Major Mayhem continues, despite it disappointingly not being the month of May. Someone should get on that. Today we’ve got three more of aforesaid majors to take a look at, and two GTs – the Mother of all Battles GT as announced on Wednesday, and a bonus look at the Battlezone Ursa GT Showdown (which narrowly missed the 28-player cut) brought to us by Mike Pestilens.
That means in total, we’ll be looking at:
Today
- Hanseatic Allience Open (major)
- Fantasia Fanatic (major)
- Milan GT Final (major)
- Mother of all Battles GT
- (bonus) Battlezone Ursa GT
If you’re looking for any of the following events, go take a look at part 1 from Wednesday:
- Goonhammer Open Canada (major)
- London GT (supermajor)
- Michigan GT (major)
- Crucible 10 Championship (major)
- South Africa Nationals
There’s some especially spicy stuff on show today, so let’s dive right in.
Hanseatic Alliance Open
139-player, 8-round Major in Bremen, HB, Duitsland on October 01 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings. This event was using 20-0 scoring.
Matthias Bellmann – Chaos Daemons – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand == Chaos Undivided Battalion Detachment == 0 CP, 2000 pts, 96 PL HQ1: Bloodthirster: A’rgath, the King of Blades, Great axe of Khorne, Hellfire breath, Indomitable Onslaught, Relics of the Brass Citadel [350 pts, 18 PL, -1 CP] TR1: Bloodletters: 9xBloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos [130 pts, 6 PL] EL1: Beasts of Nurgle: Beast of Nurgle [80 pts, 4 PL] FA1: Hellflayer: Lashes of torment, Piercing claws, Seeker tongues [75 pts, 4 PL] HS1: Exalted Seeker Chariot: Exalted Seeker tongues, Lashes of torment, Piercing claws [85 pts, 5 PL]
HQ2: Changecaster: Gaze of Fate, Infernal Flames, Smite [80 pts, 4 PL]
HQ3: Lord of Change: Bolt of Change, Incorporeal Form, Infernal Flames, Infernal Gateway, Master Mutator, Relics of the Impossible Fortress, Smite, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, The Impossible Robe, Warlord [330 pts, 17 PL, -2 CP]
TR2: Bloodletters: 9xBloodletter, Bloodreaper, Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos [130 pts, 6 PL]
TR3: Blue Horrors: 10xBlue Horror (Coruscating flames) [70 pts, 3 PL]
TR4: Blue Horrors: 10xBlue Horror (Coruscating flames) [70 pts, 3 PL]
EL2: Exalted Flamer [75 pts, 4 PL]
EL3: Exalted Flamer [75 pts, 4 PL]
EL4: Flamers: 5xFlamer, Pyrocaster [150 pts, 6 PL]
EL5: Flamers: 5xFlamer, Pyrocaster [150 pts, 6 PL]
EL6: Flamers: 5xFlamer, Pyrocaster [150 pts, 6 PL]
Archetype
Big Daemons and Flamers
Final Round Matchup
20 – 0 Victory against David Roick – Orks.
Thoughts
This list definitely showcases some of the initial trends that are solidifying with Daemons – Bloodthirsters and Lords of Change are extremely good, and Flamers of Tzeentch are probably the best unit in the book. The super Bloodthirster (plus whatever Troops you’ve brought) provides an incredibly effective speed bump while the Lord racks up some massive psychic damage, and the gigantic threat that the horde of Flamers waiting in the warp represents means that opponents can’t safely push out onto the board to try and overwhelm you on scoring. The main new thing in this list compared to the others we’ve seen is the use of the Slaanesh chariots for some inexepensive board control, and that doesn’t surprise me – they’re very cheap for what they do, and pretty resilient to shooting, so are a great way to fill out an army in a book where the Troops probably are a bit pricier than they should be. Definitely feels like the internal balance of the Daemon book will need a look at some point, but it’s great to see people finding ways to win a major with them, congratulations Matthias!
Liam Vsl – Tzeentch – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand == Chaos tzeentch vanguard Detachment == -3 CP, 435 pts, 19 PL HQ1: Changecaster: Bolt of Change, Infernal Flames, Smite, Staff of change [85 pts, 4 PL] EL1: Flamers: 5xFlamer, Pyrocaster [150 pts, 6 PL] == Cult of Duplicity Battalion Detachment == 0 CP, 1565 pts, 81 PL, 18 Cabal Points HQ1: Ahriman: 11. Gaze of Hate, 11. Tzeentch’s Firestorm, 21. Presage, Disc of Tzeentch, Smite, Warlord [180 pts, 9 PL, 3 Cabal Points] TR1: Rubric Marines: Aspiring Sorcerer (33. CACODAEMONIC CURSE warpflame pistol, Smite), Icon of Flame, 4xRubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun [105 pts, 6 PL, 2 Cabal Points] EL1: Scarab Occult Terminators: 2xHellfyre missile rack, Scarab Occult Sorcerer (23. Temporal Surge, Inferno combi-bolter, Protégé, Smite), 7xTerminator, 2xTerminator w/ Heavy Weapon (Soulreaper cannon) [435 pts, 21 PL, 1 Cabal Points] FA1: Chaos Spawn: 5xChaos Spawn [115 pts, 5 PL] DT1: Chaos Rhino: Inferno combi-bolter [80 pts, 4 PL]
EL2: Flamers: 4xFlamer, Pyrocaster [125 pts, 6 PL]
EL3: Flamers: 2xFlamer, Pyrocaster [75 pts, 3 PL]
HQ2: Infernal Master: 12. Glamour of Tzeentch,Force stave, Smite, Stratagem: Relic, Umbralefic Crystal [90 pts, 5 PL, -1 CP, 2 Cabal Points]
TR2: Rubric Marines: Aspiring Sorcerer (22. Weaver of Fates, warpflame pistol , Smite), Icon of Flame, 4xRubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun [105 pts, 6 PL, 2 Cabal Points]
TR3: Rubric Marines: Aspiring Sorcerer (23. Temporal Surge warpflame pistol, Smite), Icon of Flame, 4xRubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun [105 pts, 6 PL, 2 Cabal Points]
TR4: Rubric Marines: Aspiring Sorcerer (13. Doombolt, warpflame pistol, Smite), Icon of Flame, 4xRubric Marine w/ warpflamer [117 pts, 6 PL, 2 Cabal Points]
TR5: Rubric Marines: Aspiring Sorcerer (13. Doombolt, warpflame pistol, Smite), Icon of Flame, 4xRubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun [105 pts, 6 PL, 2 Cabal Points]
TR6: Rubric Marines: Aspiring Sorcerer (33. Temporal Surge warpflame pistol Smite), Icon of Flame, 4xRubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun [105 pts, 6 PL, 2 Cabal Points]
FA2: Chaos Spawn: Chaos Spawn [23 pts, 1 PL]
Archetype
Cult of Duplicity with Flamers
Thoughts
See above re: Flamers of Tzeentch being the best unit in the Daemons book. Thousand Sons in Cult of Duplicity can already be a gigantic headache to play against, and having a full-blown inferno waiting in the warp to erase anything that tries to skulk round the sides only makes them nastier. They’re already one of the best armies at murdering stuff through grindy chip damage, the option to splash in Flamers only makes them better at that, and given how resilient Tzeentch Daemons are to shooting it arguably doesn’t even really open any weaknesses, other than maybe against fast melee armies with a lot of Overwatch suppression. Watch out for Howling Banshees, I guess. Early evidence is that the Thousand Sons/Daemons combo is the real deal (foreshadowing) so expect to see this as a real alternative to running down-the-line Duplicity.
Arne Zerndt – Harlequins – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand == Light: Blaze of Light Battalion Detachment == 0 CP, 1720 pts, 74 PL HQ1: Shadowseer: 1. Twilight Pathways (Blessing), 5. Shards of Light (Witchfire), Shuriken Pistol, Smite [100 pts, 5 PL] TR1: Troupe: Lead Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol) [95 pts, 4 PL] EL1: Death Jester: Rift Ghoul [90 pts, 4 PL] DT1: Starweaver [95 pts, 4 PL] == Light: Blaze of Light Patrol Detachment == -2 CP, 280 pts, 13 PL HQ1: Shadowseer: 2. Fog of Dreams (Blessing), 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), Shuriken Pistol, Smite [100 pts, 5 PL] TR1: Troupe: Lead Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol) [90 pts, 4 PL]
HQ2: Troupe Master: 3: A Foot in the Future, Cegorach’s Rose (Treasures of the Aeldari Relic), Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Player of the Light, Queen of Shards, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord [115 pts, 5 PL, -3 CP]
TR2: Troupe: Lead Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol) [95 pts, 4 PL]
TR3: Troupe: Lead Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol) [95 pts, 4 PL]
TR4: Troupe: Lead Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol) [95 pts, 4 PL]
TR5: Troupe: Lead Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol) [95 pts, 4 PL]
TR6: Troupe: Lead Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol) [90 pts, 4 PL]
EL2: Death Jester: Lord of Crystal Bones [90 pts, 4 PL]
DT2: Starweaver [95 pts, 4 PL]
DT3: Starweaver [95 pts, 4 PL]
DT4: Starweaver [95 pts, 4 PL]
DT5: Starweaver [95 pts, 4 PL]
DT6: Starweaver [95 pts, 4 PL]
DT7: Starweaver [95 pts, 4 PL]
DT8: Starweaver [95 pts, 4 PL]
TR2: Troupe: Lead Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace), Player (Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade), Player (Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol) [90 pts, 4 PL]
Archetype
Light Saedath Boats/Troupes/Characters
Thoughts
Yeahhh I’m almost as short of things to say about this one as I am about Leviathan. Using the “say one interesting thing and move on” principle, I’ll call out that bringing a Lord of Crystal Bones is a very smart metagame choice in a Flamer of Tzeentch world, as you need a way to get into touch with them, and you will lose whatever unit charges them first otherwise. Beyond that – boats fast, troupes Good, Secondaries Good, Harlequins good. Well done to Arne on third.
Jan Heidrich – Thousand Sons – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand == Cult of Duplicity Battalion Detachment == 16 Cabal Points HQ1: (1) Exalted Sorcerer: 11. Tzeentch’s Firestorm, 23. Temporal Surge, Disc of Tzeentch, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Rehati, Smite, Stratagem: Relic, Warlord TR1: (5) Rubric Marines: Aspiring Sorcerer (31. Empyric Guidance, Plasma pistol, Smite), Icon of Flame, 4xRubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun EL1: (1) Helbrute: Helbrute fist, Multi-melta FA1: (1) Chaos Spawn: Chaos Spawn
HQ2: (1) Infernal Master: 21. Presage, 3. Capering Imps, 6. Malefic Maelstrom, Egleighen’s Orrery, Force stave, Smite, Stratagem: Sorcerous Arcana
HQ3: (1) Thousand Sons Daemon Prince: 12. Twist of Fate, 13. Doombolt, 3. Undying Form, Conniving Plate, Hellforged sword, Malefic talon, Smite, Stratagem: High Acolytes, Stratagem: Sorcerous Arcana, Wings
TR2: (5) Rubric Marines: Aspiring Sorcerer (32. Pyric Flux, Smite, Warpflame pistol), Icon of Flame, 4xRubric Marine w/ warpflamer
TR3: (5) Rubric Marines: Aspiring Sorcerer (21. Temporal Manipulation, Smite, Warpflame pistol), Icon of Flame, 4xRubric Marine w/ warpflamer
EL2: (1) Helbrute: Helbrute fist, Multi-melta
EL3: (10) Scarab Occult Terminators: 2xHellfyre missile rack, Scarab Occult Sorcerer (22. Weaver of Fates, Inferno combi-bolter, Smite), 7xTerminator, 2xTerminator w/ Heavy Weapon (Soulreaper cannon)
EL4: (10) Scarab Occult Terminators: 2xHellfyre missile rack, Scarab Occult Sorcerer (12. Glamour of Tzeentch, Inferno combi-bolter, Smite), 7xTerminator, 2xTerminator w/ Heavy Weapon (Soulreaper cannon)
FA2: (1) Chaos Spawn: Chaos Spawn
FA3: (1) Dreadclaw Drop Pod
Archetype
Cult of Duplicity
Thoughts
OK, clearly Tzeentch is officially Up To Something in Germany, because that is three out of four top lists dedicated to the Changer of Ways (presumably the Harlequins were trying to thwart them). This build is a bit more of a standard Duplicity list, but even here the lure of setting things on fire was apparently too great to ignore, as it’s packing a Dreadclaw with multiple units of Warpflamer Rubricae to give it that extra sucker punch factor. Cheap helbrutes are also a pretty nice thing to anchor flanks with, and I’m always faintly surprised we don’t see more of them (presumably the 6″ move is the culprit here). Fundamentally, this build has the core power you expect from Thousand Sons (multiple grindy Terminator blocks, lots of Psychic firepower) with some extra angles of attack, and that kind of tweak on a list tends to be a successful formula, as Jan showed here.
The Best of the Rest
The rest of the top eight was as follows:
- 5th – Matie Höfs – Tyranids: Kraken Pressure with Swarmlord-enhanced Raveners to do some dirty work, plus nasty extra characters like Deathleaper and Old One Eye.
- 6th – Manuel Wieczorek – Adepta Sororitas & Freeblades: Bloody Rose Goodstuff with Hunters of Beasts Helverins instead of Retributors for ranged damage.
- 7th – Sebastian Maack – Adepta Sororitas: Fairly standard Bloody Rose Goodstuff with Kyria Draxus added, adding even more breadth of Secondaries and emergency Fight Last.
- 8th – Michael Gemmeke – Tyranids: shooty Leviathan, with lots of small Warrior squads running interference for a trio of Tyrannofexes.
Fantasia Fanatic XLII 40K
98-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Västerbottens län, SE on October 01 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings. This event used 20-0 scoring.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Data Scry Salvage
Daniel Bergström – Imperial Knights: The Herald Errant flavour of Freeblade Lance. Army of Renown: Freeblade Lance Chivalric Oath: Oath: Defend the Realm, Oath: Refuse No Challenge Armiger Helverins [24 PL, 465pts, -1CP]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Hunters of Beasts, Questor Imperialis Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 450pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Noble Combatants, Questor Imperialis Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 450pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Strike and Shield, Questor Imperialis Armiger Warglaives [8 PL, 150pts, -1CP]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Machine Focus, Questor Mechanicus Knight Errant [24 PL, 485pts, -2CP]: Exalted Court: Herald [1 PL, 20pts], Freeblade, Heirloom: The Helm Dominatus, Heirlooms of the Household [-1CP], Knight Baron [-1CP], Martial Tradition: Paragons of Honour, Questor Imperialis , Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Reaper Chainsword, Stormspear Rocket Pod [40pts], Warlord Trait: Ion Bulwark
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Super-Heavy Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Imperial Knights) [104 PL, 2,000pts, 2CP] ++
Oath (Errant): Protect Those in Need
. Armiger Helverin [8 PL, 155pts, -1CP]: Heirloom: The Bastard’s Helm, Heirlooms of the Household [-1CP], Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin [8 PL, 155pts]: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin [8 PL, 155pts]: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Warglaive [8 PL, 150pts]: Meltagun [5pts]
. Armiger Warglaive [8 PL, 150pts]: Meltagun [5pts]
. Armiger Warglaive [8 PL, 150pts]: Meltagun [5pts]
. Armiger Warglaive [8 PL, 150pts]: Meltagun [5pts]
. Armiger Warglaive [8 PL, 150pts]: Meltagun [5pts]
. Armiger Warglaive [8 PL, 150pts]: Meltagun [5pts]
. Armiger Warglaive [8 PL, 150pts, -1CP]: Character (Knight Lance), Meltagun [5pts], Stratagem: Warlord Trait [-1CP], Warlord, Warlord Trait: Echoes from the Past (House Raven)
vs.
Mikael Klangeby – Deathwatch: Kill Team Strike Force with two big Indomitor teams, two melee Proteus teams and the nightmare Spectrus team. + Configuration + Army of Renown – Kill Team Strike Force Chapter Selection: Deathwatch Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + HQ + Librarian [5 PL, 90pts]: 1. Premorphic Resonance, 2. Fortified With Contempt, Boltgun, Force axe Primaris Chaplain on Bike [8 PL, 150pts, -3CP]: 4. Optimised Priority (Aura), 5. Recitation of Focus, 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Litany of Hate, Stratagem: A Vigil Unmatched, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, The Beacon Angelis, Warlord, Wise Orator Watch Master [7 PL, 130pts, -1CP]: Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter, The Tome of Ectoclades + Troops + Indomitor Kill Team [20 PL, 350pts]: Aquila Indomitor Kill Team [20 PL, 365pts]: Aquila Proteus Kill Team [18 PL, 323pts]: Dominatus, Jump Packs Proteus Kill Team [19 PL, 321pts]: Jump Packs, Malleus Spectrus Kill Team [19 PL, 270pts, -1CP]: Venator ++ Total: [116 PL, 1,999pts, 1CP] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Deathwatch) [116 PL, 1,999pts, 1CP] ++
. Heavy Intercessor Sergeant: Heavy Bolt Rifle
. 4x Heavy Intercessor w/ Heavy Bolt RIfle: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Rifle
. 5x Inceptor w/ Assault Bolters: 5x 2x Assault Bolters
. 3x Aggressor w/ Boltstorm Gauntlets/Fragstorm Launcher: 3x Auto Boltstorm Gauntlets, 3x Fragstorm Grenade Launcher
. Heavy Intercessor Sergeant: Hellstorm Bolt Rifle
. 4x Heavy Intercessor w/ Hellstorm Bolt Rifle: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Hellstorm Bolt Rifle
. 2x Inceptor w/ Assault Bolters: 2x 2x Assault Bolters
. Black Shield: Astartes Chainsword, Thunder hammer
. Deathwatch Veteran: Deathwatch Boltgun, Storm shield
. Deathwatch Veteran: Deathwatch Boltgun, Storm shield
. Deathwatch Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Deathwatch Boltgun
. Deathwatch Veteran: Deathwatch Boltgun, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Heavy thunder hammer
. Vanguard Veteran: Heavy thunder hammer
. Vanguard Veteran: Heavy thunder hammer
. Veteran Biker: Astartes Chainsword
. Watch Sergeant: Heavy thunder hammer
. Black Shield: Astartes Chainsword, Thunder hammer
. Deathwatch Veteran: Deathwatch Boltgun, Storm shield
. Deathwatch Veteran: Deathwatch Boltgun, Storm shield
. Deathwatch Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Deathwatch Boltgun
. Deathwatch Veteran: Deathwatch Boltgun, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Heavy thunder hammer
. Vanguard Veteran: Heavy thunder hammer
. Vanguard Veteran: Astartes Chainsword, Lightning Claw
. Veteran Biker: Astartes Chainsword
. Watch Sergeant: Heavy thunder hammer
. 5x Eliminator w/ Las Fusil: 5x Bolt pistol, 5x Camo cloak, 5x Frag & Krak grenades, 5x Las Fusil
. 3x Infiltrator: 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades, 3x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Helix Adept
. Infiltrator Sergeant: 2. Lord of Deceit, Stratagem: Honoured Veteran of the Watch
Thoughts
This…is a tricky one, because the patrons voted for it, and I know people hate it when the answer is “the game ends quickly and violently” but this feels horrifically mismatched. In theory Deathwatch are meant to hunt the Xenos menace, but this list is almost perfectly designed to take Knights clean off the table at speed, and the Knights would need truly miraculous dice to create an upset, especially on this mission. Let us count the ways. First up, there’s the obvious fact that Knights want to be charging stuff, but outside of the Spectrus Team (which they aren’t going to be able to reach), all the units in this list can soak a charge from a single Armiger and threaten to outright kill it in return. As soon as the second turn comes round (or on the Deathwatch’s first if they go second), Specialism Extremis comes online, and then anything the Indomitor teams can get touch on evaporates. Finally, and honestly most brutally, the Tome of the Ectoclades provides a once per game turn of full wound re-rolls against what amounts to over half the Knight army at once.
Given that Data Scry Salvage demands that the Knights also try and fight on a wide front to score Primary…yeah that isn’t going to work. It is very difficult to see how Deathwatch don’t just put half the army in the bin turn two once battle is joined, and they can trivially max out The Long Vigil, Bring It Down and Cripple Stronghold without the Knights really being able to stop them. I think their only real chance is to forget playing for the primary turn one and just go absolutely all-out in trying to murder as many Deathwatch as possible early, but they need to kill so many of them to not get rolled in response that it would take a miracle. Looking at the scoreline…that miracle did not happen.
Result
Deathwatch Victory – 20 – 0
Mikael Klangeby – Deathwatch – 1st Place
The List
See showdown.
Archetype
Kill Team Strike Force
Thoughts
Deathwatch fans who have been paying attention will be familiar with this build, as this is basically the way to build Strike Force effectively right now. It has very broad answers from the Indomitor teams, the terrifying speed and reach that Deathwatch are famed for in the Proteus teams, and a hyper-efficient shooting unit from the Spectrus. It is also worth saying that even outside the Knight matchup the Tome of the Ectoclades is extremely good right now – it dunks on Warrior Spam Tyranids hard, is great against Harlequins, and most Necron lists will have something you can slam with it. I love the Kill Team Strike Force, it’s one of my favourite builds to see out and about (and for my money one of the best executions of the Army of Renown concept), so a hearty “hell yeah” to Mikael.
Daniel Hesselberg – Imperial Knights – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + [Reference] Chivalric Oaths [Reference] Core Stratagems [Reference] Household Traditions [Reference] Knightly Teachings [Reference] Warlord Traits Army of Renown: Freeblade Lance Chivalric Oath: Oath: Defend the Realm, Oath: Protect Those in Need, Oath: Refuse No Challenge Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Questor Allegiance: Freeblade Lance + Lord of War + Armiger Helverins [24 PL, 465pts, -1CP]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Hunters of Beasts, Questor Imperialis Armiger Helverins [8 PL, 160pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Last of Their Line, Questor Imperialis Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 450pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Strike and Shield, Questor Imperialis Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 450pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Noble Combatants, Questor Imperialis Knight Errant [25 PL, 475pts, -4CP]: Character (Knight Lance), Exalted Court: High Monarch, Favoured Knight, Freeblade, Heirloom: Helm of the Nameless Warrior, Heirloom: Sanctuary, Martial Tradition: Paragons of Honour, Meltagun, Questor Imperialis , Reaper Chainsword, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Ion Bulwark ++ Total: [105 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Super-Heavy Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Imperial Knights) [105 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++
. Armiger Helverin: Heirloom: The Bastard’s Helm, Heirlooms of the Household, Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
Archetype
Freeblade Lance
Thoughts
The extra-aggro build of Freeblade Lance on show here in second place – sure you can’t hand out an invulnerable save to your Warglaives, but what you can do is make as many of them as possible Advance/Charge all at once, and utterly bowl the opponent over. That’s helped by the Errant here being fully souped up, sporting a melee invulnerable save and the ability to spike almost anything directly into the sun with good rolls in combat thanks to the Helm of the Nameless Warrior. If you’re facing this you had better have options to take substantial portions of it off the table fast, and it doesn’t look like anyone had the killing power to stand in its way over the course of the event.
Benjamin Hyvönen – Imperial Knights – 3rd Place (Undefeated)
Credit: Pendulin
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Chivalric Oath: Oath: Defend the Realm, Oath: Lay Low The Tyrants Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Questor Allegiance: House Raven, Questor Mechanicus + Lord of War + Armiger Helverins [16 PL, -2CP, 310pts] Armiger Helverins [16 PL, 310pts] Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 445pts] Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 450pts] Knight Errant [24 PL, -3CP, 485pts]: Character (Knight Lance), Exalted Court: Master of Vox, Heirloom: Sanctuary, Heirlooms of the Household, Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber, Reaper Chainsword, Revered Paragon, Stormspear Rocket Pod, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Ion Bulwark, Warlord Trait: Landstrider ++ Total: [104 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Super-Heavy Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Imperial Knights) [104 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
. Armiger Helverin: Heirloom: The Bastard’s Helm, Heirlooms of the Household, Knight Baron, Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber, Warlord Trait: Blessed by the Sacristans
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
Archetype
House Raven
Thoughts
Proving that Freeblades aren’t quite the only game in town, this Raven build takes advantage of Master of Vox and the Household Trait to create a very mobile list, able to drop Advance/Charge wherever it’s most needed, and keep firing on the move with the Warglaives as they Advance up the board. It does, once again, have a pretty spicy Errant at the core too – it’s fair to say that the new Knight book really changed the fortunes of Errants and Paladins in particular! Great stuff from Benjamin in third, also rolling through the event undefeated.
Björn Eriksson – Orks – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Army of Renown – Speed Freeks Speed Mob Clan Kultur: Evil Sunz Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + HQ + Warboss on Warbike [6 PL, -2CP, 115pts]: 4. Brutal but Kunnin, Da Killa Klaw, Power Klaw, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord + Fast Attack + Nobz on Warbikes [5 PL, 100pts] Nobz on Warbikes [5 PL, 90pts] Nobz on Warbikes [5 PL, 90pts] Warbikers [4 PL, 85pts] Warbikers [4 PL, 75pts] Warbikers [4 PL, 80pts] + Flyer + Wazbom Blastajet [10 PL, 230pts]: 2x Tellyport Mega-Blastas, Blastajet Force Field, Boom Boyz, 2x Supa Shoota ++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Orks) [60 PL, -3CP, 1,135pts] ++ + Configuration + Clan Kultur: Evil Sunz Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] + HQ + Deffkilla Wartrike [6 PL, 120pts] + Fast Attack + DeffKoptas [16 PL, 300pts] Megatrakk Scrapjets [5 PL, 100pts] Megatrakk Scrapjets [5 PL, 100pts] Megatrakk Scrapjets [5 PL, 100pts] Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies [8 PL, 120pts]: Nitro Squigs Shokkjump Dragstas [5 PL, 85pts] + Flyer + Wazbom Blastajet [10 PL, 210pts]: 2x Tellyport Mega-Blastas, Boom Boyz, Stikkbomb Flinga, 2x Supa Shoota ++ Total: [103 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Outrider Detachment 0CP (Orks) [43 PL, 4CP, 865pts] ++
. Boss Nob on Warbike: Power Klaw
. Nob on Warbike: Choppa
. Nob on Warbike: Choppa
. Boss Nob on Warbike: Choppa
. Nob on Warbike: Choppa
. Nob on Warbike: Choppa
. Boss Nob on Warbike: Choppa
. Nob on Warbike: Choppa
. Nob on Warbike: Choppa
. Boss Nob: Power Klaw
. 2x Warbiker w/ Choppa: 2x Choppa, 4x Dakkagun
. Boss Nob: Choppa
. 2x Warbiker w/ Choppa: 2x Choppa, 4x Dakkagun
. Boss Nob: Big Choppa
. 2x Warbiker w/ Choppa: 2x Choppa, 4x Dakkagun
. DeffKopta
. DeffKopta
. DeffKopta
. DeffKopta
. DeffKopta
. DeffKopta
. Megatrakk Scrapjet
. Megatrakk Scrapjet
. Megatrakk Scrapjet
. Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy
. Shokkjump Dragstas
Archetype
Evil Sunz Speed Mob
Thoughts
It’s a while since we’ve seen the Speed Mob in action, and this build does some things pretty differently from the norm, which may explain why it’s broken through where others haven’t. You’ve got the standard big unit of Koptas and the Wazboms, providing plenty of shooting, but points that would conventionally go on more Deffkoptas are instead spent on three units of Nob Bikers. These pick up ObSec from being Speed Mob Biker units, and significantly increase the army’s ability to play the mission. It means the Warbikers (who are CORE) can focus on Get Da Good Bitz if needed while the Nobz (who aren’t) go out and fight for the Primary, and also opens up the option of playing a bit more cautiously with the Bike boss to build up Da Biggest and Da Best. If the opponent has fragile scouting units, Stomp ‘Em Good also looks way more practical here than normal, as it’s harder for the opponent to mostly switch it off by quickly killing the Bikers. Great to see some tuning bringing a classic back, good work from Björn.
The Best of the Rest
Once again, 20-0 doesn’t give a firm cut point, so I’ve gone with covering the rest of the top eight. They were:
- 5th – Emil Bergmark – Chaos Knights: House Vextrix, eschewing Abaddon or a big Knight for an all-War Dog list.
- 6th – Christopher Vuori – Tyranids: Leviathan with Warriors backed by Exocrines.
- 7th – Kristoffer Wilkner – Orks: Evil Sunz Speed Mob, packing loads of bikers then a wide set of buggies and Deffkoptas, rounded out with a Wazbom.
- 8th – Pekka Koskivirta – Emperor’s Children: Emperor’s Children with a big Terminator squad, Abaddon and a bunch of Noise Marines/Possessed.
Milan GT final
58-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Milano, Lombardia, IT on October 01 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Daniele De Gemini – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand ++ Fortification Network 0CP (Tyranids) [6 PL, 95pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost: Command Benefit [1CP] Hive Fleet: (Hunt) Adrenalised Onslaught, Leviathan + Fortification [6 PL, 95pts] + Sporocyst [6 PL, 95pts]: 5x Deathspitter ++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [91 PL, 1,905pts, 2CP] ++ + Configuration [6CP] + Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [6CP] Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Hive Fleet: Adaptive, Leviathan + Stratagems [-3CP] + Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait [-1CP] Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact [-1CP] Relic [-1CP] + No Force Org Slot [20 PL, 360pts] + Tyranid Prime [5 PL, 90pts]: Adrenal Glands [5pts], Dual Boneswords, Relic: Gestation Sac, Venom Cannon Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts] Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope [150pts] + HQ [16 PL, 325pts, -1CP] + Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, Warlord Trait: Synaptic Tendrils Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 225pts, -1CP]: Adrenal Glands [15pts], Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Stratagem: Warlord Trait [-1CP], Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance + Troops [24 PL, 605pts] + Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 300pts]: Adrenal Glands [15pts] Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 305pts]: Adrenal Glands [15pts], Flesh Hooks [5pts] + Fast Attack [2 PL, 45pts] + Sky-slasher Swarms [2 PL, 45pts]: 3x Sky-slasher Swarm [45pts] + Heavy Support [9 PL, 135pts] + Biovores [9 PL, 135pts] + Flyer [20 PL, 435pts] + Harpy [10 PL, 215pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon [30pts], Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement [1 PL, 10pts] Harpy [10 PL, 220pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon [30pts], Adaptive Physiology: Voracious Ammunition [1 PL, 15pts]
+++ Nephilim – Tyr – GT22 L. Arpie (Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition) [97 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] +++
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Scything) [120pts]: 3x Two Rending Claws, 3x Two Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [35pts]: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon [5pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [35pts]: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon [5pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [35pts]: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon [5pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [35pts]: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon [5pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [35pts]: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon [5pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [35pts]: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon [5pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [30pts]: Devourer, Dual Boneswords
. 3x Biovore [9 PL, 135pts]: 3x Chitin-barbed Fists, 3x Spore Mine Launcher
Archetype
Leviathan Warriors and Harpies
Final Round Matchup
66 – 57 Victory against Claudio Lunetta – Black Legion.
Thoughts
Warriors, Harpies, way too many Mortal Wounds – you know the drill here. I like the cute extra surprise of the Gestation Sac off the Tyranid Prime, but beyond that this is a known quantity – it controls the board exceptionally well, pours out more Mortals than almost anything else out there, and has plenty of early reach from the Harpies. To be fair, that does at least mean most people aiming for the top are actively building and gunning for it, and the Black Legion build it beat in the finals with full hit/wound re-rolling Terminators has a better answer to Warriors than most, so well done to Daniele for overcoming all challengers
Riccardo Dellasette – Necrons – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + No Force Org Slot + Viral Construct [1 PL, 15pts]: Canoptek Plasmacyte + HQ + Chronomancer [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: Dynastic Heirlooms, Entropic Lance, Relic: Veil of Darkness + Elites + C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer [19 PL, 320pts]: Power of the C’tan: Sky of Falling Stars Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 150pts]: Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade) + Fast Attack + Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 120pts] Canoptek Scarab Swarms [2 PL, 45pts] Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 120pts] Canoptek Wraiths [6 PL, 105pts] Tomb Blades [4 PL, 60pts] Tomb Blades [4 PL, 60pts] ++ Supreme Command Detachment +2CP (Necrons) [21 PL, 4CP, 400pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [2CP] Dynasty Choice: Dynasty: Szarekhan + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + The Silent King [21 PL, 2CP, 400pts]: Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord Trait (Szarekhan): The Triarch’s Will ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Necrons) [30 PL, -3CP, 520pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: + HQ + Illuminor Szeras [8 PL, -1CP, 145pts]: Rarefied Nobility, Warlord Trait (Codex 1): Enduring Will + Troops + Immortals [4 PL, 80pts]: Gauss Blaster, 5x Immortal + Elites + Canoptek Spyders [4 PL, 65pts] Transcendent C’tan [14 PL, 230pts]: Fractured Personality: Cosmic Tyrant, Power of the C’tan: Antimatter Meteor, Power of the C’tan: Transdimensional Thunderbolt ++ Total: [112 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [61 PL, 2CP, 1,080pts] ++
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 8x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 8x Feeder Mandibles
. 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 3x Feeder Mandibles
. 8x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 8x Feeder Mandibles
. 3x Canoptek Wraith (Claws): 3x Vicious Claws
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2x Annihilator Beam
. Canoptek Spyder: Gloom Prism
Archetype
Double C’tan Eternal Expanisionists
Thoughts
Another build that’s very much a known quantity here – ObSec Scarabs with a Chronometron applied take way too much killing for their price tag, giving the C’tan a chance to grind the opponent down with mortal Wounds, and once they’re all nice and softened up the Skorpekh and Silent King can finish the job. All the while, the tiny expendable units max your Secondaries, and stop the opponent getting anything done. Very, very effective, and in Riccardo’s hands it earned a second place finish.
Vincenzo Rotondo – Necrons – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + No Force Org Slot + Dynastic Advisor [5 PL, 70pts] Viral Construct [1 PL, 15pts]: Canoptek Plasmacyte Viral Construct [1 PL, 15pts]: Canoptek Plasmacyte + HQ + Catacomb Command Barge [9 PL, 150pts, -1CP]: Dynastic Heirlooms, Gauss Cannon, Relic: Voltaic Staff, Staff of Light Chronomancer [5 PL, 85pts, -1CP]: Entropic Lance, Relic: Veil of Darkness, Stratagem: Relic + Elites + Lychguard [14 PL, 225pts]: 9x Lychguard Lychguard [14 PL, 225pts]: 9x Lychguard Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 180pts] Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 180pts] + Fast Attack + Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 105pts] Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 105pts] + Heavy Support + Lokhust Destroyers [13 PL, 245pts] ++ Supreme Command Detachment 0CP (Necrons) [21 PL, 400pts, 2CP] ++ + Configuration + Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + The Silent King [21 PL, 400pts, 2CP]: Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord Trait (Szarekhan): The Triarch’s Will ++ Total: [111 PL, 2,000pts, 3CP] ++
++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [90 PL, 1,600pts, 1CP] ++
. Technomancer: Canoptek Cloak
. Hyperphase Sword and Dispersion Shield
. Hyperphase Sword and Dispersion Shield
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 7x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 7x Feeder Mandibles
. 7x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 7x Feeder Mandibles
. 5x Lokhust Destroyer: 5x Gauss Cannon
. Lokhust Heavy Destroyer (Gauss Destructor)
. 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2x Annihilator Beam
Archetype
Murderous Eternal Expansionists
Thoughts
“Army-wide ObSec” gives you quite a few ways to build a list successfully, and while there are some commonalities, this is very much the other end of where you can go with Eternal Expansionists – plenty of murderous units that are durable in their own right, and some high-powered shooting from a unit of Lokhusts. For my money, these builds are the scarier ones simply because some opponents will have the right tech to no-sell C’tan, and it’s no surprise to see Vincenzo managing a fantastic finish here.
Ferruccio Fava – Chaos Knights – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Deny the Wytch: 0 Stratagemmi pre-partita: ++ Super-Heavy Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Chaos Knights) + Lord of War + War Dog Executioner Squadron [17 PL, 325pts]: Iconoclast Dreadblade: Worthy Offerings War Dog Karnivore Squadron [18 PL, 290pts, -1CP]: House Herpetrax War Dog Karnivore Squadron [18 PL, 145pts]: House Herpetrax War Dog Stalker Squadron [17 PL, 470pts]: House Herpetrax War Dog Stalker Squadron [25 PL, 470pts]: House Herpetrax ++ Supreme Command Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Chaos Space + Configuration + + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + ++ Total: [106 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
Ferruccio Fava
Assassinate: 7
Bring it down: 22
No prisoner: 0
Kill points: 12
-Tratto del generale (1 CP)
-Reliquia (1 CP)
[86 PL, 1700pts, 2CP] ++
-War Dog Executioner (155 pts): Diabolus heavy stubber,
Tzeentch – Mirror of Fates (15 pts)
-War Dog Executioner (155 pts): Diabolus heavy stubber
-War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Havoc multi-launcher (5pts)
-War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Havoc multi-launcher (5pts)
-War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Character (Traitoris
Lance), Havoc multi-launcher (5 pts), Relic: Helm of Dogs
-War Dog Stalker (145 pts): Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher (5 pts), Reaper chaintalon
-War Dog Stalker (145 pts): Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher (5 pts), Slaughterclaw
-War Dog Stalker (145 pts): Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher (5 pts), Slaughterclaw, Undivided – Blessing of the Dark Master (20 pts)
-War Dog Stalker (145 pts): Avenger chaincannon, Havoc multi-launcher (5 pts), Slaughterclaw
-War Dog Stalker (145 pts): Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher (5 pts), Slaughterclaw
-War Dog Stalker (145 pts): Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher (5 pts), Reaper chaintalon, Undivided – Mark of the Dread Knight (20 pts)
Marines) [20 PL, 300pts, -1CP] ++
Legion: Black Legion
Abaddon the Despoiler [15 PL, 300pts, -1CP]: Stratagem: Warlord Trait: Merciless
Overseer, Eternal Vendetta, Paragon of Hatred
Archetype
Herpetrax Dogwalker
Thoughts
ObSec Necrons got you down? Ruin their day by running the nastiest ObSec pressure build out there. This is another list that isn’t especially complicated but is very good at what it does, which is rolling opponents over at speed by slamming large numbers of extra-tough ObSec killer robots into them. Similar to other Dogwalker builds we’ve seen, this one uses Dreadblades on some of the Executioners where the extra durability of Herpetrax doesn’t add much, and Worthy Offerings definitely seems like a neat pick, helping you chip down enemy vehicles at pace. I do really like that Chaos have been allowed to get a bit spicy with soup at this point in the Edition, so it’s cool to see this build still performing, well done to Ferruccio.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Claudio Lunetta – Black Legion: Abaddon, a big Terminator blob with the Rune, then a full Plagye Marine unit in a Dreadclaw for extra pressure.
- 6th – Umberto Sambusiti – Chaos Daemons: Mega monster mash here, Be’lakor, a Lord of Change and two Bloodthirsters (one of whom is Skarbrand), dumping most of the rest of its points into Flamers.
- 7th – Edoardo Rinaldi – Astra Militarum: Cadian Brigade wth lots of Tank Commanders and lots of artillery, very tricky to hold back on scoring.
- 8th – Roberto Mule – Tyranids: Leviathan with lots of small Warrior units and lots of sources of mortals.
- 9th – Girogio Castelli – Word Bearers: Standard Chaos tools like Terminators and Abaddon, with the use of Accursed Cultists for troops adding a somewhat unusual spin.
MOAB 2022 40k
55-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sylvania, New South Wales, AU on September 30 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts
Patrick Spooner – Imperial Knights: House Krast with a supercharged Paladin in charge, and lots of Armigers alongside. ++ Super-Heavy Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Imperial Knights) [104 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++ + Configuration + Chivalric Oath: Oath: Defend the Realm, Oath: Protect Those in Need Questor Allegiance: House Krast, Questor Mechanicus + Lord of War + Armiger Helverins [24 PL, -1CP, 465pts] Armiger Helverins [8 PL, 155pts] Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 450pts] Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 445pts] Knight Paladin [24 PL, -3CP, 485pts]: Character (Knight Lance), Exalted Court: Master of Vox, Heirloom: The Helm Dominatus, Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber, Reaper Chainsword, Revered Paragon, Stormspear Rocket Pod, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Warlord Trait (Krast): First Knight, Warlord Trait: Revered Knight ++ Total: [104 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
. Armiger Helverin: Heirloom: The Bastard’s Helm, Heirlooms of the Household, Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon w/ Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
vs.
Jordan “King Piranha” McGregor – Tzeentch: The Cult of Magic get an outing here, teaming up with Kairos Fateweaver and some Flamers to ensure that the opposition shares the experience of being ground into dust. ++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Thousand Sons) [84 PL, 3CP, 19 Cabal Points, 1,379pts] ++ + Configuration + Cults of the Legion: Cult of Magic + Stratagems + Sorcerous Arcana [-1CP]: Additional Relics + HQ + Ahriman [9 PL, 3 Cabal Points, 180pts]: 13. Doombolt, 22. Weaver of Fates, 23. Temporal Surge, Disc of Tzeentch Exalted Sorcerer [8 PL, -1CP, 3 Cabal Points, 145pts]: 11. Gaze of Hate, 11. Tzeentch’s Firestorm, Devastating Sorcery, Disc of Tzeentch, High Acolytes, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Rehati Infernal Master [5 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 90pts]: 12. Glamour of Tzeentch, 5. Glimpse of Eternity, 6. Malefic Maelstrom, Umbralefic Crystal + Troops + Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 117pts]: Icon of Flame Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 117pts]: Icon of Flame Rubric Marines [12 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 131pts]: Icon of Flame Rubric Marines [12 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 131pts]: Icon of Flame + Elites + Scarab Occult Terminators [21 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 375pts] Tzaangor Shaman [4 PL, -1CP, 2 Cabal Points, 70pts]: 2. Seeker After Shadows, 33. Perplex, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord + Fast Attack + Chaos Spawn [1 PL, 23pts]: Chaos Spawn ++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Daemons) [28 PL, -3CP, 620pts] ++ + Configuration + Chaos Allegiance: Tzeentch Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] + HQ + Kairos Fateweaver [16 PL, 320pts] + Elites + Flamers [6 PL, 150pts]: Pyrocaster Flamers [3 PL, 75pts]: Pyrocaster Flamers [3 PL, 75pts]: Pyrocaster Total: [19 Cabal Points, 112 PL, 1,999pts]
Army List - Click to Expand
Abhor The Witch: 25 points (5 psyker characters, 5 psyker units)
Assasination: 16 points (5 characters)
Bring It Down: 4 points (Kairos)
No Prisoners: 13 points (111 wounds)
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 23. Temporal Surge, Warpflame pistol
. 4x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 4x Warpflamer
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 23. Temporal Surge, Warpflame pistol
. 4x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 4x Warpflamer
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 21. Presage, Warpflame pistol
. 4x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 4x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon: Soulreaper cannon
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 31. Cacodaemonic Curse, Warpflame pistol
. 4x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 4x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon: Soulreaper cannon
. Scarab Occult Sorcerer: 31. Empyric Guidance, Inferno combi-bolter, Rites of Coalescence
. 7x Terminator: 7x Inferno combi-bolter, 7x Prosperine khopesh
. Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Soulreaper cannon
. 5x Flamer: 5x Flickering flames
. 2x Flamer: 2x Flickering flames
. 2x Flamer: 2x Flickering flames
Thoughts
As mentioned earlier, Thousand Sons and Daemons look like the real deal, and this build leans into that plan extra hard. Not only are a swarm of Flamers in attendance, the list hacks the Power Level of the Thousand Sons contingent high enough via six-model units that Kairos Fateweaver can join the battle, bringing incredible psychic firepower, disruption and CP regen, and a Warp Locus for the Flamers to the table. Not only that, this build is set up to make use of a very niche interaction that this unlocks. The Psychic Maelstrom Cabal ritual, which lets you repeat a Witchfire power that another caster has done, does not require that caster to have been Thousand Sons. Here, that means that if Kairos casts Infernal Gateway, one of the Thousand Sons casters can repeat it – and wouldn’t you know it, there’s an Exalted Sorceror with Devastating Sorcery to reliably unleash it. That means this list can throw out two Infernal Gateways and an Astral Blast every turn, which is fully horrific into any army that needs to form a battle pile…
…which barely matters here, because Knights are very much a list that can avoid clustering too much. Don’t get me wrong – they hate the amount of Psychic firepower that’s coming at them here, but they avoid the worst of it, and also at least somewhat no-sell some of the other stuff that’s going on here. Flamers have enough shots that they’re never irrelevant (especially if Kairos chooses to throw Infernal Flames on them), but Warglaives certainly aren’t their ideal target, and Knights are very efficient at killing them in response. The Sons are also set up to play for Psychic Interrogation, but the Knights only have one Character, and that’s something that the forces of Tzeentch are ideally going to want to kill. Also, while the Knights definitely don’t like the damage output that Tzeentch is representing, they’re very spicy at clearing out most of what they’re facing as well. Kairos is certainly A Problem, as he’s difficult to kill with shooting and has no real reason to expose himself to melee, but everything else will die handily to Warglaive melee or Helverin shooting. First Knight on the Paladin is also extremely scary, as it allows them to become ObSec on demand, so until they’re dead they can seriously mess with the Sons scoring plans.
That adds up to give the Knights a plan that feels pretty strong here – send the Paladin and a small contingent of Armigers to attack Tzeentch’s priority objective, and cycle one Warglaive onto the centre to perform Renew the Oaths each turn while that’s going off. Abhor/Renew/Yield gives them a pretty effective scoring plan that the Sons can’t really equal unless they swiftly murderise the Knights off the board. That, therefore, becomes their goal – leverage all their Psychic might and damage dealing tools to body the Knights as quickly as possible, probably taking late-game Secondaries like Burn Empires to rubber-band back on scoring once that’s complete. Bring it Down being a freebie for them on top of that definitely helps, and as long as the Tzeentch player recognises that this is a game that demands aggro from them rather than the grindy game Sons normally play, it feels like they’ve got a shot. After everything was said and done, the Knights clearly did manage to leverage their good scoring potential to put up a strong score – but the nefarious designs of Tzeentch still took the day.
Result
Tzeentch Victory – 88 – 76
Jordan “King Piranha” McGregor – Tzeentch – 1st Place
The List
See Showdown
Archetype
Thousand Sons and Daemons
Thoughts
Mostly covered in the showdown, this build goes hard on the Tzeentch Daemon synergy, sacrificing access to Duplicity’s mobility for a near unparallelled AOE Mortal Wound output. Honestly, that rules – it’s different and exciting, and I think having the Flamers in the list means that you need Sorcerous Facade less. There’s really nothing more Tzeentch than aiming to be the absolute best at killing the opponent with your mind, and congratulations to Jordan for rounding out a frankly exceptional week for the Changer of Ways.
Brad Milner – Orks – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Clan Kultur: Goffs Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + No Force Org Slot + Nob on Smasha Squig [4 PL, -2CP, 65pts]: 4. Brutal but Kunnin, Headwoppa’s Killchoppa, Stratagem: Big Boss, Stratagem: Extra Gubbinz + HQ + Beastboss on Squigosaur [9 PL, -2CP, 160pts]: 3. ‘Ard as Nails, Beasthide Mantle, Stratagem: Big Boss, Stratagem: Extra Gubbinz Weirdboy [4 PL, 70pts]: 2. Warpath, 4. Fists of Gork + Troops + Beast Snagga Boyz [5 PL, 100pts] Beast Snagga Boyz [5 PL, 100pts] Gretchin [2 PL, 40pts] + Elites + Kommandos [4 PL, 60pts] Kommandos [4 PL, 55pts] + Fast Attack + DeffKoptas [8 PL, 150pts] Squighog Boyz [4 PL, 80pts]: Bomb Squig Squighog Boyz [4 PL, 80pts]: Bomb Squig + Heavy Support + Kill Rig [11 PL, 190pts]: 2. Frazzle, 6. Squiggly Curse Kill Rig [11 PL, 190pts]: 1. Roar of Mork, 5. Beastscent + Flyer + Blitza-bommer [8 PL, 150pts] Wazbom Blastajet [10 PL, 210pts]: 2x Tellyport Mega-Blastas, Boom Boyz, Stikkbomb Flinga, 2x Supa Shoota ++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Orks) [15 PL, 2CP, 300pts] ++ + Configuration + Clan Kultur: Goffs Detachment Command Cost [3CP] + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + Ghazghkull Thraka [15 PL, -1CP, 300pts]: Proper Killy (Goffs), Stratagem: Warlord Trait ++ Total: [108 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Orks) [93 PL, -1CP, 1,700pts] ++
. 9x Beast Snagga Boy: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga
. Beast Snagga Nob
. 9x Beast Snagga Boy: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga
. Beast Snagga Nob
. 10x Gretchin: 10x Grot Blaster
. Boss Nob: Power Klaw
. 4x Kommando: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs
. Boss Nob: Choppa
. 4x Kommando: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs
. DeffKopta
. DeffKopta
. DeffKopta
. 3x Squighog Boy: 3x Saddlegit Weapons, 3x Squighog Jaws, 3x Stikka
. 3x Squighog Boy: 3x Saddlegit Weapons, 3x Squighog Jaws, 3x Stikka
Archetype
Goff Pressure
Thoughts
Go fast and krump things is very much a winning Ork formula, but it is interesting to see another successful Goff build going in on planes in addition to ground stuff. I wonder if that’s down to the prevalence of Sun Sharks and Harpies in the metagame – if you don’t have any answers to them it’s extremely difficult to stay on the table, so maybe the calculation is that you need a shot at taking one out early if you’re going to play an army like this. Brad did, in fact, defeat a Tau army with double Sun Sharks in the final round to end the event undefeated, so if that was the plan all along, congratulations on the extreme kunnin’.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Alexander Englezos – Cult Mechanicus: An unusual Mars build using lots of small units for maximum board presence, presumably aiming to offset the poor faction Secondaries that AdMech have access to. Fusilaves and six Ironstriders provide heavier support. Seems to have worked well – Alexander scored pretty high in most of his games. He’s done a writeup over on the Competitive 40K Reddit if you want to read more.
- 4th – Luke Greco – Chaos Daemons: Another Greater Daemon and Flamer heavy build with Be’lakor, this time going with Shalaxi instead of Skarbrand as the fourth big threat.
- 5th – Chris Oneill – Imperial Knights: House Taranis with the Princeps/Master Tactician combo, plus lots of Armigers of various flavours.
- 6th – Joshua Hynes – Necrons: Eternal Expansionists with lots of small units of all sorts of stuff, then a big Lokhust unit and Doom Scythe to provide firepower (alongside the Silent King, of course).
- 7th – Nathan Princi – Adeptus Custodes: Emperor’s Chosen spamming armour, three Achillus Dreads, three Venerable Contemptors with multi-meltas and three Caladius Tanks, with just a few infantry and Characters rounding stuff out.
- 8th – Jay Mann – Tau: Tau Sept with one hefty Crisis Team and one medium, then various other hulls, Commanders and Kroot to provide more killing power and some cheap chaff.
Battlezone Ursa GT 2022
26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Anchorage, Alaska, USA on October 1st. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Wings: Over to Mike for the bonus round – perhaps unsurprisingly, a Chaos vs. Chaos duel has piqued his interest! Note that there were effectively two top table games in this event, but the others will get their shout out below!
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts
Wallace O’Donnell – Tzeentch Daemons & Dreadblade: Be’lakor, a Big Bird, and a Big Robot combine forces.
Army List - Click to Expand Tzeentch Battalion – [70PL , 1450pts] HQ Slots: Fluxmaster – 6PL, 110pts; Powers: Gaze of Fate, Treason of Tzeentch Lord of Change – 17PL , 330pts; Warlord. Warlord Trait: Incorporeal Form, Relic: The Impossible Robe, Exalted Reward: Master Mutator; Powers: Infernal Gateway, Bolt of Change, Boon of Change Troop Slots: Elite Slots: Super Heavy Auxiliary – [26 PL, 550pts] Dreadblade Detachment – Iconoclast Household: Bold Tyrants “The Wingo-Tron 9000” Favor of the Dark Gods: Warp-Borne Stalker Knight Despoiler – [26 PL, 550pts] Starting CP: 1
Belakor – 21PL, 420pts; Powers: Shrouded Step, Pall of Despair
10x Pink Horrors – 7PL, 150pts
10x Blue Horrors – 3PL, 70pts
10x Blue Horrors – 3PL, 70pts
Exalted Flamer – 4PL, 75pts
3x Flamers – 3PL, 75pts
3x Flamers – 3PL, 75pts
3x Flamers – 3PL, 75pts
“Arms of the Fallen Champion”
– Daemonbreath Thermal Cannon
– Despoiler Battle Cannon and Diabolus Heavy Stubber
– Daemonbreath Meltagun
– Ruinspear Rocket Pod
Total Points: 2000
vs.
Tim Huebscher – Black Legion: Abaddon leading Plague Marines and Rubric Marines
Army List - Click to Expand ++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [91 PL, 1,697pts, ] ++ + Configuration + Legion: Black Legion + HQ + Dark Apostle [5 PL, 95pts]: Chaos Undivided, Illusory Supplication Master of Possession [6 PL, 105pts]: Chaos Undivided, Mutated Invigoration, Pact of Flesh Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [7 PL, 125pts, -2CP]: 1. Veteran Raider, Aspiring Lord, Combi-bolter, Death Hex, Force sword, Mark of Slaanesh, Stratagem: Relic, Veilbreaker Plate, Warptime + Troops + Cultists Mob [2 PL, 50pts] Cultists Mob [2 PL, 50pts] Legionaries [7 PL, 125pts]: Mark of Nurgle + Elites + Plague Marines [13 PL, 225pts] Rubric Marines [13 PL, 252pts]: Icon of Flame + Fast Attack + Chaos Bikers [16 PL, 295pts, -1CP]: Mark of Slaanesh Chaos Bikers [11 PL, 190pts]: Chaos Icon, Mark of Tzeentch Chaos Spawn [1 PL, 25pts]: Chaos Spawn + Heavy Support + Havocs [8 PL, 160pts]: Mark of Slaanesh ++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [15 PL, 300pts, 2CP] ++ + Configuration + Legion: Black Legion + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + Abaddon the Despoiler [15 PL, 300pts, -1CP]: 3. Merciless Overseer, 5. Eternal Vendetta, 6. Paragon of Hatred, Stratagem: Warlord Trait ++ Total: [106 PL, 2CP, 1,997pts] ++
. 2x Dark Disciple: 2x Close combat weapon
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ cultist firearm: 9x Cultist firearm, 9x Frag & Krak grenades
. Cultist Champion
. . Autopistol and brutal assault weapon
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ cultist firearm: 9x Cultist firearm, 9x Frag & Krak grenades
. Cultist Champion
. . Autopistol and brutal assault weapon
. Aspiring Champion: Astartes chainsword, Astartes chainsword
. Marine w/ balefire tome: Balefire tome, Diabolic Strength
. 3x Marine w/ boltgun: 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Boltgun, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
. Plague Champion: Daemonic plague blade, Plasma gun, Power fist
. 2x Plague Marine w/ blight launcher: 2x Blight Grenades, 2x Blight launcher, 2x Plague knife
. 2x Plague Marine w/ cleaver: 2x Blight Grenades, 2x Great plague cleaver, 2x Plague knife
. 2x Plague Marine w/ flail: 2x Blight Grenades, 2x Flail of corruption, 2x Plague knife
. Plague Marine w/ plague spewer
. Plague Marine w/ special weapon: Meltagun
. Plague Marine w/ special weapon: Meltagun
. Aspiring Sorcerer: Warpflame pistol, Warptime
. 9x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 9x Warpflamer
. Biker Champion: Astartes chainsword, Black Rune of Damnation, Trophies of the Long War
. 6x Chaos Biker w/ astartes chainsword: 6x Astartes chainsword, 6x Combi-bolter, 6x Frag & Krak grenades
. Chaos Biker w/ combi-weapon: Astartes chainsword, Combi-melta
. Chaos Biker w/ combi-weapon: Astartes chainsword, Combi-melta
. Biker Champion: Bolt pistol
. 2x Chaos Biker w/ astartes chainsword: 2x Astartes chainsword, 2x Combi-bolter, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
. Chaos Biker w/ special weapon: Astartes chainsword, Meltagun
. Chaos Biker w/ special weapon: Astartes chainsword, Meltagun
. Havoc Champion: Astartes chainsword, Astartes chainsword
. 4x Havoc w/ lascannon: 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Lascannon
Thoughts
Mike: Tim and Wallace are two experienced Chaos veterans, and they each brought their own style to the event. I personally couldn’t attend because of a move right before the event, so I got to do the next best thing: Alternatively root for, and trash talk, my friends all weekend.
On the Tzeentch Daemons side, we feature some of the new Daemons codex’s greatest hits in the form of Be’lakor, Flamers, and a Lord Of Change. Backing up all that magic and warpfire is a Knight Despoiler with two ranged weapons. The list has solid mobility and damage output, but can be very vulnerable to melee. The great thing about including a Dreadblade Knight in a Daemons list is that you keep access to your Daemons secondaries. Wallace is a cagey player, and benefits greatly from being able to farm Reality Rebels points even while he is staying on his side of the field.
On the Black Legion side, Tim brought not just one, but two different bricks of Cult Marines. Warpflamer Rubrics with the Veilbreaker Plate to teleport anywhere pack a brutal punch when given full rerolls from Abaddon. Plague Marines are Tim’s unique choice, and honestly? I love them in this Black Legion list. They aren’t quite as durable as a Terminator brick, but they are roughly ~150 points cheaper, giving Tim way more resources to invest in other units. The great part about having big bricks with different marks is that you can access a wider variety of defensive buffs. With access to both Delightful Agonies and Skeins Of Fate and Miasma Of Pestilence, Tim can provide significant durability boosts to 3 different units at once–or make Abaddon into an unholy terror if something like a Flyrant with the Reaper of Obliterax wants to come knocking.
While Abaddon in a Black Legion list can be nearly invincible in some matchups, he is vulnerable against this Tzeentch Daemons list. With access to targeted MW spells, invuln-ignoring melee from Be’lakor, and plenty of mobile shooting, Abaddon can be quickly dispatched if he gets too aggressive.
The biggest deciding factor was secondaries. Tim is forced to almost always take a Kill secondary with his list because the Black Legion secondary situation is rather dire. Unfortunately for Tim, this Daemons list really doesn’t give up significant points in any one category. Because the Daemons will always take Reality Rebels and can score 15 without crossing midfield, Tim has a lot of pressure to make something happen with his Black Legion. The Daemons list has a lot of mobility to apply damage where the Black Legion list is weak as they try to push forward. If the Bikers get picked off, then the Black Legion list is largely limited to just walking 5” or 6” moving Infantry around the board.
I suspect a big Infernal Gateway from the Lord of Change also made a difference in this matchup. The Black Legion list wants to make a ball in the center. This means that if Tim ever makes a small positioning mistake with his front unit (which can easily happen in the final round of a GT), a Lord of Change with +2 or +3 to cast can easily explode 15+ MW into Tim’s castle.
I also want to give congrats to Alex Stamatiou, who won the event with his Necrons. I didn’t choose them for the Showdown because we are all tired of hearing about ObSekh Necron lists by now, but he’s a genuinely excellent player who has gotten a ton of reps in with his list. We practiced often in the months and both made each other better as players. For anyone whose goal is to improve as a 40K player, the most important advice I can give you is to find a good practice partner and focus on learning over winning when you play.
Result
Tzeentch Daemons Victory 91 – 83
Alex Stamatiou – Necrons – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Necrons) [46 PL, -4CP, 940pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: <Custom> + No Force Org Slot + Viral Construct [1 PL, 15pts]: Canoptek Plasmacyte Viral Construct [1 PL, 15pts]: Canoptek Plasmacyte + HQ + Catacomb Command Barge [9 PL, -2CP, 180pts]: Gauss Cannon, Rarefied Nobility, Relic: Voltaic Staff, Resurrection Orb, Staff of Light, Stratagem: Relic, Warlord Trait (Codex 1): Enduring Will + Troops + Immortals [4 PL, 80pts]: 5x Immortal, Tesla Carbine + Elites + Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 180pts] Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 180pts] + Heavy Support + Lokhust Destroyers [12 PL, 240pts] Lokhust Heavy Destroyers [3 PL, 50pts] ++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [37 PL, -4CP, 660pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: <Custom> + HQ + Chronomancer [5 PL, -1CP, 75pts]: Aeonstave, Dynastic Heirlooms, Relic: Veil of Darkness Illuminor Szeras [8 PL, 145pts] + Elites + Canoptek Spyders [4 PL, 65pts] + Fast Attack + Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 135pts] Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 120pts] Tomb Blades [4 PL, 60pts] Tomb Blades [4 PL, 60pts] ++ Supreme Command Detachment +2CP (Necrons) [21 PL, 10CP, 400pts] ++ + Configuration + Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: <Custom> Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + The Silent King [21 PL, 2CP, 400pts]: Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord Trait (Szarekhan): The Triarch’s Will ++ Total: [104 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 6x Lokhust Destroyer: 6x Gauss Cannon
. Lokhust Heavy Destroyer (Gauss Destructor)
. Canoptek Spyder: Fabricator Claw Array
. 9x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 9x Feeder Mandibles
. 8x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 8x Feeder Mandibles
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2x Annihilator Beam
Archetype
Eternal Expansionists
Thoughts
A mobility/shooting-focused ObSekh list that leans into Tomb Blades and Scarabs with a Catacomb Command Barge instead of the traditional melee-focused builds, though there are still plenty of Skorpekh too.
Best Of The Rest
3 more players finished with 4-1 or better records.
- 2nd – Wallace O’Donnell – Tzeentch Daemons: See Showdown.
- 3rd – Taylor Pearson – Custodes: Taylor brought some Custodes classics–an Emperor’s Chosen list with 2 Dreadnoughts and 3 units of Jetbikes–but added his own spin with a big brick of 8 Custodian Guard to hold the center. Emperor’s Chosen Custodian Guard with shields are still a nightmare for many armies to try to chew through, and Avenge The Fallen makes them surprisingly dangerous even after taking heavy casualties.
- 4th – Alex Nanez – T’au: Alex leaned into the strengths of Farsight Enclaves, bringing 3 Commanders along a massive Crisis brick. 2 Sunshark Bombers that can redeploy off the board provide a powerful early threat, and support units like Kroot, Hounds, and a Piranha provide screening and early objective grabbing.
Wrap Up
It’s been a hell of a weak, and I’m thrilled to see the exciting range of top performing lists on show this far into Nephilim. We’ve got more to look forward to this weekend with the US Open in Chicago, and hopefully we’ll soon have a Balance Dataslate to shake everything up as well. Stay tuned, and keep gaming!
