The World Championships of Warhammer are next week and we’re prepping by talking to some of the key competitors at this year’s event – many of whom are also competing for top honors in the ITC. We sat down with TJ Lanigan to talk to them about their plans and expectations for the event itself.
Competitor Profile
Player name: TJ Lanigan
Age: 34
Country of Origin: USA
Where you won your ticket: GW US Open Kansas City (Singles Event)
Let’s start with the basics. What army are you bringing to the World Championships, and why did you choose them?
Genestealer Cults.
TJ's List - Click to expand I’ve lost control of my life….. (1990 points) CHARACTERS Abominant (105 points) Nexos (60 points) 1x Close combat weapon Primus (90 points) 1x Scoped needle pistol 1x Toxin injector claw Primus (90 points) 1x Scoped needle pistol 1x Toxin injector claw Primus (90 points) 1x Scoped needle pistol 1x Toxin injector claw Reductus Saboteur (65 points) 1x Close combat weapon 1x Demolition charges 1x Remote explosives BATTLELINE Acolyte Hybrids (170 points) 1x Leader’s cult weapons 9x Cult claws and knife 4x Demolition charges 4x Hand flamer Acolyte Hybrids (170 points) 1x Leader’s cult weapons 9x Cult claws and knife 4x Demolition charges 4x Hand flamer Acolyte Hybrids (170 points) 1x Leader’s cult weapons 9x Cult claws and knife 4x Demolition charges 4x Hand flamer Neophyte Hybrids (180 points) 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon Neophyte Hybrids (180 points) 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm 19x Close combat weapon 1x Cult Icon 4x Grenade launcher 11x Hybrid firearm 4x Seismic cannon Neophyte Hybrids (90 points) 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hybrid firearm 9x Close combat weapon 9x Hybrid firearm OTHER DATASHEETS Aberrants (370 points) 1x Hypermorph tail Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points) 1x Ridgerunner wheels 1x Survey Augur 1x Twin heavy stubber ALLIED UNITS Cyclops Demolition Vehicle (25 points) Cyclops Demolition Vehicle (25 points) Cyclops Demolition Vehicle (25 points)
Genestealer Cults
Strike Force (2000 points)
Ascension Day
Run us through your list a little bit. What made you choose this list, and why do you enjoy playing it?
I have been playing Genestealer Cults since the faction came out in 8th and I really love the way they play. I enjoy the combos you can create with the army. They have a super unique play style that I felt I really connected with. I decided I would play them after the most recent balance update because my other Chaos faction felt weak into the current meta. I designed this list with the help of my friends in an attempt to combat the current meta with both Eldar and CSM running rampant. The acolytes are an attempt at dealing with Eldar and some of the Horde elements and abberents are an attempt to deal with CSM melee.
What does the list do well against? What match-ups are you hoping to avoid?
I think the list handles Eldar pretty well but I am really hoping to avoid infiltrator armies because I don’t really have a good answer for them!
Fixed or Tactical?
I have built in the ability to run tactical or fixed but honestly the list really thrives in a tactical situation.
The World Championships of Warhammer isn’t the largest event ever, but it’s certainly the first of its kind. What was your road getting to the event like? Was it something you were aiming for?
Towards the end of 9th edition I thought I had a pretty good handle on the meta, winning a lot of GT’s in a row so something on my bucket list is to be able to win a GW event. I was very happy I was able to cross that off my list!
How does it feel to be going to the event? Are you nervous? Excited? How does it compare to LVO?
It’s definitely different. I feel nervous about how my army looks and if I did enough hobby for the army to look good. I am also nervous about army selection and making sure I don’t let the country down.
How do you feel about the event’s unique country-based scoring? Does it add excitement to later rounds for you?
I think it will be very interesting to see how other countries interact with the different game systems. I know other countries have a much larger following for other game types.
How do you expect the competition to be different from other events? Is there anything you’re doing differently to prepare?
Well everyone here is a winner so there definitely adds an extra level of strategy to how you should approach each matchup. These people are here for a reason and they are also here to represent their country. Unfortunately we don’t have the mission order or even which ones we are playing so it’s all about understanding the terrain and the army lists.
How do you expect you’ll do at the event? What’s a “good event” look like for you, record-wise?
I just want to make sure my opponents have a good time and that they enjoy the experience. This is something I have spent a lot of time correcting from the past. I would love to be able to make some new friends and hope to just go positive haha.
How do you feel about 10th edition competitive play heading into this event? How does the meta feel to you right now?
I mean the Meta is definitely in a better place than before the balance update. I think a lot of armies are viable, which is great for the game. Would I like to see some changes in regards to the top armies over performing? Of course but it’s never going to be perfect and I think as a community sometimes we forget this. Hopefully this data will be used for the next balance update and it gets released in time to be used at LVO.
You’re currently still in the hunt for the ITC crown this year, and this event could replace one of your scores. How does that factor into your plans?
I am number 2 in the ITC right now and I won’t lie and say that I am hoping that I can replace one of my scores with this but I don’t want that to cloud the experience for me and end up becoming overstressed about the situation. I find that the best way to approach these things is just try and do your best and understand that everyone loses and just try and be gracious if it isn’t your time to win.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. Good luck at the event!
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