Hey folks, let’s start off this week with a correction.

Correction: In our Competitive Innovations on the 28th July 2022, we mistakenly noted that Andreas Hölter’s Stormcast Eternals list “should not be possible,” which was incorrect. We have fixed the article and regret the error.

This week we have 3 events to cover, with Beasts of Chaos appearing in all 3 Showdowns and a surprise contender appearing for the first time in a while. See if you can predict what it is.

Age Of Sigmar Matched Play Event

74-player, 5-round Grand Tournament at Warhammer World England, GB on August 13 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission –

Adam Mumford – Beasts of Chaos: 10 Cocks and Be’lakor are back!
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vs.

Max Barton – Maggotkin of Nurgle: Drowned Men: Triple Maggoth lord Pusgoyle spam
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Thoughts

Adam returning to the showdown once again with his unusual but effective Beasts of Chaos list. Unfortunately for him, Nurgle is somewhat of a bad matchup as the impact of the Cockatrice mortal wound output is mitigated by the healing and 5+ ward that Max is packing here. It’s not all doom and gloom though – he has a significant numbers advantage that can ensure he can help limit what units Max is even capable of engaging by body blocking with forward Cockatrices.

On Max’s side, he has to watch out for Be’lakor who can shut down one of his units for a turn, an effect that’s even more pronounced when you consider he’s only running 8 units total. The Dragon Ogors have the output and resilience to slowly mulch through the flies, killing 1 and a bit Pusgoyles a turn provided they have reroll wounds from Summon Lightning active, which may end up making them a priority target to destroy because it’s one of the few reliable anvils that Adam has here. Battleplan may end up affecting how this one plays out as a spread out set of objectives favours the Beasts, but Distustingly Resilient gives Nurgle a slight edge here.

Result

Maggotkin of Nurgle: Drowned Men Victory – 30 – 15

Max Barton – Maggotkin of Nurgle: Drowned Men – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Drowned Men Pusgoyle Blightlords with Maggoth Lords

Thoughts

It’s just a rock solid list really – two Lord of Afflictions means that if needed Max can put every fly in reserves to deep strike on; and each of the three Maggoth Lords are beasts that often require an entire turns worth of output to bring down, which suits Nurgle just fine as this list seeks to outlast and grind down through attrition.

The combo of Splithorn Helm and Overpowering Stench is here as ever on one of the LoA, which means it benefits from a 4+ ward and shuts down any and all enemy Command Abilities within 7″ of him. It combos really well with the grindy game plan as it shuts down rally, inspiring presence, unleash hell, double fighting command abilities.

James Tinsdale – Daughters of Khaine: Hagg Nar – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Morathi and the Bow Snakes 1 Drop

Thoughts

What’s interesting here is that it’s not actually all in on the double tapping bowsnakes. Once this archetype has filled itself out with 15 Bow snakes and Morathi it typically leaves very few points left over for other treats, but not here. By running a unit of MSU Witches for his third battleline, he has just enough points left over to squeeze in some flexible tactical pieces while still fitting in a one drop. The Warlocks and the Shadowstalkers provide a mobile element that can reach out and score Desecrate their lands or Barge through Enemy Lines, leaving just enough points for a cheap and cheerful Avatar of Khaine, a quietly brilliant and efficient little beat stick that can deliver it’s output where needed on a deceptively small base.

The Best of the Rest

There were 11 more players on 4-1 or 4-0-1 records. They were:

• 3rd – Hazel Moon – Idoneth Deepkin: an Ionrach mixed arms list with 6 Eels and 2 Sharks in BH for a bit of added punch (while still low drop at 3)
• 4th – Martin Morrin – Stormcast Eternals: 9 Stormdrakes with a Lord-Castellant for the +1 save bonus.
• 5th – Lewis Swan – Ogor Mawtribes: Triple Stonehorn in Boulderhead! Hell yeah Ogors.
• 6th – Lee Taylor – Skaventide: 6 Stormfiends, 2 Warp Lightning Cannons and Thanquol with Purple Sun are the highlights of this mixed list.
• 7th – Arran Folly – Daughters of Khaine: Morathi and the Melee Snakes with a Cauldron of Blood.
• 8th – Adam Mumford – Beasts of Chaos: See showdown.
• 9th – Toby Resnick – Seraphon: A balanced Thunder Lizard list with Kroak + Skink Oracle on Troglodon for added spell reach.
• 10th – Josh Cann – Idoneth Deepkin: Krondspine *AND* a Turtle, that’s a lot of Anvil.
• 11th – John Dale – Skaventide: A Moulder Themed List with 18 Giant Rats and 4 Rat Ogors, with some added heft with Thanquol and an Incarnate.
• 12th – Marco D’Anna – Nurgle: 20 Blightkings act as a ludicrously tough anvil around which the rest of the list pivots.
• 13th – Gabe Huddlestone – Skaventide: A Mortal Wound heavy list with a *ton* of Eshin Rats all doing Mortal Wounds on 6s… with Thanquol (because of course).

Old Town Throwdown Summer Smash

72-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Irvine, CA, US on August 13 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission –

Matt Nguyen – Beasts of Chaos: Allherd: A grab bag of Beastmen goodies with an allied Khorne DP and Sphyranx for added utility.
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vs.

Aaron Newbom – Big WAAAGH!: BW makes its CI Showdown debut with a deceptively shooty list.
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Thoughts

Matt has a target rich environment for his 3 beefy Bounty Hunter units, with a total of 30 Ardboyz making for easy targets for the Bullgors, Enlightened and Dragon Ogors. He’s got a definitive edge here on dictating melee combats with the Khorne DP severely compromising Aaron’s ability to charge through Bloodslicked Ground. He’s got a definitive edge in numbers and melee control, which would put him in a strong position…

…But Aaron’s BW list has an answer. 12 Boltboyz is enough ranged punch to take out the Daemon Prince at range, and their damage output is high enough that he can take out priority targets safely provided he can insulate them from Danger. Supa Sneaky also gives Aaron the option to pre-game redeploy the Boltboyz forward enough to get shots off on a key target even if Matt back boards his Khorne DP. I’ve not even touched on the Wurgogg Prophet, whose stare gives a 12″ threat radius to point and delete a unit… an unfortunate sign for Matt who lacks any appreciable ranged damage output to take it out safely without engaging.

Result

Big WAAAGH! Victory – 525 – 9

Aaron Newbom – Big WAAAGH! – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Big Waaagh mixed arms

Thoughts

Those who know me know that I’m a huge BW player myself, so it was interesting to see Aaron take an unusual but effective take on what the community considers effective in BW. No Mawcrusha, and only 3 Gore Gruntas is odd, but the points saved means that Aaron can fit a total of 12 Boltboyz, which is both a deadly ranged threat, but also a ticking clock on your opponent that forces them to come forward… which is bad news as it brings them ever closer to the Wurgogg Prophet.

The other interesting element here is the Vulcha boss, whose ability to use a Command Ability twice means he can technically Unleash Hell with both Boltboy units provided the positioning allows it, while it’s high 14″ movement and Fast ‘Un means it can burst forward 24″ if it spots an opportunity to steal a backboard objective or take out a key support piece.

Matthew Barker – Maggotkin of Nurgle: Drowned Men – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Drowned Men Pusgoyles

Thoughts

It’s not quite spam here, as he’s only running four of them – but that’s enough to take a forward position on objectives with the pre-game move OR make an Alpha strike if deployment allows it. By cutting back on the flies, Matthew can fit in 10 Blightkings in Expert Conquerors; who are tough enough to weather the storm of damage they could take from enemy Bounty Hunters units, and still retain control of key objectives.

The Best of the Rest

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

• 3rd – Gavin Grigar – Seraphon: A Thunder Lizard Kroak list with a Prime and 3 Ark of Sotek Bastiladons.
• 4th – Alexander Gonzalez – Nighthaunt: Bladegheist Spam with a Purple Sun, powered through by Midnight Tome for a guaranteed cast.
• 5th – Gregory Brewer – Bonesplittaz: A metric ton of Big Stabbas in Drakkfoot.
• 6th – Evan Markham – Skaventide: 9 Stormfiends with a bridge to power them up the board.
• 7th – Roberto Campos-Mcdonald – Sylvaneth: A winterleaf skirmishing list with 6 Kurnoth Scythes, Gossamid Archers and a Spellsinger Warsong Revenant featuring.
• 8th – Matt Nguyen – Beasts of Chaos: See Showdown.
• 9th – Taran Birk – Blades of Khorne: Reapers of Vengeance means Boomthirsters and Skarbrand! Be’lakor is here too, because why not?
• 10th – Dylan Lindner – Sons of Behemat: Bounty Hunter mini Gargants – six of them!
• 11th – Alec Jerome – Maggotkin of Nurgle: Glottkin and flies makes for a frightening movement phase for your opponent.

King In The North! 22

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Troms og Finnmark, NO on August 13 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission –

Benjamin Flodda – Nighthaunt: The Scarlet Doom: Bladegheist spam + Sun
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vs.

Ole Vatland – Beasts of Chaos: Allherd: Drogors & Enlightened heavy
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Thoughts

It’s a tough matchup for Ole, as his considerable rend is negated by Ethereal, and the bonus damage from Bounty Hunters against all those juicy Galletian Veterans units are also negated by the presence of the Krulghast Cruciator’s Empowering Excruciation. It’s a melee slugfest that favours whoever can grind out better, but retreat and charge means that Benjamin can deliver his damage exactly where he needs it to go, whereas Ole needs to rely on outright wiping the Bladegheists in one combat, lest they retreat, replenish and go again.

The Enlightened will be key here, as their high mobility mean they can threaten the key characters in Benjamin’s backlines. If he can get past the Chainrasp screens and take out the Krulghast Cruciator, he can flip this matchup on it’s head as it suddenly effectively damages his armies damage output.

Result

Nighthaunt: The Scarlet Doom Victory – 12 – 8

Benjamin Flodda – Nighthaunt: The Scarlet Doom – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Bladeghest Spam

Thoughts

In a lot of ways it’s a ‘best of’ the army, as it cuts any and all ‘cute’ toys for the bare essentials – 60 Bladegheists who do stupendous amounts of damage with +1 to wound from the Guardian of Souls, All Out Attack for the +1 to hit, and +1 Damage against enemy Galletian Veterans thanks to Bounty Hunters. To add on to that, 30 BGR will do on average 10 Mortal Wounds from charges alone… which is high enough that the huge unit can multicharge two units, dump the mortals into one to kill it and then blender the other unit. And he has two of these units? Yikes.

The rest of the army is mostly about enabling the two death star units. He has Spirit Hosts to protect the characters that protect the BGR. Midnight Tome means he can get a guaranteed cast for the Purple Sun to give them a pip of extra rend against key targets, and the Spirit Torment means he can also replenish the Bladegheists over the course of the game. Notably he has deliberately gone cheap on a unit of Fell Bats for a fast chaff screen to score Desecrate their lands, while also leaving enough points for a significant triumph bid – important for Indomitable which is one of the few ways to get battleshock immunity when many armies are running Horrorghasts, Overpowering Stench LoAs, Crown of Woe Daughters heroes and other means to ‘turn off’ the use of Inspiring Presence.

The Best of the Rest

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

• 2nd – Geir Vedeld – Maggotkin of Nurgle: Drowned Men: Pusgoyle spam
• 3rd – Ole Vatland – Beasts of Chaos: Allherd: See Showdown
• 4th – Thomas Berg – Sylvaneth: Harvestboon: A total of 12 Bug Cavalry with a Battlemage and Spiteswarm for enhanced charges (likely for Strike and Fade shenanigans)
• 5th – Lasse Kalberg – Daughters of Khaine: Zainthar Kai: Gotrek and Morathi is the ultimate power couple here, with MSU witches and some snakes to round out
• 6th – Øystein Berg – Beasts of Chaos: Gavespawn: Dragon Ogor spam

Wrap Up

It’s interesting to see that Bounty Hunters is still ever prevalent but that Expert Conquerors is on the rise – typically on units that have some kind of inherent toughness or ways to mitigate the enhanced risk against Bounty Hunters units. See you next week!

Ellarr also has his own Youtube channel to cover other aspects of competitive Age of Sigmar which you can find here. If you have any questions or comments leave one down below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com.