Competitive Innovations in 9th: NOLA Nailbiter

Barely a week goes by without the big supermajor alarm I have haphazardly installed in my living room going off, and this week it’s been triggered by the second iteration of the GW roadshow, bringing over 150 players to New Orleans to throw down for some high-level 40K. After London’s alpha strike-heavy metagame, would the GW terrain layouts cool things down and put the focus back on melee? We’ll find out shortly, and then do a run-through of the rest of the weekend’s events as well.

Just as a reminder, I’ve made a few changes to the format for this article, which I detailed last week. You can find the (updated) list of current archetypes here. Finally, for events that aren’t using a clear bracket system, remember that a ✪ next to a player’s placing means they were either an undefeated runner up, undefeated going into the final round or got paired up onto the top table with a shot at winning the event.

US Open New Orleans (Supermajor)

All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings. With the cut and bracket structure, I’ve put the players who participated in the finals and semi-finals as the top four, and then listed out the rest of the top bracket by wins in the Best of the Rest section.

Richard Siegler – Adeptus Mechanicus – 1st Place

Skitarii Marshal
Skitarii Marshal. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus) [55 PL, 1,057pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Army of Renown – Skitarii Veteran Cohort

Detachment Command Cost

Forge World Choice: Forge World: Mars

+ HQ +

Skitarii Marshal [3 PL, 45pts]: Relic (Skitarii Veteran Cohort): Cantic Thrallnet, Warlord, Warlord Trait (Skitarii Veteran Cohort): Calculate Without Diversion

Tech-Priest Manipulus [6 PL, 105pts]: Logi, Magnarail lance, Relic: Raiment of the Technomartyr

+ Troops +

Skitarii Rangers [8 PL, 195pts]: Omnispex
. Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle, Host of the Intermediary, Warlord Trait (Codex 3): Programmed Retreat
. 18x Skitarii Ranger: 18x Galvanic Rifle

+ Elites +

Sicarian Ruststalkers [8 PL, 136pts]
. Ruststalker Princeps (Blades)
. 7x Sicarian Ruststalker (Blades): 7x Transonic Blades

Sicarian Ruststalkers [8 PL, 136pts]
. Ruststalker Princeps (Blades)
. 7x Sicarian Ruststalker (Blades): 7x Transonic Blades

+ Fast Attack +

Serberys Raiders [4 PL, 80pts]: Serberys Raider Alpha
. 4x Serberys Raider: 4x Cavalry Sabre, 4x Clawed Limbs, 4x Galvanic Carbine

+ Flyer +

Archaeopter Stratoraptor [9 PL, 180pts]: Chaff Launcher

Archaeopter Stratoraptor [9 PL, 180pts]: Chaff Launcher

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus) [47 PL, 5CP, 941pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Army of Renown – Skitarii Veteran Cohort

Forge World Choice: Forge World: Mars

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Archeotech Specialist [-2CP]: 2x Archeotech Specialist

Stratagem: Artefactotum [-1CP]: Artefactotum

Stratagem: Host of the Intermediary [-1CP]: Host of the Intermediary

Stratagem: Mechanicus Locum [-1CP]: Mechanicus Locum

+ HQ +

Skitarii Marshal [3 PL, 45pts]: Mechanicus Locum, Relic: Exemplar’s Eternity, Warlord Trait (Codex 6): Eyes of the Omnissiah

+ Troops +

Skitarii Vanguards [2 PL, 50pts]
. 4x Skitarii Vanguard: 4x Radium Carbine
. Vanguard Alpha: Radium Carbine

Skitarii Vanguards [2 PL, 50pts]
. 4x Skitarii Vanguard: 4x Radium Carbine
. Vanguard Alpha: Radium Carbine

+ Elites +

Sicarian Infiltrators [8 PL, 136pts]
. Infiltrator Princeps (Stub/Sword)
. 7x Sicarian Infiltrator (Stub/Sword): 7x Power Sword, 7x Stubcarbine

Sicarian Ruststalkers [8 PL, 170pts]
. Ruststalker Princeps (Blades): Artefactotum, Relic: Temporcopia
. 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Blades): 9x Transonic Blades

+ Fast Attack +

Pteraxii Sterylizors [4 PL, 95pts]: Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha
. 4x Pteraxii Sterylizor: 4x Phosphor torch, 4x Pteraxii Talons

Serberys Raiders [4 PL, 85pts]: Enhanced Data-Tether, Serberys Raider Alpha
. 4x Serberys Raider: 4x Cavalry Sabre, 4x Clawed Limbs, 4x Galvanic Carbine

+ Flyer +

Archaeopter Fusilave [7 PL, 130pts]: Command Uplink

Archaeopter Stratoraptor [9 PL, 180pts]: Chaff Launcher

++ Total: [102 PL, 5CP, 1,998pts] ++

Archetype

Mars Veteran Cohort

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Siegler makes it back to back victories at the roadshow, and with his help AdMech lock up back to back wins at supermajor events, following on from Malik’s win at the LGT last weekend.

What immediately jumps out about list is the extent to which it’s a hybrid of the AdMech build Siegler piloted to victory last time around (a Metalica veteran cohort) and the plane-heavy lists we’ve been seeing in Europe, keeping the planes as alpha damage but trading out other shooting tools like Ironstriders for lots of Ruststalkers. This list has a brutal damage dealing alpha strike from three Mars Stratoraptors, lots of Ruststalkers who can quickly take up positions in the mid-board then blender anything  they touch thanks to Veteran Cohort buffs, a big unit of Rangers to scythe down larger enemy blobs and a few fast units that can provide a screen (with the pre-game move from the Raiders) and rapid responses. It’s deadly straight away and over time, quick to maneuvre around the board and a real pain to fully take off the table, especially with such massive areas where Ruststalkers can be claiming their double cover save. It’s an extremely powerful list, and in the hands of one of the game’s best players it’s no surprise it took the win (though huge credit to Brad for running the finals extremely close, that was a hell of a game to watch on stream).

Based on this commanding run, I do have some thoughts about the Archaeopter Stratoraptor. From assessing the top 16, I think it’s fair to say the GW terrain did do a good job of dialing back the ability of armies to just erase their opponent’s forces from the table…except for this one. I think the Stratoraptor is the culprit there, and with it having completely warped the metagame in London and not been held back by the GW-designed terrain I think we’ve got ourselves a clear problem unit – and I’ll dive into that a bit more in an Editorial tomorrow.

Brad Chester – Drukhari – 2nd Place

Credit: Wings

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [26 PL, 12CP, 485pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ HQ +

Succubus [4 PL, 75pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Dark Lotus Toxin, Precision Blows, Razorflails, Warlord
. Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Hekatrix Bloodbrides [8 PL, 130pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 8x Hekatrix Bloodbride: 8x Hekatarii Blade, 8x Plasma Grenades, 8x Splinter Pistol
. Hekatrix Bloodbride w/ Shardnet and Impaler: Shardnet and Impaler

Wyches [6 PL, 110pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 8x Wych: 8x Hekatarii Blade, 8x Plasma Grenades, 8x Splinter Pistol
. Wych w/ Shardnet and Impaler: Shardnet and Impaler

+ Fast Attack +

Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods

Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [35 PL, -2CP, 655pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession
. *Custom Coven*: Dark Technomancers (All-Consuming)

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Succubus [3 PL, -1CP, 60pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Competitive Edge, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Klaive

Mandrakes [3 PL, 75pts]
. 4x Mandrake: 4x Baleblast, 4x Glimmersteel Blade
. Nightfiend

+ Heavy Support +

Cronos [8 PL, 160pts]
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex

Cronos [8 PL, 160pts]
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [51 PL, -2CP, 856pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]

+ No Force Org Slot +

Court of the Archon [10 PL, 136pts]
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: Hatred Eternal, Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 45pts]
. Acothyst: Electrocorrosive Whip
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Klaive

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Klaive

+ Fast Attack +

Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods

Reavers [3 PL, 60pts]: 3 – Hypex (Combat Drug)
. Arena Champion: Splinter Rifle
. 2x Reaver: 2x Bladevanes, 2x Splinter Pistol, 2x Splinter Rifle

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal

Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal

Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal

++ Total: [112 PL, 8CP, 1,996pts] ++

Archetype

Drukhari Goodstuff/Cronos hybrid

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

A Drukhari/AdMech final probably isn’t a massive surprise to anyone, but like many recent successful Drukhari builds Brad has innovated quite a bit from the baseline, clearly aiming at success on the GW terrain setups. There are far fewer Raiders than you’d expect from a conventional goodstuff list, and no Trueborn or Drazhar either. Instead, this list goes hard on packing in melee toys, adding Bloodbrides alongside the standard Hellions and Incubi, all ideal for ruining people’s days by brawling through the large ruins. It also includes a couple of units of two Cronos, who are very versatile in this setup, as they’re both easy to hide if you deploy them on the board flush with central ruins and very powerful out of strategic reserves, where they take advantage of how light the terrain is round the edges of the tables. Finally, and more subtly, it’s got four cheap and cheerful Wrack units who can chill out on home objectives or ride around to where they’re needed and a pretty chunky Court of the Archon to fortify a position.

These excel on the GW terrain with its very constricted and very binary sightlines, as with careful positioning you can make it hard for opponents to target and pick up lots of these at once. From watching the finals, this in combination with Sweep and Clear’s objective lock-in looks to be what let Brad get tantalisingly close to thwarting the AdMech menace at the last – even as Richard was mostly finishing cleaning up the table on turn three there was still one Wrack unit left to make a rush for the centre to score Stranglehold and Direct Assault, pushing the final scoreline to 84-82. I think that’s a credit to how well this list adapts the standard Drukhari formula to the terrain at hand, and thus a very well deserved second place.

James “Boon” Kelling – Drukhari – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [48 PL, -2CP, 775pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession
. *Custom Coven*: Artists of the Flesh (All-Consuming)

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]

+ No Force Org Slot +

Court of the Archon [10 PL, 100pts]
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul
. Ur-Ghul

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, -1CP, 85pts]: Ancient Evil, Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

+ Heavy Support +

Talos [18 PL, 330pts]
. Talos: Macro-scalpel, Talos ichor injector
. . Two heat lances
. Talos: Macro-scalpel, Talos ichor injector
. . Two heat lances
. Talos: Macro-scalpel, Talos ichor injector
. . Two heat lances

Talos [12 PL, 220pts]
. Talos: Macro-scalpel, Talos ichor injector
. . Two heat lances
. Talos: Macro-scalpel, Talos ichor injector
. . Two heat lances

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [50 PL, -2CP, 930pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession
. *Custom Coven*: Dark Technomancers (All-Consuming)

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Succubus [3 PL, -1CP, 60pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Competitive Edge, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

+ Heavy Support +

Cronos [12 PL, 230pts]
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos

Cronos [12 PL, 230pts]
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 105pts]: Coven, Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies, Shock Prow

Raider [6 PL, 105pts]: Coven, Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies, Shock Prow

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [15 PL, 12CP, 295pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder (Restricted)

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ HQ +

Succubus [4 PL, 75pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Dark Lotus Toxin, Precision Blows, Razorflails, Warlord
. Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Wyches [3 PL, 50pts]: 3 – Hypex (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol

+ Fast Attack +

Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods

Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods

++ Total: [113 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Talos Drukhari

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Another Raider-light Drukhai list from our boy Boon, but going in a very different direction to Brad and importing another new European hotness – Talos. Turns out that Artists of the Flesh (-1D) Talos with heat lances, injectors and your choice of scalpels or gauntlets are a very good unit, and another one that’s very well suited to the terrain setup. Just like Cronos (which are also here) Talos can easily get massive shooting protection by deploying next to the boundary of one of the big ruin pieces, and when they need to get into the mix they can easily fly over the walls and start rampaging. This mitigates the fact that they’re relatively short ranged damage dealers and really lets them play to their strengths, which are getting amongst the enemy and running amok. It also gives the army some melee crunch that isn’t afraid to go in and try and prise out something like Scarab Occult Terminators, which many of the conventional Drukhari toys risk bouncing off and dying to. With -1D and a good feel no pain, Talos have no such problems, and definitely help on tables that reward brawling. Having Dark Technomancers Cronos around as well also means that this army goes from zero to a brutal counterattack very rapidly when the opponent strays too close, and also open up Pain Syphon for the Talos if they merc something with their heat lances, which is very strong when it goes off.

Add in a reasonable number of small units as bait or trade pieces and you’ve got a pretty frightening prospect – get too close to this list and it hits you like a truck, but leave it too long to start engaging and you just won’t have the time to take it off the table. While it’s extremely good on the GW terrain, it does also adapt to a wider mix of boards pretty effectively as well, as Talos are surprisingly easy to hide on a wide variety of tables (except against Stratoraptors, which ended Boon’s run in the semi-finals). It was a good list for the event and should have plenty of relevance more widely, so congratulations to Boon on the third place finish.

Jony Velazquez – Thousand Sons – 4th Place

Thousand Sons Aspiring Sorcerer
Thousand Sons Aspiring Sorcerer. Credit: Alfredo Ramirez

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Thousand Sons) [103 PL, 8CP, 14 Cabal Points, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Cults of the Legion: Cult of Duplicity

+ Stratagems +

Sorcerous Arcana [-1CP]: Additional Relics

+ HQ +

Exalted Sorcerer [6 PL, 4 Cabal Points, 100pts]: 12. Glamour of Tzeentch, 2. Seeker After Shadows, 22. Weaver of Fates, Egleighen’s Orrery, Inferno Bolt Pistol, Warlord

Infernal Master [5 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 90pts]: 21. Presage, 5. Glimpse of Eternity, 6. Malefic Maelstrom, Umbralefic Crystal

Sorcerer [5 PL, 2 Cabal Points, 90pts]: 11. Tzeentch’s Firestorm, 13. Doombolt, Force stave, Inferno Bolt Pistol

+ Troops +

Rubric Marines [6 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 134pts]
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 32. Pyric Flux, Warpflame pistol
. 4x Rubric Marine w/ warpflamer: 4x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines [6 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 105pts]
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 23. Temporal Surge, Inferno Bolt Pistol
. 4x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 4x Inferno boltgun

Rubric Marines [6 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 105pts]
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 11. Gaze of Hate, Inferno Bolt Pistol
. 4x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 4x Inferno boltgun

Rubric Marines [6 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 105pts]
. Aspiring Sorcerer: 21. Temporal Manipulation, Inferno Bolt Pistol
. 4x Rubric Marine w/ inferno boltgun: 4x Inferno boltgun

Thousand Sons Cultists [2 PL, 50pts]
. Cultist Champion: Autogun
. 9x Cultist w/ autogun: 9x Autogun

+ Elites +

Chaos Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -1CP, 150pts]: 2x Twin volkite culverin

Chaos Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -1CP, 150pts]: 2x Twin volkite culverin

Chaos Contemptor Dreadnought [8 PL, -1CP, 165pts]: Hellforged cyclone missile launcher, 2x Hellforged heavy plasma cannon

Helbrute [7 PL, 135pts]: Power scourge, Twin lascannon

Scarab Occult Terminators [10 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 210pts]: Hellfyre missile rack
. Scarab Occult Sorcerer: 12. Twist of Fate, Inferno combi-bolter
. 4x Terminator: 4x Inferno combi-bolter, 4x Prosperine khopesh

Scarab Occult Terminators [10 PL, 1 Cabal Points, 210pts]: Hellfyre missile rack
. Scarab Occult Sorcerer: 23. Temporal Surge, Inferno combi-bolter
. 4x Terminator: 4x Inferno combi-bolter, 4x Prosperine khopesh

+ Fast Attack +

Chaos Spawn [2 PL, 46pts]
. 2x Chaos Spawn: 2x Hideous mutations

+ Heavy Support +

Forgefiend [8 PL, 155pts]: 2x Ectoplasma cannons, Ectoplasma cannon

++ Total: [103 PL, 8CP, 14 Cabal Points, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Cult of Duplicity

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Rounding out the lists that made it to the semi-finals we’ve got the sinister forces of the Cult of Duplicity, really hammering home how cool the new Thousand Sons book has been looking. Unlike the other builds here this list is relatively in line with what we’ve seen elsewhere for Duplicity lists, but that’s probably because their default schtick – teleporting hyper-durable units around the board and grinding people off objectives – is already great on the GW tables. Scarab Occults rule pretty much all the time, but jumping straight to key objectives with Sorcerous Facade or the Umbralific Crystal is going to give an opponent fits. That, plus the threat of a surprise Temporal Surge, gives this list plenty of ways to probe the flanks while a wall of Rubrics fans up the table, with grindy psychic firepower and powerful shooting to back them up. If the opponent pushes into the centre or goes too far out onto the open flanks then the big guns here all switch on and do their wicked work, with a nice mix of Volkite for cutting down hordes and mid-quality stuff (especially with the AP boost it can grab from Ensorcelled Infusion) and some higher-AP toys like lascannons, heavy plasma and the Forgefiend’s ectoplasma to deal with sterner stuff. My read on this list is that it wants to use its movement tricks to force the opponent to commit, brutaly punish them for doing so, then rely on being able to sweep into a commanding position from there even if a reasonable number of models have been lost.

I love how flavourful this list is while still providing a tonne of tricks to the pilot, and it looks like an absolute blast to play. Congratulations to Jony for taking the new challenger all the way to the semi-finals alongside the big beasts of the metagame!

The Rest of the Best

As above, I’m doing this based on wins in the top cut rather than placing due to the vagaries of the bracket system. All these players made it through the initial swiss rounds with either undefeated or very high scoring 3-1 records.

3 Wins

  • Mark Perry – Orks: Lots of the standard Freebooterz toys, but a bit more loaded for anti-tank at range than the average build, bringing Wazbomb Blastajets instead of Dakkajets and a couple of Shockjump Dragstas in the buggy slots. Still trading off the powerful mixture of vehicles, a Wartrike with the Badskull Banner and a bunch of MSU infantry that can activate Get Da Loot overall.
  • Hunter Gamill – Death Guard: Mortarion’s Anvil, with a super Daemon Prince and a trio of Plaguebursts backing it up.

2 Wins

  • Jack Harpster – Imperial Knights: The glory of the Freeblade Lance gains a new adherant, putting in a great performance through the power of making three Magaera’s ObSec with the Sworn to a Quest quality.
  • Hunter Nichols – Space Wolves Successors: Pretty standard Space Wolf stuff, lots of Wolf Guard, a double Long Fang drop pod and some board control/character backup with a few Cyberwolves for objective play. Finally, adds in some spicy tech for the new metagame in the form of Hounds of Morkai.
  • David Villareal – Salamanders: VolCons and powerful Primaris units like Bladeguard are joined by a a few extra spicy toys in the form of a Sicaran Venator and Bray’ath Ashmantle.
  • Cooper Schwarz – Death Guard: Infantry-heavy Mortarion’s Anvil Death Guard with some interesting tech in the form of a melee-specced Plague Marine squad. Definitely a strong choice for the terrain as they give you something cheap to prise opponents out of the ruins.
  • Ryan Snyder – Adeptus Custodes: A very shooty Shadowkeepers list, trading out the normal Telemons for Caladius tanks and bulking up a Vertus Praetor squad. Potentially a good call, as the speed and FLY of the Caladii help them operate on these boards compared to the somewhat unwieldy Telemon.

1 Win

  • Kyle Malmborg – Blood Angels: A whole host of Sanguinary Guard, VanVets and Death Company looking to maximise the brawling angle.
  • Gabriel Caban – Harlequins: Bikes and Boats.

0 Wins

  • Simon Leen – Adepta Sororitas: A very unusual Sisters list going in on three 20-strong Battle Sisters squads to squeeze max value from Martyred Lady’s unique stratagems.
  • Cameron Zareie – Iron Hands Successors: A pretty standard mix of Iron Hands toys as Whirlwind/Heroes.
  • Thomas Reidy – Grey Knights: The all-in six Dreadknight build. Extremely deadly, but may have been a bit unwieldy on the terrain.

South Africa 40K Nationals

All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Ashley Clutten – Orks – 1st Place

Megatrakk Scrapjet. Credit: Rockfish
Megatrakk Scrapjet. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Orks) [75 PL, 8CP, 1,340pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Clan Kultur: Freebooterz

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ HQ +

Big Mek in Mega Armour [6 PL, -1CP, 115pts]: Kustom Force Field, Kustom Mega-Blasta, Stratagem: Extra Gubbinz, Super Cybork Body

+ Elites +

Kommandos [4 PL, 55pts]
. Boss Nob: Power Klaw
. 4x Kommando: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs

+ Fast Attack +

Megatrakk Scrapjets [10 PL, 180pts]
. Megatrakk Scrapjet
. Megatrakk Scrapjet

Megatrakk Scrapjets [10 PL, 180pts]
. Megatrakk Scrapjet
. Megatrakk Scrapjet

Megatrakk Scrapjets [10 PL, 180pts]
. Megatrakk Scrapjet
. Megatrakk Scrapjet

Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies [10 PL, 180pts]
. Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy
. Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy

Stormboyz [3 PL, 55pts]
. Boss Nob: Choppa
. 4x Stormboy: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs

Warbikers [4 PL, 75pts]
. Boss Nob
. 2x Warbiker: 4x Dakkagun

+ Flyer +

Dakkajet [8 PL, 110pts]: Additional Supa Shoota

Wazbom Blastajet [10 PL, 210pts]: 2x Tellyport Mega-Blastas, Blastajet Force Field

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Orks) [41 PL, 660pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Clan Kultur: Freebooterz

Detachment Command Cost

+ HQ +

Warboss on Warbike [6 PL, 115pts]: 4. Brutal but Kunnin, Da Killa Klaw, Power Klaw, Warlord

+ Troops +

Gretchin [2 PL, 50pts]
. 10x Gretchin: 10x Grot Blaster

+ Elites +

Kommandos [4 PL, 50pts]
. Boss Nob: Choppa
. 4x Kommando: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs

Kommandos [4 PL, 50pts]
. Boss Nob: Choppa
. 4x Kommando: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs

+ Fast Attack +

Stormboyz [3 PL, 55pts]
. Boss Nob: Choppa
. 4x Stormboy: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs

Stormboyz [3 PL, 55pts]
. Boss Nob: Choppa
. 4x Stormboy: 4x Choppa, 4x Slugga, 4x Stikkbombs

+ Heavy Support +

Mek Gunz [3 PL, 45pts]
. Mek Gun: Kustom Mega Kannon

+ Flyer +

Dakkajet [8 PL, 120pts]: 2x Additional Supa Shoota

Dakkajet [8 PL, 120pts]: 2x Additional Supa Shoota

++ Total: [116 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Freebooterz

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

In my regular monitoring of BCP I’ve seen an increasing number of small events firing in South Africa, so it’s great to see them break through into GT numbers with their national championships – the hobby growing increasingly global is good news for everyone.

So with a whole new country’s metagame joining the fray, what have they got for us? Nothing massively surprising this time around – Freebooterz have been succeeding like crazy pretty much everywhere except the UK, and Ashley here has helped the Waaagh go increasingly global by taking down the event. Lots of buggies, lots of planes, and lots of cheap infantry to hold objectives while the shooting does its brutal work. The only notable divergence from the default build is packing a Killa Klaw warboss on bike instead of a Deffkilla trike, which combines with the Brutal But Kunnin’ trait to give the list a supreme melee troubleshooter if it runs into targets that are resilient to the shooting. I’m not certain if the list needs it, but if you run into something that’s willing to get stuck in with your buggies it can be a powerful counter-charge utility to have in the back pocket (and with the list being maxed out on Stormboy and Kommando units it’s got lots of objective play anyway). If you pinned me down I’d probably stick with the Trike, but given the list sailed through to victory with some very strong scores it clearly wasn’t held back by the choice – congratulations to Ashley.

The Rest of the Best

Five more players finished on 4-1. They were:

  • 2nd – Ihan Grobler – Drukhari: Drukhari Goodstuff with extra wych-based board control, bringing in some Cursed Blade units alongside Cult of Strife.
  • 3rd – Shaun Rushner – Orks: More Freebooterz, but cuts down to a single detachment and brings some Boyz to give a bit of a different angle of attack beyond just shooting the enemy off the table.
  • 4th – Orion Adams – Death Guard: Terminator-heavy with Typhus and some Mortarion’s Anvil toys.
  • 5th ✪ – Douw Pretorius – Adepta Sororitas: Ebon Chalice/Bloody Rose with some Paragon Warsuits packed into the Chalice detachment.
  • 6th – Giles Embleton – Adeptus Custodes: Double Telemon Shadowkeepers.

Return To IWTS

All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Logan Antonation – Space Wolves Successors – 1st Place

Vroom!
Credit: Kevin Stillman (and Salsa the Dog)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Space Wolves) [103 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Born Heroes , Custom Chapter, Space Wolves Successor, Whirlwind of Rage

+ Stratagems +

A Trophy Bestowed [-1CP]

Relics of the Chapter [-1CP]: Number of Extra Relics

+ HQ +

Chapter Master [8 PL, -1CP, 155pts]: Chapter Command: Chapter Master, Frost Weapon, Hunter, Jump Pack, Lightning Claw (Pair), Stratagem: Warrior of Legend, The Imperium’s Sword, Warlord

Primaris Chaplain on Bike [7 PL, -1CP, 140pts]: 2. Catechism of Fire, 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Rites of War, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, The Armour of Russ

+ Troops +

Assault Intercessor Squad [5 PL, 95pts]
. 4x Assault Intercessor: 4x Astartes Chainsword, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol
. Assault Intercessor Sgt: Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol

Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 120pts]
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant

Infiltrator Squad [6 PL, 120pts]
. 4x Infiltrator: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Marksman bolt carbine
. Infiltrator Sergeant

+ Elites +

Bladeguard Veteran Squad [5 PL, 105pts]
. 2x Bladeguard Veteran: 2x Frag & Krak grenades, 2x Heavy Bolt Pistol, 2x Master-crafted power sword, 2x Storm Shield
. Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant: Heavy Bolt Pistol

Bladeguard Veteran Squad [10 PL, 140pts]
. 3x Bladeguard Veteran: 3x Frag & Krak grenades, 3x Heavy Bolt Pistol, 3x Master-crafted power sword, 3x Storm Shield
. Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant: Heavy Bolt Pistol

Judiciar [5 PL, 85pts]

Wolf Guard [7 PL, 130pts]: Jump Pack
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Lightning Claw
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Lightning Claw
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard: Astartes Chainsword, Astartes Chainsword
. Wolf Guard Pack Leader: Lightning Claw, Lightning Claw

Wolf Guard [7 PL, 165pts]: Jump Pack
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Lightning Claw
. Wolf Guard: Lightning Claw, Lightning Claw
. Wolf Guard: Storm shield, Thunder hammer
. Wolf Guard: Storm shield, Thunder hammer
. Wolf Guard Pack Leader: Storm shield, Thunder hammer

Wolf Guard Terminators [9 PL, 205pts]
. Wolf Guard in Terminator Armour: Combi-melta, Thunder hammer
. Wolf Guard in Terminator Armour: Combi-melta, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard in Terminator Armour: Combi-melta, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard in Terminator Armour: Storm bolter, Storm shield
. Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader: Combi-melta, Thunder hammer

+ Fast Attack +

Cyberwolves [1 PL, 15pts]: Cyberwolf

Cyberwolves [1 PL, 15pts]: Cyberwolf

Cyberwolves [1 PL, 15pts]: Cyberwolf

+ Heavy Support +

Long Fangs [7 PL, 175pts]: Armorium Cherub
. Long Fang: Multi-melta
. Long Fang: Multi-melta
. Long Fang: Multi-melta
. Long Fang: Multi-melta
. Long Fang Pack Leader: Astartes Chainsword
. . Boltgun and Bolt Pistol

+ Dedicated Transport +

Drop Pod [4 PL, 70pts]: Deathwind launcher

Impulsor [7 PL, 125pts]: 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launchers, Shield Dome

Impulsor [7 PL, 125pts]: 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launchers, Shield Dome

++ Total: [103 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Space Wolves (Successors)

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Space Wolves are masters of board control, and this leans hard into that strength, while also packing a few changes from stock strategies to help adapt to a newly psychic-heavy metagame. With Grey Knights and Thousand Sons about, including a lone Librarian (even one as powerful as Njal) is a bit of a liability, so the normal mainline Space Wolf Dreads castle is disincentivised. Instead, Logan has pivoted to Successors, and to provide the mixture of mid board melee punch and durability that Redemptors normally cover he’s got two Impulsors loaded with Bladeguard, plus a cheeky Judiciar riding shotgun with one unit, giving the list two Fight Last options (Armour of Russ on the Bike Chaplain being the other) to ensure it can stack melees in its favour all across the table. Packing some of the standard hits like Wolf Guard and Long Fangs alongside that creates an extremely formidible and reliable overall package, one that can neutralise a few key targets then lock the opponent down in a series of punch-ups around objectives until victory is secured. Space Wolves definitely feel like the Marines with most to lose from Grey Knights and Thousand Sons arriving, so it’s great to see Logan showcasing a psyker-free variant to such success.

The Rest of the Best

Four more players finished on 4-1 records. They were:

  • 2nd ✪ – Corey Trumbley – Dark Angels: The first sighting of pure Ravenwing we’ve seen for a while, and a great example of that archetype. Lots of Attack Bikes, powerful characters and a trio of Dark Talons to provide anti-horde and troubleshooting (plus to score Death on the Wind).
  • 3rd – Brenden Chrustie – Black Templars: A very typical Black Templars build, and the only reason I haven’t slammed it straight onto the Archetypes page is that they’ve got a new book coming imminently. Powerful characters (including doubling up on super Chaplains with Grimaldus and a Bike Master of Sanctity), cheap troops in Crusaders, then a mix of powerful melee threats in VanVets, Bladeguard and a massive brick fo Assault Terminators for maximum Devout Push value, with a couple of Redemptors doing double duty as ranged threats.
  • 4th – Garret Olson – Adepta Sororitas: Another showing for Bloody Rose/Ebon Chalice.
  • 5th – Jon Kilcullen – Space Wolves: More Space Wolf successors from our boy JONK, here sporting a couple of Wulfen Dreads as extra pressure tools alongside Impulsor Bladeguard.

Odyssey Games Orktober 40k GT

All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Tyler Russo – Orks – 1st Place

Wazbom Blastajet. Credit: Rockfish
Wazbom Blastajet. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Orks) [65 PL, 1,110pts, 7CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Clan Kultur: Freebooterz

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ HQ +

Kaptin Bathory & Behemoth (Beastboss on Squigosaur)[8 PL, 150pts, -2CP]: 4. Brutal but Kunnin, Headwoppa’s Killchoppa, Stratagem: Big Boss, Stratagem: Extra Gubbinz, Thump Gun

Marduk (Big Mek in Mega Armour) [6 PL, 115pts]: Kustom Force Field, Kustom Mega-Blasta

+ Fast Attack +

Megatrakk Scrapjets [10 PL, 180pts]
. Megatrakk Scrapjet
. Megatrakk Scrapjet

Megatrakk Scrapjets [5 PL, 90pts]
. Megatrakk Scrapjet

Megatrakk Scrapjets [5 PL, 90pts]
. Megatrakk Scrapjet

Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies [7 PL, 115pts]: Nitro Squigs
. Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy

Shokkjump Dragstas [5 PL, 85pts]
. Shokkjump Dragstas

+ Heavy Support +

Mek Gunz [3 PL, 45pts]
. Mek Gun: Kustom Mega Kannon

+ Flyer +

Dakkajet [8 PL, 120pts]: 2x Additional Supa Shoota

Dakkajet [8 PL, 120pts]: 2x Additional Supa Shoota

++ Outrider Detachment -3CP (Orks) [49 PL, 890pts, -3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Clan Kultur: Freebooterz

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ HQ +

Gorkgoroth (Deffkilla Wartrike) [6 PL, 120pts]: 3. Junkboss (Speed Freeks), Da Badskull Banner, Warlord

+ Fast Attack +

Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies [5 PL, 90pts]
. Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy

Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies [5 PL, 90pts]
. Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy

Shokkjump Dragstas [5 PL, 85pts]
. Shokkjump Dragstas

Warbikers [4 PL, 75pts]
. Boss Nob: Choppa
. 2x Warbiker w/ Choppa: 2x Choppa, 4x Dakkagun

+ Heavy Support +

Mek Gunz [3 PL, 45pts]
. Mek Gun: Kustom Mega Kannon

Mek Gunz [3 PL, 45pts]
. Mek Gun: Kustom Mega Kannon

+ Flyer +

Dakkajet [8 PL, 120pts]: 2x Additional Supa Shoota

Da Wrathful Sky (Wazbom Blastajet) [10 PL, 220pts]: 2x Tellyport Mega-Blastas, Blastajet Force Field, Supa Shoota

++ Total: [114 PL, 4CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Freebooterz

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

More Freebooterz (it is Orktober, as the event name points out), though diverging quite a bit from other builds by not fielding any objective play infantry. That loses access to Get Da Loot (outside of using it on the Big Mek, which is very good to be fair), but allows the list to present the opponent with no real targets for small arms fire, which can often be a potent move (especially when so many of the power units are Ramshackle as well). Having the Badskull Banner helps mitigate the lack of footslogging units, and spending no points on chaff means there’s a lot of threat here, including a powerful melee troubleshooter in the Squigosaur. The list ends up a bit more all-in on being able to take the enemy clean off the table than standard, but Freebooterz can 100% pull that off and the extra threats (especially the Blastajet) might give them a bit more game against AdMech lists that are planning to outshoot them. Finally, or course, naming your units then winning an event is one of 40K’s ultimate flexes, so extra congratulations to Tyler.

The Rest of the Best

Three more players finished on 4-1 records, and one player who got paired up in the final from 3-1. They were:

  • 2nd – Daniel Reddehase – Grey Knights: Dreadknights and Interceptors, trying out the Prescient Brethren as the non-Swordbearers detachment to get access to extra CP from Divination.
  • 3rd – Ally Huang – Thousand Sons: Cult of Duplicity with a Mutalith Vortex Beast and Ahriman for extra threat.
  • 4th – Nick Garcia – Adepta Sororitas: Argent Shroud/Bloody Rose, with a tooled-up big Sisters squad in the Argent Shroud detachment to maximise the value from Vahl’s re-rolls.
  • 6th ✪ – Chase Franzier – Necrons: Sadly this list doesn’t actually note which custom traits it has, but it definitely looks like it’s a Silent King Eternal Expansionists of the killier/destroyer-focused variety.

South Georgia Havoc GT

All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Seth Piper – Grey Knights – 1st Place

Credit: Robert “TheChirurgeon” Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Grey Knights) [70 PL, 1,280pts, 11CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Battle Size [12CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)

Brotherhood: Precient Berthren

Detachment Command Cost

+ HQ +

Brotherhood Librarian [8 PL, 140pts]: 2: Purge Soul, 4: Vortex of Doom, 6: Psychic Epitome, Foretelling of Locus, Warlord
. Nemesis Force Sword
. Storm Bolter

Castellan Crowe [5 PL, 90pts]: 5: Warp Shaping

Lord Kaldor Draigo [10 PL, 180pts]: 1: Gate of Infinity, 2: Empyric Amplification, 3: Sanctuary

+ Troops +

Brotherhood Terminator Squad [12 PL, 230pts]
. Grey Knight Terminator Justicar
. . Nemesis Daemon Hammer: Nemesis Daemon Hammer
. 2x Terminator (Halberd): 2x Nemesis Force Halberd, 2x Storm Bolter
. Terminator (Psycannon): Psycannon (Terminator)
. . Nemesis Force Sword
. Terminator (Sword)

Brotherhood Terminator Squad [12 PL, 230pts]
. Grey Knight Terminator Justicar
. . Nemesis Daemon Hammer: Nemesis Daemon Hammer
. 2x Terminator (Halberd): 2x Nemesis Force Halberd, 2x Storm Bolter
. Terminator (Psycannon): Psycannon (Terminator)
. . Nemesis Force Sword
. Terminator (Sword)

Strike Squad [6 PL, 115pts]
. Grey Knight (Psycannon): Psycannon
. 3x Grey Knight (Sword): 3x Nemesis Force Sword, 3x Storm Bolter
. Grey Knight Justicar
. . Nemesis Force Halberd

+ Elites +

Brotherhood Apothecary [6 PL, 100pts, -1CP]: 5: Warp Shaping, Divination, Shield of Humanity
. Nemesis Force Sword

Purifier Squad [7 PL, 115pts]
. Knight of the Flame
. . Nemesis Force Sword
. 4x Purifier (Sword): 4x Nemesis Force Sword, 4x Storm Bolter

+ Dedicated Transport +

Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Imperium – Grey Knights) [35 PL, 720pts, -3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Brotherhood: Swordbearers

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

+ HQ +

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight [11 PL, 235pts, -1CP]: 2: Empyric Amplification, 4: First to the Fray, 4: Vortex of Doom, Dreadfist, Dreadknight teleporter, Gatling Psilencer, Heavy Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword, Servant of the Throne, Shield of Humanity, Sigil of Exigence

+ Troops +

Strike Squad [6 PL, 115pts]
. Grey Knight (Psycannon): Psycannon
. 3x Grey Knight (Sword): 3x Nemesis Force Sword, 3x Storm Bolter
. Grey Knight Justicar
. . Nemesis Force Halberd

+ Heavy Support +

Nemesis Dreadknight [9 PL, 185pts]: Dreadfist, Dreadknight teleporter, Gatling Psilencer, Heavy Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword

Nemesis Dreadknight [9 PL, 185pts]: Dreadfist, Dreadknight teleporter, Gatling Psilencer, Heavy Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword

++ Total: [105 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

The Standout Features

  • A defiant lack of Interceptors alongside the Dreadknight menace.
  • Purifiers and (maybe) Crowe in a Rhino for a bit of mid-game psychic punch.
  • Honest to god Terminators

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

My opinion on Grey Knight Terminators remains that they’re distinctly overpriced, but this list shows that they can work if you use them right. My assumption here is that the Dreadknights act as a hammer, going up the middle of the table, and  the Terminators are intended to act as a more durable flanking force, less mobile than Interceptors (though you can of course Gate them) but far less prone to getting picked up at a profit by units like Hellions. If the opponent breaks off too much to try and deal with them they risk shattering before the Dreadknight trio, and if they don’t then ObSec Terminators roll up the flanks – it’s a definite plan, and while I suspect we’ll continue seeing Interceptor heavy lists as the default, it’s cool to see a different strategy assembled and winning an event – great work from Seth.

The Best of the Rest

Five more players finished on 4-1 records. They were:

  • 2nd – Tarzan – Orks: More Freebooterz, with the extra spice of a squad of Tankbustas pulling sick drive-bys out of a Trukk.
  • 3rd – Jason Jones – Death Guard: Inexorable with a couple of Blightlord units.
  • 4th – Nick Moran – Dark Angels: Another Dark Angels classic returns in the form of the Deathwing/Ravenwing combo – ObSec Terminators hold the board while Attack Bikes and Command Squad-shielded Talonmasters wipe the enemy out.
  • 5th ✪ – Daniel Hesters – Ynnari: A wild concotion here – the full Triumverate of Ynnead take to the field alongside a trio of fully loaded Starweavers and some Craftworld shooting tools protected by a Farseer with Shield of Ynnead (plus Reapers, cause hey Ancestors Grace is great on them and they can still Fire and Fade). Completely different to anything else I’ve seen recently and very cool.
  • 6th – Chris Dailey – Astra Militarum: Gaunts Ghosts! In an actual list! 10/10 army building right there – other than that ther’es a whole bunch of Russes, a few Taurox Primes and an Ordo Malleus inquisitor rounding things out.

Cheseaux Buccaneers Open

All the lists for this event can be found in Tourneykeeper. I’m a little unclear on whether the event was meant to run with 20-0 scoring or based on match wins, but the results are in match win order and that’s what we’ve been told was used by a player who attended, so we’re going with that.

Sebastian Gehart – Drukhari – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [19 PL, 330pts, 12CP] ++ Obsession: *Custom Coven*: Dark Technomancers (All-Consuming)

Strike Force: +12CP
Command Benefits: 0CP

[HQ1] Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts, WL]: The Executioner’s Demiklaives, Warlord Trait: Hatred Eternal.

[TR1] Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]: 4x Wracks, 1x Acothyst

[HS1] Cronos [8 PL, 145pts]: 1x Chronos, 1x Chronos w/Spirit Syphon [5pts].

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [82 PL, 1,225pts, -2CP] ++ Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power
Raiding Forces – CP Refund

[NFS1] Court of the Archon [10 PL, 100pts]: 2x Sslyth, 4x Ur-Ghul.

[NFS2] Court of the Archon [10 PL, 100pts]: 2x Sslyth, 4x Ur-Ghul.

[HQ2] Archon [5 PL, 85pts, -1CP]: Huskblade [5pts], Tolerated Ambition [-1CP]: Ancient Evil, The Djin Blade (Free relic), Splintered Genius (Black Heart) [15pts].

[HQ3] Archon [4 PL, 70pts]: Huskblade [5pts], Prizes of the Dark City [-1CP]: The Helm of Spite

[TR2] Kabalite Trueborn [8 PL, 135pts]: 6x Kabalite Trueborn, 2x Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster [20pts], 1x Kabalite Trueborn w/ Heavy Weapon: Dark Lance [15pts], 1x Trueborn Sybarite.

[TR3] Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 50pts]: 3x Kabalite Warrior, 1x Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster [10pts], 1x Sybarite.

[TR4] Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 50pts]: 3x Kabalite Warrior, 1x Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster [10pts], 1x Sybarite.

[EL1] Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]: 4x Incubi, 1x Klaivex: Demiklaives.

[FA1] Scourges [5 PL, 80pts]: 4x Scourge w/ Special Weapon: Shredder [20pts], 1x Solarite.

[DT1] Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal.

[DT2] Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal.

[DT3] Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal.

[DT4] Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal.

[DT5] Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal.

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [23 PL, 445pts, -2CP] ++ Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder (Restricted)
Raiding Forces – CP Refund

[HQ4] Succubus [4 PL, 75pts, -1CP]: Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Agoniser & Archite Glaive, Tolerated Ambition [-1CP]: Competitive Edge, Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]: The Triptych Whip, Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer [15pts].

[TR5] Wyches [6 PL, 120pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug), 7x Wych, 1x Wych w/Hydra Gauntlets [5pts], 1x Wych w/Shardnet and Impaler [10pts], 1x Hekatrix: Power sword [5pts].

[TR6] Wyches [6 PL, 115pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug), 8x Wych, 1x Wych w/Shardnet and Impaler [10pts], 1x Hekatrix: Power sword [5pts].

[TR7] Wyches [3 PL, 50pts]: Hypex (Combat Drug), 4x Wych, 1x Hekatrix.

[FA2] Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug), . 4x Hellion, 4x Splinter Pods 1x Helliarch.

++ Total: [124 PL, 7CP, 2,000pts] ++

Archetype

Drukhari Goodstuff

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

Boad control galore in this particular Drukhari build, sporting extra wyches, two Courts and a single two-Cronos unit (the perfect size for chucking in Strategic Reserves as an emergency tool). With plenty of nasty trade pieces as well, this list is fully ready to make opponent’s lives a living hell – it can get all ove the baord very quickly, it’s a bit tricker to shoot off than average with two Raiders disgorging courts, and wherever the opponent commits they’re going to get punished. A particularly vicious Drukhari showing from Sebastian here.

Ludovic Stammler – Drukhari – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

DETACHMENT : Patrol Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder (Raiding Forces – CP Refund)
HQ1: [Warlord] Succubus [4 PL, 75pts]:, 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), Competitive Edge, The Triptych Whip, Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer.
Troup1 : Wyches [3 PL, 50pts]: 2 – Adrenalight(Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol
Troup2 : Wyches [6 PL, 110pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 8x Wych: 8x Hekatarii Blade, 8x Plasma Grenades, 8x Splinter Pistol
. Wych w/ Shardnet and Impaler: Shardnet and Impaler
Troup3 : Wyches [3 PL, 50pts]: 2 – hypex(Combat Drug)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol
Elite1 : 5 Mandragores(75), Nightfiend(0) [75]
FA1 : Hellions [7 PL, 170pts]: 1 – Random Drugs
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 9x Hellion: 9x Hellglaive, 9x Splinter Pods
Total detachment : 530

DETACHMENT : Patrol Kabal of the Obsidian Rose: Flawless Workmanship (Raiding Forces – CP Refund)
HQ2 : Archon [5 PL, -2CP, 85pts]: Hatred Eternal, Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition/ Prizes from the Dark City, The Djin Blade. Splintered Genius.
Troup4 : Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 45pts]
. 3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Shredder
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle
Troup5 : Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 45pts]
. 3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Shredder
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle
Troup6 : Kabalite Trueborn [8 PL, 135pts]
. 6x Kabalite Trueborn: 6x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Heavy Weapon: Dark Lance
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Kabalite Trueborn w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Trueborn Sybarite: Splinter Rifle
Elite2 : Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive. Klaivex: Demiklaives
Elite3 : Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive. Klaivex: Demiklaives
Transport1 : Raider [6 PL, 100pts]: Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies, Kabal of the Obsidian Rose
Transport2 : Raider [6 PL, 105pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal, Splinter racks, Kabal of the Obsidian Rose
Transport3 : Raider [6 PL, 100pts]: Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies, Kabal of the Obsidian Rose
Transport4 : Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal of the Obsidian Rose
Transport5 : Raider [6 PL, 95pts]: Dark Lance, Kabal of the Obsidian Rose
Total detachment : 965

DETACHMENT : Patrol *Custom Coven*: Dark Technomancers (All-Consuming) (Raiding Forces – CP Refund)
HQ3 : Drazhar(145) [145]
Troup7 : Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]. Acothyst: Wrack Blade. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade
Elite4 : Incubi [4 PL, 80pts]. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive. Klaivex: Demiklaives
HS1 : Cronos [12 PL, 240pts]
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
. Cronos: Spirit Vortex
Total detachment : 505
ARMY TOTAL [2000]

Archetype

Drukhari Goodstuff/Cronos hybrid

Why it’s Interesting in 9th

More powerful board control, this time passing on the Courts in favour of bulking the Cronos up to a third model and packing a 10-model Hellion unit as an extra hammer. Just Drukhari things, and a nice performance from Ludovic (four wins and a draw, so meeting the new “undefeated” bar for a GT feature).

The Best of the Rest

Four more players finished on 4-1 records. They were:

  • 3rd – Salysia – Adepta Sororitas: Argent Shroud/Bloody Rose.
  • 4th – William Fuhrimann – Emperor’s Spears: A cool spin on the Ultramarine Successor Invictor lists, making use of the Emperor’s Spears to get access to their powerful melee strats.
  • 5th – Patrick Voyame – Drukhari: Drukhari Goodstuff with a few extra Coven units (Venoms with ignore cover, which is cute) and a Cronos to trigger Pain Syphon.

Wrap Up

That’s it for this week’s lists, and while next week is shamefully lacking in supermajors, it looks like we’ve got a major in New York and plenty of GTs all over the shop (one of which I’m going to), so plenty to look forward to. Comments, questions and suggestions (especially of any Archetypes that need adding to the page) welcome at contact@goonhammer.com.