Four more events to look at today as we start to draw a curtain on the year. Today, we’ll be looking at:
- Da Winter Waaagh
- GT Mallorca
- The FIGHT before XMAS
- Grinning Demon Series GT
If you’re looking for any of the following events, go look at part 1 from Wednesday:
- Winter Assault at the Everwinter Convention (Major)
- Grimdark 10
- Krumpmus Klaws Brawl at Mythicos Studios
- Münsterland Encounter
We’ve also got two of this week’s Showdowns today:
- Ymyr Votann vs Farsight Enclaves at Da Winter Waaagh
- Blood Angels vs Blood Angels at the Grinning Demon Series GT
Da Winter Waaagh
45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Horwich, England, GB on December 10 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – “Some 5 objective mission, it didn’t matter”
My normal strategy for finding out which mission was played when someone who I can just DM gets into a showdown has fallen down here, as this was such an out and out shooting match that Matt can’t even remember which mission it was. I could probably find out, but I decided it was funnier not to. Apparently the rules for Player Placed terrain that were in use made it pretty easy to create good firing lanes, and both these armies love that very much!
Matt Robertson – Leagues of Votann: Three bolt Land Fortresses 2×6 bikes and not much else. Despicable. == Votann Ymyr Patrol = 2CP, [57PL, 1300pts] == TR: 10 Hearthkyn Warriors, pan spectral scanner medipack, [7PL 130pts] FA: 6 Hernkyn Pioneers, 2 HYLas rotary cannon, pan spectral scanner, multiwave comms array rollbar searchlight [10PL 245pts] HS: Hekaton Land Fortress (SP heavy conversion beamer, Four bolt cannons [13PL 300pts] == Votann Ymyr Patrol = 2CP, [30PL, 695pts] == HQ: Brokhyr Iron Master, Brokhyr Forge Master [5PL 115pts] TR: 10 Hearthkyn Warriors, pan spectral scanner medipack, [7PL 130pts] EL: 5 Cthonian Berserks [5PL 150pts] HS: Hekaton Land Fortress (SP heavy conversion beamer, Four bolt cannons [13PL 300pts]
Army List - Click to Expand
HQ: Kahl, Teleport Crest, Plasma Axe, Combi Bolter [4PL 80pts]
—Relic – Grudges End
—Warlord Trait – A Long List
FA: 6 Hernkyn Pioneers, 2 HYLas rotary cannon, pan spectral scanner, multiwave comms array rollbar searchlight [10PL 245pts]
HS: Hekaton Land Fortress (SP heavy conversion beamer, Four bolt cannons [13PL 300pts]
— Legend of the League Warlord Trait – Master Armourer
vs.
Adam Lane – T’au Empire: == Tau Empire – Farsight Enclaves Patrol – 66PL, -3CP, 1274pts] == HQ: Commander Farsight, Exemplar of the Montka, Warlord [7PL, -1CP, 130pts] HQ: Enforcer Commander, 2x Cyclic Ion, Plasma, Thermoneutronic Projector, Begel Hunter Plate, Precision of the Hunter, Marker Drone [10PL, 195pts, -2CP] TR: 10x Kroots [3PL, 60pts] EL: 5x Crisis Battlesuits, 5x Cyclic Ion, 5x Plasma, 5x Burst Cannons, 3x Shields, 2x Target Lock, Stimm Injector, 3x Shield Drones [21PL, 405pts] EL: 2x Crisis Bodyguards, 4x Burst, 2x Cyclic [6PL, 130pts] FA: 4x Kroot Hounds [1PL, 24pts] FL: Sunshark Bomber, 2x Missile Pod [9PL, 165pts] == Tau Empire – Farsight Enclaves Patrol – 37PL, -3CP, 725pts] == HQ: Coldstar Commander, Exemplar of the Kauyon, High Output Burst, Burst Cannon, Plasma, Velocity Tracker, 2x Marker Drone, [8PL, -1CP, 165pts] TR: 10x Kroots [3PL, 60pts] HS: Riptide Battlesuit, 2x Plasma, Ion Accelerator, Multi Tracker, Velocity Tracker, Target Lock [13PL, 250pts] HS: Riptide Battlesuit, 2x Plasma, Ion Accelerator, Multi Tracker, Velocity Tracker, Target Lock [13PL, 250pts] END ROSTER
Army List - Click to Expand
FL: Sunshark Bomber, 2x Missile Pod [9PL, 165pts]
Thoughts
I mean look – the preamble here gives away what’s going to matter in this game, which is who can shoot who into oblivion first (though given the final scoreline, it must have been a pretty even race). From the Tau’s side of the table, they have the distinct advantage compared to almost anyone else going into this game that they actually have the guns to contend the Votann list here, which is pretty unusual. The Votann being relatively short on melee pressure compared to the metagame average is great for them as well, as on a five objective mission that’s going to let them play Primary very effectively. On relatively light Terrain, the Crisis suits are also likely to be the most “hideable” shooting asset either side can bring to bear. What’s a bit less good for them is that quite a few things they’ve invested in are mostly or partially dead – Exemplar of the Mont’ka and Precision of the Hunter bounce off Void Armour something fierce.
That sort of leads into the Votann’s advantage here, which is that when they shoot, they much more reliably make something turbo-dead. Shooting at Land Fortresses with no wound re-rolls is just never a sure thing, whereas whatever Tau toy finds itself shootable is pretty much guaranteed to have a tremendously bad time. That also means that going second they 100% have to pull their planes into Strategic Reserves, leaving them down some assets for a prolonged period of time. My guess is that if they go first then adding the bombs on top of everything, and being able to partially or fully protect their toys with post-shooting moves, means they become heavily favoured, while if they go second things look pretty even. From the scoreline, I would guess that the Votann went first, but having a few more cheap sacrificial units and easier to protect threats allowed the Tau to still narrowly win.
Result
T’au Empire Victory – 77 – 76
Adam Lane – T’au Empire – 1st Place
The List
See showdown
Archetype
Farsight Alpha Strike
Thoughts
It is, once again, Farsight Enclaves doing what they do best – going fast and shooting things. This army does truly horrific amounts of damage out the gate against anything less durable than Land Fortresses, and as demonstrated in the Showdown, can take those out too. Generally the highest performing Tau option at the moment, and extremely scary in the hands of a skilled player, so well done to Adam.
The Best of the Rest
There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Matt Robertson – Leagues of Votann: Triple Ymyr Land Fortresses with two big Bike Squads alongside them and (unsurprisingly) not very much else.
- 3rd – Michael Duff – Thousand Sons & Daemons: Duplicity & Flamers with a couple units of Enlightened for screening.
- 4th – Matt Charles – Blood Angels: Blood Angels with an extra-large Death Company unit and some nasty Characters with big heroic ranges sewn among the various melee units, including a return of the Selfless Valour Judiciar.
- 5th – Dale Watts – Chaos Daemons: The big Daemon trio with lots of Flamers.
- 6th – Markus Hinson – Imperial Knights: Extra-shooty Imperial Knights with two Crusaders as House Raven (helping them get good firing lines).
- 7th – Dan Fearis – Space Wolves: Lots of fancy Space Wolf specials on show, with Njal leading the charge, a big brick of Wolf Guard, and a scattering of various kinds of Dreadnought.
The FIGHT before XMAS
All the lists for this event can be found in Down Under Pairings.
Sean Sullivan – Leagues of Votann – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Battalion Detachment 0CP (Leagues of Votann) [93 PL, 1CP, 1,999pts] Detachment Command Cost League HQ Einhyr Champion [5 PL, -2CP, 120pts] Ûthar the Destined [7 PL, -1CP, 160pts] Troops 6x Warrior Hearthkyn Warriors w/ bolters [7 PL, 150pts] Hearthkyn Warriors w/ ion blasters [7 PL, 134pts] Elites Hearthguard w/ disintegrators and plasma blade gauntlets [18 PL, -1CP, 325pts] Fast Attack Sagitaur Squadron [14 PL, 260pts] Heavy Support
Configuration
Battle Size [6CP]
Selections: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)
Game Type
Selections: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim
Selections: Greater Thurian League
Brôkhyr Forge-master [5 PL, -1CP, 115pts]
Selections: Brôkhyr Forge-master, Master Armourer, Stratagem: Legend of the League
Selections: Exactor, Mass hammer, Stratagem: Legend of the League, Stratagem: Relic, Warrior Lord, Weavefield crest
Selections: Ancestral Bearing, Experienced Eye, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord
Hearthkyn Warriors w/ bolters [7 PL, 150pts]
Theyn
Selections: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter
Selections: 6x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, 6x Autoch-pattern bolter, 6x Gravitic concussion grenades
Warrior w/ heavy weapon
Selections: Magna-rail rifle
Warrior w/ medipack
Selections: Medipack
Warrior w/ scanner
Selections: Pan spectral scanner
Theyn
Selections: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter
6x Warrior
Selections: 6x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, 6x Autoch-pattern bolter, 6x Gravitic concussion grenades
Warrior w/ heavy weapon
Selections: Magna-rail rifle
Warrior w/ medipack
Selections: Medipack
Warrior w/ scanner
Selections: Pan spectral scanner
Theyn
Selections: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Plasma sword
9x Warrior
Selections: 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, 9x Gravitic concussion grenades, 9x Ion blaster
Cthonian Berserks w/ heavy plasma axes [5 PL, 160pts]
4x Berserk
Selections: 4x Heavy plasma axe
Berserk with mole grenade launcher
Selections: Mole grenade launcher
Selections: Hearthguard, Hearthguard, Hearthguard, Hearthguard, Hearthguard, Hearthguard
Hesyr
Selections: Concussion hammer, Stratagem: Bequest of the Votann, Teleport crest, Wârpestryk
Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 125pts]
Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon
Selections: HYLas rotary cannon
Pioneer w/ scanner
Selections: Pan spectral scanner
Pioneer w/ searchlight
Selections: Rollbar searchlight
Sagitaur
Selections: MATR autocannon
Sagitaur
Selections: MATR autocannon
Hekaton Land Fortress [13 PL, 300pts]
Selections: Heavy magna-rail cannon, Pan spectral scanner
2x Two bolt cannons
Selections: 4x Bolt cannon
Archetype
Greater Thurian League Goodstuff
Why it’s Interesting in 9th
Not particularly complicated here – it’s basically one of everything as Greater Thurian League, with a bulked up squad of Hearthguard, and that gives you a potent all-rounder list, with Uthar’s looming auto-six providing some extra swings. Need to guarantee a 6 to wound with the Land Fortress’s railgun (after auto-hitting using the stratagem, naturally)? You can! Want to guarantee that the Exactor dunks some poor bastard for d3+3 Mortals? You can! Want to bounce a second big hit off your Fortress? Also very available! You do lose a bit from not being Ymyr, notably that your Hearthguard have to be a bit more careful around opponents with very high AP weaponry, and your Beserks are a bit more guaranteed to be one-and-done, but a bit of extra reliability is always very welcome, and it’s nice that it isn’t only Ymyr getting to the top. Well done to Sean!
The Rest of the Best
There were 6 more players on 4-1 or better records. They were:
- 2nd (undefeated with a draw) – Chris Parkin – Creations of Bile & Daemons: Lots of Terminators, lots of Possessed and some Flamers of Tzeentch in support (but no Abaddon).
- 3rd (undefeated with a draw) – Liam Herbert – Imperial Knights: Taranis with a Forgemaster Errant to send out waves of buffed Warglaives. Single big Knight lists with Forgemaster feel like their stock is on the rise right now, as it gives you more of a fighting chance against Guard or Votann.
- 4th – Hamish Reeve – Votann: Double Land Fortress Ymyr with a Hearthguard unit and lots of bikes supporting them (but no Beserks).
- 5th – Charlie Kang – Tau: Farsight Enclaves Triptide, with a hefty Crisis team as a fourth big threat.
- 6th – Vincent Dion – Chaos Knights: Herpetrax with the Desecrator/Abominant setup.
- 7th -Michael Taylor – Adeptus Custodes: Emperor’s Chosen robot skew, combining lots of Dreadnoughts with some Hunters of Beasts Helverins.
Grinning Demon Series GT
36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Greater Sudbury, ON, CA on December 10 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts
Sam Procopio – Blood Angels: Go-wide Blood Angels with Dante replaced by an own-brand Chapter Master, taking the Visage of Death/Rites of War combo to create a guaranteed ObSec machine. ++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Blood Angels) [124 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++ + Configuration + **Chapter Selector**: Blood Angels Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) Detachment Command Cost Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + HQ + Chapter Master [8 PL, 160pts, -3CP]: 3. Soulwarden, Bolt pistol, Chapter Command: Chapter Master, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol, Jump Pack, Relic blade, Rites of War, Stratagem: Angel Exemplar, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Visage of Death, Warlord Lemartes [6 PL, 120pts]: 4. Mantra of Strength, 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Litany of Hate, The Blood Crozius Sanguinary Priest [7 PL, 155pts, -2CP]: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary, Frag & Krak grenades, Jump Pack, Selfless Healer, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter, The Armour Indomitus + Troops + Incursor Squad [5 PL, 105pts] Incursor Squad [5 PL, 105pts] Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]: Auto Bolt Rifle + Elites + Death Company Marines [8 PL, 150pts]: Jump Pack Death Company Marines [8 PL, 135pts]: Jump Pack Death Company Marines [8 PL, 145pts]: Jump Pack Sanguinary Guard [17 PL, 150pts] Sanguinary Guard [17 PL, 220pts] Sanguinary Guard [17 PL, 220pts] + Fast Attack + Assault Squad [6 PL, 90pts]: Jump Pack Land Speeders [3 PL, 70pts] + Heavy Support + Eliminator Squad [4 PL, 75pts]: Las Fusil ++ Total: [124 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
. 4x Incursor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Occulus bolt carbine, 4x Paired combat blades
. Incursor Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Occulus bolt carbine, Paired combat blades
. 4x Incursor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Occulus bolt carbine, 4x Paired combat blades
. Incursor Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Occulus bolt carbine, Paired combat blades
. 4x Intercessor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Intercessor Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades
. 2x Death Company Marine w/ chainsword and bolt pistol: 2x Astartes Chainsword, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
. 3x Death Company Marine w/ thunder hammer: 3x Frag & Krak grenades, 3x Thunder hammer
. 3x Death Company Marine w/ chainsword and bolt pistol: 3x Astartes Chainsword, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
. 2x Death Company Marine w/ thunder hammer: 2x Frag & Krak grenades, 2x Thunder hammer
. Death Company Marine: Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol, Power sword
. Death Company Marine: Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol, Power sword
. Death Company Marine: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Power sword
. Death Company Marine: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Power sword
. Death Company Marine: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Power fist
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Encarmine axe, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol
. Sanguinary Guard: Encarmine axe, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine axe, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine axe, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine axe, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine axe, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine axe, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard: Encarmine axe, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol
. Sanguinary Guard: Encarmine axe, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol
. 2x Space Marine: 2x Astartes Chainsword, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
. Space Marine Sergeant: Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol, Lightning Claw
. Space Marine w/Special Weapon: Frag & Krak grenades
. . Plasma Pistol & Chainsword: Astartes Chainsword, Plasma pistol
. Space Marine w/Special Weapon: Frag & Krak grenades
. . Plasma Pistol & Chainsword: Astartes Chainsword, Plasma pistol
. Land Speeder: Multi-melta
. Eliminator Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Camo cloak, Frag & Krak grenades, Instigator Bolt Carbine
. 2x Eliminators: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Camo cloak, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
vs.
Jake Brunette – Blood Angels: Slightly more heavy-duty Blood Angels, upgrading one of the melee threats to a Terminator Assault Squad, bringing an ultra-tanky Bike Chaplain to mess around with Angel’s Sacrifice, and some grav-cannon Devs for ranged firepower. + Configuration + **Chapter Selector**: Blood Angels Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + HQ + Commander Dante [9 PL, 165pts] Primaris Chaplain on Bike [8 PL, -3CP, 150pts]: 1. Litany of Faith (Aura), 2. Artisan of War, 4. Mantra of Strength, 5. Gift of Foresight, Adamantine Mantle, Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Litany of Hate, Stratagem: Angel Exemplar, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, The Armour Indomitus, Warlord Sanguinary Priest [7 PL, -1CP, 155pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary, Jump Pack, Selfless Healer, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter + Troops + Assault Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 95pts] Incursor Squad [5 PL, 105pts] Tactical Squad [5 PL, 90pts] + Elites + Bladeguard Veteran Squad [10 PL, 175pts] Death Company Marines [8 PL, 145pts]: Jump Pack Sanguinary Guard [17 PL, 220pts] Sanguinary Guard [17 PL, 220pts] Sanguinary Guard [7 PL, 120pts] Terminator Assault Squad [9 PL, 215pts] + Heavy Support + Devastator Squad [8 PL, 145pts]: Armorium Cherub ++ Total: [115 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Blood Angels) [115 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
. 4x Assault Intercessor: 4x Astartes Chainsword, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Assault Intercessor Sgt: Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol
. 4x Incursor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Occulus bolt carbine, 4x Paired combat blades
. Incursor Sergeant
. 4x Space Marine: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Space Marine Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
. 4x Bladeguard Veteran: 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol, 4x Master-crafted power sword, 4x Storm Shield
. Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant: Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Death Company Marine: Thunder hammer
. Death Company Marine: Thunder hammer
. Death Company Marine: Bolt pistol, Power fist
. Death Company Marine
. . Bolt pistol and chainsword
. Death Company Marine
. . Bolt pistol and chainsword
. Sanguinary Guard: Encarmine axe, Inferno pistol
. Sanguinary Guard: Encarmine axe, Inferno pistol
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Encarmine axe, Inferno pistol
. Sanguinary Guard: Encarmine axe, Inferno pistol
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Sanguinary Guard: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword
. Assault Terminator Sergeant
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield: Thunder hammer
. 4x Assault Terminator w/THSS: 4x Storm shield, 4x Thunder hammer
. Devastator Marine Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Combi-grav
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
Thoughts
So the Patrons chose this one before I’d read the lists, so I’ve been really hoping that they weren’t just identical, and mercifully there’s some quite major differences. Sam’s list is a fairly standard go-wide Blood Angel build, with one major divergence in the meta-tuned Chapter Master instead of Dante. The combination of traits and relics stacked on him provides a bit of Mortal Wound defence (the bane of Blood Angels) and provides an iron clad guarantee that you can flip an objective when you really need to, even against things like Scarab Occults, Armigers and Jormungandr monsters. I like this, it’s a neat choice, though I do think (both) of these lists probably should be packing a Whirlwind in the current metagame.
Jake’s build goes even further in breaking for the norm, introducing some Bladeguard to hold down a position, a Terminator Assault Squad as a wrecking ball, and some grave devs to give the list a way to poke at elite infantry without having to commit a big threat entirely, very helpful for opening up the Creations of Bile matchup in particular. In the abstract they’re pretty interesting tweaks, and having something so you’re not just fully owned against Bile is certainly nice, but in this matchup I think the tuning for each build fairly clearly ends up favouring Sam. The grav cannons are fine if they can get shots off without getting owned, but without a pod they’re a prime target for Forlorn Fury, so are going to have start waaaay back. Meanwhile, the theoretical upsides of the Terminators and Bladeguard are mostly blanked here, as some of Sam’s assets still just make them entirely dead in one swing – being a bit more durable isn’t cutting it in this game. Finally, Rites of War vs. not having it just makes it far easier for Sam to take a Primary lead without burning all his toys.
The mission does give Jake a little bit of an angle, as it makes being a bit more on the defensive slightly more viable. His best bet is probably to put the Terminators with the Chaplain babysitting on his priority objective, and hope that when something comes to fight them they just about bounce, and the counterattack lets him make enough inroads on Sam’s army to win. I think it’s a rough game to try and play though, and it looks like Sam took it on the day.
Result
Blood Angels Victory – 94 – 76
Sam Procopio – Blood Angels – 1st Place
The List
See showdown
Archetype
Go-wide Blood Angels
Thoughts
Pretty much all covered in the Showdown – it’s a very archetypal go-wide Blood Angels list with one very unique and very well-targeted piece of metagame tech. No complaints there – making one smart tweak to an army and winning an event is the exact energy we like to see here at Competitive Innovations.
Ridvan “Skari” Martinez – Drukhari – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand ++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [55 PL, 950pts, 4CP] ++ + Configuration + Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Obsession: Kabal of the Obsidian Rose: Flawless Workmanship Raiding Forces – CP Refund + Stratagems + Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP] + No Force Org Slot + Court of the Archon [10 PL, 152pts]: As Detachment (Kabal) + HQ + Archon [5 PL, 90pts, -1CP]: Ancient Evil, As Detachment (Kabal), Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade + Troops + Kabalite Trueborn [4 PL, 70pts]: As Detachment (Kabal) Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 55pts]: As Detachment (Kabal) Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 55pts]: As Detachment (Kabal) + Elites + Incubi [8 PL, 108pts] Incubi [4 PL, 90pts] + Dedicated Transport + Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: As Detachment, Dark Lance, Phantasm Grenade Launcher Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: As Detachment, Dark Lance, Phantasm Grenade Launcher Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: As Detachment, Dark Lance, Phantasm Grenade Launcher ++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [18 PL, 350pts, -2CP] ++ + Configuration + Obsession: Kabal of the Obsidian Rose: Flawless Workmanship Raiding Forces – CP Refund + Stratagems + Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP] + HQ + Succubus [5 PL, 95pts, -1CP]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult), Precision Blows, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip + Troops + Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 55pts]: As Detachment (Kabal) Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 55pts]: As Detachment (Kabal) Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 55pts]: As Detachment (Kabal) + Elites + Incubi [4 PL, 90pts] ++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [42 PL, 700pts, -1CP] ++ + Configuration + Obsession: The Dark Creed: Distillers of Fear + HQ + Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts, -1CP]: Hatred Eternal, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord + Troops + Wracks [3 PL, 45pts]: As Detachment (Coven) Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]: As Detachment (Coven) Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]: As Detachment (Coven) + Elites + Grotesques [10 PL, 175pts]: As Detachment (Coven) + Dedicated Transport + Venom [5 PL, 85pts]: As Detachment, Chain-snares, Grisly Trophies, Splinter Cannon, Twin splinter rifle Venom [5 PL, 85pts]: As Detachment, Chain-snares, Grisly Trophies, Splinter Cannon, Twin splinter rifle Venom [5 PL, 85pts]: As Detachment, Chain-snares, Grisly Trophies, Splinter Cannon, Twin splinter rifle ++ Total: [115 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++
+++ DE Clazzic (Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition) +++
Lhamean
Sslyth
Sslyth
Sslyth
Sslyth
Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
Splintered Genius (Obsidian Rose): Splintered Genius
3x Kabalite Trueborn: 3x Splinter Rifle
Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
Trueborn Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Rifle
3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Rifle
3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Rifle
5x Incubi: 5x Klaive
Klaivex: Demiklaives
4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
Klaivex: Demiklaives
Agoniser & Archite Glaive
Show Stealer (Red Grief): Show Stealer
3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Rifle
3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Rifle
3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Rifle
4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
Klaivex: Demiklaives
Acothyst: Wrack Blade
Wrack w/ Special Weapon: Ossefactor
3x Wracks: 3x Wrack Blade
Acothyst: Wrack Blade
4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade
Acothyst: Wrack Blade
4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade
Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
Archetype
Drukhari Goodstuff
Thoughts
The Archon himself rises above the rut that the Drukhari faction has been in for a while, and takes an undefeated finish with a very classic looking Drukhari Goodstuff build. In particularly excellent news for any Comorrogh fans wondering how it all cames together, Skari sent me his thoughts on what made the list so potent:
“The list had a lot of tools to deal with most of the armies that we are seeing in the meta recently. The high volume of potential Mortal Wounds (9xD3) makes even some of the toughest opponents at range, like Tzeentch Flamers or Terminators, take some significant damage before the Incubi, Drahzar and Characters close in for the kill. The army boasts 9 ObSec units that are excellent for denying / taking Primaries, and doing secondary actions as well. The key to the early game is to keep your Venoms alive, and only send one out per turn close to the target you want to focus on with the Phantasms. And don’t forget, life is cheap in the dark city; it’s not uncommon for me to finish the game with very few models left , but the key is to get more points than your opponent before that to win.”
Very useful advice there, and definitely makes sense – having 9 relatively expendable ObSec units is pretty unusual in the current meta, and can wrong-foot opponents who’ve skimped on them, while I can attest from personal experience that ramming Drazhar into Scarab Occults is one of the best feelings in 40k. Thanks Skari, and big congratulations on the undefeated run!
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Jake Brunette – Blood Angels: See showdown.
- 4th – Nicholas Blackburn – Thousand Sons & Flamers: Duplicity & Daemons with the full six Rubricae units.
- 5th – Tim Deetlefs – Harlequins: Light Saedath mostly all-in on boats/Troupes/Characters outside a couple of small shooty bike units.
- 6th – Luc Bourdages – Votann: Ymyr without fortresses, instead packing in a pair of double-sized Bike units and a full Hearthguard squad.
GT Mallorca
35-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Palma, Illes Balears, ES on December 10 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
This event used 20-0 scoring.
Xisco Ubeda – Chaos Daemons – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Chaos Allegiance: Tzeentch + HQ + Be’lakor [21 PL, 420pts]: Pall of Despair, Shrouded Step Lord of Change [17 PL, -2CP, 340pts]: Baleful sword, Betraying Shades, Bolt of Change, Born of Sorcery, Infernal Gateway, Master Mutator, Relics of the Impossible Fortress, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, The Impossible Robe, Warlord + Troops + Pink Horrors [7 PL, 150pts] + Elites + Flamers [3 PL, 75pts]: Pyrocaster Flamers [6 PL, 100pts]: Pyrocaster ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Chaos – Daemons) [46 PL, 3CP, 905pts] ++ + Configuration + Chaos Allegiance: Khorne Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + HQ + Bloodthirster [18 PL, -1CP, 350pts]: Armour of Scorn, Great axe of Khorne, Indomitable Onslaught, Relics of the Brass Citadel Skarbrand [17 PL, 330pts] + Troops + Bloodletters [6 PL, 130pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos + Fast Attack + Flesh Hounds [5 PL, 95pts]: Gore Hound ++ Total: [100 PL, 1CP, 1,990pts] ++
++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Daemons) [54 PL, -2CP, 1,085pts] ++
. 9x Pink Horror: 9x Coruscating flames
. 2x Flamer: 2x Flickering flames
. 3x Flamer: 3x Flickering flames
. 9x Bloodletter: 9x Hellblade
. 4x Flesh Hound: 4x Gore-drenched fangs
Archetype
Daemon Monster Mash
Final Round Matchup
10 – 10 Victory against Marc Costa – Thousand Sons.
Thoughts
Xisco helps make it a really good week for Daemons here, taking the trophy here with his ultra monstrous build – with only seven Flamers to boot! I do like that this frees up points fo Pinks, who are a good unit to have for Despoilers of Reality, but beyond that we know how this works at this point – the big Daemons are really scary and really sticky, and that gives you the tools to win tournaments if you use them well. Congratulations to Xisco on doing just that!
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 or better records – all of whom finished on three wins and two draws. They were:
- 2nd – Joaquin Jurado – Emperor’s Children: Lots of Noise Marines, a big Terminator brick and Abaddon.
- 3rd – Marc Costa – Thousand Sons: Pure Duplicity here, going for two big Scarab blocks and a Orrery-buffed VolCon.
- 4th – Toni de Sóller – Black Legion: Black Legion with a big Terminator squad and a trio of Obliterators, plus smaller Daemonkin to harrass the enemy.
Wrap Up
My holiday starts today, so I am hoping you excessively keen try-hards mostly give me a week off next week, but I know with sinking certaintly that somewhere some High Kahls are making a (long) list and checking it twice, so I’m sure we’ll have something for you next Wednesday. See you then!
