Welcome back, Dear Reader, to what will hopefully be the final week of me filling in for some time. It’s not that I don’t enjoy writing these – though to be clear, I don’t love writing about Tyranids every week – it’s just that they’re a shitload of work and as I said last time, there are too many damn tournaments these days.

Anyways, there were blessedly fewer events to cover this week – “only” 8 GT events, and among them none with more than 6 rounds – and there was the added bonus of some of them sharing things up a bit more, giving us some T’au and even Drukhari lists to talk about. So that’s neat, I guess.

God, what a world we’ve come to, when it’s interesting to talk about Drukhari lists making the top 4 of a GT. If you’re still wondering about Tyranids, don’t worry – they’re going to show up in every other event. A Tyranids list featured in every other finals matchup in the events we tracked, and they made up the majority of top 4/8 spots.

Bugeater 2022

A 94-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Omaha, NE, United States on June 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Data-Scry Salvage

You can find a Stream of the event on the WarGames Live YouTube channel.

Ben Neal – T’au Empire:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (T’au Empire) [8 PL, 150pts, 3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [3CP

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +

Commander Shadowsun [8 PL, 150pts]: 2x High-energy Fusion Blaster, Warlord

++ Super-Heavy Auxiliary Detachment -3CP (T’au Empire) [17 PL, 345pts, -1CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

Shared Faction Bonus [2CP

+ Lord of War +

Stormsurge [17 PL, 345pts]: Early Warning Override, Pulse Blastcannon, Twin Airbursting Fragmentation Projector, Velocity Tracker

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (T’au Empire) [82 PL, 1,503pts, 6CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Emergency Dispensation [-1CP]: Additional Relics

+ HQ +

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [9 PL, 180pts, -1CP]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, High-output Burst Cannon, Onager Gauntlet, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, T’au Flamer, Thermoneutronic Projector
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

Ethereal [5 PL, 85pts, -1CP]: 2. Sense of Stone, 6. Exemplar of the Mont’ka, 6. Wisdom of the Guides, Hover Drone, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, The Humble Stave
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

Longstrike [9 PL, 170pts]: 2x Smart Missile System, Railgun

+ Troops +

Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts
. 10x Kroot: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades

+ Elites +

Crisis Battlesuits [10 PL, 224pts
. Crisis Shas’ui: Iridium battlesuit, Shield Generator, T’au Flamer, T’au Flamer, T’au Flamer
. Crisis Shas’ui: Shield Generator, T’au Flamer, T’au Flamer, T’au Flamer
. Crisis Shas’vre: Shield Generator, T’au Flamer, T’au Flamer, T’au Flamer
. 2x Shield Drone: 2x Shield Generator

Crisis Battlesuits [19 PL, 304pts
. Crisis Shas’ui: Iridium battlesuit, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’ui: Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’ui: Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’ui: Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’vre: Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. 2x Shield Drone: 2x Shield Generator

+ Heavy Support +

Broadside Battlesuits [6 PL, 100pts
. Broadside Shas’vre: Heavy Rail Rifle, Stabilised Optics, Twin Smart Missile System
. Marker Drone

+ Flyer +

DX-6 Remora Stealth Drones [3 PL, 60pts]: DX-6 Remora Stealth Drone

++ Total: [107 PL, 8CP, 1,998pts] ++

vs.

Cody Jiru – Drukhari:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [67 PL, 11CP, 1,082pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power

+ No Force Org Slot +

Court of the Archon [10 PL, 152pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. Lhamean
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, -1CP, 90pts]: Ancient Evil, As Detachment (Kabal), Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius

Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]: Hatred Eternal, Warlord

+ Troops +

Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 40pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. 4x Kabalite Warrior: 4x Splinter Rifle
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle

+ Elites +

Corsair Voidscarred [4 PL, 85pts]
. 4x Corsair Voidscarred w/ Pistol & Aeldari Power Sword
. Voidscarred Felarch: Shuriken Pistol
. Way Seeker: 1. Fateful Divergence

Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

Mandrakes [8 PL, 90pts]
. 5x Mandrake: 5x Baleblast, 5x Glimmersteel Blade
. Nightfiend

+ Heavy Support +

Ravager [8 PL, 130pts]: As Detachment (Kabal), 3x Dark Lance

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 100pts]: As Detachment, Disintegrator Cannon

Venom [5 PL, 80pts]: As Detachment, Grisly Trophies, Splinter Cannon, Twin splinter rifle

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [39 PL, -2CP, 918pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Saedath Characterisation: Light: Blaze of Light

+ HQ +

Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]: 2. Fog of Dreams (Blessing), 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), Shuriken Pistol

+ Troops +

Troupe [4 PL, 98pts]
. Lead Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol

+ Elites +

Solitaire [7 PL, 130pts]: Prince of Sins

+ Fast Attack +

Skyweavers [8 PL, 200pts]
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive

+ Heavy Support +

Voidweavers [15 PL, 390pts]
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon

++ Total: [106 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

Ben’s running T’au Sept here with lots of big shooting – he’s got a Stormsurge, Longstrike, and a trio of Heavy Rail Rifle Broadsides that are more than capable of downing any knights or monstrous creatures he comes across, and the 8 Crisis Suits and Shadowsun can mix it up at shorter ranges. The big surprise here is the Remora drone, which can be a cheap way to get some extra markerlights.

On the other side it feels almost wrong to call Cody’s list a Drukhari list – at 1,082 points of Drukhari it only barely makes the cutoff, and he’s included a load of Harlequins here, including a trio of Voidweavers, a unit of four bikes, and a Shadowseer. Cody’s list is lighter on shooting than you might normally expect from a Drukhari list – while it packs a trio of Prismatic cannons it only has the three Ravager Dark Lances, and that can make it difficult for the list to deal with all of Ben’s beefy shooting.

Cody’s heavier emphasis on melee units means that he needs to go first and get into melee combat as quickly as possible, as the Raider and Venom won’t last long against Ben’s shooting. Ben can play cagey here, using Kauyon to maximize his turn 3+ impact as he forces Cody to come to him, and while Decisive Action isn’t great on Data-Scry Salvage, it’ll likely be worth more points than Stranglehold, which Ben can’t score early without trading valuable units to the Drukhari. He makes the clever decision to take Assassinate as his third secondary, which can force Cody to play more defensively with his characters.

This is an uphill battle for the Drukhari and Harlequins – the flamer crisis suits are a nightmare for the Troupe and the plasma suits with AFPs likewise for the Incubi. Ultimately Ben can screen with his Kroot to keep a turn 2 charge from the Drukhari out of his face, then just shoot whatever’s left on the table. If Cody can go first, stay out of line of sight, and then crash into the T’au and do enough damage to stop from getting shot, he might have a chance.

Result

T’au Empire Victory – 95-66. Ben gets the first turn, removes Cody’s Ravager from the board, and things play out pretty poorly for Cody from there. He crashes through the Kroot easily enough but then gets shot off the table by the remaining units. Without good ranged support he’s never able to threaten any of Ben’s To the Last Targets, and loses his characters to shooting.

Ben Neal – T’au Empire – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

This is T’au Sept with a Stormsurge, Shadowsun, and Longstrike, just aiming to bring some of the best stuff the faction has to offer. The interesting addon here is the Remora.

Thoughts

It’s a testament to the T’au Codex that we’re not only still seeing it compete post-Aeldari and Tyranids, but also seeing varied lists still compete – Ben’s list is one of two that won GT events this past weekend (the other was a Farsight Enclaves list), and this is a great follow-up to last week’s madness when we saw lists using a Custom Sept, Dal’yth, and Bork’an all make X-1 showings at the GT level.

Matthew Runde – Harlequins – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [89 PL, 2,000pts, 10CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Saedath Characterisation: Light: Blaze of Light

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari [-1CP

+ HQ +

Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]: 2. Fog of Dreams (Blessing), 6. Webway Dance (Aura) (Blessing), Shuriken Pistol
. The Laughing God’s Eye

Troupe Master [4 PL, 90pts, -1CP]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Player of the Light, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God, Warlord
. Cegorach’s Rose

+ Troops +

Troupe [4 PL, 95pts
. Lead Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol

Troupe [4 PL, 90pts
. Lead Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Caress
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol

+ Elites +

Solitaire [6 PL, 110pts

+ Fast Attack +

Skyweavers [12 PL, 250pts
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive

+ Heavy Support +

Voidweavers [5 PL, 130pts
. Voidweaver: Prismatic Cannon

+ Dedicated Transport +

Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]

++ Total: [89 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Light Saedath Weavers + Bikes

Thoughts

This list goes hard on the shooting threats for Harlequins, packing two Prismatic Cannon Voidweavers and two big units of bikes to spit out a hail of shuriken cannon shots. The Starweavers add extra shooting support to the army and protection for the Troupe units inside. It’s not a particularly special list but it shows off how Harlequins are still a very strong army with lots of tricks for competing.

Michael Mann – Drukhari – 3rd Place

Corsair Voidscarred Way Seeker. Credit: Corrode

The List

Michael's List - click to expand

++ Patrol Detachment -0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [39 PL, 715pts, 0CP] ++

+ Configuration [0CP] +

Detachment Command Cost [0CP]

Obsession: Coteries of the Haemonculi (AoR), Prophets of the Flesh

+ HQ [4 PL, 70pts] +

Haemonculus [4 PL, 70pts]: As Detachment (Coven), Haemonculus Tools, Ichor Injector, Scissorhand, Stinger Pistol
Calculating Gaze, Transfuser of Excruciation

+ Troops [15 PL, 225pts] +

Wracks [12 PL, 185pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst [13pts]: Electrocorrosive Whip [5pts]
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon [13pts]: Ossefactor [5pts], Wrack Blade
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon [13pts]: Ossefactor [5pts], Wrack Blade
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon [13pts]: Ossefactor [5pts], Wrack Blade
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon [13pts]: Ossefactor [5pts], Wrack Blade
. 15x Wracks [120pts]: 15x Wrack Blade

Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst [8pts]: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks [32pts]: 4x Wrack Blade

+ Elites [20 PL, 420pts] +

Grotesques [10 PL, 210pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver [35pts]: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver [35pts]: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver [35pts]: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver [35pts]: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver [35pts]: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver [35pts]: Flesh Gauntlet, Monstrous Cleaver

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [47 PL, 820pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession

+ HQ [13 PL, 235pts] +

Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]: The Executioner’s Demiklaives

Haemonculus [5 PL, 90pts]: As Detachment (Coven), Haemonculus Tools, Ichor Injector, Twisted Animator, Scissorhand, Stinger Pistol, The Vexator Mask, Warlord
. Alchemical Maestro (Custom) [1 PL, 20pts]: Alchemical Maestro [1 PL, 20pts]
-1 CP Rule through Fear

+ Troops [20 PL, 300pts] +

Haemoxytes [8 PL, 115pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. 7x Haemoxyte [70pts]: 7x Wrack Blade
. Haemoxyte Acothyst [15pts]: Electrocorrosive Whip [5pts]
. Haemoxyte w/ Special Weapon [15pts]: Ossefactor [5pts], Wrack Blade
. Haemoxyte w/ Special Weapon [15pts]: Ossefactor [5pts], Wrack Blade

+ Elites [8 PL, 180pts] +

Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi [72pts]: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex [18pts]: Klaive

+ Dedicated Transport [6 PL, 105pts] +

Raider [6 PL, 105pts]: As Detachment, Bladevanes, Disintegrator Cannon [5pts], Grisly Trophies [5pts]

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [26 PL, 465pts, -2CP] ++

+ Configuration [0CP] +

Detachment Command Cost [0CP]

Obsession

+ HQ [4 PL, 70pts] +

Haemonculus [4 PL, 70pts]: As Detachment (Coven), Haemonculus Tools, Ichor Injector, Scissorhand, Stinger Pistol
Schemer Supreme, The Animus Vitae

+ Troops [12 PL, 185pts] +

+ Elites [10 PL, 210pts] +

-2 CP Additional Relics
-2 CP Additional WL Traits
-1 CP Rule Through Fear

++ Total: [112 PL, -5CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Coteries of the Haemonculi Army of Renown

Thoughts

Another Covens AoR list makes a strong showing this week, this time showing us that you don’t need 100 Wracks to necessarily make a solid list work here (though it’s worth noting that Mann lost to Ben’s Tau in round 3 and ended up not scoring a TiWP). Michael’s list trades out most of the Wracks for a ton of Grotesques, with a ton of beefy monsters to chew through and support from a Raider full of Incubi and Drazhar.

Cody Jiru – Drukhari – 4th Place

The List

See The Showdown, above

Archetype

Drukhari + Light Harlequins melee

Thoughts

Cody’s list goes light on shooting options in favor of mobility and utility. The most interesting thing here is the Voidscarred unit, which gives it an extra deny attempt and the ability to generate additional CP every turn.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Axel Johnson – Chaos Knights: Axel’s list takes a single Knight Rampager with 5 War Dog Karnivores (the melee ones) and 6 Stalkers (melta + chainsword).
6th – Ryan Olson – Asuryani: Hail of Doom running max bikes.
7th – Calvin Smith – Tyranids: Kraken with Termagant and Ravener Swarms.
8th – Drew Ward – Tyranids: Behemoth with a lot of Carnifexes.
9th – Sean Dilley – Asuryani: Hail of Doom running 30 Dire Avengers with War Walkers and Striking Scorpions for support.
10th – JT Grachek – Tyranids: Kronos with double Exocrine and 6 Pyrovores.

WarGamesCon XII

85-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Bastrop, TX, US on June 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Unknown

Colin McDade – Tyranids:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [72 PL, 1,370pts, 9CP] ++

+ Configuration [12CP] +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [12CP

Hive Fleet: Kraken

+ Stratagems [-3CP] +

Hive Predator [-2CP]: 2x Extra Warlord Trait [-2CP

Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact [-1CP

+ HQ [16 PL, 305pts] +

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, Power: Synaptic Lure, Warlord, Warlord Trait: One Step Ahead

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 205pts]: Adrenal Glands [15pts], Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Onslaught, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Smite, Power: Synaptic Lure, Prehensile Pincer Tail, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Tyrant Talons, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops [4 PL, 75pts] +

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 75pts
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

+ Elites [9 PL, 165pts] +

Pyrovores [4 PL, 60pts
. 2x Pyrovore [4 PL, 60pts]: 2x Acid Maw, 2x Bludgeoning Fists, 2x Flamespurt

Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts
. 3x Venomthrope [105pts]: 3x Toxic Lashes

+ Fast Attack [16 PL, 300pts] +

Raveners [8 PL, 150pts
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws

+ Heavy Support [9 PL, 170pts] +

Exocrine [9 PL, 170pts]: Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs

+ Flyer [18 PL, 365pts] +

Harpy [10 PL, 195pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon [10pts], Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis [2 PL, 25pts], Scything Wings, Stinger Salvoes

Harpy [8 PL, 170pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon [10pts], Scything Wings, Stinger Salvoes

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids) [35 PL, 620pts, -2CP] ++

+ Configuration [-2CP] +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP

Hive Fleet: Kraken

+ HQ [11 PL, 195pts] +

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 195pts]: Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Power: Synaptic Lure, Prehensile Pincer Tail, Relic: The Maw-claws of Thyrax, Toxin Sacs [5pts], Tyrant Talons

+ Troops [4 PL, 75pts] +

+ Elites [8 PL, 120pts] +

Pyrovores [4 PL, 60pts
. 2x Pyrovore [4 PL, 60pts]: 2x Acid Maw, 2x Bludgeoning Fists, 2x Flamespurt

+ Fast Attack [12 PL, 230pts] +

Parasite of Mortrex [4 PL, 80pts]: Barbed Ovipositor, Clawed Limbs Warlord Trait: Alien Cunning

++ Total: [107 PL, 2,000pts, 7CP] ++

vs.

Josiah’s List – Tyranids:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [48 PL, 12CP, 975pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Relic: Shardgullet, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 95pts]: Adrenal Glands
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon

+ Elites +

Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts]
. 3x Venomthrope: 3x Toxic Lashes

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Psychic Scream, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Heavy Support +

Exocrine [10 PL, 185pts]: Adaptive Physiology: Voracious Ammunition

Exocrine [9 PL, 170pts]

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids) [53 PL, -4CP, 1,025pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait

Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact

+ HQ +

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: The Horror

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 190pts]: Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Onslaught, Power: Paroxysm, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 260pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. 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: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon

+ Elites +

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Heavy Support +

Biovores [3 PL, 45pts]: Biovore

Carnifexes [8 PL, 130pts]
. Carnifex: Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement, Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Two Carnifex Scything Talons

++ Total: [101 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

Sigh. Tyranids vs. Tyranids, with McDade running Ravener-heavy Kraken with a pair of Harpies and Cook running a shooting and mortal wound-heavy Leviathan list with two Exocrines and a lot of Zoanthropes. This is an interesting matchup but not one that particularly favors either player. Josiah might have a slight edge with the ability to do more mortal wounds, but McDade has a ton more mobility.

Result

A Tie – 76-76. A late error by Josiah Cook costs him the game and the players tie at 76-76. McDade ends up winning the event with the battle points tiebreaker by 12 points.

Colin McDade – Tyranids – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Kraken with Raveners and two Harpies.

Thoughts

McDade’s running a Kraken list that goes heavy on Raveners and Pyrovores with two Harpies for air support.

Josiah Cook – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 2nd Place

The List

See Showdown.

Archetype

Leviathan goodstuff with two Exocrines.

Thoughts

Josiah’s list eschews the Harpies for a pair of Exocrines to drop out ranged firepower and support his large blobs of Tyranid Warriors. The interesting wrinkle here is the Zoanthropes – Josiah’s running 9 of them.

Spotlight: Jony Velazquez – Chaos Daemons – 4th Place

Credit: Liebot – https://instagram.com/liebot_pics

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Daemons) [59 PL, -2CP, 1,150pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Chaos Allegiance: Slaanesh

Detachment Command Cost

+ HQ +

Be’lakor [19 PL, 380pts]: Pall of Despair, Penumbral Curse

Keeper of Secrets [12 PL, -1CP, 240pts]: Celerity of Slaanesh, Delightful Agonies, Hysterical Frenzy, Shining aegis, Silverstrike, Warlord
. Exalted Keeper of Secrets: 3. Blessing of the Dark Prince

Keeper of Secrets [12 PL, -1CP, 240pts]: Hysterical Frenzy, Phantasmagoria, Shining aegis, The Forbidden Gem
. Exalted Keeper of Secrets: 2. Quicksilver Reflexes

+ Troops +

Daemonettes [4 PL, 70pts]: Alluress
. 9x Daemonette: 9x Piercing claws

+ Elites +

Fiends [4 PL, 80pts]
. 2x Fiend: 2x Dissecting claws, 2x Vicious barbed tail

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Chaos – Daemons) [43 PL, 8CP, 850pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Chaos Allegiance: Slaanesh

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

+ Stratagems +

Rewards of Chaos (1 Relic) [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Keeper of Secrets [12 PL, -1CP, 240pts]: Exalted Keeper of Secrets, Hysterical Frenzy, Shining aegis, Symphony of Pain

Shalaxi Helbane [13 PL, 250pts]: Delightful Agonies, Hysterical Frenzy, Shining aegis

+ Troops +

Daemonettes [4 PL, 70pts]: Alluress
. 9x Daemonette: 9x Piercing claws

+ Elites +

Fiends [6 PL, 120pts]
. 3x Fiend: 3x Dissecting claws, 3x Vicious barbed tail

Fiends [4 PL, 80pts]
. 2x Fiend: 2x Dissecting claws, 2x Vicious barbed tail

+ Fast Attack +

Furies [2 PL, 45pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 5x Fury: 5x Daemonic claws

++ Total: [102 PL, 6CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Slaanesh Daemons

Thoughts

There’s really only the one daemons list you can run seriously and that’s four Keepers of Secrets and Be’lakor, going in hard on having five big badass Slaanesh monsters who can Advance and Charge. The Daemonettes hold objectives, the Fiends trap units in melee, and the Furies do actions like Retrieve Nachmund Data. Point the Keepers at the enemy and hope you go first.

Spotlight: Greg Harris – Adeptus Custodes – 7th Place

Adeptus Custodes Sagittarum Guard by Crab-stuffed Mushrooms

The List

Greg's List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Custodes) [100 PL, 2,000pts, 8CP] ++

+ Configuration [12CP] +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [12CP

Detachment Type / Shield Host: Adeptus Custodes, Emissaries Imperatus

Gametype

+ Stratagems [-1CP] +

Stratagem: Open the Vaults [-1CP]: Additional Relics [-1CP

+ Agents of the Imperium [4 PL, 65pts, -1CP] +

Inquisitor [4 PL, 65pts, -1CP]: 1) Terrify, Blackshroud, Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol [5pts], Ordo Xenos, Stratagem: Arbiter of the Emperor’s Will [-1CP], Xenos – Esoteric Lore
. Psyker: Smite

+ HQ [17 PL, 320pts, -1CP] +

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [9 PL, 160pts, -2CP]: 3. Superior Creation, 5. Radiant Mantle, Castellan’s Mark, Hurricane Bolter, Interceptor Lance, Misericordia, Stratagem: The Emperor’s Heroes [-1CP], Stratagem: Victor of the Blood Games [-1CP

Trajann Valoris [8 PL, 160pts, 1CP]: Misericordia, Watcher’s Axe
. Warlord: 1. Master of Martial Strategy, 2. Champion of the Imperium

+ Troops [31 PL, 660pts] +

Prosecutors [3 PL, 60pts
. 4x Prosecutor [48pts]: 4x Boltgun
. Prosecutor Sister Superior [12pts]: Boltgun

Sagittarum Custodians [7 PL, 150pts
. 3x Sagittarum w/ Misericordia [150pts]: 3x Adrastus Bolt Caliver, 3x Misericordia

+ Elites [24 PL, 445pts, -1CP] +

Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought [9 PL, 180pts]: Achillus Dreadspear, 2x Twin Adrathic Destructor [20pts

Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought [9 PL, 160pts]: Achillus Dreadspear, 2x Lastrum Storm Bolter

Vexilus Praetor [6 PL, 105pts, -1CP]: (Emissaries Imperatus): Voice of the Emperor, Fulminaris Aggressor, Misericordia, Praesidium Shield, Stratagem: The Emperor’s Heroes [-1CP], Vexilla Magnifica

+ Fast Attack [24 PL, 510pts] +

Vertus Praetors [12 PL, 255pts
. 3x Praetor w/ Salvo Launcher & Misericordia [12 PL, 255pts]: 3x Interceptor Lance, 3x Misericordia, 3x Salvo Launcher [15pts

++ Total: [100 PL, 2,000pts, 8CP] ++

Archetype

Sagittarum Custodes

Thoughts

For all the doom and gloom and gnashing of teeth, the Adeptus Custodes seem to be doing pretty fine after the dataslate. Are they a weaker faction? Absolutely. Are they still putting up x-1 finishes and top 4s/8s every week? Also yes, and that’s after all the frontrunner top players abandoned the faction for the easier pastures of Harlequins and Tyranids. In addition to being a regular mainstay in top 8s, there’s also a surprising amount of variety to these lists – while yes, they almost always feature Trajann and 6 Vertus Praetors, their other pieces can change, sometimes going super heavy on Sagittarum as in Greg’s list here, while other times going super heavy on dreadnoughts or featuring the Forge World tanks.

The other interesting wrinkle here is the Inquisitor – taking one gives the list a little bit of mortal wound prowess but mostly opens up access to Psychic Interrogation and Warp Ritual as secondary options. That’s in exchange for Abhor, which theoretically opens you up to Grey Knights and Thousand Sons, but it’s usually worth making those theoretical matchups harder in order to have a better game into Tyranids and Eldar.

The Best of the Rest

Here’s the rest of the top 8:

3rd – Kit Smith Hannah – Tyranids: Kraken
5th – Mat Tweedel – Tyranids: Kraken
6th – Grant Nichols – Tyranids: Behemoth
8th – Patrick Wyllie – Tyranids: Jormungandr with 9 Carnifexes

The London Open: June

81-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on June 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Death and Zeal

david gaylard – Hive Fleet Leviathan:
Army List - Click to Expand

Kiwi Nids
10cp starting
9 BiD
7 Assassinate
128 wounds
10 Abhor

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [104 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait

Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact

+ HQ +

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance
. Relic: Resonance Barb: Power: Neuroparasite

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 190pts]: Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Prehensile Pincer Tail, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Tyrant Talons, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 275pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Barbed Strangler, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Barbed Strangler, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Barbed Strangler, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 270pts]: Adrenal Glands
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Barbed Strangler, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Barbed Strangler, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Barbed Strangler, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 75pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 75pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

+ Elites +

Maleceptor [9 PL, 170pts]: Massive Scything Talons, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Power: The Horror

Pyrovores [4 PL, 60pts]
. 2x Pyrovore: 2x Acid Maw, 2x Bludgeoning Fists, 2x Flamespurt

Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts]
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Lash/Sword): 3x Lash Whip and Bonecleaver, 3x Two Rending Claws

Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts]
. 3x Venomthrope: 3x Toxic Lashes

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Flyer +

Harpy [10 PL, 180pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement, Scything Wings, Show Spore Mine Rules, Stinger Salvoes

Harpy [9 PL, 170pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon, Scything Wings, Show Spore Mine Rules, Stinger Salvoes

++ Total: [104 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe (https://battlescribe.net)

vs.

Thomas' List - Click to Expand

++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [74 PL, 6CP, 1,325pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Craftworld Selection
. *Far-Flung Craftworld*: Hail of Doom, Masterful Shots

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari [-1CP

+ No Force Org Slot +

Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 40pts
. Warlocks: 5. Quicken/Restrain, Smite
. . Warlock: Shuriken Pistol, Witchblade
. . Warlock: Shuriken Pistol, Witchblade

+ HQ +

Baharroth [7 PL, 140pts]: Fury of the Tempest, The Shining Blade

Farseer [5 PL, -1CP, 90pts]: 1. Fateful Divergence, 5. Focus Will, 5, Shuriken Pistol, Smite, Witchblade
. Faolchu’s Wing: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

+ Elites +

Dire Avengers [6 PL, 120pts]: Defence Tactics
. 9x Dire Avenger: 9x Avenger Shuriken Catapult, 9x Plasma Grenades
. Dire Avenger Exarch: Plasma Grenades, Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults

Howling Banshees [5 PL, 105pts
. 4x Howling Banshee: 4x Banshee Blade, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Howling Banshee Exarch: Mirrorswords, Piercing Strikes

+ Fast Attack +

Swooping Hawks [8 PL, 180pts
. 9x Swooping Hawk: 9x Lasblaster
. Swooping Hawk Exarch: Lasblaster

Vypers [3 PL, 45pts
. Vyper w/ Shuriken Cannon: Shuriken cannon, Twin Shuriken Catapult

Windriders [8 PL, 120pts
. 6x Windrider – Twin Shuriken Catapults: 6x Twin Shuriken Catapult

+ Heavy Support +

War Walkers [5 PL, 65pts
. War Walker: 2x Shuriken Cannon

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [39 PL, 672pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Craftworld Selection
. *Far-Flung Craftworld*: Hail of Doom, Masterful Shots

+ No Force Org Slot +

Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 60pts
. Warlock Skyrunners: 4. Protect/Jinx, Smite
. . Sunstorm: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic
. . Warlock Skyrunner: Shuriken Pistol, Twin Shuriken Catapult, Witchblade

+ HQ +

Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 120pts]: 1. Guide, 2. Doom, 5: Mark of the Incomparable Hunter, Shuriken Pistol, Smite, Twin Shuriken Catapult, Warlord, Witchblade
. Kurnous’ Bow: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

+ Troops +

Rangers [4 PL, 70pts]: Wireweave Net
. 5x Ranger: 5x Ranger Long Rifle, 5x Shuriken Pistol

+ Elites +

Dire Avengers [6 PL, 72pts]: Defence Tactics
. 5x Dire Avenger: 5x Avenger Shuriken Catapult, 5x Plasma Grenades
. Dire Avenger Exarch: Plasma Grenades, Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults

Dire Avengers [6 PL, 120pts]: Defence Tactics
. 9x Dire Avenger: 9x Avenger Shuriken Catapult, 9x Plasma Grenades
. Dire Avenger Exarch: Plasma Grenades, Two Avenger Shuriken Catapaults

+ Fast Attack +

Vypers [3 PL, 45pts
. Vyper w/ Shuriken Cannon: Shuriken cannon, Twin Shuriken Catapult

+ Dedicated Transport +

Wave Serpent [8 PL, 140pts]: Twin Shuriken Cannon, Twin Shuriken Catapult

++ Total: [113 PL, 7CP, 1,997pts] ++

Thoughts

It’s Leviathan with two Harpies against Hail of Doom/Masterful shots Eldar. This one just doesn’t seem to favor the Eldar, particularly when they’re up against a list that’s running 24 Tyranid Warriors – that’s just a bit too much to chew through, even with 18 bikes and 3 Vypers. Thomas’ list has a ton of mobility, but the Harpies and winged Tyrant give David just as much speed and the ability to engage when and where he wants.

Result

Tyranids Victory – 100-32. David Gaylard now has a 15-point lead over Vik Vijay for first place in teh ITC, having put up an impressive 33-2 record at his 6 scoring events.

david gaylard – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Leviathan with two Harpies.

Thoughts

David’s an incredibly good player running the best faction in the game. At this point he can likely afford to sit out any event with fewer than 300 players and just challenge LVO in February to claim the title, though Vik, Mani, and Innes are pretty hot on his trail.

Thomas Brown – Asuryani – 2nd Place

Saim-Hann Autarch on Bike Credit: Alfredo Ramirez

The List

See Showdown.

Archetype

Hail of Doom/Masterful Shots

Thoughts

There are basically two flavors of Hail of Doom list: The one that takes all the bikes, and the one that takes all the Dire Avengers. This is a bike list, trading out volume of shots for mobility.

The Best of the Rest

There were quite a few more players on 4-1 records. Here’s the rest of the Top 8:

3rd – Nassim Fouchane – Iron Hands: This triple-redemptor also packs a Relic Contemptor, two units of Claw Vanvets, a Pair of grav/melta devastators in a drop pod, and a unit of Voidsmen-at-Arms for cheap actions.
4th – Brian Seipp – T’au Empire: Custom Sept – We showcased this list in last week’s Competitive Innovations – it’s the one that uses Play Their Part and Blocking Tactics and plays aggressively with Crisis Suits to capture objectives.
5th – Ryan Williams – Harlequins: Light with triple Voidweavers and two units of bikes.
6th – Aidan Broklehurst – Adepta Sororitas: Bloody Rose with Vahl and Repentia.
7th – Timothy Alofs – Tyranids: Leviathan with lots of Warriors.
8th – Niklas Ek – T’au Empire: Custom Sept – Play Their Part & Blocking Tactics.

Bluff City Open

53-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Memphis, TN, US on June 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission –

Seth Piper – Black Templars:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Black Templars) [107 PL, 2,000pts, 9CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Chapter Selection: Black Templars

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter [-1CP]: Number of Extra Relics

Stratagem: Revered Repositories [-1CP

+ Agents of the Imperium +

Culexus Assassin [5 PL, 100pts

+ HQ +

Chaplain [6 PL, 105pts]: 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Bolt pistol, Jump Pack, Litany of Hate, Skull of Cacodominus

High Marshal Helbrecht [8 PL, 160pts

Primaris Chaplain on Bike [8 PL, 150pts]: 2. Psalm of the Remorseless Persecution, 6. Oath of Glory, Benediction of Fury, Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Litany of Hate, Warlord, Wise Orator

+ Troops +

Assault Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 100pts
. 4x Assault Intercessor: 4x Astartes Chainsword, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Assault Intercessor Sgt: Astartes Chainsword, Plasma pistol

Primaris Crusader Squad [11 PL, 193pts]: Bolt Pistol and Astartes Chainsword, Light of the Emperor’s Grace
. 5x Primaris Initiate w/Chainsword & Heavy Bolt Pistol: 5x Astartes Chainsword, 5x Frag & Krak grenades, 5x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. 4x Primaris Neophytes: 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Primaris Sword Brother: Heavy Bolt Pistol, Power sword

+ Elites +

Bladeguard Veteran Squad [10 PL, 180pts, -1CP
. 4x Bladeguard Veteran: 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol, 4x Master-crafted power sword, 4x Storm Shield
. Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant: Neo-volkite pistol, Stratagem: Champion of the Feast, Sword of Judgement

Redemptor Dreadnought [10 PL, 195pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon

Vanguard Veteran Squad [8 PL, 167pts]: Icon of Heinmann, Jump Pack
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Vanguard Veteran Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Relic blade

+ Fast Attack +

Outrider Squad [7 PL, 165pts]: Holy Orb, Outrider Sgt
. 2x Outrider: 2x Astartes Chainsword, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, 2x Heavy Bolt Pistol, 2x Twin Bolt rifle

+ Heavy Support +

Eradicator Squad [14 PL, 190pts]: Melta rifle
. 2x Eradicator: 2x Bolt pistol
. Eradicator Sgt
. Eradicator with MM: Multi-melta

++ Total: [107 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

vs.

Ryan Verbeck – Tyranids:
Ryan's List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [108 PL, 9CP, 1,905pts] ++

+ Configuration [12CP] +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [12CP]

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Kraken

+ Stratagems [-3CP] +

Hive Predator [-2CP]: 2x Extra Warlord Trait [-2CP]

Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact [-1CP]

+ HQ [16 PL, 305pts] +

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Power: Synaptic Lure, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance
. Relic: Resonance Barb: Power: Psychic Scream

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 205pts]: Adrenal Glands [15pts], Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Synaptic Lure, Prehensile Pincer Tail, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Tyrant Talons, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops [16 PL, 250pts] +

Tyranid Warriors [8 PL, 100pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 75pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

+ Elites [31 PL, 550pts] +

Deathleaper [5 PL, 95pts]: Flesh Hooks, Lictor Claws and Talons, Warlord Trait: Alien Cunning

Maleceptor [9 PL, 170pts]: Massive Scything Talons

Pyrovores [6 PL, 90pts]
. 3x Pyrovore [6 PL, 90pts]: 3x Acid Maw, 3x Bludgeoning Fists, 3x Flamespurt

Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts]
. 3x Venomthrope [105pts]: 3x Toxic Lashes

+ Fast Attack [16 PL, 300pts] +

Raveners [8 PL, 150pts]
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener [30pts]: Deathspitter, Ravener Claws, Two Rending Claws

+ Heavy Support [9 PL, 135pts] +

Biovores [9 PL, 135pts]
. 3x Biovore [9 PL, 135pts]: 3x Chitin-barbed Fists, 3x Spore Mine Launcher

+ Flyer [20 PL, 365pts] +

Harpy [11 PL, 195pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon [10pts], Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis [2 PL, 25pts], Scything Wings, Stinger Salvoes

Harpy [9 PL, 170pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon [10pts], Scything Wings, Stinger Salvoes

++ Fortification Network 0CP (Tyranids) [6 PL, 95pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost: Command Benefit [1CP]

Hive Fleet: Kraken

+ Fortification [6 PL, 95pts] +

Sporocyst [6 PL, 95pts]: 5x Deathspitter, Flensing Whips

++ Total: [114 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

I’m very surprised to see a Black Templars list make it to the finals of an event. Seth’s list runs what you’d expect from marines – a pair of Redemptors, a unit of Bladeguard Veterans, Helbrecht, Vanguard Vets, and a Bike Chaplain – but still seems like it should struggle against superior, undercosted datasheets on the Tyranids side. Raveners are more than capable of being a nightmare for marines, and Ryan’s double-Harpy Kraken list packs plenty of Warriors and a Maleceptor as well to toss out mortal wounds. The Tyranids can just trade better here.

Result

Black Templars Victory – 86-81.

Seth Piper – Black Templars – 1st Place

Black Templars High Marshal Helbrecht. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Black Templars with a pair of Redemptors and Helbrecht

Thoughts

Helbrecht is a nasty combat multiplier here but he’s really only going to do work on the Bladeguard and VanVets – his +1 Strength aura will only take the Redemptors to S15, preventing them from getting the valuable 2+ to wound against the tougher Tyranid monsters.

The Best of the Rest

Here are the rest of the 5-1 lists from the event:

2nd – Ryan Verbeck – Tyranids: Kraken with lots of Raveners
3rd – Andy Patton – Aeldari: Ulthwe with Eldrad, an Avatar of Khaine, a bunch of Warlocks, and a bunch of bikes. This list goes hard on psychic support and bikes.
4th – Joe Putman – Death Guard: Joe’s list runs a 10-man blob of Blightlords, 2 units of 4 Deathshroud, and two rhinos full of plague marines.
5th – Jeff Bodeen – Adepta Sororitas: Bloody Rose with Vahl, Celestine, and a lot of Retributors.

BreakingHeads Cup #2 – Berlin

52-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Petershagen/Eggersdorf, Brandenburg, DE on June 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission –

Michael Gemmeke – Tyranids:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [87 PL, 11CP, 1,630pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait

+ No Force Org Slot +

Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Scything): 3x Two Rending Claws, 3x Two Scything Talons

+ HQ +

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Synaptic Tendrils

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 205pts]: Adrenal Glands, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Smite, Power: The Horror, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 260pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Barbed Strangler, Dual Boneswords
. 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: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 235pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Barbed Strangler, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Lash Whip and Bonesword

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 75pts
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

+ Elites +

Maleceptor [9 PL, 170pts]: Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Psychic Scream

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Heavy Support +

Biovores [9 PL, 135pts
. 3x Biovore: 3x Chitin-barbed Fists, 3x Spore Mine Launcher

+ Flyer +

Harpy [10 PL, 180pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids) [19 PL, -3CP, 370pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact

+ HQ +

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 210pts]: Adrenal Glands, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Power: The Horror, Relic: Searhive, Toxin Sacs

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 80pts
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

++ Total: [106 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

vs.

Michael Wieczorek – T’au Empire:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (T’au Empire) [106 PL, 8CP, 1,850pts] ++

+ Configuration [9CP] +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [12CP]

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ HQ [18 PL, -1CP, 340pts] +

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit [9 PL, -1CP, 180pts]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Fusion Blaster [15pts], Iridium battlesuit [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Stratagem: Promising Pupil [-1CP], T’au Flamer [5pts], The Be’gel Hunter’s Plate, Thermoneutronic Projector [1 PL, 20pts]

. 2x Marker Drone [20pts]: 2x Markerlight

Longstrike [9 PL, 160pts]: Railgun

. 2x Gun Drones

. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

+ Troops [14 PL, 250pts] +

Breacher Team [5 PL, 85pts]

. 9x Breacher Fire Warrior: 9x Pulse Blaster, 9x Pulse Pistol

. Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui: Pulse Blaster, Pulse Pistol

Breacher Team [5 PL, 85pts]

. 9x Breacher Fire Warrior: 9x Pulse Blaster, 9x Pulse Pistol

. Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui: Pulse Blaster, Pulse Pistol

Strike Team [4 PL, 80pts]

. Fire Warrior Shas’ui: Pulse Pistol, Pulse Rifle

. 9x Fire Warrior w/ Pulse Rifle: 9x Pulse Pistol, 9x Pulse Rifle

+ Elites [31 PL, 491pts] +

Crisis Battlesuits [22 PL, 321pts]

. Crisis Shas’ui [50pts]: Airbursting Fragmentation Projector [5pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Target Lock

. Crisis Shas’vre [1 PL, 65pts]: Airbursting Fragmentation Projector [5pts], Iridium battlesuit [5pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Stimm Injectors [1 PL, 10pts], Target Lock

. Gun Drone [8pts]: 2x Pulse Carbine

. 4x Shield Drone [48pts]: 4x Shield Generator

Ghostkeel Battlesuit [9 PL, 170pts]: 2x Fusion Blaster [10pts], Cyclic Ion Raker, Drone Controller, Early Warning Override, Ghostkeel Fists, 2x Stealth Drone

+ Fast Attack [9 PL, 174pts] +

Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts]

. 4x Kroot Hound [24pts]: 4x Ripping Fangs

Pathfinder Team [5 PL, 90pts]

. 9x Pathfinder: 9x Markerlight, 9x Pulse Carbine, 9x Pulse Pistol

. Pathfinder Shas’ui: Markerlight, Pulse Carbine, Pulse Pistol

Vespid Stingwings [3 PL, 60pts]

. 4x Vespid Stingwing [48pts]: 4x Neutron Blaster, 4x Stingwing Claws

. Vespid Strain Leader [12pts]: Neutron Blaster, Stingwing Claws

+ Heavy Support [16 PL, 310pts] +

Hammerhead Gunship [8 PL, 155pts]: 2x Accelerator Burst Cannon [10pts], Railgun

+ Dedicated Transport [18 PL, 285pts] +

Devilfish [6 PL, 95pts]: Accelerator Burst Cannon

. 2x Gun Drones

. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

Devilfish [6 PL, 95pts]: Accelerator Burst Cannon

. 2x Gun Drones

. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

Devilfish [6 PL, 95pts]: Accelerator Burst Cannon

. 2x Gun Drones

. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (T’au Empire) [8 PL, 3CP, 150pts] ++

+ Configuration [3CP] +

Detachment Command Cost [3CP]

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander [8 PL, 150pts] +

Commander Shadowsun [8 PL, 150pts]: Advanced Guardian Drone, Command-link Drone, Fletchette Launcher, 2x High-energy Fusion Blaster, Light Missile Pod, Pulse Pistol

. Warlord: 5. Exemplar of the Kauyon

++ Total: [114 PL, 11CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

Michael’s Leviathan list runs heavy on Tyranid Warriors and Manuel’s list runs heavy on Hammerheads. Unfortunately, those aren’t the right weapons to bring to this particular fight, where the ability to bring down big targets with a small number of high-value shots just isn’t what Michael needs here. Instead he’s running light on Crisis Suits and ultimately that’ll make things much more difficult for him as he goes up against a ton of Tyranid Warriors – there’s only one Harpy here and 6 extra Tyranid Warriors in its place.

Result

Tyranids Victory – 11-9. This event was using differential scoring, so the game here ended up relatively close.

Michael Gemmeke – Tyranids – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Single Harpy Leviathan with lots of Warriors.

Thoughts

Another Leviathan list. We’ve seen many of these.

Spotlight: Denis Müller – Ynnari – 8th Place

The List

Denis' list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [107 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration [12CP] +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [12CP]

Craftworld Selection: Ynnari: Strength From Death

Detachment Command Cost

Gametype: Matched

+ Stratagems [-2CP] +

Stratagem: Relics of the Shrines [-1CP]

Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari [-1CP]

+ No Force Org Slot [3 PL, 40pts] +

Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 40pts]
. Warlocks [3 PL, 40pts]: 5. Quicken/Restrain, Smite
. . Warlock [20pts]: Shuriken Pistol, Witchblade
. . Warlock [20pts]: Shuriken Pistol, Witchblade

+ HQ [24 PL, -1CP, 460pts] +

Autarch [5 PL, -1CP, 90pts]: 2: Walker of Many Paths, Fusion Pistol [5pts], Howling Banshee Mask [5pts], Plasma Grenades, Star Glaive, Stratagem: Champion of the Aeldari [-1CP]
. Faolchu’s Wing: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 120pts]: 1: Ambush of Blades, 3. Ghostwalk, 5. Focus Will, Shuriken Pistol, Smite, Twin Shuriken Catapult, Warlord, Witchblade
. The Phoenix Gem: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

The Yncarne [13 PL, 250pts]: 1. Gaze of Ynnead (Witchfire), 2. Storm of Whispers (Witchfire), 3. Word of the Phoenix (Blessing), 4. Unbind Souls (Malediction), 5. Shield of Ynnead (Blessing), 6. Ancestors’ Grace (Blessing), Swirling Soul Energy, Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

+ Troops [16 PL, 315pts] +

Rangers [4 PL, 70pts]: Wireweave Net [5pts]
. 5x Ranger [65pts]: 5x Ranger Long Rifle, 5x Shuriken Pistol

Troupe [4 PL, 95pts]
. Lead Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [23pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Caress [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. Player [23pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Embrace [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. Player [18pts]: Harlequin’s Kiss [5pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [18pts]: Harlequin’s Kiss [5pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol

Troupe [4 PL, 80pts]
. Lead Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [18pts]: Harlequin’s Caress [5pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [18pts]: Harlequin’s Embrace [5pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [18pts]: Harlequin’s Kiss [5pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol

+ Elites [20 PL, 420pts] +

Howling Banshees [5 PL, 105pts]
. 4x Howling Banshee [72pts]: 4x Banshee Blade, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Howling Banshee Exarch [1 PL, 33pts]: Mirrorswords, Piercing Strikes [1 PL, 15pts]

Howling Banshees [5 PL, 100pts]
. 4x Howling Banshee [72pts]: 4x Banshee Blade, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Howling Banshee Exarch [1 PL, 28pts]: Mirrorswords, Nerve-shredding Shriek [1 PL, 10pts]
. . Cronescream (Shrine Relic): Aspect Shrine Relic

Striking Scorpions [5 PL, 110pts]
. 4x Striking Scorpion [68pts]: 4x Mandiblasters, 4x Scorpion Chainsword, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Striking Scorpion Exarch [1 PL, 42pts]: Deadly Ambush [1 PL, 20pts], Mandiblasters
. . Shadowsting (Shrine Relic) [5pts]: Aspect Shrine Relic

Striking Scorpions [5 PL, 105pts]
. 4x Striking Scorpion [68pts]: 4x Mandiblasters, 4x Scorpion Chainsword, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Striking Scorpion Exarch [1 PL, 37pts]: Biting Blade [5pts], Crushing Blows [1 PL, 15pts], Mandiblasters

+ Fast Attack [11 PL, 235pts] +

Shining Spears [6 PL, 125pts]
. 2x Shining Spear [70pts]: 2x Laser Lance, 2x Twin Shuriken Catapult
. Shining Spear Exarch [1 PL, 55pts]: Heartstrike [1 PL, 15pts], Paragon Sabre, Shimmershield [5pts], Shuriken Cannon

Shining Spears [5 PL, 110pts]
. 2x Shining Spear [70pts]: 2x Laser Lance, 2x Twin Shuriken Catapult
. Shining Spear Exarch [40pts]: Laser Lance, Shimmershield [5pts], Shuriken Cannon

+ Heavy Support [13 PL, 155pts] +

Support Weapons [3 PL, 45pts]: Support Weapon w/ Shadow Weaver [3 PL, 45pts]

War Walkers [5 PL, 55pts]
. War Walker [5 PL, 55pts]: 2x Scatter Laser

+ Dedicated Transport [20 PL, 375pts] +

Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]: 2x Shuriken Cannon

Wave Serpent [8 PL, 140pts]: Twin Shuriken Cannon, Twin Shuriken Catapult

++ Total: [107 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe (https://battlescribe.net)

Archetype

Ynnari

Thoughts

Huh. An honest-to-goodness Ynnari list. This list goes all-in on melee with its Harlequin and Aspect Warrior elements, opting to just be a nasty blender of blades and uh, crab claws on the table. It’s fast and hits incredibly hard, but it’s also fragile.

The Best of the Rest

Two players at the event finished 4-0-1, while another 6 finished 4-1.

2nd – Matthias Bellman – Asuryani: Hail of Doom/Masterful Shots running tons of Avengers.
3rd – Kayu Orellana – Tyranids: Gorgon with lots of Warriors and Raveners, plus a Tyrannocyte.
4th – Manuel Wieczorek – T’au Empire: See the Showdown.
5th – David Szymanski – Asuryani: Hail of Doom/Masterful Shots with 30 avengers, but also two Wraithlords.
6th – Christopher Schade – Thousand Sons: Cult of Duplicity with 2×10 Scarab Terminators and Magnus.
7th – Andreas der unglaubliche Ochsenfrosch Uebelgünn – Adeptus Custodes: Infantry-heavy Custodes (no jetbikes!), plus a Venerable Contemptor.
8th – Denis Müller – Faction:

The Portal 40k Summer GT

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Manchester, CT, US on June 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Unknown Mission

Luke McCarthy – Tyranids:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [92 PL, 1,730pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ No Force Org Slot +

Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Lash/Sword): 3x Lash Whip and Bonecleaver, 3x Two Rending Claws

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope

+ HQ +

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: The Horror, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance
. Relic: Resonance Barb: Power: Catalyst

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 205pts]: Adrenal Glands, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Smite, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 255pts]: Adrenal Glands
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon
. 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: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

+ Elites +

Deathleaper [5 PL, 95pts]: Warlord Trait: Alien Cunning

Maleceptor [9 PL, 170pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Psychic Scream

+ Heavy Support +

Carnifexes [7 PL, 130pts
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Two Carnifex Crushing Claws

+ Flyer +

Harpy [11 PL, 195pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis

Harpy [10 PL, 180pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids) [13 PL, 270pts, 6CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-2CP]: 2x Extra Warlord Trait

Rarefied Enhancements [-2CP]: 2x Extra Bio-artefact

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 195pts]: Adrenal Glands, Heavy Venom Cannon, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Power: The Horror, Relic: The Maw-claws of Thyrax, Toxin Sacs

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 75pts
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

++ Total: [105 PL, 2,000pts, 6CP] ++

vs.

Steven Wohlmuth – T’au Empire:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (T’au Empire) [8 PL, 3CP, 150pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [3CP]

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +

Commander Shadowsun [8 PL, 150pts]: Advanced Guardian Drone, Command-link Drone, Fletchette Launcher, 2x High-energy Fusion Blaster, Light Missile Pod, Pulse Pistol
. Warlord: 5. Exemplar of the Kauyon

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (T’au Empire) [98 PL, 6CP, 1,850pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Emergency Dispensation [-1CP]: Additional Relics

+ No Force Org Slot +

Crisis Bodyguards [7 PL, 116pts]
. Crisis Bodyguard Shas’ui: Airbursting Fragmentation Projector, Burst Cannon, T’au Flamer
. Crisis Bodyguard Shas’vre: Airbursting Fragmentation Projector, Burst Cannon, T’au Flamer
. 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts]
. 4x Kroot Hound: 4x Ripping Fangs

+ HQ +

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [9 PL, -1CP, 184pts]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, Burst Cannon, High-output Burst Cannon, Onager Gauntlet, Shield Generator, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, T’au Flamer, Target Lock, Thermoneutronic Projector
. 2x Shield Drone: 2x Shield Generator

Ethereal [4 PL, -1CP, 80pts]: 2. Sense of Stone, 6. Exemplar of the Mont’ka, 6. Wisdom of the Guides, Honour Blade, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, The Humble Stave
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

Longstrike [9 PL, 170pts]: 2x Smart Missile System, Railgun

+ Troops +

Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts]
. 10x Kroot: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades

Strike Team [4 PL, 80pts]
. Fire Warrior Shas’ui: Pulse Pistol, Pulse Rifle
. 9x Fire Warrior w/ Pulse Rifle: 9x Pulse Pistol, 9x Pulse Rifle

+ Elites +

Crisis Battlesuits [13 PL, 267pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’vre: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Iridium battlesuit, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator, Stimm Injectors
. 6x Shield Drone: 6x Shield Generator

Crisis Battlesuits [11 PL, 218pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Iridium battlesuit, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. 4x Shield Drone: 4x Shield Generator

Stealth Battlesuits [9 PL, 125pts]: Homing Beacon
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight
. 3x Stealth Shas’ui w/ Burst Cannon: 3x Burst Cannon
. Stealth Shas’vre: Burst Cannon

+ Fast Attack +

Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts]
. 4x Kroot Hound: 4x Ripping Fangs

Tactical Drones [2 PL, 40pts]
. 4x Marker Drone: 4x Markerlight

Vespid Stingwings [5 PL, 72pts]
. 5x Vespid Stingwing: 5x Neutron Blaster, 5x Stingwing Claws
. Vespid Strain Leader: Neutron Blaster, Stingwing Claws

+ Heavy Support +

Hammerhead Gunship [8 PL, 155pts]: 2x Smart Missile System, Railgun

++ Total: [106 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

Luke’s running double-harpy Leviathan with plenty of mortal wound support form a Malantrhope and Zoanthropes. Steven’s T’au list runs heavy on Hammerheads, which would normally be ideal for taking out the big bugs, but with their ability to throw up transhuman on t1 and get invulnerable saves on their synapse bugs, there’s a good chance they can weather the first-turn shooting and make the T’au player pay. This is a matchup that generally wants the T’au player to be heavier on Crisis suits or have an amazing first turn taking out the harpies – no easy feat when they give -1 to be hit, even with Longstrike.

Result

Tyranids Victory – 81-52. Tyranids take both finals matchups this weekend.

Luke McCarthy – Tyranids – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Leviathan goodstuff running a ton of warriors.

Thoughts

There aren’t a lot of Tyranid builds that aren’t competitive right now. They’re just an incredibly consistent army, capable of putting out top finish after top finish with a large number of builds. The datasheets in this book are just too good from a raw power standpoint, especially for their cost.

Spotlight: Adam Weinstein – Chaos – 4th place

The List

Denis' list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Daemons) [57 PL, 7CP, 1,055pts] ++

+ Configuration +
Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)
Chaos Allegiance: Tzeentch
Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]
+ Stratagems +
Rewards of Chaos (1 Relic) [-1CP]
+ HQ +
Be’lakor [19 PL, 380pts]: Pall of Despair, Penumbral Curse
Lord of Change [16 PL, -1CP, 300pts]: Bolt of Change, Gaze of Fate, Infernal Gateway, The Impossible Robe
. Exalted Lord of Change: 6. Architect of Deception
The Changeling [6 PL, 105pts]: Treason of Tzeentch
+ Troops +
Horrors [4 PL, 80pts]
. 10x Pink Horror: 10x Coruscating flames
Horrors [4 PL, 50pts]: 10x Pair of Brimstone Horrors
Horrors [4 PL, 50pts]: 10x Pair of Brimstone Horrors
+ Fast Attack +
Furies [2 PL, 45pts]: Mark of Tzeentch
. 5x Fury: 5x Daemonic claws
Furies [2 PL, 45pts]: Mark of Tzeentch
. 5x Fury: 5x Daemonic claws

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Chaos – Thousand Sons) [23 PL, 3CP, 4 Cabal Points, 450pts] ++
+ Configuration +
Cults of the Legion: No Cult
Detachment Command Cost [3CP]
+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +
Magnus the Red [23 PL, 4 Cabal Points, 450pts]: Warlord

++ Super-Heavy Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Chaos Knights) [25 PL, -3CP, 495pts] ++
+ Configuration +
Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]
+ Lord of War +
War Dog Brigand Squadron [9 PL, 175pts]: Infernal Household, Merciless Tormentors
. War Dog Brigand: Havoc multi-launcher, Tzeentch – Mirror of Fates
War Dog Brigand Squadron [8 PL, 160pts]: Infernal Household, Merciless Tormentors
. War Dog Brigand: Character (Traitoris Lance), Havoc multi-launcher
War Dog Brigand Squadron [8 PL, 160pts]: Infernal Household, Merciless Tormentors
. War Dog Brigand: Havoc multi-launcher
++ Total: [105 PL, 7CP, 4 Cabal Points, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Chaos Soup with Be’lakor and Magnus

Thoughts

Hey, a Chaos Soup list, and one packing Magnus. This one’s a real blast from the past in some ways, packing the Lord of Change to provide additional annoying psychic support with Horrors for screening and furies for cheap actions. It’s also packing a Super-heavy Detachment of Chaos Knights with a trio of War Dog Brigands to provide aggressive mid-ranged support for an army that otherwise wouldn’t have any shooting (Brigands are the ones with melta + chaingun). It’s a neat list and it’s cool to see some daemon-heavy builds do well.

The Best of the Rest

Four players finished 4-1 at the event:

2nd – Daniel Wohlmuth – Asuryani: Hail of Doom/Children of Prophecy with bikes and War Walker support.
3rd – Steveh Wohlmuth – T’au Empire: See showdown.
4th – Adam Weinstein – Chaos: See Showcase.
5th – Lucas Patruno – Chaos Knights: An Abominant and Diamonas Desecrator backed up by a Brigand, an Executioner, two Stalkers, and a Karnivore.

Summer Showdown Grand Tournament

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Canton, Ohio, US on June 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Unknown Mission

Joshua Minnich – Hive Fleet Kraken:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [112 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Kraken

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-2CP]: 2x Extra Warlord Trait

Rarefied Enhancements [-2CP]: 2x Extra Bio-artefact

+ No Force Org Slot +

Tyranid Prime [5 PL, 85pts]: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts]
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Scything): 3x Two Rending Claws, 3x Two Scything Talons

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Smite, Power: Synaptic Lure, 3x Zoanthrope

+ HQ +

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, Power: Synaptic Lure, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance
. Relic: Resonance Barb: Power: Paroxysm

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 205pts]: Adrenal Glands, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Power: Synaptic Lure, Power: The Horror, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Hormagaunts [4 PL, 80pts]
. 10x Hormagaunt: 10x Hormagaunt Talons

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 75pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

Tyranid Warriors [8 PL, 140pts]: Adrenal Glands
. Tyranid Warrior: 2x Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: 2x Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: 2x Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: 2x Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: 2x Dual Boneswords

+ Elites +

Pyrovores [6 PL, 90pts]
. 3x Pyrovore: 3x Acid Maw, 3x Bludgeoning Fists, 3x Flamespurt

Venomthropes [10 PL, 140pts]
. 4x Venomthrope: 4x Toxic Lashes

+ Fast Attack +

Parasite of Mortrex [4 PL, 80pts]: Relic: Gestation Sac, Warlord Trait: Alien Cunning

Raveners [12 PL, 270pts]
. 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 Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws

Raveners [12 PL, 210pts]
. 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 Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws

++ Total: [112 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe (https://battlescribe.net)

vs.

Caleb Nelson – Adepta Sororitas:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [103 PL, 8CP, 1,999pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

Order Convictions: Order: Bloody Rose

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Open the Reliquaries [-2CP]: 2x Additional Relics of the Ecclesiarchy

+ No Force Org Slot +

Hospitaller [3 PL, -1CP, 50pts]: Relic: Book of St. Lucius, Stratagem: Saint in the Making, Warlord Trait: 5. Indomitable Belief (Aura)

Repentia Superior [2 PL, 40pts]

+ HQ +

Canoness [5 PL, -1CP, 100pts]: Blessed Blade, Bolt pistol, Relic: Chaplet of Sacrifice, Stratagem: Saint in the Making, Warlord Trait: Blazing Ire
. Word of the Emperor

Morvenn Vahl [14 PL, 280pts]: Warlord

+ Troops +

Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]
. 4x Battle Sister: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sister Superior: Chainsword
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun

Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 60pts]
. 4x Battle Sister: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sister Superior: Power sword
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun

+ Elites +

Celestian Sacresants [4 PL, 85pts]
. 4x Celestian Sacresant (Hallowed Mace): 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Hallowed Mace
. Sacresant Superior: Bolt pistol, Spear of the Faithful

Dogmata [4 PL, 65pts]: 2. Chorus of Spiritual Fortitude, 4. Litany of Enduring Faith, Relic: The Sigil Ecclesiasticus

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 112pts]
. 8x Sisters Repentia: 8x Penitent Eviscerator

+ Fast Attack +

Seraphim Squad [8 PL, 114pts]
. 3x Seraphim: 6x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
. Seraphim Superior: Plasma pistol, Power sword
. Seraphim w/ Special Weapons: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers
. Seraphim w/ Special Weapons: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers

Zephyrim Squad [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Zephyrim: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol, Zephyrim Pennant

Zephyrim Squad [4 PL, 85pts]
. 4x Zephyrim: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol

+ Heavy Support +

Retributor Squad [9 PL, 172pts]: 2x Armourium Cherub
. Retributor Superior: Chainsword
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Simulacrum

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 160pts]: 2x Armourium Cherub
. Retributor Superior: Chainsword. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta

+ Dedicated Transport +

Sororitas Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

++ Total: [103 PL, 8CP, 1,999pts] ++

Thoughts

Caleb’s running Bloody Rose that are very heavy on Retributors. That’s a great play for going up against bigger Leviathan bugs and Knights but not so useful when the targets are a ton of Raveners and Warriors. Pyrovores are also an excellent unit for picking up Sisters and in the end

Result

Hive Fleet Kraken Victory – 100 – 69 (Nice).

Joshua Minnich – Hive Fleet Kraken – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Kraken with a ton of Warriors, Raveners, and Pyrovores.

Thoughts

A list we’ve seen already, taking advantage of the extra AP bonus on the charge that Kraken units get to make units like Raveners extremely deadly.

Sebastian Huber – Imperial Knights – 2nd Place

Armiger Warglaives. Credit: Kevin Genson

The List

Sebastian's List - click to expand

Freeblade Lance – Super Heavy Detachment 2000 Points

Knight Castellan (Mythic Hero) – 655pts,-1cp, Questor Mechanicus (WL traits: Ion Bulwark, Blessed by the Sacristans), Exalted Court: Forge Master, warlord

Knight Errant w/ sword, stubber (Hunters of Beasts) – 445pts,-3cp, Questor Imperialis (WL trait: Land Strider) (Relics: Armor of the Sainted Ion, Banner of Mecharius Triumphant) Exalted Court: Herald

Armiger Warglaive w/ melta (Strike and Shield)- 150pts, Questor Imperialis Armiger Warglaive w/ Melta (Front Line Fighters) – 150pts, Questor Imperialis

Armiger Warglaive w/ stubber (Paragons of Honor, Refuse no Challenge) – 145pts, Questor Imperialis

Armiger Warglaive w/ stubber (Honored Sacristans) – 145pts, Questor Mechanicus

Armiger Helverin w/ stubber (Last of their line) – 155pts, Questor Mechanicus

Armiger Helverin w/ stubber (Machine Focus) – 155pts,-2cp, Questor Mechanicus (WL trait: Revered Knight), (Relic: Bastards Helm)

Oaths – Defend the Realm, Lay Low the Tyrant

Starting CP: 6

Archetype

Freeblade Lance

Thoughts

The first Freeblade Lance we’ve seen, this list eschews House Taranis for a series of traits on what are mostly Questor Mechanicus Knights. This list also marks the return of the Castellan, running the big knight as one of its two large lads with a quintet of Armigers to flank them and capture objectives. That Castellan is a nightmare to bring down, by the way – it reduces incoming damage by 1 while in its deployment zone and Ion Bulwark gives it a 4+ invulnerable save.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

3rd – Caleb Nelson – Adepta Sororitas: See Showdown.
4th – Alexander Schifko – Chaos Knights: What’s quickly becoming “the list” for Chaos Knights – House Herpetrax running an Abominant, a Desecrator with the Diamonas, 2 Executioners, and 5 Stalkers.
5th – Eric Breeden – Imperial Knights: It was a knights-heavy event! Eric ran an Errant, a Paladin, and a Preceptor with a pair of Helverins and a Pair of Warglaives, all under House Raven.

FactoruM BA IU

28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sutton Veny, England, GB on June 04 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Unknown Mission

James Hobbs – Farsight Enclaves:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (T’au Empire) [70 PL, 11CP, 1,210pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Gametype

Sept Choice: Farsight Enclaves

+ HQ +

Commander Farsight [7 PL, 130pts]: Warlord

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit [8 PL, -1CP, 165pts]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, Burst Cannon, Burst Cannon, DW-02 Advanced Burst Cannon, High-output Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Solid-image Projection Unit, Stratagem: Promising Pupil

+ Troops +

Strike Team [5 PL, 100pts
. Fire Warrior Shas’ui: Pulse Rifle
. 9x Fire Warrior w/ Pulse Rifle: 9x Pulse Pistol, 9x Pulse Rifle
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

+ Elites +

Crisis Battlesuits [21 PL, 335pts
. 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’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, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. 5x Shield Drone: 5x Shield Generator

Crisis Battlesuits [21 PL, 335pts
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’vre: Burst Cannon, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. 5x Shield Drone: 5x Shield Generator

+ Heavy Support +

Hammerhead Gunship [8 PL, 145pts]: Railgun
. 2x Gun Drones
. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [44 PL, -4CP, 789pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP

Sept Choice: Farsight Enclaves

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Emergency Dispensation [-1CP]: Additional Relics

+ HQ +

Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit [9 PL, -1CP, 175pts]: 5. Exemplar of the Kauyon, Burst Cannon, Novasurge Plasma Rifle, Onager Gauntlet, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator, Stratagem: Promising Pupil

+ Troops +

Strike Team [5 PL, 100pts
. Fire Warrior Shas’ui: Pulse Rifle
. 9x Fire Warrior w/ Pulse Rifle: 9x Pulse Pistol, 9x Pulse Rifle
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

+ Elites +

Stealth Battlesuits [9 PL, 179pts]: Homing Beacon
. 2x Shield Drone: 2x Shield Generator
. 5x Stealth Shas’ui w/ Burst Cannon: 5x Burst Cannon
. Stealth Shas’vre: Burst Cannon

++ Total: [114 PL, 7CP, 1,999pts] ++

vs.

Jake Harding – Adepta Sororitas:
Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [105 PL, 2,000pts, -2CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Order Convictions: Order: Our Martyred Lady

+ No Force Org Slot +

Hospitaller [3 PL, 50pts]

+ HQ +

Canoness [4 PL, 85pts, -1CP]: Blessed Blade, Bolt pistol, Relic: Chaplet of Sacrifice, Stratagem: Saint in the Making, Warlord Trait: 5. Indomitable Belief (Aura)
. Rapturous Blows

Junith Eruita [7 PL, 130pts]

Palatine [5 PL, 85pts, -1CP]: Bolt pistol, Relic: Blade of Sacrifice, Stratagem: Exemplar of the Order, Warlord, Warlord Trait: 2. Righteous Rage, Warlord Trait: 3. Martyr’s Strength
. Word of the Emperor

+ Troops +

Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]
. 4x Battle Sister: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sister Superior
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun

+ Elites +

Dogmata [4 PL, 65pts]: 4. Litany of Enduring Faith, Relic: Litanies of Faith

Paragon Warsuits [11 PL, 240pts]
. Paragon: 2 Storm Bolters, Multi-melta, Paragon War Mace
. Paragon: 2 Storm Bolters, Multi-melta, Paragon War Mace
. Paragon Superior: 2 Storm Bolters, Multi-melta, Paragon War Mace

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 70pts]
. 5x Sisters Repentia: 5x Penitent Eviscerator

+ Fast Attack +

Dominion Squad [5 PL, 90pts]
. Dominion Superior
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
. Dominion w/ Special Weapon: Artificer-crafted storm bolter
. Dominion w/ Special Weapon: Artificer-crafted storm bolter
. Dominion w/ Special Weapon: Artificer-crafted storm bolter
. Dominion w/ Special Weapon: Artificer-crafted storm bolter

Zephyrim Squad [8 PL, 170pts]
. 9x Zephyrim: 9x Bolt pistol, 9x Frag & Krak grenades, 9x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol

Zephyrim Squad [8 PL, 175pts]
. 9x Zephyrim: 9x Bolt pistol, 9x Frag & Krak grenades, 9x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol, Zephyrim Pennant

+ Heavy Support +

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 130pts]: Armourium Cherub
. Retributor
. Retributor Superior
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta

+ Dedicated Transport +

Sororitas Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

++ Total: [105 PL, 2,000pts, -2CP] ++

Created with BattleScribe (https://battlescribe.net)

Thoughts

This is a particularly interesting one, as you don’t see Our Martyred Lady making the top tables as often these days, and you don’t see a ton of sisters lists running without Vahl. Eruita’s an interesting addition here – the ability to give Light Cover to INFANTRY units wholly within 6″ stacks well with Armour of Contempt to create a moving castle that can operate out in the open. Combine that with her re-roll aura and command ability and she makes a great babysitter for the Retributors or Dominion squads.

On the other side of the table are Farsight Enclaves, running a buttload of Crisis Suits with pretty much every type of loadout, supported by Crisis Commanders and a Hammerhead. What makes this matchup particularly interesting is that Farsight Enclaves lists have to operate at very close ranges, even compared to other T’au – this makes it very difficult for them to get into effective range against the Sisters without also putting themselves at serious risk from the Sororitas’ threats, and this game could easily become a bloodbath with the loser being whoever over-extends too early. If this were a different T’au list it might swing more heavily in favor of the T’au, or if it were a Bloody Rose sisters list it might turn more in their favor but as-is, this is a matchup were both armies are kind of playing into what the other one wants.

Result

Adepta Sororitas Victory – 88-68. Jake wins a close game, holding James to his lowest score all tournament as he punishes the Farsight army for coming into his threat range. Because final rankings use battle points, Jake will still end up placing second behind James, missing out by only a single point.

James Hobbs – Farsight Enclaves – 1st Place

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Farsight Enclaves

Thoughts

The list basically maxes out on Crisis Suits and operates a hair’s width away from the enemy, dropping into their opponent’s faces to unload a bunch of markerlight-boosted shots, then backing off or charging depending on the target. The emphasis on suits keeps the suit very mobile.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Jake Harding – Adepta Sororitas: See Showdown.
3rd – Kristofer Owen – Tyranids: Kronos with triple Tyrannofexes.
4th – Samuel Davey – Tyranids: Leviathan goodstuff with triple Carnifexes and two Dimachaerons.
5th – Zach Newlin – Death Guard: Zach’s list runs Typhus in a Ferrymen detachment, with 3 units of 10 poxwalkers, 2×7 units of Blightlords, a Chaos Contemptor, a PBC, and 5 Deathshrouds. It’s slow but difficult to shift, and the kind of list that will grind out very low wins – Zach scored fewer than 55 points in 4 of his games, including 3 of his wins.

Wrap Up

Well, that wraps up another week of Tyranid dominance, cut up a bit refreshingly by T’au and Drukhari flashes this week. At this point I’m counting down the days until Nephilim releases, hoping that new mission parameters, points, and a dataslate will help set things right for the faction and bring us back to a healthy meta that sees a lot more variety at the top and different lists competing each week.

This also marks the last week of my tour through this purgatory – your old pal James “One_Wing” Grover should be back next week, giving you regular doses of more insightful analysis on the match-ups and less griping overall, since he’s a more amiable sort and also hasn’t spent the last four weeks writing either “Leviathan goodstuff with 2 harpies” or “hail of doom” for 60% of lists.

What I will say is that it has been legitimately interesting to see some of the lists that stand out in the bottom halves of the top 8s – the knights lists, the T’au obsec list, the Martyred Lady sisters, last week’s Death Guard and Blood Angels; these all make me hopeful that there’s a vibrant and diverse meta lying in wait just beyond the next balance update. Hopefully the next time I write one of these it’ll be on the other side of that chasm. See you then, Dear Reader.

Have any questions or feedback? Drop us a note in the comments below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com.

Competitive Innovations in 9th: June 8, 2022 – T’au Still Got It

Bugeater 2022

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Data-Scry Salvage

Thoughts

Result

Ben Neal – T’au Empire – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Matthew Runde – Harlequins – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Michael Mann – Drukhari – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Cody Jiru – Drukhari – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

WarGamesCon XII

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Unknown

Thoughts

Result

Colin McDade – Tyranids – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Josiah Cook – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Spotlight: Jony Velazquez – Chaos Daemons – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Spotlight: Greg Harris – Adeptus Custodes – 7th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The London Open: June

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Death and Zeal

Thoughts

Result

david gaylard – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Thomas Brown – Asuryani – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Bluff City Open

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission –

Thoughts

Result

Seth Piper – Black Templars – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

BreakingHeads Cup #2 – Berlin

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission –

Thoughts

Result

Michael Gemmeke – Tyranids – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Spotlight: Denis Müller – Ynnari – 8th Place

The List