If you’ve been following our Road to Renegade Series (part 1 here and part 2 here), you know that the Hog boys have been preparing for the 2019 Renegade Open, one of the biggest events left in the 2019 ITC tournament circuit. This 6-round, 2-day event runs Saturday and Sunday, November 23rd and 24th, using ITC rules. The cutoff for list submission was last Saturday, which means that enterprising players who got ahold of a copy of this month’s White Dwarf in time would have been able to use the new Index: Inquisition rules for their army.
With the new Faith & Fury rules not yet in effect at ITC events, we fully expect this event to be another Marine-heavy slugfest, with Iron Hands, Imperial Fists, Raven Guard, and White Scars (and their successors) duking it out for supremacy. But with 79 registered players, there’s bound to be some interesting lists that stand out from the crowd while still offering a chance to be competitive. So let’s dive into the field and see what’s preparing to do some damage this weekend. As we examine these, Chase and I will be doing some back-and-forth discussion about each.
Hey everyone, Gunum here! I’m excited to finally get into another GT, especially one so close to home. Since it’s the culmination of our Road to Renegade mini-series, I figured I’d be the best one to start us off!! And since I’ll be starting us off, I wanted to address one thing real quick, the title of the article. Three cool lists? There’s four here.
Wait…
…..I see what’s going on.
Not cool.
Chase’s List
OK, let’s start with Chase’s List. Chase is doing his best imitation of a successful Space Marines list, hoping to mitigate the loss of Thunderfire Cannons with a Land Raider Achilles and using the Grim Resolve Trait to get more out of his units without having to keep a Captain nearby. The upside is that all of his major threats have invulnerable saves, a big advantage when going up against an army of AP-2/-3 weapons on turn 1.
Okay, folks. First off, you may know how I play by now when it comes to these lists of mine. I hit all kinds of ideas and oh, I also play Dark Angels so I’m already starting a little behind in other kinds of Marine updates. So, as I’ve been doing for the past 4 months, I decided to once again lean into what I think is good in Dark Angels: Anything that isn’t uniquely Dark Angels, as described here. Every time I’ve tried to lean into a Dark Angel unique unit, I’ve had a pretty rough go of it. So at the last minute, after trying out my most recent list, I decided to go with things I have had a lot of success with. Being currently ranked 5th in Dark Angels I wanted to put my best foot forward and see what I could accomplish here.
The primary callouts in this list are the Leviathans, the Plasma-cutioner, and the Land Raider Achilles. The thing I want to point out right now is realizing how powerful Doctrines are, I wanted my primary threats to have invulnerable saves. The Achilles and the Leviathans are there to live and dish out the damage. I don’t have anything specific to hide in the Achilles, so I’ll be using it to lower my drops along with the Executioner. Also, the Land Raider having four multi-melta shots on its platform is great. Since I don’t have access to a Thunderfire, having one built into this kind tank can help in a pinch against any kind of magic box situation.
Next, as you’ve no doubt noticed, I am using the Target Priority Warlord trait as usual. Allowing one of my units to hit on +1 against a wide variety of things is going to be incredibly useful, especially when looking at my Plasma-cutioner. Being able to overcharge and not get hot at 3 damage raises the value of its primary weapon. This list has a -ton- of damage in it from the 6 hunter-killer missiles, to the storm cannons on the Leviathans.
Essentially my game plan here will be to push forward with Lthe and Raider, use the Leviathans to provide midfield support and shoot the Executioner downtown to pick up threats. I do have Eliminators to poke at characters and one psyker for those needed pocket denies, so I should be able to focus down each threat as needed. It’s a low drop, elite list and I’m ready to use it to ride the razor’s edge.
++ Dark Angel Battalion Detachment +5CP [370pts] ++
+ HQ +
Lieutenant in Phobos Armour [5 PL, 81pts]: 5. Target Priority, Warlord w/ Bolt Carbine & Grav Chute: Grav-chute, Master-crafted oculus bolt rifle
Master in Phobos Armour [6 PL, 99pts]
+ Troops +
5x Scout Squad [4 PL, 80pts] 5x Camo Cloak 5x Sniper Rifle
5x Scout Squad [4 PL, 55pts] Combat knife
5x Scout Squad [4 PL, 55pts] Combat knife
++ Dark Angel Spearhead Detachment +1CP [849 pts] ++
+ HQ +
Librarian in Phobos Armour [6 PL, 101pts]: 4) Hallucination, 5) Tenebrous Curse, Camo cloak, Force sword
+ Heavy Support +
Eliminator Squad [3 PL, 72pts] w/Bolt Sniper Rifles
Land Raider Achilles [21 PL, 363pts]: Quad launcher, 2x Twin multi-melta
Relic Leviathan Dreadnought [16 PL, 321pts]: 3x Hunter-killer missile, Storm cannon array x2
++ Dark Angel Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Imperium – Dark Angels) [39 PL, 1CP, 781pts] ++
+ HQ +
Techmarine [5 PL, 61pts]: Boltgun, Power ax, Servo-arm, Servo-harness: Flamer, Plasma cutter
+ Heavy Support +
Eliminator Squad [3 PL, 72pts] w/Bolt Sniper Rifles
Relic Leviathan Dreadnought [16 PL, 321pts]: 3x Hunter-killer missile, Storm cannon array x2
Repulsor Executioner [15 PL, 327pts]: Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Macro Plasma Incinerator
++ Total: [108 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++
Prediction? 3 – 2. I’m honest with myself.
Yeah, I agree with that.
Justin Curtis’ List
The ITC’s 145th-ranked player overall and 7th-ranked Chaos player, Justin was kind enough to share his Chaos list with us before the event. We’ve seen elements of Justin’s list in top Chaos lists all year long, but this particular combination has some quirks to it that cause it to stand out. First off, Justin’s running a Supreme Command with Ahriman, a Flawless Host Sorcerer, a World Eaters Warpsmith, a unit of Deathshrouds, and Mortarion. One clever trick this gives him access to is that Justin can use the Scorn of Sorcery Stratagem with his Warpsmith to get an extra 4+ Deny the Witch attempt.
The list is simple. It is powerful. It’s focused. There is some real death in here, pressure mixed with power. I like this list because there are so many big threats that need to be dealt with. Honestly, I have massive respect for Mortarion as of late, as it’s a model that is holding to some of the things that I think are just amazing in the meta right now. He has a 4++, multiple wounds, and an FNP to help with the multi-damage that is everywhere in the game.
Instead of running Magnus as a buddy for Mortarion, Justin’s list runs a dual-Thermal Dreadblade Knight Despoiler, giving him two massive threats to distract from the Flawless Host Lords Discordant, and while Mortarion is more vulnerable than he used to be, Justin’s brought Deathshroud Terminators along to protect his investment.
Finally, the core of Justin’s Chaos Space Marines Battalion is a max-size squad of Slaanesh-marked Chaos Bikers with two melta-guns and an extra combi-bolter. These guys can zip around the board and, thanks to Bolter Discipline, deliver an obscene number of shots, typically twice thanks to the Endless Cacophony Stratagem. Their only major downside is that most of the shots are AP0, making it super-important to get within 12″ with them against Successor Chapter Marines running Stealthy. Also, as Flawless Host, they can’t use VotLW, but this list isn’t packing a ton of CP to spend on it anyways.
I think there is some real power to that bike unit. It can clear two screens, or really put out some pure firepower. Not only that but since they are T5, 2-wound models they can be used to charge into combat and really put the pain into people via Hateful Assault. Mix in the overbearing the presence of the Chaos Knight and I think there’s some real power here.
+++ Justin Curtis (Warhammer 40,000 8th Edition) [115 PL, -2CP, 2,000pts] +++
++ Supreme Command Detachment +1CP (Chaos – Heretic Astartes) [52 PL, 919pts] ++
+ HQ [17 PL, 293pts] +
Ahriman [7 PL, 131pts]
Sorcerer [6 PL, 100pts]: Combi-bolter [2pts], Force sword [8pts], Mark of Slaanesh, Legion: The Flawless Host
Warpsmith [4 PL, 62pts]: Combi-bolter [2pts], Flamer [6pts], Mark of Khorne, Meltagun [14pts], Power axe [5pts], Legion: World Eaters
+ Elites [11 PL, 156pts] +
Deathshroud Terminators [11 PL, 156pts] x3
+ Lord of War [24 PL, 470pts] +
Mortarion [24 PL, 470pts]
++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [38 PL, -2CP, 684pts] ++
Field Commander [-1CP]
Legion: The Flawless Host
Specialist Detachment [-1CP]: Soulforged Pack [-1CP]
+ HQ [18 PL, 320pts] +
Lord Discordant on Helstalker [9 PL, 160pts]: Autocannon [10pts], Intoxicating Elixir, Mark of Slaanesh, Ultimate Confidence, Warlord, Techno-virus injector
Lord Discordant on Helstalker [9 PL, 160pts]: Autocannon [10pts], Mark of Slaanesh, Master of the Soulforges, Techno-virus injector
+ Troops [9 PL, 150pts] +
10x Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 50pts]: Mark of Slaanesh, Autogun
10x Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 50pts]: Mark of Slaanesh, Autogun
10x Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 50pts]: Mark of Slaanesh, Autogun
+ Fast Attack [11 PL, 214pts] +
Bikers x9 [11 PL, 214pts]: Mark of Slaanesh, Meltagun x2, Combi-Bolter (Champion)
++ Super-Heavy Auxiliary Detachment (Chaos – Chaos Knights) [25 PL, 397pts] ++
+ Lord of War [25 PL, 397pts] +
Knight Despoiler [25 PL, 397pts]: Dreadblade, Heavy stubber [2pts], Iconoclast Household, Thermal cannon [55pts], Thermal cannon [55pts]
I’m gonna forecast a 4-2 for this list. Though I think it has some powerful threats, I think that just like my list, Imperial Fists are going to give this a run for its money.
I think Justin can easily go 5-1 with this list. And I hope he does, because I want to see more signs that diverse Chaos Space Marine armies can win before we get Faith and Fury as an extra boost.
Cyle’s List
Cyle’s gone back and forth on his list a few times in the lead-in to Renegade but ultimately decided to stick to his current list. While he could include an Inquisitor, Cyle has chosen to bow to the perverse incentives of the ITC’s faction rankings, and so instead has chosen to remain pure Ad Mech. Well, plus an Assassin (which will usually be a Callidus, to interfere with CP use).
Generally, Cyle’s list is a Cawl castle, but with more mobility and the ability to counterpunch pretty hard. He can start all of his infantry in transports to reduce his drops and help increase his odds for the first turn. In-game, he’ll line up his Tech-Priest Skorpii to support each other until the transports start getting destroyed, then hide them in cover while the drill arrives on T2 to deliver infantry to objectives. By passing on immobile robots and fragile, short-ranged infiltrators, the list can stay flexible, and handle going second and negative hit modifiers gracefully.
Cyle’s lists are always so…… consistent. Look at those transports. Look at that shooting. Look at his re-rolls. Look at his… wiggly robot bits.
The cool thing I’ve always found about this list is there’s just so much to deal with. Small threats that all work together to lean into a winning combination. From the Ignore LOS of the Disintegrators to the direct-fire of the Dunecrawlers. Mix in the close combat threat of the Electro-priests and there is going to be a lot for the attendees of the Renegade to deal with here.
++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus) [89 PL, 1,481pts, -2CP] ++
Forge World: Mars
Operative Requisition Sanctioned [85pts, -2CP]
+ HQ +
Belisarius Cawl [13 PL, 190pts]: Warlord, Warlord Trait (Mars): Static Psalm-Code
Tech-Priest Enginseer [3 PL, 30pts]: Relic: Autocaduceus of Arkhan Land
+ Troops +
Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 43pts] x5, 2x Arc Rifle
Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 43pts] x5, 2x Arc Rifle
Skitarii Vanguards [4 PL, 40pts] x5, Radium Carbine
+ Elites +
Fulgurite Electro-Priests [8 PL, 144pts]: 9x Fulgurite Electro-Priest
Fulgurite Electro-Priests [8 PL, 144pts]: 9x Fulgurite Electro-Priest
+ Heavy Support +
Onager Dunecrawler [7 PL, 112pts]: Broad Spectrum Data-tether, Cognis Heavy Stubber, Icarus Array
Onager Dunecrawler [7 PL, 112pts]: Broad Spectrum Data-tether, Cognis Heavy Stubber, Icarus Array
Onager Dunecrawler [7 PL, 112pts]: Broad Spectrum Data-tether, Cognis Heavy Stubber, Icarus Array
+ Dedicated Transport +
Skorpius Dunerider [4 PL, 73pts]: 2x Cognis Heavy Stubber, Twin Cognis Heavy Stubber
Skorpius Dunerider [4 PL, 73pts]: 2x Cognis Heavy Stubber, Twin Cognis Heavy Stubber
Skorpius Dunerider [4 PL, 73pts]: 2x Cognis Heavy Stubber, Twin Cognis Heavy Stubber
Skorpius Dunerider [4 PL, 73pts]: 2x Cognis Heavy Stubber, Twin Cognis Heavy Stubber
Terrax-Pattern Termite Assault Drill [8 PL, 134pts] w/ Storm Bolters: 2x Storm bolter
++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus) [36 PL, 518pts] ++
Forge World: Mars
+ HQ +
Daedalosus [3 PL, 50pts]
Tech-Priest Enginseer [3 PL, 30pts]
+ Troops +
Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 43pts] x5, Galvanic Rifle
Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 43pts] x5, Galvanic Rifle
Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 43pts] x5, Galvanic Rifle
+ Heavy Support +
Skorpius Disintegrator [6 PL, 111pts]: Belleros Energy Cannon, 3x Cognis Heavy Stubber
Skorpius Disintegrator [6 PL, 111pts]: Belleros Energy Cannon, 3x Cognis Heavy Stubber
Skorpius Disintegrator [6 PL, 111pts]: Belleros Energy Cannon, 3x Cognis Heavy Stubber
++ Total: [125 PL, -2CP, 1,999pts] ++
Cyle always seems to go 4-2 at GTs. So for that only, I’m going to say 4-2. Just like the last two lists, I feel like Marines are going to give him a hard time. Like the Battle-companies of old, if you can demech him and keep the midfield under control, I don’t think the shooting he has can keep his very fragile troops still alive once they are exposed.
I get why he’s not running an Inquisitor, but it really feels like the wrong move if you want to compete.
Andrew Gonyo’s List
Andrew Gonyo is a prominent 40k player, currently ranked 22nd worldwide in the ITC standings and as usual, he’s on some Next-Level Shit™. Andrew placed third with a similar list in October at the 98-player Battle for Salvation event, going 5-1. This time around, he’s swapped out the second Battalion of Raven Guard Successor Scouts with Sniper Rifles in favor of an Imperial Fists Supreme Command running 3 Techmarines on Bike. He’s also swapped out his Spearhead to be Imperial Fists as well, and he’s running almost as many storm bolters as he can, even in the Raven Guard Successor detachments.
Dangit, Captain America strikes again with a just -crazy- build for Space Marines. Honestly, since I’ve been living in trash Green town, I haven’t been willing to even look at Marines. Andrew’s takes on this kind of forward pressure that has been turning into a staple of the Space Marine book.
The storm bolters work particularly well on the Techmarine Bikers, who can pour out 8 shots each at BS2+ and ignoring cover and AP-1 in Tactical Doctrine, usually ensuring he’ll get an additional shot or two. They’re also mobile objective holders with toughness and wounds high enough to avoid getting one-turn killed by Eliminators.
One of the more surprising elements of the list is the grav-cannon Devastators, which Andrew can place in a forward position using the Infiltrators Stratagem and then use the extended range as a way to threaten heavy infantry, or he can place them in ambush like the Centurions.
I love this unit. The damage it can put out is huge and with stratagem support, it is something to be afraid of. The one concern I have with his list though would be with CP management. As there is a real possibility of dropping 5 cp right before the game begins, only having 5 cp to go through the rest of the game with means something like a Callidus Assassin or even the Raven Guard mirror match might rob a lot of the killing power here.
Speaking of which, the real meat of the list is the Centurions. Andrew’s running 16 Assault Centurions in his list. They can be set up in Ambush using the Strike From the Shadows Stratagem and arrive anywhere on the table more than 9” from an enemy unit, where the Jump Pack Chaplain will be waiting to greet them, chanting the Canticle of Hate.
+++ Mixed Adeptus Astartes [117 PL, 1,999pts] +++
++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium – Space Marines) [82 PL, 1,429pts] ++
Chapter Selection: Long-range Marksmen, Raven Guard Successor, Stealthy
+ HQ [11 PL, 182pts] +
Captain on Bike [6 PL, 92pts]: Chainsword, Storm bolter [2pts], Twin boltgun [2pts]
Chaplain [5 PL, 108pts] w/Jump Pack
+ Troops [12 PL, 171pts] +
5x Scouts, Sgt. w/Storm Bolter [4 PL, 57pts]
5x Scouts, Sgt. w/Storm Bolter [4 PL, 57pts]
5x Scouts, Sgt. w/Storm Bolter [4 PL, 57pts]
+ Elites [53 PL, 924pts] +
4x Centurion Assault Squad [16 PL, 208pts]
6x Centurion Assault Squad [16 PL, 312pts]
6x Centurion Assault Squad [16 PL, 312pts]
Company Ancient on Bike [5 PL, 92pts]: Storm bolter [2pts], Twin boltgun [2pts]
+ Heavy Support [6 PL, 152pts] +
Devastator Squad [6 PL, 152pts]: Armorium Cherub [5pts] – Space Marine Sergeant w/Chainsword, Storm bolter [2pts], 4x Grav-Cannon and Grav-Amp
++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Imperium – Space Marines) [17 PL, 350pts] ++
Chapter Selection: Imperial Fists
+ HQ [5 PL, 74pts] +
Captain [5 PL, 74pts]: Bolt pistol, Chainsword
+ Heavy Support [12 PL, 276pts] +
Thunderfire Cannon [4 PL, 92pts] w/Techmarine Gunner [37pts]w/Servo-harness [11pts]: Flamer [6pts], Plasma cutter [5pts]
Thunderfire Cannon [4 PL, 92pts] w/Techmarine Gunner [37pts]w/Servo-harness [11pts]: Flamer [6pts], Plasma cutter [5pts]
Thunderfire Cannon [4 PL, 92pts] w/Techmarine Gunner [37pts]w/Servo-harness [11pts]: Flamer [6pts], Plasma cutter [5pts]
++ Supreme Command Detachment +1CP (Imperium – Space Marines) [18 PL, 220pts] ++
Chapter Selection: Imperial Fists
+ HQ [18 PL, 220pts] +
Techmarine on Bike [6 PL, 74pts] w/Storm Bolter
Techmarine on Bike [6 PL, 74pts] w/Storm Bolter
Techmarine on Bike [6 PL, 72pts]
The Tom Hanks of 40k’s list is exactly what I think the first three lists listed are the most scared of. The damage this list can put out is S tier, backed up with the power of the new Space Marines and the high 40k IQ that Gonyo can bring to the table, I really feel this is a powerful front runner for a winner of this event.
5-1 minimum, but every chance of 6-0. Put it in the books.
Yeah I’m inclined to agree. Every time I look at this list, it makes me realize that Gonyo and I are not playing the same game.
The Marine Meta Rolls On
Hopefully, you enjoyed looking at these lists as much as we did. As salty as some of us can be about Marines, it’s still worth noting that they aren’t one army but several, and many different flavors can produce results. As we head into this weekend’s major events, it will be interesting to see how they fare, and how non-Marine players adapt.
Hey, I had fun here! We covered a bunch of different lists here. Chaos, MSU, Elite Dark Angels, and Elite Space Marines. There is going to be some tough competition there, we didn’t even look into what Aaron Aelong, Tyler Devries or Nick Weiss is bringing into the event. I’m excited to see how this goes and jacked to get some good games in.
Good game.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop us a note in the comments below, or shoot us an email at contact@goonhammer.com.
