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

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Wraithknights at the Warmaster pt.1

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Aug 16 2023
It's been another busy week in the 40K world, with hundreds of the world's best players gathering in Europe for the Warmaster GT, and a trio of healthily-sized majors alongside it. A certain gigantic robot has, admittedly, been somewhat overshadowing things, but as ever we've got some interesting new builds to look at alongside our regular diet of Aeldari and GSC nonsense.

Today we'll be looking at:
  • The WTC Warmaster GT (Supermajor)
  • Warhammer World Golden Ticket Event (major)
  • Killing Field of Istvaan
On Friday we'll cover:
  • Texas Open (Major)
  • Iowaaagh! Open (Major)
  • Hammer of Wrath GT
The fine folks in the Goonhammer Patreon Discord have once again voted for which showdowns they want to see, and have selected:
  • Deathwatch vs. Adeptus Custodes at the Warhammer World Event.
  • Aeldari vs. Chaos Space Marines at the Hammer of Wrath GT.
If I have time later in the week we might also sneak in a look at the results of the WTC itself, but my schedule is unusually packed thanks to the ongoing Faction Focus series, which you can check out here.

WTC Warmaster GT 2023

282-player, 9-round Supermajor in Mechelen, Vlaams Gewest BE on August 08 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Thomas Wobak - Aeldari - 1st Place

Credit: TheChirurgeon

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTER Char1: 1x Autarch Wayleaper (80 points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Howling Banshee Mask 1x Star glaive

Char2: 1x Farseer (65 points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Singing spear

Char3: 1x Farseer Skyrunner (100 points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Singing spear 1x Twin shuriken catapult • Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem

Char4: 1x Illic Nightspear (65 points) • 1x Aeldari power sword 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Voidbringer

Char5: 1x Solitaire (115 points) • 1x Solitaire weapons

Char6: 1x The Yncarne (270 points) • 1x Swirling soul energy 1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

5x 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

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

Archetype

Wraithknight and friends

Final Round Matchup

11 - 9 Victory against Fred Otto - Aeldari.

Thoughts

Look, right up till the Shadow Round, it looked like the Aeldari had some serious challengers in the pool at the Warmaster GT, and then suddenly they didn't. The Wraithknight continues to be a spectacularly over the top monstrosity, and when the wraithcannons fell silent, Thomas's build came out on top. I like, for tables using fairly dense WTC layouts, making sure to include some indirect from a Spinner and some lone operatives in Illic and the Solitaire, who have become a bit more of a sometimes choice over the last few weeks. That gives you ways to force the opponent's hand in the mirror if they're missing similar, and that looks like it could have been clutch in the grand finale. Congratulations Thomas.

Fred Otto - Aeldari - 2nd Place

Wraithknight. Credit: Rockfish Wraithknight. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Starcannon 1x Twin shuriken catapult 1x Wraithbone hull

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

Archetype

Wraithknight + Go-wide shooting

Thoughts

This is a bit more of a conventional murderous Aeldari list, complementing the Wraithknight with tonnes of shooty hulls that can simply overwhelm the opponent's capacity to handle them. That served Fred extremely well most of the way through, coming out of the Swiss at the top of the rankings (and thus getting to skip the Shadow Round), taking a 20-0 victory in the semi-finals, and only finally falling to a slightly sneakier Wraithknight list. Congratulations to him as well!

Quinton Johnson - Aeldari - 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


ATC 2023 (1995 Points)

Aeldari Battle Host Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Another one

Thoughts

Another Wraithknight build backing the big boy with lots of small, speedy, shooty units. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well done to Quinton on taking third.

Alexandre Sacco - Chaos Space Marines - 4th Place

Credit: Dan "Swiftblade" Richardson

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTERS

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

Chaos Lord (75 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Daemon hammer 1x Plasma pistol

Chaos Lord (75 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Daemon hammer 1x Plasma pistol

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

BATTLELINE

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-bolter 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chosen (115 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Accursed weapon 1x Bolt pistol 1x Chaos Icon 1x Combi-weapon • 4x Chosen • 2x Accursed weapon 2x Bolt pistol 2x Boltgun 1x Combi-weapon 1x Paired accursed weapons 2x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

Chosen (115 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Accursed weapon 1x Bolt pistol 1x Chaos Icon 1x Combi-weapon • 4x Chosen • 2x Accursed weapon 2x Bolt pistol 2x Boltgun 1x Combi-weapon 1x Paired accursed weapons 2x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

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

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

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

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

Possessed (145 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Possessed Champion • 1x Hideous mutations • 4x Possessed • 4x Hideous mutations

ALLIED UNITS

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

Archetype

Abaddon Gunline

Thoughts

Rounding out the top four with the heroic accolade of "highest placing non-Aeldari player", we have Alexandre's Chaos Space Marines. For anyone still sleeping on them - CSM Forgefiends are wildly good as a mixture of Nurgle (for the 5+ Sustained Hits) and one as Undivided (for the full hit/wound re-rolls from Profane Zeal), combining with Abaddon to unleash a flurry of destruction that can give even the Aeldari some amount of pause. Obliterators further lean into this (and also provide the ability to launch a big hit out of Deep Strike), and the list has an absolutely hilarious clown car of a Rhino to threaten counter-charges (again with the Zeal re-rolls) into anyone that tries to pin the shooty toys down.

Rounding out with Cypher and The Changeling as Lone Operative objective grabbers (and in Cypher's case a key disruption tool against Phantasm spam) adds some scoring staying power on top of everything else, and as we'll see in some of the other builds we cover this week, experienced Chaos Lords like Alexandre are really starting to unleash the potential of their Index.

The Best of the Rest

Three more players made it to a shadow round before being defeated by one of the top four. They were:
  • 5th - Innes Wilson - Dark Angels (Gladius): Innes sparks joy amongst the many Goonhammer Dark Angels fans by taking them to fifth place. A huge brick of Deathwing Knights with an Adept of the Codex captain for Fall Back/Shoot is the draw here, providing an ultra-crunchy melee deathball that can cheerfully punt pretty much anything off the board, even the mighty Custodes (thanks to the damage reduction on the Termies). Plasmaceptors, Infiltrators and, of course, a big Bolter Discipline Desolation Marine unit provide support, the latter having a ride-along Repulsor to allow them to line up direct fire then cower tactically retreat from any charges.
  • 6th - TJ Lanigan - Thousand Sons & Daemons: Magnus, lots of Sorcerors and a Daemon Prince working with a big Scarab block and some Rubricae, plus Flamers and the Changeling for cheap objective fodder.
  • 7th - Will Milton - Adeptus Custodes: Two massive Custodian Guard units plus a big Allarus block for anti-horde, supported by a Callidus Assassin.

Golden Ticket Event: Warhammer 40,000

64-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in England GB on August 12 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Take and Hold - Chilling Rain - Search and Destroy

Adam Shepherd-Jones - Adeptus Custodes: Excessively speedy Custodes, taking two Blade Champions alongside a Ceaseless Hunter Captain unit to maximise the ability to get among the enemy and mess them up.
Army List - Click to Expand
WHW Custodes mk5 (1995 points) Adeptus Custodes Strike Force (2000 points) Shield Host

CHARACTER

Blade Champion (125 points) • 1x Vaultswords • Enhancement: Veiled Blade

Blade Champion (100 points) • 1x Vaultswords

Shield-Captain (150 points) • 1x Guardian spear • Enhancement: Ceaseless Hunter

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

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (405 points) • 9x Custodian Guard • 8x Guardian spear 1x Misericordia 1x Praesidium Shield 1x Vexilla

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

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

Prosecutors (50 points) • 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior • 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Prosecutor • 4x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exaction Squad (35 points) • 1x Proctor-Exactant • 1x Arbites combat shotgun 1x Arbites shotpistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Exaction Vigilant • 1x Arbites Medi-kit 4x Arbites combat shotgun 4x Arbites shotpistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Excruciator maul

Vindicare Assassin (80 points) • 1x Exitus pistol 1x Exitus rifle 1x Vindicare combat knife


vs.

Mikey Herbert - Adeptus Astartes: All-rounder dakka Deathwatch with Veterans, Hellblasters, some utility shooting and, of course, a big Desolation squad.
Army List - Click to Expand
I don’t write my own list.txt (1995 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

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

Primaris Captain (95 Points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

Watch Master (155 Points) • Warlord • 1x Vigil spear • Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veteran • 1x Astartes shield 4x Close combat weapon 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer 4x Frag cannon 1x Long Vigil melee weapon

Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veteran • 1x Astartes shield 4x Close combat weapon 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer 4x Frag cannon 1x Long Vigil melee weapon

Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veteran • 1x Astartes shield 4x Close combat weapon 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer 4x Frag cannon 1x Long Vigil melee weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

Infiltrator Squad (90 Points) • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Marksman bolt carbine • 4x Infiltrator • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Helix Gauntlet 1x Infiltrator Comms Array 4x Marksman bolt carbine

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

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

Thoughts

The Imperium's finest face off here - specifically, the finest at killing stuff in melee and the finest at doing so with guns. This Custodes build is particularly effective at getting into the opponent's face and ruining their day thanks to having access to three different Characters with strong mobility buffs - two Advance/Charges from the Blade Champions and the always potent Ceaseless Hunter. Opponents are going to be on a very short clock to deal some serious damage to the Custodes before they connect, and once they're in amongst you the game is basically done, as you aren't escaping. Depending on the exact situation there's quite a few different ways you can configure the squads, in particular deciding whether you want raw power (Trajann), reach (Advance/Charge) or adaptability (Ceaseless on the big unit).

Deadly as the Custodes are, they're up against something that's arguably just as nasty. Deathwatch's supreme Stratagem sheet and ultra-effective go turns via Mission Tactics creates an army that legitimately can threaten to blast the Custodes off the table if they catch them in the open, especially with a full squad of Hellblasters in the roster. The Games Workshop layouts will help provide some protection from that, but they're going to have to be super careful about where they stage, and Deathwatch thunder hammers are also pretty good at smashing Custodes in melee, so they can't be entirely complacent about getting caught away from an objective (and thus being unable to Fight First via the strat).

Both the players here know their armies very well, and in this kind of matchup a key thing to consider is what a failure state looks like - a situation where the game can't be salvaged. From the Deathwatch's point of view, that would be the Custodes being amongst them in sufficient numbers that they can control the game from there, and overwhelm them on scoring. For Custodes, it's the Deathwatch managing to line up a big enough alpha turn to clear multiple units, negating the Custodes ability to pin down enough stuff at once to stop them being whittled away. That means that the Deathwatch can afford to be more aggressive about offering trades to try and score early, while the Custodes need to prioritise keeping their stuff alive, as if they can connect at full strength the long game favours them.

From chatting to Mikey about the game, that fed into the strategy on both sides. Adam reserved the big Custodian unit with Trajann, plus a second smaller squad, ensuring that he had a big hammer in reserve that there was no way for Mikey to chip away at prior to it arriving. However, Adam ended up going first, and Mikey went ultra-aggro in response, using Teleportarium turn one to hurl a Veteran unit right into Adam's lines, which paid off with some big early point hauls, especially as the Custodes failed some charges out of reserves. From there, however, the Custodes started taking over, scything through the Deathwatch far faster than they themselves were dying, and in the end the game came right down to the wire, with Mikey only just having enough tools left to squeak some final points to take the win despite a scoring surge from the Custodians in the final turns.

Result

Adeptus Astartes Victory - 81 - 80

Mikey Herbert - Deathwatch - 1st Place

Blood Ravens Hellblasters. Credit - Soggy

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Dakka Deathwatch with Hellblasters

Thoughts

As per the showdown - guns, lots of them, and some hammers for variety. It takes the durability of the Custodes to stand up to the firepower that Deathwatch can muster, and combining that with potent mobility tools (and a few sneaky flex choices like the Librarian Lone Op-ified Infiltrators) produces an incredibly high threat army that can rapidly pivot to find an advantage in tougher games, as Mikey's aggressive strategy showed in the final. Congratulations to Mikey on winning the Golden Ticket.

Adam Shepherd-Jones - Adeptus Custodes - 2nd

Blade Champion Blade Champion. Credit: Pendulin

The List

See showdown

Archetype

Ultra Pressure Custodes

Thoughts

Playing against Custodes can be a bit like going up against a lawnmower that walks like unto a man at the best of times, and Adam's build here really leans into that, able to slam into opponents on multiple fronts even more effectively than the usual variants. The plan seems especially well tuned to the Games Workshop layouts, and adding in a Callidus to mess with opponent's plans when they try and get out from under the golden boot makes it even better. A fantastic showing from Adam, especially considering how razor thin the final margin was!

Matthew McCurdy - Space Wolves (Gladius) - 3rd Place

Credit: Kevin Stillman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Space Marines Space Wolves Gladius Task Force Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Bjorn the Fell-Handed (220 Points) • Warlord • 1x Heavy flamer 1x Helfrost cannon 1x Trueclaw

Iron Priest (85 Points) • 1x Helfrost pistol 1x Servo-arm 1x Tempest hammer • Enhancements: Bolter Discipline

Ragnar Blackmane (105 Points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Frostfang

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (95 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Crushing teeth and claws 1x Storm Shield 1x Thunder hammer

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (100 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Crushing teeth and claws 1x Relic Shield 1x Thunder hammer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Astartes Servitors (55 Points) • 4x Astartes Servitor • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Multi-melta 2x Servitor servo-arm

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (200 Points) • 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 5x Bladeguard Veteran • 5x Heavy bolt pistol 5x Master-crafted power weapon

Desolation Squad (170 Points) • 1x Desolation Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Castellan launcher 1x Close combat weapon 1x Vengor launcher • 4x Desolation Marine • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Castellan launcher 4x Close combat weapon 4x Superkrak rocket launcher

Desolation Squad (170 Points) • 1x Desolation Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Castellan launcher 1x Close combat weapon 1x Vengor launcher • 4x Desolation Marine • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Castellan launcher 4x Close combat weapon 4x Superkrak rocket launcher

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

Infiltrator Squad (90 Points) • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Marksman bolt carbine • 4x Infiltrator • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Helix Gauntlet 4x Marksman bolt carbine

Long Fangs (180 Points) • 1x Long Fang Pack Leader • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Meltagun 1x Power fist • 5x Long Fang • 5x Bolt pistol 5x Close combat weapon 5x Multi-melta

Repulsor (195 Points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Hunter-slayer missile 1x Las-talon 1x Repulsor defensive array 1x Twin lascannon

Thunderwolf Cavalry (100 Points) • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader • 1x Crushing teeth and claws 1x Heirloom weapon 1x Storm Shield • 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry • 2x Crushing teeth and claws 2x Heirloom weapon 2x Storm Shield

ALLIED UNITS

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

Archetype

All-Rounder Wolves

Thoughts

In third place we've got a cool showcase of how you can use some of the Space Wolves datasheets to add some neat extra angles to a Gladius Task Force. First up, being able to take Bjorn and utilise Ancient Tactician alongside a Callidus lets you stack +2CP onto the cost of an opponent's key trick, which can be absolutely game-changing in some prominent matchups. Bjorn also brings a decent body and counter-charge threat for the gunline alongside that, and the Iron Priest is a nice upgrade on a Techmarine to boot.

Out on the wider board, the other big thing you get is two roving deathballs, one being Bladeguard and Ragnar, the other the Thunderwolf Cavalry unit with double-stacked Characters. Bladeguard are much closer to being good than I think many people are realising, and adding Ragnar to a unit firmly gets them over the line, especially on dense boards. Advance/Charge means they can get where they need to be, and adding Ragnar's massive output (even more massive with built-in re-roll 1s to hit from the Bladeguard) to theirs is enough to ensure they're a truly credible threat.

The Thunderwolf Cavalry unit is a bit more techy, but I really like it and think it's been slightly slept on. The price tag on the basic unit here isn't too bad, but a squad of three doesn't do enough, and six is clunky and still might bounce by itself. Adding the two hammer-wielding Characters does way more for the unit. +1D on Thunder Hammers on the charge, especially with Lethal Hits from the Lt is massive, and the ability to move after getting shot once per game can create a massive swing if the opponent isn't able to play around it. Are they probably still a little too expensive? Yes, but the unit is super cool, and very on-brand for Space Wolves. Big props to Matthew for taking them to the podium.

Ryan McToal - Aeldari - 4th Place

Avatar of Khaine. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
CHARACTER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Wraithknight and Avatar

Thoughts

All the normal Aeldari goodies, with the exception of swapping in the Avatar for the Yncarne. I assume the thinking there is that you want something that's a bit more reliable at prising (e.g.) Custodes out of a ruin on GW terrain. It's still extremely good either way, and congratulations to Ryan for rounding out the top four.

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Billy Guest - Adeptus Custodes: Double Custodian brick, with Kyria Draxus, a Callidus and some henchmen in support.
  • 6th - Robert Kimpton - Drukhari: Gunboats galore, lots of packed Raiders, some venoms, and three each of Ravagers and lance Scourges to round out.

Killing Field Of Istvaan

All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Darren Jac - Genestealer Cult - 1st Place

Credit: keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Genestealer Cults Strike Force (2000 points) Ascension Day

CHARACTER

Biophagus (80 points) • 1x Autopistol 1x Chemical vials 1x Injector goad • Enhancement: Inscrutable Cunning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neophyte Hybrids (80 points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Leader pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Neophyte Hybrid • 9x Autopistol 9x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 2x Grenade launcher 5x Hybrid firearm 2x Mining laser

Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) • 1x Neophyte Leader • 1x Autopistol 1x Leader pistol 1x Power weapon • 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 Leader pistol 1x Power weapon • 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 Leader pistol 1x Power weapon • 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 Spotter 1x Twin heavy stubber

Archetype

Horde and Aberrants

Final Round Matchup

100-84 Victory vs Ethan Novik - Adeptus Custodes.

Thoughts

I'm going to be real, I have fully run out of things to say about both major variants on GSC, and this is a classic example of the Aberrant build. Instead, I'll just congratulate Darren on blasting his way through a truly horrifying back three rounds in style, taking down Deathwatch, Aeldari and Custodes, three quite distinct challenges that can all give GSC a serious run for their money.

Casey Stengler - Chaos Daemons - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Be'lakor, The Dark Master. Credit: Skails

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


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

Kairos Fateweaver (285 Points) • 1x Infernal Gateway 1x Staff of Tomorrow

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

Lord of Change (230 Points) • 1x Bolt of Change 1x Rod of sorcery 1x Staff of Tzeentch

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

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

Archetype

Monster Mash

Thoughts

Yeah so I don't always cover undefeated+draw at GTs, but I felt this list needed a quick shout out as another example in what appears to be the ongoing arms race among Daemon players to go as Monster Mash as possible. Be'lakor and five Greater Daemons is just magnificent, well done Casey.

The Best of the Rest

There were three more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Cyle Thompson - Deathwatch: Shooty Deathwatch with Veterans in Rhinos, Plasmaceptors, Hellblasters and three units of Terminators.
  • 4th - Colin Rotariu - Necrons: Double Lychguard, triple Hexmarks and triple Doomsdays, with Zandrekh in one of the Lychguard squads to thwart enemy plans.
  • 5th - Dustin Salminen - Chaos Knights: A lancer and lots of puppies, plus the Changeling.

Wrap Up

Plenty more exciting builds to look at on Friday, featuring showings from more spins on Chaos Space Marines and a powerful Astra Militarum list. And more Wraithknights, admittedly, if you're in to that sort of thing. Join us then!

Tags: Space Marines | chaos space marines | space wolves | Deathwatch | Warhammer 40k | Aeldari | chaos daemons | Genestealer Cults | Adeptus Custodes | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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