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.
Seems like only yesterday we were looking at pre-dataslate events, and that’s because it was. We’ve got more of them today, but never fear – I have had various people excitedly telling me that their events this coming weekend are going to go straight to the new rules, so we should have some hot-off-the-press results as early as next week.
For now, today it’s Lowest of Men in charge covering:
As the Tyranids book continues to evolve certain units are gradually finding their way in as staples across all the detachments. Exocrines and Tyrannofex are simply too good for what they do to ignore, and the Lictor is a phenomenal early trading piece. This list chucks those in around more typical Vanguard Onslaught pressure pieces like Genestealers and Tyranid Warriors, to create a powerful mixed arms, high tempo list. I really like it. Great work on the event win!
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
2nd (4.5-0.5) – Douglas Svensson – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Rubrics, characters, a couple of MVBs, let’s go.
3rd – Anders Palm – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Rubrics, characters, and a couple of MVBs! Just Tsons things.
4th – Vilda Landberg-Wallin – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): Bullgryn, a Dorn, and some big Scions drop units.
5th – Jonas Axelsson – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Super MSU go-wide Hypercrypt with lots of Destroyers, Immortals and Deathmarks.
6th – Alexander Singleton – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Vanguard Ultramarines with Cent Devs and a big Eradicator brick.
7th – Anton Lukkarinen – Thousand Sons: Rubrics, characters and ONE Vortex Beast this time.
2d6 Exterminatus
43-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Oslo, NO on October 12 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Jonathan Arkin – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) – 1st Place
Credit: Corrode
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Blood Angels + DETACHMENT: Sons of Sanguinius + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium + + WARLORD: Char3: The Sanguinor + ENHANCEMENT: Icon of the Angel (on Char2: Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack)
& Visage of Death (on Char3: Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 16 + SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (2×2) – Assassination: 7 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char1: 1x Commander Dante (120 pts): Perdition, The Axe Mortalis
Char2: 1x Lemartes (120 pts): Bolt Pistol, The Blood Crozius
Char3: 1x The Sanguinor (140 pts): Warlord, Encarmine Broadsword
Char4: 1x Captain with Jump Pack (85 pts): Relic Shield, Thunder Hammer
Char5: 1x Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack (110 pts): Astartes Chainsword, Bolt Pistol
Enhancement: Icon of the Angel (+10 pts)
Char6: 1x Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack (115 pts): Astartes Chainsword, Bolt Pistol
Enhancement: Visage of Death (+15 pts)
10x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (160 pts)
• 9x Assault Intercessors with Jump Pack
7 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol
2 with Astartes Chainsword, Plasma Pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist
5x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 pts)
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Pack
3 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol
1 with Astartes Chainsword, Plasma Pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist
5x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 pts)
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Pack
3 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol
1 with Astartes Chainsword, Plasma Pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist
10x Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (280 pts): 10 with Power Fist, Inferno Pistol
5x Scout Squad (65 pts)
• 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Astartes Chainsword
• 4x Scouts: 4 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Combat Knife
5x Scout Squad (65 pts)
• 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Astartes Chainsword
• 4x Scouts: 4 with Astartes Shotgun, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
10x Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (210 pts)
• 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack: Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon
• 9x Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: 9 with Storm Shield, Vanguard Veteran Weapon
1x Baal Predator (125 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter, 2 Heavy Flamers, Baal Flamestorm Cannon
1x Death Company Dreadnought (145 pts): Magna-grapple, Blood Talons, Heavy Flamer, Meltagun
Sons of Sanguinius was really, really good. It’s also gone now. Enjoy new Blood Angels everybody! Really well done on a storming event win, and for getting Vanguard Veterans slapped about with the nerf bat.
Sveinung Nøding – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
Tyrannofex. Credit: Rich Nutter
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
*Swarmy Invasion – Invasion Fleet*
Assassination: 12
Bring it Down: 20
[240] The Swarmlord
[260] Hive Tyrant: Bonesword, Scything Talons, Adpative Biology (+25)
[140] Old One Eye
Tyranids appear to be finding form right before a slate that brings their enemies down and themselves…. sort of the same? Very promising times ahead for Invasion Fleet lists like this that can pack real heft and punch in, and have strats and tools for almost every occasion. Seeing Old One-Eye and Carnifexes out with this regularity makes my heart sing. Really well done on the top placing.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
3rd – Rasmus Valand Fredriksen – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Massed Kabalite Venom Spam – I LIKE this.
4th – Kjetil Andre Liknes – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Canis Rex tags along to provide heft to a Hunter Cohort list.
5th – Robert H – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught): Zoan brick alpha strike shenanigans in Vanguard Onslaught.
6th – Jørgen Falck Erichsen – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede): Plenty of Heft in this Norn and Tfex heavy Crusher list.
7th – Juan Salcedo – T’au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): An absolute slew of Crisis Suits in Retaliation Cadre with Vespid for scoring.
There Is Only War III
36-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Phoenix, AZ, United States on October 12 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (225 Points)
• 1x Heavy incinerator
• 1x Heavy psycannon
• 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
• Enhancements: Inescapable Wrath
Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (240 Points)
• 1x Heavy incinerator
• 1x Heavy psycannon
• 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
• Enhancements: Sigil of Exigence
Exported with App Version: v1.21.1 (45), Data Version: v469
Archetype
Grey Knights and Friends
Thoughts
Ok- some intriguing combination play here as a chunky Terminator centred GK list packs in some additional tools via Imperial Agents. I expect we will see this more – GK armies are quite elite so having some additional little idiots is quite appealing and lets you skew a bit more with your core GK units. All in all, a promising build and I look forward to seeing more adaptation in the name of the Inquisition!!
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
2nd – Michael Azer – Aeldari (Battle Host): Double Avatar and Aspect Warriors, let’s go!!
3rd – Terek Haehl – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius): Baal Predators and MSU Sanguinary Guard.
4th – Anthony Campanella – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Big bug Invasion Fleet monsters.
Brighton 40k GT IX
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.
Martyn Cooper – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – =1st Place
Catachan Sergeant “Ripper” Jackson. Credit: SRM
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
Surprise! (2000 Points)
Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Cadian Command Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Cadian Commander
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 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
We get a little run out for the new Aquilons hotness here, providing an additional tool for an army that already had arguably one of the best toolkits in Pariah Nexus. I like the move to MSU Bullgryn here to absorb costs down the line – ultimately it frees up more points for ranged output and they can still perform the crucial spoiler role. A very well rounded and deadly list that should absorb the upcoming balance changes just fine. Well done on the event win!
Dom Maidlow – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – =1st Place (Undefeated)
Credit: Swiftblade
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
WAM BAM THANK HAMMER BOY BAM BAM! (2000 points)
Chaos Space Marines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Renegade Raiders
Exported with App Version: v1.21.0 (49), Data Version: v469
Archetype
Renegade Raiders Mixed Arms
Thoughts
A beautifully poised RR list that packs in several different threats to pick and pull at the opponent. The single Accursed Brick with Scout is very dangerous and immediately punished any deployment errors, but can also serve as a defensive lure or counter charge unit. Warp Talons in RR are very, very dangerous and let you keep finding new lines of attack in the late game when used correctly. Then there is plenty of MSU and ranged threat on top! All in all, a delicious build that will sing in Dom’s capable hands. Very well done on the top placing.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records, all marked as joint third. They were:
3rd – Liam Macindoe – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Rubrics, characters, double MVB Tsons.
3rd – Tom Green – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Chonky Sagitaur and Pioneers spam Votann.
3rd – Tom Hamshire – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Court / single Voidraven Skysplinter.
3rd – Paul Looker – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Court / Incubi Skysplinter with a CHEEKY SOLITAIRE! YES PAUL!!
Bugle Bat Reps : Bugles Big Bash 3
30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Roche, England, GB on October 12 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Exported with App Version: v1.21.0 (49), Data Version: v469
Thoughts
A classic Dark Elves versus Fish with guns showdown here, with two lists that both say ‘yes’ to having an awful lot of assets on the table. The pattern between these two meta favourites is well established – the Drukhari try to set up and push 1-2 to create pressure, absorb early Tau shooting and them cause enough mayhem to mate the traditional late game Kauyon recovery impossible. I like George’s list for this – it has a turn two sucker punch via the Voidraven, the Talos are fantastic at cleaning up both the screening Tau units AND the large battlesuits via Haywire mortals, and he has so many small units to screen the board out with as he makes his push.
By contrast, the Kauyon list is extremely mappable in its counterpunch, with most of the output tied up in several Hammerhead shots and the Riptides. If these don’t do the requisite damage, things can get pretty ugly for the Tau. First turn is a big boon to either army here, and If I were to guess I’d say the Drukhari got it which let them put their pressure plans into decisive action.
Result
Drukhari (Realspace Raiders) Victory – 82 – 61
George McCoulough – Drukhari (Realspace Raiders) – 1st Place
Credit: Corrode
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
Monster Mash (2000 points)
Drukhari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Realspace Raiders
Exported with App Version: v1.21.0 (49), Data Version: v469
Archetype
Realspace Raid Talos Spam
Thoughts
Talos and Grotesques in Realspace Raid may well be the future for the Dark Kin now, as they shrug off some nasty points rises on the traditional Skysplinter lists of the last few months. I think Realspace Raid has the best all-round toolkit for an incredibly diverse meta, which has finally made the ‘bit of everything’ approach of this detachment stand out (that and a game that’s, yaknow, balanced). Expect to see a lot more of this in future! Well done on the event win George.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
2nd – David LaPorta – T’au Empire (Kauyon): The Kauyon list for the Showdown.
3rd – Josh Venning – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): IF Monsters with a melee Warrior Brick in the locker.
4th – Paddy Baron – Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm): Weird and wonderful Assimilation Swarm with Tyrant Guard bricks and some Psychophage, love it.
5th – Luke Swainsbury – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Caladius / MSU Custodes.
There you have it folks! The old meta is dying, as the new meta struggles to be born. We’ve got a slate, and It seems pretty likely that almost ANYTHING can go out there and win an event in the mayhem to follow, so that is very exciting indeed. Go out there and have some fun with the updated game! See you again next time.
Lowest of Men, out.
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