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

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Ready to Fall?

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Sep 06 2023
OK, so Games Workshop have done me the gracious mercy of announcing that the Balance Dataslate is coming out tomorrow (yes, good, more of this), providing me with an excellent excuse to keep this brief after a busy weekend running the Goonhammer Open UK. We're going quickfire mode, short writeups for undefeated players, Best of the Rests for everyone else, because we're all hoping that come tomorrow half these armies will have been punted directly into the sun toned down to a more reasonable level.

I also do not promise to say anything particularly interesting about Aeldari.

Today we'll be covering:
  • Goonhammer Open UK 2023 (major)
  • Nova Open GT (supermajor)
  • OGRE - Open du Grand Est (major)
  • TNA Open 2023 (major)
  • Games of Westeros XV (major)
  • Road To Atlanta - 40K Italian GT (major)
  • EA Slam
  • Midtccon GT Warhammer 40.000
  • Grand Onslaught 6
  • Clan Wars Scottish Open 4
  • Corsair Open Grand Tournament
  • Torneo Veraniego II - Iberian Open
  • Straight Edge Wargaming: Malmö Gameweek GT
That is also a lot of Warhammer, so heaven knows what's going to happen if the metagame is Good, Actually after this week.

Goonhammer Open UK 2023 - September Storm

64-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Huge thanks to all our attendees and sponsors, you can see a full rundown here.

Chris Paterson - Aeldari - 1st Place

Dark Reapers. Credit: Rockfish Dark Reapers. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Aeldari - Battle Host [2000pts]

### Character Autarch Wayleaper [80pts]: Star Glaive, Dragon Fusion Gun, Howling Banshee Mask, Warlord Farseer Skyrunner [100pts]: The Phoenix Gem, Singing Spear The Yncarne [270pts]

### Infantry Dark Reapers [75pts] • Dark Reaper Exarch: Tempest Launcher • 4x Dark Reaper Shadow Spectres [80pts] • 5x Shadow Spectre Warp Spiders [100pts] • 4x Warp Spider • Warp Spider Exarch: Powerblades, 2x Deathspinner Warp Spiders [100pts] • 4x Warp Spider • Warp Spider Exarch: Powerblades, 2x Deathspinner

### Monster Wraithknight [475pts]: 2x Starcannon, Heavy Wraithcannon, Heavy Wraithcannon

### Vehicle Fire Prism [150pts]: Shuriken Cannon Fire Prism [150pts]: Shuriken Cannon Hornet [80pts]: 2x Bright Lance Night Spinner [170pts]: Shuriken Cannon Vypers [75pts]: Shuriken Cannon War Walkers [95pts]: 2x Bright Lance

Archetype

Wraithknight and hulls

Final Round Matchup

69 - 68 Victory against Daniel Whitaker - Aeldari.

Thoughts

A singular Wraithknight with a fair spread of objective backup, and the important Dark Reaper tech choice for a mirror (where the tempest lets you interact favourably with enemy Spectres and Spiders). Chris won the event by winning the mirror by the tightest possible margin, so presumably that helped - congratulations on winning a shiny and widely coveted Goonhammer Champion's Belt (plus a Golden Ticket).

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Nathan Roberts - Tyranids: Bug monster mash with some strong extra board presence from lots of small Pyrovore units and a Trygon. Very excited to see what Nathan comes up with using the new book.
  • 3rd - Daniel Whitaker  - Aeldari: Double Wraithknight with a second Wayleaper for mobile objective play and some Night Spinners.
  • 4th - Rafael Harbinson  - Aeldari: Double Avatar, double Wraithknight.
  • 5th - Josh Roberts - Aeldari: Double Avatar, double Wraithknight.
  • 6th - Alex Fowler  - Thousand Sons: Magnus and the standard set of big hitters (full warpflamer unit, Scarabs, Mutalith) plus the Changeling lurking at the back.
  • 7th - Antonio Aparicio Lopez - Aeldari: Wraithknight/Wraithguard.

NOVA Open 2023 Grand Tournament

325-player, 8-round Supermajor in Washington, DC, United States on September 01 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Zach Point - Aeldari - 1st Place

Yvraine, the Herald of Ynnead Yvraine, the Herald of Ynnead by Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Ynnari? (2000 points) Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Battle Host

CHARACTER

Death Jester (85 points) • 1x Jester’s blade 1x Shrieker cannon • Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger

Illic Nightspear (65 points) • 1x Aeldari power sword 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Voidbringer

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Hornet (80 points) • 2x Bright lance 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

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

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

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

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

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

ALLIED UNITS

Ravager (95 points) • 1x Bladevanes 3x Dark lance

Ravager (95 points) • 1x Bladevanes 3x Dark lance

Ravager (95 points) • 1x Bladevanes 3x Dark lance

Archetype

Go-wide Ynnari

Final Round Matchup

66 - 53 Victory against Steven Crawley - Aeldari.

Thoughts

While Wraithknights reigned supreme in the UK, in the US the NOVA trophy went to one of the other horrifying things you can do with Aeldari, which is fully saturate the board with shooty hulls. This has enough killing power to face down almost anything, and enough redundancy that even if opposing Wraithknights trash a few things early, you've still got reserves to get over the line. Congratulations to Zach.

The Best of the Rest

There were 10 more players on 3-1 or better records in the top bracket. They were:
  • 2nd - Steven Crawley  - Aeldari: More go-wide Aeldari, here sticking to pure Craftworlds and using lots of War Walkers.
  • 3rd - Shaun Reynolds - Aeldari: Wraithknight and hulls.
  • 4th - TJ Lanigan  - Thousand Sons: Character-spam Thousand Sons with a brick of Scarabs as an anchor.
  • 5th - Matt Schuchman  - Aeldari: Wraithknight and hulls.
  • 6th - Brad Chester - Orks: All the standard Ork hits - Beastbosses with Snaggas, Squighogs with a Headwoppa nob, Badruk with Flash Gitz, Trukks for ridin', Moz for smashin' and some Stormboyz/Grots to pull it all together.
  • 7th - Mark Hertel  - Deathwatch: Two big Veteran units and lots of Gravis, including full units each of Eradicators and Inceptors, plus the Desolation brick to finish.
  • 8th - Tedd Williamson  - Necrons: Double C'tan, pairing the Void Dragon with the super C'tan, plus double Lychguard.
  • 9th - Riley Morris - Aeldari: Wraithknight and go-wide.
  • 10th - Samuel Pope  - Tyranids: Gaunt spam with some Maleceptors as hammer units. Presumably looking at the new Unending Swarm with glee.
  • 11th - Thomas Ogden  - Aeldari: Wraithknight and hulls.

OGRE - Open du Grand Est

100-player 5-round Major in Saverne, France. All the lists for this event can be found in MiniHeadquarters.

Sven - Aeldari - 1st Place

Credit: Greg Narro

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


== Aeldarii -  Battle Host  == [2000pts]

Unit01 : [Warlord] Spiritseer [65+15pts], Enhancement : Fate’s Messenger Unit02 : Farseer [65+25pts], Singing Spear, Enhancement : The Gem Stone Unit03 : 5 Shadowspectres [80pts] Unit04 : 5 Warp Spiders [100pts], Exarch with 2 Death Spinner and Powerblades Unit05 : 5 Rangers [55pts] Unit06 : Fire Prism [150pts], Shuriken Cannon Unit07 : Fire Prism [150pts], Shuriken Cannon Unit08 : Night Spinner [170pts], Shuriken Cannon Unit09 : Night Spinner [170pts], Shuriken Cannon Unit010 : Night Spinner [170pts], Shuriken Cannon Unit011 : 10 Wraithguard [310pts], 10 Wraithcannon Unit012 : Wraithknight [475pts], 2 Heavy Wraithcannon, 2 Starcannon

Archetype

Wraithknight and Wraithguard

Final Round Matchup

20-0 Victory vs Ludovic - Aeldari

Thoughts

Somewhat notable for cutting a Wayleaper and the Yncarne in favour of just tilting purely towards shooting, but clearly worked pretty well, with only Necrons managing to prevent a 20-0 victory against it, and even then being quite far behind. Congratulations Sven!

The Best of the Rest

There were 14 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Zweischneid - Aeldari: Wraithknight/Wraithguard.
  • 3rd - Khal06 - Aeldari: Chevalier Fantôme, which is Wraithknight, but in French. Not avoiding my baleful glare that easily.
  • 4th - Zig - Chaos Knights: Fully showing the big Knight naysayers here by packing a Valiant-build Tyrant with the Panoply alongside a whole bunch of Brigands. Also features Nurglings to bog the enemy down while they get roasted/harpooned.
  • 5th - tortuben - Aeldari: Wraithknight and support weapons.
  • 6th - cocodex - Tau: Two big hammer units (Crisis and Broadsides), Shadowsun and a Coldstar, and triple Ghostkeel to play objectives and harrass stuff.
  • 7th - Avif - Necrons: Necrons with lots of Doomsdays and double Lychguard, plus of course the super C'tan. Also packs Zandrekh for stratagem disruption.
  • 8th - Lugo - Aeldari: Wraithknight/hulls.
  • 9th - Minh - Aeldari: Double Wraithknight and Wraithguard.
  • 10th - Leokk - Genestealer Cult: Horde and Aberrants.
  • 11th - Senechal_Thalion - Imperial Knights: Full brutality with Canis Rex/Crusader/Valiant.
  • 12th - loukas - Genestealer Cult: Horde and Aberrants.
  • 13th - El-Gringo - Necrons: Skew Necrons with triple C'tan, triple Doomsday and lots of Lokhust Heavies.
  • 14th - Maliane06 - Aeldari: Wraithknight and hulls, plus Karandras as a solo disruption piece.
  • 15th - Shev - Ynnari: Wraithknight and triple Ravagers, two great tastes that are presumably horrifying together.

TNA Open 2023

100-player, 8-round Major in Chermside, QLD, Australia on August 31 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Brodie Middleton - Aeldari - 1st Place

Wraithknight. Credit: Rockfish Wraithknight. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
TNAO (2000 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

Farseer Skyrunner (100 Points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Twin shuriken catapult 1x Witchblade • Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Prism (150 Points) • 1x Prism cannon 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Fire Prism (150 Points) • 1x Prism cannon 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Fire Prism (150 Points) • 1x Prism cannon 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

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

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

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 and hulls

Final Round Matchup

95 - 69 Victory against Michael Mientjes - Aeldari.

Thoughts

Brodie does, at least, have the excuse that he liked Aeldari before they were cool. Big congratulations!

The Best of the Rest

The rest of the top eight finishers were:
  • 2nd - Michael Mientjes - Aeldari: Wraithknight/Wraithguard.
  • 3rd - Luke Pearce  - Chaos Daemons: Monster mash with the big four (Shalaxi, Bloodthirster, Bird, Be'lakor) and a trio of Brigands for fire support.
  • 4th - Matt Falzon  - Thousand Sons: Two big Rubric units, Magnus, and another large winged presence in the form of Kairos Fateweaver.
  • 5th - David Trueman  - Adeptus Custodes: Two big Custodian units, smaller infantry squads in support.
  • 6th - Greg Maginnity  - Aeldari: Double Avatar plus go-wide shooting.
  • 7th - Zach De Glas  - Adepta Sororitas: A pretty unusual build here - lots of Characters and loads of small role-playing units, anchored by some Transports and Penitent Engines. Looks like a real challenge to avoid getting steamrolled in some games, so an impressive finish.
  • 8th - Alexander Englezos  - Tyranids: Snake...spam? Three Mawlocs and three Trygons, providing tonnes of pressure in a very unique setup.

Games of Westeros XV

80-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Västmanlands län, SE on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Martin Hultgren - Aeldari - 1st Place

Avatar of Khaine. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Eldar Toughstuff (2000 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (105 Points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Howling Banshee Mask 1x Star glaive • Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

Avatar of Khaine (295 Points) • 1x The Wailing Doom

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

Spiritseer (80 Points) • 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Witch staff • Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger

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

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

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

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

Wraithguard (310 Points) • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Wraithcannon

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

Archetype

Wraithknight/Wraithguard/Double Avatar

Final Round Matchup

13 - 7 Victory against Mikael Klangeby - Adeptus Custodes.

Thoughts

I legitimately did not know you could fit all those centrepieces in and still have enough points for objective glue. You learn something every day.

Congratulations Martin.

The Best of the Rest

There were 9 more players on 4-1 or better records. They were:
  • 2th - David Klang  - Adeptus Custodes: One big Custodian brick and lots of smaller Infantry units.
  • 3th - Dag Samuelsson  - Adeptus Custodes: Triple big Custodian brick.
  • 4th - Pedro Chavez  - Aeldari: Pure go-wide hulls.
  • 5th - Johan Norrman  - Aeldari: Pure go-wide hulls.
  • 6th - Jonathan Sleigh-Johnson - Adeptus Custodes: One big Custodian brick and lots of smaller Infantry units.
  • 7th - Mikael Klangeby  - Adeptus Custodes: Double big Custodian brick.
  • 8th - Joel Larsson - Adeptus Custodes: Lots of smaller infantry units, plus Kyria Draxus to go with one of the Custodian squads.
  • 9th - Vilda Landberg - Chaos Knights:  High pressure triple bigs, with a Valiant-build Tyrant, battlecannon/gatling Despoiler and a Cerastus Lancer, appropriately equipped with the Aura of Terror. I mean yeah, it's pretty scary.
  • 10th - Jonas Axelsson  - Necrons: Double Lychguard, lots of regular Lokhusts and an actual Seraptek Heavy Construct. Fascinated to know if it could ever escape deployment on WTC-style tables.

Road To Atlanta - 40K Italian GT

61-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Milano, Lombardia, IT on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Marco Santopadre - Necrons - 1st Place

Credit: Wings

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Necron Milanesi (1995 Points)

Necrons Awakened Dynasty Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

Hexmark Destroyer (100 Points) • Warlord • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols • Enhancements: The Sovereign Coronal (Aura)

Overlord (110 Points) • 1x Resurrection Orb 1x Voidscythe • Enhancements: Hypermaterial Ablator

Overlord (85 Points) • 1x Resurrection Orb 1x Voidscythe

Technomancer (60 Points) • 1x Canoptek Cloak 1x Staff of light

Technomancer (60 Points) • 1x Canoptek Cloak 1x Staff of light

Transcendent C’tan (290 Points) • 1x Crackling tendrils 1x Seismic assault • Enhancements: Sempiternal Weave

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Reanimator (95 Points) • 2x Atomiser beam 1x Reanimator’s claws

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

Cryptothralls (40 Points) • 2x Cryptothrall • 2x Scouring eye 2x Scythed limbs

Cryptothralls (40 Points) • 2x Cryptothrall • 2x Scouring eye 2x Scythed limbs

Doomsday Ark (185 Points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Doomsday cannon 2x Gauss flayer array

Doomsday Ark (185 Points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Doomsday cannon 2x Gauss flayer array

Doomsday Ark (185 Points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Doomsday cannon 2x Gauss flayer array

Lychguard (190 Points) • 10x Lychguard • 10x Dispersion Shield 10x Hyperphase sword

Lychguard (190 Points) • 10x Lychguard • 10x Dispersion Shield 10x Hyperphase sword

Archetype

Doomsdays and double Lychguard

Final Round Matchup

87 - 81 Victory against Edoardo Rinaldi - Deathwatch.

Thoughts

Hell yeah, a non-Aeldari winner - and it's my beloved Necrons to boot. Doomsdays give this army the tools to actually blast a Wraithknight off the table, while Lychguard continue to be the ultimate tarpit of tenth. Through tears of sadness, I am obliged to hope that some of what's in here gets a nerf too (looking at you super C'tan) if the hammer drops on Aeldari as hard as it should, as otherwise Necrons could end up dominant, but right now I love to see it, great stuff from Marco.

Nicola Giannini - Aeldari - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Wings

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Wobak move (2000 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (95 Points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Mandiblasters 1x Star glaive • Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger

Avatar of Khaine (295 Points) • 1x The Wailing Doom

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Double Wraithknight

Thoughts

...aaaaand we're back in the room. Well done Nicola.

The Best of the Rest

There were 10 more players on 4-1 records. I have no idea what has happened with faction allocations on these in BCP.

They were:
  • 3rd - Francesco Di Bonaventura  - Necrons: Triple Lychguard, dropping down to two Doomsdays to afford it.
  • 4th - Edoardo Rinaldi  - Astra Militarum: Indirect and Scout Sentinel spam.
  • 5th - Nicola Valle - Thousand Sons: Magnus and the boys with lots of small Rubric units.
  • 6th - Daniele De Gemini - Genestealer Cult: Horde and Aberrants.
  • 7th - Ferruccio Fava - Genestealer Cult: Horde and Aberrants.
  • 8th - Andrea Carrieri - Aeldari: Double Avatar, double Wraithknight.
  • 9th - Nicola Dusan Zanelli - Adeptus Custodes: One big Custodian brick, lots of smaller Infantry units.
  • 10th - Andrea Guareschi - Black Templars: Templars as actual Crusaders. Sure, why not. Lots of Redemptors, a big block of Terminators and some Gladiator Lancers for nuking stuff.
  • 11th - Federico Buggiani - Astra Militarum: Lots of Indirect and double Rogal Dorns to hammer the foe.
  • 12th - Simone Mattioli - Genestealer Cult: Horde and the unusual inclusion of a Purestrain squad with a Patriarch.

EA Slam Warhammer 40000 Major

56-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Clement Tournade - Aeldari - 1st Place

Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Aeldari (2000 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Farseer Skyrunner (100 Points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Twin shuriken catapult 1x Witchblade • Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Double Wraithknight

Final Round Matchup

88 - 61 Victory against Dom Maidlow - Chaos Space Marines.

Thoughts

Yeah there we go. Clement smashed my poor Necrons with this a few weeks back, and he plays this army very well, so it's no surprise to see him take a big trophy with it, massive congratulations.

Chris Tull - Aeldari - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
EA Slam, it’s in the game (2000 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 Skyrunner (100 Points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Singing spear 1x Twin shuriken catapult • Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Prism (150 Points) • 1x Prism cannon 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Fire Prism (150 Points) • 1x Prism cannon 1x Shuriken cannon 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

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

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

Archetype

Wraithknight and hulls

Thoughts

I quite like the singular D-cannon, feel like people should be doing more.

Thus ends my required one thing to say about each army, well done Chris.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3th - Dom Maidlow  - Chaos Space Marines: Double Accursed Commune with a terrifying Abaddon/Forgefiend/Obliterator gunline behind them. Took impressive straight 100VP wins all the way to the final against Clement.
  • 4th - Jonny Simmons  - Adeptus Mechanicus: Unsurprisingly, since it's pretty much the only thing that works right now, packs two big Breacher units and seeds nasty Characters in them, with various mechanised infantry and objective tools in support. Still hard work, so congratulations for perservering, and for you I wish only good things on Thursday.
  • 5th - Michael Boyle  - Chaos Space Marines: Single Accursed Coven with the Forgefiend/Obliterator gunline behind it, going for an allied Shalaxi as a secondary pressure threat.
  • 6th - Harley Scully  - Aeldari: Pure go-wide.
  • 7th - Greg Chamberlain  - Aeldari: Pure go-wide.
  • 8th - Ed Sgt - Thousand Sons: Character-heavy Thousand Sons.
  • 9th - Aidan Brocklehurst  - Deathwatch: Big units of Veterans and Hellblasters, and sports a drop pod to get whichever is the most relevant shooting threat right into the opponent's face.

Midtccon GT Warhammer 40.000 2-3 September

53-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Viborg, DK on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Peter Herbild - Thousand Sons - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
TS 2.0 (1995 Points)

Thousand Sons Cult of Magic Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Ahriman on Disc of Tzeentch (115 Points) • 1x Black Staff of Ahriman 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Psychic Stalk

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

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

Infernal Master (90 Points) (RED MARKER) • 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Screamer Invocation • Enhancements: Arcane Vortex

Magnus the Red (410 Points) • Warlord • 1x Blade of Magnus 1x Gaze of Magnus 1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

Thousand Sons Sorcerer (110 Points) (SILVER MARKER) • 1x Fires of the Abyss 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol • Enhancements: Lord of Forbidden Lore

Thousand Sons Sorcerer (105 Points) (YELLOW MARKER) • 1x Fires of the Abyss 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol • Enhancements: Umbralefic Crystal

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (190 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Warpsmite • 9x Rubric Marine • 9x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 8x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (95 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Warpsmite • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 3x Inferno boltgun 1x Soulreaper cannon

Rubric Marines (95 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Warpsmite • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (95 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Warpsmite • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (190 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Warpsmite • 9x Rubric Marine • 9x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 8x Warpflamer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

ALLIED UNITS

The Blue Scribes (65 Points) • 1x Sharp quills

The Changeling (75 Points) • 1x Infernal Flames 1x The Trickster’s Staff

Archetype

Heavy Rubric Tsons

Final Round Matchup

100 - 82 Victory against Marcus Jensen - Hive Fleet Hydra.

Thoughts

Peter eschews big hammer units outside Magnus here in favour of lots of Rubrics and some extra Rhino-based board control, presumably leaning on the massive tide of Cabal Points plus Stratagem tricks to get the job done against heavier opposition. Seems to have worked just fine, great job!

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Killi Paaske  - Genestealer Cult: Horde with Purestrains and a Patriarch, plus some Earthshaker Carriages and cheap objective Cyclops as allies.
  • 3rd - Marcus Jensen  - Tyranids: Monster mash with great objective support
  • 4th - Simon Oberländer - Genestealer Cult: Horde and Aberrants.
  • 5th - Lars Hedegaard - Thousand Sons: Magnus, lots of Characters, lots of Rubrics and a Mutalith.
  • 6th - Jesper Scharff Johannsen  - Ultramarines: Bobby G gunline with Desolation Marines, Lancers and a Whirlwind.
  • 7th - Thomas Donslund - Aeldari: Wraithknight/Wraithguard.
  • 8th - Frederik Larsen  - Genestealer Cult: Pure horde.
  • 9th - Thim Le - Aeldari: Wraithknight and hulls.

Grand Onslaught 6

46-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Seminole, Florida, US on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Alec Huffman - Chaos Space Marines - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
We gonna roll this land raiden' convoy, 'cross the Warp (2000 points) Chaos Space Marines Strike Force (2000 points) Slaves to Darkness

CHARACTER

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

Cypher (105 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol 1x Cypher’s plasma pistol

Master of Executions (80 points) • Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh • 1x Axe of dismemberment 1x Bolt pistol

Master of Possession (110 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Rite of Possession 1x Staff of possession • Enhancement: Liber Hereticus

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (55 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Cultist Champion • 1x Autopistol 1x Brutal assault weapon • 9x Chaos Cultist • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Cultist firearm

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Bikers (95 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Biker Champion • 1x Accursed weapon 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-bolter • 2x Chaos Biker • 2x Astartes chainsword 2x Close combat weapon 2x Combi-weapon

Chaos Bikers (95 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Biker Champion • 1x Accursed weapon 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-bolter • 2x Chaos Biker • 2x Astartes chainsword 2x Close combat weapon 2x Combi-weapon

Chaos Bikers (95 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Biker Champion • 1x Accursed weapon 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-bolter • 2x Chaos Biker • 2x Astartes chainsword 2x Close combat weapon 2x Combi-weapon

Chaos Land Raider (255 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher 2x Soulshatter lascannon 1x Twin heavy bolter

Chaos Land Raider (255 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher 2x Soulshatter lascannon 1x Twin heavy bolter

Chosen (230 points) • Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Boltgun 1x Chaos Icon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 9x Chosen • 6x Accursed weapon 6x Bolt pistol 3x Boltgun 4x Combi-weapon 2x Paired accursed weapons 3x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

Chosen (230 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Boltgun 1x Chaos Icon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 9x Chosen • 6x Accursed weapon 6x Bolt pistol 3x Boltgun 4x Combi-weapon 2x Paired accursed weapons 3x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

Obliterators (320 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 4x Obliterator • 4x Crushing fists 4x Fleshmetal guns

Archetype

Land Raider Spam

Final Round Matchup

82 - 76 Victory against Nick Herting - Deathwatch.

Thoughts

OK this just fully whips - get in losers, we're launching a Black Crusade. You get speedy initial delivery of the Chosen from the Land Raiders, after which they can cheerfully rampage around the board on their own thanks to being able to Advance/Charge, great early disruption from Bikers, and a nasty hammer blow from the Obliterators. Even faced off against a nasty go-wide Ynnari build and won handily, very impressive stuff from Alec

Kienan Hicks - Ynnari - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Ynnari (1990 points) Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Battle Host

CHARACTER

Farseer (85 points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Witchblade • Enhancement: Reader of the Runes

Spiritseer (80 points) • 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Witch staff • Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wraithguard (310 points) • 10x Wraithguard • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Wraithcannon

ALLIED UNITS

Kabalite Warriors (120 points) • 1x Sybarite • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Splinter rifle • 9x Kabalite Warrior • 1x Blaster 9x Close combat weapon 1x Dark lance 1x Shredder 1x Splinter cannon 5x Splinter rifle

Ravager (95 points) • 1x Bladevanes 3x Dark lance

Ravager (95 points) • 1x Bladevanes 3x Dark lance

Ravager (95 points) • 1x Bladevanes 3x Dark lance

Venom (80 points) • 1x Bladevanes 1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

Venom (80 points) • 1x Bladevanes 1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

Archetype

Wraithguard + Ynnari Go-wide

Thoughts

You can just go ahead and spin the wheel of how you combine the biggest hits from the Aeldari index and can still go undefeated if you know what you're doing. Incredible. Does make a reasonable amount of sense, as Wraithguard give you something that's very tough but can be meaningfully hidden, complementing the general go-wide plan by not providing an easy target for enemy big stuff. Well done Kienan.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3th - Garrett Wilhelm  - Ynnari: full Darklight go-wide, using triple Ravager and triple Scourges.
  • 4th - Daniel Kelley  - Necrons: Double Doomsday, double Lychguard.
  • 5th - Tyler Sweeting  - Adeptus Custodes: Triple big bricks.
  • 6th - Chris Reeder  - Adeptus Custodes: Triple big bricks.
  • 7th - Dan Monsalve  - Aeldari: Pure go-wide shooting.

Clan Wars Scottish Open 4

33-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Scotland, GB on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Brian Seipp - Aeldari - 1st Place

Windriders. Credit: Rockfish Windriders. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Brian’s no wk painted stuff army (1990 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (105 Points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Mandiblasters 1x Star glaive • Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

Farseer (65 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 • Enhancements: The Weeping Stones

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

Karandras (100 Points) • 1x Arhra’s Bane 1x Isirmathil 1x The Scorpion’s Bite

Spiritseer (80 Points) • 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Witch staff • Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger

OTHER DATASHEETS

Night Spinner (170 Points) • 1x Doomweaver 1x Twin shuriken catapult 1x Wraithbone hull

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

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

Striking Scorpions (75 Points) • 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch • 1x Biting blade 1x Mandiblasters • 4x Striking Scorpion • 4x Mandiblasters 4x Scorpion chainsword 4x Shuriken pistol

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

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

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

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

Windriders (240 Points) • 9x Windrider • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Shuriken cannon

Wraithguard (310 Points) • 10x Wraithguard • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Wraithcannon

Archetype

Wraithguard and tech

Final Round Matchup

20 - 0 Victory against Chris Irvine - Dark Angels.

Thoughts

Some slightly unusual choices here, going with a full Windrider unit as an alpha shooting unit alongside some Wraithguard, also providing protection for the Skyrunner to be wherever they need to. Karandras also gets another showing, here with some backup to make him a pretty effective trade piece, and Fuegan acts as a powerful and surprisingly hard to handle lone killer/objective toy. Nice to see some deviations from the standard formula, well done Brian.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 3.5-1.5 or better records (and loads of draws, hence the further cut). They were:
  • 2nd - Alan Mandelson  - Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon gunline with some Chosen and a Maulerfiend as counter-charge threats.
  • 3rd - Stuart Mckee - Adeptus Custodes:  Double big Custodian brick.
  • 4th - James Lighten - Necrons: Double Lychguard, triple Doomsday.
  • 5th - Ross Cameron - Aeldari: Double Wraithguard and a Wraithknight. When i said mix up the formula...never mind.
  • 6th - Innes Wilson  - Death Guard: A wild Land Raider party bus herohammer list, which you can read about here.
  • 7th - Chris Irvine  - Dark Angels: A full Deathwing Knight brick as an anchor with a Repulsor and full Desolation unit as backup.

Corsair Open Grand Tournament

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in München, BY, DE on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Joscha Schmitz - Adeptus Custodes - 1st Place

Custodian Guard Custodian Guard. Credit: Edwin "Lupe" Moriarty

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Custodes MkI (1990 Points)

Adeptus Custodes Shield Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (125 Points) • 1x Vaultswords • Enhancements: Veiled Blade

Shield-Captain (150 Points) • 1x Guardian spear • Enhancements: Ceaseless Hunter

Trajann Valoris (145 Points) • Warlord • 1x Watcher’s Axe

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (225 Points) • 5x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (180 Points) • 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (180 Points) • 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (180 Points) • 4x Guardian spear

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (130 Points) • 2x Balistus grenade launcher 2x Guardian spear

Allarus Custodians (130 Points) • 2x Balistus grenade launcher 2x Guardian spear

Allarus Custodians (130 Points) • 2x Balistus grenade launcher 2x Guardian spear

Custodian Wardens (300 Points) • 6x Guardian spear 1x Vexilla

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (115 Points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Archetype

Go-wide Custodes

Final Round Matchup

76 - 39 Victory against Roman Kleiber - Orks.

Thoughts

Joscha's build here eschews the normal heavier blocks in favour of being able to cover a lot of ground, playing objectives very effectively and helping it respond to enemy board control plans. I imagine that helped a tonne in the final against Orks, so great choice and well done!

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Roman Kleiber  - Orks: All the standard big hits with lots of Trukks.
  • 3rd - Manuel Wayand  - Dark Angels: A big Deathwing Knight brick and then a scary Azreal-boosted gunline of Hellblasters and Desolation Marines. Lots of Inceptors finish things up, providing utility and point damage.
  • 4th - Thomas Kroemmer - Aeldari: Go-wide shooting, with the Falcon (here packed with Fire Dragons) soaring over the line to get into a 4-1 list pre-Dataslate.
  • 5th - Malte Höfs  - Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon gunline, with Huron plus Chosen in a Rhino as a counter-charge threat.
  • 6th - Christoph Lehe  - Aeldari: Wraithknight and hulls.
  • 7th - Max Herzog - Adepta Sororitas: Comedy skew, maxing out on Exorcists, Armiger Warglaives and Arco-flagellants.

Torneo Veraniego II - Iberian Open

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Logroño, RI, España on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Cajolín Waif - Deathwatch - 1st Place

Credit: Alfredo Ramirez

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Se lo voy a chivar a mamá(2000 points) Space Marines Deathwatch Strike Force (2000 points) Black Spear Task Force

CHARACTER

Captain (120 points) • Warlord • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: 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 Frag cannon 1x Long Vigil melee weapon

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

Hellblaster Squad (250 points) • 1x Hellblaster Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma incinerator 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Hellblaster • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Plasma incinerator 9x Plasma pistol

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

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

Land Speeder (80 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Multi-melta

Proteus Kill Team (330 points) • 5x Kill Team Veteran • 1x Boltgun 5x Close combat weapon 2x Deathwatch thunder hammer 2x Frag cannon 1x Long Vigil melee weapon • 1x Kill Team Biker • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Twin boltgun • 4x Kill Team Terminator • 3x Cyclone missile launcher 3x Power fist 1x Storm Shield 3x Storm bolter 1x Terminator thunder hammer

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (115 points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

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 Soulguilt Scanner 1x Webber

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 Soulguilt Scanner 1x Webber

Archetype

Deathwatch Infantry

Final Round Matchup

100 - 45 Victory against Alfonso Delgado - Thousand Sons.

Thoughts

All the standard Deathwatch power players, with the Proteus teams and Veterans getting to play fun games with Kill Team strats, the Hellblasters squeezing maximum value from ammo strats, and Desolation Marines for everything else. Impressive wins against a who's who of the best factions on the way to a trophy, so great work.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Alfonso Delgado - Thousand Sons: On the lighter end of Character count for the Sons, investing in a Mulalith and Scarabs instead, plus some Enlightened for objective play.
  • 3rd - Dadu Polo - Aeldari: Double Avatar Wraithknight.
  • 4th - OuX ™ - Imperial Knights: Peak shooting and melee from a Crusader and Canis Rex respectively.
  • 5th - Mariano Diaz Dominguez  - Imperial Knights: Similar, but going for a teleporting Valiant as the close pressure unit instead of Canis.

Straight Edge Wargaming: Malmö Gameweek GT

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Skåne län, SE on September 02 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Björn Eriksson - Imperial Knights - 1st Place

Imperial Knight Armiger Helverin Imperial Knight Armiger Helverin. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
ImpORKial Nauts (2000 points) Imperial Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Noble Lance

CHARACTER

Canis Rex (490 points) • Warlord • 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser 1x Freedom’s Hand

Knight Crusader (500 points) • 1x Avenger gatling cannon 1x Heavy flamer 1x Questoris heavy stubber 1x Questoris heavy stubber 1x Rapid-fire battle cannon 1x Stormspear rocket pod 1x Titanic feet • Enhancement: Mythic Hero

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (145 points) • 2x Armiger autocannon 1x Armoured feet 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (145 points) • 2x Armiger autocannon 1x Armoured feet 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Warglaive (140 points) • 1x Meltagun 1x Reaper chain-cleaver 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 points) • 1x Meltagun 1x Reaper chain-cleaver 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 points) • 1x Meltagun 1x Reaper chain-cleaver 1x Thermal spear

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (115 points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Inquisitor Coteaz (75 points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Nemesis daemon hammer 1x Psychic Blast

Inquisitorial Henchmen (70 points) • 4x Inquisitorial Acolyte • 4x Acolyte firearm 4x Acolyte melee weapon 1x Eviscerator • 1x Gun Servitor • 1x Acolyte melee weapon 1x Multi-melta • 1x Mystic • 1x Acolyte firearm 1x Acolyte melee weapon • 1x Daemonhost • 1x Unholy Gaze 1x Warp grasp

Inquisitorial Henchmen (40 points) • 4x Inquisitorial Acolyte • 4x Acolyte firearm 4x Acolyte melee weapon 1x Eviscerator

Archetype

Canis/Crusader

Final Round Matchup

88 - 73 Victory against Sebastian Kruuse - Ynnari.

Thoughts

More Canis Rex and Crusader action for our final winner, here supplementing their backfield screening capability with Inquisitorial Henchmen sporting the Mystic for a 12" deep strike bubble. Otherwise, business as usual - put the enemy under spectaculer pressure with Canis Rex and Warglaives while the Crusader pounds them into dust. Great stuff from Björn.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Sebastian Kruuse - Ynnari: Go-wide shooting with Ravagers.
  • 3rd - Khan Runander - Aeldari: Pure go-wide.
  • 4th - Mike Johansson - Thousand Sons: Magnus with Character spam.
  • 5th - Magnus Elmqvist - Aeldari: Go-wide plus the Avatar, featuring a second showing for Fire Dragons in Falcons.
  • 6th - Andreas Holm - Aeldari: Wraithguard plus go-wide to finish. Another shocking Wraithknight-free event.

Wrap Up

So did we learn anything? Arguably yes - there clearly are some fairly interesting builds lurking just beneath the surface, so hopefully once the dust clears tomorrow it will reveal a brighter future for us all. Or maybe it won't. Please don't screw this up, GW.

Tags: chaos space marines | imperial knights | Deathwatch | Necrons | Tactics | Warhammer 40k | Aeldari | Thousand Sons | competitive play | Ynnari | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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