This website uses cookies. Learn more.

Gaming | Tactics | Warhammer 40k | Competitive Play | Goonhammer | 40K Competitive Innovations

Competitive Innovations in 10th? No, More Elves! pt.2

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Aug 11 2023
So, the way this ended up split in two, part 1 didn't live up to the title that well.

Now, face to bloodshed.

Today we are looking at:
  • Battle To End Alzheimers GT 2023 (major)
  • BMC Cup
  • War in the Fort
  • Wars on the Shore
For any of the following, go look at Part 1 from Wednesday:
  • The Leeds Super-Major (supermajor)
  • Capital Clash
  • Board Room Brawl 2023
  • North Star Open

Battle To End Alzheimers GT 2023

75-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Westminster, MD US on August 05 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Ruben I Fernandez - Aeldari - 1st Place

Night Spinner. Credit: Rockfish Night Spinner. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Battle to end 2 (1995 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Howling Banshee Mask 1x Star glaive

Farseer (90 Points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Singing spear • Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

Farseer Skyrunner (75 Points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Singing spear 1x Twin shuriken catapult

The Yncarne (270 Points) • 1x Swirling soul energy 1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

Night Spinner (170 Points) • 1x Doomweaver 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Night Spinner (170 Points) • 1x Doomweaver 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Voidweaver (100 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Prismatic cannon 2x Shuriken cannon

Voidweaver (100 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Prismatic cannon 2x Shuriken cannon

Vypers (75 Points) • 1x Bright lance 1x Twin shuriken catapult 1x Wraithbone hull

War Walkers (95 Points) • 2x Bright lance 1x War Walker feet

War Walkers (95 Points) • 2x Bright lance 1x War Walker feet

Warp Spiders (100 Points) • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death spinner 1x Death spinner 1x Powerblades • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Warp Spiders (100 Points) • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death spinner 1x Death spinner 1x Powerblades • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Wraithknight (475 Points) • 1x Heavy wraithcannon 1x Heavy wraithcannon 2x Starcannon 1x Titanic feet

Archetype

Wraithknight + Go-Wide

Final Round Matchup

61 - 54 Victory against Ken Knox - Deathwatch.

Thoughts

Sure are some elves. I should know, I'm an expert. I guess it's worth highlighting, since this list is a good example, the trend of running Farseers without a Bodyguard (usually using one with the Phoenix Gem). Indirect is a factor in the metagame, but particularly with the gem the amount that an opponent has to dedicate to ensure the Farseers die and stay dead (especially with Strands as a factor) that it isn't the end of the world if you run into it.

Well done to Ruben.

Mathew Burgoon - Ynnari - 2nd Place

Credit: Greg Narro

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


++ Army Roster (Aeldari - Ynnari) [1,990pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment: Battle Host

+ Epic Hero +

Illic Nightspear [65pts]

The Yncarne [270pts]

Yvraine [100pts]: Warlord

+ Character +

Death Jester [85pts]: Fate's Messenger

Farseer [90pts]: The Phoenix Gem, Witchblade

+ Infantry +

Rangers [110pts] . 10x Ranger: 10x Close Combat Weapon, 10x Ranger long rifle, 10x Shuriken Pistol

Shadow Spectres [80pts] . 5x Shadow Spectre: 5x Prism Rifle

Shadow Spectres [80pts] . 5x Shadow Spectre: 5x Prism Rifle

Warp Spiders [100pts] . 4x Warp Spider: 4x Deathspinner . Warp Spider Exarch: 2x Deathspinner, Powerblades

Warp Spiders [100pts] . 4x Warp Spider: 4x Deathspinner . Warp Spider Exarch: Deathspinner

Warp Spiders [100pts] . 4x Warp Spider: 4x Deathspinner . Warp Spider Exarch: Deathspinner

+ Vehicle +

Hornet [80pts]: 2x Bright Lance

Hornet [80pts]: 2x Bright Lance

Hornet [80pts]: 2x Bright Lance

Ravager [95pts]: 3x Dark Lance

Ravager [95pts]: 3x Dark Lance

Ravager [95pts]: 3x Dark Lance

War Walkers [95pts]: 2x Bright Lance

War Walkers [95pts]: 2x Bright Lance

War Walkers [95pts]: 2x Bright Lance

++ Total: [1,990pts] ++

Archetype

Ultimate Ynnari Go-Wide

Thoughts

Good grief. If you want to lean as hard as possible into go-wide elf shooting, Ynnari Ravagers is, in fact, the logical conclusion of that. Utterly hostile to the idea of enemy vehicles existing, and covers enough of the board quickly enough (plus packs Spiders and Spectres) to give it a shot against enemy hordes. Congratulations to Matthew on taking second.

Mark Hertel - Deathwatch - 3rd Place

Regal Skull Inceptors. Credit: Kevin Genson

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Deathwatch (1975 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain (95 Points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Twin lightning claws • Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

Captain in Gravis Armour (95 Points) • 1x Boltstorm gauntlet 1x Power fist 1x Relic blade

Primaris Librarian (70 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Force weapon 1x Smite

Watch Master (155 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 • 1x Astartes shield 4x Close combat weapon 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer 4x Frag cannon 1x 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 Infernus heavy bolter 1x Long Vigil melee weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Rhino (85 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Rhino (85 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Desolation Squad (340 Points) • 1x Desolation Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Castellan launcher 1x Close combat weapon 1x Vengor launcher • 9x Desolation Marine • 9x Bolt pistol 9x Castellan launcher 9x Close combat weapon 9x Superkrak rocket launcher

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

Inceptor Squad (115 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Inceptor • 2x Assault bolters 2x Close combat weapon

Inceptor Squad (115 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Inceptor • 2x Assault bolters 2x Close combat weapon

Inceptor Squad (230 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 5x Inceptor • 5x Assault bolters 5x Close combat weapon

Archetype

Target Light Deathwatch

Thoughts

This is a fascinating list, aiming to give itself a very small initial target profile while still being able to rack up massive damage from turn 2. A big Eradicator squad (with Captain) out of reserves is another tool that's utterly inimicable to enemy hulls, while dropping in lots of bolter inceptors then going hog wild with Deathwatch Stratagems is a powerful play. For covering the board early, the list condenses down to two units of Veterans in Rhinos plus some Desolation Marines, which is super easy to hide, but still projects quite a bit of threat. You can even do Infernus Bolter drivebys with one of the Rhinos, which is just hilarious. This list ends up with a fighting chance of staying concealed even against Towering-heavy or very fast builds, and throws massive punches when it gets going. Builds like this which present a very small attack surface are great for wrongfooting people, and combining that with Deathwatch's ultra-powerful go turns is a great way to prepare for victory. Well done Mark.

Ken Knox - Deathwatch - 4th Place

Deathwatch veteran Isak Al'Tah. Credit: Charlie Brassley

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Deathwatch 1.2 (1995 points) Space Marines Deathwatch Strike Force (2000 points) Black Spear Task Force

CHARACTER

Captain in Gravis Armour (135 points) • 1x Boltstorm gauntlet 1x Power fist 1x Relic chainsword • Enhancement: The Tome of Ectoclades

Watch Master (130 points) • Warlord • 1x Vigil spear • Enhancement: Thief of Secrets

OTHER DATASHEETS

Desolation Squad (340 points) • 1x Desolation Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Castellan launcher 1x Close combat weapon 1x Vengor launcher • 9x Desolation Marine • 9x Bolt pistol 9x Castellan launcher 9x Close combat weapon 9x Superkrak rocket launcher

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 (115 points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Inceptor • 2x Assault bolters 2x Close combat weapon

Inceptor Squad (115 points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 2x Inceptor • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Plasma exterminators

Incursor Squad (90 points) • 1x Incursor Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Occulus bolt carbine 1x Paired combat blades • 4x Incursor • 4x Bolt pistol 1x Haywire Mine 4x Occulus bolt carbine 4x Paired combat blades

Indomitor Kill Team (270 points) • 5x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor • 5x Bolt pistol 5x Close combat weapon 3x Heavy bolt rifle 2x Heavy bolter • 2x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists • 2x Auto boltstorm gauntlets 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher 2x Power fists • 1x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Multi-melta • 2x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with jump pack • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Jump pack 2x Plasma exterminators

Infiltrator Squad (90 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

Infiltrator Squad (90 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

Proteus Kill Team (330 points) • 5x Kill Team Veteran • 1x Astartes shield 5x Close combat weapon 4x Infernus heavy bolter 1x Long Vigil melee weapon • 1x Kill Team Biker • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Long Vigil melee weapon 1x Twin boltgun • 4x Kill Team Terminator • 4x Chainfist 3x Cyclone missile launcher 1x Storm bolter 3x Storm bolter

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

ALLIED UNITS

Exaction Squad (35 points) • 1x Proctor-Exactant • 1x Arbites combat shotgun 1x Arbites shotpistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Nuncio Aquila (Aura) • 4x Exaction Vigilant • 1x Arbites Medi-kit 2x Arbites combat shotgun 1x Arbites grenade launcher 4x Arbites shotpistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy stubber 1x Soulguilt Scanner

Archetype

Screening/Kill Team Deathwatch

Thoughts

Our second Deathwatch build (which had a serious go at taking down Ruben's Aeldari in the finals) looks a bit more conventional,, though still not entirely routine. You've got two big Kill Teams as the anchors, with lots of screening to give them space to operate, and Desolation Marines/utility pieces to back them up. The main difference from the default is that the list goes very hard on the screening/utility killers (e.g. the Inceptors and Eradicators), which gives it lots of flexibility into the mobile factions at the top. Seems to have worked out well for Ken, who put in a fantastic performance to round out the top four.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Jonathan Kolson  - Adeptus Custodes: Two big Custodes bricks, plus the more unusual choice of putting a full squad of Vigilators in a Rhino.
  • 6th - Tyler Principio  - Chaos Daemons: Be'lakor, Shalaxi and a Bloodthirster lead from the front, two Soul Grinders blast stuff, and a bunch of Hounds and Flamers play for objectives.
  • 7th - Jeremy King  - Adeptus Custodes: Triple Caladius plus a big squad each of Allarus and Wardens.

BMC Cup

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

Rafal "Krawat" Anusiak - 1st Place

Credit: Arranon

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Faction Used: Aeldari Army points: 2000 Army Enchancements: The Phoenix Gem Detachment Rules: Unparalled Foresight

Autarch Wayleaper (105 Points) • Warlord • 1x Fusion pistol 1x Mandiblasters 1x Star glaive • Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

Death Jester (70 Points) • 1x Jester’s blade 1x Shrieker cannon

Farseer (65 Points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Witchblade

Farseer Skyrunner (75 Points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Twin shuriken catapult 1x Witchblade

The Yncarne (270 Points) • 1x Swirling soul energy 1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hornet (80 Points) • 2x Bright lance 1x Wraithbone hull

Hornet (80 Points) • 2x Bright lance 1x Wraithbone hull

Night Spinner (170 Points) • 1x Doomweaver 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Night Spinner (170 Points) • 1x Doomweaver 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

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

Shadow Spectres (80 Points) • 5x Shadow Spectre • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Prism rifle

Support Weapons (105 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x D-cannon 1x Shuriken catapult

Warp Spiders (100 Points) • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death spinner 1x Death spinner 1x Powerblades • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Warp Spiders (100 Points) • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death spinner 1x Death spinner 1x Powerblades • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Wraithknight (475 Points) • 1x Heavy wraithcannon 1x Heavy wraithcannon 2x Starcannon 1x Titanic feet

Archetype

Wraithknight + go-wide

Final Round Matchup

20-0 victory vs Mikołaj Janiec - Tyranids

Thoughts

The elfing will continue until morale improves. Morale is somehow not improving, so the elfing is continuing. Not complicated.

Congratulations Rafal.

Danny Porter - Tau - 13th Place (Undefeated)

XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit. Credit: Rockfish XV86 Coldstar Battlesuit. Credit: Rockfish

Look, WTC scoring does some weird stuff sometimes, OK. There was only one undefeated player at this event, and it was Danny in 13th, and a Tau list is a heck of a lot more interesting than more elves.

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Aun’va (65 points) Char2: 1x Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (155 points) - 4x Cyclic ion blaster, 1x Marker Drone, 1x Shield Drone • Enhancement: Exemplar of the Kauyon Char3: 1x Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (140 points) - 4x Cyclic ion blaster, 1x Marker Drone, 1x Shield Drone Char4: 1x Shadowsun (140 points) • Warlord

OTHER DATASHEETS

1x Broadside Battlesuits (110 points) - 1x Heavy Rail Rifle, 1x Plasma Rifle, 1x Seeker Missile, 2x Missile drone 1x Broadside Battlesuits (110 points) - 1x Heavy Rail Rifle, 1x Plasma Rifle, 1x Seeker Missile, 2x Missile drone 6x Crisis Battlesuits (390 points) - 17x Cyclic Ion Blaster, 1x Airburst Fragmentation Launcher, 12x Shield Drone, 6x Shield Generator 3x Crisis Battlesuits (195 points) - 9x Cyclic Ion Blaster, 6x Shield Drone, 3x Shield Generator 3x Crisis Battlesuits (195 points) - 9x Cyclic Ion Blaster, 6x Shield Drone, 3x Shield Generator 1x Ghostkeel (170 points) - 1x Cyclic Ion Raker, 1x Twin Tau Flamer 3x Stealth Suits (75 points) - 1x Fusion, 2x Burst Cannon, 1 Homing Beacon 1x Piranha (55 points) - 1x Fusion Blaster, 2x Seeker Missile 1x Piranha (55 points) - 1x Fusion Blaster, 2x Seeker Missile 2x Tetras (80 points) 2x Tetras (80 points)

Archetype

Tau Murder Suits

Thoughts

Danny's list here provides a timely demonstration of some of the principles we saw in yesterday's Tau Faction Focus. A big Crisis team does your heavy lifting, backed up by more small Crisis units, Broadsides as efficient units to park and shoot, and durable/dangerous Lone Operatives like Shadowsun, Aun'Va and a Ghostkeel to park on objectives. Tetras and Piranhas provide efficient early objective grabbers and excellent Observers (especially the Tetras) to glue it all together, and the list ends up fairly chunky on the table, and able to play effectively both at killing and objective play. The main extra piece of tech we see in Danny's build is the use of a single airburst in the big Crisis team. This insures against a situation where you move them, have no valid targets, and your opponent Rapid Ingresses a powerful melee unit out of Line of Sight from them. Having one airburst means that they can still be selected to shoot, making the eligible for Strike and Fade to get them out of dodge. Tau can't afford to lose their key units without taking lots of stuff with them, so it's a smart addition to the normal loadout.

Well done Danny on taking the Tau through a tought field undefeated.

The Best of the Rest

As you might have inferred from the above, the scores here were all over the place, draws everywhere, even more mixed up than WTC scoring tends to be. I'm just going to fill out all 11 players in between the two above.
  • 2nd - Grzelich - Dark Angels (GTF): Board control, indirect, and the Lion with a bunch of Deathwing Knights as a central brick.
  • 3rd - Jakub Vladdi Podruczny - Tyranids: Maleceptor/Exocrine monster mash, with Gargoyles and Biovores for scoring.
  • 4th - Rutus - Aeldari: Wraithknight/Wraithguard.
  • 5th - Slawomir - Tyranids: Exocrines and Zoanthropes with a Barbed Hierodule as a centrepiece.
  • 6th - Egatrot - Genestealer Cult: Horde with Ridgerunners, no Aberrants.
  • 7th - Neraden - Adeptus Custodes: Big Guard brick, two Warden bricks.
  • 8th - Behemoth - Aeldari: Wraithknight and Fire Prisms.
  • 9th - Grzegorz Kowalik - Necrons: Loads of durable bricks, two Lychguard blocks plus 20 Warriors with Orikan, with three Hexmarks to ride shotgun.
  • 10th - Łukasz Dudzic - Genestealer Cult: Double Aberrant brick.
  • 11th - Khanrad - Aeldari: Wraithknight/Wraithguard.
  • 12th - Kerszur - Aeldari: Double Wraithknight and Wraithguard.

2023 Wars on the Shore GT

34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Erie, PA US on August 05 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Travis King - Genestealer Cult - 1st Place

Cult of Sirens Aberrants. Credit: Lupe

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
ITS A TRAP (2000 Points)

Genestealer Cults Ascension Day Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Biophagus (80 Points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Chemical vials 1x Injector goad • Enhancements: Inscrutable Cunning

Clamavus (40 Points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon

Nexos (50 Points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon

Nexos (50 Points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon

Primus (70 Points) • 1x Cult bonesword 1x Scoped needle pistol 1x Toxin injector claw

Primus (70 Points) • Warlord • 1x Cult bonesword 1x Scoped needle pistol 1x Toxin injector claw

Primus (70 Points) • 1x Cult bonesword 1x Scoped needle pistol 1x Toxin injector claw

Reductus Saboteur (55 Points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Demolition charges 1x Remote explosives

Reductus Saboteur (95 Points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Demolition charges 1x Remote explosives • Enhancements: Meticulous Planner

BATTLELINE

Acolyte Hybrids (150 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 9x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 9x Cult claws and knife 4x Demolition charges 4x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids (150 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 9x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 9x Cult claws and knife 4x Demolition charges 4x Hand flamer

Neophyte Hybrids (160 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid • 19x Autopistol 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (160 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid • 19x Autopistol 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (160 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid • 19x Autopistol 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (160 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid • 19x Autopistol 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aberrants (330 Points) • 1x Aberrant Hypermorph • 1x Heavy power weapon 1x Hypermorph tail • 9x Aberrant • 9x Heavy power weapon

Achilles Ridgerunners (75 Points) • 1x Heavy mortar 1x Ridgerunner wheels 1x Survey Augur 1x Twin heavy stubber

Achilles Ridgerunners (75 Points) • 1x Heavy mortar 1x Ridgerunner wheels 1x Survey Augur 1x Twin heavy stubber

Archetype

Horde and Aberrants

Final Round Matchup

100 - 77 Victory against Matthew Laveault - Necrons.

Thoughts

We now enter the genestealer half of the proceedings, where this especially murderous spin on the Cults took down the vent in the hands of Travis. Going full triple Primus plus infiltrating Aberrants definitely helps in the Necron game he faced in the final, as they're otherwise one of the few factions who can plausibly roll with GSC punches. With the sheer viciousness this build is ready to unleash, even that isn't going to be enough, and Travis was rewarded with a big win!

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Tyler Wilson  - Tyranids: Monster mish-mash, with a bit of everything.
  • 3rd - Chris Annear  - Genestealer Cult: Horde with Aberrants, plus some Jackal MSUs for scouting.
  • 4th - John Williams  - Aeldari: 3x10 Wraithguard. Have mercy.
  • 5th - Jan Klinger  - Khorne Daemons: I mean it's lots of Bloodthirsters and Be'lakor, there's really only one way to go here. Skulltaker gets a look in as well.
  • 6th - Matthew Laveault  - Necrons: Double Monolith, hell yeah.
  • 7th - Steven Horowitz  - Imperial Knights: Higher pressure Knights with a Warden and Valiant.

War in the Fort GT

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Fort Smith, Arkansas US on August 05 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Purge the Foe - Chilling Rain - Crucible of Battle

Peyton Preece - Genestealer Cult:
Army List - Click to Expand
Dudes (2000 Points)

Genestealer Cults Ascension Day Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Clamavus (40 Points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon

Nexos (50 Points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon

Nexos (50 Points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon

Primus (70 Points) • 1x Cult bonesword 1x Scoped needle pistol 1x Toxin injector claw

Primus (70 Points) • 1x Cult bonesword 1x Scoped needle pistol 1x Toxin injector claw

Reductus Saboteur (95 Points) • Warlord • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Demolition charges 1x Remote explosives • Enhancements: Meticulous Planner

BATTLELINE

Acolyte Hybrids (150 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 9x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 5x Cult claws and knife 4x Cult claws and knife 4x Demolition charges 4x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids (75 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 4x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 2x Cult claws and knife 2x Cult claws and knife 2x Demolition charges 1x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids (75 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 4x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 2x Cult claws and knife 2x Cult claws and knife 2x Demolition charges 1x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids (75 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 4x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 2x Cult claws and knife 2x Cult claws and knife 2x Demolition charges 1x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids (150 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 9x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 5x Cult claws and knife 4x Cult claws and knife 4x Demolition charges 4x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids (150 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 9x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 5x Cult claws and knife 4x Cult claws and knife 4x Demolition charges 4x Hand flamer

Neophyte Hybrids (160 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid • 19x Autopistol 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (160 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid • 19x Autopistol 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (160 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid • 19x Autopistol 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (160 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid • 19x Autopistol 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (160 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid • 19x Autopistol 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Achilles Ridgerunners (75 Points) • 1x Heavy mining laser 1x Ridgerunner wheels 1x Spotter 1x Twin heavy stubber

Achilles Ridgerunners (75 Points) • 1x Heavy mining laser 1x Ridgerunner wheels 1x Spotter 1x Twin heavy stubber


vs.

Howard Watts - Ultramarines: Shooty hull-heavy Ultramarines with Bobby G.
Army List - Click to Expand
WarD in da Fort (2000 Points)

Space Marines Ultramarines Gladius Task Force Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Librarian in Phobos Armour (75 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Force weapon 1x Smite

Primaris Apothecary (80 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Reductor pistol • Enhancements: Bolter Discipline

Roboute Guilliman (355 Points) • Warlord • 1x Emperor’s Sword 1x Hand of Dominion

OTHER DATASHEETS

Desolation Squad (340 Points) • 1x Desolation Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Castellan launcher 1x Close combat weapon 1x Vengor launcher • 9x Desolation Marine • 9x Bolt pistol 9x Castellan launcher 9x Close combat weapon 9x Superkrak rocket launcher

Incursor Squad (90 Points) • 1x Incursor Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Occulus bolt carbine 1x Paired combat blades • 4x Incursor • 4x Bolt pistol 1x Haywire Mine 4x Occulus bolt carbine 4x Paired combat blades

Infiltrator Squad (90 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

Predator Annihilator (130 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Destructor (135 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator autocannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Destructor (135 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator autocannon 1x Storm bolter

Repulsor (195 Points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon 1x Hunter-slayer missile 1x Repulsor defensive array 1x Twin lascannon

Scout Sniper Squad (75 Points) • 1x Scout Sniper Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Scout sniper rifle • 4x Scout Sniper • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher 3x Scout sniper rifle

Whirlwind (150 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter 1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

Whirlwind (150 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter 1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

Thoughts

Despite how brutal the Genestealer list is here, the combination of the mission and the presence of a full Desolation Squad makes this pretty interesting. Purge the Foe is probably the mission that the GSC want to play least in this matchup, as it's going to be much easier for the Ultramarines to play for kills and kill more, especially on turn 1. That means that the Cults can't just assume they're going to out-Primary the Ultramarines, so need to come up with an alternative plan.

I suspect the answer there is that they aim to deny Secondary as hard as possible. While the Ultramarines killing power is phenomenal, they're short of anything like Inceptors that can force the issue on a Secondary requiring getting into the enemies Deployment Zone. The Genestealers just have so many models (and an endlessly respawning supply of units), plus tools that can force their way into almost any position, that I think if they hold their nerve, grind up Hold More, and focus on maximising the number of dead cards the Ultramarines could draw at any moment, they can probably reliably take this. For the Ultramarines, that means their goal is to try and push a beachhead out somewhere that gives them the ability to strike for the enemy deployment, but that's so high risk into Acolytes that it's not going to be reliable.

From the score, I think that sounds like a plausible model for what happened - the Ultramarines put up a great score, but the GSC got the full hundred.

Result

Genestealer Cult Victory - 100 - 93

Peyton Preece - Genestealer Cult - 1st Place

Neophytes. Credit: Rockfish Neophytes. Credit: Rockfish

The List

See showdown

Archetype

Pure Horde

Thoughts

This, also, is an extremely good list. So goddamn many bodies. Deeply upsetting.

Well done Peyton.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Eli Harvey  - Deathwatch: Loads of dakka, most notably a full Desolation Squad and a full Sternguard unit.
  • 3rd - Mike McKinney - Imperial Knights:  Triple bigs, packing a Paladin, Crusader and Valiant.
  • 4th - Howard Watts  - Ultramarines: See showdown.
  • 5th - Brian Preece  - Imperial Knights: Full hero mode with Canis Rex and a Lancer.
  • 6th - Brent Simon  - Aeldari: Wraithknight and lots of Night Spinners.

Wrap Up

Another week down. Next time, we'll have the results of the WTC, plus plenty more events to look at. We also have the good news that some balance updates are coming, so if you're a fan of armies in the Red Zone (complimentary) get your reps in while you can, while if you're in the Red Zone (derogatory), rejoice because your salvation is maybe coming?

Tags: ultramarines | Deathwatch | Warhammer 40k | Aeldari | competitive play | Genestealer Cults | tau | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

Thank you for being a friend.

AGE OF SIGMAR 4th EDITION

AoS 4th Edition

WARHAMMER 40,000 10th EDITION

40k 10th Edition

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

Thank you for being a friend.

ABOUT US

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

OUR SOCIALS
Facebook | Instagram | Bsky | YouTube

Sick of the ads? Login with Patreon.

Manage your cookie settings