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.

So, how about those balance updates then? This column is a day late because, let’s be honest, none of you would have read it yesterday, so here we are on an unfamiliar Thursday talking about the world that was.

If you haven’t yet seen the details of the exciting new balance updates, take a look at our coverage here.

We’ve presumably got one more week of pre-slate events after this, but the weekend after that we’ve got the UKTC Coventry double-header, which is one of the UKs biggest events of the year and will be using the updated points, so we’ll have plenty of results to review very soon.

For now, today I’m looking at:

Battle For Salvation GT 2024
NurgleMania 5 – 2 Tagesturnier
Otoñocalipsis Kingdom Wargames, Warhammer 40k
Call to Arms GT Hosted by Away Games
Carnage – Solaris

Tomorrow Lowest of Men will pick up the slack and cover:

SSG GT Goes Solo?
2d6 Exterminatus
There Is Only War III
Brighton 40k GT IX
Bugle Bat Reps : Bugles Big Bash 3

This week’s Showdowns will be:

Skysplinter Drukhari vs Imperial Knights at Call to Arms
Realspace Raiders Drukhari vs Kauyon Tau at Bugle’s Big Bash

Battle For Salvation GT 2024

114-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in West Nyack, NY, US on October 12 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Samuel Pope – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Feel No Brain (5+) (2000 points)

Tyranids
Strike Force (2000 points)
Invasion Fleet

CHARACTERS

Tervigon (200 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Stinger salvoes
• Enhancement: Adaptive Biology

Winged Hive Tyrant (240 points)
• 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
1x Tyrant talons
• Enhancement: Alien Cunning

BATTLELINE

Hormagaunts (65 points)
• 10x Hormagaunt
• 10x Hormagaunt talons

Termagants (120 points)
• 20x Termagant
• 20x Chitinous claws and teeth
2x Strangleweb
18x Termagant spinefists

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (50 points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher

Exocrine (135 points)
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs

Lictor (55 points)
• 1x Lictor claws and talons

Tyrannofex (190 points)
• 1x Powerful limbs
1x Rupture cannon
1x Stinger salvoes

Venomthropes (70 points)
• 3x Venomthrope
• 3x Toxic lashes

Exported with App Version: v1.21.0 (49), Data Version: v469

Archetype

Gaunt Carpet with Shooty Bugs

Thoughts

First up this week, and largely unscathed by the Balance update, we’ve got an Invasion Fleet spin on the recipe of Gaunt horde with shooty bug backing. This saw success as the Unending Swarm detachment a while back, but it looks like the combination of access to the all-important Feel No Pain stratagem plus better general synergy with including a Tervigon and Flyrant has proved too big of a lure to ignore. This build pressures the opponent’s board control capability with big hordy bricks, which many armies aren’t currently built to handle, and has punishing attrition from the Exocrines and Tyrannofexes. Access to the Detachment Rule for the fleet also stacks with Twin Linked on the Termagants to make them surprisingly OK into a broad sweep of targets, and while not especially complex, this build is quite challenging to put down, and fairly adaptable on the table. Great work from Samuel, and very well positioned for what comes next.

Johnny Zoo – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Night Lords Possessed Squad – Credit: RichyP

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Lana Del Rey (1990 Points)

Chaos Space Marines
Renegade Raiders
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Dark Commune (90 Points)
• 1x Cult Demagogue
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Commune stave
◦ Enhancements: Mark of the Hound
• 1x Mindwitch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Warp Curse
• 1x Iconarch
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Blessed Blade
◦ 2x Commune blade

Dark Commune (65 Points)
• 1x Cult Demagogue
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Commune stave
• 1x Mindwitch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Warp Curse
• 1x Iconarch
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Blessed Blade
◦ 2x Commune blade

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Accursed Cultists (180 Points)
• 10x Mutant
◦ 10x Blasphemous appendages
• 6x Torment
◦ 6x Hideous mutations

Chaos Bikers (70 Points)
• 1x Biker Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Combi-bolter
◦ 1x Power fist
• 2x Chaos Biker
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Combi-bolter
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon

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

Possessed (250 points)
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
• 9x Hideous mutations

Archetype

Raiders Commune Spam

Thoughts

Our second list is rather more on the naughty list, as GW have noticed that maxed out Accursed Communes are turning up in a lot of successful lists. A 90pts tax plus a nerf to surge moves probably sends this back to the drawing board, particularly as one of the other recent rising starts in Chaos Space Marines (Obliterators) went down in price. The big Possessed unit is notable here though – it gives you a nice broad threat that can crash through most targets, and those also got cheaper, so expect more of them. Congratulations to Johnny for giving this build a suitable sendoff.

TJ Lanigan – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Guy with Belt Buckle walks into a gaming convention (1995 points)

Thousand Sons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Cult of Magic

CHARACTERS

Ahriman (130 points)
• 1x Black Staff of Ahriman
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Psychic Stalk

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (140 points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
• Enhancement: Lord of Forbidden Lore

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (105 points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol

Infernal Master (115 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Arcane Vortex

Infernal Master (110 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal

Magnus the Red (440 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
1x Gaze of Magnus
1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

Thousand Sons Sorcerer (95 points)
• 1x Fires of the Abyss
1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (105 points)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 points)
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex

Thousand Sons Cultists (55 points)
• 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Thousand Sons Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber

Tzaangor Enlightened (45 points)
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 2x Enlightened
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Fatecaster greatbow

Archetype

Double Mutalith

Thoughts

Neither TJ or this build need any introduction, and I for one am looking forward to another round of “will the massive nerfs (substantially north of 100pts on this list) finally take Tsons below a 50% win rate?” Honestly – could go either way. Great stuff from TJ as always.

Cullen Burns – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

two Carys, one cup (2000 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

CHARACTERS

Avatar of Khaine (335 points)
• Warlord
• 1x The Wailing Doom

Death Jester (105 points)
• 1x Jester’s blade
1x Shrieker cannon
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger

Farseer (115 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem

Fuegan (130 points)
• 1x Searsong
1x The Fire Axe

Karandras (90 points)
• 1x Arhra’s Bane
1x Isirmathil
1x The Scorpion’s Bite

OTHER DATASHEETS

Falcon (140 points)
• 1x Bright lance
1x Pulse laser
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Fire Dragons (90 points)
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun

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

Swooping Hawks (85 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

Wraithlord (145 points)
• 2x Aeldari flamer
2x Bright lance
1x Ghostglaive
1x Wraithbone fists

Exported with App Version: v1.21.0 (49), Data Version: v469

Archetype

Falcons and Dragons

Thoughts

Our first outright winner from the dataslate, this extra crunchy Mechdar build skews to be about as resilient as you can be with Aeldari, and packs spectacular killing potential, particularly against heavier targets thanks to the appalling amount of re-rolling melta on display. All those other mid-durability targets draw flak from the Avatar, and leaves you with a good shot of reaching the late game with your own personal icon of Khaine intact, which I know from experience is very tough for foes to handle. This build is very cool, and I for one look forward to seeing what Cullen does with the princely sum of 30 additional points.

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Shaun Reynolds – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Deathwing Knight GTF.
6th – Jasper Biski – Orks (War Horde): Mechanised melee Infantry galore.
7th – Zach Point – T’au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Crisis suits and Commanders for days with a couple of Hammerheads in support.
8th – Daniel Wohlmuth – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Hull-heavy Hallowed Martyrs with one big Arco-flagellant squad as an anti-horde counterpunch.
9th – Sascha Alexander Edelkraut – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): An all-rounder heavy infantry build centred on a unit each of Aggressors and Eradicators.
10th – Roger Porcelli – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Double C’tan and a Monolith, plus lots of small supporting units.
11th – Jack Murphy – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Commune and shooty hull Raiders with one Rubricae unit for a surprise punch.
12th – Samuel Lucidi – Death Guard: Looks like some all-rounder Infantry and engines with supporting Brigands, but the list is mangled in a new and exciting way so *shrug*.

NurgleMania 5 – 2 Tagesturnier

47-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Nürnberg, BY, DE on October 12 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Tim Schneider – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place

Trans-Hyperian Alliance Hekaton Land Fortress. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Leagues of Votann
+ DETACHMENT: Oathband (Ruthless Efficiency)
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ ENHANCEMENT: Appraising Glare (on Char1: Brôkhyr Iron-master)
& Wayfarer’s Grace (on Char2: Einhyr Champion)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 15
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (4×2) + (2×4) – Assassination: 3 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 5x Brôkhyr Iron-master (85 pts)
• 3x E-COG
1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
1 with Plasma torch
1 with Manipulator arms
Enhancement: Appraising Glare (+20 pts)
• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master: Graviton hammer, Graviton rifle
• 1x Ironkyn Assistant: Close combat weapon, Las-beam cutter
Char2: 1x Einhyr Champion (85 pts): Weavefield crest, Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Darkstar axe
Enhancement: Wayfarer’s Grace (+25 pts)
Char3: 1x Einhyr Champion (60 pts): Weavefield crest, Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Darkstar axe

10x Hearthkyn Warriors (100 pts)
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
4 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolter
1 with Pan spectral scanner, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolter
1 with Medipack, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolter
1 with Comms array, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolter
1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, HYLas auto rifle*
1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, HYLas rotary cannon*
• 1x Theyn: Weavefield crest, Close combat weapon, Etacarn plasma pistol, Kin melee weapon
10x Hearthkyn Warriors (100 pts)
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
4 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolter
1 with Pan spectral scanner, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolter
1 with Medipack, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolter
1 with Comms array, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolter
1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, HYLas auto rifle*
1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, HYLas rotary cannon*
• 1x Theyn: Weavefield crest, Close combat weapon, Etacarn plasma pistol, Kin melee weapon

10x Cthonian Beserks (200 pts)
8 with Concussion maul
2 with Mole grenade launcher, Concussion maul
10x Cthonian Beserks (200 pts)
8 with Concussion maul
2 with Mole grenade launcher, Concussion maul
10x Hernkyn Yaegirs (80 pts)
8 with Close combat weapon, Bolt revolver and plasma knife
1 with APM launcher, Close combat weapon
1 with Close combat weapon, Magna-coil rifle
6x Hernkyn Pioneers (180 pts)
1 with Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Comms array, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
2 with Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, HYLas rotary cannon, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Pan-spectral scanner, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Rollbar searchlight, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1x Hekaton Land Fortress (225 pts): Pan spectral scanner, Armoured wheels, MATR autocannon, Cyclic ion cannon, 2x Twin bolt cannon
1x Hekaton Land Fortress (225 pts): Pan spectral scanner, Armoured wheels, MATR autocannon, Cyclic ion cannon, 2x Twin bolt cannon
1x Sagitaur (115 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon
1x Sagitaur (115 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon
1x Sagitaur (115 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon
1x Sagitaur (115 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon

Archetype

Counterpunch Votann

Thoughts

This is the build to run out if you’re feeling extra grudgy, as full bricks of Beserks leaping from Land Fortresses is going to extremely ruin the day of anyone who has gotten too close. The rest of the build provides the standard Votann ability to swiftly spread out, and the doubling up on solo Champions for headbutt/scoring potential is a good way to squeeze in some extra value. Minimal changes (other than needing to find 10pts for the Yaegirs) is good news for the Votann too – they’ve been consistently solid, and the demise of some of the very top builds gives them more chance to shine. Tim is, of course, ahead of the curve on that, great work!

Manuel Wayand – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Hypercrypt (2000 Points)

Necrons
Hypercrypt Legion
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Plasmancer (90 Points)
• 1x Plasmic lance
• Enhancements: Arisen Tyrant

Skorpekh Lord (100 Points)
• 1x Enmitic annihilator
• 1x Flensing claw
• 1x Hyperphase harvester
• Enhancements: Osteoclave Fulcrum

The Silent King (420 Points)
• 1x Szarekh
• Warlord
◦ 1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory
◦ 1x Staff of Stars
◦ 1x Weapons of the Final Triarch
• 2x Triarchal Menhir
◦ 2x Annihilator beam
◦ 2x Armoured bulk

BATTLELINE

Immortals (150 Points)
• 10x Immortal
◦ 10x Close combat weapon
◦ 10x Tesla carbine

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Spyders (75 Points)
• 1x Automaton claws
• 1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura)
• 1x Gloom Prism (Aura)
• 2x Particle beamer

Deathmarks (60 Points)
• 5x Deathmark
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Synaptic disintegrator

Doomsday Ark (200 Points)
• 1x Armoured bulk
• 1x Doomsday cannon
• 2x Gauss flayer array

Monolith (375 Points)
• 4x Death ray
• 1x Particle whip
• 1x Portal of exile

Skorpekh Destroyers (180 Points)
• 6x Skorpekh Destroyer
◦ 2x Plasmacyte
◦ 6x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons

Tomb Blades (75 Points)
• 3x Tomb Blade
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Particle beamer
◦ 3x Shadowloom
◦ 1x Twin tesla carbine

Exported with App Version: v1.20.0 (44), Data Version: v464

Archetype

Heavy Hypercrypt

Thoughts

Our second undefeated player from this event is sporting Hypercrypt, which has been lurking just behind the top tier in this quarter, and is now poised to challenge for the throne. That’s largely because, as seen here, the majority of the balance impact on lots of these lists from their nerfs are neutralised by the inexplicable points drop on Doomsday Arks. With that in mind, Hypercrypt’s days of zapping around causing mischief aren’t likely to be ending any time soon. Credit where it’s due, Manuel’s version does go for the extra cool option of bringing a full Skorpekh unit to unleash at an appropriate juncture, which is much more fun than just bringing a third Doomsday or a C’tan (and does have a pleasingly broad damage profile), so well done for that!

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

3rd – Fabian Bader – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Speedy Flame Sisters.
4th – Martin Nguyen – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Wolf Jail.
5th – Pau “Conejo Malo” Poensgen – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): All the nasty melee transport units and one brick of Talos.
6th – Nikolai Stocks – Grey Knights: Double big Terminator brick and three Dreadknights.
7th – Patrick Schmitt – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Big shooty bugs and a Tyrant/Swarmlord tag team up front.

Otoñocalipsis Kingdom Wargames, Warhammer 40k

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Madrid, MD, España on October 12 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Marco Esteban – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force) – 1st Place

Logan Grimnar Santa Mode — Logan Grimnar as Santa Claus. Credit: Kevin Stillman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Marines Lobos Cicas (2000 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades

Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Flurry of teeth and claws
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x The Axe Morkai

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (90 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Storm Shield
• Enhancements: Hunter’s Instincts

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (80 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Storm Shield

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 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

Predator Destructor (130 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Storm bolter

Scout Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes shotgun
◦ 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

Thunderwolf Cavalry (200 Points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
◦ 1x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 1x Heirloom weapon
◦ 1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
◦ 5x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 5x Heirloom weapon
◦ 5x Storm Shield

Vindicator (175 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter

Wulfen (90 Points)
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
◦ 1x Storm Shield
◦ 1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
◦ 1x Wulfen hammer
• 4x Wulfen
◦ 4x Storm Shield
◦ 4x Stormfrag auto-launcher
◦ 4x Wulfen hammer

Exported with App Version: v1.21.1 (45), Data Version: v469

Archetype

Wolf Jail

Thoughts

After many, many months on the run from the cops (who only just figured out how to Advance/Charge), Wolf Jail’s reign of terror may be coming to an end after a hefty blow to ThunderCav in the balance update. They’re probably not totally dead as an inclusion in some builds, but probably as a one or two of, and once you make that decision you’re probably better off as Champions of Russ, especially with the (effective) buff they get to their Vow stratagem. Still, you can’t say they didn’t have a good run, and well done to Marco on giving them a final runabout before getting sent to the balance pound.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Guillermo Palacios – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Deathwing Knight GTF
3rd – Francisco pellon lopez – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Shooty Hypercrypt with lots of Heavy Lokhusts, a couple of Doomsdays, and a Monolith.
4th – Victor Zorio – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): A first appearance for Tempestus Aquilions, joining various mechanised guard stuff and a full Scion/Command Squad unit.
5th – Shadowblade 40K – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Incubi-heavy Skysplinter with a Talos brick.
6th – Antonio Felix – Thousand Sons: Rubricae-heavy Tsons with a single Mutalith.

Call to Arms GT Hosted by Away Games

35-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Williamsburg, VA, United States on October 12 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Scorched Earth – Inspired Leadership – Crucible of Battle

Emory Garrett – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault)
Army List - Click to Expand

Kabal of the black heart (1985 Points)

Drukhari
Skysplinter Assault
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Archon (95 Points)
• 1x Blast pistol
• 1x Huskblade
• Enhancements: Nightmare Shroud

Archon (85 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blast pistol
• 1x Huskblade
• Enhancements: Spiteful Raider

Beastmaster (105 Points)
• 1x Beastmaster
◦ 1x Agoniser
◦ 1x Splinter pods
• 1x Clawed Fiend
◦ 1x Clawed Fiend fists
• 2x Khymerae
◦ 2x Khymerae talons
• 3x Razorwing Flock
◦ 3x Razorwing feathers

BATTLELINE

Kabalite Warriors (110 Points)
• 1x Sybarite
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher
◦ 1x Splinter rifle
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
◦ 1x Blaster
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Dark lance
◦ 1x Shredder
◦ 1x Splinter cannon
◦ 5x Splinter rifle

Kabalite Warriors (110 Points)
• 1x Sybarite
◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher
◦ 1x Splinter rifle
◦ 1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
◦ 1x Blaster
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Dark lance
◦ 1x Shredder
◦ 1x Splinter cannon
◦ 5x Splinter rifle

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Raider (80 Points)
• 1x Bladevanes
• 1x Dark lance

Venom (70 Points)
• 1x Bladevanes
• 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Cronos (50 Points)
• 1x Spirit syphon
• 1x Spirit vortex
• 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Incubi (150 Points)
• 9x Incubi
◦ 9x Klaive
• 1x Klaivex
◦ 1x Klaive

Mandrakes (65 Points)
• 1x Nightfiend
◦ 1x Baleblast
◦ 1x Glimmersteel blade
• 4x Mandrake
◦ 4x Baleblast
◦ 4x Glimmersteel blade

Scourges (120 Points)
• 1x Solarite
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Shardcarbine
◦ 1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Dark lance

Scourges (120 Points)
• 1x Solarite
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Shardcarbine
◦ 1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Drukhari haywire blaster

Talos (160 Points)
• 2x Talos
◦ 2x Talos gauntlet
◦ 2x Twin Drukhari haywire blaster
◦ 2x Twin liquifier gun

Exported with App Version: v1.21.1 (45), Data Version: v469

vs.

ABE OLMEDO – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance)
Army List - Click to Expand

For The Lady (1995 points)

Imperial Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble Lance

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (435 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s Hand

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (425 points)
• 1x Atrapos lascutter
1x Graviton singularity cannon

Knight Paladin (405 points)
• 2x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Rapid-fire battle cannon
1x Reaper chainsword
1x Stormspear rocket pod

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (140 points)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Warglaive (150 points)
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear

Exported with App Version: v1.21.0 (49), Data Version: v469

Thoughts

A classic clash between big robots and bad elves here, which honestly you could have pulled out of any edition since 8th. The Knight side of things is extra hefty here, going for the bold and heroic choice of three bigs, though still gets a surpriding number of Armigers in too. I think that’s a mixed blessing here – on the one hand, the T12 on big Knights hits a key breakpoint where the darklight the Drukhari are packing isn’t going to cut them down quite as fast. However, the flip side of this is that the Drukhari have also brought some haywire, which is much more of a headache to play around at range, as a spike upwards can inflict huge damage on a big, and they’re also sporting two full Incubi units, creating melee threats that can actually threaten to lift a big Knight with Archon re-rolls. That’s compounded by the lower drop count of the Knights making Swooping Mockery more effective, and increasing the risk of the layered defence from transports sending a turn awry.

There is a flip side of that which is that the Drukhari probably can’t fight on all fronts at once, so going aggro with three bigs might be enough to overwhelm them, especially with Helverins to brutally punish any vehicle poked out. Realistically I think you just have to full send here as the Knights – a long game with Scourges plinking away and the eternal threat of the Incubi is just going to let the Drukhari roll things up. Sally forth and try and smash them, and take advantage of built-in Action/Shoot for the Primary for good measure – it might force some tricky choices on targets. The Drukhari are clearly still favourites here, but it’s very much a game where recognising that and going all in could flip things. Sadly here, it did not.

Result

Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) Victory – 100 – 69

Emory Garrett – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) – 1st Place

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Skysplinter with Talos

Thoughts

Drukhari had a great weekend to cap off a great three months, so it’s not super surprising that they took a hit in the balance update. However, as Emory’s build here demonstrates, the impact of that has been somewhat mitigated by choices top players have already been making. This build does still need to lose an entire unit, which isn’t nothing, but the pivot towards Talos and far fewer Characters than the lists we saw a few months back keeps the impact under 100pts for most lists. Given how well positioned they were previously, that should leave Drukhari as serious contenders still, so I’m sure we’ll see more from Emory in the future.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – ABE OLMEDO – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): See Showdown
3rd – Don Belec – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius): Jump Sons with two big Death Company units and a final(?) showing for the jump Priest and VanVet unit.
4th – Preston Southan – T’au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Commanders, Crisis and Riptides, plus two squads of Pathfinders to screen and amp other units up.
5th – Edward Appel – Astra Militarum: Bullgryn and double Dorn.
6th – Reynolds Wagemaker – Thousand Sons: Double Mutalith Tsons.

Carnage – Solaris

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on October 12 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Andy Quas-Cohen – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

heeeeeere’s a tesseract vault (2000 points)

Necrons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hypercrypt Legion

CHARACTERS

C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (295 points)
• 1x Gaze of death
1x Scythe of the Nightbringer

Hexmark Destroyer (70 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

The Silent King (420 points)
• 1x Szarekh
• Warlord
• 1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory
1x Staff of Stars
1x Weapons of the Final Triarch
• 2x Triarchal Menhir
• 2x Annihilator beam
2x Armoured bulk

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Spyders (75 points)
• 1x Automaton claws
1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura)
1x Gloom Prism (Aura)
2x Particle beamer

Deathmarks (60 points)
• 5x Deathmark
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Synaptic disintegrator

Doomsday Ark (200 points)
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array

Flayed Ones (60 points)
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws

Lokhust Destroyers (30 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss cannon

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (50 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss destructor

Tesseract Vault (400 points)
• 1x Antimatter Meteor
1x Cosmic Fire
1x Time’s Arrow
• 1x Armoured bulk
4x Tesla spheres

Exported with App Version: v1.21.0 (49), Data Version: v469

Archetype

Heavy Hypercrypt

Thoughts

Another winning Hypercrypt build, another list that barely gets hit at all. This is fine. Everything is fine. Maybe in a week GW will issue a note that they accidentally pressed “minus” next to Doomsdays rather than plus. Great to see the Nightbringer though. Love that guy. Good stuff from Andy, and enjoy your continued campaign of teleporting doom.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Callam Taylor – Death Guard (Plague Company): Bloat Drones, Brigands and Rotigus, plus a big squad of Plague Marines as a centrepiece.
3rd – Matt Bell – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Heavy Hypercrypt with a Tesseract Vault.
4th – Kieran French – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Infantry and Destroyer-heavy Hypercrypt.
5th – Markus Hinson – Grey Knights: Ultracrunch with Dreadknights and Canis Rex.
6th – Mustafa Naamani – Chaos Daemons: Monsters and Beasts galore, using the Gift GUO as an anvil, and Skarbrand/Belakor with Bloodcrushers and Hounds (plus a few Fiends for good measure) to go hunting.

Wrap Up

More events tomorrow, one more week of lame duck 40K, then the ever exciting new metagame chaos. Hopefully Hypercrypt doesn’t just win everything.

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[40K] Competitive Innovations in 10th: Lame Duck and Cover pt.1

Battle For Salvation GT 2024

Samuel Pope – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Johnny Zoo – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

TJ Lanigan – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Cullen Burns – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

NurgleMania 5 – 2 Tagesturnier

Tim Schneider – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Manuel Wayand – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Otoñocalipsis Kingdom Wargames, Warhammer 40k

Marco Esteban – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Call to Arms GT Hosted by Away Games

The Showdown

Scorched Earth – Inspired Leadership – Crucible of Battle

Thoughts

Result

Emory Garrett – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Carnage – Solaris

Andy Quas-Cohen – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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