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Goonhammer | 40K Competitive Innovations

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Silver Tide pt.2

by Lowest of Men | Mar 01 2024
Our gigantic week continues today, with Lowest of Men taking the helm on the next five events.

Just before I (Wings) let him loose, some hype up top - this weekend we're taking an active hand in pumping up the number of events by running the Goonhammer Open UK. Thanks to the support of our UK terrain partners at Bandua Wargames, we're rolling out a new set of terrain maps using a hybrid of GW style areas and WTC terrain pieces, and we're very excited to see them in action. You can watch said action on Hellstorm Wargaming's channel all weekend, starting at 09:00 GMT on Saturday. Tune in if you want to see some top players clashing with their latest builds!



Right, back to events that have already happened. Today we've got:
  • Scheunenkloppen Open - War Zone Erkelenz 2: GT 2024
  • Octopoutre Solo - W40k - Hérault Quest
  • Dice Arcade GT
  • Alliance Open 40K Masters
  • Geekfest - Warhammer 40K GT
Tomorrow we will have Wings back in charge with:
  • 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
If you're looking for any of the following, go check out part 1 from Wednesday!
  • 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

Scheunenkloppen Open - War Zone Erkelenz 2: GT 2024

140-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Erkelenz, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE on February 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Malte Höfs - Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
10th February 2024 CSM (1990 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (310 points) • Warlord • 1x Drach’nyen 1x Talon of Horus

Chaos Lord (95 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Daemon hammer 1x Plasma pistol

Chaos Lord (95 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Daemon hammer 1x Plasma pistol

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Bikers (85 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Biker Champion • 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-bolter 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 2x Combi-bolter 2x Meltagun

Chaos Bikers (85 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Biker Champion • 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-bolter 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 2x Combi-bolter 2x Meltagun

Chaos Predator Destructor (130 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher 2x Lascannon 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Vindicator (190 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Havoc launcher

Chaos Vindicator (190 points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Havoc launcher

Chosen (130 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Boltgun 1x Chaos Icon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Chosen • 3x Accursed weapon 3x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 2x Combi-weapon 1x Paired accursed weapons 1x Plasma pistol

Chosen (130 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Boltgun 1x Chaos Icon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Chosen • 3x Accursed weapon 3x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 2x Combi-weapon 1x Paired accursed weapons 1x Plasma pistol

Forgefiend (200 points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Armoured limbs 2x Ectoplasma cannon 1x Ectoplasma cannon

Warp Talons (110 points) • Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh • 1x Warp Talon Champion • 1x Warp claws • 4x Warp Talon • 4x Warp claws

Warp Talons (110 points) • Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh • 1x Warp Talon Champion • 1x Warp claws • 4x Warp Talon • 4x Warp claws

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

Archetype

Chaos Space Marine Mixed Arms

Thoughts

Reports of CSM's death may have been somewhat exaggerated! I love this list from Malte which highlights a few directions the faction can take going forward. Abaddon with Predators and Vindicators gives you a castle that shoots phenomenally hard and boasts considerable durability too. Chosen squads still offer fantastic precision trading pieces, and Warp Talons lock down scoring. The new hotness is the Bikers - at 85 points these are EXTREMELY cheap, with their ability to jump into reserves and back out keeping opponents honest and offering you new ways to make inroads and score in the late game now that Daemons aren't an auto-include to that effect. Raw damage is still very much part of the CSM game but you have to use every asset perfectly now to win big, which makes this run all the more impressive. Very well done.

Manuel Wayand - Death Guard (Plague Company) - =2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
DG (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

Biologus Putrifier (60 Points) • 1x Hyper blight grenades 1x Injector pistol 1x Plague knives • Enhancements: The Droning (Aura)

Biologus Putrifier (75 Points) • Warlord • 1x Hyper blight grenades 1x Injector pistol 1x Plague knives • Enhancements: Shamblerot

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (90 Points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plasma gun • 4x Plague Marine • 2x Heavy plague weapon 1x Meltagun 4x Plague knives 1x Plague spewer

Plague Marines (90 Points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plasma gun • 4x Plague Marine • 2x Heavy plague weapon 1x Meltagun 4x Plague knives 1x Plague spewer

Plague Marines (180 Points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plasma gun • 9x Plague Marine • 4x Heavy plague weapon 2x Meltagun 1x Plague boltgun 9x Plague knives 2x Plague spewer

Plague Marines (180 Points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plasma gun • 9x Plague Marine • 4x Heavy plague weapon 2x Meltagun 1x Plague boltgun 9x Plague knives 2x 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

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

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: v1.10.0 (29), Data Version: v336

Archetype

Death Guard Plague Marine Spam

Thoughts

Death Guard continue to shine (in a sickly sort of way) post slate, which has left them in a great spot. Plague Marine in Rhino go brrr. Mortarion obviously has a fantastic aura now post FAQ, but this list highlights why I generally think they are stronger without him. Simply put, look at all that stuff. Go wide trading, scoring and grinding is the way that Death Guard snuck back into the metagame, and they still benefit the most from exploiting that. Brigands and Daemon allies still just as useful here as they've ever been, giving them high quality shots and scoring respectively. A very potent build that remains a real force, very well done.

Artur Güttler - T'au Empire (Kauyon) - =2nd Place (Undefeated)

Cadre Fireblade. Credit: Rockfish Cadre Fireblade. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++ Tau Erkelenz (Warhammer 40,000 10th Edition) [2,000pts] +++

++ Army Roster (Xenos - T'au Empire) [2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment: Kauyon

+ Epic Hero +

Aun'va [65pts]: Warlord

. . 2x Ethereal Guard: 2x Supreme honour blade

+ Character +

Cadre Fireblade [40pts]

. . 2x Gun Drone: 2x Twin pulse carbine

Cadre Fireblade [40pts]

. . 2x Gun Drone: 2x Twin pulse carbine

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [125pts]: Cyclic ion blaster, 3x Cyclic ion blaster, Exemplar of the Kauyon, Marker Drone, Shield Drone

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit [100pts]: 3x Cyclic ion blaster, Cyclic ion blaster, Precision of the Patient Hunter, 2x Shield Drone

+ Battleline +

Breacher Team [90pts]

. . Breacher Fire Warrior Shas'ui

. . . . Guardian Drone . . . . Gun Drone . . 9x Breacher Fire Warriors: 9x Close combat weapon, 9x Pulse blaster, 9x Pulse pistol

Breacher Team [90pts]

. . Breacher Fire Warrior Shas'ui

. . . . Guardian Drone . . . . Gun Drone . . 9x Breacher Fire Warriors: 9x Close combat weapon, 9x Pulse blaster, 9x Pulse pistol

+ Infantry +

Kroot Carnivores [55pts]

. . 10x Kroot Carnivores: 10x Kroot rifle

Kroot Farstalkers [70pts]

. . 7x Kroot Farstalker: 7x Close combat weapon, 7x Farstalker firearm, 7x Kroot pistol . . Kroot Farstalker w/ Dvorgite skinner . . Kroot Farstalker w/ Farstalker firearm and Pech'ra . . 2x Kroot Hounds: 2x Ripping fangs . . Kroot Kill-broker: Pulse carbine

Pathfinder Team [90pts]

. . Gun Drone . . Pathfinder Shas'ui: Semi-automatic grenade launcher

. . . . Recon drone . . 3x Pathfinders w/ ion rifle: 3x Close combat weapon, 3x Ion rifle, 3x Pulse pistol . . 6x Pathfinders w/ pulse carbine: 6x Close combat weapon, 6x Pulse carbine, 6x Pulse pistol . . Shield Drone

Vespid Stingwings [65pts]

. . 4x Vespid Stingwings: 4x Neutron blaster, 4x Stingwing claws

+ Beast +

Kroot Hounds [30pts]

. . 4x Kroot Hounds: 4x Ripping fangs

Kroot Hounds [30pts]

. . 4x Kroot Hounds: 4x Ripping fangs

Kroot Hounds [30pts]

. . 4x Kroot Hounds: 4x Ripping fangs

+ Vehicle +

Crisis Battlesuits [400pts]

. . Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic ion blaster, 2x Plasma rifle, 2x Shield Drone, Shield generator . . Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic ion blaster, 2x Plasma rifle, 2x Shield Drone, Shield generator . . Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic ion blaster, 2x Plasma rifle, 2x Shield Drone . . Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic ion blaster, 2x Plasma rifle, 2x Shield Drone, Shield generator . . Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic ion blaster, 2x Plasma rifle, 2x Shield Drone, Shield generator . . Crisis Shas’vre: Cyclic ion blaster, 2x Plasma rifle, 2x Shield Drone, Shield generator

Hammerhead Gunship [130pts]: Railgun, 2x Seeker missile

. . 2 Accelerator burst cannons

Hammerhead Gunship [130pts]: Railgun, 2x Seeker missile

. . 2 Accelerator burst cannons

Piranha [55pts]

. . Piranhas: Piranha fusion blaster, 2x Seeker missile

Piranha [55pts]

. . Piranhas: Piranha fusion blaster, 2x Seeker missile

Tetras [80pts]

. . 2x Tetra: 2x Close combat weapons, 4x Pulse rifle

Tetras [80pts]

. . 2x Tetra: 2x Close combat weapons, 4x Pulse rifle

+ Dedicated Transport +

Devilfish [75pts]: 2x Seeker missile

. . 2 Twin pulse carbines

Devilfish [75pts]: 2x Seeker missile

. . 2 Twin pulse carbines

Created with BattleScribe ()

Archetype

Tau Combined Forces

Thoughts

Tau are another army that is slowly sneaking their way back into relevance after the slate, as the meta suddenly fills with stuff that really doesn't like being absolutely blasted at range. This list has a real balance of options, with some supporting anti-tank in the Hammerheads, good utility and screening via the Kroot Farstalkers, and the obligatory Crisis problem solving brick. Having one of these and protecting it via fire and fading seems the way these days, and it doesn't bleed bring it down quite as willingly, but this still requires very careful piloting. Really well done on the top showing!

Sebastian Gehart - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) - 4th Place (Undefeated)

The Silent King The Silent King. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
King of my Castle (2000 Points)

Necrons Hypercrypt Legion Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

The Silent King (420 Points) • 1x Szarekh • Warlord • 1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory 1x Staff of Stars 1x Weapons of the Final Triarch • 2x Triarchal Menhir • 2x Annihilator beam 2x Armoured bulk

BATTLELINE

Immortals (70 Points) • 5x Immortal • 5x Close combat weapon 5x 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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Spyders (75 Points) • 1x Automaton claws 1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura) 1x Gloom Prism (Aura) 2x Particle beamer

Flayed Ones (70 Points) • 5x Flayed One • 5x Flayer claws

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

Monolith (350 Points) • 4x Death ray 1x Particle whip 1x Portal of exile

Monolith (350 Points) • 4x Death ray 1x Particle whip 1x Portal of exile

Monolith (350 Points) • 4x Death ray 1x Particle whip 1x Portal of exile

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

Archetype

Very Much Not Mono-liths

Thoughts

What happens when three Monoliths castle up around an ignore modifiers aura courtesy of the recently reinstated Silent King? Custodes die! Hypercrypt continues to make waves as possibly the favoured choice in Necrons right now, and this hard Monolith skew brings heavy shooting that can't be mitigated by defensive buffs. A cheeky Canoptek Spider provides a feel no pain bubble to help them stick around as they clear the opponent off the board. It definitely needs space to work with and deep strike into, but if it gets going the opponent can end up in a position where they simply don't have the output left to scratch any of the centrepiece vehicles as they go to town. Very cool, very well done.

The Best of the Rest

There were 22 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
  • 5th - Alexander Tepe - Astra Militarum: Double Tank Commanders, 18 Bullgryn, and a whole bunch of artillery.
  • 6th - Sebastian Dargel - Adeptus Custodes: A Single Caladius and lots of bricks of infantry.
  • 7th - Mathieu Clerc - Leagues of Votann: Double Fort, double Sagitaur, lots of Hearthguard.
  • 8th - Gregor Werner - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Massed Venoms, plenty of Incubi, and Kabalite and Ravager support.
  • 9th - Adrian Willruth - Black Templars (Ironstorm Spearhead): Ironstorm Templars with lots of Predators and msu infantry.
  • 10th - Jannik Röttgen - Aeldari: Avatar of Khaine inspired msu Aspects with Fire Dragons in transports.
  • 11th - Albert Lechler - Blood Angels (Gladius Task Force): Reapers, a Redeemer, and plenty of Death Company.
  • 12th - Alex Frohn - Grey Knights: A solid contingent of Dreadknights backing up Terminator squads.
  • 13th - Maik Loga - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Plenty of Carnifexes (Screamer Killers!) in this chunky Invasion Fleet list.
  • 14th - Christian Matschke - Adeptus Custodes: Golden slabs Custodes with cheeky Venatari squads.
  • 15th - Roland Brüx - Aeldari: Triple D Cannons, Avatar of Khaine, and lots of msu.
  • 16th - Pierre Debey - Chaos Knights: War Dogs, Daemons, and a single Cerastus Knight to lead the charge.
  • 17th - Constantin Schmucker - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): All-in pressure Drukhari with Talos for the anti-tank alongside stabby infantry in boats.
  • 18th - Julian Neikes - Adeptus Custodes: Massed infantry Custodes.
  • 19th - Christian Kreutz - Grey Knights: Five Dreadknights and Terminator support.
  • 20th - Matthias Bellmann - Adeptus Custodes: Massed infantry Custodes.
  • 21th - Ben Hackländer - Necrons (Canoptek Court): Wraiths, double C'tan and Doomstalker Canoptek Court.
  • 22th - Jasper Lange - Leagues of Votann: Triple Sagitaur and single Fort with plenty of Bikes and Terminators.
  • 23th - Grischa Gerwert - Chaos Daemons: Multiple big monsters including a Great Unclean One with some Bloodcrusher / Rendmaster incision.
  • 24th - Hannes Fernstrom - Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Stormlance Thunderwolves with some Wulfen and Inceptors.
  • 25th - Moritz Joop - Astra Militarum: More forward infantry pressure here, with a couple of Basilisks for slowing.
  • 26th - Tim Schlizio - Orks: Trukk rush Orks with two big blocks of Squighogz.

Octopoutre Solo - W40k - Hérault Quest

96-player Major. All the lists for this event can be found in MiniHeadQuarters.

I-gor - Death Guard (Plague Company) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


== DETACHEMENT : Death Guard, Chaos Daemons [2000pts] ==

Héros épiques 1 : Typhus [80pts] Héros épiques 2 : Mortarion [325pts] Warlord

Personnages 1 : Biologus Putréfacteur [50pts] Personnages 2 : Biologus Putréfacteur [50pts] Personnages 3 : Corrupteur Nidoreux [50pts] Personnages 4 : Corrupteur Nidoreux [50pts] Personnages 5 : Sorcier de la Death Guard en Armure Terminator [85pts] Gantelet de la Peste --- Optimisations : Pathogène Mortel

Ligne 1 : 3 Nurglings [40pts] Ligne 2 : 10 Marines de la Peste [180pts] 2 Gerbe-peste, 4 Arme lourde de la Peste, 3 Armes buboniques --- Champion de la Peste,Fusil à plasma, Arme lourde de la Peste Ligne 3 : 10 Marines de la Peste [180pts] 2 Gerbe-peste, 4 Arme lourde de la Peste, 3 Armes buboniques --- Champion de la Peste,Fusil à plasma, Arme lourde de la Peste Ligne 4 : 3 Nurglings [40pts]

Transports assignés 1 : Rhino de la Death Guard [75pts] Combi-Bolter de la Peste additionnel, Lanceur Havoc Transports assignés 2 : Rhino de la Death Guard [75pts] Combi-Bolter de la Peste additionnel, Lanceur Havoc

Infanterie 1 : 3 Terminators du Linceul [120pts] --- Champion du Linceul,Gantelet Gicle-peste supplémentaire Infanterie 2 : 3 Terminators du Linceul [120pts] --- Champion du Linceul,Gantelet Gicle-peste supplémentaire

Véhicules 1 : Drone fétide [90pts] 2 Souffle-peste Véhicules 2 : Predator Annihilator de la Death Guard [130pts] 2 Canon laser, Combi-Bolter de la Peste, Lanceur Havoc Véhicules 3 : Predator Annihilator de la Death Guard [130pts] 2 Canon laser, Combi-Bolter de la Peste, Lanceur Havoc Véhicules 4 : Predator Destructor de la Death Guard [130pts] 2 Canon laser, Combi-Bolter de la Peste, Lanceur Havoc

Archetype

Death Guard Go-Wide

Final Round Matchup

16-4 Victory vs Cédric - Chaos Space Marines

Thoughts

Another triumph for the Death Guard, who continue to exploit the width of assets they can throw down and then couple with tremendous debuffing potential. Predators absolutely sing once additional save reduction is applied, taking every gun they have to very dangerous levels. Two big bricks of Plagemarines with Fights First via the Foul Blightspawn offer considerable board control as the rest gets to work. Get too close and you'll get the Putrifier treatment. Another excellent performance for Nurgle's finest, very well done on first place!

AltF4 - Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) - 2nd Place

Grey Knight Kill Team Grey Knight Kill Team
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTER

Char1: Brotherhood Librarian (110): Nemesis Force Weapon, Purge Soul, Combi-Weapon [110]

Char2: Grand Master (95): Nemesis Force Weapon, Incinerator [95]

Char3: Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (200pts): [ENHANCEMENT] Sigil of Exigence (30), Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon [230]

Char4: Kaldor Draigo (125pts): Warlord [125]

BATTLELINE

Infantry 1: 5 Brotherhood Terminator Squad (210): - Justicar, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Ancient's Banner, Storm Bolter, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Incinerator, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Narthecium [210]

Infantry 2: 5 Brotherhood Terminator Squad (210): - Justicar, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Ancient's Banner, Storm Bolter, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Incinerator, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Narthecium [210]

Infantry 3: 5 Brotherhood Terminator Squad (210): - Justicar, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Ancient's Banner, Storm Bolter, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Incinerator, - Terminator, Nemesis Force Weapon, Narthecium [210]

Infantry 4: 5 Strike Squad (125): - Justicar, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter - 3 Grey Knights, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter, - Grey Knight, Close Combat Weapon, Incinerator [125]

Infantry 5: 5 Strike Squad (125): - Justicar, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter - 3 Grey Knights, Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter, - Grey Knight, Close Combat Weapon, Incinerator [125]

OTHER DATASHEETS

Vehicle 1: Nemesis Dreadknight (185): Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon [185]

Vehicle 2: Nemesis Dreadknight (185): Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon [185]

Vehicle 3: Nemesis Dreadknight (185): Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon [185]

Archetype

Grey Knights Combined Arms

Thoughts

Grey Knights got some subtle but significant buffs in the dataslate, with Dreadknight shooting going up a notch via boosts to their main guns. These now give GK a distance threat that also offers a different kind of solidity - 2+ and Truesilver Armour makes them very hard to shift without serious commitment. This is still an army that can score very readily with it's excellent movement shenanigans, and can be very hard for a lot of armies to engage. Really well done on the top placing!

Benji - Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) - 3rd Place

Allarus Custodians Allarus Custodians. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Custo V2 (2000 Points)

Adeptus Custodes Shield Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (150 Points) • 1x Vaultswords • Enhancements: Ceaseless Hunter

Blade Champion (130 Points) • 1x Vaultswords • Enhancements: Inspirational Exemplar

Trajann Valoris (160 Points) • Warlord • 1x Watcher’s Axe

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (225 Points) • 5x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear 1x Misericordia 1x Praesidium Shield 1x Vexilla

Custodian Guard (225 Points) • 5x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear 1x Misericordia 1x Praesidium Shield 1x Vexilla

Custodian Guard (225 Points) • 5x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear 1x Misericordia 1x Praesidium Shield 1x Vexilla

Custodian Guard (180 Points) • 4x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear

Prosecutors (40 Points) • 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior • 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 3x Prosecutor • 3x Boltgun 3x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Custodian Wardens (250 Points) • 5x Custodian Warden • 5x Guardian spear 1x Vexilla

Custodian Wardens (250 Points) • 5x Custodian Warden • 5x Guardian spear 1x Vexilla

ALLIED UNITS

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

Lord Inquisitor Kyria Draxus (75 Points) • 1x Dirgesinger 1x Power fist 1x Psychic Tempest

Archetype

Custodes Golden Slabs

Thoughts

Custodes infantry en masse is still real, real good. This list packs the usual tools in - Blade Champs for advance and charge, Trajann for binning off anything that relies on modifiers for their defences. Draxus appears to have become a staple in lists and the Callidus helps to shore up any cards that require getting into hard to get places. A very strong performance, really well done!

Hu-Goh - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) - 4th Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Free hug (2000 Points)

World Eaters Berzerker Warband Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Angron (415 Points) • Warlord • 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder

Khârn the Betrayer (100 Points) • 1x Gorechild 1x Khârn’s plasma pistol

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

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

BATTLELINE

Jakhals (70 Points) • 1x Jakhal Pack Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Jakhal chainblades • 1x Dishonoured • 1x Skullsmasher • 8x Jakhal • 8x Autopistol 1x Icon of Khorne 7x Jakhal chainblades 1x Mauler chainblade

Khorne Berzerkers (200 Points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion • 1x Berzerker chainblade 1x Icon of Khorne 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Khorne Berzerker • 7x Berzerker chainblade 7x Bolt pistol 2x Khornate eviscerator 2x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (200 Points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion • 1x Berzerker chainblade 1x Icon of Khorne 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Khorne Berzerker • 7x Berzerker chainblade 7x Bolt pistol 2x Khornate eviscerator 2x Plasma pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Eightbound (145 Points) • 1x Eightbound Champion • 1x Lacerators • 2x Eightbound • 2x Eightbound eviscerators

Exalted Eightbound (320 Points) • 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion • 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists • 5x Exalted Eightbound • 5x Eightbound chainfist 5x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (160 Points) • 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion • 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists • 2x Exalted Eightbound • 2x Eightbound chainfist 2x Eightbound eviscerator

Archetype

World Eaters Eightbound Rush

Thoughts

World Eaters put up a strong showing using many of the known qualities. Eightbound still slap phenomenally hard, and Angron boasts reach and threat that is hard to leave at home even if he is tougher to resurrect these days. They certainly took some hits in the dataslate (Though you'll notice the souped up Master of Executions is still involved!), but World Eaters are still devastating in the right hands. Very well done on the performance.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Belin - Orks: Forward pressure Orks with Trukk boyz, Flashgitz, and 20 Kommandos. Don't go second!
  • 6th - arc_ange - Grey Knights: A big Paladin slab, smaller squads and a Grandmaster in Dreadknight.
  • 7th - Neokhaine - Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): Stagey melee Templars with Impulsors and two big Crusader squads.
  • 8th - flob - Adeptus Custodes: Massed infantry Custodes.
  • 9th - Manolo - Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius): Lots of the usual tools but small Inceptor squads and big Assault Intercessor squads add flavour!
  • 10th - Cédric - Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon gunline, Chosen trading, and plenty of Cultists.
  • 11th - loukas - T'au: Breacherfish, Crisis, Broadsides, and a Riptide for the backfield.

Dice Arcade GT

60-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Gymea, New South Wales, AU on February 23 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Greg Maginnity - Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) - 1st Place

Grey Knights Nemesis Dreadknights. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
GK - Imperial Elves (1990 points)

Grey Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Teleport Strike Force

CHARACTERS

Brother-Captain (120 points) • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • Enhancement: Sigil of Exigence

Brotherhood Librarian (110 points) • Warlord • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Purge Soul

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (215 points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer • Enhancement: Inescapable Wrath

BATTLELINE

Brotherhood Terminator Squad (420 points) • 1x Terminator Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 9x Brotherhood Terminator • 1x Ancient’s Banner 2x Incinerator 1x Narthecium 9x Nemesis force weapon 6x Storm bolter

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Nemesis Dreadknight (185 points) • 1x Gatling psilencer 1x Heavy incinerator 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

Servitors (50 points) • 4x Servitor • 1x Multi-melta 1x Plasma cannon 2x Servitor’s servo-arm 2x Servitor’s tools

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

Archetype

Grey Knights Combined Arms

Thoughts

More success for the new Dreadknights and infantry combo deal, which goes a bit lighter on Terminators (though retains that one happy-slapping Sigil ten for doing real work with), and packs the scoring and ranged threats wider. It definitely isn't as able to trade on durability, but it will score secondaries extremely well and can play for the late game after whittling down the enemy at a distance. Great work on the first place finish!

Cooper Fitzgerald - T'au Empire (Kauyon) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Tau Coldstar Commander. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Triptide is Eternal (2000 Points)

T’au Empire Kauyon Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (125 Points) • Warlord • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Cyclic ion blaster 3x Cyclic ion blaster 1x Marker Drone 1x Shield Drone • Enhancements: Exemplar of the Kauyon

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit (80 Points) • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Cyclic ion blaster 3x Cyclic ion blaster 2x Shield Drone

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit (80 Points) • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Cyclic ion blaster 3x Cyclic ion blaster 2x Shield Drone

Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit (90 Points) • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Cyclic ion blaster 3x Cyclic ion blaster 2x Shield Drone

Darkstrider (60 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Shade

BATTLELINE

Breacher Team (90 Points) • 1x Support turret missile system • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol 1x Shield Drone • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol

Breacher Team (90 Points) • 1x Support turret missile system • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol 1x Shield Drone • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol

Breacher Team (90 Points) • 1x Support turret missile system • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol 1x Shield Drone • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Devilfish (75 Points) • 1x Accelerator burst cannon 1x Armoured hull 2x Seeker missile 2x Twin pulse carbine

Devilfish (75 Points) • 1x Accelerator burst cannon 1x Armoured hull 2x Seeker missile 2x Twin pulse carbine

OTHER DATASHEETS

Crisis Battlesuits (400 Points) • 1x Crisis Shas’vre • 1x Battlesuit fists 3x Cyclic ion blaster 2x Shield Drone 1x Shield Generator • 5x Crisis Shas’ui • 5x Battlesuit fists 15x Cyclic ion blaster 10x Shield Drone 5x Shield Generator

Pathfinder Team (90 Points) • 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gun Drone 1x Pulse carbine 1x Pulse pistol 1x Recon Drone 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher 1x Shield Drone • 9x Pathfinder • 9x Close combat weapon 3x Ion rifle 6x Pulse carbine 9x Pulse pistol

Riptide Battlesuit (165 Points) • 1x Ion accelerator 2x Missile Drone 1x Riptide fists 1x Twin plasma rifle

Riptide Battlesuit (165 Points) • 1x Ion accelerator 2x Missile Drone 1x Riptide fists 1x Twin plasma rifle

Riptide Battlesuit (165 Points) • 1x Ion accelerator 2x Missile Drone 1x Riptide fists 1x Twin plasma rifle

Tetras (80 Points) • 2x Tetra • 2x Close combat weapons 4x Pulse rifle

Tetras (80 Points) • 2x Tetra • 2x Close combat weapons 4x Pulse rifle

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

Archetype

Triptide and Breachers

Thoughts

Ahh, Triptide. Never gone forever. Riptides can put out some serious hurt at range, and this Tau build can stand off the opponent whilst doing serious damage via these and the Crisis brick, whilst the Breachers in Devilfish create problems up front. Well placed to deny primary and force enemy engagement that the guns then clear, the lone Commanders offer a mini version of the old smaller Crisis brick threats to keep opponents honest and force cheaper trades. I really like this - And I love that Cooper has committed to giving up Assassinate on top of Bring it Down. In for a penny... Great work sir.

Egor Kalinin - Necrons (Canoptek Court) - 3rd Place

C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon. Credit: Rockfish C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
++ Army Roster (Xenos - Necrons) [1,995pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Choice: Canoptek Court

Show/Hide Options

+ Epic Hero +

C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon [270pts]

+ Character +

Technomancer [80pts]: Dimensional Sanctum

Technomancer [75pts]: Hyperphasic Fulcrum, Warlord

Technomancer [60pts]

Transcendant C'tan [275pts]

+ Mounted +

Lokhust Destroyers [30pts] . Lokhust Destroyer

Lokhust Destroyers [30pts] . Lokhust Destroyer

Lokhust Destroyers [30pts] . Lokhust Destroyer

+ Beast +

Canoptek Acanthrites [85pts] . 3x Canoptek Acanthrite: 3x Cutting beam, 3x Voidblade

Canoptek Wraiths [220pts] . 6x Wraith w/ claws and particle caster: 6x Particle caster, 6x Vicious claws

Canoptek Wraiths [220pts] . 6x Wraith w/ claws and particle casters: 6x Particle caster, 6x Vicious claws

Canoptek Wraiths [220pts] . 6x Wraith w/ coils and Beamer: 6x Transdimensional beamer, 6x Whip coils

+ Vehicle +

Doomsday Ark [200pts]

Doomsday Ark [200pts]

++ Total: [1,995pts] ++

Archetype

Canoptek Court Wraith Spam

Thoughts

C'tan get trimmed down to just Void Dragon to allow the 18 Wraith anvil to have a greater range of scoring support. This balance makes Canoptek better suited to bossing secondary scoring as well as being such a dominant force on the primary, and avoids being too all-in on durability alone. Doomsday Arks bring troubleshooting for elite infantry which helps a little with Custodes and the like, and the Acanthrite remains a very potent little Forgeworld Force Multiplier. Amazing work on the placing.

Josh Hynes - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) - 4th Place

Exocrine. Credit: Rockfish Exocrine. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
++ Army Roster (Xenos - Tyranids) [2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment: Invasion Fleet

+ Epic Hero +

Deathleaper [80pts]: Lictor Claws and Talons

Old One Eye [140pts]: Old One Eye’s claws and talons

+ Character +

Neurotyrant [105pts]: Neurotyrant claws and lashes, Psychic scream, Warlord

+ Battleline +

Gargoyles [80pts]

. 10x Gargoyles: 10x Blinding Venom, 10x Fleshborer

Gargoyles [80pts]

. 10x Gargoyles: 10x Blinding Venom, 10x Fleshborer

+ Infantry +

Biovores [75pts]

. Biovore: Chitin-barbed Limbs, Spore Mine Launcher

Neurolictor [80pts]: Piercing Claws and Talons

Neurolictor [80pts]: Piercing Claws and Talons

Neurolictor [80pts]: Piercing Claws and Talons

Pyrovores [35pts]

. Pyrovore: Chitin-barbed limbs, Flamespurt

+ Monster +

Carnifexes [250pts]

. Carnifex: Bio-plasma, Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots, Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots, Spine Banks, Xenos Claws and Teeth . Carnifex: Bio-plasma, Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots, Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots, Spine Banks, Xenos Claws and Teeth

Exocrine [135pts]: Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs

Exocrine [135pts]: Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs

Exocrine [135pts]: Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs

Maleceptor [170pts]: Massive Scything Talons, Psychic Overload

Maleceptor [170pts]: Massive Scything Talons, Psychic Overload

Maleceptor [170pts]: Massive Scything Talons, Psychic Overload

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

Archetype

Big Bug Invasion Fleet

Thoughts

I think Tyranids are still figuring out their best builds for this new meta, but early signs are that the trickier or stat-checkier options (Vanguard, Unending Swarm) are making way for an Invasion fleet build that keeps enough of the mission play elements but brings a nice brick of big Monsters to hold ground and withstand enemy shooting. Exocrines, Maleceptors and Old-One Eye Carnifexes are all massive threats and being able to pop a 5+++ on them is simply too good to ignore. Congratulations on the top showing.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Adam Woznowski - Adeptus Custodes: Double Caladius / mass infantry Custodes.
  • 6th - Matt Lane - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Mixed arms Skysplinter with Scourge and tonnes of infantry in boats.
  • 7th - Jay Mann - T'au Empire: Breachers, Riptides and Crisis- the way forward for Tau?
  • 8th - Robert Reimers - Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): Double Land Raider melee Templars.
  • 9th - Kyle Pearson - Orks: Ghaz leads a Trukk / Battlewagon rush mob.
  • 10th - Richard Hill - Death Guard: Loads of Plagueburst and Predators, a Tallyman and some Chaos Spawn! All sorts of innovation here.
  • 11th - Joseph Kwan - Adepta Sororitas: Go-wide sisters with lots of Repentia and Rhinos.

Alliance Open 40K Masters

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

Dick van der Harst - Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance) - 1st Place

War Dog - Karnivore. Credit: Rockfish War Dog - Karnivore. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Fortune still favors the hogs 🐗 (2000 Points)

Chaos Knights Traitoris Lance Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

War Dog Stalker (150 Points)* • Warlord • 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Slaughterclaw

* This Datasheet also has the Battleline keyword

BATTLELINE

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

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 Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

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

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

Archetype

CK War Dog Spam

Thoughts

Chaos Knight veteran Dick takes the War Dog spam out for a spin. The template remains much the same - Brigands and Karnivores are amazing datasheets, so jam them, and squeeze a few Daemon allies in for the jobs unworthy of big metal chickens. CK are a skew that less people are geared up for right at the moment and boast considerable threat to anybody who can't clear a a good half of the chassis quickly. They also remain somewhat terrain proof thanks to their walking through walls stratagem, congratulations to Dick for demonstrating their enduring potency!

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Sam Williams - Aeldari (Battle Host): Avatar of Khaine and a Wraithknight - spicy!
  • 3rd - Rob Goossens - Necrons (Canoptek Court): Double C'tan, 18 Wraiths, Doomstalker Canoptek Court.
  • 4th - Cees Jan Stam - Aeldari (Battle Host): Ynnarri with a smattering of Drukhari Dark Lances alongside MSU Aeldari units.
  • 5th - Jort Kassies- Grey Knights: Another triumph for quadruple Dreadknight. It's starting...
  • 6th - Ruben Malschaert- Orks: Trukk rush Orks with Nobz, Beastsnaggas, Flashgitz and Squighogz.
  • 7th - Kjell Lutz- Adeptus Custodes: Massed infantry but another run out for multiple slabs of Venatari.
  • 8th - Niek de Neijs- Genestealer Cult: Massed Acolytes and Neophytes behind FOUR mounted squads of Catachans. Love it.

Geekfest - Warhammer 40K GT

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

The Showdown

Vital Ground - Chilling Rain - Crucible of battle

Justin White - T'au Sept (Kauyon)
Army List - Click to Expand
Test list (2000 Points)

T’au Empire Kauyon Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Aun’va (65 Points) • 1x Aun’va • Warlord • 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Ethereal Guard • 2x Supreme honour blade

Cadre Fireblade (40 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Fireblade pulse rifle

Cadre Fireblade (40 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Fireblade pulse rifle

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (125 Points) • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Cyclic ion blaster 3x Cyclic ion blaster 1x Marker Drone 1x Shield Drone • Enhancements: Exemplar of the Kauyon

Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit (110 Points) • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Cyclic ion blaster 3x Cyclic ion blaster 1x Marker Drone 1x Shield Drone • Enhancements: Precision of the Patient Hunter

BATTLELINE

Breacher Team (90 Points) • 1x Support turret missile system • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Marker Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol

Breacher Team (90 Points) • 1x Support turret missile system • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Marker Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol

Breacher Team (90 Points) • 1x Support turret missile system • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Marker Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol

Breacher Team (90 Points) • 1x Support turret missile system • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Marker Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol

Breacher Team (90 Points) • 1x Support turret missile system • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Marker Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Devilfish (75 Points) • 1x Accelerator burst cannon 1x Armoured hull 2x Seeker missile 2x Twin pulse carbine

Devilfish (75 Points) • 1x Accelerator burst cannon 1x Armoured hull 2x Seeker missile 2x Twin pulse carbine

OTHER DATASHEETS

Crisis Battlesuits (400 Points) • 1x Crisis Shas’vre • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Cyclic ion blaster 2x Cyclic ion blaster 2x Shield Drone 1x Shield Generator • 5x Crisis Shas’ui • 5x Battlesuit fists 10x Cyclic ion blaster 5x Cyclic ion blaster 10x Shield Drone 5x Shield Generator

Kroot Carnivores (55 Points) • 10x Kroot Carnivore • 10x Kroot rifle

Kroot Carnivores (55 Points) • 10x Kroot Carnivore • 10x Kroot rifle

Pathfinder Team (90 Points) • 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gun Drone 1x Pulse carbine 1x Pulse pistol 1x Recon Drone 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher 1x Shield Drone • 9x Pathfinder • 9x Close combat weapon 3x Ion rifle 6x Pulse carbine 9x Pulse pistol

Pathfinder Team (90 Points) • 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gun Drone 1x Pulse carbine 1x Pulse pistol 1x Recon Drone 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher 1x Shield Drone • 9x Pathfinder • 9x Close combat weapon 3x Ion rifle 6x Pulse carbine 9x Pulse pistol

Pathfinder Team (90 Points) • 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gun Drone 1x Pulse carbine 1x Pulse pistol 1x Recon Drone 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher 1x Shield Drone • 9x Pathfinder • 9x Close combat weapon 3x Ion rifle 6x Pulse carbine 9x Pulse pistol

Tetras (80 Points) • 2x Tetra • 2x Close combat weapons 4x Pulse rifle

Tetras (80 Points) • 2x Tetra • 2x Close combat weapons 4x Pulse rifle

Tetras (80 Points) • 2x Tetra • 2x Close combat weapons 4x Pulse rifle


vs.

Jonathon Betteridge - Aeldari (Battle Host)
Army List - Click to Expand
Eldar post Jan slate (1995 points)

Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Battle Host

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (140 points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Howling Banshee Mask 1x Star glaive • Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem

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

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

Skathach Wraithknight (490 points) • 1x Inferno lance 1x Inferno lance 2x Starcannon 1x Titanic feet

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

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

Swooping Hawks (75 points) • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Aeldari power sword 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk’s talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (75 points) • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Aeldari power sword 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk’s talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Warp Spiders (115 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

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

Thoughts

Two fire and fade giants throw down in this top place battle, which pits the forces of the Tau against the resurgent Aeldari. This Tau list is built heavily for mission play, with enough Breachers to slingshot out of Devilfish for several turns and keep enemy scoring down, whilst Crisis provide the heavy lifting. Into a lot of match ups I really like this, as it avoids auto-giving Bring it Down, and forces the enemy to come and play if they want to carve out meaningful Primary. Unfortunately into the Aeldari the Crisis are going to struggle because, and I can't believe i'm saying this, it is BIG BOI TIME once again in Eldar land...

The Skatchach Wraithknight packs a bunch of melta shots for slaying vehicles, and TWO STARCANNONS! This bad boy becomes extremely tough to hurt if it picks up the -1 to wound from a Farseer, but this list also has the option of slapping that on the Avatar and shoving him forwards- once his damage reduction is factored in it becomes extremely difficult for the Tau shooting to do much to him. D Cannons, the big boys and Fate Dice shenanigans mean reaching and popping transports is fairly trivial for this list, at which point the anti-infantry guns of the Warp Spiders and Shroudrunners can do tremendous work on the contents as they spill out. It's quite hard to conceive of a situation where the Eldar don't de-mech, de-fang, and deconstruct the warriors of the Greater Good fairly quickly, causing their standoffish primary plan to collapse early, and that looks to be what happened here. A solid Aeldari victory.

Result

Aeldari (Battle Host) Victory - 78 - 45

Jonathon Betteridge - Aeldari (Battle Host) - 1st Place

Credit: Greg Narro

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Aeldari Big Boy Time: Skatchach Edition

Thoughts

Aeldari continue their pivot back onto a range of tools that served them extremely well before their own creation (Spinner / Wraithguard) put most of them out of commission. D Cannons, the Avatar and the aforementioned Forgeworld Wraithknight put the focus back onto hard target removal from behind walls, primary bullying via enormous stat monstrosities, and cheap scoring mission play. They are a very potent force still and the price points on units like Hawks and Shroudrunners remain remarkably cost effective for what they offer. Very well done on the top finish Jonathon!

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on X-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Justin White - T'au Sept (Kauyon): The mass Breachers Tau build from the showdown.
  • 3rd - Matthew Reeson - Necrons (Canoptek Court): Loads of Wraiths, C'tan and Doomstalkers in Canoptek Court.
  • 4th - Darren Thomas - Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Rubrics, a Mutalith, two Forgefiends and plenty of Sorcerors.
  • 5th - Phil Cass - Aeldari: Fire Prisms, D Cannons, a cheeky Karandras, and lots of scoring units.
  • 6th - Blair Macdonald - Khorne Daemons: Rendmaster inspired Bloodcrushers, Flesh Hounds and Bloodletters. Epic.
  • 7th - L Twohig - Death Guard: A 'two of everything' DG list that also has a blob of Poxwalkers! I've missed Poxwalkers.
  • 8th - Nate Quig - Adeptus Custodes: Massed Custodes infantry with a Land Raider for cool points.

Wrap Up

That's it for this week! Whisper it softly, but the top of the game actually looks pretty varied and interesting. A few slight standouts but these top tens are diverse as all hell, and that bodes extremely well for the next few months. I hope you're all enjoying your hams, be well out there.

Lowest of Men, out.

Tags: chaos space marines | tyranids | Necrons | Death Guard | Warhammer 40k | Aeldari | Chaos Knights | grey knights | Adeptus Custodes | tau | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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