After an absolutely relentless few months of events, the Easter weekend has finally been a bit quieter, with only one major firing and no events crossing the GT threshold. That happily means that I don’t have to muster up too much to say about the top lists of the current metagame when the Balance Dataslate is presumably on our doorstep, but as always when things are a bit quieter I’m open to casting the net just a little bit wider, and one of our eagle-eyed Patrons suggested that we spotlight a two-day event that was just shy of the GT threshold that took place in Ukraine over the weekend, which feels like a good one to spotlight!
That means that today we’re looking at:
- Gothcon 40K Open (major)
- Renaissance
Hopefully next week we’ll be analysing results with the juicy details of the Dataslate in hand – see you then.
Gothcon 40k Open
63-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Västra Götalands län SE on April 07 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
This event used 20-0 scoring.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts
Olof Svensson – Dark Angels: Deathwing/Ravenwing mix, with two units of Black Knights providing some mobile melee punch. + Configuration + **Chapter Selector**: Dark Angels Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elites Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen + HQ + Azrael [9 PL, 2CP, 170pts]: Warlord Ravenwing Talonmaster [9 PL, -1CP, 160pts]: Arbiter’s Gaze, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter Ravenwing Talonmaster [9 PL, 160pts]: + Troops + Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 100pts]: Helix gauntlet + Elites + Deathwing Ancient [7 PL, -2CP, 105pts]: Chapter Command: Chapter Ancient, Pennant of Remembrance, Rites of War, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter Deathwing Command Squad [4 PL, 70pts]: Watcher in the Dark Deathwing Terminator Squad [18 PL, 330pts]: Watcher in the Dark Deathwing Terminator Squad [18 PL, 330pts]: Watcher in the Dark Ravenwing Apothecary [6 PL, -1CP, 120pts]: Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary, Selfless Healer, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter Ravenwing Black Knights [12 PL, 150pts] Ravenwing Black Knights [12 PL, 150pts] + Fast Attack + Attack Bike Squad [2 PL, 50pts] ++ Total: [116 PL, 3CP, 1,995pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels) [116 PL, 4CP, 1,995pts] ++
KORV OCH DUNDER!
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant
. Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Sergeant
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Sergeant
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Dunderhammare, Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Dunderhammare, Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Sergeant
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Dunderhammare, Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Dunderhammare, Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Black Knight Bike: Astartes grenade launcher
. 4x Ravenwing Black Knight: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Korvhammer, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Plasma Talon
. Ravenwing Huntmaster: Korvhammer, Plasma Talon
. 4x Ravenwing Black Knight: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Korvhammer, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Plasma Talon
. Ravenwing Huntmaster: Korvhammer, Plasma Talon
. Attack Bike: Multi-melta
Attack Bike Squad [2 PL, 50pts]
. Attack Bike: Multi-melta
Attack Bike Squad [2 PL, 50pts]
. Attack Bike: Multi-melta
vs.
Eirik Eirik – Leagues of Votann: Ymyr 2Fort with a unit of Hearthkyn split into Sagitaurs. + HQ + Brôkhyr Forge-master [5 PL, -1CP, 115pts]: Brôkhyr Forge-master, Master Armourer, Stratagem: Legend of the League High Kâhl [6 PL, -1CP, 140pts]: Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Forgewrought plasma axe, Guild Affiliate, High Kâhl, Rampart crest, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord + Troops + Hearthkyn Warriors w/ bolters [7 PL, 130pts] + Elites + Hearthguard w/ disintegrators and concussion gauntlets [18 PL, -1CP, 360pts] + Fast Attack + Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 125pts] Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 125pts] Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 125pts] Sagitaur Squadron [14 PL, 260pts] + Heavy Support + Hekaton Land Fortress [13 PL, 310pts]: Pan spectral scanner, SP heavy conversion beamer Hekaton Land Fortress [13 PL, 310pts]: Pan spectral scanner, SP heavy conversion beamer ++ Total: [91 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++
Army List - Click to Expand
League: Ymyr Conglomerate
. Theyn: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter
. 9x Warrior: 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, 9x Autoch-pattern bolter, 9x Gravitic concussion grenades
. 7x Hearthguard: 7x Concussion gauntlet, 7x Exo-armour grenade launcher, 7x Volkanite disintegrator
. Hesyr: Concussion gauntlet, Stratagem: Bequest of the Votann, Teleport crest, Wârpestryk
. Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon: HYLas rotary cannon
. Pioneer w/ scanner: Pan spectral scanner
. Pioneer w/ searchlight: Rollbar searchlight
. Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon: HYLas rotary cannon
. Pioneer w/ scanner: Pan spectral scanner
. Pioneer w/ searchlight: Rollbar searchlight
. Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon: HYLas rotary cannon
. Pioneer w/ scanner: Pan spectral scanner
. Pioneer w/ searchlight: Rollbar searchlight
. Sagitaur: MATR autocannon
. Sagitaur: MATR autocannon
. 2x Two bolt cannons: 4x Bolt cannon
. 2x Two bolt cannons: 4x Bolt cannon
Thoughts
Two absolutely grind-tastic lists face off here in what promises to be a real tussle over who can better line up key targets. Both sides have some tools that the other is not well equipped to deal with – the Land Fortresses are a nightmare for the Dark Angels to deal with unless they roam within Thunder Hammer distance, but it is going to take a long time for the Votann to clear out the Deathwing blobs in turn unless the Hearthguard spike when fishing for Mortals. The Votann are going to fare a bit better at clearing out the Ravenwing, but their own bikers face a pretty rough time from the Talonmasters, so any advantage they build up isn’t going to stick around forever.
My rough expectation here is that the Votann can expect to pull ahead on killing stuff early, but as the game progresses and the big Deathwing units dominate more and more of the board their job starts to get substantially harder, and the fact that the Marine Secondary game is probably better starts to really bite. The threat of bikers swooping in and punking Eliminators does make Stubborn Defiance a bit less good than it could be, but I think there’s a real argument that the Marines are happy to take a reliable ten from it by just parking a Deathwing unit on the point and daring the Votann to come deal with it (and if they have to also overcommit to try and clear bikers early, then bonus. Combine that with Banners and either Oaths or Codex Warfare (which the Talonmasters can gradually rack up), or just take those three, and you have a strong route to a decent passive score, where the Votann’s options are distinctly less great. Ancestors feels absurdly risky against so many strong Characters and hard to shift bricks, and Lay Claim feels like you’re gambling a lot on going second. Banners is probably decent for them too, and their list is pretty well set up for Engage, but third options are tough unless they absolutely body the Marines.
I think they probably have to just pick No Prisoners and fully lean in on that? They definitely should be able to speedly clear out the non-Terminator parts of the Dark Angels list, and from there can try to focus on clearing the Terminators as quickly as possible. Playing Primary denial without tabling the Dark Angels is nearly impossible on this mission given that they can get 45pts just by sitting on two objectives for five turns, and they win if the Secondaries stay purely passive, so you’re going to have to just murder them to overcome that. The Dark Angels, in their turn, probably want to avoid committing too hard with their Black Knights until the Votann go for a swing at one of the big Deathwing units, trying to maximally chew through bikes and Sagitaurs to reduce the killing power the Votann have to work with.
The presence of the Hearthguard does feel like it gives the Votann a shot at pulling this off, as if they full fish and drop half a Terminator squad that can plausibly let them get the job done fast enough for it to count, probably using the two split halves of the Hearthkyn to try and play denial in the late game once the Marines are thin on the ground. It looks like they had a serious go at it, because this game ended up as a draw, which I can only imagine involved a lot of dead Dark Angels, but not quite enough to overcome the scoring advantage, which on event-long aggregate also gave the Space Marines the win on battle points.
Result
Draw! – 10 – 10
Olof Svensson – Dark Angels – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + **Chapter Selector**: Dark Angels Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elites Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen + HQ + Azrael [9 PL, 2CP, 170pts]: Warlord Ravenwing Talonmaster [9 PL, -1CP, 160pts]: Arbiter’s Gaze, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter Ravenwing Talonmaster [9 PL, 160pts]: + Troops + Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 100pts]: Helix gauntlet + Elites + Deathwing Ancient [7 PL, -2CP, 105pts]: Chapter Command: Chapter Ancient, Pennant of Remembrance, Rites of War, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter Deathwing Command Squad [4 PL, 70pts]: Watcher in the Dark Deathwing Terminator Squad [18 PL, 330pts]: Watcher in the Dark Deathwing Terminator Squad [18 PL, 330pts]: Watcher in the Dark Ravenwing Apothecary [6 PL, -1CP, 120pts]: Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary, Selfless Healer, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter Ravenwing Black Knights [12 PL, 150pts] Ravenwing Black Knights [12 PL, 150pts] + Fast Attack + Attack Bike Squad [2 PL, 50pts] ++ Total: [116 PL, 3CP, 1,995pts] ++
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels) [116 PL, 4CP, 1,995pts] ++
KORV OCH DUNDER!
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant
. Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Sergeant
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Sergeant
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Dunderhammare, Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Dunderhammare, Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Sergeant
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Dunderhammare, Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Cyclone Missile Launcher, Dunderhammare, Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Deathwing Terminator
. . Dunderhammare & Storm Shield
. Black Knight Bike: Astartes grenade launcher
. 4x Ravenwing Black Knight: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Korvhammer, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Plasma Talon
. Ravenwing Huntmaster: Korvhammer, Plasma Talon
. 4x Ravenwing Black Knight: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Korvhammer, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Plasma Talon
. Ravenwing Huntmaster: Korvhammer, Plasma Talon
. Attack Bike: Multi-melta
Attack Bike Squad [2 PL, 50pts]
. Attack Bike: Multi-melta
Attack Bike Squad [2 PL, 50pts]
. Attack Bike: Multi-melta
Archetype
Mixed Dark Angels
Thoughts
I have nothing left to say about this style of build that could not be more accurately expressed by some theatrical booing. I guess I do like the Black Knights more in a world with Desolation Squads, as they can use The Hunt to get right up into the opponent’s face out of the gate, and are very well tooled for killing other Marines. Other than that, business as usual, well done to Olof for getting in a big pre-dataslate victory.
Sebastian Larsson – Chaos Knights – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + Configuration + Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Lord of War Game Type: 5. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen + Lord of War + War Dog Brigand Squadron [24 PL, 465pts]: House Herpetrax War Dog Executioner Squadron [24 PL, 465pts]: Iconoclast Dreadblade, Worthy Offerings War Dog Executioner Squadron [9 PL, 170pts]: House Herpetrax War Dog Stalker Squadron [25 PL, 460pts]: House Herpetrax War Dog Stalker Squadron [24 PL, -1CP, 435pts]: House Herpetrax ++ Total: [106 PL, 5CP, 1,995pts] ++
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Chaos – Chaos Knights) [106 PL, 5CP, 1,995pts] ++
. War Dog Brigand: Diabolus heavy stubber
. War Dog Brigand: Diabolus heavy stubber
. War Dog Brigand: Diabolus heavy stubber
. War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber
. War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber
. War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber
. War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber, Tzeentch – Mirror of Fates
. War Dog Stalker: Avenger chaincannon, Diabolus heavy stubber, Slaughterclaw, Tzeentch – Pyrothrone, Winds of the Warp
. War Dog Stalker: Avenger chaincannon, Diabolus heavy stubber, Slaughterclaw
. War Dog Stalker: Avenger chaincannon, Diabolus heavy stubber, Slaughterclaw
. War Dog Stalker: Avenger chaincannon, Character (Traitoris Lance), Diabolus heavy stubber, Helm of Dogs, Slaughterclaw, Stratagem: Corrupted Heirlooms, Warlord
. War Dog Stalker: Avenger chaincannon, Diabolus heavy stubber, Slaughterclaw
. War Dog Stalker: Avenger chaincannon, Diabolus heavy stubber, Slaughterclaw
Archetype
Herpetrax War Dog Spam
Thoughts
Herpetrax performing well is no huge surprise, as a few extra wounds can go a long way in this metagame, but the weapon loadouts here are somewhat unusual. Rather than building for massed melta at range and flexibility up close, this build focused on taking high rate-of-fire chaincannons for the shooting component, and using slaughterclaws as the answer to larger targets. That’s going to serve it well if it runs into Rogal Dorns, where the T9 is otherwise a bit of a nightmare, and also prepares it well for any encounters with GSC, which it can go through like a hot knife. Interesting little meta choice, and great work from Sebastian to take this faction to second place.
Jonathan Sleigh-johnson – Iron Hands Successors – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Pre Game Stratagems: March of the Ancients, Hero of the Chapter x2, Relic, Warlord Trait Warlord & Trait: Primaris Techmarine – Target Protocols Secondary Objectives Information HQ: Primaris Techmarine [4PL, 70pts] (Warlord) TR: 5 Infiltrator [6PL, 100pts] Helix Gauntlet EL: 10 Vanguard Veteran [14PL, 285pts] Jump Packs, Sergeant with Lightning Claw and Relic Blade, 5 Lightning Claw and Storm Shield, 4 Lightning Claw and Grav pistol FA: Land Speeder Tornado [4PL, 70pts] Multi-Melta HS: 5 Devastator [8PL, 125pts] 1 Multi-Melta, 3 Grav-Cannon, Armorium Cherub, Sergeant with Combi-Melta and Thunder Hammer DT: Land Speeder Storm [3PL, 50pts]
Factions Used: Adeptus Astartes
Army Points: 2000
Reinforcement Points: 0
Number of Units / Killpoints: 19
Starting Command Points: 0
Army Trait: Calculated Fury
No Prisoners: 96
Bring it Down: 6
Assassination: 10
Abhor the Witch: n/a
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
== Adeptus Astartes – Iron Hands Successors – Ark of Omen Detachment [Heavy Support] = -6CP, [124PL, 2000pts] ==
Chapter Tactics: Whirlwind of Rage, Master Artisans
– – – Warlord Trait : Target Protocols
HQ: Primaris Lieutenant [4PL, 65pts] Master-Crafted Power Sword, Neo-Volkite Pistol, Storm Shield
– – – Hero of the Chapter : Rites of War
– – – Relic : Vox Espiritum
TR: 5 Infiltrator [6PL, 100pts] Helix Gauntlet
EL: 5 Scout [4PL, 60pts] Camo Cloaks, 4 Sniper Rifle, Missile Launcher, Thunder Hammer
EL: 5 Scout [4PL, 60pts] Camo Cloaks, 4 Sniper Rifle, Missile Launcher, Thunder Hammer
EL Character: Relic Contemptor Dreadnought [8PL, 195pts] 2 Twin Volkite Culverin, Cyclone Missile Launcher
– – – Martial Legacy
– – – March of the Ancients
– – – Hero of the Chapter : Merciless Logic
FA: Land Speeder Tornado [4PL, 70pts] Multi-Melta
HS: 5 Devastator [8PL, 125pts] 1 Multi-Melta, 3 Grav-Cannon, Armorium Cherub, Sergeant with Combi-Melta and Thunder Hammer
HS: 3 Eradicator [7PL, 135pts] 2 Heavy Melta Rifle, Multi-Melta
HS: 5 Desolation [16PL, 185pts] 4 Superkrak Rocket Launcher, Vengor and Target Optics
HS: 5 Desolation [16PL, 185pts] 4 Superkrak Rocket Launcher, Vengor and Target Optics
DT: Land Speeder Storm [3PL, 50pts]
DT: Drop Pod [4PL, 70pts]
Archetype
Shooty Iron Hands Successors
Thoughts
*Theatrical booing intensifies*
(Well done Jonathan, another great performance!)
Eirik Eirik – Leagues of Votann – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand + HQ + Brôkhyr Forge-master [5 PL, -1CP, 115pts]: Brôkhyr Forge-master, Master Armourer, Stratagem: Legend of the League High Kâhl [6 PL, -1CP, 140pts]: Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Forgewrought plasma axe, Guild Affiliate, High Kâhl, Rampart crest, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord + Troops + Hearthkyn Warriors w/ bolters [7 PL, 130pts] + Elites + Hearthguard w/ disintegrators and concussion gauntlets [18 PL, -1CP, 360pts] + Fast Attack + Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 125pts] Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 125pts] Hernkyn Pioneers [5 PL, 125pts] Sagitaur Squadron [14 PL, 260pts] + Heavy Support + Hekaton Land Fortress [13 PL, 310pts]: Pan spectral scanner, SP heavy conversion beamer Hekaton Land Fortress [13 PL, 310pts]: Pan spectral scanner, SP heavy conversion beamer ++ Total: [91 PL, 3CP, 2,000pts] ++
League: Ymyr Conglomerate
. Theyn: Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Autoch-pattern bolter
. 9x Warrior: 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, 9x Autoch-pattern bolter, 9x Gravitic concussion grenades
. 7x Hearthguard: 7x Concussion gauntlet, 7x Exo-armour grenade launcher, 7x Volkanite disintegrator
. Hesyr: Concussion gauntlet, Stratagem: Bequest of the Votann, Teleport crest, Wârpestryk
. Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon: HYLas rotary cannon
. Pioneer w/ scanner: Pan spectral scanner
. Pioneer w/ searchlight: Rollbar searchlight
. Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon: HYLas rotary cannon
. Pioneer w/ scanner: Pan spectral scanner
. Pioneer w/ searchlight: Rollbar searchlight
. Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon: HYLas rotary cannon
. Pioneer w/ scanner: Pan spectral scanner
. Pioneer w/ searchlight: Rollbar searchlight
. Sagitaur: MATR autocannon
. Sagitaur: MATR autocannon
. 2x Two bolt cannons: 4x Bolt cannon
. 2x Two bolt cannons: 4x Bolt cannon
Archetype
Ymyr 2Fort
Thoughts
Mostly see showdown, but worth highlighting the use of a split Hearthkyn squad in sagitaurs, which is showing up in more and more lists as players look for a way to stash some ObSec that can’t be cleared out easily by indirect. A particularly well-honed Votann list all round, and great stuff to make it all the way to the top table!
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4.5-1.5 or better, which is where I’m going to cut this (lots of draws on the top tables, so it’s a weird one).
- 5th – Sebastian Kruuse – Iron Hands: Actual Iron Hands spamming Land Speeders, Storm Speeders and Gladiators.
- 6th – Jonatan Holm – Imperial Knights: All-Armiger Freeblade Lance, adding Mysterious Guardian Helverins to the normal recipe.
- 7th – Mikael Christensson – Tau Empire: Heavily mechanised Farsight Enclaves, running three Hammerheads and a lot of Breachers/Pathfinders in Devilfish.
- 8th – Rasmus Haglund – Astra Militarum: Speedy Russes, running Swift as the Wind and Heirloom Weapons with eight Russ hulls.
- 9th – Rasmus Valand Fredriksen – Drukhari & Harlequins: All-rounder Drukhari Goodstuff with lots of Incubi and Grotesques, plus a tiny Harlequin patrol to unlock Warpcraft Secondaries.
Renaissance
24-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Черкаси, Черкаська область Україна on April 08 2023. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Corvidae Dante – Emperor’s Children – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand == Emperor’s Children Arks of Omen == 0 CP, 2000 pts, 98 PL No Force Org Slot: HQ1: Daemon Prince with Wings: 1. Flames of Spite, Aspiring Lord, Hellforged sword, Intoxicating Elixir, Malefic talons, Mark of Slaanesh, Stratagem: Relic, Warptime, Wings [185 pts, 11 PL, -2 CP] TR1: Noise Marines: Icon of Slaanesh, Noise Champion (Astartes chainsword, Boltgun), Noise Marine w/ blastmaster (Blastmaster, Bolt pistol), 3xNoise Marine w/ chainsword (Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol) [125 pts, 6 PL] FA1: Venomcrawler [105 pts, 6 PL] HS1: Chaos Vindicator: Combi-melta, Demolisher siege cannon, Havoc launcher, Vindicator siege shield [130 pts, 7 PL]
– Cypher: Cypher’s bolt pistol, Cypher’s plasma pistol [90 pts, 5 PL]
HQ2: Exalted Champion: Bolt pistol, Combi-melta, Exalted power axe, Gifts of Chaos, Mantle of Traitors, Mark of Slaanesh, Warlord [110 pts, 6 PL, -1 CP]
HQ3: Lucius the Eternal: Duellist’s sword [120 pts, 5 PL]
TR2: Noise Marines: Icon of Slaanesh, Noise Champion (Astartes chainsword, Boltgun), Noise Marine w/ blastmaster (Blastmaster, Bolt pistol), 3xNoise Marine w/ chainsword (Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol) [125 pts, 6 PL]
TR3: Noise Marines: Icon of Slaanesh, Noise Champion (Boltgun, Power fist), Noise Marine w/ blastmaster (Blastmaster, Bolt pistol), 3xNoise Marine w/ chainsword (Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol) [135 pts, 6 PL]
TR4: Noise Marines: Icon of Slaanesh, Noise Champion (Boltgun, Power fist), Noise Marine w/ blastmaster (Blastmaster, Bolt pistol), 3xNoise Marine w/ chainsword (Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol) [135 pts, 6 PL]
TR5: Noise Marines: Icon of Slaanesh, Noise Champion (Boltgun, Power fist), Noise Marine w/ blastmaster (Blastmaster, Bolt pistol), 3xNoise Marine w/ chainsword (Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol) [135 pts, 6 PL]
TR6: Noise Marines: Icon of Slaanesh, Noise Champion (Boltgun, Power fist), Noise Marine w/ blastmaster (Blastmaster, Bolt pistol), 3xNoise Marine w/ chainsword (Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol) [135 pts, 6 PL]
TR7: Noise Marines: Icon of Slaanesh, Noise Champion (Boltgun, Power fist), Noise Marine w/ blastmaster (Blastmaster, Bolt pistol), 3xNoise Marine w/ chainsword (Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol) [135 pts, 6 PL]
TR8: Noise Marines: Icon of Slaanesh, Noise Champion (Boltgun, Power fist), Noise Marine w/ blastmaster (Blastmaster, Bolt pistol), 3xNoise Marine w/ chainsword (Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol) [135 pts, 6 PL]
TR9: Traitor Guardsman Squad: Traitor Guardsman w/ flamer (Flamer), 6xTraitor Guardsman w/ lasgun (Lasgun), Traitor Guardsman w/ meltagun (Meltagun), Traitor Guardsman w/ plasma gun (Plasma gun), Traitor Sergeant (Bolt pistol, Chainsword) [60 pts, 3 PL]
FA2: Warp Talons: 4xWarp Talon (Warp claws), Warp Talon Champion (Warp claws) [140 pts, 7 PL]
Final Round Matchup
96-68 Victory vs. Maxim Pidbilskyi – Blood Angels
Archetype
Noise Marine Spam
Thoughts
OK this list fully made me laugh out loud when I opened it. Everyone’s moved away from Noise Marines in a post Armour of Contempt world, but what if you just…didn’t? And in fact ran significantly more? It’s a lot more fragile than it was, certainly, but you’ve still got extremely reliable chip damage from all the blastmasters, tonnes of ObSec, and a very nasty pair of characters between Lucius and the Daemon Prince, and with cunning use of terrain that can be pretty strong, especially with improved Secondaries. I very much like taking power fists in lots of the squads too, as it keeps them active in more phases and helps if, for example, you need to bully charge some Russes. Big fan of just going for it when times are tough for your faction – well done Corvidae.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Андрей Баль – Orks: Goff pressure with Kill Rigs and lots of Stormboyz.
- 3rd – Kirill Husiatyn – Grey Knights: Prescient Brethren Dreadknights and Interceptors with a lone Mysterious Guardian Helverin to get extra shots in.
- 4th – Vlad Krystuyk – Ynnari: An ultra-themed Ynnari list, taking all three of the named Characters, a tonne of Aspect Warrior MSUs, and backup from some Wyches and D-Cannons.
Wrap Up
Calm never lasts in these parts – expect a return to massive floods of events next week as we try to work out which builds will survive the Balance Dataslate, and whether it’s introduced any Warhammer Fest Wildcards.
