Hello, tournament goers! This week Wings is taking another week off (Rob: How dare he) and I have been pulled off the bench to fill in. Strap in for a wild ride through this weekend’s events and my thoughts on the rules and lists everyone used. There were 6 GT+ events, we will start in the UK.
The Coventry GT 3-day
155-player, 8-round Supermajor in England, GB on November 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Mission: Recover the relics
This matchup should actually be much easier than it appears for Mike and his Light Saedath Harlies. However a pretty rough ruling the event used throws an added wrinkle in here: Specifically, the event ruled that if you have the Swift Strikes trait, you can Advance and then still Battle Focus. This allows the Swooping Hawks to move an even more incredible distance, making this matchup immediately much more difficult.
The Harlequins’ side of this is pretty familiar ground – it’s something we’ve seen dozens of times over by now; it’s a top-tier list being played by one of the absolute best in the UK. It is fast, more durable than it should be, comes with easy secondaries and is threatening in every phase. Mike did not appear to struggle at all in the matchup as he won by quite a big margin, sealing the deal on the event.
Colin Power – Asuryani: + Configuration + Craftworld Selection Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + Stratagems + Stratagem: Relics of the Shrines [-1CP] + No Force Org Slot + Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 60pts] + HQ + Baharroth [7 PL, 160pts] Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 125pts]: 2. Doom, 4. Executioner, Witchblade + Elites + Dire Avengers [6 PL, 91pts] Howling Banshees [5 PL, 105pts] + Fast Attack + Shroud Runners [5 PL, 105pts] Swooping Hawks [8 PL, 200pts] Swooping Hawks [8 PL, 200pts] Vypers [3 PL, 40pts] Vypers [3 PL, 40pts] Warp Spiders [11 PL, 179pts] ++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [36 PL, 695pts] ++ + Configuration + Craftworld Selection + No Force Org Slot + Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 40pts] + HQ + Farseer [5 PL, 95pts]: 1. Fateful Divergence, 1. Guide, Warlord, Witchblade + Troops + Rangers [4 PL, 65pts] + Elites + Howling Banshees [5 PL, 110pts] Striking Scorpions [5 PL, 110pts] + Fast Attack + Shining Spears [6 PL, 130pts] + Dedicated Transport + Wave Serpent [8 PL, 145pts]: Twin Scatter Laser, Twin Shuriken Catapult ++ Total: [101 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [65 PL, 2CP, 1,305pts] ++
. *Far-Flung Craftworld*: Masterful Shots, Swift Strikes
. Warlock Skyrunners: 4. Protect/Jinx
. . Warlock Skyrunner: Witchblade
. 6x Dire Avenger: 6x Avenger Shuriken Catapult, 6x Plasma Grenades
. Dire Avenger Exarch: Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults
. 4x Howling Banshee: 4x Banshee Blade, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Howling Banshee Exarch: Cronescream (Shrine Relic), Mirrorswords, Nerve-shredding Shriek
. 3x Shroud Runner: 3x Ranger Long Rifle, 3x Scatter Laser, 3x Shuriken Pistol
. 9x Swooping Hawk: 9x Lasblaster
. Swooping Hawk Exarch: Lasblaster
. 9x Swooping Hawk: 9x Lasblaster
. Swooping Hawk Exarch: Lasblaster
. Vyper w/ Scatter Laser
. Vyper w/ Scatter Laser
. 6x Warp Spider: 6x Death Spinner
. Warp Spider Exarch: Two Death Spinners & Powerblades, Web of Deceit
. *Far-Flung Craftworld*: Masterful Shots, Swift Strikes
. Warlocks: 5. Quicken/Restrain
. . Warlock: Witchblade
. . Warlock: Witchblade
. 5x Ranger: 5x Ranger Long Rifle, 5x Shuriken Pistol
. 4x Howling Banshee: 4x Banshee Blade, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Howling Banshee Exarch: Mirrorswords, Piercing Strikes
. 4x Striking Scorpion: 4x Mandiblasters, 4x Scorpion Chainsword, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Striking Scorpion Exarch: Biting Blade, Crushing Blows
. 2x Shining Spear: 2x Laser Lance, 2x Twin Shuriken Catapult
. Shining Spear Exarch: Heartstrike, Khaine’s Lance (Shrine Relic), Paragon Sabre, Shimmershield, Shuriken Cannon
vs.
Mike Porter – Harlequins: + Configuration + Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Saedath Characterisation: Light: Blaze of Light + HQ + Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]: 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), 5. Shards of Light (Witchfire), Shuriken Pistol Troupe Master [5 PL, 115pts, -3CP]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Player of the Light, Queen of Shards, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord + Troops + Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 90pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] + Elites + Death Jester [4 PL, 90pts]: Lord of Crystal Bones + Fast Attack + Skyweavers [4 PL, 90pts] + Dedicated Transport + Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [21 PL, 470pts, -2CP] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Saedath Characterisation: Light: Blaze of Light + HQ + Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]: 1. Twilight Pathways (Blessing), 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), Shuriken Pistol + Troops + Troupe [4 PL, 90pts] Troupe [4 PL, 90pts] + Dedicated Transport + Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] ++ Total: [87 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [66 PL, 1,530pts, 3CP] ++
. Cegorach’s Rose
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Star Bolas
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Star Bolas
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
Thoughts
This was Mike’s third time playing this matchup over the weekend so by now he was well versed in how to play it.
Result
Harlequins Victory – 92 – 68
Mike Porter – Harlequins – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Saedath Characterisation: Light: Blaze of Light + HQ + Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]: 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), 5. Shards of Light (Witchfire), Shuriken Pistol Troupe Master [5 PL, 115pts, -3CP]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Player of the Light, Queen of Shards, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord + Troops + Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 90pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] + Elites + Death Jester [4 PL, 90pts]: Lord of Crystal Bones + Fast Attack + Skyweavers [4 PL, 90pts] + Dedicated Transport + Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [21 PL, 470pts, -2CP] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Saedath Characterisation: Light: Blaze of Light + HQ + Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]: 1. Twilight Pathways (Blessing), 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), Shuriken Pistol + Troops + Troupe [4 PL, 90pts] Troupe [4 PL, 90pts] + Dedicated Transport + Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] ++ Total: [87 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [66 PL, 1,530pts, 3CP] ++
. Cegorach’s Rose
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Star Bolas
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Star Bolas
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
Archetype
Light clowns
Final Round Matchup
92 – 68 Victory against Colin Power – Asuryani.
Thoughts
Winning a 155-person event takes so many things to go your way, plus a massive amount of skill and practice. Mike originally wanted to look at a Twilight list; however after seeing the event terrain layouts and measuring some critical distances between buildings he settled on transports and troupes to ensure he could get to where he needed to be reliably. Innes did him a big favor when he eliminated the chaos knights from the running as its one of the hardest matchups for Light clowns to go into. Anthony’s chaos list was the most challenging obstacle of the weekend as boats do not reliably remove his units in cover and Anthony absolutely can and will table Harlies. The game plan needed to be score early and often and hold on to objectives. Congratulations Mike! I would shed 0 tears if your list was run over by a truck.
Jake Wilstrop – Thousand Sons – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Army Faction: Chaos – Game Mode: Grand Tournament – Army Size: Strikeforce BATTALION DETACHMENT – Faction: Thousand Sons – Sub-faction: Cult of Duplicity HQ Ahriman (160) Exalted Sorcerer (120) Infernal Master (90) Rubric Marines (105) Rubric Marines (105) Rubric Marines (105) Elites Scarab Occult Terminators (430) Scarab Occult Terminators (430) Scarab Occult Terminators (430) Fast Attack Chaos Spawn (23) 3 cp
– Psychic Powers: Glamour of Tzeentch, Presage, Weaver of Fates
– Legion Command upgrade: Rehati
– Psychic Powers: Doombolt, Tzeentch’s Firestorm, gaze of hate
Relic. Aethenian scroll
Warlord trait. Lord of forbidden lore
– Psychic Powers: Twist of fate
– Infernal Pacts: Malefic Maelstrom, Glimpse Of Eternity
Relic. Umbral Crystal
Troops
– 1x Aspiring Sorcerer: Warpflame pistol
– 3x Rubric Marine
– 1x Rubric Marine: Icon of flame
– Psychic Powers: Temporal Surge
– 1x Aspiring Sorcerer: Warpflame pistol
– 3x Rubric Marine
– 1x Rubric Marine: Icon of flame
– Psychic Powers: Temporal Surge
– 1x Aspiring Sorcerer: Warpflame pistol
– 3x Rubric Marine
– 1x Rubric Marine: Icon of flame
Psychic Powers: cacademonic curse
– 1x Scarab Occult Sorcerer
– 7x Scarab Occult Terminator
– 2x Scarab Occult Terminator: Hellfyre missile rack, Soulreaper cannon
– Psychic Powers: , Empyric Guidance
– 1x Scarab Occult Sorcerer
– 7x Scarab Occult Terminator
– 2x Scarab Occult Terminator: Hellfyre missile rack, Soulreaper cannon
– Psychic Powers: Temporal Surge
– 1x Scarab Occult Sorcerer
– 7x Scarab Occult Terminator
– 2x Scarab Occult Terminator: Hellfyre missile rack, Soulreaper cannon
Psychic Powers: Temporal Surge
1998
Archetype
Sand people scare easily but always return in greater numbers.
Thoughts
A solid secondary game, particularly against armies packing a psyker, combined with a strong shooting and psychic phase make for a very threatening army to run into. You need to be able to find ways to keep up with Wrath of Magnus while finding ways to shut down their psychic phase and remove these terminators before they get into range of you.
The real question I have is how tired Jake was of seeing knights; he played them in half of his games. Thousand Sons can struggle against Imperial Knights; they don’t have Wrath of Magnus in the matchup and can struggle to bring down big knights if they can’t get multiple units within 18″ for mortal wounds and shooting may not always get there. On the plus side, Jake got lots of practice in his three matches against them.
Innes Wilson – Genestealer Cult – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Factions Used: Genestealer Cult Pregame Stratagems: Relic, Gene-Sire’s Gift x2 Secondary Objectives Information HQ: Primus [4PL, 80pts] (WARLORD) TR: 5 Acolyte Hybrid [3PL, 57pts] Acolyte Leader with Cult Claws and Knife and Cult Lash Whip, 4 Hand Flamer EL: Kelermorph [3PL, 80pts] FA: 8 Atalan Jackal [9PL, 179pts] 3 Demolition Charge, 2 Atalan Wolfquad with Atalan Incinerator
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Player: Innes “X-2” Wilson
Team: Team Scotland
Army Points: 1999
Reinforcement Points: 1
Number of Units / Kill Points:
Starting Command Points: 3
Warlord & Trait: Primus – None
Army Trait: Crossfire
No Prisoners: 172
Bring it Down: N/A
Assasination: 19
Abhor the Witch: N/A
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
== Genestealer Cults – Myriad Cult – Battalion Detachment = -3CP, [97PL, 1999pts] ==
Cult Creeds: Industrial Affinity, War Convoy, Accustomed to Toil, Cold-Eyed killers
HQ: Acolyte Iconward [4PL, 75pts]
TR: 5 Acolyte Hybrid [3PL, 45pts] Acolyte Leader with Cult Claws and Knife and Cult Lash Whip
TR: 20 Neophyte Hybrid [9PL, 195pts] 16 Cult Shotgun, 4 Seismic Cannon
– – – Proficient Planning : A Perfect Ambush
TR: 20 Neophyte Hybrid [9PL, 200pts] 16 Cult Shotgun, 4 Seismic Cannon
– – – Proficient Planning : Lying in Wait
TR: 20 Neophyte Hybrid [9PL, 200pts] 16 Cult Shotgun, 4 Seismic Cannon
– – – Proficient Planning : Excavate
TR: 20 Neophyte Hybrid [9PL, 210pts] 16 Autogun, 4 Seismic Cannon, Cult Icon
– – – Proficient Planning : From Every Angle
– – – Gene-Sire’s Gifts : Wyrmstooth Rounds (-1CP)
EL: Nexos [3PL, 50pts]
– – – Gene-Sire’s Gifts : Cranial Inlay (-1CP)
EL: Sanctus [3PL, 70pts] Cult Sniper Rifle
EL: Clamavus [3PL, 50pts]
– – – Relic : Opressor’s Bane (-1CP)
EL: 10 Purestrain Genestealers [8PL, 150pts]
– – – Proficient Planning : They Came From Below
FA: 8 Atalan Jackal [9PL, 179pts] 3 Demolition Charge, 2 Atalan Wolfquad with Atalan Incinerator
FA: 8 Atalan Jackal [9PL, 179pts] 3 Demolition Charge, 2 Atalan Wolfquad with Atalan Incinerator
Archetype
Galaxy brain trading game
Thoughts
I always love to see GSC pop up in the results and this time it pops up being played by Team Scotland goodest boy Innes Wilson. The list leans on, As Innes said: “Broodswarm broken.”
It is nearly impossible to stop Innes from scoring. When played correctly you are trading 20-man units to make space for your acolytes to pop up and RND/show up with +1 to wound. Innes is scoring so many points so quickly and unless his opponent has incredible movement they really cannot go out and stop him from doing it – his lone loss was to Vik’s swift strike hawks list. The primary becomes very easy to reliably out score people on as there is so much forward pressure, the bikes put out solid fire with good movement. The list seems to have answers for basically everything except for swooping hawks. Placing this high up with this army is really something worth celebrating; as I had said last time, the inherent problem with GSC is that your entire event can just fall apart due to a single failed charge so everything needs to be so perfectly planned out. Your trades and your pressure have to be in the exact perfect place at the exact perfect time or you just lose. The margin for error is so narrow here that it keeps many people from playing this faction. Well done Innes and thanks for putting a list on here I actually feel like talking about.
Nassim Fouchane – T’au Empire – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Sept Choice: Farsight Enclaves + HQ + Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [7 PL, 160pts, -1CP]: 6. Exemplar of the Mont’ka, Burst Cannon, Burst Cannon, High-output Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Stratagem: Promising Pupil + Troops + Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts] + Elites + Firesight Marksman [3 PL, 70pts, -1CP]: 5. Exemplar of the Kauyon, Stratagem: Promising Pupil + Fast Attack + Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts] + Heavy Support + Riptide Battlesuit [14 PL, 265pts]: 2x Plasma Rifle, Ion Accelerator, Multi-tracker, Shielded Missile Drone, Target Lock, Velocity Tracker Riptide Battlesuit [13 PL, 250pts]: 2x Plasma Rifle, Ion Accelerator, Multi-tracker, Target Lock, Velocity Tracker + Flyer + Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: 2x Missile Pod Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: 2x Missile Pod ++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (T’au Empire) [41 PL, 840pts, -1CP] ++ + Configuration + Sept Choice: Farsight Enclaves + HQ + Commander in Crisis Battlesuit [8 PL, 180pts, -1CP]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, T’au Flamer, Thermoneutronic Projector, Warlord + Troops + Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts] + Elites + Crisis Battlesuits [21 PL, 405pts] Crisis Battlesuits [9 PL, 195pts] ++ Total: [100 PL, 1CP, 1,999pts] ++
++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [59 PL, 1,159pts, 2CP] ++
. 10x Kroot: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades
. 3x Sniper Drone: 3x Longshot Pulse Rifle
. 4x Kroot Hound: 4x Ripping Fangs
. 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle
. 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle
. 10x Kroot: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Early Warning Override, Plasma Rifle
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Iridium battlesuit, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator, Stimm Injectors
. Marker Drone
. 2x Shield Drone: 2x Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Target Lock
Archetype
The Ultimate speed run
Thoughts
I will start by saying I am very disappointed that Nassim did not play in both the 2- and 3-day events simultaneously. When all was said and done, Nassim reportedly played only a combined 3 hours and 41 minutes of 40k over his 8 games. This just in: Tau go BRRRRRT.
Tau in the hands of someone like this is basically just an excuse to buy more time to drink and shit talk your friends at other tables, which I know for a fact Nassim did.
Congrats Nissan Fettuccini!
The Best of the Rest
There was one more player on an X-1 record:
- 5th – Dan Ahern – Faction: Tyranids – Dan’s only loss was to Anthony and his CSM. Raveners and harpies in a Kraken detachment, Dan was looking to put a ton of pressure on people and play the primary hard.
Honorable mention goes to:
- 6th – Anthony Vanella – Faction: Chaos Space Marines Noise marines and Abaddon. At this point I am unsure if Anthony is just living on the streets with his army, bumming rides from one big event to the next over there in the UK. After seeing how events are run there, and how often they have huge events, he may never return. His losses were to Mike Porter and Nassim; a very good run for the American.
The Coventry GT 2-day
113-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on November 05 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Auto scoring secondaries vs flamer spam daemons. The question Necrons ask is: “Can you kill enough of them with flamers before they score their secondaries?” On the other side, Necrons definitely have the weight of fire to just put down daemon units, plus solid mobility and armywide Ld 10 to hold off some of the more punishing morale effects daemons can put out.
This game was very close, going down to the wire 89-83, meaning it was probably decided on a couple final turn moves to secure the needed 6 points.
Byron Sidhu – Chaos Daemons: + Configuration + Chaos Allegiance: Chaos Undivided Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + HQ + Bloodthirster [18 PL, -2CP, 350pts]: A’rgath, the King of Blades, Devastating Blow, Great axe of Khorne, Indomitable Onslaught, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord Fluxmaster [6 PL, -1CP, 110pts]: Gaze of Fate, Infernal Flames, Relics of the Impossible Fortress, The Endless Grimoire Tranceweaver [4 PL, 70pts]: Hysterical Frenzy + Troops + Bloodletters [6 PL, 130pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos Daemonettes [6 PL, 120pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos Daemonettes [6 PL, 120pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos Daemonettes [6 PL, 120pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos + Elites + Fiends [5 PL, 105pts]: Blissbringer Flamers [6 PL, 125pts]: Pyrocaster Flamers [6 PL, 125pts]: Pyrocaster Flamers [3 PL, 75pts]: Pyrocaster ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Chaos – Daemons) [27 PL, -2CP, 550pts] ++ + Configuration + Chaos Allegiance: Khorne Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] + HQ + Be’lakor [21 PL, 420pts]: Pall of Despair, Shrouded Step + Troops + Bloodletters [6 PL, 130pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos ++ Total: [99 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Daemons) [72 PL, 3CP, 1,450pts] ++
. 9x Bloodletter: 9x Hellblade
. 9x Daemonette: 9x Piercing claws
. 9x Daemonette: 9x Piercing claws
. 9x Daemonette: 9x Piercing claws
. 2x Fiend: 2x Barbed tail, 2x Dissecting claws
. 4x Flamer: 4x Flickering flames
. 4x Flamer: 4x Flickering flames
. 2x Flamer: 2x Flickering flames
. 9x Bloodletter: 9x Hellblade
vs.
Denis Naberezhnykh – Necrons: + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [2CP] Dynasty Choice: Dynasty: Szarekhan + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + The Silent King [21 PL, 3CP, 400pts]: Warlord ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Necrons) [52 PL, 2CP, 999pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + No Force Org Slot + Viral Construct [1 PL, 15pts] + HQ + Catacomb Command Barge [9 PL, -2CP, 180pts]: Gauss Cannon, Rarefied Nobility, Relic: Voltaic Staff, Resurrection Orb, Staff of Light, Stratagem: Relic, Warlord Trait (Codex 1): Enduring Will + Troops + Necron Warriors [12 PL, 234pts] + Elites + Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 180pts] Transcendent C’tan [14 PL, 230pts]: Crackling Tendrils, Fractured Personality: Cosmic Tyrant, Power of the C’tan: Time’s Arrow, Power of the C’tan: Transdimensional Thunderbolt + Heavy Support + Doomsday Ark [8 PL, 160pts]: Doomsday Cannon, 2x Gauss Flayer Array ++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [33 PL, -4CP, 600pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: + HQ + Chronomancer [5 PL, -1CP, 75pts]: Aeonstave, Chronotendrils, Dynastic Heirlooms, Relic: Veil of Darkness + Elites + Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 150pts] + Fast Attack + Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 120pts] Canoptek Scarab Swarms [2 PL, 45pts] Canoptek Scarab Swarms [2 PL, 45pts] Canoptek Wraiths [6 PL, 105pts] Tomb Blades [4 PL, 60pts] ++ Total: [106 PL, 3CP, 1,999pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Supreme Command Detachment +2CP (Necrons) [21 PL, 5CP, 400pts] ++
. Szarekh: Sceptre of Eternal Glory, Scythe of Dust, Staff of Stars
. 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2x Annihilator Beam
. Canoptek Plasmacyte: Monomolecular Proboscis
. 18x Necron Warrior (Gauss Reaper): 18x Gauss Reaper
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 8x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 8x Feeder Mandibles
. 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 3x Feeder Mandibles
. 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 3x Feeder Mandibles
. 3x Canoptek Wraith (Claws): 3x Vicious Claws
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
Thoughts
It’s Necrons, they score extremely well for doing very little which often turns into a stat-check before the game even begins. On the other hand, the stats on Daemon units are pretty good, and with some hot saves they can weather most any attacks in the game. The Bloodthirster is one of the bigger threats for the Necrons; capped at 8 wounds per phase it’s almost certainly going to make it into melee and cause problems for the army, as even in the best-case scenario that Transcendant C’Tan is going to get 4 mortal wounds off in the Movement Phase, though charging in could help buy a turn or two. More than likely the Necron strategy is to bog down the Bloodthirster while killing everything else.
Ultimately these dynamics made for a pretty exciting finish to a hard fought event, with only a narrow margin of victory for the Necrons, who were held to fewer than 90 points.
Result
Necrons Victory – 89 – 83
Denis Naberezhnykh – Necrons – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [2CP] Dynasty Choice: Dynasty: Szarekhan + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + The Silent King [21 PL, 3CP, 400pts]: Warlord ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Necrons) [52 PL, 2CP, 999pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + No Force Org Slot + Viral Construct [1 PL, 15pts] + HQ + Catacomb Command Barge [9 PL, -2CP, 180pts]: Gauss Cannon, Rarefied Nobility, Relic: Voltaic Staff, Resurrection Orb, Staff of Light, Stratagem: Relic, Warlord Trait (Codex 1): Enduring Will + Troops + Necron Warriors [12 PL, 234pts] + Elites + Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 180pts] Transcendent C’tan [14 PL, 230pts]: Crackling Tendrils, Fractured Personality: Cosmic Tyrant, Power of the C’tan: Time’s Arrow, Power of the C’tan: Transdimensional Thunderbolt + Heavy Support + Doomsday Ark [8 PL, 160pts]: Doomsday Cannon, 2x Gauss Flayer Array ++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [33 PL, -4CP, 600pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: + HQ + Chronomancer [5 PL, -1CP, 75pts]: Aeonstave, Chronotendrils, Dynastic Heirlooms, Relic: Veil of Darkness + Elites + Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 150pts] + Fast Attack + Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 120pts] Canoptek Scarab Swarms [2 PL, 45pts] Canoptek Scarab Swarms [2 PL, 45pts] Canoptek Wraiths [6 PL, 105pts] Tomb Blades [4 PL, 60pts] ++ Total: [106 PL, 3CP, 1,999pts] ++
++ Supreme Command Detachment +2CP (Necrons) [21 PL, 5CP, 400pts] ++
. Szarekh: Sceptre of Eternal Glory, Scythe of Dust, Staff of Stars
. 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2x Annihilator Beam
. Canoptek Plasmacyte: Monomolecular Proboscis
. 18x Necron Warrior (Gauss Reaper): 18x Gauss Reaper
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 8x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 8x Feeder Mandibles
. 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 3x Feeder Mandibles
. 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 3x Feeder Mandibles
. 3x Canoptek Wraith (Claws): 3x Vicious Claws
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
Archetype
Score max on secondaries while playing TFT on your phone
Final Round Matchup
89 – 83 Victory against Byron Sidhu – Chaos Daemons.
Thoughts
I fell asleep reading the list.
Josh Roberts – Chaos Space Marines – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand == Battalion Detachment -3CP (Chaos Space Marines – Emperor’s Children) [88 PL, 1,700pts] == HQ 1: Heretic Astartes Daemon Prince [11 PL, 180pts]: Mark of Slaanesh, Hellforged Sword, Malefic Talon & Wings HQ 2: Master of Possession [7 PL, 120pts]: Mark of Slaanesh HQ 3: Dark Apostle [6 PL, 110pts]: Mark of Slaanesh, 2 Dark Disciples Troop 1: 5 Noise Marines [6 PL, 125pts]: Troop 2: 5 Noise Marines [6 PL, 125pts]: Troop 3: 5 Noise Marines [6 PL, 125pts]: Troop 4: 5 Noise Marines [6 PL, 125pts]: Troop 5: 5 Noise Marines [6 PL, 120pts]: Troop 6: 10 Cultists [2 PL, 50pts] Cultist Firearms Elite 1: 10 Chaos Terminators [19 PL, 375pts]: Mark of Slaanesh Elite 2: 5 Possessed [7 PL, 140pts] FA 1: Venomcrawler [6 PL, 105pts] == Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Chaos Space Marines – Black Legion) [15 PL, 300pts] == Supreme Commander : Abaddon the Despoiler [15 PL, 300pts] WARLORD
Player:Josh Roberts
Faction: Emperor’s Children
Total: 2000pts
Starting CP: 1
Powers: Warptime, Delightful Agonies
Mantle of Traitors [Gifts of Chaos (-1CP)]
Flames of Spite [Aspiring Lord (-1CP)]
Powers: Pact of Flesh, Mutated Invigoration, Delightful Agonies
Liber Hereticus [Gifts of Chaos (-1CP)]
Prayers: Illusory Supplication & Blissful Devotion
Eternal Vendetta [Aspiring Lord (-1CP)]
Noise Champion: 2 Astartes Chainswords, Icon of Slaanesh
3 Noise Marines: Astartes Chainsword & Bolt Pistol
1 Noise Marine: Blastmaster
Noise Champion: 2 Astartes Chainswords, Icon of Slaanesh
3 Noise Marines: Astartes Chainsword & Bolt Pistol
1 Noise Marine: Blastmaster
Noise Champion: 2 Astartes Chainswords, Icon of Slaanesh
3 Noise Marines: Astartes Chainsword & Bolt Pistol
1 Noise Marine: Blastmaster
Noise Champion: 2 Astartes Chainswords, Icon of Slaanesh
3 Noise Marines: Astartes Chainsword & Bolt Pistol
1 Noise Marine: Blastmaster
Noise Champion: 2 Astartes Chainswords,
3 Noise Marines: Astartes Chainsword & Bolt Pistol
1 Noise Marine: Blastmaster
Terminator Champion: Combi-bolter, Chainfist
Black Rune of Damnation [Trophies of the Long War (-1CP)]
Chaos Terminator: Chainfist, Combi-bolter
4 Chaos Terminators: Power fist, Combi-bolter
4 Chaos Terminators: Accursed weapon, Combi-bolter
Archetype
I think this is the mirror of the list Anthony Vanella ran.
Thoughts
Great list, really strong into multiple factions and in the hands of a good player it can be the horse that takes you the distance. Noise Marine units can be incredibly deadly at short ranges/in melee, and being ObSec Troops is just icing on the (perverted) cake. Emperor’s Children aren’t exactly rocking a stellar set of secondary options for their faction so a lot of the value here comes from strong board control and surprisingly high damage output from small troop units.
David Gaylard – Chaos Daemons – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Number of Units: 12 == Chaos Undivided Battalion Detachment == 0 CP, 1450 pts, 68 PL HQ1: Bloodthirster: A’rgath, the King of Blades, Brazen Hide, Great axe of Khorne, Hellfire breath, Indomitable Onslaught, Relics of the Brass Citadel, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord [350 pts, 18 PL, -2 CP] TR1: Bloodletters: 9xBloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos [130 pts, 6 PL] EL1: Flamers: 5xFlamer, Pyrocaster [150 pts, 6 PL] == Khorne Patrol Detachment == -2 CP, 550 pts, 27 PL HQ1: Be’lakor: Shrouded Step, Smite, Wreathed in Shades [420 pts, 21 PL] TR1: Bloodletters: 9xBloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos [130 pts, 6 PL]
Factions used: Chaos – Daemons
Command Points: 6-1-1-1-2=1
Total cost: 2000 pts, 95 PL
Reinforcement Points: none pts
Assassination: 13 points
Bring it Down: 8 points
No Prisoners: 12 points
Abhor the Witch: 9 points
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HQ2: Changecaster: Gaze of Fate, Infernal Flames, Relics of the Impossible Fortress, Smite, The Endless Grimoire [80 pts, 4 PL, -1 CP]
HQ3: Tranceweaver: Pavane of Slaanesh, Ravaging claws, Smite [70 pts, 4 PL]
TR2: Bloodletters: 9xBloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos [130 pts, 6 PL]
TR3: Daemonettes: Alluress, 9xDaemonette, Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos [120 pts, 6 PL]
TR4: Daemonettes: Alluress, 9xDaemonette, Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos [120 pts, 6 PL]
EL2: Flamers: 5xFlamer, Pyrocaster [150 pts, 6 PL]
EL3: Flamers: 5xFlamer, Pyrocaster [150 pts, 6 PL]
Archetype
Flamers: good
Thoughts
Flamers are too good for their points. They’ve made up the backbone of every competitive daemons list and half of the Chaos Marine lists we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks. Add in a couple of HQs and Troop choices to taste – the Bloodthirster with the 8-wound-per-phase cap is a nice touch that can be a real pain in the ass for armies that don’t have a strong psychic phase or movement phase mortal wounds plan. Otherwise it’s clear that flamers work so no need to go too far and reinvent the wheel.
Simon Edwards – Thousand Sons – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Cults of the Legion: Cult of Duplicity Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + HQ + Ahriman [9 PL, 3 Cabal Points, 180pts]: 11. Tzeentch’s Firestorm, 21. Presage, 22. Weaver of Fates, Disc of Tzeentch Exalted Sorcerer [8 PL, -1CP, 3 Cabal Points, 145pts]: 11. Gaze of Hate, 13. Doombolt, Disc of Tzeentch, Egleighen’s Orrery, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Rehati, Stratagem: Sorcerous Arcana Infernal Master [5 PL, -1CP, 2 Cabal Points, 90pts]: 12. Glamour of Tzeentch, 5. Glimpse of Eternity, 6. Malefic Maelstrom, Stratagem: Relic, Umbralefic Crystal + Troops + Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 110pts]: Icon of Flame Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 110pts]: Icon of Flame Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 110pts]: Icon of Flame Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 110pts]: Icon of Flame Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 110pts]: Icon of Flame + Elites + Scarab Occult Terminators [20 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 430pts]: 2x Hellfyre missile rack + Fast Attack + Chaos Spawn [4 PL, 92pts] Chaos Spawn [4 PL, 92pts] ++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Chaos – Thousand Sons) [23 PL, 2CP, 4 Cabal Points, 420pts] ++ + Configuration + Cults of the Legion: Cult of Duplicity Detachment Command Cost [3CP] + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + Magnus the Red [23 PL, -1CP, 4 Cabal Points, 420pts]: 1. Arrogance of Aeons, 3. Undying Form, 4. Lord of Forbidden Lore, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord ++ Total: [103 PL, 3CP, 23 Cabal Points, 1,999pts] ++
++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Thousand Sons) [80 PL, 1CP, 19 Cabal Points, 1,579pts] ++
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 23. Temporal Surge, Warpflame pistol
. 3x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 3x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon: Soulreaper cannon
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 12. Twist of Fate, Warpflame pistol
. 3x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 3x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon: Soulreaper cannon
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 33. Perplex, Warpflame pistol
. 3x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 3x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon: Soulreaper cannon
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 33. Desecration of Worlds, Warpflame pistol
. 3x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 3x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon: Soulreaper cannon
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 23. Temporal Surge, Warpflame pistol
. 3x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 3x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon: Soulreaper cannon
. Scarab Occult Sorcerer: 31. Empyric Guidance, Inferno combi-bolter
. 7x Terminator: 7x Inferno combi-bolter, 7x Prosperine khopesh
. Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Soulreaper cannon
. Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Soulreaper cannon
. 4x Chaos Spawn: 4x Hideous mutations
. 4x Chaos Spawn: 4x Hideous mutations
Archetype
Magnus did nothing wrong
Thoughts
MAGNUS? I love it. I am so happy to see this, two of my teammates tell me Magnus sucks. Now I can simply say Magnus does not suck, your smooth brains just can’t play 5D chess. Simon went 5-0 beating ‘Nids, two sisters lists, Drukhari, and guard to end it. All of these lists should have answers for Magnus, few of them should have issues with removing rubric spam, and yet none of them could take the 1k Sons down. I’d really love to hear how some of these games played, though typically with Magnus on the table the answer comes down to “how many of your 4+ invulnerable saves did you make in a game?”
What’s particularly interesting about Thousand Sons is that taking Magnus can hamstring them on secondary play for Wrath of Magnus, though the opponent list Simon pulled likely made it easier, since you won’t typically be running Wrath of Magnus against Sisters or Drukhari, and it can be a bad play against Tyranids.
The Best of the Rest
There were 14 more players on X-1 records.
- 5th – Mark Crombleholme – Necrons
- 6th – Ryan Cook – Astra Militarum
- 7th – Luke Quadling – Blood Angels
- 8th – Konrad Bartkiewicz – Asuryani
- 9th – Robert Kimpton – Druhkari
- 10th – Sid Sidhu – Imperial Knights
Honorable Mention goes to:
- 106th – Stu Black – Adeptus Astartes
Stu battled it out for 5 rounds with his Iron hawks marines and finished 0-5 despite the Legendary improvements to the Shock Tactics secondary. Ribbing aside, it’s good to see the GW studio team getting out and attending events – mingling with the tournament set and developing a better understanding of the game are admirable goals, even if doing so means single-handedly lowering the win rate for the space marines faction as a whole.
Flames of Autumn 40k Major @ Tables and Towers
51-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Tables and Towers, Westminster, MD, US on November 05 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Andrew Gonyo – Farsight Enclaves – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + No Force Org Slot + + HQ + Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [9 PL, -2CP, 190pts]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, High-output Burst Cannon, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Puretide Engram Neurochip, Stratagem: Emergency Dispensation, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, T’au Flamer, Thermoneutronic Projector + Troops + + Heavy Support + + Flyer + + Dedicated Transport +
+++ Flames of Autumn – Single Batt Test (Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition) [106 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] +++
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (T’au Empire) [106 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
Sept Choice: Farsight Enclaves
Crisis Bodyguards [6 PL, 120pts]
. Crisis Bodyguard Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, T’au Flamer
. Crisis Bodyguard Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, T’au Flamer
Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [9 PL, -2CP, 190pts]: 5. Exemplar of the Kauyon, Burst Cannon, DW-02 Advanced Burst Cannon, High-output Burst Cannon, Missile Pod, Onager Gauntlet, Plasma Rifle, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight
Breacher Team [5 PL, 85pts]: 9x Breacher Fire Warrior: 9x Pulse Blaster, 9x Pulse Pistol
Breacher Team [5 PL, 85pts]: 9x Breacher Fire Warrior: 9x Pulse Blaster, 9x Pulse Pistol
Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts]: 10x Kroot: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades
Riptide Battlesuit [13 PL, 250pts]: 2x Plasma Rifle, Early Warning Override, Ion Accelerator, Target Lock, Velocity Tracker
Riptide Battlesuit [13 PL, 250pts]: 2x Plasma Rifle, Early Warning Override, Ion Accelerator, Target Lock, Velocity Tracker
Riptide Battlesuit [13 PL, 250pts]: 2x Plasma Rifle, Early Warning Override, Ion Accelerator, Target Lock, Velocity Tracker
Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: 2x Missile Pod, 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle
Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: 2x Missile Pod, 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle
Devilfish [6 PL, 95pts]: 2x Gun Drones
Devilfish [6 PL, 95pts]: 2x Gun Drones
Archetype
The return of trip-tide
Final Round Matchup
76 – 66 Victory against Aidan Barkley – Iron Warriors.
Thoughts
Similar but different to Nassim’s tau list. Gonyo adds 2 devilfish and another Riptide instead of taking two units of Crisis Suits. Sunsharks are extremely good, riptides can do some serious work, and the bodyguard unit is a really good addition. If Gonyo ever goes second and does not like the shooting he sees on the other side of the table and feels threatened he simply takes three units off the table and puts them in reserves via the Tau’s redeploy stratagem. This ensures his key units will always get to fire.
Gonyo is one of the nicest people in 40k – I played him when I was new to the hobby. If you ever need your faith restored in humanity just get a game with him. I am truly happy to see him back at it, winning events.
The Best of the Rest
There were three more players on X-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Aidan Barkley – Iron Warriors: Slightly different take on the Abaddon terms list. I like it, really threatening list.
- 3rd – Matt Lorah – Adepta Sororitas: Allow me to help keep the GH bias alive: Sisters are stupid. BR sisters, standard missile trading list.
- 4th – Larry Oliver – Tyranids: Now that Levi nids are dead and gone (not entirely) Kraken seems to be the version popping up. Triple Tyrannofex is some serious energy. I like it.
- 5th – Jeffrey Kolodner – Adepta Sororitas: Another Sisters list, this time running Valorous Heart for extra durability along with a heavy dose of Paragon Warsuits and Mortifiers. At least it looks different from the standard lot.
Mid-MO Maelstrom
47-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ashland, MO, US on November 05 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Sam Henley – Chaos Daemons – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Chaos Allegiance: Chaos Undivided Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + No Force Org Slot + Fateskimmer [9 PL, 145pts]: Gaze of Fate, Infernal Flames, Retinue of Horrors, Ritual dagger + HQ + Be’lakor [21 PL, 420pts]: Pall of Despair, Shrouded Step Bloodthirster [18 PL, -2CP, 350pts]: A’rgath, the King of Blades, Brazen Hide, Great axe of Khorne, Indomitable Onslaught, Relics of the Brass Citadel, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord Lord of Change [17 PL, -1CP, 340pts]: Baleful sword, Bolt of Change, Boon of Change, Infernal Gateway, Master Mutator, Relics of the Impossible Fortress, The Impossible Robe + Troops + Bloodletters [6 PL, 130pts] Blue Horrors [3 PL, 70pts] Blue Horrors [3 PL, 70pts] + Elites + Exalted Flamer [4 PL, 75pts] Flamers [6 PL, 150pts]: Pyrocaster Flamers [6 PL, 125pts]: Pyrocaster Flamers [6 PL, 125pts]: Pyrocaster ++ Total: [99 PL, -3CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Daemons) [99 PL, -3CP, 2,000pts] ++
. 9x Bloodletter: 9x Hellblade
. 10x Blue Horror: 10x Coruscating flames
. 10x Blue Horror: 10x Coruscating flames
. 5x Flamer: 5x Flickering flames
. 4x Flamer: 4x Flickering flames
. 4x Flamer: 4x Flickering flames
Archetype
Flamers: real good
Final Round Matchup
85 – 76 Victory against Ryan Olson – Asuryani.
Thoughts
Another slight variation on the triple flamer daemons list. Just a really strong archetype right now, adding big bird in is something I enjoy seeing if for nothing else my pure love for the model. The big value the Lord of Change brings here is the ability to throw out an obscene number of mortal wounds using the Infernal Gateway and Bolt of Change powers.
Dan Sammons – Tyranids – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration [6CP] + Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [6CP] Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Hive Fleet: Adaptive, Kraken + Stratagems [-3CP] + Hive Predator [-2CP]: 2x Extra Warlord Trait [-2CP] Relic [-1CP] + No Force Org Slot [15 PL, 270pts] + Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts] Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Synaptic Lure, 3x Zoanthrope [150pts] + HQ [21 PL, -1CP, 425pts] + Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Power: Synaptic Lure, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Paroxysm, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Synaptic Lure Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, -1CP, 225pts]: Adrenal Glands [15pts], Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Onslaught, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Synaptic Lure, Prehensile Pincer Tail, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Stratagem: Warlord Trait [-1CP], Tyrant Talons, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology + Troops [12 PL, 260pts] + Gargoyles [4 PL, 80pts] Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 90pts] Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 90pts] + Elites [9 PL, 185pts] + Pyrovores [2 PL, 40pts] Pyrovores [2 PL, 40pts] Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts] + Fast Attack [20 PL, 430pts] + Parasite of Mortrex [4 PL, 80pts]: Barbed Ovipositor, Clawed Limbs, Warlord Trait: Alien Cunning Raveners [8 PL, 175pts] Raveners [8 PL, 175pts] + Heavy Support [9 PL, 135pts] + Biovores [9 PL, 135pts] + Flyer [11 PL, 200pts] + Harpy [11 PL, 200pts]: 2x Stranglethorn Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis [2 PL, 25pts], Scything Wings, Stinger Salvoes ++ Fortification Network 0CP (Tyranids) [6 PL, 95pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost: Command Benefit [1CP] Hive Fleet: Adaptive, Kraken + Fortification [6 PL, 95pts] + Sporocyst [6 PL, 95pts]: 5x Deathspitter, Flensing Whips ++ Total: [103 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [97 PL, 2CP, 1,905pts] ++
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Lash/Sword) [120pts]: 3x Lash Whip and Bonecleaver, 3x Two Rending Claws
. 10x Gargoyle [80pts]: 10x Fleshborer
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. Pyrovore [2 PL, 40pts]: Acid Maw, Bludgeoning Fists, Flamespurt
. Pyrovore [2 PL, 40pts]: Acid Maw, Bludgeoning Fists, Flamespurt
. 3x Venomthrope [105pts]: 3x Toxic Lashes
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Scything Talons
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Scything Talons
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Scything Talons
. Ravener [35pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Scything Talons
. 3x Biovore [9 PL, 135pts]: 3x Chitin-barbed Fists, 3x Spore Mine Launcher
Archetype
Kraken spores
Thoughts
Kraken is just the best way to run nids now that Levi is gone and Dan is using all the good stuff just with a different subfaction. The Sporocyst is a nice touch as it boosts synapse, has guns, and puts out 6 spores a turn, though it really only needs to put out spore mines to justify its cost. You can do some fun things with the Sporocyst combined with the Biovore, creating hundreds of points in surplus value in the form of spore mines that can do astonishing numbers of mortal wounds and generally block (or at least strongly deter) movement to key areas of the board.
The Best of the Rest
There were two more players on X-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Ryan Olson – Asuryani: Hail of doom, tons of fast moving fragile bodies that put out a good amount of shooting. Ryan’s only loss was at the top table to Sam.
- 4th – Ryan Verbeck – Tyranids: Ryan is refusing to let Levi go. He also brought a sporocyst to go with zoanathropes and double tyrannofex.
Bembel Clash #5
38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hirzenhain, HE, DE on November 05 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Pierre Sinke – Harlequins – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Saedath Characterisation: Light: Blaze of Light + HQ + Shadowseer [5 PL, -1CP, 100pts]: 1. Twilight Pathways (Blessing), 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), Shuriken Pistol, Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari Troupe Master [5 PL, -3CP, 115pts]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Player of the Light, Queen of Shards, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord + Troops + Troupe [4 PL, 100pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] Troupe [4 PL, 95pts] + Elites + Death Jester [4 PL, 90pts]: Rift Ghoul Death Jester [4 PL, 90pts]: Lord of Crystal Bones + Fast Attack + Skyweavers [4 PL, 100pts] Skyweavers [4 PL, 100pts] + Heavy Support + Voidweavers [5 PL, 130pts] Voidweavers [5 PL, 130pts] + Dedicated Transport + Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] ++ Total: [84 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [84 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
. The Laughing God’s Eye
. Cegorach’s Rose
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Skyweaver: Skyweaver Haywire Cannon, Star Bolas
. Skyweaver: Skyweaver Haywire Cannon, Star Bolas
. Skyweaver: Skyweaver Haywire Cannon, Star Bolas
. Skyweaver: Skyweaver Haywire Cannon, Star Bolas
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon
Archetype
Light Clowns
Final Round Matchup
20 – 0 Victory against Mario Schwab – Imperial Knights.
Thoughts
Just more Harlies, a very strong faction. Pierre opted to add another unit of skyweavers and a couple voidweavers; this was most likely just a local meta adjustment, and it clearly did the job it needed to do, and helped carry him over Imperial Knights.
The Best of the Rest
There were three more players on X-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Mario Barkeeper – Hive Fleet Jormungandr: must not own any venomthropes so decided to run Jormungandr. This list went undefeated beyond a single tie round 2 vs Imperial knights. Jormungandr players are basically a psyop to prevent GW from nerfing Tyranids by making their results look more reasonable.
- 3rd – Michael Geringer – Blood Angels: Pretty standard Blood angels list running a hammer unit and then 2 sang units. Geringer chooses to add some inceptors in for a decent shooting threat combined with their solid movement which gives him options for secondary scoring.
- 4th – Florian Schmidt – Harlequins: Twilight with 3 units of starweavers and 3 death jesters. Their loss came round 1 ending the run early for them.
Hobart GT 2022
36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hobart, TAS, Australia on November 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Matt Morosoli – Chaos Daemons – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Chaos Allegiance: Chaos Undivided Game Type + HQ + Bloodthirster [18 PL, 350pts]: Blood-drinker Talisman, Brazen Hide, Great axe of Khorne, Indomitable Onslaught, Warlord Changecaster [4 PL, 80pts]: Gaze of Fate, Infernal Flames, Ritual dagger Fluxmaster [6 PL, 115pts]: Bolt of Change, Infernal Flames, Staff of change + Troops + Blue Horrors [3 PL, 70pts] Daemonettes [6 PL, 120pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos Daemonettes [6 PL, 120pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos Daemonettes [6 PL, 120pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos Nurglings [3 PL, 60pts] + Elites + Flamers [6 PL, 125pts]: Pyrocaster Flamers [6 PL, 125pts]: Pyrocaster Flamers [6 PL, 125pts]: Pyrocaster ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Chaos – Daemons) [29 PL, -2CP, 590pts] ++ + Configuration + Chaos Allegiance: Khorne Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Game Type + HQ + Skarbrand [17 PL, 330pts] + Troops + Bloodletters [6 PL, 130pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos Bloodletters [6 PL, 130pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos ++ Total: [99 PL, -2CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Daemons) [70 PL, 1,410pts] ++
. 10x Blue Horror: 10x Coruscating flames
. 9x Daemonette: 9x Piercing claws
. 9x Daemonette: 9x Piercing claws
. 9x Daemonette: 9x Piercing claws
. 3x Nurgling Swarms: 3x Diseased claws and teeth
. 4x Flamer: 4x Flickering flames
. 4x Flamer: 4x Flickering flames
. 4x Flamer: 4x Flickering flames
. 9x Bloodletter: 9x Hellblade
. 9x Bloodletter: 9x Hellblade
Archetype
Flamers: are you tired of seeing them yet? I am.
Final Round Matchup
99 – 37 Victory against Liam Hogwood – Emperor’s Children.
Thoughts
Matt’s scores were extremely high in almost every game, he absolutely dominated every matchup this weekend with this list. Matt is one of the top players from the country running one of the best list archetypes at the moment. He appears to have been on a mission to leave no doubt that he is the best in the room on this weekend. This list is notable in that it jettisons Be’lakor for skarbrand and additional Bloodletters, giving it a nastier melee punch than many lists. Part of the key here is Skarbrand acting as a Locus, which can help shift in the Bloodletters later in the game.
The Best of the Rest
There were three more players on X-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Lance Glover – Hive Fleet Kraken: Double Harpy ravener spam nids. Really dangerous list, their only loss was to Will and his Imperial knights.
- 3rd – Will Milton – Imperial Knights: Tons of angry little robots running around shooting and chopping at you. The list hopes to just overwhelm you with moderately durable annoying robots.
- 4th – Stuart Trainer – Genestealer Cult: Another Myriad Cult GSC list, similar to Innes Wilsons in that it is running around with 6+++ on the bikes, mini-transhuman on the troops and +1 to pile in/consolidate and it ignores hit modifiers on its industrial weapons.
Wrap Up
That wraps up this week’s competitive events for 40k. Join us next week when Wings returns and writes altogether too many words for this column in a far more polite fashion. Until then, if you have any questions or feedback, drop us a note in the comments below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com.
