No preamble today – we know what you’re here for!

Today we’ll be covering:

Warhammer 40,000 World Championships of Warhammer (supermajor)
The Alliance Open Grand Tournament (major)
Bajio Open 40K, El Bunker (major)
The Standoff
West Coast GT (Nov)
Nemesis 40k 2023

Renegade Open 2023 – Warhammer 40K Major (major)
DaBoyz GT Rochester 2023 40K (major)
Maui Fundraiser 40k GT by Dicehammer
Heroes Of The Mid Table 3
Peterborough Slam GT 4!
Warpstorm Over Cyprus

Warhammer 40,000 World Championships of Warhammer

173-player, 12-round Supermajor in Atlanta, GA, United States on November 16 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Just Before We Dive In…

If you’ve been paying attention online this week, you may have noticed some controversy and accusations swirling about one of the three games played between the WCW finalists Mani and John. As always with such things, the stories and accusations have grown increasingly wild with the telling, and in some cases have threatened to overshadow an incredibly cool showcase for the game.

Normally, we avoid engaging too deeply with event drama in this column – the focus is meant to be on great armies and great players. However, past experience has shown that when something gets this much attention, if we ignore it then the comments section will just become another round of people relitigating it, continuing to overshadow the good stuff.

In addition, in this particular case I’d had enough eyewitness accounts from people on the ground who I trust to be very confident that many of the accusations flying were not accurate.

With that in mind, and in order to try and put this to bed, we reached out to each of John Lennon and Mani Cheema and asked them if they wanted to send us a short statement about the events to include in this column. Both have provided one, and I’ve included them below within the cut. If you’ve been blissfully unaware of the controversy, feel free to continue being so, but if you were planning on gettng big mad in the comments, please read them first!

Statements From the Players

John Lennon

After my first game against Mani had been submitted to BCP, as I started to prepare for another game, a member of the event staff gave me a head’s up that some members of the stream chat thought my mid-game Calculated Feint move wasn’t possible because Calgar and Aggressors move 5”. This is relevant because the Stratagem allows models to normal move up to d6”, but the judge reminded me that a model couldn’t use this to move further than its Movement characteristic. I believe the judge was mostly trying to make me aware of internet chatter, and not steer me to a specific action. I recalled that Calgar specifically needed 6” to make it, as he was the closest model to the ruin I was trying to cross.

My immediate reaction was that I’d made a mistake when it had made a clear impact – we had spent time measuring that exact model’s movement. At that point, I immediately decided to concede. This is probably a decision I should have sat down and conferred with multiple organizers about, but I do not regret that this was my instinctive response, and even with the facts I know now I’d likely have made the same decision even with more time. At the time I was confident that 5” of movement for Calgar would not have reached the spot I needed him in.

Next, I called Mani over to let him know the situation and my decision. He had not been involved in the conversation in any way up to this point, and I had decided to concede before speaking to him. Based on his reaction, I genuinely believe he had no idea until I informed him, and I don’t think he played any role in the judge coming up to me to inform me of the rule.

I was kicking myself at the time, and because our game went so long I had to almost immediately move to a new stream table to start my first game in the loser’s bracket. I finished deploying before my opponent and cracked open my codex to review my unit rules. At this point I discovered that Calgar had a 6” Movement characteristic, not 5” as I had been told. I also realized I’d been moving Calgar all weekend because he wears Gravis armor, mostly I’d been too lazy to check that wasn’t the case. I had specifically chosen to forfeit because I believed Calgar could not have moved 6” with the Feint Stratagem. I strongly believe that 5” of Movement could have also taken the Aggressors to safety as well, but we cannot go back and 100% confirm that beyond a doubt. Calgar however, I could be sure of because we specifically measured 6” from him as the front model.

I alerted members of the event staff, who conferred and spoke with Mani. I was not part of that conversation and only know the outcome, which was that the staff decided not to reverse my forfeiture and I’d continue to play in the loser’s bracket. At that point I collected myself and played through the night and two more games with Mani, both free of drama, eventually finishing second to Mani. I’d like to congratulate Mani on his world championship and a trio of hard-fought games.

Mani Cheema

Note: Mani’s statement also refers to another less prominent accusation about an issue with cards that was thrown at him, and mentions his opponent refuting it. You can see that comment from his opponent here. I can also confirm that nothing I’ve heard from anyone indicates that this card issue is anything other than an online rumour.

The Warhammer World Championship was one of the most fun and challenging events i have ever attended and it was great to play so many people from around the world. I feel very proud and honoured to be the first ever World Champ. It’s an incredible achievement and should be the happiest moment of my 40k career, but i am overwhelmingly sad and disheartened by all the negativity surrounding the final games between myself and John. I personally felt those 3 games were amongst the best games of 40k i have ever played and the 2 of us had a great time playing them. We had 1 small honest mistake across the 3 games where John unintentionally uses a stratagem incorrectly, and for some reason i was branded a bully and a cheat because of it.

It is comforting seeing many people who were at the event come out and say that i didn’t do anything wrong. The trolls continued making up stories saying i was stealing cards during one game and i appreciate Lachlan himself coming out to confirm its complete nonsense and he made no such comments. Though i have been defended by the refs, judges and even my opponents, the achievement now feels like it has been tainted and my reputation has been smashed to pieces. My confidence is currently shattered and i don’t really feel like playing competitive events at all anymore.

Now the online community has seen the devastation that false rumours can have on someone’s career and personal life i hope something can be put in place by streamers and forums to protect players from this kind of abuse moving forwards.

I want to thank all of my opponents, especially John for 3 incredible games of 40k and for being an incredible sportsman, as well as thanking all the judges, refs and GW for a great event. A big thanks also to Goonhammer for taking the time to try and clear up the situation for people online. I can only hope that the damage done is not irreversible.

I’d like to thank both players for taking the time to provide a statement, and I hope that helps put the focus back on the Warhammer – that’s what we’re here for!

The Showdown

Take and Hold – Hidden Supplies – Hammer and Anvil

Mani Cheema – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness): Ultra melee pressure CSM.
Army List - Click to Expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Player Name: Mani Cheema
Team: Glasshammer (England)
Factions Used: Chaos Space Marines
Army Points: 2000 points
Army Enhancements: N/A
Detachment Rule: Marks of Chaos
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CH: Chaos Lord (75 Points) – Undivided
— Daemon Hammer, Plasma Pistol

CH: Dark Commune (55 Points) – Undivided
— Demagogue, Autopistol, Commune Stave
— Mindwitch, Warp Curse
— Iconarch, Autopistol, Chaos Icon
— 2 Blessed Blades, Commune Blades

CH: Dark Commune (55 Points) – Nurgle, Warlord
— Demagogue, Autopistol, Commune Stave
— Mindwitch, Warp Curse
— Iconarch, Autopistol, Chaos Icon
— 2 Blessed Blades, Commune Blades

BL: Legionaries (90 Points) – Slaanesh
— Champion, Chaos Icon, Heavy Melee Weapon, Plasma Pistol
— 1 Legionary, Bolt Pistol, Heavy Melee Weapon
— 3 Legionary, Bolt Pistol, Astartes Chainswords

DT: Chaos Rhino (75 Points) – Nurgle
— Armoured Tracks, Combi-Bolter, Combi-Weapon, Havoc Launcher

OD: Accursed Cultists (190 Points) – Undivided
— 10 Mutants, Blasphemous Appendages
— 6 Torments, Hideous Mutations

OD: Accursed Cultists (190 Points) – Nurgle
— 10 Mutants, Blasphemous Appendages
— 6 Torments, Hideous Mutations

OD: Chosen (110 Points) – Undivided
— Champion, Plasma Pistol, Power Fist, Icon
— 2 Chosen, Combi-Weapon, Accursed Weapon
— 1 Chosen, Boltgun, Accursed Weapon
— 1 Chosen, Plasma Pistol, Paired Accursed Weapons

OD: Forgefiend (180 Points) – Undivided
— Armoured Limbs, 3 Ectoplasma Cannons

AU: Nurglings (35 Points)
— 3 Nurgling Swarms, Diseased Claws & Teeth

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

vs.

John Lennon – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Deep strike skew shooty Ultramarines.
Army List - Click to Expand

Ultra Memes
(2000 Points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Vanguard Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (80 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: The Blade Driven Deep

Marneus Calgar (185 Points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
• Warlord
• 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
• 2x Victrix power sword

Uriel Ventris (75 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Invictus
1x Sword of Idaeus

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (220 Points)
• 1x Aggressor Sergeant
• 1x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Twin power fists
• 5x Aggressor
• 5x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
5x Fragstorm grenade launcher
5x Twin power fists

Centurion Devastator Squad (350 Points)
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
• 1x Centurion fists
1x Centurion missile launcher
1x Twin lascannon
• 5x Devastator Centurion
• 5x Centurion fists
5x Centurion missile launcher
5x Twin lascannon

Company Heroes (95 Points)
• 1x Ancient
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Company Champion
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 2x Company Veteran
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

Eradicator Squad (95 Points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta

Inceptor Squad (220 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (110 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon

Scout Squad (55 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.7.0 (23), Data Version: v304

Thoughts

Two skew lists run into each other in the grand finals…and it happens to be on a very skewing mission to boot. Extra objectives and the Hammer and Anvil deployment (played on GW layout four) heavily rewards being able to flood the mid-board, which is obviously exactly what Mani is aiming to do here. John has the shooting volume to make a good attempt at actually clearing Mani’s army out, if he can draw a bead on it – but the terrain map and the relative safety of the objectives means that’s potentially tricky to set up, especially if Mani gets the first turn and can control his drop zones.

John can deploy Calgar and the boys in the mid board to mitigate that, but he really needs the first turn to get the game under control. Mani’s lists inclusion of extra nasty Rhino party buses also really helps him here, as it gives him lots of tools to lash out and eliminate Deep Strike threats as they come in, and adds a level of risk to going for shooting alpha strikes with Inceptors using the 3″ drop, as it means multiple units will need to commit and they have a catastrophic failure case of not popping a Rhino on the first volley.

This is, of course, a game you can see on video and where I’ve spoken to the people involved, and after many, many games of Warhammer (this being John’s 12th for the weekend) this one ended on turn three – Mani went first, and had established a sufficient level of Primary dominance by that point that the players decided to call it, and make Mani the first World Champion.

Result

Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) Victory

Mani Cheema – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 1st Place

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Horde Pressure CSM

Thoughts

Wings: Most of the tools are familiar, but adding the Slaanesh Legionaries to double stack all of the Rhinos is a really cunning addition that Mani has come up with here. It provides absolutely enormous reach to a list that’s already putting the opponent under a lot of pressure, and the GW maps tend to favour small, moderately durable melee threats. I’ve faced off against Mani’s previous iteration of this list and until you’ve seen it in action it’s really hard to get across just how much stuff it’s hurling at you, and in the end the endless waves of Accursed Cultists (so many Cultists) were enough to seal victory.

Lowest of Men: A real love letter to how easy it is for CSM to load up the board with cost effective units that you can tailor to make sing however you need. Marks have never been as impactful as they are right now, and there is no army in the game as able to consistently body their opponents. That the index still has further to evolve and travel is both exciting and terrifying, as Mani has aptly demonstrated here.

John Lennon – Adeptus Astartes (Vanguard Spearhead) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Ultra Memes
(2000 Points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Vanguard Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (80 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: The Blade Driven Deep

Marneus Calgar (185 Points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
• Warlord
• 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
• 2x Victrix power sword

Uriel Ventris (75 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Invictus
1x Sword of Idaeus

OTHER DATASHEETS

Inceptor Squad (220 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (110 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.7.0 (23), Data Version: v304

Archetype

Deep Strike Murder Ultras

Thoughts

Wings: From a list that overwelms people with pressure to one that obliterates them straight out of the sky, this build goes about as hard as it’s possible to go on Deep Strike shooting threats, thanks to fifteen Inceptors and the ability to add Deep Strike to the Centurions with Ventris, can then pull the Centurions back into reserves for a second strike with Guerrilla Tactics, and as if that wasn’t enough of a headache for opponents to try and play around, ther’s also the nightmare Calgar Deathbrick infiltrating to the midboard to deal with. That’s another trick that’s especially good on GW terrain, as it’s going to be pretty easy to hide them from shooting threats, and they have Calculated Feint to dodge melee then hit back hard if the Marines lose the rolloff. The list also avoids some of the normal risks that a Deep Strike heavy build brings, because Inceptors being able to naturally drop at 3″ if they need to mean that it’s extremely tough to fully screen out, and will often be able to brutally punish an opponent who tries.

The Heretic Astartes were just about able to bring this down in the end, but over the course of John’s eye-watering 12 games of Warhammer at the event (double elimination is a hell of a drug) this list really put in the work.

Lowest of Men: Vanguard has serious play and combines super well with all the ‘special’ flavours of marines. I want to personally thank John for sticking up for the more interesting Marines detachments in a world of Whirlwind car parks and pushing it all the way to the top with one of the harder detachments to play well. The Company Heroes squad is, when you dig into it, a remarkably cheap, obnoxious little slab of wounds and I hope we see more of them as the new models are beautiful!

Lachlan Rigg – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

The Wheels on the Rhinos Go Round and Round (2000 points)
Chaos Space Marines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Slaves to Darkness

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (75 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• Warlord
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol

Chaos Lord (75 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol

Dark Commune (55 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 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 (55 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
6x Close combat weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Cultist grenade launcher
1x Flamer
1x Heavy stubber

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Accursed Cultists (190 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 10x Mutant
• 10x Blasphemous appendages
• 6x Torment
• 6x Hideous mutations

Chosen (220 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Chosen
• 6x Accursed weapon
6x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
4x Combi-weapon
2x Paired accursed weapons
3x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist

Chosen (110 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
• 3x Accursed weapon
3x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
2x Combi-weapon
1x Paired accursed weapons
1x Plasma pistol

Forgefiend (180 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Armoured limbs
1x Ectoplasma cannon
2x Ectoplasma cannon

Forgefiend (180 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured limbs
1x Ectoplasma cannon
2x Ectoplasma cannon

Obliterators (170 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 2x Obliterator
• 2x Crushing fists
2x Fleshmetal guns

Obliterators (170 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 2x Obliterator
• 2x Crushing fists
2x Fleshmetal guns

ALLIED UNITS

Syll’Esske (120 points)
• 1x Axe of Dominion
1x Cacophonic choir
1x Scourging whip

The Blue Scribes (65 points)
• 1x Sharp quills

Archetype

Brawler Goodstuff

Thoughts

Wings: This is a more conventional spin on the CSM hotness than Mani brought to bear, and I do really like Syll’Esske on the GW maps, as although they’re a Monster, they’re small enough to navigate between sections of ruin without too much issue, and highly independent melee killers are exactly what you want on that terrain.

Boris Michev – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Boris Michev
Team Ignite / England / Bulgaria

“Strange is it not, that so many I wish beside me stand against me, while at my back are only the flawed and damaged. I am a master of broken monsters.” — Horus Lupercal, Warmaster

Sons of Horus
Slaves to Darkness
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (75 Points)
• Warlord
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol

Chaos Lord (75 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (55 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
6x Close combat weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Cultist grenade launcher
1x Flamer
1x Heavy stubber

Legionaries (90 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
• 1x Aspiring Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy melee weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
• 3x Astartes chainsword
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy melee weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chosen (220 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Accursed weapon
1x Bolt pistol
1x Combi-weapon
• 9x Chosen
• 5x Accursed weapon
5x Bolt pistol
4x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
3x Combi-weapon
2x Paired accursed weapons
4x Plasma pistol
2x Power fist

Chosen (110 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Accursed weapon
1x Bolt pistol
1x Combi-weapon
• 4x Chosen
• 2x Accursed weapon
2x Bolt pistol
2x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired accursed weapons
2x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist

Forgefiend (180 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured limbs
2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon

Forgefiend (180 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Armoured limbs
2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon

Obliterators (170 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 2x Obliterator
• 2x Crushing fists
2x Fleshmetal guns

Obliterators (170 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 2x Obliterator
• 2x Crushing fists
2x Fleshmetal guns

Obliterators (170 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 2x Obliterator
• 2x Crushing fists
2x Fleshmetal guns

Exported with App Version: v1.6.0 (21), Data Version: v299

Archetype

Brawler Goodstuff

Thoughts

Wings: …and then we round out the top four with a CSM build that falls in-between the other two from Best Overall Boris. More of the shooty toys that CSM tend to pack, but adding in the Slaanesh Legionary missiles that helped Mani take the crown, creating an extremely effective chaotic crossbreed.

Valentin Schefter – Necrons – 5th Place

Catacomb Command Barge. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

The Minigame (1985 Points)

Necrons
Awakened Dynasty
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Catacomb Command Barge (150 Points)
• 1x Gauss cannon
1x Overlord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb

Chronomancer (70 Points)
• 1x Aeonstave
• Enhancements: Veil of Darkness

Illuminor Szeras (185 Points)
• 1x Eldritch lance
1x Impaling legs

Imotekh the Stormlord (100 Points)
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer

Orikan the Diviner (80 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Staff of Tomorrow

Technomancer (60 Points)
• 1x Canoptek Cloak
1x Staff of light

Transcendent C’tan (310 Points)
• 1x Crackling tendrils
1x Seismic assault
• Enhancements: Sempiternal Weave

BATTLELINE

Necron Warriors (220 Points)
• 20x Necron Warrior
• 20x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss flayer
19x Gauss reaper

Necron Warriors (220 Points)
• 20x Necron Warrior
• 20x Close combat weapon
20x Gauss reaper

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Ghost Ark (125 Points)
• 1x Armoured bulk
2x Gauss flayer array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Reanimator (105 Points)
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws

Cryptothralls (60 Points)
• 2x Cryptothrall
• 2x Scouring eye
2x Scythed limbs

Triarch Praetorians (240 Points)
• 10x Triarch Praetorian
• 10x Particle caster
10x Voidblade

Archetype

Warriors and…Triarch Praetorians?

Thoughts

Wings: Yeah so this build targets the GW maps with absolute laser focus, taking a full Praetorian brick on them is a genius move. As mentioned above, the FW terrains tend to reward melee units that can operate speedily and independently, and between that and their density the normally underwhelming Praetorians suddenly become really good. I think people have been slightly sleeping on the caster/voidblade build anyway, as it provides a high volume of mid-quality attacks in two phases, and this list puts them to work, further enhancing them with a Command Barge to float around Reanimating them.

Using a bunch of Szeras-buffed Warriors alongside them works really well, because it creates strong board presence that forces the opponent commit, opening them up to the Praetorians Rapid Ingressing behind a wall, flattening one unit with Protocol of the Conquering Tyrant and thirty particle shots, then stabbing something else to death in melee. Absolutely phenomenal to see a unit come completely out of left field in a top eight build, huge congratulations to Valentin.

Arne Zerndt – Aeldari – 6th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Strong but not Dominant (1995 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

CHARACTERS

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

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

Spiritseer (80 points)
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger

The Yncarne (350 points)
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

Night Spinner (180 points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Rangers (55 points)
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol

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

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

War Walkers (110 points)
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet

Wraithguard (340 points)
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon

Archetype

Wraithguard and Spinners

Thoughts

Wings: Look, the WCW top eight has room for brand new units and extremely well-proven ones too. It contains multitudes.

Lowest of Men: It is hilarious that a utility piece as cheap and useful as Shroudrunners barely makes it into lists, but Arne highlights the potential here. They can run out and block or tag things early, screen out oncoming enemy scout moves, and annihilate some enemy chaff in the first exchanges.

Ludovic Stammler – Aeldari – 7th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Lugo : World Championships of Warhammer 40k
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

CHARACTERS

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

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

Farseer (80 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear

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

Spiritseer (80 points)
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger

Troupe Master (55 points)
• 1x Fusion pistol
1x Troupe Master’s blade

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Starweaver (80 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Shuriken cannon

Wave Serpent (120 points)
• 1x Twin shuriken cannon
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hornet (100 points)
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull

Night Spinner (180 points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Swooping Hawks (75 points)
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasblaster
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster

Troupe (75 points)
• 1x Lead Player
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Fusion pistol
• 4x Player
• 1x Fusion pistol
4x Harlequin’s special weapon
3x Shuriken pistol

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

Wraithguard (170 points)
• 5x Wraithguard
• 5x Close combat weapon
• 5x Wraithcannon

Archetype

Serpent Wraithguard

Thoughts

Wings: Almost everything in this build looks familiar, but the very clear exception is that instead of 10 Wraithguard, Ludovic has packed five in a Serpent instead. I suspect that’s a meta/terrain call – it helps ensure they don’t get bogged down by Night Spinners in the mirror, and makes them far harder for Chaotic melee to take down without reprisal. I still feel lightly insane every time I remember that Wave Serpents are only 120pts and most Aeldari builds still don’t take them, and I’m a big fan of the clever usage here.

Kyle McCord – Black Templars – 8th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Jack Templars (2000 points)

Space Marines
Black Templars
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force

CHARACTERS

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

Captain (95 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Master-crafted bolter
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: The Honour Vehement

Captain (90 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Master-crafted bolter
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: Artificer Armour

High Marshal Helbrecht (95 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Ferocity
1x Sword of the High Marshals

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Black Templars Impulsor (85 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Multi-melta
1x Shield dome

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (220 points)
• 1x Aggressor Sergeant
• 1x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Twin power fists
• 5x Aggressor
• 5x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
5x Fragstorm grenade launcher
5x Twin power fists

Eradicator Squad (95 points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta

Inceptor Squad (110 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (110 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon

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

Primaris Sword Brethren (140 points)
• 1x Sword Brother Castellan
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 4x Primaris Sword Brother
• 1x Plasma pistol
2x Power weapon
2x Pyre pistol
1x Thunder hammer
1x Twin lightning claws

Scout Squad (55 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 3x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter

Archetype

Templar Brawler Goodstuff

Thoughts

Wings: Yeah so similar to some of the Death Guard builds we’ve seen, this is essentially doing the Chaos Brawler Goodstuff trick only as another faction. Sword Brethren are an extremely brutal melee toy to unleash from Impulsors or Land Raiders, and Eradicators and the guns on the Redeemer bring the energy of not really needing any help to do their job. This build does also prise enemy units out of ruins like no-one’s business, and the Brethren are definitely able to trump some of the other units that might be doing that.

Lowest of Men: Helbrecht deserves a shout out here too as he just slaps SO hard, and it’s extremely cool to have a faction specific character with a gorgeous model and damage output that requires so much respect from the opponent out there taking names.

Warhammer 40K – The Alliance Open Grand Tournament

110-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Rijsenhout, Noord-Holland, NL on November 18 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Wings is covering this.

Ron Eliyahoo – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Insomnomnomnomnia (2000 Points)

Tyranids
Invasion Fleet
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Deathleaper (70 Points)
• 1x Lictor claws and talons

Hive Tyrant (250 Points)
• 1x Heavy venom cannon
1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
• Enhancements: Perfectly Adapted

Neurotyrant (105 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes
1x Psychic scream

Old One Eye (140 Points)
• 1x Old One Eye’s claws and talons

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (75 Points)
• 10x Gargoyle
• 10x Blinding venom
10x Fleshborer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (75 Points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher

Carnifexes (125 Points)
• 1x Carnifex
• 1x Bio-plasma
1x Carnifex scything talons
1x Chitinous claws and teeth
1x Heavy venom cannon
1x Spine banks

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

Haruspex (125 Points)
• 1x Grasping tongue
1x Ravenous maw
1x Shovelling claws

Maleceptor (170 Points)
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload

Neurogaunts (45 Points)
• 1x Neurogaunt Nodebeast
• 1x Chitinous claws and teeth
• 10x Neurogaunt
• 10x Chitinous claws and teeth

Neurolictor (65 Points)
• 1x Piercing claws and talons

Pyrovores (30 Points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Flamespurt

Ripper Swarms (20 Points)
• 1x Chitinous claws and teeth

Exported with App Version: v1.6.0 (21), Data Version: v299

Archetype

Monster Mash

Thoughts

Hell yeah for Tyranids winning a major. Most of the toys here are business as usual, it’s just all the most efficient beasties crammed into a build then crammed into the opponent’s face. The standout tool is Old One Eye partnered up with a single other Carnifex, something that’s suddenly popped up in quite a few lists. This dynamic duo provides a lot of flexibility and threat at a relatively reasonable price, and they’re also a little easier to maneuvre than some of the monsters in the build, helping avoid congestion. It’s a nice little addition that looks to have helped get the big bugs into the big leagues, and huge congratulations to Ron.

Vincent Koopmans – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Alliance Open (1985 points)
Space Marines
Dark Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Ironstorm Spearhead

CHARACTERS

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (90 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• Enhancement: Master of Machine War (Aura)

Techmarine (95 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Forge bolter
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• Enhancement: Target Augury Web (Aura)

Techmarine (80 points)
• 1x Forge bolter
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• Enhancement: Adept of the Omnissiah

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathwing Knights (235 points)
• 1x Watcher in the Dark
• 1x Knight Master
• 1x Flail of the Unforgiven
• 4x Deathwing Knight
• 4x Mace of absolution

Gladiator Lancer (160 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer
2x Storm bolter

Gladiator Reaper (150 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
2x Tempest bolter
1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

Inceptor Squad (110 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma exterminators

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

Redemptor Dreadnought (200 points)
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Macro plasma incinerator
1x Onslaught gatling cannon
1x Redemptor fist
1x Twin storm bolter

Scout Squad (55 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
2x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle

Whirlwind (145 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

Exported with App Version: v1.6.0 (27), Data Version: v299

Archetype

Dark Ironstorm with Knights

Thoughts

Mostly the standard Ironstorm toys, but again adding a spicy piece of tech in an MSU of Deathwing Knights. These provide a great little unit to either soak up the opponent’s charge or reach out and punch something to death, mitigating the risk of the opponent trying to roll over the Lancers with charges. We’ve also got some effective use of the Lieutenant with Combi Weapon to provide some extra oomph when it really matters, and combining all that with lots of Infiltrators creates a build that’s really hard to counter in the way you might normally try and attack the Spearhead. Given that the result was an undefeated run, it clearly worked pretty well, good choices from Vincent!

Aron Prinsen – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Ynci <3 Avi (1995 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (140 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem

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

Farseer (80 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear

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

Spiritseer (80 points)
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger

The Yncarne (350 points)
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

Night Spinner (180 points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Rangers (55 points)
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol

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

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

Wraithguard (340 points)
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon

Exported with App Version: v1.6.0 (27), Data Version: v299

Archetype

Double Avatar Wraithguard

Thoughts

This list continues to exist.

Well done to Aron.

Coen van der Lee – Blood Angels (Firestorm Assault Force) – 4th Place

Flesh Tearer’s Death Company. Credit: Drybrush Threepwood

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Through the fire and the flames (1990 points)
Space Marines
Blood Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Firestorm Assault Force

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (80 points)
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
1x Power fist
1x Relic blade

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (220 points)
• 1x Aggressor Sergeant
• 1x Flamestorm gauntlets
1x Twin power fists
• 5x Aggressor
• 5x Flamestorm gauntlets
5x Twin power fists

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

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (130 points)
• 5x Death Company Marine with Jump Pack
• 5x Inferno pistol
5x Power fist

Inceptor Squad (110 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (110 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon

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

Scout Squad (55 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter

Whirlwind (145 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

Archetype

Flaming Hot Blood Angels

Thoughts

Corrode has been trying to seel me on this since we first got the Marine Codex, so I’m sure he’s hooting and hollering right now. Death Company getting to pack a bunch of inferno pistols or hand flamers makes them real good in this Detachment, adding an extra level of pressure (particularly the big Lemartes unit) that can swiftly put the opponent on the back foot. This list also shows off the nasty cycling combo you can do with Aggressors in a Redeemer – if they shoot the Redeemer, the Aggressors get out and shoot, then come the Marines turn they no longer disembarked in the current turn, so can get back into the bus at the end of it with Rapid Embarkation, ready to do it all again. That’s particularly challenging for opponents who want to do a lot of their damage in the Fight Phase to handle, with is spicy in the current metagame, and beyond all of that the Aggressors are also just good at punching stuff. Well done to Coen, but given that I’ve immediately sent this to Corrode, and will thus likely get rolled by it next time I play him, curse you slightly as well.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Cees Jan Stam – Ynnari: Extra go-wide Ynnari, cutting Characters right down to a Death Jester and Yvraine and packing in a bunch of hulls and speedy Infantry.
6th – Simon Borgers – Adepta Sororitas: Arco-flagellant and Exorcist spam.
7th – Adam Jagich – Necrons: Herohammer-tastic Necrons, packing in a Command Barge and a solo Technomancer on top of double Lychguard and the Super C’tan.
8th – Brian Lijs – Black Templars (Ironstorm Spearhead): Hull spam with Gladiator Valiants.
9th – Lenny Craft-it – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): All-rounder Templars with some efficient hulls, Jump Intercessors to tangle stuff in combat and a big brick of Assault Intercessors in a Land Raider.
10th – Tobias Kaeser – Thousand Sons: Character/Rubric spam.

Bajio Open 40K, El Bunker

59-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., México on November 18 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Lowest of Men is covering this.

Luis Humberto Casillas Franco – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 1st Place

War Walker - Starcannons. Credit: Rockfish — War Walker – Starcannons. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Space Elves (1995 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (115 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Mandiblasters
1x Star glaive

Illic Nightspear (70 points)
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer

The Yncarne (350 points)
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Prism (180 points)
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Night Spinner (180 points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Rangers (55 points)
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol

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

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

War Walkers (110 points)
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet

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

Exported with App Version: v1.7.0 (29), Data Version: v304

Archetype

Aeldari Hullstuff

Thoughts

No Wraithguard here, as Fire Prisms compliment the Spinners and go to town from further away. They’re still a sensational tank with good profiles for several situations, and very hard for a lot of armies to interact with thanks to the option of peaking out, shooting, and then utilising Fire and Fade to hide. People are starting to cook up solutions to the WG brick so I can see the value in trying something different, and it evidently worked wonders here. Congratulations on the first place finish!

Jose Isaias Valenzuela – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 2nd Place

Baharroth & Swooping Hawks. Credit: James “Boon” Kelling

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Aeldary (2000 Points)

Aeldari
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

Farseer (95 Points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• Enhancements: The Weeping Stones

Spiritseer (80 Points)
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger

The Yncarne (350 Points)
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

Night Spinner (180 Points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

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

War Walkers (110 Points)
• 2x Shuriken cannon
1x War Walker feet

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

Wraithguard (340 Points)
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon

Exported with App Version: v1.7.0 (23), Data Version: v304

Archetype

Double Avatar / WG Aeldari

Thoughts

Sometimes you just take the best things, and that’s absolutely fine. Double Avatar action remains a very cool way to do business, congratulations on the top placing.

Alberto Lopez – Black Templars (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 3rd Place

Black Templars Ballistus Dreadnought. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

bt vehículos (2000 points)

Space Marines
Black Templars
Strike Force (2000 points)
Ironstorm Spearhead

CHARACTERS

Techmarine (80 points)
• 1x Forge bolter
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• Enhancement: Adept of the Omnissiah

Techmarine (95 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Forge bolter
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• Enhancement: Target Augury Web (Aura)

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter

Black Templars Gladiator Reaper (155 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Multi-melta
2x Tempest bolter
1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

Redemptor Dreadnought (200 points)
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Macro plasma incinerator
1x Onslaught gatling cannon
1x Redemptor fist
1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

Scout Squad (55 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
2x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle

Whirlwind (145 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.7.0 (29), Data Version: v304

Archetype

Black Templars Ironstorm

Thoughts

Ironstorm really gets value from Black Templars tanks, where an extra multi-melta here and there can do a lot with the reroll to hit, wound or damage. This is skew at it’s finest, and will simply body the unwary as three little boopy scoring units cover the rest. Awesome work.

🚫🕺♻️👨‍⚖️👣❌️🎶 . – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Never fuck a spider on the fly (2000 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (115 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Mandiblasters
1x Star glaive

Farseer (100 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• Enhancement: Reader of the Runes

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

Illic Nightspear (70 points)
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer

Spiritseer (80 points)
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Fire Dragons (85 points)
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun

Fire Dragons (85 points)
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun

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

Vypers (85 points)
• 1x Aeldari missile launcher
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull

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

Wraithguard (340 points)
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon

Exported with App Version: v1.7.0 (29), Data Version: v299

Archetype

Aeldari Fire Dragon Spam, lol

Thoughts

Falcons with Fire Dragons – here for a good time, not a long time. A nice big of tech for the turn towards hulls and big angry Primarchs by packing disposable threats that can drop in an annihilate hard targets around the board, compensating for the challenges Wraithguard sometimes have projecting threat even with all the tools and tricks Aeldari have to help them. No need to rely on using the Yncarne correctly here, simply drop firey death from on high and profit. Very well done indeed Emoji person.

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Amador Perez – Chaos Space Marines: Brawler Goodstuff.
6th – Fabián Navarro Paredes – World Eaters: Character-heavy World Eaters with lots of small Eightbound units.

The Standoff

36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Portland, ME, United States on November 18 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Lowest of Men is covering this.

Cullen Burns – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Carys Gould’s excessive circumcision (1995 points)

Leagues of Votann
Strike Force (2000 points)
Oathband

CHARACTERS

Brôkhyr Iron-master (65 points)
• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master
• Warlord
• 1x Graviton hammer
1x Graviton rifle
• 1x Ironkin Assistant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Las-beam cutter
• 1x E-COG
• 1x Plasma torch
• 1x E-COG
• 1x Manipulator arms
• 1x E-COG
• 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon

Einhyr Champion (60 points)
• 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
1x Mass hammer
1x Weavefield Crest

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Sagitaur (100 points)
• 1x Armoured wheels
1x L7 missile launcher
1x Sagitaur missile launcher
1x Twin bolt cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (150 points)
• 6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
• 6x Close combat weapon
6x Graviton blast cannon

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (75 points)
• 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Graviton blast cannon

Cthonian Beserks (100 points)
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
• 4x Concussion maul
1x Twin concussion gauntlet

Einhyr Hearthguard (150 points)
• 1x Hesyr
• 1x Concussion gauntlet
1x EtaCarn plasma gun
1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
1x Teleport Crest
• 4x Einhyr Hearthguard
• 4x Concussion gauntlet
4x EtaCarn plasma gun
4x Exo-armour grenade launcher

Hekaton Land Fortress (225 points)
• 1x Armoured wheels
1x Heavy magna-rail cannon
1x MATR autocannon
1x Pan Spectral Scanner
2x Twin bolt cannon

Hekaton Land Fortress (225 points)
• 1x Armoured wheels
1x Cyclic ion cannon
1x MATR autocannon
1x Pan Spectral Scanner
2x Twin bolt cannon

Exported with App Version: v1.7.0 (29), Data Version: v304

Archetype

Votann Fort Spam

Thoughts

The Land Fortress has gradually made it into more and more Votann lists after a dalliance with Sagitaur spam post dataslate. It is a cheap, durable transport with serious Land Raider energy, solid IGNORES COVER shooting, and being able to ferry units up in a vehicle that can take more than one serious hit before dying is extremely useful. Single Champions can ride in these and hop out to do actions, and this list moves away from reserves pressure to apply plenty from on the board, which helps massively in some of Votanns tougher match ups. Bezerks are also worth their weight in gold in a meta with so many more Marine vehicles and bodies than before- sometimes you just need AP 4 Damage three ok?! Excellent work Cullen!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Jared Vail – Ynnari (Battle Host): Go-wide Ynnari with some Kabalites to babysit Yvraine (or at least the half that don’t jump in a Venom.
3rd – Jeffrey Colpitts – Dark Angels (Vanguard Spearhead): The Infiltrating Deathwing Knight special.
4th – Sherbrooke Andrews – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Rampager and Dogs galore.
5th – Steven Pampreen – Orks: Speedy Orks with lots of Nobz and Squighoggs.
6th – John Shippee – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): Aggro-templars with lots of Primaris Crusaders, various small assault units in hefty transports and the triumverate of Helbrecht, Grimaldus and the Emperor’s Champion in charge.

West Coast GT

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Västra Götalands län, SE on November 18 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Wings is covering this.

Emil Söderholm – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Army Roster (Chaos – World Eaters) ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Choice: Berzerker Warband

+ Epic Hero +

Angron

Khârn the Betrayer

Lord Invocatus

+ Character +

World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut: Favoured of Khorne

World Eaters Master of Executions: Berzerker Glaive

+ Battleline +

Jakhals: Icon of Khorne
. B: 1 mauler chainblade, 7 chainblades
. . 7x Jakhals: 7x Autopistol, 7x Jakhal chainblades
. Dishonoured w/ skullsmasher

Khorne Berserkers: Icon of Khorne
. 3x Khorne Berserker: 3x Berserker chainblade, 3x Bolt pistol
. Khorne Berserker Champion: Plasma pistol
. Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons: Khornate eviscerator, Plasma pistol

+ Infantry +

Eightbound
. 2x Eightbound: 2x Eightbound eviscerators
. Eightbound Champion: Lacerators

Exalted Eightbound
. 5x Exalted Eightbound: 5x Eightbound chainfist, 5x Eightbound eviscerator
. Exalted Eightbound Champion: Eviscerator and chainfist

+ Beast +

World Eaters Chaos Spawn
. 2x Chaos Spawn: 2x Hideous Mutations

+ Dedicated Transport +

World Eaters Rhino: Combi-weapon, Havoc launcher

Created with BattleScribe ()

Archetype

Character-Heavy World Eaters

Thoughts

This is basically the formula for successful World Eaters lists right now, with variations generally being pretty small. The combination of hurling a big Exalted Eightbound unit and Angron at the enemy early with a great second wave out of the Rhino (especially with both Kharn and the tooled-up MoE) tends to result in opponents getting knocked down then not getting back up again. You are absolutely going to keep them down. Good work from Emil.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 3.5-1.5+ records. They were:

2nd – Jesper Unander-Scharin – Aeldari (Battle Host): Yncarne, Spinners, Wraithguard.
3rd – Max Persson – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Arco-flagellant and tank spam.
4th – Joakim Engström – Tyranids (Synaptic Nexus): Brainy Monster Mash
5th – Sebastian Magnusson – Leagues of Votann: Sagitaur/Hearthguard heavy Votann.
6th – Jocke Rapp – Blood Angels (Gladius Task Force): Explosive Blood Angels, skewing to early defence by presenting the opponent with a Land Raider, Repulsor and Canis Rex, then rolling the opponent with all the stuff that’s inside plus some Death Company. And Canis Rex.

Nemesis 40k 2023

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Edmonton, AB, Canada on November 18 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Wings is covering this.

Josh Stapleton – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

2k. Working (2000 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (115 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Mandiblasters
1x Star glaive

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

Farseer (105 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem

Spiritseer (80 points)
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger

The Yncarne (350 points)
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

Night Spinner (180 points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull

Night Spinner (180 points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Shadow Spectres (125 points)
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 1x Shadow Spectre Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prism rifle

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

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

Wraithguard (340 points)
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon

Exported with App Version: v1.7.0 (29), Data Version: v304

Archetype

Double Avatar Wraithguard

Thoughts

Is there any better way to spend 1105pts? Has there ever been a better way to spend 1105pts? If you’ve been keeping up with this column, the answer may not surprise you!

Congratulations Josh.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Scotty Bee – Aeldari (Battle Host): Double Avatar Wraithguard.
3rd – Brian Blanteran De Rozari – Asuryani (Battle Host): Wraithguard and triple spinner, cutting out the Yncarne in favour of lots of small units and Characters.
4th – Jason Fowler – Orks (Waaagh! Tribe): Ork Goodstuff with Ghaz.
5th – Michael Blanchet – Adeptus Astartes (Ironstorm Spearhead): Laser death from three Lancers and three RepExes.
6th – Ryan Mcleod – Chaos Knights: Desecrator and Dogs.

Wrap Up

It’s a great meta, even with a few offenders still to iron out. Tune in next time and remember, nobody will ever definitively win the Warhammer!!!

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Chaos Champions – The WCW & pt.2

Warhammer 40,000 World Championships of Warhammer

Just Before We Dive In…

John Lennon

Mani Cheema

The Showdown

Take and Hold – Hidden Supplies – Hammer and Anvil

Thoughts

Result

Mani Cheema – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

John Lennon – Adeptus Astartes (Vanguard Spearhead) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Lachlan Rigg – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Boris Michev – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Valentin Schefter – Necrons – 5th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Arne Zerndt – Aeldari – 6th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ludovic Stammler – Aeldari – 7th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kyle McCord – Black Templars – 8th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Warhammer 40K – The Alliance Open Grand Tournament

Ron Eliyahoo – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Vincent Koopmans – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Aron Prinsen – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Coen van der Lee – Blood Angels (Firestorm Assault Force) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Bajio Open 40K, El Bunker

Luis Humberto Casillas Franco – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Jose Isaias Valenzuela – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Alberto Lopez – Black Templars (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

🚫🕺♻️👨‍⚖️👣❌️🎶 . – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The Standoff

Cullen Burns – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place

The List