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Goonhammer | Columns | 40K Competitive Innovations

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Silver Tide pt.1

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Feb 28 2024
Welp, it's finally happened, this week we're going to three parts.

That's because the past weekend was an absolutely astounding blowout of 40K, featuring ~1200 players participating in 16 GT+ events (around half of them majors) and that doesn't even account for there being at least three major+ sized team events happening across Europe. That's so much goddamn Warhammer.

Hopefully this is indicative that players are having a great time in the current metagame (I certainly have been), and this week we've got some more big swings at the top. Necrons have clearly been biding their time, and have put in a pretty commanding performance, hitting the dangerous double of most played faction and highest win rate for the weekend. That seems to be driven by the rise of Hypercrypt Legion - while Canoptek Court has a marginally higher overall win rate, Hypercrypt has a much higher prevalence now, and crucially (from a look at Stat Check's latest dashboard), has a spectacularly better matchup into Adeptus Custodes than Court does. Given how popular Custodes are too (and still going pretty strong), that makes Hypercrypt a much more reliable route to a strong finish, so a wide-ranging pivot to it has probably taken a cap off Necrons performance potential (especially with some practiced players.

That's not to say it's all going the Necrons way mind - Grey Knights have put in some strong performances, Thousand Sons and Aeldari continue to eke out life after nerfs, and there's plenty of great performances from other armies as well. While evidence mounts that C'tan need a bit of point hike, the metagame is excitingly diverse overall, and there are very few factions you can't put in a strong performance with if you know what you're doing. There's even a 4-1 finish from Deathwatch. I literally cannot remember the last time that happened.

Anyway, on to what we've got for you. We're doing part 1 with me today, part 2 with Lowest of Men on Friday, and part 3 from me again on Saturday. These will include:

Today:
  • Frontline Gaming Cherokee Open 2024 Warhammer 40K Champs
  • The Art of Warp 8ème Ed.- OPEN
  • Milwaukee Warhammer 40k GT
  • BrewHammer GT5
  • Heroes Of The Mid Tables Winter GT 2024
  • TOK-spelen
Friday:
  • Scheunenkloppen Open - War Zone Erkelenz 2: GT 2024
  • Octopoutre Solo - W40k - Hérault Quest
  • Dice Arcade GT
  • Alliance Open 40K Masters
  • Geekfest - Warhammer 40K GT
Saturday:
  • Games of Westeros XVII
  • Broadsword Wargaming 40K ITC Winter Major III
  • Norcal Open GT 2024
  • Game Knight Warhammer 40,000 Grand Tournament
  • HWP Salty Classic GT February 2024
Our showdowns will be:
  • Drukhari vs Tau at The Art of Warp
  • Aeldari vs Tau at Geekfest
  • Stormlance Space Wolves vs Imperial Knights at the Norcal Open GT

Frontline Gaming Cherokee Open 2024 Warhammer 40K Champs

246-player, 9-round Supermajor in Cherokee, NC, US on February 23 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Noah Neundorfer - Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
“If I get on Goonhammer with Tzaangors it’ll be hilarious” ++ Army Roster (Chaos - Thousand Sons) [18Cabal Points, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Choice: Cult of Magic

+ Epic Hero +

Ahriman [3Cabal Points, 130pts]

Magnus the Red [4Cabal Points, 440pts]

+ Character +

Exalted Sorcerer [2Cabal Points, 120pts]: Prosperine khopesh, Umbralefic Crystal, Warpflame pistol

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch [2Cabal Points, 115pts]: Prosperine khopesh, Warpflame pistol

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch [2Cabal Points, 140pts]: Lord of Forbidden Lore, Prosperine khopesh, Warpflame pistol

Infernal Master [2Cabal Points, 105pts]: Arcane Vortex

+ Battleline +

Rubric Marines [1Cabal Points, 210pts]: Icon of Flame . Aspiring Sorcerer: Warpflame pistol . 9x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 9x Close combat weapon, 9x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines [1Cabal Points, 210pts]: Icon of Flame . Aspiring Sorcerer: Warpflame pistol . 9x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 9x Close combat weapon, 9x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines [1Cabal Points, 105pts]: Icon of Flame . Aspiring Sorcerer: Warpflame pistol . 4x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 4x Close combat weapon, 4x Warpflamer

Tzaangors [65pts]: Brayhorn, Herd banner . Pistol and chainsword . 9x Tzaangor blades: 9x Tzaangor blades

Tzaangors [65pts]: Brayhorn, Herd banner . Pistol and chainsword . 9x Tzaangor blades: 9x Tzaangor blades

+ Beast +

Thousand Sons Chaos Spawn [65pts]

Thousand Sons Chaos Spawn [65pts]

+ Monster +

Mutalith Vortex Beast [165pts]

++ Total: [18Cabal Points, 2,000pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe ()

Archetype

Magnus and the Goats

Thoughts

Never count Thousand Sons out - their combination of tricks and astonishing spike damage output continue to keep them relevant, and being relatively good into Necrons puts them in an excellent position in a robot-heavy metagame. This build, as the title calls out, adds some Tzaangors as flexible early chaff, crucially providing a way to park a lot of OC on an objective without committing Rubricae and precious Characters, avoiding it being easily flipped with movement shenanigans. Full Warpflamer units provide further discouragement to any opponent planning sneaky teleporting shenanigans, and if you need to go on the offence you've got Magnus and a Mutalith as the tip of the spear. This build can handle pretty much anything the world throws at it, and has a very high mastery ceiling, which Noah has elegantly demonstrated with victory at the weekend's biggest event!

Joshua Campbell - Necrons (Canoptek Court) - 2nd Place

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

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
WRAITHS ARE FUN AND BALANCED AND ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH ME HAS TO GET WITHIN 12 INCHES FOR ME TO HEAR YOU (1995 points)

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Canoptek Court

CHARACTERS

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

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

Plasmancer (55 points) • Warlord • 1x Plasmic lance

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

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

Transcendent C’tan (275 points) • 1x Crackling tendrils 1x Seismic assault

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (38), Data Version: v336

Archetype

Canoptek Court

Thoughts

Narrowly losing out to Noah in a knife-edge finals, Joshua bucks the trend of people switching to Hypercrypt by staying on the Court plan, deploying a build that I think is pretty much the best version of the detachment. Generically good long-ranged shooting is something that many Necron builds don't have, so taking advantage of Doomstalkers being fantastic in Court is a way of throwing a curveball at people preparing for Hypercrypt (and definitely help in the sometimes tricky Custodes game). That's especially true if you're making good use of their Overwatch capabilities - hitting on 5s with full re-rolls is far more deadly than opponents are often expecting, and can tilt the balance of forces your way at a key moment. I also like the Transcendant here, as it ensures you stay mobile if the Wraiths die too fast. Huge fan of this, and if I wanted to take Court to an event I'd pretty much use this exact 2K. Great stuff from Joshua!

Chris Chance - Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) - 3rd Place

Blood Angels Jump Pack Captain. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Cherokee Open (2000 points)

Space Marines Blood Angels Strike Force (2000 points) Sons of Sanguinius

CHARACTERS

Captain with Jump Pack (105 points) • Warlord • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Artisan of War

Lemartes (110 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x The Blood Crozius

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

Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack (90 points) • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt Pistol

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (85 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (85 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (260 points) • 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Pack • 10x Inferno pistol 10x Power fist

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

Gladiator Reaper (150 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 2x Tempest bolter 1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

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

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

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 4x Marksman bolt carbine

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 4x Marksman bolt carbine

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (210 points) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Storm Shield 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon • 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack • 9x Storm Shield 9x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (38), Data Version: v336

Archetype

LANCE and Lancers

Thoughts

What a difference +1S (and, to be fair, a metagame shift) makes. With Necrons and Custodes on a rampage, pushing various melee units past the crucial S6 breakpoint on the charge (and Death Company to a sweet S10) lets you take huge chunks out of the metagame, and access to Only in Death Does Duty End gives you an A+ trade game into other factions that want to fight up close. Supplement that with Marine shooting that works well without any Stratagem support (Lancers, Inceptors and a Reaper) and it turns out you've got a seriously potent build, which Chris took to a fantastic finish. Very much a fan of doubling up on Infiltrators too, in a Hypercrypt-heavy Metagame it lets you screen out a huge backfield area while the push threats go and do the business.

Daniel Reddehase - Death Guard (Plague Company) - 4th Place

Death Guard Plague Marine. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Rise my brothers (2000 Points)

Death Guard Plague Company Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Biologus Putrifier (50 Points) • 1x Hyper blight grenades 1x Injector pistol 1x Plague knives

Foul Blightspawn (50 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plague sprayer

Lord of Contagion (80 Points) • Warlord • 1x Plagueblade

Malignant Plaguecaster (65 Points) • 1x Corrupted staff 1x Plague Wind 1x Plague bolt pistol

Malignant Plaguecaster (65 Points) • 1x Corrupted staff 1x Plague Wind 1x Plague bolt pistol

Typhus (80 Points) • 1x Master-crafted manreaper

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (180 Points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Plague Marine • 3x Bubotic weapons 4x Heavy plague weapon 9x Plague knives 2x Plague spewer

Plague Marines (90 Points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Plague Marine • 1x Bubotic weapons 2x Heavy plague weapon 4x Plague knives 1x Plague spewer

Plague Marines (90 Points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Plague Marine • 1x Bubotic weapons 2x Heavy plague weapon 4x Plague knives 1x Plague spewer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher 1x Plague combi-bolter

Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher 1x Plague combi-bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (240 Points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Manreaper 1x Plaguespurt gauntlet 1x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 5x Deathshroud Terminator • 5x Manreaper 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

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

Rotigus (230 Points) • 1x Gnarlrod 1x Streams of brackish filth

War Dog Brigand (170 Points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Avenger chaincannon 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher

War Dog Brigand (170 Points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Avenger chaincannon 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher

War Dog Brigand (170 Points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Avenger chaincannon 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (30), Data Version: v336

Archetype

Crunchy Death Guard

Thoughts

Rounding out the final four we have a new spin on the ultra-durable Death Guard builds that were doing well pre-dataslate, aiming to present a very solid target profile to build up an early lead in attrition. Just how Nurgle likes it.

With a few increases on some of their core tools they've pivoted a little on the exact inclusions, taking Typhus as a little solo threat and now going hard on a big unit of Deathshrouds as a threat from Deep Strike rather than using more Rhino Plague Marines, and adding in the new smiling face of Rotigus in the Daemon contingent. I'm honestly a little surprised we haven't seen him tried before - he's pretty aggressively priced (even more so post-dataslate) for how dangerous and durable he is, and the combination of a strong Torrent weapon and his slowing aura makes him great at anchoring the mid board or causing problems on a flank by himself. He's shown up in multiple X-1+ builds this weekend, with Daniel's performance here being the jewel in the crown, and I'm glad to see Death Guard continuing to thrive, so congratulations!

The Best of the Rest

The rest of the top eight were:
  • 5th - Mark Cimmerian - Orks: Bosshammer Goodstuff, taking Ghaz alongside some Squigbosses as central heavy hitters, then piling on the pressure with Badrukk's Gitz in a transport, Bikers and a Battlewagon full of Boyz. Two Weirdboyz add even more ways to pressure/score.
  • 6th - Daniel Hesters - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Top-heavy Hypercrypt, going with the Nightbringer, a Monolith and the Silent King, backed by a Heavy Destroyer squad and 3 Skorpekh with a Lord to send through the Portal in an emergency (a unit I've been looking at speculatively, so I guess I'm trying them out at some point now).
  • 7th - Collin Cochran - Chaos Knights: A Rampager takes their dogs for a walk.
  • 8th - Jordan Sorchevich - Adeptus Custodes: The standard four core blocks template we discussed last week, with  2x3 units of Venatari as the flex picks.

The Art of Warp 8ème Ed.- OPEN

97-player major. All the lists for this event can be found in MiniHeadQuarters.

Players in 2nd-4th place all went 4.5-0.5.

The Showdown

Priority Target - Chilling Rain - Sweeping Engagement

Aimée - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault)

Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTERS

Archon (85 points) • Warlord • 1x Blast pistol 1x Huskblade • Enhancement: Spiteful Raider

Archon (95 points) • 1x Blast pistol 1x Huskblade • Enhancement: Nightmare Shroud

Drazhar (75 points) • 1x The Executioner’s demiklaives

Lelith Hesperax (85 points) • 1x Lelith’s blades

BATTLELINE

Kabalite Warriors (110 points) • 1x Sybarite • 1x Blast pistol 1x Phantasm grenade launcher 1x Sybarite weapon • 9x Kabalite Warrior • 1x Blaster 9x Close combat weapon 1x Dark lance 1x Shredder 1x Splinter cannon 5x Splinter rifle

Wracks (60 points) • 1x Acothyst • 1x Stinger pistol 1x Wrack blades • 4x Wrack • 1x Hexrifle 1x Liquifier gun 1x Ossefactor 4x Wrack blades

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Hekatarii blade 1x Phantasm grenade launcher 1x Splinter pistol • 9x Wych • 9x Hekatarii blade 9x Splinter pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Raider (80 points) • 1x Bladevanes 1x Dark lance

Raider (80 points) • 1x Bladevanes 1x Dark lance

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Cronos (50 points) • 1x Spirit syphon 1x Spirit vortex 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Incubi (75 points) • 4x Incubi • 4x Klaive • 1x Klaivex • 1x Demiklaives

Incubi (75 points) • 4x Incubi • 4x Klaive • 1x Klaivex • 1x Demiklaives

Incubi (75 points) • 4x Incubi • 4x Klaive • 1x Klaivex • 1x Demiklaives

Mandrakes (65 points) • 1x Nightfiend • 1x Baleblast 1x Glimmersteel blade • 4x Mandrake • 4x Baleblast 4x Glimmersteel blade

Mandrakes (65 points) • 1x Nightfiend • 1x Baleblast 1x Glimmersteel blade • 4x Mandrake • 4x Baleblast 4x Glimmersteel blade

Ravager (115 points) • 1x Bladevanes 3x Dark lance

Reavers (60 points) • 1x Arena Champion • 1x Agoniser 1x Bladevanes 1x Cluster caltrops 1x Heat lance 1x Splinter pistol • 2x Reaver • 2x Bladevanes 2x Splinter pistol 2x Splinter rifle

Reavers (60 points) • 1x Arena Champion • 1x Agoniser 1x Bladevanes 1x Cluster caltrops 1x Heat lance 1x Splinter pistol • 2x Reaver • 2x Bladevanes 2x Splinter pistol 2x Splinter rifle

Reavers (60 points) • 1x Arena Champion • 1x Agoniser 1x Bladevanes 1x Cluster caltrops 1x Heat lance 1x Splinter pistol • 2x Reaver • 2x Bladevanes 2x Splinter pistol 2x Splinter rifle

Scourges (110 points) • 1x Solarite • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Shardcarbine 1x Solarite weapon • 4x Scourge • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dark lance

Scourges (110 points) • 1x Solarite • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Shardcarbine 1x Solarite weapon • 4x Scourge • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dark lance

Scourges (110 points) • 1x Solarite • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Shardcarbine 1x Solarite weapon • 4x Scourge • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Drukhari haywire blaster



vs.

Wigmard - T'au Empire (Kauyon)

Army List - Click to Expand


Characters

Char1: Commander Shadowsun (100 points) -Warlord -2 High-energy fusion blaster, Flechette pod, Light missile pod, Pulse pistol, Battlesuit Fists, Command-link Drone (Aura), Advanced Guardian Drone

Char2: Commander Farsight (90 points) -High-intensity plasma rifle, Dawn Blade

Char3: Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (125 points) -Cyclic ion blaster, 3 Additionnal Cyclic ion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, 2 Shield Drone Enhancement: Exemplar of the Kauyon

Line

10x Breacher Team (90 points) -9 Pulse blaster, 9 Pulse pistol, 9 Close combat weapon -1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas'ui, Pulse blaster, Pulse pistol, Support turret missile system, Close combat weapon, Shield Drone, Guardian Drone

Others

Devilfish (75 points) -2 Twin pulse carbine, Accelerator burst cannon, 2 Seeker missile, Armoured hull

3x Stealth Battlesuits (60 points) -2 Burst cannon, 2 Battlesuit Fists -1x Stealth Shas'vre, Fusion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Homing beacon, Battlesuit Support System, Shield Drone, Marker Drone

4x Kroot Hounds (30 points) -4 Ripping fangs

Krootox Riders (35 points) -Kroot cannon, Krootox fists

Sky Ray Gunship (130 points) -Seeker Missile Rack, 2 Accelerator burst cannon, Armoured hull

Sky Ray Gunship (130 points) -Seeker Missile Rack, 2 Accelerator burst cannon, Armoured hull

Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 points) -Cyclic ion racker, Twin fusion blaster, Poings de Ghostkeel, Battlesuit Support System

Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 points) -Cyclic ion racker, Twin fusion blaster, Poings de Ghostkeel, Battlesuit Support System

3x Crisis Battlesuits (200 points) -1x 1ère Crisis Shas'ui, 2 Cyclic ion blaster, Fusion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Shield Generator, 2 Shield Drone -1x 2nd Crisis Shas'ui, 2 Cyclic ion blaster, Fusion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Shield Generator, 2 Shield Drone -1x Crisis Shas'vre, 2 Cyclic ion blaster, Fusion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Battlesuit Support System, Shield Drone, Marker Drone

6x Crisis Battlesuits (400 points) -1x 1ère Crisis Shas'ui, 3 Cyclic ion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Shield Generator, 2 Shield Drone -1x 2nd Crisis Shas'ui, 3 Cyclic ion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Shield Generator, 2 Shield Drone -1x 3rd Crisis Shas'ui, 3 Cyclic ion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Shield Generator, 2 Shield Drone -1x 4th Crisis Shas'ui, 3 Cyclic ion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Shield Generator, 2 Shield Drone -1x 5th Crisis Shas'ui, 3 Cyclic ion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Shield Generator, 2 Shield Drone -1x Crisis Shas'vre, 3 Cyclic ion blaster, Battlesuit Fists, Battlesuit Support System, Shield Drone, Marker Drone

2x Tetras (80 points) -4 Pulse rifle, 2 Close combat weapon

2x Tetras (80 points) -4 Pulse rifle, 2 Close combat weapon

Piranha (55 points) -2 Twin pulse carbine, Piranha fusion blaster, 2 Seeker missile, Armoured hull

Thoughts

We've got ourselves a mid 9th-Edition classic here, mobile, Transport-heavy Drukhari vs shooty Tau. As always, the deciding factor here is going to be whether the Drukhari can get into touch and rip stuff up in melee before the Tau can annihilate them with extreme prejudice, and honestly both sides feel like they've got some real assets here. Skysplinter is, of course, extremely well equipped to get stuff into Tau-murdering position, with Venoms able to zip up, unload some Incubi and Pounce on the Prey, doubly dangerous with the Nightmare Shroud Archon. Incubi with the stacked bonuses they get from an Archon will take a serious chunk out of a Crisis unit in one swing, and avoiding that is certainly a challenge. The speed with which the Scourges can pick off the Tetras is also an issue, Tau really want re-rolls going into the late game here, but if they try and do damage early they might not have the assets left to do it.

All that said, the Tau list here does feel like it has a better shot at this game than some - Ghostkeels provide some strong roving threats, and splitting the shooting of the army out between Skyrays and the smaller suits as well as big Crisis units helps with opening up transports to get to the squishy elves inside. Too many eggs in the Crisis team basket and there might not be enough activations to push back on a key turn, but this build has options. The Drukhari also have to reckon with Lelith's squad being relatively unimpressive in this game, which weighs them down somewhat. I don't think it takes too many mistakes from the Drukhari here for them to run out of stuff, although Swooping Mockery does give them a bit of a contingency when used with the small Venoms.

I suspect the difficulty comes on Secondaries here - Drukhari basically get a free 38 or 39 if they go Bring it Down/Deploy, and can play cautiously for a big end-game score on this mission, while it's way harder for Tau to reliably score without giving up assets. Scourges are a huge pain for Tau to deal with too, as they don't have great stocks of Indirect to pick them out, and that one Haywire unit is going to cause palpitations by threatening to just waste a suit or two a turn with almost no counterplay. The Drukhari can focus on methodically eliminating targets that enable the Tau scoring, slowing the big Crisis unit down with chaff in the mid-game, and riding their vastly superior scoring game to victory. It would appear that exactly that happened here, with a strong Drukhari triumph.

Result

Drukhari Victory - 20-0

Aimée - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) - 1st Place

Drukhari Mandrakes. Credit: Corrode

The List

See showdown

Archetype

Skysplinter Go-Wide

Thoughts

Elves, everywhere, all at once. That's the Skysplinter plan, and Aimée's build here does it even better than most. I quite like the choice to skip out on a big Incubi squad, as it ensures that the key hitters are riding in easy-to-hide Venoms, and as discussed in the Showdown Incubi can hit plenty hard even with five. Bad elves are back!

ManX - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) - 2nd Place

Necron Warriors Necron Warriors. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


== Necrons Detachment = 1995pts

Characters : C'Tan Shard of the Nightbringer [255pts] C'Tan Shard of the Voidragon [270pts] WARLORD: Technomancer "Technosyndrome" Dimentionnal Overseer (10) [70pts] Chronomancer "Zéboulon" with Osteoclave Fulcrum (20) [70pts]

Battlelines :

20 Necrons Warriors with Gauss Flayers [200pts]

Others : 6 Canoptek Wraith with Particle Casters & Vicious Claws [220pts] 5 Deathmarks [65pts] 5 Deathmarks [65pts] 1 Doomsday Arch [200pts] 1 Doomsday Arch [200pts] 1 Monolith with 4 Death Rays [350pts] 1 Lokhust Destroyer [30pts]

Archetype

Warrior Hypercrypt

Thoughts

Hypercrypt makes some waves in second place here, combining the known tools of Wraiths, C'tan and a Monolith with some mixups from the standard. For board control, you've got a full Warrior blob with a Chronomancer to zap around and cause headaches, able to steal even the most well-protected of objectives with a Chronomancer move (and numerous enough to take full advantage of the ability to zap to a Monolith on demand). At the killing end, you've got a pair of Doomsday Arks, which do seem pretty great in Hypercrypt. The sheer unwieldiness of the model tells against them in Tenth, but Hypercrypt doesn't care about that, and like with Doomstalkers in Canoptek it gives you a capability that Necrons don't always have access to, plus shooting that's great for Custodes-killing. A nice spin on a strong build, and a well-deserved second place here!

Albios - Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) - 3rd Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTER Char1: 1x Magnus the Red (440 points) • 1x Blade of Magnus, 1x Gaze of Magnus, 1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm • Warlord

Char2: 1x Ahriman (130pts) 1x Inferno bolt pistol, 1x Psychic Stalk 1x Black Staff of Ahriman

Char 3 :Exalted Sorcerer (120pts) 1x Astral Blast, 1x Warpflame pistol, 1x Force weapon, 1x Umbralefic Crystal

Char 4 :Exalted Sorcerer (125pts) 1x Astral Blast, 1x Warpflame pistol, 1x Force weapon, 1x Lord of Forbidden Lore

Char 5: Infernal Master (105pts) 1x Inferno bolt pistol, 1x Screamer Invocation, 1x Force weapon, 1x Arcane Vortex

Char 6: Infernal Master (90pts) 1x Inferno bolt pistol, 1x Screamer Invocation, 1x Force weapon

BATTLELINE

5x Rubric Marines (105 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer with 1x Force weapon, 1x Warpflame pistol, 1x Warpsmite • 1x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Soulreaper cannon, 1x Icon of Flame • 3x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Warpflamer

5x Rubric Marines (105 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer with 1x Force weapon, 1x Warpflame pistol, 1x Warpsmite • 1x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Soulreaper cannon, 1x Icon of Flame • 3x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Warpflamer

10x Rubric Marines (210 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer with 1x Force weapon, 1x Warpflame pistol, 1x Warpsmite • 1x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Soulreaper cannon, 1x Icon of Flame • 8x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Warpflamer

10x Rubric Marines (210 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer with 1x Force weapon, 1x Warpflame pistol, 1x Warpsmite • 1x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Soulreaper cannon, 1x Icon of Flame • 8x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Warpflamer

10x Rubric Marines (210 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer with 1x Force weapon, 1x Warpflame pistol, 1x Warpsmite • 1x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Soulreaper cannon, 1x Icon of Flame • 8x Rubric Marine with 1x Close combat weapon, 1x Warpflamer

DEDICATED TRANSPORT

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

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

Archetype

Rubric-heavy Tsons

Thoughts

Another Thousand Sons build next, here going all-in on the quality of Rubricae and Characters to get things done. It's prodigiously hard to shift on WTC terrain, and gives enough board coverage that you can start to restrict the ability of armies like Hypercrypt to drop where they want, which Tsons builds with fewer bodies might struggle a little with. I did worry on a first read that it might get rolled by Custodes on heavy terrain, but it took a 20-0 win in that matchup, so clearly that was not a problem. My assumption there is that a combination of Magnus being great against them with Rhino-based staging, which Custodes are going to struggle to counter, was enough to flip the script. Great stuff from Albios.

Noble6 - Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead) - 4th Place

Azrael. Credit: Rockfish Azrael. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Char1: 1x Techmarine (75 pts): Forge Bolter, Grav-pistol, Omnissian Power Axe, Servo-arm Enhancement: Master of the Machine War [Aura] (20 pts)

Char2: 1x Techmarine (95 pts): Forge Bolter, Grav-pistol, Omnissian Power Axe, Servo-arm Enhancement: Target Augury Web [Aura] (40 pts)

Char3: 1x Techmarine (80 pts): Forge Bolter, Grav-pistol, Omnissian Power Axe, Servo-arm Enhancement: Adept of the Omnissiah (25 pts)

Char4: 1x Azrael (105 pts): Warlord, Lion's Wrath, The Sword of Secrets

5x Assault Intercessor Squad (75 pts) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant: Heavy Bolt Pistol, Power Fist • 4x Assault Intercessors: Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol 5x Intercessor Squad (80 pts) • 1x Intercessor Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolt Rifle, Power Fist • 4x Intercessors: Bolt Pistol, Bolt Rifle, Close Combat Weapon

4x Company Heroes (95 pts) • 2x Company Veteran 1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Master-crafted Bolt Rifle 1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Master-crafted Heavy Bolter, Close Combat Weapon • 1x Ancient: Bolt Pistol, Bolt Rifle, Close Combat Weapon • 1x Company Champion: Bolt Pistol, Master-crafted Power Weapon

1x Ravenwing Darkshroud (115 pts): Close Combat Weapon, Heavy bolter

1x Redemptor Dreadnought (210 pts): Redemptor Fist, Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Heavy Flamer, Twin Fragstorm Grenade Launcher

1x Redemptor Dreadnought (210 pts): Redemptor Fist, Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Heavy Flamer, Twin Fragstorm Grenade Launcher

1x Redemptor Dreadnought (210 pts): Redemptor Fist, Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Heavy Flamer, Twin Fragstorm Grenade Launcher

1x Repulsor Executioner (220 pts): Armoured Hull, Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Repulsor Executioner Defensive Array, Twin Heavy Bolter, Twin Icarus Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Heavy Laser Destroyer

1x Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (160 pts): Close Combat Weapon, Stormfury Missiles, Thunderstrike Las-talon, Twin Icarus Rocket Pod

1x Stormraven Gunship (240 pts): Armoured Hull, Hurricane Bolter 2 Hurricane Bolters, 2x Stormstrike Missiles, Twin Heavy Plasma Cannon, Twin Multi-melta

Archetype

Dark Ironstormraven

Thoughts

Rounding out the top four here, we have a reminder that Ironstorm Dark Angels can put out a terrifying amount of damage, and a Stormraven with Azrael to feed it a constant stream of CP can just loom over the battlefield and murder stuff. On WTC terrain the fact you can choose to put it in Aircraft mode rather than hovering still is also seriously relevant, as one of the ways a list like this can fail on heavy terrain is if the opponent can just hide and take late scoring on missions like Priority Target. With a Stormraven swooping in and no-scoping for massive damage from turn 2 that's not going to work, and it ensures this list can adapt to terrain with the best of them. Well done Noble6 on taking 4th.

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Matanza - Genestealer Cult: Extra pressure cult, using three units of Purestrains and some Catachans in a Chimera to put the opponent on the back foot.
  • 6th - Albattard - Black Templars (Ironstorm Spearhead): Loads of Crusader MSUs, two Reapers and a Lancer, plus two Redemptors for some heft.
  • 7th - Yrian - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): The double C'tan, triple Immortals, Szeras and Monolith build.
  • 8th - le_venerable - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash with a squad of Genestealers to cause early havoc.
  • 9th - Boneblade - Leagues of Votann: All-rounder Votann with a bit of everything.
  • 10th - Wydjaz - Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Chunky Dark Angels with a full Deathwing Knights unit and a squad of Aggressors in a Redeemer.
  • 11th - Aken - Chaos Knights: Whoops all dogs.
  • 12th - Wigmard - T'au: See showdown.

Milwaukee Warhammer 40k GT

80-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in New Berlin, WI, United States on February 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Eric Forsman - Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) - 1st Place

Grey Knights Nemesis Dreadknights. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
"Grey" Knights (1990 points)

Grey Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Teleport Strike Force

CHARACTERS

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (230 points) • Warlord • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer • Enhancement: Sigil of Exigence

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (200 points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (200 points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

BATTLELINE

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

Nemesis Dreadknight (185 points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

Nemesis Dreadknight (185 points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

Nemesis Dreadknight (185 points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

ALLIED UNITS

Armiger Helverin (140 points) • 2x Armiger autocannon 1x Armoured feet 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (140 points) • 2x Armiger autocannon 1x Armoured feet 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (140 points) • 2x Armiger autocannon 1x Armoured feet 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (38), Data Version: v336

Archetype

Pacific Rim Mode

Thoughts

Oh we're doing this again are we? Much like Triptide, Dreadknight spam always comes back around, and given the huge buffs they were handed in the Dataslate, this was only a matter of time. This list combines extreme target profile skew with the ability to apply intense pressure at speed and ranged output that is exquisitely designed for murdering Custodes. Going all hammers means it can actually take a crack at C'tan too, and I think this list probably just bowls many Necron lists over without them really being able to hurt it. Access to Mists of Deimos also makes the army way harder to engage with than opponents expect, putting them one mistake way from getting brutally murdered at any moment. I do rather like the Land Raider as a finishing touch too - one of the possible weaknesses of the build is not being able to screen enough of the board, but the Redeemer creates a hefty Overwatch deathzone that only the bravest of foes will drop into.

I'm not sure there's that much to say beyond that - this looks like a brutally nasty new DPS check you can throw at people, and unleashing it on an unsuspecting metagame fired Eric straight to the top!

Derek Glassman - Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Kasrkin Kill Team. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Astra Militarum Strike Force (2000 points) Combined Regiment

CHARACTERS

Lord Solar Leontus (125 points) • Warlord • 1x Conquest 1x Konstantin’s hooves 1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Platoon Command Squad (60 points) • 1x Platoon Commander • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 2x Veteran Guardsman • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Lasgun 2x Laspistol 1x Master Vox 1x Medi-pack • 1x Veteran Heavy Weapons Team • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Laspistol 1x Mortar

Tank Commander (205 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher battle cannon 1x Heavy stubber 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 2x Militarum plasma cannon

Tank Commander (205 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher battle cannon 1x Heavy stubber 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 2x Multi-melta

Ursula Creed (55 points) • 1x Duty and Vengeance 1x Power weapon

BATTLELINE

Death Korps of Krieg (65 points) • 1x Death Korps Watchmaster • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Death Korps Trooper • 9x Close combat weapon 1x Death Korps Medi-pack 1x Grenade launcher 6x Lasgun 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun

OTHER DATASHEETS

Basilisk (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Earthshaker cannon 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile

Bullgryn Squad (160 points) • 1x Bullgryn Bone ’ead • 1x Brute Shield 1x Bullgryn maul 1x Close combat weapon • 5x Bullgryn • 5x Brute Shield 5x Bullgryn maul 5x Close combat weapon

Bullgryn Squad (160 points) • 1x Bullgryn Bone ’ead • 1x Brute Shield 1x Bullgryn maul 1x Close combat weapon • 5x Bullgryn • 5x Brute Shield 5x Bullgryn maul 5x Close combat weapon

Cyclops Demolition Vehicle (25 points)

Cyclops Demolition Vehicle (25 points)

Kasrkin (100 points) • 1x Kasrkin Sergeant • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Kasrkin • 9x Close combat weapon 3x Hot-shot lasgun 1x Hot-shot laspistol 1x Hot-shot marksman rifle 1x Melta Mine 2x Meltagun 2x Plasma gun 1x Vox-caster

Kasrkin (100 points) • 1x Kasrkin Sergeant • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Kasrkin • 9x Close combat weapon 3x Hot-shot lasgun 1x Hot-shot laspistol 1x Hot-shot marksman rifle 1x Melta Mine 2x Meltagun 2x Plasma gun 1x Vox-caster

Kasrkin (100 points) • 1x Kasrkin Sergeant • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Kasrkin • 9x Close combat weapon 3x Hot-shot lasgun 1x Hot-shot laspistol 1x Hot-shot marksman rifle 1x Melta Mine 2x Meltagun 2x Plasma gun 1x Vox-caster

Manticore (180 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm eagle rockets

Manticore (180 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm eagle rockets

Scout Sentinels (60 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 1x Sentinel chainsaw

Scout Sentinels (60 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 1x Sentinel chainsaw

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (38), Data Version: v336

Archetype

Pressure Guard

Thoughts

In an undefeated second we've got the Astra Militarum, continuing to show that they've evolved into real contenders. The formula here is pretty much the standard one - Bullgryn give you great tarpits at a bargain price, Kasrkin hit like trucks when you need spike damage and Tank Commanders are ultra-difficult to trade with profitably (as long as you don't roll a 1, so uh, don't). It's hard to move out onto the board and come out ahead against this early, but access to premium indirect fire means you're kind of stuffed if you hesitate as well. Damned if you do, damned if you don't - such is the fate of those who face the Emperor's finest under the command of Derek.

Jordan C Rakow - Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) - 3rd Place

Grey Knights Interceptors. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Tourney GK (2000 Points)

Grey Knights Teleport Strike Force Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Brotherhood Techmarine (60 Points) • 1x Boltgun 1x Flamer 1x Omnissian power axe 1x Plasma cutter 1x Servo-arms

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (230 Points) • Warlord • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer • Enhancements: Sigil of Exigence

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (235 Points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer • Enhancements: First to the Fray

BATTLELINE

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

Interceptor Squad (135 Points) • 1x Interceptor Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 4x Interceptor • 4x Nemesis force weapon 4x Storm bolter

Interceptor Squad (135 Points) • 1x Interceptor Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 4x Interceptor • 4x Nemesis force weapon 4x Storm bolter

Interceptor Squad (135 Points) • 1x Interceptor Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 4x Interceptor • 4x Nemesis force weapon 4x Storm bolter

Nemesis Dreadknight (185 Points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

Nemesis Dreadknight (185 Points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

Nemesis Dreadknight (185 Points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

ALLIED UNITS

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

Inquisitorial Henchmen (40 Points) • 4x Inquisitorial Acolyte • 4x Acolyte firearm 4x Acolyte melee weapon 1x Eviscerator 1x Plasma pistol

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (30), Data Version: v336

Archetype

Pacific Rim Mode

Thoughts

More Dreadknight spam here, although very slightly dialing back on how many and cutting Helverins in order to buy lots of Interceptors. I swear to god if these just turn into Dreadknights and Interceptors again...

Anyway - still lots of high speed pressure, less ranged output but more objective play and better answers to hordier builds. Right now, it didn't do quite as well as the full skew, but I wouldn't be surprised if the increased flexibility of this variant let it pull ahead in a few weeks if people start teching hard on anti-tank. We'll see soon enough I'm sure, right now congratulations to Jordan on 3rd.

Ben Cherwien - Black Templars (Firestorm Assault Force) - 4th Place

High Marshal Helbrecht. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Bt bros for days (2000 Points)

Space Marines Black Templars Firestorm Assault Force Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Judiciar (80 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Executioner relic blade • Enhancements: Champion of Humanity

Lieutenant (65 Points) • 1x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Neo-volkite pistol 1x Storm Shield

The Emperor’s Champion (75 Points) • 1x Black Sword 1x Bolt Pistol

BATTLELINE

Crusader Squad (75 Points) • 1x Sword Brother • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Initiate • 2x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt Pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta

Crusader Squad (75 Points) • 1x Sword Brother • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Initiate • 2x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt Pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta

Crusader Squad (75 Points) • 1x Sword Brother • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Initiate • 2x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt Pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta

Crusader Squad (75 Points) • 1x Sword Brother • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Initiate • 2x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt Pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Black Templars Impulsor (85 Points) • 1x Armoured hull 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Multi-melta 1x Shield dome

Black Templars Impulsor (85 Points) • 1x Armoured hull 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Multi-melta 1x Shield dome

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Inceptor Squad (130 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

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

Primaris Sword Brethren (140 Points) • 1x Sword Brother Castellan • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 4x Primaris Sword Brother • 1x Plasma pistol 2x Power weapon 2x Pyre pistol 1x Thunder hammer 1x Twin lightning claws

Primaris Sword Brethren (140 Points) • 1x Sword Brother Castellan • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 4x Primaris Sword Brother • 1x Plasma pistol 2x Power weapon 2x Pyre pistol 1x Thunder hammer 1x Twin lightning claws

Primaris Sword Brethren (140 Points) • 1x Sword Brother Castellan • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 4x Primaris Sword Brother • 1x Plasma pistol 2x Power weapon 2x Pyre pistol 1x Thunder hammer 1x Twin lightning claws

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (30), Data Version: v336

Archetype

All-rounder Firestorm Templars

Thoughts

Sigismund's strongest soldier Ben returns for the umpteenth time to these pages, continuing to sport the Firestorm Templars build that took him to the LVO top eight. While very slightly reduced in number thanks to points increases, this still provides a great mix of boosts to the massed melta (great on drive-bys with the Rhinos and Impulsors), fantastic synergy with the Redeemer (which Templars can pack with the nastiest passengers of pretty much any Marines), and nightmare blender potential when Sword Brethen use Crucible of Battle. Templars are by far the best way to play Marines at the moment, and this build is a great showcase of what they can do from one of their most successful pilots.

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Tyler Devries - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Taking top heavy to whole new levels here (or throwing back to 9th perhaps), going with three Monoliths and the Silent King, appropriately named as "Szarekh's moving castle".
  • 6th - Kevin Leonard - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): ...and then there's this one called "Pyramid Scheme" (another A+ name) using three Monoliths and a Tesseract Vault.
  • 7th - Devin Orchard - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Extra-shooty Hypercrypt with lots of Deathmarks and gun tanks, a unit of Wraiths to screen, and lots of Lokhust Heavies.
  • 8th - Orin Daniel - Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness): All-rounder CSM which frees up points compared to old builds by using Predator Destructors, and takes the increasingly popular Haarken/Raptor unit.
  • 9th - Christian Valle - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Triple C'tan backed by Immortals and a Wraith brick, also featuring some solo Psychomancers as utility pieces (surprisingly versatile in Hypercrypt).
  • 10th - John Miller - Adeptus Custodes: Four block classic, two Caladius tanks in the flex slot.
  • 11th - David T. - Thousand Sons: A big unit of Scarabs shows up for the first time in a while, lending their heft to Magnus and a Daemon Prince.
  • 12th - Jordan Nach - Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): A big Deathwing Command Squad, Hellblaster brick and Sternguard squad as centrepieces, with a Repulsor for one unit to ride in and small supporting stuff.

BrewHammer GT5

44-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Scotland, GB on February 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Josh Roberts - Necrons (Canoptek Court) - 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Brewhammer GT List (2000 points)

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Canoptek Court

CHARACTERS

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

Plasmancer (55 points) • 1x Plasmic lance

Plasmancer (55 points) • 1x Plasmic lance

Plasmancer (55 points) • 1x Plasmic lance

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

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

Immortals (70 points) • 5x Immortal • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Tesla carbine

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Acanthrites (85 points) • 3x Canoptek Acanthrites • 3x Cutting beam 3x Voidblade

Canoptek Acanthrites (85 points) • 3x Canoptek Acanthrites • 3x Cutting beam 3x Voidblade

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Court Wraith Spam

Thoughts

The lack of Cynosure of Eradication hasn't prised Josh off the plan of murdering people with massed Wraiths and Immortals. The plan's pretty simple - three full Wraith units is an exceptional tarpit, and the damage from Doomstalkers and Plasmancer/Szeras-buffed Immortals adds up fast. I do still think builds like this run a little bit of a risk of getting rolled by heavy melee opposition like Custodes, but adding Acanthrites as early bait and the ability to dance around with Reactive Subroutines on the Wraiths mitigates that a lot, and Szeras is no slouch at gradually punking the golden boys to boot. All that is to say that if you have painted 18 Wraiths there's no need to despair - as Josh shows here, there's huge power in the Court if you know what you're doing.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Jonny Simmons - Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Loads of Skitarii (some in Duneriders), two squads of Kataphrons and a Sterylizor squad as hammers, and utility stuff to fill.
  • 3rd - Geoff Webb - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Triple Immortal, Double C'tan and Monolith.
  • 4th - Rich Butler - WAAGHALLA - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): A slightly cagier take on World Eaters than normal, using lots of Rhinos for staging, and supporting them with Bloodcrushers and Bloodletters that can potentially zap in from Deep Strike.
  • 5th - Gavin Heritage - Leagues of Votann: Sagitaur Spam backed by 10/5 Hearthguard.
  • 6th - Scott Pirie - Chaos Daemons: Daemonic superstars, taking Be'lakor, Rotigus, Kairos and Shalaxi at the top, then Horrors and Screamers to control the board around them.
  • 7th - Garron Owen - Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): The classic Calgar/Cents/Aggressor setup, with Eradicators in support.
  • 8th - Andrew Mulholland - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Very go-wide, splitting a bunch of Kabalites into Venoms and backing them with Talos and a full Lelith Wych unit for when some heavier impacts are required.

Heroes Of The Mid Tables Winter GT 2024

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Langley Twp, BC, CA on February 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Kasra Houshidar - Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead) - 1st Place

Ultramarines Eradicators. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Vanguard of Macragge (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

Centurion Devastator Squad (370 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 (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

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

Inceptor Squad (260 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 5x Inceptor • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (260 Points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 5x Inceptor • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Plasma exterminators

Scout Squad (65 Points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 1x Astartes shotgun 4x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

Scout Squad (65 Points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 1x Astartes shotgun 4x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

ALLIED UNITS

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

Inquisitorial Henchmen (40 Points) • 4x Inquisitorial Acolyte • 4x Acolyte firearm 4x Acolyte melee weapon 1x Eviscerator 1x Plasma pistol

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (30), Data Version: v336

Archetype

Vanguard Ultramarines

Thoughts

Kasra's Ultramarines (which you can see in glorious detail here) go Lennon-mode, using the tried and tested combo of deep striking/teleporting Centurions and a bunch of other nasty Deep Strike shooting to get the job done. Like a lot of recent spins on this, it shaves some points by swapping the big Aggressor brick out for Eradicators, still providing a formidible all-rounder unit in combination with Calgar and the Apothecary, and also giving the list a pretty terrifying answer for C'tan and vehicle-heavy builds like the new Dreadknight hotness. Another Marine build that's much deadlier than the faction's overall win rate might suggest, and a great performance from Kasra here.

The Best of the Rest

There were N more players on X-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Liam Bath - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Triple C'tan and Doomsdays to deal damage, Wraiths to gum stuff up.
  • 3rd - Noah Beddome - Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): A Knight Lancer piles on pressure alongside a bunch of dogs.
  • 4th - Garry Sacco - Black Templars (Firestorm Assault Force): Brutal mechanised Templars, packing lots of Sword Brethren and some Centurion Devastators, using a RepEx and Redeemer for mobility.
  • 5th - Ryan Burns - Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Full Deathwing Knights brick, plus an Aggressor squad.
  • 6th - Mike Garcia - Adeptus Custodes: Four block (though cutting Kyria for some Witchseekers) and a pair of Caladius tanks.
  • 7th - Chris Powell - Chaos Daemons: Incredible meme energy, running six Khorne Daemon Princes and three Rendmasters to send their damage to the moon.

TOK-spelen

28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hallands län, SE on February 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Alexander Bertilsson - Orks (Waaagh! Tribe) - 1st Place

Ork Nob on Smasha Squig. Credit: Magos Sockbert Ork Nob on Smasha Squig. Credit: Magos Sockbert

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
195 mozzrog skragbad 90 warboss Follow me ladz, warlord 65 warboss 65 warboss 80 beastnob on smashasquig Eadwhoppas killchoppa 95 Deffkilla wartrike Super cybork body 80 Kaptin badrukk

190 Flashgitz X10 65 Trukk 65 trukk 65 trukk 110 Nobz X5 powerclaw 110 Nobz X5 powerclaw 220 Nobz X10 powerclaw 250 squighog Boyz X6 40 gretchin 40 gretchin 40 Gretchin 65 stormboyz X5 65 stormboyz X5

1995

Archetype

Ork Goodstuff

Thoughts

Last but not least, the Greenskins haven't gone anywhere, and this classic all-rounder build is still plenty capable of krumpin'. Hugely nasty melee if all the Nobz all hit around the same time, good mechanised shooting from the Gitz, fantastic anchoring from the ultra-durable Squighogs, and a nice little flex piece from the lone Deffkilla trike, who is a bargain basement roaming character once you stick the Cybork Body on him. Orks is never beaten, a description that is particularly accurate when applied to Alexander's run here!

The Best of the Rest

There was one more players on a 4-1 record. Lotta draws. They were:
  • 2nd - Andreas Holm - T'au Empire (Kauyon): A very go-wide spin on Tau, taking three Riptides and three solo Crisis Commanders to provide lots of mobile threats.

Wrap Up

That's it for part 1, but as mentioned up top we're really only getting started - check back in later in the week for much, much more.

Tags: ultramarines | Space Marines | blood angels | Necrons | Death Guard | Warhammer 40k | Thousand Sons | drukhari | Dark Angels | grey knights | Black Templars | competitive play | Orks | Astra Militarum | tau | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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