That’s annihilation by Aeldari, not annihilation of Aeldari, to be clear.
We’re in week one of full 10th Edition, and let’s be honest that it’s a little bit of a false start, because late last week we received both the Leviathan Tournament Companion and news that an initial balance pass is coming today. This is good because currently there’s something of an elf problem. I know, I know, shocking. This has literally never happened before. Pay no attention to vast swathes of the previous three editions.
Given that, and also because there’s a new Final Fantasy out, my stance this week is that we’re only looking at Showdowns that don’t have Aeldari in them, because there’s only so many ways to write “the elves killed people, even the most nightmarish Marine list, but mostly each other” without it getting a bit boring. This cuts us down to two Showdowns out of nine, which is, in fact, about the correct number. Marvellous.
That means that this week we’ll be looking at:
- The Alpine Grand Tournament (Major)
- GT Tormenta De Hostias (Major)
- Geelong 40k Town Open
- Hometown 40K
- Münsterland GT3
- The 40k Brawl GT
- Element Games Grand Slam 1
- Luxembourg Open 40k
- 2023 RAGE GT
Our showdowns will be:
- Astra Militarum vs. Deathwatch at the Geelong Town Open
- Imperial Knights vs. Adeptus Custodes at the 40k Brawl GT
The Alpine Grand Tournament
92-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Salzburg, Salzburg Austria on July 01 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Arne Zerndt – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Autarch Wayleaper (95 points) Eldrad Ulthran (100 points) Farseer (90 points) Illic Nightspear (65 points) Solitaire (115 points) The Yncarne (270 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (125 points) Fire Prism (125 points) Fire Prism (125 points) Night Spinner (140 points) Night Spinner (140 points) Rangers (55 points) Support Weapons (85 points) Support Weapons (85 points) Support Weapons (85 points) Voidweaver (100 points) Voidweaver (100 points) Vypers (75 points)
Goodstuff.dek (1975 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• 1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Reaper launcher
1x Star glaive
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Mind War
1x Shuriken pistol
1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem
• Warlord
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer
• 1x Solitaire weapons
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Shuriken cannon
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
Archetype
Herohammer Shooting
Final Round Matchup
14 – 6 Victory against William Fuhrimann – Ultramarines.
Thoughts
The theme of Aeldari nonsense this week is very much that you don’t need Wraithknights to compete – flooding the board with a whole bunch of cheap hulls and indirect, then filling out with the Yncarne and some utility/murder heroes gives you something ultra-strong, and which claimed both the first and second place spots here. This list packs so many shots, so many re-rolls and so much redundancy that it’s nigh impossible to stop, particularly as the Yncarne gets better the more small, expendable units you have. Let’s hope that the naughty list in the balance changes extends beyond just the Wraithknight, and congratulations to Arne for enjoying the good times while they’ve lasted.
Thomas Wobak – Asuryani – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Autarch Wayleaper (95 points) Death Jester (85 points) Eldrad Ulthran (100 points) Farseer (65 points) Farseer Skyrunner (95 points) Illic Nightspear (65 points) Solitaire (115 points) The Yncarne (270 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (125 points) Fire Prism (125 points) Night Spinner (140 points) Night Spinner (140 points) Rangers (55 points) Support Weapons (85 points) Support Weapons (85 points) Support Weapons (85 points) Swooping Hawks (75 points) War Walkers (95 points) War Walkers (95 points)
Player: Thomas “Dankanikus”
Lmao(1995 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancement: The Weeping Stones
• 1x Jester’s blade
1x Shrieker cannon
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Mind War
1x Shuriken pistol
1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• Enhancement: Reader of the Runes
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer
• 1x Solitaire weapons
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
Archetype
Herohammer Shooting
Thoughts
Yeah, pretty much same again, only with slightly different utility/herohammer setups. Well done to Thomas.
Justin Jansen – Genestealer Cult – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Biophagus (80 points) Jackal Alphus (75 points) Nexos (50 points) Nexos (50 points) Primus (70 points) Primus (70 points) BATTLELINE Acolyte Hybrids (150 points) Acolyte Hybrids (150 points) Acolyte Hybrids (150 points) Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORT Goliath Truck (110 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Aberrants (330 points) Achilles Ridgerunners (75 points) Atalan Jackals (160 points)
GSC02 (2000 points)
Genestealer Cults
Strike Force (2000 points)
Ascension Day
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chemical vials
1x Injector goad
• Enhancement: Inscrutable Cunning
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Cult sniper rifle
• Enhancement: Prowling Agitant
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Warlord
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Cult claws and knife
1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s cult weapons
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
4x Cult claws and knife
4x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Cult claws and knife
1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s cult weapons
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
4x Cult claws and knife
4x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Cult claws and knife
1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s cult weapons
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
4x Cult claws and knife
4x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
1x Power weapon
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 9x Autopistol
9x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
4x Grenade launcher
9x Hybrid firearm
4x Mining laser
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
1x Power weapon
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 9x Autopistol
9x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
4x Grenade launcher
9x Hybrid firearm
4x Mining laser
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
1x Power weapon
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 9x Autopistol
9x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
9x Hybrid firearm
4x Seismic cannon
4x Webber
• 1x Demolition charge cache
1x Goliath wheels
1x Heavy stubber
1x Twin autocannon
• 1x Aberrant Hypermorph
• 1x Heavy improvised weapon
1x Hypermorph tail
• 9x Aberrant
• 9x Heavy power weapon
• 1x Flare launcher
1x Heavy mortar
1x Ridgerunner wheels
1x Spotter
1x Twin heavy stubber
• 8x Atalan Jackal
• 8x Atalan power weapon
8x Atalan small arms
2x Grenade launcher
• 2x Atalan Wolfquad
• 2x Atalan small arms
2x Close combat weapon
2x Mining laser
Archetype
Horde & Hammers
Thoughts
Third and fourth place also feature two very similar lists, this time from the insidious forces of the Genestealer Cults. The recipe here is to put a reasonably large horde of Acolytes and Neophytes on the table, add two key hammer units (a big bike squad that can double bomb from the Alphus, and Aberrants with a Biophagus), then fill with various utility and buff characters. That ends up super daunting, because it covers a lot of the table with units that are guaranteed to make their Cult Ambush roll, making it pretty tricky for opponents to meaningfully degrade it without setting up some power plays. The Neophyte bricks are no joke when they come in too, and doubling up on Primuses to ensure they hit hard on alpha turns is pretty unsurprising. The central Infiltrating Aberrant unit is also ultra nasty, and benefits from having fairly “universal” defences – there’s no way round a 4+ Feel No Pain currently, especially in combination with high toughness and wound roll reduction.
Consensus appears to be emerging that this is one of the strongest builds around, and two placings in the top four here certainly supports that, so keep a wary eye on the Cult if the more obvious top dogs get hit hard. Well done to Justin for showcasing what they can do.
Peter Steiner – Genestealer Cult – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Biophagus (80 points) Jackal Alphus (75 points) Nexos (50 points) Primus (70 points) Primus (70 points) Reductus Saboteur (95 points) Reductus Saboteur (55 points) BATTLELINE Acolyte Hybrids (75 points) Acolyte Hybrids (150 points) Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Aberrants (330 points) Achilles Ridgerunners (150 points) Achilles Ridgerunners (75 points) Achilles Ridgerunners (75 points) Atalan Jackals (160 points)
Salzburg (1990 points)
Genestealer Cults
Strike Force (2000 points)
Ascension Day
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chemical vials
1x Injector goad
• Enhancement: Inscrutable Cunning
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Cult sniper rifle
• Enhancement: Prowling Agitant
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• Warlord
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charges
1x Remote explosives
• Enhancement: Meticulous Planner
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charges
1x Remote explosives
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s cult weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
2x Cult claws and knife
2x Cult claws and knife
2x Demolition charges
1x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s cult weapons
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
5x Cult claws and knife
4x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
4x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
4x Seismic cannon
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
4x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
4x Seismic cannon
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
4x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
4x Seismic cannon
• 1x Aberrant Hypermorph
• 1x Heavy power weapon
1x Hypermorph tail
• 9x Aberrant
• 9x Heavy power weapon
• 2x Heavy mining laser
2x Ridgerunner wheels
2x Spotter
2x Twin heavy stubber
• 1x Heavy mining laser
1x Ridgerunner wheels
1x Spotter
1x Twin heavy stubber
• 1x Heavy mining laser
1x Ridgerunner wheels
1x Spotter
1x Twin heavy stubber
• 8x Atalan Jackal
• 8x Atalan power weapon
6x Atalan small arms
2x Grenade launcher
• 2x Atalan Wolfquad
• 2x Atalan incinerator
2x Atalan small arms
2x Close combat weapon
Archetype
Horde & Hammers
Thoughts
One more – same again, basically. Slightly more Ridgerunners to provide some big shots rather than just using one with the Mortar to tee up Crossfire, but the same core plan – fill the table with lots of bodies that are a nightmare to permanently remove, and use the big hitters to put the boot on the enemy’s throat. Looks like the revolution is here, great stuff from Peter.
The Best of the Rest
There were 2 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Colin Schmid – Genestealer Cult: Similar stuff to the last two builds, packing the big Aberrant and Bike units (though no Infiltrate on the Aberrants here) along with a horde and some shooting.
- 6th – William Fuhrimann – Ultramarines: First on our list of “people who made a valiant attempt to slay the elf”, William packed an ultra-shooty Ultra-Marines list with Bobby G, Redemptors, a Repex and, of course, a full Desolation brick.
GT Tormenta De Hostias
58-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Lliçà d’Amunt, Catalunya ES on July 01 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Tkila RR – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Autarch Wayleaper (80 points) Farseer (90 points) Illic Nightspear (65 points) Spiritseer (80 points) The Yncarne (270 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Night Spinner (140 points) Night Spinner (140 points) Rangers (55 points) Support Weapons (85 points) Warp Spiders (100 points) Wraithguard (155 points) Wraithknight (370 points) Wraithknight (370 points)
Se aceptan insultos pre y postpartida (2000 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 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
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Wraithcannon
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Wraithknight Eldar
Final Round Matchup
100 – 82 Victory against Alejandro García – Aeldari.
Thoughts
…to be clear though, Wraithknights are also very good.
Well done Tkila.
Sir Charles – Asuryani – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Farseer (90 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (125 Points) Fire Prism (125 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Night Spinner (140 Points) Night Spinner (140 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Shadow Spectres (80 Points) Shadow Spectres (80 Points) Support Weapons (85 Points) Support Weapons (85 Points) Vypers (75 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points)
Charles (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Bright lance
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 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
• 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
• 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
Archetype
Go-wide shooty Eldar
Thoughts
…but also you could go even wider. I did get excited seeing that this list had a draw, but it was against another Eldar player. Congratulations Sir Charles.
Xavo Melenero L’Escamarlà – Tyranids – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Hive Tyrant (250 points) The Swarmlord (250 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Barbed Hierodule (305 points) Barbed Hierodule (305 points) Biovores (40 points) Biovores (40 points) Haruspex (125 points) Haruspex (125 points) Maleceptor (165 points) Maleceptor (165 points) Pyrovores (30 points) Tyrannofex (200 points)
Hieroputos con barba de dos dias (2000 points)
Tyranids
Strike Force (2000 points)
Invasion Fleet
• 1x Heavy venom cannon
1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
• Enhancement: Alien Cunning
• Warlord
• 1x Bone sabres
1x Synaptic pulse
• 2x Bio-cannon
1x Hierodule scything talons
• 2x Bio-cannon
1x Hierodule scything talons
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher
• 1x Grasping tongue
1x Ravenous maw
1x Shovelling claws
• 1x Grasping tongue
1x Ravenous maw
1x Shovelling claws
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Flamespurt
• 1x Acid spray
1x Powerful limbs
1x Stinger salvoes
Archetype
Ultimate Monster Mash
Thoughts
Damn those are some big bugs, OK. This is, I’m afraid, another uncomplicated build, but at least it isn’t elves, and it does show us some interesting things. First up, Barbed Hierodules are the real deal, creating a pleasing all-round package, and saturating the table with them and other durable (but cheaper) bugs is an effective way to overwhelm the enemy. It also shows the utility of anything that lets you take a very cheap single-model unit like the Pyrovore – stick it in reserves and it’s very likely to be able to score you some VP at some point. Finally, on that point, if you’re playing Tyranids and you’re not including at least one Biovore (and two as here feels much more correct) you’re missing out – the utility of getting to drop a Spore Mine somewhere on the table is higher than ever.
Good job Xavo for breaking up the Aeldari monotony.
Ferran Villegas – Asuryani – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Autarch Wayleaper (80 points) Avatar of Khaine (295 points) Death Jester (70 points) Farseer (90 points) Illic Nightspear (65 points) Spiritseer (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (125 points) Fire Prism (125 points) Night Spinner (140 points) Night Spinner (140 points) Rangers (55 points) Warp Spiders (100 points) Warp Spiders (100 points) Wraithguard (155 points) Wraithknight (370 points)
Eldar (1990 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x The Wailing Doom
• 1x Jester’s blade
1x Shrieker cannon
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 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
• 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
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Wraithcannon
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Shooty Aeldari
Thoughts
…to which we now return, but at least the Avatar is here, always love to see that guy. Also a big, big fan of Wraithguard with a Fate’s Messenger Spiritseer, an exceptionally strong threat to bring in from Strategic Reserves. Otherwise, loads of cheap hulls, a Wayleaper for free CP, a Wraithknight etc. etc.
You all know the drill, but at least Ferran showcased a few additional units!
The Best of the Rest
There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Alejandro García – Aeldari: Yncarne, Prisms, Spinners, a Wraithknight, that sort of thing.
- 6th – Pomork RR – Imperial Knights: Quad bigs, packing two Crusaders, an Errant, and the coolest of all Knights in the Valiant (it’s science, trust me). Went 4-0, then met Eldar and had a bad time.
- 7th – Manel Tulla – Thousand Sons: Magnus and some hefty hitters, three Mutaliths and a big Scarab block. Pulled off an impressive 100-80 win against one of the nasty Aeldari builds in the final round.
- 8th – Raul Cubatalan – Imperial Knights: Canis/Crusader/Warden triple big.
- 9th – Julio Fernandez – Harlequins: Does sneak in the Ynnari characters as well as clowns, but I’ll allow it – one big troupe and three small ones, then tonnes of small bike and Voidweaver units and a metric tonne of herohammer.
- 10th – Rubén Novell – Imperial Knights: Double Crusader and a Warden.
- 11th – Pablo Vazquez Salgado – Imperial Knights: Lancer/Warden/Castellan triple bigs, and another holder of the coveted “actually beat Aeldari” crown.
Geelong 40k Town Open
49-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in North Shore, VIC AU on June 30 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Purge The Foe/Chilling Rain/Search and Destroy
Rhys Cunningham – Astra Militarum: Max Basilisks and Manticores, lots of Sentinels and buffed-up Infantry units. CHARACTER Lord Solar Leontus (125 points) Platoon Command Squad (60 points) Ursula Creed (55 points) BATTLELINE Cadian Shock Troops (65 points) Cadian Shock Troops (65 points) Death Korps of Krieg (65 points) Death Korps of Krieg (65 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORT Chimera (85 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Armoured Sentinels (210 points) Basilisk (110 points) Basilisk (110 points) Basilisk (110 points) Manticore (105 points) Manticore (105 points) Manticore (105 points) Regimental Attachés (40 points) Scout Sentinels (150 points) Scout Sentinels (100 points) Scout Sentinels (150 points) Tempestus Scions (60 points) Tempestus Scions (60 points)
Army List - Click to Expand
guard gto (2000 points)
Astra Militarum
Strike Force (2000 points)
Combined Regiment
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
1x Konstantin’s hooves
1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze
• 1x Platoon Commander
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Veteran Guardsman
• 4x Close combat weapon
2x Lasgun
4x Laspistol
1x Master Vox
1x Medi-pack
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
1x Power weapon
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Chainsword
• 9x Shock Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
7x Lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Chainsword
• 9x Shock Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
7x Lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Grenade launcher
7x Lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Grenade launcher
7x Lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Chimera heavy bolter
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lasgun array
1x Storm bolter
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Hunter-killer missile
3x Lascannon
3x Sentinel chainsaw
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm eagle rockets
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm eagle rockets
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm eagle rockets
• 1x Master of Ordnance
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 1x Officer of the Fleet
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 1x Astropath
• 1x Astropath’s stave
1x Laspistol
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Hunter-killer missile
3x Plasma cannon
3x Sentinel chainsaw
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Hunter-killer missile
2x Lascannon
2x Sentinel chainsaw
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Hunter-killer missile
3x Lascannon
3x Sentinel chainsaw
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
2x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
2x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
vs.
Terence Drew – Deathwatch: Terminators for days across a couple of Proteus Teams and a Terminator squad, indirect from Whirlwinds and Desolation Marines, and a couple of big Eradicator units lead by Big Apothecaries. CHARACTERS Apothecary Biologis (85 Points) Apothecary Biologis (55 Points) Captain in Terminator Armour (110 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Deathwatch Terminator Squad (210 Points) Desolation Squad (240 Points) Eradicator Squad (190 Points) Eradicator Squad (190 Points) Proteus Kill Team (330 Points) Proteus Kill Team (330 Points) Whirlwind (125 Points) Whirlwind (125 Points)
Army List - Click to Expand
Space Marines
Deathwatch
Black Spear Task Force
Strike Force (1990 Points)
1x Absolvor bolt pistol, 1x Close combat weapon, Enhancements: Beacon Angelis
1x Absolvor bolt pistol, 1x Close combat weapon
Warlord, 1x Relic Shield, 1x Thunder hammer, Enhancements: Thief of Secrets
5x Deathwatch Terminator: 2x Storm Shield, 2x Thunder hammer, 3x Chainfist, 3x Cyclone missile launcher, 3x Storm bolter
10x Desolation Marine: 10x Bolt pistol, 10x Castellan launcher, 10x Close combat weapon, 9x Superkrak rocket launcher, 1x Vengor launcher
6x Eradicator: 6x Bolt pistol, 6x Close combat weapon, 4x Melta rifle, 2x Multi-melta
6x Eradicator: 6x Bolt pistol, 6x Close combat weapon, 4x Melta rifle, 2x Multi-melta
6x Kill Team Veteran: 6x Close combat weapon, 2x Deathwatch thunder hammer, 4x Infernus heavy bolter
4x Kill Team Terminator: 3x Chainfist, 3x Cyclone missile launcher, 3x Storm bolter, 1x Storm Shield, 1x Terminator thunder hammer
6x Kill Team Veteran: 6x Close combat weapon, 2x Deathwatch thunder hammer, 4x Infernus heavy bolter
4x Kill Team Terminator: 3x Chainfist, 3x Cyclone missile launcher, 3x Storm bolter, 1x Storm Shield, 1x Terminator thunder hammer
1x Armoured tracks, 1x Hunter-killer missile, 1x Storm bolter, 1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher
1x Armoured tracks, 1x Hunter-killer missile, 1x Storm bolter, 1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher
Thoughts
Yeah I’m going to level with you – I made the rule about writing about the non-Aeldari showdowns and sort of assumed the matchups would be slightly more exciting, but ehhhh looks like maybe I should have included Indirect Fire on that list, because it’s a fairly major feature of both builds here, though the Deathwatch is a bit more varied. The Guard build’s plan is simple – use Scout Sentinels and a few other pieces to keep the opponent at bay long enough that the Basilisks and Manticores can remove the opponent’s forces from existence.
The Deathwatch army has some strong indirect of its own from a full Desolation brick and some Whirlwinds, but also gets in on the Proteus Kill Team action, ensuring it has two ultra-potent all-purpose killing machines to rampage around the board with, ready to be Teleportariumed into position when required. It’s also got some very effective anti-tank from two big Eradicator squads with Thicc Apothecaries, one of which packs the Beacon Angelis for a tasty Deep Strike/Rapid Ingress. Finally, big fan of the use of Terminators here, as the Captain with Thief of Secrets really ups the ante on their melee capabilities, and also adds great utility with the free Stratagem per round.
So how does this stack up? Unfortunately for the Deathwatch, the Astra Militarum are reasonably well equipped to thwart their plans, as although they’re very much capable of going through all those Sentinels, it’s going to take them at least a couple turns and the Scout moves mean that early teleport shenanigans are going to be tough to pull off. Manticores and Basilisks are pretty great at sweeping up Space Marines while they chew through Sentinels, and the movement reduction from the Basilisks is a geniune factor in this game to boot. I don’t think this game is a dead cert or anything, as with the first turn I think it’s plausible Deathwatch punch forward hard and fast enough that they can get through to the clanky innards of the Guard army and ruin their day, but it’s one of those games where I think one side needs the rolloff to go their way, and the other merely wants it to, so the odds favour the latter. Sure enough, the mighty guns of the Astra Militarum took the day here.
Result
Astra Militarum Victory – 98 – 58
Rhys Cunningham – Astra Militarum – 1st Place
The List
See showdown
Archetype
Sentinels and Guns
Thoughts
Can anyone cut through the Sentinels fast enough to get to the guns? Maybe, but no one managed it here, including a nasty Aeldari build on top of the Astra Militarum above. The Knight matchup is the one I’d be interested to see (which didn’t come up here), but even there it feels like there’s a chance that the mixture of fairly distributed threats and Born Soldiers gives the Guard a throughline. Very much another build that will need another look once we know exactly what changes are afoot, but for now congratulations Rhys for taking a trophy for the non-elf portion of the game.
The Best of the Rest
There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Dylan Cowan – Tyranids: Shooty-ish monster mash, with a pair of Haruspex acting as a forward hammer ahead of Exocrines, Biovores and Zoanthropes, with Old One Eye, and a pair of Carnifexes providing a final all-round nightmare.
- 3rd – Leigh Tresidder – Imperial Knights: Four bigs – Canis, Crusader, Errant, Paladin, with the Warden getting much less good once you only have two Armigers, plus an Eversor as a cheap backfield/utility piece.
- 4th – Richard Bracey – Necrons: A mixed-arms Necron list after my own heart, big, buff Warrior and Lychguard bricks with some Doomstalkers and a C’tan Shard backing them up.
- 5th – Laurence Gutierrez – Imperial Knights: Crusader/Warden with tonnes of Armigers, plus a Callidus.
- 6th – Terence Drew – Deathwatch: See showdown.
- 7th – Ben Crowther – Tyranids: Plenty of monsters still, but a hordier support structure, bringing in big bricks of Hormagaunts, Termagaunts and Genestealers while Tyrannofexes blast from the back.
- 8th – Gavin Coles – Necrons: More fun Necron stuff, this time with my boy Szeras backing a bunch of Warriors, and triple Annihilation Barges and some Doomsdays backing them up.
- 9th – Lachlan Morrison – Genestealer Cult: Horde and Hammer, this time flexing to some Purestrains as well.
Hometown 40K
42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Edmonton, Alberta CA on July 01 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Riley Tremblay – Asuryani – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Autarch Wayleaper [80 pts] – Dragon Fusion Gun, Howling Banshee Mask, Star Glaive 11 Guardian Defenders [110 pts] 10xGuardian Defender, Guardian Heavy Weapons Platform (Bright Lance)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Player #: Riley Tremblay
Factions used: Aeldari – Battle Host
Army points: 1990
Reinforcement Points: none pts
Number of Units / Killpoints: 15
Warlord: Autarch Wayleaper
Army Trait: Battle Host
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Farseer [90 pts] – Singing Spear, Phoenix Gem
Illic Nightspear [65 pts]
The Yncarne [270 pts]
Death Jester [85 pts] – Fate’s Messenger
10 Rangers [110 pts] 10xRanger
Vypers [75 pts] Vyper w/ Bright Lance (Bright Lance, Twin Shuriken Catapult)
5 Warp Spiders [100 pts] 4xWarp Spider, Warp Spider Exarch (Two Death Spinners & Powerblades)
5 Warp Spiders [100 pts] 4xWarp Spider, Warp Spider Exarch (Two Death Spinners & Powerblades)
Night Spinner [140 pts] Twin Shuriken Catapult
Night Spinner [140 pts] Twin Shuriken Catapult
Support Weapons [85 pts] Support Weapon w/ D-Cannon
Support Weapons [85 pts] Support Weapon w/ D-Cannon
Support Weapons [85 pts] Support Weapon w/ D-Cannon
Wraithknight [370 pts] 2xHeavy Wraithcannon, 2xStarcannon
Archetype
Shooty Aeldari
Thoughts
Thank you, next. Full Ranger/Illic brick here I guess, that’s extremely nasty as well. Well done Riley.
The Best of the Rest
There were 8 more players on X-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Scotty Bee – Adeptus Custodes: Two big Custodian bricks with Wardens and some Allarus as auxiliary threats, while a Vindicare snipes and some Arbites investigate objectives.
- 3rd – Kieren Trimbee – Genestealer Cult: Loads of Acolytes, a big Aberrant unit and max laser Ridgerunners.
- 4th – Arthur Zubrack Oliver – Aeldari: Double Wraithknight Aeldari.
- 5th – Michael Blanchet – Iron Hands: Double Astraeus with Feirros backing them up. King.
- 6th – Taylor Parrish – Chaos Space Marines: A pleasingly varied CSM list with a bit of everything – even a Heldrake!
- 7th – Ryan Mcleod – Chaos Knights: Ultra-shooty Chaos Knights, going for a shooty Tyrant, a Desecrator and a Crusader-build Despoiler.
- 8th – Sebastian Hebert – Space Marines: Loads of guns strapped to Dreadnoughts, a big Desolation unit with Bolter Discipline and a Bladeguard unit with a Judiciar as a brawling threat.
- 9th – Shawn Ford – T’au Empire: Whoops all Broadsides. Well, other suits to fill out the points, but mostly Broadsides.
Münsterland GT3
34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Horstmar, NRW DE on July 01 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Thomas Büttelmann – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) Death Jester (85 Points) Farseer (85 Points) Illic Nightspear (65 Points) Solitaire (115 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (125 Points) Fire Prism (125 Points) Fire Prism (125 Points) Night Spinner (140 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Support Weapons (85 Points) Support Weapons (85 Points) Support Weapons (85 Points) Voidweaver (100 Points) Voidweaver (100 Points) Voidweaver (100 Points) Vypers (75 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points)
Münsterland GT3 (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Reaper launcher
1x Star glaive
• 1x Jester’s blade
1x Shrieker cannon
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• Enhancements: Reader of the Runes
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer
• 1x Solitaire weapons
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Bright lance
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
Archetype
Shooty Go-Wide Aeldari.
Thoughts
No thoughts, head empty.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Alessandro Liessem – Aeldari: Low-to-the-ground shooty Eldar, mixing War Walkers and D-cannons with a big Baharroth/Hawk brick, lots of Spiders and a full Reaper squad, plus Karandras as an early pressure piece.
- 3rd – Chris Buchen – Imperial Knights: Triple bigs, going for the already classic Canis/Warden/Crusader loadout.
- 4th – Andre Lutter – Thousand Sons: Magnus and a whole bunch of his most powerful sorcerors laced amongst a few Rubric units and a big Scarab brick.
- 5th – Alkaios Bournias Varotsis – Chaos Daemons: A mix of monster mash and mid-tier stuff, going for Be’lakor, Shalaxi and a buffed Daemon Prince among the former, and lots of Flesh Hounds, Bloodcrushers and Flamers in the latter.
The 40k Brawl GT
30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Poole, England GB on July 01 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Vital Ground/Secret Intel/Search and Destroy
Chris Anderson – Imperial Knights: Warden/Crusader/Canis triple bigs (the best current Imperialis build for my money). Imperial Knights CHARACTERS Canis Rex (405 Points) Knight Crusader (415 Points) Knight Warden (460 Points) BATTLELINE Armiger Helverin (145 Points) Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) Armiger Warglaive (140 Points)
Army List - Click to Expand
House Vanguard Stands (1985 Points)
Noble Lance
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s Hand
• Warlord
• 1x Avenger gatling cannon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Ironstorm missile pod
1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Rapid-fire battle cannon
1x Titanic feet
• 1x Avenger gatling cannon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Ironstorm missile pod
1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chainsword
• Enhancements: Unyielding Paragon
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
vs.
Simon SJ – Adeptus Custodes: All-rounder Custodes with small Custodian Squads, Wardens and a Land Raider CHARACTER Blade Champion (125 points) Shield-Captain (150 points) Trajann Valoris (145 points) BATTLELINE Custodian Guard (180 points) Custodian Guard (180 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Allarus Custodians (130 points) Custodian Wardens (300 points) Custodian Wardens (300 points) Custodian Wardens (150 points) Venerable Land Raider (260 points) ALLIED UNITS Vindicare Assassin (80 points)
Army List - Click to Expand
10th 40k 1ST (2000 points)
Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Shield Host
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancement: Veiled Blade
• 1x Guardian spear
• Enhancement: Ceaseless Hunter
• Warlord
• 1x Watcher’s Axe
• 4x Guardian spear
• 4x Guardian spear
• 2x Balistus grenade launcher
2x Guardian spear
• 6x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla
• 6x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla
• 3x Guardian spear
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Godhammer lascannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin heavy bolter
• 1x Exitus pistol
1x Exitus rifle
1x Vindicare combat knife
Thoughts
As we already explored last week, Knights can be a tough game for Custodes as things stand, because as long as they’ve built with a Warden it can be very difficult for them to avoid getting cleared off the table with little pushback, especially with Canis Rex’s damage-dealing capabilities backing that up. The configurations here do make things a little better for the Custodes, however. The Knight list is very good at shooting most things, but a Venerable Land Raider is legitimately not one of them, giving the Custodes an anchor that needs melee attention to deal with – but that the Knights can’t start melee-ing till they’ve chewed through a “screen” of Custodes. It also means they actually have some guns, and a legit chance of popping a couple of Armigers at range as the game proceeds.
That’s good for them, as is the mission – Vital Ground suits them just fine, and they’re probably slightly better able to make use of Secret Intel than the Knights are, as it’s more feasible for them to score whatever they draw at pretty much any time, especially as the Knights don’t have much to screen with to stop some of the positional ones.
All factors giving the Custodes a fighting chance, so did it outweigh the structural disadvantage they have where they’re likely to get taken off the table? Very nearly!…but not quite.
Result
Imperial Knights Victory – 57 – 53
Chris Anderson – Imperial Knights – 1st Place
The List
See showdown.
Archetype
Triple Bigs
Thoughts
As far as I’m concerned, this is already pretty much locked in as the best three Knight recipe, giving you the best balance of killing power and durability. A strong show from Chris.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Dan Cooke – Imperial Knights: Crusader/Paladin/Warden triple bigs.
- 3rd – Jordan Checkley – Blood Angels: Jump pack-heavy Gladius Task Force, seeding two big Assault Squads and some Death Company with nasty Characters, and backing with a Desolation brick.
- 4th – Jay Seebarun – Imperial Knights: Extra-shooty Imperial Knights with Canis, a Crusader and Castellan.
Element Games Grand Slam 1
30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England GB on July 01 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
James Wilson – Asuryani – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) Death Jester (85 Points) Farseer (85 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) BATTLELINE Guardian Defenders (110 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (125 Points) Fire Prism (125 Points) Fire Prism (125 Points) Support Weapons (85 Points) Support Weapons (85 Points) Support Weapons (85 Points) Wraithknight (370 Points) Wraithknight (370 Points)
I don’t feel guilty! (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Reaper launcher
1x Star glaive
• 1x Jester’s blade
1x Shrieker cannon
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• Enhancements: Reader of the Runes
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 10x Guardian Defender
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Heavy Weapon Platform
• 1x Bright lance
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Big Shooty
Final Round Matchup
85 – 74 Victory against Tom Higginbottom – Orks.
Thoughts
Thank you for letting us know you do not feel guilty. Definitely going to have some fun with the fact that Battleforge lets people title their lists easily.
Aiden Smalley – Death Guard – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Death Guard Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (80 points) Lord of Virulence (115 points) Mortarion (370 points) Typhus (115 points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (100 points) Plague Marines (100 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORT Death Guard Rhino (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Death Guard Cultists (55 points) Death Guard Cultists (55 points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Plagueburst Crawler (175 points) Plagueburst Crawler (175 points) Plagueburst Crawler (175 points) Poxwalkers (120 points)
Trying My Best (1995 points)
Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Plague Company
• 1x Curse of the Leper
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Plague fist
• 1x Heavy plague fist
1x Twin plague spewer
• Warlord
• 1x Rotwind
1x Silence
1x The Lantern
• 1x Master-crafted manreaper
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
2x Heavy plague weapon
1x Meltagun
4x Plague knives
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
2x Heavy plague weapon
1x Meltagun
4x Plague knives
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
9x Cultist firearm
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
9x Cultist firearm
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
1x Plaguespurt gauntlet
1x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
1x Plaguespurt gauntlet
1x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar
2x Plaguespitter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar
2x Plaguespitter
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Entropy cannon
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar
• 20x Improvised weapon
Archetype
Mortarion & Sons
Thoughts
Hell yeah, OK, this is the stuff. Mortarion is really good, the rest of Death Guard…maybe not so much, but Aidan’s angle here makes it work. The plan appears to be to ensure there’s enough stuff to gum up the board that a mixture of the Mortarion hammer blow and Plaguebursts blasting away with boosts from a Lord of Virulence does enough damage that the opponent can’t recover – and it worked! Boilblight as a backup plan for buffing up the Plaguebursts to dunk something seems really handy too, and I’m going to be honest that this is the only undegfeated list from this week that really made me say hell yeah. Great work from Aidan.
The Best of the Rest
There were 2 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Tom Higginbottom – Orks: Another casualty of trying to save us from the Aeldari menace. Extreme Trukk horde, with loads of Boyz and some Nobz eager to slam into the enemy as quick as possible, with Kommandos and Squighogs coming in hot as well. Gave the Aeldari nightmare above a real run in the finals, so well done Tom.
- 4th – Cameron Gilbert – Tyranids: All-rounder nids, clearly looking to try out lots of the new toys from Leviathan, and also packing a Scythed Hierodule as a big centrepiece.
Luxembourg Open 40k
28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Mersch, Mersch Luxembourg on July 01 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Mani Cheema – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Autarch Wayleaper [80] Warlord Farseer [65] Eldritch Storm, Witchblade 5 Warp Spiders [100] Exarch w/ 2 Death Spinners & 1 Powerblades 5 Warp Spiders [100] Exarch w/ 2 Death Spinners & 1 Powerblades Support Weapon [85] D-Cannon Support Weapon [85] D-Cannon Fire Prism [125] Shuriken Cannon Fire Prism [125] Shuriken Cannon Fire Prism [125] Shuriken Cannon Wraithknight [370] 2 Heavy Wraithcannons, 2 Starcannons Wraithknight [370] 2 Heavy Wraithcannons, 2 Starcannons Wraithknight [370] 2 Heavy Wraithcannons, 2 Starcannons Total Points – 2000
Dumb Eldar List
Star Glaive, Reaper Launcher, Howling Banshee Mask
Archetype
Triple Wraithknight
Final Round Matchup
100 – 10 Victory against Anthony Mattassoni – Imperial Knights.
Thoughts
Is that final round score accurate, or did the Knight player just walk away? Who knows – the distressing thing is that a one-turn tabling seems borderline plausible.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on X-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Dino Kho – Aeldari: More. Moooorrrreeee!
- 3rd – Guillaume Buchkremer – Tyranids: A fairly exciting list with all sorts of interesting toys. Big monsters of various stripes, small infantry units to throw onto positions, Barbgaunts getting a debut, and two big Zoanthrope squads to blast anything that avoids the jaws of the beasties.
- 4th – Ed Watts – Genestealer Cult: Horde-tastic cult with some Ridgerunners and a Manticore backing them up.
- 5th – Frederic Joubert – Genestealer Cult: Massive horde and two big Aberrant bricks.
- 6th – Anthony Mattassoni – Imperial Knights: I warned you all about the Knight Porphyrion man. I knew this was going to happen.
2023 RAGE GT
27-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sparks, Nevada US on July 01 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Ben Jurek – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) Death Jester (85 Points) Farseer Skyrunner (75 Points) Prince Yriel (100 Points) BATTLELINE Guardian Defenders (110 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (125 Points) Fire Prism (125 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Night Spinner (140 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points) Windriders (80 Points) Wraithknight (370 Points) Wraithknight (370 Points)
Rage (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x Jester’s blade
1x Shrieker cannon
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Witchblade
• 1x The Eye of Wrath
1x The Spear of Twilight
• 10x Guardian Defender
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Heavy Weapon Platform
• 1x Bright lance
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Double Wraithknight.
Final Round Matchup
100 – 27 Victory against Stephen Unger – Deathwatch.
Thoughts
Those are some weird lookin’ Orks Ben. You’ve got a brand to uphold.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Tod Swenson – Imperial Knights: Extra shooty Knights, with Two Crusaders alongside Canis Rex, and some Imperial Agents providing cheap board coverage.
- 3rd – Danielle Jurek – Aeldari: Hull-heavy shooty Eldar with Prisms and Spinners alongside the Wraithknights.
- 4th – Stephen Unger – Deathwatch: A bunch of cheap and mean shooting, lots of Desolation Marines and Deathwatch Veterans.
Wrap Up
I action and encourage any TO reading this to adopt any and all balance changes that get published today for events this weekend. I don’t care that it’s three days lead time, c’mon. See you next week, where hopefully we’ll have a bit more variety.