It’s happening agaiiiiinnnn.

We’ve hit another week where truly spectacular amounts of Warhammer has happened all around the world, with just over seven hundred players participating in an event of GT size or larger before you count the main event of the WTC. That means we’ve got another huge week to cover, so this article is going to be split into two parts. Today we’ll be looking at:

The Goonhammer Open US
The UKTC Leeds GT (Supermajor)
The WTC Warmaster GT (Major)
The St. Albans GT
The Killing Fields Of Istvaan III

On Friday we’ll be back for round 2, looking at:

Denver 40K Fight Club (Major)
The Iowaaagh! Open (Major)
Grand Onslaught 4
Bogota Grand Tournament 2022
War for the Forge GT

That list does not yet include the WTC main event, because bluntly there is zero chance I get to it till the weekend at the earliest – the fact that such a huge amount of tournaments managed to happen on top of an assembly of the world’s best players jetting off toe Belgium is fantastic news for the game, but means this is going to be a hefty one.

As always, if a player didn’t win the event, but did finish undefeated and only lost out on tiebreakers, I’ll note it next to their placing. The UKTC events are an exception to this, because the way they’re structured means that everyone in the Best of the Rest came through the Swiss undefeated.

Goonhammer US Open 2022

38-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Rockville, MD, US on August 13 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts

Andrew Gonyo – T’au Empire: Farsight Enclaves with heavy alpha strike power, making use of Sun Sharks and a Riptide alongside Hammerheads and Commanders.
Army List - Click to Expand

+++ Andrew Gonyo – Goonhammer (Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition) [103 PL, 1CP, 1,998pts] +++
++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (T’au Empire) [83 PL, 4CP, 1,618pts]
++Sept Choice: Farsight Enclaves
+ HQ +
Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [9 PL, -1CP, 195pts]: (Farsight Enclaves): Master of the Killing Blow, Burst Cannon, High-output Burst Cannon, Missile Pod, Novasurge Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord
2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [9 PL, -1CP, 190pts]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, Burst Cannon, High-output Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, T’au Flamer, Thermoneutronic Projector
2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

+ Troops +
Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts]: 10x Kroot: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades

+ Elites +
Crisis Battlesuits [10 PL, 190pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, T’au Flamer, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, T’au Flamer, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Shield Generator, Stimm Injectors, Target Lock

Crisis Battlesuits [9 PL, 180pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, T’au Flamer, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, T’au Flamer, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, T’au Flamer, Target Lock

+ Fast Attack +
Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts]: 4x Kroot Hound: 4x Ripping Fangs
Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts]: 4x Kroot Hound: 4x Ripping Fangs

+ Heavy Support +
Hammerhead Gunship [8 PL, 145pts]: Railgun, 2x Gun Drones
Riptide Battlesuit [15 PL, 280pts]: 2x Plasma Rifle, Ion Accelerator, Multi-tracker, Target Lock, Velocity Tracker
2x Shielded Missile Drone: 2x Missile Pod, 2x Shield Generator

+ Flyer +
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

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [20 PL, -3CP, 380pts] ++
Sept Choice: Farsight Enclaves
+ HQ +
Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [9 PL, -1CP, 175pts]: 5. Exemplar of the Kauyon, Burst Cannon, DW-02 Advanced Burst Cannon, High-output Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, T’au Flamer
Marker Drone

+ Troops +
Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts]: 10x Kroot: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades

+ Heavy Support +
Hammerhead Gunship [8 PL, 145pts]: Railgun, 2x Gun Drones

vs.

Derek Apsche – Death Guard: Inexorable with high pressure from Mortarion and a Dreadclaw.
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Death Guard) [93 PL, , 1,550pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Gametype: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

Plague Company: The Inexorable

+ Stratagems +

Gifts of Decay [-2CP]: 2x Additional Relics

+ HQ +

Lord of Contagion [7 PL, -1CP, 130pts]: Ferric Blight, Plague Skull of Glothila, Plaguechosen, Plaguereaper, Unstable Sickness

Malignant Plaguecaster [5 PL, 90pts]: 1. Miasma of Pestilence, 4. Putrescent Vitality, 5. Curse of the Leper, Bolt pistol, Putrid Periapt

+ Troops +

Plague Marines [12 PL, 210pts]
. Plague Champion: Daemonic plague blade, Plasma pistol, Power fist
. 2x Plague Marine w/ cleaver: 2x Blight grenades, 2x Great plague cleaver, 2x Krak grenades, 2x Plague knife
. 2x Plague Marine w/ flail: 2x Blight grenades, 2x Flail of corruption, 2x Krak grenades, 2x Plague knife
. Plague Marine w/ icon
. 2x Plague Marine w/ mace and axe: 2x Blight grenades, 2x Bubotic Axe, 2x Krak grenades, 2x Mace of Contagion, 2x Plague knife
. Plague Marine w/ special weapon: Meltagun
. Plague Marine w/ special weapon: Meltagun

Plague Marines [6 PL, 105pts]
. Plague Champion: Daemonic plague blade, Plasma pistol, Power fist
. Plague Marine w/ cleaver
. Plague Marine w/ flail
. Plague Marine w/ mace and axe
. Plague Marine w/ special weapon: Meltagun

Poxwalkers [3 PL, 50pts]
. 10x Poxwalker: 10x Improvised weapon

+ Elites +

Deathshroud Terminators [18 PL, 200pts]
. Deathshroud Champion: 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
. 3x Deathshroud Terminator: 3x Manreaper, 3x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Tallyman [4 PL, 70pts]

+ Fast Attack +

Dreadclaw Drop Pod [6 PL, 115pts]

Foetid Bloat-drone [7 PL, 120pts]: Fleshmower

+ Heavy Support +

Plagueburst Crawler [8 PL, 145pts]: 2x Entropy cannon, Heavy slugger

+ Dedicated Transport +

Chaos Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Chaos – Death Guard) [25 PL, 2CP, 450pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [3CP]

Plague Company: The Inexorable

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +

Mortarion [25 PL, -1CP, 450pts]: 1. Revoltingly Resilient, 2. Gift of Contagion, 2. Living Plague, 4. Arch-Contaminator, 5. Curse of the Leper, 6. Gift of Plagues, Gloaming Bloat, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord

++ Total: [118 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

The top table at the GHO kicks off a fantastic week for Death Guard, and like a lot of the lists that are doing well it draws on the powerful tools of the Inexorable Plague Company. Enemy Charge reductions via their stratagem and access to the Ferric Blight to make enemy vehicles easier targets are both spicy, and this was the most popular (but not the only) company seen in successful lists across the weekend. Where this list diverges from the crowd is in bringing Mortarion and a Dreadclaw along for the ride, creating a build that can very quickly put the boot into an opponent, and is very hard to recover against. The Terminators can come down in the pod turn one, if needed, Rhinos ferry the Plague Marines up the board at speed, and if battle is joined with this army at mostly full strength, the combination of the Gloaming Bloat, challenging charges for deep striking counterattack units, and the high durability of the list makes it very hard for opponents to come back. Great to see Mortarion out and about!

Unfortunately, this matchup does somewhat highlight the risk of bringing Mortarion – he’s tough enough that many lists can’t alpha strike him, but when you run into a build that can it’s a big problem. Gonyo’s build is very much designed to do exactly that – between Hammerheads, Sun Sharks (increasingly seen as an MVP for Tau), an Ion Riptide and Commanders there’s a massive amount of good shooting pointing Mortarion’s way, and most of it is fast enough to get into firing positions if he tries to hide. One of the reasons Mortarion was popular at the GHO is that the VT terrain kits we use make it a bit more plausible to shield him against some lists, but Tau’s speedy threats are going to draw a bead on him, and absent some low rolls, there’s a good chance Mortarion goes down out the gate if Tau went first.

According to intrepid reporter TheChirurgeon, that’s exactly what happened here – Tau went first and made Mortarion dead, and had a very uphill struggle from there. the Dreadclaw and Rhinos do give the Death Guard some play even after that, as they can at least get up the table to engage the Tau before they’re shot to pieces, but Tau damage output is still hideous (and the Iontide happens to be very good in this matchup too), and while Death Guard racked up a respectable score, Tau won the day. However, both players on the top table walked away winners, as Win Path placings were in effect, so despite losing this game, Derek still had the better tie breakers thanks to being the only player to enter the finals on 5-0, so took the belt.

Result

Tau Victory – 88 – 57

Derek Apsche – Death Guard – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Inexorable with Mortarion

Thoughts

See showdown – uses lots of the popular Death Guard tools, but puts an extra emphasis on pressure with Mortarion and the Dreadclaw, which performed very strongly indeed. Congratulations to Derek on taking home the coveted champion’s belt.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

2nd – Samuel Kenney – Hive Fleet Leviathan: Leviathan Goodstuff with some big shooty bugs at the back. He faced off against Craig Valvano’s Chaos Knights on table 2 in the final round, which you can see above.

3rd – Andrew Gonyo – T’au Empire: See showdown. Worth also noting that Andrew had an absolutely brutal bracket through the event, taking out a whole bunch of powerful builds.
4th – Sara Timmons – Adepta Sororitas: A rare and impressive showing for the Valorous Heart, taking advantage of their durability with two full units of Zephyrim, loads of shooty Sisters, and a squad of Paragons to bring it all together, alongside the expected herohammer stuff.

The UKTC Leeds GT

212-player, 7-round Supermajor in England, United Kingdom on August 13 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Conversion

James Marsden – Necrons: Novokh with a big warrior block, two full Flayed One units and the Silent King.
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Necrons) [21 PL, 400pts, 5CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [3CP]

Dynasty Choice: Dynasty: Novokh

Gametype: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +

The Silent King [21 PL, 400pts, 2CP]: Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord Trait (Szarekhan): The Triarch’s Will
. 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2x Annihilator Beam

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [81 PL, 1,600pts, -1CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Dynasty Choice: Dynasty: Novokh

+ No Force Org Slot +

Dynastic Advisor [5 PL, 70pts]
. Technomancer: Canoptek Cloak

+ HQ +

Catacomb Command Barge [9 PL, 150pts, -2CP]: Gauss Cannon, Rarefied Nobility, Relic: Voltaic Staff, Staff of Light, Stratagem: Relic, Warlord Trait (Codex 3): Immortal Pride

Chronomancer [5 PL, 75pts, -1CP]: Aeonstave, Dynastic Heirlooms, Relic: Veil of Darkness

Lord [5 PL, 90pts, -1CP]: Dynastic Heirlooms, Relic: Orb of Eternity, Resurrection Orb, Warscythe

+ Troops +

Immortals [4 PL, 80pts]: 5x Immortal, Tesla Carbine

Necron Warriors [12 PL, 260pts]
. 20x Necron Warrior (Gauss Reaper): 20x Gauss Reaper

+ Elites +

Flayed Ones [8 PL, 200pts]
. 20x Flayed One: 20x Flayer Claws

+ Fast Attack +

Ophydian Destroyers [4 PL, 90pts]: Ophydian Destroyer (Reap-Blade)
. 2x Ophydian Destroyer (Thresher): 2x Hyperphase Threshers, 2x Ophydian Claws

Tomb Blades [4 PL, 65pts]
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Twin Tesla Carbine

+ Heavy Support +

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers [9 PL, 150pts]
. 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer (Gauss Destructor): 3x Gauss Destructor

++ Total: [102 PL, 2,000pts, 4CP] ++

vs.

David Gaylard – Hive Fleet Leviathan: Leviathan Warrior Spam with a couple of Stranglethorn Harpies overhead.
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [98 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Gametype: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

Hive Fleet: (Hunt) Augmented Ferocity, Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-2CP]: 2x Extra Warlord Trait

Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact

+ HQ +

Broodlord [6 PL, 120pts]: Broodlord Claws and Talons, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Smite

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, Warlord Trait: Synaptic Tendrils

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, -1CP, 210pts]: Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Prehensile Pincer Tail, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Tyrant Talons, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 305pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

Tyranid Warriors [8 PL, 120pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

+ Elites +

Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts]
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Lash/Sword): 3x Lash Whip and Bonecleaver, 3x Two Rending Claws

Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts]
. 3x Venomthrope: 3x Toxic Lashes

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Flyer +

Harpy [10 PL, 185pts]: 2x Stranglethorn Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement, Scything Wings, Show Spore Mine Rules, Stinger Salvoes

Harpy [9 PL, 175pts]: 2x Stranglethorn Cannon, Scything Wings, Show Spore Mine Rules, Stinger Salvoes

++ Total: [98 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

Hell yeah Novokh! As documented yesterday, I’m a big fan of this Dynasty, so it’s great to see James pilotiing them to the top table here. The secret is, apparently, even more Flayed Ones. These very much do rule as Novokh, because they benefit hugely from the extra AP and access to a +1 attack stratagem, and the damage that a full unit can throw out with buffs up (especially here with the Silent King to provide wound re-rolls and CP to power buffs) is extremely legitimate. They’re also, honestly, kind of the perfect thing for carving through Leviathan Warriors, they’ve got enough strength from Hungry Void to hit the important S5 breakpoint, and enough attacks and AP (plus exploding 6s) to make a serious dent. As long as they get the jump on the Warriors the fight looks pretty favourable for them, and even when they don’t they’re pretty likely to at least not get fully wiped, allowing them to reanimate and get some damage in too. Gauss volleys from the Warriors also aren’t half bad for this job, and in general David has to worry quite a bit more about getting ground down in a mid-board engagement than he normally would with his list.

That’s not to say he doesn’t have some assets to work with mind, just that he’s going to have to use them effectively. The two budget Harpies are excellent here, because in this game the bombs are premium, doing any of inflicting a big chunk of Mortals on one of the infantry blocks that can’t be reanimated from, taking out the Silent King’s Menhirs, or trying to pop the Command Barge if it’s skulking in safety. The guns are also just better for the job of ripping through infantry than the Venoms would be, and given that they can fairly quickly take out the things in the Necron list that seriously threaten them, they should be set up to inflict massive attrition damage over time unless one gets popped first turn (which could happen). They’re also not the only source of Mortals, with Neuroparasite being another horrifyingly effective tool against the big block. The other asset that David has available is a greater ability to set the terms of engagement – he’s got a very fast melee threat in the Flyrant, and the Warriors can aim to engage the Flayed Ones from a safe distance via Onslaught giving them Advance/Charge.

Unfortunately for the bold, glorious heroes of the Novokh, this creates two somewhat contradictory incentives – the counterattack threat makes you want to be somewhat cautious, but the sheer amount of attrition that the Tyranids can throw out mean that this isn’t really an option unless they get a very high-rolled shooting turn out the gate. Ultimately, I think Necrons have to go aggressive here – dodging a counterattack doesn’t help if none of their units are in a fit state to engage by the time the initial skirmishes happen, and Necron Secondaries can allow for some very front-loaded scoring if you push hard early on. They do also have some inexpensive but fairly threatening units waiting in deep strike in the form of the Ophydians, great for picking off the smaller nid characters if they’re left unprotected, and at least some chance of pulling a surprise charge of their own if they manage to use the Orb of Eternity to close the gap between the Flayed Ones and their prey after the unit suffers some casualties. It still feels like the Tyranids have enough of the right answers that it’s still in their favour (and David did take the win), but trying to push hard before the attrition adds up, and score big early on, definitely feels like it gives Novokh a chance.

Result

Hive Fleet Leviathan Victory – 86 – 60

David Gaylard – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Leviathan Warrior Spam

Thoughts

See showdown, and also many previous editions of this column. David keeps lining these up and knocking them down, and leaps to a fairly comfortable lead at the top of the ITC with this result.

James Marsden – Necrons – 2nd Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Novokh

Thoughts

Mostly covered in the showdown – a healthy mix of durable and deadly infantry blocks, fast units to flank and perform Actions, and the Silent King as a mid-late game hammer blow. Fantastic to see a non-ObSec build break through this hard – well done to James.

Ben Hampshire – Knights Renegades – 3rd Place

Note: Ben also won Best Painted at the event, and was kind enough to send us some photos of their truly incredible army.

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Supreme Command Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [15 PL, 6CP, 300pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Gametype: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

Legion: Black Legion

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +

Abaddon the Despoiler [15 PL, 300pts]

++ Super-Heavy Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Chaos Knights) [93 PL, -4CP, 1,700pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ Lord of War +

War Dog Executioner Squadron [17 PL, 325pts]: Iconoclast Dreadblade, Precision Cruelty
. War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber, Tzeentch – Mirror of Fates
. War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber

War Dog Karnivore Squadron [26 PL, 450pts]: House Herpetrax
. War Dog Karnivore: Diabolus heavy stubber, Khorne – Blood Shield
. War Dog Karnivore: Diabolus heavy stubber
. War Dog Karnivore: Diabolus heavy stubber

War Dog Moirax Squadron [9 PL, 180pts]: Bold Tyrants, Iconoclast Dreadblade
. War Dog Moirax: 2x Lightning lock, Undivided – Warp-borne Stalker

War Dog Stalker Squadron [17 PL, -1CP, 310pts]: House Herpetrax
. War Dog Stalker: Character (Traitoris Lance), Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Helm of Dogs, Reaper chaintalon, Stratagem: Relic, Undivided – Blessing of the Dark Master
. War Dog Stalker: Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Reaper chaintalon

War Dog Stalker Squadron [24 PL, 435pts]: House Herpetrax
. War Dog Stalker: Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Reaper chaintalon
. War Dog Stalker: Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Reaper chaintalon
. War Dog Stalker: Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Reaper chaintalon

++ Total: [108 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Dogwalker

Thoughts

Note: Ben also sent us their thoughts on the list and their semi-final game against David’s Tyranids. Take it away Ben.

This is standard Abbadon dog walk in Herpetrax, which I initially picked because it felt the most forgiving on low game-count. I’ve come to love the Iconoclast +1 Attack/AP on the charge, the extra wounds, and the tricks you can play with Warping Presence. It’s a melee list, for the most part, spearheaded by three Karnivores (they’re great, I’d like to have them in two separate units for deployment but slots are tight), one with the absolutely auto-include Bloodshield. The block of Stalkers is the core – with Icono buffs they actually crump things pretty well in melee and people are very scared of 5 meltas staring downfield, even if on the table they’re pretty consistently underwhelming. The Helm of Dogs is auto-include too, and the rest of the list randomly has 20 points free for Blessing of the Dark Master (it barely ever matters in my experience). An advantage we have is the ability to use Dreadblades within our detachments (they’re specifically exempt, along with Freeblades, from sub-faction soup restrictions), so we can abandon Herpetrax and grab some good Dreadblade traits for our gun dogs. The pair of Executioners do super-consistent backline work with Precision Cruelty (+1 AP/D on a 6 to wound), for some sweet damage 4 autocannon action, and one has the auto-include Mirror of Fates (CP regen), which activates to give one automatic 6 per round to guarantee one D4 shot. The Moirax with Bold Tyrants (+1AP on shooting within 18″) is a tech piece – I think that Deep Strike on a Dog with Warp-Borne Stalker is amazing, even if all it does is alleviate the deployment traffic jam, but with this guy I wanted to take something that could reliably clear 5 carelessly positioned Retributors or a slightly larger amount of careless Zephyrim/Repentia. It seemed good on paper, but was maybe not quite so effective in practice. Abby himself has no traits – they’re good, but Chaos Knights can’t benefit from his buffs to Let The Galaxy Burn and he always puts Chapter Master on himself so Eternal Vendetta is useless, and the final trait isn’t worth a CP in my estimation.

The Scouring is a mission I’ve played 3 times total (both on WTC terrain), mostly because it isn’t in the regular pack. One of those games was Chaos Knights. Unpacking is hard – the gaps out of the deployment zone are VERY tight, and I definitely castled in the wrong corner with my deployment here. I also don’t know how I win if I go second, because the Harpies just occupy my only ways out of deployment and then the pressure is too much. Luckily this didn’t happen, and instead I tried to rush primary as hard as I could while David played very cautiously, getting a 12 on turn 2 and holding one banner down while giving him 2 4s, but eventually the chip of his shooting and the fact that one War Dog goes missing every turn thanks to the Winged Hive Tyrant reaches critical mass, and after Abaddon dies on turn 3 I make my last push to score as many points as I can before the tide of Tyranid Warriors (who are bruised, for sure, but haven’t taken anywhere near as much damage from the autocannons as I would have liked) swamps me, and David can get banners up, complete Auspex scans and swing the game back around into a solid win.

Huge thanks for the commentary – great to see some hands-on experience with an increasingly popular list. As ever – if you do well at a big event and want to send me some thoughts about your army (and they don’t have to be as comprehensive as Ben’s here, anything helps) you can send them to us at contact@goonhammer.com, or via Facebook messenger (or Discord if you’re a patron). As long as they arrive by midnight UK time on Monday, I’ll do my best to work them in.

Alex Ginns – Adepta Sororitas – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [105 PL, 1,998pts, 4CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Gametype: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

Order Convictions: Order: Bloody Rose

+ No Force Org Slot +

Repentia Superior [2 PL, 40pts]

+ HQ +

Canoness [5 PL, 100pts, -2CP]: Blessed Blade, Bolt pistol, Relic: Blade of Saint Ellynor, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Saint in the Making, Warlord Trait: Blazing Ire
. Word of the Emperor

Morvenn Vahl [14 PL, 280pts]: Warlord

+ Troops +

Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]
. 4x Battle Sister: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sister Superior: Chainsword
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun

Sisters Novitiate Squad [4 PL, 80pts]
. Novitiate Superior
. . Bolt Pistol and Power Sword: Power sword
. 9x Sister Novitiate (Melee Weapon): 9x Auto Pistol, 9x Frag & Krak grenades, 9x Novitiate Melee Weapons

+ Elites +

Celestian Sacresants [8 PL, 117pts]
. 3x Celestian Sacresant (Anointed Halberd): 3x Anointed Halberd, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
. 4x Celestian Sacresant (Hallowed Mace): 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Hallowed Mace
. Sacresant Superior: Bolt pistol, Spear of the Faithful

Paragon Warsuits [11 PL, 240pts]
. Paragon: 2 Storm Bolters, Multi-melta, Paragon War Blade
. Paragon: 2 Storm Bolters, Multi-melta, Paragon War Mace
. Paragon Superior: Multi-melta, Paragon Grenade Launchers, Paragon War Mace

Preacher [2 PL, 30pts]: Zealot’s Vindictor

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 98pts]
. 7x Sisters Repentia: 7x Penitent Eviscerator

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 70pts]
. 5x Sisters Repentia: 5x Penitent Eviscerator

+ Fast Attack +

Seraphim Squad [4 PL, 85pts]
. 2x Seraphim: 4x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
. Seraphim Superior: Bolt pistol, Power sword
. Seraphim w/ Special Weapons: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers
. Seraphim w/ Special Weapons: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers

Zephyrim Squad [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Zephyrim: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol, Zephyrim Pennant

Zephyrim Squad [4 PL, 75pts]
. 4x Zephyrim: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol

+ Heavy Support +

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 150pts]: Armourium Cherub
. Retributor Superior: Chainsword
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 130pts]: Armourium Cherub
. Retributor
. Retributor Superior: Chainsword
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta

+ Dedicated Transport +

Immolator [7 PL, 135pts]: Hunter-killer missile, Twin multi-melta

Sororitas Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

++ Total: [105 PL, 4CP, 1,998pts] ++

Archetype

Bloody Rose Goodstuff with Paragons

Thoughts

Bloody Rose close out the supermajor top four, packing a bit of extra crunch compared to the standard builds with some Paragons. The UKTC terrain gives you pretty reliable options to hide these, making them fairly attractive, and once they’re in the list an Immolator starts to look quite a bit better, because the opponent’s anti-tank focus is going to be split. Also worth noting that packing Retributors into the Immolator then using Carry Forth The Faithful can get a lot of melta shots into a key target turn one, something that’s often hard on the UKTC maps, so another value add. Congratulatiosn to Alex on 4th.

The Best of the Rest

There were two more players on 5-0 records after the Swiss. They were:

5th – Aiden Smalley – Death Guard: A powerful Inexorable pressure build, with lots of Plague Marines in Rhinos, an expanded Biologus Putrifier aura to buff them thanks to the Fugaris Helm, and some shooting backup from Plaguebursts and a VolCon (also helped out by the Ferric Blight). Very tough to shift, modular ObSec to apply as needed, and it should be shouted out that Aiden was actually 2nd on battle points after 5 rounds, but couldn’t stay for the finals.
6th – Nathan Whitbred – Tyranids: Leviathan Warrior spam with lots of psychic firepower backing them up.

WTC Warmaster GT

All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Death and Zeal

Jaime Paris – Leviathan Goodstuff: Lots of Warriors, a couple of stranglethorn Harpies, and Zoanthropes, Venomthropes and characters to fill.

Army List - Click to Expand

== Leviathan (augmented ferocity) Battalion Detachment == -3 CP, 1080 pts, 48 PL

NFS: Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts]
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Lash/Sword): 3x Lash Whip and Bonecleaver, 3x Two Rending Claws
NFS: Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, 3x Zoanthrope

HQ1: Broodlord [6 PL, 120pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Smite, Power: The Horror
HQ: Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, Warlord Trait: Synaptic Tendrils
HQ: Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 210pts]: Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Psychic Scream, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance

TR: 9x Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 300pts]: Adrenal Glands 3x Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon, 6x Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
TR: 8x Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 255pts]: Adrenal Glands, 8x Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual
Boneswords
TR: 3x Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 90pts], 3x Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

EL: Lictor [4 PL, 70pts]
EL: 3x Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts]
EL: 3x Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts]

FL: Harpy [10 PL, 190pts]: 2x Stranglethorn Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Voracious Ammunition, Show Spore Mine Rules
FL: Harpy [10 PL, 185pts]: 2x Stranglethorn Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement

++ Total: [99 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++

vs.

Liam Hackett – Necrons: Ghost Ark spam Eternal Expansionists, backing up four Arks with Warriors with a big Lokhust Destroyer unit and the Silent King.

Army List - Click to Expand

== Necrons – Custom Dynasty (Eternal Conquerors and Relentlessly Expansionist), Battalion Detachment = 89PL/1600PTS

HQ: Catacomb Command Barge: Tesla Cannon, Relic (-1cp): Voltaic Staff [9 PL, -1CP, 145pts]
HQ: Technomancer: Cryptek Arkana: hypermaterial ablator, Canoptek cloak, Dynastic Heirlooms (-1cp), Relic: Veil of Darkness [7 PL, -1CP, 90pts]
TROOP: 10 warriors (Gauss reapers) (6 PL, 130pts)
TROOP: 10 warriors (Gauss reapers) (6 PL, 130pts)
TROOP: 10 warriors (Gauss reapers) (6 PL, 130pts)
TROOP: 10 warriors (Gauss reapers) (6 PL, 130pts)
HS: Lokhust Destroyers: 6x Lokhust Destroyer, 1x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer: Gauss Destructor [15 PL, 285pts]
DT: Ghost Ark (8PL, 130pts)
DT: Ghost Ark (8PL, 130pts)
DT: Ghost Ark (8PL, 130pts)
DT: Ghost Ark (8PL, 130pts)
NFO: cryptothralls (2PL, 40pts)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

== Necrons – Szerekhan (not relevant as only dynastic agent), Supreme Command, [21PL, 400pts] ==

LOW: The Silent King: Warlord (-1cp for warlord trait, +3cp for being warlord) [21 PL, +3CP/-1CP, 400pts]

Thoughts

Ah. Ghost Arks. One of the most nightmarish models to paint in the entire game, which has tended to hide just how good they are. They’re durable for the price, give you some mobility that Necrons might otherwise lack, have more firepower than opponents tend to expect (especially now they’re CORE and can use the Silent King’s aura), and as Eternal Expansionists give you a way to ram some ObSec onto a position that deposits some super ObSec when killed. Also, you can blow them up in the middle of the opponent’s lines with Revenge of the Phaeron, which is always big and clever. Add in some Necron powerhouse units like a full Destroyer brick for massive damage, an ObSec Command Barge to shore up Code of Combat, and of course the Silent King, and you have an pretty powerful combination that puts opponents under enormous scoring pressure very quickly (especially as the Arks are CORE, so can do Ancient Machineries), and opens up far fewer attack surfaces while doing so than the more conventional Necron builds.

The tradeoff there is that you don’t have access to nearly as many units that can prise opponents off an objective in melee, so you’re very reliant on either your shooting being strong enough to do the job, or just being able to out-ObSec them. In this game, the auspices feel pretty good that the Necrons will manage that – Ghost Ark shooting is at least OK into Warriors, and Warriors don’t just scythe through the Arks in response. The big Destroyer unit is also a headache for the Tyranids here, as full re-rolls on those is pretty perfect into a lot of what the Tyranids are packing here.

The Harpies are, at least, OK here – the Necrons can certainly kill them, but they’ll draw a lot of firepower while that’s happening, and the bombs are pretty good, providing options to either pressure the Silent King, deplete the Destroyers a little, or just drop Spore Mines onto an objective that it looks like the Necrons want to take. All in all, however, the Tyranids have a very tough time here – their Secondary options are very weak (even a Psychic option might get shut out by Szarekh), while the Necrons are pretty excellent (Machineries and Treasures should be locks, Code or just running up the points on No Prisoners are a fine third), and they just don’t really have a good answer to the dynamic of an ObSec Ghost Ark taking an objective, then if killed in the Fight Phase dropping out 20 model’s worth of objective control. Nothing about the mission gives the Tyranids any reprieve (I’d rate them higher, if still unfavoured,on Recover the Relics or Tide of Conviction), and the Necrons couldn’t be stopped.

Result

Necron Victory 19-1

Liam Hackett – Necrons – 1st Place

The List

See Showdown.

Archetype

Ghost Ark Eternal Expansionists

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Because it’s up there with 150 model hordes for the most hateful army to paint. Also, all of the good reasons in the showdown – a wall of Transhumaned vehicles with layered ObSec is something many armies aren’t ready for, and the extra mobility makes it even better at the already phenomenal Necron secondaries than most. Well done to Liam for conquering one of the hardest fields out there.

Jaime Paris – Tyranids – 2nd Place

The List

See Showdown.

Archetype

Leviathan Warrior Spam

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Y’all know the drill – this is one of the best lists out there, and that’s why it took first and second at the two biggest events this weekend. Given how hard Tyranids got nerfed, that’s honestly slightly eye-watering.

Matt Morosoli – Drukhari – 3rd Place

Drazhar, the Master of Blades. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Drukhari – Patrol Detachment = +0CP, [34PL, 585pts] == Artists Of The Flesh

HQ: Drazhar – WLT Hatred Eternal (-1cp) [8pl, 145pts]
TR: 5 Wracks, Electrocorrosive Whip [3pl, 45pts]
TR: 5 Wracks, Electrocorrosive Whip [3pl, 45pts]
EL: 5 Grotesques [10pl, 175pts]
EL: 5 Grotesques [10pl, 175pts]

Drukhari – Patrol Detachment = +0CP, [51PL, 965pts] == Kabal of the Black Heart

HQ: Archon, Venomblade, WLT – Ancient Evi (-1cp)l, Relic – Animus Vitae (-1cp) [4pl, 70pts]
TR: 5 Wracks [3pl, 40pts] <Artists of The Flesh>
EL: 5 Incubi, Demiklaives [4pl, 90pts]
EL: 5 Incubi, Demiklaives [4pl, 90pts]
DT: Raider, Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies [6pl, 110pts]
DT: Raider, Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies [6pl, 110pts]
DT: Raider, Dark Lance [6pl, 105pts]
FL: Voidraven Bomber, Void Lances [9pl, 175pts]
FL: Voidraven Bomber, Void Lances [9pl, 175pts]

Drukhari – Patrol Detachment = +0CP, [23PL, 450pts] == Precise Killers, Test Of Skill

HQ: Succubus, Archite Glaive & Agonizer, WLT – Precision Blows (-1cp) Relic – Triptych Whip (-1cp) [5pl, 80pts] Combat Drug – Adrenalight

TR: 10 Wyches [7pl, 110pts] – Combat Drug Adrenalight
EL: 5 Incubi [4pl, 90pts]
FA: 10 Hellions [8pl, 170pts] – Combat Drug Adrenalight

Archetype

Drukhari Goodstuff

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

You can’t keep a ~~good~~ extremely evil faction down, and Matt shows that off here by taking third with Drukhari goodstuff. The build is very well tuned to WTC-style terrain, as it has a mix of tools that provide reach to deal damage to opponents that are skulking (the Voidravens) and stuff that can brawl very effectively through heavy ruins (the Wyches, Grotesques and Incubi). Finally, the Hellions provide the best of both worlds, with the speed to reach out and punk something when required, and the infantry keyword needed to mess around with terrain when not. Needs to pick its battles well against lists like Sisters that can match it on a trade game, but as always for Drukhari the mobility helps a lot with that. Congratulations to Matt on third.

Olivier Weiss – Salamanders – 4th Place

Salamanders Aggressors. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

== Adeptus Astartes – Salamanders – Battalion Detachment = -4CP, [99PL, 1996pts] == Chapter Tactic: Forged in Battle
HQ: Librarian [6PL, 115pts] [Warlord] Jump Pack, Boltgun, Force Sword
– – – Psychic powers : Null Zone, Veil of Time
– – – Warlord Trait : Rite of War (-1CP)
– – – Exemplar of the Promethean Creed : Never Give Up (-1CP)
– – – Relic : The Armor Indomitus (-1CP)
HQ: Vulkan He’stan [7PL, 120pts]

TR: 5 Assault Intercessor Squad [5PL, 95pts]
TR: 5 Incursor Squad [5PL, 105pts]
TR: 5 Incursor Squad [5PL, 105pts]

EL: 10 Vanguard Veteran [14PL, 268pts] Jump Packs, Sergeant with Thunder Hammer and Astartes Chainsword, 1 Vanguard with Thunder Hammer and Astartes Chainsword, 8 Vanguard with Lighting Claw and Astartes Chainsword
EL: 10 Vanguard Veteran [14PL, 268pts] Jump Packs, Sergeant with Thunder Hammer and Astartes Chainsword, 1 Vanguard with Thunder Hammer and Astartes Chainsword, 8 Vanguard with Lighting Claw and Astartes Chainsword
EL: 6 Aggressor Squad [12PL, 240pts] 2×6 Flamestorm Gauntlets
EL: 3 Aggressor Squad [6PL, 120pts] 2×3 Flamestorm Gauntlets
EL: Apothecary [5PL, 110pts] Chief Apothecary
– – – Hero of The Chapter : Selfless Healer (-1CP)

FA: 1 Land Speeders [3PL, 70pts] Multi-melta
FA: 1 Land Speeders [3PL, 70pts] Multi-melta

HS: 6 Eradicator Squad [14PL, 310pts] Sergent with Heavy melta rifle, 2 Eradicators with Multi-melta, 3 Eradicators with Heavy melta rifle

Archetype

Salamanders Goodstuff

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Speaking of lists that can brawl like champions through heavy terrain, we’ve got the return of a whole bunch of classic Salamanders toys here. Applying Never Give Up to VanVets lets them goo off and bully opponents off objectives as needed, Flamestorm Aggressors are both very potent on rate with the superdoctrine and a big headache to work around with Born Protectors, and the Eradicators can plonk themselves on an objective, annihilate any heavy target that dares emerge, and rack up big points from The Promethean Creed while being nigh-on immune to D1 attacks if you pump enough stratagems into them. Awesome to see the champions of humanity making a real impact, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this list spark a mild trend (especially if lists with 40 Flayed Ones catch on). Great stuff from Oliver.

The Rest of the Best

Five players finished on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Liam Vsl – Harlequins: Loads of Troupes in boats, some footslogging ones for objectives, and two small shooty Skyweaver units for harrassment.
6th – Sam Procopio – Blood Angels: Lots of Sanguinary Guard, a unit of Death Guard, and some Eliminators and Scouts in a Speeder for position player (and extra shooting from the Elims).
7th – Jan Reisenauer – Craftworlds: Ulthwe Goodstuff spamming Shroud Runners, bringing Asurmen and Baharroth, various small Aspect units, and a big Hawk squad. Lots of high rate-of-fire shooting, high mobility, and the psychic might of Eldrad and a Farseer at the helm gives this list a lot of angles, and it plays Craftworld objectives pretty well.
8th – William Fuhrimann – Imperial Knights: Taranis packing the Princeps Paladin/Crusader teamup and lots of Armigers.
9th – Ruud Steenbakkers – Harlequins: Light Saedath purely packing Troupe Masters, Shadowseers, boats and Troupes.

The St Albans GT

31-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on August 13 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Death and Zeal

Dom Maidlow – Drukhari: Lots of melee brawlers from the Coven of Twelve, and some Black Heart shooting threats in support.
Army List - Click to Expand

Here we go sports fans ! OUT OF THE WEBWAY ! Mascadon and his Rading force Kabal Of The Cracked Sky come for you !

Mascadons as brought with him Grotesque forces of The Coven Of Twelve to bring fear and death to you all!

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [57 PL, -2CP, 920pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]: Additional Relics

+ No Force Org Slot +

Court of the Archon [10 PL, 118pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. Lhamean: Shaimeshi blade
. Sslyth: Shardcarbine, Splinter Pistol, Sslyth battle-blade
. Sslyth: Shardcarbine, Splinter Pistol, Sslyth battle-blade
. Sslyth: Shardcarbine, Splinter Pistol, Sslyth battle-blade
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal), Ur-Ghul Talons
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal), Ur-Ghul Talons
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal), Ur-Ghul Talons

+ HQ +

Archon [4 PL, -1CP, 80pts]: Ancient Evil, As Detachment (Kabal), Blast Pistol, Huskblade, Kabal of the Black Heart, Overlord, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

+ Elites +

Incubi [8 PL, 162pts]
. 8x Incubi: 8x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

+ Heavy Support +

Ravager [8 PL, 130pts]: As Detachment (Kabal), Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 105pts]: As Detachment, Bladevanes, Disintegrator Cannon, Grisly Trophies

Venom [5 PL, 80pts]: As Detachment, Bladevanes, Grisly Trophies, Splinter Cannon, Twin splinter rifle

Venom [5 PL, 75pts]: As Detachment, Bladevanes, Splinter Cannon, Twin splinter rifle

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [37 PL, 670pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession: The Coven of Twelve: Butchers of Flesh

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ HQ +

Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]: Hatred Eternal, The Executioner’s Demiklaives, Warlord

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 55pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Electrocorrosive Whip, Hexrifle
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon: Ossefactor, Wrack Blade
. 3x Wracks: 3x Wrack Blade

Wracks [3 PL, 65pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Electrocorrosive Whip, Liquifier Gun
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon: Liquifier Gun, Wrack Blade
. 3x Wracks: 3x Wrack Blade

+ Elites +

Grotesques [10 PL, 175pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [21 PL, -2CP, 410pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession: The Coven of Twelve: Butchers of Flesh

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]: Additional Relics

+ HQ +

Succubus [5 PL, -1CP, 95pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult), Precision Blows, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip, Warlord
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive: Agoniser, Archite Glaive
. Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 55pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Electrocorrosive Whip, Hexrifle
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon: Ossefactor, Wrack Blade
. 3x Wracks: 3x Wrack Blade

Wracks [3 PL, 50pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Hexrifle, Wrack Blade
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon: Ossefactor, Wrack Blade
. 3x Wracks: 3x Wrack Blade

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

+ Fast Attack +

Reavers [3 PL, 60pts]: 3 – Hypex (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Arena Champion: Bladevanes, Splinter Pistol, Splinter Rifle
. 2x Reaver: 2x Bladevanes, 2x Splinter Pistol, 2x Splinter Rifle

++ Total: [115 PL, -4CP, 2,000pts] ++

vs.

Louis Fitzsimmons – Chaos Space Marines: A brutal Creations of Bile build focused around herohammer from two Discos, a Daemon Prince and Abaddon supported by a large block each of Chosen and Bikers.
Army List - Click to Expand

TO Note. List was first uploaded missing admin (warlord, cp costs, etc) but played as the list below.

This was missed in list checking and highlighted after game 5. TO decided to allow to play on with no penalty and will install better list checking in future events.

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [93 PL, 1,645pts, -3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Legion: Creations of Bile

+ HQ +

Daemon Prince with Wings [11 PL, 180pts]: Death Hex, Hellforged sword, Mark of Slaanesh, Wings

Lord Discordant on Helstalker [10 PL, 190pts, -2CP]: 1. Flames of Spite, Aspiring Lord, Baleflamer, Gifts of Chaos, Intoxicating Elixir, Mark of Slaanesh, Techno-virus injector

Lord Discordant on Helstalker [10 PL, 190pts, -2CP]: 2. Unholy Fortitude, Aspiring Lord, Baleflamer, Gifts of Chaos, Gorget of Eternal Hate, Mark of Slaanesh, Techno-virus injector

+ Troops +

Accursed Cultists [3 PL, 75pts]
. 5x Mutant: 5x Blasphemous appendages
. 3x Torment: 3x Hideous mutations

Cultist Mob [2 PL, 50pts]
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ cultist firearm: 9x Cultist firearm, 9x Frag & Krak grenades
. Cultist Champion
. . Autopistol and brutal assault weapon

Legionaries [7 PL, 110pts]: Chaos Icon, Mark of Khorne
. Aspiring Champion: Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol
. 4x Marine w/ astartes chainsword: 4x Astartes chainsword, 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades

+ Elites +

Chosen [15 PL, 255pts, -1CP]: Chaos Icon, Mark of Slaanesh
. Chosen: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
. Chosen: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
. Chosen: Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol
. Chosen: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
. Chosen: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
. Chosen: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
. Chosen: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
. Chosen: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
. Chosen Champion: Black Rune of Damnation, Bolt pistol, Combi-melta, Trophies of the Long War

Master of Executions [5 PL, 80pts]: Mark of Slaanesh

Possessed [7 PL, 140pts]: Possessed Champion
. 4x Possessed: 4x Hideous mutations

+ Fast Attack +

Chaos Bikers [16 PL, 265pts, -1CP]: Chaos Icon, Mark of Khorne
. Biker Champion: Power maul, The Black Mace, Trophies of the Long War
. 7x Chaos Biker w/ astartes chainsword: 7x Astartes chainsword, 7x Combi-bolter, 7x Frag & Krak grenades

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [15 PL, 300pts, 3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [3CP]

Legion: Black Legion

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +

Abaddon the Despoiler [15 PL, 300pts] warlord

++ Total: [108 PL, 1,945pts] ++

Thoughts

A proper throwdown here as the forces of the Coven of Twelve try to reclaim stolen treasures that Bile liberated during his time in Comorrogh. Something like that anyway, Dom put some fluff in so I felt I should too.

Anyway, it’s also going to be a throwdown in terms of how it plays out – both armies have loads of units that want to brawl, whether it be the Grotesques, Wracks and Incubi from the Drukhari side, or the flesh-hungry Creations of Bile on the other. Both sides have brought strong traits for the matchup too – the extra AP from the Coven of Twelve helps all those Wracks and Grotesques to put some hurt in when they strike (and the lack of damage reduction doesn’t super matter here), while the Chaos forces obviously love their ability to Fight on Death, and enjoy having access to Advance/Charge via stratagem to match the Drukhari’s mobility.

Fight on Death changes the calculus for the Drukhari quite a bit – without that, it feels like the threat of the big Incubi unit and/or Drazhar checking in and taking down the Chosen or Bikers is really tough to work round, but once the offenders are near-guaranteed to die in response, the Chaos side can be quite a bit more muscular. That helps it move its incredibly potent characters into position, then launch a rolling murder spree in the mid game.

That’s the theory, anyway – but from the Drukhari side you’ve got the advantage of considerably higher mobility, plus transports that can provide layered objective control. A quarters map is ideal for exploiting these advantages, plus the fact that rather unusually, Drukhari seem more likely to build an ObSec advantage here than the Chaos side. It’s certainly a concern that quite a few of their units risk “bouncing” if they engage either of the big blocks, but Reavers should be able to swoop round and pick up some Cultists at some point, which will build a bit of value on that front, and even just swooping a unit into position to move block a Discolord could be pivotal.

As Chaos, I think your goal here is to force the Drukhari to hesitate too long in dealing with the big blocks, and then translate the wound-capped characters in the list (something Drukhari struggle with) into insurmountable momentum from there. If the Drukhari can be kept on the backfoot their Secondaries start to look pretty dicey, whereas Specimens for the Spider and The Long War both look great if the game plays out that way. That feels like enough, taken with everything else, to provide Chaos with the edge, and they were able to leverage this to take victory.

Result

Chaos Space Marines Victory – 97 – 65

Louis Fitzsimmons – Chaos Space Marines – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Creations of Bile Herohammer

Thoughts

As outlined in the Showdown, very much a one-two punch here. The Chosen and Bikers provide enough pressure and mid-board durability early to get the character hammer in place, and then the rampage starts. It scores very efficiently while playing exactly the game it wants, and has enough depth of units despite all the herohammer to contest the table. Only concern I’d have with it is that it feels like it folds pretty hard to Harpies, but other than that it looks awesome, and a very fun way to use the Chaos book. Well done to Louis.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Stephen Box – Blood Angels: Having come up with the Centurion Blood Angels build, Stephen has here switched over to a go-wide version, bringing three units of Death Company and a Death Company Smash Captain to make Fury hard to stop, and lots of Assault Marines to cover space at a bargain price.
3rd – Paulie Wallis – Drukhari: All-rounder Drukhari Goodstuff, combining Black Heart, Artists of Flesh and Cult of the Cursed Blade, the latter two choices helping ensure the army has some staying power.

Killing Fields Of Istvaan III

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Estevan, SK, CA on August 13 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Tide of Conviction

Frasier Parry – Harlequins: Dark Saedath spamming foot Troupes, with a big Voidweaver unit at the back.
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [96 PL, 2,000pts, -1CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Saedath Characterisation: Dark: Dark Deeds

+ HQ +

Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]: 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), 5. Shards of Light (Witchfire), Shuriken Pistol
. The Laughing God’s Eye

Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]: 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), 6. Webway Dance (Aura) (Blessing), Shuriken Pistol

Troupe Master [4 PL, 90pts, -1CP]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Player of the Dark, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God, Warlord
. Cegorach’s Rose

+ Troops +

Troupe [9 PL, 165pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol

Troupe [9 PL, 165pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol

Troupe [9 PL, 165pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol

Troupe [9 PL, 165pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol

+ Elites +

Death Jester [4 PL, 90pts]: Rift Ghoul

+ Fast Attack +

Skyweavers [4 PL, 110pts]
. Skyweaver: Skyweaver Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Skyweaver Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive

+ Heavy Support +

Voidweavers [5 PL, 130pts]
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon

Voidweavers [15 PL, 390pts]
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon

++ Total: [96 PL, 2,000pts, -1CP] ++

vs.

Riley Tremblay – Adepta Sororitas: Bloody Rose Goodstuff
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [107 PL, 1,996pts, 3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Order Convictions: Order: Bloody Rose

+ No Force Org Slot +

Hospitaller [3 PL, 50pts]

Repentia Superior [2 PL, 40pts]

+ HQ +

Canoness [5 PL, 95pts, -1CP]: Bolt pistol, Power sword, Stratagem: Saint in the Making, Warlord Trait: Blazing Ire
. Word of the Emperor

Celestine and Geminae Superia [10 PL, 200pts]
. 2x Geminae Superia: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, 2x Power sword

Morvenn Vahl [14 PL, 280pts, -1CP]: Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Warlord Trait: 2. Righteous Rage

+ Troops +

Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]
. 4x Battle Sister: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sister Superior
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun

+ Elites +

Dogmata [4 PL, 65pts, -1CP]: 2. Chorus of Spiritual Fortitude, 5. Verse of Holy Piety, Relic: The Sigil Ecclesiasticus, Stratagem: Relic

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 112pts]
. 8x Sisters Repentia: 8x Penitent Eviscerator

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 70pts]
. 5x Sisters Repentia: 5x Penitent Eviscerator

+ Fast Attack +

Seraphim Squad [8 PL, 92pts]
. 3x Seraphim: 6x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
. Seraphim Superior: Bolt pistol, Bolt pistol
. Seraphim w/ Special Weapons: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers
. Seraphim w/ Special Weapons: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers

Zephyrim Squad [8 PL, 140pts]
. 8x Zephyrim: 8x Bolt pistol, 8x Frag & Krak grenades, 8x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol, Zephyrim Pennant

Zephyrim Squad [4 PL, 75pts]
. 4x Zephyrim: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol

+ Heavy Support +

Retributor Squad [9 PL, 210pts]
. 4x Retributor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Retributor Superior: Chainsword, Ministorum Hand Flamer
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Simulacrum: Simulacrum Imperialis

+ Dedicated Transport +

Sororitas Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

++ Total: [107 PL, 3CP, 1,996pts] ++

Sacred Rite is The Passion, unless otherwise stated

Thoughts

It’s not an edition of Competitive Innovations without at least one game that Tide of Conviction turns into a complete bloodbath, and this one very much has that energy. The Harlequin build here is very unique, going for the high-risk plan of lots of foot Troupes without a Webway Gate to help deploy them, but with the extra killing power and trade potential granted by the Dark Saedath, which kind of has to get the nod over Twilight in this plan for access to The Silken Knife if it runs into any flamer-heavy lists. Two Shadowseers ensures big coverage for Shield from Harm to help them stay in the fight, a trio of Voidweavers ensures the army has an answer to an opposing shooting threat that can stay at range, and the solo Voidweaver and Skyweavers provide small units to push into the opponent’s deployment for Deadly Performance.

Up against it we have a pretty standard Bloody Rose build on the big Retributor unit plan. That doesn’t feel super helpful here, as the full squad probably still folds to a charge by a troupe, meaning they just have to be a bit more careful. Much, much more helpful is the Seraphim squad, which are total nightmares for the Harlequins, as they can drop in and flame twice units, once with max shots, doing appreciable damage even through Shield From Harm, and catastropic damage to a unit that’s strayed outside. I would, finally, say that this matchup definitely feels like an advert for finding the points for a Novitiate unit where possible – having a 75pt unit that could pick up Vahl’s buff and take a huge chunk out of a Troupe would be awesome here.

As is often the case with Tide of Conviction, I feel like what ends up deciding this game is the dynamics around how it forces you to play objectives. The Harlequin list is super cool, but without a supply of boat Troupes it has a harder time setting up layered objective control than normal, and pretty much all of its units are things it doesn’t want to lose. Harlequin secondaries also force them into the opponent’s half of the table, where on Tide the Sororitas can pick up a very good score over time while playing defensively, letting them set the tempo a bit. Given how good some of their units are at trading up into the Harlequins, that’s extremely powerful, and the counterattack potential from their characters is also very relevant.

The Harlequins still have some options – notably that they’re in a better place to launch a pro-active multi-pronged attack to try and overwhelm the Sororitas. If they can take out lots of the Sisters at once while pressing them back, and then make them pay to reclaim ground via their Mortals on death that feels like it could provide the momentum to make something happen. Even then, however, there’s a real risk that even after being depleted the Sisters can crack back hard enough that they can maintain their Secondary scoring, and if they then roll the Harlequins over before the game ends, that’ll secure victory – something that broadly tracks with the scoreline.

Result

Adepta Sororitas Victory – 82 – 54

Riley Tremblay – Adepta Sororitas – 1st Place

Sisters of Battle Repentia — Credit: Evan “Felime” Siefring

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Bloody Rose Goodstuff

Thoughts

All covered in the showdown, and you know this stuff by now anyway. A great performance from Riley here.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Frasier Parry – Harlequins: See Showdown.
3rd – Darren Jac – Orks: Goffs with loads of infantry and Ghaz.
4th – Byron Livingstone – Chaos Daemons: Lots of Keepers, then Be’lakor and Rotigus in a Patrol.
5th – Corey Trumbley – Dark Angels: The “whoops all Deathwing” end of the Dark Angels spectrum, with the unusual (and probably pretty good in the metagame) pick of Lazarus for reliable Mortal Wound protection.

Wrap Up

One part down, one part to go – see you on Friday. Comments, questions and suggestions to contact@goonhammer.com.

Competitive Innovations in 9th: Global Spectacular pt. 1

Goonhammer US Open 2022

Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts

Thoughts

Result

Derek Apsche – Death Guard – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The UKTC Leeds GT

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Conversion

Thoughts

Result

David Gaylard – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

James Marsden – Necrons – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ben Hampshire – Knights Renegades – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Alex Ginns – Adepta Sororitas – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

WTC Warmaster GT

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Death and Zeal

Thoughts

Result

Liam Hackett – Necrons – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Jaime Paris – Tyranids – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Matt Morosoli – Drukhari – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Olivier Weiss – Salamanders – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Rest of the Best

The St Albans GT

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Death and Zeal

Thoughts

Result

Louis Fitzsimmons – Chaos Space Marines – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Killing Fields Of Istvaan III

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Tide of Conviction

Thoughts

Result

Riley Tremblay – Adepta Sororitas – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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