TheChirurgeon's Road Through 2025, Part 49: The November Asgard RTT

Welcome back, Dear Reader, to my ongoing hobby and competitive progress series for 2025. Previously on Road Through 2025, I was planning out the rest of my year and diving into some new hobby progress. Notably, I was planning to go to the Asgard November RTT and bring Chaos Space Marines. This week, I'll be recapping that experience.

The November Asgard RTT

Asgard's a bit of a haul, but at least the construction-based traffic problems have finally died down a bit. We've got 19 players in the event which means three undefeated but given I have zero games with this list under my belt I'm just hoping to go 2-1. Every round was played on Layout 1, which was pretty rough - it's not ideal for my vehicles and I often struggled to get good angles in this event's matchups.

Just to recap, here's my list:

Look at this shit - Click to Expand

dec Asgard black legion? (1990 points) Chaos Space Marines Strike Force (2000 points) Soulforged Warpack

CHARACTERS

Lord Discordant on Helstalker (180 points) • 1x Bladed limbs 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Baleflamer 1x Impaler chainglaive 1x Techno-virus injector • Enhancement: Forge’s Blessing

Vashtorr the Arkifane (175 points) • 1x Vashtorr’s claw 1x Vashtorr’s hammer Warpsmith (95 points) • Warlord • 1x Flamer tendril 1x Forge weapon 1x Melta tendril 1x Plasma pistol • Enhancement: Tempting Addendum

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (50 points) • 1x Cultist Champion • 1x Autopistol 1x Brutal assault weapon • 9x Chaos Cultist • 9x Autopistol 9x Brutal assault weapon

Cultist Mob (50 points) • 1x Cultist Champion • 1x Autopistol 1x Brutal assault weapon • 9x Chaos Cultist • 9x Autopistol 9x Brutal assault weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Vindicator (185 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Havoc launcher

Forgefiend (180 points) • 1x Armoured limbs 3x Ectoplasma cannon

Forgefiend (180 points) • 1x Armoured limbs 3x Ectoplasma cannon

Helbrute (130 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy flamer 1x Helbrute fist 1x Multi-melta

Helbrute (130 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Helbrute hammer 1x Twin lascannon

Helbrute (130 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Power scourge 1x Twin lascannon

Heldrake (205 points) • 1x Hades autocannon 1x Heldrake claws

Venomcrawler (110 points) • 2x Excruciator cannon 1x Soulflayer tendrils and claws

Venomcrawler (110 points) • 2x Excruciator cannon 1x Soulflayer tendrils and claws

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (104), Data Version: v715

That's more Helbrutes than I'd like to run but I'm going with what I have. Pairings go up and I'm paired into Admech round 1. So that's cool, I guess.

Round 1: vs. Yaroslav's Adeptus Mechanicus

This is a nightmare matchup for my army.

Yaroslav's List - Click to expand

Protocol Wasp (1985 points)

Adeptus Mechanicus Strike Force (2000 points) Haloscreed Battle Clade

CHARACTERS

Belisarius Cawl (175 points) • Warlord • 1x Arc scourge 1x Cawl’s Omnissian axe 1x Mechadendrite hive 1x Solar atomiser

Tech-Priest Dominus (65 points) • 1x Eradication ray 1x Omnissian axe 1x Phosphor serpenta

Tech-Priest Dominus (80 points) • 1x Macrostubber 1x Omnissian axe 1x Volkite blaster • Enhancement: Inloaded Lethality

Tech-Priest Manipulus (70 points) • 1x Omnissian staff 1x Transonic cannon • Enhancement: Sanctified Ordnance

Tech-Priest Manipulus (60 points) • 1x Magnarail lance 1x Omnissian staff

Technoarcheologist (45 points) • 1x Mechanicus pistol 1x Servo-arc claw

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Rangers (85 points) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha • 1x Alpha combat weapon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Mechanicus pistol • 9x Skitarii Ranger • 1x Arc rifle 9x Close combat weapon 6x Galvanic rifle 1x Omnispex 1x Plasma caliver 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (95 points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha • 1x Alpha combat weapon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Mechanicus pistol • 9x Skitarii Vanguard • 1x Arc rifle 9x Close combat weapon 1x Omnispex 1x Plasma caliver 6x Radium carbine 1x Transuranic arquebus

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Skorpius Dunerider (85 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Cognis heavy stubber array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fulgurite Electro-Priests (140 points) • 10x Fulgurite Electro-Priest • 10x Electroleech stave

Fulgurite Electro-Priests (140 points) • 10x Fulgurite Electro-Priest • 10x Electroleech stave

Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 points) • 2x Ironstrider Ballistarii • 2x Ironstrider feet 2x Twin cognis lascannon

Kataphron Breachers (320 points) • 6x Kataphron Breacher • 6x Heavy arc rifle 6x Hydraulic claw

Kataphron Breachers (320 points) • 6x Kataphron Breacher • 6x Heavy arc rifle 6x Hydraulic claw

Pteraxii Sterylizors (80 points) • 1x Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha • 1x Flechette blaster 1x Pteraxii talons 1x Taser goad • 4x Pteraxii Sterylizor • 4x Phosphor torch 4x Pteraxii talons

Sicarian Ruststalkers (75 points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps • 1x Transonic blades and chordclaw • 4x Sicarian Ruststalker • 4x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (104), Data Version: v715

There's a ton of anti-vehicle shooting in this list, and a good amount of beef to chew through. Those Breachers are a real issue, and will just destroy any vehicle they're pointed at. There aren't any good targets for the Heldrake, and my anti-vehicle shooting is largely wasted here.

The Mission: Linchpin + Tipping Point

I am fortunate enough to be going second here but I have a rather dismal first turn as I bounce off Yaroslav's lone transport - mostly because I completely forgot about the anti-vehicle abilities on the Lord Discordant. I also spent the entire event only shooting one gun on each of the Venomcrawlers, assuming they only had six shots and not 12. Live and learn there. I do OK early on trading, but things slip away from me late as I get dismal draws on my secondaries and bounce off some key units mid-table. The worst is when one of my fist helbrutes completely bounces off a 4-wound admech character in melee, leaving him alive on 1 wound and able to just casually walk away and take my home point.

Fuck this stupid tank. I hate these things so much

This one comes down to my being able to kill two Skitarii Rangers on my home point to force a tie after I draw two unscorable secondary objectives on the final turn. Naturally, the Vindicator does absolutely nothing and kills neither of them, leaving me with a 60-55 loss.

Result: 55-60, Loss

That's a tough round 1 and I honestly think I should have won that one - Yaroslav got away with some big dice bullshit late in the game but that's just how it goes sometimes. I wasn't exactly playing my best and it was a tilted matchup to begin with. Admech are stupid good right now and that could have easily been a blowout loss for me.

I crush a couple of slices of pizza from the local place (they're very good), and then set up for Round 2.

Round 2: vs. Clint's Adeptus Custodes

This is a much more favorable matchup for me, in that I am much better into heavier and elite units, especially with the Forgefiends.

Clint's List - Click to Expand

omakase - Adeptus Custodes - Lions of the Emperor (2000 Points)

Epic Hero: Trajann Valoris (140 pts) • Eagle's Scream • Watcher's Axe • Warlord

Character: Blade Champion (120 pts) • Vaultswords

Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (140 pts) • Balistus grenade launcher • Castellan Axe • E: Admonimortis

Battleline: Custodian Guard (160 pts) • Custodian Guard (Vexilla, Praesidium Shield & Misericordia) • Vexilla • Misericordia • 3x Custodian Guard (Guardian Spear) • 3x Guardian Spear

Infantry: Allarus Custodians (180 pts) • 3x Allarus Custodian (Guardian Spear) • 3x Guardian Spear • 3x Balistus grenade launcher

Custodian Wardens (260 pts) • Custodian Warden w/ Vexilla • Vexilla • Guardian Spear • 4x Custodian Warden (Guardian Spear) • 4x Guardian Spear

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

Witchseekers (50 pts) • Witchseeker Sister Superior • Close combat weapon • Witchseeker flamer • 3x Witchseeker • 3x Witchseeker flamer • 3x Close combat weapon

Witchseekers (50 pts) • Witchseeker Sister Superior • Close combat weapon • Witchseeker flamer • 3x Witchseeker • 3x Witchseeker flamer • 3x Close combat weapon

Mounted: Vertus Praetors (225 pts) • 3x Vertus Praetor (Hurricane Bolter) • 3x Interceptor lance • 3x Vertus hurricane bolter

Vehicle: Caladius Grav-tank (215 pts) • Twin lastrum bolt cannon • Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon • Armoured hull

Caladius Grav-tank (215 pts) • Twin lastrum bolt cannon • Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon • Armoured hull

Allied Units: Callidus Assassin (100 pts) • Phase sword and poison blades • Neural shredder

Inquisitor Draxus (95 pts) • Power fist • Psychic Tempest • Dirgesinger

As much as I'd like to charge the Heldrake into those Vertus bikes I just don't see that happening and it's unlikely I'll make it to the Calladius tanks before they shoot me out of the sky. I'm going to try, though.

The Mission: Scorched Earth + Crucible of Battle

I'm going first this time around, which is not ideal. I opt for an Art of War style strategy here - playing super cagey and forcing my opponent to come out and engage. If i can sticky the top objective and then just keep killing him off/stealing the bottom objective, I can stay 5 VP ahead of him, then burn an objective on final round and stay ahead on primary while forcing him to try and beat me on Secondary objectives. That mostly works out, and while we slowly scrap on the bottom right Clint eventually decides to come out with his Wardens and Blade Champion. So I fire up the Forgefiends and kill four of them in Overwatch, then kill the other two when they fail their charge rolls.

I do the same thing with Draxos, whose anti-INFANTRY guns aren't great into Venomcrawlers and Vashtorr gets a fun moment hammering a Calladius to death in melee. Trajann gets domed by the Vindicator in one of its few good moments and I'm able to stay ahead by keeping Clint off secondary objectives and only only four units at game's end. Clint's a good guy who hasn't been playing long and I think he could have won this one had he played a bit more cagey with the Wardens.

Result: 77-69, Win

That puts me at 1-1 with one more round. Andrew informs me I won Best Painted, which I more or less expected. There are some decent armies here - Clint's included - but most of them are still in the "being painted/finished" stages.

Round 3: vs. Kyle Brundage's Chaos Knights

Kyle's running a truly weird Chaos Knights list and you know what? I really appreciate it. It's not very good but there's some interesting stuff here to work with and he might eventually get to a version that works, even if it will still be better as Infernal Lance."

Kyle's list - click to expand

Dawghouse (1980 points)

Chaos Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Houndpack Lance

CHARACTERS

Chaos Questoris Knight Styrix (375 points) • 1x Graviton crusher 1x Reaper chainsword 1x Volkite chierovile

Knight Rampager (365 points) • 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 1x Reaper chainsword 1x Warpstrike claw

Knight Ruinator (375 points) • Warlord • 1x Darkflame lance 1x Fellbore 1x Terrorpulse missiles

War Dog Executioner (150 points) • Houndpack Lance Keyword: Character • 1x Armoured feet 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 2x War Dog autocannon • Enhancement: Final Howl (Aura)

War Dog Executioner (140 points) • Houndpack Lance Keyword: Character • 1x Armoured feet 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 2x War Dog autocannon • Enhancement: Loping Predator

War Dog Karnivore (165 points) • Houndpack Lance Keyword: Character • 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw • Enhancement: Preyslayer’s Mantle

BATTLELINE

War Dog Executioner (130 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 2x War Dog autocannon

War Dog Executioner (130 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 2x War Dog autocannon

War Dog Karnivore (150 points) • 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (104), Data Version: v715

The general idea is that the Styrix gives the Executioners +1 AP and the Ruinator gives them [IGNORES COVER] so they're shooting AP-2 Ignores Cover Autocannons, which are pretty nasty. That said, it's a lot of work to make Executioners viable and while the Styrix is serviceable, the Ruinator is just not good. Still, there's plenty of beef here with three bigs and lots of little knights and my list is not amazing at killing war dogs.

The Mission: Tipping Point + Take and Hold

I'm going first again, which is not good. I misplay here pretty bad with my Forgefiends - I keep them out of line of sight early and end up walking them slowly around to the middle of the table, keeping them from doing much. Vashtorr fails his early charge into the Rampager and dies on the following turn and I generally lose a little too much early. I'm saved by the fact that Kyle's list can't do secondaries, and the fact that I keep locking him in his deployment zone - first I charge his Executioners with Nurglings from their Infiltrator position to lock them in, then I charge them with Cultists.

The result is that it takes Kyle four turns to really dig out of his deployment zone, and while he's bodying me with his big knights, I'm able to keep getting lines on the middle of the table, killing the Styrix, Rampater, and most of the War Dogs while keeping a midtable objective stickied all game. we tie on Primary and I end up beating Kyle on Secondaries after he blanks on round 4.

Result: 80-78, Win

Kyle was a lot of fun to play and I enjoyed our game. We also finished fast, letting me get home by 7:30 - a true win. I was annoyed to not have started 2-0 but I can live with the outcome.

This just wasn't a great list - there's too much variance, and the Helbrutes aren't any good, despite giving me double pact benefits. It really needs a deep strike/backfield threat it doesn't have in this form to keep opponents honest. If I wanted to run this seriously I'd drop the Helbrutes and probably the Vindicator and opt for a third Forgefiend and a third Venomcrawler, then look at Maulerfiends or even a unit of ten Warptalons. As is however, I don't think I'm going to run it again. it's a fun novelty but it's only that.

Otherwise I'd need to spend a lot of time learning it I'm not super prepared for - I still have very little good idea on how to use the Venomcrawlers - I know they want to be around Vashtorr for the +2S - but beyond that it's hard to use them well. They just feel like they aren't quite good enough in melee. That said, they also probably feel better in shooting when you remember that they have two guns, so there's that.

Hobby Progress

The big thing was getting that second Venomcrawler done. I assembled this guy on Wednesday then spent that night plus Thursday and Friday night painting him, working to get him to a tabletop standard that would also suffice for Best Painted.

I went with lighter skin and purple tassels on this one to set him apart from the other, and in this state he's more than pretty enough for what I needed him for. I'll have to do a bit more work on him and the other Venomcrawler to truly finish them, but I'm happy with both for now.

Next Time: Thanksgiving Hobby Progress and Team Practice

That's it for this week. Swing by next week when I'll be talking about more hobby progress. Plus, I'm setting up some team practice time for Sunday with my LVO Team Tournament peeps, so keep an eye out for that. That'll likely make up my games this week but it's always fun to just have guys over to slam hams at home.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and I'll see you next Thursday.

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