Warhammer is happening. Lots of it, as it happens, the scene infused with new vigor by the Balance Dataslate. It’s the first week with enough data to really sink our teeth into, and the news looks pretty good – Aeldari are still strong, and most other previously high-performing factions are still doing decently (with Custodes recovering a bit from last week), but there’s whole clutch of other armies that are now putting in work, and the field looks pretty open going into the LGT. We love to see it.

Today we’ll be looking at:

Flying Monkey Con (major)
Battle in the Bush (major)
Malta Grand Tournament 40K
Rooks 40k Open
ROC Hard GT

On Friday, my esteemed co-conspirator Lowest of Men will be covering:

Warzone Houston (major)
Armed Forces Day (major)
Harbor Heresy
Icehammer
Carnage At The Outpost

This week’s Showdowns, voted for by the Goonhammer patrons, are:

Space Wolves vs Chaos Space Marines at the ROC Hard GT
Astra Militarum vs Chaos Space Marines at (appropriately) Armed Forces Day
Votann vs Chaos Knights at Harbor Heresy

Flying Monkey Con 2023 – Warhammer 40k GT

133-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Wichita, KS, United States on September 23 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Ben Cherwien – Aeldari – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Eldar data slate (2000 Points)

Aeldari
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (140 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Shuriken pistol
1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

Illic Nightspear (70 Points)
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer

Solitaire (115 Points)
• 1x Solitaire weapons

The Yncarne (350 Points)
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Prism (180 Points)
• 1x Prism cannon
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Night Spinner (180 Points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

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

Swooping Hawks (75 Points)
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasblaster
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster

War Walkers (110 Points)
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet

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

Archetype

Ah god dammit

Final Round Matchup

Edit: This got mixed up in the original version of this article, now corrected.

100 – 54 Victory against Colin Kay – Chaos Space Marines

Thoughts

OK yes – the Aeldari are, in fact, still somewhat here, just way more beatable than before. There are some more out-there lists elsewhere, but the build Ben’s using here showcases one effective strategy, which is just to stick to Fire Prisms, objective units and the Yncarne and proceed as previous. Almost all lists trying this are taking at least one Spinner, as they’re vital to the Necron matchup, and you’ll certainly see more Swooping Hawks than before just to shave a few points, but it would appear that the ongoing experiment as to how expensive Fire Prisms have to be before they’re not a three-of proceeds apace. Well done to Ben for his victory.

John Indellicate – Tyranids – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Big Bugs are Best Bugs (1995 Points)

Tyranids
Invasion Fleet
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Deathleaper (70 Points)
• 1x Lictor claws and talons

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Barbed Hierodule (340 Points)
• 2x Bio-cannon
1x Hierodule scything talons

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

Carnifexes (250 Points)
• 2x Carnifex
• 2x Bio-plasma
1x Carnifex scything talons
2x Chitinous claws and teeth
2x Devourers with brainleech worms
1x Devourers with brainleech worms
2x Spine banks

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

Haruspex (125 Points)
• 1x Grasping tongue
1x Ravenous maw
1x Shovelling claws

Norn Emissary (290 Points)
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
1x Monstrous scything talons
1x Psychic Tendril

Ripper Swarms (20 Points)
• 1x Chitinous claws and teeth

Archetype

Monster Mash

Thoughts

The Norn Emissary gets her first big outing here, running rampant alongside a Hierodule in this monster-heavy build. Everything here hits like trucks, and the Emissaries provide some incredible staying power against counter-attacks once they’re safely on their designated objectives. Sticking to the classic invasion fleet helps tool the monsters to whatever targets they need to kill, clearly more valuable to an already ultra-tough list than the increased durability from Synapse, and also provides access to an emergency early Feel No Pain on a Norn if the opponent tries to alpha them before they can advance. Great to see new units getting an exciting workout, well done to John.

Cody Jiru – Aeldari – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Monkey Eldar 1 (2000 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Battle Host

CHARACTER

Farseer Skyrunner (115 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Witchblade
• Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem

Illic Nightspear (70 points)
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Voidbringer

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Night Spinner (180 points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull

Rangers (110 points)
• 10x Ranger
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Ranger long rifle
10x Shuriken pistol

Skyweavers (95 points)
• 2x Skyweaver
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Skyweaver haywire cannon
2x Zephyrglaive

Striking Scorpions (75 points)
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
• 1x Mandiblasters
1x Scorpion chainsword
1x Scorpion’s claw
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Mandiblasters
4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol

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

ALLIED UNITS

Beastmaster (105 points)
• 1x Beastmaster
• 1x Agoniser
1x Splinter pods
• 1x Clawed Fiend
• 1x Clawed Fiend fists
• 2x Khymerae
• 2x Khymerae talons
• 3x Razorwing Flock
• 3x Razorwing feathers

Kabalite Warriors (110 points)
• 1x Sybarite
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Phantasm grenade launcher
1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
• 1x Blaster
9x Close combat weapon
1x Dark lance
1x Shredder
1x Splinter cannon
5x Splinter rifle

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

Raider (90 points)
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Dark lance

Ravager (115 points)
• 1x Bladevanes
3x Dark lance

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

Archetype

Go-wide Ynnari

Thoughts

This build represents a bit more of a shakeup compared to what went before. The Ravagers are still here, but rather than accompanying them with Craftworld shooting the Drukhari guns are kind of it, with the Asuryani and Harlequins instead providing some speedy/ultra-tricksy harrassment units (Phantasm on a full Ranger brick with Illic is just as annoying as ever). Scorpions also get a look in as a surprisingly nasty early skirmishing piece, and the last thing of serious note is the addition of multiple Beastmaster units. These were already seeing fringe use as a source of a lot of wounds for the cost in Ynnari builds, and dropping down in price in the Dataslate means they’re ultra-efficient now, and a great way to add board presence without breaking the bank. Definitely cool to see some experimentation and updates here, and it feels like there’s plenty more depth in Ynnari to explore. Congratulations to Cody.

Dan Sammons – Dark Angels – 4th Place

Deathwing Knights. Credit: Kevin Stillman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Thicc Bois (2000 points)
Space Marines
Dark Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force

CHARACTER

Captain in Terminator Armour (115 points)
• 1x Auxiliary grenade launcher
1x Power fist
1x Combi-Weapon
• Enhancement: Adept of the Codex

Librarian in Phobos Armour (85 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancement: Artificer Armour

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (100 points)
• 1x Aggressor Sergeant
• 1x Flamestorm gauntlets
1x Power fist
• 2x Aggressor
• 2x Flamestorm gauntlets
2x Power fist

Deathwing Knights (470 points)
• 1x Watcher in the Dark
• 1x Knight Master
• 1x Flail of the Unforgiven
• 9x Deathwing Knight
• 9x Mace of absolution

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

Inceptor Squad (115 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (115 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon

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

Predator Destructor (130 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
1x Storm bolter

Scout Sniper Squad (75 points)
• 1x Scout Sniper Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 4x Scout Sniper
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
3x Scout sniper rifle

Whirlwind (150 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

ALLIED UNITS

Eversor Assassin (75 points)
• 1x Executioner pistol
1x Power sword and neuro gauntlet

Archetype

Knights and Dakka

Thoughts

The big wheel of “which Marine tank is slightly too efficient” has been spun, and this time around it somehow seems to have landed on Predators, which are everywhere this week. The Destructor is, to be fair, pretty spicy, as it gets a lot of shots and is great into most targets thanks to the mix of the anti-elite autocannon and two sponson lascannons. Add Oaths and that’s pleasingly universal, and a great backup to a solid wall of Deathwing Knights, who continue to be one of the crunchiest units out there (and far less likely to get trumped by something without Wraithknights being about). Marines also get way more support units backing these core toys up at their new prices, and I’m a big fan of both Inceptors and the Phobos Libby/Infiltrator unit. Looks like a lot of fun to play, and editorial position continues to be that Dark Angels winning is Good, so great stuff from Dan.

The Best of the Rest

There were 10 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Howard Watts – Ultramarines: The Calgar/Ventris tag-team strikes again, dropping a nightmare Aggressor brick down wherever they’re needed.
6th – Bryce Watson – Aeldari: Defiantly still doubling up on Avatars.
7th – Zaak Kerstetter – Aeldari: Prisms, Spinners and the Yncarne.
8th – Colin Kay – Chaos Space Marines: Lots of Chosen in Rhinos, plus tanks and Haarken, with some utility Daemons rounding things out.
9th – Talon Rooney – T’au Sept: Farsight/Shadowsun tag team, with two big bricks of Crisis and some Broadsides for heavy lifting.
10th – Matthew Doughman – Imperial Knights: Ultra-aggressive triple bigs, going for Canis, an Atrapos and a Gallant. Doubles up on Assassins to help with board presence.
11th – Bill Stineman – Orks: Trukks, Meganobz, Ghaz and an actual Gorkanaut! Also features some of the standard speedy threats and some Flash Gitz.
12th – Sean Dilley – Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon, Obliterators and a Forgefiend, with loads of Nurglings and Accursed Cultists to gum up the table.
13th – Mike Pestilens – Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon gunline with some Daemon backup, running Syll’esske as a Fuegan-style pseudo Lone Operative because of how hard they are to kill.
14th – Quinton Alexander – Astra Militarum: Double Dorn Dilemma, with some Warglaives to help with board pressure.

Battle In The Bush 2023

74-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Orange, NSW, AU on September 22 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Egor Kalinin – Necrons – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Oh boy here I go reanimating again! (1995 Points)

Necrons
Awakened Dynasty
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Hexmark Destroyer (110 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• Enhancements: The Sovereign Coronal (Aura)

Lord (90 Points)
• 1x Lord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancements: Hypermaterial Ablator

Nemesor Zahndrekh (85 Points)
• 1x Staff of light

Orikan the Diviner (80 Points)
• 1x Staff of Tomorrow

Technomancer (60 Points)
• 1x Canoptek Cloak
1x Staff of light

Transcendent C’tan (310 Points)
• 1x Crackling tendrils
1x Seismic assault
• Enhancements: Sempiternal Weave

BATTLELINE

Necron Warriors (220 Points)
• 20x Necron Warrior
• 20x Close combat weapon
20x Gauss reaper

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Reanimator (105 Points)
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws

Cryptothralls (60 Points)
• 2x Cryptothrall
• 2x Scouring eye
2x Scythed limbs

Deathmarks (65 Points)
• 5x Deathmark
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Synaptic disintegrator

Doomsday Ark (210 Points)
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array

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

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

Lychguard (230 Points)
• 10x Lychguard
• 10x Dispersion Shield
10x Hyperphase sword

Archetype

Warriors, Lychguard and Doomsdays

Final Round Matchup

94 – 90 Victory against Dale Mann – Aeldari.

Thoughts

Necrons seize their first post-dataslate event win here, but probably not the last. The main change you see in effect here is that Warriors are seriously worth it now, as their biggest counters (Wraithknights and full Custodes bricks) have both exited the metagame. Sure, nasty Aggressor bricks might have entered the metagame, but they’re a fair bit easier to interact with, and almost anything else struggles to shift the big units. Add the ultra-crunchy Lychguard and super C’tan (both still incredibly worth it, and the latter desperately needing to be nuked from space, c’mon GW) and some good shooting to back it up, and you have something exceedingly nasty. Also worth noting the presence of Zahndrekh here, who can give Warriors or Lychguard some nasty extra bite in matchups where it’s needed, even after the reduction in the effectiveness of his Vect ability. Love to see Necrons thriving, well done Egor.

Woody Wu – Adeptus Custodes – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Adeptus Custodes Caladius Grav-Tank. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Bush (2000 Points)

Adeptus Custodes
Shield Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (170 Points)
• 1x Balistus grenade launcher
1x Guardian spear
• Enhancements: Ceaseless Hunter

Valerian (115 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Gnosis

BATTLELINE

Prosecutors (50 Points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Prosecutor
• 4x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (350 Points)
• 5x Allarus Custodian
• 5x Balistus grenade launcher
5x Guardian spear

Allarus Custodians (210 Points)
• 3x Allarus Custodian
• 3x Balistus grenade launcher
3x Guardian spear

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

Custodian Wardens (275 Points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x 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

Archetype

Termies and Tanks

Thoughts

After a very rough week last time, Custodes players seem to have somewhat adapted this week, and as expected the Caladius Grav Tank seems to be a major part of the play, helping ensure that Custodes don’t just get picked off piecemeal by enemy threats. What’s more interesting, and I think very smart, is the choice to go with lots of Terminators rather than sticking to smaller Custodian units or Wardens. There’s a lot of flat damage three out there, some of it Devastating Wounds, and 4W on the Terminators makes them much less vulnerable to being immediately blwon out by it. They’re also really good into hordes of either Accursed Cultists or Necron Warriors, as the Blast on their grenades combined with re-rolls into units with a CHARACTER along lets them do a serviceable Aggressor impression. Always good to see people adapting when their army takes a hit, so particularly well done to Woody.

Dale Mann – Aeldari – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Victim mentality (2000 Points)

Aeldari
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (130 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Howling Banshee Mask
1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger

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

Farseer (105 Points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Witchblade
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem

The Yncarne (350 Points)
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hornet (100 Points)
• 2x Bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull

Night Spinner (180 Points)
• 1x Doomweaver
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Wraithbone hull

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

Swooping Hawks (75 Points)
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Aeldari power sword
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster

War Walkers (110 Points)
• 2x Bright lance
1x War Walker feet

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

Archetype

Double Avatar Defiance

Thoughts

…and then we’re straight back to another build that’s sticking to “less of the same”. Double Avatar with loads of small units, especially ones like War Walkers that can press forward as Yncarne bait, gives the opponent a tonne of difficult targets and decisions, and backing it with double spinner lets you ensure they stumble while making those. That lets all the scoring stuff rack up Secondary points while the opponent dithers, and the Avatar is enough of an anchor that you can solidify a decent Primary score too. All potent as ever, and gave the also strong Necrons a great run for their money in the final, well done Dale.

Kyle Pearson – Orks – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Orks (2000 points)
Orks
Strike Force (2000 points)
Waaagh! Tribe

CHARACTER

Beastboss (100 points)
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
1x Beastchoppa
1x Shoota

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

Warboss (65 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin slugga

Warboss (65 points)
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin slugga

BATTLELINE

Beast Snagga Boyz (105 points)
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORT

Trukk (60 points)
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball

OTHER DATASHEETS

Battlewagon (185 points)
• 4x Big shoota
1x Deff rolla
1x Grabbin’ klaw
1x Kannon
1x Lobba
1x Wreckin’ ball
1x ’Ard Case

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

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

Archetype

Truckin’ and Krumpin’

Thoughts

Speedwaaagh? Speedwaaagh! This list roars towards the opponent and flattens them under a tide of Boyz, with Beastbosses and Mozrog providing a bit of punch-up potential into especially durable targets. There’s not that much nuance going on here, but it provides phenomenal pressure, and it’s another build that really wins from 10-model Custodes units going away – they just hard-countered plans like this way too hard. It also shows that there was a good degree of nuance in the dataslate, as Trukks and Beastbosses went up in that, and this list could easily have been running round with multiple additional units. It’s plenty powerful as is, and big congratulations to warboss Kyle racing to a top four finish with it.

The Best of the Rest

There were 9 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Richard Hill – Death Guard: Mortarion backed up by a bunch of other hulls and a comedy clown car of Biologis Putrefiers to leap out and throw grenades.
6th – Blake Harris – Chaos Knights: The duality of giant robots, sporting ultra-shooty (a Castellan Tyrant) and ultra-choppy (Rampager) with lots of War Dogs and the Changeling in support.
7th – Jackson Barnard – Chaos Daemons: An interesting all-rounder build, featuring some monster mash energy from Be’lakor, Rotigus and an Endless Gift Unclean One, then lots of Daemon units with spicy Leaders (including another showing for Syll’Esske).
8th – Oliver Cox – Space Marines: Aggressors and lots of hulls.
9th – Colin Johnson – Chaos Space Marines: Triple Accursed Commune screening for lots of shooting, with a full Possessed unit as a hammer.
10th – Peter O’Neill – Thousand Sons: Double Mutalith and Magnus.
11th – Mitchell Corrigan – Grey Knights: Three Terminator squads, lots of Interceptors and a full Paladin brick.
12th – Arian Fanaeian – Ultramarines: A Calgar Aggressor brick, Bladeguard out of a Repex and lots of dakka.
13th – Jordan Palmer-Young – Chaos Space Marines: Pure Abaddon gunline with a Noctilith Crown.

Malta Grand Tournament 40K

34-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Iż-Żejtun, Malta on September 23 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Mirko Consiglio – Genestealer Cult – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

GSC (2000 points)
Genestealer Cults
Strike Force (2000 points)
Ascension Day

CHARACTER

Clamavus (50 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon

Kelermorph (55 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Liberator autostubs

Nexos (60 points)
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon

Primus (90 points)
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw

Reductus Saboteur (65 points)
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charges
1x Remote explosives

BATTLELINE

Acolyte Hybrids (170 points)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s cult weapons
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
9x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer

Neophyte Hybrids (180 points)
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Leader pistol
1x Power weapon
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
4x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
4x Seismic cannon

Neophyte Hybrids (90 points)
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Leader pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Neophyte Hybrid
• 9x Autopistol
9x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
2x Grenade launcher
5x Hybrid firearm
2x Seismic cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points)
• 1x Heavy mortar
1x Ridgerunner wheels
1x Survey Augur
1x Twin heavy stubber

Archetype

Pure horde

Final Round Matchup

77 – 73 Victory against James Pilkington – Adeptus Custodes.

Thoughts

Another build where something’s got to give in order to free up some points, and in this case it’s cutting Aberrants and sticking to a largely Battleline plan in order to afford multiple Acolyte units, who are as deadly as ever. The notable addition to what went before is the Kelermorphs, providing some useful counterplay against ascendant Chaos Space Marine and Necron builds, but otherwise this relies on doing what Cult did before – absolutely slamming the opponent on go turns, then sticking around long enough to lock in a win. Good job Mirko.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Ryan Agius – Chaos Daemons:
3rd – William Healey – Astra Militarum:
4th – James Pilkington – Adeptus Custodes:

Rooks 40k Open, September 2023

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Bozeman, Montana, US on September 23 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Troy Oswood – Thousand Sons – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Army Roster (Chaos – Thousand Sons) [1,995pts, 16 Cabal Points] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Choice: Cult of Magic

Rituals reference

+ Epic Hero +

Ahriman [130pts, 3 Cabal Points]

Magnus the Red [440pts, 4 Cabal Points]

+ Character +

Exalted Sorcerer [120pts, 2 Cabal Points]: Plasma pistol, Prosperine khopesh, Umbralefic Crystal

Infernal Master [105pts, 2 Cabal Points]: Arcane Vortex

Thousand Sons Sorcerer [120pts, 1 Cabal Points]: Inferno bolt pistol, Lord of Forbidden Lore

+ Battleline +

Rubric Marines [210pts, 1 Cabal Points]: Icon of Flame
. Aspiring Sorcerer: Warpflame pistol
. 9x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 9x Close combat weapon, 9x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines [210pts, 1 Cabal Points]: Icon of Flame
. Aspiring Sorcerer: Plasma pistol
. 8x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 8x Close combat weapon, 8x Inferno boltgun
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon

Rubric Marines [105pts, 1 Cabal Points]: Icon of Flame
. Aspiring Sorcerer: Warpflame pistol
. Rubric Marine w/ soulreaper cannon
. 3x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 3x Close combat weapon, 3x Warpflamer

+ Mounted +

Tzaangor Enlightened [45pts]
. 3x Fatecaster greatbow Enlightened: 3x Close combat weapon, 3x Fatecaster greatbow

+ Vehicle +

Thousand Sons Forgefiend [135pts]
. 2 ectoplasma cannons
. Ectoplasma cannon and claws

+ Allied Units +

The Changeling [90pts]

++ Total: [16 Cabal Points, 1,995pts] ++

Archetype

Rubrics and Forgefiends

Final Round Matchup

100 – 66 Victory against James Walsh – Dark Angels.

Thoughts

A distinct shakeup to the Thousand Sons formula here, adding substantially more shooting from a pair of Forgefiends (and a Terminator Sorceror as a spotter) and packing a hefty wall of Rubricae to block the opponent from reaching them. That leaves the list a bit less able to move out in force early on, but it compensates for that with some Enlightened, who are a great bargain objective grabber, and does of course still have Magnus as a power piece. Quite different than the usual, and buys plenty of time to get lots of value out of its rituals – interesting stuff, and well played from Troy.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Jacob O’Neill – T’au Empire: A big Crisis unit and masses of small units to gun up the table.
3rd – James Walsh – Dark Angels: Ultra-crunchy Dark Angels with three units of Centurion Devastators, three Deathwing Knight MSUs, plus a tooled-up Ravenwing Command Squad.
4th – Jake Bowman – Aeldari: Extra-speedy Aeldari with Swooping Hawks, Skyweavers Voidweavers and the Avatar as an anchor.
5th – James Davis – Ynnari: Go-wide shooting with some extra Drukhari utility pieces.
6th – Zach Nicholson – Necrons: Warrior spam with some Doomstalkers as cheap backing.

ROC HARD GT

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in West Henrietta, NY, United States on September 23 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Priority Targets – Chosen Battlefield – Dawn of War

Keegan Leslie-Taylor – Space Wolves: Hulls and heroes – two RepExes, a Land Raider and an allied Knight Warden provide extreme crunch, while cheap and potent Thunderwolf units and a Blood Claw/Ulric countercharge bomb provide a bit of melee power.
Army List - Click to Expand

RWGC GT (1995 points)
Space Marines
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force

CHARACTER

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

Ulrik the Slayer (70 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Artificer crozius
1x Plasma pistol

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (115 points)
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Power fist
1x Relic weapon
• Enhancement: The Honour Vehement

BATTLELINE

Blood Claws (140 points)
• 1x Blood Claw Pack Leader
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Blood Claw
• 7x Astartes chainsword
9x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
2x Meltagun

Heavy Intercessor Squad (105 points)
• 1x Heavy Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolt rifle
• 4x Heavy Intercessor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
3x Heavy bolt rifle
1x Heavy bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Infiltrator Squad (100 points)
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Marksman bolt carbine

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

Repulsor Executioner (230 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

Thunderwolf Cavalry (90 points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 2x Crushing teeth and claws
2x Heirloom weapon
2x Storm Shield

ALLIED UNITS

Knight Warden (480 points)
• 1x Avenger gatling cannon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Meltagun
1x Stormspear rocket pod
1x Thunderstrike gauntlet

vs.

Matthew Bailey – Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon gunline with Nurglings and a full Terminator brick as an anchor.
Army List - Click to Expand

The brick (1985 points)
Chaos Space Marines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Slaves to Darkness

CHARACTER

Abaddon the Despoiler (310 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Drach’nyen
1x Talon of Horus

Warpsmith (70 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Exalted weapon
1x Flamer tendril
1x Melta tendril
1x Plasma pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Terminator Squad (390 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Terminator Champion
• 1x Chainfist
1x Combi-weapon
• 9x Chaos Terminator
• 5x Accursed weapon
1x Chainfist
9x Combi-weapon
3x Power fist

Forgefiend (180 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured limbs
2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon

Helbrute (140 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Helbrute fist
1x Helbrute plasma cannon

Obliterators (340 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 4x Obliterator
• 4x Crushing fists
4x Fleshmetal guns

Raptors (90 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
• 1x Raptor Champion
• 1x Accursed weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Raptor
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma gun

ALLIED UNITS

Nurglings (35 points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth

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

Thoughts

Goodness me is that a horrific number of ultra-crunchy targets in the Space Wolves list. Two Repexes and a Land Raider and a Knight is a huge lift for most armies to try and handle, and Space Wolves support it really well – ThunderCav with a Character are great little skirmishing units at a bargain price, and a full Blood Claw unit with Ulric out of a Land Raider is a great all-purpose blender. Full re-rolls into most relevant targets means there’s pretty much nothing they can’t murderise, especially if you give them Lance with Honour the Chapter. All very cool but…

If any list is ready to try and kill those hulls, it’s these Chaos Space Marines. Nurgle Forgefiends with Abaddon’s re-rolls do extremely unpleasant stuff to…well almost anyone, and 2+ saves with access to an Armour of Contempt equivalent is one of the few things the Claws will struggle with. That makes the big Terminator blob very handy here, especially with access to the full suite of Stratagems thanks to Abaddon’s leadership. Because the Forgefiends and Obliterators are Nurgle, they also have access to Dark Obscuration, so one Forgefiend can pop out and start shooting turn 1 with impunity, and later on the Obliterators can dodge a counter-punch.

Good tools, but that Wolves list is still nasty, so who wins? Here, it’s very much a case of looking to the mission, and I think this favours Chaos. They’re keener on playing a grindy game and trying to wipe the other side out, and can also speedbump the Marine tanks with Nurglings out the gate very effectively. I think that probably buys enough time to deplete the Wolves to ensure that Chaos are well-placed for end-game scoring, and sure enough while the Wolves put up a very strong score, the Chaos side got the full 100.

Result

Chaos Space Marines Victory – 100 – 79

Matthew Bailey – Chaos Space Marines – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

The brick (1985 points)
Chaos Space Marines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Slaves to Darkness

CHARACTER

Abaddon the Despoiler (310 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Drach’nyen
1x Talon of Horus

Warpsmith (70 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Exalted weapon
1x Flamer tendril
1x Melta tendril
1x Plasma pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Forgefiend (180 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured limbs
2x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Ectoplasma cannon

Helbrute (140 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Helbrute fist
1x Helbrute plasma cannon

Obliterators (340 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 4x Obliterator
• 4x Crushing fists
4x Fleshmetal guns

ALLIED UNITS

Nurglings (35 points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth

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

Archetype

Abaddon Gunline

Thoughts

As above, this is one of the nastiest gunlines you can throw down at the moment, and the addition of Dark Obscuration gives it a real trump card against other shooting builds like Tau and the new loyalist gunlines. Being able to add grea utility from Nurglings and the Changeling is just a bonus on top of that, and the result is a super strong build. Lots of depth in Chaos Space Marines at this pont, and this showcases one of the ways you can get big value from them. Good stuff from Matthew.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Joseph Sault – Deathwatch: Crunchy Deathwatch with lots of Terminator MSUs and two big Indomitor teams.
3rd – Keegan Leslie-Taylor – Space Wolves: A very unique list using Repexes and two small Thundercav units with Characters, plus a Knight Warden as extra pressure.
4th – John Davison – Space Wolves: Herohammer for days, with most of the Wolves’ greatest champions taking the field together, leading some Thundercav and Bladeguard.
5th – Gregory DiTomasso – Death Guard: A big unit each of Poxwalkers, Plague Marines and both kinds of Terminators, plus a Knight Desecrator to provide some really big shots.

Wrap Up

That’s it for part 1, join Lowest of Men on Friday for more of a tour through the new metagame (and also see how we both get on in the LGT Invitational).

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Meta-morphosis pt.1

Ben Cherwien – Aeldari – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

John Indellicate – Tyranids – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Cody Jiru – Aeldari – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Dan Sammons – Dark Angels – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Battle In The Bush 2023

Egor Kalinin – Necrons – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

Woody Wu – Adeptus Custodes – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Dale Mann – Aeldari – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kyle Pearson – Orks – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Malta Grand Tournament 40K

Mirko Consiglio – Genestealer Cult – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Rooks 40k Open, September 2023

Troy Oswood – Thousand Sons – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Final Round Matchup

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

ROC HARD GT

The Showdown

Priority Targets – Chosen Battlefield – Dawn of War

Thoughts

Result

Matthew Bailey – Chaos Space Marines – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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