We’re back for part two of this week’s column, today covering:

The North and South GT
The FactoruM GT
The Saltier Classic
The War on the Shore GT
The Kent GT

If you’re looking for any of the following events, check out part one from yesterday.

The Adelaide GT
Into the Hellstorm – The Chainsword
The Hammer of Wrath GT
The Mythicos Studios Mahweh GT
3City Heresy 2021

Let’s roll.

North and South GT

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

Liam Hogwood – Adepta Sororitas- 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [47 PL, 9CP, 1,040pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Order Convictions: Order: Argent Shroud

+ HQ +

Canoness [5 PL, -1CP, 105pts]: Blessed Blade, Inferno pistol, Relic: Iron Surplice of Saint Istaela, Stratagem: Saint in the Making, Warlord Trait: Selfless Heroism
. Word of the Emperor

+ 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 +

Paragon Warsuits [13 PL, 270pts]
. Paragon: 2 Storm Bolters, Multi-melta, Paragon War Blade
. Paragon: 2 Storm Bolters, Multi-melta, Paragon War Blade
. Paragon Superior: 2 Storm Bolters, Multi-melta, Paragon War Mace

+ Heavy Support +

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 150pts]: 2x 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

+ Dedicated Transport +

Immolator [7 PL, 155pts]: Hunter-killer missile, Twin multi-melta

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [49 PL, 960pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Order Convictions: Order: Valorous Heart

+ HQ +

Morvenn Vahl [13 PL, 265pts]: Warlord

+ 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 +

Celestian Sacresants [6 PL, 145pts]
. 9x Celestian Sacresants (Anointed Halberd): 9x Anointed Halberd, 9x Bolt pistol, 9x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sacresant Superior: Bolt pistol, Spear of the Faithful

+ Heavy Support +

Penitent Engines [12 PL, 220pts]
. Penitent Engine: 2x Penitent buzz-blades
. Penitent Engine: 2x Penitent buzz-blades
. Penitent Engine: 2x Penitent buzz-blades
. Penitent Engine: 2x Penitent buzz-blades

++ Total: [96 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

Argent Shroud re-rolls – so good they can get Immolators on the table!
Penitent Engines enjoy their substantially improved status with a proper runaround.
Valorous Heart helps create an extra durable unit of Sacresants to hold down the fort.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

We’ve definitely started to see some clear trends emerging from the new Sisters book, but this build shows that there’s still plenty of exploring to do, taking several units that either haven’t seen much play or are actively somewhat maligned and really putting them to work. Anchoring it is the truly incredible power of the Argent Shroud conviction, which provides a combination of boosted speed and reliability that makes already good units great (Retributors) and brings less powerful units like Warsuits and Immolators into the ballpark where they’re at least doing something. Being able to Advance and shoot with some re-rolls helps these units team up with the Retributors to bring a spectacular amount of melta death to bear right out of the gate (optionally with Vahl’s re-rolls on the Warsuits). An extra burst of early speed also lets the Warsuits be a bit more cautious in how they deploy, as sacrificing a few inches of positioning to get behind an Obscuring wall looks like a way better trade in Argent Shroud, and Faith is Our Shield also gives them a good defence against lists that want to take them down with Mortals. I still think they could bear to have some points shaved off them, but they definitely do much more as this Order than you’d normally see.

The other thing that makes them look especially good in this army is that the opponent’s heavy firepower is going to be suffering from some target saturation, as alongside the Warsuits there’s a whole host of Penitent Engines loping angrily to slice the opposition to ribbons. While we’ve not seen them out on the table prior to this army, these got massively more appealing relative to Mortifiers in the new book, to the point where there actually are good reasons for taking either. When what you want from them is to team up with the Warsuits to really make the opponent sweat then Penitents are great – they’ve got built in Advance/Charge, giving them a high threat range, and Cleansed By Fire becoming a non-Order-specific stratagem means that their Ministorum Heavy Flamers can do spectacular work against hordes. Some lists will still want the shooting of Mortifiers, but here I’m into it.

With supreme pressure running out front, the remaining thing the list wants is a way to durably secure some positions, so I also like the use of Valorous Heart for a unit of Sacresants to stand defiantly on a mid-table position and a couple of basic Sister units to sit in (hopefully) cover at home. Subtracting a point of AP makes these pretty sticky when performing these roles, and the 5+ ignore mortals bonus does also make the Sacresants slightly less hilariously vulnerable to Fusilaves, though they’re still a Big Problem for the unit in general.

Finishing stuff off we have a couple of Characters, Vahl because she’s, well, Vahl and a Canoness making cool use of the Argent Shroud Warlord Trait – in a build with a whole bunch of melee nightmares, being able to 6″ heroic then drop a Fight Last from Word of the Emperor is going to steal the odd game in style. Overall, I’m a big fan of seeing some less common Sisters tools come together into such a potent combination, so huge congratulations to Liam for taking down the event.

Mariusz Rybak – Iron Hands – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Iron Hands) [98 PL, 2,000pts, 7CP] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Iron Hands

+ HQ +

Primaris Techmarine [4 PL, 80pts]: Forge bolter, Frag & Krak grenades, Grav-pistol, Mechadendrite, Omnissian power axe, Servo-arm, Target Protocols, Warlord

Primaris Techmarine [4 PL, 80pts]: Forge bolter, Frag & Krak grenades, Grav-pistol, Mechadendrite, Omnissian power axe, Servo-arm, The Ironstone

+ Troops +

Incursor Squad [5 PL, 105pts]
. 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

Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]: Auto Bolt Rifle
. 4x Intercessor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Intercessor Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades

Tactical Squad [5 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Space Marine: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Space Marine Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Boltgun, Frag & Krak grenades

+ Elites +

Invictor Tactical Warsuit [8 PL, 160pts]: Fragstorm Grenade Launcher, Heavy bolter, Invictor fist, Twin ironhail autocannon, Twin ironhail heavy stubber

Leviathan Dreadnought [13 PL, 235pts, -3CP]: 2x Twin Volkite calivers, All Flesh is Weakness, Grav-flux bombard, 3x Hunter-killer missile, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: March of the Ancients
. Leviathan siege drill: Meltagun

Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 185pts]: 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launchers, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Redemptor Fist

Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, 215pts, -1CP]: Cyclone missile launcher, 2x Twin lascannon

+ Heavy Support +

Devastator Squad [8 PL, 175pts]: Armorium Cherub
. Devastator Marine Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Boltgun, Frag & Krak grenades
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta

Eliminator Squad [5 PL, 75pts]: Bolt sniper rifle
. Eliminator Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Camo cloak, Frag & Krak grenades, Instigator Bolt Carbine
. 2x Eliminators: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Camo cloak, 2x Frag & Krak grenades

Gladiator Reaper [12 PL, 215pts]: Ironhail Heavy Stubber, 2x Tempest bolter, Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

+ Dedicated Transport +

Drop Pod [4 PL, 70pts]: Storm bolter

++ Total: [98 PL, 7CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

Iron Hands go hard on hulls.
Eliminators provide a nice, flexible unit to get things over the line Secondary-wise.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Two Iron Hands Leviathans in one week, truly the end times are once more upon us. This Hands build focuses pretty much exclusively on all the fun things they can do with vehicles, with a pair of Techmarines commanding an array of metal behemoths that provide answers to almost any problem, while still bringing enough infantry to ensure Action secondaries can be locked down. Vehicle-wise, you’ve got a bunch of spicy dreadnoughts tuned for hunting heavy targets (including a rampaging Leviathan on a perma-5+++), then a Gladiator Reaper and Redemptor for scything through softer stuff. In Iron Hands specifically, exactly one Gladiator does continue to look pretty good – it’s amazing what babysitting a tank with the Ironstone and switching on re-rolls with the superdoctrine will do for you!

Outside the tanks, you’ve got even more anti-armour in the form of a melta Devastator Drop Pod. My assumption is that the thinking behind this is that most tools that can outshoot this list are vehicle-based (*cough* Ironstriders), so having the reach to try and alpha some of them off the board, even when there’s the terrain to hide them, helps maximise the chance of this army getting into a dominant position. It’s certainly going to be extremely tough to pull back into the game against this if it starts strongly, and its also got pretty decent coverage for board control and Secondaries – three troops units can cheerfully sit in key positions, and a single Eliminator squad is a cheap way to tick off ROD in two quarters (as they’re Phobos, so can use Guerilla Tactics).

In some ways this feels like the shooting equivalent of the Greater Daemon spam lists – it applies truly absurd pressure when operating at full capacity, and knocking it down a peg isn’t trivial (especially as the hulls except the Invictor have damage reduction). Anything short of very quickly taking at least two of the big threats out is likely to result in the opponent losing the damage race, especially as thanks to Techmarine repairs and the lesser used part of the Chapter Tactic mean that the vehicles will be working on top profile almost all of the time. That creates a real fail case for anyone trying to beat this list, and putting opponents into a deep hole from whence there is no escape is how you rack up tournament wins, as Mariusz demonstrated here.

James Stewart – Adeptus Mechanicus – 3rd ✪ Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus) [99 PL, 2,000pts, 8CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Army of Renown – Skitarii Veteran Cohort

Forge World Choice: Forge World: Mars

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Archeotech Specialist [-2CP]: 2x Archeotech Specialist

Stratagem: Host of the Intermediary [-1CP]: Host of the Intermediary

Stratagem: Mechanicus Locum [-1CP]: Mechanicus Locum

+ HQ +

Skitarii Marshal [3 PL, 45pts]: Relic: Exemplar’s Eternity, Warlord, Warlord Trait (Codex 5): Firepoint Telemetry Cache

Skitarii Marshal [3 PL, 45pts]: Mechanicus Locum, Relic (Skitarii Veteran Cohort): Cantic Thrallnet, Warlord Trait (Skitarii Veteran Cohort): Calculate Without Diversion

Tech-Priest Manipulus [6 PL, 105pts]: Logi, Magnarail lance, Relic: Raiment of the Technomartyr

+ Troops +

Skitarii Rangers [9 PL, 215pts]: Enhanced Data-Tether, Omnispex
. Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle, Host of the Intermediary, Taser Goad, Warlord Trait (Codex 3): Programmed Retreat
. 19x Skitarii Ranger: 19x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Rangers [9 PL, 215pts]: Enhanced Data-Tether, Omnispex
. Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle, Taser Goad
. 19x Skitarii Ranger: 19x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Vanguards [9 PL, 215pts]: Enhanced Data-Tether, Omnispex
. 19x Skitarii Vanguard: 19x Radium Carbine
. Vanguard Alpha: Radium Carbine, Taser Goad

+ Elites +

Sicarian Infiltrators [8 PL, 170pts]
. Infiltrator Princeps (Flechette/Taser)
. 9x Sicarian Infiltrator (Flechette/Taser): 9x Flechette Blaster, 9x Taser Goad

Sicarian Infiltrators [4 PL, 85pts]
. Infiltrator Princeps (Stub/Sword)
. 4x Sicarian Infiltrator (Stub/Sword): 4x Power Sword, 4x Stubcarbine

+ Fast Attack +

Ironstrider Ballistarii [8 PL, 150pts]
. Ironstrider Ballistarius: Twin Cognis Lascannon
. Ironstrider Ballistarius: Twin Cognis Lascannon

Ironstrider Ballistarii [12 PL, 225pts]
. Ironstrider Ballistarius: Twin Cognis Lascannon
. Ironstrider Ballistarius: Twin Cognis Lascannon
. Ironstrider Ballistarius: Twin Cognis Lascannon

Pteraxii Sterylizors [4 PL, 95pts]: Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha
. 4x Pteraxii Sterylizor: 4x Phosphor torch, 4x Pteraxii Talons

+ Heavy Support +

Skorpius Disintegrator [8 PL, 145pts]: Ferrumite Cannon

++ Total: [99 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

Mars goodstuff with a Veteran Cohort spin.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

AdMech – they’re good. This list cleaves pretty closely to what I’m assuming is the intended use case of the Veteran Cohort, getting big value from units of Vanguard and Rangers that can afford to play a bit more aggressively thanks to their enhanced defences and improved melee. Two units of Rangers and a big Infiltrator squad gives plenty of ways to deploy Wrath of Mars, and assuming the Rangers can get to a firing position with their pre-game move, the list can be quite cagey about saving Shroudpsalm for the mid-game some of the time, as the Rangers get free cover when stationary and there are a number of other tools the list can leverage to boost saves or apply cover ahead of time. Veteran Vanguard can also lash out at very high speeds when required, as combining their improved advances with emergency Aggressor Doctrina from the Cantic Thrallnet gives them significant additional reach. That’s also, obviously, relevant on the Infiltrators, letting them pull off huge Advance/Charge moves before detonating something with massed attack buffs.

The game has a strong infantry board control plan, therefore, and being Mars allows it to back that up with Skorpius Disintegrators, for whom the Mars Dogma is exactly what’s needed to get them back over the line to viability. This means the army can confidently zone out its own deployment zone while it gets up to its mischief mid-table, and while it doesn’t have the absurd alpha strikes of the Mars/Lucius builds, it’s much happier in a protracted grind, and can deal with a pretty broad range of targets. That was enough to take it all the way to the top table, where it was finally brought down in a pretty close game by the Sisters. Good work from James.

Shannen Butters – Drukhari – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [45 PL, 10CP, 765pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Gametype

Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ Stratagems +

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

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: Hatred Eternal, Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius

+ Troops +

Kabalite Trueborn [8 PL, 135pts]
. 6x Kabalite Trueborn: 6x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Heavy Weapon: Dark Lance
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Trueborn Sybarite: Splinter Rifle

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 100pts]: Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies, Kabal

Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [22 PL, -3CP, 425pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder (Restricted)

+ Stratagems +

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

+ HQ +

Succubus [3 PL, 60pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Competitive Edge, The Triptych Whip, Warlord
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive

Succubus [3 PL, -1CP, 60pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Dark Lotus Toxin, Precision Blows, Razorflails, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition

+ Troops +

Wyches [6 PL, -1CP, 105pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Agoniser, Morvaines’s Agoniser, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Hekatrix of the Crucibael
. 9x Wych: 9x Hekatarii Blade, 9x Plasma Grenades, 9x Splinter Pistol

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

+ Fast Attack +

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

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [43 PL, 810pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession
. *Custom Coven*: Dark Technomancers (All-Consuming)

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ HQ +

Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

+ Elites +

Mandrakes [3 PL, 75pts]
. 4x Mandrake: 4x Baleblast, 4x Glimmersteel Blade
. Nightfiend

+ Fast Attack +

Scourges [5 PL, 80pts]
. Scourge with Special / Heavy weapon: Shredder
. Scourge with Special / Heavy weapon: Shredder
. Scourge with Special / Heavy weapon: Shredder
. Scourge with Special / Heavy weapon: Shredder
. Solarite: Shardcarbine

+ Heavy Support +

Cronos [12 PL, 240pts]
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex

Cronos [12 PL, 230pts]
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos

++ Total: [110 PL, 7CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

Cronos Drukhari.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

It’s the Cronos list, very close to the build that Matt Root has been taking down events left and right with. It rules, you all know this by now, well done to Shannen for piloting it to the final top four slot at this event.

The Rest of the Best

Four more players finished on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Luis Dante Fantarella – Black Templars: Your standard Black Templars fare, with two super-chaplains, a bunch of Redemptors and a big brick each of Assault Terminators and VanVets to use Devout Push.
6th – Charlie Williams – Space Wolves: The familiar sight of Redemptors and jump pack Wolf Guard backed up by the much less common ThunderCav, with Hunter on a jump pack Captain helping them be extra hard to pin down.
7th – Gwilym van den Bosch – Salamanders: A flame-themed spectacular here, with Bray’arth Ashmantle lumbering into battle at the head of a trio of incendium cannon Invictors and a whole bunch of Eradicators.
8th – Marcus Bendall – Death Guard: Mortarion leads a couple of large Plague Marine units in Rhinos to battle.

FactoruM GT

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

Ben Jones – Drukhari – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [70 PL, 10CP, 1,091pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ Stratagems +

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

+ No Force Org Slot +

Court of the Archon [10 PL, 136pts]
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul

Court of the Archon [10 PL, 120pts]
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: Ancient Evil, Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius

Archon [4 PL, 65pts]: Overlord, Splinter Pistol, The Helm of Spite, Venom Blade

+ Troops +

Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 40pts]
. 4x Kabalite Warrior: 4x Splinter Rifle
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 100pts]: Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies, Kabal

Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [36 PL, -3CP, 673pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder (Restricted)

+ Stratagems +

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

+ HQ +

Succubus [4 PL, -1CP, 75pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Precision Blows, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive
. Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Hekatrix Bloodbrides [8 PL, -1CP, 113pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Agoniser, Morvaines’s Agoniser, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Hekatrix of the Crucibael
. 8x Hekatrix Bloodbride: 8x Hekatarii Blade, 8x Plasma Grenades, 8x Splinter Pistol

Wyches [6 PL, 110pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 8x Wych: 8x Hekatarii Blade, 8x Plasma Grenades, 8x Splinter Pistol
. Wych w/ Shardnet and Impaler: Shardnet and Impaler

Wyches [3 PL, 50pts]: 3 – Hypex (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

Mandrakes [3 PL, 75pts]
. 4x Mandrake: 4x Baleblast, 4x Glimmersteel Blade
. Nightfiend

+ Fast Attack +

Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [14 PL, 235pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession
. *Custom Coven*: Hungry for Flesh, Splinterblades

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ HQ +

Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]: Hatred Eternal, Warlord

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 45pts]
. Acothyst: Electrocorrosive Whip
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

++ Total: [120 PL, 7CP, 1,999pts] ++

The Standout Features

Maximum board control/objective-focused Drukhari.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

All the Drukhari hits come out to play here, and the notable thing about this build is that it’s focused about as hard as possible on fighting for the primary, with double court, two larger Wych units and Hellions all pulling hard in that direction. That strategy should play extremely well on the excellent terrain at FactoruM, and paid off with how the list ended up in first – Ben and Stephen played the final to a draw, but the higher scores that Ben had racked up all weekend took him to the trophy.

Stephen Box – Adepta Sororitas – 2nd ✪ Place

Palatine Apraxia Val — Credit: Evan “Felime” Siefring

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [91 PL, 1,732pts, 5CP] ++

+ Configuration [9CP] +

Order Convictions: Order: Bloody Rose

+ Stratagems [-2CP] +

Stratagem: Open the Reliquaries [-2CP]: 2x Additional Relics of the Ecclesiarchy [-2CP]

+ No Force Org Slot [3 PL, 50pts] +

Hospitaller [3 PL, 50pts]: Bolt pistol, Chirurgeon’s tools

+ HQ [19 PL, 370pts, -2CP] +

Canoness [4 PL, 85pts, -1CP]: Blessed Blade [10pts], Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Relic: Chaplet of Sacrifice, Stratagem: Saint in the Making [-1CP], Warlord Trait: Blazing Ire
. Rapturous Blows [1 PL, 25pts]: Blessing, Miraculous ability

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

Palatine [5 PL, 85pts, -1CP]: Bolt pistol, Power sword, Relic: Book of St. Lucius, Stratagem: Saint in the Making [-1CP], Warlord Trait: 5. Indomitable Belief (Aura)
. Word of the Emperor [2 PL, 40pts]: Blessing, Miraculous ability

+ Troops [9 PL, 165pts] +

Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]
. 4x Battle Sister [44pts]: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sister Superior [11pts]: Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun: Bolt pistol, Boltgun

+ Elites [28 PL, 457pts] +

Celestian Sacresants [6 PL, 140pts]
. 9x Celestian Sacresants (Anointed Halberd) [126pts]: 9x Anointed Halberd, 9x Bolt pistol, 9x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sacresant Superior [14pts]: Anointed Halberd, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades

Celestian Sacresants [6 PL, 112pts]
. 7x Celestian Sacresants (Anointed Halberd) [98pts]: 7x Anointed Halberd, 7x Bolt pistol, 7x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sacresant Superior [14pts]: Anointed Halberd, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades

Dogmata [4 PL, 65pts]: 4. Litany of Enduring Faith, 5. Verse of Holy Piety, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Mace of the Righteous, Relic: The Sigil Ecclesiasticus, War Hymn

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

+ Fast Attack [12 PL, 260pts] +

Zephyrim Squad [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Zephyrim [68pts]: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior [22pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Power sword, Zephyrim Pennant [5pts]

Zephyrim Squad [4 PL, 85pts]
. 4x Zephyrim [68pts]: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior [17pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Power sword

+ Heavy Support [12 PL, 270pts] +

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 135pts]: Armourium Cherub [5pts]
. Retributor Superior [12pts]: Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun: Bolt pistol, Boltgun
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta [20pts]
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta [20pts]
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta [20pts]
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [22pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Ministorum Heavy Flamer [10pts]

+ Dedicated Transport [8 PL, 160pts] +

Sororitas Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]: Storm bolter

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [13 PL, 265pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Order Convictions: Adeptus Ministorum

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander [13 PL, 265pts] +

Morvenn Vahl [13 PL, 265pts]: Fidelis, Lance of Illumination, Paragon Missile Launcher
. Warlord: Warlord Trait: 2. Righteous Rage

++ Total: [104 PL, 5CP, 1,997pts] ++

The Standout Features

A hardcore Bloody Rose list that deploys the full melee might of the Sororitas.
Blessings of the Faithful provide multiple ways for Sacresants to flatten something.
A bona-fide Smash Canoness brings some of the old Bloody Rose energy back.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Stephen Box has been a fan of melee Sisters for a while, so it’s not massively surprising to see him diving into the new book and assembling the nastiest melee setup he can. This army has two basic categories of melee threats – Repentia and Zephyrim to act as missiles, being flung at the enemy (charged up with Verse of Holy Piety if needed) to trade up or delay key targets, and the Sacresants who provide solid, general purpose killers. Full hit and wound re-rolls from Vahl are fantastic in combination with anointed halberds just in general, but loading up both Rapturous Blows and Word of the Emperor means that twice in the game they can take their damage potential to the moon, etiher carving straight through invulns or slamming a massive number of mortals into an unfortunate target. With the threat of Fight Last coming from the Palatine as well, opponents will need to be incredibly careful at how they try and engage them, and a Hospitaller helps anchor them when they sit mid-table, both increasing their baseline durability and bringing models back with Rites of Restoration – I’ve got to imagine rolling up a three when using this is an extremely good feeling.

While they’re still 1W models, they can start all mounted up in the Rhinos where needed and this list has lots of tools to reach out and punk things that threaten to take them down before they deploy. If the Zephyrim can’t reach, Retributors are more than ready to blast things into tiny pieces, and in this build they’re even more dangerous up close as they’re loaded for Holy Trinity. Celestine also pitches in as the ultimate roving hunter, ideal for tag teaming with the Zephyrim or Repentia when something a bit weightier needs to die.

For me, this list does a very good job of updating the pre-Codex Sisters playstyle to maximise the additions from the new book – it’s got a durable central anvil that it can use to occupy the mid-board and punish anyone who engages it, then plenty of cheap threats that can be traded profitably with judicious use of Miracle dice and buffs. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Stephen was able to run this to an extremely close second place finish.

Wayne Envis – Adeptus Mechanicus – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus) [99 PL, 7CP, 1,998pts] ++

Army of Renown – Skitarii Veteran Cohort

Forge World Choice: Forge World: Metalica

Stratagem: 2x Archeotech Specialist [-2CP]

Stratagem: Artefactotum [-1CP]

Stratagem: 2x Mechanicus Locum [-2CP]

+ No Force Org Slot [4 PL, 80pts] +

Brotherhood of the Cog [4 PL, 80pts]
. Technoarcheologist [4 PL, 80pts]: Eradication pistol, Genetors [1 PL, 25pts], Mechanicus Locum, Relic (Metalica): Metalican Lung, Servo-arc claw, Warlord Trait (Metalica 2): Ashrunner

+ HQ [12 PL, 195pts] +

Skitarii Marshal [3 PL, 45pts]: Control Stave, Radium Serpenta, Relic (Skitarii Veteran Cohort): Cantic Thrallnet, Warlord, Warlord Trait (Skitarii Veteran Cohort): Calculate Without Diversion

Skitarii Marshal [3 PL, 45pts]: Control Stave, Mechanicus Locum, Radium Serpenta, Relic: Exemplar’s Eternity, Warlord Trait (Codex 5): Firepoint Telemetry Cache

Tech-Priest Manipulus [6 PL, 105pts]: Logi [2 PL, 35pts], Magnarail lance, Manipulus Mechadendrites, Omnissian Staff

+ Troops [20 PL, 455pts] +

Skitarii Rangers [10 PL, 205pts]: Omnispex [5pts]
. Ranger Alpha [10pts]: Galvanic Rifle
. 19x Skitarii Ranger [190pts]: 19x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Rangers [2 PL, 50pts]
. Ranger Alpha [10pts]: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger [40pts]: 4x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Vanguards [2 PL, 50pts]
. 4x Skitarii Vanguard [40pts]: 4x Radium Carbine
. Vanguard Alpha [10pts]: Radium Carbine

+ Elites [28 PL, 595pts] +

Sicarian Infiltrators [4 PL, 85pts]
. Infiltrator Princeps (Flechette/Taser) [17pts]: Flechette Blaster, Taser Goad
. 4x Sicarian Infiltrator (Flechette/Taser) [68pts]: 4x Flechette Blaster, 4x Taser Goad

Sicarian Ruststalkers [8 PL, 170pts]
. Ruststalker Princeps (Blades) [17pts]: Artefactotum, Chordclaw, Relic: Temporcopia, Transonic Blades
. 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Blades) [153pts]: 9x Transonic Blades

Sicarian Ruststalkers [4 PL, 85pts]
. Ruststalker Princeps (Blades) [17pts]: Chordclaw, Transonic Blades
. 4x Sicarian Ruststalker (Blades) [68pts]: 4x Transonic Blades

+ Fast Attack [14 PL, 288pts] +

Serberys Raiders [6 PL, 128pts]
. 7x Serberys Raider [112pts]: 7x Cavalry Sabre, 7x Clawed Limbs, 7x Galvanic Carbine
. Serberys Raider Alpha [16pts]: Archeo-revolver, Cavalry Sabre, Clawed Limbs, Galvanic Carbine

Serberys Raiders [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Serberys Raider [64pts]: 4x Cavalry Sabre, 4x Clawed Limbs, 4x Galvanic Carbine
. Serberys Raider Alpha [16pts]: Archeo-revolver, Cavalry Sabre, Clawed Limbs, Galvanic Carbine

+ Heavy Support [16 PL, 290pts] +

Skorpius Disintegrator [8 PL, 145pts]: Belleros Energy Cannon, 3x Cognis Heavy Stubber, Disruptor Missile Launcher

+ Dedicated Transport [5 PL, 95pts] +

Skorpius Dunerider [5 PL, 95pts]: 2x Cognis Heavy Stubber, Twin Cognis Heavy Stubber

++ Total: [99 PL, 7CP, 1,998pts] ++

The Standout Features

Melee Metalica racks up a strong performance.
Skorpius Disintegrators provide a bit more ranged attrition and easy choice to leave at home.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

This build clearly takes some inspiration from Richard Siegler’s winning Orlando list, which we covered a few weeks back, but makes a notable tweak by dialing back just a little on the melee units and cutting the Pteraxii in favour of a couple of Disintegrators. While this reduces the tricks that the build has access to and the sheer melee headache it represents, the original was very tuned to the Orlando terrain setups and I can see that hedging a bit with the Disintegrators gives some broader options for engagement. They’re also extremely funny with the Ashrunner/Metalican Lung Technoarchaelogist, who can rock up next to the opponent at breakneck speed and provide full wound re-rolls when something sturdier needs to go in the bin – a nice tool to have in the back pocket. Other than that, this still floods the table with an absurd number of durable wounds, makes great use of the Metalica supplement, and pressures the mid-board even better than the average AdMech concoction – all great stuff, and a worthy third place finisher in the hands of Wayne.

Ben Whittington – Space Wolves – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Space Wolves) [103 PL, 1,997pts, 6CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Chapter Selector: Born Heroes , Custom Chapter, Space Wolves Successor, Whirlwind of Rage

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

+ Stratagems +

A Trophy Bestowed [-1CP]

Relics of the Chapter [-1CP]: Number of Extra Relics

Thane of the Retinue [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Chapter Master [8 PL, 180pts, -1CP]: Chapter Command: Chapter Master, Hunter, Jump Pack, Storm shield, Stratagem: Warrior of Legend, The Armour of Russ, The Imperium’s Sword, Thunder hammer, Warlord

Librarian [7 PL, 140pts, -1CP]: 2. Murderous Hurricane, 4. Instincts Awoken, 5. Storm Caller, Boltgun, Chapter Command: Chief Librarian, Force sword, Jump Pack, Rites of War, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter

Primaris Chaplain on Bike [7 PL, 140pts, -1CP]: 2. Catechism of Fire, 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Benediction of Fury, Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Wise Orator

+ Troops +

Assault Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 95pts]
. 4x Assault Intercessor: 4x Astartes Chainsword, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Assault Intercessor Sgt: Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol

+ Elites +

Company Veterans [3 PL, 40pts]
. Company Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol
. Company Veteran Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol

Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 185pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Icarus Rocket Pod, Onslaught Gatling Cannon

Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 185pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon

Wolf Guard [7 PL, 140pts]: Jump Pack
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard Pack Leader: Lightning Claw, Storm shield

Wolf Guard [7 PL, 139pts]: Jump Pack
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard Pack Leader: Frost Weapon, Lightning Claw, Lightning Claw

+ Fast Attack +

Cyberwolves [1 PL, 15pts]: Cyberwolf

Suppressor Squad [5 PL, 100pts]
. 2x Suppressor: 2x Accelerator autocannon, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
. Suppressor Sergeant

+ Heavy Support +

Long Fangs [11 PL, 178pts]: Armorium Cherub
. Long Fang: Multi-melta
. Long Fang: Grav-cannon
. Long Fang: Grav-cannon
. Long Fang: Grav-cannon
. Long Fang: Grav-cannon
. Long Fang Pack Leader: Astartes Chainsword, Grav-gun

+ Dedicated Transport +

Drop Pod [4 PL, 70pts]: Storm bolter

++ Total: [103 PL, 1,997pts, 6CP] ++

The Standout Features

All the best Space Wolf toys anchored by Redemptors.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

There’s a sharp divide between which Marine Supplements are having a genuine renaissance and which ones aren’t, and one of the lines on which that divide is drawn is “can you make good use of Redemptors?”. Space Wolves answer an emphatic yes to that question and have a whole bunch of other cool stuff going on out of their supplement to boot, and that’s got them on the rise right now. Buffing up a core of Redemptors with Storm Caller/Cloaked by the Storm makes taking them down a dicey prospect, and being able to Heroic (out to 6″ if needed with Counter Charge) makes ignoring them very tricky as well. Around them, you’ve got cheap and effective jump Wolf Guard, Long Fangs showing off that they’re almost straight up “devastators but better” these days, a single Suppressor squad as a potent mix of Action and fire support thanks to Keen Senses, and a couple of solo Cyberwolves who do a massive amount to lock down Engage and/or Oaths of Moment at a bargain basement price tag.

This build has a brutal core that can roll up to the mid-board and provide outrageous damage at any range, a good crop of ways to lash out and punk something, and one of the most reliable secondary games that Marines can muster. What’s not to love? Strong stuff from Ben.

The Rest of the Best

One more player at the event finished on a 4-1 record. They were:

5th – Jake Harding – Grey Knights: The early leader for the stock Grey Knights route on show here – Swordbearers Dreadknights and Rapiers Interceptors/Strikes. Not massively surprising, but definitely potent!

War on the Shore GT

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

Michael Fox – Death Guard – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Chaos – Death Guard) [25 PL, 490pts, 3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [3CP]

Plague Company: Mortarion’s Anvil

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +

Mortarion [25 PL, 490pts]: 1. Miasma of Pestilence, 2. Gift of Contagion, Attendant’s claws and teeth, Gloaming Bloat, Phosphex bombs, Silence, Smite, The Lantern, Warlord

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Death Guard) [80 PL, 1,505pts, 7CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Plague Company: Mortarion’s Anvil

+ Stratagems +

Gifts of Decay [-1CP]: Additional Relics

+ HQ +

Lord of Virulence [6 PL, 120pts]: Blight grenades, Krak grenades, Plague claw, Twin plague spewer

Malignant Plaguecaster [5 PL, 95pts]: 5. Curse of the Leper, Blight grenades, Corrupted staff, Krak grenades, Smite

+ Troops +

Plague Marines [12 PL, 220pts]
. Plague Champion: Blight grenades, Boltgun, Krak grenades, Plague knife
. Plague Marine w/ blight launcher: Blight grenades, Blight launcher, Krak grenades, Plague knife
. 8x Plague Marine w/ boltgun: 8x Blight grenades, 8x Boltgun, 8x Krak grenades, 8x Plague knife

Poxwalkers [2 PL, 50pts]
. 10x Poxwalker: 10x Improvised weapon

+ Elites +

Blightlord Terminators [20 PL, 320pts, -1CP]
. Blightlord Champion: Bubotic Axe, Champion of Disease, Combi-bolter, Plague Skull of Glothila
. Blightlord Terminator: Bubotic Axe, Combi-bolter
. Blightlord Terminator: Bubotic Axe, Combi-bolter
. Blightlord Terminator: Bubotic Axe, Combi-bolter
. Blightlord Terminator: Bubotic Axe, Combi-bolter
. Blightlord Terminator: Bubotic Axe, Combi-bolter
. Blightlord Terminator: Bubotic Axe, Combi-bolter
. Blightlord Terminator: Bubotic Axe, Combi-bolter

Deathshroud Terminators [7 PL, 155pts]
. Deathshroud Champion: Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
. 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2x Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foul Blightspawn [4 PL, 75pts]: Blight grenades, Krak grenades, Plague sprayer, Revolting Stench-vats, Unholy death’s head grenade

Tallyman [4 PL, 70pts]: Blight grenades, Krak grenades, Plasma pistol, Tollkeeper

+ Heavy Support +

Plagueburst Crawler [9 PL, 175pts]: 2x Entropy cannon, Heavy slugger, Plagueburst Mortar

++ Total: [105 PL, 10CP, 1,995pts] ++

The Standout Features

Mortarion continues to bounce back post AdMech nerf.
Plague Marines give an extra ObSec tool to combine with Relaptic Assault.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Death Guard Codex has been performing pretty strongly recently, but it’s definitely fair to say that it’s a huge winner from the Enriched Rounds nerf, as it substantially broadens the set of tools they can play with. Mortarion looks way more appealing when he doesn’t have to worry about both getting instagibbed by Skitarii Vanguard and dodging Ironstrider lascannons, and he remains a very nasty brawler for opponents to try and deal with in a wide variety of matchups. THis list makes sure to capitalise on the pressure he represents by packing two additional units that are both durable and happy to push up the table. A full Blightlord brick is extremely tough to deal with, and a great combo with Relaptic Assault and Stench Vats backup as ever, but this list also squeezes in some tertiary pressure from a 10-model Plague Marine unit. These perhaps aren’t as exciting as any of the other units, but provide some durable ObSec models to throw into the mid-table, which can help if the opponent just tries to drown Mortarion in bodies on an objective. Relaptic Assault is also particularly good when it’s being used on a unit that can steal objectives, and in general it feels like a very restrained choice – buying Mortarion always leaves you a little thinner on the ground, and a full squad of Plague Marines rather than something else flashier is a sensible way to work around that. It also gives you another good obstacle to throw between the opponent and the Blightlords if you want to use Cloud of Flies to protect them.

This list can pull off a multi-pronged attack, and has a good angle on the Primary objective, really helping it push up its consistency. It’s also a good option if you’re struggling to get hold of Volkite Contemptors, because they’re pretty tough to come by right now! The army racked up an good clutch of wins against Drukhari on the way to the top, and it’s great to see Death Guard continue taking down events, congratulations Michael.

Joe Guzowski – Necrons – 2nd ✪ Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Necrons) [27 PL, 540pts, 11CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: <Custom>

+ HQ +

Overlord [6 PL, 110pts]: Relic: Voidreaper, Voidscythe, Warlord, Warlord Trait (Codex 2): Eternal Madness

Plasmancer [5 PL, 90pts, -1CP]: Arkana: Quantum Orb, Dynastic Heirlooms, Relic: Veil of Darkness

+ Troops +

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

+ Elites +

Cryptothralls [2 PL, 40pts]
. 2x Cryptothrall: 2x Scouring Eye, 2x Scythed Limbs

++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [78 PL, 1,450pts, -5CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: <Custom>

+ HQ +

Skorpekh Lord [7 PL, 130pts, -2CP]: Dynastic Heirlooms, Rarefied Nobility, Relic: Gauntlet of the Conflagrator, Warlord Trait (Codex 1): Enduring Will

+ Elites +

C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer [19 PL, 370pts]: Power of the C’tan: Antimatter Meteor

Canoptek Plasmacyte [1 PL, 15pts]

Skorpekh Destroyers [10 PL, 210pts]
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers

+ Heavy Support +

Lokhust Destroyers [15 PL, 250pts]
. 5x Lokhust Destroyer: 5x Gauss Cannon

++ Total: [105 PL, 1,990pts, 6CP] ++

The Standout Features

Eternal Expansionsts with some real teeth from a bunch of Destroyers and the Nightbringer.
Good tools to crack open a battle pile between the Quantum Orb and C’tan powers.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

This list rules, and it’s nice to see Necrons making it through an event undefeated. The ironclad requirement to use Eternal Expansionsists still holds true, but this list goes a different route with it than most, investing heavily in Destroyers and a C’tan. That leaves it for more fragile than the standard, but means that unlike most builds using this dynastic code it can actually throw some pretty brutal punches, giving it a substantial advantage in certain matchups. Specifically, the risk you run with the normal variants of the list are either running into a durable ObSec block that Wraiths and Warriors can’t engage in melee, or some sort of ideally tuned shooting unit that can blow the list off the table too quickly for it to rack up a Primary lead.

Both flavours of Destroyers contribute to fixing that. With plasmocytes and a Lord to buff them up, full Skorpekh squads can slam into a pretty wide range of tarpits and expect to deal some severe damage, and if the army runs into a threat so nasty that they can’t, the Nightbringer can go in first to soften things up and be confident of not dying in a single swing. The list also has tools that discourage the opponent from clumping up in sufficient numbers to resist a Skorpekh charge, with the hilarious and unique choice of the Quantum Orb being a real pain for Marines, Sisters and Death Guard to work around (especially with the Nightbringer and Plasmancer racking up more Mortals). In terms of pressure, the list does still pack one big unit of Warriors to potentially overwhelm opponents that don’t have the volume to deal with them – it’s clearly not the plan A, since it doesn’t bring a Chronomancer, but sometimes the Warriors alone are enough, and the opponent still has to kill them at some point.

The other unusual tool here are the large units of Lokhust Destroyers, giving the list a way to reach out and deal with opposing ranged threats. These can use the pre-game move to either hide themselves in inclement matchups or lash out and pick off something valuable with Extermination Protocols. S6 with full wound re-rolls is pretty good at taking down most AdMech toys, equally happy smoking Ironstriders or Ruststalkers. While pretty fragile for their price, they are ultimately still more ObSec wounds in the list as well, and they can flex to playing the Primary when needed, or while waiting for a prime target to reveal itself. Necrons are very hard up for good shooting, so you have to find it where you can, and with the benefits that are layered here these are just about OK, if you squint.

The bane of this list is going to be stuff that can reach round terrain and take it off the board, and I’d be extremely worried about running it into the new Freebooterz lists, but against more “normal” builds it’s got some strong game. I imagine it’s extremely nerve-wracking to play, because any mistake is going to cost you big, but Joe was able to pilot it to an impressive undefeated finish, so huge props there!

TJ Lanigan – Nurgle – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Daemons) [66 PL, 11CP, 1,303pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Chaos Allegiance: Nurgle

+ HQ +

Epidemius [6 PL, 105pts]

Great Unclean One [14 PL, -1CP, 270pts]: Bilesword, Effluvior, Miasma of Pestilence, Plague flail, Plaguefly Hive, Virulent Blessing, Warlord
. Exalted Great Unclean One: 2. Revoltingly Resilient

Poxbringer [4 PL, 75pts]: Fleshy Abundance

+ Troops +

Nurglings [3 PL, 66pts]
. 3x Nurgling Swarms: 3x Diseased claws and teeth

+ Elites +

Beasts of Nurgle [18 PL, 315pts]
. 9x Beast of Nurgle: 9x Putrid appendages

+ Fast Attack +

Plague Drones [15 PL, 340pts]: Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos, Plaguebringer
. 8x Plague Drone: 8x Death’s heads, 8x Plaguesword
. . 8x Rot Fly: 8x Prehensile Proboscis

++ Spearhead Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Death Guard) [36 PL, -3CP, 690pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Plague Company: The Poxmongers

+ HQ +

Malignant Plaguecaster [5 PL, 95pts]: 3. Plague Wind, 5. Curse of the Leper

+ Elites +

Tallyman [4 PL, 70pts]

+ Heavy Support +

Plagueburst Crawler [9 PL, 175pts]: 2x Entropy cannon, Heavy slugger

++ Total: [102 PL, 8CP, 1,993pts] ++

The Standout Features

TJ’s Nurgle build returns for another podium finish.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Another returning top finisher here, which we talked about in full a few weeks back. The addition of an extra-mobile second tarpit (in the form of the Plague Drones) clearly continues to pay off for TJ.

Fletcher Stevenson – Dark Angels – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels) [55 PL, 1,295pts, 11CP] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Dark Angels

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Ravenwing Outrider Detachment [3CP]

+ HQ +

Lieutenant(s) [8 PL, 175pts, -1CP]
. Ravenwing Talonmaster: 4-6. Master of Manoeuvre, Arbiter’s Gaze, Power sword, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Twin assault cannon, Twin heavy bolter

Sammael [8 PL, 150pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Master-crafted plasma cannon, Raven Sword, Twin storm bolter

+ Elites +

Ravenwing Apothecary [6 PL, 135pts]: Bolt pistol, Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary, Frag & Krak grenades, Selfless Healer, Warlord
. Black Knight Bike: Plasma Talon

+ Fast Attack +

Bike Squad [7 PL, 180pts]
. Attack Bike: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta, Twin boltgun
. Biker Sergeant: Combi-melta, Frag & Krak grenades, Twin boltgun
. Space Marine Biker w/Special Weapon: Frag & Krak grenades, Meltagun, Twin boltgun
. Space Marine Biker w/Special Weapon: Frag & Krak grenades, Meltagun, Twin boltgun

Bike Squad [7 PL, 175pts]
. Attack Bike: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta, Twin boltgun
. Biker Sergeant: Frag & Krak grenades, Storm bolter, Twin boltgun
. Space Marine Biker w/Special Weapon: Frag & Krak grenades, Meltagun, Twin boltgun
. Space Marine Biker w/Special Weapon: Frag & Krak grenades, Meltagun, Twin boltgun

Outrider Squad [6 PL, 150pts]
. 2x Outrider: 2x Astartes Chainsword, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, 2x Heavy Bolt Pistol, 2x Twin Bolt rifle
. Outrider Sgt: Astartes Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades, Heavy Bolt Pistol, Twin Bolt rifle

++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels) [30 PL, 705pts, -5CP] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Dark Angels

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Relics of the Chapter [-1CP]: Number of Extra Relics

+ HQ +

Lieutenant(s) [6 PL, 95pts, -1CP]
. Deathwing Strikemaster: 1-3. Watched, Lightning Claw (Pair), Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter

+ Elites +

Ravenwing Champion [4 PL, 70pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Master-crafted power sword, Reliquary of the Repentant
. Black Knight Bike: Plasma Talon

+ Fast Attack +

Attack Bike Squad [4 PL, 120pts]
. Attack Bike: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta, Twin boltgun
. Attack Bike: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, Multi-melta, Twin boltgun

Land Speeder Tornadoes [8 PL, 180pts]
. Land Speeder Tornado: Assault cannon, Multi-melta
. Land Speeder Tornado: Assault cannon, Multi-melta

++ Total: [85 PL, 6CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

Ravenwing bring a powerful mix of Primary pressure and killing power to bear.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

OK technically this isn’t quite a pure Ravenwing list, as a lone Deathwing Strikemaster sneaks in (presumably to either drop in for emergency re-rolls in one part of the list or lurk with the Attack Bikes till Watched is needed) but the tools of the second company are what makes it work. You wouldn’t run these Biker units anywhere else, but in Ravenwing they look incredible – they’re extra durable, naturally ObSec, and get great mobile force multiplcation support from the characters. Having a single Attack bike in each makes the Apothecary even more absurd than he normally is, because they can soak up multiple D3 shots then get Combat Revivaled straight back into the fray. Two meltas and the Attack Bike multi-melta in each unit also mean that once in range these represent the same amount of melta killing power as the Attack Bike units do, meaning that Samael doesn’t have to hang back with those to get maximum value. In fact, the whole character circus except the Strikemaster are tuned for flying with the main force, making the rolling deathball up front here hyper potent.

That’s good for Ravenwing, because as ever what they want to do is go fast and kill things, which this list excels at. Like some of the others we’ve seen it is slightly prone to getting swept off the table if the opponent gets the drop on it, but it’s so quick that it can force engagements on its terms. It’s also substantially better at playing the Primary than the average Ravenwing build, but achieves that without sacrificing as much killing power as you’d think thanks to how the Biker units are built. It’s a clever choice that helps the list stand out, and it’s always incredibly cool to see players like Fletcher showing off what the Ravenwing can do.

The Rest of the Best

Three more players finished the event with 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Erik Hnida – Adeptus Mechanicus: General Mars goodstuff with a big unit of Ruststalkers to detonate stuff in melee.
6th ✪ – John Williams – Drukhari: Double Trueborn goodstuff.
7th – Matthew O’Hara – Adepta Sororitas: The Order of Our Matryred Lady get a runaround here, with lots of MSUs to maximise the utility of Death Before Disgrace. Since that works on Characters, bringing a Repentia Superior with the Helm of the Fiery Heart (for a phase of a 2+ invulnerable save) is a cool way to deploy an ObSec trump card when it matters.

The Saltier Classic GT

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

Ruben I Fernandez – Drukhari – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [26 PL, -1CP, 495pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder (Restricted)

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ HQ +

Succubus [4 PL, 75pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Precision Blows, The Triptych Whip, Warlord
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive
. Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Wyches [6 PL, -1CP, 115pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Agoniser, Morvaines’s Agoniser, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Hekatrix of the Crucibael
. 8x Wych: 8x Hekatarii Blade, 8x Plasma Grenades, 8x Splinter Pistol
. Wych w/ Shardnet and Impaler: Shardnet and Impaler

Wyches [6 PL, 110pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 8x Wych: 8x Hekatarii Blade, 8x Plasma Grenades, 8x Splinter Pistol
. Wych w/ Shardnet and Impaler: Shardnet and Impaler

+ Fast Attack +

Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [50 PL, -1CP, 835pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ HQ +

Archon [4 PL, -1CP, 65pts]: Ancient Evil, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, Venom Blade

+ Troops +

Wyches [6 PL, 100pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 9x Wych: 9x Hekatarii Blade, 9x Plasma Grenades, 9x Splinter Pistol

Wyches [6 PL, 80pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 7x Wych: 7x Hekatarii Blade, 7x Plasma Grenades, 7x Splinter Pistol

Wyches [3 PL, 50pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol

+ Fast Attack +

Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods

Reavers [3 PL, 75pts]: 6 – Splintermind (Combat Drug)
. Arena Champion: Agoniser, Heat Lance
. 2x Reaver: 2x Bladevanes, 2x Splinter Pistol, 2x Splinter Rifle

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Wych Cult

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [38 PL, 10CP, 670pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ Stratagems +

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

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: Hatred Eternal, Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius

+ Troops +

Wyches [3 PL, 50pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol

+ Fast Attack +

Reavers [3 PL, 75pts]: 6 – Splintermind (Combat Drug)
. Arena Champion: Agoniser, Heat Lance
. 2x Reaver: 2x Bladevanes, 2x Splinter Pistol, 2x Splinter Rifle

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Wych Cult

++ Total: [114 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

Wych board control with a bunch of transports provides an exceptional counter to enemy melee lists.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

This is a decidedly different way to take Drukhari, but no less potent for it, and exceptional into melee matchups. Thanks to the Cult of Strife Obsession, this list is operating on pretty much army-wide Fight First, and any of the large units of Wyches are more than capable of slicing through serious targets when they activate Art of the Kill. Since they’re all ObSec as well, that makes taking back control of Primary scoring if this list gets a foothold absurdly diffcult. Thanks to packing a Raider for every infantry model in the list, it’s also very durable until it makes the decision to strike, meaning that it can stage with a cautious push on the first turn, then just gradually feed adequate numbers of ObSec melee bodies out from its forward Raider base to ensure it both goes the distance and locks down scoring. Every time the opponent tries to fight back against that with melee they’re going to lose stuff to profitable trades, and if they try and push hard towards the staging positions then the murder characters and Hellions can swing in for a brutal counterattack.

Playing against this army is going to leave opponents on a constant knife edge, and on the day none of them were able to naviagate the challenges it presented, letting Ruben take a well deserved win with an unusual army. Always nice to see different builds being explored even from the top books!

Marc Parker – Drukhari – 2nd ✪ Place

Scourges with shardcarbines. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [80 PL, 1,365pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, 90pts]: Blast Pistol, Hatred Eternal, Huskblade, Overlord, The Djin Blade, Warlord
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius

Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]

+ Troops +

Kabalite Trueborn [8 PL, 140pts]
. 6x Kabalite Trueborn: 6x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Heavy Weapon: Dark Lance
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Trueborn Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Rifle

Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 40pts]
. 4x Kabalite Warrior: 4x Splinter Rifle
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Klaive

+ Fast Attack +

Scourges [5 PL, 60pts]
. 4x Scourge w/ shardcarbine: 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Shardcarbine
. Solarite: Shardcarbine

+ Heavy Support +

Ravager [8 PL, 145pts]: 3x Dark Lance, Phantasm Grenade Launcher

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 105pts]: Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies, Kabal, Phantasm Grenade Launcher

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [31 PL, 635pts, 8CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder

+ Stratagems +

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

+ HQ +

Succubus [4 PL, 75pts, -1CP]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Competitive Edge, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive
. Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Wyches [6 PL, 115pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Pistol
. 8x Wych: 8x Hekatarii Blade, 8x Plasma Grenades, 8x Splinter Pistol
. Wych w/ Shardnet and Impaler: Shardnet and Impaler

Wyches [3 PL, 55pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol

+ Elites +

Incubi [8 PL, 160pts]
. 9x Incubi: 9x Klaive
. Klaivex: Klaive

+ Fast Attack +

Hellions [7 PL, 175pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive, Phantasm Grenade Launcher
. 9x Hellion: 9x Hellglaive, 9x Splinter Pods

++ Total: [111 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

Drukhari goodstuff with some extra melee punch.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Mostly just a Drukhari goodstuff build, but it’s worth noting that in line with what seems to be the general trend it’s got some slightly crunchier tools for fighting for board control, here taking the form of a full Incubi unit and a 10-model Hellion squad. Business as usual beyond that, and only Ruben was able to put a stop to Marc’s rampage to the top table.

Cannon Biggs – Adeptus Mechanicus – 3rd Place

Serberys Sulphurhounds. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus) [32 PL, 689pts, -3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Army of Renown – Skitarii Veteran Cohort

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Forge World Choice: Forge World: Mars

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Archeotech Specialist [-1CP]: Archeotech Specialist

+ HQ +

Skitarii Marshal [3 PL, 45pts]: Relic: Exemplar’s Eternity

+ Troops +

Skitarii Vanguards [2 PL, 50pts]
. 4x Skitarii Vanguard: 4x Radium Carbine
. Vanguard Alpha: Radium Carbine

+ Elites +

Sicarian Infiltrators [8 PL, 170pts]
. Infiltrator Princeps (Flechette/Taser): Artefactotum, Relic: Temporcopia
. 9x Sicarian Infiltrator (Flechette/Taser): 9x Flechette Blaster, 9x Taser Goad

Sicarian Infiltrators [4 PL, 85pts]
. Infiltrator Princeps (Flechette/Taser)
. 4x Sicarian Infiltrator (Flechette/Taser): 4x Flechette Blaster, 4x Taser Goad

+ Fast Attack +

Serberys Raiders [6 PL, 149pts]: Enhanced Data-Tether, Serberys Raider Alpha
. 8x Serberys Raider: 8x Cavalry Sabre, 8x Clawed Limbs, 8x Galvanic Carbine

Serberys Sulphurhounds [9 PL, 190pts]
. 8x Serberys Sulphurhound (Pistols): 8x Clawed Limbs, 16x Phosphor Pistol, 8x Sulphur breath
. Serberys Sulphurhound Alpha: Arc Maul, Phosphor Blast Pistol

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus) [66 PL, 1,311pts, 11CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Army of Renown – Skitarii Veteran Cohort

Forge World Choice: Forge World: Mars

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Artefactotum [-1CP]: Artefactotum

+ HQ +

Skitarii Marshal [3 PL, 45pts]: Relic (Skitarii Veteran Cohort): Cantic Thrallnet, Warlord, Warlord Trait (Skitarii Veteran Cohort): Calculate Without Diversion

Tech-Priest Enginseer [4 PL, 80pts]: Artisans

+ Troops +

Skitarii Vanguards [2 PL, 50pts]
. 4x Skitarii Vanguard: 4x Radium Carbine
. Vanguard Alpha: Radium Carbine

+ Elites +

Sicarian Ruststalkers [8 PL, 170pts]
. Ruststalker Princeps (Blades)
. 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Blades): 9x Transonic Blades

+ Fast Attack +

Ironstrider Ballistarii [12 PL, 225pts]
. Ironstrider Ballistarius: Twin Cognis Lascannon
. Ironstrider Ballistarius: Twin Cognis Lascannon
. Ironstrider Ballistarius: Twin Cognis Lascannon

Pteraxii Sterylizors [8 PL, 171pts]: Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha
. 8x Pteraxii Sterylizor: 8x Phosphor torch, 8x Pteraxii Talons

Serberys Raiders [4 PL, 85pts]: Enhanced Data-Tether, Serberys Raider Alpha
. 4x Serberys Raider: 4x Cavalry Sabre, 4x Clawed Limbs, 4x Galvanic Carbine

+ Heavy Support +

Skorpius Disintegrator [8 PL, 145pts]: Belleros Energy Cannon

+ Dedicated Transport +

Skorpius Dunerider [5 PL, 95pts]

++ Total: [98 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

A Veteran Cohort list that brings a full swiss army knife of close-range tools.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Veteran Cohort gives AdMech lots of ways to amp up their close-ranged killing power, and also gives them even more Command Phase tools they can use to soup up units of their choice, most notably the Cantic Thrallnet. This lets you tune your units for a wide variety of different situations, and this list aims to maximise the value of that by bringing a big unit each of almost every flavour of short-ranged Skitarii. That means that whatever the situation it finds itself in, there’s probably some combination of buffs it can throw onto one of the units here to make them the ideal tool for the job, then zoom them into battle with Expedited Purge Protocol.

It also makes especially good use of Binharic Offence thanks to having both a large Pteraxii unit and the rarer choice of some Sulphurhounds. Dumping 18d6 extra-powerful flamer shots with +1 to wound onto a target is…well it sure is something. Not a very pleasant thing, but probably quite fun to do, especially as other units can still be pulling off Wrath of Mars shenanigans at the same time. Lots of flamer shots on a durable forward unit is also good against other close-ranged builds, as it makes charges pretty dicey. It’s a neat unit choice to see out in the wild, and definitely potent in a tag team with the Pteraxii (especially as they can just Booster Thrust away cackling, leaving the tougher Serberys to take the counter-strike), and helps Cannon’s list stand out a bit from the AdMech crowd.

Benjamin Cromer – Thousand Sons – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Thousand Sons) [87 PL, 9CP, 11 Cabal Points, 1,659pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Cults of the Legion: Cult of Time

Detachment Command Cost

+ Stratagems +

Sorcerous Arcana [-2CP]: 2x Additional Relics

+ HQ +

Ahriman [10 PL, 3 Cabal Points, 180pts]: 11. Gaze of Hate, 11. Tzeentch’s Firestorm, 13. Dark Blessing, Black Staff of Ahriman, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Smite
. . Disc of Tzeentch: Disc blades

Infernal Master [5 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 90pts]: 1. Bladed Maelstrom, 21. Temporal Manipulation, 5. Glimpse of Eternity, Force stave, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Umbralefic Crystal

Thousand Sons Daemon Prince [10 PL, 3 Cabal Points, 185pts]: 13. Doombolt, 22. Swelled by the Warp, 3. Undying Form, Hellforged sword, Hourglass of Manat, Malefic talon, Smite, Warlord, Wings

+ Troops +

Rubric Marines [6 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 123pts]
. . Aspiring Sorcerer: 12. Glamour of Tzeentch, Force stave, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Smite
. . Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: Inferno boltgun
. . 3x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 3x Warpflamer

Tzaangors [4 PL, 70pts]
. . Twistbray: Tzaangor blades
. . 9x Tzaangor w/ Tzaangor blades: 9x Tzaangor blades

+ Elites +

Chaos Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -1CP, 175pts]: Hellforged cyclone missile launcher, 2x Twin volkite culverin

Helbrute [7 PL, 120pts]: Multi-melta, Power scourge

Scarab Occult Terminators [10 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 205pts]
. . Scarab Occult Sorcerer: 21. Presage, Force stave, Inferno combi-bolter, Smite
. . 3x Terminator: 3x Inferno combi-bolter, 3x Prosperine khopesh
. . Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Prosperine khopesh, Soulreaper cannon

+ Fast Attack +

Chaos Spawn [1 PL, 23pts]
. . Chaos Spawn: Hideous mutations

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Chaos – Thousand Sons) [18 PL, -3CP, 6 Cabal Points, 340pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Cults of the Legion: Cult of Mutation

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

+ HQ +

Exalted Sorcerer [8 PL, -1CP, 3 Cabal Points, 155pts]: 1. Arrogance of Aeons, 23. Baleful Devolution, 23. Temporal Surge, Egleighen’s Orrery, Force stave, Frag & Krak grenades, High Acolytes, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Prosperine khopesh, Rehani, Smite
. . Disc of Tzeentch: Disc blades

+ Troops +

Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 115pts]: Icon of Flame
. . Aspiring Sorcerer: 12. Glamour of Tzeentch, Force stave, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Smite
. . 4x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 4x Inferno boltgun

+ Elites +

Tzaangor Shaman [4 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 70pts]: 22. Weaver of Fates, Force stave, Smite
. . Disc of Tzeentch: Disc blades

The Standout Features

Even more overwhelming psychic firepower on show in our second Thousand Sons list of the week.
MSU Scarabs show that they’re one of the units to watch.
Helbrutes with an invulnerable save and cheap ObSec troops show off some of the Tsons other strengths.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Definitely nice to see multiple lists each from Thousand Sons and Grey Knights this weekend, and our second build from the servants ot Tzeentch uses some tools in common with the first, but introduces some twists of its own. In terms of commonalities, MSU Scarab Occults, Infernal Masters, Ahriman and jacked up Daemon Princes with Undying Form are clearly our early winners, with Rubrics in moderation also being a feature of both (here with one unit loaded with Warpflamers, perhaps setting up to go into a Webway Ambush).

This build goes a bit lighter on Rubrics and Scarabs to free up points for some other tools, however. First up – Tzaangors. They’re not flashy, but they’re reasonably cheap, ObSec models with T4 and an invuln, and that’s a fine complement to the very elite units that make up the rest of the Thousand Sons roster. It provides the list with more bodies, and more things to throw into the opponent’s path as the extreme psychic firepower it brings to bear does its work. Having a bit more ground coverage is important, as this list doesn’t use the Cult of Duplicity and thus has a bit less mobility on the board once committed. It trades that for access to both the Cult of Time power (great for resurrecting Scarabs and making your opponent extremely sad) and the Cult of Mutation, which provides a very hard to dodge and very effective mobility debuff.

It’s also got a little more roving firepower thanks to packing some Helbrutes. Slapping a 5+ invulnerable save on basic scorge/melta Helbrutes honestly makes them look like a fantastic deal, cheap and cheerful threats that have a great chance of trading up over the course of most games, and are also the right flavour of “tough but expendable” to push forward when you can’t quite afford the opponent getting the first swing at your Scarabs. The list has still got the one VolCon as well, and that’s obviously excellent, but the Helbrutes being very strong in melee as well as having a bit of ranged punch is very valuable to the army. Finally, in a faction that relies on powerful characters to do some of its heavy lifting, having VEHICLES roving around mid-board can be clutch in a pinch, because they give you a safer place to set up with LoSir protection.

Modern science once again baffled that “a 5++, for free” takes a unit from OK to pretty great. How does this keep happening?

I like this build a lot – while it lacks the sheer elegance of the setup from yesterday, I feel like it has fewer fail cases where it hits a bad matchup and gets swept off the board – the flexibility of the Helbrutes and the additional bodies of the Tzaangors makes it a bit more adaptable, and over the course of lots of games, that could put it out ahead. I guess we’ll find out over the next few months – for now, I suspect Tzeentch is pleased at the work Benjamin has done here.

The Rest of the Best

All players on a 4-1 or better record were in the top four.

Kent Wargames GT

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

Nassim Fouchaine – Iron Hands Successors – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Iron Hands) [48 PL, 12CP, 810pts] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Born Heroes , Custom Chapter, Iron Hands Successor, Whirlwind of Rage

+ HQ +

Lieutenants [5 PL, 90pts]
. Primaris Lieutenant: Rites of War, The Vox Espiritum, Warlord
. . Neo-volkite pistol, Master-crafter power sword and Storm Shield: Neo-volkite pistol

+ Troops +

Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 120pts]
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant

+ Elites +

Company Veterans [8 PL, 75pts]
. Company Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Storm shield
. Company Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Storm shield
. Company Veteran Sergeant: Lightning Claw, Storm shield

Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 180pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon

+ Heavy Support +

Devastator Squad [8 PL, 145pts]: Armorium Cherub
. Devastator Marine Sergeant: 2x Astartes Chainsword
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon

Eliminator Squad [5 PL, 75pts]: Bolt sniper rifle
. Eliminator Sergeant: Instigator Bolt Carbine
. 2x Eliminators: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Camo cloak, 2x Frag & Krak grenades

+ Dedicated Transport +

Drop Pod [4 PL, 70pts]: Storm bolter

Land Speeder Storm [3 PL, 55pts]

++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Iron Hands) [66 PL, -7CP, 1,190pts] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Born Heroes , Custom Chapter, Iron Hands Successor, Whirlwind of Rage

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ HQ +

Techmarine [4 PL, -1CP, 70pts]: Boltgun, Omnissian power axe, Servo-arm, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Target Protocols

+ Elites +

Company Veterans [8 PL, 75pts]
. Company Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Storm shield
. Company Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Storm shield
. Company Veteran Sergeant: Lightning Claw, Storm shield

Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 180pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Onslaught Gatling Cannon

Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -3CP, 175pts]: Cyclone missile launcher, Merciless Logic, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: March of the Ancients, 2x Twin volkite culverin

Vanguard Veteran Squad [7 PL, 125pts]: Jump Pack
. Vanguard Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Lightning Claw
. Vanguard Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Lightning Claw
. Vanguard Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Lightning Claw
. Vanguard Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Lightning Claw
. Vanguard Veteran Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Lightning Claw

Vanguard Veteran Squad [7 PL, 145pts]: Jump Pack
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Lightning Claw

+ Heavy Support +

Devastator Squad [8 PL, 145pts]: Armorium Cherub
. Devastator Marine Sergeant: 2x Astartes Chainsword
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon

Eliminator Squad [5 PL, 75pts]: Bolt sniper rifle
. Eliminator Sergeant: Instigator Bolt Carbine
. 2x Eliminators: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Camo cloak, 2x Frag & Krak grenades

+ Dedicated Transport +

Land Speeder Storm [3 PL, 55pts]

++ Total: [114 PL, 5CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

Nassim’s board control Iron Hands Successors pull off another victory.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Fully recovered from the removal of the load-bearing Assault Marines (a crime for which he was banished to merely 7th place at a major last week), Nassim is back on top with the new iteration of his Iron Hands Successor list. It still controls the board hyper effectively, it still excels at Secondaries (with bulked up Company Veterans and a second Land Speeder Storm ensuring its all over the table at all times) and it still has enough damage both up close and at range to get the job done when needed. Massive congratulations to Nassim on his continued run of strong finishes, and honestly at this point I’ve looked at this list enough that I’m hoping to get a crack at it in the LGT invitational!

Euan Bedford-Cooper – Chaos – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Death Guard) [41 PL, 835pts, -3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Plague Company: The Harbingers

+ HQ +

Malignant Plaguecaster [5 PL, 95pts]: 1. Miasma of Pestilence, 5. Curse of the Leper

+ Troops +

Poxwalkers [5 PL, 90pts]
. 18x Poxwalker: 18x Improvised weapon

Poxwalkers [5 PL, 100pts]
. 20x Poxwalker: 20x Improvised weapon

+ Elites +

Deathshroud Terminators [7 PL, 150pts]
. Deathshroud Champion: Plaguespurt gauntlet
. 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2x Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [36 PL, 700pts, 12CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Legion: Iron Warriors

+ HQ +

Lord Discordant on Helstalker [10 PL, 195pts]: Autocannon, Insidium, No Chaos Mark
. Helstalker: Techno-virus injector

Master of Possession [5 PL, 95pts]: Mark of Tzeentch, Warlord
Warlord trait isn’t listed, but I’d be astounded if it wasn’t meant to say Daemonsmith

+ Troops +

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 50pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

+ Elites +

Decimator [9 PL, 180pts]: No Chaos Mark, 2x Soulburner petard

++ Super-Heavy Auxiliary Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [23 PL, 465pts, -1CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Legion: Iron Warriors

Shared Faction Bonus [2CP]

+ Lord of War +

Khorne Lord of Skulls [23 PL, 465pts]: Hades gatling cannon, Ichor cannon

++ Total: [100 PL, 2,000pts, 8CP] ++

The Standout Features

An ominous wall of Deathshrouds and Poxwalkers protects Decimators and a Lord of Skulls

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

This build is very neat – Iron Warrors Decimators are nasty and as we’ve seen they can do some pretty spectacular things when it comes to buffing up a Lord of Skulls. The challenge for making that work as an army is that the Chaos Space Marine roster is pretty dire at providing cost effective tools for screening them out. You can go down the road of just adding more Lords of Skulls, of course, but that leaves you with a very skewed build that’s screwed if it hits counters, and can’t really play lots of Secondaries. What’s a loyal servant of the dark gods to do?

Call upon the wider forces of the Chaos coalition of course! A two-layer setup of expendable Poxwalkers and ultra-crunchy Deathshrouds is a very commonly seen setup in successful Death Guard lists protecting Plaguebursts and VolCons, so they’re an extremely natural fit here. The Poxwalkers give you a screen that’s actually worth the price, and that can also do some real damage thanks to the Wrathful Dead/Mutant Strain combo that Harbingers unlocks, while Deathshrouds are flexible, durable all-rounders that can fill whatever role you need mid-table as needed, or switch to carrying out Actions when required.

Add to that the exceptional attrition damage that the various Daemon engines are going to be kicking out and you’re in business – depending on the matchup, this list can either throw a massive early punch with the Lord of Skulls and Disco, leaving the opponent sufficiently mauled that they can’t crack through the Deathshrouds and get withered to death over time or hold the big punch in reserve while the enemy gets softened up as they deal with the Death Guard toys then steam in once they’re out of answers to a jumbo Daemon Engine. Being able to adapt to multiple plans gives this list the edge over more all-in strategies, and it’s a cool mashup of two list halves into an extremely effective whole. Great out-of-the-box thinking from Euan.

David McGeever – Grey Knights – 3rd Place

Grey Knights vs Tyranids
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Grey Knights) [74 PL, 1,245pts, 11CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Brotherhood: Rapiers

+ HQ +

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight [13 PL, 235pts, -1CP]: 2: Empyric Amplification, 3: Unyielding Anvil, 4: First to the Fray, 4: Vortex of Doom, Brotherhood Psyker Power, Dreadfist, Exemplar of the Silver Host, Foretelling of Locus, Gatling Psilencer, Grand Master Chapter, Heavy Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword, Sigil of Exigence, Warlord

Lord Kaldor Draigo [10 PL, 180pts]: 1: Gate of Infinity, 3: Sanctuary, 5: Warp Shaping, Frag & Krak grenades, Master-crafted storm bolter, Psyk-out Grenade, The Titansword

+ Troops +

Strike Squad [7 PL, 110pts]: Brotherhood Psyker Power, Frag & Krak grenades, Psyk-out Grenade
. 4x Grey Knight (Sword): 4x Nemesis Force Sword, 4x Storm Bolter
. Grey Knight Justicar: Storm Bolter
. . Nemesis Force Sword: Nemesis Force Sword

+ Elites +

Servitors [2 PL, 30pts]: 4x Servitor

+ Fast Attack +

Interceptor Squad [7 PL, 120pts]: Brotherhood Psyker Power, Frag & Krak grenades, Psyk-out Grenade
. 4x Interceptor (Sword): 4x Nemesis Force Sword, 4x Storm Bolter
. Interceptor Justicar: Frag & Krak grenades, Psyk-out Grenade, Storm Bolter
. . Nemesis Force Sword: Nemesis Force Sword

++ Spearhead Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Grey Knights) [39 PL, 755pts, -3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Brotherhood: Swordbearers

Detachment Bonuses

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ HQ +

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight [12 PL, 225pts]: 2: Empyric Amplification, 4: Vortex of Doom, Brotherhood Psyker Power, Dreadfist, Gatling Psilencer, Grand Master Chapter, Heavy Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword, Servant of the Throne

+ Heavy Support +

Nemesis Dreadknight [9 PL, 175pts]: Dreadfist, Gatling Psilencer, Heavy Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword

Nemesis Dreadknight [9 PL, 180pts]: Dreadfist, Dreadknight teleporter, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword

++ Total: [113 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

The Dreadknight fiesta kicks off in full.
Rapiers a clear winner as the brotherhood for MSUs because of just how much they can boost a unit at any moment.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Yup, this is what we’re doing. Dreadknights, Characters and efficient power armour MSUs looked to be the big winners in the Grey Knight codex, and this brings them all together into a potent list that has a bunch of angles of attack. The most obvious is that there’s damn near 1000pts worth of giant, sword-armed robots ready to teleport/lumber into the fray, laying down some impressive firepower, obliterating key targets thanks to buffs from the Swordbearers and Empyric Amplification, and (in several cases) flumoxing the opponent with sudden teleportation or spikes up to a 3+ invulnerable save. Oh, and as long as they’re following around the warlord they’ve all got ObSec as well, which rules. Dreadknights aren’t indestructible, and their lack of damage reduction means they do need to be extremely wary of some threats, but they’re definitely priced to move now, and have the offensive capabilities to take out almost any target. I also like splitting the Sigil of Exigence and Servant of the Throne out between the two Grand Masters, as it means that both have options to call on if they find themselves staring down the barrel of a unit of Ironstriders. Foretelling of Locus, finally, gives the list some options to adapt its deployment on the fly, handy with such high-value targets that might not always be able to hide.

The extreme efficiency of Strikes and Interceptors also means that the rest of this list is considerably scarier than you might expect given how many points are plowed into the Dreadknights, and that’s particularly true thanks to all the Infantry coming from the Rapiers. Grey Knight units are pretty scary in melee just on their base rates, but any one of these seven units being able to put up +1A from Symphonic Strike and use Deadly Efficiency for some extra hits means they can punch massively above their weight, having a great chance of pulling off some Drukhari-style trade-ups. This is especially valuable for the Interceptors, who don’t have native access to Hammerhand to boost their prowess, and are also very hard for opponents to dodge thanks to their speed. Having lots of units on the board also means loads of Smite and a good angle on scoring Purifying Ritual while the Dreadknights are off kicking the enemy’s heads in.

Draigo rounds things out as a general-purpose killing machine and buff monster, and that’s kind of all there is to say here – this list isn’t massively surprising based on predictions coming out of the codex, but it’s clear that its got some genuine chops and I look forward to seeing how players like David iterate on it as they get more practice under their belts.

Denis Naberezhnykh – Necrons – 4th ✪ Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Necrons) [39 PL, 12CP, 729pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: <Custom>

+ No Force Org Slot +

Bound Creation [2 PL, 40pts]
. Cryptothralls
. . 2x Cryptothrall: 2x Scouring Eye, 2x Scythed Limbs

+ HQ +

Chronomancer [4 PL, 90pts]: Chronotendrils, Entropic Lance, Relic: Veil of Darkness, Warlord, Warlord Trait (BRB): Inspiring Leader (Aura)

+ Troops +

Immortals [4 PL, 85pts]: Gauss Blaster, 5x Immortal

+ Elites +

Flayed Ones [3 PL, 65pts]
. 5x Flayed One: 5x Flayer Claws

Lychguard [14 PL, 224pts]: 8x Lychguard
. Hyperphase Sword and Dispersion Shield: Dispersion Shield, Hyperphase Sword

+ Fast Attack +

Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 120pts]
. 8x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 8x Feeder Mandibles

Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 105pts]
. 7x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 7x Feeder Mandibles

++ Spearhead Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [69 PL, -3CP, 1,270pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Dynasty Choice: Dynasty: Szarekhan

+ No Force Org Slot +

Bound Creation [2 PL, 40pts]
. Cryptothralls
. . 2x Cryptothrall: 2x Scouring Eye, 2x Scythed Limbs

+ HQ +

Psychomancer [5 PL, 95pts]: Abyssal Lance, Arkana: Atavindicator

+ Elites +

C’tan Shard of the Deceiver [18 PL, 350pts]: Golden Fists, Power of the C’tan: Cosmic Insanity, Power of the C’tan: Sky of Falling Stars

+ Fast Attack +

Ophydian Destroyers [5 PL, 105pts]
. Ophydian Destroyer (Reap-Blade): Ophydian Claws, Two Hyperphase Reap-Blades
. 2x Ophydian Destroyer (Thresher): 2x Hyperphase Threshers, 2x Ophydian Claws

+ Heavy Support +

Doomsday Ark [10 PL, 170pts]: Doomsday Cannon, 2x Gauss Flayer Array

Tesseract Ark [9 PL, 170pts]: Tesseract Singularity Chamber
. Two Particle Beamers: 2x Particle Beamer

++ Total: [108 PL, 9CP, 1,999pts] ++

The Standout Features

Eternal Expansionists with another unique twist – pulling Doomsday Arks with the Deceiver.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Not a bad week for Necrons all things considered, with a third top four placing to round out our last event this week. Yes, it’s another Eternal Expansionists build, but it’s got another unique twist on the formula. We’ve seen builds using this Code go hard on hulls in the past, because clearing an ObSec Ark off an objective used to be no mean feat, but that’s largely gone away in the face of AdMech shooting as Arks are so gigantic that they’re nearly impossible to hide even on good boards. Taking a leaf out of the Poisoned Tongue’s book, this list avoids having to try – packing the Deceiver allows it to pull the three Doomsday Arks into Strategic Reserves if the rolloff goes south, while Expansionist lets them move to a good firing position and still unleash full power shots turn one if it wins.

Edit: apparently by brain was melted after writing up 40 lists and I missed that the arks here are Szerakhan. That makes them more powerful on the offence, and the Deceiver even more vital for positioning them even when going first. It does mean the rest of the list needs to put in lots of work to keep enemy obsec things away from them.

The stuff left on the board with the Doomsdays gone is way easier to hide, being primarily infantry, swarms or the much shorter Tesseract Ark, and that allows the list to minimise early damage it takes (presumably using ObSec Scarabs to lock up the early Primary) till it can get a punch in with the Doomsdays on turn two and start to push the opponent out of the game. It’s got great secondary support from a bunch of Cryptothralls, Ophydians and Flayed Ones, one major ObSec tarpit it can throw out in the form of the Lychguard, and not insignificant threat of the Deceiver himself. I’m very amused to see that the Inspiring Leader trait gets a runaround just to slightly boost the chances of Cosmic Insanity totally punking stuff, and C’tan powers plus the threat of Entropic Strike means that even one of the weaker C’tan still demands real respect.

The risk with Eternal Expansionists is always that you just run out of stuff, and I like the inventive route taken to deal with that here. This list can pretty much always get the first strike on its own terms, can contest the primary effectively in the early game with relatively minimal sacrifices, and has plenty of tricks up its sleeve to punish an opponent who tries to put the boot in. It’s innovative, it got all the way to the top table before falling to Nassim, and I’m a big fan. Great work from Denis

The Rest of the Best

One more player finished on 4-1. They were:

5th – Steve Scott – Necrons: Loads of reaper Warriors with the Silent King at their head, opting for Healthy Paranoia for extra range on their guns rather than the pre-game move (but still picking Eternal Conquerors for ObSec on supporting Scarabs and Lychguard).

Wrap Up

That’s it, we’re done for the week. No witty outro for you. You’ve had ten whole events. Comments, questions and suggestions to contact@goonhammer.com.

Competitive Innovations in 9th: Global Waaaagh pt.2

North and South GT

Liam Hogwood – Adepta Sororitas- 1st Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Mariusz Rybak – Iron Hands – 2nd Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

James Stewart – Adeptus Mechanicus – 3rd ✪ Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Shannen Butters – Drukhari – 4th Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Rest of the Best

FactoruM GT

Ben Jones – Drukhari – 1st Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Stephen Box – Adepta Sororitas – 2nd ✪ Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Wayne Envis – Adeptus Mechanicus – 3rd Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Ben Whittington – Space Wolves – 4th Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Rest of the Best

War on the Shore GT

Michael Fox – Death Guard – 1st Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Joe Guzowski – Necrons – 2nd ✪ Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

TJ Lanigan – Nurgle – 3rd Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Fletcher Stevenson – Dark Angels – 4th Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Rest of the Best

The Saltier Classic GT

Ruben I Fernandez – Drukhari – 1st Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Marc Parker – Drukhari – 2nd ✪ Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Cannon Biggs – Adeptus Mechanicus – 3rd Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Benjamin Cromer – Thousand Sons – 4th Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Rest of the Best

Kent Wargames GT

Nassim Fouchaine – Iron Hands Successors – 1st Place

The List

The Standout Features

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Euan Bedford-Cooper – Chaos – 2nd Place

The List