Ugh, there are still events happening? Five of them even? Don’t you people know I have Canoptek Doomstalkers to paint?
Speaking of, this week sees the arrival of the new Necron and AdMech codexes on the scene (mostly the former, if we’re honest) and as predicted the Canoptek Court has made the biggest splash. Wraiths, C’tan, Doomstalkers – the tombs have disgorged plenty of ferocious brawlers to shake up the metagame, with Hypercrypt also getting a look in, so if you need a refresher on just what these can do, check out our review of the Necron book here. Adeptus Mechanicus are quieter, but they did pick up a 4-1 with the revised Rad-Cohort, and if you need a reminder on what that does, take a look here.
This week’s events are:
- Rise Of The Empire
- WTC Navideño Individual Rankeado Kingdom
- Grimdark 18: The Grand Tournament 4
- The Fight Before Christmas 2023 Warhammer 40K Grand Tournament
- Carnage – Season 1 – Round 10 – Open Slay (Yes, I checked, this wasn’t a league, despite what the name might suggest).
For our final Showdown of the year, the patrons have selected:
- Adepta Sororitas vs Chaos Knights at Carnage
Next, I’d like to say a big thank you to my co-writer Lowest of Men, who has massively stepped up this year to keep the column manageable with the enormous number of events that are firing weekly. It’s been great to have someone to bounce ideas off and share the load of what this column has evolved into
Finally, just before the events, a couple quick followups from last week’s Editorial, broadly covering two things people were surprised to not see me talk about, and two things that I probably should have done an honourable mention on.
The two things that many were surprised to not see me mention were:
- The removal of wargear costs.
- The weakness of many melee units.
Wargear costs was easily the most contentious exclusion, and it’s clearly something a lot of people feel very passionate about. Honestly, the reason it wasn’t on the list? I don’t feel passionately about it either way. I think on balance, taking out wargear costs is a net good for the game (I outlined why in the discussion on Reddit), but also has some clear drawbacks in some specific cases, most notably Aeldari right now. It does not, however, particularly affect the way I engage with the game week-to-week, so didn’t feel like it belonged in either list. In addition, even if I did feel strongly about it I don’t think there’s much chance of it changing, which reduces the utility of including it in this kind of article.
Weakness of melee units is a place where my thinking has evolved a bit over time. If you’d asked me three months ago, I’d have said that melee in general needed an uplift across the board. Turns out no – 10-model Custodes units were just strangling melee out of the game, and there are enough powerful melee-focused armies now doing well that a “game-level” melee buff is clearly off the table. Plenty of melee units do feel like they’re short a point of AP in this Edition, and probably shouldn’t have lost any in the transition from 9th, but at this point that’s something that will need to be fixed in Codexes and (in the interim) with points tweaks rather than via some general rule that would shoot Orks, CSM and World Eaters into the stratosphere.
Moving on to the two honourable mentions, these are:
- Bring back Actions.
- Make it easier for really big models to move.
Bringing back Actions is kind of self-explanatory, because in many ways they never left. We have enough Action-style objectives in the mission pack that it would make sense to have them as a general rule, and it feels weird to lose the design space that having them as a general rule opens up without actually removing them from the game.
For large models…look I just want to be able to drive my Monolith around hoovering stuff up, is that so much to ask? Big models are really cool, but modern tournament tables that aren’t on the perspex standard can often make them nearly impossible to move, because the density of terrain needed to make 40K interesting is not conducive to driving around a big tank. Let them ram straight through the last 1″ of walls or something? I don’t have a perfect fix here, but I do very much want something to change.
That is now enough rambling – on to the events.
Rise Of The Empire
89-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Houston, TX, US on December 16 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Colin McDade – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Feels like 6th Ed Necrons again! Necrons CHARACTERS C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (255 Points) C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon (270 Points) Hexmark Destroyer (70 Points) Technomancer (80 Points) Technomancer (60 Points) Technomancer (60 Points) Transcendent C’tan (275 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points) Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points) Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points) Flayed Ones (70 Points) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (50 Points) Tomb Blades (75 Points) Tomb Blades (75 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.0 (25), Data Version: v317
At least it’s 18 wraiths instead of 27 chickens! (2000 Points)
Canoptek Court
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Gaze of death
1x Scythe of the Nightbringer
• 1x Canoptek tail blades
1x Spear of the Void Dragon
1x Voltaic storm
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancements: Dimensional Sanctum
• 1x Staff of light
• 1x Staff of light
• 1x Crackling tendrils
1x Seismic assault
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss destructor
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
2x Particle beamer
3x Shadowloom
1x Twin tesla carbine
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
2x Particle beamer
3x Shadowloom
1x Twin tesla carbine
Archetype
Wraiths and C’tan
Thoughts
My first thought is “damn, I started painting Doomstalkers before the Void Dragon”. My second thought is good grief that’s a durable army. It’s pretty common for early successes with a new Codex to focus on pushing the extremes of what they can do, and combining 18 Wraiths and 3 C’tan is very much that, providing a truly astronomical number of wounds with both a 4+ Invulnerable Save and a 5+ Feel No Pain. The Nightbringer and the Void Dragon also complement Wraiths pretty well – one of the only challenges the Canoptek beasties have is struggling to kill hefty targets, but the C’tan will have no such issue.
It’s also great threat saturation, which is a distinct problem for some of the top players in the current metagame. Aeldari might just not be able to kill this fast enough, especially given how durable it is, and there are more things that they want to slow with Spinner than many builds can take. It also feels decent into some CSM builds, notably the ones without Accursed Communes (which are the main thing that’ll detonate a Wraith unit), and competitive into plenty of other top builds. Crisis-heavy Tau, Ironstorm Spearhead and Votann are the main builds I’d wonder about hitting issues with, as they probably can just gradually murder this, though even there three C’tan might overwhelm Tau who’ve gone all in on only CIBs. Spearhead and Votann are left as the biggest question marks, and I’ll be fascinated to see if those do turn out to be the answer to this, or if Necrons are about to run a little rampant across the metagame. A little bit rampant, as a treat. Well done to Colin for leading the charge out of the tombs.
Justin Moore – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + 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 + Chaos Lord Ronald Reagan: Daemon hammer, Mark of Chaos Undivided, Plasma pistol, Warlord Chaos Lord William Shatner : Daemon hammer, Mark of Chaos Undivided, Plasma pistol Chaos Lord Michael Jackson : Daemon hammer, Mark of Chaos Undivided, Plasma pistol Dark Commune: Mark of Nurgle 2x Blessed Blades: 2x Commune blade Dark Commune: Mark of Nurgle 2x Blessed Blades: 2x Commune blade Dark Commune: Mark of Nurgle 2x Blessed Blades: 2x Commune blade + Battleline + Legionaries: Chaos icon, Mark of Slaanesh Aspiring Champion: Heavy melee weapon, Plasma pistol Legionaries: Chaos icon, Mark of Slaanesh Aspiring Champion: Heavy melee weapon, Plasma pistol Legionaries: Chaos icon, Mark of Slaanesh Aspiring Champion: Heavy melee weapon, Plasma pistol + Infantry + Accursed Cultists: Mark of Nurgle 10x Mutant: 10x Blasphemous appendages Accursed Cultists: Mark of Nurgle 10x Mutant: 10x Blasphemous appendages Accursed Cultists: Mark of Nurgle 10x Mutant: 10x Blasphemous appendages Chosen: Chaos icon, Mark of Chaos Undivided Chosen w/ boltgun Chosen: Chaos icon, Mark of Chaos Undivided Chosen w/ boltgun Chosen: Chaos icon, Mark of Chaos Undivided Chosen w/ boltgun + Vehicle + Forgefiend: Mark of Chaos Undivided 2 ectoplasma cannons + Dedicated Transport + Chaos Rhino: Combi-weapon, Havoc launcher, Mark of Nurgle Chaos Rhino: Combi-weapon, Havoc launcher, Mark of Nurgle Chaos Rhino: Combi-weapon, Havoc launcher, Mark of Nurgle + Allied Units + Nurglings 3x Nurgling Swarm: 3x Diseased claws and teeth Created with BattleScribe ()
I found it on Etsy.
++ Army Roster (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) ++
3x Legionary w/ chainsword: 3x Astartes chainsword, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Close combat weapon
Legionary w/ heavy melee weapon
3x Legionary w/ chainsword: 3x Astartes chainsword, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Close combat weapon
Legionary w/ heavy melee weapon
3x Legionary w/ chainsword: 3x Astartes chainsword, 3x Bolt pistol, 3x Close combat weapon
Legionary w/ heavy melee weapon
6x Torment: 6x Hideous mutations
6x Torment: 6x Hideous mutations
6x Torment: 6x Hideous mutations
2x Chosen w/ combi-weapon and bolt pistol: 2x Accursed weapon, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Combi-weapon
Chosen w/ paired accursed weapons and plasma pistol
Chosen w/ power fist and plasma pistol
2x Chosen w/ combi-weapon and bolt pistol: 2x Accursed weapon, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Combi-weapon
Chosen w/ paired accursed weapons and plasma pistol
Chosen w/ power fist and plasma pistol
2x Chosen w/ combi-weapon and bolt pistol: 2x Accursed weapon, 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Combi-weapon
Chosen w/ paired accursed weapons and plasma pistol
Chosen w/ power fist and plasma pistol
Ectoplasma cannon and limbs
Archetype
Triple Commune Brawler
Thoughts
Speaking of the tools to overwhelm Aeldari, Justin takes undefeated second here with the full-blown overwhelming flavour of Chaos Space Marines, featuring maximum Accursed Communes and lots of Rhino-riding Infantry missiles. I’d love to see this build face off against a list like Colin’s some time soon, because this army feels like it might be able to counterpunch pretty effectively into the Wraiths on multiple fronts, and maybe then take enough control of the table to make something happen, because if the Communes roll through the Wraiths they’re then great for trapping C’tan in a fight forever. Maybe we’ll get some of that in the new year – for most other matchups you know the drill here, overwhelming numbers and potent melee pressure for days. Great stuff from Justin.
Noah Pope – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand User ChatGPT Playstyle: Eldar armies are known for their speed and maneuverability, which some players find challenging to deal with. Others might enjoy the strategic aspect of countering such tactics. Survivability: Eldar units are often fragile, which can frustrate players who prefer armies with more durable units. Conversely, Eldar players might appreciate the finesse required to keep their units alive. Psychic Powers: Eldar have potent psychic abilities, and some players may find dealing with psychic powers challenging or frustrating. Background Lore: Personal preferences for the lore or narrative elements of the game can influence opinions. Some players may not resonate with the Eldar’s background or find them less appealing compared to other factions. Previous Editions: Balance and rules can change with each edition, and players might carry opinions from previous editions into newer ones. Ultimately, opinions on factions are subjective, and what one player dislikes about the Eldar, another might enjoy. It’s part of the diversity that makes Warhammer 40k a dynamic and engaging game. (2000 points) Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (140 points) Avatar of Khaine (335 points) Farseer Skyrunner (90 points) Fuegan (115 points) Spiritseer (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dark Reapers (80 points) Dark Reapers (80 points) Night Spinner (180 points) Shadow Spectres (190 points) Swooping Hawks (75 points) Swooping Hawks (75 points) War Walkers (110 points) War Walkers (110 points) Wraithguard (340 points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.0 (32), Data Version: v317
0.1 ChatGPT 3.5
Why do people hate eldar?
Opinions on factions in Warhammer 40k, including the Eldar, can vary widely among players. Some reasons people might express dislike or frustration towards the Eldar could include:
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x The Wailing Doom
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Searsong
1x The Fire Axe
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Tempest launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Tempest launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 10x Shadow Spectre
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Prism rifle
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon
Archetype
Shadow Spectre Slam
Thoughts
Well the good news is that Chat GPT isn’t automating me out of a job just yet, as answering that question without mentioning Night Spinners is just negligent. Only one of those here, to be fair, supported by a big unit of Shadow Spectres and the Avatar, and I feel like both these choices have some promise with Necrons landing hot. Between their inbuilt Fire and Fade and Phantasm, Shadow Spectres can potentially avoid getting tagged even by Wraiths, and they do a healthy clip of damage into them. The Avatar, meanwhile, gives a counter-charge slam into Infiltrating Wraiths that the Yncarne just can’t quite equal. Noah did take down a Court build going the more expected route of Immortals/Wraiths/Doomstalkers, so it feels like there’s certainly some things to consider here.
Tuning for one matchup can sometimes affect others, of course, but Dark Reapers help shore up the lack of additional Spinners in the mirror match, and while Noah was taken down by Justin’s CSM horde, the game was pretty close (presumably another place where spectres really help). Big fan of this build, well done on the third place.
Carmine Battista – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch Wayleaper (115 Points) Farseer (80 Points) Fuegan (115 Points) Spiritseer (80 Points) The Yncarne (350 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Night Spinner (180 Points) Night Spinner (180 Points) Night Spinner (180 Points) Swooping Hawks (75 Points) Swooping Hawks (75 Points) Warp Spiders (115 Points) Warp Spiders (115 Points) Wraithguard (340 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.0 (25), Data Version: v317
Metal Eldar (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• 1x Searsong
1x The Fire Axe
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witch staff
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasblaster
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasblaster
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death spinner
1x Death spinner
1x Powerblades
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Wraithcannon
Archetype
Wraithguard/Spinners/Yncarne
Thoughts
Carmine’s more classic Aeldari take fourth, a tried and true formula putting in another great performance. I do wonder if builds like this might have to tool in a few more hammer units if Necrons are as good as they look, but unless/until Aeldari get taken out from orbit, lists like this in the hands of people who know how to use them will perform very strongly. Well done Carmine!.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Russell Tassin – Chaos Space Marines: Double Commune Brawler Goodstuff with a Vindicator and a Master of Possession to flex into one of the four Marine melee units.
- 6th – Michael Mann – Orks: Trukk Spam with some Flash Gitz alongside melee threats.
- 7th – Kit Smith – Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead): The Ironstormraven tech reaches Dark Angels, fielding one alongside a Darkshroud, a bunch of Dreads and some Speeders.
- 8th – Erik Nelson – Aeldari: A pleasingly unique Aeldari build where someone has finally tried putting Harlequins into Asuryani Transports (which you can do now) to some significant success. Most notably, Yvraine and the Yncarne riding with a big unit in a Serpent creates massive melee hammer, and is another unit that’s got to be worth some consideration as a way to push back against Wraith pressure.
- 9th – Warren Lauderdale – Necrons (Canoptek Court): A second feature for the Court, going with two Wraith bricks, triple Doomstalker and two Immortal/Plasmancer units, very much in line with expectations. Glad to see it doing well, given I’m at now at 1.5/3 painted Doomstalkers.
- 10th – Robert Moreland – Astra Militarum: Big tank sighted! A Stormsword trundles to war, backed by artillery, a Russ Demolisher and the current Guard board control tech of MSU Bullgryn.
WTC Navideño Individual Rankeado Kingdom
75-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Madrid, MD, España on December 16 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
This event used 20-0 scoring. Players in 2nd through 4th all scored 4 wins and a draw.
Monedita Gonzales – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Biologus Putrifier (50 Points) Biologus Putrifier (50 Points) Foul Blightspawn (50 Points) Foul Blightspawn (50 Points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (80 Points) Plague Marines (80 Points) Plague Marines (80 Points) Plague Marines (80 Points) Plague Marines (160 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) Death Guard Rhino (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Death Guard Cultists (50 Points) Plagueburst Crawler (165 Points) Plagueburst Crawler (165 Points) Plagueburst Crawler (165 Points) ALLIED UNITS Nurglings (35 Points) Nurglings (35 Points) War Dog Brigand (160 Points) War Dog Brigand (160 Points) War Dog Brigand (160 Points) Si has llegado hasta aquí, eres un buen stalker ❤️🦭
Go fat boys! (2000 Points)
Plague Company
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plague sprayer
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plague sprayer
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 4x Plague Marine
• 2x Bubotic weapons
2x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 4x Plague Marine
• 2x Bubotic weapons
2x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 4x Plague Marine
• 2x Bubotic weapons
2x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 4x Plague Marine
• 2x Bubotic weapons
2x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 9x Plague Marine
• 4x Bubotic weapons
4x Heavy plague weapon
9x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Entropy cannon
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Entropy cannon
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Entropy cannon
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
Archetype
Plague Marine Brawler
Thoughts
I’m starting to feel like the warped, twisted machine spirits entombed within the Rhinos of the Traitor legions have taken the advent of Impulsors personally, because they are really driving the success of all sorts of chaotic builds. The formula tends to be packing them with mid-high quality brawler units that can disembark and immediately make an impact on the board, and Plague Marines definitely fit that bill, dealing great melee damage, especially with the right Characters augmenting them. The traditional backing for the mechanised brawlers is a selection of self-sufficient ranged units, and both Plaguebursts and Brigands very much fit that bill. For Death Guard specifically, those supporting shooting units also have a pretty high combined OC, so if they need to try and cling (stickily) on to an objective in the late game after the brawlers get repulsed, they can.
I do wonder whether the advent of Wraiths as a serious metagame force might shake up this formula a bit, as they’re plausibly just a bit too crunchy for smaller brawler units to ever be able to trade into them. I definitely think that (as is present here) you’ll see at least one 10-model unit in a Rhino to provide that more solid hammer (and that’s been mirrored in plenty of CSM lists recently too) so that Wraiths can’t just slither around with impunity. Definitely trends to watch in the new year, but right now big props to Monedita for adding to Nurgle’s tally.
Manue – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Char1: Farseer (80pts) Char2: Spiritseer (80pts) Char3: Fuegan (115pts) Char4: The Yncarne (350pts) OTHER DATASHEETS 5x Rangers (55pts) 5x Shadow Spectres (95pts) 5x Warp Spiders (115pts) 5x Warp Spiders (115pts) 5x Warp Spiders (115pts) 10x Wraithguard (340pts) Night Spinner (180pts) Night Spinner (180pts) Night Spinner (180pts)
Eldar rotos over pium pium te mato ratatat pium pium. Tp encarna.
• 1x Eldritch Storm
• 1x Shuriken Pistol
• 1x Warlord
• 1x Singing Spear
• 1x Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Shuriken Pistol
• 1x Witch Staff
• 1x Searsong
• 1x The Fire Axe
• 1x Swirling soul energy
• 1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls
• 5x Ranger
• 5 with Ranger long rifle, Shuriken Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
• 5x Shadow Spectre
• 5 with Prism Rifle, Close combat weapon
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4 with Deathspinner, Close combat weapon
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1 with Deathspinner, Close combat weapon
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4 with Deathspinner, Close combat weapon
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1 with Deathspinner, Close combat weapon
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4 with Deathspinner, Close combat weapon
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1 with Deathspinner, Close combat weapon
• 10x Wraithguard
• 10 with Wraithcannon
• 1x Doomweaver
• 1x Shuriken Cannon
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
• 1x Shuriken Cannon
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Doomweaver
• 1x Shuriken Cannon
• 1x Wraithbone hull
Archetype
Spinners/Yncarne/Wraithguard
Thoughts
The real triumverate of Ynnead, right here.
Well done Manue.
Alejandro Mancuso Serrano – Blood Angels (Gladius Task Force) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Apothecary Biologis (85 points) Lemartes (110 points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Aggressor Squad (220 points) Centurion Devastator Squad (350 points) Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (260 points) Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (130 points) Inceptor Squad (220 points) Inceptor Squad (110 points) Inceptor Squad (110 points) Librarian Dreadnought (170 points) Scout Squad (55 points) Scout Squad (55 points) Scout Squad (55 points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.0 (32), Data Version: v317
10th ba (2000 points)
Blood Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancement: Fire Discipline
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x The Blood Crozius
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• 1x Aggressor Sergeant
• 1x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Twin power fists
• 5x Aggressor
• 5x Auto boltstorm gauntlets
5x Fragstorm grenade launcher
5x Twin power fists
• 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
• 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Pack
• 10x Inferno pistol
10x Power fist
• 5x Death Company Marine with Jump Pack
• 5x Inferno pistol
5x Power fist
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Plasma exterminators
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma exterminators
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon
• 1x Blood Lance
1x Furioso fist
1x Furioso force halberd
1x Meltagun
• 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
• 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
• 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
Archetype
Winged Centurion Bonanza
Thoughts
Recent Ultramarine exploits have keyed people in to the fact that Centurion Devastators are really good if you can teleport them around the table, and one of the unique selling points of Blood Angels at the moment is that you can pull this off without having to commit to picking the Vanguard detachment thanks to the Librarian Dreadnought. That frees you up to retain the powerhouse Aggressor unit with Fire Discipline and access to Advance/Charge for your big Death Company brick (a properly scary unit with Lemartes), giving you huge threat range. I think this build stands out as being very ready for a metagame with lots of Wraiths in it, as it has multiple ways to just drop an absolute hammer on them. Figuratively, anyway – this isn’t 8th Edition. Really love this, good work from Alejandro.
OuX ™ – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit) Detachment: Noble Lance Show/Hide Options: Agents of the Imperium are visible, Legends are visible, Titans are visible, Unaligned Forces are visible, Unaligned Fortifications are visible + Character [480pts] + Knight Warden [480pts]: Avenger gatling cannon, Heavy flamer, Questoris heavy stubber, Reaper chainsword, Stormspear rocket pod, Warlord + Battleline [1,350pts] + Armiger Helverin [150pts]: Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber Armiger Helverin [150pts]: Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber Armiger Helverin [150pts]: Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber Armiger Warglaive [150pts]: Meltagun, Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear Armiger Warglaive [150pts]: Meltagun, Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear Armiger Warglaive [150pts]: Meltagun, Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear Armiger Warglaive [150pts]: Meltagun, Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear Armiger Warglaive [150pts]: Meltagun, Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear Armiger Warglaive [150pts]: Meltagun, Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear + Allied Units [170pts] + Callidus Assassin [90pts]: Neural shredder, Phase sword and poison blades Inquisitorial Henchmen [40pts] . 2x Inquisitorial Acolyte: 2x Acolyte firearm, 2x Acolyte melee weapon Inquisitorial Henchmen [40pts] . 2x Inquisitorial Acolyte: 2x Acolyte firearm, 2x Acolyte melee weapon ++ Total: [2,000pts] ++ Created with BattleScribe ()
++ Army Roster (Imperium – Imperial Knights) [2,000pts] ++
. Inquisitorial Acolyte w/ eviscerator: Acolyte firearm, Acolyte melee weapon, Eviscerator
. Inquisitorial Acolyte w/ plasma pistol: Acolyte firearm, Acolyte melee weapon, Plasma pistol
. Inquisitorial Acolyte w/ eviscerator: Acolyte firearm, Acolyte melee weapon, Eviscerator
. Inquisitorial Acolyte w/ plasma pistol: Acolyte firearm, Acolyte melee weapon, Plasma pistol
Archetype
Aggro Armigers
Thoughts
A rare showing for Imperial Knights to round out our second top four, here using a Knight Warden and a bunch of squires to pressure the enemy. My assumption is that the Warden’s goal is to use their Bondsman ability to allow one Armiger to break away from the pack and tie something up for a turn, allowing the rest of the forces to concentrate their wrath and quickly sweep through a chunk of the opponent’s forces. Definitely not a bad plan, and another strategy that can aim to just blunt what some of the more brawler-style builds are planning on, as with T10 Armigers are just a little too tough for mid-tier threats to crack. Clearly worked well for OuX too, taking down a number of melee-focused builds, and holding Space Wolves with ThunderCav to a respectable draw. Good stuff all-round!
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Eduardo Cuesta – Aeldari: Double Avatar and a five-model Wraithguard unit, plus of course some Spinners.
- 6th – Roger Boira – T’au Empire: Suits galore, packing 2×2 Broadsides and 6/3/3 Crisis, plus a Ghostkeel.
- 7th – Iñaki Arrieta – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): The teleporting C’tan dream, going for Voidy, Nighty and two Transcendants, and supporting them with MSU Lychguard (who I think are great in this detachment as utility pieces) and Lokhust Heavies.
- 8th – Francisco Pellon Lopez – Space Marines (Ironstorm Spearhead): Redemptors, RepExes and Whirlwinds.
Grimdark 18: The Grand Tournament 4
52-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Stockholms län, SE on December 16 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Sebastian Larsson – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit) Detachment Choice: Traitoris Lance Show/Hide Options: 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 Foritifications are visible + Character + War Dog Stalker [175pts]: Aura of Terror, Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher, Slaughterclaw, Warlord + Battleline + War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Huntsman [150pts]: Daemonbreath meltagun War Dog Huntsman [150pts]: Daemonbreath meltagun War Dog Karnivore [140pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Karnivore [140pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Karnivore [140pts]: Havoc multi-launcher + Allied Units + Nurglings [35pts] Nurglings [35pts] Nurglings [35pts] Nurglings [35pts] ++ Total: [1,995pts] ++ Created with BattleScribe ()
++ Army Roster (Chaos – Chaos Knights) [1,995pts] ++
. 3x Nurgling Swarm: 3x Diseased claws and teeth
. 3x Nurgling Swarm: 3x Diseased claws and teeth
. 3x Nurgling Swarm: 3x Diseased claws and teeth
. 3x Nurgling Swarm: 3x Diseased claws and teeth
Archetype
Whoops all Dogs
Thoughts
Not to be outdone by their loyalist cousins, the Traitoris lances have also been on the march, here taking an event win via the tried and true combination of lots of Dogs with Nurglings. The almighty Brigand remains easily the best Armiger-sized Knight across both factions, doing fantastic damage with minimal support, and having Nurglings to push back enemy Scouts and Infiltrators gives the Dogs the space to launch engagements on their terms. Handling them in that situation is very much non-trivial, and seeing their consistent success despite their relatively weak army rule really attests to that. Great work from Sebastian.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
- 2nd (4.5-0.5) – Johan Norrman – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Infantry-focused Templars with loads of (regular) Crusaders in Rhinos and Sword Brethren in Impulsors.
- 3rd – Frank Kummel – Cult Mechanicus (Rad-Cohort): A look-in for new AdMech here, sticking with two big blocks of Breachers with the exciting buffs, but adding two units of Corpuscarii priests in Duneriders, definitely one of the bigger improved combinations in the book, plus lots of single Sydonians to control space.
- 4th – Juan Manuel Sánchez Molina – Orks (Waaagh! Tribe): Aggro-tastic Orks with Ghaz, lots of murder Characters and fast stuff.
- 5th – Jesper Unander-Scharin – Chaos Space Marines: Brawler Goodstuff with added Rubricae.
- 6th – Jonas Axelsson – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): A very shooty take on Hypercrypt, taking two big Lokhust Destroyer units and a tonne of Doomsdays, plus Wraiths for board control.
The Fight Before Christmas 2023 Warhammer 40K Grand Tournament
33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Dickson City, Pennsylvania, US on December 16 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Derek Apsche – Night Lords (Slaves to Darkness) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Space Marines CHARACTERS Abaddon the Despoiler (310 points) Dark Commune (55 points) Dark Commune (55 points) Dark Commune (55 points) BATTLELINE Cultist Mob (55 points) Cultist Mob (55 points) Legionaries (90 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Accursed Cultists (190 points) Accursed Cultists (190 points) Accursed Cultists (190 points) Chaos Bikers (85 points) Forgefiend (180 points) Forgefiend (180 points) ALLIED UNITS Nurglings (35 points) Nurglings (35 points) Nurglings (35 points) Seekers (85 points) Syll’Esske (120 points) Exported with App Version: v1.7.0 (29), Data Version: v304
accused cultists (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Slaves to Darkness
• Warlord
• 1x Drach’nyen
1x Talon of Horus
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Cult Demagogue
• 1x Autopistol
1x Commune stave
• 1x Mindwitch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Warp Curse
• 1x Iconarch
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Blessed Blade
• 2x Commune blade
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Cult Demagogue
• 1x Autopistol
1x Commune stave
• 1x Mindwitch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Warp Curse
• 1x Iconarch
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Blessed Blade
• 2x Commune blade
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Cult Demagogue
• 1x Autopistol
1x Commune stave
• 1x Mindwitch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Warp Curse
• 1x Iconarch
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Blessed Blade
• 2x Commune blade
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 6x Autopistol
6x Brutal assault weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Cultist grenade launcher
1x Flamer
1x Heavy stubber
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 6x Autopistol
6x Brutal assault weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Cultist grenade launcher
1x Flamer
1x Heavy stubber
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Aspiring Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy melee weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
• 2x Astartes chainsword
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy melee weapon
1x Lascannon
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 10x Mutant
• 10x Blasphemous appendages
• 6x Torment
• 6x Hideous mutations
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 10x Mutant
• 10x Blasphemous appendages
• 6x Torment
• 6x Hideous mutations
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 10x Mutant
• 10x Blasphemous appendages
• 6x Torment
• 6x Hideous mutations
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Biker Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-bolter
1x Plasma pistol
• 2x Chaos Biker
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Close combat weapon
2x Combi-bolter
2x Plasma gun
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Armoured limbs
2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured limbs
2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Heartseeker
• 1x Lashing tongue
1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
4x Lashing tongue
4x Slashing claws
• 1x Axe of Dominion
1x Cacophonic choir
1x Scourging whip
Archetype
Commune Spam
Thoughts
Once again showing the versitility of Chaos, this build discards the Chosen in Rhinos entirely in favour of Commune hammers, Abaddon-powered shooting and a deeper Daemon roster than normal, adding some utility seekers alongside plenty of Nurglings and Syll’Esske. The resulting build is maybe gambling a little harder on not hitting many opponents that can trivially lift the Communes, though it does have the option of throwing Abaddon’s improved Invulnerable save on them to mitigate that.
Plenty of armies do struggle with communes even before that as well, so as long as you don’t run into double Hearthguard Votann or something you’re probably golden. I also think bringing multiple speedy objective units in the Seekers, Nurglings and Bikers is a good way to mitigate the threat as well, since if you can reliably score Secondaries and deny Primary till well into the mid game, it might not matter if the opponent then manages to punch through. Nice to see a bit of tinkering with top Chaos formulas, and congratulations to Derek on the win.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Chris Martens – Aeldari (Battle Host): Double Avatar Wraithguard.
- 3rd – David Adelman – Ynnari (Battle Host): Speedy Ynnari shooting, spamming 30 Shadow Spectres of all things, alongside Ravagers and Scourges. Have to hand it to this army – definitely ready to kill some Wraiths and Accursed Cultists alike.
- 4th – Brian Zhu – T’au Empire (Kauyon): Combined arms Tau, sticking to one big Crisis unit then supporting it with Breacherfish and Sky Rays.
-
5th – David Anderson – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): Transport-riding Sword Brethren and the Templar classic of a full Terminator Assault Squad.
Carnage – Season 1 – Round 10 – Open Slay
31-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on December 16 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Take and Hold – Chilling Rain – Search and Destroy
Scott Morris – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Crunch-heavy Sororitas with tanks and a Warsuit unit. Adepta Sororitas CHARACTERS Dialogus (30 Points) Imagifier (45 Points) Morvenn Vahl (125 Points) Triumph of Saint Katherine (125 Points) BATTLELINE Battle Sisters Squad (100 Points) Battle Sisters Squad (100 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Sororitas Rhino (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Arco-flagellants (130 Points) Castigator (140 Points) Castigator (140 Points) Crusaders (25 Points) Dominion Squad (120 Points) Exorcist (160 Points) Exorcist (160 Points) Paragon Warsuits (200 Points) Retributor Squad (115 Points) Seraphim Squad (70 Points) Seraphim Squad (70 Points) Seraphim Squad (70 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.0 (25), Data Version: v317
Army List - Click to Expand
New sisters (2000 Points)
Hallowed Martyrs
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Dialogus staff
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: Saintly Example
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher
• 1x Bolt pistols
1x Relic weapons
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon
• 1x Dominion Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Power weapon
• 9x Dominion
• 9x Bolt pistol
5x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
4x Ministorum flamer
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Exorcist missile launcher
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Exorcist missile launcher
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Paragon Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war blade
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war blade
1x Paragon war mace
• 1x Retributor Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Retributor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Multi-Melta
• 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
• 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
• 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
vs.
Matthew Duggan – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Dogs, Nurglings and the Changeling. + Configuration + Battle Size: 2. Strike Force (2000 Point limit) Detachment Choice: Traitoris Lance Show/Hide Options: Nurgle Daemons are visible, Tzeentch Daemons are visible + Character [175pts] + War Dog Stalker [175pts]: Aura of Terror [25pts], Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher, Slaughterclaw + Battleline [1,660pts] + War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Brigand [160pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Karnivore [140pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Karnivore [140pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Karnivore [140pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Karnivore [140pts]: Havoc multi-launcher War Dog Karnivore [140pts]: Havoc multi-launcher + Allied Units [160pts] + Nurglings [35pts] Nurglings [35pts] The Changeling [90pts] Created with BattleScribe ()
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Army Roster (Chaos – Chaos Knights) [1,995pts] ++
3x Nurgling Swarm: 3x Diseased claws and teeth
3x Nurgling Swarm: 3x Diseased claws and teeth
Thoughts
Chaos Knights step up to the plate again, this time opposed by the devout forces of the Adepta Sororitas. My first thought here is that the mission (or specifically the deployment map) helps the Sisters a lot – they’ve got stuff that’s capable of bursting down a few dogs a turn, but not enough killing power to punish the Knights for going all-out aggro, so on Hammer and Anvil I’d worry about them just getting rolled over. That’s particularly true due to them having quite a lot of anti-infantry tools teched into their list, which just aren’t going to do that much here (though the Castigators being on battle cannons is nice).
On UKTC terrain and this map, however, those anti-infantry units can just hard pivot to being for objective play, and I think if the Sisters pick Bring It Down and Deploy Teleport Homers they’re comfortably going to score 38VP minimum on Secondaries, and can probably take a real swing at the full 40 using the Scout move on Dominions if they go first. That lets them focus on a fairly cautious plan of scoring 40 Primary on their home and the top objective, while ensuring that the Chaos Knights get held to the same by murdering whatever goes onto the centre objective. In theory the Chaos side can take Bring It Down too, but in practice it’s far easier for the Sisters to protect some of their Vehicles once they go on this plan, and crucially the stuff they need to throw forward for points (after the Rhino, anyway) doesn’t bleed Secondaries in turn. With the Triumph also throwing out unlimited miracle dice and the Knights having a limited number of relevant shots, it can also be really hard for them to reliably finish off a key target when the Sisters play defensively, further complicating things for the Knights.
As outlined up front, I think this is a game where the corner deployment ends up completely transforming it, making it something where the Knights end up having to engage the Sisters on their terms. That allows the reliable clip at which Sisters can chew through them extremely relevant, and if they just focus on ensuring that the Knights have a far rougher time on Secondaries than they do, they can reliably win – which they did.
Result
Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) Victory – 90 – 72
Scott Morris – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Adepta Sororitas CHARACTERS Dialogus (30 Points) Imagifier (45 Points) Morvenn Vahl (125 Points) Triumph of Saint Katherine (125 Points) BATTLELINE Battle Sisters Squad (100 Points) Battle Sisters Squad (100 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Sororitas Rhino (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Arco-flagellants (130 Points) Castigator (140 Points) Castigator (140 Points) Crusaders (25 Points) Dominion Squad (120 Points) Exorcist (160 Points) Exorcist (160 Points) Paragon Warsuits (200 Points) Retributor Squad (115 Points) Seraphim Squad (70 Points) Seraphim Squad (70 Points) Seraphim Squad (70 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.0 (25), Data Version: v317
New sisters (2000 Points)
Hallowed Martyrs
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Dialogus staff
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: Saintly Example
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher
• 1x Bolt pistols
1x Relic weapons
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon
• 1x Dominion Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Power weapon
• 9x Dominion
• 9x Bolt pistol
5x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
4x Ministorum flamer
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Exorcist missile launcher
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Exorcist missile launcher
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Paragon Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war blade
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war blade
1x Paragon war mace
• 1x Retributor Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Retributor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Multi-Melta
• 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
• 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
• 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
Archetype
Crunchy Sisters
Thoughts
Most Sisters builds are some flavour of all-rounder, and this one is no different, but it’s definitely a bit more focused on the crunchy toys than most, packing Castigators and the Vahl/Paragon block. Supplementing that with lots of Flamers from the Dominions and Seraphim ensures that Infantry armies can’t just run this over, and as Scott has proven here, you definitely end up with a very good all-rounder list!
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Eddie Chater – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Two blocks each of Immortals and Wraiths, then three each of Tomb Sentinels and Doomstalkers, providing withering firepower.
- 3rd – Jacob Whitehouse – Aeldari (Battle Host): Double Avatar and extra Aspects.
- 4th – Kyle Grundy – T’au Empire (Kauyon): Broadsides, Breacherfish and Crisis, plus the less common choice of a Pathfinder squad with Darkstrider, providing some extra spotting and zapping.
- 5th – Charles Gould – Aeldari (Battle Host): Yncarne, Spinners, Wraithguard.
- 6th – Matthew Duggan – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): See Showdown.
Wrap Up
Right – that’s actually it for the year this time. I hope all my beloved readers have a good Christmas, and I assume we’ll be back on either the 3rd or the 10th of January, depending on whether anyone is brave enough to run a tournament on NYE. Thanks to everyone who has read, liked or commented on these this year, here’s to many more.
