After the excitement of LVO last weekend, it looks like a lot (though not all) of the tournament scene is taking a bit of a weekend off (understandable). Next week we’ll be back to full speed on singles, with Beachhead Brawl providing a massive major, and the first opportunity for the UK’s top players to add some big numbers to their new season’s ITC score, so there will be plenty to talk about then, but with only three GTs this week, it felt like a good opportunity to glance at the exciting world of team events, reviewing the top two sets of rosters from the Northern Warlords Winter Teams. Team events are often a good place to identify where the “extremes” are in the format, so the dawn of a new season is the perfect time to take a look.
That means that today we’ll be looking at:
- Cross Swords 2023
- Bastion Games Ulster Warlords 2.0: Wrath of Angels
- Torneo The Guild León
- Northern Warlords Teams
Note that we’ll also be covering CaptainCon, the biggest event of the week, on a special Friday addendum. With only a few events and plenty of churn among the top lists, I’m just going to cover all three showdowns in the other events this week. Democracy dies once more.
CROSS-SWORDS 40K 2023
40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England GB on February 04 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Unknown
Simon Corder – Space Wolves: Robots and rabid dogs – lots of cheap Dreadnoughts as an anvil, Long Fangs and Wulfen as a hammer. + Configuration + **Chapter Selector**: Space Wolves Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elites Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen + HQ + Bjorn the Fell-handed [10 PL, 155pts]: Twin lascannon Captain on Bike [8 PL, -3CP, 145pts]: Chapter Command: Chapter Master, Combi-melta, Hunter, Resolve of the Bear, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Stratagem: Warrior of Legend, The Pelt of Balewolf, Thunder hammer, Warlord Primaris Lieutenant [4 PL, 65pts]: Bolt pistol Techmarine [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: Chapter Command: Master of the Forge, Servo-arm, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter, The Armour of Russ + Troops + Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 100pts]: Helix gauntlet Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 100pts]: Helix gauntlet + Elites + Murderfang [8 PL, 140pts] Primaris Ancient [4 PL, 70pts]: Bolt rifle Venerable Dreadnought [8 PL, 135pts]: Helfrost Cannon Venerable Dreadnought [8 PL, 135pts] Wulfen [6 PL, 145pts] Wulfen [6 PL, 145pts] Wulfen Dreadnought [7 PL, 120pts] Wulfen Dreadnought [7 PL, 120pts] + Fast Attack + Cyberwolves [1 PL, 15pts]: Cyberwolf Cyberwolves [1 PL, 15pts]: Cyberwolf + Heavy Support + Long Fangs [10 PL, 172pts]: Armorium Cherub Long Fangs [8 PL, 138pts]: Armorium Cherub ++ Total: [113 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts]
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Space Wolves) [113 PL, 2CP, 2,000pts] ++
. Special issue bolt carbine and Master-crafted power axe
. Helfrost pistol and Tempest hammer
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant
. Great Wolf Claw w/Heavy flamer
. Fenrisian great axe and Blizzard shield: Storm bolter
. Wulfen Pack Leader: Wulfen Frost claws
. 4x Wulfen w/ thunder hammer & storm shield: 4x Storm Shield, 4x Thunder Hammer
. Wulfen Pack Leader: Wulfen Frost claws
. 4x Wulfen w/ thunder hammer & storm shield: 4x Storm Shield, 4x Thunder Hammer
. Fenrisian Great Axe and Blizzard Shield
. . Blizzard Shield: Heavy flamer
. Fenrisian Great Axe and Blizzard Shield
. . Blizzard Shield: Heavy flamer
. Long Fang: Lascannon
. Long Fang: Lascannon
. Long Fang: Lascannon
. Long Fang: Lascannon
. Long Fang: Lascannon
. Long Fang Pack Leader: Astartes Chainsword, Meltagun
. Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader: Cyclone missile launcher, Storm bolter, Storm shield
. Long Fang: Plasma cannon
. Long Fang: Plasma cannon
. Long Fang: Plasma cannon
. Long Fang: Plasma cannon
. Long Fang: Plasma cannon
. Long Fang Pack Leader: Astartes Chainsword, Meltagun
vs.
Mani Cheema – Dark Angels: Another very strong hammer and anvil list – ultra-quick Ravenwing shooting to deplete the enemy early on, two big Deathwing bricks to soak up whatever the opponent throws out in response. **Chapter Selector**: Dark Angels Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Fast Attack + HQ + Ravenwing Talonmaster [9 PL, 160pts, -1CP]: Rites of War, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord Ravenwing Talonmaster [9 PL, 160pts, -1CP]: Arbiter’s Gaze, Stratagem: Relic Sammael [8 PL, 135pts] + Troops + Incursor Squad [5 PL, 90pts]: Haywire Mine + Elites + Apothecary [4 PL, 65pts, -1CP]: 5. Decisive Tactician (Aura), Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter Deathwing Terminator Squad [18 PL, 330pts]: Watcher in the Dark Deathwing Terminator Squad [18 PL, 330pts]: Watcher in the Dark Ravenwing Black Knights [12 PL, 150pts] Ravenwing Champion [5 PL, 70pts, -2CP]: Blade of Triumph, Chapter Command: Chapter Champion, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter, The Imperium’s Sword + Fast Attack + Land Speeder Tornadoes [4 PL, 70pts] Land Speeder Tornadoes [4 PL, 70pts] Land Speeder Tornadoes [4 PL, 70pts] Ravenwing Land Speeder Vengeance [6 PL, 100pts]: Heavy bolter Ravenwing Land Speeder Vengeance [6 PL, 100pts]: Heavy bolter Ravenwing Land Speeder Vengeance [6 PL, 100pts]: Heavy bolter ++ Total: [118 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels) [118 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++
. 4x Incursor: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Occulus bolt carbine, 4x Paired combat blades
. Incursor Sergeant
. Deathwing Sergeant
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter, Power Fist
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter, Power Fist
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Storm Bolter & Power Fist
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Storm Bolter & Power Fist
. 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 Sergeant
. . Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter, Power Fist
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter, Power Fist
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Storm Bolter & Power Fist
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Storm Bolter & Power Fist
. 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
. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer
. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer
. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer
. Ravenwing Black Knight: Corvus Hammer
. Ravenwing Huntmaster: Corvus Hammer
. Black Knight Bike: Plasma Talon
. Land Speeder Tornado: Assault cannon, Multi-melta
. Land Speeder Tornado: Assault cannon, Multi-melta
. Land Speeder Tornado: Assault cannon, Multi-melta
Thoughts
Gregs hopes of getting a real, genuine reign of terror this time are looking pretty good if early results are anything to go by, as Dark Angels look super hot in the new metagame. The reasons why aren’t especially complicated – you take units that are already pretty aggressively priced in Arks like Terminators and Speeders, and amp up their durability with the Ravenwing and Deathwing bonuses. Thanks to the Devastator part of the Dark Angels superdoctrine, the speeders have enormous reach out of the gate, and can very quickly build up Codex Warfare if they stick in that mode for a few turns, while the Deathwing can move to the board centre and stay there, defying most attempts to deal with them. Easily one of the most promising-looking lists in the metagame, so can anything stand up to it?
Honestly – this Space Wolves list is better tooled than most, for a few reasons. First up, small Dreadnoughts might normally be a bit of a liability against the Ravenwing, but the Blizzard Shields that most are carrying around make them far sterner prospects to take on, giving some chance of an alpha strike at least partially whiffing, and requiring serious commitment to pick off if they’re lurking behind terrain, perhaps forcing an overextension. Secondly, there’s aren’t many units in the game that Deathwing terminator bricks fear, but Wulfen are on that list – with a bit of luck on the superdoctrine, helped along the way by Chapter Master and potentially Murderfang joining in (also pretty well statted to actually scare the Deathwing a bit). Add in the Armour of Russ to drop Fight Last on a block, and the fact that charging in to Wulfen is nearly as dangerous as getting charged, and there’s an actual game here – mostly one of cat and mouse as the Wolves try to keep the Wulfen somewhere that they threaten a dangerous charge, and the Dark Angels try and pick them off before they can unleash any such horrors.
That basically leaves two questions – can the Space Wolves manage to execute some sort of properly terrifying swing turn on the Dark Angels, and if they do, can the Dark Angels use their mobility to pick up the pieces and squeeze out a win afterwards. The Dark Angels having two routes to victory rather than the Wolves one does feel about right here, as the attrition definitely favours them, but I think it’s easy to write the Wolves off entirely if you don’t dig into the list enough to clock that it’s got some pretty excellent tools in the game. I really like the list in general, having long been a fan of Wulfen Dreadnoughts, and from the scoreline they definitely passed the first test of finding a way to make the Dark Angels work for it, but were just ground out in the end, with a very high score for both players.
Result
Dark Angels Victory – 95 – 92
Mani Cheema – Dark Angels – 1st Place
The List
See Showdown
Archetype
Dark Angels Ravenwing and Deathwing
Thoughts
We here at Goonhammer officially welcome the metagame’s new Dark Angels overlords. This list is obviously great just from the units that have been squeezed into it, but what I think makes the best Dark Angels builds (and this is one) really stand out is how difficult it is to avoid them leveraging their strengths. Ravenwing have the speed (especially in Devastator Doctrine) to put bullets wherever they’re needed early and often, and there’s almost nothing that no-sells the combination of perma-transhuman and a 1+/4+ when trying to kill the Deathwing – other units with ridiculous numbers of thunder hammer swings (i.e. Wulfen) are kind of it. That’s not to say they can’t be taken down, but it’s usually going to be hard work, and the time spent doing it is time when the Ravenwing guns are depleting the enemy’s forces, often from behind self-same wall of Terminators. A build to watch as the big events ramp up once more.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Simon Corder – Space Wolves: See showdown.
- 3rd – George McCoulough – Drukhari: Dark Technomancers returns, here amping up a quartet of Cronos and a Tantalus, with various standard Drukhari toys like Incubi and powerful Characters backing them up.
- 4th – Jonathan Summerfield – Salamanders: A flame-tastic Salamanders list packing three units of Aggressor and a full brick of Eradicators.
- 5th – Cameron Giles – Adeptus Custodes: Crunchy Emperor’s Chosen, featuring lots of Dreadnoughts, a pair of Caladius tanks and a unit of Venatari to go out hunting now that they’re ObSec once more.
- 6th – James Mclean – Tyranids: ObSec Jormundgandr monster mash that sticks to foot Tyrants to free up a few points in the grim new world Tyranids find themselves in.
- 7th – David LaPorta – Tau: Tau Sept Triptide.
Bastion Games Ulster Warlords 2.0: Wrath of Angels
36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Northern Ireland GB on February 04 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
This event used 20-0 scoring.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Recover the Relics
Richard Moore – Genestealer Cult: Industrial Cult Neophyte/Bike swarm. + Configuration + Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Troops Cult Creed Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen + Stratagems + Relic stratagem [-1cp] + HQ + Acolyte Iconward [4 PL, 65pts]: Relic: Oppressor’s Bane Magus [4 PL, 80pts]: Power: Psionic Blast, Power: Psychic Stimulus, Psychic Familiar Primus [4 PL, 70pts]: Warlord + Troops + Acolyte Hybrids [3 PL, 45pts] Acolyte Hybrids [3 PL, 45pts] Acolyte Hybrids [3 PL, 51pts] Acolyte Hybrids [4 PL, 79pts]: Proficient Planning: Lying in Wait Neophyte Hybrids [9 PL, 205pts]: Proficient Planning: A Perfect Ambush Neophyte Hybrids [9 PL, 200pts]: Proficient Planning: From Every Angle Neophyte Hybrids [8 PL, 190pts] Neophyte Hybrids [8 PL, 190pts] + Elites + Kelermorph [3 PL, 80pts]: Relic: Wyrmtooth Rounds Nexos [3 PL, 50pts]: Relic: Cranial Inlay Sanctus [3 PL, 70pts]: Cult Sniper Rifle + Fast Attack + Atalan Jackals [10 PL, 200pts]: 10x Atalan Power Weapon, 2x Demolition Charge, Proficient Planning: They Came From Below Atalan Jackals [9 PL, 190pts]: 10x Atalan Power Weapon, 2x Demolition Charge Atalan Jackals [9 PL, 190pts]: 10x Atalan Power Weapon, 2x Demolition Charge Total [96 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Tyranids – Genestealer Cults) [96 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++
Myriad Cult: Accustomed to Toil (1), Industrial Affinity (1), Synaptic Resonance (1), War Convoy (1)
Gene-sire’s Gifts [-2CP]: 2x Extra Relic
4x Acolyte Hybrid: 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Cult Claws and Knife, 4x Frag Grenades
Acolyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Claws and Knife
4x Acolyte Hybrid: 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Cult Claws and Knife, 4x Frag Grenades
Acolyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Claws and Knife
2x Acolyte Hybrid: 2x Autopistol, 2x Blasting Charges, 2x Cult Claws and Knife, 2x Frag Grenades
2x Acolyte Hybrid (Hand Flamer): 2x Blasting Charges, 2x Cult Claws and Knife, 2x Frag Grenades, 2x Hand Flamer
Acolyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Claws and Knife
Acolyte Hybrid
2x Acolyte Hybrid (Hand Flamer): 2x Blasting Charges, 2x Cult Claws and Knife, 2x Frag Grenades, 2x Hand Flamer
Acolyte Hybrid (Heavy Weapon): 2x Demolition Charge
Acolyte Leader: Cult Claws and Knife, Hand Flamer
Neophyte Hybrid (Icon): Cult Icon, Cult Shotgun
4x Neophyte Hybrid (Seismic): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Seismic Cannon
10x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun): 10x Autopistol, 10x Blasting Charges, 10x Cult Shotgun, 10x Frag Grenades
4x Neophyte Hybrid (Webber): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Webber
Neophyte Leader: Autopistol, Power Pick, Web Pistol
Neophyte Hybrid (Icon): Cult Icon, Cult Shotgun
4x Neophyte Hybrid (Seismic): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Seismic Cannon
10x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun): 10x Autopistol, 10x Blasting Charges, 10x Cult Shotgun, 10x Frag Grenades
4x Neophyte Hybrid (Webber): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Webber
Neophyte Leader: Autopistol, Power Pick, Web Pistol
Neophyte Hybrid (Icon): Cult Icon, Cult Shotgun
4x Neophyte Hybrid (Seismic): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Seismic Cannon
10x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun): 10x Autopistol, 10x Blasting Charges, 10x Cult Shotgun, 10x Frag Grenades
4x Neophyte Hybrid (Webber): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Webber
Neophyte Leader: Autopistol, Power Pick, Web Pistol
Neophyte Hybrid (Icon): Cult Icon, Cult Shotgun
4x Neophyte Hybrid (Seismic): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Seismic Cannon
10x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun): 10x Autopistol, 10x Blasting Charges, 10x Cult Shotgun, 10x Frag Grenades
4x Neophyte Hybrid (Webber): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Webber
Neophyte Leader: Autopistol, Power Pick, Web Pistol
Atalan Jackal (Grenade Launcher)
6x Atalan Jackal (Small Arms): 6x Atalan Small Arms, 6x Blasting Charges
Atalan Leader: Grenade Launcher
2x Atalan Wolfquad (Incinerator): 2x Atalan Incinerator, 2x Atalan Small Arms, 2x Blasting Charges
Atalan Jackal (Grenade Launcher)
6x Atalan Jackal (Small Arms): 6x Atalan Small Arms, 6x Blasting Charges
Atalan Leader: Grenade Launcher
2x Atalan Wolfquad (Incinerator): 2x Atalan Incinerator, 2x Atalan Small Arms, 2x Blasting Charges
Atalan Jackal (Grenade Launcher)
6x Atalan Jackal (Small Arms): 6x Atalan Small Arms, 6x Blasting Charges
Atalan Leader: Grenade Launcher
2x Atalan Wolfquad (Incinerator): 2x Atalan Incinerator, 2x Atalan Small Arms, 2x Blasting Charges
vs.
Michael McConkey – Chaos Space Marines: All-rounder Word Bearers with some Flamers of Tzeentch in tow. Secondary objectives: ++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [80 PL, 1,555pts, ] ++ Legion: Word Bearers + HQ [34 PL, 610pts, -5CP] + Daemon Prince with Wings [11 PL, 180pts, -1CP]: Gift of Chaos: G’holl’ax, the Decayed (Hellforged sword [10pts]), Malefic talons, Mark of Nurgle [1 PL, 15pts], Wings [2 PL, 35pts], Psychic Powers: Prescience, Putrid Miasma, Smite Dark Apostle [6 PL, 115pts, -1CP]: Relic: Epistle of Lorgar, Mark of Slaanesh [1 PL, 20pts], Soultearer Portent, Illusory Supplication, Blissful Devotion, Accursed crozius, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades [WARLORD] 2x Dark Disciple: 2x Close combat weapon Lord Discordant on Helstalker [10 PL, 190pts, -2CP]: Aspiring Lord: Flames of Spite, Baleflamer, Bladed limbs, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Gifts of Chaos: Gorget of Eternal Hate, Impaler chainglaive, Mark of Tzeentch [1 PL, 15pts], Mechatendrils, Techno-virus injector Master of Possession [7 PL, 125pts, -1CP]: Aspiring Lord: Daemonic Whispers, Bolt pistol, Staff of Possession, Frag & Krak grenades, Mark of Slaanesh [1 PL, 20pts], Psychic Powers: Mutated Invigoration, Pact of Flesh, Smite, Delightful Agonies + Troops [2 PL, 50pts] + Cultists Mob [2 PL, 50pts] 9x Chaos Cultist w/ cultist firearm [45pts]: 9x Cultist firearm, 9x Frag & Krak grenades . Cultist Champion [5pts]: Frag & Krak grenades + Elites [37 PL, 765pts, -1CP] + Chaos Terminator Squad [19 PL, 420pts, -1CP]: Mark of Slaanesh [1 PL, 20pts] Master of Executions [4 PL, 65pts]: Axe of dismemberment, Bolt pistol, Chaos Undivided, Frag & Krak grenades Possessed [7 PL, 140pts]: Chaos Icon, 4x Possessed [112pts]: 4x Hideous mutations . Possessed Champion [28pts]: Hideous mutations Possessed [7 PL, 140pts]: Chaos Icon, 4x Possessed [112pts]: 4x Hideous mutations . Possessed Champion [28pts]: Hideous mutations + Fast Attack [7 PL, 130pts] + Chaos Spawn [1 PL, 25pts] Hideous mutations Venomcrawler [6 PL, 105pts]: 2x Excruciator cannon, Soulflayer tendrils and claws ++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Daemons) [21 PL, 445pts] ++ Chaos Allegiance: Tzeentch + HQ [9 PL, 175pts] + Daemon Prince of Chaos with wings [9 PL, 175pts] 2x Malefic talons, Wings [2PL, 35pts], Daemonic Allegiance: Tzeentch, Psychic Powers: Bolt of Change, Infernal Flames, Smite + Troops [3 PL, 70pts] + Blue Horrors [3 PL, 70pts] 10x Blue Horror: 10x Coruscating flames + Elites [9 PL, 200pts] + Flamers [6 PL, 125pts] 4x Flamer [100pts]: 4x Flickering flames . Pyrocaster [25pts]: Flickering flames Flamers [3 PL, 75pts] 2x Flamer [50pts]: 4x Flickering flames . Pyrocaster [25pts]: Flickering flames ++ Total: [101 PL, 0 CP 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
Player Name: Michael McConkey
Factions: Heretics Astartes Arks of Omen, Legiones Daemonica Patrol
Starting CP: 0 (-1 CP Relic, -2CP Gift of Chaos (x2), -2CP Aspiring Lord (x2), -1CP Trophies of the Long War)
Warlord: Dark Apostle
Reinforcement Points: 0
Assassination: 19 (6 characters + Warlord)
Bring it down: 2
No Prisoners: 114 wounds
Abhor the Witch: 9
Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elite
1x Terminator Champion [41pts, -1CP]: Trophies of the Long War: Black Rune of Damnation, Chainfist [5pts], Combi-bolter
1x Chaos Terminator [41pts]: Chainfist [5pts], Combi-bolter
6x Chaos Terminator [41pts]: Combi-bolter, Power fist [5pts]
2x Chaos Terminator [36pts]: Accursed weapon, Combi-bolter
Thoughts
On to our second showdown, and it’s another one that gets more even the longer you look at it. Certainly on an initial glance I wasn’t convinced that the Chaos Space Marines could survive the sheer number of bodies and shots that the Cults present here, but they’ve actually got a lot going for them. Firstly, the mission is helpful – it makes it easier to screen out the Cults, much harder for the cult to aim to seriously tank primary, and has an objective map that broadens secondary options a bit. Good start. Second, there’s some decent anti-horde in the Word Bearers list – the Flamer unit is obviously gold, but the Terminators and Possessed both do nasty things to whatever they touch too. Thirdly, the list is very herohammer heavy, and the main unit that’s going to be out in the open is the Terminators, which are a tough one for a lot of the Cult toys to handle. Not only does that create a risk of a whiff into the Terminators followed by tragic consequences, it means that if the Terminators do go down there’s at least a second wave of nasty characters to rock into combat and start racking up a body count. It’s notable that the GSC list is on a pure horde plan, with very little in the way of counter-charge tools, so if they start getting multiple units tagged at once things get notably tough for them.
All that comes together with one final factor – the GSC have a harder time finding a third good Secondary here than Chaos. Broodswarm and Banners are obviously fine, but No Prisoners and either Banners or Exalt are just as free in the other direction. Because Ambush is unusually weak due to the low drop count for Chaos, third options for both sides plausibly end up being Assassinate or a Warpcraft choice, and it feels like Chaos have an easier time on both of those (and probably more additional options they’re willing to countenance to boot). Add that up and if the Cult can’t just clear the Chaos side out when they go for alpha strikes, this game suddenly looks a bit dicey for them. That means they can’t just do the normal Cult trick of relying on doing enough to stall the enemy that their strong secondaries and ability to deny primary sees them through to victory – they need to aim for actually wiping Chaos off the table. It’s certainly doable, and the plan is quite possibly to try and just clear everything that isn’t the Terminators as quickly as possible, as that’ll reduce the freedom that the Characters have to operate, though depending on how the early game plays out that could end up risky too – Blissful Devotion can give them long reach from the mid board, and if they start wrecking house on the GSC’s near objectives, they might not be able to pry them out in time.
Definitely feel like this could go either way, and I also think that it’s more possible for the Cults to pick up a big win here if their early alpha turns go very well, but as things played out the Word Bearers were able convery the important message that only one type of cultist is allowed around here, thank you very much.
Result
Chaos Space Marines Victory – 13 – 7
Michael McConkey – Chaos Space Marines – 1st Place
The List
See Showdown
Archetype
Word Bearers Herohammer
Thoughts
Mostly covered in the showdown, I think a lot of the strength of this list comes from the very narrow attack surface it presents. Don’t have a good answer to a big brick of Terminators with the Black Rune and Illusory Supplication? Then you’re getting lots of terrifying stuff thrown at you, and you’re going to like it. Add in the significant boost that the CSM Secondaries picked up in Arks, and this seems like a sold strategy, and nice to see Chaos not immediately vanishing beneath the loyalist boot – well done Michael.
The Best of the Rest
A lot of the games at the top here look to have been incredibly closely fought, with no one making it all the way through the event undefeated and a very blury line as to where to cut so Im just going to hit the rest of the top four and call it a day.
- 2nd – Richard Moore – Genestealer Cult: See Showdown.
- 3rd – David Kane – Red Scorpions: Someone actually went and did it – put Repulsors on the table in 2023. This list runs as Ultramarine Successors with the Red Scorpion special characters, ensuring that the tanks can’t get tied down in melee, and that the Invictors clanking to war alongside them are extra flexible.
- 4th – Gareth Agnew – Death Guard: Lots of Bloat-drones, lots of Deathshrouds and Plague Marines to fill, all as Mortarion’s Anvil for extra board control and the Gloaming Bloat on a nasty Daemon Prince.
Torneo The Guild León
34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in León, Gto. México on February 04 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Unknown
Xavier Barrera – Iron Hands: Iron Hands Successors packing Long-range Marksmen and Master Artisans for maximum melta death. + Configuration + **Chapter Selector**: Custom Chapter, Iron Hands Successor, Long-range Marksmen, Master Artisans Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elites Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen + HQ + Primaris Lieutenant [5 PL, 65pts] Primaris Techmarine [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: Chapter Command: Master of the Forge, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Target Protocols, Warlord + Troops + Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 100pts]: Helix gauntlet + Elites + Redemptor Dreadnought [10 PL, 185pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon Redemptor Dreadnought [10 PL, 185pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -3CP, 195pts]: Cyclone missile launcher, Merciless Logic, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: March of the Ancients, 2x Twin volkite culverin Sternguard Veteran Squad [6 PL, 100pts] Vanguard Veteran Squad [7 PL, 147pts]: Jump Pack Vanguard Veteran Squad [7 PL, 147pts]: Jump Pack + Fast Attack + Land Speeders [3 PL, 60pts] Land Speeders [3 PL, 60pts] Land Speeders [3 PL, 60pts] + Heavy Support + Devastator Squad [8 PL, 135pts]: Armorium Cherub Devastator Squad [8 PL, 135pts]: Armorium Cherub Eradicator Squad [14 PL, 270pts]: Heavy melta rifle + Dedicated Transport + Drop Pod [4 PL, 70pts]: Deathwind launcher ++ Total: [107 PL, 2CP, 1,999pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Iron Hands) [107 PL, 2CP, 1,999pts] ++
. Neo-volkite pistol, Master-crafted power sword and Storm Shield
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant
. Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta
. Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta
. Sternguard Veteran Sergeant: Combi-melta, Power fist
. Sternguard Veteran w/Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Sternguard Veteran w/Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran Sergeant: Grav-pistol, Relic blade
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran Sergeant: Grav-pistol, Relic blade
. Land Speeder: Multi-melta
. Land Speeder: Multi-melta
. Land Speeder: Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine Sergeant: Combi-melta, Thunder hammer
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine Sergeant: Combi-melta, Thunder hammer
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. Devastator Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Grav-cannon
. 3x Eradicator: 3x Bolt pistol
. Eradicator Sgt
. Eradicator with MM
. Eradicator with MM
vs.
Luis Humberto Casillas Franco – Imperial Knights: Extra-shooty House Taranis with a pair of Crusaders. + Configuration + Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Lord of War Chivalric Oath: Oath: Defend the Realm, Oath: Lay Low The Tyrants Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen Questor Allegiance: House Taranis, Questor Mechanicus + Lord of War + Armiger Helverins [16 PL, -1CP, 310pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Hunters of Beasts, Questor Imperialis Armiger Helverins [16 PL, 310pts] Armiger Warglaives [8 PL, 150pts] Armiger Warglaives [8 PL, 150pts] Knight Crusader [28 PL, -1CP, 555pts]: Exalted Court: Master Tactician, Knight Baron, Martial Tradition: Machine Focus, Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber, Stormspear Rocket Pod, Warlord Trait (Taranis): Knight of Mars Knight Crusader [28 PL, -3CP, 520pts]: Character (Knight Lance), Exalted Court: Princeps, Heirloom: Endless Fury, Heirlooms of the Household, Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber, Revered Paragon, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Blessed by the Sacristans, Warlord Trait: Ion Bulwark ++ Total: [104 PL, 1CP, 1,995pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Imperial Knights) [104 PL, 1CP, 1,995pts] ++
. Armiger Helverin: Heirloom: The Bastard’s Helm, Heirlooms of the Household, Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon w/ Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon w/ Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
Thoughts
Look – sometimes you can talk about the deep nuances of strategy that both armies have going for them, and sometimes you have two armies that want to blow each other into tiny pieces, and are going to race each other to do it. You’re not going to bet against Iron Hands in that sort of matchup, but I think there certainly is an argument that this Knight list has a better chance than most of pulling it off, especially if there’s any ruins on the board that a Crusader can hide behind. At that point, there’s plausibly a world where you hide one, strat reserve the other, and then hope that you get a good turn of shooting when they first commit, and follow it up with some low-rolled melta wounds from the Iron Hands side to give you momentum to follow through. Not needing to hit melee to start racking up a body count really helps give the Knights a chance here – they probably need one turn of good luck rather than multiple to get something of a foothold. Being Taranis is also incredibly helpful, every wound saved helps, and making the roll on Our Darkest Hour is another possibility to tilt things in their favour. The killing power of the Hands build is incredible, but they at least die reliably to AP-2 weaponry in response now, and the Knights have the big Calculated Targeting plays to throw out too, which can speed up the clock.
The reason I am going through all these things is that, though the Iron Hands did manage to do their thing, the Knights came shockingly close to pulling off an upset in this game, with only a six point difference then the (presumably numerous) explosions died down. That’s worth keeping an eye on, especially as in one of his other games Luis was able to defeat a very scary looking Guard build. If being able to engage ultra-shooty Marine and Guard lists on their own terms is what matters in Arks, Taranis might be the play.
Result
Iron Hands Victory – 81 – 75
Xavier Barrera – Iron Hands – 1st Place
The List
See Showdown
Archetype
Guns
Thoughts
Guns. There are some. Lots, in fact. The use of Long-Ranged Marksmen to push out the thread range of said guns makes this even harder to avoid than the standard Hands build, so it has that going for it, and like the Dark Angels list from earlier, this is an army you’re going to see and (if you’re playing events) experience a lot over the next few months. Well done to Xavier on the win.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Gustavo Martinez – Chaos Knights: All War Dog Herpetrax, with some Biomechanical Fusion Dreadblades along for the ride.
- 3rd – Luis Humberto Casillas Franco – Imperial Knights: See Showdown.
- 4th – Eduardo Casillas de la Torre – Imperial Knights: Freeblade Lance with an Errant and Crusader leading the Armigers to war.
- 5th – Jose Benjamín Casillas – Thousand Sons & Daemons: Magnus takes personal charge of his legion and a few fiery friends.
- 6th – Carlos Moreno – Imperial Knights: Freeblade Lance with a Herald Errant and Armigers.
Northern Warlords Teams
For those of you unfamiliar with teams formats (or who need a refresher), it’s worth going and taking a quick look at the format primer we put together here, as that’ll explain some key terminology that I’ll be using when analysing the team compositions.
All the lists for this event can be found in Tourneykeeper.
1st Place – Team Scotland
Christopher Irvine – Leagues of Votann
Army List - Click to Expand == Leagues of Votann – Ymyr Conglomerate – Arks of Omen Detachment (Elites) = 0CP [2000 Points, 84 PL] == HQ: Brokhyr Iron-master [5PL, 115pts]: WARLORD EL: 5x Cthonian Berserks [5PL, 175pts]: Concussion Mauls, Mole Grenade Launcher FA: 3x Hernkyn Pioneers [5PL, 125pts]: HYLas Rotary Cannon, Scanner, Searchlight HS: Hekaton Land Fortress [13PL, 330pts]: SP Heavy Conversion Beamer, 2x Two Ion Beamers
League Custom: Master Armourers
– – – The Votannic Council : Brokhyr Forge-master
– – – Warlord Trait : Master Armourer (-1CP)
HQ: Brokhyr Iron-master [4PL, 90pts]
HQ: Grimnyr [4PL, 100pts]
– – – Psychic Powers : Interface Echo, Fortify, Ancestral Wrath
– – – Legend of the League : The Murmuring Stave (-1CP)
– – – In the Right Hands : Guild Affiliate (-1CP)
HQ: Khal [6PL, 130pts]
– – – The Votannic Council : High Khal
– – – Legend of the League : A Long List (-1CP)
– – – In the Right Hands : Grudge’s End (-1CP)
EL: 5x Cthonian Berserks [5PL, 175pts]: Concussion Mauls, Mole Grenade Launcher
EL: 7x Einhyr Hearthguard [18PL, 325pts]: 1x Concussion Hammer, 7x Volkite Disintegrators, 6x Plasma Blades
– – – Bequest of the Votann : Warpestryk (-1CP)
FA: 3x Hernkyn Pioneers [5PL, 125pts]: HYLas Rotary Cannon, Scanner, Searchlight
HS: Hekaton Land Fortress [13PL, 310pts]: SP Heavy Conversion Beamer
Brian Seipp – Harlequins
Army List - Click to Expand == Aeldari – Light – Arks of Omen Detachment (Troops) = 0CP [2000 Points, 87 PL] == HQ: Shadowseer [6 PL, 160pts] TR: 5 Troupes [4 PL, 95pts] FA: 2 Skyweaver [4 PL, 90pts] EL: Death Jester [4 PL, 110pts] DT: Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]
— Relic: Shadow Stone
— Psychic Power: Shards of Light, Mirror of Minds
— Mirror Architect
HQ: Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]
— Psychic Power: Twilight Pathways, Mirror of Minds
HQ: Troupe Master [4 PL, 90pts]
— WLT: A Foot in the Future
— Fusion Pistol
— Cegorach's Rose
— Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Embrace
— Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Kiss
— 2x Neurodisruptor
TR: 5 Troupes [4 PL, 95pts]
— Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Embrace
— Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Kiss
— 2x Neurodisruptor
TR: 5 Troupes [4 PL, 95pts]
— Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Embrace
— Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Kiss
— 2x Neurodisruptor
TR: 5 Troupes [4 PL, 90pts]
— Fusion Pistol
— Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Kiss
— 2x Neurodisruptor
TR: 5 Troupes [4 PL, 90pts]
— Fusion Pistol
— Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Kiss
— 2x Neurodisruptor
TR: 5 Troupes [4 PL, 90pts]
— Fusion Pistol
— Fusion Pistol, Harlequin's Kiss
— 2x Neurodisruptor
TR: 5 Troupes [4 PL, 70pts]
— Harlequin's Kiss
TR: 5 Troupes [4 PL, 70pts]
— Harlequin's Kiss
— WLT: Favour of Cegorach
— Harvester of Torment
EL: Death Jester [4 PL, 90pts]
— Rift Ghoul
DT: Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]
DT: Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]
DT: Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]
DT: Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]
DT: Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]
DT: Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]
Thomas Brown – Genestealer Cults
Army List - Click to Expand == Elites Arks of Omen = 0 CP, [99 PL, 2000 pts] == HQ: Primus [4PL, 70pts] (WARLORD) TR: 5 Acolyte Hybrid [3PL, 45pts] Cult Lash Whip EL: Kelermorph [3PL, 80pts] FA: 8 Atalan Jackal [9PL, 190pts] 2 Demolition Charge, 2 Grenade Launcher, 10 Atalan Power Weapon, 2 Atalan Wolfquad with Atalan Incinerator
Cult Creeds: Industrial Affinity, War Convoy, Accustomed to Toil, Cold-Eyed killers
HQ: Acolyte Iconward [4PL, 65pts]
TR: 5 Acolyte Hybrid [3PL, 45pts] Cult Lash Whip
TR: 5 Acolyte Hybrid [3PL, 45pts] Cult Lash Whip
TR: 20 Neophyte Hybrid [9PL, 195pts] 12 Cult Shotgun, 4 Seismic Cannon, 4 Flamer
– – – Proficient Planning : A Perfect Ambush
TR: 20 Neophyte Hybrid [9PL, 200pts] 12 Cult Shotgun, 4 Seismic Cannon, 4 Flamer
– – – Proficient Planning : Lying in Wait
TR: 20 Neophyte Hybrid [9PL, 180pts] 12 Cult Shotgun, 4 Seismic Cannon, 4 Webber
TR: 20 Neophyte Hybrid [9PL, 190pts] 12 Autogun, 4 Seismic Cannon, 4 Grenade Launcher
– – – Proficient Planning : From Every Angle
– – – Gene-Sire's Gifts : Wyrmstooth Rounds (-1CP)
EL: Nexos [3PL, 50pts]
– – – Gene-Sire's Gifts : Cranial Inlay (-1CP)
EL: Sanctus [3PL, 70pts] Cult Sniper Rifle
EL: Clamavus [3PL, 50pts]
– – – Relic : Opressor's Bane (-1CP)
EL: 10 Purestrain Genestealers [8PL, 150pts]
– – – Proficient Planning : They Came From Below
FA: 8 Atalan Jackal [9PL, 190pts] 2 Demolition Charge, 2 Grenade Launcher, 10 Atalan Power Weapon, 2 Atalan Wolfquad with Atalan Incinerator
FA: 8 Atalan Jackal [9PL, 190pts] 2 Demolition Charge, 2 Grenade Launcher, 10 Atalan Power Weapon, 2 Atalan Wolfquad with Atalan Incinerator
Innes Wilson – Iron Hands
Army List - Click to Expand == Adeptus Astartes – Minotaurs [Iron Hands Successors] – Ark of Omen Detachment [Heavy Support] = -6CP, [115PL, 2000pts] == HQ: Hecaton Aiakos [8PL, 160pts] TR: 5 Infiltrator [6PL, 100pts] Helix Gauntlet EL: 5 Vanguard Veteran [7PL, 130pts] Jump Packs, Sergeant with Lightning Claw and Relic Blade, 4 Lightning Claw and Chainsword FA: Land Speeder Tornado [4PL, 70pts] Multi-Melta HS: 5 Devastator [8PL, 125pts] Multi-Melta, 3 Grav-Cannon, Armorium Cherub, Sergeant with Combi-Melta and Thunder Hammer DT: Land Speeder Storm [3PL, 50pts]
Chapter Tactics: Whirlwind of Rage, Master Artisans
HQ: Primaris Techmarine [4PL, 70pts] (Warlord)
– – – Warlord Trait : Target Protocols
HQ: Primaris Lieutenant [4PL, 65pts] Master-Crafted Power Sword, Neo-Volkite Pistol, Storm Shield
– – – Hero of the Chapter : Rites of War
– – – Relic : Vox Espiritum
EL: 5 Vanguard Veteran [7PL, 130pts] Jump Packs, Sergeant with Lightning Claw and Relic Blade, 4 Lightning Claw and Chainsword
EL: 5 Scout [4PL, 60pts] Camo Cloaks, 4 Sniper Rifle, Missile Launcher, Thunder Hammer
EL Character: Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8PL, 195pts] 2 Twin Volkite Culverin, Cyclone Missile Launcher
– – – Martial Legacy
– – – March of the Ancients
– – – Hero of the Chapter : Merciless Logic
FA: Land Speeder Tornado [4PL, 70pts] Multi-Melta
HS: 5 Devastator [8PL, 135pts] 2 Multi-Melta, 2 Grav-Cannon, Armorium Cherub, Sergeant with Combi-Melta and Thunder Hammer
HS: 3 Eradicator [7PL, 135pts] 2 Heavy Melta Rifle, Multi-Melta
HS: 3 Eradicator [7PL, 135pts] 2 Heavy Melta Rifle, Multi-Melta
HS: Gladiator Reaper [10PL, 150pts] Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Icarus Rocket Pod, Auto Launchers
HS: Gladiator Reaper [10PL, 150pts] Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Icarus Rocket Pod, Auto Launchers
DT: Drop Pod [4PL, 70pts] Deathwind Launcher
Thoughts
As ever with team events, what we’re looking for are ways in which the armies used fit into particular niches, whether it be as powerful Defender lists, able to pick up decent scores against almost anything, strong counters that attack particular strategies, or armies that pose a very skewed challenge to the opponents, and can potentially blunt a high score if they don’t have an answer.
Starting at the end, Innes’ Iron Hands build here is one that can act as a very effective early defender pick if that’s going to result in him being able to pick the “light” terrain map, because there is basically nothing that exists which can withstand being shot at for multiple turns by this when standing in the open, with the Gladiator Reapers providing an inexpensive way to broaden the threat profile to include hordes. The lowest score Innes picked up all weekend was 15-5 against an ultra-pressure Goffs list, so I’d say that plan worked pretty well.
Two of the lists past that sit in the “skewed challenge” space, the Cult and the Votann. They’re kind of at the polar opposite of the challenges they’re posing – Votann provides an incredibly minimal attack surface, mostly consisting of Land Fortresses with multiple Brokhyr babysitting them, and also presents extremely reliable damage output. This is a great counter to something like Knights, as you’re generally just going to out-kill them, and those were Chris’s biggest wins of the weekend. Cult do the opposite – opponents need massive volume firepower to clear them off the table, and they have very reliable scoring potential from their Secondaries, allowing them to overwhelm some opponents for victory, and threaten to hold even some challenging matchups to a narrow loss or a draw, helping the team overall to pull out ahead.
Finally, we have Harlequins, who even in their newly nerfed state, retain the ability to absolutely run rings around some opponents, and good scoring potential alongside it. The return of original strength Mirror Architect also provides some skew potential – if the opponent is relying on mid-range shooting, they can find themselves unable to deplete the clowns before it’s go time, which doesn’t tend to bode well. Brian spent most of the weekend hunting down Marines and Votann, where the range reductions against melta and the layered durability and re-roll shutdown of the Transports really helps.
A well-balanced team overall, and unsurprisingly effective in the hands of some great players. First blood for the season to Team Scotland.
2nd Place – Happy Endings for 20pts
Matt Robertson – Leagues of Votann
Army List - Click to Expand == Votann – Ymyr – AoO = [90PL, 1993pts] == HQ: Kahl, Teleport Crest, Plasma Axe, Combi Bolter High Kahl [6PL 120pts] HQ: Brokhyr Iron Master, Brokhyr Forge Master [5PL 115pts] EL: 8 Einhyr Hearthguard (volkite disintegrator) [18PL 360pts] FA: 6 Hernkyn Pioneers, 2 HYLas rotary cannon, pan spectral scanner, multiwave comms array rollbar searchlight [10PL 245pts] HS: Hekaton Land Fortress (SP heavy conversion beamer, Four bolt cannons [13PL 310pts] HS: Hekaton Land Fortress (SP heavy conversion beamer, Four bolt cannons [13PL 310pts] HS: 5 Brokhyr Thunderkyn (graviton blast cannon) [10PL 180pts) HS: 3 Brokhyr Thunderkyn (graviton blast cannon) [5PL 108pts)
—Relic – Grudges End
— Legend of the League Warlord Trait – Master Armourer
—-Bequest of the Votann – Warpstryke
FA: 6 Hernkyn Pioneers, 2 HYLas rotary cannon, pan spectral scanner, multiwave comms array rollbar searchlight [10PL 245pts]
Tom Higginbottom – Orks
Army List - Click to Expand == Faction –Ork, Goff – Arks Of Omen Detachment -0CP [PL, 1997pts] == HQ: Warboss: Big Choppa, Kombi-Skorcha, attack Squig WARLORD -1cp trait: Proper Killy -1CP relic: Head woppa Kill Choppa [6PL, 95pts] Troops: 9 Beast Snagga Boyz, Beast Snagga Nob [5PL, 100pts] Elite: 9 Kommandos, Boss Nob, power klaw [8PL, 115pts] Fast: 9 Stormboyz, Boss Nob, Choppa Choppa [6pl,100pts] Heavy: Battlewagon, ard case [8PL, 120pts] Transport: Trukk [4PL, 70pts]
HQ: Warboss, attack squig, power klaw Kombi Skorcha, -1 CP Trait: Brutal But Kunning -1CP Relic: DA Killa Klaw -1CP Heroic Support [5PL, 105pts]
HQ: Zagstruk [6PL, 110pts]
HQ: Weirdboy, Powers: Warpath, Fist of Gork [4PL, 70pts]
Troops: 9 Beast Snagga Boyz, Beast Snagga Nob [5PL, 100pts]
Troops: 9 Beast Snagga Boyz, Beast Snagga Nob [5PL, 100pts]
Troops: 10 Gretchen [2PL, 40pts]
Troops: 10 Gretchen [2PL, 40pts]
Troops: 10 Gretchen [2PL, 40pts] specialists: ‘Orrible Gitz
Elite: 9 Kommandos, Boss Nob, power klaw [8PL, 115pts]
Elite: 4 Kommandos, Boss Nob, Choppa klaw [4PL, 60pts]
Elite: 7 Nobs 3 Power Klaw, 4 Big Choppa, 7 Choppa, Boss Nob, power Klaw, Choppa [12PL, 156pts]
Elite: 7 Nobs, 3 Power Klaw, 4 Big Choppa, 7 choppa, Boss Nob, Power Klaw, Choppa [12PL, 156pts]
Fast: 9 Stormboyz, Boss Nob, Choppa Choppa [6pl,100pts]
Fast: 9 Stormboyz, Boss Nob, Choppa Choppa [6pl,100pts]
Heavy: Battlewagon [8PL, 105pts]
Adam Ryland – Chaos Daemons
Army List - Click to Expand ==Chaos Daemons Arks of Omen detachment – [PL104, 1990pts] HQ – Blood thirster (310) great axe, hellfire breath, EXALTED ABILITY – indomitable onslaught (50) HQ – Skarbrand (330) [PL17,330pts] HQ – Belakor [PL21,420pts] psychic powers: shrouded step( wc6,) fall of despair (wc7) HQ – Karios Fateweaver [PL16, 320pts] TROOP – 1 Allurese,9 Daemomettes,1 icon, 1 x instrument [PL6, 120pts] ELITE – 5 Flamers [PL6,125pts] FA – 1 Gore hound,4 Flesh hounds [PL5,75pts]
(KHORNE RELIC -1cp)A'rgath the king of blades,
[PL18,360pts]
WARLORD TRAIT -1cp – Brazen hide
Psychic powers : All of them
ELITE – 4 Flamers [PL6,100pts]
ELITE – 3 Flamers [PL3,75pts]
FA – 1 Gore hound,4 Flesh hounds [PL5,75pts]
James Ramsey – Adeptus Custodes
Army List - Click to Expand == Faction – Solar Watch Adeptus Custodes – Ark of Omen Elite = -2CP, [101PL, 2000pts] == HQ: Trajann Valoris, Warlord – Champion of the Imperium, Master of Martial Strategy [8pl, 200pts] +1 -1 CP
Chapter Tactic/Order Conviction/Hive Fleet Adaptations: (Talon Sortie)
EL: 1 Allarus Custodian, castellan axe, misericordia [3pl, 60pts]
EL: 1 Allarus Custodian, castellan axe, misericordia [3pl, 60pts]
EL: 1 Allarus Custodian, castellan axe, misericordia [3pl, 60pts]
EL: 10 Custodian Wardens, guardian spears, misericordias [25pl, 500pts]
EL: 10 Custodian Wardens, guardian spears, misericordias [25pl, 500pts]
EL: 9 Custodian Wardens, guardian spears, misericordias [25pl, 450pts]
ELC: Vexilus Praetor, Vexilla Magnifica, castellan axe, misericordia, WL Trait: Sally Forth, Relic: Castellan’s Mark [6pl, 105pts]
FA: 5 Witchseekers [3pl, 60pts]
Thoughts
Our second team loadout presents a bit more of a team-level skew, with three of the lists being notably durable, and presenting good invulnerable/Daemonic saves on all of their key targets. Matt’s Votann build is even harder to pick up any kills against than the Scotland version, with Thunderkyn starting either off the board or (for the small unit) in the Fortresses adding some additional broad shooting that isn’t especially vulnerable early. The Custodes list is a bit more vulnerable against some extreme shooting builds, but excels in no-selling some of the kinds of pressure that the Votann might struggle against – you can’t really out-Primary them unless you’re chipping through their ranks, so if you run into a horde/pressure build like Cults or the Ork list this team had, they can provide a solid wall to repulse the onslaught (and James picked up a 20-0 against Cults in one of the games). Finally, the big Daemons combine being pretty tough to deal with via shooting (potentially overloading opponents trying to find an answer to Votann as well) with enough melee threat to take on an army like the Custodes list head on. The extra cheap Flesh Hounds and mobile Flamers also provide a surprisingly good amount of board control for a monster-heavy build, reducing the number of things that can aim to run rings about it. Adam picked up a good win against Custodes, and also put up a number of strong results against Votann, with the power of Daemon saves potentially proving too much for them.
Finally, we have the odd one out in the horde Goff list – though it’s not something that’s too surprising if you’ve seen Ork builds that are doing well recently. With loads of Stormboyz and Kommandos, this list can slam appalling numbers of bodies into the opponent at speed, threatening to tie up and overwhelm condensed shooty lists, and acting as a great counter to some other flavours of horde. Because they also score very reliably early on, that also helps them neuter some enemy scoring plans – if it takes three or four turns to escape from under the pile of Goffs, there’s only so high your margin of victory is going to be. Tom held some very nasty lists like Votann to draws, and picked up some wins elsewhere in games where opponents seem to have been unable to handle the pressure.
Another strong roster in the hands of some great players, with only Team Scotland taking a victory against them, where the Iron Hands and Harlequins picked up big enough wins against the Custodes and Daemons (who struggle a bit with transports) to tip the balance.
Wrap Up
We hope you have enjoyed the exciting return of Teams week. Next week, as mentioned, we’re back to singles, and maybe some bonus True Wraithknight Adventures, depending on how my own trip to Beachhead goes. Not at all mad that reviewing the Daemon list above has reminded me that the melee Wraithknight is 70pts more than Skarbrand. No sir.
