Welcome to Competitive Innovations, our weekly feature for a number of game lines across the tabletop wargame space. Each week our army list and tactics experts canvass the top tournaments for their game of specialty, looking at the week’s top match-ups and how they played out on the tabletop to let you know what’s hot, what’s not, and what might be coming next as the competitive meta evolves year-round.
Slightly quieter this week after the chaos of the newly unleashed metagame, but still plenty to peruse, and an option for me to make one of the classic Competitive Innovations blunders. See, I chose the title for this week while looking through all the results for this week, and in the aggregate there’s a definite resurgence of Imperium lists (beyond just guard) among the undefeateds. However, the sorting algorithm has put pretty much all of those in part 2, so uh, I promise there are non-Guard Imperium lists on Friday, rather than just the scattering amidst the Chaos forces today.
Speaking of today, we’ve got:
Gem City GT 2024
MID-MO Maelstrom
Atomic City Warzone
Liègea Primus Tournament Solo
On Friday Lowest of Men will cover:
Dark Sphere November GT
The Risky Rollers Open 2024
Winchester 40K GT – November 2024
Geek Shack Anniversary GT
Our Showdowns will be:
Death Guard vs Astra Militarum at the Gem City GT
War Horde Orks vs Biosanctic Broodsurge at the Winchester GT
Gem City GT 2024
92-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Dayton, OH, United States on November 02 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Scorched Earth – Stalwarts – Search and Destroy
Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) Army List - Click to Expand
No Guard uniform sadly
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
UNSC 42nd Infantry Regiment
FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Astra Militarum
DETACHMENT: Combined Regiment
TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
WARLORD: Char7: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad
ENHANCEMENT:
NUMBER OF UNITS: 24
SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (1×2) – Assassination: 9 Characters – Cull The Horde: 2×5 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Noble Team”: Cadian Command Squad (65 pts)
“Jorge-052” with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Pistol, Grenade Launcher
“Jun-A266” with Master Vox, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
“Kat-B320” with Medi-pack, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
“Cater-A259” with Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol, Lasgun, Regimental Standard
“Emile-A239” Cadian Commander: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist
“Captain Jacob Keyes”: Death Korps Marshal (60 pts): Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Commander Miranda Keyes”: Death Korps Marshal (60 pts): Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Command Team Alpha”: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 pts)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volley Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime: Command Rod, Tempestus Dagger, Warlord
“Command Team Bravo”: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 pts)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volley Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime: Command Rod, Tempestus Dagger
“Command Team Eagle”: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 pts)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volley Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime: Command Rod, Tempestus Dagger
“Alpha Nine”: Gaunt’s Ghosts (100 pts)
“Spartan Taylor “Dutch” Miles” with Bragg’s autocannon, Straight Silver Knife
“Spartan Michael “Mickey” Crespo” with Corbec’s Hot-shot Lascarbine, Straight Silver Knife
“Spartan Kojo “Romeo” Agu” with Larkin’s Long-las, Straight Silver Knife
“Lance Corporal Jonathan “Rookie” Doherty” with Lascarbine, Mkoll’s Straight Silver Knife
“Spartan Edward Buck” with Rawne’s Lascarbine, Straight Silver Knife
“Captain Veronica Dare” Ibram Gaunt: Bolt Pistol, Gaunt’s Chainsword
“Valkyrie One”: Ursula Creed (55 pts): Duty and Vengeance, Power Weapon
“Zulu Company” 10x Cadian Shock Troops (60 pts)
• 9x Shock Trooper
6 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon, Drum-fed Autogun
“Recon Bravo” 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (55 pts)
• 9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Flamer
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol
“Sierra Patrol” 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (55 pts)
• 9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Flamer
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol
“Autumn Guard” 20x Death Korps of Krieg (130 pts)
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
11 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster: 2 with Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Foxtrot Battalion” 20x Death Korps of Krieg (130 pts)
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
11 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster: 2 with Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Fireteam Alpha” 10x Tempestus Scions (100 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Scion
4 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• 1x Tempestor: Power Fist, Plasma Pistol
“Fireteam Bravo” 10x Tempestus Scions (100 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Scion
4 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• 1x Tempestor: Power Fist, Plasma Pistol
“Fireteam Eagle” 10x Tempestus Scions (100 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Scion
4 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• 1x Tempestor: Power Fist, Plasma Pistol
“The Grim Dawn” 10x Kasrkin (110 pts)
• 9x Kasrkin Trooper
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
1 with Melta mine, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Marksman Rifle
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant: Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“The Crimson Rain” 10x Kasrkin (110 pts)
• 9x Kasrkin Trooper
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
1 with Melta mine, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Marksman Rifle
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant: Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“The Silent Thunder” 10x Kasrkin (110 pts)
• 9x Kasrkin Trooper
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
1 with Melta mine, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Marksman Rifle
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant: Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Falcon’s Wing” 10x Tempestus Aquilons (90 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Aquilon
7 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lascarbine
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot long las
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Melta carbine
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon: Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Power Weapon, Sentry flamer
“Skyfall Brigade” 10x Tempestus Aquilons (90 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Aquilon
7 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lascarbine
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot long las
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Melta carbine
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon: Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Power Weapon, Sentry flamer
“Helljumpers Prime” 10x Tempestus Aquilons (90 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Aquilon
7 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lascarbine
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot long las
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Melta carbine
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon: Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Power Weapon, Sentry flamer
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (51), Data Version: v488
Thoughts
Right out the gate here we’ve got a demonstration that guard are very much not a one-note army – this horde build is completely different to others that have been thriving, but is still super potent. Packing lots of Catachans and the big Death Korps units is going to force the foe to come out and engage, and when they do there’s so much pain waiting in the wings to obliterate them, particularly the Kasrkin and Scions squads. The list can also spread out a lot, pulling the enemy in all sorts of directions, at which point the Aquilons can strike. This mission is also pretty great for them, as it lets them play a fairly static game while still scoring highly, letting them assign their forces wherever most needed.
I’ll say this for their opposition mind – 18 Deathshrouds is absolutely what I want to be starting my list with if I’m up against a horde like this, because they can go through the guard like a hot knife, and are far more resilient to chip damage than most equivalent tools, especially if you switch on Miasma of Pestilence on Mortarion for cover in the open. The Guard can load up a few buffs to maybe put down one unit a turn, but reliably engaging multiple is going to be tricky. The mission cuts both ways here too – while it doesn’t demand anything too exciting of the Militarum, the Death Guard can focus on seizing control of their home objective and one other through to the mid game, then try and make some more concerted pushes later on.
The main concern for the Death Guard is getting outpaced on Secondaries, and this is what probably does for them. They do have access to Assassinate as a good pick here, but nothing that’s great to pair it with, and a real risk of getting screened and body blocked out of plenty of Tactical options. If there’s enough terrain about for the Deathshrouds to be picking up cover naturally I think there’s a theoretical option on sending Mortarion in one direction and everything else in another, because killing the Primarch will take a while, and he can reliably drop whole units if he wants to (particularly if the Death Guard take -1Sv as their Contagion, which I sort of think they might here). Or, they can just try and go aggro and see what happens – there are hardly any armies that can clear this guard list out, but the Death Guard here legitimiately might have the numbers to do it if they start early and the guard hit anything like a stumble turn.
I think the Secondary deficiency is enough that it makes a Death Guard victory very unlikely, if not totally impossible. In the event, it looks like the Guard managed to get a decisive lead going, preventing the battlefield being added to Nurgle’s Garden.
Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place
Death Korps of Krieg infantry squad. Credit: SRM
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
No Guard uniform sadly
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
UNSC 42nd Infantry Regiment
FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Astra Militarum
DETACHMENT: Combined Regiment
TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
WARLORD: Char7: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad
ENHANCEMENT:
NUMBER OF UNITS: 24
SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (1×2) – Assassination: 9 Characters – Cull The Horde: 2×5 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Noble Team”: Cadian Command Squad (65 pts)
“Jorge-052” with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Pistol, Grenade Launcher
“Jun-A266” with Master Vox, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
“Kat-B320” with Medi-pack, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
“Cater-A259” with Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol, Lasgun, Regimental Standard
“Emile-A239” Cadian Commander: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist
“Captain Jacob Keyes”: Death Korps Marshal (60 pts): Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Commander Miranda Keyes”: Death Korps Marshal (60 pts): Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Command Team Alpha”: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 pts)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volley Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime: Command Rod, Tempestus Dagger, Warlord
“Command Team Bravo”: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 pts)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volley Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime: Command Rod, Tempestus Dagger
“Command Team Eagle”: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 pts)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volley Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime: Command Rod, Tempestus Dagger
“Alpha Nine”: Gaunt’s Ghosts (100 pts)
“Spartan Taylor “Dutch” Miles” with Bragg’s autocannon, Straight Silver Knife
“Spartan Michael “Mickey” Crespo” with Corbec’s Hot-shot Lascarbine, Straight Silver Knife
“Spartan Kojo “Romeo” Agu” with Larkin’s Long-las, Straight Silver Knife
“Lance Corporal Jonathan “Rookie” Doherty” with Lascarbine, Mkoll’s Straight Silver Knife
“Spartan Edward Buck” with Rawne’s Lascarbine, Straight Silver Knife
“Captain Veronica Dare” Ibram Gaunt: Bolt Pistol, Gaunt’s Chainsword
“Valkyrie One”: Ursula Creed (55 pts): Duty and Vengeance, Power Weapon
“Zulu Company” 10x Cadian Shock Troops (60 pts)
• 9x Shock Trooper
6 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon, Drum-fed Autogun
“Recon Bravo” 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (55 pts)
• 9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Flamer
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol
“Sierra Patrol” 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (55 pts)
• 9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Flamer
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol
“Autumn Guard” 20x Death Korps of Krieg (130 pts)
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
11 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster: 2 with Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Foxtrot Battalion” 20x Death Korps of Krieg (130 pts)
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
11 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster: 2 with Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Fireteam Alpha” 10x Tempestus Scions (100 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Scion
4 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• 1x Tempestor: Power Fist, Plasma Pistol
“Fireteam Bravo” 10x Tempestus Scions (100 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Scion
4 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• 1x Tempestor: Power Fist, Plasma Pistol
“Fireteam Eagle” 10x Tempestus Scions (100 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Scion
4 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• 1x Tempestor: Power Fist, Plasma Pistol
“The Grim Dawn” 10x Kasrkin (110 pts)
• 9x Kasrkin Trooper
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
1 with Melta mine, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Marksman Rifle
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant: Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“The Crimson Rain” 10x Kasrkin (110 pts)
• 9x Kasrkin Trooper
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
1 with Melta mine, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Marksman Rifle
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant: Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“The Silent Thunder” 10x Kasrkin (110 pts)
• 9x Kasrkin Trooper
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
1 with Melta mine, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Marksman Rifle
1 with Vox-caster, Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant: Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
“Falcon’s Wing” 10x Tempestus Aquilons (90 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Aquilon
7 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lascarbine
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot long las
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Melta carbine
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon: Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Power Weapon, Sentry flamer
“Skyfall Brigade” 10x Tempestus Aquilons (90 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Aquilon
7 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lascarbine
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot long las
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Melta carbine
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon: Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Power Weapon, Sentry flamer
“Helljumpers Prime” 10x Tempestus Aquilons (90 pts)
• 9x Tempestus Aquilon
7 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lascarbine
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot long las
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Melta carbine
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon: Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Power Weapon, Sentry flamer
That’s so many models man. I think I would die if I tried to play a whole GT with this list. Great work Wesley for rising to both the physical and gaming challenge of winning with a rogue build.
Brian Daugherty – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
Credit: Robert “TheChirurgeon” Jones
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
Angry Red Gorillas (2000 points)
World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Berzerker Warband
CHARACTERS
Angron (435 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (51), Data Version: v488
Archetype
World Eaters Classic
Thoughts
As ever I don’t want to sound reductive, but it’s hard not to with this list. This is The World Eaters list. It’s good! It’s scary! It does, however, require very careful application of resources to navigate through a whole event with it, as while World Eaters had a very strong win rate this week, only Brian made it to an undefeated finish across the eight events covered, so great job.
Folger Pyles – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)
Adeptus Custodes Blade Champion painted by Crab-stuffed Mushrooms
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
Still mid AF (2000 points)
Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Talons of the Emperor
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (51), Data Version: v488
Archetype
All-Rounder Talons
Thoughts
Hey speaking of archetypal builds for factions, this here is pretty much The Custodes list, though spiced up in this instance by running as Talons instead of Shield Host for increased flexibility over raw killing power. Much like with World Eaters, there are plenty of variations and spins people try on Custodes, but I really think this core is pretty much dead on what you should be taking, so well done Folger for running it out undefeated, even if he still thinks it’s mid AF.
Garrett Stacy – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 4th Place
Credit: Robert “TheChirurgeon” Jones
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
you can do alot with 4 inches (1995 points)
Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Plague Company
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (51), Data Version: v488
Archetype
Melee Death Guard
Thoughts
Garrett makes it to a top finish for the second week running with his melee Death Guard build, which can both gum up the board or go for a serious aggressive push as the situation demands. It’s a huge amount of Infantry presence, and plenty of lists are going to be overwhelmed with the pressure it can put out, especially with the Contagions. Love seeing something unique thriving, good job Garrett.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
5th – Peter Elias – Aeldari: Avatar, Falcons and Aspects.
6th – Malaki Fowler – Thousand Sons: Who will be brave enough to stand up and say you should still run three Mutaliths? Malaki, apparently.
7th – Thomas Lynn – Chaos Daemons: Monster mash with decked out big Daemons and a Soul Grinder.
8th – Jeff Grogan – Leagues of Votann: Double Fort Votann with extra Yaegirs.
9th – Kevin Leonard – Nurgle Daemons: Pure nurgle heft with all the GUOs and Soul Grinders you can handle.
10th – Pat Lacher – World Eaters: Many of the normal toys, but dialed back a bit to squeeze in two Brigands.
11th – Geoff Perry – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): C’tan spam plus a Monolith.
12th – Ben Vandyne – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Infantry-heavy Custodes with some bonus Venatari and Allarus alongside the core stuff.
13th – Donald Freeborn – Imperial Knights: Canis and a Castigator with lots of Helverins backing them up.
14th – James Wallin – Death Guard: Go-wide crunch with lots of cheap Daemon Engines, small Terminator units and Brigands.
15th – Conan Jennings – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Calgar/Ventris/Sicarius triumverate backed by a full Centurion brick.
16th – Jamie Miller – World Eaters: World Eaters that cuts out the Exalted Eightbound for a Lord of Skulls.
MID-MO Maelstrom
61-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ashland, MO, United States on November 02 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Dan Sammons – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place
Rogal Dorn. Credit: Rockfish
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
Double D’s (2000 points)
Astra Militarum
Strike Force (2000 points)
Combined Regiment
CHARACTERS
Cadian Command Squad (65 points)
• 1x Cadian Commander
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Laspistol
1x Meltagun
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman with Master Vox
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasgun
1x Master Vox
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman with Medi-pack
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasgun
1x Medi-pack
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman with Regimental Standard
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasgun
1x Regimental Standard
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (51), Data Version: v488
Archetype
Double Dorn Dakka
Thoughts
Dan has a long and storied history of bringing brutally efficient versions of top factions to the table, and this list is no different – it’s a honed, well tuned engine that seizes space with Sentinels and Scouting Chimeras, and then makes anything that tries to take that space back regret it. This is a very strong plan, and I feel like it’s only possible vulnerability is against fast melee builds, but even there Dan faced off against Blood Angels and took a (low scoring, so presumably cagey) win against them. A great build piloted by a great player, congratulations!
Ryan Verbeck – Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
Cult of Sirens Aberrants. Credit: Lupe
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
Chord Claws (2000 points)
Genestealer Cults
Strike Force (2000 points)
Biosanctic Broodsurge
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (51), Data Version: v488
Archetype
Ultra Aggro Broodsurge
Thoughts
See I want to call this a YOLO build, but that would be inaccurate because you’re really hoping that at least some of these units L at least T. This army hurls an enormous amount of punishment straight at the foe, fast enough to stop them really spreading out and taking the board, and while some lists can punch out from that eventually, their early Primary scoring will be tanked, and the Secondary potential of this build from all the small Deep Strike units means it can reliably rack up healthy victories. I continue to be a particular fan of how punishing it is for people to try and properly deal with Abominants, doing on Mortals on Death then getting up again is just rude if you’re up against any melee list, and as we’re seeing there are a fair few of those seeded among the dakka hull builds. Cool to see Cult maintaining momentum, and the spirit of muscle beach living on into 2024, great stuff Ryan.
Peyton Preece – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort) – 3rd Place
Sicarian Infiltrators and Ruststalkers. Credit: Pendulin
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
Weaponized wallet (1985 Points)
Adeptus Mechanicus
Skitarii Hunter Cohort
Strike Force (2000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Skitarii Marshal (65 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Control stave
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
• Enhancements: Battle-sphere Uplink
Skitarii Marshal (60 Points)
• 1x Control stave
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
• Enhancements: Cantic Thrallnet
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (48), Data Version: v488
Archetype
Board Flood Cohort
Thoughts
Next up we’ve got an AdMech build that’s on a bait and smash plan pretty similar to Dan’s guard, albeit with speedy, murderous Ruststalkers as the hammer that gets dropped, ready to turn fleshier opposition into a fine mist. Sterylizors also provide a volume shooting threat to mix things up a bit, and for emergencies you’ve got some big guns on the Skorpii to try and pop enemy tanks. This build can definitely be a bit fragile, and came unstuck against the Broodsurge cults in the final round, but the amount of reach and flexible output it has via the Ruststalkers is really nice, and it’s always cool to see AdMech doing some work. Good stuff from Peyton.
Chris Green – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 4th Place
Blood Angels. Credit: Mike Bettle-Shaffer
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
If you don’t know David Clark, wow have you been living under a rock. I hear he makes podcasters and 40K coaches tremble in their boots. I mean the only other man or creature you have to know is, Ryan “Bugdaddy” Verbeck, this man is the Megalodon of this shark tank. If they weren’t bad enough you may over look Caleb “I eat steel and shit nails” Balder this man will make you wish you were from Arkansas if you know what I mean!
Good Luck
Blood Angels (1995 Points)
Space Marines
Blood Angels
Liberator Assault Group
Strike Force (2000 Points)
Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (240 Points)
• 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs
◦ 5x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Eviscerator
◦ 6x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 2x Inferno pistol
◦ 2x Plasma pistol
◦ 3x Power fist
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (48), Data Version: v488
Archetype
All-rounder Liberator
Thoughts
Rounding out the top four we’ve got all-rounder Blood Angels, mixing a sprinkling of Death Company in with some Marine staples. The centrepiece other than the Death Company brick is the full Assault Intercessor squad some Leader options. With the Judiciar they can pose a nigh-insurmountable challenge for melee builds, particularly with the threat of Savage Echoes and the once-per-game super mode from the Character. Alternatively, if you just need an all-round durable bruiser unit, you can stick the Sanguinary Priest with them so they die hard, while the killier Characters go with smaller units to cause mischief. I assume the latter is the default, and is something I think will turn up in lots of Blood Angels lists now that Priests are foot only, but it’s cool that there’s a bit of configurability here. I think more generally this build also highlights the difference that cheaper Death Company make – they’re not as violent as they once were, but they’re now inexpensive enough that they can supplement an all-rounder list rather than drawing you towards an all-in strategy. Interesting to see what experimentation is going on with the newest Marine book, and good job Chris on making it into the top four (losing only a narrow game against Dan).
The Best of the Rest
There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
5th – Thomas Congdon – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Bringer hull spam.
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (48), Data Version: v488
Archetype
Plague Marine Spam
Thoughts
Death Guard’s strong run in the post dataslate meta continues here with another melee-focused build, this time ramming a bunch of Plague Marines into the enemy while scoring with Characters, and hoping cheap Daemon Engines and Helbrutes can troubleshoot. Seems to have worked out well, and the Helbrutes being able to tag the -1 WS/BS Contagion onto stuff at range seems particularly nice into Votann and Guard. Well done Trenton.
The CK army rules don’t deserve the gigachad karnivore datasheet
(1985 points)
Chaos Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Traitoris Lance
CHARACTERS
War Dog Stalker (145 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Daemonbreath Spear
1x Havoc Multi-launcher
1x Slaughterclaw
* This Datasheet also has the Battleline keyword.
BATTLELINE
War Dog Brigand (165 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
War Dog Brigand (165 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
War Dog Brigand (165 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
War Dog Brigand (165 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
War Dog Brigand (165 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
War Dog Karnivore (140 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
War Dog Karnivore (140 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
War Dog Karnivore (140 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
War Dog Karnivore (140 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
War Dog Karnivore (140 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
War Dog Karnivore (140 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
ALLIED UNITS
Beasts of Nurgle (65 points)
• 1x Putrid appendages
Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (51), Data Version: v488
Archetype
Whoops all Dogs
Thoughts
We’re nearly 18 months into the Karnivore and Brigand datasheets hard-carrying an entire Index, and there’s no real sign of that stopping. Good job Lukas for being the one who let the dogs out today.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
3rd – Tanner Lauerman – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): The Templar classic of a full Assault Terminator brick backed up by Brethren and Redemptors.
4th – Alex Pina – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Speedy Flame Sisters.
5th – Joel Rodgers – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-rounder Blood Angels with two big Sanguinary Guard units as the centrepieces.
6th – Nicholas Fromme – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Speedy Flame Sisters.
Liègea Primus Tournament Solo
33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Grâce-Hollogne, Région Wallonne, Belgique on November 02 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Pierre Debey – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance) – 1st Place
Cerastus Knight Lancer. Credit: Rockfish
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos Knights + DETACHMENT: Traitoris Lance + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1980 + WARLORD: Char1: Chaos Cerastus Knight Lancer + ENHANCEMENT: / + NUMBER OF UNITS: 12 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CHARACTERS
You can take a Lancer with your dogs if you like. The cops can’t stop you.
More seriously, the Cerastus Knights in general are doing great right now, as slightly fewer armies can jsut hard dunk one, and the Chaos one gives you lots of flexibility for sudden strikes via the aura. Congratulations to Pierre.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
2nd – Robin Paris – Death Guard (Plague Company): Mortarion leading Plague Marines, Brigands and Bloat-Drones to war.
4th – Gilles Kaye – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): Top-heavy Guard on triple Tank Commander, two full Bullgryn units and two Aquilon squads, plus full Scout Sentinel and drop Scion units.
Wrap Up
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