Our panel is back for part two of one of the biggest Competitive Innovations weeks ever. I’m once more joined by Tom Lowman, Jeremy “Curie” Atkinson and Peter “The Falcon” Colosimo to cover another seven events – plus one very special, extremely self-indulgent bonus at the end.

Today we’ll be reviewing the lists from:

Milwaukee GT (Major)
Dice Arcade (Major)
Broadsword Wargaming
HWP Salty Classic
Capital Clash
Brewhammer 3
Winter Ruin Grand tournament
Bonus – FactoruM February GT

If you’re looking for any of the following events, go check out Wednesday‘s part 1:

The Cherokee Open (Supermajor)
Scheunenkloppen Open – War Zone Erkelenz (Major)
Scorched Earth Open (Major)
Dice Crusher
The Lightly Salted Winter GT
MTC Winter GT

Huge thanks to the squad for assembling to make this week possible – and thanks to the huge number of players out there rolling dice for making the scene so vibrant right now!

Milwaukee GT

70-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in New Berlin, Wisconsin US on February 25 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The baleful eye of the Falcon is falling upon the midwest in this instance.

Charlie Andre – Dark Angels – 1st Place

Deathwing Terminator Praetor. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels) [112 PL, 2,000pts, 10CP] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Dark Angels

Game Type

+ HQ +

Ezekiel [7 PL, 105pts]

Interrogator-Chaplain [7 PL, 130pts]: 4. Mantra of Strength, 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Jump Pack, Litany of Hate, Power fist, The Armour Indomitus, Thunder hammer, Wise Orator

+ Elites +

Deathwing Ancient [7 PL, 105pts]: Chapter Command: Chapter Ancient, Pennant of Remembrance
. Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield

Deathwing Champion [5 PL, 80pts, -1CP]: Chapter Command: Chapter Champion, Martial Exemplar, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter

Deathwing Command Squad [4 PL, 70pts]: Watcher in the Dark
. Deathwing Sergeant
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield

Deathwing Terminator Squad [18 PL, 330pts]: Watcher in the Dark
. Deathwing Sergeant
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield

Ravenwing Apothecary [6 PL, 120pts, -1CP]: 5. Decisive Tactician (Aura), Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary, Selfless Healer, Stratagem: Paragon of the Chapter, Warlord
. Black Knight Bike: Astartes grenade launcher

Terminator Assault Squad [18 PL, 330pts]: Teleport Homer
. Assault Terminator Sergeant
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. 9x Assault Terminator w/THSS: 9x Storm shield, 9x Thunder hammer

++ Total: [112 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

My Infinite Sadness Made Manifest

Final Round Matchup

100 – 55 Victory against Matthew Monsour – Dark Angels.

Thoughts

Like their primarch, this Dark Angels list stands around, does nothing, and people still think it is cool. It only took the nerfing of just about every other faction in the game and an additional 500+ points to work with for this codex to finally come into its own and have its players fully enjoy a single-player experience. The first legion is the worst legion.

To be fair to Charlie, he has been playing this list on and off for years now, and has put up repeated results when a poor soul could only fit 30 deathwing inside its shell. He has proven to be an exceedingly canny player with lists like this so it only makes sense that the additional 45 transhuman wounds would put it over the top for him. The Interrogator-Chaplain with Wise Orator is a big piece of the puzzle here, allowing for a guaranteed turn 2 Canticle of Hate and 20-30 Deathwing to then pin an opponent into their deployment zone with the additional movement it provides. Once it has entrenched itself that deep I am sure Charlie sits down and does his taxes or updates his dream journal while his opponent puzzles out how to get out of the situation. 5+ Watchers in the Dark help shore up one of the list’s major malfunctions by providing the additional mortal wound protection it needs.

What makes it interesting? This is the anti-thesis of interesting. It is 45ish architects of violence standing around waiting for the bus for 2 and a half hours. It just about maxes oaths of moment and stubborn defiance just by exporting it out of battlescribe. Sure does win games though.

Ben Cherwien – Black Templars – 2nd Place

Black Templars High Marshal Helbrecht. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++ Arrrrkks matey bt (Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition) [127 PL, 1CP, 1,994pts] +++

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Black Templars) [127 PL, 1,994pts, 1CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Heavy Support

Chapter Selection: Black Templars

Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen

+ HQ +

Chaplain Grimaldus [7 PL, 120pts]: 1. Litany of Divine Protection, 4. Fires of Devotion, Litany of Hate

High Marshal Helbrecht [8 PL, 140pts]

Primaris Chaplain on Bike [7 PL, 115pts, -2CP]: 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Litany of Hate, Rites of War, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Tannhauser’s Bones, Warlord

+ Troops +

Assault Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 85pts]
4x Assault Intercessor: 4x Astartes Chainsword, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol
Assault Intercessor Sgt: Plasma pistol, Thunder hammer

Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 100pts]: Helix gauntlet
4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
Infiltrator Sergeant

+ Elites +

Primaris Apothecary [5 PL, 100pts, -2CP]: Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary, Selfless Healer, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter, The Crusader’s Helm

Terminator Assault Squad [19 PL, 279pts, -1CP]: Teleport Homer, The Crux Obsidian
Assault Terminator Sergeant: Stratagem: Champion of the Feast
Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
7x Assault Terminator w/THSS: 7x Storm shield, 7x Thunder hammer

+ Heavy Support +

Gladiator Lancer [10 PL, 125pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Icarus Rocket Pod, Multi-melta

Gladiator Reaper [11 PL, 150pts]: Auto Launchers, Icarus Rocket Pod, Multi-melta

+ Dedicated Transport +

Impulsor [6 PL, 100pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Ironhail Skytalon Array, Multi-melta

Archetype

Templars in Cars Getting Coffee

Thoughts

And now for something completely different, mechanized Black Templars is a list that absolutely should bring joy into someone’s heart. Uphold the Honour of the Emperor giving out a 5++ to all of the impulsors and gladiators combined with the faction exclusive addition of free multi-meltas on all of them puts these vehicles over the top. The impulsor tech also opens up Carry Out Their Vows as a legitimate secondary option as it is not terribly difficult to keep a squad of intercessors in an impulsor until late game and pick up the additional 5 VP from it when the time comes. The terminator squad with crux obsidian backed by an apothecary is a mainstay unit, able to post up mid-field and stand around soaking damage with all of the skill we have established that that takes. A very interesting combined arms list backed by a swath of support characters and Helbrecht to make the assault intercessors and terminators hit hard when it counts.

JP Marquart – Grey Knights – 3rd Place

Grey Knights Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Grey Knights) [96 PL, 1,690pts, 2CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Heavy Support

Brotherhood: Prescient Brethren

+ Stratagems +

Armoury of Titan [-1CP]: 1 Additional Relic

+ HQ +

Brotherhood Librarian [6 PL, 95pts, -1CP]: 4: Purifying Flame, 4: Vortex of Doom, 6: Psychic Epitome, Combi-melta, Shield of Humanity
. Nemesis Force Sword

Brotherhood Techmarine [4 PL, 70pts, -1CP]: 1: Gate of Infinity, Boltgun, Divination, Omnissian Power Axe, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord
. Servo Arms

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight [12 PL, 235pts, -1CP]: 1: Gate of Infinity, 2: Empyric Amplification, 3: Unyielding Anvil, Dreadfist, Dreadknight teleporter, Foretelling of Locus, Gatling Psilencer, Heavy Psycannon, Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Shield of Humanity, Sigil of Exigence

+ Troops +

Strike Squad [6 PL, 100pts]
. 4x Grey Knight (Sword): 4x Nemesis Force Sword, 4x Storm Bolter
. Grey Knight Justicar
. . Nemesis Force Sword

Strike Squad [6 PL, 100pts]
. 3x Grey Knight (Halberd): 3x Nemesis Force Halberd, 3x Storm Bolter
. Grey Knight (Warding Stave)
. Grey Knight Justicar
. . Nemesis Force Halberd

+ Fast Attack +

Interceptor Squad [16 PL, 240pts]
. 9x Interceptor (Sword): 9x Nemesis Force Sword, 9x Storm Bolter
. Interceptor Justicar
. . Nemesis Force Sword

Interceptor Squad [8 PL, 120pts]
. 4x Interceptor (Halberd): 4x Nemesis Force Halberd, 4x Storm Bolter
. Interceptor Justicar
. . Nemesis Force Halberd

+ Heavy Support +

Nemesis Dreadknight [8 PL, 170pts]: Dreadfist, Dreadfist, Dreadknight teleporter, Gatling Psilencer, Heavy Psycannon

++ Super-Heavy Auxiliary Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Imperial Knights) [16 PL, 310pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Army of Renown: Freeblade Lance

Chivalric Oath: Mixed Army

Detachment Command Cost

Questor Allegiance: Freeblade Lance

+ Lord of War +

Armiger Helverins [16 PL, 310pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Hunters of Beasts, Questor Imperialis
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber

++ Total: [112 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Daddy Day-Care

Thoughts

A return of an old favorite with a little extra flair, 4 dreadknights put up serious wall of meat and bullets for opponents to deal with, while 20 interceptors flit around scoring purifying ritual turn after turn. The addition of 2 Helverins with Hunter of Beasts gives the list a ranged threat to soften up enemy vehicles, something it would have solely relied on close combat or purgation squads to deal with in the past. The list asks its opponents to come up with an answer to the dreadknights immediately or try to ignore them outright and focus on the highly mobile scoring threats within it. It is no surprise that JP’s sole loss came to a more ravenwing heavy DA list, something with enough speed and firepower to pick up 2+ dreadknights a turn while constantly pressuring its backfield.

Eric Forsman – Orks – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Orks) [118 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elites

Clan Kultur: Goffs

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Heroic Support [-1CP]: Speedboss

+ HQ +

Boss Zagstruk [6 PL, 110pts]

Warboss in Mega Armour [6 PL, -2CP, 115pts]: Da Krushin’ Armour, Proper Killy (Goffs), Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord

Warboss on Warbike [6 PL, -2CP, 115pts]: 4. Brutal but Kunnin, Da Killa Klaw, Power Klaw, Stratagem: Big Boss, Stratagem: Extra Gubbinz

+ Troops +

Beast Snagga Boyz [5 PL, 100pts]
. 9x Beast Snagga Boy: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga
. Beast Snagga Nob

Gretchin [2 PL, 40pts]: ‘Orrible Gitz
. 10x Gretchin: 10x Grot Blaster

Gretchin [2 PL, 40pts]
. 10x Gretchin: 10x Grot Blaster

+ Elites +

Kommandos [8 PL, 120pts]: Bomb Squig
. Boss Nob: Power Klaw
. 9x Kommando: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga, 9x Stikkbombs

Kommandos [4 PL, 60pts]
. Boss Nob: Power Klaw
. 4x Kommando: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs

Nobz [12 PL, 176pts]
. Boss Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw

Nobz [12 PL, 154pts]
. Boss Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw
. Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw

+ Fast Attack +

Stormboyz [6 PL, 110pts]
. Boss Nob: Power Klaw
. 9x Stormboy: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga, 9x Stikkbombs

+ Heavy Support +

Battlewagon [8 PL, 120pts]: ‘ard Case

Kill Rig [11 PL, 190pts]: 2. Frazzle, 6. Squiggly Curse

++ Total: [118 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Goff Pressure

Thoughts

Much like the list that won the MTC event discussed in part 1, Eric has gone with another take on the Goff pressure lists we’ve seen of late, dropping a kill rig and squig hogz in favor of a battlewagon filled with nobz. Kill Rigs, Storm Boyz and Kommandos allow for turn 1/2 waaghs that can dig deep into enemy lines and limit primary scoring by weight of bodies for multiple turns and break the back of any list that is too aggressive in its deployment. A strong list but one that has very little answers to 45 deathwing terminators as seemed to be shown in the 4th round here when Forsman came into contact with Charlie’s wall of bone white ceramite.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Matthew Monsour – Dark Angels: RW/DW Combined Arms
6th – Matt Root – Orks: Goff Nobs and Killa Kans
7th – Devin Orchard – Necrons: Novokh Destroyers
8th – James “Boon” Kelling – Asurani: Hail of Doom Goodstuff
9th – Devin McMillan – Tyranids: Leviathan Gaunts
10th – Dakota Kramer – Aeldari: Hail of Doom with Harlie Support
11th – Zach Day – Space Wolves: Dreadnought Stuff

Dice ARCADE gt

80-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Gymea, New South Wales AU on February 24 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Falcon has got this one.

Alexander Englezos – Cult Mechanicus – 1st Place

Adeptus Mechanicus - Ironstrider Ballistarii — Adeptus Mechanicus – Ironstrider Ballistarii
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Just a few chickens

Name: Alexander Englezos
Faction: Adeptus Mechanicus
Subfaction: Mars

Hq’s
– Marshal: Exemplars, Firepoint 50pts
– Dominus: Artisans, Red Axe 105pts

Troops
– 5 Skitarii Rangers: 1 Plasma 50pts

Elites
– 5 Sicarian Infiltrators: Tasers 85pts
– 10 Sicarian Ruststalkers: Blades, Tempocorpia 160pts
– 10 Sicarian Ruststalkers: Blades, Omniscent Mask 160pts

Fast Attack
– 4 Ironstrider Balistarii: Lascannons 340pts
– 4 Ironstrider Balistarii: Lascannons 340pts
– 3 Sydonian Dragoons: Tasers + Serpenta 165pts
– 3 Sydonian Dragoons: Tasers + Serpenta 165pts
– 3 Serberys Raiders 54pts
– 3 Serberys Raiders 54pts

Heavy Support
– Onager Dunecrawler: Neutron Laser, 2x Cognis Stubbers 100pts

Dedicated Transports
– Skorpius Dunerider 85pts
– Skorpius Dunerider 85pts

1cp starting
1998pts

Bring it down = 20pts
No prisoners = 67w = 7pts
Assassinate = 7pts
Grind = 15 Units

Archetype

Mars PotPourri

Final Round Matchup

100 – 87 Victory against Brodie Middleton – Astra Militarum.

Thoughts

And lo, did the followers of the Omnissaiah put up their first big result in the last month with a solid mix of highly mobile firepower and pointy sticks. 6 Sydonian Dragoons and 20 Rust Stalkers huddled inside 2 Duneriders spearhead a list designed to put out some extreme early firepower from downtown from the 8 Ironstriders and single Neutron-equipped Dunecrawler. 5 Sicaran Infiltrators and two squads of Serberys Raiders provide early game leverage should the list need it to screen out the mid-field and keep one hand on the ever-frustrating Tactica Obliqua should it be required.

Word is that some of the tables at the event had some powerful firing lanes which seems to lend credence to why a number of the top lists had some more ‘interesting’ unit selections. We’re told Alexander was able to get Brodie to concede after a single shooting phase in the final, which isn’t shocking given it seems perfectly designed to pick up multiple Leman Russes a turn.

Damian Ridgwell – Dark Angels – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Army name: Dark Angels
Factions used: Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels
Command Points: 6-1-1-1-1-1-1=0
Total cost: 1997 pts, 108 PL
Reinforcement Points: 3 pts

Number of Units: 13
Assassination: 15 points
Bring it Down: 2 points
No Prisoners: 13 points
Abhor the Witch: 0 points
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

== Dark Angels Arks of Omen == 0 CP, 1997 pts, 108 PL

Stratagems:
– Heroic Support (-1 CP)

HQ1: Lazarus [100 pts, 6 PL]
HQ2: Ravenwing Talonmaster: Arbiter’s Gaze, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter [160 pts, 9 PL, -1 CP]
HQ3: Sammael [135 pts, 8 PL]

TR1: Infiltrator Squad: Helix gauntlet, 4xInfiltrator, Infiltrator Sergeant [100 pts, 6 PL]
TR2: Infiltrator Squad: Helix gauntlet, 4xInfiltrator, Infiltrator Sergeant [100 pts, 6 PL]

EL1: Deathwing Ancient: 1-3. Watched, Chapter Command: Chapter Ancient, Pennant of Remembrance, Rites of War, Stratagem: Paragon of the Chapter, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield (Storm shield, Thunder hammer), Warlord [105 pts, 7 PL, -3 CP]
EL2: Deathwing Terminator Squad: Deathwing Sergeant (Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield), 2xDeathwing Terminator (Cyclone Missile Launcher, Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield), 7xDeathwing Terminator (Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield), Watcher in the Dark [330 pts, 18 PL]
EL3: Deathwing Terminator Squad: Deathwing Sergeant (Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield), Deathwing Terminator (Cyclone Missile Launcher, Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield), 7xDeathwing Terminator (Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield), Watcher in the Dark [297 pts, 18 PL]
EL4: Ravenwing Apothecary: Black Knight Bike (Plasma Talon), Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary, Selfless Healer, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter [120 pts, 6 PL, -1 CP]

FA1: Attack Bike Squad: 3xAttack Bike (Multi-melta) [150 pts, 6 PL]
FA2: Attack Bike Squad: 3xAttack Bike (Multi-melta) [150 pts, 6 PL]
FA3: Attack Bike Squad: 3xAttack Bike (Multi-melta) [150 pts, 6 PL]
FA4: Ravenwing Land Speeder Vengeance: Assault cannon [100 pts, 6 PL]

Archetype

A Mixed Basket of Wings

Thoughts

You all know my thoughts on Dark Angels. They’re bad and you should feel bad for playing them. Unlike some of the other lists we’ve seen succeed this week, Damian went with a heavier contingent of Ravenwing, throwing 9 attack bikes and a Land Speeder Vengeance backed by Sammael and a Talon Master in his list. While it opens up more counter play from opponents than the Oops All Deathwing lists, the extra speed and long range firepower comes in handy when playing into some of the highly mechanized lists seen at this event. 20 Terminators are still a pain to move out of the mid-field and the addition of 10 Infiltrators is great tech for mitigating the damage of enemy Karskin drops or whatever other shenanigans await. The cutest tech piece here is Lazarus, no doubt acting as a bodyguard for the Terminator squads, handing them the extra bit of mortal wound protection they need via his Spiritshield Helm while still providing rerolls in a pinch.

Brad Milner – Deathskulls – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Orks) [103 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Troops

Clan Kultur: Deathskulls

Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Heroic Support: Warboss

+ HQ +

Beastboss on Squigosaur [9 PL, -2CP, 165pts]: 3. ‘Ard as Nails, Beasthide Mantle, Stratagem: Big Boss, Stratagem: Relic, Thump Gun

Ghazghkull Thraka [15 PL, -1CP, 300pts]: Proper Killy (Goffs), Stratagem: Warlord Trait

+ Troops +

Beast Snagga Boyz [5 PL, 100pts]
. 9x Beast Snagga Boy: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga
. Beast Snagga Nob

Gretchin [2 PL, 40pts]
. 10x Gretchin: 10x Grot Blaster

+ Elites +

Kommandos [4 PL, 60pts]
. Boss Nob: Power Klaw
. 4x Kommando: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs

+ Fast Attack +

Megatrakk Scrapjets [5 PL, 100pts]
. Megatrakk Scrapjet

Squighog Boyz [4 PL, 80pts]: Bomb Squig
. 3x Squighog Boy: 3x Saddlegit Weapons, 3x Squighog Jaws, 3x Stikka

+ Heavy Support +

Kill Rig [11 PL, 190pts]: 2. Frazzle, 6. Squiggly Curse

Kill Rig [11 PL, 190pts]: 5. Beastscent, 6. Squiggly Curse

+ Flyer +

Wazbom Blastajet [10 PL, 210pts]: 2x Tellyport Mega-Blastas, Boom Boyz, Stikkbomb Flinga, 2x Supa Shoota

+ Lord of War +

Kill Tank [15 PL, 325pts]: Bursta Kannon

++ Total: [103 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Full Lotto

Thoughts

Sometimes Ork players go into an event with a plan to pressure opponents with hordes of bodies and transports, other times they choose a faster route, using buggies to try to outflank and outshoot their opponents, and sometimes they do the thing that Orks love to do and just embrace insanity. A Wazbom and a Killtank in the same list, along with 2 Kill Rigs and Ghaz is a surefire recipe for disaster whether the dice gods are on your side or not and will forever place you in someone’s book of legends. Why push a bunch of models around when you can just field all this chungus? With 3d6 Str 10 ap 3 dmg 3 shots, often at BS 3, the Killtank is an extremely pricey unit that can just as easily cripple an opponent’s key midfield bully unit in a single turn as it can casually pick up a single marine depending on where things lie, and its flying counterpart, the Wazbom can do the same. I am sure every single one of Brad’s opponents had to tighten their sphincters with each shooting phase as all of these big guns came to bear, and his marine opponents could only wonder what mistakes they made in their lives to have to face this absolute mess. If only because Brad managed to take out the 45 deathwing list he went up against in his final round do I dub this entry ‘The Greatest Warhammer List Ever Written’. Sorry everyone else, your ideas are worthless, this is our future.

Egor Kalinin – Necrons – 4th Place

Monolith with Death Rays. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Necrons) [121 PL, 1,999pts, 1CP] ++

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Fast Attack

Dynasty Choice: Dynasty: Nihilakh

+ No Force Org Slot +

Canoptek Plasmacyte [1 PL, 15pts]

+ HQ +

Catacomb Command Barge [9 PL, 150pts, -3CP]: Gauss Cannon, Hand of the Phaeron, Relic: Voltaic Staff, Staff of Light, Stratagem: Relic, Warlord

Technomancer [7 PL, 95pts, -1CP]: Arkana: Fail-Safe Overcharger, Canoptek Cloak, Dynastic Heirlooms, Relic: Veil of Darkness

+ Troops +

Necron Warriors [12 PL, 121pts]
. 11x Necron Warrior (Gauss Reaper): 11x Gauss Reaper

+ Elites +

Hexmark Destroyer [4 PL, 65pts, -1CP]: Dynastic Heirlooms, Relic: Gauntlet of the Conflagrator

Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 120pts]: Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade)
. 3x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 3x Hyperphase Threshers

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

+ Fast Attack +

Canoptek Scarab Swarms [2 PL, 45pts]
. 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 3x Feeder Mandibles

Canoptek Wraiths [6 PL, 105pts]
. 3x Canoptek Wraith (Claws): 3x Vicious Claws

Tomb Blades [4 PL, 54pts]
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer

+ Heavy Support +

Doomsday Ark [8 PL, 145pts]

Lokhust Destroyers [15 PL, 285pts]
. 6x Lokhust Destroyer: 6x Gauss Cannon
. Lokhust Heavy Destroyer (Gauss Destructor)

+ Lord of War +

Monolith [17 PL, 270pts]
. 4 Death Rays

++ Total: [121 PL, 1CP, 1,999pts] ++

Archetype

Monolithic Nihilakh

Thoughts

An interesting take on the standard Nihilakh lists that have come out of Ark of Omens with the loss of the Expanionistic/Obsec combo, Egor has elected to back up the primary sources of his scoring in the Skorpekhs, Scarabs, and Wraiths with 2 Doomsday Arks and a whole fethin’ Monolith. Given a field full of mechanized multi-wound threats, and the potential of terrain giving some more forgiving angles than might be seen elsewhere, these choices make excellent sense. Not only does the Monolith provide some withering anti-vehicle firepower from a large threat point, if allowed to post up in the center of the field then its Eternity Gate can come to bear, shunting Skorpekhs into position for some highly reliable charges.

The Best of the Rest

There were 9 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Brodie Middleton – Astra Militarum: Born Soldiers Goodstuff
6th – Josh Brodie – Chaos Daemons: Be’lakor and More
7th – William Wykoff – Grey Knights: Prescient Dreadknights
8th – Joshua Hynes – Dark Angels: That’s So Ravenwing
9th – Chris Oneill – Adeptus Custodes: Emperor’s Chosen Potpourri
10th – Kyle Pearson – Orks: Goff Pressure
11th – Sean Challenger-Scotman – Dark Angels: Mixed RW and DW
12th – Ben Browne – Harlequins: The Light Stuff.
13th – Benjamin Hayter – Salamanders: Vulkan and Friends

Broadsword Wargaming 40K ITC Winter Major II

56-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Castlebar, County Mayo IE on February 25 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Tom takes charge here.

Ian Wilson – Adeptus Custodes – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Harambetodes!!!!

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Custodes) [98 PL, 1,985pts, 4CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elites

Detachment Type / Shield Host: Adeptus Custodes, Solar Watch

+ Agents of the Imperium +

Harambe: Jokaero Weaponsmith [1 PL, 20pts]: Jokaero weapons, Ordo Malleus

+ HQ +

Trajann Valoris [8 PL, 200pts]: 1. Master of Martial Strategy, 2. Champion of the Imperium, Misericordia, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Watcher’s Axe

+ Elites +

Allarus Custodians [15 PL, 300pts]
. 5x Allarus w/ Guardian Spear & Misericordia: 5x Balistus Grenade Launcher, 5x Guardian Spear, 5x Misericordia

Allarus Custodians [12 PL, 240pts]
. 4x Allarus w/ Castellan Axe & Misericordia: 4x Balistus Grenade Launcher, 4x Castellan Axe, 4x Misericordia

Allarus Custodians [6 PL, 120pts]
. Allarus w/ Castellan Axe & Misericordia: Balistus Grenade Launcher, Castellan Axe, Misericordia
. Allarus w/ Guardian Spear & Misericordia: Balistus Grenade Launcher, Guardian Spear, Misericordia

Custodian Wardens [25 PL, 500pts]
. 10x Warden w/ Guardian Spear & Misericordia: 10x Guardian Spear, 10x Misericordia

Custodian Wardens [25 PL, 500pts]
. 3x Warden w/ Castellan Axe & Misericordia: 3x Castellan Axe, 3x Misericordia
. 7x Warden w/ Guardian Spear & Misericordia: 7x Guardian Spear, 7x Misericordia

Vexilus Praetor [6 PL, 105pts, -2CP]: (Solar Watch): Sally Forth, Castellan’s Mark, Guardian Spear, Misericordia, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: The Emperor’s Heroes, Vexilla Magnifica

++ Total: [98 PL, 1,985pts, 4CP] ++

Archetype

Solar Watch Golden Slabs

Final Round Matchup

92 – 83 Victory against Joseph Musgrave – Genestealer Cult.

Thoughts

Custodes players have rallied around the infantry domination build first pioneered in the Antipodes. It goes hard on foot infantry, maximising all of the horrific de-buffing power of Arcane Genetic Alchemy and The Emperor’s Auspice to create slabs of golden nonsense that require serious heavy lifting to remove. Solar Watch offers advance and charge and fall back and charge tech to help the sturdy shiny lads get around the board, and the ever present threat of being trapped in with one of the slabs via the Kaptaris Ka’tah will live rent-free in the minds of wary opponents, and very much ruin the lives of the unwary ones. Bowling a very resilient brick of dudes at the enemy seems to be one of the ways in which the non-gun meta is surviving at the moment, and this is no exception.

Ian has snuck a Jokaero Weaponsmith in here for purposes unknown. Screening perhaps? Action play? Maybe it’s just something for the opponent to smile at whilst a wave of un-killable chads rolls through their army with all the inevitability of a drunken 3 am trip to McDonalds. Either way, the Solar Watch GOLDEN SLABS are here to take names and stick around for the foreseeable. Heaven help us. Congratulations Ian!!

Colin Power – Aeldari – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

== *Far-Flung Craftworld* (Hail of Doom) Arks of Omen = 0 CP, [85 PL, 1620 pts] ==

HQ: Baharroth [7 PL, 160 pts]
HQ: Farseer [5 PL, 105 pts] 1. Fateful Divergence, 5. Focus Will, Smite, Warlord, Witchblade
HQ: Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 135 pts] 1. Guide, 2. Doom, Smite, Witchblade

TR: 5 Rangers [4 PL, 65 pts] 5xRanger

EL: 10 Dire Avengers [6 PL, 130 pts] 9xDire Avenger (Avenger Shuriken Catapult), Dire Avenger Exarch (Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults)
EL: 10 Dire Avengers [6 PL, 130 pts] 9xDire Avenger (Avenger Shuriken Catapult), Dire Avenger Exarch (Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults)
EL: 10 Dire Avengers [6 PL, 130 pts] 9xDire Avenger (Avenger Shuriken Catapult), Dire Avenger Exarch (Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults)

FA: 3 Shroud Runners [5 PL, 90 pts] 3xShroud Runner
FA: Vypers [3 PL, 45 pts] Vyper w/ Shuriken Cannon (Shuriken cannon, Twin Shuriken Catapult)
FA: Vypers [3 PL, 45 pts] Vyper w/ Shuriken Cannon (Shuriken cannon, Twin Shuriken Catapult)
FA: 9 Windriders [12 PL, 270 pts] 9xWindrider – Shuriken Cannon
FA: 5 Windriders [8 PL, 100 pts] 5xWindrider – Twin Shuriken Catapults
FA: 5 Windriders [8 PL, 100 pts] 5xWindrider – Twin Shuriken Catapults

NFO: 2 Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 50 pts] Warlocks (5. Quicken/Restrain, Smite, 2xWarlock (Witchblade))
NFO: Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 65 pts] Warlock Skyrunners (4. Protect/Jinx, Smite, Warlock Skyrunner (Witchblade))

== Twilight: Twilight Falls Patrol Detachment = 0 CP, [16 PL, 380 pts] ==

HQ: Troupe Master [4 PL, 85 pts] 3: A Foot in the Future, Cegorach’s Rose (Treasures of the Aeldari Relic), Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol, Stratagem: Champion of the Aeldari, Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari

TR: 5 Troupe [4 PL, 90 pts] Lead Player (Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol), Player (Harlequin’s Caress, Shuriken Pistol), Player (Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol), 2xPlayer (Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol)

EL: Death Jester [4 PL, 110 pts] 1: Favour of Cegorach, Harvester of Torment, Stratagem: Champion of the Aeldari

DT: Starweaver [4 PL, 95 pts]

END OF ROSTER

Archetype

Hail of Doom / Twilight

Thoughts

The elf community has decided to fight sheer murderousness with, you guessed it, sheer murderousness. Hail of Doom is back in style, and this list packs a lot of the usual suspects (truck load of Dire Avengers, big stack of Shuriken Cannon Windriders ready to Fire and Fade, Baharroth, etc). The double act of a tooled up Troupe Master and Death Jester (in Twilight for the added shenanigans) bring even more precision threat to the list and tools for punking irritating enemy characters.

Vypers and Shroudrunners offer the list some cheap disposable Behind Enemy Lines candidates for the opening exchanges, and the means with which to tease enemy armies onto the enormous volleys of shuriken this list will be looking to unleash in rounds 2-3. This list has the raw shooting to absolutely hose down any hard targets it is presented with, and the speed to get stuck in and tie things up if the need arises. That flexibility will be clutch in a meta that is beginning to polarise around agressive durable melee bricks and cagey gunlines. Being able to absolutely demolish any ambitious teleporting Kasrkin or Deamons via Forewarned does the Asuryani no harm here either.

As alluded to earlier this week, now that a Harlequins patrol is just a free plugin it is extremely hard to ignore, and you can expect elf lists of all flavours to be bringing some charismatic performers along for the ride as the meta develops. Colin’s list is fairly light on ob sec, but as a wiser, more agressive player than me once said, ob sec doesn’t do much if you’re dead. Great work Colin!

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd – Mike Tangney – Ynnari: A delightfully weird Ynnari list with a huge Court of the Archon in a fricking TANTALUS
4th – Mark Morrow – Orks: Goff Pressure Goodstuff
5th – Matheusz Osweicinski – Tyranids: Behemoth nids with lots of Screamer Killers and a Maleceptor
6th – Dan Ahern – Iron Hands: Lots and lots of Land Speeders and Gladiators with a Stormraven Gunship in tow.
7th – Oisin McCormack – Chaos Daemons: MSU Daemons with Belakor and a Bloodthirster.
8th – Vivion Grisewood – Grey Knights: Swordbearers Interceptors and Dreadknights and ANOTHER Stormraven!
9th – Rares Platon – Iron Warriors: An absolute baller IW list with a Dreadclaw, Greater Blight Drone, Levi Dread and supporting War Dogs.
10th – Tristram Hills – Imperial Knights: Freeblade Lance with a mighty Valiant to harpoon foes. Editors Note: Tristram went undefeated here, as a real-life emergency kept him from playing round 3 – an especially glorious showing for the Valiant!

HWP Salty Classic GT February 2023

43-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Plantation, Florida US on February 25 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Wings and Curie are tag-teaming this one.

Marc Parker – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Tyranids) [99 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Troops

Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen

Hive Fleet: Adaptive, Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

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

Rarefied Enhancements [-2CP]: 2x Extra Bio-artefact

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 195pts, -1CP]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Catalyst, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, Relic: Shardgullet, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Alien Cunning

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 190pts]: Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Relic: Balethorn Cannon, Stranglethorn Cannon, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Gargoyles [4 PL, 80pts]
. 10x Gargoyle: 10x Fleshborer

Hormagaunts [4 PL, 80pts]
. 10x Hormagaunt: 10x Hormagaunt Talons

Termagants [4 PL, 70pts]: Fleshborer, 10x Termagant

+ Elites +

Tyrant Guard [15 PL, 225pts]
. 5x Tyrant Guard (Scything): 5x Two Rending Claws, 5x Two Scything Talons

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 210pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Heavy Support +

Carnifexes [7 PL, 145pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Two Carnifex Scything Talons

Carnifexes [14 PL, 290pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Two Carnifex Scything Talons
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Two Carnifex Scything Talons

Carnifexes [7 PL, 150pts]
. Carnifex: Chitin Thorns, Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Two Carnifex Scything Talons

+ Flyer +

Harpy [10 PL, 190pts]: 2x Stranglethorn Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement

Harpy [9 PL, 175pts]: 2x Stranglethorn Cannon

++ Total: [99 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++

Archetype

Leviathan Monsters

Final Round Matchup

82 – 46 Victory against Andrew Zoitas – Iron Hands.

Thoughts

Despite everything, despite an avalanche of nerfs, point rises and everything else, there’s still some determined Tyranid players hanging on, and Marc stands tall among them by managing to win a GT. The list he’s used to pull that off makes a lot of sense – condense down to the small number of datasheets that are still pretty efficient on rate (surprisingly including Harpies, who I guess make a decent second strike here), and daring the opponent to face them, while also backfilling shooting capability via spending CP on relic guns for the two Tyrands. Apparently even the mighty Iron Hands couldn’t blast these bugs efficiently enough to stop their rampage, and if you’re still determined to serve the great devourer, this is certainly food for thought. Which Tyranids love.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Curtis Hotaling – Astra Militarum: 7 Leman Russes backed up by 20 Kasrkin and 3 mortar HWTs. Notably no Leontus.
3rd – Dylan Williamson – Orks: Goff Pressure with a big brick of Trukk Boyz Nobz.
4th – William Lozada – Craftworlds: Masterful Shots / Swift Strikes with 9 Shroud Runners and 19 Windriders.
5th – Tim Pinney – World Eaters: Showcasing the WE codex, featuring both Lord Invocatus as well as a Lord on Juggernaut, Stat Check’s own Tim Pinney also brought out a combined 22 Eightbound of both flavours and 20 Berzerkers.
6th – Garry Morneault – Emperor’s Children: 5 Noise Marine units and a big brick of Chaos Terminators with the Black Rune of Damnation.
7th – Andrew Zoitas – Iron Hands: All-rounder Iron Hands with lots of guns attached to various Marines and hulls, but also Terminators and Aggressors for a punchier core.

Capital Clash Winter ’23 Grand Tournament

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Gatineau, QC CA on February 25 2023. Curie was the TO and Judge of this event – so he’s got all the juicy details! All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Conversion

Chet Manly – World Eaters: The Disciples of the Red Angels make their tournament debut here – and it’s a wild list! Angron, Lord Invocatus, 14 Eightbound, Karanak, some Flesh Hounds, Bloodletters, and featuring not one but TWO Chaos Land Raiders to round it out.
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Chaos – World Eaters) [85 PL, 1,630pts, 5CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elites

Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen

Subfaction: Disciples of the Red Angel

+ HQ +

Lord Invocatus [8 PL, 160pts]

+ Elites +

Eightbound [12 PL, 200pts]: Mutable Form
. 4x Eightbound: 8x Eightbound eviscerator
. Eightbound Champion: Heavy chainglaive

Eightbound [6 PL, 120pts]
. 2x Eightbound: 4x Eightbound eviscerator
. Eightbound Champion: Lacerators

Exalted Eightbound [7 PL, 135pts]
. 2x Exalted Eightbound: 2x Eightbound chainfist, 2x Eightbound eviscerator
. Exalted Eightbound Champion
. . Two eviscerator chainfists

+ Heavy Support +

Chaos Land Raider [14 PL, 270pts]: Havoc launcher

Chaos Land Raider [14 PL, 265pts]

+ Lord of War +

Angron [18 PL, 360pts, -1CP]: Stratagem: Warlord Trait, The Red Angel

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Daemons) [21 PL, 370pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Chaos Allegiance: Khorne

+ HQ +

Karanak [5 PL, 90pts]

+ Troops +

Bloodletters [6 PL, 130pts]: Daemonic icon, Instrument of Chaos
. 9x Bloodletter: 9x Hellblade

+ Fast Attack +

Flesh Hounds [5 PL, 75pts]: Gore Hound
. 4x Flesh Hound: 4x Gore-drenched fangs

++ Total: [106 PL, 2,000pts, 5CP] ++

vs.

François Lalonde – Iron Hands: Nassim Fouchane-inspired Oops-all-guns
Army List - Click to Expand

Army name: Nassim IH
Factions used: Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Iron Hands
Command Points: 6-1-1-1-1-1-1=0
Total cost: 1997 pts, 114 PL
Reinforcement Points: none pts

Number of Units: 19
Assassination: 10 points
Bring it Down: 9 points
No Prisoners: 9 points
Abhor the Witch: 0 points
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

== Iron Hands Successor (Custom Chapter, Master Artisans, Whirlwind of Rage) Unbound Army (Faction) == 0 CP, 1997 pts, 114 PL

HQ1: Primaris Lieutenant: Neo-volkite pistol, Master-crafted power sword and Storm Shield, Rites of War, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, The Vox Espiritum, Warlord [65 pts, 5 PL, -2 CP]
HQ2: Primaris Techmarine: Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Target Protocols [70 pts, 4 PL, -1 CP]

TR1: Infiltrator Squad: Helix gauntlet, 4xInfiltrator, Infiltrator Sergeant [100 pts, 6 PL]
TR2: Infiltrator Squad: Helix gauntlet, 4xInfiltrator, Infiltrator Sergeant [100 pts, 6 PL]

CEL1: Relic Contemptor Dreadnought: Cyclone missile launcher, Merciless Logic, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: March of the Ancients, 2xTwin volkite culverin [195 pts, 8 PL, -3 CP]
EL1: Scout Squad: 5xCamo cloak, Scout Sergeant (Sniper rifle, Thunder hammer), Scout w/Heavy weapon (Missile launcher), 3xScout w/Scout sniper rifle [60 pts, 4 PL]
EL2: Scout Squad: 5xCamo cloak, Scout Sergeant (Sniper rifle, Thunder hammer), Scout w/Heavy weapon (Missile launcher), 3xScout w/Scout sniper rifle [60 pts, 4 PL]
EL3: Vanguard Veteran Squad: Jump Pack, 9xVanguard Veteran (Lightning Claw, Storm shield), Vanguard Veteran Sergeant (Relic blade, Storm shield) [307 pts, 14 PL]

FA1: Land Speeder Tornadoes: Land Speeder Tornado (Assault cannon, Multi-melta) [70 pts, 4 PL]
FA2: Land Speeder Tornadoes: Land Speeder Tornado (Assault cannon, Multi-melta) [70 pts, 4 PL]
FA3: Land Speeder Tornadoes: Land Speeder Tornado (Assault cannon, Multi-melta) [70 pts, 4 PL]

HS1: Devastator Squad: Devastator Marine Sergeant (Combi-melta, Thunder hammer), 3xDevastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon (Grav-cannon), Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon (Multi-melta) [125 pts, 8 PL]
HS2: Devastator Squad: Devastator Marine Sergeant (Combi-melta, Thunder hammer), 3xDevastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon (Grav-cannon), Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon (Multi-melta) [125 pts, 8 PL]
HS3: Devastator Squad: Devastator Marine Sergeant (Combi-melta, Thunder hammer), 3xDevastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon (Grav-cannon), Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon (Multi-melta) [125 pts, 8 PL]
HS4: Eradicator Squad: Eradicator, Eradicator Sgt, Eradicator with MM, Heavy melta rifle [135 pts, 7 PL]
HS5: Gladiator Reaper: Auto Launchers, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber [150 pts, 10 PL]

DT1: Drop Pod: Deathwind launcher [70 pts, 4 PL]
DT2: Land Speeder Storm [50 pts, 3 PL]
DT3: Land Speeder Storm [50 pts, 3 PL]

Thoughts

This World Eaters list is really interesting – it packs a serious melee punch between Angron, the Eightbound, and Lord Invocatus while also having a fairly resilient backfield in the form of the two T9 Chaos Land Raiders. Chet lost 3 Land Raiders across the whole event, mostly because people were too busy dealing with the angriest Primarch flying towards their lines. Those Land Raiders are also rocking the upgraded Twin Soulshatter Lascannons, which allow the army to reach out and score some ranged kills, farming blood tithe points for the army to pump themselves up on. The Eightbound running out of the Land Raiders with Invocatus’ +2″ movement aura also ensures they bound down the field quite quickly – on the disembark turn they move a minimum of 14″ from the front of their Land Raider, making backlining against them really rough. Francois’ list lacks efficient screens, so if they connect it’s a serious issue for him.

Angron being a Warp Locus is interesting here – while there are only a few Daemons in the allied Patrol, they all have the benefit of being able to start in deepstrike and manifest themselves wholly within 6″ of Angron and outside of 6″ of enemy models. Angron flying up 16″ and dropping those bloodletters then charging himself is a very scary thought – and many players fell to exactly this last weekend. I stood there and watched Angron do a loop of the battlefield while half an Astra Militarum army tried it’s best to gun him down and fail. Where this gets tricky is that Francois’ list has two units of Infiltrators, which deny deepstrikes within 12″ of them. With careful positioning, that Warp Locus trick won’t work on him.

Sadly for the Disciples of the Red Angel, Francois’ list packed a few too many guns. I watched as World Eaters took their first turn, aggressively positioned some Eightbound, the Land Raiders, and some Flesh Hounds. No shooting form his Chaos Land Raiders due to Francois’ careful deployment. Francois’ response to this was to pick up a Chaos Land Raider, the 5-man of Eightbound, one 3-man of Eightbound, and one unit of Flesh Hounds while chipping Lord Invocatus down to 3 wounds. Turn 2 Chet bravely raced the rest of his army forward, unfortunately his deepstriking Bloodletters failed to kill 2 devastator squads and lost most of their number to the squad Sergeants’ (free) Thunder Hammers. Francois proceeded to bring down the other Chaos Land Raider, Angron (death #1), the remaining Eightbound, Flesh Hounds, and drop 5 scouts on Chet’s home objective, denying him any primary. Turn 3 Chet used 6 Blood Tithe Points to resurrect Angron, who made a heroic charge into the exposed character Contemptor. Who proceeded to Fire Overwatch, making use of Iron Hands’ stratagem Optimal Repulsion Doctrines to Overwatch on 5+. Angron died to the Krak Missiles before the 2 Twin Volkite Culverins had a chance to shower him with mortal wounds.

I talked to Chet briefly after the game about his list and where he’s at.

Chet: I don’t know honestly the land raiders are a fantastic anchor and can let the 8B really springboard up the table with the help of invocatus.
But mainly it was just a blast to run. Which is why we’re all here

Agreed Chet, agreed. I hear his next list may include Skarbrand…

Result

Iron Hands Victory – 20 – 0

François Lalonde – Iron Hands – 1st Place

Rainbow Warriors Relic Contemptor with Volkite Culverins by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

See showdown

Archetype

Nassim WWoR/MA Guns

Final Round Matchup

20 – 0 Victory against Chet Manly – World Eaters.

Thoughts

It’s something like 200 shots a turn. Just an absolutely eye-watering amount of firepower. You should feel ashamed Francois. Nassim as well, for helping him write this monstrosity.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Chet Manly – World Eaters: See the showdown.
3rd – Zach Comeau – Astra Militarum: Eschewing Born Soldiers and embracing Armoured Superiority + Swift as the Wind, Zach brought 6 Leman Russes, Scions for scoring, and 2 skirmishing units of Attilan Rough Riders.
4th – Bruno Choquette – Dark Angels: This list looks familiar. Oh wait, it’s mine! (see Competitive Innovations two weeks ago).

Winter Ruin Grand tournament- Warhammer 40k

42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Coplay, PA US on February 25 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Tom is lining up his final event of the week here.

Derek Apsche – Chaos Space Marines – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [101 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Troops

Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen

Legion: Black Legion

+ HQ +

Abaddon the Despoiler [15 PL, -1CP, 350pts]: 3. Merciless Overseer, 5. Eternal Vendetta, 6. Paragon of Hatred, Stratagem: Warlord Trait

Dark Apostle [5 PL, -1CP, 95pts]: Chaos Undivided, Cloak of Conquest, Illusory Supplication, Stratagem: Relic
. 2x Dark Disciple: 2x Close combat weapon

Master of Possession [7 PL, -1CP, 125pts]: Gifts of Chaos, Liber Hereticus, Mark of Slaanesh, Mutated Invigoration, Pact of Flesh

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [7 PL, -1CP, 125pts]: Chaos Familiar, Combi-melta, Death Hex, Force stave, Gifts of Chaos, Mark of Tzeentch, Veilbreaker Plate, Warptime

+ Troops +

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

Legionaries [6 PL, 90pts]: Chaos Icon, Chaos Undivided
. Aspiring Champion: Plasma pistol, Power fist
. 2x Legionary w/ astartes chainsword: 2x Astartes chainsword, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
. Legionary w/ heavy chainaxe
. Legionary w/ heavy weapon: Lascannon

+ Elites +

Chaos Terminator Squad [19 PL, -1CP, 440pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. Chaos Terminator: Chainfist, Combi-melta
. Chaos Terminator: Combi-melta, Power fist
. Chaos Terminator: Combi-melta, Power fist
. Chaos Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
. Chaos Terminator: Combi-bolter, Power fist
. Chaos Terminator: Accursed weapon, Combi-plasma
. Chaos Terminator: Accursed weapon, Combi-plasma
. Chaos Terminator: Accursed weapon, Combi-bolter
. Chaos Terminator: Accursed weapon, Combi-bolter
. Terminator Champion: Black Rune of Damnation, Chainfist, Combi-melta, Trophies of the Long War

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

+ Fast Attack +

Chaos Bikers [16 PL, 300pts]: Chaos Icon, Mark of Tzeentch
. Biker Champion: Astartes chainsword
. 6x Chaos Biker w/ astartes chainsword: 6x Astartes chainsword, 6x Combi-bolter, 6x Frag & Krak grenades
. Chaos Biker w/ combi-weapon: Astartes chainsword, Combi-plasma
. Chaos Biker w/ combi-weapon: Astartes chainsword, Combi-plasma

Venomcrawler [6 PL, 105pts]

+ Heavy Support +

Obliterators [5 PL, 90pts]: Obliterator

++ Total: [101 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Black Legion Terminators / Abaddon

Final Round Matchup

90 – 68 Victory against Sascha Alexander Edelkraut – Black Templars.

Thoughts

Refusing to acknowledge the supposedly vulnerable state of your faction and wrecking face anyway is CLASSIC Abaddon, right?! Chaos Space Marines haven’t had a very good time in Arks of Omen thus far due to a combination of targeted nerfs and lavish buffs handed out to their many enemies. Derek has set out here to prove the haters wrong with a tightly bounded but well constructed list. Abaddon striding around with buffed up Terminators isn’t particularly new, but I really like the combo tech of the Tzeentch Sorceror and Biker brick- you can slap a 4++ on these guys and send them forwards to make trouble, with their ability to ignore a failed save only adding to the durability.

Victory here hinges on getting Abaddon and his entourage to places the opponent doesn’t want them, so a large distraction unit roaming ahead of them with surprising levels of resilience can only help with that plan. There are other staple choices in the Possessed and Venomcrawler, but those Bikers are the all stars here, able to benefit from the Black Legion +1 to hit in both shooting and combat, clearing screens and getting stuck into whatever juicy assets lie behind. Delivery and forward pressure are the areas CSM feel most vulnerable at the moment, and Derek has found a solution that works for him. Great work!!

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Jesse Melvin – Astra Militarum: Born Soldiers Goodstuff with some Ratlings and Rough Riders for flavour.
3rd – Kyle Myers – Dark Angels: Mixed arms Dark Angels with Razorback Devastators, double Talonmasters and triple Storm Speeder Thunderstrikes.
4th – Sascha Alexander Edelkraut – Black Templars: Enormous slabs of Sternguard, Sword Brethren, and Crusaders, with Impulsor delivery.
5th – Matthew DeFranza – Craftworlds: Phoenix Lords, an Avatar, and a truckload of Aspect Warriors for Wrath of Khaine.
6th – Mark Van Horn – Ulthwe: D Cannon Ulthwe with three Phoenix Lords along for the ride. Maugan Ra even gets a look in!
7th – Nolan Haley – Chaos Daemons: Monster mash with Skarbrand, phase capped Bloodthirster, and a Lord of Change, supported by three squads of Fiends.
8th – Craig Valvano – Chaos Knights: House Vextrix War Dogs led by a Knight Despoiler.
9th – Mark Buckwalter – Astra Militarum: Born Soldiers Goodstuff with Ratlings.

BrewHammer GT 3

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Scotland United Kingdom on February 25 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Curie is on point here.

Garron Owen – Space Wolves – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Space Wolves) [113 PL, 1CP, 1,998pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen

+ HQ +

Captain on Bike [8 PL, -3CP, 145pts]: Chapter Command: Chapter Master, Combi-melta, Hunter, Rites of War, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Stratagem: Warrior of Legend, The Armour of Russ, Thunder hammer, Warlord

Primaris Chaplain on Bike [8 PL, -1CP, 135pts]: 3. Exhortation of Rage, 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Wise Orator

+ Troops +

Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 100pts]: Helix gauntlet
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant

+ Elites +

Judiciar [5 PL, 75pts]

Wolf Guard [7 PL, 137pts]: Jump Pack
. Wolf Guard: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Wolf Guard: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Wolf Guard: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Wolf Guard: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Wolf Guard Pack Leader: Combi-melta, Thunder hammer

Wulfen [6 PL, 140pts]
. Wulfen Pack Leader: Wulfen Frost claws
. 3x Wulfen w/ thunder hammer & storm shield: 3x Storm Shield, 3x Thunder Hammer
. Wulfen w/ Wulfen frost claws: Wulfen Frost claws

+ Fast Attack +

Skyclaws [8 PL, 110pts]
. Skyclaw
. Skyclaw
. Skyclaw
. Skyclaw Pack Leader: Meltagun, Power fist
. Skyclaw with Special Weapon: Meltagun
. Wolf Guard Skyclaw Pack Leader: Combi-melta, Thunder hammer

Skyclaws [8 PL, 110pts]
. Skyclaw
. Skyclaw
. Skyclaw
. Skyclaw Pack Leader: Meltagun, Power fist
. Skyclaw with Special Weapon: Meltagun
. Wolf Guard Skyclaw Pack Leader: Bolt pistol, Combi-melta, Thunder hammer

+ Heavy Support +

Eliminator Squad [4 PL, -1CP, 75pts]: Las Fusil
. Eliminator Sergeant: Instigator Bolt Carbine, Morkai’s Teeth Bolts, Stratagem: Thane of the Retinue
. 2x Eliminators: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Camo cloak, 2x Frag & Krak grenades

Long Fangs [10 PL, 172pts]:Armorium Cherub
. Long Fang: Lascannon
. Long Fang: Lascannon
. Long Fang: Lascannon
. Long Fang: Missile launcher
. Long Fang: Missile launcher
. Long Fang Pack Leader: Plasma gun, Power fist
. Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader: Combi-plasma, Cyclone missile launcher, Storm shield

Long Fangs [10 PL, 172pts]:Armorium Cherub
. Long Fang: Grav-cannon
. Long Fang: Grav-cannon
. Long Fang: Grav-cannon
. Long Fang: Grav-cannon
. Long Fang: Missile launcher
. Long Fang Pack Leader: Plasma gun, Power fist
. Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader: Combi-plasma, Cyclone missile launcher, Storm shield

++ Total: [113 PL, 1CP, 1,998pts] ++

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Archetype

Space Wolf Pressure

Final Round Matchup

99 – 69 Victory against Gavin Heritage – Imperial Knights.

Thoughts

Yet another showing for Wolves with toys for boys all day long, with 3×5 Wulfen to further complement the insane melee pressure this list puts out. Whirlwind of Rage gives Tesla (double exploding 6’s) in the Assault Doctrine, making all those Thunder Hammers even spookier. As highlighted earlier this week, the Long Fang Terminator Pack Leader being able to fire his Cyclone Missile Launcher twice in one turn is also very potent. The sheer number of jump pack power armoured bodies in this list would make Blood Angel players salivate while still packing enough firepower to make an Iron Hands player weak in the knees. Of special note is the Eliminator squad with Morkai’s Teeth Bolts, giving mobile Lieutenant-style wound rerolls of 1 to tougher targets. The Instigator Bolt Carbine allows the unit to fire and fade 6″ as well, keeping them safe from return fire or allowing them to position for the next turn.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Matthew Moran – Necrons: Nihilakh goodstuff with The Silent King running support.
3rd – Gavin Heritage – Imperial Knights: Freeblade Lance featuring an Errant and 3 Mysterious Guardian Helverins for Strategic Reserve shenanigans.
4th – Geoff Webb – Necrons: Double C’tan (Nightbringer + Void Dragon) Nihilakh with The Silent King supporting.
5th – Brodie Atkinson – Dark Angels: A new twist on Ravenwing with 3 bricks of Black Knights, 3 Bike Squads, and some speeders along with the requisite Twin Talonmasters.
6th – Ryan Cook – Astra Militarum: Born Soldiers goodstuff with 5 Leman Russes and 30 Kasrkins.
7th – Richard Simms – Genestealer Cults: Myriad Cults at it again – 110 Neophytes and 30 Atalan Jackals.

Bonus – FactoruM February GT

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

It’s me, your boy, Wings in charge. “But wait”, I hear you say – this was only 26 players. Don’t you normally cut off at 28? Well yes, but have you seen how much Warhammer there was to absorb this week? Do I not do enough for you people? Don’t I deserve a treat?

James “One_Wing” Grover – Craftworlds – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [101 PL, 2,000pts, 3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elites

Craftworld Selection
. *Far-Flung Craftworld*: Hail of Doom

+ No Force Org Slot +

Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 50pts]
. Warlocks: 5. Quicken/Restrain, Smite
. . Warlock: Shuriken Pistol, Witchblade
. . Warlock: Shuriken Pistol, Witchblade

+ HQ +

Asurmen [8 PL, 160pts]: The Bloody Twins, The Sword of Asur

Baharroth [7 PL, 160pts]: Fury of the Tempest, The Shining Blade

Farseer [5 PL, 105pts, -1CP]: 1. Fateful Divergence, 1. Guide, Shuriken Pistol, Smite, Stratagem: Relic, Warlord, Witchblade
. Faolchu’s Wing: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 135pts, -2CP]: 2. Doom, 3. Ghostwalk, 5: Mark of the Incomparable Hunter, Shuriken Pistol, Smite, Stratagem: Champion of the Aeldari, Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari, Twin Shuriken Catapult, Witchblade
. Kurnous’ Bow: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

+ Troops +

Rangers [4 PL, 65pts]
. 5x Ranger: 5x Ranger Long Rifle, 5x Shuriken Pistol

+ Elites +

Dire Avengers [6 PL, 130pts]: Defence Tactics
. 9x Dire Avenger: 9x Avenger Shuriken Catapult, 9x Plasma Grenades
. Dire Avenger Exarch: Plasma Grenades, Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults

Dire Avengers [4 PL, 80pts]: Defence Tactics
. 4x Dire Avenger: 4x Avenger Shuriken Catapult, 4x Plasma Grenades
. Dire Avenger Exarch: Plasma Grenades, Stand Firm, Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults

Howling Banshees [5 PL, 110pts]
. 4x Howling Banshee: 4x Banshee Blade, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Howling Banshee Exarch: Mirrorswords, Piercing Strikes

Striking Scorpions [5 PL, 110pts]
. 4x Striking Scorpion: 4x Mandiblasters, 4x Scorpion Chainsword, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Striking Scorpion Exarch: Biting Blade, Crushing Blows, Mandiblasters

+ Fast Attack +

Shroud Runners [5 PL, 90pts]
. 3x Shroud Runner: 3x Ranger Long Rifle, 3x Scatter Laser, 3x Shuriken Pistol

Vypers [3 PL, 40pts]
. Vyper w/ Scatter Laser: Scatter Laser, Twin Shuriken Catapult

Windriders [8 PL, 180pts]
. 6x Windrider – Shuriken Cannon: 6x Shuriken Cannon

+ Heavy Support +

Falcon [9 PL, 155pts]: Pulse Laser, Shuriken Cannon, Shuriken Cannon

+ Dedicated Transport +

Wave Serpent [8 PL, 145pts]: Twin Shuriken Cannon, Twin Shuriken Catapult

++ Total: [101 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Hail of Doom

Final Round Matchup

86 – 50 Victory against Dave Elliott – Chaos Daemons

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Yes, that’s right, much like Flaco the Owl I am in full hooting posture because my latest Aeldari experiment was a great success. Much like some of the other lists looked at this week, I have come to the conclusion that survival in this metagame is best achieved through having the damage output to swiftly obliterate the opposition, and for Craftworlds that means Hail of Doom. Buffed up Dire Avengers and Windriders are some of the nastiest shooting tools out there in this Craftworld, and adding in the super squads of Banshees and Scorpions only amplifies the army’s killing power. The Falcons were also crucial – they allowed me to deploy with a very low footprint, hiding from opposing threats, while retaining the ability to counter-punch hard early on. In general I was stashing the Banshees and small Avenger unit in the Falcons, chucking one big unit of Avengers into Strategic Reserves and working from there, and the list performed exceptionally well. Secondary-wise I was usually taking Behind Enemy Lines and Warp Ritual and switching up third options as appropriate, sometimes going for Banners, Scout or a kill option.

My only concern with the army is that it does slightly struggle to land 100pt victories, which might hold it back in larger events using VP tiebreakers, and with that in mind I might go for swapping out the small Avenger unit (probably also splitting one of the tens into two fives for flexibility) and the Vyper for a Shining Spear squad, just to open up Wrath a bit more – but otherwise this is what I’m taking to events for the forseeable future, it rules!

The Best of the Rest

Three more players finished on 4-1 records, and the player in 6th got paired up against me in round 5, so i’ve gone to that placing.

2nd – Jay Seebarun – Dark Angels: Ravenwing-heavy Dark Angels with one big Terminator unit and a Deathwing Command Squad providing objective-holding crunch, and Infiltrators to play for Stubborn Defiance.
3rd – Martyn Cooper – Astra Militarum: Born Soldiers Goodstuff with some supporting Scions, and a small unit each of Rough Riders and Bullgryn for melee counter-punch.
4th – Tim O’Flynn – Votann: Greater Thurian League 2Fort with one bulked up Bike unit to maximise re-rolls from Uthar.
5th – James Hobbs – Dark Angels: Inner Circle Dark Angels with lots of Deathwing and powerful Characters.
6th – Dave Elliott – Chaos Daemons: Dave gave me a fantastic game in the final, running the Be’lakor/Bloodthirster/Big Bird monster mash build with Fiends and Flesh Hounds for early pressure. Great fun, and also turns out to have been very good prep for writing about the Dice Crusher showdown – those big Daemons are tough to take out even with Hail!

Wrap Up

What a week, huh? Let’s hope the huge enthusiasm keeps rolling on as we delve further into the new metagame, and we’ll see you next week.

Competitive Innovations in 9th: Peak Warhammer pt.2

Milwaukee GT

Charlie Andre – Dark Angels – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

Ben Cherwien – Black Templars – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

JP Marquart – Grey Knights – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Eric Forsman – Orks – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Dice ARCADE gt

Alexander Englezos – Cult Mechanicus – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

Damian Ridgwell – Dark Angels – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Brad Milner – Deathskulls – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Egor Kalinin – Necrons – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Broadsword Wargaming 40K ITC Winter Major II

Ian Wilson – Adeptus Custodes – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

Colin Power – Aeldari – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

HWP Salty Classic GT February 2023

Marc Parker – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Capital Clash Winter ’23 Grand Tournament

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Conversion

Thoughts

Result

François Lalonde – Iron Hands – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Winter Ruin Grand tournament- Warhammer 40k

Derek Apsche – Chaos Space Marines – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

BrewHammer GT 3

Garron Owen – Space Wolves – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup