We’re going tall rather than wide this week – five events, but one of them is our first post-dataslate supermajor at Beachhead Brawl. The Imperium had the best of this one, with the Astra Militarum and Dark Angels putting in spectacular performances, but there are plenty of Necrons and Orks nipping at their heels. Elsewhere in Poland, the Aeldari flex their still considerable muscles, and in America it looks like rumours of Angron’s death might have (once again) been greatly exaggerated. All sorts of fun and games, and all packed into a single part this week where I’m joined by Lowest of Men and Curie, who is reporting from the Canadian front.

Between us we’ll be covering:

Beachhead Brawl 2024
Dicebreaker
Grand Onslaught 7
Ottowa Winter Open
Brighton GT

Three authors also means a bumper crop of Showdowns, voted for as ever* by our beloved Patrons – we’ll be covering:

Astra Militarum vs Leagues of Votann at Beachhead
Astra Militarum vs Chaos Daemons at the Ottowa Winter Open
Adeptus Custodes vs Adepta Sororitas at the Brighton GT

*when I’ve not concocted some tyrannical reason to rig/ignore the polls

Beachhead Brawl 2024

160-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on February 09 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Priority Targets – Chosen Battlefield – Dawn of War

Jake Harding – Leagues of Votann (Oathband):
Army List - Click to Expand

Lighthouses are an underrated form of wizard tower (2000 Points)

Leagues of Votann
Oathband
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Grimnyr (80 Points)
• 1x Grimnyr
• 1x Ancestral Wrath
1x Ancestral ward stave
• Enhancements: A Long List
• 2x CORV
• 2x Autoch-pattern bolter
2x Close combat weapon

Grimnyr (85 Points)
• 1x Grimnyr
• 1x Ancestral Wrath
1x Ancestral ward stave
• Enhancements: Appraising Glare
• 2x CORV
• 2x Autoch-pattern bolter
2x Close combat weapon

Grimnyr (65 Points)
• 1x Grimnyr
• 1x Ancestral Wrath
1x Ancestral ward stave
• 2x CORV
• 2x Autoch-pattern bolter
2x Close combat weapon

BATTLELINE

Hearthkyn Warriors (110 Points)
• 1x Theyn
• 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Ion blaster
1x Weavefield Crest
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
• 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
9x Close combat weapon
1x Comms Array
1x HYLas auto rifle
1x HYLas rotary cannon
7x Ion blaster
1x Medipack
1x Pan Spectral Scanner

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Sagitaur (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured wheels
1x HYLas beam cannon
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 gauntlet
1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
1x Teleport Crest
1x Volkanite disintegrator
• 9x Einhyr Hearthguard
• 9x Concussion gauntlet
9x Exo-armour grenade launcher
9x Volkanite disintegrator

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

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

vs.

Martyn Cooper – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment):
Army List - Click to Expand

Chaff and more chaff (2000 Points)

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Gaunt’s Ghosts (100 Points)
• 1x Ibram Gaunt
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Gaunt’s chainsword
• 1x Colm Corbec
• 1x Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Elim Rawne
• 1x Rawne’s lascarbine
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Hlaine Larkin
• 1x Larkin’s long-las
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x ’Try Again’ Bragg
• 1x Bragg’s autocannon
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Oan Mkoll
• 1x Lascarbine
1x Mkoll’s straight silver knife

Lord Solar Leontus (125 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
1x Konstantin’s hooves
1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Platoon Command Squad (75 Points)
• 1x Platoon Commander
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• Enhancements: Grand Strategist
• 2x Veteran Guardsman
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Lasgun
2x Laspistol
1x Master Vox
1x Medi-pack
• 1x Veteran Heavy Weapons Team
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
1x Mortar

Tank Commander (205 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher battle cannon
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta

Ursula Creed (55 Points)
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
1x Power weapon

BATTLELINE

Catachan Jungle Fighters (55 Points)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
• 9x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
7x Lasgun
1x Vox-caster

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points)
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Death Korps Medi-pack
1x Grenade launcher
6x Lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun

OTHER DATASHEETS

Basilisk (135 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile

Bullgryn Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Bullgryn Bone ’ead
• 1x Brute Shield
1x Bullgryn maul
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Bullgryn
• 2x Brute Shield
2x Bullgryn maul
2x Close combat weapon

Kasrkin (100 Points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster

Medusa Carriage Battery (110 Points)
• 1x Battery close combat weapons
1x Medusa siege cannon

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (260 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Co-axial autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
2x Meltagun
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.10.0 (29), Data Version: v336

Thoughts

Do you like guns? Do you like wheels? Do you like guns on wheels? I’ve got a showdown that might interest you! Votann line up against the Astra Militarum in this showdown from Beachhead Brawl that might be a sign of things to come…

The Leagues have actually come out of the slate looking pretty solid, truth be told. Some expected points rises on Sagitaurs and Hearthguard are balanced out by their toughest match ups coming down a peg or two (they won’t miss Wraithguard), and Grim Demeanour now gives you a Hearthguard brick that can ignore damage and AP reduction, which is MASSIVE for a faction that is generally very reliant on damage two to get the job done. Jake’s list helps fund the changes by plugging in three Grimnyr as cheap Sagitaur passengers and action doers, which means you can still field an enormous amount of Hi-Las shooting and threat saturation without losing much by way of asset width. It plays the missions really well (triple Pioneers helps shore up scoring), and it has great tools for dealing with durable bricks of enemies.

In the Guard corner we have Martyn, who was excitedly predicting big things for the faction post-slate when we chatted a few months ago and has been vindicated by bringing home the trophy here. Triple Medusa batteries give you excellent high ap high damage artillery, there are plenty of cheap scoring and blocking units out ahead of them in the form of Catachans and cheap Bullgryn blockers, and the army is extremely good at keeping you pinned as it whittles you down from afar, with reinforcements popping up intermittently to take advantage as the enemy gets run down. This match up is an interesting one, as Votann certainly have plenty of ways to hurt the guard units, but if they start getting de meched before doing serious damage they can find themselves out positioned and outscored as guard units respawn whilst their own die. The artillery can pick off the Votann scoring very happily, and the Basilisk packs slowing potential that can also make Votann life harder (though Grim Demeanour certainly helps here too). Priority Targets is so often decided by show gets to the late game with enough stuff on the board to dominate the end game scoring, and the scoreline suggests the Guard created enough of a board control advantage to capitalise late game here. Really well done on the win Martyn!

Result

Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) Victory – 100 – 60

Martyn Cooper – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

The List

See Showdown

Archetype

Guard Medusa Spam

Thoughts

Right Guard players, let’s do this. Your faction is in an extremely powerful place, terrain and player skill permitting, and you’ll all just have to reconcile with that fact. Great artillery, good cheap mission playing assets, and a wealth of units with which to score and deny primary and secondaries. Martyn highlights here that you can win big without Manticores and there are indeed a host of nasty Militarum indirect pieces that have yet to see regular use. Forcing Battle-shock via Medusa is really nasty and can help trip up enemy scoring and swing key points, and I expect to see plenty of indirect bolstered builds achieving great things over the next few weeks. I don’t think it’s an auto-win army, and I don’t think they’re easy to push to the top places, but I definitely think the best Guard lists have everything they need to compete at the highest level right now. It might just take a few more big event wins to persuade their fanbase…

Jay Seebarun – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Redemptor Dreadnought. Credit: Kevin Stillman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Beachhead (1970 Points)

Space Marines
Dark Angels
Ironstorm Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Azrael (105 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Lion’s Wrath
1x The Lion Helm
1x The Sword of Secrets

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (90 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• Enhancements: Master of Machine War (Aura)

Techmarine (95 Points)
• 1x Forge bolter
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• Enhancements: Target Augury Web (Aura)

Techmarine (80 Points)
• 1x Forge bolter
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• Enhancements: Adept of the Omnissiah

OTHER DATASHEETS

Gladiator Lancer (160 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Lancer laser destroyer
2x Storm bolter

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

Ravenwing Darkshroud (115 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter

Redemptor Dreadnought (210 Points)
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Macro plasma incinerator
1x Onslaught gatling cannon
1x Redemptor fist
1x Twin storm bolter

Scout Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon

Sternguard Veteran Squad (180 Points)
• 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Sternguard bolt pistol
1x Sternguard bolt rifle
• 9x Sternguard Veteran
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Combi-weapon
9x Sternguard bolt pistol

Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (160 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Stormfury missiles
1x Thunderstrike las-talon
1x Twin Icarus rocket pod

Stormraven Gunship (240 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Hurricane bolter
2x Stormstrike missile launcher
1x Twin heavy plasma cannon
1x Twin multi-melta

Exported with App Version: v1.10.0 (29), Data Version: v336

Archetype

‘Dark Angels’

Thoughts

Ironstorm Spearhead with Stormravens and Darkshroud defences courtesy of a hollowed out Dark Angels index looks to be ready to take on the meta, with sheer output capable of lifting enemy durability builds (watch out Necrons and Custodes!), and plenty of ways to hurt the enemy even as they attempt to hide thanks to old school Towering on the Storm Raven, which synergises very nicely with Ironstorm in particular. It may not be the most exciting to way to run Space Marines, but it is undeniably potent and we will see a lot more of it. Well done to long time Dangels fan Jay for such a strong showing.

Liam Callebout – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 3rd Place

Repulsor Executioner by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Army Roster (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels) [1,990pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size

Detachment: Ironstorm Spearhead

Show/Hide Options: Agents of the Imperium are visible, Imperial Knights are visible, Unaligned Forces are visible, Unaligned Fortifications are visible

+ Epic Hero +

Azrael [105pts]: Warlord

+ Character +

Techmarine [95pts]: Target Augury Web [Aura]

Techmarine [80pts]: Adept of the Omnissiah

Techmarine [75pts]: Master of the Machine War [Aura]

+ Battleline +

Intercessor Squad [80pts]: Astartes Grenade Launcher
. Intercessor Sergeant: Plasma Pistol, Thunder Hammer
. 4x Intercessors: 4x Bolt Pistol, 4x Bolt Rifle, 4x Close Combat Weapon

+ Infantry +

Company Heroes [95pts]

Scout Squad [65pts]
. Scout Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword
. Scout w/ Heavy Weapon: Missile Launcher
. Scout w/ Scout Sniper Rifle
. 2x Scouts w/ Astartes Shotgun: 2x Astartes Shotgun, 2x Bolt Pistol, 2x Close Combat Weapon

+ Vehicle +

Brutalis Dreadnought [175pts]: Twin Multi-melta
. Brutalis Fists & Brutalis Bolt Rifles

Ravenwing Darkshroud [115pts]: Assault cannon

Redemptor Dreadnought [210pts]: Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Twin Fragstorm Grenade Launcher

Repulsor Executioner [220pts]: Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Macro Plasma Incinerator

Storm Speeder Thunderstrike [160pts]

Stormraven Gunship [240pts]: Hurricane Bolter 2 Hurricane Bolters, Twin Heavy Plasma Cannon, Twin Multi-melta

++ Total: [1,990pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe ()

Archetype

‘Dark Angels’

Thoughts

Another triumph for Dark Angels Ironstorm here, this build from Liam packs a few flex tools in (look! a Brutalis!) to really highlight the range of tools availble. A Repulsor sings with those Ironstorm buffs on it, and the Storm Raven once again makes an appearance. It’s worth drawing attention to the Thunderstrike, which is a very potent force multiplier in conjunction with the other guns on display here. A truly horrific build ready to exploit the angles on offer on the Beachhead terrain, and a top showing from Liam, well done.

Ben Woodencock – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

NAME (2000 points)

Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Shield Host

CHARACTERS

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

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

Valerian (115 points)
• 1x Gnosis

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (180 points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 3x Guardian spear
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Sentinel blade

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (325 points)
• 5x Allarus Custodian
• 5x Balistus grenade launcher
5x Guardian spear

Allarus Custodians (130 points)
• 2x Allarus Custodian
• 2x Balistus grenade launcher
2x Guardian spear

Custodian Wardens (200 points)
• 4x Custodian Warden
• 1x Castellan axe
3x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla

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

Archetype

Custodes Golden Slabs

Thoughts

Brace yerselves, here come the slabs! Custodes are back to their brilliant, fight phase dominating best with the dataslate restoring their 4+++ against Dev wounds, and some points drops that let them hit critical mass for bodying the primary once more. Wardens play a crucial role here, able to yeet forwards and pop their once per game 4+++ across the board to tank exorbitant amounts of damage and allow you to close with the enemy. Once you’re there, well, you know what happens once the Custodes connect… Brilliant work on the top placing Ben.

The Best of the Rest

There were 12 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Alex Harrison – Black Templars (Ironstorm Spearhead): Black Templars tank spam.
6th – David Leniewski – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Four C’tan and a Tesseract Vault, you absolute baller.
7th – Aaron Kennedy – Adeptus Mechanicus (Rad-Zone Corps): Rad-Zone Corps with loads of Ironstriders, Dragoons, and Breachers.
8th – Jake Harding – Leagues of Votann: The heroic triple Space Gandalf Votann list from the showdown, piloted by the most handsome man in 40k.
9th – James Read – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Monolith and double Destroyer brick Hypercrypt.
10th – Stephen Box – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Double Land Raider Gladius for the Templars, with a big brick of Centurion Devastators.
11th – James Ball – Orks: Triple Battlewagon Orks, loads of Boyz, some Nobz Meganobz and Flash Gitz. Epic.
12th – Joshua Cowlard – Orks: Double Battlewagon with Nobz and Ghaz leading the charge. Battlewagon meta?!
13th – James Shapiro – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead): Another high placing for the Dark Angels / Ironstorm / Storm Raven tech.
14th – danny evison – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead) : More Dark Angelstorm here, with double Repulsor Executioners alongside the Storm Raven.
15th – George Smith – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Canoptek Court with loads of Wraiths, Nightbringer and Void Dragon.
16th – Jack West – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) : Custodes golden slabs with lots of infantry.

Dicebreaker

All the lists for this event can be found in TourneyKeeper.

This event used 20-0 scoring.

Michał Duda – Aeldari – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

Assasination: 24vp + 2x Resurection
Bring it Down: 6VP

CHARACTERS

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

Avatar of Khaine (335 points)
• 1x The Wailing Doom

Farseer (80 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear

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

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

Warlock Skyrunner (70 points)
• 1x Destructor
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing Spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• Enhancement: The Weeping Stones

BATTLELINE

Guardian Defenders (110 points)
• 10x Guardian Defender
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Heavy Weapon Platform
• 1x Bright lance
1x Close combat weapon

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 Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun

Rangers (55 points)
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol

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

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

Windriders (160 points)
• 6x Windrider
• 6x Close combat weapon
6x Shuriken cannon

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

Final Round Matchup

20-0 Victory vs Marcin Surma – Adeptus Custodes

Archetype

Pivot Aeldari

Thoughts

See the thing about the Aeldari Index, right, is that it’s truly, astoundingly deep, and just below the surface was a bunch of that would be standouts in any other army, but saw very marginal play when classic strength Night Spinners and Wraithguard were available.

Now that the tallest poppies have had a bit of a trim, intrepid Aeldari afficionados are digging deeper into the roster, and throwing out builds like this one. I’ve had someone sing the praises of Wraithblades to me before as providing an extremely solid anchor, helping push a Fixed scoring plan built around Cleanse, and they’re certainly daunting to chew through, especially with a Farseer around to drop Fortune on them. Expect to see more Farseers with Guardians returning to the field now Indirect has been taken down a notch and Fate Dice are scarcer. More Fate Dice and more value from the ones you do use is far more valuable in that context, and you’re not as worried about them just getting blown out.

You’ve got lots of units that are good at action/positional secondaries to go with that, then two big hitters – the Avatar and the Windrider unit. Everyone knows about the Avatar, who is pretty much as good as ever, and the Windriders are another unit that really transforms in value in a world where three Night Spinners isn’t a matchup you’ll see as often. Loading them with a Warlock Skyrunner and the Weeping Stones makes them both relatively resilient to chip damage that isn’t “re-rolling D2 Devastating Wounds” and yet another source of Fate Dice to keep the Avatar well fed. Now you’re no longer as tied to constantly spamming Phantasm, you might even have the odd CP to play with after Fire and Fade-ing them every turn!

All taken together – still extremely reliable at scoring, and filled with plenty of units that are tough to interact with, but at least there’s a couple of gigantic targets for opponents to take a swing at. Doesn’t seem to have helped them that much, but it’s there. Well done Michał.

Grzelich – Dark Angels (Vanguard Spearhead) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

ARMY: Dark Angels Space Marines
DETACHMENT: Vanguard Spearhead Strike Force (2000 points)
ENCHACMENTS: Shadow War Veteran, Execute and Redeploy
ASSASINATE: 16
BIG GAME HUNTER: 17
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-Grzelich Dakka Kaboom?
-Yes Grzelich. Grzelich Dakka Kaboom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHARACTERS
Librarian in Phobos Armour (100 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancement: Shadow War Veteran

Librarian in Phobos Armour (90 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancement: Execute and Redeploy

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

OTHER DATASHEETS
Gladiator Lancer (160 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer

Gladiator Lancer (160 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer

Inceptor Squad (130 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma exterminators

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

Nephilim Jetfighter (195 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Avenger mega bolter
1x Blacksword missiles
1x Twin heavy bolter

Repulsor Executioner (220 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy laser destroyer
1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array
1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
1x Twin heavy bolter

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

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

Archetype

Vanguard Tanks

Thoughts

A rather unusual metagame pick here, taking a set of tools like Lancers and RepExes that would more normally be seen in an Ironstorm Spearhead and sticking them in Vanguard, adding an extra large dose of Scouts and Phobos trickiness to hold opponents at bay and maximise the value of the Detachment ability on the tanks. That gives it a bit of an edge in long-distance shootouts, valuable into other Marines and even better into Votann and Guard, both of which have low base BS and relatively weak access to re-rolls. You also get a bit more of a plan B against an opponent who does manage to alpha strike you, able to eke out scoring in a way that’s always valuable in 20-0 formats, and being able to double tap a Battle Tactic with the Callidus and Shadow War Veteran is a nice bonus on top. I suspect 20-0 scoring and/or practice for a team event was a driving part of picking this over Ironstorm, but it’s clearly got the chops to put in a serious performance, taking three wins and two draws, so well done to Grzelich for finding a cool spin on a formula.

Bartłomiej „Kaskader” Lubiatowski – World Eaters – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

After nerfs (1990 Points)

World Eaters
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2000 Points)

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

World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (125 Points)
• 1x Exalted chainblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Berzerker Glaive

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

World Eaters Master of Executions (100 Points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
1x Bolt pistol

BATTLELINE

Khorne Berzerkers (200 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Khorne Berzerker
• 7x Berzerker chainblade
7x Bolt pistol
1x Icon of Khorne
2x Khornate eviscerator
2x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (200 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Khorne Berzerker
• 7x Berzerker chainblade
7x Bolt pistol
2x Khornate eviscerator
2x Plasma pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

ALLIED UNITS

War Dog Brigand (170 Points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher

Archetype

Ultra-Pressure World Eaters

Thoughts

I have to hand it to Bartłomiej – this is definitely the correct Khornate reaction to the nerfs that World Eaters recently received. Less stuff to play with? Maximum Scout moves for maximum early pressure it is! Taking the two big Berserker units allows the very maximum value to be squeezed out of Invocatus’ buff, combining with built-in Scout on the Eightbound to shift almost half the army up the table, and it’s not like Angron struggles to keep pace with that. Adding some Brigands also gives the army a way to exploit the time the opponent takes to prise themselves out from under the onslaught, and provides a great way of clearing out chaff, plus some C’tan-scaring big Melta shots. Battle-Lust on one of the MoEs is cute too – combined with Blood Surge, it makes it very difficult for a multi-phase opposing army to plan good charges in the Movement Phase unless they then skip shooting at that unit entirely.

It’s very cool all told, but also clearly very binary – it actually went 3-2, but won in massive blowouts every time it triumphed, and carved a decent number of points out of the foe’s flesh in the games it lost. I probably wouldn’t recommend this as the way of playing Eaters in a normal Singles event, but what Bartłomiej has put together is clearly exceedingly well-suited to 20-0 or teams, so if that’s your jam give it a try. Congratulations to him for keeping Khorne in the conversation too!

Khanrad – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Factions used: Necrons
Army Points: 1995
Army Enhancements: Arisen Tyrant – Lokhust Lord; Osteoclave Fulcrum – Technomancer
Detachment Rules: Hypercrypt Legion

Assassination: 28
Bring it down: 12
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

Hexmark Destroyer (70 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

Lokhust Lord (105 Points)
• 1x Lord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancements: Arisen Tyrant

Technomancer (80 Points)
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancements: Osteoclave Fulcrum

Technomancer (60 Points)
• 1x Staff of light

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

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

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

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

Archetype

C’tan/Wraith Hypercrypt

Thoughts

A showing for an increasingly popular spin on Hypercrypt to round out this top four, featuring lots of Wraiths and triple C’tan. That provides an enormous amount of very mobile (thanks to teleporting) and very durable units to control the board, around which the units of Destroyers can dance, picking off anything that the C’tan can’t handle. I really like the use of an Arisen Tyrant lord with Enmitic Lokhust Heavies – going ham with this unit throws out a pretty spectacular amount of dakka, and they’re pretty good into other Necron players, as they’re well specced to chew through Wraiths and put meaningful chip damage on C’tan as well. They also have a much smaller footprint than a full unit of regular Lokhusts, which has been a killer for me every time I’ve tried to use them. Definitely an alternative I’ll give a try if I can bring myself to paint even more Heavy Destroyers, so both congratulations to Khanrad on 4th place and thanks for the inspiration!

The Best of the Rest

As ever with 20-0 the exact place to cut this off is pretty subjective, but four more players covers everyone who was 4-1 or better, so let’s go with that.

5th – Daniel “RIBBIE” Grabowski – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Triple C’tan with the Silent King and two big Wraith units. Max crunch.
6th – deih – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash, featuring the glorious return of the Tyrannofex from exile.
7th – Typhus – Adepta Sororitas: Much the same as pre-dataslate lists, sticking to triple Arco-flagellants with all the rest of the traditional quality pieces.
8th – Michał Gogi Cieślik – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Skitarii horde returns, featuring five units each of Vanguard and Rangers, with a few more eltie units backing them up.

Grand Onslaught 7

56-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Seminole, Florida, US on February 10 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jack Harpster – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Don’t just let your memes be dreams (1990 Points)

World Eaters
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2000 Points)

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 (70 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 (320 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 5x Exalted Eightbound
• 5x Eightbound chainfist
5x Eightbound eviscerator

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

Khorne Lord of Skulls (450 Points)
• 1x Daemongore cannon
1x Great cleaver of Khorne
1x Skullhurler

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

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

Archetype

World Eaters Lord of Skulls

Thoughts

Jack Harpster cares not for your nerfs and naysaying, he will simply flourish in the face of adversity like a true World Eater would. A glorious list that packs the Lord of Skulls in to open up fresh options for the angry lads, with some genuine shooting and another terrifying threat to add to the general vibe of ‘all threats, all the time’ that this army loves to push. A very exciting victory that highlights that perhaps people are writing World Eaters off a little too soon… Well done as always Jack!

John Lennon – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Carnifex party (1995 Points)

Tyranids
Invasion Fleet
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Hive Tyrant (260 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Heavy venom cannon
1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
• Enhancements: Adaptive Biology

Neurotyrant (105 Points)
• 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes
1x Psychic scream

Old One Eye (140 Points)
• 1x Old One Eye’s claws and talons

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (80 Points)
• 10x Gargoyle
• 10x Blinding venom
10x Fleshborer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (75 Points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher

Carnifexes (250 Points)
• 2x Carnifex
• 2x Bio-plasma
2x Chitinous claws and teeth
2x Deathspitters with slimer maggots
2x Deathspitters with slimer maggots
2x Spine banks

Exocrine (135 Points)
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs

Maleceptor (170 Points)
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload

Neurolictor (80 Points)
• 1x Piercing claws and talons

Pyrovores (35 Points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Flamespurt

Screamer-Killer (145 Points)
• 1x Bio-plasmic scream
1x Screamer-Killer talons

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

Archetype

Invasion Fleet Carnifexes

Thoughts

John Lennon takes it to a Carnifex place with this list, which shoves Old One Eye, some Carnifex pals and multiple Screamer Killers down your throat. There’s plenty of scoring support to back it up, and the ability to pop a 5+++ where it’s needed means you never really know what it will take to actually do meaningful damage to the monsters as they come rushing towards you, which gives the list massive spike potential and a way of playing that can realistically do some damage, which is something Nids have struggled with a bit. Battle-shocking via Neurlictors, Screamer Killers, AND Shadow in the Warp gives you a whole host of ways to throw the enemy off guard, and I absolutely love this list. Very well done John! The old Art of War one-two, you love to see it.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd – Gavin Conn – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Nightbringer, the Silent King, and plenty of Wraiths and Destroyers.
4th – Robert Hawkins – Salamanders (Firestorm Assault Force): Epic double Redeemer Firestorm.
5th – Mike Muzeni – Thousand Sons: Double Mutalith Tsons with Rubrics and the usual characters.
6th – Rielle Long – Blood Angels (Sons of Sanguinius): Proper Blood Angels with a Death Company slab and a Repulsor to ferry lots of Assault Intercessors about…
7th – Ryan Sawyer – Death Guard: Death Guard Rhino rush with tonnes of Plaguemarines.
8th – Quinton Johnson – Aeldari: MSU Aeldari with the Avatar of Khaine and lots of Fire Dragons.
9th – Alec Huffman – Black Templars (Ironstorm Spearhead): Black Templars Ironstorm with Redemptors, a Repulsor, and some melee trading pieces.

Ottawa Winter Open

28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ottawa, ON, CA on February 10 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings. Yours truly (Curie) was the TO for the event and had some fun watching all the adjustments to the dataslate that players were making.

The Showdown

Supply Drop – Chilling Rain – Search and Destroy

Alice Braithwaite – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): I don’t even know what to call this – maybe a stampede? 12 Bloodcrushers, 15 flesh hounds, and 30 Bloodletters supported by Be’lakor and 2 Rendmasters on Blood Throne.
Army List - Click to Expand

OWO (1990 points)

Chaos Daemons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Daemonic Incursion

CHARACTERS

Be’lakor (350 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Betraying Shades
1x The Blade of Shadows

Rendmaster on Blood Throne (150 points)
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
1x Blade of blood

Skulltaker (85 points)
• 1x The Slayer Sword

The Blue Scribes (75 points)
• 1x Sharp quills

The Changeling (90 points)
• 1x Infernal Flames
1x The Trickster’s Staff

BATTLELINE

Bloodletters (120 points)
• 1x Bloodreaper
• 1x Hellblade
• 9x Bloodletter
• 1x Daemonic Icon
9x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Bloodcrushers (220 points)
• 1x Bloodhunter
• 1x Hellblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 5x Bloodcrusher
• 1x Daemonic Icon
5x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos
5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

Flesh Hounds (70 points)
• 1x Gore Hound
• 1x Burning roar
1x Collar of Khorne
1x Gore-drenched fangs
• 4x Flesh Hound
• 4x Collar of Khorne
4x Gore-drenched fangs

Exported with App Version: v1.10.0 (37), Data Version: v336

vs.

John Winter Russell – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): What can only be considered Guard Good Stuff at this point (Manticores, Tank Commanders, Basilisk, Sentinels) – with the spicy addition of a Militarum Tempestus Command Squad and a 10-strong Tempestus Scions squad.
Army List - Click to Expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Player Name: John Winter Russell
Factions Used: Astra Militarum
Army Points: 2000
Army Enhancements: None
Detachment Rule: Combined Regiment

Number of units: 19
Bring it down: 16 (plus sentinels coming back)
Assassination: 28
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

New Ideas-ish (2000 Points)

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Death Korps Marshal (60 Points)
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon

Lord Solar Leontus (125 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
1x Konstantin’s hooves
1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Tempestus dagger
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Medi-pack
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
1x Regimental Standard

Platoon Command Squad (60 Points)
• 1x Platoon Commander
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 2x Veteran Guardsman
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Lasgun
2x Laspistol
1x Master Vox
1x Medi-pack
• 1x Veteran Heavy Weapons Team
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
1x Mortar

Tank Commander (205 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher battle cannon
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta

Ursula Creed (55 Points)
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
1x Power weapon

BATTLELINE

Death Korps of Krieg (130 Points)
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster
• 2x Plasma pistol
2x Power weapon
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
• 18x Close combat weapon
1x Death Korps Medi-pack
2x Grenade launcher
12x Lasgun
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun

OTHER DATASHEETS

Attilan Rough Riders (140 Points)
• 1x Rough Rider Sergeant
• 1x Hunting lance
1x Lasgun
1x Laspistol
1x Power sabre
1x Steed’s hooves
• 9x Rough Rider
• 9x Hunting lance
9x Lasgun
9x Laspistol
9x Steed’s hooves

Basilisk (135 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile

Manticore (180 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm eagle rockets

Scout Sentinels (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw

Tempestus Scions (110 Points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
• 9x Close combat weapon
5x Hot-shot lasgun
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun

Tempestus Scions (55 Points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
2x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot volley gun
1x Plasma gun

Thoughts

This was a spicy matchup from the get-go – two titans of the meta clashing at the top table of a fiercely competitive GT. Oh wait, it’s Chaos Daemons vs Astra Militarum?! Chaos Daemons got a considerable amount of love in the last dataslate, with sweeping point reductions, and the rules clarification that buffs like the Rendmaster’s Blood Throne ability stack gave them some spicy things to work with. Alice’s list takes advantage of both of these – her list went down 90 points after the slate, and taking 2 Rendmasters provided some serious punch to her Khorne Daemon units. Earlier in the event I watched a unit of Flesh Hound punt a Redemptor Dreadnought into the warp!

On the Astra Militarum side, this list takes many of the common pieces that have been mainstays of their faction – Scout Sentinels, Kasrkin, Lord Solar, etc. It even features two Manticores, which received a hefty point hike in the previous dataslate, showing that their indirect fire is still invaluable to the faction. John however deviates from the norm by taking a full unit of Roughriders alongside a 10-strong Tempestus Scions squad supported by a Militarum Tempestus Command Squad. Both of these units make excellent use of the recent change allowing officers to issue orders after they are set up from Reserves or disembarking from a transport. For the Roughriders, this allows John to give them +3″ move – giving them a 15″ movement + charge threat range – and then giving them the +1 Weapon Skill order after bringing in an officer near them. On the other side the Tempestus Scions being given the First Rank, Fire! Second Rank, Fire! order for an additional shot with their Rapid Fire weapons gives them an eye-watering 11 shots with plasma weapons that have full rerolls to hit against unit on objectives and Sustained Hits 1 from the attached command squad.

The mission is where this matchup gets especially spicy – Alice’s list is safe from long-range indirect owing to Be’lakor’s Wreathed in Shadow aura, while John’s list is quite mobile and has some very potent reserves plays. Put these two armies on Supply Drop, where only the No Man’s Land objectives score for the primary mission, and it gets really interesting. Alice is going to have to apply some serious pressure on John to prevent him from swarming the middle with all of his infantry assets while supporting fire from the backline whittle away at her resources. As it turns out, Alice had some slightly bad luck leading to John being able to run away with the score, outscoring her considerably on primary 43-13 while she was able to keep it quite close on secondary 31-38 in his favour.

Result

Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) Victory – 17 – 3

John Winter Russell – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

Lord Solar. Credit: Rockfish — Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Player Name: John Winter Russell
Factions Used: Astra Militarum
Army Points: 2000
Army Enhancements: None
Detachment Rule: Combined Regiment

Number of units: 19
Bring it down: 16 (plus sentiels coming back)
Assassination: 28
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

New Ideas-ish (2000 Points)

Astra Militarum
Combined Regiment
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Death Korps Marshal (60 Points)
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon

Lord Solar Leontus (125 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
1x Konstantin’s hooves
1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Tank Commander (205 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher battle cannon
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta

Ursula Creed (55 Points)
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
1x Power weapon

BATTLELINE

OTHER DATASHEETS

Basilisk (135 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile

Manticore (180 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm eagle rockets

Scout Sentinels (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw

Tempestus Scions (110 Points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
• 9x Close combat weapon
5x Hot-shot lasgun
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun

Tempestus Scions (55 Points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
2x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot volley gun
1x Plasma gun

Archetype

See Showdown

Thoughts

Astra Militarum are pretty good it turns out, winning 2 events this weekend. This list went through Hypercrypt Necrons, Thousand Sons, Adeptus Custodes, Grey Knights, and then finally Chaos Daemons in the finals. Quite the run, and John should be proud of this performance. The flexibility of this list cannot be overstated – it can deal with nearly anything in the meta right now. Looking forwards to seeing other Astra Militarum players learn from this list and John’s execution.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on X-1 records (Alice had a draw earlier in the event and finished 5th with a 3-1-1 record). They were:

2nd (4-1-0) – Will Paul – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): No Blade Champions! Instead 3 different Captains and Trajann lead this golden horde with free stratagems galore. Also featuring the Vertus Praetors supported by a Shield Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike!
3rd (4-1-0) – Chris Hanes – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Triple Blade Champion & Trajann.
4th (4-1-0) – Zach Comeau – T’au Empire (Kauyon): A unique take on the breacher rush with 40 breachers, 2 devilfish, and supporting fire from a Riptide and 2 MSU Crisis Suit squads supported by Coldstar Commanders.

Brighton 40k GT VI

27-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on February 10 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Purge the Foe – Minefields – Crucible of Battle

Jamie Wates – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Four mid-sized Infantry units providing board coverage to protect some Caladius Tanks.
Army List - Click to Expand

Double Caladius (2000 Points)

Adeptus Custodes
Shield Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (180 Points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 4x Guardian spear

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (130 Points)
• 2x Allarus Custodian
• 2x Balistus grenade launcher
2x Guardian spear

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

Custodian Wardens (200 Points)
• 4x Custodian Warden
• 4x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla

Witchseekers (50 Points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Witchseeker flamer

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 (30), Data Version: v336

vs.

Rob Lebeau – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Heavily mechanised Sisters, using lots of Transports with Dominions, Repentia and Retributors.
Army List - Click to Expand

Priory of the Silent heart (1995 points)

Adepta Sororitas
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hallowed Martyrs

CHARACTERS

Daemonifuge (80 points)
• 1x Ephrael Stern
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Sanctity
• 1x Kyganil of the Bloody Tears
• 1x The Outcast’s Weapons

Morvenn Vahl (145 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher

Palatine (65 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Palatine blade
• Enhancement: Blade of Saint Ellynor

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Immolator (115 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta

Sororitas Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Arco-flagellants (150 points)
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails

Castigator (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Crusaders (25 points)
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon

Dominion Squad (110 points)
• 1x Dominion Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Inferno pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Dominion
• 9x Bolt pistol
5x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
4x Meltagun
1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Paragon Warsuits (170 points)
• 1x Paragon Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war mace
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war blade

Repentia Squad (110 points)
• 1x Repentia Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Neural whips
• 9x Sister Repentia
• 9x Penitent eviscerator

Retributor Squad (105 points)
• 1x Retributor Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Inferno pistol
1x Power weapon
• 4x Retributor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Multi-melta

Seraphim Squad (70 points)
• 1x Seraphim Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 4x Seraphim
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Ministorum hand flamer

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

Thoughts

Custodes are back (back again), but Sisters have been on an absolute tear recently, and clearly aren’t giving up their strong position without a fight. The Sisters build here is pleasingly different from some of the ones we’ve seen, going for a heavier mechanised element by adding some Immolators, and also making good use of the newly discounted Repentia for some inexpensive killing power. Classics like Vahl and her robo-girls remain, as do some Arco-flagellants, who are still durable as ever, albeit slightly pricier. I like the use of the Dominions in a slot often taken by Battle Sisters considering this build doesn’t have the Trumph to castle up around – you split out five basic Sisters and the five ones with good stuff to go in an Immolator with the Palatine, and you’ve got a great mobile murder unit.

Over on the Custodes side, we have what is very much an all-rounder build – a good spread of Infantry and Characters with some Caladius Tanks to back them. Even at reduced sizes, Custodes still outclass most stuff in the Fight Phase, especially now Trajann is operating at full power, and approaching this list is a daunting prospect. I like the mix of Characters that it has available to adapt to targets too – Trajann helps into C’tan, the Blade Champion with Veiled Blade helps provide extra punch into non-Damage Reduction targets, and Kyria provides a surprising amount of firepower and protection from enemy shooting in turn, helping adapt to tricky situations. Her shots are especially great into Arco-flagellants and Repentia, so will definitely come in handy here.

What I think is a bit less good for the Custodes, especially on Purge the Foe, is that Caladius Tanks are not the right tool for taking out Sororitas armour. Relatively few shots with very high reliability is great into some targets, but isn’t what you want for armies that can auto-six a crucial save, and I suspect they’re at real risk of losing a shootout here. Lots of Transports in the Sisters build makes that a particularly acute problem, as it lets them control the flow of confrontation, aiming to pick up Kill More points reliably even though Custodes are theoretically well placed for that. Slightly smaller Custodes units with a Character each doesn’t help with that either, as it means that each time one of their units does die it’ll often be counting as two, whereas the Sisters can hurl a Repentia unit out and it only counts as one (though they obviously have to time it for when the Custodes don’t have Fight First CP up).

I think if you’re the Custodes here, you want to take things slow and steady. Kyria’s unit can hold a corner objective while being hard to shoot off, and that probably lets you avoid bleeding Hold More, and if you don’t expose too many easy targets you can either keep pace or pick up a Kill More or two (especially if you hold back the CP for Unwavering Sentinels as mentioned). I basically think that when these armies really clash, there’s a good chance the Custodes get one bonanza scoring turn out of it, but then get neutralised as a threat and the Sisters dominate the rest of the game. The plan, therefore, has to be to draw out the point at which that big clash happens until there’s not enough time left for the Sisters to capitalise on it. I don’t think that’s a surefire thing mind – the Sisters are also good at Secondaries, and Purge tends to have a fairly high “floor” on Primary score, so it might be difficult for the Custodes to do enough to keep them down even with a perfect plan. It looks like the Emperor’s favour went the Sisters way on this one in the end, as although the Custodes put up a respectable showing, the Sororitas triumphed.

Result

Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) Victory – 93 – 77

Rob Lebeau – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Priory of the Silent heart (1995 points)

Adepta Sororitas
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hallowed Martyrs

CHARACTERS

Daemonifuge (80 points)
• 1x Ephrael Stern
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Sanctity
• 1x Kyganil of the Bloody Tears
• 1x The Outcast’s Weapons

Morvenn Vahl (145 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher

Palatine (65 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Palatine blade
• Enhancement: Blade of Saint Ellynor

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Immolator (115 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta

Sororitas Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Arco-flagellants (150 points)
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails

Castigator (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Crusaders (25 points)
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon

Repentia Squad (110 points)
• 1x Repentia Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Neural whips
• 9x Sister Repentia
• 9x Penitent eviscerator

Seraphim Squad (70 points)
• 1x Seraphim Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 4x Seraphim
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Ministorum hand flamer

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

Archetype

Mech Sisters

Thoughts

The return of Repentia as one of the most cost-efficient blenders you can hurl out of a Rhino brings back the classic Sisters plan of doing…well that, mostly. Stage Rhinos, wave melta weaponry menancingly in the foe’s direction, rip enough of them to bits when they commit that they can’t get back into the game. Enduringly effective, and as the Showdown proved, clearly favoured by the Emperor, well done Rob.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Luke Walsh – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): Big tanks – two Dorns and a Shadowsword.
=3rd – Jamie Wates – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): See Showdown.
=3rd – Liam Mac – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Two C’tan, a big squad of Lokhusts and max Heavy Lokhusts, with two Lokhust Lords able to flex into the correct unit as needed.
=3rd – Alexander England – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Two big Thundercav units and the first appearence of post-buff Wulfen.

Wrap Up

Are Guard really all that? Will Aeldari continue to find inventive and peverse ways to dodge their demise (it is kind of their thing tbf)? All this and more next week, probably.

Competitive Innovations in 10th: En Guard

Beachhead Brawl 2024

The Showdown

Priority Targets – Chosen Battlefield – Dawn of War

Thoughts

Result

Martyn Cooper – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Jay Seebarun – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Liam Callebout – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ben Woodencock – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Dicebreaker

Michał Duda – Aeldari – 1st Place

The List

Final Round Matchup

Archetype

Thoughts

Grzelich – Dark Angels (Vanguard Spearhead) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Bartłomiej „Kaskader” Lubiatowski – World Eaters – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Khanrad – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Grand Onslaught 7

Jack Harpster – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

John Lennon – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Ottawa Winter Open

The Showdown

Supply Drop – Chilling Rain – Search and Destroy

Thoughts

Result

John Winter Russell – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Brighton 40k GT VI

The Showdown

Purge the Foe – Minefields – Crucible of Battle

Thoughts

Result

Rob Lebeau – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

Related

Share this:

Related