After a few off weeks we’re back with four, count em four events in the United States and Canada. There’s still a few weeks left in 3.0 and some people wanna get the most out of it. Let’s check them out!

Ironweld

49-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Wakefield, MA, United States on June 01 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Mission – Every Step is Forward

Jeremy Veysseire – Flesh-eater Courts:
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vs.

Chai Tzola – Blades of Khorne:
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Thoughts

This is a tough matchup to call due to the mission favoring both armies. These are also some of the top armies in the meta right now, possibly the top two depending on how you measure.

An edge definitely goes to the Flesh-eater courts list which simply has more bodies to throw at the problem. In Every Step is Forward models count as +1 on the objective so it very much favors hordes. While this Khorne list doesn’t lack of models, it definitely isn’t going to match the Flesh-eater courts.

Khorne would have to win through clearing out large swathes of the army first which while doable would not be easy. Ultimately it’s a crushing victory for the Flesh-eater Courts.

Flesh-eater Courts Victory – 16-4

Jeremy Veysseire – Flesh-eater Courts – First Place

The List

See Showdown.

Archetype

FEC Hordes

Thoughts

While FEC is a bit of a Horde Army in general, this absolutely takes it up to the next level. Royal Beastflayers and Cryptguard are sort of your mid-tier punch hordes while the Crypt Ghouls are cheap as can be. Each hero is given a buff to power up the units in the early game and Merciless Blizzard so anyone who gets stuck in is opening themselves up to the counter attack next turn and with this many Heroes that is some excellent board coverage.

The goal is basically to slow down the enemy with teeming hordes before blasting them on the counter attack. Very few armies can simply do that much damage, even if they roll hot.

Jiwan noah Singh – Flesh Eater-courts – Second Place (Undefeated)

The List

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Archetype

FEC Hordes

Thoughts

Noah’s list isn’t too dissimilar to the winning list. He dialed back the heroes a bit to add even more hordes but the basic jist is the same. Clog up the board and hit the important stuff with Blizzard if it survives. Frustrating, but effective.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 Records. They were:

• 3rd – James O’Brien – Stormcast Eternals (Knights Excelsior): Vexilor and Annihilator mortal wound spam.
• 4th – Benjamin Mohlie – Ogor Mawtribes (Meatfist): Mixed arms Stonehorn and foot ogors.
• 5th – Sean Cushing – Nighthaunt (The Scarlet Doom): Bladegheist Spam
• 6th –  Myrxe11a Helvetica – Daughters of Khaine (Khailebron): Morathi and the Bowsnakes.
• 7th – Chai Tzola – Blades of Khorne (Skullfiend Tribe): See Showdown.
• 8th – Basil Inferrera – Seraphon (Koatl’s Claw): Kroak and Saurus.

Small Town Throwdown: The Last Ride Of 3rd Edition

44-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Cypress, CA, US on June 01 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Mission – Limited Resources

Christopher Hernandez – Ogor Mawtribes:
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vs.

Aaron Elias Newbom – Idoneth Deepkin:
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Thoughts

I’ll be frank, the mission favors the Idoneth list with its superior mobility and extremely high damage output pretty definitively. Foot Ogors don’t have the best saves and generally survive with high wound counts and counting as more on objectives, but that is a challenge this list can meet pretty handedly.

If Kragnos can get a good charge in with a few units early, it may be possible to set up to cripple the enemy early. Even then, there are multiple ways for Aaron to get Strikes First and blunt that charge, which leaves the Ogors with just…not many options. It’s a crushing victory for the Idoneth.

Idoneth Deepkin Victory – 525-9

Aaron Elias Newbom – Idoneth Deepkin – First Place

The List

See Showdown.

Archetype

Akhelian Eel Spam

Thoughts

This was once the archtype but you haven’t seen it in a while, since Allopexes took over. The intent is simple, if you make it to round 3 the game is over, High Tide will absolutely murder everything by just throwing everything in and chaining Strikes First all across the board.

In this case you don’t even need to wait for that. Volturnos and the generic Akhelian King can hand out High Tide to 3+D3 units, potentially hitting every eel unit after charging.

The addition of the Eidolon is interesting but not unwelcome. It adds +1 to wound to every unit wholly within 12″ and can designate an enemy Hero in combat to give +1 to hit and wound against it, perfect for larger Monster heroes like Kragnos in the final match.

In short, this list is fast and very few things could hope to blunt it. It can either take its time and charge in at round 3 for guaranteed high tide, or risk it early and still walk away from the wreckage.

Ian McAleese – Ogor Mawtribe – Second Place (Undefeated)

The List

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Archetype

Yhetee spam and shooting

Thoughts

What a mad list. The basic jist of the list is to place the Yhetees up front to make approaching very difficult. The Yhetees get a 6″ pile in, so it’s very difficult to get through them without being bogged down. They don’t do much damage on their own but enough Rend -1 Damage 2 attacks can soften things up.

The Leadbelchers stand behind the Yhetees firing Rend -2 D1 shots and the Hunters can pop up and snag objectives as needed. The Stonehorn gives so much needed muscle if you require a big monster to take something down.

The Best of the Rest

There are 6 other 4-1 lists. There were:

• 3rd – Frank DeLoach – Ironjawz (Bloodtoofs): Classic Gore-grunta spam.
• 4th – Christopher Hernandez – Ogor Mawtribes (Meatfist): See showdown.
• 5th – Alexander Gonzalez – Blades of Khorne (Reapers of Vengeance): Dual bloodthirsters supported by Flesh Hounds.
• 6th – Viet Huynh – Sylvaneth (Heartwood): Herohammer, guest starring Celestant Prime.
• 7th – Zach Pfeifer – Nighthaunt (Quicksilver Dead): Harridan spam.
• 8th – Maldad Puto – Fyreslayers (Hermdar): Auric Hearthguard spam

Battered Bison GT 2024!

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA on May 31 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Mission – Every Step is Forward

Carson Whitlock – Ogor Mawtribes:
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vs.

Dom Elson – Maggotkin of Nurgle:
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Thoughts

This is a tough call since both armies really want to stand their ground and hug it out. Nurgle is much better at that strategy, especially this monster heavy list, but the Ogors have a bit more maneuverability and damage output to work with. Both armies are pretty straightforward tactically so it would come down to who rolls hot on the damage rolls and it ends in a victory for the ogors.

Ogor Mawtribes Victory – 516-20

Carson Whitlock – Ogor Mawtribes – First Place

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Mixed arms foot Ogors

Thoughts

This is a very interesting list that really seems to try and hit everything on the foot ogors side of the book. The Ironguts and Gluttons form the foundation of the list as hunks of meat and in the case of Ironguts can do some pretty decent damage in turn. The Ironblaster offers very powerful covering fire while Gnoblars help screen it out from harm.

Rounding out the list is the Gorgers who can deep strike to snag objectives unattended, the heroes casting buffs on Ironguts and the Stonehorn for threats that require a real heavy hitter.

The Best of the Rest

There are 6 other 4-1 lists. There were:

• 2nd – Carl Ong – Seraphon (Fangs of Sotek): Kroak and Slann with the usual support retinue. Surprise addition of Dracothian allies.
• 3rd – James Haagsman – Sylvaneth (Heartwood): Belthanos, Durthu and Lady of Vines with Kurnoth and Gotrek
• 4th – Dom Elson – Maggotkin of Nurgle (Blessed Sons): See Showdown.
• 5th – Bud Kehler – Gloomspite Gitz (Glogg’s Megamob): Troggs.
• 6th – Derek Ali – Sons of Behemat (King Brodd’s Stomp): Brodd, Gatebreaker, Warstomper and Mancrushers.
• 7th – Dallas Sigurdur – Sons of Behemat (Taker Tribe): Kragnos, Kraken-eater and Brodd with Mancrushers.

2024 AoS Bugeater GT

33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Omaha, NE, US on June 01 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Mission – Limited Resources

Jose Arredondo – Seraphon:
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vs.

Ryan Cavin – Sylvaneth:
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Thoughts

Both armies have some real advantages here. Limited resources is a mission that demands mobility, as remaining on the same objectives is simply not an option and both armies have that. Sylvaneth can plant trees and tree lords can teleport where they need to go. The Seraphon get a free teleport each round, in turn.

The point against the Sylvaneth is they need to cling to their terrain, which is exactly what Seraphon want, with their terrain piece dealing out mortal wound damage. The good news is Tree Lords have a lot of wounds and the Lady of Vines gives them some extra resiliency with a 5+ ward, so both have answers to each other.

Which…really shows because for the first time since I’ve done Competitive Innovations, this showdown is a tie!

Tie – 28-28

Jose Arredondo – Seraphon – First Place

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Kroak and Slann with Retinue.

Thoughts

This is a pretty standard Seraphon list. Open with a Slann and Kroak to focus on casting buffs and mortal wounds, an Astrolith Bearer to buff their spellcasting and protect them with a Ward while Saurus Guard tank ranged hits. Saurus and Skinks are present to hold the line and grab objective.

This list does dip into more skink wizards than usual, each packing Merciless Blizzard along with another spell but the game plan is the same. Drown an opponent in mortal wounds and keep them away from your soft slann center.

Ryan Cavin – Sylvaneth – Second Place (Tied)

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Treelords

Thoughts

While Jose technically won the event through overall points, they did tie in the showdown so it felt unfair to leave Ryan out. Ryan’s list is pretty straightforward but has some tactical depth. The Treelords are the big monsters of the army so this is a monster mash list supported by heroes to buff them.

The Lady of Vines grants a 5+ Ward to the treelords which is very important to keeping such an elite list alive. The warsong Revenant is one of the best casters in the army and with Treesong can boost the already solid Rend of the Treelords. Finally the Branchwych helps where physical might fails and can drop a Blizzard on someone who simply refuses to go down the old fashioned way.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 other lists that went 4-1. They are:

• 3rd – El Miller – Slaves to Darkness (Knights of the Empty Throne): Varanguard Spam
• 4th – Joe Krier – Flesh-eater Courts (Hollowmourne): Knights and Beasthunters.
• 5th – Matt Kyriss – Fyreslayers (Lofnir): Magmadroths!
• 6th – Kyle Emory – Kharadron Overlords (Barak-Thryng): An eclectic list with a mix of units including allied Auric Runemaster and Knight Questors.

Wrapping Up

A pretty busy week leading into June. The march to 4th edition marches ever onward and it’s only a few more weeks away till we get a preorder announcement. In the mean time I hope we still get fascinating lists like some of the ones we got this week.