40k Meta Analysis: NEW Custodes Hit Top 4 at Multiple Events -

**Thought for the Day**

Pain is an illusion of the senses, despair an illusion of the mind

Lists, data, and all stats are based on information pulled from either Best Coast Pairings, Down Under Pairings, or tabletop to.

If you want to make sure your event is included in this weekly article series toss me an email at legiotitanicus at gmail dot com and I’ll make sure that I add it to my list for analysis during the week. I will also be reaching out to tournament organizers (TO’s) for event winner’s email addresses moving forward (or if you win at a GT level event let me know!).

Guest Writer: Nathan Henning

This week we had 5 GT or larger events taking place according to BCP, DUP, and Tabletop TO (Qualifying events had at least 30 participants):

The Las Vegas Open, or also known as the ITC season capstone, the tournament where the overall ITC champion is crowned
No Respite
FactorUM
Cape Town Throw Down
LVNO!

In today’s article we will be covering overall meta status and the following events:

No Respite
FactorUM
Cape Town Throw Down
LVNO!

Overall

Factions	Top 10	Top 4	Winners
Custodes	9	5	0
Drukhari	8	3	1
Tyranids	7	4	2
Grey Knights	5	0	0
Adepta Sororitas	4	1	0
Death Guard	3	1	1
Orks	2	0	0
Chaos Knights	1	1	0
Forces of the Hive Mind	1	1	0
Ultramarines	1	1	0
Harlequins	1	1	0
Admech	1	1	1
Aeldari	1	1	0
Chaos Knights	1	1	0
Imperial Knights	1	0	0
Blood Angels	1	0	0
Genestealer Cult	1	0	0

A few more events this week, though most of the focus will be on LVO, which makes sense as it is the biggest ITC tournament and crowns the overall ITC champion. At this point it does feel like the meta is pretty resolved and LVO is the capstone for the meta before we transition into Nachmund with new missions, updated secondaries, and updated sub-faction rules. What that means is that the top 5 has continued to be relatively stable with Custodes, Drukhari, Tyranids, and Grey Knights sitting on top. However, Death Guard did take a tournament top placing home as well. The top 5 may shift a bit, though some factions are less dependent than others on features of the current set of missions and subfaction rules. Custodes perhaps will come out unscathed, Drukhari will need to re-evaluate the Thicc City list though this is something we had begun seeing in the meta, most Tyranids list were mono-subfaction but the loss of single unit ROD and changes to engage may be something to watch out for alongside how in the 2022 pack the mission gets leaned into more than before, for Grey Knights gone will be the days of sub-faction soup so more difficult choices will need to be made. Also of note that lone Admech win is just Richard Siegler doing Richard Siegler things like showing up last minute to an event and then winning it with an army that has been mostly abandoned by the competitive community.

Event	Location	Pax	First	Second	Third	Fourth
LVO	US	768	Mars Skittari	Shadowkeepers	Emp’s Chosen	Leviathan/GSC
No Respite	AU	30	Crusher	Sisters (VH/OML)	Crusher	Crusher
FactorUM	UK	34	RSR (BH/AF/Strife)	Chaos Moiraxes	All the Eldar	Custodes
Cape Town	SA	58	Anvil (Shroud, PBCs, Pox)	Shadowkeepers	Kabal and Wyches	Thicc City (AF/Strife/BH)
LvNO	CA	34	Leviathan (Not Crusher!)	Quins (Frozen Stars)	Shadowkeepers	Ultramarines (Primarch)

Crusher continues to crush with it being the main composition for all but one Tyranids list this week (that list also being the winning list as well!). We also continue to see RSRs pop up for Drukhari. The dominant sub-faction of custodes so far in tournament play, from a placing perspective, is Shadowkeepers. This makes sense to me as Shadowkeepers and Emperor’s Chosen are what I’d consider the two most powerful factions in the book but given how much high-level competitive attention was given to Emperor’s Chosen I’m a little surprised to see Shadowkeepers making up the majority of Top 4 placing custodes lists. We will talk a little bit more about the pre-eminence of Custodes in tomorrow’s coverage of the LVO.

TLDR Meta stable, Siegler tier is a thing, and the sun is setting on the 2021 meta.

No Respite

Lists

First Place – Michael Duke (Crusher Stampede)

Expand for Army List

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [106 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Army of Renown – Crusher Stampede

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

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Bounty of the Hive Fleet [-1CP]: 1 Extra Bio-artefact

Progeny of the Hive [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 220pts]: Adrenal Glands, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Aggressive Surge, Power: Synaptic Barrier, Relic: Biomorphic Carapace, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms, Wings

Malanthrope [8 PL, -1CP, 150pts]: Relic: Adaptive Neural Lobe, Stratagem: Alpha Leader-Beast, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Strategic Adaptation, Warlord Trait: Swarm Leader

The Swarmlord [14 PL, 240pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 75pts]: Synaptic Link: Bioweapon Bond
. Tyranid Warrior: Lash Whip and Bonesword, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: Lash Whip and Bonesword, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: Lash Whip and Bonesword, Scything Talons

+ Elites +

Hive Guard [12 PL, 225pts]
. Adaptive Physiology: Enhanced Resistance
. 5x Hive Guard (Impaler): 5x Impaler Cannon

+ Fast Attack +

Dimachaeron [12 PL, 255pts]

+ Heavy Support +

Barbed Hierodule [14 PL, 275pts]

+ Flyer +

Harpy [8 PL, 155pts]: 2x Stranglethorn Cannon

++ Total: [106 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

Key Features

Crusher Stampede as usual providing durability (5++ and -1 damage for monsters), board control (monsters count as the same number of models as wounds they have) and lots of stratagem support for big bugs looking for a good time.
Three squads of tyranid warriors with bio-weapon bond mean you can buff your hive guard and two more beasts at the same time, this means your efficiency doesn’t have to be focused in on just one unit meaning you can hammer somebody with artillery before jamming a pair of buffed up dimachaeron into your opponent’s lines.
A trio of characters provide solid buffing and utility. The Hive Tyrant has two psychic powers from the Crusher Stampede discipline for giving monsters either a 4++ via Synaptic Barrier or casually giving another model D3 extra attacks. Swarmlord still provides the amazing utility of slingshotting units up the board (sometimes including itself). The Malanthrope has the ever useful Swarm Leader trait that lets you pass out full rerolls to hit to a nearby unit (probably the hive guard, but maybe that hierodule just really needs to murder something). Adaptive neural lobe also lets you regenerate CP, which you’ll find comes in handy for crusher lists.
Enhanced resistance on the Hive Guard makes them ignore AP1/2, which makes them much more durable into the mirror as your opponent’s hive guard have AP2 guns and you ignore it while likely sitting in cover on a nice 3+ save.
You also have a standard assortment of gribblies, well big gribblies. Two dimachaeron’s who continue to be the biggest harlequins you’ll ever see by being able to ignore terrain and models between then and their target, a hierodule with a T8 body, and then a harpy for when you need to assassinate your opponent’s characters or drop bombs or casually plink away while exerting board control and stealing objectives (you know because Harpies are not aircraft and can do that).

TLDR

Big Bugs are Best when crusher stampede takes them to absurd heights

Michael Duke Q&A

What is the general Strategy behind your list?

Being able to set the temp of the game with deployment then being able to redeploy if I go first or 2nd have been big in games People will often measure ranges and movement to either the dimachaeron or the hive guard when part of my deployment plan was always to relocate them. One dimachaeron gets Synaptic Barrier, Catalyst and Aggressive Surge and is then launched into the enemy lines to kill a key unit and tie up others. It allows the other units to get into position for the 2^nd wave. The harpy being able to become obsec with the strat and fly over take/deny primary and not use him as an aggressive piece but more to just play the mission. The Hive Tyrant while slower than the harpy is much more survivable and is similarly used to play the mission.

What was the most challenging matchup of the weekend and why?

It was definitely Custodes. It was a fairly new book and so I was not fully aware of what they were capable of. Aside from that though the 4+ to ignore mortal wounds definitely prevented me from dealing with them in the normal way I would with smites and the breaking through stratagem. They have a lot of stratagems to make their units more resilient and have a lot of objective secured.

What was your MVP unit for the event?

I think it won’t come as much of a surprise but the Dimachaerons. They have decent movement and are quite killy. They are a big threat which can be put into the enemy lines quickly and is scary enough that the opponent dedicates a lot of resources to taking it down allowing the rest of the army to move up and take objectives. It also can potentially kill characters with decent invulnerable saves through the use of its Thorax Spine-maw ability which proved useful throughout the event.

Is there anything or anyone you’d like to shout out?

Shoutouts to my club TNS for helping me practice the list and giving me tips on particular matchups and in particular Josh McMillan for helping me design the list.

Second Place -Josh McMillan (Sisters)

Expand for Army List

++ Vanguard Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [40 PL, 828pts, -3CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Order Convictions: Order: Valorous Heart

+ HQ +

Celestine and Geminae Superia [10 PL, 200pts]
. 2x Geminae Superia: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Frag & Krak grenades, 2x Power sword

+ Elites +

Celestian Sacresants [6 PL, 140pts]
. 9x Celestian Sacresant (Anointed Halberd): 9x Anointed Halberd, 9x Bolt pistol, 9x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sacresant Superior: Anointed Halberd, Bolt pistol

Celestian Sacresants [6 PL, 126pts]
. 8x Celestian Sacresant (Anointed Halberd): 8x Anointed Halberd, 8x Bolt pistol, 8x Frag & Krak grenades
. Sacresant Superior: Anointed Halberd, Bolt pistol

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

Dialogus [3 PL, 50pts]: 1. Refrain of Blazing Piety

Dogmata [4 PL, 65pts]: 2. Chorus of Spiritual Fortitude, 3. Psalm of Righteous Smiting, Relic: The Sigil Ecclesiasticus

+ Fast Attack +

Zephyrim Squad [4 PL, 85pts]
. 4x Zephyrim: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Frag & Krak grenades, 4x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adepta Sororitas) [60 PL, 1,172pts, 10CP] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Order Convictions: Order: Our Martyred Lady

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Open the Reliquaries [-1CP]: Additional Relics of the Ecclesiarchy

+ No Force Org Slot +

Hospitaller [3 PL, 50pts]

+ HQ +

Canoness [5 PL, 100pts, -1CP]: Inferno pistol, Power sword, Relic: Blade of Sacrifice, Stratagem: Saint in the Making, Warlord Trait: 3. Martyr’s Strength
. Word of the Emperor

Morvenn Vahl [13 PL, 265pts]: Warlord

+ Troops +

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

+ Elites +

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

Sisters Repentia [3 PL, 56pts]
. 4x Sisters Repentia: 4x Penitent Eviscerator

+ Fast Attack +

Dominion Squad [4 PL, 80pts]
. Dominion Superior
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
. Dominion w/ Special Weapon: Artificer-crafted storm bolter
. Dominion w/ Special Weapon: Artificer-crafted storm bolter
. Dominion w/ Special Weapon: Artificer-crafted storm bolter
. Dominion w/ Special Weapon: Artificer-crafted storm bolter

Zephyrim Squad [8 PL, 124pts]
. 6x Zephyrim: 6x Bolt pistol, 6x Frag & Krak grenades, 6x Power sword
. Zephyrim Superior: Bolt pistol, Zephyrim Pennant

+ Heavy Support +

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 135pts]: Armourium Cherub
. Retributor Superior
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Ministorum Heavy Flamer
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta

Retributor Squad [6 PL, 115pts]: Armourium Cherub
. Retributor
. Retributor Superior
. . Bolt Pistol & Boltgun
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Multi-melta
. Retributor w/ Heavy Weapon: Ministorum Heavy Flamer

+ Dedicated Transport +

Sororitas Rhino [4 PL, 85pts]: Hunter-killer missile

++ Total: [100 PL, 7CP, 2,000pts] ++

Created with BattleScribe (https://battlescribe.net)

Third Place -Todd Hardacre (Crusher Stampede)

Expand for Army List

Spearhead Detachment -3CP (Tyranids) [103 PL, 7CP, 1,997pts] ++

+ Configuration [9CP] +

Army of Renown – Crusher Stampede

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

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems [-1CP] +

Bounty of the Hive Fleet [-1CP]: 1 Extra Bio-artefact [-1CP]

+ HQ [22 PL, -1CP, 425pts] +

Hive Tyrant [11 PL, -1CP, 205pts]: 2x Monstrous Scything Talons [20pts], Power: Catalyst, Power: Smite, Power: The Horror, Prehensile Pincer Tail, Relic: Biomorphic Carapace, Stratagem: Alpha Leader-Beast [-1CP], Warlord, Warlord Trait: Savage Intimidation, Warlord Trait: Strategic Adaptation, Wings [2 PL, 30pts]

Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 220pts]: Adrenal Glands [5pts], Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword [10pts], Monstrous Boneswords [20pts], Power: Aggressive Surge, Power: Infused Energies, Power: Smite, Prehensile Pincer Tail, Relic: Synaptic Hive Blades, Wings [2 PL, 30pts]
. Adaptive Physiology: Murderous Size

+ Troops [10 PL, 132pts] +

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 66pts]: Synaptic Link: Bioweapon Bond [1 PL, 15pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [17pts]: 2x Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior [17pts]: 2x Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior [17pts]: 2x Scything Talons

+ Elites [19 PL, 420pts] +

Hive Guard [12 PL, 270pts]
. 6x Hive Guard (Impaler) [270pts]: 6x Impaler Cannon [60pts]

Zoanthropes [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Smite, Power: Synaptic Barrier
. 3x Zoanthrope [150pts]: 3x Claws and Teeth

+ Heavy Support [52 PL, 1,020pts] +

Barbed Hierodule [14 PL, 275pts]: 2x Bio-cannon, Hierodule Scything Talons

Scythed Hierodule [12 PL, 235pts]: Bio-acid Spray, 2x Hierodule Scything Talons

++ Total: [103 PL, 7CP, 1,997pts] ++

Fourth place – Jake Gunning (Crusher Stampede)

Expand for Army List

Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [107 PL, 10CP, 1,997pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Army of Renown – Crusher Stampede

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

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ Stratagems +

Progeny of the Hive [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [11 PL, -1CP, 205pts]: 2x Monstrous Scything Talons, Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Stratagem: Alpha Leader-Beast, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Rampaging Beast, Warlord Trait: Strategic Adaptation, Wings
. Adaptive Physiology: Murderous Size

The Swarmlord [14 PL, 240pts]: Power: Aggressive Surge, Power: Synaptic Barrier

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 66pts]: Synaptic Link: Bioweapon Bond
. Tyranid Warrior: 2x Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: 2x Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: 2x Scything Talons

+ Elites +

Hive Guard [12 PL, 225pts]
. 5x Hive Guard (Impaler): 5x Impaler Cannon

+ Fast Attack +

Dimachaeron [12 PL, 255pts]

+ Heavy Support +

Barbed Hierodule [14 PL, 275pts]

+ Flyer +

Harpy [8 PL, 165pts]: 2x Heavy Venom Cannon

++ Total: [107 PL, 10CP, 1,997pts] ++

FactorUM

Lists

First Place – Liam Royle (Drukhari)

Expand for Army List

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [85 PL, 9CP, 1,605pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Gametype: Matched

Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder, Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power, Realspace Raid
. *Custom Coven*: Artists of the Flesh (All-Consuming)

+ Stratagems +

Stratagem: Alliance of Agony [-1CP]

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

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, 90pts]: As Detachment (Kabal), Hatred Eternal, Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, The Djin Blade, Warlord
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius

Haemonculus [4 PL, 70pts]: As Detachment (Coven), Master Regenerist, Stratagem: Alliance of Agony WLT, The Animus Vitae

Succubus [4 PL, 95pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult), Competitive Edge, Stratagem: Alliance of Agony WLT, The Triptych Whip
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive
. Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Kabalite Trueborn [8 PL, 145pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. 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

Wracks [3 PL, 65pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Electrocorrosive Whip, Liquifier Gun
. Wrack w/ Special Weapon: Liquifier Gun
. 3x Wracks: 3x Wrack Blade

Wyches [3 PL, 60pts]: 2 – Grave Lotus (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

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

+ Heavy Support +

Ravager [8 PL, 130pts]: As Detachment (Kabal), 3x Dark Lance

Talos [12 PL, 210pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Talos: Talos Gauntlet, Talos ichor injector
. . Two heat lances
. Talos: Talos Gauntlet, Talos ichor injector
. . Two heat lances

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 105pts]: As Detachment, Dark Lance

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [23 PL, -2CP, 395pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

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

+ HQ +

Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]

+ Troops +

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

+ Heavy Support +

Talos [12 PL, 210pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Talos: Talos Gauntlet, Talos ichor injector
. . Two heat lances
. Talos: Talos Gauntlet, Talos ichor injector
. . Two heat lances

++ Total: [108 PL, 7CP, 2,000pts] ++

Key Features

It’s Realspace Raid time! This time with Strife, Black Heart, and Artisans of Flesh. Meaning this list has a bit of everything good in the Drukhari book from -1 damage monsters, to fast-moving wyches, to the utility of the Agents of Vect stratagem. Well, and a bonus detachment for Drazhar.
A quad of characters stand atop the list. The three combat characters are an Eternal Hatred Djinn Blade Archon which means he’s full rerolling hit and wound rolls for 7 attacks at S4 AP3 D3 and thanks to his upgrade can fight twice once per game, the competitive edge/triptych whip as always, the most efficient infantry murderer in the game (and monsters too, just not when they’re -1 damage), and finally Drazhar who can shoulder the game for you when everything is going awry.
The list features 6 Talos as it’s durable hammer unit of choice, and though much more delicate there are also 10 incubi in the list who are still incredibly vicious if they can get into the mix near Drazhar for the +1 to wound or the Archon for reroll 1’s to hit, or you know why not both?
Mandrakes can teleport around the board to perform actions or steal objectives for you while wracks are extremely stable objective holders for your army.
The list brings some more reliable firepower from a 10-man of trueborn who thanks to always hitting on 2’s (with a reroll from BH) can very efficiently take care of both soft and hard targets. Two raiders complete the package to keep the trueborn safe and probably also to deliver those 10 incubi into a soft spot in your opponent’s lines.

TLDR

Drukhari Goodstuff with 3 beatstick characters, 10 beatstick incubi, and just a paltry 6 pain engines

Liam Royle Q&A

What is the general Strategy for your list?

It’s not a particularly clever army really! The brick of Talos creates a solid anvil, since they’re both tough to kill and also have respectable shooting and melee. They’re accompanied by the Haemonculus and the Archon for buffing purposes, since 2 of the 3 units are Realspace Raiders and can benefit from the Archon’s re-roll 1s aura (which is important for making their attacks more consistent, especially in early turns where the gauntlets mean they hit on a 4+ in melee). The Wracks with whips and liquifiers offer surprising punch as well as being obsec, and the Trueborn are a little out of favour now but they always perform well for me as a mobile shooting platform that can also be used for fast-moving obsec in an emergency. The Ravager offers a different, focused shooting threat, and then the Incubi and Drazhar do what those guys always do – hit something really hard in melee and aim to trade up. Finally the Wyches and the basic unit of Wracks partner with the Mandrakes to consistently score Retrieve Octarius (or in future, Nachmund) Data.

After running a similar list at the Leicester GT in December I tried tweaking it a few different ways over Christmas – as mentioned, the Trueborn aren’t really considered optimal any more – but I couldn’t settle on anything I liked. I kept finding myself being too stretched out and losing control of the board, so I brought back the Trueborn and the Incubi bus which gives me an option to switch the play that doesn’t rely on the Talos lugging their slow selves around and doing all the work. I think there’s two important points here. One is being practiced with your list; I’ve played Drukhari for almost all of my games since their book came out, with the biggest change in archetype being in October or so when I switched to including Talos in the list after being thoroughly convinced by George McCoulough’s excellent performance with them at LGT (after telling him on the Realspace Raiders podcast he was wrong about them!). Since then I’ve been using basically this army with minor tweaks even though Drukhari list design has gone in a different direction, but I have a young child so I don’t get much chance to play practice games. It’s better to play a slightly suboptimal army you know well than to try and switch it up to something theoretically stronger that you’re less comfortable with. The second point is what Joe Krier, one of our competitive AoS writers, calls the “production meta.” An obvious thing to try out is to include Grotesques for the full “thicc city” build that we’ve seen be very successful recently, but I just don’t own any. I know what kitbash I’d do to get some – the same Crypt Horrors/Talos mash-up that everyone else uses – but I haven’t gotten around to it and again, young baby, I don’t get a ton of painting time. Sometimes, your strategy is decided by that production meta; what do you already own that’s painted and ready to go, and in more extreme cases what stuff is even available to buy?

What was the most challenging matchup of the weekend and why?

Definitely the last game, on the top table against Kev Nicholls and his Chaos Knights War Dogs list. 9 of them are packing thermal cannons, which can batter Talos if they’re caught in the open, and the army is also very fast and entirely obsec which can be difficult for me since I don’t have much of my own. All he needs to do is get a Knight’s toe onto an objective and pick off a handful of Wracks or something and he can flip it, and the other 5 War Dogs Moirax with the grav bombards are very good at killing those little infantry units. We were also playing Retrieval Mission, which is good for him; it’s a long way for me to get to his backfield objectives, so he can fairly easily hold 3 and then just do the aforementioned of throwing a couple of War Dogs forward to toe in for Stranglehold, and to hold my primary score down while scoring 10-15 for his. The game was a real back and forth affair, and came down to the very last dice roll – if he could have killed my Haemonculus in melee, he would have swung 6 points from Grind Them Down and Assassination and pipped me by a single point. In retrospect I got a real let-off with the secondary choices, because he was worried about me being able to chew through War Dogs and decided against To The Last; in the end I only killed 7 or 8 of them and he would have easily maxed TTL instead of only getting 3 on Assassination. I was also very lucky in turn 3 where I had to risk the Talos being exposed to a bunch of his shooting and it just did nothing. 8 War Dogs shooting at them didn’t cause a single wound, while my shooting was pretty consistent all game; too consistent in fact, because I overcommitted at the top of 3 expecting to need some melee help to clear my targets for that turn, and then shot them all to death and left my Incubi flapping in the wind ready to get gunned down for nothing.

What was your MVP unit for the event?

The Hatred Eternal/Djinn Blade Archon was fun to use, because I’ve typically favoured Ancient Evil on him but decided to go all-in on the melee this time and he rewarded me for it, killing a Dreadknight, Trajann twice, and a War Dog, as well as managing to get through the whole event without either stabbing himself with his sword or failing a shadowfield save. As a runner-up I’d say that the Ravager can be very swingy, but it absolutely evaporated a Contemptor-Achillus on the first turn of game 3 which was quite funny.

Is there anything or anyone you’d like to shout out?

Over on Goonhammer I’ll have a full write-up of my games on my irregular column “The Corroad Goes Ever On and On”, and of course you can read all about this weekend’s tournament wins in James’ regular Competitive Innovations column on Wednesday. I’d also like to thank my opponents for five really fun games, which were a great way to open competitive play for the year, as well as the team down at FactoruM for a great event. They run a regular monthly series in the store, which is well worth a visit; thanks also to Liam Dempsey from DZTV who stepped in and ably filled the shoes of Stephen Box who normally acts as TO, but was busy this weekend cavorting at some kind of big American event this weekend that your readers might have heard of.

Second Place – Kevin Nicholls (Chaos Knights)

Expand for Army List

++ Super-Heavy Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Chaos Knights) [72 PL, 1,225pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Dread Household: Custom Household, Harrying Packs, Infamous Heredity

+ Lord of War +

War Dogs [24 PL, 415pts]
. War Dog: 3. Knight Diabolus, Character (Traitoris Lance), Heavy stubber, Khornate Target, Thermal spear and Reaper chain-cleaver, Warlord
. War Dog: Meltagun, Thermal spear and Reaper chain-cleaver
. War Dog: Meltagun, Thermal spear and Reaper chain-cleaver

War Dogs [24 PL, 405pts]
. War Dog: Heavy stubber, Thermal spear and Reaper chain-cleaver
. War Dog: Heavy stubber, Thermal spear and Reaper chain-cleaver
. War Dog: Heavy stubber, Thermal spear and Reaper chain-cleaver

++ Super-Heavy Detachment -3CP (Chaos – Chaos Knights) [40 PL, 9CP, 775pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

Dread Household: Custom Household, Dark Forging, Infamous Heredity

+ Lord of War +

War Dogs Moirax [8 PL, 155pts]
. War Dog Moirax: Character (Traitoris Lance), 2x Graviton pulsar

War Dogs Moirax [8 PL, 155pts]
. War Dog Moirax: 2x Graviton pulsar

War Dogs Moirax [24 PL, 465pts]
. War Dog Moirax: 2x Graviton pulsar
. War Dog Moirax: 2x Graviton pulsar
. War Dog Moirax: 2x Graviton pulsar

++ Total: [112 PL, 9CP, 2,000pts] ++

Third Place – Liam Callebout (Aeldari)

Expand for Army List

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [27 PL, 552pts, -2CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Craftworld Attribute
. *Custom Craftworld*: Expert Crafters, Masterful Shots

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

+ HQ +

Warlock Skyrunner [4 PL, 65pts]: 3. Ghostwalk, 4. Protect/Jinx, Shuriken Pistol, Witchblade

+ Troops +

Rangers [3 PL, 65pts]
. 5x Ranger: 5x Ranger Long Rifle, 5x Shuriken Pistol

+ Fast Attack +

Shining Spears [5 PL, 105pts]
. 2x Shining Spear: 2x Laser Lance, 2x Twin Shuriken Catapult
. Shining Spear Exarch: Laser Lance
. . Exarch Power: Skilled Rider

+ Heavy Support +

Dark Reapers [5 PL, 106pts]
. 2x Dark Reaper: 2x Reaper Launcher
. Dark Reaper Exarch: Tempest Launcher
. . Exarch Power: Rain of Death

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [35 PL, 575pts, -2CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

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

+ HQ +

Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]

+ Troops +

Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade

+ Elites +

Grotesques [12 PL, 140pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver

Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives

+ Heavy Support +

Cronos [4 PL, 80pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Cronos: Spirit Probe

+ Dedicated Transport +

Venom [4 PL, 80pts]: As Detachment, Grisly Trophies, Splinter Cannon, Twin splinter rifle

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [46 PL, 870pts, -1CP] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Masque Form: The Soaring Spite: Serpent’s Blood

+ HQ +

Troupe Master [4 PL, 70pts, -1CP]: Choreographer of War, Darkness’ Bite, Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade, Soaring Spite: Skystrider, Stratagem: Pivotal Role, The Twilight Fang, Warlord

+ Troops +

Troupe [5 PL, 95pts]
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade
. Player: Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade

+ Fast Attack +

Skyweavers [15 PL, 275pts]
. Skyweaver: Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive
. Skyweaver: Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive

+ Dedicated Transport +

Starweaver [4 PL, 80pts]

++ Total: [108 PL, -5CP, 1,997pts] ++

Fourth place – George Crabtree (Custodes)

**LIST LOST TO DAEMONS**

Cape Town Throw Down

Authors Note: I’ve been told by the TO that this is the first major South African event

Lists

First Place – Orion Adams (Death Guard)

Expand for Army List

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Chaos – Death Guard) [100 PL, 2,000pts, 8CP] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Plague Company: Mortarion’s Anvil

+ Stratagems +

Gifts of Decay [-2CP]: 2x Additional Relics

+ HQ +

Death Guard Daemon Prince [8 PL, 150pts]: 1. Miasma of Pestilence, 1. Revoltingly Resilient, Hellforged sword, Warlord, Warp Insect Hive

Lord of Contagion [6 PL, 120pts, -1CP]: Gloaming Bloat, Plague Skull of Glothila, Plaguechosen, Plaguereaper

+ Troops +

Poxwalkers [5 PL, 100pts]
. 20x Poxwalker: 20x Improvised weapon

Poxwalkers [2 PL, 50pts]
. 10x Poxwalker: 10x Improvised weapon

+ Elites +

Deathshroud Terminators [7 PL, 155pts]
. Deathshroud Champion: 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
. 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2x Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators [7 PL, 150pts]
. Deathshroud Champion: Plaguespurt gauntlet
. 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2x Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foul Blightspawn [5 PL, 85pts, -1CP]: 4. Arch-Contaminator, Plaguechosen, Revolting Stench-vats, Viscous Death

+ Fast Attack +

Foetid Bloat-drone [7 PL, 135pts]: Fleshmower

Myphitic Blight-haulers [7 PL, 140pts]: Myphitic Blight-hauler

+ Heavy Support +

Plagueburst Crawler [9 PL, 175pts]: 2x Entropy cannon, Heavy slugger

++ Total: [100 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Key Features

Death Guard, solid immovable, generally annoying to remove thanks to the – 1 damage and while slow also ignore modifiers to their movement.
Being a Mortarion’s Anvil detachment means access to some very nice features in particular the gloaming bloat contagion that prevents your opponent from using overwatch and prevents the from rerolling any hit or wound rolls while within contagion range, and their stratagem relaptic assault means that your opponent has to be careful or another nearby unit will heroically intervene into them
The Deathguard daemon prince can be a very dangerous combatant thanks to the relic Warp Insect Hive providing full rerolls to hit and to wound in melee especially when you’re swinging at S8 AP 3 flat 3 damage, toss onto that Revoltingly Resilient giving you a 5+ FNP and you’ve got quite the terrifying prospect for your opponent
Plagueburst crawlers provide the backbone of the list, their ability to ignore los with their mortar and/or punish opponents with entropy cannons would already make them good. Tack on that they’re -1 damage, have a 5++, and T8 and you’ve got a chasis that can take quite a bit of punishment making it an ideal To The Last choice. The Disgusting Force stratagem also ups their damage and lets them spread mortal wounds around when shooting their mortar.
Deathshroud terminators are very good, they’re durable with a 2+/4++ and -1 damage. They also can put out the hurt in melee with two different weapon profiles depending on if they’re going into hordes or elites
One last thing to mention is the Foul Blightspawn with the Revolting Stench Vats relic. Have you ever wanted to make an opponent who moves within 6” of you count as not charging and lose fight first abilities? Because oh boy then the FBS is for you. He lets you control the pace of combat and protect your melee units like you expensive Deathshroud from melee monsters that would normally chew them up.

TLDR

Poxwalkers exert board control along with drones, followed slowly behind by bricks of deathshroud and a Daemon Prince who is no joke in combat.

Orion Adams Q&A

What is the general Strategy for your list ?

3 plagueburst crawlers were To The Last every game

Depending on matchup 2 or 3 squads of deathshroud would stick with the foul blightspawn and move at contested objectives. Foul blightspawn no charge / no mortal wounds on charge strats and combined with no rerolls contagion makes them very difficult to shift through fighting

50 poxwalkers reliably scored spread the sickness in 6 objective games

Fast attack scoring engage on all fronts often / making counter charges

What was the most challenging matchup of the weekend and why?

Crusher stampede. The dimaecharons and hierodules were tough to get through and intimidating even with stopping dimaecharon rerolls and mortal wounds on charge strats. Didn’t think i had much chance going into it

What was your MVP unit for the event?

Foul blightspawn without doubt

Is there anything or anyone you’d like to shout out?

Big thanks to Ashley Clutten (I’m sure from the whole community). He is a community member who put a HUGE amount of effort and thought into making the event fun for everyone involved and I’m sure it’s gone a long way to growing our community and participation in events. We are all looking forward to the teams tournament he announced he would be organizing next year.

Second Place – Lehann Smith (Custodes)

Expand for Army List

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Custodes) [96 PL, 8CP, 1,998pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Shield Host: Shadowkeepers

+ Stratagems +

Open the Vaults [-1CP]: Open the Vaults: 1 Extra Relic

+ HQ +

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [9 PL, -1CP, 178pts]: Auric Aquilas, Captain-Commander, Indomitable Constitution, Interceptor Lance, Misericordia, Salvo Launcher, Superior Creation, Warlord

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [9 PL, -1CP, 178pts]: Eagle’s Eye, Interceptor Lance, Lockwarden, Misericordia, Salvo Launcher, Ten Thousand Heroes

+ Troops +

Custodian Guard Squad [7 PL, 156pts]
. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield
. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield
. Custodian: Sentinel Blade, Storm Shield

Sagittarum Custodians [7 PL, 159pts]
. Sagittarum Custodian: Adrastus Bolt Caliver, Misericordia
. Sagittarum Custodian: Adrastus Bolt Caliver, Misericordia
. Sagittarum Custodian: Adrastus Bolt Caliver, Misericordia

+ Elites +

Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought [9 PL, -1CP, 180pts]: Achillus Dreadspear, Eternal Penitent, 2x Twin Adrathic Destructor

Vexilus Praetor in Allarus Terminator Armor [7 PL, 128pts]: Ballistus Grenade Launcher, Misericordia, Vexilla Magnifica

+ Fast Attack +

Venatari Custodians [8 PL, 174pts]
. Venatari Custodian: Misericordia
. . Kinetic Destroyer and Tarsus Buckler: Kinetic Destroyer, Tarsus Buckler
. Venatari Custodian: Misericordia
. . Kinetic Destroyer and Tarsus Buckler: Kinetic Destroyer, Tarsus Buckler
. Venatari Custodian: Misericordia
. . Kinetic Destroyer and Tarsus Buckler: Kinetic Destroyer, Tarsus Buckler

Vertus Praetors [12 PL, 255pts]
. Vertus Praetor: Interceptor Lance, Salvo Launcher
. Vertus Praetor: Interceptor Lance, Salvo Launcher
. Vertus Praetor: Interceptor Lance, Salvo Launcher

+ Heavy Support +

Telemon Heavy Dreadnought [14 PL, 295pts]: Arachnus Storm Cannon, Spiculus Bolt Launcher
. Telemon Caestus: Twin Plasma Projector

++ Total: [96 PL, 8CP, 1,998pts] ++

Third Place – Carl Haydam (Drukhari)

Expand for Army List

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [72 PL, 12CP, 1,225pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ HQ +

Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]: Hatred Eternal, Warlord

+ Troops +

Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 50pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. 3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle

+ Elites +

Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Klaive

+ Fast Attack +

Scourges [5 PL, 60pts]
. 4x Scourge w/ shardcarbine: 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Shardcarbine
. Solarite: Shardcarbine

+ Heavy Support +

Ravager [8 PL, 130pts]: As Detachment (Kabal), 3x Dark Lance

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 105pts]: As Detachment, Dark Lance

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [13 PL, -1CP, 235pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession: Kabal of the Obsidian Rose: Flawless Workmanship

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, -1CP, 90pts]: Ancient Evil, As Detachment (Kabal), Huskblade, Overlord, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade
. Splintered Genius (Obsidian Rose): Splintered Genius

+ Troops +

++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [24 PL, -3CP, 540pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost

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

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ Stratagems +

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

+ HQ +

Succubus [4 PL, -1CP, 95pts]: 1 – Adrenalight (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult), Competitive Edge, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive
. Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Wyches [6 PL, -1CP, 140pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Hekatrix: Agoniser, Morvaine’s Agoniser, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Hekatrix of the Crucibael
. 7x Wych: 7x Hekatarii Blade, 7x Plasma Grenades, 7x Splinter Pistol
. Wych w/ Hydra Gauntlets: Hydra Gauntlets
. Wych w/ Shardnet and Impaler: Shardnet and Impaler

Wyches [6 PL, 135pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 7x Wych: 7x Hekatarii Blade, 7x Plasma Grenades, 7x Splinter Pistol
. Wych w/ Hydra Gauntlets: Hydra Gauntlets
. Wych w/ Shardnet and Impaler: Shardnet and Impaler

+ Fast Attack +

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

++ Total: [109 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts] ++

Fourth place – Lord Murray Knox (Drukhari)

Expand for Army List

+ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [25 PL, 11CP, 460pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power

Raiding Forces – CP Refund

+ Stratagems +

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

+ HQ +

Archon [5 PL, 95pts]: Ancient Evil, As Detachment (Kabal), Blast Pistol, Huskblade, Overlord, The Djin Blade, Warlord
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius

+ Troops +

+ Dedicated Transport +

Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: As Detachment, Dark Lance, Phantasm Grenade Launcher

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [21 PL, -4CP, 432pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

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

+ HQ +

Succubus [4 PL, -1CP, 95pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult), Precision Blows, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive
. Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer

+ Troops +

Wyches [3 PL, -1CP, 65pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Hekatrix: Agoniser, Morvaine’s Agoniser, Splinter Pistol, Stratagem: Hekatrix of the Crucibael
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol

+ Fast Attack +

Hellions [7 PL, 136pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 7x Hellion: 7x Hellglaive, 7x Splinter Pods

++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Aeldari – Drukhari) [71 PL, -3CP, 1,105pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]

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

+ HQ +

Haemonculus [5 PL, -1CP, 90pts]: As Detachment (Coven), Master Regenerist, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition
. Alchemical Maestro (Custom): Alchemical Maestro

+ Troops +

Wracks [12 PL, 160pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 19x Wracks: 19x Wrack Blade

Wracks [6 PL, 80pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 9x Wracks: 9x Wrack Blade

+ Elites +

Grotesques [12 PL, 175pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver
. Grotesque w/ Monstrous Cleaver

+ Heavy Support +

Talos [18 PL, 300pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Talos: Macro-scalpel, Talos ichor injector
. . Two Drukhari haywire blasters
. Talos: Macro-scalpel, Talos ichor injector
. . Two Drukhari haywire blasters
. Talos: Macro-scalpel, Talos ichor injector
. . Two Drukhari haywire blasters

++ Total: [117 PL, 4CP, 1,997pts] ++

LVNO!

Lists

First Place – Cory Burns (Leviathan)

Expand for Army List

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [114 PL, 1,999pts, 11CP] ++

+ Configuration [12CP] +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Hive Fleet: Leviathan

+ HQ [21 PL, 365pts, -1CP] +

Broodlord [7 PL, 125pts, -1CP]: Monstrous Rending Claws, Power: Paroxysm, Relic: Adaptive Neural Lobe, Stratagem: Alpha Leader-Beast [-1CP], Warlord, Warlord Trait: Swarm Leader

The Swarmlord [14 PL, 240pts]: Bone Sabres, Power: Catalyst, Power: Psychic Scream, Prehensile Pincer Tail

+ Troops [57 PL, 872pts] +

Genestealers [16 PL, 208pts]: 4x Acid Maw
. 16x Genestealer [208pts]: 16x Rending Claws

Termagants [9 PL, 175pts]
. 25x Termagant (Devourer) [175pts]: 25x Devourer [50pts]

Termagants [6 PL, 140pts]
. 20x Termagant (Devourer) [140pts]: 20x Devourer [40pts]

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 75pts]: Synaptic Link: Bioweapon Bond [1 PL, 15pts]
. Tyranid Warrior [20pts]: Lash Whip and Bonesword [3pts], Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior [20pts]: Lash Whip and Bonesword [3pts], Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior [20pts]: Lash Whip and Bonesword [3pts], Scything Talons

+ Elites [36 PL, 762pts] +

Hive Guard [12 PL, 270pts]
. 6x Hive Guard (Impaler) [270pts]: 6x Impaler Cannon [60pts]

Lictor [2 PL, 37pts]: Flesh Hooks, Grasping Talons, Rending Claws

Maleceptor [10 PL, 185pts]: Massive Scything Talons, Power: Onslaught, Synaptic Link: Focal Essence [1 PL, 15pts]

++ Total: [114 PL, 11CP, 1,999pts] ++

Key Features

A not crusher stampede Tyranids list? Nice. Instead we have a mono-Leviathan list that’s leveraging the supplements to really hammer opponents with massed firepower
On that massed firepower front we have 12 Hive Guard across two units, that’s a just brutal amount of firepower that ignores LOS. Especially when you start giving them exploding 6’s to hit, full rerolls, and have one unit fire twice. Looking at it more closely, with bio-weapon bond and swarm leader you can fully buff two units to extremely efficient with one hitting on 2’s and another hitting on 3’s with full rerolls.
People also tend to discount termagants, but 25 devourer armed gants put out 75 shots at S4 that reroll 1’s to wound (so long as they’re over 20 models). If you use Relentless Fury their 6’s explode into 2 additional hits instead of 1 (this stratagem will come up a lot in games against Leviathan). Which if you choose to tack on say full hit rerolls means you can pick up most anything in the game in a volley through sheer volume.
Genestealers also shouldn’t be discounted, they can natively advance and charge and can be hurled up the board by the Swarmlord. In melee they also can be tagged with Relentless Fury giving them exploding melee attacks (though this costs 2 CP for genestealer units). Letting them bury an opponent early by removing key units.
The Maleceptor provides focal essence for the hive guard as well making them much more efficient into -1 damage by letting you reroll your damage rolls.
Finally, the lictor who is soon to retire from ROD duty is an excellent way to have ROD get done in the current mission pack.

TLDR

Unrelenting firepower, melee attacks, and lots of little efficiencies means if the hive guard don’t kill you the genestealers will.

Cory Burns Q&A

What is the general Strategy for your list?

The strategy is fairly simple, I almost always take the same three secondaries – Stranglehold, To the Last and Raise Banners. My To The Last are Hive Guard and the Swarmlord. The Hive Guard have a tendency to stay alive, and the Swarmlord doesn’t come out to play until most things are dealt with. The real goal is standard Tyranid plays – My goal is to double move a unit of Genestealers out to my opponents objectives to get Stranglehold, while the Hive Guard shoot off anything on an objective. The list is great at denying Primaries for my opponents while scoring Primary for myself.

What was the most challenging matchup of the weekend and why?

The final game against Drukhari was the most difficult. The Talos and Grotesque build has a lot of beef to chew through and can put out enough attacks between shooting and combat to kill me. I managed to take that one by focusing on scoring the Primary and denying his. So got tabled but still managed to win.

What was your MVP unit for the event?

The Devourer Guants do so much work, but the Genestealers score and deny all the points so it has to go to them.

Is there anything or anyone you’d like to shout out?

Like all 40K players super excited with the changes to mission and point updates starting today, as well as the news that the ITC and GW are officially working together. It can only mean good things coming.

Second Place – Oslind Meloche (Harlequins)

Expand for Army List

++ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Aeldari – Harlequins) [101 PL, 10CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration [12CP] +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Masque Form: The Frozen Stars: Hysterical Fury

+ Stratagems [-1CP] +

Enigmas of the Black Library (1 Relic) [-1CP]

+ HQ [14 PL, -1CP, 261pts] +

Shadowseer [6 PL, -1CP, 115pts]: 6: Player of the Twilight, Hallucinogen Grenade Launcher, Miststave, Shield From Harm, Shuriken Pistol, Smite, Stratagem: Pivotal Role [-1CP], The Shadowstone, Twilight Pathways, Veil of Illusion, Warlord, Webway Dance

Troupe Master [4 PL, 76pts]: Choreographer of War, Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Kiss [6pts], Plasma Grenades

Troupe Master [4 PL, 70pts]: Choreographer of War, Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, The Twilight Fang

+ Troops [52 PL, 1,064pts] +

Troupe [10 PL, 201pts]
. . Player [1 PL, 25pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Kiss [6pts], Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 20pts]: Harlequin’s Kiss [6pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. . Player [1 PL, 20pts]: Harlequin’s Kiss [6pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. . Player [1 PL, 25pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Caress [6pts], Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 25pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Caress [6pts], Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 20pts]: Harlequin’s Caress [6pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. . Player [1 PL, 19pts]: Harlequin’s Embrace [5pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. . Player [1 PL, 19pts]: Harlequin’s Embrace [5pts], Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. . Player [1 PL, 14pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol
. . Player [1 PL, 14pts]: Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades, Shuriken Pistol

Troupe [6 PL, 130pts]
. . Player [1 PL, 24pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Embrace [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 24pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Embrace [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 19pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 25pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Kiss [6pts], Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 19pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 19pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades

Troupe [6 PL, 130pts]
. . Player [1 PL, 24pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Embrace [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 24pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Embrace [5pts], Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 25pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Caress [6pts], Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 19pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 19pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades
. . Player [1 PL, 19pts]: Fusion Pistol [5pts], Harlequin’s Blade, Plasma Grenades

+ Elites [3 PL, 50pts] +

Death Jester [3 PL, 50pts]: Humbling Cruelty, Shrieker Cannon

+ Fast Attack [20 PL, 385pts] +

Skyweavers [15 PL, 275pts]
. . Skyweaver [55pts]: Haywire Cannon [5pts], Zephyrglaive [5pts]
. . Skyweaver [55pts]: Haywire Cannon [5pts], Zephyrglaive [5pts]
. . Skyweaver [55pts]: Haywire Cannon [5pts], Zephyrglaive [5pts]
. . Skyweaver [55pts]: Haywire Cannon [5pts], Zephyrglaive [5pts]
. . Skyweaver [55pts]: Haywire Cannon [5pts], Zephyrglaive [5pts]

Skyweavers [5 PL, 110pts]
. . Skyweaver [55pts]: Haywire Cannon [5pts], Zephyrglaive [5pts]
. . Skyweaver [55pts]: Haywire Cannon [5pts], Zephyrglaive [5pts]

+ Dedicated Transport [12 PL, 240pts] +

Starweaver [4 PL, 80pts]: 2x Shuriken Cannon

Third Place – Gordon Sundin (Custodes)

Expand for Army List

+ Battalion Detachment 0CP (Imperium – Adeptus Custodes) [103 PL, 6CP, 2,000pts] ++

+ Configuration +

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

Detachment Command Cost

Shield Host: Shadowkeepers

+ HQ +

Captain-General Trajann Valoris [10 PL, 190pts]: Champion of the Imperium, Warlord

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike [9 PL, -2CP, 175pts]: Auric Aquilas, Captain-Commander, Indomitable Constitution, Salvo Launcher, Superior Creation, Ten Thousand Heroes

+ Troops +

Sagittarum Custodians [7 PL, 150pts]: Sagittarum Custodian, Sagittarum Custodian, Sagittarum Custodian

+ Elites +

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

Prosecutors [3 PL, 60pts]: Sister Superior
. 4x Prosecutor: 4x Boltgun, 4x Psyk-Out Grenades

+ Fast Attack +

Venatari Custodians [16 PL, 275pts]
. Venatari Custodian
. . Kinetic Destroyer and Tarsus Buckler
. Venatari Custodian
. . Kinetic Destroyer and Tarsus Buckler
. Venatari Custodian
. . Kinetic Destroyer and Tarsus Buckler
. Venatari Custodian
. . Kinetic Destroyer and Tarsus Buckler
. Venatari Custodian
. . Kinetic Destroyer and Tarsus Buckler

+ Heavy Support +

Telemon Heavy Dreadnought [14 PL, -1CP, 280pts]: Eternal Penitent
. Telemon Caestus
. Telemon Caestus

++ Total: [103 PL, 6CP, 2,000pts] ++

Fourth place – Morgan Smerek (Ultramarines)

Expand for Army List

++ Battalion Detachment -3CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Ultramarines) [90 PL, 6CP, 1,620pts] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Ultramarines

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

Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]

+ HQ +

Chief Librarian Tigurius [7 PL, 135pts]: 2) Might of Heroes, 3) Null Zone (Aura), 6) Psychic Fortress (Aura)

Primaris Techmarine [4 PL, -1CP, 80pts]: Adept of the Codex, Seal of Oath, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter

+ Troops +

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

Tactical Squad [5 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Space Marine: 4x Bolt pistol, 4x Boltgun, 4x Frag & Krak grenades
. Space Marine Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Boltgun

+ Elites +

Redemptor Dreadnought [9 PL, 185pts]: 2x Storm Bolters, Icarus Rocket Pod, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon

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

Servitors [2 PL, 30pts]: 4x Servo-arm

Sternguard Veteran Squad [12 PL, 150pts]
. Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta
. Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta
. Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta
. Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta
. Sternguard Veteran: Combi-melta
. Sternguard Veteran Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Combi-melta

+ Heavy Support +

Eliminator Squad [5 PL, 75pts]: Bolt sniper rifle
. Eliminator Sergeant: Instigator Bolt Carbine
. 2x Eliminators: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Camo cloak, 2x Frag & Krak grenades

+ Dedicated Transport +

Terrax-Pattern Termite [10 PL, 180pts]
. Terrax storm bolters

++ Supreme Command Detachment +3CP (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Ultramarines) [19 PL, 6CP, 380pts] ++

+ Configuration +

**Chapter Selector**: Ultramarines

Detachment Command Cost [3CP]

+ Primarch | Daemon Primarch | Supreme Commander +

Roboute Guilliman [19 PL, 3CP, 380pts]: Nobility Made Manifest, Warlord

++ Total: [109 PL, 12CP, 2,000pts] ++

That’s it for today. Tune in tomorrow for all the LVO coverage and analysis including some additional analysis focusing just on the factions who were in the event and player Q&As from the top 4 at LVO.

And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!

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