The Adeptus Custodes are back in business this week, bringing joy to the hearts of anyone who loves gold and despair to anyone who hates playing against army-wide 4+ Invulnerable Saves. Please do not think too hard about whether this complaint is congruent with my love for C’tan. Don’t worry about it.

Sisters also go from strength-to-strength, Aeldari put up some strong finishes, there’s plenty of powerful Marine builds out there, and Necrons are landing in a surprisingly reasonable place despite some great toys, perhaps kept in their place by Custodes having strong game into many of their tools. It’s all happening, so let’s dig in.

Today I’ll be covering:

Kassel GT – Alpine Cup
The NORTHAMPTON 40k SUPER-MAJOR
The guild 2nd Gt
The 36 Chambers #3
Hydra GT 2024 I (February)
Kingston Nexus 40k Club Champs 2024

On Friday Lowest of Men will take on:

Battle To End Alzheimers 2024
Warhammer World 40,000 Grand Tournament
Renegades Open: Echoes Of War 6
Wizards Asylum GT
2nd Annual Blue Ridge Championship GT Hosted By Battle Company 540 & Sector Cville
Saffron Slam VIII

We have three Showdowns for you this week, two voted for by the Patrons, and one selected by my illustrious co-conspirator for reasons that will become obvious. These are:

Chaos Space Marines vs Orks at the Alpine Cup
Vanguard Spearhead Dark Angels vs Tau at the Vale Renegades
Skysplinter Drukhari vs Grey Knights at the Saffron Slam

Kassel GT – Alpine Cup

156-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Vellmar, HE, Germany on February 17 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Crucible of Battle – Purge the Foe – Chilling Rain

Jakub Jansa – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness): A new spin on the brawler plan, using Haarken with a full Raptor blob as an extra pressure piece and Nurgle tanks for extra fiewpower.
Army List - Click to Expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Player Name: Jakub “Rektex” Jansa
Team Name: Lions Prague
Factions Used: Chaos Daemons, Chaos space marines
Army Points: 2000
Army Enhancements (list on which model): Warpsmith- eye of tzeentch
Bring it Down: 15
Assassination: 20
Detachment Rule: Slaves to darkness-mark of chaos
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (95 Points)
• Warlord
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol

Chaos Lord (95 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol

Haarken Worldclaimer (90 Points)
• 1x Helspear
1x Herald’s Talon

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (90 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Chaos Familiar
1x Combi-bolter
1x Force weapon
1x Infernal Gaze

Warpsmith (110 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
• 1x Flamer tendril
1x Melta tendril
1x Plasma pistol
1x Warp hammer
• Enhancements: Eye of Tzeentch

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (55 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 6x Autopistol
6x Brutal assault weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Cultist grenade launcher
1x Flamer
1x Heavy stubber

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Predator Destructor (130 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Vindicator (190 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Havoc launcher

Chosen (130 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
• 3x Accursed weapon
3x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
2x Combi-weapon
1x Paired accursed weapons
1x Plasma pistol

Forgefiend (200 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Armoured limbs
2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon

Raptors (180 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Raptor Champion
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Raptor
• 5x Astartes chainsword
5x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Meltagun

Warp Talons (110 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
• 1x Warp Talon Champion
• 1x Warp claws
• 4x Warp Talon
• 4x Warp claws

ALLIED UNITS

Nurglings (40 Points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Nurglings (40 Points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
+++++++++++++++++++++++

vs.

Michael Geringer – Orks (Waaagh! Tribe): Ork Goodstuff with Ghaz and Meganobz at the forefront. Well, lagging behind probably, but you know what I mean.
Army List - Click to Expand

Michael Geringer (2000 points)

Orks
Strike Force (2000 points)
Waaagh! Tribe

CHARACTERS

Ghazghkull Thraka (235 points)
• 1x Ghazghkull Thraka
• Warlord
• 1x Gork’s Klaw
1x Mork’s Roar
• 1x Makari
• 1x Makari’s stabba

Kaptin Badrukk (80 points)
• 1x Choppa
1x Da Rippa
1x Slugga

Mozrog Skragbad (195 points)
• 1x Big Chompa’s jaws
1x Gutrippa
1x Thump gun

Nob on Smasha Squig (80 points)
• 1x Big choppa
1x Slugga
1x Smasha squig jaws
• Enhancement: Headwoppa’s Killchoppa

Warboss (90 points)
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin slugga
• Enhancement: Follow Me Ladz

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Trukk (65 points)
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deffkoptas (100 points)
• 3x Deffkopta
• 3x Kopta rokkits
3x Slugga
3x Spinnin’ blades

Flash Gitz (190 points)
• 1x Ammo Runt
• 1x Kaptin
• 1x Choppa
1x Snazzgun
• 9x Flash Git
• 9x Choppa
9x Snazzgun

Gretchin (40 points)
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Grot-smacka
1x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta

Kommandos (135 points)
• 1x Bomb Squig
1x Distraction Grot
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Kommando
• 1x Breacha ram
1x Burna
6x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Rokkit launcha
6x Slugga

Meganobz (150 points)
• 5x Meganob
• 5x Killsaw
5x Power klaw

Nobz (220 points)
• 2x Ammo Runt
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 9x Nob
• 9x Power klaw
9x Slugga

Squighog Boyz (250 points)
• 2x Bomb Squig
• 6x Squighog Boy
• 6x Saddlegit weapons
6x Squighog jaws and saddlegits
6x Stikka

Stormboyz (65 points)
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (38), Data Version: v336

Thoughts

Well this promises to be violent. Both sides here are packed to the gills with deadly melee killers, with the Orks in particular having basically one each of all their nastiest tooled-up squads. The Chaos forces aren’t quite as deadly up close, but they make up with it via significantly better firepower, sporting lots of excellent Nurgle tanks that look especially strong in this matchup, compared to just some Flash Gitz on the greenskin side.

On Purge the Foe, that combination of factors hands a fairly significant advantage to Chaos. Both sides here are lethal enough on the counter-charge that the opponent is generally going to lose whatever they push forward, but Chaos can pick off units at a distance far more reliably, giving a steady clip of Kill More points unless the Orks do something about it (I’m assuming Chaos just stashes both Nurgling units in Deep Strike to avoid easy kills). When the Orks try, I think the chances of them getting either unluckily bounced by Infernal Rites, murdered by an interrupt or butchered by Chosen sweeping out of a Transport to do some mischief is pretty high, so the odds are stacked against them. I feel like their best shot is trying to line up a go turn where Ghaz’s unit and the Squighogs slam into the nastiest Chaos threats, as both these units can probably soak an interrupt and still deck something, which might just about provide enough momentum to take the game. It’s going to be really hard to get to that point without losing some key units first though, and they really have to deck Chaos from there to take the win. From the scoreline, it looks like the matchup advantage was pretty insurmountable.

Result

Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) Victory – 20 – 0

Jakub Jansa – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (95 Points)
• Warlord
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol

Chaos Lord (95 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol

Haarken Worldclaimer (90 Points)
• 1x Helspear
1x Herald’s Talon

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (90 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Chaos Familiar
1x Combi-bolter
1x Force weapon
1x Infernal Gaze

Warpsmith (110 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
• 1x Flamer tendril
1x Melta tendril
1x Plasma pistol
1x Warp hammer
• Enhancements: Eye of Tzeentch

BATTLELINE

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Predator Destructor (130 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Vindicator (190 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Havoc launcher

Forgefiend (200 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Armoured limbs
2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon

Warp Talons (110 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
• 1x Warp Talon Champion
• 1x Warp claws
• 4x Warp Talon
• 4x Warp claws

ALLIED UNITS

Nurglings (40 Points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Nurglings (40 Points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
+++++++++++++++++++++++

Archetype

New Age Brawlers

Thoughts

Genuinely great to see Jakub putting together a Chaos Space Marine list that can still excel here, as their dropoff since the dataslate has been pretty steep. Some great choices have clearly fed into that – I love the Terminator Sorceror to set up a big dunk with the Predators or Raptors via Death Hex, going for the CP farming option on the Warpsmith is a nice way to power the army without having to spring for Abaddon, and Haarken’s squad seems like a pretty appealing include when you can’t pack as many Chosen in. It also continues to be hilarious to me that after two full editions of being worthless, the humble Predator Destructor is now one of the most efficient little tanks out there. Can’t beat a classic, and also you apparently can’t beat Jakub, congratulations!

Niklas Frerichs – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 2nd Place

Allarus, Trajann, and Vexilus Praetor. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Die Güldene Pyramidenverkäuferbande der Lust

Detachments: Shield Host

Trajann WasLosIs [160pts] Warlord

Blade Champion [145pts]: Veiled Lust Blade

Shield-Captain [150pts]: Guardian Speer der Lust, Inspirational Exemplar

Custodian Guard [225pts]
. 5x Custodian Guard (Guardian Speer der Lust)

Custodian Guard [180pts]
. 4x Custodian Guard (Guardian Speer der Lust)

Prosecutors [40pts]
. 3x Prosecutor + Superior: 4x Boltgun, 4x Close combat weapon

Allarus Custodians [195pts]
. 3x Allarus Custodian (Guardian Speer der Lust): 3x Balistus grenade launcher

Allarus Custodians [130pts]
. 2x Allarus Custodian (Guardian Speer der Lust): 2x Balistus grenade launcher

Custodian Wardens [250pts]
. 4x Custodian Warden (Guardian Speer der Lust)
. Custodian Warden w/ Vexilla: Guardian Speer der Lust

Witchseekers [50pts]
. 3x Witchseeker + Superior: 4x Close combat weapon, 4x Witchseeker flamer

Callidus Assassin [90pts]

Lord Inquisitor Kyria Draxus [75pts]

++ Total: [2,000pts] ++ #DankeMarv #NoFrogsOnMalibu

Archetype

Infantry Custodes

Thoughts

In second place (on five wins and a draw) we have the first harbinger of the Custodes renaissance, providing a good example of what seems to be the broad post-dataslate template of four units out of a mix of Custodian Guard and Wardens with leaders (Trajann, a Blade Champion, Kyria and a flex pick) then however much support they can afford depending on the Custodian/Warden balance and 4/5 model choices made. Niklas has gone for some lighter Custodian units to make points available for a good number of Terminators in support, giving this list plenty of flexibility and fallback options, and also shoring up horde matchups a bit (as if all of those come in and Blast something at once, it’ll hurt). It means you’re relying on punting enemy heavy stuff in melee, but Custodes can very much do that, and it also avoids creating any great targets for things like Gladiator Lancers. Kyria also provides plenty of additional flexibility for the army – her mix of protection and alarmingly good shooting when you have Wound re-rolls on adds a tonne of value in a small Custodian unit. Custodes are back in a big way, so make sure you’re updating your plans and have a way to handle armies like this one, and congratulations to Niklas.

Stephan Pfenni – Blood Angels (Gladius Task Force) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Gladius Angels (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Blood Angels
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (85 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: Fire Discipline

Captain (95 Points)
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• Enhancements: The Honour Vehement

Lemartes (110 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x The Blood Crozius

The Sanguinor (140 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Encarmine broadsword

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Bellicatus missile array
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
2x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (240 Points)
• 1x Aggressor Sergeant
• 1x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Twin power fists
• 5x Aggressor
• 5x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
5x Fragstorm grenade launcher
5x Twin power fists

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (85 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol

Company Heroes (95 Points)
• 1x Ancient
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Company Champion
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 2x Company Veteran
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (260 Points)
• 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Pack
• 10x Inferno pistol
10x Power fist

Eradicator Squad (95 Points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta

Infiltrator Squad (100 Points)
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Helix Gauntlet
1x Infiltrator Comms Array
4x Marksman bolt carbine

Land Raider Redeemer (260 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Flamestorm cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin assault cannon

Predator Annihilator (130 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
1x Storm bolter

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (30), Data Version: v336

Archetype

Marine Bloodstuff

Thoughts

Also on five wins and a draw we’ve got a build that takes some of the core quality Marine units (Aggressors with the Biologis, Company Heroes, a Redeemer), saves some points to pay for hikes on the Aggressors by using Predators as anti-tank, and adds in some Blood Angels goodness. The Lemartes/Death Company brick is a known (extremely good) quantity at this point, but the Sanguinor hasn’t seen much play and I think the timing on bringing him in is smart. He’s very good into Necron Wraiths, as they often try to keep their squishy Technomancer hidden behind a wall while the front line charges in. Bringing the Sanguinor in will both provide an easy way of turning off the Feel No Pain and punish the kind of charge moving that’s been used to avoid having to force the Technomancer into contact. He can also be back-breaking against new Drukhari, as Devastating Wounds provides a real shot of picking out an Archon before they can swing with wound re-rolls. That’s very much not an exhaustive list of where he can be good either, and given the failure case is being an unusually tough Lone Operative, he ends up looking extremely neat. Love that as a tech choice, great stuff from Stephan.

Pascal Haberstroh – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 4th Place

Adeptus Custodes Blade Champion by Crab-stuffed Mushrooms

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Golden Boys (2000 points)

Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Shield Host

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (145 points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancement: Veiled Blade

Blade Champion (150 points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancement: Ceaseless Hunter

Shield-Captain (140 points)
• 1x Guardian spear

Trajann Valoris (160 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Watcher’s Axe

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (225 points)
• 5x Custodian Guard
• 4x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla

Custodian Guard (225 points)
• 5x Custodian Guard
• 4x Guardian spear
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Sentinel blade

Prosecutors (40 points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
3x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Custodian Wardens (250 points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (90 points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades

Lord Inquisitor Kyria Draxus (75 points)
• 1x Dirgesinger
1x Power fist
1x Psychic Tempest

Exported with App Version: v1.10.1 (38), Data Version: v336

Archetype

Infantry Custodes

Thoughts

Our final 5.5-0.5 player gives us another showing for the core Custodes template here, with the flex points going on making all the infantry units five-model ones and adding a fifth. That trades a bit of objective flexibility for a greater ability to roll with the loss of one squad, and as people start teching harder for the Custodes matchup I think there’s a good chance that the latter capability ends up looking more important. I guess we’ll see how that plays out in the next few months, for now well done Pascal.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Michael Geringer – Orks: Ork goodstuff with the increasingly popular post-Spinner option of Ghazghkull leading a big blob of Meganobz. Also features Deffkoptas as some cheap and cheerful board control/shooting.
6th – Valentin Schefter – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Double C’tan, triple Doomstalker, triple Wraiths.
7th – Florian Schmidt – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): The Calgar/Ventris/Centurion/Gladiator club, still super strong.
8th – Manuel Wayand – Adeptus Custodes: Go-wide infantry with triple Wardens and two Custodian squads, including one with Draxus for the shooting protection/chip damage.
9th – Grischa Gerwert – Death Guard: Loads of Plague Marines in Rhinos with some Brigands – also still very good, apparently (and now augmented by a couple Deathshroud units to protect Termy Sorcerors).
10th – Antonín Man – Salamanders (Firestorm Assault Force): All-rounder Firestorm, with the big hammers being a big Eradicator, Vulkan with Infernus Marines, a full VanVet unit with a Captain, and a Champion of Humanity Techmarine with a Devastator pod.
11th – Alessandro Liessem – T’au Empire: Board control-ish Tau, supplementing lots of Breachers (presumably strat reserving some of them) and an actual Kroot Farstalker squad with some Hammerheads alongside 6/3 Crisis and some Breachers.

The NORTHAMPTON 40k SUPER-MAJOR

104-player, 7-round Major in England, United Kingdom on February 17 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Mani Cheema – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Valoris Veterans!! (1995 Points)

Adeptus Custodes
Shield Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (150 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancements: Ceaseless Hunter

Blade Champion (145 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancements: Veiled Blade

Blade Champion (120 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords

Trajann Valoris (160 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Watcher’s Axe

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (225 Points)
• 5x Custodian Guard
• 4x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla

Custodian Guard (225 Points)
• 5x Custodian Guard
• 3x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Sentinel blade
1x Vexilla

Custodian Guard (180 Points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 2x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Sentinel blade
1x Vexilla

Prosecutors (40 Points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
3x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Custodian Wardens (250 Points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla

Archetype

Ultra-Aggro Custodes

Thoughts

We continue along the golden gallery here with Mani’s take on Custodes, which is an extra-aggressive one tuned for the UKTC format. This provides good Infantry staging and often demands high-scoring wins to make it into the top four (although actually in this case all four undefeated players got through), so doubling down on any army capabilities that let you execute blowout wins is often a good plan. Three Advance/Charge blocks with three more units as followup very much fits that model, providing a sufficient weight of pressure that unless it runs into some staggering melee counterpunch capability, it’s going to be hard for opponents to recover against it. A few opponents had a pretty credible go at it, with Tau in particular only losing by a handful of points, but in the end no one could conquer the might of the 10,000 in Mani’s hands.

Dan Bates – Ynnari (Battle Host) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Aeldari
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Spiritseer (65 Points)
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff

Yvraine (100 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Kha-vir, the Sword of Sorrows
1x Storm of Whispers

OTHER DATASHEETS

Shadow Spectres (95 Points)
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle

Shroud Runners (80 Points)
• 3x Shroud Runner
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Ranger long rifle
3x Scatter laser
3x Shuriken pistol

Support Weapons (125 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult

Swooping Hawks (75 Points)
• 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

Troupe (90 Points)
• 1x Lead Player
• 1x Harlequin’s blade
1x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Player
• 2x Fusion pistol
5x Harlequin’s special weapon
3x Shuriken pistol

Warp Spiders (115 Points)
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner

Wraithblades (340 Points)
• 10x Wraithblade
• 10x Forceshield
10x Ghostaxe

ALLIED UNITS

Mandrakes (65 Points)
• 1x Nightfiend
• 1x Baleblast
1x Glimmersteel blade
• 4x Mandrake
• 4x Baleblast
4x Glimmersteel blade

Scourges (110 Points)
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
• 4x Scourge
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dark lance

Archetype

Wraithblades and Go-Wide Shooting

Thoughts

It continues to look like Wraithblades might be the secret sauce for Aeldari aiming to survive a post-Dataslate world. They’re monstrously tough, and as Dan’s build here shows they combo extremely well with all the Aeldari shooting toys that deal damage without easy reprisal. Shadow Spectres and Scourges between them are going to scythe through pretty much any kind of target, and the D-cannons provide an excellent trump card against anyone who tries to bring tanks into the mid-board, while certainly not being bad into Custodes. That wasn’t quite enough to get this over the line against Mani’s list (I’m assuming the fact that he can just multi-charge and dunk the Wraithblades was a bit much), but it looks super strong and is a great way of adapting to a new, harsher environment where there are fewer Fate Dice to go round, as Blades simply don’t need them. Well done to Dan on second!

Vik Vijay – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 3rd Place

Wave Serpent with Bright Lances painted in Biel-Tan colours — Photo Credit: Musterkrux

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Aeldari | Vik Vijay (2000 Points)

Aeldari
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (140 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

Farseer Skyrunner (90 Points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult

Fuegan (115 Points)
• 1x Searsong
1x The Fire Axe

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Wave Serpent (120 Points)
• 1x Shuriken cannon
1x Twin bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull

OTHER DATASHEETS

Falcon (140 Points)
• 1x Bright lance
1x Pulse laser
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Fire Dragons (85 Points)
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun

Shadow Spectres (95 Points)
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Prism rifle

Shroud Runners (80 Points)
• 3x Shroud Runner
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Ranger long rifle
3x Scatter laser
3x Shuriken pistol

Skyweavers (95 Points)
• 2x Skyweaver
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Skyweaver haywire cannon
2x Star bolas

Support Weapons (125 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult

Swooping Hawks (75 Points)
• 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

Warp Spiders (115 Points)
• 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

Go-wide shooting

Thoughts

More Aeldari in third, with Vik sticking to a plan of going wide with small shooting units, and launching devastating lightning assaults. The key innovation here to make that work without an anchor like the Avatar is the Serpent full of Fire Dragons – staging one serpent safely is pretty doable on UKTC boards, and once that model is in position it forces extreme caution from the foe. That gives the rest of the army time to leverage the Aeldari’s still unparallelled chip damage and scoring potential, while D-cannons again provide insurance against things like Monoliths. The only thing that could stop Vik’s rampage was the solid wall of Wraithbone that Dan’s army presented, presumably just a bit too tricky for this to spike down in time, but that really only emphasises the extent to which there’s still an army here for Aeldari experts like Vik!

James Marsden – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 4th Place

Leagues of Votann Einhyr Champion. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Votann (1970 Points)

Leagues of Votann
Oathband
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Einhyr Champion (80 Points)
• 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
1x Mass hammer
1x Weavefield Crest
• Enhancements: Appraising Glare

Grimnyr (90 Points)
• 1x Grimnyr
• 1x Ancestral Wrath
1x Ancestral ward stave
• Enhancements: Wayfarer’s Grace
• 2x CORV
• 2x Autoch-pattern bolter
2x Close combat weapon

Kâhl (90 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Mass gauntlet
1x Rampart Crest
1x Volkanite disintegrator
• Enhancements: Grim Demeanour

BATTLELINE

Hearthkyn Warriors (110 Points)
• 1x Theyn
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x EtaCarn plasma pistol
1x Kin melee weapon
1x Weavefield Crest
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
• 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
7x Autoch-pattern bolter
9x Close combat weapon
1x Comms Array
1x HYLas auto rifle
1x Magna-rail rifle
1x Medipack
1x Pan Spectral Scanner

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Sagitaur (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured wheels
1x L7 missile launcher
1x Sagitaur missile launcher
1x Twin bolt cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Cthonian Beserks (100 Points)
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
• 5x Concussion maul
1x Mole grenade launcher

Einhyr Hearthguard (320 Points)
• 1x Hesyr
• 1x Concussion hammer
1x EtaCarn plasma gun
1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
1x Teleport Crest
• 9x Einhyr Hearthguard
• 9x Concussion gauntlet
9x EtaCarn plasma gun
9x Exo-armour grenade launcher

Einhyr Hearthguard (160 Points)
• 1x Hesyr
• 1x Concussion hammer
1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
1x Volkanite disintegrator
1x Weavefield Crest
• 4x Einhyr Hearthguard
• 4x Concussion gauntlet
4x Exo-armour grenade launcher
4x Volkanite disintegrator

Einhyr Hearthguard (160 Points)
• 1x Hesyr
• 1x Concussion hammer
1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
1x Teleport Crest
1x Volkanite disintegrator
• 4x Einhyr Hearthguard
• 4x Concussion gauntlet
4x Exo-armour grenade launcher
4x Volkanite disintegrator

Hekaton Land Fortress (225 Points)
• 1x Armoured wheels
1x Heavy magna-rail cannon
1x MATR autocannon
1x Pan Spectral Scanner
2x Twin bolt cannon

Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points)
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
• 3x Bolt revolver
3x Bolt shotgun
1x Ion beamer
3x Magna-coil autocannon
1x Pan Spectral Scanner
3x Plasma knife
1x Rollbar Searchlight

Archetype

Hearthguard and Forts

Thoughts

There’s real use cases for almost every Votann unit, so the choice for listbuilders is mostly what they’re going to focus on. Here, James has gone for a Hearthguard-heavy build, using a full unit in Deep Strike and two units launching from Land Fortresses for the Fire Support goodness. As mentioned, staging transports are very strong on UKTC terrain (and you’ve also got a Sagitaur full of Beserks to go with them), augmenting this strategy, and access to lots of wound re-rolls on a go turn is particularly good when you’re potentially needing to kill C’tan, which can otherwise be quite tough for Votann. Excellent tech for the metagame, sadly somewhat thwarted by Mani’s Custodes in the semi-finals, who can largely just bounce Hearthguard. A fantastic run from James to there though, well done!

The Best of the Rest

There were 15 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Will B – T’au Empire: Crunchy Tau with Broadsides and a pair of Riptides alongside a full Crisis blob.
6th – Mathew Putney – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Hell yeah someone else has heard the good word about the Night Scythe in Hypercrypt. It whips, trust me. Also has a Monolith, Wraiths and some C’tan.
7th – Luke Townsend – Chaos Daemons: Khorne-heavy pressure, with Be’lakor, a Bloodthirster and two full Bloodcrusher units to enjoy the benefits of double Blood Throne.
8th – Greg Chamberlain – Leagues of Votann: All-rounder Votann with some of pretty much everything.
9th – Josh Roberts – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Triple Wraiths and 10/5/5 Plasmancer Immortals with Szeras.
10th – Alex Fowler – Thousand Sons: Hefty Tsons, supporting Magnus with a Daemon Prince and two Mutaliths, and going lighter than normal on Rubrics as a result, filling out with Cultists and Enlightened.
11th – Calum Mehay- Orks: Pressure with a Wagon and two Trukks to ferry the Boyz to war.
12th – David Gaylard – Astra Militarum: Pressure Guard with two Basilisks and Manticores, lots of Kasrkin, Chimera-scouting Catachans and a big Bullgryn block, rounded out by two Tank Commanders.
13th – Ed Watts – Grey Knights: Go-wide Infantry Knights, using three Terminator squads with Librarians and lots of other small units.
14th – Michael Glenwright – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster Mash with a side order of Termagants.
15th – Sam Johnson – T’au Empire: Another double Riptide crunch-heavy Tau build.
16th – James McGlough – Black Templars (Firestorm Assault Force): Lots of MSU Infantry, lots of Gladiators and a Land Raider Redeemer with some nasty toys stashed inside. Also sports some Outriders as a (now) very cheap early objective grabbing unit.
17th – Stewart Bull – Grey Knights: Three Dreadknights (one GMDK, two regular), Crowe’s big barbecue gang and various small Strike and Terminator units.
18th – Jack Pugh – Leagues of Votann: Lots of Sagitaurs, lots of Bikes and two Forts.
19th – Graham Russell – Orks: Mech Orks with lots of Trukks and a Battlewagon.

The guild 2nd Gt

52-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in León, Gto., México on February 17 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Xavier Barrera – Ultramarines (Unknown Detachment) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

in lennon i trust (2000 points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Vanguard Spearhead

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (80 points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancement: The Blade Driven Deep

Marneus Calgar (185 points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
• Warlord
• 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
• 2x Victrix power sword

Uriel Ventris (75 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Invictus
1x Sword of Idaeus

OTHER DATASHEETS

Centurion Devastator Squad (370 points)
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
• 1x Centurion fists
1x Centurion missile launcher
1x Twin lascannon
• 5x Devastator Centurion
• 5x Centurion fists
5x Centurion missile launcher
5x Twin lascannon

Company Heroes (95 points)
• 1x Ancient
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Company Champion
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 2x Company Veteran
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

Eradicator Squad (95 points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta

Eradicator Squad (190 points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 5x Eradicator
• 5x Bolt pistol
5x Close combat weapon
3x Melta rifle
2x Multi-melta

Inceptor Squad (260 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (130 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon

Inceptor Squad (260 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Plasma exterminators

Scout Squad (65 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (90 points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades

Inquisitorial Henchmen (40 points)
• 4x Inquisitorial Acolyte
• 4x Acolyte firearm
4x Acolyte melee weapon
1x Eviscerator
1x Plasma pistol

Archetype

Vanguard Ultras

Thoughts

It’s there in the name – the John Lennon Ultramarine build, despite being very much in the crosshairs for nerfs, has so much power going for it that it’s still chugging along winning events just fine. Xavier’s answer to the point increases has been to put Calgar with a big unit of Eradicators instead of Aggressors, and that certainly seems decent – it’s not quite as universal in what it’s good at killing, but access to lots of Advance/Shoot Melta with Lethal Hits is extremely real in a world where C’tan are a big gatekeeper, and certainly far from bad against Custodes where every failed save is gonna be a dead model. Great updates to a classic from Xavier, and well rewarded with a trophy!

Amador Perez – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Adeptus Custodes Caladius Grav-Tank. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

tres colores y una piedra (2000 points)

Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Shield Host

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (150 points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancement: Ceaseless Hunter

Blade Champion (130 points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancement: Inspirational Exemplar

Trajann Valoris (160 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Watcher’s Axe

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (225 points)
• 5x Custodian Guard
• 2x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
2x Praesidium Shield
2x Sentinel blade
1x Vexilla

Prosecutors (40 points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
3x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Caladius Grav-tank (215 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

Custodian Wardens (250 points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla

ALLIED UNITS

Lord Inquisitor Kyria Draxus (75 points)
• 1x Dirgesinger
1x Power fist
1x Psychic Tempest

Archetype

Caladius Custodes

Thoughts

More undefeated Custodes on the four core block formula, with the flex picks here being a pair of Caladius Tanks. Helps against some armies if you need counter-fire capability, hurts into others, and looking at the final round matchup here it was definitely a game where they paid off – Grey Knights with triple Dreadknight is no joke into Custodes, as the upgraded heavy psycannon is fantastic for killing them, and they can trivially play keepaway. Exactly where you need the ability to project firepower of your own, so good meta choice from Amador, and well done on undefeated second here!

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

3rd – Alberto Lopez – Orks: Trukks and a Wagon, with some nasty speedy Characters riding shotgun.
4th – Luis German Giles – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Heavy Court, adding the Silent King to command Doomstalkers and C’tan.
5th – Luis Humberto Casillas Franco – Black Templars (Ironstorm Spearhead): Gladiators and Redemptors galore.
6th – Jose Arias – Leagues of Votann: Triple Land Fort.
7th – Diego Toribio – Black Templars (Ironstorm Spearhead): All-rounder Ironstorm with some Reapers and Ballistus Dreads supporting a mix of Infantry threats and a Land Raider.
8th – Jose Benjamín Casillas – Death Guard: Crunchy Guard, using Mortarion, Brigands and Rhinos as initial board presence, with Deathshrouds waiting in thw wings.
9th – Pavel Echeveste – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): The full-on 30 Immortal Monolith special.

The 36 Chambers #3

48-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on February 17 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Rory Andrew – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 1st Place

Adeptus Custodes Venatari Custodians. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

“And in a sunless realm, the sun rose at last.”

(2000 Points)

Adeptus Custodes
Shield Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (150 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancements: Ceaseless Hunter

Trajann Valoris (160 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Watcher’s Axe

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (225 Points)
• 5x Custodian Guard
• 4x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla

Custodian Guard (180 Points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 3x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla

Prosecutors (40 Points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
3x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Caladius Grav-tank (215 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

Custodian Wardens (250 Points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla

Venatari Custodians (400 Points)
• 6x Venatari Custodian
• 1x Kinetic destroyer
1x Tarsis buckler
5x Venatari lance

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (90 Points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades

Lord Inquisitor Kyria Draxus (75 Points)
• 1x Dirgesinger
1x Power fist
1x Psychic Tempest

Archetype

Custodes with Venatari

Thoughts

I mean I guess at least there’s lots of variety in the Custodes builds! Rory’s breaks from the formula slightly to go extra hard on threat projection, having only three core Infantry units, but adding two Caladii and a full block of Venatari on top of that. Venatari aren’t cheap, but free Rapid Ingress and high speed on the table means they’re a great way to avoid being outmaneuvred, and Lance means they hit uniquely hard if they stay mobile. I’d worry a bit that as the metagame starts teching hard for Custodes-hunting (and after this week, they’re gonna!) the relatively high cost per model is going to count against Venatari, but even there seeding one 4W model into the unit (who you can later revive) helps mitigate the impact of foes throwing out D3 stuff. Right now, the element of surprise is with the Ventari, and it looks like no one was able to handle “Custodes, but fast”, so great stuff Rory!

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Matt Charles – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius): What a difference one extra Strength makes! This list goes hard on Death Company, burying the enemy in S10 attacks, and also makes great use of some Death Company Dreadnoughts, who are a powerful Strategic Reserve threat thanks to their Magna-Grapples. Getting to key breakpoints in melee is huge for real Blood Angels, and unlike many other melee armies the rise of Custodes is somewhat manageable for them (even though they were narrowly defeated in the final) – Lemartes unit is handy in a fight against any non-Trajann squad thanks to Damage Reduction, and Only in Death allows you to take a good chunk of a key unit with you, even if they Fight First after you charge them.
3rd – Markus Hinson – T’au Sept (Kauyon): Crunchy Tau with a pair of Riptides alongside 6/3 Crisis and Hammerheads.
4th – Andy Quas-Cohen – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Ultra top-heavy Hypercrypt with the Silent King and three C’tan.
5th – Bethany Taylor – Grey Knights: A unique board control spin on Grey Knights, going for lots of Strike/Purgation squads in Razorbacks, providing either pressure from Scout or Fire Support for the Purgation teams as needed. That’s backed up by a trio of Dreadknights, projecting massive Advance/Charge threat, and this looks like even more of a nightmare to plan against than the Grey Knight average.
6th – David Leniewski – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Another hilariously top-heavy Hypercrypt build, going for four C’tan and a Tesseract Vault.
7th – Michael Duff – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Mechanised all-rounder Templars, using lots of Sword Brethren in Impulsors and a trio of Gladiators Reaper.
8th – Matt Bell – Necrons (Canoptek Court): 2/2/2 on C’tan, Doomstalkers and Wraiths.
9th – Aiden Smalley – Death Guard: All-rounder Death Guard, using Mortarion, a big Deathshroud unit with Typhus, Plagebursts, Rhino Marines and some Predator Destructors (is there anything they can’t do?). Has one unusual tech piece in a Lord of Virulence with Living Plague as a solo model, presumably aiming to drop in, augment the Plaguebursts for a turn, and get some value from the boosted aura size at the same time.

Hydra GT 2024 I (February)

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Roskilde, DK on February 17 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Martin Bræmer Nielsen – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 1st Place

Necron Lokhust Heavy Destroyers. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Necrons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hypercrypt Legion

CHARACTERS

C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (255 points)
• 1x Gaze of death
1x Scythe of the Nightbringer

C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon (270 points)
• 1x Canoptek tail blades
1x Spear of the Void Dragon
1x Voltaic storm

Illuminor Szeras (160 points)
• 1x Eldritch Lance
1x Impaling legs

Lokhust Lord (105 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Lord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancement: Arisen Tyrant

Technomancer (80 points)
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancement: Osteoclave Fulcrum

Transcendent C’tan (275 points)
• 1x Crackling tendrils
1x Seismic assault

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Wraiths (220 points)
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws

Flayed Ones (70 points)
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws

Lokhust Destroyers (30 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss cannon

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (150 points)
• 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Gauss destructor

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (150 points)
• 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Enmitic exterminator

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (100 points)
• 2x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Gauss destructor

Tomb Blades (75 points)
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Shadowloom
2x Twin gauss blaster
1x Twin tesla carbine

Archetype

C’tan and Destroyers

Thoughts

Hypercrypt gets it done here, the combination of being able to manifest a Wraith or C’tan-shaped tarpit wherever needed with the extreme firepower of Lokhust Heavies tearing through opponents. Arisen Tyrant on enmitic ones is extremely no joke, throwing out backbreaking numbers of hits into almost any target, and the great range on the gauss means they can set up for long range sniping as required. The fact teleporting Szeras is good enough to run jsut on rate without any synergies is also extremely funny to me. Big fan of everything that’s going on here, well done Martin!

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Nicklas Schmidt – Grey Knights: Big Terminators, Big Paladins and two Dreadknights, with a smaller flex unit of Terminators filling out.
3rd – Daniel Fragtrup – Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon and Lucius go on a big day out, the former buffing various tanks, the latter riding a Rhino with some Legionary friends.
4th – Alexander Lerbrandt – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): A big Primaris Crusader squad backed by a stacked Land Raider full of Sword Brethren. Also uses a couple of Vindicators, and the idea of trapping people in combat with these using No Escape then blasting them in the face is exceptionally funny.
5th – Erasmus Stenskilde – Grey Knights: Big Terminators, Big Paladins and two Dreadknights, going a bit wider with Strikes and Interceptors in the rest of the list.
6th – Frederick Stappen- Tyranids (Unending Swarm): 160 horde infantry and some Exocrines.

Kingston Nexus 40k Club Champs 2024

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Kingston, ON, Canada on February 17 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Kevin Rutherford – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Please come home, Disgustingly Resilient, I miss you

++ Army Roster (Chaos – Death Guard) [2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +
Detachment Choice: Plague Company

+ Epic Hero +
Mortarion [325pts] – Warlord

Typhus [80pts]

+ Character +
Biologus Putrifier [50pts]

Biologus Putrifier [50pts]

Lord of Virulence [80pts]

+ Battleline +
Plague Marines [180pts]
. 1x Plague Champion: Plasma gun, Heavy plague weapon
. 2x Plague Marine: 2x Blight launcher, 2x Plague knives
. 1x Plague Marine: 1x Bubotic Weapons
. 4x Plague Marine: 4x Heavy plague weapon, 4x Plague knives
. 2x Plague Marine: 2x Meltagun, 2x Plague knives

Plague Marines [180pts]
Plague Marines [180pts]
. 1x Plague Champion: Plasma gun, Heavy plague weapon
. 2x Plague Marine: 2x Blight launcher, 2x Plague knives
. 1x Plague Marine: 1x Bubotic Weapons
. 4x Plague Marine: 4x Heavy plague weapon, 4x Plague knives
. 2x Plague Marine: 2x Meltagun, 2x Plague knives

+ Infantry +
Death Guard Cultists [50pts]
. 10x Cultist: 10x Brutal assault weapon, 10x Cultist firearm

Death Guard Cultists [50pts]
. 10x Cultist: 10x Brutal assault weapon, 10x Cultist firearm

Deathshroud Terminators [240pts]
. Deathshroud Terminator Champion: 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
. 5x Deathshroud Terminator: 5x Manreaper, 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Poxwalkers [100pts]
. 20x Poxwalker: 20x Improvised weapons

+ Vehicle +
Death Guard Land Raider [240pts]: Plague combi-bolter, Havoc launcher

Foetid Bloat-drone [90pts]: Fleshmower

+ Dedicated Transport +
Death Guard Rhino [75pts]: 2x Plague combi-bolters, Havoc launcher

+ Allied Units +
Nurglings [40pts]
. 3x Nurgling Swarm: 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Nurglings [40pts]
. 3x Nurgling Swarm: 3x Diseased claws and teeth

++ Total: [2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Pressure Death Guard

Thoughts

See, if you’re going to plead for the designers to give you back your old rule, the trick is not to win a tournament without it. Top tips from me there.

Anyway, this is a very pressure-heavy Death Guard build, using a Land Raider to provide some definitive mid-board staging for one of the Plague Marine units, and accompanying it with Mortarion, ultra cheap fleshmower Drones and Typhus’ Poxwalker horde. Quite a lot of different challenges to put in front of the enemy, and thanks to the ability to tank enemy output with Contagions, very tricky to escape from if it tangles you up. Nice to see some more unusual picks getting airtime, good work Kevin.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Rick Abrams – Chaos Daemons: Monster mash, backing Be’lakor up with Big Bird, an Endless Gift GUO and Skarbrand.
3rd – Henry Ban – Adeptus Astartes (Ironstorm Spearhead): Pretty much pure dakka with Dreads, RepExes and Hammerstrikes.
4th – Jordan Racey – Orks: Pure pressure, with Trukks, Squighogs and Characters.
5th – Lukas Duchaine- Astra Militarum: Big Tank spotted! Lots of Armoured Sentinels and a Banesword.
6th – Shannon McLeod – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash, with the Screamer-Killer finally sneaking into lists alongside bigger faves.

Wrap Up

That’s it for the first half of this week’s events, but we have six more rocketing your way on Friday, with Sororitas and Drukhari unleashing their tricks on the world.

Competitive Innovations in 10th: 24-Karat Carnage pt.1

Kassel GT – Alpine Cup

The Showdown

Crucible of Battle – Purge the Foe – Chilling Rain

Thoughts

Result

Jakub Jansa – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Niklas Frerichs – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Stephan Pfenni – Blood Angels (Gladius Task Force) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Pascal Haberstroh – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The NORTHAMPTON 40k SUPER-MAJOR

Mani Cheema – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Dan Bates – Ynnari (Battle Host) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Vik Vijay – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

James Marsden – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The guild 2nd Gt

Xavier Barrera – Ultramarines (Unknown Detachment) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Amador Perez – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The 36 Chambers #3

Rory Andrew – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Hydra GT 2024 I (February)

Martin Bræmer Nielsen – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Kingston Nexus 40k Club Champs 2024

Kevin Rutherford – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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