After a few weeks to reflect and re-arm, the tournament scene came back with a bang this weekend past. We’ve got a whole host of majors and GTs to look at, and an extremely diverse looking metagame, with six different factions taking trophies out of eight events, multiple top four showings for the new Necron and AdMech books, and some dormant factions arising from their slumber to take some heads.
Will that hold as we start seeing supermajors kick off, between Nottingham this weekend and LVO at the end of the month? Only time will tell – but I don’t think you could have asked for a better start to the new year than this one.
Today I (Wings) will be covering:
- Denver 40K Fight Club January Open
- A Grimdark New Years 40k GT
- Hammer In The New Year 2024
- Warhound GT in January
On Friday, Lowest of Men will be looking at:
- Glass City GT
- EXTERMINATUS VIII – Rise of the Noodle
- Defcon 2024 – Warhammer 40k
- Warlords of Walsall GT 1 UKTC ITC
As a new year dawns, so does a new season of Patron democracy, and for our first two Showdowns of the year they’ve selected:
- Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) vs Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force) at Hammer in the New Year
- Orks (Waaagh! Tribe) vs Necrons (Canoptek Court) at the Warlords of Walsall GT
Denver 40K Fight Club January Open
78-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Denver, CO, US on January 06 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Colin Kay – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Adepta Sororitas CHARACTERS Dialogus (30 Points) Morvenn Vahl (125 Points) Palatine (65 Points) Preacher (50 Points) Triumph of Saint Katherine (125 Points) BATTLELINE Battle Sisters Squad (100 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Sororitas Rhino (75 Points) Sororitas Rhino (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Arco-flagellants (130 Points) Arco-flagellants (130 Points) Arco-flagellants (130 Points) Crusaders (25 Points) Crusaders (25 Points) Crusaders (25 Points) Death Cult Assassins (35 Points) Exorcist (160 Points) Exorcist (160 Points) Exorcist (160 Points) Paragon Warsuits (200 Points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (90 Points) Vindicare Assassin (80 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319
They say repent or die… Why not both? (1995 Points)
Hallowed Martyrs
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Dialogus staff
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher
• 1x Palatine blade
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Blade of Saint Ellynor
• 1x Zealot’s vindictor
• Enhancements: Saintly Example
• 1x Bolt pistols
1x Relic weapons
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Condemnor boltgun
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
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon
• 2x Death Cult Assassin
• 2x Death Cult power blades
• 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 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 mace
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war mace
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
• 1x Exitus pistol
1x Exitus rifle
1x Vindicare combat knife
Archetype
Arco-flagellant spam + all-rounders
Thoughts
Sisters have absolutely stormed out of the gates in 2024 with a very strong week of performances, and Colin’s build here is a strong example of how to use the faction effectively. You’ve got an initial ablative layer of Arco-flagellants plus Rhinos to stage them in, providing an extremely cost-effective first wave, a trio of Exorcists buffed by the Triumph to chip away at opposing forces while they’re chewing through that, and the big hammer of Vahl and Paragons to troubleshoot anything bigger. Round out with some great utility and objective pieces across Assassins, Crusaders and the Palatine with the blade and you’ve got something that leans hard into Sisters’ ability to field an all-rounder build – there’s nothing that this doesn’t have some amount of play into, making it a good choice for longer events like this one. Great work from Colin.
Brett Perkins – Necrons (Canoptek Court) – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necrons CHARACTERS Chronomancer (60 points) Illuminor Szeras (160 points) Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points) Overlord with Translocation Shroud (85 points) Plasmancer (55 points) Technomancer (80 points) Technomancer (60 points) BATTLELINE Immortals (140 points) Immortals (140 points) Immortals (140 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Doomstalker (135 points) Canoptek Doomstalker (135 points) Canoptek Doomstalker (135 points) Canoptek Reanimator (75 points) Canoptek Wraiths (220 points) Deathmarks (65 points) Deathmarks (65 points) Tomb Blades (75 points) Tomb Blades (75 points)
Necron Cryptek Court (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Canoptek Court
• 1x Chronomancer’s stave
• Enhancement: Metalodermal Tesla Weave
• 1x Eldritch Lance
1x Impaling legs
• Warlord
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer
• 1x Overlord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• 1x Plasmic lance
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancement: Dimensional Sanctum
• 1x Staff of light
• 10x Immortal
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Tesla carbine
• 10x Immortal
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Tesla carbine
• 10x Immortal
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Gauss blaster
• 1x Doomsday blaster
1x Doomstalker limbs
1x Twin gauss flayer
• 1x Doomsday blaster
1x Doomstalker limbs
1x Twin gauss flayer
• 1x Doomsday blaster
1x Doomstalker limbs
1x Twin gauss flayer
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
• 5x Deathmark
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Synaptic disintegrator
• 5x Deathmark
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Synaptic disintegrator
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Shadowloom
3x Twin tesla carbine
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Shadowloom
3x Twin tesla carbine
Archetype
Shooty Canoptek Court
Thoughts
People are trying out all sorts of builds with Necrons, and this one is an example of taking things to an extreme, going for one of the shootiest possible setups. Canoptek Court re-rolls turbo charge Doomstalkers, and the looming threat of the Cynosure of Eradication bomb off the Immortal brick with the Plasmancer forces opponents to be pretty cautious. This list goes further than most with Immortals, taking the full three units and supporting them with Szeras and a Reanimator, which definitely makes them pretty daunting to clear out, and gives some redundancy to keep Cynosure as a big damage dealer even if the first unit gets dropped. Like the Sisters, you also have a good tool to delay the opponent while all these nasty toys deal damage, with a full Infiltrating Wraith unit being a nasty early threat into a lot of armies, and pretty flexible thanks to Reactive Subroutines. Lots of cheap objective tools round things out again, giving this build very reliable scoring potential, and providing Brett with the tools to take the silver medal.
Brandon Roddy – Dark Angels (Vanguard Spearhead) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Ancient in Terminator Armour (100 Points) Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Centurion Devastator Squad (175 Points) Centurion Devastator Squad (175 Points) Deathwing Command Squad (210 Points) Eliminator Squad (75 Points) Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) Inceptor Squad (220 Points) Inceptor Squad (110 Points) Inceptor Squad (110 Points) Infiltrator Squad (100 Points) Scout Squad (55 Points) Scout Squad (55 Points) Whirlwind (145 Points) Whirlwind (145 Points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (90 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319
Sneaky but Beefy (1995 Points)
Dark Angels
Vanguard Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Terminator Storm Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancements: The Blade Driven Deep
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
• 1x Centurion fists
1x Centurion missile launcher
1x Twin lascannon
• 2x Devastator Centurion
• 2x Centurion fists
2x Centurion missile launcher
2x Twin lascannon
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
• 1x Centurion fists
1x Centurion missile launcher
1x Twin lascannon
• 2x Devastator Centurion
• 2x Centurion fists
2x Centurion missile launcher
2x Twin lascannon
• 1x Watcher in the Dark
• 1x Deathwing Ancient
• 1x Power fist
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Deathwing Apothecary
• 1x Chainfist
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Deathwing Champion
• 1x Halberd of Caliban
• 2x Deathwing Command Terminator
• 2x Storm Shield
2x Thunder hammer
• 1x Eliminator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Instigator bolt carbine
• 2x Eliminator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
2x Las fusil
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer
2x Storm bolter
• 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 Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma exterminators
• 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
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 1x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 1x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Shooty Vanguard Dark Angels
Thoughts
Not to be outdone in the “guns for days” arena, this build uses some of the tricks from the popular Vanguard Deep Strike Ultramarines build, and adds a bit of the flavour of the infiltrating Deathwing Knights build. The calculation here is that a Deathwing Command Squad with an Ancient is enough of an Infiltrating hammer that you don’t need to spend the points to take the full Knight brick, and you get some extra fun jank from doubling up on +1OC in the unit and free Heroic Interventions, making them a huge pain when they’re dancing around with Calculated Feint. That also frees up the points to squeeze Whirlwinds into the build as well as some of the regular toys like Centurions zipping around via strat reserves, and also one of my favourite underutilised tech pieces in the Phobos Librarian, who has the flexibility to roll with either the Eliminators to durably hold an objective or the Infiltrators to provide an un-clearable backfield screen against armies with lots of indirect. I suspect that the down-the-line hammer blow of the Vanguard Ultramarines is still slightly better, but this column absolutely awards points for style, and this build definitely has it – great stuff from Brandon.
Ben Neal – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead) – 4th Place
Special shout out to Ben, who was 5-0 after five rounds, but unfortunately couldn’t play the final.
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Apothecary Biologis (80 Points) Librarian in Phobos Armour (100 Points) Marneus Calgar (185 Points) Uriel Ventris (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Aggressor Squad (220 Points) Centurion Devastator Squad (350 Points) Company Heroes (95 Points) Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) Inceptor Squad (220 Points) Inceptor Squad (110 Points) Infiltrator Squad (100 Points) Scout Squad (55 Points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (90 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319
Sneaky Templars Shhhh (2000 Points)
Ultramarines
Vanguard Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: The Blade Driven Deep
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancements: Shadow War Veteran
• 1x Marneus Calgar
• 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
• 2x Victrix power sword
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Invictus
1x Sword of Idaeus
• 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
• 1x Ancient
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Company Champion
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 2x Company Veteran
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted heavy bolter
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 5x Inceptor
• 5x Assault bolters
5x Close combat weapon
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon
• 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
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes shotgun
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Hammer Vanguard Ultramarines
Thoughts
Hey speaking of the down-the-line hammer build – this is pretty much that, just flexing some of the normal infantry inclusions out in favour of some Gladiator Lancers, perhaps anticipating a vehicle-heavy metagame. This formula continues to be wildly successful – the combination of the Infiltrating Aggressor/Calgar/Apothecary brick with the weight of violence coming in from deep strike is extremely daunting to take on. I also think it’s reasonably well placed if Necrons go big in the metagame – Centurions with cover in the open stack up pretty well into most of their offence, -1 to hit in general is good against Doomstalkers even when they have re-rolls, and the Shadow War Veteran Librarian teaming up with the Callidus to double tax Cynosure of Eradication after the first use is going to be very painful for the robots. There also seem to be lots of Chaos Knights around at the moment, so I can certainly see the Lancers helping with the lift into those. A truly brutal list, and one that no player (including the eventual winner of the event) was able to take down in Ben’s hands.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Matthew Murrell – Death Guard: All-rounder Death Guard with a bit of everything – Daemon Engines, Mortarion, Plague Marines in Rhinos, Terminators (with some scary Characters), all Nurgle’s favourite toys.
- 6th – Chris Van Hoose – Chaos Knights: Dogs and a smattering of Daemons.
- 7th – Mike Pestilens – Chaos Daemons: Ultra chunky Daemons, combining Be’lakor, a GuO and an LoC with a trio of Tzeentch Soul Grinders, providing a daunting firebase that trumps pretty much any opposing ranged plan thanks to Be’lakor’s aura, and is still very durable up close.
- 8th – Kyle Colledge – Death Guard: Shootier Death Guard, going a bit harder on guns (including a Predator Destructor for a bit of reliable D3) and tooling up the contents of the Rhinos something fierce.
A Grimdark New Years 40k GT
65-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Valdosta, Georgia, US on January 06 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
John Lennon – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Apothecary Biologis (80 Points) Marneus Calgar (185 Points) Uriel Ventris (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Aggressor Squad (220 Points) Centurion Devastator Squad (350 Points) Company Heroes (95 Points) Eradicator Squad (95 Points) Eradicator Squad (95 Points) Inceptor Squad (220 Points) Inceptor Squad (220 Points) Inceptor Squad (110 Points) Scout Squad (55 Points) Scout Squad (55 Points) Scout Squad (55 Points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (90 Points)
Ultra Memes
(2000 Points)
Ultramarines
Vanguard Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)
1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
Enhancements: The Blade Driven Deep
1x Marneus Calgar
Warlord
1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
2x Victrix Honour Guard
2x Victrix power sword
1x Bolt Pistol
1x Invictus
1x Sword of Idaeus
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
1x Ancient
1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
1x Company Champion
1x Bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
2x Company Veteran
2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted heavy bolter
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
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
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
5x Inceptor
5x Close combat weapon
5x Plasma exterminators
1x Inceptor Sergeant
1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
2x Inceptor
2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon
1x Scout Sergeant
1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
4x Scout
2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle
1x Scout Sergeant
1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
4x Scout
2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle
1x Scout Sergeant
1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
4x Scout
2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle
1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Hammer Vanguard Ultramarines
Thoughts
The OG iteration of the Vanguard Ultramarines build strikes again, with John kicking off the year as he (presumably) means to go on and taking a major trophy. John’s version sticks to some Eradicators instead of Lancers for extra anti-tank heft (giving better synergy with the detachment at the cost of weaker long-ranged sniping), and tore through a tough gauntlet here to really hammer home that this is one of the armies to beat.
Charles Barber – Chaos Space Marines (Slaves to Darkness) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Space Marines CHARACTERS Chaos Lord (75 points) Chaos Lord (75 points) Chaos Lord (75 points) Dark Commune (55 points) Dark Commune (55 points) Dark Commune (55 points) BATTLELINE Cultist Mob (55 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (75 points) Chaos Rhino (75 points) Chaos Rhino (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Accursed Cultists (190 points) Accursed Cultists (190 points) Accursed Cultists (190 points) Chosen (110 points) Chosen (110 points) Chosen (110 points) Forgefiend (180 points) Forgefiend (180 points) ALLIED UNITS Nurglings (35 points) Nurglings (35 points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (33), Data Version: v319
Eat, Skeet, Delete (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Slaves to Darkness
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• Warlord
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol
• 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: 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 Cultist Champion
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
6x Close combat weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Cultist grenade launcher
1x Flamer
1x Heavy stubber
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
• 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: Chaos Undivided
• 10x Mutant
• 10x Blasphemous appendages
• 6x Torment
• 6x Hideous mutations
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
• 3x Accursed weapon
3x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
1x Paired accursed weapons
1x Plasma pistol
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
• 3x Accursed weapon
3x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
1x Paired accursed weapons
1x Plasma pistol
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
• 3x Accursed weapon
3x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
1x Paired accursed weapons
1x Plasma pistol
• 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
Archetype
Accursed Cultist Spam
Thoughts
Another returning favourite here, a rapid onslaught from waves of Accursed Cultists can be very tough for some armies to deal with, and there are few builds better at just flattening unprepared opponents, especially with a second wave of Chosen staged in Rhinos. Add the one-two of the Nurgle and Undivided Forgefiends for ranged support, and you have another enduringly effective classic, which Charles piloted to an undefeated second place.
Z Martin – Aeldari (Battle Host) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch (100 Points) Farseer Skyrunner (90 Points) Fuegan (115 Points) The Visarch (90 Points) Yvraine (100 Points) BATTLELINE Storm Guardians (115 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (120 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Falcon (140 Points) Falcon (140 Points) Fire Dragons (85 Points) Fire Dragons (85 Points) Fire Dragons (85 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Support Weapons (125 Points) Support Weapons (125 Points) Swooping Hawks (75 Points) Swooping Hawks (75 Points) Troupe (165 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319
Z-Dar, One of these things is not like the others (1995 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Mandiblasters
1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: The Phoenix Gem
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Witchblade
• 1x Searsong
1x The Fire Axe
• 1x Asu-var, the Sword of Silent Screams
• 1x Kha-vir, the Sword of Sorrows
1x Storm of Whispers
• 10x Storm Guardian
• 2x Aeldari flamer
2x Aeldari power sword
8x Guardian combat weapon
2x Guardian fusion gun
6x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform
• 1x Guardian combat weapon
1x Serpent shield
• 1x Shuriken cannon
1x Twin bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Bright lance
1x Pulse laser
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Bright lance
1x Pulse laser
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Ranger long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 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
• 1x Lead Player
• 1x Harlequin’s blade
1x Shuriken pistol
• 10x Player
• 4x Fusion pistol
10x Harlequin’s special weapon
4x Neuro disruptor
2x Shuriken pistol
Archetype
Mech Melta Aeldari
Thoughts
It would appear that Aeldari players are just as bored of playing the hits as the rest of us are of playing against them, as this completely left-field Aeldari build showcases. The focus here is damage – you’ve got multiple D-cannons, lots of Fire Dragons in Falcons, and an extremely nasty melee blender in the form of the Visarch and 11 Harlequins in a Serpent. I’m also a fan of Yvraine with Storm Guardians – while it’s clearly not the best thing Aeldari can be doing, the synergy between her Feel No Pain/model reviving and the Serpentscale Platform is very strong, creating a surprisingly durable unit that can also make objectives sticky. I think if Aeldari catch nerfs to some toys, both this and the Harlequin/Visarch setup are things you’ll see a lot more of, as both are good units, just currently outshined. Clearly Z has seen some portents of the things to come, and put in an impressive showing with the tech he borrowed from his future self, taking four wins and a draw in the fourth round.
Kyle Jackling – Cult Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Adeptus Mechanicus CHARACTERS Skitarii Marshal (55 Points) Skitarii Marshal (65 Points) Skitarii Marshal (55 Points) Tech-Priest Dominus (75 Points) Tech-Priest Manipulus (55 Points) Technoarcheologist (45 Points) Technoarcheologist (45 Points) BATTLELINE Skitarii Rangers (90 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (80 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (80 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (80 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Kataphron Breachers (290 Points) Kataphron Breachers (290 Points) Pteraxii Skystalkers (65 Points) Pteraxii Skystalkers (65 Points) Pteraxii Sterylizors (130 Points) Pteraxii Sterylizors (130 Points) Pteraxii Sterylizors (130 Points) Serberys Raiders (60 Points) Sicarian Infiltrators (70 Points) Sydonian Dragoons with Radium Jezzails (45 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319
Admech skitari hunter cohort no longer first go (2000 Points)
Skitarii Hunter Cohort
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Control stave
1x Mechanicus pistol
• Enhancements: Veiled Hunter
• 1x Control stave
1x Mechanicus pistol
• Enhancements: Battle-sphere Uplink
• 1x Control stave
1x Mechanicus pistol
• Enhancements: Clandestine Infiltrator
• Warlord
• 1x Omnissian axe
1x Phosphor serpenta
1x Volkite blaster
• 1x Omnissian staff
1x Transonic cannon
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
1x Servo-arc claw
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
1x Servo-arc claw
• 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Galvanic rifle
• 9x Skitarii Ranger
• 1x Arc rifle
9x Close combat weapon
6x Galvanic rifle
1x Omnispex
1x Plasma caliver
1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Radium carbine
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
• 1x Arc rifle
9x Close combat weapon
1x Omnispex
1x Plasma caliver
6x Radium carbine
1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Radium carbine
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
• 1x Arc rifle
9x Close combat weapon
1x Omnispex
1x Plasma caliver
6x Radium carbine
1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Radium carbine
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
• 1x Arc rifle
9x Close combat weapon
1x Omnispex
1x Plasma caliver
6x Radium carbine
1x Transuranic arquebus
• 6x Kataphron Breacher
• 6x Heavy arc rifle
6x Hydraulic claw
• 6x Kataphron Breacher
• 6x Heavy arc rifle
6x Hydraulic claw
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 4x Pteraxii Skystalker
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Flechette carbine
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 4x Pteraxii Skystalker
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Flechette carbine
• 1x Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Pteraxii talons
1x Taser goad
• 9x Pteraxii Sterylizor
• 9x Phosphor torch
9x Pteraxii talons
• 1x Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Pteraxii talons
1x Taser goad
• 9x Pteraxii Sterylizor
• 9x Phosphor torch
9x Pteraxii talons
• 1x Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Pteraxii talons
1x Taser goad
• 9x Pteraxii Sterylizor
• 9x Phosphor torch
9x Pteraxii talons
• 1x Serberys Raider Alpha
• 1x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs
1x Galvanic carbine
1x Mechanicus pistol
• 2x Serberys Raider
• 2x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs
2x Galvanic carbine
• 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 4x Sicarian Infiltrator
• 4x Flechette blaster
4x Taser goad
• 1x Ironstrider feet
1x Phosphor serpenta
1x Radium jezzail
Archetype
Sneaky Sterilyzor Spam
Thoughts
Rounding out the top four with have the other half of that round 4 draw, with Kyle putting in one of the strongest performances yet with the new Adeptus Mechanicus build. His list leans on a few things, most notably that Kataphron Breachers don’t need any help from a detachment to be outstanding, and Pteraxii Sterylizors work really well with a bunch of the Hunter Cohort stratagems. Thanks to their ability to re-roll wounds if they have a nearby Battleline unit, either Binharic Offensive or Isolate and Destroy make them exceedingly deadly, and they’re fast and relatively durable for the cost on top of that (even before you start putting Bionic Endurance or Shroud Protocols on them).
Breachers will gradually chew through anything if they’re allowed to, so buying time for that with a bunch of annoying winged warriors roasting stuff all over the place (especially with the premium after roll-off redeploy to help set up early) is really good, and obviously also combines with other stuff here to make this build strong at scoring. I also really like the use of Clandestine Infiltrator and Battle-Sphere Uplink – the list’s damage output is very dependent on buffs bequeathed by nearby Battleline units, so having the flexibility to set one up in the mid-board (with a Scout after Infiltrating) and a Fire and Fade on another helps ensure that this functions as a well-oiled machine. AdMech love those, so presumably commendations from the Omnissiah are on their way for Kyle.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Noah Neundorfer – Death Guard: Heavy Infantry-skewed Death Guard, going for three full units of Plague Marines in Rhinos plus full blobs each of Deathshrouds and Blightlords with Typhus and a Lord of Virulence.
- 6th – Collin Cochran – Chaos Space Marines: Extreme Abaddon Gunline, going for three Forgefiends and multiple squads of Obliterators.
- 7th – Steven Tosky – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): A heroic sally out for an actual Monolith list as the Hypercrypt Legion, with loads of Flayed Ones to zap around in an annoying fashion, a big unit of Lychguard to fire through the portal at a key moment, and lots of Lokhust Heavies for blasting. If all else fails, just drop the Nightbringer amongst the enemy with Cosmic Precision.
- 8th – Brandon Lovato – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Triple C’tan and double Wraith block, plus the nightmare Immortal unit, which is definitely looking like a promising template for how to make Canoptek Court really sing.
- 9th – Cody Willis – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Lots of Sword Brethren in Impulsors and a Redeemer, ready to go Assault Doctrine on anyone who looks at them funny.
- 10th – Teddy Woody – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Double C’tan and double Wraiths, spending the extra points on lots of Scarab Swarms to gum up the board and/or chip through enemy chaff (their number of attacks with Lethal Hits will really add up with full re-rolls from the detachment).
Hammer In The New Year 2024
45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ashburn, VA, US on January 06 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Vital Ground – Chilling Rain – Crucible of Battle
James Culpepper – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Heavy duty double Land Raider Dark Angels, with the Lion provding even more heft. Space Marines CHARACTERS Azrael (105 Points) Bladeguard Ancient (55 Points) Chaplain in Terminator Armour (75 Points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points) Lion El’Jonson (380 Points) Techmarine (55 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Deathwing Knights (235 Points) Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) Land Raider (240 Points) Land Raider Redeemer (260 Points) Sternguard Veteran Squad (200 Points) Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (160 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (26), Data Version: v319
Army List - Click to Expand
Hammer v11 (1995 Points)
Dark Angels
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Lion’s Wrath
1x The Lion Helm
1x The Sword of Secrets
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolt pistol
• Enhancements: Artificer Armour
• 1x Crozius arcanum
1x Relic Shield
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• Warlord
• 1x Arma Luminis
1x Fealty
• 1x Forge bolter
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• 1x Watcher in the Dark
• 1x Knight Master
• 1x Flail of the Unforgiven
• 4x Deathwing Knight
• 4x Mace of absolution
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Godhammer lascannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin heavy bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Flamestorm cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin assault cannon
• 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power fist
1x Sternguard bolt pistol
1x Sternguard bolt rifle
• 9x Sternguard Veteran
• 9x Close combat weapon
2x Combi-weapon
9x Sternguard bolt pistol
5x Sternguard bolt rifle
2x Sternguard heavy bolter
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Stormfury missiles
1x Thunderstrike las-talon
1x Twin Icarus rocket pod
vs.
Jeffrey Kolodner – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Go-wide skirmishing sisters with lots of Transports and Battle Sisters. Statuary Tender Honest — Imagifier (60) Orator Superior Amalia — Junith Eruita (90) Prioress Sabine – Morvenn Vahl (125) Purifier Charity – Palatine (65) Old Tom – Missionary (40) Battle Sister Squad (100) Battle Sister Squad (100) Battle Sister Squad (100) Battle Sister Squad (100) Crucible’s Reach — Immolator (115) Purifying Incandescence — Immolator (115) Righteous Conveyance — Rhino (75) The Searing Bulwark — Retributor Squad – (115) Refutation of Dross — Castigator (140) Ringing Purity — Castigator (140) The Feral — Mortifier (60) The Fool — Mortifier (60) The Cog Breakers – Paragon Warsuits (200) Sisters Novitiates (85) House Garlon Squires — 2x Crusaders (25) Madeline — Callidus Assassin (90)
Army List - Click to Expand
Order of the Eternal Crucible
– Litanies of Faith
— Warlord
– Plasma Pistol, Blade of St. Ellynor
– Saintly Example
– Multi-Melta
– Simulacrum
– Power Weapon+Condemnor
– Meltagun
– Multi-Melta
– Simulacrum
– Power Weapon+Condemnor
– Meltagun
– Multi-Melta
– Simulacrum
– Power Weapon+Condemnor
– Ministorum Flamer
– Multi-Melta
– Simulacrum
– Power Weapon+Condemnor
– Artificer Storm Bolter
– Twin Multi-Melta
– Hunter-Killer Missile
– Twin Multi-Melta
– Hunter-Killer Missile
-Hunter-Killer Missile
– Power Weapon+Condemnor
– 4xMulti-Melta
-Castigator Battle Cannon
-Hunter-Killer Missile
-Storm Bolter
-Castigator Battle Cannon
-Hunter-Killer Missile
-Storm Bolter
-2x Heavy Bolter+Twin Buzz Blade
-Anchorite Sarcophagus
-2x Heavy Bolter+Twin Buzz Blade
-Anchorite Sarcophagus
-3x Multi-Melta+Paragon Grenade Launcher
-2x Paragon War Mace
-1x Paragon War Blade
-Power Weapon+Plasma Pistol
-Sacred Banner
-Simulacra
-2xFlamer
-Autopistols and Novitiate Blades
Thoughts
Very much a clash of opposites here. On one side of things we have an extremely heavy-hitting Dark Angels build, using a couple of Land Raiders and some scary close-range threats to bully the board. Facing them down, we have a return of Jeffrey’s US Open winning Sisters, using a go-wide plan with lots of smaller units and transports to lock in scoring, and relying on the reliability Sisters can draw from miracle dice and the Vahl hammer unit to provide a lift when something chunky needs to die.
The mission is an interesting one for these to face off on, because there’s some degree to which having fewer No-Man’s land objectives favours heavier hitters over go-wide builds. The flip side of that is that it forces the smaller, heftier Dark Angels force to split up, and Vital Ground also heavily penalises getting routed on any part of the table, or allowing the opponent to roll onto your home point (obviously always bad, but in this mission really bad).
I think that means that the Sisters can leverage their capabilities to turn this one to their advantage. There just aren’t that many Dark Angels units, and Miracle Dice make Sisters very good at reliably picking off a few key targets, with Land Raiders in particular being unusually vulnerable against Sororitas melta compared to most stuff that tries to kill them. The Dark Angels also don’t have much in the way of “spare” stuff to put out on objectives, and Vital Ground is extremely punishing on scoring if you can’t secure at least one of the no-man’s land objectives. Particulaly given that the Angels will struggle to prevent various fixed Secondary options here (Homers/Engage or Homers/Assassinate both seem plausible), I think if the Sisters just carefully ration out their resources and make sure to burst down whatever gets exposed to them, they should be able to either pull comfortably ahead on Primary if the Dark Angels don’t do enough to secure objectives, or wipe them from the table if they overextend. The Lion is maybe the only thing that gives them serious pause, but even he’s very vulnerable to getting Devastating Wounded to death by vahl on her Righteous Repugnance turn. Clearly the Sisters put these advantages to good use, as they won handily.
Result
Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) Victory – 94 – 36
Jeffrey Kolodner – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place
The List
See showdown
Archetype
Go-wide Sisters
Thoughts
I continue to be really pleased to see this all-rounder, Battleline heavy spin on Sisters doing so well. The Showdown covers what it’s got going for it, a healthy mix of board presence, objective play and spike damage when needed, and I think it would be easy (and potentially fatal) to underestimate something that looks quite innocuous. Well done Jeffrey on another trophy!
Austin Wingfield – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Adepta Sororitas CHARACTERS Mother Teresa- (Dialogus) (30 Points) Sister Lucia- (Dialogus) (30 Points) Junith Eruita (90 Points) Martyr- (Missionary) (40 Points) Morvenn Vahl (125 Points) Ellynor- (Palatine) (65 Points) Saint Celestine (135 Points) Triumph of Saint Katherine (125 Points) BATTLELINE Battle Sisters Squad (100 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Immolator (115 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Castigator (140 Points) Castigator (140 Points) Castigator (140 Points) Celestian Sacresants (130 Points) Crusaders (25 Points) Crusaders (25 Points) Exorcist (160 Points) Paragon Warsuits (200 Points) Retributor Squad (115 Points) Seraphim Squad (70 Points)
Daughters of the Emperor (2000 Points)
Hallowed Martyrs
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Dialogus staff
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Dialogus staff
• 1x Mace of Castigation
1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer
• 1x Chainsword
1x Holy pistol
1x Ministorum shotgun
• Enhancements: Saintly Example
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher
• 1x Palatine blade
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Blade of Saint Ellynor
• 1x Celestine
• 1x The Ardent Blade
• 2x Geminae Superia
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Power weapon
• 1x Bolt pistols
1x Relic weapons
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Inferno pistol
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 Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator autocannons
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator autocannons
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Sacresant Superior
• 1x Inferno pistol
1x Spear of the faithful
• 9x Celestian Sacresant
• 9x Bolt pistol
9x Hallowed mace
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon
• 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 mace
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war blade
• 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
• 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
Archetype
Shooty Sisters
Thoughts
Another undefeated Sisters build in second place, going for a more direct plan of blasting heretics into oblivion with even more scary tanks, the Triumph as a buff engine, and a Dialogus in the Retributor squad and (presumably) the melta-armed half of the Battle Sisters squad, providing an eye-searing quanitity of miraculous melta fire. Junith with Sacresants also provides a hefty central tarpit and counter-charge threat if opponents try and overwhelm the army, all assembling to form another potent Sisters setup – congratulations to Austin on the undefeated finish.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Charles Craig – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Two Land Raiders packed with Exalted Eightbound, which is a truly incredible energy (plus some of the regular hits like Angron and Invocatus).
- 4th – Matt Schuchman – Asuryani (Battle Host): Double Avatar and Prisms.
- 5th – Mark Hertel – Adeptus Astartes (Gladius Task Force): Let’s be honest, if you were smashing events left and right with actual honest to goodness Land Raider spam, you wouldn’t stop either.
- 6th – Andrew Gonyo – T’au Empire: Extra mechanised Tau, with three Breacherfish with Fireblades supporting the big Crisis Team.
- 7th – Steven Page – Necrons (Canoptek Court): I mean this list is even titled “Canoptek 2 wraith 3 ctan list”, so I invite you to guess at what could be in it. Also has some Doomstalkers with the flex points.
Warhound GT in January
30-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Lehi, UT, US on January 06 2024. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
This event played a final between the top two as a sixth round.
Chase Chappell – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Grey Knights CHARACTERS Brotherhood Librarian (130 points) Brotherhood Librarian (100 points) Castellan Crowe (75 points) Kaldor Draigo (125 points) BATTLELINE Brotherhood Terminator Squad (210 points) Strike Squad (125 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Grey Knights Land Raider Redeemer (260 points) Grey Knights Stormraven Gunship (265 points) Interceptor Squad (135 points) Paladin Squad (225 points) Purifier Squad (260 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (90 points) Exported with App Version: v1.8.1 (33), Data Version: v319
nothing to see here just 30 termies (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Teleport Strike Force
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purge Soul
• Enhancement: Sigil of Exigence
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purge Soul
• 1x Black Blade of Antwyr
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
• Warlord
• 1x Scourging
1x Storm bolter
1x The Titansword
• 1x Terminator Justicar
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Brotherhood Terminator
• 1x Ancient’s Banner
1x Incinerator
1x Narthecium
4x Nemesis force weapon
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Justicar
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Grey Knight
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Incinerator
3x Nemesis force weapon
3x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Flamestorm cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin assault cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Hurricane bolter
2x Stormstrike missile launcher
1x Twin lascannon
1x Twin multi-melta
• 1x Interceptor Justicar
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Interceptor
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Incinerator
3x Nemesis force weapon
3x Storm bolter
• 1x Paragon
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Paladin Ancient
• 1x Ancient’s Banner
1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Psycannon
• 3x Paladin
• 3x Nemesis force weapon
2x Psycannon
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Knight of the Flame
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
• 9x Purifier
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Incinerator
5x Nemesis force weapon
9x Purifying Flame
5x Storm bolter
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Silver Stormraven
Thoughts
Hell yeah, Stormraven meta!
OK realistically, I suspect the Stormraven’s current glorious rise may not survive if the Canoptek Court cements a place at the top, as the Immortal bomb is particularly good into stuff relying on -1D for defence, but I hope it does because it’s always hilarious to see one out and about doing well. Here, my guess is that it’s dropping off the Purifiers, which I think is a smart way to ensure they can get into position early on, as one of their only downsides is that Crowe being functionally mandatory means First to the Fray isn’t available to them. The Stormraven can let them unleash their firepower immediately, and if you drop them near the enemy lines turn 1 it’s very difficult for them not to trigger Mists of Deimos to whisk them to safety before reprisals, making it a pretty great way to kick off the game (and even if you go second it saves you 1CP on a turn 1 Prognosticated Arrival after pulling at the end of the opponent’s 1).
You also get the very hard to pin down Paladin/Sigil block in the Land Raider, able to smash into the opponent, bug out and repeat, and the ever-helpful Draigo/Terminator unit as a final hammer piece. This list uses the Grey Knights’ ability to launch swift strikes and avoid reprisal to the absolute max, and it’s great to see that rewarded with a trophy for Chase.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Antonius Tolman – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): The one true 1975pts World Eater list.
- 3rd – Ethan Pettibone – Cult Mechanicus (Data-psalm Conclave): Good to see another AdMech detachment making a bit of noise, here looking like melee crunch is the plan, with three full blocks of Breachers to roll into the enemy with Citation in Savagery up, plus lots of cheap screening Skitarii of various flavours (particularly 3×5 Infiltrators, who are back to just being a bargain unit).
- 4th – Jordan Gledhill – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Speed Daemons, going mostly Slaanesh with triple Keeper (one being Shalaxi) plus Hellflayers and a lone Tzeentch Soul Grinder to zap stuff.
- 5th – Kennith! Onyeabor – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash supreme, spamming Exocrines, Maleceptors and Haruspexes.
Wrap Up
A great start to the year all around, and plenty more to come – we’ve got more majors, another unusual faction winning an event and plenty of other fun stuff on Friday, and the Nottingham GT to give us our first supermajor of the year at the weekend. 2024 is looking pretty great – more of this sort of thing!
