Look – there’s a lot of warhammer this week, a lot of elves, and we all know that balance changes are coming in the not too distant future. With that in mind, no big long pre-amble from me, we’re just going jump straight in.
Today we’ll be covering:
- Goonhammer Open US 2023
- Salt Lake City Open 2023 (Supermajor)
- Roll for Damage 2023 (major)
- Grimdark 14
- Iberian Perrees Tournnament
- Bendigo Open
On Friday we’ll be looking at:
- Capital City Bloodbath (major)
- Gateway Open (major)
- The Pecking Order: Rise of Kings
- Trident Wargaming Circuit – Iron Within
- Power Behind the Throne
- TLM x Layton Midnight Melee GT
For this week’s showdown the Patrons have voted that we’re heading down under, and they’re going to be:
- Imperial Knights vs Tau at the Bendigo Open
- Necrons vs Drukhari at Power Behind the Throne
2023 US Goonhammer Open 40k GT
56-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Baltimore, MD United States on August 19 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Mathew Burgoon – Ynnari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit) Detachment: Battle Host Illic Nightspear [65pts] The Yncarne [270pts] Yvraine [100pts]: Warlord Death Jester [85pts]: Fate’s Messenger Farseer [90pts]: The Phoenix Gem, Witchblade + Infantry + Rangers [110pts] Shadow Spectres [80pts] Shadow Spectres [80pts] Warp Spiders [100pts] Warp Spiders [100pts] Warp Spiders [100pts] + Vehicle + Hornet [80pts]: 2x Bright Lance Hornet [80pts]: 2x Bright Lance Hornet [80pts]: 2x Bright Lance Ravager [95pts]: 3x Dark Lance Ravager [95pts]: 3x Dark Lance Ravager [95pts]: 3x Dark Lance War Walkers [95pts]: 2x Bright Lance War Walkers [95pts]: 2x Bright Lance War Walkers [95pts]: 2x Bright Lance ++ Total: [1,990pts] ++
++ Army Roster (Aeldari – Ynnari) [1,990pts] ++
. 10x Ranger: 10x Close Combat Weapon, 10x Ranger long rifle, 10x Shuriken Pistol
. 5x Shadow Spectre: 5x Prism Rifle
. 5x Shadow Spectre: 5x Prism Rifle
. 4x Warp Spider: 4x Deathspinner
. Warp Spider Exarch: 2x Deathspinner, Powerblades
. 4x Warp Spider: 4x Deathspinner
. Warp Spider Exarch: 2x Deathspinner, Powerblades
. 4x Warp Spider: 4x Deathspinner
. Warp Spider Exarch: 2x Deathspinner, Powerblades
Archetype
Ultimate Ynnari go-wide
Final Round Matchup
63 – 53 Victory against Ken Knox – Deathwatch.
Thoughts
Mathew has been on a tear with this build recently, and wins a coveted Goonhammer Champion’s Belt with a victory in Baltimore. Ynnari getting to add Ravagers to the mix means that they do go-wide shooting better than event the rest of the Aeldari, letting them utterly obliterate any large or elite targets, while Warp Spiders provide great objective and anti-horde play. It’s a lean, mean killing machine, and Mathew clearly knows just how to use it, big congratulations!
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Ken Knox – Deathwatch: Two big Proteus teams and a lot of small shooting threats to bring in from reserve, plus the mandatory full Desolation unit.
- 3rd – Shaun Reynolds – Deathwatch: Veterans and lots of Gravis, taking a larger unit each of Inceptors and Eradicators, plus the full Desolation unit.
- 4th – David Adelman – Ynnari: Go-wide shooting with Ynnari extras and a full unit of Wraithguard as an anchor.
- 5th – Tony Phillips – Adeptus Custodes: Two big Custodian units, two medium ones, each with a Character to lead the charge.
- 6th – Tyler Principio – Chaos Daemons: Monster mash with the Be’lakor, Bloodthirster, Bird, Shalaxi quad, plus Pink Horrors and lots of small board control units.
Salt Lake Open 2023 – 40K Championships
108-player, 7-round Major in Salt Lake City, UT US on August 18 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Ben Jurek – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (95 Points) Farseer (65 Points) Farseer Skyrunner (100 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (150 Points) Fire Prism (150 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Night Spinner (170 Points) Night Spinner (170 Points) Shadow Spectres (80 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points) Wraithknight (475 Points)
Tacoma (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Wraithknight + hulls
Final Round Matchup
97 – 52 Victory against Chase Chappell – Chaos Daemons.
Thoughts
Those are still some weird looking Orks Ben.
Cody Jiru – Ynnari – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Farseer (65 points) Illic Nightspear (65 points) Spiritseer (80 points) Yvraine (100 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Hornet (80 points) Hornet (80 points) Rangers (110 points) Support Weapons (105 points) Warp Spiders (100 points) Warp Spiders (100 points) Wraithguard (310 points) ALLIED UNITS Beastmaster (120 points) Beastmaster (120 points) Kabalite Warriors (120 points) Mandrakes (70 points) Raider (90 points) Ravager (95 points) Ravager (95 points) Ravager (95 points)
Eldar/Drukhari Mash Up (2000 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• Warlord
• 1x Kha-vir, the Sword of Sorrows
1x Storm of Whispers
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 10x Ranger
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Ranger long rifle
10x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon
• 1x Beastmaster
• 1x Agoniser
1x Splinter pods
• 1x Clawed Fiend
• 1x Clawed Fiend fists
• 2x Khymerae
• 2x Khymerae talons
• 3x Razorwing Flock
• 3x Razorwing feathers
• 1x Beastmaster
• 1x Agoniser
1x Splinter pods
• 1x Clawed Fiend
• 1x Clawed Fiend fists
• 2x Khymerae
• 2x Khymerae talons
• 3x Razorwing Flock
• 3x Razorwing feathers
• 1x Sybarite
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Phantasm grenade launcher
1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
• 1x Blaster
9x Close combat weapon
1x Dark lance
1x Shredder
1x Splinter cannon
5x Splinter rifle
• 1x Nightfiend
• 1x Baleblast
1x Glimmersteel blade
• 4x Mandrake
• 4x Baleblast
4x Glimmersteel blade
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Dark lance
• 1x Bladevanes
3x Dark lance
• 1x Bladevanes
3x Dark lance
• 1x Bladevanes
3x Dark lance
Archetype
Monstrous Ynnari
Thoughts
OK so it is an Aeldari list, but I don’t think anyone had Beastmasters on their bingo cards. I had vaguely looked at the number of wounds they give you in Drukhari with interest, but it turns out, of course, that it’s when you import them to Aeldari land that they really shine. Stick Fortune on them and they’re at least a modest pain to clear out, and in combination with the big Wraithguard unit they give you lots of wounds to gum up the board with while the many small shooting threats do their work. Scouts 9″ is also very significant on them, as it’s enough for them to comfortably sprint to a hiding place out the gate, at which point they’re then hard to prise out, and can bring the Yncarne over for the punish when the opponent does so. Aeldari/Ynnari players will not rest until literally every legal unit has featured in a top four army, well done Cody for pushing that onward.
Evan Stump – Aeldari – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) Death Jester (85 Points) Farseer Skyrunner (75 Points) Solitaire (115 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (150 Points) Fire Prism (150 Points) Fire Prism (150 Points) Shadow Spectres (80 Points) Shadow Spectres (80 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) Wraithknight (475 Points)
Brandon’s sruff (1995 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x Jester’s blade
1x Shrieker cannon
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Witchblade
• 1x Solitaire weapons
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Wraithknight + hulls
Thoughts
*extremely loud incorrect buzzer*
Aaaand we’re back. Solitaire stocks seem to be up a bit at the moment, which is worth keeping an eye on, but otherwise this is normal Aeldari service. Congratulations to Evan on taking the bronze medal.
Antonius Tolman – Adeptus Custodes – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Blade Champion (130 points) Shield-Captain (130 points) Trajann Valoris (145 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Caladius Grav-tank (215 points) Caladius Grav-tank (215 points) Custodian Wardens (300 points) Custodian Wardens (300 points) Custodian Wardens (300 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (115 points) Eversor Assassin (75 points) Exaction Squad (35 points) Exaction Squad (35 points)
It’s Dangerous to Go Alone! Here Take These Bananas
(1995 points)
Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Shield Host
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancement: Ceaseless Hunter
• 1x Guardian spear
• Enhancement: Inspirational Exemplar
• Warlord
• 1x Watcher’s Axe
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon
• 6x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla
• 6x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla
• 6x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
• 1x Executioner pistol
1x Power sword and neuro gauntlet
• 1x Proctor-Exactant
• 1x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Nuncio Aquila (Aura)
• 4x Exaction Vigilant
• 1x Arbites Medi-kit
2x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites grenade launcher
4x Arbites shotpistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Soulguilt Scanner
1x Webber
• 1x Proctor-Exactant
• 1x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Nuncio Aquila (Aura)
• 4x Exaction Vigilant
• 1x Arbites Medi-kit
2x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites grenade launcher
4x Arbites shotpistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Soulguilt Scanner
1x Webber
Archetype
Murderous Custodes
Thoughts
Talk about quality over quantity. Three full blocks of Wardens, two of the nastiest anti-tank platforms in the game, and even two Assassins in support. Very flexible, and unlikely to ever come up against something it doesn’t have some sort of plan into, allowing Antonius to take the coveted “highest-placing non-Aeldari” trophy, and also fourth place.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 6-1 or 5.5-1.5 records. They were:
- 5th – Grant Eklund – Aeldari: Double Wraithknight with Yncarne, Spectres and Spiders.
- 6th – Chase Chappell – Chaos Daemons: Monster mash with Shalaxi, Kairos, Be’lakor and a Big Bird, plus a Nurgle Daemon Prince with the Endless Gift as a cheaper fifth piece than the standard GUO.
- 7th – Nicolas Wenker – Chaos Daemons: Slightly fewer monsters (going with Be’lakor, Bloodthirster, Bird, Shalaxi) and more glue, fitting in a unit each of Pink Horrors and Plaguebearers for objective control.
- 8th – Derek Holder – Adeptus Custodes: Unusually hull-heavy Custodes, combining two Caladius tanks with the combo of a Grav Carrier and Sagittarum, providing strong shooting burst.
Roll For Damage 2023
78-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Fulham, SA AU on August 18 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Tyson Whitelaw – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) Autarch Wayleaper (95 Points) Farseer Skyrunner (75 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Hornet (80 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Night Spinner (170 Points) Night Spinner (170 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Shroud Runners (80 Points) Swooping Hawks (75 Points) Voidweaver (100 Points) Voidweaver (100 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) Wraithknight (475 Points)
Friendly Neighbourhood Knife Ears (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 3x Shroud Runner
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Ranger long rifle
3x Scatter laser
3x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 1x Heavy wraithcannon
1x Heavy wraithcannon
2x Starcannon
1x Titanic feet
Archetype
Wraithknight + Go Wide
Final Round Matchup
90 – 77 Victory against Chen Gao – Aeldari.
Thoughts
Ah yes “friendly” elves. To be fair, the build does have one interesting choice, which is going for a second Wayleaper (with Fate’s Messnger) as a Lone Operative instead of a Death Jester or Solitaire. That is in fact, pretty neat, to the point that now I’ve seen it I’m sort of wondering why it’s not being tried more, as the price is good. Much to consider, well done Tyson.
James Mann – Imperial Knights – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand +++ Canis Rex Makes You Eversor (Warhammer 40,000 10th Edition) +++ ++ Army Roster (Imperium – Imperial Knights) [2,000pts] ++ + Configuration + Detachment: Noble Lance + Epic Hero + Canis Rex [490pts]: Warlord + Character + Knight Crusader [510pts]: Ironstorm missile pod, Mysterious Guardian, Questoris heavy stubber, Thermal cannon Knight Crusader [505pts]: Banner of Macharius Triumphant, Ironstorm missile pod, Questoris heavy stubber Rapid-fire battlecannon and Questoris heavy stubber + Battleline + Armiger Warglaive [140pts]: Questoris heavy stubber Armiger Warglaive [140pts]: Questoris heavy stubber Armiger Warglaive [140pts]: Questoris heavy stubber + Allied Units + Eversor Assassin [75pts]
Archetype
High Threat Knights
Thoughts
That’s quite a trio of giant robots there, with two Crusaders unleashing withering firepower and Canis Rex being, well, Canis Rex. Worth highlighting that the list looks built to be a bit less static than some of the double Crusader lists – given the presence of Mysterious Guardian on one Crusader and the Banner on the other, it feels like the plan is not to try and maximise stationary shooting turn one, instead moving out to staging positions and then unleashing hell from there. Seems strong, and with Canis along for the ride can easily be overwhelming for opponents. A nice spin on normal plans overall, well done to James.
Bradley Mc – Adeptus Custodes – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Custodes1 (2000 Points) Adeptus Custodes CHARACTERS Blade Champion (130 Points) Shield-Captain (130 Points) Trajann Valoris (145 Points) BATTLELINE Custodian Guard (405 Points) Prosecutors (40 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Allarus Custodians (325 Points) Custodian Wardens (300 Points) Custodian Wardens (300 Points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (115 Points) Eversor Assassin (75 Points) Exaction Squad (35 Points)
Shield Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancements: Ceaseless Hunter
• 1x Guardian spear
• Enhancements: Inspirational Exemplar
• Warlord
• 1x Watcher’s Axe
• 9x Custodian Guard
• 7x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Sentinel blade
1x Vexilla
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
3x Close combat weapon
• 5x Allarus Custodian
• 5x Balistus grenade launcher
5x Guardian spear
• 6x Custodian Warden
• 6x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla
• 6x Custodian Warden
• 6x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
• 1x Executioner pistol
1x Power sword and neuro gauntlet
• 1x Proctor-Exactant
• 1x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Exaction Vigilant
• 1x Arbites Medi-kit
4x Arbites combat shotgun
4x Arbites shotpistol
4x Close combat weapon
Archetype
Infantry Custodes
Thoughts
Another strong showing for the Custodes here, building around a big central Custodian block that can have whichever of the three Characters the matchup demands attached to it, two Warden squads as secondary hammers, with a big Allarus unit as the final looming threat. Imperial Agents add a tonne of objective utility, and the end result is another powerful, flexible Custodes build, which Bradley managed an impressive 3-1 into Aeldari with over the weekend.
Sam Young – Aeldari – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Your fool, your Emperor can’t save you now. Your Golden Armour and Towering knights mean nothing, for this is the domain of Cegorach, and here you die. (1995 points) CHARACTER Autarch Wayleaper (80 points) Avatar of Khaine (295 points) Death Jester (85 points) Farseer (65 points) Solitaire (115 points) The Yncarne (270 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORT Starweaver (80 points) Starweaver (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Skyweavers (190 points) Skyweavers (190 points) Skyweavers (95 points) Troupe (75 points) Troupe (75 points) Voidweaver (100 points) Voidweaver (100 points) Voidweaver (100 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x The Wailing Doom
• 1x Jester’s blade
1x Shrieker cannon
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• 1x Solitaire weapons
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Skyweaver haywire cannon
4x Star bolas
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Skyweaver haywire cannon
4x Star bolas
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Skyweaver haywire cannon
2x Star bolas
• 1x Lead Player
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Player
• 2x Fusion pistol
4x Harlequin’s special weapon
2x Neuro disruptor
• 1x Lead Player
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Player
• 2x Fusion pistol
4x Harlequin’s special weapon
2x Neuro disruptor
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Prismatic cannon
2x Shuriken cannon
Archetype
Double Avatar Harlequins, give me strength.
Thoughts
Time for two callbacks to things earlier in the article. Firstly, this is the build that dealt Bradley his loss, making the army title extremely prophetic (as befits the Aeldari). Secondly, that thing about getting every single Aeldari unit into a top four list? Now it’s the turn of Skyweavers and Starweavers with Troupes in them. Skyweavers lost quite a bit of durability from 9th, but have a lot of ranged killing power you can leverage with all those Aeldari stratagems, and also provide a great place for the Yncarne to zap to. This list just throws hyper-mobile shooting all-round the board while the incarnation tag team provides an anchor, and showcases once again just how much there is still unexplored in the Aeldari index. Congratulations to Sam for doing something new and exciting.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Adam Napier – Aeldari: Wraithknight, Spiders, Spectres.
- 6th – Chris Boggiano – Adeptus Custodes: Custodes going for style points with a Land Raider alongside some of the usual toys.
- 7th – Jono Bishop – Deathwatch: Lots of Veterans, full Hellblaster and Desolation units, and some utility tools to fill.
- 8th – Michael Wood – Necrons: Double Doomsday, double crunchy brick, taking Lychguard with Orikan on one side and Warriors on the other.
- 9th – Chen Gao – Aeldari: Go-wide shooting plus a big unit of Wraithblades as a tarpit.
Grimdark 14: Indexhammer
54-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Stockholms län SE on August 19 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
This event used 20-0 scoring.
Axel Rydén – Aeldari – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (80 Points) The Yncarne (270 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Prism (150 Points) Fire Prism (150 Points) Fire Prism (150 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Hornet (80 Points) Night Spinner (170 Points) Night Spinner (170 Points) Support Weapons (105 Points) Support Weapons (105 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) War Walkers (95 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points) Warp Spiders (100 Points)
WTC Axel Rydén (1995 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Mandiblasters
1x Star glaive
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
Archetype
Pure Go-Wide
Final Round Matchup
17 – 3 Victory against Daniel Tercha – Chaos Knights.
Thoughts
OK, so you can’t go as wide as Ynnari, but nearly, and this list clearly wants to minimise the number of characters it’s spending points on, allowing for a truly eye-watering number of gun platforms. Please save us from this laser hell, GW.
Congratulations to Axel, commiserations to the Chaos Knight list that had to face this.
The Best of the Rest
There were 7 more players on 4-1 or better records. They were:
- 2nd (undefeated with a draw) – Bilbo Göransson – Genestealer Cult: Horde plus Aberrants, with the unusual extra threat of Kelermorphs snuck into some of the units.
- 3rd – Joel Larsson – Adeptus Custodes: Double Caladius plus four medium units of Infantry.
- 4th – Razvan Alexa – Aeldari: Maximum go-wide.
- 5th – Johan Nicolaisen – Imperial Knights: The uncomplicated but effective option of taking two Crusaders and Armigers to fill.
- 6th – Alexander Sjöberg – Thousand Sons: Magnus and the boys, going extra hard on Characters and packing some Daemons instead of buying a Scarab unit.
- 7th – Daniel Tercha – Chaos Knights: Loads of War Dogs and Shalaxi Helbane as a melee hammer. Interesting way to go with it, avoids opening up shootability, but ensures you have a really nasty murderous threat when the going gets tough.
- 8th – Jacob Holmström – Tyranids: A very out-there horde and shooting list with loads of Zoanthropes and three units of shockcannon Hive Guard.
Iberian Perretes Tournament
34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid ES on August 19 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Manel Tulla – Genestealer Cult – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Clamavus (40 points) Nexos (90 points) Nexos (50 points) Primus (85 points) Primus (70 points) Primus (70 points) Reductus Saboteur (55 points) Reductus Saboteur (55 points) BATTLELINE Acolyte Hybrids (150 points) Acolyte Hybrids (150 points) Acolyte Hybrids (150 points) Acolyte Hybrids (150 points) Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) Neophyte Hybrids (160 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Aberrants (330 points) Achilles Ridgerunners (75 points)
manelo culto (2000 points)
Genestealer Cults
Strike Force (2000 points)
Ascension Day
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancement: Meticulous Planner
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Warlord
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• Enhancement: Prowling Agitant
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charges
1x Remote explosives
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charges
1x Remote explosives
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Cult claws and knife
1x Hand flamer
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
9x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Cult claws and knife
1x Hand flamer
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
9x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Cult claws and knife
1x Hand flamer
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
9x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Cult claws and knife
1x Hand flamer
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
9x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
4x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
4x Seismic cannon
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
4x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
4x Seismic cannon
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
4x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
4x Seismic cannon
• 1x Aberrant Hypermorph
• 1x Heavy power weapon
1x Hypermorph tail
• 9x Aberrant
• 9x Heavy power weapon
• 1x Heavy mortar
1x Ridgerunner wheels
1x Spotter
1x Twin heavy stubber
Archetype
Horde and Aberrants
Final Round Matchup
90 – 70 Victory against OuX ™ – Imperial Knights.
Thoughts
Aeldari officially can’t (quite) win them all, with the Genestealer Cults taking a win in Spain. Manel’s build goes unusually hard on demo Acolytes, splurging on four squads rather than the usual two, and while that means the list has a little less staying power than some variants, it’ll have massively paid off in the Imperial Knights game at the end, so great choice!
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2th – Iker Rubio – Aeldari: Double Avatar Wraithknight.
- 3th – Keko Jones – Adeptus Custodes: Big Custodian core, plus Warden and Allarus units.
- 4th – OuX – Imperial Knights: Double Crusader and Armigers.
- 5th – Alfred Phobos – Adeptus Custodes: Massed infantry with four Characters.
- 6th – Loken Loker – Necrons: The ultimate crunch of double Lychguard with a Monolith in tow.
- 7th – Juan Manuel Galán Recio – Asuryani: Double Avatar Wraithknight.
Bendigo Open (BO)
34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Kangaroo Flat, VIC Australia on August 18 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Priority Targets – Chosen Battlefield – Dawn of War
Ian Pearce – T’au Empire: Big Crisis and Broadside units, lots of Commanders. CHARACTER Aun’va (65 points) Cadre Fireblade (50 points) Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (140 points) Commander in Crisis Battlesuit (130 points) Ethereal (50 points) BATTLELINE Breacher Team (115 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Broadside Battlesuits (330 points) Crisis Battlesuits (390 points) Ghostkeel Battlesuit (170 points) Ghostkeel Battlesuit (170 points) Kroot Hounds (30 points) Piranha (55 points) Stealth Battlesuits (75 points) Stealth Battlesuits (75 points) Stealth Battlesuits (75 points) Tetras (80 points)
Army List - Click to Expand
An actual list (2000 points)
T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kauyon
• 1x Aun’va
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Ethereal Guard
• 2x Supreme honour blade
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fireblade pulse rifle
2x Gun Drone
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Cyclic ion blaster
1x Gun Drone
1x High-output burst cannon
1x Marker Drone
• Enhancement: Exemplar of the Kauyon
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Cyclic ion blaster
3x Cyclic ion blaster
1x Gun Drone
1x Marker Drone
• Enhancement: Precision of the Patient Hunter
• 1x Gun Drone
1x Honour stave
1x Hover Drone
1x Shield Drone
• 1x Support turret missile system
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Guardian Drone
1x Gun Drone
1x Pulse blaster
1x Pulse pistol
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Pulse blaster
9x Pulse pistol
• 1x Broadside Shas’vre
• 1x Crushing bulk
1x Heavy rail rifle
2x Missile Drone
1x Seeker missile
1x Weapon Support System
• 2x Broadside Shas’ui
• 2x Crushing bulk
2x Heavy rail rifle
4x Missile Drone
2x Seeker missile
2x Weapon Support System
• 1x Crisis Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Shield Drone
1x Shield Generator
• 5x Crisis Shas’ui
• 5x Battlesuit fists
5x Cyclic ion blaster
10x Cyclic ion blaster
10x Shield Drone
5x Shield Generator
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Cyclic ion raker
1x Ghostkeel fists
1x Twin T’au flamer
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Cyclic ion raker
1x Ghostkeel fists
1x Twin burst cannon
• 4x Ripping fangs
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Piranha fusion blaster
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin pulse carbine
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Gun Drone
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Gun Drone
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Gun Drone
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
• 2x Close combat weapons
4x Pulse rifle
vs.
Hugh Titchener – Imperial Knights: Aggro-tastic Knights, using a Valiant, Gallant and lots of Warglaives. Noble Lance detachment Knight valiant two shieldbreaker missile launchers, twin siegebreaker cannons, 2x twin meltaguns, thundercoil harpoon, conflagration cannon, warlord 565pt Knight gallant stormspear rocket pod, meltagun, enhancement: unyielding paragon 440pt 6x armiger warglaives 840pt (6×140) Callidus assassin 115pt 1995pt
Army List - Click to Expand
Imperial Knights
Exaction squad with medpack 35pt
Thoughts
A fairly hilarious showdown here, with two extremely high damage builds squaring off across the table. The Knight list is gloriously uncomplicated – it wants to cross the board as quickly as possible then crush the enemy with flame and fist. Love that for it. The Tau list also packs some super nasty killing power, of course, with the Broadside and Crisis Teams both being exceptionally deadly, and supported by a healthy supply of board control chaff.
The mission is an interesting one, as the different aspects of it pull in very different directions. Priority Targets is great for the Tau here, as they absolutely do not want to be trying to contest the mid-board against the Knights. Being able to focus on clearing them out methodically then scoring end-game Primary is great news. On the flipside, player-placed objectives is very bad for them, as the Knights can focus on putting as many objectives, including those in deployment zones, in the open as possible. If they lose the objective or deployment rolloffs the Tau risk being overly exposed to incoming firepower, which can make life very difficult for them, as they can’t really afford to be losing Broadsides.
This is one of those games where I’ve had some notes sent to me, and it looks like fate aligned pretty hard in the Knights’ direction – they won the pre-game rolls, forcing the Tau to try and contest a home objective in the open, and were able to quickly cross the board and clear chaff out while depleting the Broadsides. The Crisis Team coming in did wipe out the Valiant, but that was too little too late, and the Knights seized control of the table from there. Realistically, a lot was going to ride on the first turn roll here – both sides desperately want that extra turn of uncontested shooting/momentum (as applicable).
Result
Imperial Knights Victory – 100 – 55
Hugh Titchener – Imperial Knights – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Noble Lance detachment Knight valiant two shieldbreaker missile launchers, twin siegebreaker cannons, 2x twin meltaguns, thundercoil harpoon, conflagration cannon, warlord 565pt Knight gallant stormspear rocket pod, meltagun, enhancement: unyielding paragon 440pt 6x armiger warglaives 840pt (6×140) Callidus assassin 115pt 1995pt
Imperial Knights
Exaction squad with medpack 35pt
Archetype
Move fast and break things
Final Round Matchup
100 – 55 Victory against Ian Pearce – T’au Empire.
Thoughts
This army rules man. Just sound the charge and hit the enemy hard enough that you come out the other side with more limbs than they have. Definitely feels like a build that wants to lean on a well-timed Shoulder the Burden to try and create unstoppable momentum, especially on the already extra-durable Gallant. Great stuff from Hugh.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Michael Hamilton – Ultramarines: Guilliman Repulsor spam. What year is it again?
- 3rd – Ian Pearce – T’au Empire: Big unit each of Crisis and Broadsides, a pair of Ghostkeels and lots of Commanders.
- 4th – Michael Mcdonald – Aeldari: Wraithknight plus go-wide.
- 5th – Ben Ashton – Aeldari: Wraithknight plus Wraithguard.
- 6th – Pranas Kuprys – Astra Militarum: Big Krieg unit, mechanised Cadians, Manticores and Heavy Weapon Teams and a Baneblade (hell yeah big tank) to fill.
Wrap Up
Join us again on Friday for more elves, but also at least some more list that are not elves. The duality of the metagame. Also, Faction Focus service will be resuming shortly, we’ve been slightly short-handed due to the US GHO firing the past weekend, and final prep for the UK one coming up.
