Welcome to Competitive Innovations, our weekly feature for a number of game lines across the tabletop wargame space. Each week our army list and tactics experts canvass the top tournaments for their game of specialty, looking at the week’s top match-ups and how they played out on the tabletop to let you know what’s hot, what’s not, and what might be coming next as the competitive meta evolves year-round.

Once again we had truly astounding amounts of Warhammer going on at the weekend, including the World Championships of Warhammer over in Atlanta, so once again we have a massive amount to talk about, and we’re doing it over three parts.

Results-wise, with everyone unleashing their A game things suddenly look extremely polarised – Genestealer Cults and Astra Militarum are ahead of everyone else by miles, both utterly dominating on win rates and leading on top placings. That’s not to say there aren’t challengers out there, with plenty of top finishes for others and a surprise challenger taking the biggest trophy, but after a sustained period of churn, those two armies seem to be fully locked in as the metagame leaders. I will put a small asterisk on that which is that Genestealers seem to do quite a bit less well on GW maps and at US events in general, so if you’re playing in that context, maybe worry a bit more about Guard and a bit less about Cults.

We do, of course, have an exciting advent calendar of new rules coming up, so who knows how things will look in a few weeks, but right now those are the armies you must have a plan to beat if you want to win an event, and presumably the ones that are in the sights of the rules team as they rack the slide on their balance rifle. Do you rack the slide before shooting? I have no idea, I’m far too British for that.

Anyway, today I’ll be covering:

2024 Warhammer 40,000 World Championships of Warhammer
Renegade Open 2024 – 40K GT
GERMAN MAJOR HAMBURG 2 – 2024
The Guardian Gobbler GT
AZ Warhammer 40K League 2024 Fall Championship
Warhammer 40,000 – Dynasty Slayer

On Friday Lowest of Men will look at:

Fantasia Fanatic XLVI – 40K
DaBoyz GT Rochester 2024 40K 1v1
GT Terra’n’dins
ALL STARS COOL DOWN – Hellstorm’s 40K Tournament Series
The Whitby GT
Battle Shocked GT

Finally, on Saturday we’ll cover:

Celtic Cup Grand Tournament 2024
Obsec presents the 10th Annual Perth 40k GT
1.Gt Canes Belli
Cross-Swords War At The Westward VI
Toys of Mass Destruction – Hertfordshire Winter GT

Showdown wise, we will of course be looking at the WCW finals, and then reviewing:

Crusher Stampede vs Imperial Knights at the ALL STARS COOL DOWN
Crusher Stampede vs Retaliation Cadre at Gt Canes Belli

What can I say, the patrons like big bugs, and they cannot lie.

2024 Warhammer 40,000 World Championships of Warhammer

268-player, 8-round Supermajor in Atlanta, GA, United States on November 21 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Linchpin – Raise Banners – Search and Destroy – Map 1

John Lennon – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment)
Army List - Click to Expand

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Marines get the glory, but Guard gets the job done.

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord Solar Leontus (125 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
• 1x Konstantin’s hooves
• 1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (110 Points)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
◦ Enhancements: Kurov’s Aquila
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard

Platoon Command Squad (60 Points)
• 1x Platoon Commander
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 2x Veteran Guardsman
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Lasgun
◦ 2x Laspistol
◦ 1x Master Vox
◦ 1x Regimental Standard
• 1x Veteran Heavy Weapons Team
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Laspistol
◦ 1x Mortar

Tank Commander (240 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher battle cannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta
• Enhancements: Grand Strategist

BATTLELINE

Catachan Jungle Fighters (55 Points)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Flamer
◦ 7x Lasgun
◦ 1x Vox-caster

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chimera (70 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Chimera heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lasgun array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hellhound (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Inferno cannon
• 1x Multi-melta

Hydra (85 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Hydra autocannon

Leman Russ Battle Tank (170 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 1x Leman Russ battle cannon
• 2x Multi-melta

Leman Russ Exterminator (170 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Exterminator autocannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta

Tempestus Aquilons (90 Points)
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Sentry flamer
• 8x Tempestus Aquilon
◦ 8x Close combat weapon
◦ 6x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Hot‐shot long‐las
◦ 1x Plasma carbine
• 1x Gunfighter
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine

Tempestus Scions (100 Points)
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun

Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (48), Data Version: v488

vs.

Folger Pyles – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor)
Army List - Click to Expand

Mid AF but at WCW (2000 points)

Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Talons of the Emperor

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (110 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Vaultswords

Blade Champion (110 points)
• 1x Vaultswords

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (180 points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 3x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Anathema Psykana Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Caladius Grav-tank (215 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

Custodian Wardens (250 points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla

Prosecutors (40 points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
3x Close combat weapon

Witchseekers (50 points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Witchseeker flamer

ALLIED UNITS

Inquisitor Draxus (95 points)
• 1x Dirgesinger
1x Power fist
1x Psychic Tempest

Exported with App Version: v1.22.1 (57), Data Version: v488

Thoughts

The guard menace (in the hands of repeat WCW finalist John Lennon) face a surprising challenger in the finals here from the allegedly Mid AF Adeptus Custodes, which Folger has been tearing up GTs with in the last few weeks.

On the Guard side, John’s build showcases a lot of what is making the army tick right now. The combination of stacking AP buffs and re-rolls on Russes and Hydras provides exceptional damage output into anything you can see, Aquilons are one of the best utility and harrassment units ever created, and the number of cheap hulls you can pack onto the board (particularly now everyone has clued into using Hydras for this) gives you fantastic space control that’s really hard to smash through.

They’re up against a stern challenge here, mind. Custodes are, in fact, Mid AF in the aggregate, but they get something of a boost from the staging options on GW maps, and Folger’s setup is especially strong in a metagame that’s skewing fairly melee-heavy in non-Guard games. Being able to lurk mid-board with a bunch of Wardens threatening to either soak a charge with their Feel No Pain then smash back or lance out with Advance/Charge from the Champions makes life very hard for opponents.

It also gives the army a way to go all out aggro against high threat single phase armies like this one – hit hard and drop three hulls, then lean on having a 4+ Invulnerable save and 4+ Feel No pain across all the key units to try and keep the momentum. Having Kyria and some Custodians helps with that too, especially on this map – assuming she doesn’t flub her power, it creates a way to demand some of the Guard units be drawn forward if they want to try and pressure early Primary, and there aren’t super reliable ways for Guard to shoot for a Secret Mission here. The reactive move Talons gives you is also super good both on GW terrain in general and this matchup in particular – it lets one of the units plausibly operate in melee ahead of a big swing helping cut through the early chaff the Guard can throw out.

That doesn’t make this easy, it just means it’s a game, and something the Custodes do have to worry about is the threat of the drop Scion unit appearing and wiping out a whole squad ahead of it being go time – it feels like if that happens then they won’t be able to build up the momentum they need. Equally, Guard have to worry about the fact that they’re going to be starting this game really bundled up – the downside of filling out on overly cheap hulls is that you can end up as a bit of a car park, and if the Custodes manage to get the drop on it, they could just tie the army down forever.

All things considered, there’s a game here, but I would still probably hand it to the guard on the sheer redundancy and damage potential they have, as it feels like there are more ways for this to go wrong for the Custodes. Folger was able to fight through the challenge, however, taking home the trophy – congratulations!

Result

Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor) Victory – 71 – 57

Folger Pyles – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Mid AF but at WCW (2000 points)

Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Talons of the Emperor

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (110 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Vaultswords

Blade Champion (110 points)
• 1x Vaultswords

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (180 points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 3x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Anathema Psykana Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Caladius Grav-tank (215 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

Custodian Wardens (250 points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla

Prosecutors (40 points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
3x Close combat weapon

Witchseekers (50 points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Witchseeker flamer

ALLIED UNITS

Inquisitor Draxus (95 points)
• 1x Dirgesinger
1x Power fist
1x Psychic Tempest

Exported with App Version: v1.22.1 (57), Data Version: v488

Archetype

GW Terrain Talons

Thoughts

Covered off in the Showdown, and yeah I think it’s worth repeating – the speed and utility tricks it has make this army much better on GW terrain than UKTC or euro-style maps, having clearly been smartly tailored for the environment it thrived in, so if you’re playing in the US keep your eyes out for a small resurgence in Custodes, maybe. Here and now, well done to Folger for correctly identifying how to take down the championship!

John Lennon – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Marines get the glory, but Guard gets the job done.

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord Solar Leontus (125 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
• 1x Konstantin’s hooves
• 1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

BATTLELINE

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chimera (70 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Chimera heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lasgun array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hellhound (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Inferno cannon
• 1x Multi-melta

Hydra (85 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Hydra autocannon

Leman Russ Battle Tank (170 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 1x Leman Russ battle cannon
• 2x Multi-melta

Leman Russ Exterminator (170 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Exterminator autocannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta

Tempestus Scions (100 Points)
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun

Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (48), Data Version: v488

Archetype

Hull Heavy Guard

Thoughts

Once again covered in the Showdown, this build is just an absolutely relentless wheat thresher, cutting through almost anything by stacking up re-rolls and AP boosts, while having a critical mass of hulls for opposing forces to chew to ensure they can never really catch you in a damage race. Well done to John for taking it all the way to the finals.

John Winter Russell – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Player Name: John Winter Russell
Factions Used: Astra Militarum
Army Points: 2000
Army Enhancements: Grand Strategist on Temp. Command squad
Detachment Rule: Combined Regiment

Number of units: 22
Bring it down: 16 (+sentiels coming back)
Assassination: (7) 28
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Les hommes avec des pelles (2000 Points)

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Gaunt’s Ghosts (100 Points)
• 1x Ibram Gaunt
◦ 1x Bolt Pistol
◦ 1x Gaunt’s chainsword
• 1x Colm Corbec
◦ 1x Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Elim Rawne
◦ 1x Rawne’s lascarbine
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Hlaine Larkin
◦ 1x Larkin’s long-las
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x ‘Try Again’ Bragg
◦ 1x Bragg’s autocannon
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Oan Mkoll
◦ 1x Lascarbine
◦ 1x Mkoll’s straight silver knife

Lord Solar Leontus (125 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
• 1x Konstantin’s hooves
• 1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 Points)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
◦ 1x Command Rod
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
◦ Enhancements: Grand Strategist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 Points)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard

Tank Commander (225 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher battle cannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta

BATTLELINE

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points)
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Death Korps Medi-pack
◦ 1x Grenade launcher
◦ 6x Lasgun
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chimera (70 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Chimera heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lasgun array

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Taurox gatling cannon
• 1x Twin Taurox hot-shot volley gun

OTHER DATASHEETS

Attilan Rough Riders (120 Points)
• 1x Rough Rider Sergeant
◦ 1x Hunting lance
◦ 1x Lasgun
◦ 1x Laspistol
◦ 1x Power sabre
◦ 1x Steed’s hooves
• 9x Rough Rider
◦ 9x Hunting lance
◦ 9x Lasgun
◦ 9x Laspistol
◦ 9x Steed’s hooves

Kasrkin (110 Points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
◦ 1x Melta Mine
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster

Regimental Attachés (40 Points)
• 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

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (240 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Co-axial autocannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 2x Meltagun
• 2x Multi-melta
• 1x Oppressor cannon
• 1x Pulveriser cannon

Scout Sentinels (55 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 1x Sentinel chainsaw

Tempestus Aquilons (90 Points)
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Sentry flamer
• 8x Tempestus Aquilon
◦ 8x Close combat weapon
◦ 6x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Hot‐shot long‐las
◦ 1x Melta carbine
• 1x Gunfighter
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine

Tempestus Scions (50 Points)
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun

Archetype

Mechanised Scion Guard

Thoughts

Guard are not, to be clear, one-trick ponies. Though this build does have ponies. John’s build tailors for the restricted sightlines and good staging of the GW maps with Command Squad/Scion units in Taurox Primes, allowing the build to go for big aggressive plays by lunging forward with massively stacked re-rolls. While waiting for opponents to take the bait and line up a power play, the Rough Riders provide a strong-countercharge threat into anything that tries to attack staged tanks, and the single Dorn is well tuned for gunfights down one side of the board, as shrugging off the first big hit that comes its way can stack the deck against stuff like Hammerheads. It finishes up with general high quality pieces like the Tank Commander and Aquilons, and the final result is an Astra Militarum build that trades a bit of the resilience of an all-hull list for the ability to go very hard at close quarters, which clearly served John well on the way to third place.

Jesper Unander-Scharin – Ultramarines (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 4th Place

Chapter Master Arcus Pluvius of the Rainbow Warriors armed with the gauntlets Rainbows Duplex — Rainbow Warriors Chapter Master Arcus Pluvius by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

IronstUrM (1995 points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
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

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

Roboute Guilliman (285 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
1x Hand of Dominion

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (130 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter

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

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

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

Scout Squad (65 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

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

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (100 points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades

Exported with App Version: v1.22.1 (57), Data Version: v488

Archetype

Bobby Gunline

Thoughts

I did warn you about Bobby G. This build is not especially subtle, simply stacking up seven ultra efficient shooting hulls with counter-charge protection and Stratagem turbo-boosts from Roboute and Calgar, and calling that job done. Which it mostly was – only Folger and John R above were able to take this list down, the sheer threat saturation of a wall of 2+ Save shooty hulls with re-rolls being enough to conquer a truly impressive suite of prior challengers. Well done to Jesper for really showing off what the Ultramarines can do in the post-Dataslate world.

The Best of the Rest

The rest of the top 16 finishers were:

5th – Marco Santopadre – Grey Knights: Two big terminator bricks with three regular Dreadknights, another build that does very well on GW terrain, as the Terminators can stage effectively while the Dreadknights aren’t as held up by ruins as on some maps.
6th – Björn Eriksson – Astra Militarum: One of most of the hottest guard toys and a second Tank Commander.
7th – Richard Siegler – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Big shooty hulls and two large Pteraxii units (one of each) for utility and anti-horde.
8th – Derek apsche – Chaos Space Marines (Chaos Cult): The Cultist horde board control special that we’ve covered in depth before.
9th – Wesley St – Astra Militarum: Infantry horde guard with a couple of big Death Corps squads as anchors, then loads of murderous Scions, Aquilons and Kasrkin.
10th – Samuel Pope – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): An unusual mix of horde and monster mash elements, supporting shooty bugs with a carpet of 80 Termagants and a Tervigon.
11th – Borja FM – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): A mixture of melee jump threats and close-in shooting hulls (Vindicators and Baal Predators, specifically).
12th – Fritz Peters – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Double C’tan, Silent King and triple Doomsday.
13th – Brian Daugherty – World Eaters: The industry-standard World Eaters list.
14th – TJ Lanigan – Thousand Sons: Double Mutalith, a few units of Rubricae, and extra cheap board control from Cultists and Enlightened to free up space to keep loads of Characters.
15th – Ranchen Li – Death Guard: Crunchy Death Guard with Destructors and Brigands, Mortarion, one big Plague Marine unit and some small Deathshroud squads as utility threats.
16th – Edoardo Rinaldi – Astra Militarum: Russes galore and one big Armoured Sentinel squad.

Renegade Open 2024 – 40K GT

80-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Minneapolis, MN, US on November 23 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Tyler Devries – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Tankity tank (2000 Points)

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord Solar Leontus (125 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
• 1x Konstantin’s hooves
• 1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Platoon Command Squad (60 Points)
• 1x Platoon Commander
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 2x Veteran Guardsman
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Lasgun
◦ 2x Laspistol
◦ 1x Master Vox
◦ 1x Medi-pack
• 1x Veteran Heavy Weapons Team
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Laspistol
◦ 1x Mortar

Tank Commander (225 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher battle cannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta

Tank Commander (225 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher battle cannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Militarum plasma cannon

BATTLELINE

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chimera (70 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Chimera heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lasgun array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hellhound (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Inferno cannon
• 1x Multi-melta

Leman Russ Battle Tank (170 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 1x Leman Russ battle cannon
• 2x Multi-melta

Ogryn Squad (60 Points)
• 1x Ogryn Bone ‘ead
◦ 1x Ripper gun
• 2x Ogryn
◦ 2x Ripper gun

Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (48), Data Version: v488

Archetype

Tank Commander Guard

Thoughts

Triple Tank Commander huh. What is this, 8th Edition? Anyway – all the fancy guard toys, cheap Bullgryn to provide a bit of extra spacing and counterpunch against Genestealers, and three units of Aquilons just in case two wasn’t enough. Brutal stuff, and a big win for Tyler here.

Andrew Moe – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

4in is enough (2000 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Plague Company

CHARACTERS

Death Guard Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (85 points)
• 1x Curse of the Leper
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Plague fist
• Enhancement: Deadly Pathogen

Death Guard Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (70 points)
• 1x Curse of the Leper
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Plague fist

Mortarion (300 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Rotwind
1x Silence
1x The Lantern

Tallyman (45 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Infected plasma pistol

Typhus (80 points)
• 1x Master-crafted manreaper

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (90 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
2x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Death Guard Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Plague combi-bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Death Guard Cultists (50 points)
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
7x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher

Death Guard Predator Destructor (130 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Predator autocannon

Deathshroud Terminators (220 points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
• 5x Manreaper
5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

ALLIED UNITS

Beasts of Nurgle (65 points)
• 1x Putrid appendages

Nurglings (40 points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Exported with App Version: v1.22.1 (57), Data Version: v488

Archetype

Brawler Death Guard

Thoughts

Death Guard’s hot streak fell off a little this week, but there are still some very strong finishes for them, spearheaded by Andrew’s undefeated run here. A roving deathball of Deathshrouds with Mortarion in charge can cleave through most targets, and you get some extremely efficient supporting pieces in Destructors and Daemon allies, helping create a well rounded list. Keep spreading the good word of Nurgle.

Craig Parker – Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Thick Thighs Save The Hive (1990 points)

Tyranids
Strike Force (2000 points)
Assimilation Swarm

CHARACTERS

Hive Tyrant (250 points)
• 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
1x Monstrous scything talons
• Enhancement: Instinctive Defence

Neurotyrant (115 points)
• 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes
1x Psychic scream
• Enhancement: Biophagic Flow (Aura)

The Swarmlord (240 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bone sabres
1x Synaptic pulse

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Psychophage (95 points)
• 1x Psychoclastic torrent
1x Talons and betentacled maw

Pyrovores (105 points)
• 3x Pyrovore
• 3x Chitin-barbed limbs
3x Flamespurt

Pyrovores (40 points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Flamespurt

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

Tyrant Guard (170 points)
• 6x Tyrant Guard
• 6x Scything talons and rending claws

Exported with App Version: v1.22.1 (57), Data Version: v488

Archetype

Brick Wall Bugs

Thoughts

A hilarious curveball for our third undefeated list here, with Craig unleashing the full potential of the Assimilation Swarm. This list rules and is very smartly put together – the intent is clearly to be able to move to the mid-board in force with a wall of Hive Guard, and then just absolutely refuse to move from there under any circumstances. Lots of cheap Psychophages amped up by the Neurotyrant spread healing far and wide, while the Swarmlord tanks enemy Stratagems, but what really makes the build shine in the current environment is the threat of free Heroic Intervention off a Fight First Hive Tyrant and a full squad Tyrant guard. I’ve mentioned in the last few weeks that the metagame is melee-heavy, bringing up the value of Fight First, and I’m fully not sure what the average melee army is supposed to do about this, creating a genuine draw to the detachment.

You still get some good value shooty bugs and utility pieces to plink and score with while the opponent works out how the hell they’re doing to claim space too, giving you plenty of routes to victory even if they don’t slam face first into a fight they can’t win. This build shows off serious innovation with a book that’s been out for over a year, and it’s definitely my favourite of the week, great job Craig.

Eric Olson – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 4th Place

Credit: Liebot – https://instagram.com/liebot_pics

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Daemons 2.0 (1995 points)

Chaos Daemons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Daemonic Incursion

CHARACTERS

Bloodthirster (325 points)
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
1x Hellfire breath
• Enhancement: A’rgath, The King of Blades

Exalted Flamer (65 points)
• 1x Fire of Tzeentch
1x Flamer mouths

Great Unclean One (260 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bilesword
1x Plague flail
1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancement: The Endless Gift

Lord of Change (285 points)
• 1x Bolt of Change
1x Staff of Tzeentch
• Enhancement: The Everstave

Shalaxi Helbane (425 points)
• 1x Lash of Slaanesh
1x Pavane of Slaanesh
1x Snapping claws
1x Soulpiercer

Skulltaker (85 points)
• 1x The Slayer Sword

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

BATTLELINE

Daemonettes (100 points)
• 1x Alluress
• 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Slashing claws

OTHER DATASHEETS

Bloodcrushers (110 points)
• 1x Bloodhunter
• 1x Hellblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 2x Bloodcrusher
• 1x Daemonic Icon
2x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos
2x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

Exported with App Version: v1.22.1 (57), Data Version: v488

Archetype

Herohammer Monster Mash

Thoughts

Big Monsters, with some nifty supporting Characters and Bloodcrusher shock troops for anything where a sudden dose of Mortal Wounds would help. The main unusual tool here is the Exalted flamer, which is a neat little tech piece in the current environment. You certainly wish it was more reliable, but in terms of being a scoring piece it isn’t much different to regular flamers, and being able to sometimes slow down a key Infantry unit can be clutch. Nice to see Daemons still having a great time out there, well done Eric.

The Best of the Rest

There were 10 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Connor Haugen – Orks (War Horde): Trukk/Battlewagon-riding Boyz, Nobz and Snaggas.
6th – Joseph Bommarito – Orks (War Horde): Triple Kill Rig with Ghaz lumbering behind.
7th – Alex Vian – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Deathwing GTF goodstuff.
8th – Tyler Broderius – T’au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Crisis Toolbox plus some Breacher/Fireblade units as counterpunch threats.
9th – Bill Stineman – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ): Elite melee Herohammer wolves, which is real commitment to the brand.
10th – Draven Hammel – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack): Many Kroot of all shapes and sizes, one lone Ethereal and some Hammerheads.
11th – Logan Payne – Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge): Muscle beach 2024.
12th – Miles Engrav – Grey Knights: Terminator MSUs and Dreadknights.
13th – Nathan Hoekstra – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught): All-in sneaky bugs with all sorts of Lictors, 30 Genestealers with Broodlords and a squad of Zoanthropes to slip around shooting stuff.
14th – Jasper Axelson – Leagues of Votann: Triple Land Fortress and lots of bikes.

GERMAN MAJOR HAMBURG 2 – 2024

53-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hamburg, HH, Deutschland on November 23 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Manuel “BEL” Wieczorek – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

The real BELmann (2000 Points)

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord Solar Leontus (125 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
• 1x Konstantin’s hooves
• 1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Platoon Command Squad (60 Points)
• 1x Platoon Commander
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 2x Veteran Guardsman
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Lasgun
◦ 2x Laspistol
◦ 1x Master Vox
◦ 1x Medi-pack
• 1x Veteran Heavy Weapons Team
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Laspistol
◦ 1x Mortar

BATTLELINE

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chimera (70 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Chimera heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lasgun array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hellhound (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Inferno cannon

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta
• 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Ogryn Squad (60 Points)
• 1x Ogryn Bone ‘ead
◦ 1x Ripper gun
• 2x Ogryn
◦ 2x Ripper gun

Ratling Snipers (60 Points)
• 5x Ratling Sniper
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Sniper rifle

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (240 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Co-axial autocannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 2x Meltagun
• 2x Multi-melta
• 1x Oppressor cannon
• 1x Pulveriser cannon

Tempestus Aquilons (90 Points)
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Sentry flamer
• 8x Tempestus Aquilon
◦ 8x Close combat weapon
◦ 6x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Hot‐shot long‐las
◦ 1x Melta carbine
• 1x Gunfighter
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine

Exported with App Version: v1.23.0 (3), Data Version: v507

Archetype

Double Dorn Guard

Thoughts

Another event win for tank-heavy guard, this time foregoing some of the AP and re-roll stacking for the all-rounder power of Dorns and the mirror-match threat of Vanquishers. You know other Guard builds hate to see those coming. Manuel did, in fact, smash his way through two other high-powered Guard builds to take the trophy, so yes we do appear to be heading towards “build the version of the top army that beats other players of that army” territory. Congratulations to Manuel for being ahead of the curve on that!

Simon Rosen – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Primaris Chapter Master Dante. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Horus Search Party (1995 Points)

Space Marines
Blood Angels
Liberator Assault Group
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain (90 Points)
• 1x Neo-volkite pistol
• 1x Power fist
• Enhancements: Rage-fuelled Warrior

Chaplain with Jump Pack (100 Points)
• 1x Crozius arcanum
• 1x Power fist
• Enhancements: Speed of the Primarch

Chief Librarian Mephiston (125 Points)
• 1x Fury of the Ancients
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Vitarus

Commander Dante (130 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Perdition Pistol
• 1x The Axe Mortalis

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Thunder hammer
• 4x Assault Intercessor
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Shield dome

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma pistol

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (240 Points)
• 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs
◦ 5x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Eviscerator
◦ 6x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 2x Inferno pistol
◦ 2x Plasma pistol
◦ 3x Power fist

Gladiator Lancer (160 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Lancer laser destroyer

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

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

Sanguinary Guard (270 Points)
• 6x Sanguinary Guard
◦ 4x Angelus boltgun
◦ 6x Encarmine blade
◦ 2x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Sanguinary Banner

Scout Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Combat knife

Exported with App Version: v1.22.0 (48), Data Version: v488

Archetype

All-rounder Blood Angels

Thoughts

If you’re wondering what level of “Fight First is king” we’re at, that sure is a unit of Jump Death Company prioritising it over -1D, which would be a truly wild thing to contemplate in pretty much any metagame we’ve seen for quite a while. Maybe ever in the 8th-onwards era of the game? Outside that unit, this is showing what the new Blood Angels book does best as players get into the groove with it – a unit each of Death Company, Sanguinary Guard and Mephiston provide a really strong reactive melee presence to supplement shooty stuff, without costing so much that it’s your only plan. That creates very well-rounded armies, of which this is an exemplar, brought up to undefeated status by the smart counterpick for getting one over the other melee armies – great work Simon!

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

3rd – Marvin Petersen – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): Double Tank Commander, one Bullgryn block, lots of Aquilons.
4th – Kayu Orellana – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Big bugs, 60 Hormagaunts (20/20/10/10) and some Warrior MSUs that are presumably aimed at being efficient at clearing GSC chaff.
5th – Thomas Büttelmann – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Grimaldus with one huge Primaris Crusader brick backed up by a whole lot of hulls.
6th – Felix Haak – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Go-wide Invasion Fleet, dialing down the number of monsters for some Warrior MSUs, Raveners and cheap Genestealer squads.
7th – Luis Stiemerling – Astra Militarum: Tanks galore and double Aquilons.
8th – Mathieu Clerc – Leagues of Votann: Heathguard-focused Votann, deploying two units from Forts and one full block from Deep Strike.
9th – Konstantin Dietze – Astra Militarum: Double Tank Commander and a Bullgryn block.
10th – Frank Voss – Leagues of Votann: All-rounder Votann with a bit of everything.

The Guardian Gobbler GT

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Portland, OR, United States on November 23 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Ryan Cherewich – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Death Guard
+ DETACHMENT: Plague Company (Spread the Sickness)
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Legiones Daemonica
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Mortarion
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (5×2) + (1×4) + (1×6) – Assassination: 5 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Mortarion (300 pts)
1 with Rotwind, Silence, The Lantern
• Warlord

Char2: 1x Typhus (80 pts)
1 with Master-crafted manreaper

Char3: 1x Death Guard Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (70 pts)
1 with Curse of the Leper, Plague combi-bolter, Force weapon

Char4: 1x Death Guard Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (70 pts)
1 with Curse of the Leper, Plague combi-bolter, Force weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

10x Death Guard Cultists (50 pts)
• 1x Cultist Champion
1 with Brutal assault weapon, Cultist firearm
• 9x Cultist
6 with Brutal assault weapon, Cultist firearm
1 with Brutal assault weapon, Flamer
1 with Brutal assault weapon, Grenade launcher
1 with Brutal assault weapon, Heavy stubber

10x Death Guard Cultists (50 pts)
• 1x Cultist Champion
1 with Brutal assault weapon, Cultist firearm
• 9x Cultist
9 with Brutal assault weapon, Cultist firearm

6x Deathshroud Terminators (220 pts)
• 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion
1 with Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
5 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet

1x Foetid Bloat-drone (90 pts)
1 with Plague probe, Fleshmower

1x Myphitic Blight-haulers (90 pts)
• 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler
1 with Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta

ALLIED UNITS

3x Nurglings (40 pts)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
3 with Diseased claws and teeth

Char5: 1x Rotigus (230 pts)
1 with Gnarlrod, Streams of brackish filth

Archetype

Brawler Death Guard

Thoughts

Despicably moisturised, in their lane, thriving – another top finish for a brawling Death Guard build here, choosing to go all-in on midfield dominance with the addition of Rotigus. You get a good amount of cheap, moderately resilient bait for the Daemon Engines as well, helping draw the foe into Da Deathshroud Zone, and it turns out that if you enter Rotigus’s aura you can no longer simply walk out. Powerful as this is, I’m legitimately impressed that armies so dependent on 3W Terminators are doing so well in Astra Militarum hell, so big props to Ryan for taking the trophy here.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:

2nd (4.5-0.5) – Daniel Mindlin – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force): Six Dreadknights and a full Paladin brick.
3rd – Enrique Gavina – Genestealer Cult (Outlander Claw): Go-wide mechanised claw, still very strong even after Biosanctic and Host builds have stolen the limelight.
4th – Rich Dudley – Drukhari (Realspace Raiders): Talos Spam
5th – Daniel McNicholas – Chaos Space Marines: Accursed Cultists forever, Vindicators to shoot, and one big roving Warp Talon unit.
6th – Brad Chaussee – World Eaters: Industry-standard World Eaters.
7th – Justin Whitton – World Eaters: Double full Terminator squad World Eaters.

AZ Warhammer 40K League 2024 Fall Championship

36-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Tempe, Arizona, US on November 23 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Daniel Olivas – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

if tanks could fly (2000 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (115 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Howling Banshee Mask
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Star glaive

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

Farseer Skyrunner (90 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult

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

The Visarch (90 points)
• 1x Asu-var, the Sword of Silent Screams

Yvraine (125 points)
• 1x Kha-vir, the Sword of Sorrows
1x Storm of Whispers

BATTLELINE

Guardian Defenders (100 points)
• 10x Guardian Defender
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Heavy Weapon Platform
• 1x Bright lance
1x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Prism (170 points)
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Night Spinner (210 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

Swooping Hawks (85 points)
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasblaster
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster

Troupe (90 points)
• 1x Lead Player
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Fusion pistol
• 5x Player
• 1x Fusion pistol
5x Harlequin’s special weapon
2x Neuro disruptor
2x Shuriken pistol

Voidweaver (115 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Shuriken cannon
1x Voidweaver haywire cannon

Warp Spiders (125 points)
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner

Exported with App Version: v1.22.1 (57), Data Version: v488

Archetype

Hull-heavy Aeldari

Thoughts

Even in one of their weakest states for a while you can never truly count the Aeldari out in the right hands, and Daniel’s build uses some innovative tricks to maximise the value you get from their toolbox. Fire Prisms are, of course, fantastic at punishing enemy Vehicles with relative impunity, as you can Fire and Fade back the one you’re aiming from after you’re done with zapping, and bringing back a small unit of Rangers with Illic gives you a great tool for ensuring you can contest some objectives early without having to fully commit. You also see the return of a Night Spinner here to help moderate the threat of nasty melee pushes, and that’s a choice I’m fully behind from my own recent elf experiments – paying 210pts feels godawful, but one is still absolutely worth it, particularly as it also gives you something happy to sit on a home objective and body-block Aquilons.

The last piece of the puzzle here is the small Troupe with double-stacked Ynnari Characters, which creates quite the counter-charge/Fights First threat for enemies to have to deal with (and you could also pivot Yvraine to running with the Guardians in a matchup where that’s better). The Visarch with a Troupe is consistently great, and while this unit is eye-wateringly fragile for the price, it does also become very nasty and is well suited to our current environment. Great work from Daniel putting all of this together into a winning list!

The Best of the Rest

The rest of the top four were:

2nd – Travis Finell – Space Wolves (Gladius Task Force): All-rounder Space Wolves with some cheap shooty hulls and a Repulsor full of Fire Discipline Hellblasters as a centrepiece.
3rd – Cory Walsh – Aeldari (Battle Host): Avatar, Yncarne and Prisms, somehow returned from early 10th.
4th – Matt Schriock – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): Russes and Hellhounds for days.

Warhammer 40,000 – Dynasty Slayer

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on November 23 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jack Chapman – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

5 reps & a dream (2000 points)

Chaos Space Marines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Renegade Raiders

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (90 points)
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol

Fabius Bile (85 points)
• 1x Fabius Bile
• Warlord
• 1x Chirurgeon
1x Rod of Torment
1x Xyclos Needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools

BATTLELINE

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

Legionaries (90 points)
• 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)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

Chosen (125 points)
• 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

Raptors (90 points)
• 1x Raptor Champion
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Raptor
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
2x Meltagun

Venomcrawler (120 points)
• 2x Excruciator cannon
1x Soulflayer tendrils and claws

Warp Talons (125 points)
• 1x Warp Talon Champion
• 1x Warp claws
• 4x Warp Talon
• 4x Warp claws

Exported with App Version: v1.22.1 (57), Data Version: v488

Archetype

Brawler Raiders

Thoughts

Love brawling, love Vindicators, hate enemies on objectives, simple as.

This is a very classic example of what Chaos Space Marines have been doing well all edition, and which continues to be strong with Raiders from their codex. Great value shooty hulls, powerful brawling pieces able to deploy out of staged Rhinos, and Dark Pacts plus detachment bonuses to push things over the top. Small Warp Talon units are the main new spice here, pulling double duty as extra reach into shooty builds and universal counterpunch for melee armies, and that helps make this version stand out, congratulations Jack.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Luke harris – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Silent King, Doomsdays and a Vault.
3rd – Ross James – Orks (War Horde): Double Battlewagon aggro horde.
4th – Owen Newcombe – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Destroyer-heavy Awakened with lots of Skorpekh/Lord MSUs and heavy Lokhusts.
5th – James Marlow – Astra Militarum: Infantry guard spam with Bullgryn adding some backbone.
6th – Dan Roberts – Chaos Space Marines (Veterans of the Long War): All-rounder Veterans with Obliterators, brawling Legionaries and Destructors, plus the unusual sight of Vashtorr leading the charge.

Wrap Up

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[40K] Competitive Innovations In 10th: Gold Medal pt.1

2024 Warhammer 40,000 World Championships of Warhammer

The Showdown

Linchpin – Raise Banners – Search and Destroy – Map 1

Thoughts

Result

Folger Pyles – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

John Lennon – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

John Winter Russell – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Jesper Unander-Scharin – Ultramarines (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Renegade Open 2024 – 40K GT

Tyler Devries – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Andrew Moe – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Craig Parker – Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Eric Olson – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

GERMAN MAJOR HAMBURG 2 – 2024

Manuel “BEL” Wieczorek – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Simon Rosen – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The Guardian Gobbler GT

Ryan Cherewich – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

AZ Warhammer 40K League 2024 Fall Championship

Daniel Olivas – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Warhammer 40,000 – Dynasty Slayer

Jack Chapman – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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