainblade 3x Bolt pistol 1x Khornate eviscerator 1x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (90 points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion • 1x Berzerker chainblade 1x Bolt pistol • 4x Khorne Berzerker • 3x Berzerker chainblade 3x Bolt pistol 1x Khornate eviscerator 1x Plasma pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

World Eaters Rhino (75 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-bolter 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher

World Eaters Rhino (75 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-bolter 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Eightbound (140 points) • 1x Eightbound Champion • 1x Lacerators • 2x Eightbound • 2x Eightbound eviscerators

Exalted Eightbound (310 points) • 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion • 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists • 5x Exalted Eightbound • 5x Eightbound chainfist 5x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (155 points) • 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion • 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists • 2x Exalted Eightbound • 2x Eightbound chainfist 2x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (155 points) • 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion • 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists • 2x Exalted Eightbound • 2x Eightbound chainfist 2x Eightbound eviscerator

World Eaters Chaos Spawn (65 points) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous mutations

World Eaters Chaos Spawn (65 points) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous mutations

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (47), Data Version: v438

Thoughts

It's that time again where we have to play the solemn, sad music as we watch a build not long for this world go out on one last hurrah. The true tragedy here is that thanks to the twists and turns of the metagame and a small but welcome amount of help in the Dataslate, Black Spear Task Force is pretty legit right now. You get a lot of powerful mobility tricks, a very nasty Fight First melee unit by combining a Thief of Secrets Judiciar with Veterans, and we're in a target rich environment for their unique trick of combining Sternguard with their Bolter Strategems thanks to all the elite Infantry around. I also like the use of the Librarian with the second Veteran squad, letting you max out on weaponry without compromising on an invulnerable save - good stuff.

That talk of "good against elite Infantry" probably has the world eaters tugging at their collars nervously, and they're very much right to be worried, this Deathwatch build is practically assembled in a lab to go through Eaters like a hot knife,especially a build making the unusual choice to leave Angron at home. Presumably the World Eaters and Khorne would enjoy the whole hot knives thing, but it won't be very productive, so it's certainly a problem. The mission doesn't massively help either - Search and Destroy is good for them, as it helps pressure, but six objectives kills some of the advantage, as it makes it easier for Deathwatch to hold two while methodically murdering their way through the early game. The impact of the close deployment is also reduced by the presence of the big Fight First unit, because while you can First Turn charge that, you probably shouldn't.

The one saving grace for the World Eaters is that they're still on double Rhino, which gives them some tools for mitigating the killing power of the Deathwatch and to do some staging, but I don't think it's going to be enough. If you had Angron here I think you could maybe try something by sending him to rampage through the top flank solo, and play a very careful game with everything else, but without him I really struggle to see how you're going to stay on the table past around turn 3, after which point Deathwatch will mop up on scoring. That does, broadly, look to be what happened.

Result

Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) Victory - 98 - 57

Mark Hertel - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) - 1st Place

Deathwatch veteran Marcus Varro. Credit: Charlie Brassley

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Deathwatch (2000 Points)

Space Marines Deathwatch Black Spear Task Force Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Judiciar (85 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Executioner relic blade • Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

Librarian (95 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Force weapon 1x Smite • Enhancements: Beacon Angelis

Watch Master (145 Points) • Warlord • 1x Vigil spear • Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veteran • 5x Astartes shield 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer 5x Long Vigil melee weapon

Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veteran • 1x Astartes shield 4x Close combat weapon 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer 4x Frag cannon 1x Long Vigil melee weapon

Deathwatch Veterans (100 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 4x Deathwatch Veteran • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Deathwatch thunder hammer 2x Infernus heavy bolter

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Rhino (75 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Inceptor Squad (260 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 5x Inceptor • 5x Assault bolters 5x Close combat weapon

Inceptor Squad (130 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 2x Inceptor • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (130 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 2x Inceptor • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Plasma exterminators

Sternguard Veteran Squad (180 Points) • 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Power fist 1x Sternguard bolt pistol 1x Sternguard bolt rifle • 9x Sternguard Veteran • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Sternguard bolt pistol 7x Sternguard bolt rifle 2x Sternguard heavy bolter

Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (160 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Stormfury missiles 1x Thunderstrike las-talon 1x Twin Icarus rocket pod

Exported with App Version: v1.17.0 (40), Data Version: v430

Archetype

#justicefordeathwatch

Thoughts

All covered in the Showdown - a very mobile and very deadly build that leverages some of the unique tricks of the Deathwatch to maximum effect. The main thing I want to say here, to make absolutely clear where I stand, is that GW should genuinely just roll back the decision to butcher Deathwatch's rules - this build is fun, it doesn't need to die, and the unique models it uses are current plastics. Why murder it? Add some text to the new version of the detachment in the Imperial Agents codex that lets you use it as a Marine detachment with whatever rules are needed to make it work like the Index then, boom, done.

Hopefully something like that will happen, if not big props to Mark for at least going down swinging.

Shaun Reynolds - Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Judiciar. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
When life gives you lemons use Lennon's Aid (1995)

Space Marines Dark Angels Strike Force (2000 points) Gladius Task Force

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (85 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • Enhancement: Fire Discipline

Azrael (105 points) • Warlord • 1x Lion's Wrath 1x The Lion Helm 1x The Sword of Secrets

Judiciar (70 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Executioner relic blade

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessor • 4x Astartes chainsword 4x Heavy bolt pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Deathwing Knights (235 points) • 1x Watcher in the Dark • 1x Knight Master • 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Mace of absolution

Deathwing Knights (235 points) • 1x Watcher in the Dark • 1x Knight Master • 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Mace of absolution

Deathwing Knights (235 points) • 1x Watcher in the Dark • 1x Knight Master • 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Mace of absolution

Eradicator Squad (190 points) • 1x Eradicator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle • 5x Eradicator • 5x Bolt pistol 5x Close combat weapon 3x Melta rifle 2x Multi-melta

Inner Circle Companions (180 points) • 6x Inner Circle Companion • 6x Calibanite greatsword 6x Heavy bolt pistol

Repulsor (180 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Hunter-slayer missile 1x Las-talon 1x Repulsor defensive array 1x Twin lascannon

Scout Squad (65 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 2x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy bolter 1x Scout sniper rifle

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (100 points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (47), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Gladius Deathwing Knight Spam

Thoughts

You know what this does, by now - we've already had almost this exact list today, albeit Shaun's build here goes for the Judiciar rather than Asmodai. I do prefer the Judiciar in the slot - both are defensible depending on your local metagame, but being able to park a borderline unchargeable unit behind a wall adds a capability, where Asmodai just lets you murders stuff harder, which this army can already do with great enthusiasm. Great stuff from Sean doing just that on the way to undefeated second.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Max Berlove - Necrons (Canoptek Court): Double C'tan, double Doomstalker, double Wraiths and 10/5 Immortals. Honestly impressed you can still contort a list to get this all in.
  • 4th - Jeffrey Kolodner - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): A fairly heavy all-rounder Sisters build with lots of solo Anchorites on top of the standard Castigators, Immolators and Vahl brick.
  • 5th - Brock Bourassa - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash with the OOE/dakkafex unit plus some Zoanthropes with a Neurotyrant for heavy shooting.
  • 6th - Tyler Principio - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Brawler units in Rhinos with Destructors backed up by some Slaaneshi assistance from Fiends and Daemonettes.

Club Seal Cup Part II

28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Gungahlin, ACT, Australia on August 09 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Harry Mayo - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
++ Army Roster (Chaos - World Eaters) [2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit)

Blessings of Khorne Reference

Detachment Choice: Berzerker Warband

Show/Hide Options: Chaos Knights are visible

+ Epic Hero +

Angron [415pts]

Khârn the Betrayer [100pts]

Lord Invocatus [140pts]

+ Character +

World Eaters Daemon Prince [215pts]: Battle-lust

World Eaters Master of Executions [100pts]

+ Battleline +

Jakhals [65pts]: Icon of Khorne . A: 8 chainblades . . 8x Jakhals: 8x Autopistol, 8x Jakhal chainblades . Dishonoured w/ skullsmasher

Khorne Berserkers [180pts]: Icon of Khorne . 6x Khorne Berserker: 6x Berserker chainblade, 6x Bolt pistol . Khorne Berserker Champion: Plasma pistol . Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons: Berserker chainblade, Plasma pistol . Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons: Bolt pistol, Khornate eviscerator . Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons: Bolt pistol, Khornate eviscerator

Khorne Berserkers [90pts]: Icon of Khorne . 2x Khorne Berserker: 2x Berserker chainblade, 2x Bolt pistol . Khorne Berserker Champion: Plasma pistol . Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons: Bolt pistol, Khornate eviscerator . Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons: Berserker chainblade, Plasma pistol

+ Infantry +

Exalted Eightbound [310pts] . 5x Exalted Eightbound: 5x Eightbound chainfist, 5x Eightbound eviscerator . Exalted Eightbound Champion: Paired Eightbound chainfists

Exalted Eightbound [310pts] . 5x Exalted Eightbound: 5x Eightbound chainfist, 5x Eightbound eviscerator . Exalted Eightbound Champion: Paired Eightbound chainfists

+ Dedicated Transport +

World Eaters Rhino [75pts]: Combi-weapon, Havoc launcher

++ Total: [2,000pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe ()

It's totally going to be battle ready, there's no need to double check that

Archetype

Hardcore World Eaters

Thoughts

Last on the docket for today we've got a win for World Eaters, adapting to the prevalance of other melee threats in the metagame by going extra hard with the Exalted Eightbound, and bringing a Daemon Prince to boost them up to a 4+ Invulnerable Save, plus mess with enemy melee hammers with a free Heroic Intervention. If you can tag a strung out enemy charge so that they can't concentrate their attacks, using Khorne Cares Not will hopefully let you ride out their blows, and then your Eightbound and Prince can flatten them on the riposte. That's my theory anyway - and it seems to have worked here, great stuff from Harry!

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Corey Schmetzer - Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force): Three Dreadknights and three Terminator MSUs with Draigo and Librarians.
  • 3rd - Dom Proctor - Space Marines (Gladius Task Force): Lots of Terminators, lots of Redemptors and a full unit of Heavy Intercessors to try and maximise the value of Battleline buffs.
  • 4th - Danny Jackson - Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Big monsters, various Battleline infantry to control the board a bit, and cheap stuff to fill.
  • 5th - Elliot Hislop - Space Wolves (Champions of Russ): Extra herohammer Champions, mixing up ThunderCav, Epic Hero Dreadnoughts and small Infantry units with some Character boosts.

Wrap Up

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Tags: Space Marines | tyranids | blood angels | world eaters | Deathwatch | Necrons | Warhammer 40k | Aeldari | Thousand Sons | Dark Angels | Black Templars | competitive play | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations | Leagues of Votann

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