Hello, Dear Reader! Welcome back to our ongoing attempts to fill in for James “One_Wing” Grover as he wanders the fields of Worthingtonshireham or whatever, searching for himself or inner peace or some shit. The past couple of weeks saw top ITC competitors James “Boon” Kelling and Innes “Mr. Supermajor” Wilson filling in and offering expert analysis but this week you get my dumb ass, all hopped up on Dayquil and the hubris of being 655th in the ITC (and falling!).

There Is Too Much Warhammer

Look, do me a favor: If you ever see someone online, or better yet, in person – telling you that Games Workshop is killing competitive play or that people are losing interest or some other nonsense, you slap them right in the mouth. Because they are wrong as shit. Last week, we had Nine GT events to cover, and across every tournament app a whopping 1,974 people played in events (704 in GT-sized events). This week, there are eleven GT+ events to cover with 691 players, and by our count there were 1,873 players playing in events overall. That’s an incredible number of players. This time last year there were two GT-sized events hosting a total of 94 players.

The 40k competitive scene has absolutely exploded, far surpassing anything we’d seen before the pandemic. There are more events than ever, more rounds in those events, and more people playing in them. Warhammer 40k is not only alive and well, it’s healthier than it’s ever been, possibly because so many of you just really, really love Tyranids or something. And generally once you get past Tyranids and Hail of Doom Craftworlds and maybe Harlequins I legitimately believe there’s a very solid meta out there with plenty of competitive options, and even with those factions in there it’s clear some other armies can compete. We’ll talk about which in a bit.

Anyways, this is a roundabout way of me saying that I’m going to be splitting the article up into two again this week – today I’ll cover the five largest events, then I’ll do a roundup of the remaining six tomorrow.

The Frontline Gaming Bay Area Open

This 9-round, 139 player event was the largest of the weekend, and had the most surprising result of the bunch. You can find lists for the event in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts

You can watch the match stream here.

Jesse's list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [108 PL, 1,998pts, 11CP] ++

+ 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 [-1CP]: Additional Relics of the Ecclesiarchy

+ No Force Org Slot +

Hospitaller [3 PL, 50pts]

+ HQ +

Canoness [5 PL, 105pts]: Blessed Blade, Inferno pistol, Relic: Blade of Saint Ellynor
. Word of the Emperor

Celestine and Geminae Superia [10 PL, 200pts]
. 2x Geminae Superia: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, 2x Power sword

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

+ Elites +

Dogmata [4 PL, 65pts]: 2. Chorus of Spiritual Fortitude, 5. Verse of Holy Piety, Relic: The Sigil Ecclesiasticus

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

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

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 140pts]
. 10x Sisters Repentia: 10x Penitent Eviscerator

+ Fast Attack +

Seraphim Squad [8 PL, 104pts]
. 3x Seraphim: 6x Bolt pistol, 3x Frag & Krak grenades
. Seraphim Superior: Bolt pistol, Bolt pistol
. Seraphim w/ Special Weapons: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers
. Seraphim w/ Special Weapons: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers

Zephyrim Squad [8 PL, 107pts]
. 5x Zephyrim: 5x Bolt pistol, 5x Frag & Krak grenades, 5x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol, Zephyrim Pennant

+ Heavy Support +

Mortifiers [6 PL, 125pts]
. Mortifiers: Anchorite Sarcophagus, 2x Heavy bolter, 2x Penitent Flails
. Mortifiers: 2x Heavy bolter, 2x Penitent Flails

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 160pts]: Armourium Cherub
. Retributor Superior
. . Bolt Pistol & Ministorum Combi-flamer: Ministorum Combi-flamer
. 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: [108 PL, 11CP, 1,998pts] ++

vs.

Michael's list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [110 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

[Reference] Detachment Abilities

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

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Hydra

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait

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

+ HQ +

Tervigon [11 PL, 225pts]: Adrenal Glands, Massive Scything Talons, Power: Onslaught, Power: Psychic Shriek, Power: Smite, Relic: The Maw-claws of Thyrax, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

The Swarmlord [11 PL, 220pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Psychic Shriek

+ Troops +

Gargoyles [4 PL, 80pts]
. 10x Gargoyle: 10x Fleshborer

Hormagaunts [8 PL, 120pts]
. 15x Hormagaunt: 15x Hormagaunt Talons

Termagants [8 PL, 140pts]: Fleshborer, 20x Termagant

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 80pts]: Flesh Hooks
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

+ Elites +

Deathleaper [5 PL, 95pts]

Genestealers [5 PL, 80pts]: Acid Maw, Flesh Hooks
. 5x Genestealer: 5x Genestealer Claws and Talons

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

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Psychic Shriek, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Fast Attack +

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

+ Heavy Support +

Screamer-Killers [8 PL, 135pts]
. Screamer-Killer: Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement, Adrenal Glands

Screamer-Killers [7 PL, 125pts]
. Screamer-Killer: Adrenal Glands

++ Total: [110 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

I asked our resident Sisters (and sometimes Orks) player Shane Watts to write about this one, since he’s intimately familiar with Bloody Rose:

Shane: The mission was Secure Missing Artefacts, so 5 objectives, with 2 armies that want to get stuck in.

Even though both of these armies skew towards melee, the Sororitas list has some scary firepower sprinkled in to deal with threats at range. So if they can leverage firing lanes they can do some work. If they go first, they have a turn 1 missile via the rhino rush repentia, assuming anything is mis-deployed by the Tyranid player.

This Hydra Tyranid army though has some massive advantages in speed and ob sec. 3 Carnifexs to play bully and sneaky obsec, plus the Parasite to do the same. Lots of sneaky obsec tools in this list and ways to pull out some jank.

Both of these lists can stack some advantages over the other, but with the objective game favoring the Tyranid list, the Sororitas might have an uphill battle.

Result

85-82 Win By Jesse in an absolute knock-out brawl. Both players killed large portions of each others armies, trying to scrape every point, Tyranids via killing unit champion/characters, Sororitas via killing as many as possible for No Prisoners. Every fight was big in this game and was a great watch, especially from a sportsmanship standpoint.

Jesse Sell – 1st Place

Sisters of Battle Seraphim. Credit: Corrode

Adepta Sororitas

See Showdown

The Standout Features/Archetype – Bloody Rose

The Bloody Rose are the melee-focused subfaction of the Sororitas, bolstered by a Codex Supplement released in Vigilus Alone.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

We had Matt Robertson drop by to talk about the Sisters recently – the Adepta Sororitas are secretly one of the game’s top factions and have been putting up solid results over the past few weeks, with an average first loss round of 2.7 and a good share of top 4s. Bloody Rose – which take their rules from the Vigilus Alone campaign book – are the most competitive of the lot, primarily for their ability to mess things up in melee and make the most of Paragon Warsuits.

Michael Costello – 2nd Place

Hive Fleet Hydra

See Showdown

The Standout Features/Archetype – Hive Fleet Hydra Swarm

This particular flavor of Tyranids puts a lot into big units of Hormogaunts and Termagants that can use the Hive Fleet Adaptation to get +1 to hit. The Screamer-Killers can also benefit, as they’ll count as five models any time they go up against vehicles one-on-one. The list also has access to Hunt/Feed Biomorphologies, which will often be used to get +1 to charge rolls, or the pregame move.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Well it’s not Leviathan or Kraken, and that’s pretty interesting in and of itself but what really piques my interest here is the choice of units and the decision to go with hordes. If we get a set of major nerfs to Tyranids in the form of point hikes in the next month or two, this is likely to be the kind of list that survives relatively unscathed since it goes pretty light on the units that are currently filling out Leviathan and Kraken lists in multiples.

Stephen Box – 3rd Place

Blood Angels

Stephen's List - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Blood Angels) [126 PL, 1,997pts, 9CP] ++

+ Configuration [12CP] +

**Chapter Selector**: Blood Angels

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

Detachment Command Cost

+ Stratagems [-2CP] +

Stratagem: Angel Ascendant [-1CP]

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

+ HQ [15 PL, 285pts, ] +

Commander Dante [9 PL, 165pts, 1CP]: 4. Heroic Bearing, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno pistol, The Axe Mortalis, Warlord [1CP]

Sanguinary Priest [6 PL, 120pts, -1CP]: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Jump Pack [1 PL, 30pts], Rites of War, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter [-1CP], Visage of Death

+ Troops [15 PL, 305pts] +

Assault Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 95pts]
. 4x Assault Intercessor [76pts]: 4x Astartes Chainsword, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Assault Intercessor Sgt [19pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades, Heavy Bolt Pistol

Incursor Squad [5 PL, 105pts]
. 4x Incursor [84pts]: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Occulus bolt carbine, 4x Paired combat blades
. Incursor Sergeant [21pts]: Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, Occulus bolt carbine, Paired combat blades, Quake Bolts

+ Elites [84 PL, 1,282pts, -1CP] +

Centurion Assault Squad [18 PL, 325pts]
. Centurion [65pts]: Hurricane bolter [10pts], Siege drills
. . Flamers: 2x Flamer
. Centurion [65pts]: Hurricane bolter [10pts], Siege drills
. . Flamers: 2x Flamer
. Centurion [65pts]: Hurricane bolter [10pts], Siege drills
. . Flamers: 2x Flamer
. Centurion [65pts]: Hurricane bolter [10pts], Siege drills
. . Flamers: 2x Flamer
. Centurion Sergeant [65pts]: Hurricane bolter [10pts], Siege drills
. . Flamers: 2x Flamer

Death Company Marines [8 PL, 175pts]: Jump Pack [1 PL, 15pts]
. Death Company Marine [35pts]: Frag & Krak grenades, Thunder hammer [15pts]
. Death Company Marine [35pts]: Frag & Krak grenades, Thunder hammer [15pts]
. Death Company Marine [35pts]: Frag & Krak grenades, Thunder hammer [15pts]
. Death Company Marine [35pts]: Frag & Krak grenades, Thunder hammer [15pts]
. Death Company Marine [20pts]: Frag & Krak grenades
. . Bolt pistol and chainsword: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol

Sanguinary Ancient [7 PL, 110pts, -1CP]: 3. Soulwarden, Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter [-1CP], Wrath of Baal

Sanguinary Guard [17 PL, 224pts]
. Sanguinary Guard [32pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard [32pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard [32pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard [32pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard [32pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard [32pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades
. Sanguinary Guard [32pts]: Angelus boltgun, Encarmine sword, Frag & Krak grenades

+ Fast Attack [12 PL, 125pts] +

Assault Squad [12 PL, 125pts]: Jump Pack [2 PL, 12pts]
. 5x Space Marine [90pts]: 5x Astartes Chainsword, 5x Bolt pistol, 5x Frag & Krak grenades
. Space Marine Sergeant [23pts]: Astartes Chainsword, Frag & Krak grenades, Lightning Claw [5pts]

++ Total: [126 PL, 9CP, 1,997pts] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – Lots of Sanguinary Guard

This list has one plan, and that plan is to punch you in the mouth. The Death Company can use their pre-game move to easily make a first-turn charge happen, and even if they don’t, their threat range is more than enough to push an enemy back into their own deployment zone and give you room to spread out and take superior tactical positions. and if you are foolish enough to give the Death Company their turn 1 charge, the Sanguinary Guard will be there the following turn, ready to finish the job.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

We don’t see Blood Angels show up often, and it’s worth looking at a list when they do. Stephen Box is one of the two or three best Blood Angels players in the world, and while this list isn’t super unique, it’s a testament to Stephen’s ability that he was able to take this to an 8-1 finish at an event filled with Tyranids and T’au that ostensibly have better matchups. This list isn’t much different from what you’d have run pre-dataslate, but Armour of Contempt makes it all the more resilient and frees you from being at a disadvantage by not having access to Storm Shields (Sanguinary Guard have a 2+ save).

The Rest of the Best

The event used a top 8 cut after the first six rounds, so here’s the rest of the top 8:

4th – Paul McKelvey – T’au Empire – T’au Sept running Longstrike and a pair of Hammerheads, plus a unit of Broadsides
5th – Tyler Nutt – Tyranids – Hive Fleet Leviathan goodstuff
6th – Dustin Lane – T’au Empire – Dal’yth Sept that goes all-in on Battlesuits to maximize their durability by giving them the benefit of cover, making the list’s massive number of Crisis Suits, Stealth Suits, and Broadsides even more durable. Also he’s running Aun’Shi and an Onager Gauntlet commander, which are both cool as hell. Dustin’s Crisis Commanders are absolute monsters.
7th – David Hetherington – Tyranids – Hive Fleet Leviathan goodstuff
8th – Ashton Frizzell – Chaos Knights – Ashton’s list runs House Herpetrax with an Abominant, a Desecrator, and 7 War Dogs – 1 Brigand, 3 Executioners, and 3 Karnivores.

Rocky Top Rumble

This 8-round, 111 player event took place in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can find lists for the event in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Conversion

You can watch a stream of this game here.

Brad's list - click to expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [48 PL, 12CP, 915pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

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

Detachment Command Cost

+ No Force Org Slot +

Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 60pts]
. Warlock Skyrunners: 4. Protect/Jinx
. . Warlock Skyrunner: Witchblade

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

+ HQ +

Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 120pts]: 2. Doom, 4. Executioner, 5: Mark of the Incomparable Hunter, Warlord, Witchblade
. Kurnous’ Bow

Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 120pts]: 1. Guide, 5. Will of Asuryan, Witchblade

+ Troops +

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

+ Elites +

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

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

+ Fast Attack +

Windriders [8 PL, 150pts]
. 5x Windrider – Shuriken Cannon: 5x Shuriken Cannon

++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [56 PL, -3CP, 1,085pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ HQ +

Baharroth [7 PL, 140pts]

+ Troops +

Corsair Voidreavers [3 PL, 50pts]
. 4x Corsair Voidreavers: 4x Shuriken Pistol & Aeldari Power Sword
. Voidreaver Felarch: Shuriken Pistol

+ Elites +

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

Corsair Voidscarred [4 PL, 60pts]: 4x Corsair Voidscarred w/ Pistol & Aeldari Power Sword
. Voidscarred Felarch: Shuriken Pistol

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

Howling Banshees [5 PL, 100pts]
. 4x Howling Banshee: 4x Banshee Blade, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Howling Banshee Exarch: Mirrorswords, Nerve-shredding Shriek

+ Fast Attack +

Swooping Hawks [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Swooping Hawk: 4x Lasblaster
. Swooping Hawk Exarch: Lasblaster

Windriders [8 PL, 150pts]
. 5x Windrider – Shuriken Cannon: 5x Shuriken Cannon

++ Total: [104 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

vs.

Joe's list - click to expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [64 PL, 1,130pts, -1CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait

+ No Force Org Slot +

Tyrant Guard [15 PL, 200pts]
. 5x Tyrant Guard (Lash/Sword): 5x Lash Whip and Bonecleaver, 5x Two Rending Claws

+ HQ +

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

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

+ Troops +

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: Psychic Scream, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Flyer +

Harpy [9 PL, 170pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids) [49 PL, 870pts, -4CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait

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

+ HQ +

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

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

+ Troops +

Gargoyles [4 PL, 80pts]
. 10x Gargoyle: 10x Fleshborer

+ Elites +

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

+ Heavy Support +

Carnifexes [7 PL, 120pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Two Carnifex Scything Talons

+ Flyer +

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

++ Total: [113 PL, 2,000pts, -5CP] ++

Thoughts

I asked our resident Eldar genius, James “Boon” Kelling, who Nick Nanavati informs me is a “highly cerebral player,” to comment on this one.

James: Joe’s list is running a fairly standard Leviathan monster set – twin Harpy’s, twin Flying Hive Tyrant with Tyrant Guard, and a Maleceptor. He then fleshes this out with a combination of Neurothrope, Zoanthropes, a Deathleaper, two Venom Cannon toting Carnifexes and a couple of small Warrior squads with a single unit of minimum sized Gargoyles. It’s typically powerful, but its unusually concentrated and as a result there isn’t actually a ton of depth to the list. Without the large, durable Warrior blocks that can output a fair amount of damage in combat and shooting, or Raveners to press the threat range, the list is a bit assymetric and relying on a combination of monsters and Deathleaper to do its durable objective sitting. To The Last is common for Tyranid builds that rely on a block of Tyrant Guard to keep the two Hive Tyrants safe, but both are built to go forward meaning the whole trio of To The Last units will not be able to avoid the fight unless you’rewilling to sacrifice a third of your combat power. In addition, the list gives up 12 points on Bring It Down, not great, but 8 points of that is relatively straight forward as it’s units you need to kill anyway so it’s not a bad choice with a lot of upside- particularly because 4 points are pulling double duty for TTL (if chosen).

Brad’s list is a bit unconventional for a Hail of Doom/Masterful Shots build. It certainly leverages the typical mix of Dire Avengers and Shuriken Cannon bikes, double Farseer (one with Kurnos’ Bow/Mark of the Incomparable Hunter), and Barry Boy Blue, but Brad opts to bring in not just one, or two, but four bare-bones Corsair units except for a single CP farming Way Seeker. In addition to bring cheap objective sitters (and ObSec on the Voidscarred) the Corsair units offer a bit of combat counterpunch with their 2-3 attacks base and auto-wounding 6s to hit at AP-3 which can be especially effective into Tyranid monsters. All told, the weight of Hail of Doom and combat punch (buoyed by two Banshee and a Scorpion squad) is a good match into this Tyranid meta. However, the secondary game can be a little hairy here – the list does give up No Prisoners fairly trivially, and can cap at 14 points. It also may struggle to balance on common Eldar secondaries like Psychic Interrogation or Warp Ritual due to the only psyker Characters being the two Farseers who want to be casting their powers. In a pinch it can take To The Last on the three bike squads, reliably keeping two of them safe a turn with Fire and Fade + Matchless Agility but the Harpy’s might make that a fatal decision. More likely it’ll leverage Dire Avengers and Voidscarred to complete a Nachmund Data.

I think this is anyone’s game – but given Joe’s lean on the heavy monsters and how much Brad’s list doesn’t care about high Toughness, I lean towards Brad in this matchup.

Result

Brad wins, 94-71. Old Man Chester is an extremely skilled player and he’s built his list specifically to fight Tyranid monsters. Running into Joe’s list in the finals is a gem of a matchup for him.

Brad Chester – 1st Place

Craftworlds Eldar

See Showdown

The Standout Features/Archetype – Hail of Doom

We wrote about Hail of Doom at length last week. Brad’s got 30 Dire Avengers and 15 Windriders to pump anything that moves full of enough shuriken fire to kill it dead.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

What’s interesting about Brad’s list is that he’s chosen to forego guardians entirely, opting for Corsair Voidreavers as his Troops in one detachment, and supplementing them with two units of Voidscarred, including a Way Seeker.

Steven Crawley – 2nd Place

Tyranids

Steven's List - click to expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [73 PL, 1,375pts, 10CP] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

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

+ No Force Org Slot +

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

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

+ HQ +

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Synaptic Tendrils
. 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, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Gargoyles [4 PL, 80pts]
. 10x Gargoyle: 10x Fleshborer

Tyranid Warriors [8 PL, 175pts]: Adrenal Glands
. Tyranid Warrior: Lash Whip and Bonesword, 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

+ Elites +

Maleceptor [9 PL, 170pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Smite, Power: The Horror

+ Flyer +

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

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

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids) [31 PL, 625pts, -4CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

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

+ HQ +

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

Tyranid Prime [5 PL, 90pts]: Adrenal Glands, Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 255pts]: Adrenal Glands
. Tyranid Warrior: Lash Whip and Bonesword, 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 +

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

++ Total: [104 PL, 6CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – Leviathan with Harpies

Steven’s running a dual-Harpy Leviathan list similar to the one he ran at the Dallas Open a month ago.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

There isn’t a lot to say about this list, which brings the same top units other Leviathan lists do, opting to take a pair of the criminally undercosted Harpies to support a pair of large Warrior units, some gargoyles, a Maleceptor, and some Venomthropes and Zoanthropes.

Spotlight: Seth Oster’s T’au Empire

XV8 Crisis Battlesuit Team. Credit: Rockfish

T’au Empire

Seth's List - click to expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (T’au Empire) [60 PL, -1CP, 1,198pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Sept Choice: <Custom Sept>, Blocking Tactics, Play Their Part

+ No Force Org Slot [1 PL, 24pts] +

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

+ HQ [14 PL, -1CP, 260pts] +

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit [9 PL, -1CP, 175pts]: 6. Exemplar of the Mont’ka, Novasurge Plasma Rifle [1 PL, 20pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Plasma Rifle [15pts], Plasma Rifle [20pts], Stratagem: Promising Pupil [-1CP], Target Lock, The Be’gel Hunter’s Plate
. 2x Marker Drone [20pts]: 2x Markerlight

Ethereal [5 PL, 85pts]: 2. Sense of Stone, 4. Through Boldness, Victory, 6. Wisdom of the Guides, Honour Blade, Hover Drone [1 PL, 5pts], The Humble Stave, Warlord
. 2x Marker Drone [20pts]: 2x Markerlight

+ Troops [3 PL, 60pts] +

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

+ Elites [42 PL, 854pts] +

Crisis Battlesuits [21 PL, 427pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [60pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [60pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [60pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [60pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [60pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’vre [55pts]: Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Early Warning Override, Plasma Rifle [5pts], Plasma Rifle [10pts]
. 6x Shield Drone [72pts]: 6x Shield Generator

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [40 PL, 7CP, 801pts] ++

+ Configuration [10CP] +

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

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Sept Choice: <Custom Sept>, Blocking Tactics, Play Their Part

+ Stratagems [-2CP] +

Stratagem: Emergency Dispensation [-2CP]: 2x Additional Relics [-2CP]

+ No Force Org Slot [1 PL, 24pts] +

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

+ HQ [9 PL, -1CP, 200pts] +

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit [9 PL, -1CP, 200pts]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, Cyclic Ion Blaster [10pts], Cyclic Ion Blaster [20pts], Cyclic Ion Blaster [25pts], Iridium battlesuit [10pts], Solid-image Projection Unit, Stratagem: Promising Pupil [-1CP], T’au Flamer [5pts], Thermoneutronic Projector [1 PL, 20pts]
. 2x Marker Drone [20pts]: 2x Markerlight

+ Troops [3 PL, 60pts] +

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

+ Elites [21 PL, 397pts] +

Crisis Battlesuits [21 PL, 397pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [55pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Burst Cannon [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [55pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Burst Cannon [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [55pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Burst Cannon [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [55pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Burst Cannon [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui [55pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Burst Cannon [10pts], Plasma Rifle [5pts], Shield Generator [5pts]
. Crisis Shas’vre [50pts]: Burst Cannon [5pts], Burst Cannon [10pts], Early Warning Override, Plasma Rifle [5pts]
. 6x Shield Drone [72pts]: 6x Shield Generator

+ Fast Attack [6 PL, 120pts] +

Vespid Stingwings [3 PL, 60pts]
. 4x Vespid Stingwing [48pts]: 4x Neutron Blaster, 4x Stingwing Claws
. Vespid Strain Leader [12pts]: Neutron Blaster, Stingwing Claws

++ Total: [100 PL, 6CP, 1,999pts] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – T’au Custom ObSec

This is a new one, and it’s such a cool concept that I felt it was worth calling out and showing off. Because god dammit there are too many Leviathan lists and not enough lists doing legitimately innovative things with good armies. The key here is the Play Their Part custom Sept Tenet, which gives the Crisis Suits the ability to count as 3 models each when holding objectives and combos with Blocking Tactics to have them gain ObSec when they charge.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

If you watch this list on stream it immediately becomes obvious why it’s cool as hell – it’s got a ton of mobility and the ability for zipping around the table and the Crisis Suits being able to gain ObSec on the charge and count as 18 models means the list can basically pinball around the table, stealing objectives from opponents and winning the primary VP game. It’s a very cool list that creates a unique, aggressive play style. I absolutely love it.

You can watch this list do its thing on stream in game 3 of the Wargames Live stream here.

The Rest of the Best

Four other players finished with a single loss:

3rd – Joseph Gillespie – Tyranids – Leviathan running double Maleceptor and Pyrovores.
4th – Joe MacMillan – Tyranids – See the Showdown, above.
5th – Seth Oster – T’au Empire – See the Spotlight, above.

The Goonhammer Open UK

Hey, it’s our event! The Goonhammer Open UK was a smash success, with 96 players competing across 6 rounds in Nottingham. You can find the lists for the event in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – The Scouring

This one’s a bit of an odd one, because Mani Cheema got matched down in the final round, leaving Innes and David to play on the top table, though Mani’s scores were such that it was very unlikely he’d lose the event as long as he won his final game, owing to racking up three 100-point wins.

You can find a stream of this game from Hellstorm Wargaming here.

David's list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [104 PL, 10CP, 1,995pts] ++

+ 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: Synaptic Tendrils
. 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: Perfectly Adapted

+ Troops +

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: Smite, Power: The Horror, 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, 1,995pts] ++

vs.

Innes' list - click to expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Player: Innes “Encircle the Drain” Wilson
Team: Team Scotland

Factions Used: Tyranids
Army Points: 2000
Reinforcement Points: 0
Number of Units / Killpoints: 16

Pre Game Stratagems: Hive Predator x2, Rarefied Enhancements x2
Starting Command Points: 6

Warlord & Trait: Neurothrope – Synaptic Tendrils
Army Trait: Synaptic Imperatives

Secondary Objectives Information
No Prisoners: 86
To the Last Units: Tyrant Guard, Winged Hive Tyrant, Hive Tyrant
Titan Hunter: N/A
Bring it Down: 12
Assasination: 13
Abhor the Witch: 12
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
== Tyranids – Leviathan – Patrol = -3CP, [74PL, 1455pts] ==
Hive Fleet Adaptation: Synaptic Control

HQ: Neurothrope [5PL, 100pts] Psyker – Catalyst, Onslaught, Warlord – Synaptic Tendrils
HQ: Winged Hive Tyrant [11PL, 205pts] Monstrous Bonesword and Lash Whip, Adrenal Glands, Psyker – Onslaught, Paroxysm, Hive Predator – Adaptive Biology, Relic – The Reaper of Obliterax (-1CP)

TR: 3 Tyranid Warrior [4PL, 75pts] 3 Dual Bonesword, 3 Deathspitter
TR: 3 Tyranid Warrior [4PL, 75pts] 3 Dual Bonesword, 3 Deathspitter

NFO: 5 Tyrant Guard [15PL, 215pts] Adrenal Glands
NFO: 3 Zoanthrope [7PL, 150pts] Psyker – Psychic Scream

FA: The Parasite of Mortrex [4PL, 80pts] Hive Predator – Alien Cunning, Rarefied Enhancement – Gestation Sac (-2CP)

EL: Maleceptor [9PL, 170pts] Psyker – Neuroparasite, Psychic Scream

HS: Carnifex [8PL, 145pts] Heavy Venom Cannon, 2 Carnifex Crushing Claw, Enhanced Senses, Voracious Ammunition
HS: Carnifex [7PL, 130pts] Heavy Venom Cannon, 2 Carnifex Crushing Claw, Enhanced Senses

DT: Tyrannocyte [8PL, 110pts] 5 Deathspitter, Synaptic Enhancement

== Tyranids – Leviathan – Patrol = -3CP, [37PL, 545pts] ==
Hive Fleet Adaptation: Synaptic Control

HQ: Hive Tyrant [9PL, 195pts] Monstrous Bonesword and Lash Whip, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Psyker – Catalyst, Psychic Scream, Rarefied Enhancements – Maw Claws of Thyrax, Heavy Venom Cannon (-1CP)

EL: 3 Pyrovore [6PL, 90pts]
EL: 3 Pyrovore [6PL, 90pts]

TR: 10 Gargoyle [4PL, 80pts]

HS: 2 Biovore [6PL, 90pts]

Thoughts

Innes was in this game, so I dragged him back for one more Comp Innovations to ask him to write about the game. He wrote this in the third person, probably because he didn’t know I’d just plop his text in here. I’m going to leave it as-is because that’s funnier.

Innes: In a mission like The Scouring where the brawling is guaranteed to happen in the middle, a list like David’s has all the tools for success. The game is condensed into a very small space which allows for the Warriors 9s to make the most of their multi-phasal output. Innes’s list has a lot of tricks and tools for scoring, which can all offer some solace in the form of doing things like stealing primary and committing smaller chaff, but lacks the raw output of the datasheet strength David has on show. In a mirror match where the game is decided on surviving in the center, David’s speed with Harpies, and resilience with 9 man Warrior Squads means that his path to victory is fairly simple, crushing everything in the path from his deployment zone to the opponents. Innes’s path to victory is similar, but distinctly different in how many resources he has invested in tools like Gargoyles and the Parasite of Mortrex, and leveraging these will be key to getting his points scoring off the ground and shutting down David’s scoring.

Result

95-55 to David. David got second turn which forced Innes to expose his army to begin scoring, and with only minimal shooting to bring to bear, the damage output David expected to take from a turn 1 salvo is negligible. With the advantage in getting to start the trading a turn earlier, and hemming Innes in his deployment zone, David coast-to-coasted his army for a clean win.

Mani Cheema – 1st Place

Craftworlds Eldar

Mani's List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [45 PL, 835pts, 11CP] ++

+ Configuration +

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

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

Detachment Command Cost

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Seer Council [-1CP]

+ No Force Org Slot +

Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 70pts]
. Warlock Skyrunners: 4. Protect/Jinx, Seer Council (Warlocks Unit)
. . Warlock Skyrunner: Witchblade
. . Warlock Skyrunner: Witchblade

+ HQ +

Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 120pts]: 1. Fateful Divergence, 5. Focus Will, 5: Mark of the Incomparable Hunter, Warlord, Witchblade
. Kurnous’ Bow

Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 120pts]: 1. Guide, 2. Doom, Seer Council (Farseer), Witchblade

+ Troops +

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

+ Elites +

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

+ Fast Attack +

Vypers [3 PL, 40pts]
. Vyper w/ Scatter Laser

+ Dedicated Transport +

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

++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [65 PL, 1,161pts, -4CP] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Relics of the Shrines [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Baharroth [7 PL, 140pts]

+ Elites +

Dire Avengers [7 PL, 94pts]
. 6x Dire Avenger: 6x Avenger Shuriken Catapult, 6x Plasma Grenades
. Dire Avenger Exarch: Stand Firm, Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults

Howling Banshees [5 PL, 105pts]
. 4x Howling Banshee: 4x Banshee Blade, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Howling Banshee Exarch: Cronescream (Shrine Relic), Mirrorswords, Piercing Strikes

+ Fast Attack +

Shining Spears [6 PL, 120pts]
. 2x Shining Spear: 2x Laser Lance, 2x Twin Shuriken Catapult
. Shining Spear Exarch: Heartstrike, Khaine’s Lance (Shrine Relic), Paragon Sabre, Shuriken Cannon

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

Swooping Hawks [8 PL, 162pts]
. 8x Swooping Hawk: 8x Lasblaster
. Swooping Hawk Exarch: Lasblaster

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

++ Total: [110 PL, 7CP, 1,996pts] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – Hail of Doom

Mani’s running the other top competitive option in today’s meta, the Hail of Doom Asuryani. He’s maxing out on Dire Avengers and Windriders, plus he’s got a ton of Skyrunner characters to make sure he’s going as hard as possible on the shuriken guns angle. On top of that he has Baharroth and the Swooping Hawks to double up on frustrating bullshit to deal with.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Mani likes to build insane skew armies and really lean into a specific, potentially broken mechanic, and this list epitomizes that, pretty much going as hard as possible on non-Guardian shuriken weapons while leaving just enough room for the truly fucked machinations of Baharroth and his entourage, plus a unit of Banshees.

David Gaylard – 2nd Place

Tyranids

See Showdown

The Standout Features/Archetype – Double Harpy Leviathan

Oh hey this list again.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

This list has already shown up multiple times in this article, so it’s not really worth going into again here. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Innes Wilson – 3rd Place

Tyranids

See Showdown

The Standout Features/Archetype – Leviathan Goodstuff

Innes swaps out his Harpies for Carnifexes, a Tyrannocyte, and a lot of Pyrovores.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Innes tries fixing what ain’t broke, and ends up with third place for his trouble. If you haven’t played against them, let me tell you: Pyrovores are an incredibly annoying unit to go up against. They’re stupidly tough thanks to having 5 wounds with T5 and inexplicably a 3+ save, they’re impossible to charge, and they can put out stupid amounts of damage even at 18″ away. On more dense tables they’ll be in their element.

Ben Allen – 4th Place

Harlequins

Ben's List - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment (Aeldari – Harlequins) ++

Saedath Characterisation: Light: Blaze of Light

+ HQ [9 PL, 195pts] +

Troupe Master [4 PL, 90pts,]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Kiss [10pts], Plasma Grenades, Player of the Light, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God [-1CP], Warlord
. Cegorach’s Rose: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

Troupe Master [5 PL, 105pts]: Aeldari Power Sword [5pts], Fusion Pistol [5pts], Plasma Grenades, Veiled King [1 PL, 20pts]
. The Storied Sword: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

+ Troops [24 PL, 599pts] +

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

Troupe [4 PL, 90pts]
. Lead Player [23pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Kiss [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. Player [18pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades
. Player [18pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. Player [18pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol

Troupe [4 PL, 108pts]
. Lead Player [23pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Kiss [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. Player [23pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Embrace [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. Player [18pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. Player [18pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol

+ Dedicated Transport [24 PL, 570pts] +

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

++ Patrol Detachment (Aeldari – Harlequins) [29 PL, 635pts] ++

Saedath Characterisation: Light: Blaze of Light

+ HQ [5 PL, 105pts] +

Shadowseer [5 PL, 105pts]: 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), 5. Shards of Light (Witchfire), Hallucinogen Grenade Launcher, Miststave, Neuro Disruptor [5pts], Smite
. Suit of Hidden Knives: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

+ Troops [12 PL, 245pts] +

Troupe [4 PL, 65pts]
. Lead Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player [13pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol

+ Dedicated Transport [12 PL, 285pts] +

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

++ Total: [1999] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – Light Saedath

The fighty Harlequins. Not a lot of frills here, just a crapload of Troupes in transports.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

This is my nightmare. Just a bunch of piñatas filled with murderous clowns, ready to jump out and cut you up with swords. The only heavy weapons are fusion pistols, and the list is going to live or die on its ability to get into combat with you first and roll 4+ invulnerable saves when you try and strike back. Harlequins are still pretty good, it turns out.

The Rest of the Best

Five other players went 4-1 at the Goonhammer Open:

5th – Kye Grundy – T’au Empire – T’au Sept with Longstrike and Devilfish Breachers.
6th – Brian Seipp – T’au Empire – Farsight Enclaves with Kroot Hounds and Vespid for fast support.
7th – Matt Robertson – Tyranids – Kraken Tyranids running 8(!) Pyrovores, 15 Raveners, and two Parasites of Mortrex. It’s a very mobile list that makes best use of the Raveners being durable, nasty melee units.
8th – Nathan Roberts – Jormungandr Tyranids for a change, running heavy on a variety of big monsters with a Haruspex, Toxicrene, Tyrannofex, and Exocrine.
9th – Will Whitaker – T’au Sept with Longstrike, Aun’Va, and a Riptide for support.

I GT Andorra

This 5-round, 76-player event was held in Ordino, in central Andorra. Lists for the event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Unknown Mission

Roger's list - click to expand

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [49 PL, 8CP, 829pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ Stratagems +

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

+ HQ +

Ethereal [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: 2. Sense of Stone, 4. Through Boldness, Victory, 6. Wisdom of the Guides, Hover Drone, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, The Humble Stave
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

Longstrike [9 PL, 175pts]: 2x Accelerator Burst Cannon, Railgun, Seeker Missile

+ Troops +

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

+ Elites +

Crisis Battlesuits [21 PL, 340pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui: Airbursting Fragmentation Projector, Iridium battlesuit, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Airbursting Fragmentation Projector, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Airbursting Fragmentation Projector, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Airbursting Fragmentation Projector, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’vre: Airbursting Fragmentation Projector, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. 5x Shield Drone: 5x Shield Generator

Stealth Battlesuits [9 PL, 121pts]: Homing Beacon
. 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine
. 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

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (T’au Empire) [61 PL, -3CP, 1,020pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ No Force Org Slot +

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

+ HQ +

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit [9 PL, -1CP, 174pts]: 1. Precision of the Hunter, Onager Gauntlet, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, T’au Flamer, Thermoneutronic Projector
. 2x Shield Drone: 2x Shield Generator

+ Troops +

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

+ Elites +

Crisis Battlesuits [21 PL, 340pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Iridium battlesuit, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’vre: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. 5x Shield Drone: 5x Shield Generator

Crisis Battlesuits [22 PL, 350pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Velocity Tracker
. Crisis Shas’vre: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Iridium battlesuit, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Stimm Injectors, Velocity Tracker
. 5x Shield Drone: 5x Shield Generator

+ Fast Attack +

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

++ Supreme Command Detachment +2CP (T’au Empire) [8 PL, 2CP, 150pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [2CP]

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +

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

++ Total: [118 PL, 7CP, 1,999pts] ++

vs.

list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [94 PL, 2,000pts, 8CP] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Saedath Characterisation: Dark: Dark Deeds

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Shadowseer [5 PL, 100pts]: 1. Twilight Pathways (Blessing), 6. Webway Dance (Aura) (Blessing), Shuriken Pistol
. The Laughing God’s Eye

Troupe Master [5 PL, 105pts, -1CP]: 1: Favour of Cegorach, 2: Fractal Storm, Aeldari Power Sword, Fusion Pistol, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God, Veiled King, Warlord
. The Storied Sword

Troupe Master [5 PL, 110pts, -1CP]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Harlequin’s Kiss, Queen of Shards, Shuriken Pistol, Stratagem: Champion of the Aeldari
. Cegorach’s Rose

+ Troops +

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

Troupe [4 PL, 65pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Shuriken Pistol
. 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 [12 PL, 250pts]
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive

+ Dedicated Transport +

Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]

++ Total: [94 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

Ah cool, the first one of these I have to analyze and of course it’s the one without a known mission or stream of the game. This is really where it benefits the Tau to still be packing a unit of AFP Crisis suits, for sheer volume of fire. If you’re the T’au player, your goals are twofold: 1. Use plasma to crack open the Starweavers, and 2. Use the AFPs and CIBs to wipe out the clowns who get out. The Crisis suits can screen a bit with Kroot, and they can tank a little bit of Harlequin melee, but not very much, so they need to be careful about staying out of combat. This is a matchup that potentially favors the T’au player choosing Kauyon, in part because of the ability to fall back and shoot late and score additional hits along with the 3-unit redeploy may outweigh the benefits of re-rolling 1s to hit, but it’s a bit of a gamble.

For the Harlequins player, the goal is to smash into the T’au player early and often, relying on a pile of 2-damage shooting to make quick work of the battlesuits before they can dig in and just shoot the Harlequins off the table. It’s a matchup that heavily favors being the first to strike.

Result

The T’au win, 75-54. That’s good enough to win the game – and decisively – but that low score knocks Roger into second place on battle points – he needed at least a 90 to tie Manel Tulla.

Manel Tulla – 1st Place

Asuryani

++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [60 PL, 8CP, 1,170pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

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

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Relics of the Shrines [-1CP]

+ No Force Org Slot +

Seer Council (Unit) [2 PL, 40pts]
. Warlocks: 5. Quicken/Restrain
. . Warlock: Witchblade

+ HQ +

Farseer [5 PL, 90pts]: 1. Fateful Divergence, 1. Guide, Witchblade

Karandras [7 PL, 140pts]

+ Elites +

Dire Avengers [7 PL, 130pts]
. 9x Dire Avenger: 9x Avenger Shuriken Catapult, 9x Plasma Grenades
. Dire Avenger Exarch: Stand Firm, Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults

Striking Scorpions [5 PL, 110pts]
. 4x Striking Scorpion: 4x Mandiblasters, 4x Scorpion Chainsword, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Striking Scorpion Exarch: Biting Blade, Deadly Ambush

+ Fast Attack +

Swooping Hawks [8 PL, 180pts]
. 9x Swooping Hawk: 9x Lasblaster
. Swooping Hawk Exarch: Lasblaster, The Phoenix Plume (Shrine Relic)

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

Windriders [12 PL, 270pts]
. 9x Windrider – Shuriken Cannon: 9x Shuriken Cannon

Windriders [4 PL, 60pts]
. 3x Windrider – Twin Shuriken Catapults: 3x Twin Shuriken Catapult

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [42 PL, 830pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Craftworld Selection

Detachment Command Cost

+ No Force Org Slot +

Seer Council (Unit) [3 PL, 60pts]
. Warlock Skyrunners: 4. Protect/Jinx
. . Warlock Skyrunner: Witchblade

+ HQ +

Baharroth [7 PL, 140pts]

Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 120pts]: 2. Doom, 4. Executioner, 5: Mark of the Incomparable Hunter, Warlord, Witchblade
. Kurnous’ Bow

+ Troops +

Guardian Defenders [4 PL, 90pts]
. 10x Guardian Defender: 10x Plasma Grenades, 10x Shuriken Catapult

+ Elites +

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

Howling Banshees [5 PL, 105pts]
. 4x Howling Banshee: 4x Banshee Blade, 4x Shuriken Pistol
. Howling Banshee Exarch: Cronescream (Shrine Relic), Mirrorswords, Piercing Strikes

+ Fast Attack +

Shining Spears [6 PL, 130pts]
. 2x Shining Spear: 2x Laser Lance, 2x Twin Shuriken Catapult
. Shining Spear Exarch: Heartstrike, Shuriken Cannon, Star Lance

+ Heavy Support +

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

++ Total: [102 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – Hail of Doom

Another Hail of Doom list. This one has guardians and a War Walker in it, plus a couple of units of Vypers.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

It has more Vypers, I guess. Also there’s a War Walker in it.

Roger Boira – 2nd Place

T’au Empire

See Showdown

The Standout Features/Archetype – T’au Sept with Shadowsun

Roger’s list retains Airburst Fragmentation Projectors to take on more hordelike targets, and they’re also just really good against harlequins, where you need the volume of shots to push through damage.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Shadowsun with a bunch of Crisis Suits isn’t anything new. It’s interesting to see a unit of Vespid here, as it’s always cool to see the ways GW made the internal balance of the new T’au book good enough that almost every unit can get some play.

OuX – 4th Place

Imperial Knights

OuX's list - click to expand

++ Super-Heavy Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Imperial Knights) [108 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Chivalric Oath: Oath: Defend the Realm, Oath: Lay Low The Tyrants

Household Choice: Questor Mechanicus
. House Taranis

+ Lord of War +

Armiger Helverins [16 PL, -1CP, 310pts]
. Armiger Helverin: Knight Baron, Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber, Warlord Trait: Revered Knight
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber

Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 435pts]
. Armiger Warglaive: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Warglaive: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Warglaive: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber

Armiger Warglaives [16 PL, 295pts]
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Questor Cognis Heavy Stubber

Knight Crusader [28 PL, -1CP, 515pts]: Character (Knight Lance), Exalted Court: Forge Master, Heavy Stubber, Heirloom: Endless Fury, Revered Paragon, Thermal Cannon, Warlord, Warlord Trait (Taranis): Knight of Mars, Warlord Trait: Blessed by the Sacristans

Knight Errant [24 PL, -2CP, 445pts]: Exalted Court: Master of Vox, Heavy Stubber, Heirloom: Armour of the Sainted Ion, Heirlooms of the Household, Knight Baron, Reaper Chainsword, Warlord Trait: Ion Bulwark

++ Total: [108 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – House Taranis

With Imperial Knights being a relatively fresh release, it’s worth digging into a successful list from the new book. This list opts for a pair of big knights – a Crusader and an Errant – flanked by 5 Warglaives and a pair of Helverins. Helverins may be the game’s best backfield objective holders at the moment, and so maxing out at two of them makes sense with the Warglaives able to flank the larger knights at midtable. This isn’t terribly different from what Jack Harpster was suggesting last week, trading out the Gallant for more Warglaives that offer more speed and versatility.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The new knights book has some real chops, and we’re seeing a lot of loyalist and chaos lists that go heavy on armigers as a way to give the army a ton more flexibility and speed on the table.

The Rest of the Best

Eleven other players finished 4-1 so we’ll just focus on the top 8 here.

3rd – Paco Chamorro – Tyranids – Leviathan with two Harpies.
4th – OuX – Imperial Knights – See Above.
5th – Alejandro López – Blood Angels – Sanguinary Guard with Eradicators and a Redemptor.
6th – Sir Charles – Harlequins – Dark Saedath with Skyweavers.
7th – Gonzalo Raven – Harlequins – See the Showdown, above.
8th – Pablo Medina – Harlequins – Dark Saedath with a Solitaire.

The Storm of Silence 2022

This 5-round, 76-player event was held in Spokane, WA. Lists for the event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Unknown Mission

Zaak's list - click to expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [41 PL, 11CP, 900pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Saedath Characterisation: Dark: Dark Deeds

+ HQ +

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

Troupe Master [5 PL, -1CP, 110pts]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Harlequin’s Kiss, Player of the Dark, Queen of Shards, Shuriken Pistol, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God, Warlord
. Cegorach’s Rose

+ Troops +

Troupe [4 PL, 85pts]
. 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

+ 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

+ Dedicated Transport +

Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [59 PL, -2CP, 1,100pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

+ No Force Org Slot +

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

+ HQ +

Baharroth [7 PL, 140pts]

Farseer [5 PL, 90pts]: 1. Guide, 2. Doom, Witchblade

+ Troops +

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

+ Elites +

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

+ Fast Attack +

Shining Spears [6 PL, 120pts]
. 2x Shining Spear: 2x Laser Lance, 2x Twin Shuriken Catapult
. Shining Spear Exarch: Heartstrike, Paragon Sabre, Shuriken Cannon

Windriders [12 PL, 270pts]
. 9x Windrider – Shuriken Cannon: 9x Shuriken Cannon

+ Heavy Support +

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

++ Total: [100 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

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

vs.

Matt's list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [109 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

+ HQ +

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

Tyranid Prime [5 PL, 85pts]: Two Scything Talons, Venom Cannon, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance

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

+ Troops +

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

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 245pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
. 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: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

Tyranid Warriors [12 PL, 240pts]: Adrenal Glands
. 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: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

+ Elites +

Deathleaper [5 PL, 95pts]

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

Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 135pts]: Adrenal Glands
. 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: Psychic Scream, Power: Synaptic Lure, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Fast Attack +

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

+ Flyer +

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

+ Dedicated Transport +

Tyrannocyte [8 PL, 110pts]: 5x Deathspitter, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement

++ Total: [109 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

Another Hail of Doom vs. Tyranids showdown, this time with Matt Evans’ Hive Fleet Kraken running a single Harpy and a Tyrannocyte while loading up on Warriors as the army’s main fighting force, though there are some Pyrovores in there as well just to be super annoying. The goal for the hail list is to vomit damage at its opponent, though this time Zaak has traded a lot of the extras – Striking Scorpions and Howling Banshees – for a Detachment of Dark Harlequins with a unit of bikes. This gives the list slightly more punch, trading a bit of potentially overkill melee for a more versatile but equally fast and deadly obsec option, but does mean slightly less pure shuriken damage output. That’s bad news considering how many Tyranid Warriors he needs to chew through in this matchup. In a hilarious twist, the Tyranid Warriors are also uniquely suited to shoot through Harlequins, with the ability to get exploding 6s on their Devourers and re-rolls to wound of 1. Yeah it’s S4 AP0 shooting but that’s actually perfect for making quick work of 4++ invuln goobers.

Result

The Tyranids take this one, 99-81, cementing Matt’s position at the top of the event.

Matt Evans – 1st Place

Tyrands

See the Showdown, above.

The Standout Features/Archetype – Kraken

Kraken goodstuff that goes heavy on warriors to give it a ton of bodies to chew through. There’s a little of everything in here, though it eschews a Malanthrope for lots of Pyrovores.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The list runs a Tyranid Prime, which isn’t super common – the Prime gives it access to the Guidemind Synaptic Imperative, which can be solid for upping the damage output on the Tyranid warriors start shooting their Devourers and getting re-rolls on wound rolls of 1.

Josh Bagwell – 2nd Place

Tyranids

Josh's List - click to expand

++ Spearhead Detachment -3CP (Tyranids) [49 PL, -3CP, 895pts] ++

+ Configuration [-3CP] +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Hive Fleet: Kronos

+ HQ [9 PL, 190pts] +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 190pts]: Adrenal Glands [15pts], Heavy Venom Cannon [15pts], Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Catalyst, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Smite, Power: Symbiostorm, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Warlord Trait: Heightened Senses

+ Heavy Support [40 PL, 705pts] +

Carnifexes [7 PL, 120pts]
. . Carnifex [7 PL, 120pts]: Enhanced Senses [10pts], Heavy Venom Cannon [10pts], Two Carnifex Scything Talons

Exocrine [9 PL, 170pts]

Tyrannofex [10 PL, 175pts]: Acid Spray [5pts]

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [60 PL, 9CP, 1,105pts] ++

+ Configuration [12CP] +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Kronos

+ Stratagems [-3CP] +

Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait [-1CP]

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

+ HQ [14 PL, 290pts] +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 190pts]: Adrenal Glands [15pts], Heavy Venom Cannon [15pts], Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Onslaught, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Smite, Power: Symbiostorm, Relic: Shardgullet, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Smite, Power: Symbiostorm, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Synaptic Tendrils

+ Troops [4 PL, 75pts] +

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 75pts]
. . Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Devourer, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. . Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Devourer, Lash Whip and Bonesword
. . Tyranid Warrior [25pts]: Devourer, Lash Whip and Bonesword

+ Elites [12 PL, 255pts] +

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

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Smite, Power: Symbiostorm, Power: The Horror, 3x Zoanthrope [150pts]

+ Heavy Support [22 PL, 375pts] +

Tyrannofex [12 PL, 200pts]: Acid Spray [5pts], Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis [2 PL, 25pts]

Tyrannofex [10 PL, 175pts]: Acid Spray [5pts]

+ Dedicated Transport [8 PL, 110pts] +

Tyrannocyte [8 PL, 110pts]: 5x Deathspitter, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement [1 PL, 10pts]

The Standout Features/Archetype – Kronos Shooting

Josh’s list goes heavy on shooting threats, with tons of Heavy Venom Cannons, an Exocrine, a trio of Tyrannofexes, and a Tyrannocyte to max out its shooting capabilities and make the most of that +4″ range and improved AP at half range from Kronos.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

It’s certainly a departure from what we normally see, taking advantage of the fact that Tyranids have surprisingly good shooting for an army that seems like they should be more melee-focused.

Zachary Bryant – 7th Place

Death Guard

Zachary's List - Click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Death Guard) [79 PL, 4CP, 1,510pts] ++

+ Configuration [9CP] +

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

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Plague Company: Mortarion’s Anvil

+ Stratagems [-1CP] +

Gifts of Decay [-1CP]: Additional Relics [-1CP]

+ HQ [15 PL, -1CP, 280pts] +

Death Guard Daemon Prince [10 PL, -1CP, 185pts]: 3. Hulking Physique, 5. Curse of the Leper, Foetid Wings [2 PL, 35pts], Hellforged sword [10pts], Malefic talons, Plaguechosen [-1CP], Smite, Warp Insect Hive

Malignant Plaguecaster [5 PL, 95pts]: 2. Gift of Contagion, 4. Putrescent Vitality, Blight grenades, Bolt pistol, Corrupted staff, Krak grenades, Smite

+ Troops [12 PL, 210pts] +

Death Guard Cultists [3 PL, 50pts]
. Death Guard Cultist Champion [5pts]: Autogun
. 9x Death Guard Cultist w/ Autogun [45pts]: 9x Autogun

Plague Marines [6 PL, 110pts]
. Plague Champion [26pts]: Blight grenades, Krak grenades, Plague knife, Plasma pistol [5pts]
. 4x Plague Marine w/ boltgun [84pts]: 4x Blight grenades, 4x Boltgun, 4x Krak grenades, 4x Plague knife

+ Elites [38 PL, -3CP, 750pts] +

Chaos Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -1CP, 195pts]: Hellforged cyclone missile launcher [25pts], 2x Twin volkite culverin [30pts]

Deathshroud Terminators [18 PL, -1CP, 290pts]
. Deathshroud Champion [-1CP, 70pts]: Champion of Disease [-1CP], Chimes of contagion [15pts], Manreaper, Plague Skull of Glothila, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
. 4x Deathshroud Terminator [220pts]: 4x Manreaper, 4x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Tallyman [4 PL, 70pts]: Blight grenades, Krak grenades, Plasma pistol, Tollkeeper

+ Fast Attack [14 PL, 270pts] +

Foetid Bloat-drone [7 PL, 135pts]: Fleshmower [5pts], Plague probe

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Chaos – Death Guard) [25 PL, 3CP, 490pts] ++

+ Configuration [3CP] +

Detachment Command Cost [3CP]

Plague Company: Mortarion’s Anvil

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander [25 PL, 490pts] +

Mortarion [25 PL, 490pts]: 1. Miasma of Pestilence, 5. Curse of the Leper, 6. Gift of Plagues, Attendant’s claws and teeth, Phosphex bombs, Silence, Smite, The Droning, The Lantern, Warlord

++ Total: [104 PL, 7CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – Mortarion’s Anvil with Mortarion

Hell Yeah, brother. Zachary’s list blows past all these boring Tyranid and Eldar lists by being a contending (though not a TiWP, sadly) Death Guard list in May 2022. And by doing it with Mortarion of all things. Many of you looked at the new Chaos Knights book and said “hm what about a knight?” Zachary just scoffs at your foolishness, saying “I’ve got all the knight I need right here.”

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The most interesting part of this list is that it goes really light on the one unit you’d expect to be the core of the list – there are only 5 Deathshroud Terminators here, capable of backing up a Daemon Prince, but clearly not acting as the core of the list. Instead, Mortarion is helped by a pair of Fleshmowers and a pair of Volkite Contemptors, which here are babysat by the Tallyman and his Tollkeeper relic. Mortarion and the Fleshmowers are as fast as the Death Guard get without seeking outside help, and in a post-AoC world (and potentially a meta that’s light on T’au), Mortarion can be a really nasty threat. Zachary’s road to 4-1 was no picnic either – he beat Tyranids round 1, Argent Shroud Sisters round 2, and T’au with Broadsides round 3 before falling to Josh’s Tyranids in round 4.

The Rest of the Best

A bunch of other players finished 4-1 so again we’ll just focus on the top 8 here.

3rd – Vincent Weibert – Tyranids – Kraken goodstuff with lots of Raveners.
4th – Marshall Reeves – Adeptus Custodes – Emperor’s Chosen with a single Telemon and Galatus. Custodes still have some real play and Marshall earned a TiWP for this one.
5th – Zaak Kerstetter – Asuryani – See the showdown, above.
6th – Ben Neal – T’au Empire – T’au Sept with a Stormsurge.
7th – Zachary Bryant – Death Guard – See bove.
8th – Alex MacDougal – Tyranids – Kraken Goodstuff with lots of Raveners.

Midwest Conquest GT 2022

This 5-round, 51-player event was held in Independence, Missouri. Lists for the event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Death & Zeal

You can find the stream of this game on the Heroic Morale 40k Twitch channel, here.

Luke's list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Thousand Sons) [96 PL, 10CP, 14 Cabal Points, 1,997pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Cults of the Legion: Cult of Duplicity

Detachment Command Cost

+ HQ +

Ahriman [9 PL, 3 Cabal Points, 180pts]: 11. Tzeentch’s Firestorm, 21. Temporal Manipulation, 31. Cacodaemonic Curse, Black Staff of Ahriman, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Smite
. Disc of Tzeentch: Disc blades

Infernal Master [5 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 90pts]: 21. Presage, 5. Glimpse of Eternity, 6. Malefic Maelstrom, Egleighen’s Orrery, Force stave, Frag & Krak grenades, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Master Misinformator, Smite, Warlord

+ Troops +

Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 125pts]: Icon of Flame
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 33. Desecration of Worlds, Force stave, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Smite
. 3x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 3x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon: Soulreaper cannon

Rubric Marines [6 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 125pts]: Icon of Flame
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 12. Glamour of Tzeentch, Force stave, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Smite
. 3x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 3x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon: Soulreaper cannon

Tzaangors [4 PL, 70pts]
. Twistbray: Tzaangor blades
. 9x Tzaangor w/ Tzaangor blades: 9x Tzaangor blades

+ Elites +

Chaos Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -1CP, 170pts]: 2x Twin volkite culverin

Scarab Occult Terminators [20 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 420pts]: Hellfyre missile rack
. Scarab Occult Sorcerer: 23. Temporal Surge, Force stave, Inferno combi-bolter, Smite
. 7x Terminator: 7x Inferno combi-bolter, 7x Prosperine khopesh
. Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Prosperine khopesh, Soulreaper cannon
. Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Prosperine khopesh, Soulreaper cannon

Scarab Occult Terminators [10 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 215pts]: Hellfyre missile rack
. Scarab Occult Sorcerer: 22. Weaver of Fates, Force stave, Inferno combi-bolter, Smite
. 3x Terminator: 3x Inferno combi-bolter, 3x Prosperine khopesh
. Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Prosperine khopesh, Soulreaper cannon

Scarab Occult Terminators [10 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 215pts]: Hellfyre missile rack
. Scarab Occult Sorcerer: Force stave, Inferno combi-bolter, Smite
. 3x Terminator: 3x Inferno combi-bolter, 3x Prosperine khopesh
. Terminator w/ Heavy Weapon: Prosperine khopesh, Soulreaper cannon

+ Fast Attack +

Chaos Spawn [4 PL, 92pts]
. 4x Chaos Spawn: 4x Hideous mutations

++ Total: [96 PL, 10CP, 14 Cabal Points, 1,997pts] ++

vs.

Calvin's list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [101 PL, 8CP, 1,880pts] ++

+ Configuration +

[Reference] Biomorphologies
. Feed: Exoskeletal Stabilisation, Relentless Hunger, Stabilising Membranes, Unstoppable Swarm, Wreathed in the Shadow
. Hunt: Adrenalised Onslaught, Ambush Predators, Augmented Ferocity, Heightened Reflexes, Synaptic Goading

[Reference] Discipline: Hive Mind

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

Detachment Command Cost

Gametype: Matched

Hive Fleet: Kraken

+ Stratagems +

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

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

+ No Force Org Slot +

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: Synaptic Tendrils
. Relic: Resonance Barb: Power: Paroxysm

Tervigon [11 PL, 215pts]: Massive Scything Talons, Power: Onslaught, Relic: Chameleonic Mutation, Warlord Trait: One Step Ahead

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

+ Troops +

Termagants [8 PL, 140pts]: Fleshborer, 20x Termagant

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

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

+ Elites +

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

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

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

+ Fast Attack +

Raveners [8 PL, 150pts]
. 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

+ Heavy Support +

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

++ Fortification Network 0CP (Tyranids) [8 PL, 120pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost: Command Benefit

Hive Fleet: Kraken

+ Fortification +

Sporocyst [8 PL, 120pts]: 5x Deathspitter, Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis

++ Total: [109 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

Finally, a matchup I can relate to – struggling against Tyranids with Thousand Sons. Death and Zeal isn’t an ideal matchup for the Sons here, who really don’t want to be in melee with most of the Tyranid swarm and want to stay out of Shadow of the Warp range and Maleceptor mortal wound spam early. This is all made more difficult by the fact that the mission puts the deployment zones only 18″ apart and pushes both teams to the middle of the table. Luke’s list makes a few interesting decisions, opting for 10/5/5 Scarabs instead of the two 10-model blocks and going with Contemptors over the more contemporary option of a dreadblade full of Huntsmen. In the long run that likely hurts him, as the Huntsmen may be more consistent and able to handle threats at a longer range.

The biggest challenge for Luke is that there aren’t many good secondary options on this misison and map – Wrath of Magnus is generally a bad idea against Tyranids running a Maleceptor (and flush with deny attempts), though with two units of 20 Termagants here it is much more of an option than it would normally be against Leviathan lists, but a few bad casts can ruin that quickly, especially if Calvin can hide those units. That may be the best of some bad options however, as Mutate Landscape isn’t good against those same deny attempts and on a map with only 5 objectives.

Result

The Tyranids win, 88-52. Calvin was able to dump out a ton of mortal wounds early on to keep Luke off Wrath, while the Terminators weren’t able to hold off a winged hive tyrant in the middle of the table. Ultimately Tyranids are too good an army, point-for-point, to go up against sporting the likes of placeholder units like Tzaangors. Calvin ends up taking 2nd, thanks to being 1 battle point behind Jaosn Merten.

Jason Merten – 1st Place

Tyranids

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

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Gametype: Matched

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-2CP]: 2x 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: Synaptic Tendrils

Tervigon [11 PL, 225pts]: Adrenal Glands, Massive Scything Talons, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Paroxysm, Relic: The Maw-claws of Thyrax, Warlord Trait: Heightened Senses

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: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Gargoyles [4 PL, 80pts]
. 10x Gargoyle: 10x Fleshborer

Termagants [12 PL, 210pts]: Fleshborer, 30x Termagant

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: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite

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

+ Heavy Support +

Carnifexes [22 PL, 415pts]
. Carnifex: Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement, Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Carnifex Crushing Claws
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Two Carnifex Crushing Claws
. Carnifex: Adrenal Glands, Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Two Carnifex Scything Talons

+ Flyer +

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

+ Dedicated Transport +

Tyrannocyte [7 PL, 100pts]: 5x Deathspitter

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

The Standout Features/Archetype – Leviathan Goodstuff

A single harpy, Maleceptor, Tyrannocyte, and a trio of Carnifexes round out the big units here.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

It’s got a Tervigon. Those only show up in some Tyranid lists, I think?

Calvin Smith – 2nd Place

Tyranids

See Showdown

The Standout Features/Archetype – Kraken Goodstuff

Another pile of the game’s better units, trading out a Harpy for lots of Raveners.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Ah wait, my bad – this one also has a Tervigon. This one has a Sporocyst, though.

BamBam Hunter – 3rd Place

Space Wolves

BamBam's list - click to expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Space Wolves) [50 PL, 11CP, 920pts] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Born Heroes , Custom Chapter, Space Wolves Successor, Whirlwind of Rage

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

Detachment Command Cost

+ HQ +

Primaris Chaplain on Bike [8 PL, -1CP, 150pts]: 4. Mantra of Strength, 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Benediction of Fury, Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Hunter, Stratagem: Warrior of Legend, The Imperium’s Sword, Warlord

+ Troops +

Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 120pts]
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant

+ Elites +

Bladeguard Veteran Squad [10 PL, 175pts]
. 4x Bladeguard Veteran: 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol, 4x Master-crafted power sword, 4x Storm Shield
. Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant: Heavy Bolt Pistol

+ Fast Attack +

Cyberwolves [1 PL, 15pts]: Cyberwolf

+ Heavy Support +

Eradicator Squad [7 PL, 135pts]: Melta rifle
. 2x Eradicator: 2x Bolt pistol
. Eradicator Sgt

++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Space Wolves) [46 PL, -6CP, 1,080pts] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Born Heroes , Custom Chapter, Space Wolves Successor, Whirlwind of Rage

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ Stratagems +

A Trophy Bestowed [-1CP]

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

+ HQ +

Chapter Master [8 PL, -1CP, 175pts]: Beastslayer, Chapter Command: Chapter Master, Combi-melta, Jump Pack, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, The Armour of Russ, Thunder hammer

Librarian in Phobos Armour [6 PL, 125pts]: 2. Murderous Hurricane, 4. Instincts Awoken, 5. Storm Caller, Chapter Command: Chief Librarian

+ Elites +

Wolf Guard [7 PL, 177pts]: Jump Pack
. Wolf Guard: Storm shield, Thunder hammer
. Wolf Guard: Storm shield, Thunder hammer
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard Pack Leader: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

Wolf Guard [7 PL, 168pts]: Jump Pack
. Wolf Guard: Storm shield, Thunder hammer
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard Pack Leader: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

Wulfen [6 PL, 145pts]
. Wulfen Pack Leader: Wulfen Frost claws
. 4x Wulfen w/ thunder hammer & storm shield: 4x Storm Shield, 4x Thunder Hammer

++ Total: [96 PL, 5CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – Wulfen

Wulfen make JONK irrationally angry just as like, a concept, so any time I see a list do well with them I like to point them out to him and showcase them. Also Space Wolves capturing third at an event and finishing 4-1 is worth talking about.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Bam doesn’t quite score the coveted TiWP for the Wolves, but he does go home 4-1, a rare and impressive feat for Space Wolves in this meta. Bam’s running 3 units of Wulfen here, which is just rad as hell, plus he’s showing off the fact that there’s still a place for Storm Shields with his Wolf Guard. There’s a ton of melee in this army, which also runs 10 Bladeguard Veterans, and it’s supported by a pair of Eradicator units.

Brett Perkins – 4th Place

Genestealer Cults

Brett's list - click to expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids – Genestealer Cults) [95 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Cult Creed: The Pauper Princes

Detachment Command Cost

+ Stratagems +

Gene-sire’s Gifts [-2CP]: 2x Extra Relic

+ HQ +

Magus [4 PL, 80pts]: Power: Last Gasp, Power: Might From Beyond, Power: Psychic Stimulus

Primus [4 PL, 80pts]: Relic: Reliquary of Saint Tenndarc, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Alien Majesty

+ Troops +

Neophyte Hybrids [9 PL, 180pts]: Proficient Planning: Lying in Wait
. Genomic Enhancement (Alchemist Supreme): Enhanced Resilience
. 4x Neophyte Hybrid (Flamer): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Flamer, 4x Frag Grenades
. Neophyte Hybrid (Icon): Cult Icon, Cult Shotgun
. 14x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun): 14x Autopistol, 14x Blasting Charges, 14x Cult Shotgun, 14x Frag Grenades
. Neophyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Shotgun

Neophyte Hybrids [8 PL, 180pts]
. Neophyte Hybrid (Icon): Cult Icon, Cult Shotgun
. 14x Neophyte Hybrid (Shotgun): 14x Autopistol, 14x Blasting Charges, 14x Cult Shotgun, 14x Frag Grenades
. 4x Neophyte Hybrid (Webber): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Webber
. Neophyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Shotgun

Neophyte Hybrids [8 PL, 200pts]
. 14x Neophyte Hybrid: 14x Autogun, 14x Autopistol, 14x Blasting Charges, 14x Frag Grenades
. Neophyte Hybrid (Icon): Autogun, Cult Icon
. 4x Neophyte Hybrid (Seismic): 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Frag Grenades, 4x Seismic Cannon
. Neophyte Leader: Autogun, Autopistol

+ Elites +

Aberrants [16 PL, 315pts]: Proficient Planning: A Trap Sprung
. 9x Aberrant: 9x Heavy Power Weapon
. Aberrant Hypermorph: Heavy Power Weapon

Biophagus [3 PL, 65pts]: Alchemicus Familiar, Proficient Planning: Alchemist Supreme

Clamavus [3 PL, 50pts]: Relic: Oppressor’s Bane

Nexos [3 PL, 50pts]: Relic: Cranial Inlay

Purestrain Genestealers [8 PL, 150pts]: Proficient Planning: They Came From Below
. 10x Purestrain Genestealer: 10x Cult Claws and Talons

+ Fast Attack +

Achilles Ridgerunners [13 PL, 250pts]: Proficient Planning: From Every Angle
. Achilles Ridgerunner: Flare Launcher, Heavy Mining Laser
. Achilles Ridgerunner: Heavy Mining Laser, Survey Augur
. Achilles Ridgerunner: Heavy Mining Laser, Survey Augur

++ Total: [95 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features/Archetype – Pauper Princes

Hey, it’s Genestealer Cults! Remember them? They had a codex come out in February 2022 also! It was real, I saw it. It was even pretty solid there until Tau/Eldar/Tyranids came out.

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

We don’t see many Genestealer Cult lists make good showings these days, and so Brett deserves a commendation for getting this far. Brett’s running a trio of Ridgerunners, a 10-model unit of Aberrants that can pack a nasty punch, and a 10-model unit of Purestrains to do the same.

The Rest of the Best

Here’s the rest of the top 8, who also finished 4-1:

5th – Tedd Williamson – Necrons – Triple C’Tan running the Void Dragon, Nightbringer, and a Transcendent along with some Flayed Ones.
6th – Luke Peacock – Thousand Sons – See the Showdown, above.
7th – Duncan Ensminger – Asuryani – Hail of Doom eldar with some big Guardian blobs.
8th – Joe Guzowski – Death Guard – Inexorable running 10 Blightlords, and 2 10-model units of plague marines, with one in a Land Raider of all things. Also, there’s a Predator Annihilator. What year is it?

Tomorrow: The Rest of the GTs

Well, that’s it for today. I certainly got tired of writing up “Hail of Doom” and “Tyranid/Kraken goodstuff,” though there were a few interesting and fun surprises with Death Guard, Blood Angels, and Space Wolves. Tomorrow I’ll offer a few stat thoughts on the meta and run through the rest of the events pretty quickly.

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

Competitive Innovations in 9th – Part 1: The Tyranid Was Still in Effect

There Is Too Much Warhammer

The Frontline Gaming Bay Area Open

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts

Thoughts

Result

Jesse Sell – 1st Place

Adepta Sororitas

The Standout Features/Archetype – Bloody Rose

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Michael Costello – 2nd Place

Hive Fleet Hydra

The Standout Features/Archetype – Hive Fleet Hydra Swarm

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Stephen Box – 3rd Place

Blood Angels

The Standout Features/Archetype – Lots of Sanguinary Guard

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Rest of the Best

Rocky Top Rumble

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Conversion

Thoughts

Result

Brad Chester – 1st Place

Craftworlds Eldar

The Standout Features/Archetype – Hail of Doom

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Steven Crawley – 2nd Place

Tyranids

The Standout Features/Archetype – Leviathan with Harpies

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Spotlight: Seth Oster’s T’au Empire

T’au Empire

The Standout Features/Archetype – T’au Custom ObSec

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Rest of the Best

The Goonhammer Open UK

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – The Scouring

Thoughts

Result

Mani Cheema – 1st Place

Craftworlds Eldar

The Standout Features/Archetype – Hail of Doom

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

David Gaylard – 2nd Place

Tyranids

The Standout Features/Archetype – Double Harpy Leviathan

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Innes Wilson – 3rd Place

Tyranids

The Standout Features/Archetype – Leviathan Goodstuff

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Ben Allen – 4th Place

Harlequins

The Standout Features/Archetype – Light Saedath

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Rest of the Best

I GT Andorra

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Unknown Mission

Thoughts

Result

Manel Tulla – 1st Place

Asuryani

The Standout Features/Archetype – Hail of Doom

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Roger Boira – 2nd Place

T’au Empire

The Standout Features/Archetype – T’au Sept with Shadowsun

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

OuX – 4th Place

Imperial Knights

The Standout Features/Archetype – House Taranis

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

The Rest of the Best

The Storm of Silence 2022

The Showdown