War doesn’t stand still, and while we’re still somewhat in Balance Dataslate waiting room, there’s plenty to talk about on the battlefields of the 41st Millenium, with a US supermajor going into the books in Chicago, and plenty of other events besides. Today we’re looking at:
- The US Open Chicago (supermajor)
- Battle for Salvation (major)
- Cheseaux Buccaneers Open
- NurgleMania
- From Hell Project
- Capilla Competitive Tournament (a great showing for the Argentinian scene)
I’m taking it slightly easy on this week’s showdowns after last week’s blowout two-parter, and today we’ll be looking at:
- Emperor’s Children vs. Twilight Saedath at the US Open. (automatic slot as a supermajor)
- Daemonic Dogwalker vs. Thousand Sons & Daemons at the apparently appropriately named From Hell Project. (voted by our patrons)
Let’s head straight to Chicago to kick off.
US Open Chicago: Warhammer 40,000 Grand Tournament
208-player, 8-round Supermajor in Games Workshop, Chicago, IL, United States on October 07 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
This event used the US Open 16-player bracketing system. Note that the top four for this event “locked” at the start of day three, so the players who were in the semi-finals would take 1st-4th even though one would end up leapfrogged by someone else who went 3-1 in the top bracket.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Death and Zeal
Ben Cherwien – Emperor’s Children: Lots of Noise Marines with a murderous Daemon Prince in charge, a full unit of Possessed, and a nasty Master of Executions with the Mantle of Traitors for 6″ heroic into Soporific Gaze action. ++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [96 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++ + Configuration + Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Legion: Emperor’s Children + HQ + Daemon Prince with Wings [11 PL, 180pts, -2CP]: 1. Flames of Spite, Aspiring Lord, Hellforged sword, Mark of Slaanesh, Prescience, Stratagem: Relic, Thaa’ ris and Rhi’ol, the Rapacious, Wings Dark Apostle [6 PL, 110pts, -1CP]: Gifts of Chaos, Illusory Supplication, Mark of Slaanesh, Raiment Revulsive, Warlord Master of Possession [7 PL, 120pts]: Cursed Earth, Mark of Slaanesh, Pact of Flesh + Troops + Noise Marines [6 PL, 165pts]: Icon of Slaanesh Noise Marines [6 PL, 150pts]: Icon of Slaanesh Noise Marines [6 PL, 150pts]: Icon of Slaanesh Noise Marines [6 PL, 150pts]: Icon of Slaanesh Noise Marines [6 PL, 150pts]: Icon of Slaanesh Noise Marines [6 PL, 150pts]: Icon of Slaanesh + Elites + Master of Executions [5 PL, 80pts, -1CP]: Gifts of Chaos, Mantle of Traitors, Mark of Slaanesh Possessed [14 PL, 280pts, -1CP] + Fast Attack + Chaos Bikers [11 PL, 180pts]: Chaos Icon, Mark of Slaanesh Chaos Spawn [1 PL, 25pts]: Chaos Spawn Chaos Spawn [1 PL, 25pts]: Chaos Spawn + Dedicated Transport + Chaos Rhino [4 PL, 85pts]: Combi-bolter
Army List - Click to Expand
+++ Ec gw terrain (Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition) [96 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] +++
2x Dark Disciple: 2x Close combat weapon
Marine w/ blastmaster: Blastmaster
3x Marine w/ sonic blaster: 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades, 3x Sonic blaster
Noise Champion: Doom siren, Power fist, Sonic blaster
Marine w/ blastmaster: Blastmaster
3x Marine w/ chainsword: 3x Astartes chainsword, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
Noise Champion: Doom siren, Power fist, Sonic blaster
Marine w/ blastmaster: Blastmaster
3x Marine w/ chainsword: 3x Astartes chainsword, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
Noise Champion: Doom siren, Power fist, Sonic blaster
Marine w/ blastmaster: Blastmaster
3x Marine w/ chainsword: 3x Astartes chainsword, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
Noise Champion: Doom siren, Power fist, Sonic blaster
Marine w/ blastmaster: Blastmaster
3x Marine w/ chainsword: 3x Astartes chainsword, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
Noise Champion: Doom siren, Power fist, Sonic blaster
Marine w/ blastmaster: Blastmaster
3x Marine w/ chainsword: 3x Astartes chainsword, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
Noise Champion: Doom siren, Power fist, Sonic blaster
9x Possessed: 9x Hideous mutations
Possessed Champion: Black Rune of Damnation, Trophies of the Long War
Biker Champion: Astartes chainsword
2x Chaos Biker w/ astartes chainsword: 2x Astartes chainsword, 2x Combi-bolter, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
Chaos Biker w/ combi-weapon: Astartes chainsword, Combi-melta
Chaos Biker w/ combi-weapon: Astartes chainsword, Combi-melta
vs.
Jack Harpster – Harlequins: Twilight Saedath with a mix of big foot Troupes and shooty boat Troupes. + Configuration + Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Saedath Characterisation: Twilight: Twilight Falls + HQ + Shadowseer [6 PL, 130pts]: 1. Twilight Pathways (Blessing), 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), Agent of Pandemonium (Aura), Shuriken Pistol Troupe Master [5 PL, 105pts, -2CP]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Aeldari Power Sword, Fusion Pistol, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Veiled King, Warlord + Troops + Troupe [9 PL, 171pts] Troupe [9 PL, 206pts] Troupe [9 PL, 206pts] Troupe [4 PL, 100pts] Troupe [4 PL, 100pts] Troupe [4 PL, 100pts] + Elites + Solitaire [6 PL, 110pts] + Dedicated Transport + Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts] ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [14 PL, 295pts, -4CP] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Saedath Characterisation: Twilight: Twilight Falls + HQ + Shadowseer [6 PL, 125pts, -2CP]: 2. Fog of Dreams (Blessing), 6. Webway Dance (Aura) (Blessing), Mirror Architect (Aura), Player of the Twilight, Shuriken Pistol, Stratagem: Champion of the Aeldari, Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari + Troops + Troupe [4 PL, 70pts] Troupe [4 PL, 100pts] ++ Total: [90 PL, 1,998pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [76 PL, 1,703pts, 4CP] ++
. The Twilight Fang
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. The Laughing God’s Eye
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
Thoughts
A week on from their big breakout at LGT (though to be fair to Ben, he had been playing and doing pretty well with them before it was cool), the Emperor’s Children face Slaanesh’s ultimate nemesis in the form of Harlequins. Not the usual Harlequin build either – rather than Light Saedath, we’ve got a very nasty Twilight build, sporting both shooty units in boats and three big foot Troupes, two of which are loaded for massive melee damage. This is probably a specific list call for the GW open terrain, which is very favourable to fast, melee infantry – it’s easy to stage them in the big ruins, and they pick up massive strike range from there. Light Saedath will still be fine on the terrain, but their plan of doing most of their initial damage with shooty drive-bys definitely isn’t as good as normal against some lists, so I can definitely see the appeal of having access to the absolute hammer-blows that Twilight unlocks.
The high-quality Infantry in the Emperor’s Children build definitely don’t mind that either, mind. Lots of chainsword attacks with wide-ranging Fight First and the ability to lurk the Master of Executions around a key strong-point is a very effective setup against Harlequins, and I suspect played extremely well for Ben in a lot of matchups. The big Possessed unit with the rune is pretty scary as well, as all the Harlequin melee is only going to be wounding it on 6s, and muscular use of this can certainly create some challenges. Despite that, however, I think the Harlequins end up with a couple of key advantages here.
First up, they’re going to have much better Secondary picks – their normal suite is all pretty potent here, while the Emperor’s Children are going to have to go for the book ones, and even there the Warpcraft options are riskier than normal – Interrogation can be no-sold early on, and Ritual is going to involve moving a key character to the centre where they’re thoroughly within clown range. That’s going to end up giving the Harlequins more agency to choose their battles, as they’re under less scoring pressure by default, especially as they have the speed and threat to easily flip back objectives that get, for example, Bannered. The Harlequin transports are also going to be a challenge on this front – blastmasters honestly aren’t the worst for chipping through them, especially ignoring hit penalties, but with Luck re-rolls able to be poured in it’ll still be pretty slow work.
The Harlequins getting to control the engagement feeds into the second issue – The Great Enemy exists, and is absolutely horrendous for the servants of Slaanesh to play against, especially on Twilight where there are extra attacks in play and the option of comboing with Malicious Frenzy for ultra-damage, trivially wiping anything in the Slaanesh army except the big squad of angry Daemonkin. I did go away and run the maths on pushing one of the big Troupes with Frenzy and Great Enemy into the Possessed and choosing to fully fish for 6s on the hits, and to be fair it “only” kills 6-ish models on expected value (fewer if Agonies is up to be fair) but that’s very much the difference between “Harlequins cannot interact with this unit in melee at all”, which would be the case for an all-MSU Light build, and “Harlequins can make a dent”, which is what we have here. It’s also enough of a dent that it gets them over a hump where the Possessed don’t then wipe them Harlequins on strikeback as long as a Shadowseer is nearby (especially the Agent of Pandemonium one), so this allows flipping an objective via ObSec. Hanging back and trying to choose their battles is going to be risky for the Possessed too, not only because the Harlequins usually have a longer threat range, but also because if the Harlequins save up to 4CP, it gets even worse – Murderous Spectacle effectively doubles their damage here, meaning they can straight up wipe the Possessed with the full combo if Agonies isn’t up.
Enough advantages layer onto the Harlequins, and get worse as the game goes on, that I think the Emperor’s Children have to just accept that this is tough, and go for a full send. Pick Warp Ritual, The Long War and probably Exalt, then shove the Possessed with the Characters onto the centre and try and hold it. As long as a Character can Heroic and trigger Soporific Gaze the Harlequins can’t charge the Possessed, making their lives a bit harder. The Harlequins can, of course play a flanking game very well too, and I think there’s a good chance the Children just run out of stuff here and die, but that’s going to happen anyway if they try and play this cagily, and at least doing this gives them some time to potentially score Warp Ritual and Long War while disrupting Take Your places. There are absolutely some big failure cases – get a key character sniped out by Mirror of Minds or charged and dropped with Deadly Embrace prior to the Fight Phase and it’s potentially bye-bye Possessed, but this definitely feels like the high risk plan with some potential for reward in a very tricky game. Ultimately, however, the Harlequins did take the game handily, suggesting they were able to leverage their advantages to too great an effect.
Result
Harlequins Victory – 91 – 44
Jack Harpster – Harlequins – 1st Place
The List
See Showdown
Archetype
Twilight Saedath
Thoughts
Back-to-back GW open titles for Jack is a pretty spectacular achievement, smashing him back to the top of the ITC, even after some of the top UK players drank deep of the points bounty on offer at the LGT. As mentioned in the Showdown, I think the Twilight build is a good fit for the GW terrain, as it makes both good aggressive use of the terrain to stage its units, and is better able to prise opponents out of ruins in turn. An excellent choice, and well rewarded with a big fancy trophy.
Ben Cherwien – Emperor’s Children – 2nd Place
The List
See Showdown
Archetype
Emperor’s Children
Thoughts
Once again, Emperor’s Children have a tonne of power, and the skirmishing Infantry gameplan they want to deploy works super well on the boards that were in use, making them a great choice. I suspect that’s also the thinking behind going the Possessed route rather than Terminators, as they have a better threat range when kool-aid manning out from walls, and are extremely scary when they get to Set to Defend. Well done to Ben on an excellent run here!
Thomas Ogden – T’au Sept – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Sept Choice: T’au Sept + No Force Org Slot + Crisis Bodyguards [18 PL, 325pts] Kroot Shaper [2 PL, 25pts, -1CP]: Advanced EM Scrambler, Ritual Blade, Shaper Kroot Rifle, Stratagem: Relic + HQ + Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [8 PL, 170pts, -2CP]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, Burst Cannon, DW-02 Advanced Burst Cannon, High-output Burst Cannon, Onager Gauntlet, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator, Stratagem: Emergency Dispensation, Stratagem: Promising Pupil Longstrike [9 PL, 170pts, -1CP]: 2x Accelerator Burst Cannon, 4. Through Boldness, Victory, Railgun, Stratagem: Promising Pupil + Troops + Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts] + Elites + Crisis Battlesuits [22 PL, 390pts] Crisis Battlesuits [20 PL, 380pts] + Flyer + Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: 2x Missile Pod Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: 2x Missile Pod ++ Supreme Command Detachment +2CP (T’au Empire) [8 PL, 150pts, 1CP] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [2CP] Sept Choice: T’au Sept + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + Commander Shadowsun [8 PL, 150pts, -1CP]: 5. Exemplar of the Kauyon, 2x High-energy Fusion Blaster, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord ++ Total: [108 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++
++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [100 PL, 1,850pts, ] ++
. Crisis Bodyguard Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Fusion Blaster
. Crisis Bodyguard Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Fusion Blaster
. Crisis Bodyguard Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Fusion Blaster
. Crisis Bodyguard Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Fusion Blaster
. Crisis Bodyguard Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Fusion Blaster
. 10x Kroot: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Internal Grenade Packs, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Marker Drone
. 2x Shield Drone: 2x Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight
. 2x Shield Drone: 2x Shield Generator
. 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle
. 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle
Archetype
Heavy-duty Tau Sept
Thoughts
Unlike the previous two lists, very much a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” here, as Thomas has been crushing opponents left and right with this army over the last few months, and all that practice clearly paid off here on the big stage. It helps that the list is pretty great on GW terrain just on baseline, with the Sun Sharks being particularly nice, and only Jack’s Harlequins were able to take the army down in a relatively close semi-final. This build doesn’t pack that many units, but every unit it has is extremely deadly and pretty durable, leaving opponents with few easy attack surfaces to start reducing its terrifying damage output, and that’s a very strong plan indeed.
John Lennon – Hive Fleet Kraken – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Hive Fleet: Kraken + No Force Org Slot + Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts] Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Synaptic Lure, 3x Zoanthrope + HQ + Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 195pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Catalyst, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Synaptic Lure, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Power: Synaptic Lure + Troops + Gargoyles [4 PL, 80pts] + Elites + Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts] Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Synaptic Lure, 3x Zoanthrope + Fast Attack + Raveners [8 PL, 175pts] Raveners [8 PL, 175pts] + Heavy Support + Biovores [9 PL, 135pts] ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids) [25 PL, 520pts, -2CP] ++ + Configuration + Hive Fleet: Kraken + Stratagems + Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact + HQ + Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 225pts]: Adrenal Glands, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Onslaught, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Synaptic Lure, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax + Troops + Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 95pts] + Elites + Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts] + Fast Attack + Parasite of Mortrex [4 PL, 80pts]: Warlord Trait: Alien Cunning ++ Fortification Network -1CP (Tyranids) [6 PL, 95pts] ++ + Fortification + Sporocyst [6 PL, 95pts]: 5x Deathspitter ++ Total: [101 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [70 PL, 1,385pts] ++
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Scything): 3x Two Rending Claws, 3x Two Scything Talons
. 10x Gargoyles 10x Fleshborer
. 3x Venomthrope: 3x Toxic Lashes
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Scything Talons
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Scything Talons
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Scything Talons
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Scything Talons
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Scything Talons
. 3x Biovore: 3x Chitin-barbed Fists, 3x Spore Mine Launcher
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Scything): 3x Two Rending Claws, 3x Two Scything Talons
Archetype
Kraken Pressure
Thoughts
John continues in his role as one of the few players still banging the drum for Kraken over Leviathan, following up last week’s win at the Crucible 10 Major with fourth place here. This list puts the opponent under very heavy pressure with the Ravener rush, and thanks to Kraken’s extra AP they’re broadly effective even into Armour of Contempt. Once the opponent is done dealing with that they’re going to find they’re missing a large number of units thanks to Spore Mine accidents, and from there pushing into the wall of Psychic damage and Hive Tyrants is a pretty daunting prospect. It worked last week, it seems to have worked pretty well this week too, and from the sample size of one (1) I am forced to conclude that Kraken is, in fact, better than Leviathan. That’s Science!
The Best of the Rest
The other players with at least two wins in the top bracket were:
- 5th – Marc Parker – Tyranids: Leviathan Carnifex spam, with an Exocrine stacked on top for even more firepower.
- 6th – Oliver Smith – Tau: Tau Sept with a big Crisis team and two Riptides to take advantage of the GW terrain.
- 7th – Anthony Vanella – Emperor’s Children: Abaddon and Lucius lead a big Terminator squad and three units each of Possessed and Noise Marines to war.
- 8th – Marshall Peterson – Necrons: Crunchy Eternal Expansionists with lots of Skorpekh and Lychguard, then a big unit of Ophydians for glass cannon funtimes.
- 9th – Steven Crawley – Necrons: More crunchy Eternal Expansionists with lots of Skorpekh and Ophydians, plus a full Lokhust unit.
- 10th – Andrew Gonyo – Tau: Farsight Enclaves Triptide with Sun Sharks flying over head, and a trio of tooled-up Commanders. Terrifying alpha-strike capabilities, and very hard to stop on the terrain.
- 11th – Daniel Sansone – Tyranids: Leviathan Warriors and Harpies.
Battle For Salvation GT 2022
81-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in West Nyack, NY, US on October 08 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Daniel Wohlmuth – Ynnari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Battalion Detachment 0CP (Asuryani) [89pl, 1760pts] +No Force Org+ +HQ+ +TROOPS+ +ELITES+ +FAST ATTACK+ +HEAVY SUPPORT+ Auxiliary Support Detachment -2CP (Asuryani) [7pl, 160pts] Fortification Network 0CP (Asuryani) [4pl, 80pts] Totals: 1 CP, 16 Units
Craftworld: Ynnari
Warlock Skyrunners [5pl, 105pts] x3, Protect/Jinx, Conceal/Reveal
The Yncarne [13pl, 260pts]
Farseer Skyrunner [6pl, 125pts]: Fateful Divergence, Ghostwalk, Warlord(-1CP):Mark of the Incomparable Hunter, Relic(-1CP):Kurnous Bow
Rangers [4pl, 65pts] x5
Rangers [4pl, 65pts] x5
Troupe[9pl, 160pts] x10, Caress x1, Embrace x1, Kiss x4
Wyches[3pl, 55pts] x5, Hypex
Striking Scorpions [5pl, 110pts] x5, Biting Blade, Crushing Blows
Howling Banshees [5pl, 110pts] x5, Mirrorswords, Piercing Strikes
Howling Banshees [4pl, 95pts] x5, Mirrorswords, Relic(-1CP): Cronescream
Windriders [6pl, 150pts] x5, Shuriken Cannon x5
Swooping Hawks [8pl, 180pts] x9, Lasblaster x9
Shining Spears [6pl, 130pts] x3, Shuriken Cannon, Paragon Saber, Shimmershield, Heartstrike, Relic: Khaines Lance
War Walker [5pl, 85pts] x1, Brightlance x2
War Walker [5pl, 65pts] x1, Shuriken Cannon x2
+HQ+
Baharoth [7pl, 160pts]
+Fortification+
Webway Gate [4pl, 80pts]
Archetype
Melee Ynnari
Final Round Matchup
92 – 71 Victory against Alexander Fennell – Necrons.
Thoughts
Great to see that the trend of people making Ynnari work continues! This build takes various ingredients that have worked well across Ynnari builds and turns them up. Bringing a Webway Gate and Baharroth (in an Auxiliary) makes scoring Hidden Path extremely feasible, especially with the Yncarne sometimes being able to pop in at an emergency moment, and combining that with lots of nasty melee aspects and some Swooping Hawks to lock down Wrath of Khaine and some great spike damage from the Yncarne, big Troupe and Bow Farseer means that this build is very scary to try and play against – and no one pulled it off. Congratulations to Daniel on taking down a major in style.
Evan Tomchin – T’au Empire – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration [2CP] + Detachment Command Cost [2CP] Sept Choice: T’au Sept + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander [8 PL, -1CP, 150pts] + Commander Shadowsun [8 PL, -1CP, 150pts]: 5. Exemplar of the Kauyon, Advanced Guardian Drone, Command-link Drone, Fletchette Launcher, 2x High-energy Fusion Blaster, Light Missile Pod, Pulse Pistol, Stratagem: Warlord Trait [-1CP], Warlord ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [33 PL, 2CP, 660pts] ++ + Configuration [4CP] + Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [6CP] Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim Sept Choice: T’au Sept + HQ [12 PL, -2CP, 270pts] + Aun’Va [4 PL, 100pts]: 2. Sense of Stone, 3. Zephyr’s Grace, 6. Wisdom of the Guides, Aun’Va Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [8 PL, -2CP, 170pts]: (T’au): Vectored Manoeuvring Thrusters, 1. Precision of the Hunter, High-output Burst Cannon [15pts], Missile Pod [10pts], Shield Generator [10pts], Stratagem: Promising Pupil [-1CP], Stratagem: Relic [-1CP], T’au Flamer [5pts], Target Lock, Thermoneutronic Projector [1 PL, 20pts] + Troops [3 PL, 60pts] + Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts] + Flyer [18 PL, 330pts] + Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: Markerlight, 2x Missile Pod, 2x Seeker Missile Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: Markerlight, 2x Missile Pod, 2x Seeker Missile ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [61 PL, -3CP, 1,188pts] ++ + Configuration [-2CP] + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Sept Choice: T’au Sept + HQ [16 PL, -1CP, 305pts] + Commander in Crisis Battlesuit [7 PL, -1CP, 145pts]: 6. Exemplar of the Mont’ka, Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Plasma Rifle [15pts], Shield Generator [10pts], Stratagem: Promising Pupil [-1CP] Longstrike [9 PL, 160pts]: Railgun + Troops [3 PL, 60pts] + Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts] + Elites [40 PL, 775pts] + Crisis Battlesuits [20 PL, 375pts] Crisis Battlesuits [20 PL, 400pts] + Fast Attack [2 PL, 48pts] + Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts] Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts] ++ Total: [102 PL, 1,998pts] ++
++ Supreme Command Detachment +2CP (T’au Empire) [8 PL, 1CP, 150pts] ++
. 2x Ethereal Guard: 2x Honour Blade
. 10x Kroot [60pts]: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades
. 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle
. 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle
. 2x Gun Drones
. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine
. 10x Kroot [60pts]: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades
. Crisis Shas’ui [65pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui [65pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui [65pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui [70pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’vre [70pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Marker Drone [10pts]: Markerlight
. 2x Shield Drone [30pts]: 2x Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui [70pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Missile Pod [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui [70pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Missile Pod [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui [70pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Missile Pod [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui [75pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Missile Pod [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’vre [75pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Missile Pod [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Marker Drone [10pts]: Markerlight
. 2x Shield Drone [30pts]: 2x Shield Generator
. 4x Kroot Hound [24pts]: 4x Ripping Fangs
. 4x Kroot Hound [24pts]: 4x Ripping Fangs
Archetype
Heavy-duty Tau Sept
Thoughts
We’ve already seen a similar build once this week, and Evan’s strong performance here just nails down that this is one of the best ways to play Tau right now. He’s tuned in slightly more sacrificial units for early objective play than Thomas’s build, giving it a bit more angles if it doesn’t have GW-terrain to rely on, but otherwise it’s the same deal – good early reach, and big units that utterly murder stuff while being really hard to make die.
Alexander Fennell – Necrons – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-2CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim + No Force Org Slot + Viral Construct [1 PL, 15pts]: Canoptek Plasmacyte Viral Construct [1 PL, 15pts]: Canoptek Plasmacyte + HQ + Chronomancer [5 PL, 75pts, -1CP]: Aeonstave, Dynastic Heirlooms, Relic: Veil of Darkness + Troops + Immortals [4 PL, 80pts]: 5x Immortal, Tesla Carbine + Elites + Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 180pts] Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 180pts] + Fast Attack + Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 135pts] Canoptek Scarab Swarms [6 PL, 135pts] + Heavy Support + Lokhust Destroyers [15 PL, 285pts] ++ Supreme Command Detachment +2CP (Necrons) [21 PL, 400pts, 5CP] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [2CP] Dynasty Choice: Dynasty: Szarekhan + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander + The Silent King [21 PL, 400pts, 3CP] ++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [27 PL, 500pts, -3CP] ++ + Configuration + Detachment Command Cost [-3CP] Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition: Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty: + HQ + Technomancer [5 PL, 70pts]: Canoptek Cloak + Elites + Canoptek Reanimator [4 PL, 80pts] Canoptek Spyders [4 PL, 65pts] Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 180pts] + Fast Attack + Canoptek Scarab Swarms [2 PL, 45pts] Tomb Blades [4 PL, 60pts] ++ Total: [102 PL, 2,000pts, 5CP] ++
++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Necrons) [54 PL, 1,100pts, 3CP] ++
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 9x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 9x Feeder Mandibles
. 9x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 9x Feeder Mandibles
. 6x Lokhust Destroyer: 6x Gauss Cannon
. Lokhust Heavy Destroyer (Gauss Destructor)
. 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2x Annihilator Beam
. Canoptek Spyder: Gloom Prism
. 2x Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): 2x Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
. 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 3x Feeder Mandibles
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
. Tomb Blade: Particle Beamer
Archetype
Destroyer/Body-heavy Eternal Expansionists
Thoughts
For my money, this is the best variant of one of the best builds at the moment, and it’s not surprising to see someone of Alex’s calibre putting in a podium finish with it. Full Scarab units with a Chronometron and the Nanoscarab Beam applied are so obnoxiously difficult to play early Primary against that it’s very likely they force opponents into over-committing and getting blown out by the many, many Destroyers here, and just chewing through all the Skorpekh bodies even after dealing with the first wave is really daunting. It can be done, as Daniel was able to demonstrate in the final (and where opponents can kill it it does bleed No Prisoners real bad), but this list goes into every game with a plan that’s seriously hard to deal with, and enough options in its back pocket to adapt on the fly, making it very potent.
Sam O’Brien – T’au Empire – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [23 PL, -4CP, 465pts] ++ + HQ + Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit [10 PL, -2CP, 195pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, -1 Damage + Troops + 10x Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts]: Kroot Rifle (S4, AP-1 in Melee), Quill Grenades + Elites + 3x Crisis Battlesuits [10 PL, 210pts]: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock + Fast Attack + 4x Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts] 4x Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts] ++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (T’au Empire) [77 PL, 4CP, 1,532pts] ++ + No Force Org Slot + 2x Crisis Bodyguards [6 PL, 120pts]: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, T’au Flamer 2x Crisis Bodyguards [6 PL, 120pts]: Burst Cannon, Cyclic Ion Blaster, T’au Flamer 4x Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts] + HQ + Commander Farsight [7 PL, -1CP, 130pts]: Warlord, 2x Plasma shots, gives 1 crisis unit in 6” +1 to hit in melee Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [8 PL, -1CP, 175pts]: Moves 14”, 1/game teleports + Troops + 10x Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts]: Kroot Rifle (S4, AP-1 in Melee), Quill Grenades + Elites + 5x Crisis Battlesuits [22 PL, 445pts] 3x Stealth Battlesuits [4 PL, 80pts]: Burst Cannons + Flyer + Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: 2x Missile Pod, 2x Seeker Missile, 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle Sun Shark Bomber [9 PL, 165pts]: 2x Missile Pod, 2x Seeker Missile, 2x Interceptor Drone: 4x Ion Rifle ++ Total: [100 PL, 1,997pts] ++
. Thermoneutronic Projector (Prototype System): AP -2 D2 Flamer that can be used in melee for 6+d6 attacks
. Talisman of Arthas Moloch (Relic): Deny the Witch with a +1
. Exemplar of the Kauyon (WL Trait): redeploy 1 unit, or 3 if I choose Kau’yon
. Resolute Firebase: Command Phase: 1 crisis unit in 9” gains Obsec
. 2x Marker Drones
. Shield Drone
. Exemplar of the Mont’ka (WL Trait): Command Phase: Core unit within 9” re-rolls wounds within 9” (12” in Mont’ka)
. Dawn Blade: 5 melee attacks at S10, AP-3, D3, or 10 attacks at S6, AP-2, D1, hitting on 2s
. Tactical Acument: Command Phase: 1 crisis unit within 9” can fallback and shoot/charge and ignore hit penalties in shooting
. 2x Airbursts (Assault d6 S4 AP-1 indirect), High-Output Burst (Assault 10 S5 AP -1), Velocity Tracker (ignores cover)
. DW-02 Advanced Burst Cannnon (Prototype System): Assault 8 S6 AP-1 D1, ignores FnPs and wound caps
. Precision of the Hunter (WL Trait): re-roll all hits and wounds
. Aggressive Tactics: Command Phase: Crisis unit within 9” auto-advances 18”
. 4x Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’vre: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Iridium, Shield Generator, Stimm Injectors (1/game 4+ FnP)
. 1x Marker Drone, 4x Shield Drone
. Homing Beacon (can deep strike a crisis unit turn 1 within 3” of the stealth squad)
Archetype
Farsight Enclaves Commanders and Suits
Thoughts
Sam puts in an excellent finish here with her spin on the other popular Sept, Farsight. You’ve still got the one big Crisis bomb and Sun Sharks here, but rather than backing that with more big units, the list packs small Crisis Teams that can get souped-up with Exemplar of the Mont’ka then zoom out and trade favourbly into a lot of stuff. It’s also got a bit more melee threat thanks to having both Farsight and a melee-ish Enforcer, which all combines to give it a better game plan if it needs to fight a wide-ranging brawl, and also more spare units to pick up points on Secondaries like Aerospace Relays. Congratulations to Sam on rounding out the top four.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Luke McCarthy – Emperor’s Children: Abaddon, a big Terminator block and three units each of Noise Marines and Possessed.
- 6th – Frank Dalykas – Thousand Sons: Cult of Duplicity with a few tweaks from the norm – shriking one Terminator squad to pack a grav-flux Leviathan (presumably to help answer Knights) and a few units of Tzaangors as cheap fodder..
- 7th – Robert Roda – Thousand Sons: A more conventional double-Scarab Duplicity build.
- 8th – James Watkins – Chaos Knights: Herpetrax with a tanked up Abominant and Desecrator, then lots of Dogs.
Cheseaux Buccaneers Open 2022
All the lists for this event can be found in Tourneykeeper. This event used 20-0 scoring to decide matches and for tiebreaks.
William Fuhrimann – Imperial Knights -1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Super-Heavy Detachment – Freeblade Lance Pre Game Stratagems: Warlord Trait (-1CP), Relic (-1CP), Revered Paragon (-1CP), Heirloom of the Houshold (-1CP) Chivalric Oath: Oath: Defend the Realm, Oath: Refuse No Challenge + Lord of War + Armiger Helverins [24 PL, 465pts, -1CP]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Hunters of Beasts, Questor Imperialis Armiger Warglaives [8 PL, 150pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Honoured Sacristans, Questor Mechanicus Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 450pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Noble Combatants, Questor Imperialis Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 450pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Strike and Shield, Questor Imperialis Knight Paladin [24 PL, 485pts, -3CP]: Character (Knight Lance), Exalted Court: Herald, Freeblade, Heirloom: The Helm Dominatus, Martial Tradition: Mithic Hero, Questor Imperialis , Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Reaper Chainsword, revered paragon, Stormspear Rocket Pod, Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Ion Bulwark, Warlord Trait: Revered Knight
Starting CP: 6-4 = 2
. Armiger Helverin: Heirloom: The Bastard's Helm, Heirlooms of the Household, Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Rapid-Fire Battle Cannon w/ Questor Ironhail Stubber
Archetype
Freeblade Lance
Final Round Matchup
20-0 Victory against Christoph Kammer – Tau.
Why it’s Interesting in 9th
Freeblade Lance with one big Knight and this Armiger setup continues to be very effective, with this particular spin going for the slightly grindier, more efficiency-based Paladin option over the go-fast Errant some other builds have used. Both have seen success, and although I honestly might have leaned towards the Errant build for 20-0 (just for the blowout potential of overrunning an opponent), the Paladin performed for William here, earning glorious victory – even in the face of what is frankly a terrifying matchup in the final round.
Raphael Tripod – Imperial Knights – 2nd Place (Undefeated with a Draw)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand == Imperial Knights – Custom Household – Super-Heavy Detachment = -3CP, [80 PL, 1535 pts] == Questor Allegiance: == Imperial Knights – Freeblade – Super-Heavy Auxiliary Detachment = -1CP, [24 PL, 465 pts] == Questor Allegiance:
Questor Imperialis (Vow of Honour), Martial Tradition: Noble Combatants
LOW1: Knight Errant [24 PL, 465pts] (WARLORD) Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Twin Icarus Autocannon,
– – – Knight Lances: Character
– – – Exalted Court: Herald
– – – Relic: The Helm Dominatus (-1CP)
– – – Warlord Trait: Landstrider (-1CP)
LOW2: 2 Armiger Warglaives [16 PL, 300pts]
– – – a) Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
– – – b) Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
LOW3: Knight Moirax [16 PL, 310pts]
– – – a) Knight Moirax: 2x Siege Claw and Rad Cleanser, Knight Baron: Revered Knight
– – – b) Knight Moirax: 2x Siege Claw and Rad Cleanser
LOW4: Knight Moirax [16 PL, 310pts]
– – – a) Knight Moirax: 2x Siege Claw and Rad Cleanser
– – – b) Knight Moirax: 2x Siege Claw and Rad Cleanser
LOW5: Armiger Warglaives [8 PL, 150pts], meltagun
Questor Imperialis, Martial Tradition: Hunters of Beasts
LOW6: 3 Armiger Helverins [24 PL, 465pts]
– – – a) Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
– – – b) Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
– – – c) Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Heirlooms of the Household: The Bastard’s Helm (-1CP)
END OF ROSTER
Archetype
Imperialis Noble Combatants
Why it’s Interesting in 9th
Another Knight build here, this one a little off the beaten path, but still with some similarities to the Freeblade setups. It is once again the Imperialis custom traits powering things here, with Noble Combatants being scary enough that it’s actually worth taking on all your melee Knights, and a trio of Hunters of Beasts Freeblades providing an extremely flexible shooting base while the main force is out stomping. Combatants is particularly nasty with siege-claw Moiraxes too, as it helps mitigate the -1 to hit, and their 6″ heroic when they’re near to the Errant also makes them extra effective at board control. It’s a neat twist and a cunning use of the available tools, very well deserved second place here (only a single VP behind William, as both were 4.5-0.5 at the end).
The Rest of the Best
Four more players finished with 4-1 records (treating three wins and a draw as 4-1 in one case):
- 3rd – Colin Schmid – Black Legion: Abaddon leading a big Terminator block, plus a tooled-up Plague Marine unit as a melee missile and a full squad of Rubricae with warpflamers to clear hordes (and really anything else if Abaddon puts re-roll wounds on them). Veilbreaker Plate also lets this be thrown at the opponent at any moment, a terrifying prospect.
- 4th – Frédéric In-Albon – Tau: Heavy-duty Tau Sept with two big Crisis units and a trio of Hammerheads (including Longstrike), then Kroot to sacrifice onto objectives.
- 5th – Paul Neuburger – Salamanders: A great run from Salamanders here, using lots of VanVets and two full blocks of Flamestorm Aggressors to provide durable and lethal blocks to gum up the mid-board and run up the points on their Secondary.
- 6th – Makash – Death Guard: Extra-inexorable Inexorable, with a mighty 21 Terminators of various flavours (including a full Blightlord unit) and Plague Marines/Bloat Drones in support.
NurgleMania
All the lists for this event can be found in T3. Many players in here go by screen names rather than real ones. This event used 20-0 scoring to decide games and as a tiebreak. Unfortunately, T3 doesn’t have pairing info for this one that I can see.
Angrym – Tyranids – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand ++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids) [56 PL, -6CP, 1,145pts] ++ + Stratagems + + HQ + + Troops + + Elites + Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, 3x Zoanthrope + Flyer + Harpy [11 PL, 230pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis ++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [43 PL, 6CP, 855pts] ++ + HQ + Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Warlord Trait: Synaptic Tendrils + Troops + + Elites + + Heavy Support +
+ Configuration +
Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]
Hive Fleet: Adaptive, Leviathan
Hive Predator [-2CP]: 2x Extra Warlord Trait
Rarefied Enhancements [-2CP]: 2x Extra Bio-artefact
Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 225pts]: Adrenal Glands, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power:
Onslaught, Power: Psychic Scream, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax
Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 95pts]
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
Tyranid Warriors [8 PL, 125pts]
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts]
3x Venomthrope: 3x Toxic Lashes
Harpy [10 PL, 215pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement
+ Configuration +
Hive Fleet: Adaptive, Leviathan
Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 195pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power:
Onslaught, Power: The Horror, Relic: Shardgullet, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance
Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 305pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts]
3x Tyrant Guard (Lash/Sword): 3x Lash Whip and Bonecleaver, 3x Two Rending Claws
Biovores [9 PL, 135pts]
3x Biovore: 3x Chitin-barbed Fists, 3x Spore Mine Launcher
++ Total: [99 PL, 2,000pts] ++
Archetype
Leviathan Warriors & Harpies
Why it’s Interesting in 9th
I guess somehow managing to squeeze a foot Tyrant in alongside all the rest of the horror here is an impressive feat of list tuning, and brings the unit count low enough that quite a few kill-focused Secondaries start to look dicey, but otherwise you all know full well what this monstrous machine can do. Well done to Angrym on the win.
The Rest of the Best
Six more players finished on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Spawny – Harlequins: Light Saedath Boats/Troupes/Characters.
- 3rd – DonPedro – Chaos Daemons: Be’lakor and the Indomitable Bloodthirster, plys lots of troops of various flavoures, a Fateskimmer and loads of Flamers.
- 4th – Kneisl – Harlequins: Dark Saedath going a bit wider than Light tends to, sporting three individual Voidweavers and three small Skyweaver units in addition to Troops and rides.
- 5th – Kanonenfutter – Genestealer Cults: A melee horde build utilising lots of heavily melee-armed Acolytes with Impasioned/Industrial Affinity as the Cult Creed, with lots of the normal fancy toys like Rockgrinders, Purestrains and Ridgerunners in support.
- 6th – Gier – Adepta Sororitas: Bloody Rose Goodstuff with an Exorcist snuck in for big ranged damage.
- 7th – Kobold93 – Adepta Sororitas: Bloody Rose Goodstuff with an alternative plan for ranged damage – a pair of Hunters of Beasts Helverins.
From Hell Project
All the lists for this event can be found in MiniHeadQuarters. That means we’re once again on screen names for participants. It also used 20-0 scoring to decide games and as a tiebreak.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Death and Zeal
Army List - Click to Expand Detachement Bataillon : Thousand Sons: Cult of Duplicity (0 CP) [81PL, 1565pts] == HQ1 : WARLORD: Infernal master [90pts,5PL] TR1 : 5 Rubric Marine, aspirant sorcerer: warpflame pistol, icon of flame [105pts,6PL] TR2 : 5 Rubric Marine, aspirant sorcerer: warpflame pistol, icon of flame [105pts,6PL] TR3 : 5 Rubric Marine, aspirant sorcerer: warpflame pistol, icon of flame [105pts,6PL] TR4 : 5 Rubric Marine, aspirant sorcerer: warpflame pistol, icon of flame, 4 warpflamer [117pts,6PL] TR5 : 5 Rubric Marine, aspirant sorcerer: warpflame pistol, icon of flame [105pts,6PL] TR6 : 5 Rubric Marine, aspirant sorcerer: warpflame pistol, icon of flame [105pts,6PL] EL1 : 10 scarab occulte terminator, 2 Soulreaper cannon, 2 hellfyre missile rack [435pts,21PL] DT1 : Chaos Rhino [80pts,4PL] Detachement Vanguard : Chaos Daemons, Tzeentch, Daemonic Allies (-3 CP) [19PL, 435pts] ==
– – – Infernal Pact: Glimpse Of eternity and Malefic Maelstrom
– – – spell: Glamour Of Tzeentch
– – – relic (1CP): Umbralefic crystal
HQ2 : Ahriman on Disc of Tzeentch [180pts,9PL]
— spells: presage , tzeentch’s firestorm, Gaze of Hate
— spell: Weaver Of fates
— spell: Doombolt
— spell: Doombolt
— spell: Temporal surge
— spell: doombolt
— spell: Temporal surge
— spell: Empyric Guidance and Temporal Surge
— protégé ( 10pts)
FA1 : 5 Chaos Spawn [115pts,5PL]
FA2 : 1 Chaos Spawn [23pts,1PL]
HQ1 : Changecaster, Staff of Change [90pts,5PL]
– – – spell: Bolt of Change and Infernal flames
EL1 : 3 Flamers [75pts,3PL]
EL2 : 5 Flamers [125pts,6PL]
EL3 : 6 Flamers [150pts,6PL]
vs.
Vidar – Daemonic Dogwalker: Abaddon, Herpetrax Dogs, and a Daemon detachment to provide a cheap source of Psychic Actions (backed up by the Pyrothrone Dog), Flamers, and an angle on Banners if needed.
Army List - Click to Expand == Supreme Command Squad DETACHMENT : Chaos Space Marines (0 CP) [15CP, 300pts] == Chapter Tactic : Black Legion – Black Crusaders HQ 1 : Abaddon the Despoiler (300) [300 pts] [15 PL] – Warlord == Patrol DETACHMENT : Chaos Daemons (0 CP) [22CP, 485pts] == Chapter Tactic : Legiones Daemonica HQ 2 : Changecaster (80), bolt of change, Infernal flames [80 pts] [4 PL] TR 1 : 10 Bloodletters (130) Daemonic Icon, Instrument of Chaos [130 pts] [6 PL] EL 1 : 6 Flamers (75 + 3*25) [150 pts] [6 PL] == Super-Heavy DETACHMENT : Chaos Knights (-3 CP) [65CP, 1215pts] == Chapter Tactic : Herpetrax – Dauntless LOW 1 : 3 War Dog Brigand (155 + 2*155) 3 Diabolus heavy stubber [465 pts] [24 PL]
– Bloodreaper (0)
– Pyrocaster (0)
EL 2 : 5 Flamers (75 + 2*25) [125 pts] [6 PL]
– Pyrocaster (0)
LOW 2 : 3 War Dog Stalker (145 + 2*145) 3 Diabolus heavy stubber, 3 Reaper chaintalon [435 pts] [24 PL]
LOW 3 : 2 War Dog Stalker (145 + 1*145)
– LOW3a character, Pyrothrone: winds of the warp, Relic (-1 CP), Relic : Helm of Dogs,
– LOW3b Diabolus heavy stubber, Reaper chaintalon.
[315 pts] [17 PL]
Thoughts
Clearly Tzeentch got a bit overconfident after last week’s successful European scheme, as we’ve got some (mind-warping) blue on (inscrutable) blue action here in a Chaos Clash. In the more robotic corner you’ve got Daemonic Dogwalker – extremely good objective pressure, challenging to take down, and lots of flexibility on scoring. Over in the dusty corner there are lots of Rubricae, one big squad of Scarabs, Spawn to back-fill for a big pile of wounds, then a detachment of Flamers for extra position play.
Ironically, in this instance I can believe that both sides kind of wish they’d left their Daemons at home. The Thousand Sons contingent is OK, but you’d probably prefer the points to just go on more Scarabs here, as only the big flamer units really threaten Knights, and ideally want Infernal Flames applied for even that. The Knights arguably come off even worse though – I think they do like having an option on Banners here, as it lets them play a bit more cagily rather than charging onto the jaws of endless Mortal Wounds, but having Psykers in the list is an active downside as it turns off Abhor the Witch and turns on Wrath of Magnus, while scoring Psychic Actions is unlikely to be a good plan here. Their Flamers are at least a bit more useful – the big squads have a shot at outright wiping a Rubricae unit with a mild high roll, because even though they’ll be saving at 3+, enough successful wounds will get things done eventually, and the spawn will vanish in a puff of smoke if looked at funny. You’d still vastly rather have, say a trio of Dreadblade Executioners instead though.
Death and Zeal gives both sides quite a bit of flexibility in how they maneuvre, but a glance at the Secondaries looks very favourable to the Sons. They can take Wrath of Magnus, Bring it Down or Sorcerous Prowess (depending on how they want to play things) and a Psychic Secondary and be pretty confidant of scoring well on them. The Knights get a good ride on Ruthless Tyranny (but then when don’t they), but with Psychic options closed off, they’re probably on something like Banners/No Prisoners beyond that. I don’t think that’s horrible from the point of view of their game plan – their big advantage is that they have a much easier time flipping an objective on demand, particularly late game once they turn off ObSec. I think their plan has to be to feed a War Dog onto the centre each turn while otherwise playing pretty defensively and keeping two banners up, then go for flipping the Primary heavily their way on turns four and five, especially as they do have tools for picking off straggling Rubricae squads. I think there’s a distinct risk of running out of stuff, especially against an army that can one-round Abaddon in a pinch (though that does at least become very hard if the Scarabs die), but it doesn’t feel like a total wash.
The Sons have a slightly tricky choice to make in the face of that – on the one hand they could send the Scarabs in to clear out the objective the first time a War Dog appears, demanding a serious answer, but if the Knights manage to take out the Scarabs in response, they can then start to bully the rest of the army more freely. I think you probably do want to go for it, but I’ll admit that I’m not certain, and the outcome could go either way.
Or it could be a draw – which is what we ended up with here. I think I’d have marginally favoured the Tsons to be able to muster enough damage to bleed the Knights out, but clearly Tzeentch was just putting on an exhibition match after all. Just as planned.
Result
10-10 Draw
Vidar was on a higher match score going into this though, so took the event win.
Vidar – Daemonic Dogwalker – 1st Place
The List
See Showdown
Archetype
Daemonic Dogwalker
Why it’s Interesting in 9th
All very much covered in the showdown – bringing Daemons into Dogwalker sacrifices a little bit of staying power from the standard build, but massively broadens Secondary options, and can force many opponents to play extra cautiously to avoid getting owned by Flamers, mitigating the reduced depth. Having more mid-boardy shooty War Dogs also helps with that, as while they’re pretty weak in combat, they can at least go stand on an objective in a pinch. As discussed above, making this choice does specifically tank your chances against Thousand Sons, but because of the strong performance leading up to that, and holding the Sons to a draw, Vidar won the day.
The Rest of the Best
Three players finished on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – ManX – Necrons: Eternal Expansionists showing off the power of Ghost Arks in the build, backed by lots of Skorpekh and a full Lokhust block.
- 3rd – Shev – Drukhari: All-rounder Drukhari goodstuff with a few unusual subfaction picks – Cursed Blade on Wyches to improve their ability to act as speedbumps, and Coven of Twelve on some Wracks and Grotesques to help push past Armour of Contempt.
- 4th – Guillou – Thousand Sons & Daemons: Cult of Duplicity with lots of Rubricae and one big Scarab block, then lots of Flamers in a Daemon detachment.
Torneo Competitivo Capilla
38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Capilla del Monte, Córdoba, AR on October 08 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Juan Pablo Sanchez – Necrons – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Illuminor Szeras [8 PL, 145pts]: Eldritch Lance, Impaling Legs + Troops + Necron Warriors [6 PL, 130pts] Necron Warriors [6 PL, 130pts] + Elites + Skorpekh Destroyers [8 PL, 150pts] + Fast Attack + Canoptek Scarab Swarms [4 PL, 90pts] Canoptek Wraiths [12 PL, 175pts] + Heavy Support + Lokhust Destroyers [11 PL, 205pts] ++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Necrons) [21 PL, 6CP, 400pts] ++ + Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +
++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Necrons) [87 PL, 2CP, 1,600pts] ++
Dynasty Choice: Circumstance of Awakening: Relentlessly Expansionist, Dynastic Tradition:
Eternal Conquerors, Dynasty:
+ HQ +
Chronomancer [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: Chronotendrils, Dynastic Heirlooms, Entropic Lance, Relic:
Veil of Darkness
Immortals [4 PL, 80pts]: Gauss Blaster, 5x Immortal
. 10x Necron Warrior (Gauss Flayer): 10x Gauss Flayer
. 10x Necron Warrior (Gauss Flayer): 10x Gauss Flayer
C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer [19 PL, 320pts]: Power of the C’tan: Gaze of Death, Power of the
C’tan: Sky of Falling Stars, Scythe of the Nightbringer
. Skorpekh Destroyer (Reap-Blade): Hyperphase Reap-Blade
. 4x Skorpekh Destroyer (Thresher): 4x Hyperphase Threshers
Canoptek Scarab Swarms [4 PL, 90pts]
. 6x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 6x Feeder Mandibles
. 6x Canoptek Scarab Swarm: 6x Feeder Mandibles
. 5x Canoptek Wraith (Claws): 5x Vicious Claws
. 4x Lokhust Destroyer: 4x Gauss Cannon. Lokhust Heavy Destroyer (Gauss Destructor): Gauss Destructor
Detachment Command Cost [3CP]
Dynasty Choice: Dynasty: Szarekhan
The Silent King [21 PL, 3CP, 400pts]: Warlord
. Szarekh: Sceptre of Eternal Glory, Scythe of Dust, Staff of Stars
. 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2x Annihilator Beam
++ Total: [108 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++
Archetype
Eternal Expansionists with Warriors
Final Round Matchup
86-80 Victory against Santiago Brassiolo – Tyranids.
Thoughts
Another build trading on the power of Eternal Expansionists, but with an interesting tweak from normal – bringing some Warriors along. While there are some matchups where they won’t pay for themselves, access to double-counting ObSec models definitely opens up the option to flip objectives against durable enemy Troops, and given the final round was a very close-fought victory against Leviathan Warriors, that may genuinely have made a big difference! Congratulations to Juan on taking the trophy.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Antonio Gardella – Harlequins: Light Saedath Boats/Troupes/Characters with a pair of Voidweavers backing them up.
- 3rd – Juan Arteaga – Necrons: A more ranged-oriented Eternal Expansionists build with a pair each of Transcendant C’tan and Doom Scythes, then lots of pesty chaff units to play for objectives while the zapping happens.
- 4th – Santiago Brassiolo – Hive Fleet Leviathan: Leviathan Warriors and Harpies.
- 5th – Nicholas Ciccarelli – Adepta Sororitas: A very unusual Sororitas setup here, using Raging Fervour (extra melta range) and Holy Wrath (extra melee AP) to create an all-rounder trait, then bringing loads of MSUs to fight for the board and the Triumph of St. Katherine to provide extra reliability.
- 6th – Javier Corigliano – Drukhari: Realspace Raid Drukhari Goodstuff with Prophets Grotesques and Haemoxcytes to gum the board and Black Heart Voidravens and a Raveger to provide some serious shooting.
- 7th – Joaquín Farah – Adepta Sororitas: Bloody Rose Goodstuff with Paragons for crunch and a unit of Dominions to provide early flexibilty via a Rhino without the CP cost of Carry Forth the Faithful.
As a bonus, Javier (the TO) has provided us with this photo of everyone looking very pleased – a great showing of the spirit of the event!
Wrap Up
Will this week bring us a Balance Dataslate? Or am I doomed to write about Leviathan yet again next week? Help me out here GW. I need this. See you next week!
