We’re on to part two, and while we’ve got plenty more Thousand Sons and Orks for you, some other factions are also making their move, with the Space Wolves and World Eaters at the forefront. Can they stem the Green Tide? Let’s find out!

Today we have:

The Storm Of Silence: 13th Annual Warhammer 40,000 US Open Qualifier Grand Tournament
Alberta Classic 2024
Brighton 40k GT VII
Ammonite Gaming, Turbulent Tides – The Whitby GT
Capital Clash

Yesterday I covered:

Warhammer 40,000 GT US Open Dallas
Maryland Open 2024
Giga-Bites May Warhammer 40k GT
Bugle Bat Reps : Bugles Big Bash 2
MNM Kevät GT

Finally, tomorrow Lowest of Men will take charge for:

Mayhem 3 in 3D
Ice Breaker Warhammer 40K GT – Renegade Wargaming
The Great Game – Gongaii GT Spring 2024
Barn Found GT ’24 at Gamers Shop
Out of the Furnace V

The Storm Of Silence: 13th Annual Warhammer 40,000 US Open Qualifier Grand Tournament

111-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Spokane, WA, US on May 18 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Vital Ground – Chilling Rain – Sweeping Engagement

Linton Rowan – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force)
Army List - Click to Expand

Tempest of the Storm (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Space Wolves
Stormlance Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades

Logan Grimnar (100 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Storm bolter
1x The Axe Morkai

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (80 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Power fist
1x Storm Shield

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (100 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Power fist
1x Relic Shield

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (115 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Power fist
1x Relic Shield
• Enhancements: Portents of Wisdom

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (110 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Power fist
1x Relic Shield
• Enhancements: Hunter’s Instincts

OTHER DATASHEETS

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
4x Marksman bolt carbine

Thunderwolf Cavalry (180 Points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield

Vindicator (175 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Exported with App Version: v1.14.0 (37), Data Version: v379

vs.

Noah Beddome – Orks (Green Tide)
Army List - Click to Expand

Surfs Up (2000 Points)

Orks
Green Tide
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Painboy (70 Points)
• 1x Power klaw
1x ’Urty syringe

Warboss (75 Points)
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas
• Enhancements: Ferocious Show Off

Warboss (65 Points)
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas

Warboss in Mega Armour (100 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Big shoota
1x ’Uge choppa
• Enhancements: Raucous Warcaller

Weirdboy (70 Points)
• 1x Weirdboy staff
1x ’Eadbanger
• Enhancements: Bloodthirsty Belligerence

BATTLELINE

Boyz (170 Points)
• 19x Boy
• 19x Choppa
19x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga

Boyz (85 Points)
• 9x Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Battlewagon (160 Points)
• 4x Big shoota
1x Deff rolla
1x Grabbin’ klaw
1x Kannon
1x Lobba
1x Wreckin’ ball
1x ’Ard Case

Gretchin (40 Points)
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Runtherd tools
1x Slugga

Kommandos (135 Points)
• 1x Bomb Squig
1x Distraction Grot
• 9x Kommando
• 1x Breacha ram
1x Burna
4x Choppa
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
2x Close combat weapon
2x Kustom shoota
1x Rokkit launcha
4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga

Meganobz (150 Points)
• 5x Meganob
• 5x Kombi-weapon
5x Power klaw

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

Exported with App Version: v1.14.0 (37), Data Version: v379

Thoughts

A new challenger approaches – the Green Tide is here. Loads of Boyz, a Battlewagon for one of the nastiest units to stage from, and the ultra-nasty Meganobz squad to finish. Mean and green, and I particularly like the use of the Bloodthirsty Beligerence Weirdboy here, it lets one big unit hang back then reliably hit combat in the mid-game thanks to Tide of Muscle.

On the other side, it’s Stormlance, now with Vindicators, and going all-in on Character investments for the wolf block. Two squads of Infiltrators also give it plenty of options for screening out parts of the table, which is helpful for countering Da Jump.

What happens when they clash? The good news for the wolves is that their big units can lift a whole Boyz squad, potentially even one of the Painboy ones on the charge, which definitely puts them in contention, and Vital Ground probably helps them overall, as they have fewer big units to play with, so being able to concentrate on one flank is good. Their big challenge is that the Orks just have wildly more redundancy in the list, and also a much easier time forcing Secondaries – they can go Assassinate/Homers and complete it with minimal effort, and although the Wolves can try Assassinate in response, the Orks have units to commit with that don’t have Characters in them, while the Wolves don’t. Worse, one of the Warboss units slamming into a ThunderCav squad with the Waaagh up and popping Competitive Streak will seriously threaten to just lift a whole unit, and that’s far more of a disaster for the Wolves because of the redundancy.

It also doesn’t help that the Vindicators just don’t do much here – sure they’ll pick up the odd handful of Boyz, but they’ll need to be super careful not to set up a disastrous Go Get ‘Em. You would definitely be happier with one of the Vindicators swapped out for a Wulfen brick here – just having something that can go out and slam into a Boyz unit without having to worry about the consequences would be extremely helpful.

I think if you’re the wolves here you have to play with your entire army slamming through one flank – just assume the Orks have the other. This will slow down how quickly you lose models to Assassinate, and let you control the pace of things at least somewhat. I’d also bring one of the units of Infiltrators up far enough to reduce the risk of the Weirdboy unit getting involved here, as it’ll slow things down. I suspect there’s still a high chance you just get rolled over, but I feel like it’s the best shot for a win. It would appear that even if this plan was used, it was not enough – the Orks won handily.

Result

Orks (Green Tide) Victory – 88 – 49

Noah Beddome – Orks (Green Tide) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Surfs Up (2000 Points)

Orks
Green Tide
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Painboy (70 Points)
• 1x Power klaw
1x ’Urty syringe

Warboss (75 Points)
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas
• Enhancements: Ferocious Show Off

Warboss (65 Points)
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas

Warboss in Mega Armour (100 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Big shoota
1x ’Uge choppa
• Enhancements: Raucous Warcaller

Weirdboy (70 Points)
• 1x Weirdboy staff
1x ’Eadbanger
• Enhancements: Bloodthirsty Belligerence

BATTLELINE

Boyz (170 Points)
• 19x Boy
• 19x Choppa
19x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga

Boyz (85 Points)
• 9x Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Battlewagon (160 Points)
• 4x Big shoota
1x Deff rolla
1x Grabbin’ klaw
1x Kannon
1x Lobba
1x Wreckin’ ball
1x ’Ard Case

Gretchin (40 Points)
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Runtherd tools
1x Slugga

Meganobz (150 Points)
• 5x Meganob
• 5x Kombi-weapon
5x Power klaw

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

Exported with App Version: v1.14.0 (37), Data Version: v379

Archetype

Boyz Horde

Thoughts

The tide arrives, and I think there’s a very good chance that this ends up being the top performing Ork build once Bully Boyz hype dies down a bit. The balance of tools Noah has here is great – everything pulls in the same direction, you’ve got the staging flexibility from the Battlewagon and Trukk full of Meganobz, and the sheer difficulty of clearing it out is a thing to behold. Be prepared! Congratulations Noah on the win.

Ryan Smith – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Wolves Champions (2000 points)

Space Marines
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Champions of Russ

CHARACTERS

Harald Deathwolf (85 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Glacius

Lieutenant in Phobos Armour (65 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Master-crafted bolt carbine
1x Paired combat blades
• Enhancement: The Pelt of the Balewolf

Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Flurry of teeth and claws
1x Storm bolter
1x The Axe Morkai

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (105 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Storm Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancement: Black Death

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (80 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Power fist
1x Storm Shield

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (115 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Power fist
1x Relic Shield
• Enhancement: Frost Weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fenrisian Wolves (30 points)
• 5x Fenrisian Wolf
• 5x Teeth and claws

Thunderwolf Cavalry (180 points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield

Whirlwind (180 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

Wulfen (160 points)
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
9x Wulfen hammer

Exported with App Version: v1.12.0 (40), Data Version: v357

Archetype

ThunderCav and Wulfen Champions

Thoughts

Yeah, I’m as surprised as you all are. I’ve gone 10 months without learning what this detachment actually does, and was hoping to make it all the way to the Codex. The question we need to answer is whether this build is just a flex, showing off how the ultra aggressive Wolf datasheets can be put to work in a different shell, or if there’s actually something here.

Hmm. Kind of? There’s certainly a few things that you unlock here, particularly if your opponent tees you up to achieve Saga of the Warrior Born or Saga of the Beastslayer early, which the Wolf Lord and Battle Leader with enhancements are set up to have a really good go at. Go for the Throat to boost up AP is already a genuine draw for ThunderCav, as it mitigates one of their weaknesses, and it becomes ultra-deadly if you get the Beastslayer bonus. Meanwhile, if you can switch on Warrior Born then Relentless Assault gives you the mobility you want, and it also helps grind out games against Green Tide or similar. The other thing is that if you can pull off Saga of Majesty in the mid-game (certainly not impossible with the ThunderCav) it blows things wide open – giving all those Wulfen OC on top of everything else is going to make the remainder of the game a nightmare for the foe. Finally, in a world where Thousand Sons are a top faction, there is genuine appeal to access to Runic Wards, as it substantially mitigates the threat from Magnus in particular.

Not totally sure I’d rate it over Stormlance even with all that, but I think I can be persuaded that in the current metagame there is an actual argument for Champions – giving you tools for both Ork and Thousand Sons games is a genuine attraction. Well done to Ryan for trying something different and doing it in style.

Kasra Houshidar – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Vanguard of Ultramar (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Vanguard Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (80 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: 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 (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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.13.0 (36), Data Version: v373

Archetype

UltraVanguard Shooting

Thoughts

Unsurprisingly, Art of War’s signature Ultramarines player is sporting Art of War’s signature Ultramarines list. It’s a nightmare to pin down for a fight, and a huge trump card into any tank or elite-heavy list. I do wonder if it should be back on Aggressors instead of Eradicators if Green Tide rises further, but that didn’t hold Kasra back from an undefeated finish!

Joel Rodgers – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force) – 4th Place

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (Credit: Musterkrux)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Sons of Russ (2000 points)

Space Marines
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Stormlance Task Force

CHARACTERS

Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades

Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Flurry of teeth and claws
1x Storm bolter
1x The Axe Morkai

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (80 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Storm Shield
1x Thunder hammer

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (100 points)
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Twin lightning claws

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hounds of Morkai (90 points)
• 1x Hound of Morkai Pack Leader
• 1x Morkai bolt pistol
1x Morkai combat knife
• 4x Hound of Morkai
• 4x Morkai bolt pistol
4x Morkai combat knife

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 Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle

Wulfen (160 points)
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
9x Wulfen hammer

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (100 points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades

Exported with App Version: v1.13.0 (41), Data Version: v373

Archetype

Stormlance ThunderCav

Thoughts

To round out our top four, we’ve got this more classic Space Wolves incarnation, bringing the noise (howling) with lots of Wulfen and ThunderCav, and filling out with board control tools. I do find the Hounds/Librarian unit very amusing – it’s another concession to a Thousand Sons heavy metagame, and honestly a potentially effective one at that! Just watch out for flamer bricks (though even there careful positioning followed by Morkai’s Howl can do some work. Well done to Joel on fourth place.

The Best of the Rest

There were 16 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:

5th (4.5-0.5) – Alex Pina – Thousand Sons: Character-heavy Tsons with a full Tzaangor unit with a Shaman to backfill on board control.
6th – Alexander White – World Eaters: Angron, Characters, Berzerkers and Eightbound, with two Jackhal units to help go a bit wider.
7th – Jason Byrd – Chaos Knights: Lots of War Dogs backed by cheap screening and scoring from Nurglings and Blue Horrors.
8th – Campbell “SRM” McLaughlin – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): Our champion continues his power-up montage, putting in another great performance with a tank-heavy Templars build.
9th – Keaton Marschman – Orks (Green Tide): 110 Boyz with buff Characters, with Ghaz and some Meganobz overseeing.
10th – Michael Buckler – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): An effective deployment of one of the sleeper options from the Dark Angels Codex – two Command Squad/Black Knight units providing enormous roving threats.
11th – Steve Trimble – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Two big Allarus units in Land Raiders with some Witchseekers in a Rhino to hand out buffs.
12th – Linton Rowan – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Max ThunderCav supported by a trio of Vindicators.
13th – Nicholas Fromme – Thousand Sons: Lots of Characters and a full Scarab brick.
14th – Matt Evans – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Not content with breaking out in Vanguard, melee Tyranid Warriors get a showing in Invasion Fleet here too, benefitting from the broad threat they present with the Detachment Rule and access to a Feel No Pain (always great on 3W models).
15th – Michael Kriegler – Chaos Space Marines (Index): Lots of shooty hulls and Obliterators protected by Chosen in Rhinos, putting Masters of Execution in those units instead of Lords.
16th – Jaden Iwaasa – Chaos Knights: A Rampager supported by Karnivores, Brigands and Nurglings.
17th – Cayden Stankavich – Grey Knights: All-rounder Grey Knights with various Terminator MSUs, some Strikes and a pair of Dreadknights.
18th – Tarzan – Orks (Dread Mob): 18 Kanz and a Stompa, absolute king.
19th – Don Maddock – Orks (Bully Boyz): Bully Boyz going for two full Leadered-up Squighog units alongside the Meganobz.
20th – James Marriott – Adepta Sororitas: All-rounder Sisters adding the Junith/Sacresant unit to the usual mix.

Alberta Classic 2024

58-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Calgary, Alberta, CA on May 18 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Frasier Parry – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

We want hugs

World Eaters (2000 Points)

World Eaters
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Angron (415 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder

Khârn the Betrayer (100 Points)
• 1x Gorechild
1x Khârn’s plasma pistol

Lord Invocatus (140 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Coward’s Bane
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

World Eaters Master of Executions (115 Points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
1x Bolt pistol
• Enhancements: Battle-lust

BATTLELINE

Jakhals (65 Points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
1x Icon of Khorne
7x Jakhal chainblades
1x Mauler chainblade

Khorne Berzerkers (180 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Bolt pistol
• 9x Khorne Berzerker
• 7x Berzerker chainblade
7x Bolt pistol
1x Icon of Khorne
2x Khornate eviscerator
2x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (90 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Bolt pistol
• 4x Khorne Berzerker
• 3x Berzerker chainblade
3x Bolt pistol
1x Icon of Khorne
1x Khornate eviscerator
1x Plasma pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

World Eaters Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Eightbound (145 Points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
• 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound eviscerators

Exalted Eightbound (160 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound chainfist
2x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (160 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Eightbound chainfist
1x Eightbound eviscerator
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound chainfist
2x Eightbound eviscerator

World Eaters Chaos Spawn (65 Points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

Exported with App Version: v1.14.0 (37), Data Version: v379

Archetype

Wide-ranging World Eaters

Thoughts

Other than Thousand Sons is really does feel like the most melee-intensive metagame we’ve had for a while, and of course the World Eaters are getting in on the action. This list diverges from the default by going for a lot more small units of Eightbound rather than a concentrated block of Exalted, and carves out the points by cutting some Berzerkers. That gives lots of flexibility to adapt to the plans of other melee lists, which is definitely important right now, at a cost of having few things that will fully detonate a big enemy unit. Whether Bullyz or Green Tide end up on top will probably help decide which option is best, but for now congratulations Fraiser on the win.

Kieren Trimbee – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Thousand Sons Bruz (1995 points)

Thousand Sons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Cult of Magic

CHARACTERS

Ahriman on Disc of Tzeentch (140 points)
• 1x Black Staff of Ahriman
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Psychic Stalk

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (115 points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Prosperine khopesh
1x Warpflame pistol

Infernal Master (115 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Arcane Vortex

Magnus the Red (440 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
1x Gaze of Magnus
1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

Thousand Sons Sorcerer (130 points)
• 1x Fires of the Abyss
1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
• Enhancement: Lord of Forbidden Lore

Tzaangor Shaman (80 points)
• 1x Mutating orbs
1x Shaman’s stave
• Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (210 points)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 9x Rubric Marine
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
8x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (105 points)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (105 points)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
3x Inferno boltgun
1x Soulreaper cannon

Tzaangors (65 points)
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Tzaangor blades
• 9x Tzaangor
• 1x Brayhorn
1x Herd banner
9x Tzaangor blades

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (165 points)
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex

Thousand Sons Cultists (55 points)
• 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Thousand Sons Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
9x Cultist firearm

Tzaangor Enlightened (45 points)
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Divining spear
• 2x Enlightened
• 2x Divining spear

Exported with App Version: v1.14.0 (42), Data Version: v379

Archetype

Mid-range Thousand Sons

Thoughts

A middle-of-the-road Tsons build here, using a mix of Rubricae and the Mutalith. The only standout beyond that is chosing to put the Umbralefic Crystal on the Tzaangors, which gives you the option of redeploy into Temporal Surge to flip an objective on a unit you don’t massively care about losing. Other than that, business as usual, but very effective business, so well done Kieren.

Brandon Powell – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Army Roster (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit)

Detachment Choice: Slaves to Darkness

Show/Hide Options: Chaos Knights are visible, Khorne Daemons are visible, Legends are visible, Nurgle Daemons are visible, Slaanesh Daemons are visible, Titans are visible, Tzeentch Daemons are visible, Unaligned Forces are visible, Unaligned Fortifications are visible

+ Character +

Master of Possession [80pts]: Mark of Chaos Undivided

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour [90pts]: Chaos Familiar, Combi-weapon, Mark of Slaanesh

Warpsmith [110pts]: Eye of Tzeentch, Mark of Tzeentch, Warlord, Warp hammer

+ Battleline +

Legionaries [80pts]: Chaos icon, Mark of Slaanesh

. Aspiring Champion: Heavy melee weapon, Plasma pistol
. 2x Legionary w/ chainsword: 2x Astartes chainsword, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Close combat weapon
. Legionary w/ heavy melee weapon
. Legionary w/ other weapon: Lascannon

Legionaries [80pts]: Chaos icon, Mark of Slaanesh

+ Infantry +

Chaos Terminator Squad [370pts]: Mark of Slaanesh

. Heavy weapon: Chainfist, Reaper autocannon
. Heavy weapon: Chainfist, Reaper autocannon
. 2x Paired accursed weapons: 2x Paired accursed weapons
. 6x Power fist and combi-weapon: 6x Combi-weapon, 6x Power fist

Possessed [260pts]: Chaos icon, Mark of Chaos Undivided

. 10x Possessed: 10x Hideous mutations

Warp Talons [110pts]: Mark of Slaanesh

. 5x Warp Talon: 5x Warp claws

Warp Talons [110pts]: Mark of Slaanesh

. 5x Warp Talon: 5x Warp claws

+ Vehicle +

Forgefiend [200pts]: Mark of Chaos Undivided

. 2 ectoplasma cannons
. Ectoplasma cannon and limbs

Helbrute [130pts]: Mark of Nurgle, Twin lascannon

. Helbrute fist with heavy flamer

Venomcrawler [110pts]: Mark of Nurgle

+ 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] ++

Created with BattleScribe ()

Archetype

All-rounder CSM

Thoughts

The Index is on the way out, and it’s fair to say it’s something of a shadow of its original self, but still time for a top four outing here, combining a fairly “lightweight” setup of core Infantry and gunline stuff (leaning on double Pacts from a Helbrute and Nurgle for the latter) so that it’s got the points for two big hammer units in the Possessed and Terminators. Does ensure that it can give as good as it gets into melee-heavy lists, and the biggest takeaway is probably to not count out Terminators when the new book lands – Orks being a major meta factor makes all-rounders that can flatten hordes in multiple phases extra valuable. Well done to Brandon.

Ozzie Meloche – Tyranids (Unending Swarm) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++ Prison toolbox 2.4 (Warhammer 40,000 10th Edition) [1,990pts] +++

++ Army Roster (Xenos – Tyranids) [1,990pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit)

Detachment: Unending Swarm

Show/Hide Options: Legends are visible, Unaligned Forces are visible, Unaligned Fortifications are visible

+ Epic Hero +

Deathleaper [80pts]: Lictor Claws and Talons

The Swarmlord [240pts]: Bone Sabres, Synaptic Pulse, Warlord

+ Character +

Neurotyrant [105pts]: Neurotyrant claws and lashes, Psychic scream

+ Battleline +

Gargoyles [170pts]
. 20x Gargoyles: 20x Blinding Venom, 20x Fleshborer

Termagants [120pts]
. Termagant w/ Strangleweb: Chitinous Claws and Teeth, Strangleweb
. Termagant w/ Strangleweb: Chitinous Claws and Teeth, Strangleweb
. 18x Termagants: 18x Chitinous Claws and Teeth, 18x Termagant Spinefist

+ Infantry +

Biovores [75pts]
. Biovore: Chitin-barbed Limbs, Spore Mine Launcher

Lictor [55pts]: Lictor Claws and Talons

Neurolictor [80pts]: Piercing Claws and Talons

Pyrovores [35pts]
. Pyrovore: Chitin-barbed limbs, Flamespurt

Tyrant Guard [85pts]
. Tyrant Guard: Scything Talons and Rending Claws
. Tyrant Guard: Scything Talons and Rending Claws
. Tyrant Guard: Scything Talons and Rending Claws

Venomthropes [70pts]
. 3x Venomthrope: 3x Toxic Lashes

+ Swarm +

Ripper Swarms [20pts]
. Ripper Swarm: Xenos Claws and Teeth

+ Monster +

Exocrine [135pts]: Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs

Psychophage [95pts]: Psycholastic Torrent, Talons and Betentacled Maw

Created with BattleScribe ()

Archetype

Toolbox Unending Swarm

Thoughts

Speaking of hordes you need to clear, we’ve got another showing for the Undending Swarm here, though it’s much less of a pure horde build than we saw at Dallas. Instead, bringing in the Swarmlord and lots of utility units provides quite a bit of flexibility on the tabletop, making the build very reliable at scoring Secondaries while the Gargoyles deny Primary. Although the number of horde units it has is fairly small, they’ll got a bit further thanks to Venomthropes and a Feel No Pain from the Psychophage, and Swarmy’s bonus CP also ensures that you should be able to use Unending Waves every turn if you need to. Funnily enough, that really hammers home what we just mentioned about the value of multi-phase bruisers, as the potential weakspot of this build is that it’s got less redundancy against opponents who can quickly clear multiple horde units. On the other hand, it retains a lot of the strengths of the dedicated horde variants, adds some alternative lines of play, and is also presumably a lot less physically hateful to pilot! I do think the Swarmlord should show up in more Unending builds, as they’re priced to move at their new cost, so well done to Ozzie for giving them a big outing!

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Gordon Sundin – Tyranids (Synaptic Nexus): The biggest and braniest bugs of them all go rampaging here, with two Norn Emissaries leading the charge.
6th – Thomas Walker – Thousand Sons: Characters, Rubricae and a Mutalith.
7th – David Coren – Grey Knights: Four Dreadknights and two hefty Infantry blocks in the form of Draigo/Terminators and Crowe/Purifiers.

Brighton 40k GT VII

35-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on May 18 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Daniel Whitaker – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

The sophisticated choice (1995 points)

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Berzerker Warband

CHARACTERS

Angron (415 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder

Lord Invocatus (140 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Coward’s Bane
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

BATTLELINE

Jakhals (65 points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
1x Icon of Khorne
7x Jakhal chainblades
1x Mauler chainblade

OTHER DATASHEETS

Eightbound (145 points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
• 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound eviscerators

Exalted Eightbound (160 points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound chainfist
2x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (320 points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 5x Exalted Eightbound
• 5x Eightbound chainfist
5x Eightbound eviscerator

World Eaters Maulerfiend (140 points)
• 2x Magma cutters
1x Maulerfiend fists

Exported with App Version: v1.14.0 (42), Data Version: v379

Archetype

Heavy Hitter World Eaters

Thoughts

Welp, this is almost the exact opposite of the previous World Eaters build we looked at – light on Characters, heavy on giant bricks of Exalted Eightbound, ready to smash through anything that gets in the way (though it does also retain the utility of 3×3 basic Eightbound). Definitely daunting to face down, and adding the Maulerfiend is cute too, as Tank Shock from it can help open up game into some targets that the Eightbound might stumble on. Well done Daniel!

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. Everyone is marked as joint 2nd in BCP. Don’t ask me why. They were:

2nd – Josh Dare – Orks (Green Tide): A nice clean 100 Boyz with buff Characters, supported by the Warcaller Big Mek/Meganobz brick.
2nd – Nicholas Willingale – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Triple Wraiths, double Doomstalker, a Szeras/Immortal setup and a Transcendent.
2nd – Liam Macindoe – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Characters, Rubricae, chaff and one supporting Karnivore.
2nd – Will Whitaker – Chaos Daemons: A squelchy Rotigus/GUO anvil and a hammer of lots of Bloodcrushers supported by a pair of Rendmasters.
2nd – Tom Hamshire – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): 2/3 Raiders/Venoms with the normal stuff packed into them, plus the unique and interesting touch of a lone allied Solitaire.

Ammonite Gaming, Turbulent Tides – The Whitby GT

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on May 18 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Chris Taylor – Orks (Bully Boyz) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Bully boyz bring da Waaaagh to da seaside!

We’re ‘ere to drink some beer and krump sum ‘umies. And we’re almost out of beer…

++ Army Roster (Xenos – Orks) [2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit)

Detachment: Bully Boyz

Show/Hide Options

+ Epic Hero +

Zodgrod Wortsnagga [80pts]

+ Character +

Warboss [65pts]: Attack squig, Power klaw

Warboss in Mega Armour [100pts]: Big Gob, Warlord

Warboss in Mega Armour [105pts]: Tellyporta

Warboss in Mega Armour [80pts]

+ Infantry +

Flash Gitz [80pts]: Ammo Runt
. 4x Flash Gitz: 4x Choppa, 4x Snazzgun

Gretchin [80pts]
. 2 Runtherds and 20 Gretchin
. . 20x Gretchin: 20x Close combat weapon, 20x Grot blasta
. . 2x Runtherd: 2x Grot-smacka, 2x Slugga

Gretchin [40pts]
. 1 Runtherd and 10 Gretchin
. . 10x Gretchin: 10x Close combat weapon, 10x Grot blasta

Kommandos [135pts]: Bomb Squig, Distraction Grot
. Boss Nob: Power klaw
. Kommandos w/ Breacha ram
. Kommandos w/ Rokkit launcha
. 7x Kommandos w/ Slugga and choppa: 7x Choppa, 7x Slugga

Meganobz [150pts]
. 5x Meganob w/ Kustom shoota and power klaw: 5x Kustom shoota, 5x Power klaw

Meganobz [180pts]
. 2x Meganob w/ Kustom shoota and power klaw: 2x Kustom shoota, 2x Power klaw
. 4x Meganob w/ Twin killsaw: 4x Twin killsaw

Nobz [110pts]: Ammo Runt
. Boss Nob
. . Slugga and power klaw
. 4x Nob w/ Slugga and power klaw: 4x Power klaw, 4x Slugga

Stormboyz [65pts]
. Boss Nob: Power klaw
. 4x Stormboy: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga

+ Dedicated Transport +

Trukk [65pts]: Wreckin’ ball

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

Created with BattleScribe ()

Archetype

Transport-heavy Bully Boyz

Thoughts

More Bully Boyz, heading to the seaside for a hit-and-run holiday. Mostly stuff we’ve seen, but two new things – Zodgrod’s Supa Grotz, who I think are severely under-utilised (especially as they can potentially bog down the enemy counterpunch), and two small units of Flash Gitz, giving a list that usually has zero (0) firepower a teeny amount of it. I’m not convinced that’s necessary, though I suppose it could theoretically open up the Thousand Sons matchup just a little bit by reducing the impunity with which Rubricae stomp amount. Glad to see they’re still getting work even with Da Kaptin gone, and congratulations to Chris on the win.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd (4.5-0.5) – Adam Elliott – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): All-rounder Sisters with a bit of everything.
3rd – Ratnu Vaidya – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Dogs, Nurglings and a lone Beast of Nurgle to sit on an objective.
4th – Joe Senior – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Max ThunderCav, 3×5 Wulfen and some shooting support from a Vindicator and Lancer.
5th – Stephen Platten – Death Guard: Three full Rhino Plague Marine units supported by Daemon Engines and Destructors.

Capital Clash

27-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ottawa, ON, CA on May 18 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Ridvan Martinez – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Clashin It In (2000 Points)

Drukhari
Skysplinter Assault
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Archon (75 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Huskblade

Archon (75 Points)
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Huskblade

Beastmaster (105 Points)
• 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

Lelith Hesperax (85 Points)
• 1x Lelith’s blades

BATTLELINE

Kabalite Warriors (110 Points)
• 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

Wyches (90 Points)
• 1x Hekatrix
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Hekatarii blade
1x Phantasm grenade launcher
• 9x Wych
• 9x Hekatarii blade
9x Splinter pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Raider (80 Points)
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Dark lance

Venom (70 Points)
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Court of the Archon (85 Points)
• 1x Lhamaean
• 1x Shaimeshi blade
• 1x Medusae
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Eyeburst
• 1x Sslyth
• 1x Shardcarbine
1x Splinter pistol
1x Sslyth battle-blade
• 1x Ur-ghul
• 1x Ur-ghul talons

Cronos (50 Points)
• 1x Spirit syphon
1x Spirit vortex
1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Incubi (75 Points)
• 4x Incubi
• 4x Klaive
• 1x Klaivex
• 1x Demiklaives

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
1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dark lance

Scourges (110 Points)
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Drukhari haywire blaster

Voidraven Bomber (215 Points)
• 1x Bladed wings
2x Dark scythe
1x Voidraven missiles

Exported with App Version: v1.14.0 (37), Data Version: v379

Archetype

Voidraven Skysplinter

Thoughts

A proper left-field unit choice to round us out for the day, double Voidraven. That’s slightly less implausible than it sounds – as a Drukhari mastermind like Skari will have been well aware, the output on these is kind of ridiculous with a pain token, and in a metagame defined by melee pressure builds and Thousand Sons it honestly has a lot going for it. Dark Scythes with re-rolls are perfect for picking up Rubricae, while against melee hordes the damage will seriously add up over time. Running them in Skysplinter also provides access to a 4+ Invulnerable Savefrom Night Shield, so they’re less trivial to put down in response where the opponent does have shooting. I feel like you’re probably losing slightly too many of the serious draws to Skysplinter to get two in (I’d probably want one more Archon/Incubi Venom here), but seeing this has certainly sold me that getting at least one out again would be seriously strong. Congratulations Skari!

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Zach Comeau – T’au Empire (Mont’ka): God dammit, I said last week that the Tiger Shark would be good in Mont’ka, and here it is. We shall never be free of the resin curse. Otherwise – Riptides and Breacherfish.
3rd – Josh Crowe – Orks (Bully Boyz): Trukk Spam Bully Boyz with lots of Nobz and Meganobz in sweet rides.
4th – Thomas Cowan – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness): Brawler stuff, including a full Possessed bomb, supported by Vindicators and a Predator.

Wrap Up

That’s it for part two – you’re in Lowest of Men‘s capable hands tomorrow, so make sure to check back for our final five events.

Competitive Innovations in 10th: 2x Gorky 3x Krump pt.2

The Storm Of Silence: 13th Annual Warhammer 40,000 US Open Qualifier Grand Tournament

The Showdown

Vital Ground – Chilling Rain – Sweeping Engagement

Thoughts

Result

Noah Beddome – Orks (Green Tide) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ryan Smith – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kasra Houshidar – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Joel Rodgers – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Alberta Classic 2024

Frasier Parry – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kieren Trimbee – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Brandon Powell – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ozzie Meloche – Tyranids (Unending Swarm) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Brighton 40k GT VII

Daniel Whitaker – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Ammonite Gaming, Turbulent Tides – The Whitby GT

Chris Taylor – Orks (Bully Boyz) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Capital Clash

Ridvan Martinez – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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