Sorry we were a bit late this week! I was recovering from Summer Slaughter and boy there were a lot of GTs this weekend. The wheels keep turning and a wide variety of lists are making it to top tables, helped in no small part by the Krondspine and Purple Sun instantly improving almost any list they’re in.
This week we see a lot of Chaos armies dominating (sadly no Khorne, it’s ok buddy you’ll get your shot) and a few surprises too. Let’s get moving!
Salt City GT
31-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Syracuse, NY, US on July 23 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in <a href=”https://web.bestcoastpairings.com/event.php?eventId=ZEBTVxheBg&embed=false”>Best Coast Pairings</a>.
The Showdown
Maggotkin of Nurgle Vs Ironjawz
Maggotkin of Nurgle – Luke Scannell – A caster heavy Nurgle list with the Rotbringer Coven, Twiceborn blight kings, Nurglings and Plaguebearers.
Luke's list - Click to Expand
Ironjawz – Tyler Bushey – Single Maw-Krusha with 2 Warchanters with enough pigs to fill out the rest of the list. Purple sun to round it off, with Arcane Tome on the Maw-Krusha the Warboss can get closer to the enemy before firing it off turn 1.
Tyler's List - Click to Expand
Thoughts
The Maggotkin list is likely a sign of where Nurgle may be headed for this season, with nary a Blightlord to be seen. That said it probably is exactly what is needed, with Nurgle’s natural resilience they can blunt the charge of the Ironjawz and hold the line. Luke’s list also far paces the army on model count, especially with expert conquerers on squads of 10 plaguebearers. Finally, it just plain has a better caster game. While Ravenak’s Gnashing Jaws won’t do much good here, the purple sun is always nice, as long as he’s not caught out by the other sun.
Results
Maggotkin of Nurgle Victory 35-15
Maggotkin of Nurgle – Luke Scannell – First Place
Why It’s Interesting
As stated above this list is very off brand. Very caster heavy, it brings the Rotcoven and a slew of Endless Spells to deal with different enemies. Purple Sun for big targets, Ravenak’s Gnashing Jaws for slow targets and Swords for Warded targets (like other Nurgle). A nice grab bag of different units allow him to approach many situations, Expert Conquerers Plaguebearers are difficult to dislodge, flies can outride to pick off weaker targets or open points and blightkings give a strong block that can also hit back hard.
Fyreslayers – Garth Scannell – Second Place
Garth's List - Click to Expand
Why It’s Interesting
Fyreslayers good stuff, Fyreslayers are probably in a better position than they were previously. Expert Conquerer is very good to them and 2 blocks of 15 Hearthguard Berzerkers counting as 45 is going to be difficult to impossible to dislodge for many. The invocations add some mortal wound output and an obstacle for enemy to navigate around.
The Rest of the Best
- 3rd – Tyler Bushey – Ironjawz – See list above
- 4th – Alexander Belanger – Nighthaunt – Reiknor, Guardian of Souls, dual Spirit Torment and Cruciator with lots of Bladegheists.
- 5th – Jeff Weed- Kruleboyz – Lots of boltboyz and two swampcalla shaman for extra pain.
- 6th – Raymond Squires – Maggotkin of Nurgle – Bloab and Orghotts with lots of Plaguebearers.
Miniparadice Anniversary Tournament
38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Germany/Hessen/Kassel/DGH Dissen on July 23 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in <a href=”https://tabletop.to/miniparadice-anniversary-tournament/rounds”>Tabletop.to</a>.
The Showdown
Disciples of Tzeentch Vs Maggotkin of Nurgle
Disciples of Tzeentch – Tobias Schwarz – A Herohammer list that takes the absolute bare minimum amount of troops it can to fit in a full roster of Heroes, Endless Spells and the Krondspine.
Tobias's List - Click to Expand
Maggotkin of Nurgle – Patrick Lewe – Bunch of Flies and Lord of Afflictions with Be’Lakor to help out.
Patrick's List - Click to Expand
Thoughts
This is a tough one for Tzeentch. The Nurgle list is basically peak meta performance while the few bodies on the field for Tzeentch makes it difficult to hold points. While he still gets 6 more Screamers to summon, it’s still not a ton to work with when your opponent can also deep strike and fly.
There are a few things in its favor, the absolute ton of spells going on will allow them to summon in more units, and it helps that the Nurgle list also doesn’t have a ton of models. Of course the Krondspine really tip the scale a bit and give it punch that Tzeentch can find itself lacking.
Results
Tzeentch Victory
Disciples of Tzeentch – Tobias Schwarz – First Place
Why It’s Interesting
Almost eschewing troops entirely, Tzeentch has almost always been a Herohammer army to begin with, relying on tricky teleports and disposable summoning screens to get by much of the time. The addition of the Krondspine here gives something with a lot of punch, something they usually do not get.
Maggotkin of Nurgle – Colin Klären – Second Place
Colin's List
Why It’s Interesting
A diverse range of units designed to counter multiple threats. The Blightkings and Plaguebringers can hold points way above their weight class with Expert Conquerers while Blightlords zip around to grab other objectives. The sheer diversity of spells with bonuses to cast give them spells to take on all sorts of opponents, and wont be found lacking.
The Rest of the Best
The following players all went 4-1
- 3rd – Patrick Lewe – Maggotkin of Nurgle – See Above
- 4th – Andreas Hölter – Stormcast Eternals – A single Knight Draconis and all Stormdrake. This technically shouldn’t be possible as it should have a second Leader but it’s what is reported.
- 5th – Lucas Raczek – Sylvaneth – Kurnoth heavy list with Arch-Revenant, Warsong Revenants, Branchwych and an allied in battlemage.
- 6th – Daniel Pommer – Lumineth – 60 Sentinels, 30 Wardens and Lord Regent, Windmage and Loreseeker leading them.
- 7th – Bastian Gerstner – Stormcast Eternals – A suprise appearance of Karazai, with Gardus and some Stormdrake Guard.
Outlaw Open GT
46-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Allen, TX, US on July 23 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in <a href=”https://web.bestcoastpairings.com/event.php?eventId=kmLtCUeLOl&embed=false”>Best Coast Pairings</a>.
The Showdown
Daughters of Khaine Vs Disciples of Tzeentch – The Prize of Gallet
Daughters of Khaine – Josh Bennett – Morathi and Bloodwrack medusa with 20 witch Aelves, 15 Blood Sisters with Gotrek helping out.
Josh's List - Click to Expand
Disciples of Tzeentch – Dalton Kahle –
Dalton's List - Click to Expand
Thoughts
Daughters of Khaine has this one pretty good. Tzeentch generally wants their opponent in the 18 inch “cool zone” where most of their spells can target and deal a ton of mortal wounds. Daughters are pretty capable of getting around that problem and charging across the field, closing the gap fast. Once they get there they hit like a truck.
Tzeentch can shut down their magic phase, including the dreaded Mindrazor, but Daughters don’t really need it in this case as most of the things they target in this fight are quite delicate.
Results
Daughters Victory
Daughters of Khaine – Josh Bennett – First Place
Why it’s Interesting
Daughters of Khaine are still being “worked out” and we still see a lot of directions the list can go in. Now that Morathi lost her +1 to casting, many are looking for ways to fire off Mindrazor easier, as its so essential to the faction’s success. The previously overlooked Medusa with the Shadowstone is gaining popularity as a result, along with her synergy of adding +1 to the battle round for Blood Sisters, she’s a higher value take than others initially assumed.
Adding Gotrek is also interesting, he seems weirdly out of place in the faction, much slower and amongst a faction that is already largely comprised of meat threshers. What he does add is another tanky unit alongside big Morathi that is near impossible to take down without concentrated fire or screening.
Sons of Behemat – Christopher Schelling – Second Place
Why it’s Interesting
While the list itself isn’t anything exciting – 2 Gatebreakers and 2 Warstompers with an Amulet of Destiny on one – it shows Sons of Behemat still have some teeth in the new General’s Handbook. You can’t do much new with Sons of Behemat, but most had counted them out in the new season because they aren’t able to engage in many of the mechanics introduced like Galetian Veterans, and that Expert Conquerers would allow them to be outpaced.
The Rest of the Best
The following lists all went 4-1, except Jacob who went 4-0-1
- 3rd – Jacob Mathias – Ogor Mawtribes – Frostlord on Stonehorn, 2 Butchers and Kragnos lead some Mournfangs with a handful of good endless spells.
- 4th – Randal Brasher – Kharadron Overlords – 2 Ironclads and Krondspine provide the heavy hitting punch of an Admiral and 2 Aether Navigators with MSU Arkanauts.
- 5th – Dillon Cocoran – Nighthaunt – A last cry of Reikenor’s Condemned before the FAQ yesterday closed the book on it. 40 Dreadscythes and 10 Hexwraiths with a grab bag of other really good Nighthaunt stuff.
- 6th – Cliff Pope – Sons of Behemat – An actually interesting Sons list. A Gatebreaker and Warstomper lead 6 Mancrushers.
- 7th – Jonathan Schlieszus – Ossiarch Bonereapers – Dual soulmasons and Dual Crawlers with Arkha protected by 60 Mortek Guard. Try and cut through that much bone.
Summer Slaughter
102-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Stowe, Pennsylvania, US on July 23 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in <a href=”https://web.bestcoastpairings.com/event.php?eventId=a4N66cl0lp&embed=false”>Best Coast Pairings</a>.
The Showdown
Hedonites of Slaanesh Vs Skaven – Close to the Chest
Hedonites of Slaanesh – Anthony Trentanelli – Sigvald, Contorted Epitome and Seeker on Chariot with a ton of Blissbarbs, some allied beasts of chaos for cheap screens and Krondspine.
Skaven – Jacob Brandon – Real variety hour with 2 verminlords,a ton of clanrats, Warplock Jezzails and the Clan Skyre special.
Thoughts
This is a tough one. Naturally, Slaanesh is at a disadvantage here with its older book but Trentanelli is one of the best and knows how to squeeze the most out of a book. Both armies are well positioned to use movement shenanigans to their greatest advantage, though Slaanesh may have a bit more reliable punch with Krondspine. Skaven have more spike damage depending on how the dice go, and can probably do more if the dice roll well.
Ultimately the battle is damned close, coming within a point of victory.
Results
Slaanesh Victory 26-25
Hedonites of Slaanesh – Anthony Trentanelli – First Place
Why it’s Interesting
Well, naturally, it being Slaanesh is a big deal. Seemingly in a quest to prove anything can be good if you add Krondspine to it, Anthony brought some of the best stuff Slaanesh has. Sigvald, Contorted Epitome and Herald on a Chariot are all stand outs in a faction lacking great options. Blissbarb Archers really aren’t bad as far as ranged attacks go and with 55 of them, they’ll do some damage.
Other than the Krondspine, Geminids and Purple Sun are powerful options available to all armies. Being able to shut down orders and of course one shot big things.
Kharadron Overlords – Carl Ong – Second Place
Carl's List - Click to Expand
Why It’s Interesting
KO have been doing well with the new GHB. Many events see KOs go 4-1 or win the whole dang thing. With expert conquerors they are uniquely suited for deploying and redeploying their Galetian Vets as necessary. Opponent cant cover all the points after all.
This furthers that goal with, yet again, the Krondspine able to lock down enemy units that might try and shoot down the mighty Ironclad, allowing them to run around with abandon.
The Rest of the Best
Due to the size of the event there were 17 4-1s so I’m just going to focus on the top 8
- 3rd – Michael Vagenos – Seraphon – An interesting Thunder Lizard list with 3 Ark of Sotek Bastiladons and a Celestant Prime alongside the usual Kroak, Skink Priest, etc.
- 4th – Joe Shoemaker – Kharadron Overlords – Much more ship heavy, with an Ironclad, 2 frigates and 2 gunhaulers alonside the usual Arkanaut Companies.
- 5th – Kaleb Walters – Disciples of Tzeentch – Kairos and Lord of Change with a Changecaster, disposable acolytes and Tzaangors and Krondspine with a slew of endless spells.
- 6th – Jacob Brandon – Skaven – See list above.
- 7th – Nate Trentanelli – Nighthaunt – 2 Spirit Torments, a Krulghast and a Guardian of Souls with 9 Spirit Host to guard them. 40 Bladegheist Revenants and 20 Chainrasps do the capturing with a slew of Endless Spells to choose from.
- 8th – Emma Mengals – Skaven – 9 Stormfiends and Thanqual make up the bulk of the list with clan rats and Warlocks filling things out.
Closing Thoughts
A very busy weekend in Age of Sigmar comp play and the wheels seem to keep turning. The Krondspine and Purple Sun are popping up a lot but don’t seem to necessarily be required for success – depending on the list. They still help a lot!
We continue to see the armies changing based on the new GHB and new tomes coming on the horizon, this is probably one of the better times for the meta right now and I can’t wait to see what other surprises are coming.
