Two flavours of Space Marine, Daemons, Tau, some elves still somehow – lots more variety on show today as Lowest of Men takes the lead for part 2.

Today we’re covering:

The Los Angeles Classic GT ’24
Vanquish 2024
ADFWGA-ANZAC Cup 2024
Tarheel Warhammer 40k charity GT
Modhammer GT

On Wednesday we looked at the following in part 1:

OPEN 40K Major – Ile de France – Aleatorium
Bedlam in the ‘Burgh 2024 40k GT
III GT-CT
Münsterland GT6
Montana Beerhammer GT
Double Decker Decimation GT 2024

The Los Angeles Classic GT ’24

49-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Pasadena, CA, United States on April 13 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Alex Spathopoulos – Space Wolves (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place

Apothecary Biologis. Credit: Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Wolf Time (1995 Points)

Space Marines
Space Wolves
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (85 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: Fire Discipline

Bjorn the Fell-Handed (180 Points)
• 1x Heavy flamer
1x Trueclaw
1x Twin lascannon

Harald Deathwolf (85 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Glacius

Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite

Logan Grimnar (100 Points)
• 1x Storm bolter
1x The Axe Morkai

Ragnar Blackmane (90 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Frostfang

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessor
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Eradicator Squad (190 Points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 5x Eradicator
• 5x Bolt pistol
5x Close combat weapon
3x Melta rifle
2x Multi-melta

Fenrisian Wolves (30 Points)
• 5x Fenrisian Wolf
• 5x Teeth and claws

Infiltrator Squad (100 Points)
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Helix Gauntlet
1x Infiltrator Comms Array
4x Marksman bolt carbine

Land Raider Redeemer (260 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Flamestorm cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin assault cannon

Scout Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle

Wulfen (160 Points)
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
9x Wulfen hammer

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.11.1 (34), Data Version: v352

Archetype

Space Wolves Gladius

Thoughts

Absolute baller moves here from the Space Wolves, who lean into the tactical flexibility of Gladius and plug in some awesome characters. Ragnar and Bjorn both bring some damage and, in the case of the latter, a deceptively durable chassis as well. Wulfen are priced to move now with their improvements so the squads here give you great mid board skirmishers, and enough of the Space Marines staples (Redeemer, Scouts, Eradicators) are here for troubleshooting. This list looks amazing, well done on the event win!!

Mark Ferek – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Army Roster (Xenos – T’au Empire) [1,990pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment: Kauyon

Show/Hide Options

+ Epic Hero +

Longstrike [140pts]: Railgun, 2x Seeker missile, Warlord

. 2 Accelerator burst cannons

+ Character +

Cadre Fireblade [55pts]: Exemplar of the Kauyon

. 2x Gun Drone: 2x Twin pulse carbine

Cadre Fireblade [40pts]

. 2x Gun Drone: 2x Twin pulse carbine

Cadre Fireblade [40pts]

. 2x Gun Drone: 2x Twin pulse carbine

+ Battleline +

Breacher Team [90pts]

. Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui

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

Breacher Team [90pts]

. Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui

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

Breacher Team [90pts]

. Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui

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

+ Vehicle +

Ghostkeel Battlesuit [160pts]: Battlesuit support system, Cyclic ion raker, Twin fusion blaster

Piranha [55pts]

. Piranhas: Piranha fusion blaster, 2x Seeker missile

Piranha [55pts]

. Piranhas: Piranha fusion blaster, 2x Seeker missile

Riptide Battlesuit [165pts]: Ion accelerator, Twin plasma rifle

. 2x Missile Drone: 2x Missile pod

Riptide Battlesuit [165pts]: Ion accelerator, Twin plasma rifle

. 2x Missile Drone: 2x Missile pod

Riptide Battlesuit [165pts]: Ion accelerator, Twin plasma rifle

. 2x Missile Drone: 2x Missile pod

Sky Ray Gunship [130pts]

. 2 Accelerator burst cannons

Tetras [80pts]

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

Tetras [80pts]

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

Tetras [80pts]

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

+ Dedicated Transport +

Devilfish [75pts]: 2x Seeker missile

. 2 Twin pulse carbines

Devilfish [75pts]: 2x Seeker missile

. 2 Twin pulse carbines

++ Total: [1,990pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe ()

Archetype

Tau Triptide

Thoughts

As a new dawn looms for the Tau, the old ways keep on kicking. Triptide anchors the backfield and shoots hard, Breachers shuttle forwards to make trouble ahead, and Ghostkeels are as obnoxious as ever. Crisis seem likely to play a reduced role in the future, and this wonderful build highlights that even now you can leave them behind and excel. Very well done on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

3rd – Jeff Jew – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Epic Templars transport rush with Impulsors, a Redeemer, and sword wielding nutters along for the ride.
4th – Ava Regalado – Space Marines (Astartes) (Ironstorm Spearhead): Triple Repulsor Executioners dial it right back to 8th edition.
5th – James Carmona – Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon buffs a supporting horde of Noise Marines, Obliterators and other nastiness.
6th – Chris Van Winkle – Thousand Sons: Massed characters, Rubrics, and chaff.
7th – Junior Aflleje – Leagues of Votann: Sagitaurs, a Fort, Hearthguard and Thunderkyn blast the way to victory.
8th – Joel Wilson – Ultramarines (Ironstorm Spearhead): Ultramarines shoot harder with Calgar! Also there is a THUNDERHAWK. Epic.
9th – Keaton Barr – Death Guard: Plaguemarine Rhino rush with PBCs and Predator support.

Vanquish 2024

47-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on April 13 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Oscar Van Huizen-Husselson – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Vanquish (1990 points)

Chaos Daemons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Daemonic Incursion

CHARACTERS

Epidemius (80 points)
• 1x Balesword and Nurgling attendants

Great Unclean One (260 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bileblade
1x Bilesword
1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancement: The Endless Gift

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

The Masque of Slaanesh (85 points)
• 1x Serrated claws

BATTLELINE

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

Pink Horrors (140 points)
• 10x Pink Horror
• 10x Coruscating Pink Flames
1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
10x Pink claws

Plaguebearers (110 points)
• 1x Plagueridden
• 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Plaguesword

OTHER DATASHEETS

Flamers (75 points)
• 1x Pyrocaster
• 1x Flamer mouths
1x Flickering Flames
• 2x Flamer
• 2x Flamer mouths
2x Flickering Flames

Seekers (80 points)
• 1x Heartseeker
• 1x Lashing tongue
1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
4x Lashing tongue
4x Slashing claws

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.11.0 (39), Data Version: v352

Archetype

Daemon MSU and Brigands

Thoughts

A delightfully unusual Daemons build here, which eschews Be’lakor in favour of two BIG SMELLY BOIS and a bunch of supporting infantry, with Brigands for hard target removal at range. The Great Unclean One and Rotigus are both excellent in the current field – T12, loads of wounds, and good OC (with Rotigus especially good at swinging points with his OC debuffing aura). That leaves a lot of space for scoring monkeys and primary denial units, giving you a list that doesn’t have as much output as some of the top armies in the field, but is hyper mobile, tricksy, and scores secondaries for fun. I really like the innovation here, very well done on first place.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Luke Melvin – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Monster mash Daemons with Shalaxi, Skarbs, and some War Dogs in support.
3rd – Nicholas Willingale – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): Oh Nick, dear sweet Nick, not you as well! Self awareness never absolved anyone of anything, ever, but I did enjoy the list title on this Indirect car park.
4th – Andy Taylor – Tyranids (Synaptic Nexus): Hyper chonky Tyranids with triple Tyrannofex, two Norns, and Maleceptors. Ooft.
5th – Jay Allen – Aeldari: Double Wayleapers, an Avatar, D Cannons, and loads of MSU Aspects.
6th – Shane Sheppard – T’au Empire: Breacher Spam with Piranhas and Ghostkeel.
7th – Rob Elver – Astra Militarum: Infantry heavy Chimaera rush with double Rogal Dorn – glorious stuff here.
8th – James Reece – Thousand Sons: A Vortex Beast and two big Rubric bricks alongside the usual suspects.

ADFWGA-ANZAC Cup 2024

42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Campbell, ACT, Australia on April 12 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Dale Mann – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

I Don’t Respect Myself or my Opponent (1995 Points)

Aeldari
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (140 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Mandiblasters
1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

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

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

BATTLELINE

Storm Guardians (115 Points)
• 10x Storm Guardian
• 2x Aeldari flamer
2x Aeldari power sword
8x Guardian combat weapon
2x Guardian fusion gun
6x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform
• 1x Guardian combat weapon
1x Serpent shield

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Wave Serpent (120 Points)
• 1x Shuriken cannon
1x Twin bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (80 Points)
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Tempest launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher

Shadow Spectres (95 Points)
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle

Skyweavers (95 Points)
• 2x Skyweaver
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Skyweaver haywire cannon
2x Zephyrglaive

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

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

Troupe (165 Points)
• 1x Lead Player
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Fusion pistol
• 10x Player
• 3x Fusion pistol
10x Harlequin’s special weapon
7x Shuriken pistol

Warp Spiders (115 Points)
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner

Exported with App Version: v1.11.1 (34), Data Version: v352

Archetype

Go Wide Eldar MSU

Thoughts

The Eldar reach back into the huge bag of tricks to respond to the shifting sands of the meta. Haywire is in demand as vehicle spam rises, and Skyweavers provide cheap, obnoxious tank killers. Triple Dark Reapers is a very nice way of saying ‘no thank you’ to Kasrkin, and this list feels tooled up for disarming Guard should it stumble across it in the competitive wilds. A really interesting build, very well done!

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Joe Loke – Death Guard (Plague Company): Mortarion centred Death Guard with Rhinomarines, Deathshroud and Crawlers.
3rd – Ewart Searle – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Aggressive transport Templars with Redeemer, Impulsors and Sword Brethren.
4th – Chris Frey – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Massed Custodes infantry with a couple of Venatarii squads.
5th – Ben Lange – Imperial Knights: A Castellan, a Warden, and plenty of Armigers.
6th – Garrett Gepp – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): A proper IF grab bag with a Norn, loads of scoring chaff and some Von Ryan’s Leapers.

Tarheel Warhammer 40k charity GT

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Cary, NC, United States on April 13 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Custodes versus Blood Angels

Luke Henderson – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host)
Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Custodes
+ DETACHMENT: Shield Host
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium
+
+ WARLORD: Char3: Trajann Valoris
+ ENHANCEMENT: Veiled Blade (on Char1: Blade Champion)
& Ceaseless Hunter (on Char2: Shield-Captain)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 11
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: 2×3 – Assassination: 4 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Blade Champion (145 pts): Vault sword
Enhancement: Veiled Blade (+25 pts)
Char2: 1x Shield-Captain (170 pts): Guardian Spear
Enhancement: Ceaseless Hunter (+30 pts)
Char3: 1x Trajann Valoris (160 pts): Warlord, Watcher’s Axe

5x Custodian Guard (225 pts)
• 3x Custodian Guard (Guardian Spear): 3 with Guardian Spear
• 1x Custodian Guard (Sentinel Blade & Praesidium Shield): Sentinel blade
• 1x Custodian Guard (Vexilla, Praesidium Shield & Misericordia): Vexilla, Misericordia
4x Prosecutors (40 pts)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior: Boltgun, Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor: 3 with Boltgun, Close combat weapon

5x Custodian Wardens (250 pts)
• 4x Custodian Warden (Guardian Spear): 4 with Guardian Spear
• 1x Custodian Warden: Vexilla, Guardian Spear
5x Custodian Wardens (250 pts)
• 4x Custodian Warden (Guardian Spear): 4 with Guardian Spear
• 1x Custodian Warden: Vexilla, Guardian Spear
5x Custodian Wardens (250 pts)
• 4x Custodian Warden (Guardian Spear): 4 with Guardian Spear
• 1x Custodian Warden: Vexilla, Guardian Spear
1x Caladius Grav-tank (215 pts): Armoured hull, Twin lastrum bolt cannon, Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Caladius Grav-tank (215 pts): Armoured hull, Twin lastrum bolt cannon, Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon

1x Lord Inquisitor Kyria Draxus (75 pts): Dirgesinger, Power fist, Psychic Tempest

vs.

Frank Viruet – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius)
Army List - Click to Expand

actually blood angels?!? (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain (80 points)
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
1x Relic Shield

Chaplain (75 points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Crozius arcanum
• Enhancement: Visage of Death

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

The Sanguinor (140 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Encarmine broadsword

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Thunder hammer
• 4x Assault Intercessor
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Shield dome

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Baal Predator (125 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Baal flamestorm cannon
2x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Death Company Marines (115 points)
• 5x Death Company Marine
• 5x Inferno pistol
5x Power fist

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

Scout Squad (65 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 1x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.11.0 (39), Data Version: v352

Thoughts

Part of the recent rise of Blood Angels has been their ability to hold their own (and even thrive) in the Custodes match up. Ultimately, an army with access to shedloads of melta at close range (forcing Custodes players to choose between popping their one-off 4+++ on Wardens in shooting OR the imminent combat), full fight on death, and some sneaky counter-fight phase tricks of their own is well placed to outmanoeuvre and out-trade even the shieldwall of the golden boys. The BA list from Frank is indicative of recent trends, with a couple of Baal Predators for overwatch threats and flank harassment, lots of Death Company punch, and plenty of scoring utility. Into pure foot Custodes this would be fairly straightforward I think, but the Marines aren’t the only faction that can adapt to changing circumstances…

The Caladius continues to make a return after the recent Custodes flirtation with ‘what if just loads of guys?’. Luke is still able to cram a lot of infantry bricks in, but with two big gun tanks that pack respectable output into most elite targets as well, he has options for keeping the opponent honest, popping Rhinos, Impulsors, and Baal Preds alike, and whittling down enemy squads more BEFORE going into the stabby place. It means armour of all kinds has to respect the Custodes list more than it would if the only guns were low strength small arms fire, and it also gives the list the ability to score kills and cards at range if the enemy proves speedy and sneaky, like the Blood Angels here. In the end this produced an absolute barnstormer, where it seems the BA anti-Custodes options did tell in the end, but the result seems far from a foregone conclusion. Excellent stuff chaps.

Result

Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) Victory – 83 – 77

Frank Viruet – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

actually blood angels?!? (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain (80 points)
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
1x Relic Shield

Chaplain (75 points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Crozius arcanum
• Enhancement: Visage of Death

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

The Sanguinor (140 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Encarmine broadsword

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Thunder hammer
• 4x Assault Intercessor
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Shield dome

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Baal Predator (125 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Baal flamestorm cannon
2x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Death Company Marines (115 points)
• 5x Death Company Marine
• 5x Inferno pistol
5x Power fist

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

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.11.0 (39), Data Version: v352

Archetype

Sons of Slamguinius

Thoughts

The Blood Angels continue their rise here, with a bucket of damage, trading pieces, and some precision shooting. The Sanguinor is a glorious control piece, making small engagements really dangerous for the opponent and threatening a surprise turnover mid-game that can crumple a flank and damage scoring projections very readily. A good chunk of the early post-slate meta settled for asking one question: ‘can you hurt me enough?’. Suffice to say that’s a challenge that has never much troubled the Blood Angels… It’s epic seeing such a thematic looking, well rounded BA build doing well at the moment and I am all here for it. Congratulations on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Luke Henderson – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): The Caladius Custodes list from the showdown.
3rd – Christian Howard – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): An absolute truckload of Destroyers with some C’tan and utility.
4th – Steven Saroka – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Canoptek Court Goodstuff.
5th – Ej Walsh – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Go-wide shooty Hypercrypt with some Annihilation Barges alongside the Destroyers.

Modhammer GT

28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Modesto, CA, US on April 13 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – World Eaters versus T’au Empire

Taylor Davis – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband):
Army List - Click to Expand

Fine Dining (1990 points)

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Berzerker Warband

CHARACTERS

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

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

World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (120 points)
• 1x Exalted chainblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancement: Favoured of Khorne

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

World Eaters Maulerfiend (155 points)
• 2x Magma cutters
1x Maulerfiend fists

vs.

Paul McKelvey – T’au Empire (Kauyon):
Army List - Click to Expand

Modhammer GT (1995 points)

T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kauyon

CHARACTERS

Commander Shadowsun (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Advanced Guardian Drone
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Command-link Drone (Aura)
1x Flechette launcher
2x High-energy fusion blaster
1x Light missile pod
1x Pulse pistol

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit (95 points)
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Cyclic ion blaster
3x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Shield Drone
• Enhancement: Exemplar of the Kauyon

Longstrike (140 points)
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile

OTHER DATASHEETS

Broadside Battlesuits (90 points)
• 1x Crushing bulk
1x Heavy rail rifle
2x Missile Drone
1x Seeker missile
1x Twin plasma rifle

Broadside Battlesuits (180 points)
• 1x Broadside Shas’vre
• 1x Crushing bulk
1x Heavy rail rifle
2x Missile Drone
1x Seeker missile
1x Twin plasma rifle
• 1x Broadside Shas’ui
• 1x Crushing bulk
1x Heavy rail rifle
2x Missile Drone
1x Seeker missile
1x Twin plasma rifle

Crisis Battlesuits (200 points)
• 1x Crisis Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Shield Drone
1x Shield Generator
• 2x Crisis Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Cyclic ion blaster
4x Cyclic ion blaster
4x Shield Drone
2x Shield Generator

Hammerhead Gunship (130 points)
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile

Hammerhead Gunship (130 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Ion cannon
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin smart missile system

Piranha (55 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Piranha fusion blaster
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin pulse carbine

Stealth Battlesuits (60 points)
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Gun Drone
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon

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

Vespid Stingwings (65 points)
• 1x Vespid Strain Leader
• 1x Neutron blaster
1x Stingwing claws
• 4x Vespid Stingwing
• 4x Neutron blaster
4x Stingwing claws

Exported with App Version: v1.12.0 (40), Data Version: v357

Thoughts

Ok- I will need to reach out to these two about how this game went, as my first impressions were that the T’au would simply blow the World Eaters away. There is an awful lot of guns here for cleaning up Eightbound, Angron (multiple times), and simply strolling to victory in the late game. The WE have some tricks to make this a lot harder – namely, using their speed to strike from safety and play a game on their terms, and the risk of an Eightbound trap going off to render the T’au extremely vulnerable in one or two parts of the board.

A comprehensive enough early push might also leave the T’au scrambling for points early on, and trying to recover it later, but typically I think this match up would require some real finesse from the WE side to cause headaches, and we ended up with a one-point classic here with the Greater Good emerging on the right side. Absolutely epic!

Result

T’au Empire (Kauyon) Victory – 93 – 92

Paul McKelvey – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 1st Place

Tau Broadside Battlesuit with Railgun. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Modhammer GT (1995 points)

T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kauyon

CHARACTERS

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit (95 points)
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Cyclic ion blaster
3x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Shield Drone
• Enhancement: Exemplar of the Kauyon

Longstrike (140 points)
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile

OTHER DATASHEETS

Broadside Battlesuits (90 points)
• 1x Crushing bulk
1x Heavy rail rifle
2x Missile Drone
1x Seeker missile
1x Twin plasma rifle

Hammerhead Gunship (130 points)
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile

Hammerhead Gunship (130 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Ion cannon
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin smart missile system

Piranha (55 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Piranha fusion blaster
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin pulse carbine

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

Vespid Stingwings (65 points)
• 1x Vespid Strain Leader
• 1x Neutron blaster
1x Stingwing claws
• 4x Vespid Stingwing
• 4x Neutron blaster
4x Stingwing claws

Exported with App Version: v1.12.0 (40), Data Version: v357

Archetype

Stop, Hammerhead Time

Thoughts

A very punchy anti-heavy build from the T’au, who pack enough Hammerhead chassis in to ruin tank spam and very elite builds that are becoming increasingly common. Spreading the threats wide makes it hard to lock down and put away the gunline before it does enormous damage, and I love the triple Piranha for messing with enemy reactive stratagems via Battle-shock. An excellent build, very well done on the win!

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Taylor Davis – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): The WE Eightbound list from the showdown.
3rd – Troy Cagle – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Massed chaff in Invasion Fleet, with plenty of forward deploy sneakiness in Leapers and Genestealers.
4th – Eulis Sanders – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Canoptek Court Goodstuff. It’s a touch late for titling this ‘before it was meta’, Eulis ^^.
5th – Jason Gulevich – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Lennon-style Ultramarines Vanguard.

Wrap Up

That’s it for this week folks! A slate is surely not too far away, and with it a shake up to the game, which seems to have settled into a fairly predictable set of repeat winners and counter builds at this point. Word on the street is that Tzeentch is getting a little bit antsy at all this stability, so GW had better get their skates on if they want to keep them happy! Don’t fight the change guys, change is good.

Lowest of Men, out.

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Variety Show pt.2

The Los Angeles Classic GT ’24

Alex Spathopoulos – Space Wolves (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Mark Ferek – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Vanquish 2024

Oscar Van Huizen-Husselson – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

ADFWGA-ANZAC Cup 2024

Dale Mann – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Tarheel Warhammer 40k charity GT

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Custodes versus Blood Angels

Thoughts

Result

Frank Viruet – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Modhammer GT

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – World Eaters versus T’au Empire

Thoughts

Result

Paul McKelvey – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

Related

Share this:

Related