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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Pariah Parade pt.3

By Lowest of Men

Lowest of Men: Sorry this one is coming in a little bit late folks – there was an election in the UK overnight that caught my attention. Anyway! On with this round up of games, featuring some of the dying cries of the old meta as it gives way to (hopefully) a more dynamic and equitable new one…

Today we’re looking at:

  • WarGamesCon 14 Warhammer 40K Championship
  • Battle Ready Wargaming’s Southern Showdown
  • Rage Grand Tournament
  • Bouvr’On Games by Les Dés’Luminatis
  • Silicon Valley Grand Tournament
  • PKH x BAC Warhammer 40k GT 2024
  • Fläsket är Svagt III – GT

For other events check out part 1:

  • The Glasshammer GT – Birmingham
  • Battle for the Capital GT 2024
  • 30.Sachsengeballer GT Edition
  • Tolaris Cup
  • Built Forge Tough GT
  • 2nd Annual Dragon Egg WAAAAAGH!!!!!

…or part 2:

  • Salzburg Major 40K – Alpine Cup
  • Dumfries Gamers 40K Charity GT
  • Toys of Mass Destruction – Hertfordshire Summer GT
  • Field of Flames GT by Tavern of Souls
  • The Portal Summer GT
  • Pergőtűz LCOTSV IV Combined Arms PRO

WarGamesCon 14 Warhammer 40K Championship

118-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Austin, TX, US on June 29 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Matthew Allee – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders) – 1st Place

Kitbashed Black Templars Judiciar. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Black Templars Righteous Crusaders

Thoughts

An extremely cool brawling Templars list takes first here, as the shackles of ‘loads of Gladiator Reapers’ are finally removed and melee breathes a sigh of relief. The Terminator brick with Tannhauser’s Bones is a durable nightmare for some armies, especially if it connects into multiple units and is able to pull off a trap with the Templars stratagem. Loads of MSU trading supplement this anvil, and the Redeemer gives way for a cheaper standard one to ferry units around. Really punchy, really effective and more than capable of bodying it’s way to the top. Excellent work on the event win Matthew!

Justin Moore – T’au Empire (Mont’ka) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

XV95 Ghostkeel. Credit: Rockfish
XV95 Ghostkeel. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Mont’ka Pressure

Thoughts

Another storming placing for the Mont’ka Tau, who can yeet forwards and do horrible things with their guns at close range. Many of the standard tools here but it’s nice to see Crisis Suits sliding back into contention after recent points drops that have definitely helped to adjust internal balance for the faction. I think Ghostkeels are really tidy in the new Pariah Nexus world – obnoxious scoring and pressure pieces that can draw the opponent out for the big guns to do the work. Overall, a deliciously balanced list that requires careful piloting to thrive, so very well done on taking second place.

Colin McDade – Orks (Bully Boyz) – 3rd Place

Ork Squighog Boyz. Credit: Magos Sockbert
Ork Squighog Boyz. Credit: Magos Sockbert

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Bully Boyz Pressure

Thoughts

Bully Boyz – still very much a thing! The Squighog brick makes an appearance here, as a tarpit unit with Mozrog that has gone up in value in a world of cheaper heroic intervention. Max Meganobz is still very potent even with the nerfs they took, and this list can jam the midboard at a crucial moment and body the unwary. Nothing like as obnoxious as it previously was, this remains a detachment that can sing in the right hands. Well done on the top placing.

Mathew Tweedel – T’au Empire (Mont’ka) – 4th Place

Tau Broadside Battlesuit with Railgun
Tau Broadside Battlesuit with Railgun. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Mont’ka Pressure

Thoughts

Look, more Tau! A lot of the same tools here (Breachers, Riptides), but this front foot build also leans heavily into Broadsides. These were one of the big winners in the slate as their datasheet rule actually helps them absorb a much wider range of damage now, and in cover they become very hard to remove whilst offering more serious (and more versatile) hard-target removal than some of the usual suspects in Tau lists at present. It’s very exciting seeing Tau able to go down multiple pathways to win at the moment and the book is definitely starting to grow into the meta, awesome work.

The Best of the Rest

There were 9 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

  • 5th – Nathaniel Bjorge – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught): A glorious Vanguard list that packs in Genestealers, Trygon, and a newly enhancement Zoanthrope brick with Neurotyrant.
  • 6th – Dane Mercer – Drukhar (Skysplinter Assault): Triple Archons leading lots of Incubi, a Court, and plenty of supporting shooting with some Talos in the mix too!
  • 7th – Nick “Doots” Toomey – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Hallowed Martyrs with Vahl Suits and triple Castigator – if it ain’t broke!
  • 8th – Sweet Lew – Death Guard: An interesting spin on VSL Death Guard and allies that packs a Land Raider in for extra heft.
  • 9th – Ethan Nolen – World Eaters: All-in Eightbound World Eaters with Angron leading the bloodshed.
  • 10th – Kit Smith – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Chonky IF Tyranids with triple Exocrine, the Old-One Eye and Carnifex blob, and loads of supporting pieces.
  • 11th – Robert Rettew – Leagues of Votann: 18 Thunderkyn, yikes! And a big mass of bikers and Sagitaurs ready to enjoy the space afforded them by a plug in of the new Yaegirs…
  • 12th – David Hall – Chaos Daemons: Big monster Daemons with Belly, the Great Unclean One, a Lord of Change AND a Keeper as well as some Soul Grinders.
  • 13th – Michael Dehoyos – Grey Knights: A Terminator and Paladin brick supported by lots of Dreadknights.
  • 14th – Russell Tassin – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Abaddon and a baby squad of Terminators lead a go-wide RR CSM list to war.

Battle Ready Wargaming’s Southern Showdown

50-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Valdosta, GA, United States on June 29 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event was not using the new Dataslate and books.

Collin Watts – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) – 1st Place

Grey Knight Nemesis Dreadknights. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

GK Dreadknight Spam

Thoughts

An old 10th triumph for the GK Dreadknight spam list. You know what it does- can you stop it though?! New challengers will emerge for it in Pariah, but a solid victory for the GK as they see out the previous ruleset, well done.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

  • 2nd – Andy Powell – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force): Triple Librarian / Hull spam GK with a Redeemer.
  • 3rd – kyle jackling – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Hunter Cohort with loads of small pieces and some Breacher support.
  • 4th – Daniel Holladay – Adeptus Mechanicus (Data-psalm Conclave): Loads of Ironstriders and Breachers backing up this interesting Data-psalm build with some msu Dragoons.
  • 5th – Chris Reeder – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead): Double Stormraven Dark Angels Ironstorm.
  • 6th – Nathan Flood – Thousand Sons: Massed Rubrics and characters with a cheeky Vortex Beast.
  • 7th – John K – Orks (Green Tide): Ghaz leads a huge horde of Boyz to war.
  • 8th – Dustin Hammond – Imperial Knights: Three BIG KNIGHTS including Canis Rex with some Armiger / Assassin support.

Bouvr’On Games by Les Dés’Luminatis 40k solo

48-player GT. All the lists for this event can be found in MiniHeadQuarters.

This event was not using the new Dataslate or rules.

linker – Orks (Bully Boyz) – 1st Place

Meganobz. Credit: Rockfish
Meganobz. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Bully Boyz Nob Spam

Thoughts

A pre-change triumph for Bully Boyz, jamming that sweet 4+++ good at warhammer button one last time. Orks took a serious whack in the changes, it’s going to be interesting to see how they adjust to Pariah. Really well done on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 2nd (4.5-0.5) – Web – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Vicious Triple Accursed Renegade Raiders.
  • 3rd – Ichou – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead): Redemptor heavy Dark Angels Ironstorm.
  • 4th – Z0rr0 – T’au Empire (Kauyon): Breacher / Triple Hammerhead Kauyon.
  • 5th – MrCafouillette – Adepta Sororitas (Index): Goodstuff Sisters with a couple of Exorcists plugged in.
  • 6th – hishari – Orks (Green Tide): Ghazgull with lots and lots of Boyz.

Rage Grand Tournament

44-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Reno, NV, United States on June 29 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Burden of Trust – Prepared Positions – Hammer and Anvil

Matthew Kulak – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment)
Army List - Click to Expand

vs.

Ben Jurek – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius)
Army List - Click to Expand

Thoughts

Some evidence of 10.5 in action here, as Blood Angels take on the Guard. In the previous ruleset the Guard probably have an artillery car park, and this probably ends in tears for the many jump pack lads quite quickly unless a few big swings occur. As it is, we have ourselves a game. The Guard list keeps a little bit of indirect threat via a Manticore (still great despite the changes), has plenty of cheap mechanised scoring pieces and some heavy hitters in the Rogal Dorn and Tank Commander. The change to reinforcement stratagems hurts the guard, but their adjustments mean if they do line up shots into you directly the output is that little bit scarier now, as is the overwatch.

In the red corner, we have massed MSU jump pack BA. This is an extremely potent meta force right now after taking minimal nerfs, and seeing some of its counters pulled away by the slate. I’ll unpack some of the unit details in the pack below but in this match up the killer thing is the angles the Guard are able to get, if any, before massed charges start happening and wrecking things. If the tanks can fire at Blood Angels they will die, but doing so on their terms can be extremely difficult. As such they have to draw out the jump packs with lighter assets and hope to kill enough of them to push out. In the event this went down to a nail biter finish, highlighting how two very different armies can play out an extremely close game in the new meta. I am HERE FOR IT.

Result

Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) Victory – 72 – 66

Ben Jurek – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) – 1st Place

Blood Angels Death Company
Blood Angels Death Company. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Sons of Sanguinius Goodstuff

Thoughts

Blood Angels made out like angry bandits from the recent changes, taking essentially no nerfs and gaining some very enjoyable new toys in the form of cheaper Heroic Intervention and more flexible use of Captains. As such it’s not a surprise to see them triumph here with a glorious all-in combat build. I rate the Sanguinor so highly though they’ve become a decision point lately, maybe it’s just the ‘yeet Incubi’ in me eh. BA aren’t easy to pilot to the highest levels but once mastered they are simply devastating as the combat side of the game continues to rise. Really well done on the event win.

Jofonz Bow – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Darkstrider. Credit: Rockfish
Darkstrider. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Scoring Kauyon

Thoughts

A slightly more subtle Kauyon build here, that still packs plenty of ranged punch but has jammed in considerably more by way of scoring pieces. Farstalkers and Vespid both offer some different flex options for cheap, and I’m a big fan of the MSU Pirhanas for some timely Battleshock and melta up close. A really good showing from one of the stronger detachments in the book heading into the future, great work.

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 3rd – Jason McKenzie – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Cawl and Ruststalkers join the charge in this reinvigorated Hunter Cohort build.
  • 4th – Matthew Kulak – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): The Guard build from the showdown.
  • 5th – Sam H – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Bringers of Flame with Paragons and plenty of flamer tanks.
  • 6th – Joseph Lampkey – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Awoo! A Cheeky Bjorn leads the massed cavalry to war.
  • 7th – Harout Baltayan – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Triple Vindicator and melee MSU in Renegade Raiders.
  • 8th – Wyatt Turk – Ultramarines (Firestorm Assault Force): Quirky Firestorm Ultramarines with an intro fluff background SO long I’m not even going to tell you what units they took.

Silicon Valley Grand Tournament

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Foster City, CA, United States on June 29 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Ruben Zhao – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) – 1st Place

Grey Knights Interceptors. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Grey Knights Mixed Arms

Thoughts

GK claim another event win with this excellent all rounder build. Libbies spew mortal wounds, Dreadknights get angles and bully targets, and the solidity of the smaller Terminator squads helps you anchor and contest primary. GK have a fantastic toolkit and are going to continue to score for fun in Pariah, where the ability to make late game surges in many missions also plays handily into the way they like to do business. Really well done on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 2nd – Aaron Funderburk – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Massed MSU Destroyers in Hypercrypt.
  • 3rd – Majd Kuteifan – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): BoF Sisters with the Triumph, lots of Paragons and Castigators.
  • 4th – Erik Sousa – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Lots of Wizards and Rubrics with some Spawn for utility.
  • 5th – Romain Chevallier – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Massed Custodes infantry with little bricks of Venatarii.
  • 6th – Forrest Phanton – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ): Wolf Jail with Bjorn and a solitary Vindicator.
  • 7th – Jim Yeh – Aeldari: Double Avatar / Triple Fire Prism Aeldari. Old School.

PKH x BAC Warhammer 40k GT 2024

33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Scotland, United Kingdom on June 29 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

John Stewart – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) – 1st Place

Primaris Chapter Master Dante. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Sanguinius Goodstuff

Thoughts

Another event triumph for the Blood Angels – this build packs in Dante and a Sang Guard brick. This is quite a nice unit for spoiling enemy efforts to tangle with you in melee, where the 2+, defensive buffs and AoC locks out certain kinds of units from doing them harm. Cool to see a Ballistus and Command Squad in here, showing that there is plenty of room to dabble in less seen options in BA right now and still thrive. Very well done on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 2nd – Garron Owen – Orks (Bully Boyz): Massed Bully Boyz Nobz and a Flash Gitz brick for lane control.
  • 3rd – Kenneth Mackenzie – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Pure Wardog Spam.
  • 4th – Adam Spicer – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force): Paladin / Terminator brick GK with supporting DK and msu.
  • 5th – Duncan Brown – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead): Dangels Ironstorm with a Stormraven.
  • 6th – Grant Roberts – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede): A very exciting run out for Crusher Stampede with a Norn, Old One-Eye and some Tyrannofex!!

Fläsket är Svagt III – GT

31-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Västra Götalands län, SE on June 29 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Pontus Koch – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place

Cobalt Scions Primaris Lieutenant. Credit: Charlie Brassley

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Ultramarines Gladius

Thoughts

One recurring concern I hear with 10th edition is that the non ‘special’ chapters have been diluted a little in flavour by the immense flexibility of options and selection for Space Marines now. I think this is definitely true, and as such it is always nice to see the more standard marines thrive. This Ultramarines Gladius list packs plenty of tools and threats in, with good hard target removal via Hellblasters and Gladiators, some great melee counter charge units and some durable staging vehicles. Very punchy, and effective when played well. Really well done on the top placing!

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

  • 2nd – Emil Söderholm – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Tonnes of Eightbound and Spawn supporting their primarch.
  • 3rd – Felix Mathiasson – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Massed Rubrics, characters and Cultists.
  • 4th – Jonas Fredriksson – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Transport heavy Skysplinter with a Voidraven Bomber.

Wrap Up

Change is good. New missions and a host of factions rising up, but it looks like a lot of our previous top set are still very effective and able to hang as well. Pariah will really get rolling over the next few weeks and I expect to see plenty of new builds and tech for the brand new version of 10th we have been gifted with. I cannot wait. Be well out there, it’s a good day for Warhams!

Lowest of Men, out.

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