Competitive Innovations in 9th: Varying Degrees of Tyranid

The old world is dying, and the new world struggles not to get eaten, with what can only honestly be described as limited success. This week sees things very much in flux as different events adopted either none, some or all of the recent rules updates, meaning that some of this week’s events continue a long goodbye to Nachmund, some give us a look at what’s in store in Nephilim, and some manage to thread the needle of rules timing to create a unique, fleeting hybrid of the two.

This week we’re looking at:

  • The Alpine Grand Tournament
  • The Geelong Town Open
  • The Summer is Coming GT
  • Exterminatus V: Domocalypse
  • Leodis Games GT
  • Clan Wars Scottish Open

There were also a couple more small UK GTs that narrowly missed the cut in terms of size, but I did have a quick look at them since they both used thew new pack, so shout out to Eric Hoerger andĀ Nathan Whitbred for winning those, and I guess try not to be too alarmed that both of them did so with Tyranids (though Eric was on a spicy new Behemoth Lurk monster mash build).

As in the last few weeks, for any players who didn’t outrightĀ win the event, but went undefeated, I will note it next to their name.

The Alpine Grand Tournament

57-player, 9-round Event in Salzburg, Salzburg, AT on July 01 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings. Yes technically it should be one more for a major, but it’s the only one this week, so whatever.

Due to managing to set the rules cutoff neatly between when the points PDF and Balance Dataslate released and the street date of Chapter Approved, this eventĀ was using the Points and Balance updates, but wasĀ not using the new missions and Army Construction rules.

Note – it looks like the actual standings here got somewhat confused by a player eligible for the top 8 dropping, so the player listed in 9th actually played two rounds in the top 8, so I’ve put them to 4th.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Tear Down Their Icons

Alexander Wagner – Hive Fleet Leviathan:Ā Diet Leviathan Goodstuff.
Army List - Click to Expand


TYRANIDs, Leviathan, Patrol Detachment: -2CP

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [195pts], Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Heavy Venom Canon, Powers: Smite, Catalyst, Onslaught, Hive Nexus, Relic: Shardgullet, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance

Neurothrope [-2CP, 100pts], Powers: Smite, Catalyst, Psychic Scream, Hive Nexus, Relic: Resonance Barb, Power Neuropasasite, Add. Warlord Trait: Synaptic Tendrils

+ TR +

Tyranid Warriors [95pts], Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Deathsspitter, Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Deathsspitter, Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Canon

+ EL +

Pyrovores [80pts], Pyrovore, Pyrovore

+ HS +

Screamer-Killers [435pts], Screamer-Killer: Andrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Screamer-Killer: Andrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Screamer-Killer: Andrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs,

TYRANIDs, Leviathan, Patrol Detachment: 0CP

+ HQ +

Winged Hive Tyrant [-2CP, 230pts], Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Powers: Smite, Psychic Scream, Paroxysm, Hive Nexus, Relic: The Reaper of Obliterax, Add.Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ TR +

Tyranid Warriors [95pts], Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Deathsspitter, Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Deathsspitter, Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Canon

+ EL +

Maleceptor [220pts]: Powers: Smite, Psychic Scream, Neuroparasite, Hive Nexus

Zoantrophes [150pts]: 3 Zoanthropes, Powers: Smite, Catalyst, Hive Nexus

+ HS +

Tyrannofex [200pts]: Acid Spray, Adapive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement

+ FL +

Harpy [200pts]: 2x Stranglethorn Cannon, Adapive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis

END OF ROSTER

vs.

Christian Stromberger – Aeldari:Ā Hail of Doom with lots of Windriders and Swooping Hawks.
Army List - Click to Expand


== Aeldari – Far-Flung – Patrol = 0 CP – [48 PL 1025pts] == Hail of Doom

HQ: Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 125pts]: Psychic: Crushing Orb, Executioner, Relic: Kurnous’ Bow [Free Relic], Warlord
HQ: Farseer Skyrunner [6 PL, 130pts]: Singing Spear, Psychic: Doom, Guide
TR: 5 Rangers [4 PL, 65pts]
EL: 10 Dire Avengers [6 PL, 130pts]: Exarch – Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults
EL: 5 Howling Banshees [5 PL, 110pts]: Exarch – Mirrorswords, Power: Piercing Strikes, Shrine Relic: Cronescream [-0.5CP]
FA: 9 Swooping Hawks [8 PL, 180pts]: Shrine Relic: The Phoenix Plume [-0.5CP]
FA: 9 Swooping Hawks [8 PL, 180pts]:
NFO: Seer Council [5 PL, 60pts]: 3 Warlock Skyrunners [5 PL, 105pts]: Psychic: Conceal/Reveal, Protect/Jinx

== Aeldari – Far-Flung – Outrider = -3 CP – [58 PL 975pts] == Hail of Doom

HQ: Baharroth [7 PL, 160pts]
HQ: Farseer [5 PL, 95pts]: Psychic: Fateful Divergence, Focus Will
EL: 10 Dire Avengers [6 PL, 130pts]: Exarch – Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults
EL: 10 Dire Avengers [6 PL, 130pts]: Exarch – Two Avenger Shuriken Catapults
FA: Vypers [3 PL, 40pts]: Scatter Laser
FA: Vypers [3 PL, 40pts]: Scatter Laser
FA: 7 Windriders [12 PL, 140pts]
FA: 6 Windriders [8 PL, 120pts]
FA: 6 Windriders [8 PL, 120pts]

END OF ROSTER

Thoughts

This game is very much in the bucket of unique, special things we’ll only encounter in this liminal period – the two titans of the previous metagame,Ā with points changes and balance changes applied but without the big shift in army list construction and secondaries. In this particular game, the points changes definitely bite the Tyranids considerably harder – there’s a definite sense of going through the army list here and thinking “is that it?” compared to what we’re used to. The models thatĀ are there are still stonkingly powerful, of course, but it’s a much more manageable thing to be confronted with.

The Aeldari side still retains a lot more of what it used to have, via a few different means. First up, it’s gone hard on shuriken catapult Windriders, which were lucky to dodge the nerf bat (though being in the Fast Attack slot is a much more real cost now), and also uses Vypers (also static on points) and three Farseers (tiny point increase). It also highlights that the point changes falling on multi-model infantry units make them much easier to adapt to – rather than eating a points increase on Swooping Hawks, just cut a model, and they still do what you want from them. Where it does get bitten much harder is on the actual rules changes – no more second Craftworld Trait, essentially no moreĀ Eldritch Storm, and far more limited access toĀ Fire and Fade-style effects. However, the units picked here aim to avoid suffering too badly from that – the shuriken Windriders are cheap enough that if they take a chunk out of a Carnifex and soak up a bit of pain on the way out you’re notĀ too sad, and Swooping Hawks can still do their thing pretty effectively.

The accumulated impact is that in this game, particularly on this mission, this matchup isĀ vastly kinder to the Aeldari than it used to be – they’ve now got quite an advantage in terms of number of things on the table, plenty of which threaten to trade up, and can also play the Mission Primary very effectiely. On a corner deployment, the Tyranids having fewer things to saturate the board with is a big deal too, making it far easier to use mobility to avoid unfavourable engagements, and mitigate the lack of transports. Secondaries are stillĀ  a bit dicey for them, and they have to watch out for getting bowled over, but you’d definitely look at this as a game you could win from the Aeldari side – and they narrowly did.

Re-run this game next week, however, and this Aeldari list isĀ incredibly dead. The Hawks matter far less withoutĀ To The Last in play, cramming all the Fast Attack slots it wants in without running dry on CP is far harder, and it’s clearly planning to deep strike several of the Dire Avenger units. Its also short on Secondary plans – you’d likely want a second unit of melee Aspect Warriors or another Phoenix Lord available to try and spikeĀ Wrath of Khaine, landing aĀ Warpcraft is fine in most games (but not really this one), but a third will sometimes be a challenge, or at least force you to make awkward choices. The Tyranid list, on the other hand, probably refactors down to a single detachment and a Hive Tyrant, but somethingĀ like it remains perfectly fine, especially with the significantly improvedĀ Cranial Feasting in play. We’ll see some examples of lists built to the new rules later on in the article.

Result

Aeldari Victory – 71 – 65

Christian Stromberger – Aeldari – 1st Place

Dire Avengers. Credit: Rockfish
Dire Avengers. Credit: Rockfish

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Hail of Doom

Thoughts

As covered in the showdown, a last, glorious ride for the old-school Hail of Doom, prior to being sent back to the drawing board by the enormous crunch on CP it’s about to hit. Well done to Christian for sending it off in style.

Alexander Wagner – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 2nd Place

Maleceptor. Credit: Rockfish
Maleceptor. Credit: Rockfish

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Leviathan Goodstuff

Thoughts

Still good. Fewer monsters? Sure. Still excellent units? Absolutely.

Stefan Pazderka – Adepta Sororitas – 3rd Place

Sisters of Battle Repentia
Credit: Evan “Felime” Siefring

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


== Adepta Sororitas ā€“ Bloody Rose ā€“ Battalion Detachment = -3CP, [109PL, 1995pts] ==
Order Conviction: Quick to Anger

HQ: Morvenn Vahl [14 PL, 280pts]: Warlord – Righteous Rage
HQ: Celestine and Geminae Superia [10 PL, 200pts]
HQ: Canoness [5 PL, -1CP, 100pts]: Blessed Blade, Bolt pistol, Chaplet of Sacrifice – free Relic, Blazing Ire – Saint in the Making, Word of the Emperor – Blessing of the Faithful

TR: Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]: Sister Superior; Chainsword, Boltgun & Bolt Pistol
TR: Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]: Sister Superior; Chainsword, Boltgun & Bolt Pistol
TR: Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]: Sister Superior; Chainsword, Boltgun & Bolt Pistol

EL: Dogmata [4 PL, -1CP, 65pts]: The Sigil Ecclesiasticus – Open the Reliquaries, Verse of Holy Piety, Chorus of Spiritual Fortitude
EL: Paragon Warsuits [11 PL, 240pts]: 6x Storm Bolters, 3x Multi-melta, Paragon War Blade
EL: Preacher [2 PL, 25pts]: Autopistol, Chainsword
EL: Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 112pts]: 8x Sisters Repentia
EL: Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 112pts]: 8x Sisters Repentia
EL: Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 84pts]: 6x Sisters Repentia

FA: Seraphim Squad [8 PL, 92pts]: 5x Seraphim, 4x Ministorum Hand Flamers
FA: Zephyrim Squad [8 PL, 125pts]: 7x Zephyrim, 1x Zephyrim Pennant
FA: Zephyrim Squad [8 PL, 125pts]: 7x Zephyrim, 1x Zephyrim Pennant

Note: I think the Zephyrim squads should say 8 models so that they add up to 125pts, guessing the superiors got cut off in formatting.

HS: Retributor Squad [6 PL, 150pts]: Sister Superior; Chainsword, Boltgun & Bolt Pistol, 4x Multi-melta, 1x Armorium Cherub

DT: Sororitas Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

NFO: Repentia Superior [2 PL,-1 CP, 40pts]: Bolt pistol, Beacon of Faith – Saint in the Making

END OF ROSTER

Archetype

Bloody Rose

Thoughts

This list isn’t particularly complicated, but isĀ absolutely something you’re going to be seeing a lot of in the next few months. Sisters work great as a single Battalion army, a bunch of their better units have had overly harsh nerfs from January reverted, and they’re now sporting Armour of Contempt. That leaves them as very strong all-rounders, and with the overwhelming power of some of the top builds toned down considerably they can now go into most games with a real chance of victory. Once Nephilim kicks off in full, they also have access to a gangbusters set of Secondary Objectives, but as Stefan’s excellent performance here shows, they’re now able to tangle at the top on quality alone!

Matej Tkac – Harlequins – 4th Place

Credit: Ben Hampshire

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [88 PL, 2,000 8CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Gametype:Chapter Approved: War Zone Nachmund

Saedath Characterisation: Dark: Dark Deeds

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari [-1CP]

Stratagem: Treasures of the Aeldari [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Shadowseer [6 PL, 130pts, -1CP]: 1: Favour of Cegorach, 3. Mirror of Minds (Witchfire), 6. Webway Dance (Aura) (Blessing), Agent of Pandemonium (Aura), Hallucinogen Grenade Launcher, Miststave, Shuriken Pistol, Smite, Stratagem: Champion of the Aeldari
. The Ghoulmask: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

Shadowseer [6 PL, 130pts]: 1. Twilight Pathways (Blessing), 2. Fog of Dreams (Blessing), Hallucinogen Grenade Launcher, Mirror Architect (Aura), Miststave, Neuro Disruptor, Smite
. The Laughing God’s Eye: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

Troupe Master [5 PL, 115pts, -1CP]: 3: A Foot in the Future, Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Plasma Grenades, Player of the Dark, Queen of Shards, Stratagem: Favoured of the Laughing God, Warlord
. Cegorach’s Rose: Treasures of the Aeldari Relic

+ Troops +

Troupe [4 PL, 100pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades

Troupe [4 PL, 100pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades

Troupe [4 PL, 100pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades

Troupe [4 PL, 100pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades

Troupe [4 PL, 100pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Kiss, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Embrace, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Neuro Disruptor, Plasma Grenades

Troupe [4 PL, 80pts]
. Lead Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Kiss, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Embrace, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Caress, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. Player: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol

+ Elites +

Death Jester [4 PL, 90pts]: Jester’s Blade, Rift Ghoul, Shrieker Cannon

Solitaire [7 PL, 130pts]: Prince of Sins, Solitaire’s Weapons

+ Fast Attack +

Skyweavers [12 PL, 250pts]
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive

Skyweavers [4 PL, 100pts]
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Shuriken Cannon, Zephyrglaive

+ Dedicated Transport +

Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]: 2x Shuriken Cannon

Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]: 2x Shuriken Cannon

Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]: 2x Shuriken Cannon

Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]: 2x Shuriken Cannon

Starweaver [4 PL, 95pts]: 2x Shuriken Cannon

++ Total: [88 PL, 8CP, 2000 pts] ++

Archetype

Dark Saedath

Thoughts

Harlequins are our final entrant into this top four, and plausibly the most interesting omen for the upcoming metagame out of them. Dark Saedath got bittenĀ hard by the Balance Dataslate, but points changes were extremely kind to Harlequins given their previous level of performance, and they’re another faction with excellent Secondaries and Battalion capabilities. Once again, evenĀ without those last two factors in play we see a super strong performance from Matej here, and my guess is that the massive reduction in the punishment inherant in trying to clear Dark Saedath stuff in melee is being offset by the fact that all the other existing top builds are playing with significantly less stuff, and what stuff theyĀ do have is much better to trade up into, something many Harlequin units are more than capable of on the attack. Clowns look like they’re very much still on the menu, and well done to Matej on fourth place.

The Best of the Rest

The rest of the top eight (plus the final player who made the cut but didn’t play) were:

  • 5th – Lukas Wobak – Death Guard: Terminus Est Assault force crammed with Terminators and tooled-up Plague Marine units, taking full advantage of their new free toys.
  • 6th – Thomas Wobak – Craftworlds: Ulthwe Goodstuff with loads of casters and Aspect Warriors, plus the Avatar and some Wraithlords to hold the board.
  • 7th – Mario Hƶltge – Craftworlds: Hail of Doom, but with surprisingly few actual shuriken spam units, instead going wide with a mix of Phoenix Lords, Aspect Warriors and Shroud Runners (the last of which have to look quite a bit more interesting now the point differential to other stuff is smaller).
  • 8th – Alessandro DAgata – Adepta Sororitas:Ā All-rounder Bloody Rose with lots of Zephyrim, Sacresants and Retributors.
  • 9th – Fabian WĆ¼thrich – Tyranids:Ā Leviathan with lots of shooty monsters. Interesting choice to go for one Harpy with stranglethorns and one with the venom cannons to keep costs down (while retaining Spore Mine power), which might be something we’ll now see more of.

Geelong 40k Town Open

47-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in North Shore, VIC, AU on July 01 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event was using the Nachmund Pack, and had some extra “twist” rules in play for the missions.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts

Dean Sinnbeck – Emperor’s Children:Ā Old Emperor’s Children with lots of Terminators and Chosen, plus a full unit of Noise Marines.
Army List - Click to Expand


DEAN SINNBECK VTC LIST [106 PL, 2,000pts]
Chaos Space Marines – Battalion Detachment
All units have the following keyword selections:
Legion: Emperor’s Children
Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh

NO FORCE ORGANISATION SLOT [1 PL, 10pts]
Dark Disciples [1 PL, 10pts]
2x Dark Disciple [10pts]
Selections: 2x Close combat weapon

HQ [13 PL, 235pts]

Dark Apostle [4 PL, 80pts]
Selections: Remnant of the Maraviglia, Warpsight Plea

Master of Executions [4 PL, 65pts]
Selections: Flames of Spite, Raiment Revulsive, Warlord

Sorcerer [5 PL, 90pts]
Selections: Bolt pistol, Force sword, Prescience, Warptime

TROOPS [26 PL, 545pts]

10 Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 50pts]
9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autopistol Close combat weapon [45pts]
Selections: 9x Autopistol Close combat weapon

10 Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 50pts]
9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autopistol Close combat weapon [45pts]
Selections: 9x Autopistol Close combat weapon

20 Noise Marines [20 PL, 445pts]
Selections: Icon of Excess [10pts] combat elixirs [+2move]
2x Marine w/ blastmaster [52pts]
Selections: 2x Blastmaster [20pts], 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
17x Marine w/ sonic blaster [357pts]
Selections: 17x Bolt pistol, 17x Frag & Krak grenades, 17x Sonic blasters [85pts]
1x Noise Champion [26pts]
Selections: Lightning Claw [5pts], Sonic blaster [5pts]

ELITES [56 PL, 1,012pts]

8 Chosen [12 PL, 149pts]
Selections: Icon of Excess [10pts], Mark of Slaanesh
3x Chosen [17pts]
Selections: Lightning Claw, boltgun, Bolt pistol, frag and krak grenade [3pts]
1x Chosen Champion [20pts]
Selections: 2x Lightning Claw, frag and krak grenades [6pts]
4x Chosen [17pts]
Selections: Astartes chainsword, Lightning Claw, frag and krak grenade [3pts]

10 Chosen [12 PL, 183pts]
Selections: Icon of Excess [10pts], Mark of Slaanesh
5x Chosen [17pts]
Selections: Lightning Claw, boltgun, Bolt pistol, frag and krak grenade [3pts]
1x Chosen Champion [20pts]
Selections: 2x Lightning Claw, frag and krak grenades [6pts]
4x Chosen [17pts]
Selections: Astartes chainsword, Lightning Claw, frag and krak grenade [3pts]

8 Terminators [16 PL, 274pts]
Selections: Icon of Excess [10pts], Mark of Slaanesh
7x Terminator [33pts]
Selections: Combi-melta [5pts], Lightning Claw
1x Terminator Champion [33pts]
Selections: Combi-melta [5pts], Lightning Claw

8 Terminators [16 PL, 274pts]
Selections: Icon of Excess [10pts], Mark of Slaanesh
6x Terminator [33pts]
Selections: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
1x Terminator [28pts]
Selections: Combi-bolter, Lightning Claw

1x Terminator Champion [33pts]
Selections: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw

5 Terminators [16 PL, 140pts]
Selections: Icon of Excess [10pts], Mark of Slaanesh
4x Terminator [28pts]
Selections: Combi-bolters, Lightning Claw
1x Terminator Champion [28pts]
Selections: Combi-bolter, Lightning Claw

FAST ATTACK [6 PL, 115pts]

Dreadclaw Drop Pod [6 PL, 115pts]

DEDICATED TRANSPORT [4 PL, 80pts]

Chaos Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

vs.

Boyd Morrall – Iron Warriors:Ā Old Iron Warriors, going hard on Decimator and Obliterator synergies.
Army List - Click to Expand


++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Chaos Space Marines) [109 PL, 1,999pts, 12CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Legion: Iron Warriors

+ HQ +

Lord Discordant on Helstalker [10 PL, 200pts]: Baleflamer, Mark of Khorne, Talisman of Burning Blood
. Helstalker: Techno-virus injector

Master of Possession [5 PL, 95pts]: 2. Daemonsmith, Cursed Earth, Infernal Power, Mark of Tzeentch, Warlord

Sorcerer [5 PL, 90pts]: Bolt pistol, Force sword, Intoxicating Elixir, Mark of Slaanesh, Prescience, Warptime

+ Troops +

Chaos Cultists [9 PL, 120pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 23x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 23x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Cultists [3 PL, 50pts]: No Chaos Mark
. 9x Chaos Cultist w/ Autogun: 9x Autogun
. Cultist Champion: Autogun

Chaos Space Marines [4 PL, 60pts]: No Chaos Mark
. Aspiring Champion: Astartes chainsword, Boltgun
. 4x Marine w/ boltgun: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades

+ Elites +

Decimator [9 PL, 180pts]: No Chaos Mark, 2x Soulburner petard

Decimator [9 PL, 180pts]: No Chaos Mark, 2x Soulburner petard

Decimator [9 PL, 180pts]: No Chaos Mark, 2x Soulburner petard

Terminators [16 PL, 274pts]: Icon of Excess, Mark of Slaanesh
. Terminator: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Terminator: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Terminator: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Terminator: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Terminator: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Terminator: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Terminator: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw
. Terminator Champion: Combi-melta, Lightning Claw

+ Heavy Support +

Obliterators [15 PL, 285pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 3x Obliterator: 3x Crushing fists, 3x Fleshmetal guns

Obliterators [15 PL, 285pts]: Mark of Slaanesh
. 3x Obliterator: 3x Crushing fists, 3x Fleshmetal guns

++ Total: [109 PL, 12CP, 1,999pts] ++

Thoughts

Ok this is a straight upĀ hilarious matchup to see on a top table, and also trulyĀ spectacular in the degree to which nothing that happened in it will ever be relevant again, almost no rule used in this game will be in play in future tournaments.

With that in mind, I’ll keep it brief – both these armies have leant into the only thing you could really do with the old CSM book, which is craft a truly nightmarish glass cannon build. You get wide-ranging offensive synergies of a power that they don’t reallyĀ do in 9th Edition, but they’re attached to stuff that’s far too fragile for its cost (less so for the Iron Warriors here, admittedly).

In terms of how these two builds line up, I’d say the Emperor’s Children have the advantage of having more stuff on the table (helpful in the mission) and more different angles of attack thanks to the heavy Deep Strike presence. However, the advantage the Iron Warriors have to counter that is that it feels much more likely that the Emperor’s Children take a swing and miss a key kill here, bouncing off armour and invulns, whereas the Warriors should pretty reliably eradicate whatever they set their mind to. From the score, it looks like the effect of these duelling factors was to create a very high scoring and incredibly close game, a true viking funeral for the Chaos Space Marine codex as was, narrowly won by the Emperor’s Children.

Result

Emperor’s Children Victory – 92 – 89

Dean Sinnbeck – Emperor’s Children – 1st Place

Credit: Robert “TheChirurgeon” Jones

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Old Emperor’s Children

Thoughts

See showdown, basically – in the old CSM book/Faith and Fury, two Legions stood out as giving you enough synergies to build a good list around, and this was one of them, especially afterĀ Armour of Contempt and the changes toĀ Death to the False Emperor. With that, we consign such things to memory (well done Dean on the win).

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 or better records. They were:

  • 2nd – Jason Horne – Hive Fleet Leviathan: Leviathan Goodstuff with two Harpies (undefeated with a draw).
  • 3rd – Rhys Cunningham – Drukhari: Prophets of Flesh Wrack Spam, with a few units of Grotesques providing a heftier hammer (undefeated with a draw).
  • 4th – Boyd Morrall – Iron Warriors:Ā See showdown.
  • 5th – Terence Drew – Space Wolves Successors:Ā Minotaurs running asĀ Artisans/Warded Wolf Successors, and featuring a massive number of Dreadnoughts lead up by Hekaton Aiakos.
  • 6th – Leigh Strom – Imperium:Ā Mixed Custodes and Space Wolf Dreadnought spam, with three of each golden Contemptor, a Telemon, then Bjorn, Murderfang and two Wulfen Dreads.
  • 7th – Hugh Titchener – Blood Angels:Ā Blood Angels flying funtimes, lots of Sanguinary Guard, some Death Company, Dante, and a big unit of Eradicators to provide heavy support.
  • 8th – Aaron Duncan – Drukhari:Ā Heavily mechanised Drukhari Goodstuff, sporting Ravagers, Raiders and Razorwings in a Realspace Raid, with Bloodbrides and Grotesques adding some melee hammers.

Summer Is Coming – GT

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sƶdermanlands lƤn, SE on July 02 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event fully adopted the Nephilim updates, and was doing placings based on victories, with 20-0 scoring used as a tiebreaker.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Conversion

Jacob Holmstrƶm – Hive Fleet Behemoth:Ā ShootyĀ Lurk Monster Mash, including a Scythed Hierodule.
Army List - Click to Expand


++ Spearhead Detachment -3CP (Tyranids) [101 PL, 2,000pts, ] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Gametype: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

Hive Fleet: (Lurk) Territorial Instincts, Behemoth

+ Stratagems +

Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact

Relic [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 195pts, -1CP]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Unstoppable Onslaught, Relic: Shardgullet, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

Tervigon [11 PL, 215pts]: Massive Scything Talons, Power: Catalyst, Power: Unstoppable Onslaught, Relic: The Maw-claws of Thyrax

+ Elites +

Haruspex [10 PL, 185pts]: Adaptive Physiology: Predator Instincts

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Onslaught, Power: Unstoppable Onslaught, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Heavy Support +

Exocrine [9 PL, 200pts]

Exocrine [9 PL, 200pts]

Scythed Hierodule [14 PL, 260pts]: Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 205pts]: Acid Spray, Adaptive Physiology: Voracious Ammunition

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 200pts]: Acid Spray, Adaptive Physiology: Synaptic Enhancement

Tyrannofex [10 PL, 190pts]: Acid Spray

++ Total: [101 PL, 2,000pts] ++

vs.

Jonathan Sleigh-Johnson – Adepta Sororitas:Ā Bloody Rose goodstuff with lots of Retributors.
Army List - Click to Expand


+++ Sisters horde 2 (Warhammer 40,000 9th Edition) [108 PL, 5CP, 2,007pts] +++

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [108 PL, 5CP, 2,007pts] ++

+ Configuration [6CP] +

Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points) [6CP]

Gametype: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim

Order Convictions: Order: Bloody Rose

+ No Force Org Slot [2 PL, 40pts] +

Repentia Superior [2 PL, 40pts]

+ HQ [19 PL, -1CP, 380pts] +

Canoness [5 PL, -1CP, 100pts]: Blessed Blade [10pts], Stratagem: Saint in the Making [-1CP], Warlord Trait: Blazing Ire
Word of the Emperor [2 PL, 40pts]

Morvenn Vahl [14 PL, 280pts]: Warlord, Warlord Trait: 2. Righteous Rage

+ Troops [10 PL, 190pts] +

Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]
4x Battle Sister [44pts]: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
Sister Superior [11pts]: Chainsword

Battle Sister Squad [3 PL, 55pts]
4x Battle Sister [44pts]: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
Sister Superior [11pts]: Chainsword

Sisters Novitiate Squad [4 PL, 80pts]
Novitiate Superior [5pts]
Bolt Pistol and Power Sword [5pts]: Power sword [5pts]
9x Sister Novitiate (Melee Weapon): 9x Auto Pistol, 9x Frag & Krak grenades, 9x Novitiate Melee Weapons

+ Elites [31 PL, 477pts] +

Celestian Sacresants [8 PL, 110pts]
6x Celestian Sacresant (Anointed Halberd) [90pts]: 6x Anointed Halberd, 6x Bolt pistol, 6x Frag & Krak grenades
Sacresant Superior [20pts]: Bolt pistol, Spear of the Faithful [5pts]

Crusaders [1 PL, 22pts]
2x Crusaders [22pts]: 2x Power sword

Dogmata [4 PL, 65pts]

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 70pts]
5x Sisters Repentia [70pts]: 5x Penitent Eviscerator

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 98pts]
7x Sisters Repentia [98pts]: 7x Penitent Eviscerator

Sisters Repentia [6 PL, 112pts]
8x Sisters Repentia [112pts]: 8x Penitent Eviscerator

+ Fast Attack [20 PL, 310pts] +

Seraphim Squad [4 PL, 80pts]
2x Seraphim [24pts]: 4x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades
Seraphim Superior [12pts]: Bolt pistol, Bolt pistol
Seraphim w/ Special Weapons [22pts]: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers [10pts]
Seraphim w/ Special Weapons [22pts]: 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers [10pts]

Zephyrim Squad [8 PL, 110pts]
6x Zephyrim [90pts]: 6x Bolt pistol, 6x Frag & Krak grenades, 6x Power sword
Zephyrim Superior [20pts]: Bolt pistol, Zephyrim Pennant [5pts]

Zephyrim Squad [8 PL, 120pts]
7x Zephyrim [105pts]: 7x Bolt pistol, 7x Frag & Krak grenades, 7x Power sword
Zephyrim Superior [15pts]: Bolt pistol

+ Heavy Support [18 PL, 450pts] +

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 150pts]: Armourium Cherub [10pts]
Retributor Superior [12pts]: Chainsword
Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 150pts]: Armourium Cherub [10pts]
Retributor Superior [12pts]: Chainsword
Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 150pts]: Armourium Cherub [10pts]
Retributor Superior [12pts]: Chainsword
Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]
Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon [32pts]: Multi-melta [20pts]

+ Dedicated Transport [8 PL, 160pts] +

Sororitas Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

Sororitas Rhino [4 PL, 80pts]

Thoughts

The hyped new challengers in the form of the Adepta Sororitas take on the Tyranid menace – but as is its won’t, the Hive Mind has begun to adapt to new circumstances.

Lurk Monster Mash builds appear to be the emerging hotness, with a couple of different variations showing up (including at some of the smaller events), generally either going hard on Carnifexes or (as here) leaning heavily on shooty bugs. Even after the points changes, the unit profiles on the various Tyranid Monsters are incredibly efficient, especially given how many got bumped up to a 2+ save and gained additional wounds. Bring a wall of them, put ObSec and counts as five models on the lot of them (plus the option to throw up a 4+ invulnerable save on a key turn), and dare your opponent to try and muscle you off the board. Plenty are going to try and fail, especially with many high threat builds, and while this build perhaps loses a little by not being as strong at Cranial FeastingĀ as more melee-focused armies, it still hasĀ some angle on it (especially with the Behemoth kit helping out), and gains a much more comfortable Grind plan thanks to broader ranged capabilities.

Grind is definitely coming into play here, as although the Sisters have plenty of high threat stuff, the various autohit weapons are likely to do some nasty stuff, and anything from the Sororitas side of the table that gets exposed probably dies pretty fast. Having a couple of Rhinos helps with that considerably, and the Sisters can definitelyĀ afford to lose things a bit more than the Tyranids can, but they need to be picking their targets carefully to make things count, and also to have a bit of at think about their Secondaries. While the Sister set is extremely good, this specific Tyranid build makesĀ Defend the Shrine and Sacred GroundsĀ farĀ riskier than they are in most matchups (and, in fact, the number of Secondaries that now specify an objective that you control makes this Lurk plan stronger in general). That’s not terminal, asĀ Bring it Down is very much in play,Ā Leap of Faith is still fine, and this army has enough units to just fall back onĀ RND if it wants, but with a lower expected score it’s going to need to fight for the Primary here.

Corner deployment definitely helps with that – with relatively few units, the Tyranids are going to struggle to consistently deny 8pt turns for the Sororitas, especially if they do what they probably should and try and smash one quarter hard, while skirmishing in the other. There is a risk that they whiff on trying that and get bowled over, and they do also have to make sure they’re not opening themselves up for the Tyranids to make a thrust to their home objective with something – factoring in the mission Primary, that would be a huge point swing. The move blocking capabilities of the humble Rhino could be clutch to prevent that against so many chunky monsters, and indeed perhaps they were, as in the end the SistersĀ very narrowly edged a win here.

Result

Adepta Sororitas Victory – 11 – 9

Jonathan Sleigh-Johnson – Adepta Sororitas – 1st Place

Credit: Greg Narro

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Bloody Rose

Thoughts

An extremely strong-looking winner for our first full Nephilim event, Jonathan’s build has a nice mix of ranged damage and close combat, the Rhinos are excellent for controlling when his units are exposed (plus making glorious Bloody Rose sallies withĀ Carry Forth the Faithful when needed), and the army starts with a healthy 4CP and doesn’t give up max Assassinate. Don’t expect this to be the last Sisters build we look at over the next few months, and well done to Jonathan.

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 2nd – Tim Nordin – Thousand Sons:Ā Cult of Duplicity with two big Scarab units and two big Spawn bricks.
  • 3rd – Jacob Holmstrƶm – Hive Fleet Behemoth:Ā See showdown.
  • 4th – Axel RydĆ©n – Harlequins: Light Saedath Starweaver spam, eight loaded boats and some Characters.
  • 5th – David Klang – Necrons:Ā Silent King backed up by lots of Destroyers (including basic Lokhusts) and Wraiths, plus one big Warrior unit (undefeated with two draws).

Exterminatus V: Domocalypse Warhammer 40,000 Tournament

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Glenfield Park, NSW, Australia on July 01 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

New points and missions do not appear to have been in play.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Secure Missing Artefacts

Hayden Ford – Adeptus Custodes:Ā Emperor’s Chosen Goodstuff
Army List - Click to Expand


++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Custodes) [101 PL, 2,000pts, 9CP] ++

Detachment Type / Shield Host: Adeptus Custodes, Emperor’s Chosen

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Open the Vaults [-1CP]: Additional Relics

+ Agents of the Imperium +

Lord Inquisitor Kyria Draxus [5 PL, 85pts]: 1) Terrify

+ HQ +

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [10 PL, 180pts, -2CP]: (Emperor’s Chosen): Auric Exemplar, 3. Superior Creation, Auric Aquilas, Misericordia, Salvo Launcher, Stratagem: The Emperor’s Heroes, Stratagem: Victor of the Blood Games, Tip of the Spear

Trajann Valoris [8 PL, 160pts, 1CP]: 1. Master of Martial Strategy, 2. Champion of the Imperium

+ Troops +

Custodian Guard Squad [7 PL, 140pts]
. 2x Custodian w/ Guardian Spear & Misericordia: 2x Guardian Spear, 2x Misericordia
. Custodian w/ Sentinel Blade & Praesidium Shield: Praesidium Shield

Custodian Guard Squad [7 PL, 140pts]
. 2x Custodian w/ Guardian Spear & Misericordia: 2x Guardian Spear, 2x Misericordia
. Custodian w/ Sentinel Blade & Praesidium Shield: Praesidium Shield

Sagittarum Custodians [7 PL, 150pts]
. 3x Sagittarum w/ Misericordia: 3x Adrastus Bolt Caliver, 3x Misericordia

+ Elites +

Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought [9 PL, 180pts]: 2x Twin Adrathic Destructor

Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought [9 PL, 180pts]: 2x Twin Adrathic Destructor

Contemptor-Galatus Dreadnought [9 PL, 170pts, -1CP]: Stratagem: Eternal Penitent

Vexilus Praetor [6 PL, 105pts]: Castellan’s Mark, Guardian Spear, Misericordia, Vexilla Magnifica

+ Fast Attack +

Vertus Praetors [12 PL, 255pts]
. 3x Praetor w/ Salvo Launcher & Misericordia: 3x Interceptor Lance, 3x Misericordia, 3x Salvo Launcher

Vertus Praetors [12 PL, 255pts]
. 3x Praetor w/ Salvo Launcher & Misericordia: 3x Interceptor Lance, 3x Misericordia, 3x Salvo Launcher

++ Total: [101 PL, 2,000pts, 9CP] ++

vs.

Josh McMillan – Hive Fleet Leviathan:Ā Leviathan Goodstuff
Army List - Click to Expand


++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [91 PL, 1,715pts, -1CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait

+ No Force Org Slot +

Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts]
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Lash/Sword): 3x Lash Whip and Bonecleaver, 3x Two Rending Claws

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 190pts]: Adrenal Glands, Heavy Venom Cannon, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Psychic Scream, Power: Smite, Relic: Shardgullet

Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Smite, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Synaptic Tendrils

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [8 PL, 150pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [8 PL, 150pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 75pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords

Tyranid Warriors [8 PL, 150pts]: Adrenal Glands, Flesh Hooks
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Dual Boneswords, Venom Cannon

+ Elites +

Maleceptor [9 PL, 170pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Neuroparasite, Power: Smite

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, 3x Zoanthrope

+ Fast Attack +

Parasite of Mortrex [4 PL, 80pts]: Warlord, Warlord Trait: Alien Cunning

+ Heavy Support +

Exocrine [10 PL, 185pts]: Adaptive Physiology: Voracious Ammunition

+ Flyer +

Harpy [11 PL, 195pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon, Adaptive Physiology: Dermic Symbiosis

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids) [15 PL, 285pts, -4CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

+ Stratagems +

Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait

Rarefied Enhancements [-1CP]: Extra Bio-artefact

+ HQ +

Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 205pts]: Adrenal Glands, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Hive Nexus, Power: Onslaught, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Smite, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Gargoyles [4 PL, 80pts]
. 10x Gargoyle: 10x Fleshborer

++ Total: [106 PL, -5CP, 2,000pts] ++

Thoughts

…and we snap straight back to the past, with a full Nachmund event where we mostly get a showcase of why Tyranids were such a nightmare for Custodes as things stood. Far more units to control the table with, a good story onĀ Grind, leaving the Custodes without one of their favourite picks, and pretty tricky to playĀ Stranglehold into as well. Further complicating things, Kyria or Coteaz for Psychic Actions is a call that’s usually good (and I think Coteaz in particular is going to rule in Nephilim), but against Tyranids it can become more of a liability, as Psychic Actions become extremely unreliable, and you honestly might just want to be able to takeĀ Abhor. The best plan for the Custodes here isĀ probably to takeĀ To The Last across the bike units and the captain and try and save them for the late game, but realistically unless the dice are extremely kind to them, they’re going to get outfought on objectives and eventually rolled over, especially if the Tyranids get to pull the Custodes objective towards the centre. From the score, that does appear to be broadly what happened.

Result

Hive Fleet Leviathan Victory – 92 – 48

Josh McMillan – Hive Fleet Leviathan – 1st Place

Hive Tyrant. Credit: Rockfish
Hive Tyrant. Credit: Rockfish

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Leviathan Goodstuff

Thoughts

This list is no longer real, and can no longer hurt you. Probably. Definitely not foreshadowing or anything. Well done to Josh on taking down the event.

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 2nd – Ewart Searle – T’au Empire:Ā Tau Sept Goodstuff with two stacked Crisis units.
  • 3rd – Terence Voller – Genestealer Cult:Ā Aberrant Spam as a custom cult, also bringing a large number of Acolytes tooled to the gills. Which I think Genestealers have (undefeated with two draws).
  • 4th – Hayden Ford – Adeptus Custodes:Ā See Showdown.
  • 5th – Jeremy Brodie – Chaos Knights:Ā Herpetrax murder-Magaera and ultra tanky Abominant lead a bunch of War Dogs to battle.
  • 6th – Rowan Kennett – Tyranids:Ā Kraken looking pretty Goodstuff-ish, with lots of Warriors but also plenty of big bugs.

Leodis Games GT July 22

33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Farsley, England, GB on July 02 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Updated points and Balance Dataslate were in play for this event, mission pack was not.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Data Scry Salvage

Jake Wilstrop – Thousand Sons:Ā Grindy Cult of Time, with two big Terminator bricks.
Army List - Click to Expand


1ksons
Thousand Sons – Strikeforce – Grand Tournament ( 5CP – 2839PT – -839PT )
Thousand Sons Battalion Detachment ( 3CP – 1999PT )
SUB-FACTION: Cult of Time
HQ
Ahriman (180)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch Disc of Tzeentch
PSYCHIC POWERS: Glamour of Tzeentch, Presage, Weaver of Fates

WARLORD: Exalted Sorcerer (120)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
LEGION COMMAND UPGRADE: Rehati
TRAITS: Lord of Forbidden Lore
PSYCHIC POWERS: firestorm, doom bolt, twist of fate
RELICS: Athenaean Scrolls

Infernal Master (90)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
PSYCHIC POWERS: Cacodaemonic Curse
INFERNAL PACTS: Glimpse Of Eternity, Malefic Maelstrom
RELICS: Umbralefic Crystal
STRATAGEMS: Relic

Sorcerer (100)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
LEGION COMMAND UPGRADE: Witch-warrior
PSYCHIC POWERS: Baleful Devolution, Gaze Of Hate

TROOPS
Rubric Marines (105)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
1x Aspiring Sorcerer
4x Rubric Marine
PSYCHIC POWERS: Temporal Surge

Rubric Marines (105)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
1x Aspiring Sorcerer
4x Rubric Marine
PSYCHIC POWERS: Temporal Surge

Rubric Marines (105)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
1x Aspiring Sorcerer
4x Rubric Marine
PSYCHIC POWERS: Temporal Surge

Tzaangors (70)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
1x Twistbray
9x Tzaangor

ELITES
Scarab Occult Terminators (430)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
1x Scarab Occult Sorcerer
7x Scarab Occult Terminator
2x Scarab Occult Terminator: Hellfyre missile rack, Soulreaper cannon
PSYCHIC POWERS: Temporal Surge

Scarab Occult Terminators (430)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
1x Scarab Occult Sorcerer
7x Scarab Occult Terminator
2x Scarab Occult Terminator: Hellfyre missile rack, Soulreaper cannon
PSYCHIC POWERS: Temporal Surge

FAST ATTACK
Chaos Spawn (92)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
4x Chaos Spawn

Chaos Spawn (92)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
4x Chaos Spawn

DEDICATED TRANSPORT
Chaos Rhino (80)
MARK OF CHAOS: Tzeentch
STRATAGEMS
Relic (1CP)
Total Command Points: 11
Reinforcement Points:0
Total Points: 1999

vs.

Kyle Grundy – T’au Empire:Ā Cut down Tau Sept Goodstuff, dropping to a couple of big Crisis units, and backing them up with Longstrike and a Hammerhead, plus Breachers in Devilfish.
Army List - Click to Expand


++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (T’au Empire) [108 PL, 7CP, 1,997pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Gametype: 3. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nachmund

Sept Choice: T’au Sept

+ No Force Org Slot +

Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts]
. 4x Kroot Hound: 4x Ripping Fangs

+ HQ +

Commander in Crisis Battlesuit [8 PL, -2CP, 165pts]: 6. Exemplar of the Mont’ka, Cyclic Ion Blaster, Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Solid-image Projection Unit, Stratagem: Emergency Dispensation, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

Ethereal [5 PL, -2CP, 105pts]: 2. Sense of Stone, 5. Exemplar of the Kauyon, 6. Wisdom of the Guides, Hover Drone, Stratagem: Promising Pupil, Stratagem: Relic, The Humble Stave
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight

Longstrike [9 PL, -1CP, 160pts]: 4. Through Boldness, Victory, Railgun, Stratagem: Promising Pupil
. 2x Gun Drones
. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

+ Troops +

Breacher Team [5 PL, 85pts]
. 9x Breacher Fire Warrior: 9x Pulse Blaster, 9x Pulse Pistol

Breacher Team [5 PL, 85pts]
. 9x Breacher Fire Warrior: 9x Pulse Blaster, 9x Pulse Pistol

Kroot Carnivores [3 PL, 60pts]
. 10x Kroot: 10x Kroot Rifle, 10x Quill Grenades

+ Elites +

Crisis Battlesuits [21 PL, 385pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’ui: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator
. Crisis Shas’vre: Cyclic Ion Blaster, Iridium battlesuit, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Shield Generator, Stimm Injectors
. 3x Shield Drone: 3x Shield Generator

Crisis Battlesuits [20 PL, 420pts]
. Crisis Shas’ui: Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’ui: Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. Crisis Shas’vre: Missile Pod, Plasma Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Target Lock
. 3x Marker Drone: 3x Markerlight
. Shield Drone

Stealth Battlesuits [9 PL, 125pts]: Homing Beacon
. 2x Marker Drone: 2x Markerlight
. 3x Stealth Shas’ui w/ Burst Cannon: 3x Burst Cannon
. Stealth Shas’vre: Burst Cannon

+ Fast Attack +

Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts]
. 4x Kroot Hound: 4x Ripping Fangs

Kroot Hounds [1 PL, 24pts]
. 4x Kroot Hound: 4x Ripping Fangs

+ Heavy Support +

Hammerhead Gunship [8 PL, 145pts]: Railgun
. 2x Gun Drones
. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

+ Dedicated Transport +

Devilfish [6 PL, 95pts]
. 2x Gun Drones
. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

Devilfish [6 PL, 95pts]
. 2x Gun Drones
. . 2x Gun Drone: 4x Pulse Carbine

++ Total: [108 PL, 7CP, 1,997pts] ++

Thoughts

Very glad to see Kyle’s take on a post-points change Tau list here, as his Newcastle GT build looked better placed to adapt than most. Yes it loses a fairly chunky amount of points on the Crisis Teams, and has to drop to only two units, but because it had a more balanced setup with Hammerheads and Devilfish as well it’s not getting slammed on every front, and can still play a very powerful plan – the threat that the Devilfish project keeps the opponent honest while it lines up, then the heavy hitters pick apart key targets to open a path to victory.

Up against it, mind you, is a powerful army that’s entirely unharmed by the recent point changes, putting it in a much better position than it used to be in this particular matchup. Scarab-heavy Thousand Sons rely on their incredible durability and powerful primary play to grind the opponent out of the game, but they just didn’t really have the numbers to stand up to full power Tau for long enough to make that count. With an entire Crisis Team absent, things get far more interesting, so how does the mission break down here?

From the Tau point of view, you’re probably still expecting to gradually pull ahead on material, just much slower than used to be the case, so your goal has to become ensuring you don’t fall behind on points before that happens. That’s potentially easier said than done here –Ā Temporal Surge means that you’re never going to be holding an objective and feel entirely safe from the thread of some Terminators muscling on over and yoinking it off you, although withoutĀ Master Misinformator on the Sons side they probably have to deploy fairly cautiously, so with the first turn the Tau can probably bank some points, especially with the mission Action in play. Beyond that, it’s likely more a case of using Breachers and Kroot judiciously to try and deny Primary to the other side, relying on a late game surge (and probably banked points fromĀ To The Last) to seal the deal.

What do the Sons have going for them? The big things for them are that anythingĀ except the Crisis teams that shows itself should die extremely easily to their mixture of psychic firepower and shooting, potentially allowing them to aim to leave the Tau without board control for enough of the mid game to take a strong lead. On such a broad engagement front theĀ Umbralefic CrystalĀ is also going to be a constant looming threat for the Tau to worry about, as if they run out of screening they could suddenly find themselves overwhelmed by having to deal with Terminators on multiple fronts. Unless the Crisis Suits expose themselves to a full shooting combo, which they shouldn’t, the priority for the Thousand Sons feels like it’s just taking out whole units as quickly as possible, even if that means slightly overkilling things like Kroot Hounds. Do that, then probably push in force onto a pair of objectives to either lock them down or demand a heavy counterpush, hold the second Terminator unit in a position thatĀ threatens the other pair with the Umbralefic user nearby so they can redeploy if not needed, and go from there. The fact that the Tau probably get more mileage out of the mission Primary is a pain, but it seems like a solid enough plan.

As things played out, the Tau were able to take victory, but not by a gigantic margin, and it’s clear that cutting down their numbers has evened things out a bit. The addition of army construction changes also hurts the Tau more here – Kyle has (sensibly) already cut down to a single Battalion, but has spent a whole bunch of CP on upgrades, and definitely wants access to a decent number early on in games that call for it. The Thousand Sons, meanwhile, can just run as they are and start with 3CP, and the fact that Legion Command gives them access to a bunch of good value trait-like upgrades without burning CP is very powerful. We shall see what happens next time these two forces meet.

Result

T’au Empire Victory – 81 – 63

Kyle Grundy – T’au Empire – 1st Place

Ethereal. Credit: Rockfish
Ethereal. Credit: Rockfish

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Tau Sept Goodstuff

Thoughts

As I said above, definitely feels like this is ahead of the curve on adapting to the new meta. Further changes will need to be made to free up some CP, but there are options like bringing Shadowsun along for an alternative source of power, or using a named Ethereal instead of one with the Stave. I’m sure experimentation is under way already, and Kyle has got to be one of the favourites to take the first event win with Tau in full Nephilim mode.

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 2nd – Jake Wilstrop – Thousand Sons:Ā See showdown.
  • 3rd – Carl England – Craftworlds & Harlequins: Mech Biel Tan and Swooping Hawks team up with Twilight Saedath Troups and Skyweavers.
  • 4th – James Sykes – Grey Knights & Armigers: Rapiers Interceptors zipping around the board with Helverins at home.
  • 5th – Ben Hampshire – Chaos Knights:Ā Herpetrax again, once more with two big Knights (here a Rampager withĀ Blessing of the Dark Master and a Desecrator) plys lots of War Dogs.
  • 6th – Thomas Welsh – Tyranids:Ā Monster-heavy Kraken pressure, backing up Raveners with a Maleceptor, two units of Zoanthropes and two shooty bugs.

Clan Wars Scottish Open 2022

33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Scotland, GB on July 02 2022. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event fully adopted the rules updates, and was doing placings based on wins with 20-0 scoring for tiebreaks.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Recover the Relics

Innes Wilson – Tyranids:Ā Leviathan pivoting hard to objective play – one super tooled up Tyrant, two massive Warrior bricks, a PyroPod and support.
Army List - Click to Expand

== Tyranids – Leviathan ā€“ Battalion = -5CP, [95PL, 2000pts] ==
Hive Fleet Adaptation: Synaptic Control, Hyper Adaptation: Augmented Ferocity

HQ: Winged Hive Tyrant [11PL, 225pts] Adrenal Glands, Warlord, Psyker – Onslaught, Psychic Scream, Warlord Trait – Adaptive Biology, Relic – The Reaper of Obliterax (-2CP)
HQ: Neurothrope [5PL, 100pts] Psyker – Catalyst, Onslaught, Paroxysm, Rarefied Enhancements – The Resonance Barb (-1CP), Hive Predator – Direct Guidance (-1CP)

TR: 10 Gargoyle [4PL, 80pts]
TR: 9 Tyranid Warrior [12PL, 325pts] 3 Dual Bonesword and Deathspitter, 3 Dual Bonesword and Barbed Strangler, 3 Dual Bonesword and Venom Cannon, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs
TR: 9 Tyranid Warrior [12PL, 325pts] 3 Dual Bonesword and Deathspitter, 3 Dual Bonesword and Barbed Strangler, 3 Dual Bonesword and Venom Cannon, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs

EL: 3 Zoanthrope [8PL, 150pts] Psyker – Neuroparasite
EL: 3 Tyrant Guard [8PL, 120pts]
EL: 3 Venomthrope [5PL, 105pts]
EL: 3 Pyrovore [6PL, 120pts]
EL: 3 Pyrovore [6PL, 120pts]

FA: 3 Sky-Slasher Swarms [2PL, 45pts]
FA: Deathleaper [5PL, 120pts] Hive Predator – Alien Cunning

HS: Biovore [3PL, 45pts]

DT: Tyrannocyte [8PL, 120pts] Synaptic Enhamcement

vs.

Christopher Irvine – Blood Angels:Ā Sanguinary Guard, powerful heroes and a massive brick of Centurions.
Army List - Click to Expand



== Adeptus Astartes – Blood Angels ā€“ Patrol = 1CP [380 Points, 21 PL] ==
Chapter Tactic: The Red Thirst

NFO: 5x Voidsmen-at-Arms [2PL, 40pts]

HQ: Commander Dante [9PL, 1CP, 165pts]: Warlord

TR: 5x Assault Intercessor [5PL, 95pts]

EL: 4x Servitors [2PL, 30pts]

DT: Land Speeder Storm [3PL, 50pts]

== Adeptus Astartes – Blood Angels ā€“ Vanguard = -6CP [1620 Points, 103 PL] ==
Chapter Tactic: The Red Thirst

HQ: Sanguinary Priest [7PL, -2CP, 155pts]: Jump Pack, Chief Apothecary, Relic – Teeth of Terra, Warlord Trait – Selfless Healer
HQ: The Sanguinor [8PL, 150pts]

EL: Sanguinary Ancient [7PL, -1CP, 110pts]: Relic – Wrath of Baal
EL: 5x Centurion Assault Squad [18PL, 325pts]: 5x Hurricane Bolter
EL: 5x Death Company Marines [8PL, 165pts]: 5x Jump Pack, 4x Thunder Hammer, 1x Chainsword and Bolt Pistol
EL: 7x Sanguinary Guard [17PL, 215pts]: 1x Inferno Pistol, 6x Angelus Bolters, 7x Encarmine Swords
EL: 7x Sanguinary Guard [17PL, 215pts]: 1x Inferno Pistol, 6x Angelus Bolters, 7x Encarmine Swords
EL: 7x Sanguinary Guard [17PL, 210pts]: 7x Angelus Bolters, 7x Encarmine Swords

HS: 3x Eliminator Squad [4PL, 75pts]: 2x Las Fusil, 1x Instigator Bolt Carbine

END OF ROSTER

Thoughts

Innes is apparently not a man to let something so minor as a spectacular set of nerfs stop him, and is back, still playing Tyranids. Quite a different Tyranid list, mind, leaving the general goodstuff train and going much more for a pressure build. Leviathan Warriors are still an extremely strong unit at their higher price thanks to just how much of a pain they are to put down, and they provide a fantastic anchor to build a Primary scoring plan around.

Their particular combination of tricks is especially strong here, as permanent Transhuman shuts down a singificant amount of the upside of playing Blood Angels, andĀ Reinforced Hive Node is great against pretty much every unit on the Space Marine side of the board – though there is the slight quirk here that the Warriors have to be pretty careful about how they deploy against the Death Company. Because this isĀ Recover the Relics, the Tyranids won’t have enough CP for Hive Node out of the gates if the Blood Angels go first, and the BA list carefully ensures that itĀ does have the one starting CP forĀ Forlorn Fury. Get half a Warrior unit hammered into oblivion straight away and suddenly things look pretty dicey – the Blood Angels have got a lot of stuff here, a huge amount of it is on 2+ saves withĀ AoC on top, and in order to dominate the Primary as they want, the Tyranids will need to push up the table. The Recover the Relics setup means that hanging around at home is point neutral, so they need to be sweeping into the opponent’s half of the table, and without the Warriors that isn’t going to work, as other units in the army can’t take a punch to nearly the same degree. You also want the Warriors are up so thatĀ Pyschic Interrogation can go off with relative ease.

Starting multiple fights at once to overwhelm defensive tools and interrupts, especially as if they go second they’re effectively down 2CP on the game, definitely feels like the play for Blood Angels here. Their Secondaries don’t feel like they’re super in play, other than maybe Relentless Assault, which means that they need to take over Primary scoring, and that unavoidably means taking a massive chunk out of the bugs. The lack of ObSec is pretty killer on that front, and is definitely where the CP drought bites the army – if this was Nachmund,Ā Rites of War would have been windmill slammed onto that Sanguinary Ancient, no questions asked, and I feel like it might still be a better buy thanĀ Selfless Healer, as with more CP gain over time, paying for revivals isn’t always as bad, whereas if you hit a game like this withoutĀ Rites, there’s no backup plan. Interesting to see what the next version of this looks like, because the army looks incredibly powerful overall, with just that one serious weakness.

In a game all about the Primary, that may have been the killer, as the Tyranids were able to take the win.

Result

Tyranids Victory – 16 – 4

Innes Wilson – Tyranids – 1st Place

Tyranid Warriors. Credit: Rockfish
Tyranid Warriors. Credit: Rockfish

The List

See showdown.

Archetype

Leviathan Pressure

Thoughts

Now, Innes has insisted to me that his games were “a lot tighter” and “required risks”, so I am forced to assume that nerfing his be-clawed children has doneĀ something, but he also said he scored 58/60 points onĀ Cranial Feasting across the four games he took it in, so there are definitely some tradeoffs there. Much to consider. Well done Innes.

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 players on X-1 records. They were:

  • 2nd – Fraser McFetridge – Harlequins:Ā Dark Saedath that’s all in on boats loaded with Troupes.
  • 3rd – Matt Gibson – Knights Renegades:Ā A Desecrator with the Blessing of the Dark Master, lots of War Dogs and some summoning points.

Wrap Up

Lots more Nephilim next week, and I’m getting my first taste of it as well at the South Coast Series Major, so I will have hot opinions on whether they’ve finally fixed Necrons soon enough. See readers then, and comments, questions and suggestions to contact@goonhammer.com as always.