It’s a chaotic week in Pariah, both because the Dark Gods (and other villainous forces like the Drukhari) are having a great time of it, and because there’s a weirdly high number of draws on high tables. Lots of closely fought games is, of course, what we like to see, and everything continues to look pretty healthy and dynamic out there (though those tricksy Drukhari are on top for a second week running, so probably the ones to watch).
This week I’ll be looking at:
- Palm Springs Open 40k GT III By Dicehammer
- China Warhammer City Tournament 2024
- Armed Forces Day 7 Warhammer 40,000 Grand Tournament
- Gothic Games Canterbury: August 40k GT 🏆🎫
On Friday Lowest of Men will take over to cover:
- Salt Lake Open 2024 – Warhammer 40K Championships
- ÖK-spelen GT
- War In The Fort GT
- Peterborough Slam GT 7!
Our showdowns this week, selected by our esteemed Patrons, will be:
- Skysplinter Drukhari vs heavy-duty Thousand Sons at the Palm Springs Open
- Invasion Fleet Tyranids vs Skysplinter Drukhari
Drukhari – even winning at democracy.
Palm Springs Open 40k GT III By Dicehammer
167-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Palm Springs, CA, US on August 03 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Scorched Earth – Inspired Leadership – Crucible of Battle
Wyatt Harris – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) Drukhari CHARACTERS Archon (95 Points) Archon (75 Points) Beastmaster (105 Points) Lelith Hesperax (85 Points) Succubus (45 Points) Urien Rakarth (80 Points) BATTLELINE Kabalite Warriors (110 Points) Kabalite Warriors (110 Points) Wyches (90 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Raider (80 Points) Raider (80 Points) Venom (70 Points) Venom (70 Points) Venom (70 Points) Venom (70 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Cronos (50 Points) Incubi (150 Points) Incubi (75 Points) Mandrakes (65 Points) Mandrakes (65 Points) Scourges (120 Points) Scourges (120 Points) Scourges (120 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (41), Data Version: v434
Army List - Click to Expand
Sk (2000 Points)
Skysplinter Assault
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Huskblade
1x blast pistol
• Enhancements: Nightmare Shroud
• 1x Huskblade
1x blast pistol
• 1x Beastmaster
• 1x Agoniser
1x Splinter pods
• 1x Clawed Fiend
• 1x Clawed Fiend fists
• 2x Khymerae
• 2x Khymerae talons
• 3x Razorwing Flock
• 3x Razorwing feathers
• 1x Lelith’s blades
• 1x Succubus weapons
• 1x Casket of Flensing
1x Haemonculus tools and scissorhands
• 1x Sybarite
• 1x Phantasm grenade launcher
1x Splinter rifle
1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
• 1x Blaster
9x Close combat weapon
1x Dark lance
1x Shredder
1x Splinter cannon
5x Splinter rifle
• 1x Sybarite
• 1x Phantasm grenade launcher
1x Splinter rifle
1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
• 1x Blaster
9x Close combat weapon
1x Dark lance
1x Shredder
1x Splinter cannon
5x Splinter rifle
• 1x Hekatrix
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Hekatarii blade
1x Phantasm grenade launcher
• 9x Wych
• 9x Hekatarii blade
9x Splinter pistol
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Dark lance
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Dark lance
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Spirit syphon
1x Spirit vortex
1x Spirit-leech tentacles
• 9x Incubi
• 9x Klaive
• 1x Klaivex
• 1x Demiklaives
• 4x Incubi
• 4x Klaive
• 1x Klaivex
• 1x Demiklaives
• 1x Nightfiend
• 1x Baleblast
1x Glimmersteel blade
• 4x Mandrake
• 4x Baleblast
4x Glimmersteel blade
• 1x Nightfiend
• 1x Baleblast
1x Glimmersteel blade
• 4x Mandrake
• 4x Baleblast
4x Glimmersteel blade
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dark lance
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dark lance
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dark lance
vs.
Nico Urrea – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) Thousand Sons CHARACTERS Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (125 Points) Infernal Master (115 Points) Magnus the Red (440 Points) Tzaangor Shaman (60 Points) Tzaangor Shaman (60 Points) Tzaangor Shaman (60 Points) BATTLELINE Rubric Marines (105 Points) Rubric Marines (105 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 Points) Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 Points) Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 Points) Thousand Sons Cultists (55 Points) Thousand Sons Cultists (55 Points) Thousand Sons Cultists (55 Points) Thousand Sons Forgefiend (135 Points) Thousand Sons Forgefiend (135 Points) Tzaangor Enlightened (45 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (41), Data Version: v434
Army List - Click to Expand
Tsons PSO (2000 Points)
Cult of Magic
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Prosperine khopesh
1x Warpflame pistol
• Enhancements: Umbralefic Crystal
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancements: Arcane Vortex
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
1x Gaze of Magnus
1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm
• 1x Mutating orbs
1x Shaman’s stave
• 1x Mutating orbs
1x Shaman’s stave
• 1x Mutating orbs
1x Shaman’s stave
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Thousand Sons Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Thousand Sons Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Thousand Sons Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Forgefiend claws
• 2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Forgefiend claws
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 2x Enlightened
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Fatecaster greatbow
Thoughts
A clash of metagame titans here, with the speedy Skysplinter forces facing off against an unusually heavy-duty Thousand Sons build. The Drukhari build is broadly business as usual for Skysplinter, with the one notable addition being Urien Rakarth, who squeezes extra value out of the Wracks and helps eke out a bit more scoring in a pinch. That’s a very solid addition in this matchup, as both the extra durability of Wracks and the option of the Raider Mortal Wound double tap are both extremely relevant, as is Rakarth standing back up to potentially hold on to a point for an extra turn after being zapped/shot.
The Thousand Sons list, on the other hand, is very different from the norm, cutting massively back on Rubricae and expensive Characters to squeeze in three Mutaliths and some Forgefiends. That gives the list exceptional ranged killing power, and also makes it unusually effective in the Fight Phase for a Thousand Sons build, which is going to come in real handy here. Multi-phase offence is the key to carving through Transport-heavy builds like this Drukhari one, and the advantage this gives to the Sons is going to be particularly impactful on Scorched Earth, as the Drukhari are going to have a very tough time sticking on an objective to burn it. I guess the optimistic way you could look at this from the Drukhari side is that you’ve at least got plenty of targets for the Dark Lances, but even that’s cold comfort, especially as Scourges will be harder to use than normal with so much Torrent coverage in Overwatch from all the beasts.
So what’s an elf to do here, because I’m pretty convinced they don’t win anything like a straight fight. I suspect this is a game of taking Fixed and going for a denial/assassination plan, possibly with the looming threat of aiming for the Shatter Cohesion secret mission. The Drukhari are already going to want to pick off the Tzaangor Shamans and Rubricae, and they’ve got the speedy tools to do it, plus chaff that can be thrown out to flip objectives off of Magnus or Rubricae pretty effectively. They need to lock in and keep the Thousand Sons to 5VP turns, which is probably going to mean pressuring their home objective. Taking Fixed lets them fully focus on that rather than anything else, which is what they need here, as parcelling out resources is going to be vital. I think if you’re the Tsons and you see that the Drukhari have picked Fixed then there’s a reasonable galaxy brain justification for keeping one of the Mutaliths back on the home objective, just to make it super had to flip, then putting a bunch of the Tzaangor Shamans in Strategic Reserves. That both helps you lock in Secondary scoring and denies the enemy points until you’ve had a few turns to strip away their assets, both of which will be helpful.
This game ended up very close and very low scoring, which is usually indicative of both players playing a shrewd game, but the Drukhari narrowly overcame the damage disadvantage to take it!
Result
Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) Victory – 59 – 56
Wyatt Harris – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) – 1st Place
The List
See Showdown
Archetype
Rakarth Skysplinter
Thoughts
Note: This event got moved up in the Showdown voting after I’d written this, hence why it’s a bit repetitive!
Drukhari dominance continues at the top of the week’s biggest event. This build follows the standard 2/4 Raider/Venom split often seen in builds that aren’t sporting a Tantalus, and adds the extra tech piece of Urien Rakarth with some Wracks. Double tapping Tank Shock into Vicious Blades is a powerful source of Mortal Wounds, and particularly good into Dark Angels because it’s split out across two Phases, so the Watcher in the Dark isn’t as effective at shutting it down. Adding Rakarth to the mix helps enhance the “defence in depth” factor of a heavily mechanised build – if you dismount the Wracks and don’t wipe them, he starts healing them, and the first time you kill him whoops you (probably) didn’t. It’s a cool addition, and quite honestly Rakarth should probably see a bit more play in a pseudo Lone Operative style role anyway. Well done to Wyatt on this cool addition to secure the trophy.
Grant Kauffman – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Biologus Putrifier (60 Points) Foul Blightspawn (60 Points) Malignant Plaguecaster (65 Points) Malignant Plaguecaster (65 Points) Typhus (80 Points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (180 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Death Guard Cultists (50 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (240 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) ALLIED UNITS Nurglings (40 Points) Rotigus (230 Points) War Dog Brigand (170 Points) War Dog Brigand (170 Points) War Dog Brigand (170 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (41), Data Version: v434
DG Pariah v1.26 (2000 Points)
Plague Company
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plague sprayer
• 1x Corrupted staff
1x Plague Wind
1x Plague bolt pistol
• 1x Corrupted staff
1x Plague Wind
1x Plague bolt pistol
• Warlord
• 1x Master-crafted manreaper
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 9x Plague Marine
• 3x Bubotic weapons
4x Heavy plague weapon
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter 1x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter 1x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
1x Plaguespurt gauntlet 1x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
• 5x Manreaper
5x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Gnarlrod
1x Streams of brackish filth
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Diabolus heavy stubber
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Diabolus heavy stubber
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Diabolus heavy stubber
Archetype
Crunchy Death Guard
Thoughts
Death Guard in second place here, hot on the heels of the Drukhari thanks to this spicy build. Rotigus and a full Deathshroud unit provide two great centrepieces to tie up foes while the rest of the army gets things done, and like a lot of the crunchy DG builds this one presents a very challenging target profile for enemies. Even just going hard out the gate with the Bloat-Drones can be a huge problem for foes – they’ll die, but there’s plenty of attrition damage coming from the Brigands behind them. Finally, I’m always very amused by seeing the combo of two Plaguecasters in a Rhino used to create an incredibly punished version of a Land Raider Redeemer, top marks for Grant on that one!
Jason McKenzie – T’au Empire (Retaliation Cadre) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand T’au Empire CHARACTERS Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (115 points) Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit (100 points) Ethereal (50 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Crisis Fireknife Battlesuits (130 points) Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits (150 points) Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 points) Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 points) Hammerhead Gunship (145 points) Kroot Carnivores (75 points) Krootox Riders (35 points) Pathfinder Team (90 points) Piranhas (55 points) Piranhas (55 points) Riptide Battlesuit (180 points) Riptide Battlesuit (180 points) Sky Ray Gunship (140 points) Stealth Battlesuits (60 points) Stealth Battlesuits (60 points) Stealth Battlesuits (60 points) Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (46), Data Version: v434
Emmissaries of the Dawn (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Retaliation Cadre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
3x Fusion blaster
2x Shield Drone
1x Shield Generator
• Enhancement: Internal Grenade Racks
• Warlord
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Gun Drone
3x Missile pod
• Enhancement: Starflare Ignition System
• 1x Honour stave
1x Hover Drone
2x Shield Drone
• 1x Crisis Fireknife Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Gun Drone
1x Marker Drone
1x Missile pod
1x Missile pod
• 2x Crisis Fireknife Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Gun Drone
4x Missile pod
2x Shield Drone
• 1x Crisis Sunforge Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
2x Fusion blaster
1x Gun Drone
1x Marker Drone
• 2x Crisis Sunforge Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
4x Fusion blaster
2x Gun Drone
2x Shield Drone
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Cyclic ion raker
1x Ghostkeel fists
1x Twin fusion blaster
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Cyclic ion raker
1x Ghostkeel fists
1x Twin fusion blaster
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
• 1x Long-quill
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Kroot pistol
1x Kroot rifle
• 9x Kroot Carnivore
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Kroot rifle
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Krootox fists
1x Repeater cannon
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Grav-inhibitor Drone
1x Gun Drone
1x Pulse carbine
1x Pulse pistol
1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
1x Shield Drone
• 9x Pathfinder
• 9x Close combat weapon
6x Pulse carbine
9x Pulse pistol
3x Rail rifle
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Piranha fusion blaster
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin pulse carbine
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Piranha fusion blaster
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin pulse carbine
• 1x Ion accelerator
2x Missile Drone
1x Riptide fists
1x Twin fusion blaster
• 1x Ion accelerator
2x Missile Drone
1x Riptide fists
1x Twin fusion blaster
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Seeker missile rack
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
Archetype
Gundam Fun
Thoughts
Retaliation Cadre in third place here, using a mix of the standard go-wide tools like Riptides and Ghostkeels plus a slightly heftier investment in Crisis teams than the average. The setups selected here are both very reliable picks – the Internal Grenade Racks Coldstar threatens to unleash a frightening number of Mortal Wounds on a turn where it goes all-in (via Normal Moving over the foe twice and popping Grenades), while the Fireknife team can teleport around the table unleashing volleys or close in for an AP-boosted alpha strike as needed. Good stuff, and also probably a smart pick to bring an Ethereal to try and farm some extra CP, because this build is hungry. It also looks like a blast to play, and I hope Jason had a good time on his way to third!
Forrest Phanton – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Bjorn the Fell-Handed (180 points) Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 points) Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (125 points) Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (115 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points) Fenrisian Wolves (30 points) Fenrisian Wolves (30 points) Scout Squad (65 points) Scout Squad (65 points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (200 points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (200 points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (200 points) Wulfen (90 points) Wulfen (90 points) Wulfen (90 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (100 points)
Space Puppers (2000 points)
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Champions of Russ
• Warlord
• 1x Heavy flamer
1x Multi-melta
1x Trueclaw
• 1x Flurry of teeth and claws
1x Storm bolter
1x The Axe Morkai
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Relic Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancement: Black Death
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Twin lightning claws
• Enhancement: Frost Weapon
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 5x Fenrisian Wolf
• 5x Teeth and claws
• 5x Fenrisian Wolf
• 5x Teeth and claws
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 4x Wulfen
• 4x Storm Shield
4x Stormfrag auto-launcher
4x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 4x Wulfen
• 4x Storm Shield
4x Stormfrag auto-launcher
4x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 4x Wulfen
• 4x Storm Shield
4x Stormfrag auto-launcher
4x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Champion Wolf Jail
Thoughts
Wolf Jail, but it’s Champions of Russ now. As we’ll see shortly, jury is still out on whether this or the Stormlance version is better, but clearly Wolf Lords favouring both choices couldn’t stand seeing Dark Angels lauded as the best Marines, as the Chapter had a good week in general. Well done Forrest for taking them to a top four.
The Best of the Rest
There were 13 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Brandon Holm – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Your standard Szarekh and Doomsday core, with the very non-standard choice of three Skorpekh MSUs with a Lord each. Skorpekh plus a Lord are a genuinely great package at 170pts, which this build really highlights!
- 6th – Nico Urrea – Thousand Sons: See Showdown.
- 7th – Jeff Jew – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Lots of Deathwing Knights backed by some Vindicators, plus one big Inner Circle Companion unit with a Judiciar.
- 8th – Carlos Kaiser – World Eaters: A fairly standard World Eaters setup with one extra unit of Exalted Eightbound, swapping in some Cultists for Berzerkers to free up points.
- 9th – Luke Ehlert – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): ThunderCav spam with triple MSU Wulfen.
- 10th – Timothy Travers – Chaos Daemons: Thicc Daemons with two GUOs and Rotigus, plus a Lord of Change and some Plaguebearers.
- 11th – Anthony Kucich – Thousand Sons: Another Triple Mutalith build, this one going for the standard Characters in smaller numbers.
- 12th – Kyle Parry – Ynnari: A go-wide build with lots of Kabalites in Venoms, War Walkers, and a big tooled-up melee Troupe as a hammer.
- 13th – Jay Jones – Aeldari: Avatar, some melee MSUs with Phoenix Lords and a big stack of Windriders.
- 14th – Tre O’Rourke – World Eaters: Lots of the standard choices, plus a couple of Maulerfiends.
- 15th – Wyatt Swift-Ramirez – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): All the fancy Skysplinter toys and a Tantalus.
- 16th – Arthur Tu – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Abaddon, Obliterators and a bunch of efficient hulls for dakka, plus a full Accursed Commune and a Warp Talon stack for pressure.
- 17th – Shane Marquez – Leagues of Votann: Four Sagitaurs, supporting bikes and Beserks, and 10/5 Hearthguard with one unit in a Land Fortress.
China Warhammer City Tournament 2024
76-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in 深圳市, 中国 on August 03 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Ranchen Li – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand World Eaters CHARACTERS Angron (415 Points) Lord Invocatus (140 Points) World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (120 Points) BATTLELINE Jakhals (65 Points) Jakhals (65 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Eightbound (140 Points) Eightbound (140 Points) Exalted Eightbound (155 Points) Exalted Eightbound (310 Points) Khorne Lord of Skulls (450 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (41), Data Version: v434
we los (2000 Points)
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Coward’s Bane
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 1x Exalted chainblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Favoured of Khorne
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
1x Icon of Khorne
7x Jakhal chainblades
1x Mauler chainblade
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
1x Icon of Khorne
7x Jakhal chainblades
1x Mauler chainblade
• 1x Eightbound Champion
• 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound eviscerators
• 1x Eightbound Champion
• 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound eviscerators
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound chainfist
2x Eightbound eviscerator
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 5x Exalted Eightbound
• 5x Eightbound chainfist
5x Eightbound eviscerator
• 1x Gorestorm cannon
1x Great cleaver of Khorne
1x Skullhurler
Archetype
Super Heavy World Eaters
Thoughts
The World Eaters ride forth to conquer a whole new scene here, and to show they mean business they’ve brought a Lord of Skulls. Always a fan of seeing a breakout major as a community gathers pace, and that’s also what the LoS was presumably doing as foes fled in terror. Honestly, I think you can make a pretty good case for it with the proliferation of Dark Angels and Blood Angels right now, as Deathwing Knights can blank Eightbound fairly badly, and Blood Angels can sometimes just roll through the army. Both of these Marine threats will have a horrendous time trying to kill a LoS through Khorne Cares Not, its weaponry is pretty great in these matchups, and it’s cheap enough that in games where the opponent threatens to try and punk it, you can just stick it in Strategic Reserves (and maybe use Angron’s aura to help it make combat. You’re still going to get a few opponents like Aeldari who will be delighted to have a big target to pump lance fire into, but it’s a big shift in the dynamics of some crucial Marine contests. Great performance by Ranchen here, congratulations!
Mafi Chan – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 1x Chaos Lord (90 pts): Daemon hammer, Plasma pistol 10x Cultist Mob (50 pts) 5x Chosen (125 pts)
LoS Big Brother
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ PLAYER NAME: Mafi Chan
+ TEAM NAME: Team Sigil
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Space Marines
+ DETACHMENT: Renegade Raiders
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char5: Fabius Bile
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 18
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (4×2) + (1×6) – Assassination: 5 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Chaos Lord (90 pts): Daemon hammer, Plasma pistol
Char3: 1x Warpsmith (70 pts): Flamer tendril, Forge weapon, Melta tendril, Plasma pistol
Char4: 1x Cypher (90 pts): Cypher’s bolt pistol, Cypher’s plasma pistol
Char5: 2x Fabius Bile (85 pts): Warlord
• 1x Fabius Bile: Rod of Torment, The Chirurgeon, Xyclos needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte: Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
• 1x Cultist Champion: Brutal assault weapon, Bolt pistol
• 9x Cultist: 9 with Autopistol, Brutal assault weapon
5x Legionaries (90 pts)
• 4x Legionary
2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
1 with Chaos icon, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Reaper chaincannon
• 1x Aspiring Champion: Close combat weapon, Plasma pistol, Heavy melee weapon
5x Legionaries (90 pts)
• 4x Legionary
2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
1 with Chaos icon, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Reaper chaincannon
• 1x Aspiring Champion: Close combat weapon, Plasma pistol, Heavy melee weapon
5x Rubric Marines (105 pts)
• 4x Rubric Marine
1 with Close combat weapon, Soulreaper cannon
2 with Close combat weapon, Warpflamer
1 with Icon of Flame, Close combat weapon, Warpflamer
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer: Force weapon, Warpsmite, Warpflame pistol
5x Rubric Marines (105 pts)
• 4x Rubric Marine
1 with Close combat weapon, Soulreaper cannon
2 with Close combat weapon, Warpflamer
1 with Icon of Flame, Close combat weapon, Warpflamer
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer: Force weapon, Warpsmite, Warpflame pistol
1 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Boltgun
2 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Combi-weapon
1 with Paired accursed weapons, Plasma pistol
1 with Chaos icon, Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist
5x Chosen (125 pts)
1 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Boltgun
2 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Combi-weapon
1 with Paired accursed weapons, Plasma pistol
1 with Chaos icon, Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist
3x Chaos Bikers (70 pts)
• 1x Biker Champion: Chaos icon, Close combat weapon, Combi-bolter, Power fist
• 2x Biker: 2 with Close combat weapon, Combi-bolter, Meltagun, Astartes chainsword
1x Chaos Predator Destructor (140 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, Predator autocannon, Combi-bolter, 2x Lascannon
1x Khorne Lord of Skulls (450 pts): Great cleaver of Khorne, Skullhurler, Gorestorm cannon
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-bolter
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-bolter
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-bolter
Archetype
Lord of Skulls Raiders
Thoughts
OK, Khorne is clearly up to something in China, because it’s another Lord of Skulls in second. Honestly, while you don’t have -1D in Renegade Raiders, a lot of the threatening stuff you’re worried about is AP-2, so access to Armour of Contempt is also excellent, as is having Cypher skulking nearby to tax any Stratagem combos the enemy uses to try and take the big threat down. The Lord of Skulls broadly takes the place of a couple of Vindicators in a “standard” Raiders build, and the rest of what’s here is a bunch of the cool brawling threats like Chosen and AP-boosted Rubricae that this detachment excels at using, with Bile to amp up the durability of a key unit. Incredible style points for adding the LoS, well done to Mafi on undefeated second.
Jerry Zhang – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Biologus Putrifier (60 Points) Biologus Putrifier (60 Points) Foul Blightspawn (70 Points) Malignant Plaguecaster (65 Points) Typhus (80 Points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (180 Points) Plague Marines (180 Points) Plague Marines (90 Points) Plague Marines (90 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Death Guard Cultists (50 Points) Death Guard Predator Destructor (130 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Plagueburst Crawler (180 Points) Plagueburst Crawler (180 Points) Plagueburst Crawler (180 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (41), Data Version: v434
直接点火 (2000 Points)
Plague Company
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plague sprayer
• Enhancements: The Droning (Aura)
• 1x Corrupted staff
1x Plague Wind
1x Plague bolt pistol
• Warlord
• 1x Master-crafted manreaper
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 9x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
4x Heavy plague weapon
2x Meltagun
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 9x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
4x Heavy plague weapon
2x Meltagun
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 4x Plague Marine
• 2x Bubotic weapons
1x Meltagun
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 4x Plague Marine
• 2x Bubotic weapons
1x Meltagun
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter 1x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter 1x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter 1x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Plague probe
2x Plaguespitter
• 1x Plague probe
2x Plaguespitter
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Entropy cannon
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Entropy cannon
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Entropy cannon
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar
Archetype
Mechanised Death Guard
Thoughts
Rounding out a very chaotic undefeated top three, we’ve got an old school crunchy Death Guard build with lots of brawler Plague Marines in Rhinos, supporting Daemon Engines and Typhus as a lone Deep Strike threat. All great stuff that plays a very effective attrition game, keeping foes from breaking out from its clutches thanks to Contagions. Congratulations to Jerry.
白 无常 – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand
ARMY
Imperial KnightsNoble LanceStrike Force(2000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Canis Rex
Warlord
1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s Hand
Cerastus Knight Atrapos (450 Points)
1x Atrapos lascutter
1x Graviton singularity cannon
Enhancement: Mysterious Guardian
BATTLELINE
Armiger Helverin(140 Points)
2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
Armiger Warglaive (150 Points)
1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermalspear
Armiger Warglaive (150 Points)
1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermalspear
Armiger Warglaive (150 Points)
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermalspear
Armiger Warglaive (150 Points)
1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1xThermalspear
Armiger Warglaive(150 Points)
。1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1xThermalspear
Armiger Warglaive (150 Points)
1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1xThermalspear
ALLIED UNITS
Eversor Assassin(75 Points
1x Executioner pistol
1x Power sword and neuro gauntlet
Exported with App Version: V1.18.0(41), DataVersion:V434
Archetype
Double Bigs
Thoughts
Rounding out the top four we have the Imperial Knights, frantically trying to keep up appearences as Chaos runs amok. Seeing Canis Rex at the helm isn’t a huge surprise, as he’s better than ever in Pariah and pretty much an auto-take as your first big, but the Atrapos is worth highlighting as the second choice. These are seeing an uptick in play, presumably thanks to being very flexible between killing enemy tanks or elite infantry, which is exactly what you need right now. Mysterious Guardian is also an especially solid choice in Pariah because Character Titanic units can Action/Shoot – meaning that a Knight with it can be both a scoring and killing machine. Definitely consider that angle if you haven’t already been using it, and well done to 白 无常 for gloriously leading the charge.
The Best of the Rest
There were 10 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Erik 艾瑞克 – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Brethren in Impulsors, cheap dakka hulls, and a big Eradicator unit in a Repulsor.
- 6th – Qifan Zhu- Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): All-rounder Awakened Dynasty with a bit of everything and the Silent King as a centrepiece.
- 7th – jun hong- Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Speedy flame Sisters.
- 8th – 阿 伟 – Astra Militarum: A heavily board-presence focused Guard built with tonnes of Catachans, max Bullgryn and a Dorn behind the lot.
- 9th – Hsia Yinwu – Astra Militarum: Lots more Bullgryn, this time supported by Rough Riders, a Dorn and an Exterminator.
- 10th – 格 里芬 – Grey Knights: Dreadnights galore.
- 11th – 斯万 Swan – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught): Two big Genestealer units for early pressure with triple Tyrannofex as a second wave.
- 12th – 泰 僧 – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): A go-wide Invasion Fleet build with some shooty monsters and lots of small infantry units/positional pieces.
- 13th – Yushun Xu – Ynnari: Extremely go-wide shooty/melee Ynnari, with a couple of Wraithlords as a sterner core.
- 14th – 老 蒋 – Chaos Daemons: A trio of enhanced Greater Daemons (Bloodthirster, Great Unclean One, Lord of Change) and some Bloodcrushers and a Rendmaster for the Bloodthirster to fire into combat.
Armed Forces Day 7 Warhammer 40,000 Grand Tournament
64-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Lockport, IL, US on August 03 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Elliott Levy – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Harald Deathwolf (85 points) Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 points) Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (80 points) Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (95 points) Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (90 points) Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (125 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points) Infiltrator Squad (100 points) Scout Squad (65 points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (200 points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (200 points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (200 points) Wulfen (180 points) Wulfen (90 points) Wulfen (90 points) Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (46), Data Version: v434
space wolves (2000 points)
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Stormlance Task Force
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Glacius
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• Warlord
• 1x Flurry of teeth and claws
1x Storm bolter
1x The Axe Morkai
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Storm Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Storm Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancement: Portents of Wisdom
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Power fist
1x Storm Shield
• Enhancement: Hunter’s Instincts
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Relic Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancement: Fury of the Storm
• 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
• 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
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
2x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
9x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 4x Wulfen
• 4x Storm Shield
4x Stormfrag auto-launcher
4x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 4x Wulfen
• 4x Storm Shield
4x Stormfrag auto-launcher
4x Wulfen hammer
Archetype
Wolf Jail Classic
Thoughts
Scream awooo, go first, hit things, lean on the Lone Operative Librarian unit to hold the fort while you do it. Still works like a charm, it would appear. Great stuff from Elliott.
Kevin Leonard – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Daemons CHARACTERS Bloodthirster (325 Points) Bloodthirster (305 Points) Rendmaster on Blood Throne (150 Points) BATTLELINE Nurglings (40 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Bloodcrushers (220 Points) Bloodcrushers (220 Points) Bloodcrushers (220 Points) Flesh Hounds (70 Points) Flesh Hounds (70 Points) Flesh Hounds (70 Points) Skull Cannon (95 Points) Skull Cannon (95 Points) Skull Cannon (95 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.17.0 (40), Data Version: v430
Khorne (1975 Points)
Daemonic Incursion
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
1x Hellfire breath
• Enhancements: A’rgath, The King of Blades
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
1x Hellfire breath
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
1x Blade of blood
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Bloodhunter
• 1x Hellblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 5x Bloodcrusher
• 1x Daemonic Icon
5x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos
5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 1x Bloodhunter
• 1x Hellblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 5x Bloodcrusher
• 1x Daemonic Icon
5x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos
5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 1x Bloodhunter
• 1x Hellblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 5x Bloodcrusher
• 1x Daemonic Icon
5x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos
5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 1x Gore Hound
• 1x Burning roar
1x Collar of Khorne
1x Gore-drenched fangs
• 4x Flesh Hound
• 4x Collar of Khorne
4x Gore-drenched fangs
• 1x Gore Hound
• 1x Burning roar
1x Collar of Khorne
1x Gore-drenched fangs
• 4x Flesh Hound
• 4x Collar of Khorne
4x Gore-drenched fangs
• 1x Gore Hound
• 1x Burning roar
1x Collar of Khorne
1x Gore-drenched fangs
• 4x Flesh Hound
• 4x Collar of Khorne
4x Gore-drenched fangs
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
1x Biting maw
1x Skull cannon
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
1x Biting maw
1x Skull cannon
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
1x Biting maw
1x Skull cannon
Archetype
Bloodcrusher Spam
Thoughts
Khorne’s excellent week continues here. Ignore that one unit of Nurglings, no one knows how they got there. Daemon players have very much embraced the Pariah option of a Bloodthirster that when it barks it shoots Bloodcrushers out of its mouth, and this list goes especially hard on that plan with two Bloodthirsters to set up guaranteed Shadow deployments, and all the Bloodcrushers it can fit in to overwhelm the foe. Skull Cannons and Flesh Hounds fill the list out with a mix of board presence and harrassment. Good, messy fun all round, well done Kevin.
Derek Glassman – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand The wicked fall before us! (2000 points) Astra Militarum CHARACTERS Cardinal Vhol le Bienveillant Commandant Adelard, Seigneur Flenser Capitaine Raphael, 333rd Gastonickan Adjutent-chef Anais, Personnel de Liaison BATTLELINE 333rd Gastonickan 1ère section, 4ème équipe 333rd Gastonickan 1ère section, 3ème équipe 333rd Gastonickan 2e section, 2e équipe 333rd Gastonickan 4e section, 1re équipe DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Taxi Sinistre Nageur D’acier OTHER DATASHEETS 333rd Gastonickan Cavalier, 6e section Haine Aveugle Fureur Aveugle Chasseur de Nuisibles Écorce de Feu Forteresse Sanglante Tueur de Tyrans Garde Flenser, 1ère Section Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (46), Data Version: v434
Gastonicka Uprising, Forces in the battle for Hive Motidus 3rd Stack Outskirts, 0.312.535.m41 [Translated from Gastonickan to Low Gothic where relevant per Inquisitorial request]
The Righteous rise around us!
Cast down the Corpse Emperor’s hateful lordlings!
Embrace the True Gods of Man and become free from your chains!
Strike Force (2000 points)
Combined Regiment
-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 Command Rod
1x Tempestus dagger
• Enhancement: Kurov’s Aquila
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
2x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot volley gun
1x Medi-pack
1x Plasma gun
1x Regimental Standard
-Platoon Command Squad (75 points)
• 1x Platoon Commander
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: Grand Strategist
• 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
-Ursula Creed (55 points)
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
1x Power weapon
-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
-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
-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
-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
-Chimera (70 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Chimera heavy flamer
1x Heavy flamer
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lasgun array
-Chimera (70 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Chimera heavy flamer
1x Heavy flamer
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lasgun array
-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
-Basilisk (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
-Basilisk (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
-Hellhound (115 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Inferno cannon
-Leman Russ Exterminator (170 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Exterminator autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Plasma cannon
-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
-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 Scions (100 points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
• 9x Close combat weapon
5x Hot-shot lasgun
2x Hot-shot volley gun
2x Plasma gun
Archetype
Double Dorn
Thoughts
A very tank-heavy Astra Militarum build takes third here, eschewing the normal Bullgryn protection detail for more hulls and a counterattacking unit of Rough Riders. That gives the build tremendous killing power, and it’s very hard to fully take out, but it does introduce a small risk of getting rushed and overwhelmed, which may have been its undoing in the final against Elliott. Even in that game Derek put in a respectable score, which is impressive stuff against a list that’s pretty much the exact thing you don’t want to see when running this, so very well played in third!
Jordan Nach – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit) Detachment Choice: Awakened Dynasty Show/Hide Options: Unaligned Forces are visible, Unaligned Fortifications are visible + Epic Hero + C’tan Shard of the Deceiver [265pts] C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer [295pts] The Silent King [420pts] + Character + Catacomb Command Barge [145pts]: Enaegic Dermal Bond, Gauss cannon, Overlord’s blade, Resurrection orb Technomancer [105pts]: Nether-realm Casket Technomancer [85pts] + Battleline + Immortals [75pts] + Mounted + Lokhust Heavy Destroyers [50pts] Lokhust Heavy Destroyers [50pts] + Beast + Canoptek Wraiths [250pts] Canoptek Wraiths [250pts] ++ Total: [1,990pts] ++ Created with BattleScribe ()
++ Army Roster (Xenos – Necrons) [1,990pts] ++
. 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2x Annihilator beam, 2x Armoured bulk
. 5x Immortal: 5x Close combat weapon, 5x Gauss blaster
. Destroyer w/ enmitic exterminator
. Destroyer w/ enmitic exterminator
. 6x Wraith w/ claws and particle caster: 6x Particle caster, 6x Vicious claws
. 6x Wraith w/ claws and particle caster: 6x Particle caster, 6x Vicious claws
Archetype
Top-heavy Awakened
Thoughts
I will admit a Necron list with two Wraith units at 335pts was not on my business card. GW look away, I can’t handle them being nerfed any more.
Anyway, they’re putting in work here via the classic skew strategy of essentially only packing ultra durable units, making it very hard for foes to reliably degrade the army’s capability. The advantage of Wraiths in Awakened is that they can operate very effectively without support or managing a Power Matrix, as Protocol of the Hungry Void is enough to push them to being a credible threat into most targets (except stuff with Damage Reduction, making me a little nervous about this in a Deathwing Knight-heavy metagame).
Where you can come unstuck with this plan is against opponents that can just reliably steamroller a key unit, because the second you start dropping activations it gets really hard to keep the scoring up, and that’s presumably what happened against Kevin’s Daemons in the final, as Bloodcrushers with a Rendmaster buff are pretty much the perfect counter to this list. Very cool to see something so out there make it to the top tables, however, so great stuff from Jordan.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Tyler White – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Flame Sisters with some extra crunch instead of the big Seraphim squad.
- 6th – Jeff Grogan – Leagues of Votann: Double big Hearthguard unit and max Pioneers.
- 7th – John Van Dusen – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster Mash with the Old One-Eye dakkafex unit.
- 8th – Kareem Abraham – Chaos Space Marines (Veterans of the Long War): Ultra-heavy hitting Chaos Marines with a Knight Despoiler and a Khorne Lord of Skulls plus Abaddon with a full unit of Chosen.
- 9th – Fred Fortman – Deathwatch (Gladius Task Force): Two massively tooled up Veteran units (one in a Crusader) with a Repulsor full of Eradicators as an additional murder threat. Deathwatch Bikes get an outing as a skirmishing tool.
- 10th – James R Fisher – Aeldari: A herohammer Aeldari build with the Avatar, lots of Lone Operatives, and a big Troupe as a centrepiece. MSU/go-wide stuff to finish.
Gothic Games Canterbury: August 40k GT 🏆🎫
44-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on August 03 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Note: Originally the two undefeated players were down to play a final after round 5, but neither could use the Golden Ticket, so they called it a draw and let the prize cascade down. I’ve featured both players, since at that point there’s nothing to separate them!
Ciaran Furlong – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – =1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Thousand Sons CHARACTERS Ahriman (130 points) Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (140 points) Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (105 points) Infernal Master (115 points) Infernal Master (110 points) Magnus the Red (440 points) BATTLELINE Rubric Marines (210 points) Rubric Marines (105 points) Rubric Marines (105 points) Tzaangors (65 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 points) Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 points) Thousand Sons Chaos Spawn (65 points) Thousand Sons Cultists (55 points) Thousand Sons Cultists (55 points) Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (46), Data Version: v434
Magnus and friends (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Cult of Magic
• 1x Black Staff of Ahriman
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Psychic Stalk
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
• Enhancement: Lord of Forbidden Lore
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Arcane Vortex
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
1x Gaze of Magnus
1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 9x Rubric Marine
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
9x Warpflamer
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
4x Warpflamer
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Tzaangor blades
• 9x Tzaangor
• 9x Tzaangor blades
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations
• 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Thousand Sons Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
9x Cultist firearm
• 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Thousand Sons Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
9x Cultist firearm
Archetype
Double Mutalith Tsons
Thoughts
At this point I’m starting to draw the conclusion that Slaanesh is slacking off, because all the other Chaos Gods have been very busy this week. Presumably on a big divan eating grapes somewhere. Classic Slaanesh. This here and now is classic Mutalith Tsons – extra pressure from the big beasts, and inclusion of some cheap stuff like Spawn, Tzaangors and Cultists to keep the activation count up. This continues to be one of the most consistently effective builds in the game. Congratulations to Ciaran for piloting it to the top!
Steve Scott – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – =1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand 01001101 01100101 01110000 01101000 01100101 01110100 00100111 01110010 01100001 01101110 00100000 01101000 01100001 01110011 00100000 01110100 01110010 01101001 01100011 01101011 01100101 01100100 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 Necrons CHARACTERS Hexmark Destroyer (70 Points) Technomancer (85 Points) The Silent King (420 Points) BATTLELINE Immortals (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Spyders (75 Points) Canoptek Wraiths (250 Points) Doomsday Ark (200 Points) Doomsday Ark (200 Points) Flayed Ones (60 Points) Lokhust Destroyers (30 Points) Lokhust Destroyers (30 Points) Lokhust Destroyers (30 Points) Tesseract Vault (400 Points) Tomb Blades (75 Points)
Hypercrypt Legion
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• 1x Staff of light
• 1x Szarekh
• Warlord
• 1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory
1x Staff of Stars
1x Weapons of the Final Triarch
• 2x Triarchal Menhir
• 2x Annihilator beam
2x Armoured bulk
• 5x Immortal
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Tesla carbine
• 1x Automaton claws
1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura)
1x Gloom Prism (Aura)
2x Particle beamer
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss cannon
• 1x Antimatter Meteor
1x Cosmic Fire
1x Time’s Arrow
1x Armoured bulk
4x Tesla spheres
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
2x Particle beamer
3x Shadowloom
1x Twin tesla carbine
Archetype
Heavy Hypercrypt
Thoughts
Every time a Tesseract Vault makes it into this column, I have to do a round of edge highlighting on mine. One day it will be finished. One day.
Anyway, it’s a super cool gigantic box, bringing a diverse selection of vicious killing power to the table, and teaming it up with the Silent King and Doomsdays provides some serious threat. I do like the inclusion of one Wraith unit alongside that – sometimes you just need something that will stand in a place, perform an activity and not die, and now you can’t warp a C’tan in 3″ away, Wraiths give you the most flexible tool for doing that. Love seeing the big box do big work, great stuff from Steve.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Franco McDonnell – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): A cavalry/beast heavy Daemons build with lots of Fiends and a Bloodcrusher stack, using Be’lakor and a Great Unclean One as defensive centrepieces.
- 4th – Matthew Stredwick – Ynnari (Battle Host): Lots of evasive Aeldari shooting and a few melee threats, with the interesting option of Drazhar and five Incubi in a Falcon for some of that 9th Edition re-roll energy.
- 5th – James Gostick- Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Speedy flame Sisters.
Wrap Up
That’s it from me for this week – next week will be a big one because we’ll have the results of the WTC Warmaster GT to cover, probably with a side order of Teams Week as we look at the main event. See you then!
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