Lowest of Men is in charge today, bringing you his general thoughts on the metagame, plus a look at the rest of the week’s events. Today he’s covering:
- CARNAGE at the COSSIE
- Hellstorm All-Stars Heat 4
- Abyss Supernova
- Darksphere GT
- HWP Salty Classic
- ECDC Presents: The Big Sky Open
If you’re looking for any of the following, go take a look at Wednesday’s part 1:
- Huxley’s Open (Major)
- Wasteland Wars GT 2023
- Seasons Of WAAAGH!!! The GT
- Oxford Onslaught 2
- ELBCOAST CUP VI – GT
That’s it from me (Wings), but looking forward to seeing lots of UK players at the GHO tomorrow! Lowest of Men is taking it from here.
Some Meta Thoughts
Hi guys! Before diving into the results today (not themselves especially interesting but with a couple of lovely surprises), I wanted talk about the meta more broadly for a moment, because although the very, very top of the game is the most predictable it has ever been in my entire 40k life, we are nonetheless seeing some interesting patterns emerge below what we shall generously term the ‘Elf Plateau’.
WTC has had a noticeable shaping effect on the game, as players adopt winning strategies utilised by top minds running some of the less explored armies at that event and the attendant Warmasters singles event, and bring them back to singles. This has had some positive knock on effects for Thousand Sons (Vik, Pumba and TJ wizardry) and Dark Angels (God bless Innes / Poland) in particular, with their player bases shown the way towards the light. It has also allowed for a couple of other break out successes, one of which was an Ork GT win(!) explored below.
One of the other knock on effects from WTC has been a slight downturn for GSC dominance, which was threatening to rival Aeldari before the WTC but is now trending down. Most WTC teams found ways to tech for GSC, and their game plan, whilst devastating, has been shown to be quite one-dimensional once understood. The nerf to Cult Ambush has also proved impactful here, as actually getting onto objectives against a well prepared opponent is much more of an issue for GSC now, opening up a Primary play weakness (that the faction is historically supposed to have) once again.
In singles some of the other break-out stars below Eldar (Necrons, Tsons, Custodes, Deathwatch), and some other solid performers (Orks, Tyranids) are giving GSC a good run now, and Eldar players have adapted to deal better with the match up (if you can call acquiring 10 to 15 poorly printed Shadow Spectres ‘adapting’). The overall impact of this is that a) Aeldari have a much more uncontested run at the very top spots now and b) the meta just below Aeldari is actually a lot more interesting and diverse, as multiple strong factions slot in alongside GSC in the ‘also-rans’ bracket. Aeldari plan for the mirror, whilst the chasers plan for each other. Cue, a near shut-out by Aeldari.
Needless to say, although it looks bleaker than ever at the top, as more and more players converge on the strongest / simplest option available, there are nonetheless some promising signs in the chasing pack as we approach a balance window in September. Our ‘have nots’ still need substantial help, but the reduced distance between the ‘haves’ below Eldar might just produce a healthier competitive game at the top. Assuming, of course, that the Tyranids book doesn’t consume all before it… It’s the hope that kills you, but I’ll take the hope every time! With that said, let’s get onto the week’s winners.
CARNAGE at the COSSIE
50-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand on August 25 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Haydn Korach – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) Avatar of Khaine (295 Points) Death Jester (85 Points) Farseer (90 Points) Spiritseer (65 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Rangers (55 Points) Swooping Hawks (75 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points) Wraithguard (310 Points) Wraithknight (475 Points)
Welly (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x The Wailing Doom
• 1x Jester’s blade
1x Shrieker cannon
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasblaster
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Shuriken cannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Aeldari Goodstuff
Final Round Matchup
96 – 82 Victory against Sean Sullivan – Necrons.
Thoughts
*Repressed sobbing*
“Just a few more Tom, just a few more….”
*Composes self*
Not too long to go now until we get some urgently needed shake ups in September, but in the meantime you can bet your ass the Eldar are still here to claim the majority of all top placings that are so rightfully theirs with the assured arrogance of their lore and fluff. Wraiths shoot real good, Warp Spiders do actions real good. Swooping Hawks boop around filling in gaps, and the dual Avatars lock down ground and oppress the enemy in far-off places as required. This dying race has never been so popular – Eldrad et al could’ve done with some GW rules writers on their side in the 41st millenium…
The ‘Big boy time’ builds first seen taking names just before WTC have been adopted wholesale by the Aeldari player base, giving this faction of famed speed, finesse, and trickery the refreshing option of just cramming in the Yncarne, Avatar, and Wraithknight, pushing them forwards with a malevolent grin, before loling at your efforts to engage with them and smashing your face in with three units that are simply better than any of yours. Nice to see the souped up Death Jester out and about, fantastic work on the first place finish Haydn.
The Best of the Rest
There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Finn Decker – Aeldari: A go wide build with Prisms, Night Spinners and some smaller utility units… backing up the Yncarne / Wraithknight one-two.
- 3rd – Ben Clarke – Aeldari: Double Wraithknight, Yncarne, etc.
- 4th – Matt van Wijk – Aeldari: A Genuinely interesting Phoenix Lord heavy build that packs Asurman and Dire Avengers with Fuegan and Fire Dragons into Wave Serpents and Falcons. And you know what’s really, really scary? This list with none of the meta monster units finishes fourth, just below it’s more pushed peers… uh oh…
- 5th – Sean Sullivan – Necrons: Double Lychguard, Destroyers and Doomsday Arks. Well done on making it right down to the final round Sean.
- 6th – Ryan Pike – Aeldari: Wraithknight, Wraithguard, Prisms, Spinner. No Avatars here, with all the points channelled into ranged offense.
- 7th – Thomas Pritchard – Adeptus Custodes: Double Caladius, Wardens, and supporting bricks. A solid all-rounder Custodes list.
- 8th – Aidan Corlett – Tyranids: A really refreshing mixed horde / monsters list, with some Trygons for mischief making, Tyrannofex for durability, and a suitably sized carpet of Gaunts to make trouble on the primary.
Hellstorm All Stars Heat 4
All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Alex Petford – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Eldar (2000 Points) Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) Farseer Skyrunner (100 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Night Spinner (170 Points) Night Spinner (170 Points) Shadow Spectres (80 Points) Shadow Spectres (80 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points) Wraithknight (475 Points) Wraithknight (475 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Aeldari Big Boy Time – Wraithknight Edition
Final Round Matchup
Absolutely backhanding some Thousand Sons 100-22.
Thoughts
Alex Petford is very good at Warhammer and was playing Aeldari who are also very good at Warhammer. As such he romped home to victory here, with a nice balance between straight up murdering your opponents face (Double WK, Yncarne), and a bit of tech for hordes and scoring (Shadow Spectres). I rate Night Spinners over Fire Prisms as they combo so well with the Yncarne which can go huge in the handful of tougher (read: actually conceptually lose-able) match ups for the faction, and the mirror. Congratulations Alex on the storming run.
John Swallow – Aeldari – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand hide n seek (2000 points) CHARACTER Farseer (80 points) Prince Yriel (100 points) The Yncarne (270 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Warp Spiders (200 points) Warp Spiders (200 points) Warp Spiders (200 points) Wraithknight (475 points) Wraithknight (475 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x The Eye of Wrath
1x The Spear of Twilight
• Warlord
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 9x Warp Spider
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 9x Warp Spider
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 9x Warp Spider
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Death spinner
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Warp Spider Man 3: Evil Prince Yriel Redeploys to the Jazz Club
Thoughts
John Swallow has been absolutely tearing it up with Eldar in recent months, and it looks like the urge to meme has been steadily rising in him with each effortless triumph over lesser indexes throughout this time. 30 Warp Spiders bring the potential of a highly aggressive alpha and the ability to screen most of the board early (GSC and fragile elf units watch out). Yriel gives access to a redeploy to deal with going second into enemy Wraithknights, and John’s own pair of Wraithknights do that thing they do. You know the thing. The killing everything in every turn trivially thing. It’s a neat thing. Well done on another top placing John, keep on chasing the joy.
The Best of the Rest
- 3rd- Matthew Langton – Tyranids: Another triumph for mixed arms Nids, with some bodies, some shooty monsters, and plenty of durability on the field. Excellent work Matthew.
- 4th – David Irving – Thousand Sons: An absolute truckload of Sorcerers of varying kinds, backing up Rubrics, Magnus, and a cheeky Vortex Beast.
- 5th – Josh Roberts – Aeldari: Aeldari big-boy time with Shadow Spectres.
- 6th – Joel Sutcliffe – Adeptus Custodes: 2 Caladius backing up one ten-slab and supporting Custodes bricks.
- 7th – Konrad Bartkiewicz – Aeldari: Loads of hulls, some Dark Reapers, and a go-wide feel instead of the usual big boys.
- 8th – Nathan Roberts – Tyranids: More of a monster-mash build (Old-One Eye leading some Carnifexes makes this my favourite list of the weekend).
- 9th – Alex Fowler – Thousand Sons: Magnus and Scarab Occult for a pushier, ranged take on the Tsons.
Abyss Supernova
36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Montréal, Québec, CA on August 26 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Sebastien Geoffrion – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Autarch Wayleaper (95 points) Farseer (65 points) Farseer Skyrunner (75 points) The Yncarne (270 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Hornet (80 points) Hornet (80 points) Hornet (80 points) Night Spinner (170 points) Support Weapons (105 points) Support Weapons (105 points) Support Weapons (105 points) War Walkers (95 points) Warp Spiders (100 points) Warp Spiders (100 points) Wraithknight (475 points)
eldar 2k (2000 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Witchblade
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Final Round Matchup
20 – 0 Victory against Matt McWatters – Space Wolves.
Thoughts
It is extremely cool that Space Wolves made a final round game into the Aeldari at this event, having barely featured since 10th dropped. As tends to be the way when a list like this hits an army like that, the Aeldari triumphed. D-Cannons and Hornets spread the threats wide for cheap here, with the Skyrunner to help smooth out overwatch hits so the fate dice can get to work and end hopes and dreams, as they did here. Nicely done.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2th – Samuel da Ponte – Thousand Sons: Magnus, Sorcerers, Scarabs and Rubrics. Lovely stuff.
- 3th – Franck Lortie – Adeptus Mechanicus: Stacks of Breachers for heavy lifting, buffing characters and some chaff to go and die on the line. Ad Mech have a little bit more play than people give them credit for, but this is still an excellent showing Franck.
- 4th – Maxime Rampen – Adeptus Custodes: Lots of Guard and Wardens with supporting HQs and utility chaff.
- 5th – Sebastien Besner – Tyranids: Two Barbed Hierodules leading a wave of MSU units with some Leaper forward pressure.
- 6th – Matt McWatters – Space Wolves: The coolest list at this event and the most impressive achievement, well done Matt. Thunderwolves and Logan freaking Grimnar accompany a lot of the usual marine shooting options with double Repulsors to get them into action. Gladius because, well, Gladius is best.
Dark Sphere GT
32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in , England, United Kingdom on August 26 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Antonio Aparicio Lopez – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Farseer (80 points) Farseer Skyrunner (100 points) Spiritseer (80 points) The Yncarne (270 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dark Reapers (75 points) Night Spinner (170 points) Shadow Spectres (80 points) Shadow Spectres (80 points) Support Weapons (105 points) Swooping Hawks (75 points) Warp Spiders (100 points) Wraithguard (310 points) Wraithknight (475 points)
Back to basics! (2000 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• Enhancement: The Weeping Stones
• Warlord
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Tempest launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Aeldari Goodstuff
Final Round Matchup
99 – 63 Victory against Matthew Harris – Thousand Sons.
Thoughts
Aeldari win events, so you don’t have to. Great job on the win Antonio, sorry that you’re the fourth Aeldari winner today so i’m all out of juice. This list is masterfully teched for the mirror and other key rivals with smatterings of long range indirect to help the Yncarne do its thing.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Jamie Lavender – Aeldari: Aeldari goodstuff.
- 3rd – Matthew Harris – Thousand Sons: Double Infernal Master, Rubrics, Scarabs, Magnus and utility. Expect to see more of this stuff.
- 4th – Alun Perkins – Adeptus Custodes: Custodes veteran Alun goes hard with a lot of Guard, Wardens, and supporting chaff (including an Inquisitor!).
ECDC Presents: The Big Sky Open
30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Great Falls, MT, United States on August 26 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Hammer & Anvil – Take and Hold – Supply Lines
John Holbrook – Orks: Trukk Spam Orks I’m Not Netlisting, You Are CHARACTERS Beastboss (95 Points) Beastboss (105 Points) Weirdboy (55 Points) Weirdboy (55 Points) BATTLELINE Beast Snagga Boyz (105 Points) Beast Snagga Boyz (105 Points) Beast Snagga Boyz (105 Points) Boyz (85 Points) Boyz (85 Points) Boyz (85 Points) Boyz (85 Points) Boyz (85 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Big Trakk (75 Points) Big Trakk (75 Points) Big Trakk (75 Points) Gretchin (45 Points) Gretchin (45 Points) Mek Gunz (45 Points) Mek Gunz (45 Points) Mek Gunz (45 Points) Stormboyz (65 Points) Stormboyz (65 Points) Stormboyz (65 Points)
Army List - Click to Expand
Built Fork Tough (Trukk Yeah) (1995 Points)
Waaagh! Tribe
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
1x Beastchoppa
1x Shoota
• Enhancements: Kunnin’ but Brutal
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
1x Beastchoppa
1x Shoota
• Enhancements: Follow Me Ladz
• Warlord
• 1x Weirdboy staff
1x ’Eadbanger
• 1x Weirdboy staff
1x ’Eadbanger
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Big shoota
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Big shoota
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Big shoota
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Grot-smacka
1x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Grot-smacka
1x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Grot crew
1x Kustom mega-kannon
• 1x Grot crew
1x Kustom mega-kannon
• 1x Grot crew
1x Kustom mega-kannon
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
vs.
Troy Oswood – Asuryani: A Wraithknight and lots of speedy friends. + Configuration + Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit) Detachment: Battle Host + Epic Hero + The Yncarne [270pts] + Character + Autarch Wayleaper [80pts]: Dragon Fusion Gun, Howling Banshee Mask, Star Glaive, Warlord Death Jester [85pts]: Fate’s Messenger Farseer [90pts]: The Phoenix Gem, Witchblade Farseer Skyrunner [75pts]: Witchblade + Infantry + Rangers [55pts] Warp Spiders [100pts] Warp Spiders [100pts] + Mounted + Windriders [80pts] Windriders [80pts] + Monster + Wraithknight [475pts]: Heavy Wraithcannon, Heavy Wraithcannon, 2x Starcannon + Vehicle + Fire Prism [150pts]: Shuriken Cannon Fire Prism [150pts]: Shuriken Cannon Support Weapons [105pts]: D-cannon Support Weapons [105pts]: D-cannon ++ Total: [2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
BSO, Craftworld – Go Back to Kansas Dorothy
++ Army Roster (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [2,000pts] ++
. 5x Ranger: 5x Close Combat Weapon, 5x Ranger long rifle, 5x Shuriken Pistol
. 4x Warp Spider: 4x Deathspinner
. Warp Spider Exarch: 2x Deathspinner, Powerblades
. 4x Warp Spider: 4x Deathspinner
. Warp Spider Exarch: 2x Deathspinner, Powerblades
. 3x Windrider with Shuriken Cannon: 3x Close Combat Weapon, 3x Shuriken Cannon
. 3x Windrider with Shuriken Cannon: 3x Close Combat Weapon, 3x Shuriken Cannon
Thoughts
Oh thank god. Thank freaking god. Bless you John Holbrook for giving me something mentally stimulating to engage with on this rainy Wednesday morning. This Ork list goes HARD on a concept I like to call ‘Green Drukhari’, where an absolute flood of disposable Agro loads up into a million Trukk chassis and floods forward to dominate the board, score the cards, and make the opponent doing so difficult until they’re chewed through and destroyed. Orks fill space with remarkable ease when they get going early, can score for fun, and make life extremely hard for someone looking to play around them. The casualties are always extremely high and the risk is you burn out hard and bright and the opponent is able to make up the deficit later, but if you can stay alive long enough (or better yet, breakthrough to a complete shut down) then you have a shot into even the scariest of armies.
On the Aeldari side, Troy is running a lot of the usual suspects, with some nice additional touches (Windriders for cheap swift scoring, and a souped up DJ for punking soft targets). It has devastating firepower in the WK and Fire Prisms, and can open up Trukks very quickly. The issue, primarily, is whether he can do so quickly enough, especially if the Orks get first turn, get going and stage into ruins, ready for a big Waaagh turn. Historically, Eldar are vulnerable to mass overload- the tricks are all well and good but when presented with multiple existential threats at once it becomes much harder to use tricks and shenanigans to play around them- you can’t Phantasm everywhere!
The current elf index is so utterly, utterly ****ed that this hasn’t tended to matter much for them, especially now D weaponry kills vehicles, hordes, aspirations, and the fulfilment gained from competitive 40k all at the same time with fate dice. Nonetheless, there are SO many vehicles and bodies to get through here that it looks like the Orks were genuinely able to take a hit on the chin and then choke the board, and the Eldar scoring. The mission definitely helps with this – Hammer and Anvil offers very little route around the Ork tide for the elves, and Take and Hold is very generous across game primary scoring that benefits an army willing and able to go and die on the line to score it (Orks yes, Elves not so much). That the final result was still so close is a testament to how ludicrous the elf index is, but very well done John on masterminding a triumph over it in it’s pomp. One to tell the grandkids about.
Result
Orks Victory – 94 – 86
John Holbrook – Orks – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Orks I’m Not Netlisting, You Are CHARACTERS Beastboss (95 Points) Beastboss (105 Points) Weirdboy (55 Points) Weirdboy (55 Points) BATTLELINE Beast Snagga Boyz (105 Points) Beast Snagga Boyz (105 Points) Beast Snagga Boyz (105 Points) Boyz (85 Points) Boyz (85 Points) Boyz (85 Points) Boyz (85 Points) Boyz (85 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) Trukk (50 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Big Trakk (75 Points) Big Trakk (75 Points) Big Trakk (75 Points) Gretchin (45 Points) Gretchin (45 Points) Mek Gunz (45 Points) Mek Gunz (45 Points) Mek Gunz (45 Points) Stormboyz (65 Points) Stormboyz (65 Points) Stormboyz (65 Points)
Built Fork Tough (Trukk Yeah) (1995 Points)
Waaagh! Tribe
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
1x Beastchoppa
1x Shoota
• Enhancements: Kunnin’ but Brutal
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
1x Beastchoppa
1x Shoota
• Enhancements: Follow Me Ladz
• Warlord
• 1x Weirdboy staff
1x ’Eadbanger
• 1x Weirdboy staff
1x ’Eadbanger
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Boy
• 8x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
8x Slugga
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Big shoota
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Big shoota
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Big shoota
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Grot-smacka
1x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Grot-smacka
1x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Grot crew
1x Kustom mega-kannon
• 1x Grot crew
1x Kustom mega-kannon
• 1x Grot crew
1x Kustom mega-kannon
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
Archetype
Trukk Rush / Green Drukhari
Final Round Matchup
94 – 86 Victory against Troy Oswood – Asuryani.
Thoughts
The glorious Ork list from the showdown, which builds on the mass Trukk model that was popular at WTC. Tonnes of bodies, tonnes of mission play, and an absolute commitment to getting killed almost to the last man but still winning the game- the heroes calling. Beastbosses provide some surprising heavy punch amidst the flood of OC2 mayhem spilling from the vehicles, Mek Gunz screen and chip in from afar, and Stormboyz troubleshoot secondary cards. The Big Trakk makes an appearance here- another dangerously cost effective Forgeworld unit (the GW FW mantra this edition seems to be a coin toss between removing your armies options forever or letting you have them all at a discount, go figure) that allows for even greater hull spam as the Boyz fly to the frontline in style. I cannot stress enough how cool it is to see Orks take a GT down in the present environment. Hopefully others will follow your example John! Very well done.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – James Walsh – Dark Angels: An unusual Dangels build with small squads of Deathwing Knights and Dev Centurions with Grav, some Black Knights, and supporting utility chaff. Very cool!
- 3rd – Troy Oswood – Asuryani: Aeldari Goodstuff.
- 4th – Sami Hopper – Adepta Sororitas: Tank-heavy Sororitas with supporting Armigers. Lots of big guns for the nuns. Epic.
- 5th – Adam Willmarth – Goffs: A Goff Squig horde with Kill Rigs more akin to the builds of late 9th edition. Great to see this still performing.
- 6th – Thomas Moore – Chaos Daemons: Daemon monster-mash led by Belakor with Flesh Hounds and Blood Crushers for cheap board presence.
HWP Salty Classic GT August 2023
28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Plantation, Florida, US on August 26 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Gustavo Laurencio – Imperial Knights – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Canis Rex (490 points) Cerastus Knight Castigator (485 points) Knight Crusader (475 points) BATTLELINE Armiger Helverin (145 points) Armiger Helverin (145 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (115 points)
Salt Army (1995 points)
Imperial Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble Lance
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s Hand
• Warlord
• 1x Castigator bolt cannon
1x Tempest warblade
• 1x Avenger gatling cannon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Meltagun
1x Stormspear rocket pod
1x Thermal cannon
1x Titanic feet
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Imperial Knight Big Boys
Final Round Matchup
74 – 59 Victory against Ahzek Ahriman – Thousand Sons.
Thoughts
Imperial Knights took the first meaningful nerfs of 10th edition which, coupled with an evolving 10th ed terrain set up, set them back a little in the battle for the top placings. This build from Gustavo highlights their enduring power though, with three huge knights throwing down fire whilst Armigers and a Callidus shore up scoring. The Overwatch from a Crusader is particularly brutal, and it can get central and then annihilate anything wandering into view. going without enhancements seems to be the way to squeeze this all in with the increased points, congratulations to Gustavo on his triumph.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Curtis Hotaling – Astra Militarum: Monstrous full-send artillery spam with Earthshakers and Manticores.
- 3rd – Andrew Massa – Aeldari: Aeldari Goodstuff.
- 4th – Ruben I Fernandez – Aeldari: Lol, Triple Wraithknight.
Wrap Up
That’s it for this week, folks! A couple of nice surprises amidst a dirge of Elf dominance. *Loud guitars* I, I’ve always believed in futures, I hope for better, in September. Lowest of Men, out.
