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Warhammer 40k | Goonhammer | Core Games | 40K Competitive Innovations

Competitive Innovations in 10th: New Year Retribution pt.1

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Jan 10 2024
After a few weeks to reflect and re-arm, the tournament scene came back with a bang this weekend past. We've got a whole host of majors and GTs to look at, and an extremely diverse looking metagame, with six different factions taking trophies out of eight events, multiple top four showings for the new Necron and AdMech books, and some dormant factions arising from their slumber to take some heads.

Will that hold as we start seeing supermajors kick off, between Nottingham this weekend and LVO at the end of the month? Only time will tell - but I don't think you could have asked for a better start to the new year than this one.

Today I (Wings) will be covering:
  • Denver 40K Fight Club January Open
  • A Grimdark New Years 40k GT
  • Hammer In The New Year 2024
  • Warhound GT in January
On Friday, Lowest of Men will be looking at:
  • Glass City GT
  • EXTERMINATUS VIII - Rise of the Noodle
  • Defcon 2024 - Warhammer 40k
  • Warlords of Walsall GT 1 UKTC ITC
As a new year dawns, so does a new season of Patron democracy, and for our first two Showdowns of the year they've selected:
  • Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) vs Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force) at Hammer in the New Year
  • Orks (Waaagh! Tribe) vs Necrons (Canoptek Court) at the Warlords of Walsall GT

Denver 40K Fight Club January Open

78-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Denver, CO, US on January 06 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Colin Kay - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) - 1st Place

Arcoflagellants. Credit: Richyp

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
They say repent or die… Why not both? (1995 Points)

Adepta Sororitas Hallowed Martyrs Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Dialogus (30 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Dialogus staff

Morvenn Vahl (125 Points) • Warlord • 1x Fidelis 1x Lance of Illumination 1x Paragon missile launcher

Palatine (65 Points) • 1x Palatine blade 1x Plasma pistol • Enhancements: Blade of Saint Ellynor

Preacher (50 Points) • 1x Zealot’s vindictor • Enhancements: Saintly Example

Triumph of Saint Katherine (125 Points) • 1x Bolt pistols 1x Relic weapons

BATTLELINE

Battle Sisters Squad (100 Points) • 1x Sister Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Condemnor boltgun 1x Power weapon • 9x Battle Sister • 9x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Arco-flagellants (130 Points) • 10x Arco-flagellant • 10x Arco-flails

Arco-flagellants (130 Points) • 10x Arco-flagellant • 10x Arco-flails

Arco-flagellants (130 Points) • 10x Arco-flagellant • 10x Arco-flails

Crusaders (25 Points) • 2x Crusader • 2x Power weapon

Crusaders (25 Points) • 2x Crusader • 2x Power weapon

Crusaders (25 Points) • 2x Crusader • 2x Power weapon

Death Cult Assassins (35 Points) • 2x Death Cult Assassin • 2x Death Cult power blades

Exorcist (160 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Exorcist missile launcher 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile

Exorcist (160 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Exorcist missile launcher 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile

Exorcist (160 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Exorcist missile launcher 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile

Paragon Warsuits (200 Points) • 1x Paragon Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Multi-melta 1x Paragon grenade launchers 1x Paragon war mace • 2x Paragon • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Multi-melta 2x Paragon grenade launchers 2x Paragon war mace

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (90 Points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Vindicare Assassin (80 Points) • 1x Exitus pistol 1x Exitus rifle 1x Vindicare combat knife

Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319

Archetype

Arco-flagellant spam + all-rounders

Thoughts

Sisters have absolutely stormed out of the gates in 2024 with a very strong week of performances, and Colin's build here is a strong example of how to use the faction effectively. You've got an initial ablative layer of Arco-flagellants plus Rhinos to stage them in, providing an extremely cost-effective first wave, a trio of Exorcists buffed by the Triumph to chip away at opposing forces while they're chewing through that, and the big hammer of Vahl and Paragons to troubleshoot anything bigger. Round out with some great utility and objective pieces across Assassins, Crusaders and the Palatine with the blade and you've got something that leans hard into Sisters' ability to field an all-rounder build - there's nothing that this doesn't have some amount of play into, making it a good choice for longer events like this one. Great work from Colin.

Brett Perkins - Necrons (Canoptek Court) - 2nd Place

Immortals With Tesla Carbines. Credit: Rockfish Immortals With Tesla Carbines. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Necron Cryptek Court (2000 points)

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Canoptek Court

CHARACTERS

Chronomancer (60 points) • 1x Chronomancer’s stave • Enhancement: Metalodermal Tesla Weave

Illuminor Szeras (160 points) • 1x Eldritch Lance 1x Impaling legs

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

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

Plasmancer (55 points) • 1x Plasmic lance

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

Technomancer (60 points) • 1x Staff of light

BATTLELINE

Immortals (140 points) • 10x Immortal • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Tesla carbine

Immortals (140 points) • 10x Immortal • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Tesla carbine

Immortals (140 points) • 10x Immortal • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Gauss blaster

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

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

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 3x Twin tesla carbine

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

Archetype

Shooty Canoptek Court

Thoughts

People are trying out all sorts of builds with Necrons, and this one is an example of taking things to an extreme, going for one of the shootiest possible setups. Canoptek Court re-rolls turbo charge Doomstalkers, and the looming threat of the Cynosure of Eradication bomb off the Immortal brick with the Plasmancer forces opponents to be pretty cautious. This list goes further than most with Immortals, taking the full three units and supporting them with Szeras and a Reanimator, which definitely makes them pretty daunting to clear out, and gives some redundancy to keep Cynosure as a big damage dealer even if the first unit gets dropped. Like the Sisters, you also have a good tool to delay the opponent while all these nasty toys deal damage, with a full Infiltrating Wraith unit being a nasty early threat into a lot of armies, and pretty flexible thanks to Reactive Subroutines. Lots of cheap objective tools round things out again, giving this build very reliable scoring potential, and providing Brett with the tools to take the silver medal.

Brandon Roddy - Dark Angels (Vanguard Spearhead) - 3rd Place

Credit: Greg Chiasson

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Sneaky but Beefy (1995 Points)

Space Marines Dark Angels Vanguard Spearhead Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Ancient in Terminator Armour (100 Points) • Warlord • 1x Terminator Storm Shield 1x Thunder hammer • Enhancements: The Blade Driven Deep

Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Force weapon 1x Smite

OTHER DATASHEETS

Centurion Devastator Squad (175 Points) • 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant • 1x Centurion fists 1x Centurion missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon • 2x Devastator Centurion • 2x Centurion fists 2x Centurion missile launcher 2x Twin lascannon

Centurion Devastator Squad (175 Points) • 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant • 1x Centurion fists 1x Centurion missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon • 2x Devastator Centurion • 2x Centurion fists 2x Centurion missile launcher 2x Twin lascannon

Deathwing Command Squad (210 Points) • 1x Watcher in the Dark • 1x Deathwing Ancient • 1x Power fist 1x Storm bolter • 1x Deathwing Apothecary • 1x Chainfist 1x Storm bolter • 1x Deathwing Champion • 1x Halberd of Caliban • 2x Deathwing Command Terminator • 2x Storm Shield 2x Thunder hammer

Eliminator Squad (75 Points) • 1x Eliminator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Instigator bolt carbine • 2x Eliminator • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 2x Las fusil

Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Lancer laser destroyer 2x Storm bolter

Inceptor Squad (220 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 5x Inceptor • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (110 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 2x Inceptor • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (110 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 2x Inceptor • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Plasma exterminators

Infiltrator Squad (100 Points) • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Marksman bolt carbine • 4x Infiltrator • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Helix Gauntlet 1x Infiltrator Comms Array 4x Marksman bolt carbine

Scout Squad (55 Points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 1x Astartes shotgun 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Combat knife 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

Scout Squad (55 Points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 1x Astartes shotgun 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Combat knife 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

Whirlwind (145 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter 1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

Whirlwind (145 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter 1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (90 Points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319

Archetype

Shooty Vanguard Dark Angels

Thoughts

Not to be outdone in the "guns for days" arena, this build uses some of the tricks from the popular Vanguard Deep Strike Ultramarines build, and adds a bit of the flavour of the infiltrating Deathwing Knights build. The calculation here is that a Deathwing Command Squad with an Ancient is enough of an Infiltrating hammer that you don't need to spend the points to take the full Knight brick, and you get some extra fun jank from doubling up on +1OC in the unit and free Heroic Interventions, making them a huge pain when they're dancing around with Calculated Feint. That also frees up the points to squeeze Whirlwinds into the build as well as some of the regular toys like Centurions zipping around via strat reserves, and also one of my favourite underutilised tech pieces in the Phobos Librarian, who has the flexibility to roll with either the Eliminators to durably hold an objective or the Infiltrators to provide an un-clearable backfield screen against armies with lots of indirect. I suspect that the down-the-line hammer blow of the Vanguard Ultramarines is still slightly better, but this column absolutely awards points for style, and this build definitely has it - great stuff from Brandon.

Ben Neal - Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead) - 4th Place

Marneus Calgar Credit: Alfredo Ramirez Marneus Calgar Credit: Alfredo Ramirez

Special shout out to Ben, who was 5-0 after five rounds, but unfortunately couldn't play the final.

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Sneaky Templars Shhhh (2000 Points)

Space Marines Ultramarines Vanguard Spearhead Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (80 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • Enhancements: The Blade Driven Deep

Librarian in Phobos Armour (100 Points) • Warlord • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Force weapon 1x Smite • Enhancements: Shadow War Veteran

Marneus Calgar (185 Points) • 1x Marneus Calgar • 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar • 2x Victrix Honour Guard • 2x Victrix power sword

Uriel Ventris (75 Points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Invictus 1x Sword of Idaeus

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (220 Points) • 1x Aggressor Sergeant • 1x Auto boltstorm gauntlets 1x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Twin power fists • 5x Aggressor • 5x Auto boltstorm gauntlets 5x Fragstorm grenade launcher 5x Twin power fists

Centurion Devastator Squad (350 Points) • 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant • 1x Centurion fists 1x Centurion missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon • 5x Devastator Centurion • 5x Centurion fists 5x Centurion missile launcher 5x Twin lascannon

Company Heroes (95 Points) • 1x Ancient • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Bolt rifle 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Company Champion • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 2x Company Veteran • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 1x Master-crafted bolt rifle 1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Lancer laser destroyer 2x Storm bolter

Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Lancer laser destroyer 2x Storm bolter

Inceptor Squad (220 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 5x Inceptor • 5x Assault bolters 5x Close combat weapon

Inceptor Squad (110 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Inceptor • 2x Assault bolters 2x Close combat weapon

Infiltrator Squad (100 Points) • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Marksman bolt carbine • 4x Infiltrator • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Helix Gauntlet 1x Infiltrator Comms Array 4x Marksman bolt carbine

Scout Squad (55 Points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes shotgun 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Astartes shotgun 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (90 Points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319

Archetype

Hammer Vanguard Ultramarines

Thoughts

Hey speaking of the down-the-line hammer build - this is pretty much that, just flexing some of the normal infantry inclusions out in favour of some Gladiator Lancers, perhaps anticipating a vehicle-heavy metagame. This formula continues to be wildly successful - the combination of the Infiltrating Aggressor/Calgar/Apothecary brick with the weight of violence coming in from deep strike is extremely daunting to take on. I also think it's reasonably well placed if Necrons go big in the metagame - Centurions with cover in the open stack up pretty well into most of their offence, -1 to hit in general is good against Doomstalkers even when they have re-rolls, and the Shadow War Veteran Librarian teaming up with the Callidus to double tax Cynosure of Eradication after the first use is going to be very painful for the robots. There also seem to be lots of Chaos Knights around at the moment, so I can certainly see the Lancers helping with the lift into those. A truly brutal list, and one that no player (including the eventual winner of the event) was able to take down in Ben's hands.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Matthew Murrell - Death Guard: All-rounder Death Guard with a bit of everything - Daemon Engines, Mortarion, Plague Marines in Rhinos, Terminators (with some scary Characters), all Nurgle's favourite toys.
  • 6th - Chris Van Hoose - Chaos Knights: Dogs and a smattering of Daemons.
  • 7th - Mike Pestilens - Chaos Daemons: Ultra chunky Daemons, combining Be'lakor, a GuO and an LoC with a trio of Tzeentch Soul Grinders, providing a daunting firebase that trumps pretty much any opposing ranged plan thanks to Be'lakor's aura, and is still very durable up close.
  • 8th - Kyle Colledge - Death Guard: Shootier Death Guard, going a bit harder on guns (including a Predator Destructor for a bit of reliable D3) and tooling up the contents of the Rhinos something fierce.

A Grimdark New Years 40k GT

65-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Valdosta, Georgia, US on January 06 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

John Lennon - Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead) - 1st Place

Credit: Kevin Stillman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Ultra Memes (2000 Points)

Space Marines Ultramarines Vanguard Spearhead Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (80 Points) 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon Enhancements: The Blade Driven Deep

Marneus Calgar (185 Points) 1x Marneus Calgar Warlord 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar 2x Victrix Honour Guard 2x Victrix power sword

Uriel Ventris (75 Points) 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Invictus 1x Sword of Idaeus

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (220 Points) 1x Aggressor Sergeant 1x Auto boltstorm gauntlets 1x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Twin power fists 5x Aggressor 5x Auto boltstorm gauntlets 5x Fragstorm grenade launcher 5x Twin power fists

Centurion Devastator Squad (350 Points) 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant 1x Centurion fists 1x Centurion missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon 5x Devastator Centurion 5x Centurion fists 5x Centurion missile launcher 5x Twin lascannon

Company Heroes (95 Points) 1x Ancient 1x Bolt pistol 1x Bolt rifle 1x Close combat weapon 1x Company Champion 1x Bolt pistol 1x Master-crafted power weapon 2x Company Veteran 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 1x Master-crafted bolt rifle 1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

Eradicator Squad (95 Points) 1x Eradicator Sergeant 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle 2x Eradicator 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle 1x Multi-melta

Eradicator Squad (95 Points) 1x Eradicator Sergeant 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle 2x Eradicator 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle 1x Multi-melta

Inceptor Squad (220 Points) 1x Inceptor Sergeant 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators 5x Inceptor 5x Close combat weapon 5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (220 Points) 1x Inceptor Sergeant 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators 5x Inceptor 5x Close combat weapon 5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (110 Points) 1x Inceptor Sergeant 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon 2x Inceptor 2x Assault bolters 2x Close combat weapon

Scout Squad (55 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 (55 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 (55 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

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (90 Points) 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Archetype

Hammer Vanguard Ultramarines

Thoughts

The OG iteration of the Vanguard Ultramarines build strikes again, with John kicking off the year as he (presumably) means to go on and taking a major trophy. John's version sticks to some Eradicators instead of Lancers for extra anti-tank heft (giving better synergy with the detachment at the cost of weaker long-ranged sniping), and tore through a tough gauntlet here to really hammer home that this is one of the armies to beat.

Charles Barber - Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

That Gobbo

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Eat, Skeet, Delete (2000 points)

Chaos Space Marines Strike Force (2000 points) Slaves to Darkness

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (75 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • Warlord • 1x Daemon hammer 1x Plasma pistol

Chaos Lord (75 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Daemon hammer 1x Plasma pistol

Chaos Lord (75 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Daemon hammer 1x Plasma pistol

Dark Commune (55 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Cult Demagogue • 1x Autopistol 1x Commune stave • 1x Mindwitch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Warp Curse • 1x Iconarch • 1x Autopistol 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Blessed Blade • 2x Commune blade

Dark Commune (55 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Cult Demagogue • 1x Autopistol 1x Commune stave • 1x Mindwitch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Warp Curse • 1x Iconarch • 1x Autopistol 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Blessed Blade • 2x Commune blade

Dark Commune (55 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Cult Demagogue • 1x Autopistol 1x Commune stave • 1x Mindwitch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Warp Curse • 1x Iconarch • 1x Autopistol 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Blessed Blade • 2x Commune blade

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (55 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Cultist Champion • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Cultist firearm • 9x Chaos Cultist • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Close combat weapon 6x Close combat weapon 6x Cultist firearm 1x Cultist grenade launcher 1x Flamer 1x Heavy stubber

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-bolter 1x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher

Chaos Rhino (75 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-bolter 1x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher

Chaos Rhino (75 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-bolter 1x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Accursed Cultists (190 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 10x Mutant • 10x Blasphemous appendages • 6x Torment • 6x Hideous mutations

Accursed Cultists (190 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 10x Mutant • 10x Blasphemous appendages • 6x Torment • 6x Hideous mutations

Accursed Cultists (190 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 10x Mutant • 10x Blasphemous appendages • 6x Torment • 6x Hideous mutations

Chosen (110 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Boltgun 1x Chaos Icon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Chosen • 3x Accursed weapon 3x Bolt pistol 3x Boltgun 1x Paired accursed weapons 1x Plasma pistol

Chosen (110 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Boltgun 1x Chaos Icon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Chosen • 3x Accursed weapon 3x Bolt pistol 3x Boltgun 1x Paired accursed weapons 1x Plasma pistol

Chosen (110 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Boltgun 1x Chaos Icon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Chosen • 3x Accursed weapon 3x Bolt pistol 3x Boltgun 1x Paired accursed weapons 1x Plasma pistol

Forgefiend (180 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Armoured limbs 2x Ectoplasma cannon 1x Ectoplasma cannon

Forgefiend (180 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured limbs 2x Ectoplasma cannon 1x Ectoplasma cannon

ALLIED UNITS

Nurglings (35 points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm • 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Nurglings (35 points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm • 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (33), Data Version: v319

Archetype

Accursed Cultist Spam

Thoughts

Another returning favourite here, a rapid onslaught from waves of Accursed Cultists can be very tough for some armies to deal with, and there are few builds better at just flattening unprepared opponents, especially with a second wave of Chosen staged in Rhinos. Add the one-two of the Nurgle and Undivided Forgefiends for ranged support, and you have another enduringly effective classic, which Charles piloted to an undefeated second place.

Z Martin - Aeldari (Battle Host) - 3rd Place

Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Z-Dar, One of these things is not like the others (1995 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch (100 Points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Mandiblasters 1x Star glaive • Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

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

Fuegan (115 Points) • 1x Searsong 1x The Fire Axe

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

Yvraine (100 Points) • 1x Kha-vir, the Sword of Sorrows 1x Storm of Whispers

BATTLELINE

Storm Guardians (115 Points) • 10x Storm Guardian • 2x Aeldari flamer 2x Aeldari power sword 8x Guardian combat weapon 2x Guardian fusion gun 6x Shuriken pistol • 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform • 1x Guardian combat weapon 1x Serpent shield

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Wave Serpent (120 Points) • 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Twin bright lance 1x Wraithbone hull

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

Fire Dragons (85 Points) • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Firepike • 4x Fire Dragon • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dragon fusion gun

Fire Dragons (85 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

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

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

Support Weapons (125 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x D-cannon 1x Shuriken catapult

Support Weapons (125 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x D-cannon 1x Shuriken catapult

Swooping Hawks (75 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

Swooping Hawks (75 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

Troupe (165 Points) • 1x Lead Player • 1x Harlequin’s blade 1x Shuriken pistol • 10x Player • 4x Fusion pistol 10x Harlequin’s special weapon 4x Neuro disruptor 2x Shuriken pistol

Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319

Archetype

Mech Melta Aeldari

Thoughts

It would appear that Aeldari players are just as bored of playing the hits as the rest of us are of playing against them, as this completely left-field Aeldari build showcases. The focus here is damage - you've got multiple D-cannons, lots of Fire Dragons in Falcons, and an extremely nasty melee blender in the form of the Visarch and 11 Harlequins in a Serpent. I'm also a fan of Yvraine with Storm Guardians - while it's clearly not the best thing Aeldari can be doing, the synergy between her Feel No Pain/model reviving and the Serpentscale Platform is very strong, creating a surprisingly durable unit that can also make objectives sticky. I think if Aeldari catch nerfs to some toys, both this and the Harlequin/Visarch setup are things you'll see a lot more of, as both are good units, just currently outshined. Clearly Z has seen some portents of the things to come, and put in an impressive showing with the tech he borrowed from his future self, taking four wins and a draw in the fourth round.

Kyle Jackling - Cult Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort) - 4th Place

Pteraxii Sterylizor Pteraxii Sterylizor. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Admech skitari hunter cohort no longer first go (2000 Points)

Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii Hunter Cohort Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Skitarii Marshal (55 Points) • 1x Control stave 1x Mechanicus pistol • Enhancements: Veiled Hunter

Skitarii Marshal (65 Points) • 1x Control stave 1x Mechanicus pistol • Enhancements: Battle-sphere Uplink

Skitarii Marshal (55 Points) • 1x Control stave 1x Mechanicus pistol • Enhancements: Clandestine Infiltrator

Tech-Priest Dominus (75 Points) • Warlord • 1x Omnissian axe 1x Phosphor serpenta 1x Volkite blaster

Tech-Priest Manipulus (55 Points) • 1x Omnissian staff 1x Transonic cannon

Technoarcheologist (45 Points) • 1x Mechanicus pistol 1x Servo-arc claw

Technoarcheologist (45 Points) • 1x Mechanicus pistol 1x Servo-arc claw

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Rangers (90 Points) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Galvanic rifle • 9x Skitarii Ranger • 1x Arc rifle 9x Close combat weapon 6x Galvanic rifle 1x Omnispex 1x Plasma caliver 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (80 Points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Radium carbine • 9x Skitarii Vanguard • 1x Arc rifle 9x Close combat weapon 1x Omnispex 1x Plasma caliver 6x Radium carbine 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (80 Points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Radium carbine • 9x Skitarii Vanguard • 1x Arc rifle 9x Close combat weapon 1x Omnispex 1x Plasma caliver 6x Radium carbine 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (80 Points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Radium carbine • 9x Skitarii Vanguard • 1x Arc rifle 9x Close combat weapon 1x Omnispex 1x Plasma caliver 6x Radium carbine 1x Transuranic arquebus

OTHER DATASHEETS

Kataphron Breachers (290 Points) • 6x Kataphron Breacher • 6x Heavy arc rifle 6x Hydraulic claw

Kataphron Breachers (290 Points) • 6x Kataphron Breacher • 6x Heavy arc rifle 6x Hydraulic claw

Pteraxii Skystalkers (65 Points) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Taser goad • 4x Pteraxii Skystalker • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Flechette carbine

Pteraxii Skystalkers (65 Points) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Taser goad • 4x Pteraxii Skystalker • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Flechette carbine

Pteraxii Sterylizors (130 Points) • 1x Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Pteraxii talons 1x Taser goad • 9x Pteraxii Sterylizor • 9x Phosphor torch 9x Pteraxii talons

Pteraxii Sterylizors (130 Points) • 1x Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Pteraxii talons 1x Taser goad • 9x Pteraxii Sterylizor • 9x Phosphor torch 9x Pteraxii talons

Pteraxii Sterylizors (130 Points) • 1x Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Pteraxii talons 1x Taser goad • 9x Pteraxii Sterylizor • 9x Phosphor torch 9x Pteraxii talons

Serberys Raiders (60 Points) • 1x Serberys Raider Alpha • 1x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs 1x Galvanic carbine 1x Mechanicus pistol • 2x Serberys Raider • 2x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs 2x Galvanic carbine

Sicarian Infiltrators (70 Points) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Taser goad • 4x Sicarian Infiltrator • 4x Flechette blaster 4x Taser goad

Sydonian Dragoons with Radium Jezzails (45 Points) • 1x Ironstrider feet 1x Phosphor serpenta 1x Radium jezzail

Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319

Archetype

Sneaky Sterilyzor Spam

Thoughts

Rounding out the top four with have the other half of that round 4 draw, with Kyle putting in one of the strongest performances yet with the new Adeptus Mechanicus build. His list leans on a few things, most notably that Kataphron Breachers don't need any help from a detachment to be outstanding, and Pteraxii Sterylizors work really well with a bunch of the Hunter Cohort stratagems. Thanks to their ability to re-roll wounds if they have a nearby Battleline unit, either Binharic Offensive or Isolate and Destroy make them exceedingly deadly, and they're fast and relatively durable for the cost on top of that (even before you start putting Bionic Endurance or Shroud Protocols on them).

Breachers will gradually chew through anything if they're allowed to, so buying time for that with a bunch of annoying winged warriors roasting stuff all over the place (especially with the premium after roll-off redeploy to help set up early) is really good, and obviously also combines with other stuff here to make this build strong at scoring. I also really like the use of Clandestine Infiltrator and Battle-Sphere Uplink - the list's damage output is very dependent on buffs bequeathed by nearby Battleline units, so having the flexibility to set one up in the mid-board (with a Scout after Infiltrating) and a Fire and Fade on another helps ensure that this functions as a well-oiled machine. AdMech love those, so presumably commendations from the Omnissiah are on their way for Kyle.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Noah Neundorfer - Death Guard: Heavy Infantry-skewed Death Guard, going for three full units of Plague Marines in Rhinos plus full blobs each of Deathshrouds and Blightlords with Typhus and a Lord of Virulence.
  • 6th - Collin Cochran - Chaos Space Marines: Extreme Abaddon Gunline, going for three Forgefiends and multiple squads of Obliterators.
  • 7th - Steven Tosky - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): A heroic sally out for an actual Monolith list as the Hypercrypt Legion, with loads of Flayed Ones to zap around in an annoying fashion, a big unit of Lychguard to fire through the portal at a key moment, and lots of Lokhust Heavies for blasting. If all else fails, just drop the Nightbringer amongst the enemy with Cosmic Precision.
  • 8th - Brandon Lovato - Necrons (Canoptek Court): Triple C'tan and double Wraith block, plus the nightmare Immortal unit, which is definitely looking like a promising template for how to make Canoptek Court really sing.
  • 9th - Cody Willis - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Lots of Sword Brethren in Impulsors and a Redeemer, ready to go Assault Doctrine on anyone who looks at them funny.
  • 10th - Teddy Woody - Necrons (Canoptek Court): Double C'tan and double Wraiths, spending the extra points on lots of Scarab Swarms to gum up the board and/or chip through enemy chaff (their number of attacks with Lethal Hits will really add up with full re-rolls from the detachment).

Hammer In The New Year 2024

45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ashburn, VA, US on January 06 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Vital Ground - Chilling Rain - Crucible of Battle

James Culpepper - Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Heavy duty double Land Raider Dark Angels, with the Lion provding even more heft.
Army List - Click to Expand
Hammer v11 (1995 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Azrael (105 Points) • 1x Lion’s Wrath 1x The Lion Helm 1x The Sword of Secrets

Bladeguard Ancient (55 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy bolt pistol • Enhancements: Artificer Armour

Chaplain in Terminator Armour (75 Points) • 1x Crozius arcanum 1x Relic Shield

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

Lion El’Jonson (380 Points) • Warlord • 1x Arma Luminis 1x Fealty

Techmarine (55 Points) • 1x Forge bolter 1x Grav-pistol 1x Omnissian power axe 1x Servo-arm

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathwing Knights (235 Points) • 1x Watcher in the Dark • 1x Knight Master • 1x Flail of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight • 4x Mace of absolution

Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) • 1x Armoured hull 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Lancer laser destroyer

Land Raider (240 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Godhammer lascannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Multi-melta 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin heavy bolter

Land Raider Redeemer (260 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Flamestorm cannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Multi-melta 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin assault cannon

Sternguard Veteran Squad (200 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 2x Combi-weapon 9x Sternguard bolt pistol 5x 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: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319


vs.

Jeffrey Kolodner - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Go-wide skirmishing sisters with lots of Transports and Battle Sisters.
Army List - Click to Expand
Order of the Eternal Crucible

Statuary Tender Honest -- Imagifier (60) - Litanies of Faith

Orator Superior Amalia -- Junith Eruita (90)

Prioress Sabine - Morvenn Vahl (125) -- Warlord

Purifier Charity - Palatine (65) - Plasma Pistol, Blade of St. Ellynor

Old Tom - Missionary (40) - Saintly Example

Battle Sister Squad (100) - Multi-Melta - Simulacrum - Power Weapon+Condemnor - Meltagun

Battle Sister Squad (100) - Multi-Melta - Simulacrum - Power Weapon+Condemnor - Meltagun

Battle Sister Squad (100) - Multi-Melta - Simulacrum - Power Weapon+Condemnor - Ministorum Flamer

Battle Sister Squad (100) - Multi-Melta - Simulacrum - Power Weapon+Condemnor - Artificer Storm Bolter

Crucible's Reach -- Immolator (115) - Twin Multi-Melta - Hunter-Killer Missile

Purifying Incandescence -- Immolator (115) - Twin Multi-Melta - Hunter-Killer Missile

Righteous Conveyance -- Rhino (75) -Hunter-Killer Missile

The Searing Bulwark -- Retributor Squad - (115) - Power Weapon+Condemnor - 4xMulti-Melta

Refutation of Dross -- Castigator (140) -Castigator Battle Cannon -Hunter-Killer Missile -Storm Bolter

Ringing Purity -- Castigator (140) -Castigator Battle Cannon -Hunter-Killer Missile -Storm Bolter

The Feral -- Mortifier (60) -2x Heavy Bolter+Twin Buzz Blade -Anchorite Sarcophagus

The Fool -- Mortifier (60) -2x Heavy Bolter+Twin Buzz Blade -Anchorite Sarcophagus

The Cog Breakers - Paragon Warsuits (200) -3x Multi-Melta+Paragon Grenade Launcher -2x Paragon War Mace -1x Paragon War Blade

Sisters Novitiates (85) -Power Weapon+Plasma Pistol -Sacred Banner -Simulacra -2xFlamer -Autopistols and Novitiate Blades

House Garlon Squires -- 2x Crusaders (25)

Madeline -- Callidus Assassin (90)

Thoughts

Very much a clash of opposites here. On one side of things we have an extremely heavy-hitting Dark Angels build, using a couple of Land Raiders and some scary close-range threats to bully the board. Facing them down, we have a return of Jeffrey's US Open winning Sisters, using a go-wide plan with lots of smaller units and transports to lock in scoring, and relying on the reliability Sisters can draw from miracle dice and the Vahl hammer unit to provide a lift when something chunky needs to die.

The mission is an interesting one for these to face off on, because there's some degree to which having fewer No-Man's land objectives favours heavier hitters over go-wide builds. The flip side of that is that it forces the smaller, heftier Dark Angels force to split up, and Vital Ground also heavily penalises getting routed on any part of the table, or allowing the opponent to roll onto your home point (obviously always bad, but in this mission really bad).

I think that means that the Sisters can leverage their capabilities to turn this one to their advantage. There just aren't that many Dark Angels units, and Miracle Dice make Sisters very good at reliably picking off a few key targets, with Land Raiders in particular being unusually vulnerable against Sororitas melta compared to most stuff that tries to kill them. The Dark Angels also don't have much in the way of "spare" stuff to put out on objectives, and Vital Ground is extremely punishing on scoring if you can't secure at least one of the no-man's land objectives. Particulaly given that the Angels will struggle to prevent various fixed Secondary options here (Homers/Engage or Homers/Assassinate both seem plausible), I think if the Sisters just carefully ration out their resources and make sure to burst down whatever gets exposed to them, they should be able to either pull comfortably ahead on Primary if the Dark Angels don't do enough to secure objectives, or wipe them from the table if they overextend. The Lion is maybe the only thing that gives them serious pause, but even he's very vulnerable to getting Devastating Wounded to death by vahl on her Righteous Repugnance turn. Clearly the Sisters put these advantages to good use, as they won handily.

Result

Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) Victory - 94 - 36

Jeffrey Kolodner - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) - 1st Place

Adepta Sororitas Sister Superior Adepta Sororitas Sister Superior. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

See showdown

Archetype

Go-wide Sisters

Thoughts

I continue to be really pleased to see this all-rounder, Battleline heavy spin on Sisters doing so well. The Showdown covers what it's got going for it, a healthy mix of board presence, objective play and spike damage when needed, and I think it would be easy (and potentially fatal) to underestimate something that looks quite innocuous. Well done Jeffrey on another trophy!

Austin Wingfield - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Adepta Sororitas Castigator Battle Tank - Order of the Gilded Cilice - Credit: Colin Ward Adepta Sororitas Castigator Battle Tank - Order of the Gilded Cilice - Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Daughters of the Emperor (2000 Points)

Adepta Sororitas Hallowed Martyrs Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Mother Teresa- (Dialogus) (30 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Dialogus staff

Sister Lucia- (Dialogus) (30 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Dialogus staff

Junith Eruita (90 Points) • 1x Mace of Castigation 1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer

Martyr- (Missionary) (40 Points) • 1x Chainsword 1x Holy pistol 1x Ministorum shotgun • Enhancements: Saintly Example

Morvenn Vahl (125 Points) • Warlord • 1x Fidelis 1x Lance of Illumination 1x Paragon missile launcher

Ellynor- (Palatine) (65 Points) • 1x Palatine blade 1x Plasma pistol • Enhancements: Blade of Saint Ellynor

Saint Celestine (135 Points) • 1x Celestine • 1x The Ardent Blade • 2x Geminae Superia • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Power weapon

Triumph of Saint Katherine (125 Points) • 1x Bolt pistols 1x Relic weapons

BATTLELINE

Battle Sisters Squad (100 Points) • 1x Sister Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Battle Sister • 9x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Immolator (115 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Twin multi-melta

OTHER DATASHEETS

Castigator (140 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator battle cannon 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Castigator (140 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator autocannons 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Castigator (140 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator autocannons 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Celestian Sacresants (130 Points) • 1x Sacresant Superior • 1x Inferno pistol 1x Spear of the faithful • 9x Celestian Sacresant • 9x Bolt pistol 9x Hallowed mace

Crusaders (25 Points) • 2x Crusader • 2x Power weapon

Crusaders (25 Points) • 2x Crusader • 2x Power weapon

Exorcist (160 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Exorcist missile launcher 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile

Paragon Warsuits (200 Points) • 1x Paragon Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Multi-melta 1x Paragon grenade launchers 1x Paragon war mace • 2x Paragon • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Multi-melta 2x Paragon grenade launchers 2x Paragon war blade

Retributor Squad (115 Points) • 1x Retributor Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power weapon • 4x Retributor • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Multi-melta

Seraphim Squad (70 Points) • 1x Seraphim Superior • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 4x Seraphim • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Ministorum hand

Archetype

Shooty Sisters

Thoughts

Another undefeated Sisters build in second place, going for a more direct plan of blasting heretics into oblivion with even more scary tanks, the Triumph as a buff engine, and a Dialogus in the Retributor squad and (presumably) the melta-armed half of the Battle Sisters squad, providing an eye-searing quanitity of miraculous melta fire. Junith with Sacresants also provides a hefty central tarpit and counter-charge threat if opponents try and overwhelm the army, all assembling to form another potent Sisters setup - congratulations to Austin on the undefeated finish.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Charles Craig - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Two Land Raiders packed with Exalted Eightbound, which is a truly incredible energy (plus some of the regular hits like Angron and Invocatus).
  • 4th - Matt Schuchman - Asuryani (Battle Host): Double Avatar and Prisms.
  • 5th - Mark Hertel - Adeptus Astartes (Gladius Task Force): Let's be honest, if you were smashing events left and right with actual honest to goodness Land Raider spam, you wouldn't stop either.
  • 6th - Andrew Gonyo - T'au Empire: Extra mechanised Tau, with three Breacherfish with Fireblades supporting the big Crisis Team.
  • 7th - Steven Page - Necrons (Canoptek Court): I mean this list is even titled "Canoptek 2 wraith 3 ctan list", so I invite you to guess at what could be in it. Also has some Doomstalkers with the flex points.

Warhound GT in January

30-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Lehi, UT, US on January 06 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event played a final between the top two as a sixth round.

Chase Chappell - Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) - 1st Place

Grey Knights Stormraven Gunship. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
nothing to see here just 30 termies (2000 points)

Grey Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Teleport Strike Force

CHARACTERS

Brotherhood Librarian (130 points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Purge Soul • Enhancement: Sigil of Exigence

Brotherhood Librarian (100 points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Purge Soul

Castellan Crowe (75 points) • 1x Black Blade of Antwyr 1x Purifying Flame 1x Storm bolter

Kaldor Draigo (125 points) • Warlord • 1x Scourging 1x Storm bolter 1x The Titansword

BATTLELINE

Brotherhood Terminator Squad (210 points) • 1x Terminator Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 4x Brotherhood Terminator • 1x Ancient’s Banner 1x Incinerator 1x Narthecium 4x Nemesis force weapon 2x Storm bolter

Strike Squad (125 points) • 1x Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 4x Grey Knight • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Incinerator 3x Nemesis force weapon 3x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Grey Knights Land Raider Redeemer (260 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Flamestorm cannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Multi-melta 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin assault cannon

Grey Knights Stormraven Gunship (265 points) • 1x Armoured hull 2x Hurricane bolter 2x Stormstrike missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon 1x Twin multi-melta

Interceptor Squad (135 points) • 1x Interceptor Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 4x Interceptor • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Incinerator 3x Nemesis force weapon 3x Storm bolter

Paladin Squad (225 points) • 1x Paragon • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 1x Paladin Ancient • 1x Ancient’s Banner 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Psycannon • 3x Paladin • 3x Nemesis force weapon 2x Psycannon 1x Storm bolter

Purifier Squad (260 points) • 1x Knight of the Flame • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Purifying Flame 1x Storm bolter • 9x Purifier • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Incinerator 5x Nemesis force weapon 9x Purifying Flame 5x Storm bolter

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (90 points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (33), Data Version: v319

Archetype

Silver Stormraven

Thoughts

Hell yeah, Stormraven meta!

OK realistically, I suspect the Stormraven's current glorious rise may not survive if the Canoptek Court cements a place at the top, as the Immortal bomb is particularly good into stuff relying on -1D for defence, but I hope it does because it's always hilarious to see one out and about doing well. Here, my guess is that it's dropping off the Purifiers, which I think is a smart way to ensure they can get into position early on, as one of their only downsides is that Crowe being functionally mandatory means First to the Fray isn't available to them. The Stormraven can let them unleash their firepower immediately, and if you drop them near the enemy lines turn 1 it's very difficult for them not to trigger Mists of Deimos to whisk them to safety before reprisals, making it a pretty great way to kick off the game (and even if you go second it saves you 1CP on a turn 1 Prognosticated Arrival after pulling at the end of the opponent's 1).

You also get the very hard to pin down Paladin/Sigil block in the Land Raider, able to smash into the opponent, bug out and repeat, and the ever-helpful Draigo/Terminator unit as a final hammer piece. This list uses the Grey Knights' ability to launch swift strikes and avoid reprisal to the absolute max, and it's great to see that rewarded with a trophy for Chase.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Antonius Tolman - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): The one true 1975pts World Eater list.
  • 3rd - Ethan Pettibone - Cult Mechanicus (Data-psalm Conclave): Good to see another AdMech detachment making a bit of noise, here looking like melee crunch is the plan, with three full blocks of Breachers to roll into the enemy with Citation in Savagery up, plus lots of cheap screening Skitarii of various flavours (particularly 3x5 Infiltrators, who are back to just being a bargain unit).
  • 4th - Jordan Gledhill - Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Speed Daemons, going mostly Slaanesh with triple Keeper (one being Shalaxi) plus Hellflayers and a lone Tzeentch Soul Grinder to zap stuff.
  • 5th - Kennith! Onyeabor - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash supreme, spamming Exocrines, Maleceptors and Haruspexes.

Wrap Up

A great start to the year all around, and plenty more to come - we've got more majors, another unusual faction winning an event and plenty of other fun stuff on Friday, and the Nottingham GT to give us our first supermajor of the year at the weekend. 2024 is looking pretty great - more of this sort of thing!

Tags: ultramarines | Space Marines | Necrons | Warhammer 40k | Dark Angels | Adeptus Mechanicus | grey knights | competitive play | adepta sororitas | Competitive Innovations

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