The old world is dead, the new world struggles to be born, and so forth. With the dataslate only landing on Thursday last week, the struggle is very real, and only one GT+ event adopted it in full (with another taking the dataslate rules but not the points changes). That means we’re going to have another fairly quick tour through stuff this week, as other than the Münsterland GT (which we’re bumping to the front of the queue and looking at the full top four from), most of these armies are yesterday’s news. Hopefully next week we’ll get a full picture of what the post-dataslate world looks like as we head towards the big showcase that is the LGT.
Today we’re looking at:
- Münsterland GT4 (full dataslate)
- Brewhammer (dataslate rules, no points)
- Smite Club Open 2023 (major)
- Grenoble Wargame Club Season Opener
- Tokyo Tactical World Championship Qualifier
Edit: No idea why this didn’t go out in its normal slot – blame the wordpress scheduler’s arcane whims.
Münsterland GT4
32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Horstmar, NRW, DE on September 09 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
From the scores, I’m assuming this event was using the hybrid 20-0/Path to Victory Scoring that Germany has been adopting.
The Showdown
Vital Ground – Delayed Reserves – Search and Destroy
Thomas Büttelmann – Aeldari: A much more compact Aeldari list than we’re used to, still packing the Yncarne, some hulls and some Wraithguards, but with limited space for anything else.
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (140 Points) Illic Nightspear (70 Points) Spiritseer (80 Points) The Yncarne (350 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (180 Points) Fire Prism (180 Points) Fire Prism (180 Points) Night Spinner (180 Points) Night Spinner (180 Points) Warp Spiders (115 Points) Wraithguard (340 Points)
WG (1995 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 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
vs.
Florian Schmidt – Raven Guard: List title says it all really – a whole bunch of Gravis Marines, most notably an Aggressor squad with a Bolter Discipline Apothecary, a Land Raider Crusader for them to ride around in, and a big Assault Squad for Shrike to lead.
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Apothecary Biologis (80 points) Captain in Gravis Armour (80 points) Kayvaan Shrike (105 points) Librarian in Phobos Armour (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Aggressor Squad (200 points) Assault Squad with Jump Packs (230 points) Eliminator Squad (75 points) Eliminator Squad (75 points) Eradicator Squad (95 points) Eradicator Squad (95 points) Eradicator Squad (95 points) Infiltrator Squad (100 points) Land Raider Crusader (230 points) Redemptor Dreadnought (210 points) Scout Sniper Squad (75 points) Thunderfire Cannon (90 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (90 points)
GRAVIS GANG (2000 points)
Space Marines
Raven Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancement: Bolter Discipline
• 1x Master-crafted heavy bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 1x Blackout
1x The Raven’s Talons
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• 1x Aggressor Sergeant
• 1x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Power fist
• 5x Aggressor
• 5x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
5x Fragstorm grenade launcher
5x Power fist
• 1x Assault Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Astartes shield
1x Inferno pistol
1x Thunder hammer
• 9x Assault Marine with Jump Pack
• 5x Astartes chainsword
7x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
2x Eviscerator
2x Meltagun
• 1x Eliminator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Instigator bolt carbine
• 2x Eliminator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Bolt sniper rifle
2x Close combat weapon
• 1x Eliminator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Instigator bolt carbine
• 2x Eliminator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Bolt sniper rifle
2x Close combat weapon
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta
• 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 Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
2x Hurricane bolter
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin assault cannon
• 1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Onslaught gatling cannon
1x Redemptor fist
1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Scout Sniper Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 4x Scout Sniper
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
3x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Techmarine Gunner
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Flamer
1x Gunner’s servo-arms
1x Plasma cutter
• 1x Thunderfire Cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Thunderfire cannon
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Thoughts
The Aeldari menace apparently still have what it takes to hit the top tables, but now there are some Space Marines in hot pursuit – and surely with their new points cuts they’ll have what it takes to crush the elf menace.
Certainly there’s some cool stuff here. I think it’s definitely arguable that people were sleeping on Aggressors with Bolter Discipline before they got a big point cut and now, well – there’s going to be some violence. These are fantastic into anything that looks like a horde (Necron Warriors hate and fear them), and just neat all-rounders because of their good melee. Also recommended with Calgar, but this setup is good too if you want to dip into another Chapter’s tools. Stacking Storm of Fire and the Aggressors own ability pushes them to a healthy AP-2, at which point the nightmare fusilade they unleash threatens many foes. Here, that’s important, because they do actually give the Wraithguard pause, even through their 2+ saves, as with Oaths up, they’ll seriously trouble the squad. Shrike leading up a roving murder band that can’t just be sniped out by Fire Prisms and Night Spinners is very handy too, though they suffer a bit from the mission, as they can’t really engage the Wraithguard and expect to profit.
Let’s talk about the mission. Normally, Vital Ground would feel pretty good for a Marine list with such a strong spearhead to throw forward, but here I think it’s less than helpful. The Aeldari’s main loss from their classic builds is being way shorter on stuff, but on Vital Ground they can focus on slamming one flank and just skirmishing/murdering the stuff on the other, mitigating the advantage the Marines have from having a lot more units. The Aeldari also have some great targets for their weaponry – all those small Marine units are very vulnerable to Night Spinners, and if the Fire Prisms can take down the Land Raider before the Aggressors are in position, then they’re going to be limping only a few inches a turn for the rest of the game. The small units also provide plenty of places for the Yncarne to appear and cause mischief, perhaps taking another unit out.
Still – that’s a lot of stuff, and if the Marines play cagey with the Aggressors, forcing equivalent caution from the Wraithguard, then it could be tricky for the elves to get a scoring foothold. That can matter a bit less on this mission, as building an early lead is tricky, and in the end the elves did take it – but really only just, which is encouraging.
Result
Aeldari Victory – 11-9
Thomas Büttelmann – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
See showdown.
Archetype
Wraithguard and Hulls
Thoughts
I see we’re going with “stubbornly use 300pts less of the same units” as the option. Given it won the event, can’t really fault that! All these units are still very strong, and I think Wraithguard in particular dodged a bullet in how little their cost dropped. That big, central tarpit helps mitigate the smaller unit count, and buys time for the tanks to blow stuff apart. Certainly looks much more beatable than it used to, but clearly still very powerful as well, congratulations Thomas.
Artur Güttler – T’au Empire – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Aun’va (65 points) Cadre Fireblade (40 points) Cadre Fireblade (40 points) Cadre Fireblade (60 points) Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (125 points) BATTLELINE Breacher Team (90 points) Breacher Team (90 points) Breacher Team (90 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORT Devilfish (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Crisis Battlesuits (360 points) Hammerhead Gunship (130 points) Hammerhead Gunship (130 points) Hammerhead Gunship (130 points) Kroot Carnivores (55 points) Kroot Carnivores (55 points) Kroot Hounds (30 points) Kroot Hounds (30 points) Piranha (55 points) Piranha (55 points) Piranha (55 points) Tetras (80 points) Tetras (80 points) Vespid Stingwings (75 points)
Tau Münster (1995 points)
T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kauyon
• 1x Aun’va
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Ethereal Guard
• 2x Supreme honour blade
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fireblade pulse rifle
2x Gun Drone
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fireblade pulse rifle
2x Gun Drone
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fireblade pulse rifle
2x Gun Drone
• Enhancement: Through Unity, Devastation
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Cyclic ion blaster
3x Cyclic ion blaster
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
• Enhancement: Exemplar of the Kauyon
• 1x Support turret missile system
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Guardian Drone
1x Pulse blaster
1x Pulse pistol
1x Shield Drone
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Pulse blaster
9x Pulse pistol
• 1x Support turret missile system
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Guardian Drone
1x Pulse blaster
1x Pulse pistol
1x Shield Drone
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Pulse blaster
9x Pulse pistol
• 1x Support turret missile system
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Guardian Drone
1x Pulse blaster
1x Pulse pistol
1x Shield Drone
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Pulse blaster
9x Pulse pistol
• 1x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin pulse carbine
• 1x Crisis Shas’vre
• 1x Airbursting fragmentation projector
1x Battlesuit fists
2x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Shield Drone
1x Shield Generator
• 5x Crisis Shas’ui
• 5x Battlesuit fists
5x Cyclic ion blaster
10x Cyclic ion blaster
10x Shield Drone
5x Shield Generator
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
• 10x Kroot Carnivore
• 10x Kroot rifle
• 10x Kroot Carnivore
• 10x Kroot rifle
• 4x Kroot Hound
• 4x Ripping fangs
• 4x Kroot Hound
• 4x Ripping fangs
• 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 Armoured hull
1x Piranha fusion blaster
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin pulse carbine
• 2x Tetra
• 2x Close combat weapons
4x Pulse rifle
• 2x Tetra
• 2x Close combat weapons
4x Pulse rifle
• 1x Vespid Strain Leader
• 1x Neutron blaster
1x Stingwing claws
• 4x Vespid Stingwing
• 4x Neutron blaster
4x Stingwing claws
Archetype
Go-wide Tau
Thoughts
Tau guns are very cheap now, and they get an absolute tonne of units on the board, which this shows off nicely. The big Crisis Suit is a terrifying centrepiece, and now has a massive number of things to screen it and draw the enemy into position. Worth noting the single airburst on one of the suits – this is vital for protection yourself against a situation where the opponent manages to Rapid Ingress a melee threat near them when they have no valid targets, which woul normally prevent them using Strike and Fade. Losing one airburst is extremely worthwhile to protect against that!
The really interesting choice here is the three units of Breachers with a Fireblade each. The damage output on these is considerable for their price, and I’m guessing the units without the buffs are planning to just walk on from the board edge and blast something, which can be a bit of a squeeze with only 10″ range, but mostly doable. It helps add a bit of depth to the list – even if the opponent manages to clear the first wave of chaff, these provide something else that needs to be chased off objectives, and with their Guardian Drone, they’re not even super squishy.
I was honestly expecting Triptide to be the first big Tau thing tried, so it’s nice to see something a bit more unusual, well done Artur.
Matthias Bellmann – Aeldari – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Autarch Wayleaper (115 points) Illic Nightspear (70 points) The Yncarne (350 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (180 points) Fire Prism (180 points) Fire Prism (180 points) Night Spinner (180 points) Night Spinner (180 points) War Walkers (110 points) War Walkers (110 points) War Walkers (110 points) Warp Spiders (115 points) Warp Spiders (115 points)
Münsterland GT(1995 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 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
Archetype
Go-wide hulls
Thoughts
I am honestly fascinated to know what the correct price for a Fire Prism would be if this still isn’t enough, because here’s another trio. This build skips the Wraithguard in favour of lots of War Walkers, helping contest the board early at the cost of no tarpit, and that seems to have done just fine (though Florian’s Raven Guard did take this build down in the fourth round). Congratulations to Matthias.
Florian Schmidt – Raven Guard – 4th Place
The List
See showdown
Archetype
Aggressors and go-wide
Thoughts
Marines now get enough stuff on the table that they can start to seriously compete with the big hitters, and Aggressors are going to be at the forefront of that for a lot of builds. Cheaper units all-round also means more opportunity to dip into the giant toolbox of special Leaders that Marines have access to, and the way that this build uses Shrike definitely highlights the value there. It is morbidly funny that after Vanguard Veterans terrorised most of 9th Edition, you now pick Assault Marines over them even when the latter costs more points. Being able to add all the juicy upgrades and the flexible attack option on the regulars clearly swings it.
Past that? Eliminators are great at 75pts, and adding a Phobos Libby provides loads of flexibility in how you use either them or some Infiltrators (the latter becoming the ultimate backfield screen), Eradicators out of Strategic Reserves keep enemy vehicles on their toes, and it turns out that the Callidus Assassin maybe didn’t need to drop to 90pts, even if one of her abilities is a bit weaker. Lots of cool stuff, and encouraging that it’s now strong enough for people to start properly tinkering.
The Best of the Rest
There were 2 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Sebastian Meyer – Necrons: Another entry in the canon of “same stuff, less of it”, sticking to double Lychguard, two Doomsdays and the super C’tan.
- 6th – Andreas Eckle – Chaos Knights: 13 Dogs and some Flamers.
BrewHammer GT 4
All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Matthew Moran – Necrons – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necron Tournament (1995 points) CHARACTER Hexmark Destroyer (100 points) Hexmark Destroyer (70 points) Lokhust Lord (110 points) Overlord (85 points) Technomancer (60 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Reanimator (95 points) Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 points) Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 points) Cryptothralls (40 points) Doomsday Ark (185 points) Doomsday Ark (185 points) Flayed Ones (70 points) Lokhust Destroyers (180 points) Lokhust Destroyers (30 points) Lokhust Destroyers (30 points) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (135 points) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (135 points) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (135 points) Lychguard (190 points) Tomb Blades (80 points)
Necrons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Awakened Dynasty
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• Enhancement: The Sovereign Coronal (Aura)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• 1x Lord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancement: Hypermaterial Ablator
• 1x Overlord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• 1x Canoptek Cloak
1x Staff of light
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws
• 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm
• 3x Feeder mandibles
• 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm
• 3x Feeder mandibles
• 2x Cryptothrall
• 2x Scouring eye
2x Scythed limbs
• 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
• 6x Lokhust Destroyer
• 6x Close combat weapon
6x Gauss cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss cannon
• 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Gauss destructor
• 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Gauss destructor
• 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Enmitic exterminator
• 10x Lychguard
• 10x Dispersion Shield
10x Hyperphase sword
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
2x Particle beamer
3x Shadowloom
3x Shieldvanes
1x Twin tesla carbine
Archetype
Lokhusts, Lychguard and Doomsdays
Final Round Matchup
100-75 Victory vs Jamie Ferguson – Aeldari
Thoughts
I’ve had very mixed experiences with Lokhust Destroyers, as they can be hard to maneuvre on GW-style terrain maps, but on styles of map where there aren’t lots of area pieces (where their massive bases cause challenges) they can be very strong, and they look like a nasty addition to this build. Because they can turn on full wound re-rolls and have Lethal hits on a 5+ from the Lord, they end up being a very universal ranged killer, something that’s going to be at more of a premium in a world where Devastating Wounds doesn’t murderise hordes as much. Since almost everything else here goes up in cost, expect to see more people trying them, as lists like this will need plenty of re-tuning for cost. Good stuff from Matthew here showing off what that unit can do.
Garron Owen – Space Wolves – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand 2k space Wolves v2 (2000 points) CHARACTER Primaris Librarian (95 points) Ragnar Blackmane (105 points) Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (115 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Bladeguard Veteran Squad (200 points) Desolation Squad (340 points) Gladiator Lancer (145 points) Gladiator Lancer (145 points) Inceptor Squad (115 points) Infiltrator Squad (90 points) Infiltrator Squad (90 points) Repulsor (195 points) Scout Sniper Squad (75 points) Scout Sniper Squad (75 points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (100 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (115 points)
Space Marines
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancement: Bolter Discipline
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Frostfang
• Warlord
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Twin lightning claws
• Enhancement: The Honour Vehement
• 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 5x Bladeguard Veteran
• 5x Heavy bolt pistol
5x Master-crafted power weapon
• 1x Desolation Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Castellan launcher
1x Close combat weapon
1x Vengor launcher
• 9x Desolation Marine
• 9x Bolt pistol
9x Castellan launcher
9x Close combat weapon
9x Superkrak rocket launcher
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Marksman bolt carbine
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Marksman bolt carbine
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Hunter-slayer missile
1x Las-talon
1x Repulsor defensive array
1x Twin lascannon
• 1x Scout Sniper Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 4x Scout Sniper
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Scout Sniper Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 4x Scout Sniper
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 2x Crushing teeth and claws
2x Heirloom weapon
2x Storm Shield
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Ragnar, Thundercav and Friends
Thoughts
…and in the complete opposite direction, most of this build gets way easier to take after points changes, and I think Space Wolves have a chance to be pretty legit. Ragner single-handedly makes Bladeguard worth taking, and the Thundercav unit with a Lord and (preferably, somewhere to spend those extra points) a Battle Leader provides a unique pressure threat that other Marine armies lack. Lots of tasty stuff here, keep an eye on the sons of Fenris.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Gavin Heritage – Chaos Knights: All dog Chaos Knights.
- 4th – Jamie Ferguson – Aeldari: Ultra chunky Aeldari with Wraithguard, the Avatar and a Wraithknight.
- 5th – Kenneth Mackenzie – Chaos Knights: Lots of dogs, but also a super-angry Lancer to charge the enemy.
- 6th – Kris Mills – Aeldari: Wraithguard and Wraithknights backed by Windriders for shooting (a datasheet that didn’t catch any nerfs beyond the Phantasm change, so I guess look forward to the three whole months of those not being a top tier unit coming to an end).
- 7th – Alfie Richardson – Adeptus Mechanicus: Breachers and Dunecrawlers galore.
- 8th – Nelly Fuller – Aeldari: An unusual list combining some mobile Harlequin threats with some Wraithguard to anchor. Takes a lot less of a hit than many other Aeldari lists, so worth keeping an eye on.
Smite Club Open 2023 40K Major
88-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Mesa, AZ, US on September 09 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Daniel Olivas – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Autarch Wayleaper (80 points) Farseer (90 points) Farseer Skyrunner (90 points) Illic Nightspear (65 points) Spiritseer (80 points) The Yncarne (270 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (150 points) Fire Prism (150 points) Fire Prism (150 points) Night Spinner (170 points) Rangers (110 points) Shroud Runners (80 points) Warlock Skyrunner Conclave (100 points) Warp Spiders (100 points) Wraithguard (310 points)
Wraith and seer (1995 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• Enhancement: The Weeping Stones
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull
• 10x Ranger
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Ranger long rifle
10x Shuriken pistol
• 3x Shroud Runner
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Ranger long rifle
3x Scatter laser
3x Shuriken pistol
• 2x Warlock Skyrunner
• 2x Destructor
2x Shuriken pistol
2x Twin shuriken catapult
2x Witchblade
• 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
Archetype
Wraithguard
Final Round Matchup
100 – 69 Victory against Michael Mann – Chaos Daemons.
Thoughts
One more time for old time’s sake, eh? To be fair to Daniel, there actually is a little innovation here in the form of the Skyrunner Conclave, which is notable as a unit that didn’t go up in price, so worth more of a look going forward. Otherwise, business as has been depressingly usual but at least a long-time Aeldari master is getting the last laugh with it.
Ben Jurek – Aeldari – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (95 Points) Farseer (65 Points) Farseer Skyrunner (100 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (150 Points) Fire Prism (150 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Night Spinner (170 Points) Night Spinner (170 Points) Shadow Spectres (80 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points) Wraithknight (475 Points)
4th time is ok right ? (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• 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 Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 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 Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Wraithknight and Hulls
Thoughts
Ben, on the other hand, has no such excuse. Maybe the Orks will finally come off the shelf now.
Jason McKenzie – Cult Mechanicus – 3rd Place
Credit: Pendulin
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Arch-Magos Dominus Belisarius Cawl (185 points) Skitarii Marshal Varnax – Heretek of the Broken Cog (55 points) Magos Gladius Dominus Valdinox – Genetor of Zaiphon Prime (95 points) Magos Prime Dominus Arkvaul – Conductor of the Ghost Interface (110 points) Tech-Priest Enginseer Kairi – The Shadow Eclipse (45 points) BATTLELINE Skitarii Vanguard (100 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 points) Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 points) Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 points) Kataphron Breachers (300 points) Kataphron Destroyers (240 points) Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 points) Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 points) Serberys Sulphurhounds (65 points) Serberys Sulphurhounds (65 points) Sicarian Infiltrators (80 points) ALLIED UNITS Exaction Squad (35 points) Exaction Squad (35 points)
Agents of Discord (2000 points)
Adeptus Mechanicus
Strike Force (2000 points)
Rad-Cohort
• Warlord
• 1x Arc scourge
1x Cawl’s Omnissian axe
1x Mechadendrite hive
1x Solar atomiser
• 1x Archeotech pistol
1x Control stave
• Enhancement: Archived Purge Protocols
• 1x Omnissian axe
1x Phosphor serpenta
1x Volkite blaster
• Enhancement: Omni-Steriliser
• 1x Omnissian axe
1x Phosphor serpenta
1x Volkite blaster
• Enhancement: Master Annihilator
• 1x Archeotech pistol
1x Omnissian axe
1x Servo-arm
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
• 1x Alpha combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Radium carbine
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
• 1x Arc rifle
9x Close combat weapon
1x Omnispex
1x Plasma caliver
6x Radium carbine
1x Transuranic arquebus
• 3x Ironstrider feet
3x Twin cognis lascannon
• 3x Ironstrider feet
3x Twin cognis lascannon
• 3x Ironstrider feet
3x Twin cognis lascannon
• 6x Heavy arc rifle
6x Hydraulic claw
• 6x Close combat weapon
6x Cognis flamer
6x Heavy grav-cannon
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 4x Pteraxii Skystalker
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Flechette carbine
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 4x Pteraxii Skystalker
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Flechette carbine
• 1x Serberys Sulphurhound Alpha
• 1x Cavalry arc maul
1x Clawed limbs
1x Phosphor blast pistol
1x Sulphur breath
• 2x Serberys Sulphurhound
• 2x Clawed limbs
2x Sulphur breath
2x Twin phosphor pistols
• 1x Serberys Sulphurhound Alpha
• 1x Cavalry arc maul
1x Clawed limbs
1x Phosphor blast pistol
1x Sulphur breath
• 2x Serberys Sulphurhound
• 2x Clawed limbs
2x Sulphur breath
2x Twin phosphor pistols
• 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 4x Sicarian Infiltrator
• 4x Flechette blaster
4x Taser goad
• 1x Proctor-Exactant
• 1x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Exaction Vigilant
• 1x Arbites Medi-kit
2x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites grenade launcher
4x Arbites shotpistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Executioner shotgun
1x Soulguilt Scanner
• 1x Proctor-Exactant
• 1x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Exaction Vigilant
• 1x Arbites Medi-kit
2x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites grenade launcher
4x Arbites shotpistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Executioner shotgun
1x Soulguilt Scanner
Archetype
Ironstrider spam
Thoughts
This one, I’ll admit, I didn’t have on my bingo card – Adeptus Mechanicus taking a top four before the points changes. The methodology isn’t super surprising, leveraging the two best ways the AdMech have to put down some chunky stuff, which are Kataphrons and Ironstriders. The former are also genuinely dangerous when appropriately buffed, while the latter are at least very tough for the price, and have massive bases and built-in Fall Back/Shoot, making them handy for move blocking. Past that, nasty Characters and tonnes of stuff to do Secondaries, and you have something that can hold its own reasonably well. It is faintly alarming that this list doesn’t get many points added overall, as it has to find some stuff that isn’t the Exaction Squads, and also experiences diminished effectiveness from the Mortal Wound priest, but this gives an encouraging baseline for people to work from – and huge congratulations to Jason for getting ahead of the game.
Jacob Wagner – Necrons – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necrons CHARACTERS Hexmark Destroyer (70 Points) Hexmark Destroyer (100 Points) Lord (90 Points) Orikan the Diviner (80 Points) Overlord (85 Points) Technomancer (60 Points) Transcendent C’tan (290 Points) BATTLELINE Necron Warriors (240 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Reanimator (95 Points) Cryptothralls (40 Points) Cryptothralls (40 Points) Deathmarks (65 Points) Doomsday Ark (185 Points) Doomsday Ark (185 Points) Doomsday Ark (185 Points) Lychguard (190 Points)
Double hexmark (2000 Points)
Awakened Dynasty
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• Enhancements: The Sovereign Coronal (Aura)
• 1x Lord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancements: Hypermaterial Ablator
• 1x Staff of Tomorrow
• Warlord
• 1x Overlord’s blade
1x Tachyon arrow
• 1x Canoptek Cloak
1x Staff of light
• 1x Crackling tendrils
1x Seismic assault
• Enhancements: Sempiternal Weave
• 20x Necron Warrior
• 20x Close combat weapon
20x Gauss reaper
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws
• 2x Cryptothrall
• 2x Scouring eye
2x Scythed limbs
• 2x Cryptothrall
• 2x Scouring eye
2x Scythed limbs
• 5x Deathmark
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Synaptic disintegrator
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 10x Lychguard
• 10x Dispersion Shield
10x Hyperphase sword
Archetype
Warriors, Doomsdays and Lychguard
Thoughts
All the normal Necron toys, but with Warriors instead of one Lychguard brick. Expect to see that way more post update, since they got cheaper and less vulnerable to Wraithknights evaporating them, and also expect Orikan to feature more commonly, as he helps protect against getting bodied by AP-2 Aggressors. Well done to Jacob on the win.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Michael Mann – Chaos Daemons: Half regular monster mash, half hilarious horde of Bloodcrushers with a Rendmaster to lead them.
- 6th – Jake Jacobson – Aeldari: Way too many hulls and a Wraithknight.
- 7th – Frankie Giampapa – Genestealer Cult: Horde and Aberrants.
- 8th – Junior Aflleje – Imperial Knights: Crusader/Valiant max brutality.
- 9th – Donovan Sailo – Grey Knights: Two full Terminator bricks with lots of Librarians, aiming to soak up damage and throw out Mortals. Quite scary with another few hundred points, so definitely keep an eye here.
Grenoble Wargame Club Season Opener
All the lists for this event can be found in MiniHeadQuarters.
zig – Chaos Space Marines – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand == Chaos Space Marines – Slaves to Darkness DETACHMENT : Chaos Space Marines == HQ 1 : Abaddon the Despoiler (280) [280pts]warlord EL 1 : (+4) Dark Commune (55), Cult Demagogue (), Iconarch (), 2x Blessed Blades (), Mentawitch () [55pts], Nurgle TR 1 : 10 Cultists mob (55), Cultist Champion () [55pts], Nurgle HS 1 : 16 Accursed Cultists (190), 10x Mutant (), 6x Torment () [190pts], Nurgle FL 1 : Forgefiend (165) [165pts], Chaos Universel 3 ectoplasma limbs armoured == Chaos Knights – Traitoris Lance DETACHMENT : Chaos Knights == TR 2 : War Dog Brigand (150) [150pts] == Chaos Daemons – Daemonic Incursion DETACHMENT : Chaos Daemons == TR 4 : 3 Nurglings (40) [40pts]
HS 2 : 10 Chaos Terminator Squad (390), 10 Combi-weapon (0), 6 Powerfist (0), 2 Chainfist (0) [390pts], Chaos Universel
HS 3 : 4 Obliterators (320) [320pts], Nurgle
FL 2 : Forgefiend (165) [165pts], Nurgle 3 ectoplasma limbs amoured
TR 3 : War Dog Brigand (150) [150pts]
TR 5 : 3 Nurglings (40) [40pts]
Archetype
Chaos Soup
Final Round Matchup
13-7 Victory vs MarinDouble – Genestealer Cults
Thoughts
All sorts of stuff going on here, condensing all the nastiest CSM guns into one army then adding some Brigands, Chaos’s other super nasty shooting unit, as an extra bit of spice. Drawing on the full might of the ruinous powers, Nurglings round stuff out by providing some screening against early charges, potentially tying opponents up somewhere that the Accursed Coven can launch a devastating counter-charge. This build does actually end up losing some points from the changes, as it’s very much using all the current top CSM stuff, but zig’s win here shows off the extent to which the faction was already very capable, and it’s one to watch as we move ahead.
The Best of the Rest
There were three more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
- 2nd (4.5-0.5) – Trig – Aeldari: Wraithknight and lots of hulls.
- 3rd – Asclepi0s – Dark Angels (Gladius): Two massive punches from a Land Raider with Aggressors and a full squad of Deathwing Knights.
- 4th – octopoutre – Astra Militarum: Bullgryn, artillery and double Dorns.
Tokyo Tactical World Championship Qualifier
All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Terry Ko – Adeptus Custodes – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Custodes (2000 Points) Adeptus Custodes CHARACTERS Blade Champion (100 Points) Blade Champion (100 Points) Shield-Captain (150 Points) BATTLELINE Custodian Guard (405 Points) Custodian Guard (405 Points) Custodian Guard (225 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Caladius Grav-tank (215 Points) Caladius Grav-tank (215 Points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (115 Points) Exaction Squad (35 Points) Exaction Squad (35 Points)
Shield Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• 1x Vaultswords
• Warlord
• 1x Guardian spear
• Enhancements: Ceaseless Hunter
• 9x Custodian Guard
• 7x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Sentinel blade
1x Vexilla
• 9x Custodian Guard
• 7x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Sentinel blade
1x Vexilla
• 5x Custodian Guard
• 4x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
• 1x Proctor-Exactant
• 1x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Exaction Vigilant
• 1x Arbites Medi-kit
2x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites grenade launcher
4x Arbites shotpistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Soulguilt Scanner
1x Webber
• 1x Proctor-Exactant
• 1x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Exaction Vigilant
• 1x Arbites Medi-kit
2x Arbites combat shotgun
4x Arbites shotpistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Excruciator maul
1x Executioner shotgun
1x Heavy stubber
Archetype
Double Custodian Brick
Final Round Matchup
95-27 Victory vs. Melaic Nivois – Imperial Knights
Thoughts
Another “rip to a real one” here, because big Custodian bricks are more outright dead post-update than pretty much anything else featured here. Caladius Tanks, of course, are quite the opposite story, expect to see those playing a far more consistent part in builds, as without being able to lean on durability from big bricks, some ability to contest ranged threats is vital. Good to get a last reminder of why Custodes have been so metagame-shaping up till now from Terry, and I’ll be interested to see how his build changes next time we cover a Tokyo event.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Eric Yu – Ynnari: Go-wide Ynnari shooting with Scourges and Ravagers, plus a Voidraven which I think has been a bit of a sleeper all-round, and which has a decent chance of making it into many more Drukhari and Ynnari lists going forward, especially as Aircraft are now going to be the only thing that can see over ruins in a pinch.
- 3rd – Masataka Ogura – Genestealer Cult: Horde with Aberrants.
- 4th – Hayden jones – Aeldari: Double Avatar.
- 5th – Melaic Nivois – Imperial Knights: Crusader and double Gallant for hefty aggro. Look for more Gallants in the near future – the Towering change is pretty much pure upside for them, and they’re cheaper than most Knights.
Wrap Up
The times, they are a changing. Unless Aeldari keep just winning everything, but I really hope that’s not what happens. Tune in next week for when the new metagame really gets motoring, and as we start the countdown to the new metagame’s big showcase at the LGT.
