It’s another big week out there, with a massive thirteen events, and as the title suggests we’re getting a pretty clear view of who the metagame’s front runners are. To be clear, the metagame is pretty healthy as these things go, and lists from a wide variety of factions can and do win events. However, there are four factions out in front who are back with high win rates and multiple strong performances week after week, which are:

Thousand Sons
Adepta Sororitas
Dark Angels
Drukhari

(with maybe Black Templars creeping towards a fifth slot depending on how you slice it)

At the other end of the scale, two factions are substantially behind on most metrics, which are:

Genestealer Cults
Orks

Hopefully we’re not too far from some changes arriving in the next balance update to address these outliers, and that we also see some support for factions that are currently only holding on via a limited range of builds like Chaos Space Marines.

Anyway, those are my two cents on where things stand, now to look at the latest crop of results that informs this. Today I’ll be covering:

Texas Open 2024 – Warhammer 40k Champs
CCBB 40k – Singles
Hammer of Wrath GT
ECDC Presents: The Big Sky Open
AZ Warhammer 40K League 2024 Summer Championship
Dearg Doom I
GREX Battle for Augustus – Legends GT

On Friday Lowest of Men will take over and review:

Huxley’s Open 2024
Ratcon 2024
North Star Open
Cardiff Carnage #1
Heroes Of The Mid Table, Summer, GT, 2024
Wasteland Wars 3

This week’s showdowns, as voted for by our Patrons, will be:

World Eaters vs World Eaters at Dearg Doom I. The Patrons crave violence.
Adepta Sororitas Army of Faith vs Gladius Dark Angels at Cardiff Carnage.

Texas Open 2024 – Warhammer 40k Champs

106-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Austin, TX, United States on August 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Cam Hawkins – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Cam-panions (2000 points)

Space Marines
Dark Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (85 points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancement: Fire Discipline

Azrael (105 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Lion’s Wrath
1x The Lion Helm
1x The Sword of Secrets

Judiciar (70 points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Executioner relic blade

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Bellicatus missile array
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
2x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol

Deathwing Knights (235 points)
• 1x Knight Master
• 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven
• 4x Deathwing Knight
• 4x Power weapon

Eradicator Squad (190 points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 5x Eradicator
• 5x Bolt pistol
5x Close combat weapon
3x Melta rifle
2x Multi-melta

Inner Circle Companions (180 points)
• 6x Inner Circle Companion
• 6x Calibanite greatsword
6x Heavy bolt pistol

Ravenwing Black Knights (90 points)
• 1x Ravenwing Huntmaster
• 1x Black Knight combat weapon
1x Bolt pistol
1x Plasma talon
• 2x Ravenwing Black Knight
• 2x Black Knight combat weapon
2x Bolt pistol
2x Plasma talon

Repulsor (180 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Hunter-slayer missile
1x Las-talon
1x Repulsor defensive array
1x Twin lascannon

Scout Squad (65 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes shotgun
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (47), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Dark Angels GTF

Thoughts

As is always helpful when I make a hot take about the metagame, our first result for the week serves as exhibit A. As of the last Balance Dataslate Dark Angels have access to two of the best Marine datasheets in the form of Deathwing Knights and Inner Circle Companions, and using these alongside the standard GTF hits like Fire Discipline Eradicators gives you an ultra-potent all-rounder build. I suspect the dominance of this build is a big part of the reason why Orks and Cults are suffering so badly – both factions borderline cannot fight this list efficiently as it stands (especially Judiciar-toting builds), and when it’s one of the most popular armies out there that’s a big problem.

There is still some diversity within the exact loadouts used for this army, and Cam’s winning build here has a couple of interesting tweaks. A small unit of Black Knights provides a fairly efficient early position holder/bully charge missile that isn’t totally trivial to pick up, while a second squad of ICCs tilts the army slightly more towards versatile damage and mobility dealing compared to the triple DWK lists. Helps avoid one of the key ways to fight the army which is to kill everything except the DWKs then run around them, so a nice way to shake up the dynamic. Well done to Cam on the big trophy!

Justin Moore – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

March of the vending machines.

Necron fun list version 2
++ Army Roster (Xenos – Necrons) [2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration + Large and in Charge and looking for Chickies

Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit)

Detachment Choice: Hypercrypt Legion

+ Character +

Chronomancer [90pts]: Chronomancer’s stave, Dimensional Overseer, Warlord

Plasmancer [90pts]: Arisen Tyrant, Plasmic lance

+ Battleline +

Necron Warriors [200pts]
20x Warrior w/ gauss reaper: 20x Close combat weapon, 20x Gauss reaper

+ Infantry +

Deathmarks [60pts]
5x Deathmark: 5x Close combat weapon, 5x Synaptic disintegrator

+ Vehicle +

Canoptek Reanimator [75pts]: 2x Atomiser beam, Reanimator’s claws

Canoptek Spyders [75pts]
Canoptek Spyder: Automaton claws, Fabricator claw array, Gloom prism
Two particle beamers: 2x Particle beamer

Doomsday Ark [200pts]: Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array

Monolith [375pts]: Particle whip, Portal of exile
Four death rays: 4x Death ray

Created with BattleScribe ()

Archetype

Warrior Hypercrypt

Thoughts

I guess you’re also very happy to have a second unit of ICCs if you come up against this, though this is definitely unusual as Hypercrypt builds go. Some of the heavy stuff that’s been common in lists like Monoliths and Doomsdays are here, but in place of the Silent King you’ve got two big warrior blocks and a Reanimator to keep them in the game. That’s a good curveball to throw when many opponents will be teching for elite infantry rather than hordes, and you’ll definitely pick up some games with this just by overwhelming the foe. Having two Monoliths also keeps the option of Hyperphasic Recall open deeper into the game, and that further complicates dealing with the Warriors – opponents need to be handling them in a single swing, and many armies can’t. Some can, to be clear – Inner Circle Companions are to be avoided like the plague, but your shooting is pretty good at clearing those.

Hypercrypt is on the list of detachments that are pushing a faction’s success up substantially from their baseline, though in Necrons case it’s leaving them a little overtuned rather than “holding on”. However, the fun thing about it is that there’s still a lot of tinkering going on with exactly how to field it, as we see here with Justin’s build – good work.

Scott Cairns – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

New new (2000 Points)

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Cadian Command Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Cadian Commander
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman with Master Vox
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Lasgun
◦ 1x Master Vox
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman with Medi-pack
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Lasgun
◦ 1x Medi-pack
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman with Regimental Standard
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Lasgun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard

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

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

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 Points)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Grenade launcher
◦ 1x Hot-shot volley gun
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun

‘Iron Hand’ Straken (55 Points)
• 1x Auto shotgun
• 1x Bionic arm with devil’s claw
• 1x Plasma pistol

BATTLELINE

Cadian Shock Troops (60 Points)
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Drum-fed autogun
• 9x Shock Trooper
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 7x Lasgun
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Bullgryn Squad (180 Points)
• 1x Bullgryn Bone ‘ead
◦ 1x Brute Shield
◦ 1x Bullgryn maul
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 5x Bullgryn
◦ 5x Brute Shield
◦ 5x Bullgryn maul
◦ 5x Close combat weapon

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

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

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

Scout Sentinels (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 1x Sentinel chainsaw

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

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Bullgryn and Dorns

Thoughts

Waving the banner for our first faction that’s in the “about right” category, we have the Astra Militarum. Tanks good. Bullgryn good. One full unit of Scions with Command very good – seriously, if you have not seen what these can do, maybe look it up before next time you play Guard so you’re emotionally prepared. Fundamentally, Guard currently play pretty much dead on how they should (with maybe just a little internal rebalance on Bullgryn needed) – you can roll an armoured fist forward, supported by Infantry and some specialists, and pound your opponent into the dirt. Excellent execution of this by Scott in third.

Robert Rettew – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Double HG (1995 Points)

Leagues of Votann
Oathband
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Einhyr Champion (80 Points)
• 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
• 1x Mass hammer
• 1x Weavefield Crest
• Enhancements: Appraising Glare

Kâhl (90 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Mass gauntlet
• 1x Rampart Crest
• 1x Volkanite disintegrator
• Enhancements: Grim Demeanour

BATTLELINE

Hearthkyn Warriors (100 Points)
• 1x Theyn
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x EtaCarn plasma pistol
◦ 1x Kin melee weapon
◦ 1x Weavefield Crest
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
◦ 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
◦ 7x Autoch-pattern bolter
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Comms Array
◦ 1x HYLas auto rifle
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 1x Medipack
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Sagitaur (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x HYLas beam cannon
• 1x Twin bolt cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (170 Points)
• 6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
◦ 6x Close combat weapon
◦ 6x Graviton blast cannon

Cthonian Beserks (100 Points)
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
◦ 5x Heavy plasma axe
◦ 1x Mole grenade launcher

Einhyr Hearthguard (320 Points)
• 1x Hesyr
◦ 1x Concussion hammer
◦ 1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 1x Teleport Crest
◦ 1x Volkanite disintegrator
• 9x Einhyr Hearthguard
◦ 9x Concussion gauntlet
◦ 9x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 9x Volkanite disintegrator

Einhyr Hearthguard (160 Points)
• 1x Hesyr
◦ 1x Concussion hammer
◦ 1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 1x Teleport Crest
◦ 1x Volkanite disintegrator
• 4x Einhyr Hearthguard
◦ 4x Concussion gauntlet
◦ 4x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 4x Volkanite disintegrator

Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points)
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
◦ 3x Bolt revolver
◦ 3x Bolt shotgun
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
◦ 3x Plasma knife
◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight

Hernkyn Yaegirs (80 Points)
• 1x Yaegir Theyn
◦ 1x Bolt revolver
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma knife
• 9x Hernkyn Yaegir
◦ 1x APM launcher
◦ 7x Bolt revolver
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Magna-coil rifle
◦ 7x Plasma knife

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Thunderkyn Votann

Thoughts

Rounding out our first top four we’ve got another well-balanced faction. You basically can’t go wrong with any assemblage of their datasheets, with this build making far heavier use of Thunderkyn and basic Hearthkyn than the norm, but thriving nonetheless. Choosing not to pack any Land Fortresses and retaining some powerful Deep Strike threats means that this army hides on the table a lot better than some, and it has a few more sacrificial units if you need to bait the foe. That’s important with so many brutal melee threats about, and seems to have served the Kin well here – good stuff from Robert.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Brent Simon – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Wolf Jail, but with Inceptors instead of Wulfen.
6th – David Hall – Astra Militarum: Bullgryn, Russes and a big drop Scion unit.
7th – Oscar Ruiz – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Speedy flame Sisters.
8th – Robert Moreland – Astra Militarum: Bullgryn, Russes and a Stormsword. Sound the Big Tank siren.
9th – Genevieve Greene – Leagues of Votann: Triple Land Fortress with Hearthguard and bike MSUs in support.
10th – Greg Harris – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Infantry blocks, Caladius tanks and a Telemon.
11th – Joseph Rexer – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Quad C’tan and a Monolith.

CCBB 40k – Singles

72-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Ottawa, ON, Canada on August 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

John Winter Russell – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

How do you say…. GUNZ (2000 Points)

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

Platoon Command Squad (60 Points)
• 1x Platoon Commander
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Veteran Guardsman
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Lasgun
◦ 4x Laspistol
◦ 1x Master Vox
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard

Ursula Creed (55 Points)
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
• 1x Power weapon

BATTLELINE

Infantry Squad (60 Points)
• 1x Sergeant
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 7x Guardsman
◦ 7x Close combat weapon
◦ 6x Lasgun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 1x Heavy Weapons Team
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Laspistol
◦ 1x Mortar

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Taurox gatling cannon
• 1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Earthshaker Carriage Battery (120 Points)
• 1x Battery close combat weapons
• 1x Earthshaker cannon

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

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

Scout Sentinels (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 1x Sentinel chainsaw

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

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

Archetype

Elite Shooty Guard

Thoughts

Taking the trophy at our second big event we have a wildly different take on guard, leaning on the damage-dealing capabilities of Scions and Kasrkin. You’ve still got the one big unit of Scions out of Deep Strike, but that’s supplemented by two 5-model + Command units in Taurox Primes, which is also extremely nasty. Combining Fire Support from the Taurox with the Scion’s built in ability means you can get the rare and coveted full hit and wound re-rolls while shooting at something on an objective, and with the power of the weapons in the squad that’s going to give almost anything a bad time. It’s a very neat package that I’m surprised we haven’t seen more of since the current price point was reached – maybe this will inspire some imitators.

Elsewhere, Kasrkin and Rough Riders double and triple down on hitting hard and fast, and one Dorn provides a trump card if you can strip the foe of all their anti-tank via Scion and Kasrkin strikes. It’s also just efficient at the current price, particularly with the pocket option of shrugging off a railgun hit or something. John’s win here hammers home what a healthy state Guard are in, as he leaves a lot of the popular choices on the shelf but still thrives, exactly what you want from a faction that’s also in a balance sweet spot.

Louis Boisvert – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Triple muthalith (1995 Points)

Thousand Sons
Cult of Magic
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Ahriman (130 Points)
• 1x Black Staff of Ahriman
• 1x Inferno bolt pistol
• 1x Psychic Stalk

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (125 Points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Prosperine khopesh
• 1x Warpflame pistol
• Enhancements: Umbralefic Crystal

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (140 Points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Prosperine khopesh
• 1x Warpflame pistol
• Enhancements: Lord of Forbidden Lore

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (105 Points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Prosperine khopesh
• 1x Warpflame pistol

Infernal Master (115 Points)
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Inferno bolt pistol
• 1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancements: Arcane Vortex

Magnus the Red (440 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
• 1x Gaze of Magnus
• 1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (105 Points)
• 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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 Points)
• 1x Betentacled maw
• 1x Mutalith claws
• 1x Warp vortex

Thousand Sons Chaos Spawn (65 Points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations

Thousand Sons Cultists (55 Points)
• 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

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Triple Mutalith

Thoughts

Have we considered that maybe Mutalith Vortex Beasts shouldn’t cost 150pts? Just putting that out there. More and more, we’re seeing Tsons players dial back a little on volume of magical shenanigans in favour of a big wall of seething rainbow flesh to buy them time to do more of them. That seems to be working out pretty well, helped by the fact that the Mutaliths are also versatile damage dealers and have a defensive profile that’s reasonably agnostic to what’s trying to kill them. All things you very much want in a unit, and Louis put them to good use unleashing Tzeentch’s terrible and confusing wrath here.

Brian Crothers – Chaos Space Marines (Chaos Cult) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Ground & Pound (2000 Points)

Chaos Space Marines
Chaos Cult
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Cypher (90 Points)
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
• 1x Cypher’s plasma pistol

Dark Commune (80 Points)
• 1x Cult Demagogue
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Commune stave
◦ Enhancements: Incendiary Goad
• 1x Mindwitch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Warp Curse
• 1x Iconarch
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Blessed Blade
◦ 2x Commune blade

Dark Commune (75 Points)
• 1x Cult Demagogue
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Commune stave
◦ Enhancements: Warped Foresight
• 1x Mindwitch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Warp Curse
• 1x Iconarch
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Blessed Blade
◦ 2x Commune blade

Dark Commune (85 Points)
• 1x Cult Demagogue
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Commune stave
◦ Enhancements: Cultist’s Brand
• 1x Mindwitch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Warp Curse
• 1x Iconarch
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Blessed Blade
◦ 2x Commune blade

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (90 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chaos Familiar
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Infernal Gaze

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Accursed Cultists (180 Points)
• 10x Mutant
◦ 10x Blasphemous appendages
• 6x Torment
◦ 6x Hideous mutations

Chaos Bikers (70 Points)
• 1x Biker Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Combi-bolter
◦ 1x Power fist
• 2x Chaos Biker
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Combi-bolter
◦ 2x Plasma gun

Chaos Terminator Squad (370 Points)
• 1x Terminator Champion
◦ 1x Chainfist
◦ 1x Combi-weapon
• 9x Chaos Terminator
◦ 2x Accursed weapon
◦ 1x Chainfist
◦ 7x Combi-weapon
◦ 6x Power fist
◦ 2x Reaper autocannon

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

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Cult with Terminators

Thoughts

For those wondering, yes I do include Chaos Cult in the limited number of builds propping Chaos Space Marines up. At ths point it has solidly shown that you shouldn’t let your memes be dreams – rolling the foe over with waves of bodies and movement tricks really is good, especially when you back it up with the lurking presence of Cypher to tank opponent’s stratagem usage. It’s also another build where innovation is ongoing, as we see here – alongside the regular cultist horde, we’ve got one full unit of Terminators with a Sorceror. These serve a dual purpose – they throw a curveball in terms of defensive profile, and stacking up a lot of combi-weapons with (functionally) always-on hit re-rolls is a neat way to cleanly remove Inner-Circle Companions from the table, and it’ll kill one Deathwing Knight even through their Watcher, which isn’t nothing. They also provide a hammer to clear enemy tanks, which can otherwise sometimes grind the cult down, and you can see via the selected melee weapons that this is on their to-do list – you’d stick with the accursed weapons if you wanted to hunt DWKs in melee.

Apart from it being cool to see a new unit tried so successfully, it’s also very flavourful to have one unit of Terminators leading a howling horde of cultists into battle, so big props to Brian on multiple fronts, big fan of what I’m seeing here!

Tim Deetlefs – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 4th Place

Yvraine & The Visarch. Credit: James “Boon” Kelling

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Ynari ccbb (1990 Points)

Aeldari
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (85 Points)
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Tempest launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Reaper launcher

Howling Banshees (70 Points)
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol

Striking Scorpions (65 Points)
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Mandiblasters
◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 1x Scorpion’s claw
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Mandiblasters
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol

Swooping Hawks (85 Points)
• 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

Troupe (165 Points)
• 1x Lead Player
◦ 1x Aeldari power sword
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
• 10x Player
◦ 3x Fusion pistol
◦ 10x Harlequin’s special weapon
◦ 4x Neuro disruptor
◦ 3x Shuriken pistol

Warp Spiders (125 Points)
• 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

ALLIED UNITS

Kabalite Warriors (110 Points)
• 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

Scourges (120 Points)
• 1x Solarite
◦ 1x Blast pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Dark lance
◦ 3x Drukhari haywire blaster

Venom (70 Points)
• 1x Bladevanes
• 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Splinter cannon

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

MSU Go-wide Elves

Thoughts

Elves. They’re still here, somehow. Unlike some other factions that have been repeatedly hammered with nerfs, Aeldari are now in a pretty balanced spot win-rate wise, and with a decent amount of list diversity to boot. Tim’s list here goes for the pure go-wide plan – tonnes of tiny units, many of which excel at launching lighting strikes from concealment, ready to lock in scoring with an absolutely iron grip and neutralise whatever key tools the opponent is trying to use to do the same. Secret Missions are a real blessing for this kind of list, as they provide a huge amount of agency to set your own goals in terms of what points you need to land and how many you need to deny from your opponent.

That demands some really aggressive play to counter, but as always with Aeldari that risks getting caught out by a hammer blow like a charge from the Harlequin unit, and Scourges are also super good at punishing heavy stuff that gets too pushy. Huge fan of the 3x haywire 1x lance loadout in Ynnari too, really helps maximise the flexibility of the overall unit and push the value you get from the Aeldari re-roll as compared to a pain token. As ever, I cannot help but love to see an elf boss winning, so great stuff from Tim.

The Best of the Rest

There was 1 more player on a 5-1 record. They were:

5th – Dany Daigle – Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm): An interesting tarpit build using cheap Psychophages and Pyrovores to keep two full blocks of Tyrant Guard (with Swarmlord and a Hive Tyrant) up and running. Definitely tough to crack, especially once you factor in the Swarmlord CP tax.

Hammer of Wrath GT

60-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Cypress, CA, United States on August 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Matthew Green – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

wtc (1995 points)

Thousand Sons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Cult of Magic

CHARACTERS

Exalted Sorcerer (135 points)
• 1x Astral Blast
1x Force weapon
1x Prosperine khopesh
1x Warpflame pistol
• Enhancement: Lord of Forbidden Lore

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (105 points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Prosperine khopesh
1x Warpflame pistol

Infernal Master (115 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Arcane Vortex

Infernal Master (110 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal

Infernal Master (90 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation

Magnus the Red (440 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
1x Gaze of Magnus
1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (105 points)
• 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

Tzaangors (65 points)
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Tzaangor blades
• 9x Tzaangor
• 1x Brayhorn
1x Herd banner
9x Tzaangor blades

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 points)
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex

Thousand Sons Cultists (55 points)
• 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

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (47), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Double Mutalith

Thoughts

A mere two Mutaliths this time around, but compensated by far more magical firepower. Thousand Sons good, congratulations to Matthew for helping Tzeentch work even more diabolical plans.

Nico Urrea – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Tsons Pure Datasheets (1990 Points)

Thousand Sons
Cult of Magic
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Infernal Master (115 Points)
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Inferno bolt pistol
• 1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancements: Arcane Vortex

Magnus the Red (440 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
• 1x Gaze of Magnus
• 1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

Tzaangor Shaman (80 Points)
• 1x Mutating orbs
• 1x Shaman’s stave
• Enhancements: Athenaean Scrolls

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (105 Points)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
◦ 1x Force weapon
◦ 1x Inferno bolt pistol
◦ 1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Inferno boltgun

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (150 Points)
• 1x Betentacled maw
• 1x Mutalith claws
• 1x Warp vortex

Thousand Sons Forgefiend (135 Points)
• 2x Ectoplasma cannon
• 1x Ectoplasma cannon
• 1x Forgefiend claws

Tzaangor Enlightened (45 Points)
• 1x Aviarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 2x Enlightened
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Fatecaster greatbow

ALLIED UNITS

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points)
• 1x Diabolus heavy stubber
• 1x Reaper chaintalon
• 1x Slaughterclaw

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Ultra-hefty Thousand Sons

Thoughts

Tears are streaming down my face as I once again say “Thousand Sons Good”. This build looks to be going hunting for Dark Angels in particular, as the current builds tend to only have the firepower to deck one large target at range a turn, while flat D3 as you get from the Forgefiends is exactly what you want for hunting Companions and Knights. You do pay the cost of having far fewer shenanigans to pull on any given turn, but you’ve still got the juice to drop a crucial Warptime, so the entire table remains Magnus’ plaything, and that’s especially hard to work around when all the targets in the army are quite crunchy – you’re going to have to commit to kill stuff, but Magnus punishes overcommitment better than almost anyone. A conundrum for foes, to be sure, and not one that any managed to solve, leaving Nico in an undefeated second place.

Ruben Zhao – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

GK (2000 Points)

Grey Knights
Teleport Strike Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Brotherhood Librarian (150 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
• 1x Purge Soul
• Enhancements: Sigil of Exigence

Brotherhood Librarian (120 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
• 1x Purge Soul

Brotherhood Techmarine (70 Points)
• 1x Boltgun
• 1x Flamer
• 1x Omnissian power axe
• 1x Plasma cutter
• 1x Servo-arms

BATTLELINE

Brotherhood Terminator Squad (210 Points)
• 1x Terminator Justicar
◦ 1x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Brotherhood Terminator
◦ 1x Ancient’s Banner
◦ 1x Incinerator
◦ 1x Narthecium
◦ 4x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 2x Storm bolter

Strike Squad (120 Points)
• 1x Justicar
◦ 1x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Grey Knight
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Incinerator
◦ 3x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 3x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Interceptor Squad (130 Points)
• 1x Interceptor Justicar
◦ 1x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Interceptor
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Psycannon
◦ 3x Storm bolter

Nemesis Dreadknight (205 Points)
• 1x Heavy incinerator
• 1x Heavy psycannon
• 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

Purgation Squad (130 Points)
• 1x Purgator Justicar
◦ 1x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purgator
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Incinerator

ALLIED UNITS

Eversor Assassin (75 Points)
• 1x Executioner pistol
• 1x Power sword and neuro gauntlet

Voidsmen-at-Arms (50 Points)
• 1x Voidmaster
◦ 1x Artificer shotgun
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Laspistol
• 4x Voidsman
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Lasgun
◦ 3x Laspistol
◦ 1x Laspistol
◦ 1x Voidsman rotor cannon

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

All-Rounder Grey Knights

Thoughts

Grey Knights are another faction in the “about right” bracket with a couple of different ways you can build them. It is fair to highlight that the vast majority of builds go for three regular Dreadknights, as it turns out a strong all-round shooting/Advance+Charge murder machine is pretty valuable, but you can back that up with small Terminator units and Mortals (as seen here), a more mixed infantry setup with Purifiers, or big Paladin bricks with a Grand Master, and all those options are pretty cool. They’re another faction that does well out of Secret Missions, as Brotherhood Terminators are perfect for forcing the issue on War of Attrition, and their damage dealing has ended up pretty well matched to what the metagame is throwing out. Well done to Ruben for taking them to third, and particular well done for resisting the six Dreadknight build, which is also distressingly viable.

Kennith! Onyeabor – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

– Spawning Pool (2000 points)

Tyranids
Strike Force (2000 points)
Invasion Fleet

CHARACTERS

Neurotyrant (105 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes
1x Psychic scream

Old One Eye (140 points)
• 1x Old One Eye’s claws and talons

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Carnifexes (125 points)
• 1x Bio-plasma
1x Carnifex crushing claws
1x Chitinous claws and teeth
1x Heavy venom cannon
1x Spine banks

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

Haruspex (125 points)
• 1x Grasping tongue
1x Ravenous maw
1x Shovelling claws

Maleceptor (170 points)
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload

Neurolictor (90 points)
• 1x Piercing claws and talons

Pyrovores (35 points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Flamespurt

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

Zoanthropes (200 points)
• 1x Neurothrope
• 1x Chitinous claws and teeth
1x Warp Blast
• 5x Zoanthrope
• 5x Chitinous claws and teeth
5x Warp Blast

Exported with App Version: v1.18.0 (46), Data Version: v464

Archetype

Monster Mash

Thoughts

It’s a big wall of Monsters, what do you want from me? I guess it’s important to highlight that the skew is definitely towards the cheaper options in order to permit the inclusion of more monsters, which is important in a metagame that gets very deadly up close, and including the Neurotyrant/Zoanthrope unit is also very sensible – it gives you something that pretty much all enemy units have to respect, and you want the Tyrant for the super Shadow turn anyway. Great to see Tyranids out there getting stuff done, especially with such a classic strategy – well done Kennith.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Michael Georges – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede): Monster mash with a Norn as a centrepiece.
6th – Jeff Poole – Chaos Daemons: Khorne missiles galore and a Gift GUO as a tarpit.
7th – Jason McKenzie – T’au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Two squads of Broadsides, a toolbox of Crisis Teams and Commanders, and a couple Riptides to finish.
8th – Jeff Jew – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): DWKs backed by Vindicators and an ICC/Judiciar squad.
9th – Tony Baumayr – Astra Militarum: Loads of Russes and some Bullgryn.
10th – Daniel Reddehase – Death Guard: Two tooled-up Plague Marine Rhinos, a big Deathshroud block and Brigands.

ECDC Presents: The Big Sky Open

47-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Great Falls, MT, United States on August 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Colin Kay – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

I’m Still Painting My 18 Inner Circle Companions (and I Miss My Repulsors 😢) (1985 Points)

Adepta Sororitas
Bringers of Flame
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Canoness (55 Points)
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Power weapon
• 1x Rod of Office
• Enhancements: Iron Surplice of Saint Istalela

Dialogus (50 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Dialogus staff
• Enhancements: Fire and Fury

Morvenn Vahl (160 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
• 1x Lance of Illumination
• 1x Paragon missile launcher

Triumph of Saint Katherine (190 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistols
• 1x Relic weapons

BATTLELINE

Battle Sisters Squad (115 Points)
• 1x Sister Superior
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
◦ 9x Bolt pistol
◦ 7x Boltgun
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Multi-melta
◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Immolator (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Twin multi-melta

Immolator (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Immolation flamers

Sororitas Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Castigator (150 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Castigator battle cannon
• 3x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter

Paragon Warsuits (210 Points)
• 1x Paragon Superior
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Multi-melta
◦ 1x Paragon grenade launchers
◦ 1x Paragon war mace
• 2x Paragon
◦ 2x Bolt pistol
◦ 2x Multi-melta
◦ 2x Paragon grenade launchers
◦ 2x Paragon war mace

Penitent Engines (150 Points)
• 2x Penitent Engine
◦ 2x Penitent flamers
◦ 2x Twin penitent buzz-blades

Retributor Squad (125 Points)
• 1x Retributor Superior
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 4x Retributor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Multi-melta

Sisters Novitiate Squad (100 Points)
• 1x Novitiate Superior
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Sister Novitiate
◦ 5x Autogun
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Ministorum flamer
◦ 1x Sacred Banner
◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Heavy Flame Sisters

Thoughts

Colin takes down another event with his heavier spin on Bringers of Flame, sacrificing some of the speed of Dominions and Seraphim for extra punch from Retributors and a two-Penitent unit. The result hits spectacularly hard and can also do a pretty good all-hull turtle deployment (other than the Infiltrating Novitiates), providing it with a good deal of control over early trades. Seems to be thriving, and is presumably somewhat softening the blow of the fun police at Games Workshop confiscating the fourth RepEx. Great stuff as always from Colin.

Thomas Moore – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Super Jumpy Bros (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Blood Angels
Sons of Sanguinius
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain with Jump Pack (85 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Power fist

Lemartes (120 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x The Blood Crozius

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades

Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack (100 Points)
• 1x Astartes chainsword
• 1x Bolt Pistol

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Intercessor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Bolt rifle
◦ 4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (80 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma pistol

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (280 Points)
• 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Pack
◦ 10x Inferno pistol
◦ 10x Power fist

Sanguinary Guard (310 Points)
• 10x Sanguinary Guard
◦ 10x Angelus boltgun
◦ 8x Encarmine blade
◦ 2x Power fist
◦ 1x Sanguinary Banner

Scout Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Combat knife
• 4x Scout
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Combat knife
◦ 1x Missile launcher

Scout Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Combat knife
• 4x Scout
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Combat knife
◦ 1x Heavy bolter

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (210 Points)
• 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Storm Shield
◦ 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon
• 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack
◦ 9x Storm Shield
◦ 9x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (43), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Durability-skewed Sons

Thoughts

We’ve still got some indeterminate amount of time left with the old Blood Angels rules, as most events don’t start using army box-only books till their full release, so classic VanVet/Priest units can still soar around the sky a while longer. I think this variant of Sons that leans as far as possible towards durability is the best choice for Singles, as the speed and punch are still easily enough to overwhelm armies that don’t like dealing with it, while if you run into Dark Angels and have to have a proper stand-up slugfest the additional resilience is going to pay off in spades. Particularly like the use of a jump captain as a cheap way to get the Warlord buffs on the Sanguinary Guard too, lets you get the punch of that unit into the army without compromising on the “everything is tough” plan. Great work from Thomas.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd – Troy Oswood – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Double Mutalith Tsons.
4th – Trystan Gifford – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): Sword Brethren MSUs and a big vanilla Terminator block with a Tannhauser’s Bones Chaplain as a flexible brawler.
5th – Jordan Gledhill – Chaos Daemons: Speedy Monster Mash with a first wave of Keepers and a second of Soulgrinders.
6th – Brian Schwinger Sr. – World Eaters: Heavy duty World Eaters with no Berzerkers, loads of Eightbound and a couple of Forgefiends.
7th – Matthew Hartnett – Orks (War Horde): Lots of mechanised melee Infantry, a few Flash Gitz and Ghaz.
8th – Ticer Nelson – Death Guard: Heavy Death Guard sporting Mortarion, Daemon Engines and Deathshrouds in a Land Raider.

AZ Warhammer 40K League 2024 Summer Championship

40-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Scottsdale, AZ, United States on August 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Collin Watson – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Champs Cup Test (1995 points)

Adepta Sororitas
Strike Force (2000 points)
Bringers of Flame

CHARACTERS

Canoness with Jump Pack (80 points)
• 1x Blessed halberd
• Enhancement: Iron Surplice of Saint Istalela

Morvenn Vahl (160 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher

Palatine (60 points)
• 1x Palatine blade
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancement: Righteous Rage

Triumph of Saint Katherine (190 points)
• 1x Bolt pistols
1x Relic weapons

BATTLELINE

Battle Sisters Squad (115 points)
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Inferno pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Immolator (115 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta

OTHER DATASHEETS

Castigator (150 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Castigator (150 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator autocannons
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Dominion Squad (115 points)
• 1x Dominion Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Ministorum hand flamer
1x Power weapon
• 9x Dominion
• 9x Bolt pistol
5x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
4x Ministorum flamer
1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Paragon Warsuits (210 points)
• 1x Paragon Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war blade
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war blade

Seraphim Squad (170 points)
• 1x Seraphim Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Seraphim
• 10x Bolt pistol
9x Close combat weapon
8x Ministorum hand flamer

Sisters Novitiate Squad (100 points)
• 1x Novitiate Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Sister Novitiate
• 9x Autopistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Ministorum flamer
5x Novitiate melee weapons
1x Sacred Banner
1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Exported with App Version: v1.19.0 (47), Data Version: v438

Archetype

Speedy Flame Sisters

Thoughts

Go fast and burn things. This is a great example of the top Sisters build right now, providing an exceptional all-rounder combination of speed, punch and durability. I don’t have much more to cover on this one – we’ve seen plenty if this and we’ll see plenty more. Well done Collin for going amidst the enemies of the Emperor with fire and sword.

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

2nd – Mark Whittaker – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Go-wide World Eaters with loads of extra Jakhals.
3rd – Matt Schriock – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): Tanks for days.

Dearg Doom I

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Cork, CO, Ireland on August 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Take and Hold – Hidden Supplies – Search and Destroy

Dan Ahern – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband)
Army List - Click to Expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
List name: The best, worst, list – The Colin Power and Dan Ahern challenge
Theme Song:

+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – World Eaters
+ DETACHMENT: Berzerker Warband
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Angron
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 11
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (4×2) + (1×4) – Assassination: 2 Characters – Cull The Horde: 1×5
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

10x Jakhals (65 pts)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader: Autopistol, Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured: Icon of Khorne, Skullsmasher
• 1x Jakhal: Icon of Khorne, Icon of Khorne, Autopistol, Mauler chainblade
• 7x Jakhals: 7 with Autopistol, Jakhal chainblades
10x Khorne Berserkers (180 pts)
• 9x Khorne Berserker
7 with Berserker chainblade, Bolt pistol
1 with Khornate eviscerator, Plasma pistol
1 with Icon of Khorne, Khornate eviscerator, Plasma pistol
• 1x Khorne Berserker Champion: Berserker chainblade, Bolt pistol

Char1: 1x Angron (415 pts): Warlord, Samni’arius and Spinegrinder
Char2: 1x Khârn the Betrayer (100 pts): Gorechild, Khârn’s plasma pistol

3x Exalted Eightbound (155 pts)
• 2x Exalted Eightbound: 2 with Eightbound chainfist, Eightbound eviscerator
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion: Eviscerator and chainfist

10x World Eaters Terminator Squad (360 pts)
• 1x Terminator Champion: Combi-weapon, Power fist
• 2x Combi-weapon, chainfist: 2 with Chainfist, Combi-weapon
• 5x Combi-weapon, power fist: 5 with Combi-weapon, Power fist
• 2x Paired accursed weapons: 2 with Paired accursed weapons

5x World Eaters Terminator Squad (180 pts)
• 1x Terminator Champion: Chainfist, Combi-weapon
• 1x Combi-weapon, chainfist: Chainfist, Combi-weapon
• 2x Combi-weapon, power fist: 2 with Combi-weapon, Power fist
• 1x Paired accursed weapons: Paired accursed weapons

1x World Eaters Helbrute (130 pts): Close combat weapon, Heavy flamer, Helbrute fist, Multi-melta

1x World Eaters Heldrake (210 pts): Heldrake claws, Baleflamer

1x World Eaters Predator Destructor (130 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, Predator autocannon, Combi-weapon, 2x Lascannon

1x World Eaters Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon

vs.

Joseph Musgrave – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband)
Army List - Click to Expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Player Name: Joseph Musgrave
Faction Used: World Eaters
Army Points: 2000
Army Enhancements: Berserker Glaive (Daemon Prince with Wings)
Army Name: WE Gonna Get Our Satisfaction
Army Theme Song:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTERS

Angron (415 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder

Khârn the Betrayer (100 Points)
• 1x Gorechild
• 1x Khârn’s plasma pistol

World Eaters Daemon Prince with Wings (220 Points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancements: Berzerker Glaive

BATTLELINE

Jakhals (65 Points)
• 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

Khorne Berzerkers (90 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
◦ 1x Berzerker chainblade
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Khorne Berzerker
◦ 3x Berzerker chainblade
◦ 3x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 1x Khornate eviscerator
◦ 1x Plasma pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Exalted Eightbound (155 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 2x Eightbound chainfist
◦ 2x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (310 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 5x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 5x Eightbound chainfist
◦ 5x Eightbound eviscerator

World Eaters Chaos Spawn (65 Points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations

Thoughts

OK so the Patrons thirst for blood, and I assume they thought they were also getting one over on me by forcing me to write about a mirror match, but instead we have “relatively normal World Eaters” vs. “whatever the hell that is”. I do at least appreciate players using the list metadata to make it clear they’re Doing a Bit so I don’t have to wonder whether I’ve somehow missed a memo about Heldrakes. I still have to work out how they stack up though, and on a relatively simple mission too.

I guess we start by expanding a little on “relatively normal World Eaters”, because it’s not 100% the norm. It’s got plenty of familiar units, but in a metagame filled with big, nasty Fights First stuff the Scout package has been left on the shelf in favour of a very polarised suite of units – either its small enough to throw away in a pinch (Berzerker MSUs) or big and hits like a truck (full Exalted Squads). Seems broadly well suited to the metagame, solid, now let’s look at the weird stuff on the other side.

OK, Terminators first up. -1D in melee on a big unit of these is pretty sweet, and stacks up nicely against the Eightbound here, you actually do hit the point where some of your models survive the swing, and then do damge the Eightbound can’t really afford in response. Combi-Weapons are hilariously useful here too, so sure, it’s a pass. Helbrute? Fine, whatever, I kind of like one in World Eaters because if you can Charge or Heroic it into the far end of an enemy unit alongside your Eightbound you can cause some capital-P problems.

All this I can stomach, what I cannot stand is that in this game the Heldrake is hilariously useful, because the Daemon Prince with Wings is essentially the perfect prey for it. The drake can hover at a distance with nigh complete impunity, maybe swooping in for some Mortals or flamer shots here and there, but if the Prince ever engages then it can lunge forward and have a very real chance of biting his entire body off, presumably while the audience cheers and claps. Being able to dunk a healthy quantity of reliable melee Mortals into Angron in a pinch is useful too, and I think there’s enough surprisingly well-tuned counterpunch in the weird list that none of the threats from the “normal” can confidently push out.

The problem is, I think the weird list is stronger counterattacking than pushing in its own right – if any unit on this table can it probably is the Terminators, but Angron can still rip half a unit apart, so why risk it, particularly on a six objective mission where you can stay still and rack up points. I hope that the armies here contrived to ensure there was still a good amount of bloodshed despite the incentive towards cautious play, but once all was said and done the end result appears to owe more to caution than a bloodbath – a draw.

Result

Khorne is Shaking His Head to Show that He Disapproves – 78 – 78

(Unless it was a draw because everyone died by turn 4, in which case carry on).

Dan Ahern – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Heldrake?

Thoughts

Heldrake!

Incredible scenes.

Joseph Musgrave – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 2nd Place

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Exalted-heavy World Eaters

Thoughts

Covered in the Showdown – plenty of the normal toys, but eschews ultra-speedy Scout pressure out the gate to jam in two ultra-murderous Eightbound bricks and enough small Berzerker units that you can afford to speculatively throw some away if you need to. All good choices, and well done to Joseph for tieing the game on the top table despite how confusing the experience must have been!

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd – Daire O’Mahony – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught): High-pressure Vanguard with two Genestealer/Broodlord blocks and Leapers for early aggro, then shooty monsters and some melee Warriors as a second wave.
4th – Michael Mc Carthy – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius): Dante plus Sanguinary Guard alongside a Priest/VanVet unit, backed by various jump MSUs.
5th – Colin Power – Aeldari: Comedy Wraith skew list going for three each of Wraithlords, Wraithseers and Hemlocks. Oh, and a Wraithknight.
6th – Luke Crowley – Death Guard: Fairly crunchy Death Guard with an allied Knight Despoiler.

GREX Battle for Augustus – Legends GT

27-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Singapore, SG on August 24 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jonathan Lee – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Necrons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hypercrypt Legion

CHARACTERS

C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (295 points)
• 1x Gaze of death
1x Scythe of the Nightbringer

Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points)
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer

The Silent King (420 points)
• 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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Spyders (75 points)
• 1x Automaton claws
1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura)
1x Gloom Prism (Aura)
2x Particle beamer

Flayed Ones (60 points)
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws

Lokhust Destroyers (30 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss cannon

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (50 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss destructor

Monolith (375 points)
• 4x Death ray
1x Particle whip
1x Portal of exile

Archetype

Heavy Hypercrypt

Thoughts

Another Hypercrypt build to round us out today, this one going for the classic Szarkeh/Monolith package for a flexible and durable core, and filling out with the Nightbringer to solve problems and a bunch of small stuff for maxing scoring. Good all-round but worth highlighting that Jonathan won what I would have had down as a very challenging matchup against Primaris Crusader spam in the final, so very impressive work!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Jensen Goh – Death Guard (Plague Company): Plague Marines in Rhinos, Destructors, Brigands, all classic Death Guard stuff.
3rd – Paul Garcin – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): Aforesaid Primaris Crusader spam – eighty of them with various buffs, plus one unit of VanVets for roving pressure/melee trapping.
4th – Victor Koh – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Speedy Flame Sisters

Wrap Up

That’s it from me for another mammoth week, check back in on Friday when Lowest of Men will tag in for the other half of this week’s tournaments, and the scene doesn’t look to be slowing down for the next few weeks either, with big events firing all over the UK and elsewhere besides. See you then!

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: The Lion, the Witchhunters and the Warpcoven pt.1

Texas Open 2024 – Warhammer 40k Champs

Cam Hawkins – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Justin Moore – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Scott Cairns – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Robert Rettew – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

CCBB 40k – Singles

John Winter Russell – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Louis Boisvert – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Brian Crothers – Chaos Space Marines (Chaos Cult) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Tim Deetlefs – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Hammer of Wrath GT

Matthew Green – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Nico Urrea – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ruben Zhao – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kennith! Onyeabor – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

ECDC Presents: The Big Sky Open

Colin Kay – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Thomas Moore – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

AZ Warhammer 40K League 2024 Summer Championship

Collin Watson – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Dearg Doom I

The Showdown

Take and Hold – Hidden Supplies – Search and Destroy

Thoughts

Result

Dan Ahern – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts