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

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Stars and Springs

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Jul 26 2023
The Tenth Edition train is now fully barrelling down the track, as last week's Tacoma/Show me double header is followed up by another week with two massive events, this time the Lone Star Open and Palm Springs Open - both featuring some fairly exciting new builds making serious waves at the top, even amongst continued Aeldari and GSC dominance. Let's find out what players have been getting up to, as we take a look at:
  • Frontline Gaming Lone Star Open (supermajor)
  • Palm Springs Open by Dicebreaker (major)
  • Kraken GT 2023
  • The Battle for Middle Wisko
  • Le Griffon n'a qu'une tête
This week's showdowns, voted for by the Goonhammer Patrons, are:
  • Tyranids vs AdMech (!) at the Palm Springs Open
  • Genestealer Cults vs Chaos Space Marines at The Battle for Middle Wisko It was going to be this, but the Genestealer Cult list is redacted. Really following through 8th Edition's book to the logical conclusion there. That means we'll be looking at...
  • Aeldari vs Chaos Space Marines at the Lone Star Open
Yes folks you read that right - AdMech in the showdown. Fundamentally, that means someone already has this week's moral victory, but let's see who got the actual trophies as well.

Frontline Gaming Lone Star Open 40K Champs

214-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Allen, TX US on July 22 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Edit: The results for this event were updated in BCP after this article was compiled. The player previously in second place was moved to last place. The player's list included an enhancement included that would not do anything under the rules, and there are numerous complaints bouncing around the internet about rules errors they made at the event. As far as I'm aware, there's been no TO statement.

The Showdown

Mission L - Scorched Earth - Chilling Rain - Dawn of War

Russell Tassin - Black Legion: Abaddon, Terminators and guns - including some attached to a mighty Land Raider, which is carrying the smaller Terminator squad to battle. Also, Nurglings to screen.
Army List - Click to Expand
Black legion (2000 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (280 Points) • Warlord • 1x Drach’nyen 1x Talon of Horus

Chaos Lord in Terminator Armour (100 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chainfist 1x Combi-weapon

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (55 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch • 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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Chaos Terminator Squad (390 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Terminator Champion • 1x Chainfist 1x Combi-weapon • 9x Chaos Terminator • 2x Accursed weapon 1x Chainfist 9x Combi-weapon 6x Power fist

Chaos Terminator Squad (195 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Terminator Champion • 1x Chainfist 1x Combi-weapon • 4x Chaos Terminator • 1x Accursed weapon 4x Combi-weapon 3x Power fist

Forgefiend (165 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Armoured limbs 2x Ectoplasma cannon 1x Ectoplasma cannon

Obliterators (160 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 2x Crushing fists 2x Fleshmetal guns

Obliterators (160 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 2x Crushing fists 2x Fleshmetal guns

Obliterators (160 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 2x Crushing fists 2x Fleshmetal guns

ALLIED UNITS

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

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


vs.

Ben Jurek - Aeldari: Go-wide with a Wraithknight
Army List - Click to Expand
Tacoma (2000 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

War Walkers (95 Points) • 2x Shuriken cannon 1x War Walker feet

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

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

Thoughts

Chaos Space Marines had a pretty great weekend, all things considered, and Russell is right at the spearhead of that, sticking to his Black Legion guns and bringing Abaddon and a bunch of friends out to play. Also the guns, which are stuck to Obliterators, a Forgefiend and a Land Raider. Hell Yeah. The killing power of this list is wild - Nurgle Obliterators in Abaddon's aura will scythe through most anything, and the Chaos Undivided Forgefiend (unlocking full re-rolls from Profane Zeal) might be the single best counter to the current metagame villain of 10-model Wraithguard units that's available, because you have a legitimate shot of just flattening six or seven of them, massively reducing the sting when they shoot back. The list also has a tonne of neat tricks it can pull off - obviously going for Assault Ramp with the Landraider lets you hurl Terminators at the opponent however you do it, but bringing the Mark of Nurgle on the bus lets you protect it with Dark Obscuration, something that Abaddon's big Terminator block can also do. It's certainly condensed to a smaller number of units than some of the Aeldari builds, but the killing power genuinely rivals what the elves can put out, and the tricks it has access to are plausibly going to be more of a surprise coming from marine-shaped bodies than they would be from elves.

Speaking of elves - Ben's got the Wraithknight/Go-wide version here, another of the game's most murderous lists, and I assume breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn't packing Wraithguard because of how legitimately great some of the Chaos stuff is at bodying them. The Wraithknight probably does have to start in Strategic Reserves, as with the LSO ruin rules (infinitely vertically blocking LOS unless you toe in) it's unlikely to get an early shot on the Forgefiend, and the Land Raider can use Obscuration to protect itself, but the Eldar do still have plenty of units to start with - but honestly, they're up against something so mean that despite their strengths, this feels seriously close on this mission.

Scorched Earth/Dawn of War is a pretty ideal setup for Chaos to try and challenge for a breakout win here, because they can focus hard on one flank initially, aim to use Obscuration to lock in torching a side objective, then pushing through to either the centre or the Aeldari home position. Scorched Earth is one of the harder missions to max Primary on (you have to burn your opponent's home to do it at all, and can only get above 40 if you burn something in no-man's land), and Chaos legitimately feel better equipped to pull that off here, which gives them an angle to score higher. The flipside is, of course, that the Aeldari are probably better at consistently scoring Secondaries, as the Chaos units are slower around the table, and also generally less expendable (at least once the Nurglings are gone). My feeling is that Chaos probably has to try and power play for 45 on Primary, while Eldar need to play keep-away and aim very strictly for 40 Primary, 40 Secondary, and throw all their resources at ensuring that Chaos never manage to burn the Aeldari home objective, and ideally tank their score by 5VP the turn after they burn a flank one (which is probably inevitable).

I think that's achievable, but the Aeldari have to be incredibly careful not to throw away too many resources at once, because whatever they expose probably does get toasted. Having the Death Jester does help them a lot mind, both as a Lone Op who can sit on a flank with relative impunity, and also as a genuine threat to just gradually chew through Obliterators, which they match up nicely into. The Yncarne will, of course, help a bunch too, though there's certainly a bunch of stuff here they could bounce off, which is plausibly problematic. In the end, this was extremely close, but it looks like the Aeldari were able to hit their win condition - I'm going to guess the scoreline for Ben's 88 was 40 Primary, 38 Secondary, and he was able to keep Russell in the low 80s, taking the win.

Result

Aeldari Victory - 88 - 81

Ben Jurek - Aeldari - 1st Place

Wraithknight. Credit: Rockfish Wraithknight. Credit: Rockfish

The List

See showdown

Archetype

Wraithknight & Prisms

Thoughts

OK look, I said other factions are making waves, but Aeldari and Genestealer Cults are still making the running. Ben's version of Aeldari eschews the increasingly popular Waithguard brick to keep one Wraithknight, providing the sheer crushing power that almost nothing else can imitate (though Lone Star did dial them in a bit with some additional rules on how ruins work, reducing the power of Towering), and spend the rest of his points on a mix of go-wide firepower, the Yncarne, and mobile Aspect Warriors ready to lock in Secondaries when they arise. That creates a build that can comfortably erase pretty much anything from the table, scores Secondaries reliably, and can brutally punish a mis-timed kill on one of its more fragile units. There are armies that can challenge it (see the Black Legion's wall of Obliterators nearly pulling off an upset), but as long as the player knows what they're doing (as Ben emphatically does), the odds are pretty much always going to be in its favour. Well done to Ben on taking a big trophy.

Eric Tadt - Genestealer Cult - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Genestealer Cults Acolyte Iconward Genestealer Cults Acolyte Iconward. Credit: That Gobbo

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
First list (2000 points) Genestealer Cults Strike Force (2000 points) Ascension Day

CHARACTER

Acolyte Iconward (50 points) • Warlord • 1x Autopistol 1x Cult claws

Biophagus (50 points) • 1x Alchemicus Familiar 1x Autopistol 1x Chemical vials 1x Injector goad

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

Nexos (90 points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Close combat weapon • Enhancement: Meticulous Planner

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

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Horde and Aberrants

Thoughts

Your mostly extremely standard GSC horde build, with the only major thing to highlight being the increasing number of toolkit Characters, giving the list a bit more flexibility, particularly for the mirror and against fast Aeldari threats. That clearly paid off for Eric, as he defeated two of his fellow Cult players, including a very close game in the final round to secure his undefeated record!

Robert Moreland - Astra Militarum - 3rd Place

Lord Solar. Credit: Rockfish Lord Solar. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
(1995 Points)

Astra Militarum Combined Regiment Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Gaunt’s Ghosts (115 Points) • 1x Ibram Gaunt • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Gaunt’s chainsword • 1x Colm Corbec • 1x Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Elim Rawne • 1x Rawne’s lascarbine 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Hlaine Larkin • 1x Larkin’s long-las 1x Straight silver knife • 1x ’Try Again’ Bragg • 1x Bragg’s autocannon 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Oan Mkoll • 1x Lascarbine 1x Mkoll’s straight silver knife

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 Laspistol • 4x Veteran Guardsman • 4x Close combat weapon 3x Lasgun 4x Laspistol 1x Master Vox 1x Medi-pack 1x Regimental Standard 1x Sniper rifle

Regimental Enginseer (45 Points) • 1x Archeotech pistol 1x Enginseer axe 1x Servo-arm

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

BATTLELINE

Cadian Shock Troops (65 Points) • 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant • 1x Chainsword 1x Laspistol • 9x Shock Trooper • 9x Close combat weapon 7x Lasgun 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun 1x Vox-caster

Cadian Shock Troops (65 Points) • 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant • 1x Chainsword 1x Laspistol • 9x Shock Trooper • 9x Close combat weapon 7x Lasgun 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun 1x Vox-caster

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points) • 1x Death Korps Watchmaster • 1x Chainsword 1x Laspistol • 9x Death Korps Trooper • 9x Close combat weapon 7x Lasgun 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun 1x Sniper rifle

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chimera (85 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Chimera multi-laser 1x Heavy bolter 1x Heavy stubber 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lasgun array

Chimera (85 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Chimera multi-laser 1x Heavy bolter 1x Heavy stubber 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lasgun array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Banesword (515 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Lascannon 2x Lascannon 1x Quake cannon 1x Twin heavy bolter 2x Twin heavy bolter 2x Twin heavy bolter

Heavy Weapons Squad (60 Points) • 3x Las small arms 3x Mortar 3x Weapons team close combat weapons

Hellhound (125 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy flamer 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Inferno cannon

Hellhound (125 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy flamer 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Inferno cannon

Rapier Laser Destroyer Battery (90 Points) • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Laser destroyer

Rapier Laser Destroyer Battery (90 Points) • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Laser destroyer

Scout Sentinels (50 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy flamer 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Sentinel chainsaw

Tempestus Scions (60 Points) • 1x Tempestor • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 4x Tempestus Scion • 4x Close combat weapon 2x Hot-shot lasgun 1x Hot-shot volley gun 1x Plasma gun

ALLIED UNITS

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

Archetype

Big tank and friends.

Thoughts

Rack up another one for a single gigantic threat with a whole bunch of small, efficient guns around it. The Banesword rules, having one of the more appealing big guns, and in the current metagame the ability to force enemy explosions on a 3+ is very real. 2+ saves on a thing that's very frequently going to be in cover is also a seriously tough nut to crack (especially with Ursula able to drop Armoured Might on it for free), and that means that you can start it on the board against Knights (really only Wraithknights force you to pull it with Lord Solar, and Robert's one loss was, in fact, against Ben). Outside that core monstrosity, Rapiers are ultra-efficient backfield shooting (and also good out of Strategic Reserves to punk enemy stuff), while Hellhounds provide a nice way to get out on the board and push out some Overwatch. Being able to pressure the opponent might also help bait out a key offensive Stratagem, which can then be tagged by the Callidus, reducing the opponent's ability to handle the Banesword in mid-late game, and the Callidus and Gaunt's Ghosts provide a very powerful set of movement utility tools to handle objectives. Really big fan of this - bypassing stacked Indirect in favour of a much more aggressive, big-tank focused list looks like a whole bunch of fun, congratulations to Robert.

4th - Robert Hawkins - Genestealer Cult

Credit: Jay (Steel Mentor)

This is short because I've promotes it from the best of the rest

Horde, Aberrants...and a Shadowsword. Neat. That'll teach any Imperial Knights who think they're funny, I guess. Extremely awesome move.

The Best of the Rest

There were 17 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

Bump all these placings up by one.
  • 5th - Robert Hawkins - Genestealer Cult: Horde, Aberrants...and a Shadowsword. Neat. That'll teach any Imperial Knights who think they're funny, I guess.
  • 6th - Noah Beddome - Imperial Knights: Aggro Knights with a Warden and Valiant.
  • 7th - Russell Tassin - Black Legion: Abaddon with two units of Terminators (one ten-man, one five in a Land Raider) plus shooty gunline tools like Forgefiends and Obliterators. Came very close to taking the whole event, huge props to Russell.
  • 8th - Robin Roberts - Genestealer Cult: Horde with Aberrants, plus a unit of Purestrains as a utility piece.
  • 9th - Clifton “Murica” Russell - Genestealer Cult: Horde without Aberrants, backing the masses up with some Manticores and a Wyvern instead.
  • 10th - Junior Aflleje - Imperial Knights: Firepower at ranges both long and short, bringing two Crusaders and a Valiant.
  • 11th - Micah McComb - Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon with a Terminator brick and gunline stuff, plus two Dark Communes, each leading a full Accursed unit, which feels like something of a sleeper hit.
  • 12th - Red Powell - World Eaters: Angron, Invocatus, a Daemon friend and a whole bunch of Berserkers.
  • 13th - Mathew Tweedel - Chaos Space Marines: Another Abaddon/double Dark Commune build, here adding some Possessed as well.
  • 14th - Da Xie - Aeldari: Prisms, Spinners and Spiders, plus the new public enemy #1 of the full Wraithguard unit.
  • 15th - Kevin McCormick - Chaos Knights: A Desecrator and a bunch of Dogs.
  • 16th - Justin Moore - Thousand Sons: Magnus and the boyx with a Mutalith and Scarabs.
  • 17th - Nick "Doots" Toomey - Necrons: Lots of spicy shooting behind a single big Warrior unit and the super Transcendent.
  • 18th - Austin Martin - Aeldari: Aspect-heavy Aeldari, adding a full unit each of Reapers and Scorpions with their corresponding Phoenix Lord to the standard Spiders.
  • 19th - Nicholas Henry - Necrons: Double Lychguard with shooting and super Transcendent backup.
  • 20th - Kit Smith Hanna - Chaos Daemons: Be'lakor monster mash with lots of Greater Daemons and some Soul Grinders.
  • 21st - Jason Rider - Chaos Space Marines: Triple Lord of Skulls, triple Warpsmith, no mercy.
  • 22th - Michael Ramos - Aeldari: Prisms, an Avatar and a Wraithknight. Also still running a couple of D-cannons even at their silly new price point, please just re-write the datasheet GW

Palm Springs Open 40k GT II By Dicehammer

111-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Palm Springs, CA US on July 22 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Mission A - Take and Hold - Chilling Rain - Search and Destroy

Joel Wilson - Tyranids:
Army List - Click to Expand
gaunt carpet (2000 points) Tyranids Strike Force (2000 points) Invasion Fleet

CHARACTER

Deathleaper (80 points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Hive Tyrant (220 points) • 1x Heavy venom cannon 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip

Neurotyrant (105 points) • Warlord • 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes 1x Psychic scream

BATTLELINE

Hormagaunts (140 points) • 20x Hormagaunt talons

Termagants (120 points) • 20x Termagant devourer 20x Xenos claws and teeth

Termagants (120 points) • 20x Termagant devourer 20x Xenos claws and teeth

Termagants (120 points) • 20x Termagant devourer 20x Xenos claws and teeth

Termagants (120 points) • 20x Termagant devourer 20x Xenos claws and teeth

Termagants (120 points) • 20x Termagant devourer 20x Xenos claws and teeth

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (65 points) • 1x Chitin-barbed limbs 1x Spore Mine launcher

Biovores (65 points) • 1x Chitin-barbed limbs 1x Spore Mine launcher

Lictor (75 points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Maleceptor (165 points) • 1x Massive scything talons 1x Psychic overload

Maleceptor (165 points) • 1x Massive scything talons 1x Psychic overload

Neurogaunts (90 points) • 2x Neurogaunt Nodebeast • 2x Xenos claws and teeth • 20x Neurogaunt • 20x Xenos claws and teeth

Venomthropes (70 points) • 3x Toxic lashes

Venomthropes (70 points) • 3x Toxic lashes

Zoanthropes (90 points) • 1x Neurothrope • 1x Warp Blast 1x Xenos claws and teeth • 2x Zoanthrope • 2x Warp Blast 2x Xenos claws and teeth


vs.

Jason McKenzie - Cult Mechanicus:
Army List - Click to Expand
Agents of Discord (2000 points) Adeptus Mechanicus Strike Force (2000 points) Rad-Cohort

CHARACTER

Arch-Magos Dominus Belisarius Cawl (185 points) • Warlord • 1x Arc scourge 1x Cawl’s Omnissian axe 1x Mechadendrite hive 1x Solar atomiser

Skitarii Marshal Varnax - Heretek of the Broken Cog (55 points) • 1x Archeotech pistol 1x Control stave • Enhancement: Archived Purge Protocols

Magos Gladius Dominus Valdinox - Genetor of Zaiphon Prime (95 points) • 1x Omnissian axe 1x Phosphor serpenta 1x Volkite blaster • Enhancement: Omni-Steriliser

Magos Prime Dominus Arkvaul - Conductor of the Ghost Interface (110 points) • 1x Omnissian axe 1x Phosphor serpenta 1x Volkite blaster • Enhancement: Master Annihilator

Tech-Priest Enginseer Kairi - The Shadow Eclipse (45 points) • 1x Archeotech pistol 1x Omnissian axe 1x Servo-arm

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Vanguard (100 points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha • 1x Alpha combat weapon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Radium carbine • 9x Skitarii Vanguard • 1x Arc rifle 9x Close combat weapon 1x Omnispex 1x Plasma caliver 6x Radium carbine 1x Transuranic arquebus

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 points) • 3x Ironstrider feet 3x Twin cognis lascannon

Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 points) • 3x Ironstrider feet 3x Twin cognis lascannon

Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 points) • 3x Ironstrider feet 3x Twin cognis lascannon

Kataphron Breachers (300 points) • 6x Heavy arc rifle 6x Hydraulic claw

Kataphron Destroyers (240 points) • 6x Close combat weapon 6x Cognis flamer 6x Heavy grav-cannon

Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 points) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Taser goad • 4x Pteraxii Skystalker • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Flechette carbine

Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 points) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Taser goad • 4x Pteraxii Skystalker • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Flechette carbine

Serberys Sulphurhounds (65 points) • 1x Serberys Sulphurhound Alpha • 1x Cavalry arc maul 1x Clawed limbs 1x Phosphor blast pistol 1x Sulphur breath • 2x Serberys Sulphurhound • 2x Clawed limbs 2x Sulphur breath 2x Twin phosphor pistols

Serberys Sulphurhounds (65 points) • 1x Serberys Sulphurhound Alpha • 1x Cavalry arc maul 1x Clawed limbs 1x Phosphor blast pistol 1x Sulphur breath • 2x Serberys Sulphurhound • 2x Clawed limbs 2x Sulphur breath 2x Twin phosphor pistols

Sicarian Infiltrators (80 points) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Taser goad • 4x Sicarian Infiltrator • 4x Flechette blaster 4x Taser goad

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

Thoughts

Hell yeah, AdMech in a Showdown! It's no secret that AdMech's options are pretty rough right now, but there's certainly some decent stuff in there, and Jason's build here makes smart use of it. Kataphrons with a Tech Priest Dominus in charge are an actual good unit, especially when you factor in the ability of one of the Dominii to bring along the ultra-volkite nightmare blaster and hand out 6-8 Mortal Wounds per turn. Ironstriders may lack the sheer killing power they packed last edition, but they're at least very cheap for how durable they are, allowing you to add some anti-tank that won't just melt. All the little utility stuff that's been used here is at least OK too, and I think this is a very effective way to approach the codex, and pretty well pitched for the metagame. In particular, I think the key decision is taking just a single Battleline unit and (presumably) planning to park it hidden near the Breachers and one Ironstrider unit for the Marshall to buff, treating it as a castle setup rather than trying to bring enough Battleline to cover the board, as Skitarii just aren't worth it.

Unfortunately, having carved through both an Aeldari horror and a powerful GSC build, it finds itself up against another completely left-field build in the final - Gaunt carpet. Variants on this seem to pop up every edition, and yup, it sure does look pretty real here. Gaunts going up to a 5+ base save and Venomthropes providing an even more powerful defensive aura than previously makes the lift of trying to chew through the horde extremely nasty, especially with Maleceptors providing an even further reduction in enemy lethality up close (and just being efficiently priced durable monsters). The Skulking Horrors ability on Termagants is also a complete nightmare with this many of them on the table, and the units having such a big footprint, because the army ends up getting a massive amount of repositioning in each opponent's turn, weaving and undulating like the hive tendrils they are.

A lot of lists are just going to get swamped by that, and bluntly the AdMech here are one of them, particularly on this simplest of missions. They're not even abnormally short on anti-horde stuff (though some of it can get no-selled by Skulking), but they can't really remove hidden Venomthropes, and aren't going to be able to clear enough of the horde through Stealth and Cover to stop the Breachers and Destroyers getting stuck in combat, at which point it's incredibly over. For AdMech to pull off a win here I think they have to go full on harebrained scheme mode - something like using the nine Ironstrider bases to bodily block the Gaunts from ever touching the Destroyers, and hoping that smoking a unit each on Overwatch and regular shooting is enough to tip the tide. Reader - either it wasn't tried, or it wasn't enough.

Result

Tyranids Victory - 100 - 30

Joel Wilson - Tyranids - 1st Place

Termagants. Credit: Rockfish Termagants. Credit: Rockfish

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Gaunt Horde

Final Round Matchup

100 - 30 Victory against Jason McKenzie - Cult Mechanicus.

Thoughts

Alex Spathopoulos - Aeldari - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Busted (1995 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) • Warlord • 1x Howling Banshee Mask 1x Reaper launcher 1x Star glaive

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Pure Go-wide Aeldari

Thoughts

Look, Alex has titled his own list "Busted" so I'm not sure I feel any great need to dig deep on this. Mostly, it just serves as an illustration of the depth of the challenge that sorting out the Aeldari index represents - no Wraithknights, no Wraithguard, no Yncarne, but an undefeated second place finish nonetheless.

Jake Jesionowski - Necrons - 3rd Place

Necron Immortals. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
PSO (1995 Points)

Necrons Awakened Dynasty Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

Plasmancer (55 Points) • 1x Plasmic lance

Technomancer (80 Points) • 1x Canoptek Cloak 1x Staff of light • Enhancements: Veil of Darkness

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

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

Deathmarks (65 Points) • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Synaptic disintegrator

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

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

Flayed Ones (70 Points) • 5x Flayer claws

Flayed Ones (70 Points) • 5x Flayer claws

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (45 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gauss destructor

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

Archetype

Double C'tan and Friends

Thoughts

This list is mean, bringing a whole bunch of power pieces. The obvious ones are the Lychguard, two C'tan (including the practically mandatory super Transcendant) and some Doomsdays, but it's also got a first top four showing for my pet Necron unit, which is a Plasmancer with Tesla Immortals. Because this unit is often re-rolling wounds for free, Critical Hits on 5+ combines with Sustained Hits 2 to give it horrifying damage output into a wide variety of targets, and it's a particularly nice tool into Genestealers (though Joel's Gaunt Carpet could still tank it). Even if you don't trust me to tell you hot Necron tips, trust in Jake managing to take it to 5-1 at a major, only losing to the eventual winner.

Grant Kauffman - Chaos Daemons - 4th Place

Great Unclean One Great Unclean One - Credit: RichyP

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Daemons v5 (2000 Points)

Chaos Daemons Daemonic Incursion Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Be’lakor (325 Points) • Warlord • 1x Betraying Shades 1x The Blade of Shadows

Great Unclean One (310 Points) • 1x Bilesword 1x Plague flail 1x Putrid vomit • Enhancements: The Endless Gift

Lord of Change (255 Points) • 1x Bolt of Change 1x Rod of sorcery 1x Staff of Tzeentch • Enhancements: The Everstave

Shalaxi Helbane (400 Points) • 1x Lash of Slaanesh 1x Pavane of Slaanesh 1x Snapping claws 1x Soulpiercer

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

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

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

Plaguebearers (145 Points) • 1x Plagueridden • 1x Plaguesword • 9x Plaguebearer • 9x Plaguesword

OTHER DATASHEETS

Flamers (65 Points) • 1x Pyrocaster • 1x Flamer mouths 1x Flickering Flames • 2x Flamer • 2x Flamer mouths 2x Flickering Flames

Flamers (65 Points) • 1x Pyrocaster • 1x Flamer mouths 1x Flickering Flames • 2x Flamer • 2x Flamer mouths 2x Flickering Flames

Flamers (130 Points) • 1x Pyrocaster • 1x Flamer mouths 1x Flickering Flames • 5x Flamer • 5x Flamer mouths 5x Flickering Flames

Flesh Hounds (70 Points) • 1x Gore Hound • 1x Burning roar 1x Collar of Khorne 1x Gore-drenched fangs • 4x Flesh Hound • 4x Collar of Khorne 4x Gore-drenched fangs

Archetype

Monster Mash

Thoughts

Daemons continue to overperform our predictions off the back of Monster Mash builds like this, combining the strong Greater Daemon datasheets, the best cheap board control stuff and Be'lakor's anti-shooting aura to craft something that can actually compete. Not having to worry about getting the big hitters gunned down out of the gate by Knights or Aeldari is genuinely game-changing to the army's ability to get some stuff done, and I like the inclusion of a Great Unclean One with the Endless Gift to provide something that can tank massive incoming hurt after close engagement is joined as well, particularly if all those utility pieces can push out the Shadow of Chaos.

As covered last week Greater Daemons are cool (the Changeling too - so mysterious), so we're very happy to see this style working out, well done Grant.

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Logan Heath - Aeldari: Go-wide shooting with Vypers as well as the usual stuff.
  • 6th - Wyatt Swift-Ramirez - Genestealer Cult: Horde & Aberrants with some extra shooting from some mining laser Ridgerunners and a Basilisk.
  • 7th - Arthur Tu - Chaos Space Marines: Double Accursed Commune with lots of Chosen on top.
  • 8th - Marc Merrill - Aeldari: Prisms & Wraithguard.
  • 9th - Mike McTyre - Blood Angels: Gladius Task Force with a full unit of Death Company lead by Lemartes as the Blood Angels spice.
  • 10th - Luke Ehlert - Tyranids: Monster mash with plenty of Zoanthropes and Biovores in support.
  • 11th - Jason McKenzie - Adeptus Mechanicus: See showdown
  • 12th - Daniel Reddehase - Chaos Daemons: Monster Mash and Flamers, also featuring a Great Unclean One alongside the usual suspects.

Kraken GT 2023 - OCC Qualifier

41-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Auckland, Auckland NZ on July 21 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Sean Sullivan - Ynnari - 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Auckland self hatred (2000 points) Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Battle Host

CHARACTER

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

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

Guardian Defenders (110 points) • 10x Guardian Defender • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Shuriken catapult • 1x Heavy Weapon Platform • 1x Bright lance 1x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

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

Archetype

Go-wide shooty Ynnari

Final Round Matchup

97 - 76 Victory against Sterling Arnet - Aeldari.

Thoughts

Look, the Eldar players keep self-titling these things stuff like "Auckland self hatred" and who can really disagree? This is all the standard go-wide shooty Eldar stuff plus three Dark Lance Ravagers paid for by the modest price of having to take Yvraine as Warlord instead of an Autarch Wayleaper (whose CP gain only works as Warlord). That seems like a pretty reasonable trade, since the Battle Host re-rolls are extremely good on Ravagers, and the other hits are pretty much all here. Yvraine isn't even a bad model - she keeps Guardians alive pretty reasonably via a 5+ Feel No Pain and being able to revive their platform endlessly, and her shooting attack is no joke. Realistically, Eldar don't need to do this to do horrific things to you, but they can, so be aware of that, and also offer congratulations to Sean on both the win and his policy of radical list-naming honesty.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - sterling Arnet - Aeldari: Wraithknight/Wraithguard tag team.
  • 3rd - Louis Thomson-Gregg - Ynnari: Pretty much the same list as Sean with the same team name, so clearly a collaborative concoction.
  • 4th - Ngaire Edgar-Wilson - Aeldari: Wraithknight and two big Wraithguard units, for when your opponent really needs a one-way trip to the warp.

The Battle for Middle Wisko 40K GT

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Stevens Point, WI US on July 22 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event was allowing each player to nominate one piece of terrain to block Line of Sight even for Towering units.

Eric Forsman - Genestealer Cult - 1st Place

The List

It just says the following:

Redacted: Team USA

Presumably the Inquisition will be along to black bag me any moment now.

Archetype

Mystery GSC

Final Round Matchup

100 - 66 Victory against Matthew Monsour - Chaos Space Marines.

Thoughts

Do you actually need to keep your army list secret when you're playing a faction with a 70%+ win rate? Do you really? Really? I guess I still have to say congratulations, but I'm shaking my head the whole time so that everyone knows I disapprove.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Matthew Monsour - Chaos Space Marines: A Dark Commune, Abaddon and a mighty eight Nurgle Obliterators. Wrong god for that number, shameful.
  • 3rd - Tyler Johnson - Asuryani: Spinners, Prisms, 10 Wraithguard.
  • 4th - Nasty Girl - Aeldari: Prisms, Wraithguard and a Wraithknight.
  • 5th - Dakota Kramer - Asuryani: Prisms, a Spinner, Wraithknight.
  • 6th - Kevin Leonard - Chaos Daemons: Tzeentch-flavoured Monster Mash, combining Be'lakor with triple Lord of Change (one being Kairos) and triple Soul Grinder.
  • 7th - Jason Moskalik - Necrons: Double Lychguard with the super C'tan and lots of Lokhust Heavies.

Le Griffon n'a qu'une tête

All the lists for this event can be found on MiniHeadQuarters.

This event was using WTC scoring for the games, so there were a lot more draws than usual (hence only two players in the Best of the Rest).

Velorr - Genestealer Cults - 1st Place

Orlock Ridgerunner. Credit: Fowler

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTER Biophagus (80 points) • Enhancement: Inscrutable Cunning Clamavus (40 points) Nexos (50 points)

Nexos (90 points) • Warlord • Enhancement: Meticulous Planner Primus (70 points) Reductus Saboteur (55 points) Reductus Saboteur (55 points)

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

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

Acolyte Hybrids (75 points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 4x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 2x Cult claws and knife 1x Hand flamer 2x Heavy mining tool

Acolyte Hybrids (75 points) • 1x Acolyte Leader • 1x Hand flamer 1x Leader’s cult weapons • 4x Acolyte Hybrid • 1x Cult Icon 2x Cult claws and knife 1x Hand flamer 2x Heavy mining tool

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Achilles Ridgerunners (75 points) • 1x Heavy mortar 1x Spotter 1x Twin heavy stubber

Achilles Ridgerunners (75 points) • 1x Heavy mining laser 1x Spotter 1x Twin heavy stubber

Achilles Ridgerunners (150 points) • 2x Heavy mining laser 2x Spotter 2x Twin heavy stubber

Archetype

Horde and Aberrants

Final Round Matchup

91-78 Victory vs Paxki - Aeldari

Thoughts

A few more big guns than usual thanks to a squad of laser Ridgerunners, but mostly business as usual - hurl Aberrants at people early if the opponent can't handle them, brutally annihilate them with Acolytes and the horde if not. Well done to Velorr on the win.

The Best of the Rest

Two more players finished on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Paxki - Aeldari: Ynnari-flavoured if not actually technically Ynnari - the full Triumverate, with the Visarch leading a Troupe as a mid-field bully unit, plus a full Wraithguard unit.
  • 3rd - SergentBILKO - Genestealer Cult: A more elite GSC setup than normal, adding two full Purestrain units to the regular mix.

Wrap Up

Will any of these rising threats be able to unseat the metagame's most powerful factions? I mean probably not, but it's great that people are at least making a game of it, and we'll see how things go next week.

Tags: chaos space marines | tyranids | Necrons | Warhammer 40k | Aeldari | Adeptus Mechanicus | competitive play | chaos daemons | Ynnari | Genestealer Cults | Astra Militarum | tau | Competitive Innovations

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