Welcome to the Pariah Nexus Incursion Finals

 

The end of this week sees the culumination of the Pariah Nexus Incursion Series. Four qualifying events that have narrowed down to eight players vying for the trophy.

Pariah Nexus Incursion One

Pariah Nexus Incursion Two

Pariah Nexus Incursion Three

Pariah Nexus Incursion Four

It's been an interesting set of tournaments, with thirtenn factions appearing and several Codex releases. It's given the successful Generals a lot to think about. They were sent this briefing -

"Welcome, victorious Generals, to the finals of the Pariah Nexus Incursion series. After four events and 20 unique players, the field has whittled down to just the eight of you. Now we shall see who gets to walk away with the trophy, and the bragging rights.

The event is on Saturday 29^th June 2024, at Neutral Ground.
Round One will commence at 11am, getting there earlier will give you more time to set up and prepare for kick-off. Matches will be 2 and a half hours long. End of time procedure will be to finish the Battle Round and score final points then. Concessions will require calling me over to adjudicate the final points scored.

Prizes will be store credit for the top 50% (top 4) and a trophy for first place.

Pairings will be handled via a BCP, with the first round paired via seeding from the four qualifiers. This seeding has been generated via an ELO system.

As Pariah Nexus draws to a close in June, I will require lists to be finalised and sent to me in advance. With the event being on the 29th, I will want the lists sent to me by the 22nd. This will give me time to double-check the correct points are being used. I will then publish the factions that everyone is playing once they have all been checked. This will give you some time to make battle plans with the force you have submitted. Unless I spot an error and ask you to change something, the list is set in stone and cannot be changed.

The missions for the Finals will be –

D – Deploy Servo Skulls – Chilling Rain – Search and Destroy

I – Take and Hold – Hidden Supplies – Hammer and Anvil

O – Vital Ground – Chilling Rain – Crucible of Battle

The order of these missions will be revealed during the player briefing on the day.

Late submission of your list will incur victory point penalties, as will errors on the list. Make sure it’s correct before you submit it. Also, I will be locking in any Balance Dataslate/Codex/other material release changes on the 15th of June. Anything after this won’t be used for the Finals. This gives you a week to react to any potential changes.

If you cannot attend the finals, let me know ASAP so that I can offer your spot to the next eligible player, as determined by their ELO ranking.

Good luck Generals, and see you on the 29th of June."

The lists are in, the Generals have seen them and now it's time to make them publicso the rampant speculation can begin.

Aaron Hurrell 

The Leviathan Champion returns to defend his title, swapping his Necrons for the terrifying Night Lords. Can he recapture his success and lead Da Boyz to victory?

Chaos Space Marines - Dread Talons 

Chaos Lord: Daemon hammer, Plasma pistol, Warlord

Cultist Mob

Legionaries, Chaos icon, Aspiring Champion: Boltgun, Heavy melee weapon, 2x Legionary w/ boltgun: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Boltgun, 2x Close combat weapon, Legionary w/ heavy melee weapon, Legionary w/ other weapon: Reaper chaincannon

Legionaries, Chaos icon, Aspiring Champion: Boltgun, Heavy melee weapon, 2x Legionary w/ boltgun: 2x Bolt pistol, 2x Boltgun, 2x Close combat weapon, Legionary w/ heavy melee weapon, Legionary w/ other weapon: Reaper chaincannon

Possessed, Chaos icon

Raptors, 2x Raptor: 2x Astartes chainsword, 2x Bolt pistol, Raptor Champion: Bolt pistol, Power fist, 2x Raptor w/ meltagun: 2x Close combat weapon, 2x Meltagun

Raptors, 2x Raptor: 2x Astartes chainsword, 2x Bolt pistol, Raptor Champion: Bolt pistol, Power fist, 2x Raptor w/ meltagun: 2x Close combat weapon, 2x Meltagun

Forgefiend, 3 ectoplasma cannons

Chaos Rhino, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher

1000 points

Charlie Bennett  

Part of Dick Van Dice, Dick Simmons is bringing the Pain (tokens). Coming in as a relative underdog, he has shown he has what it takes in the Qualifiers

Drukhari - Skysplinter Assault

Archon, 1x Blast pistol, 1x Huskblade, Enhancements: Nightmare Shroud

Archon, Warlord, 1x Blast pistol, 1x Huskblade

Kabalite Warriors, 1x Blast pistol, 1x Phantasm grenade launcher, 1x Blaster, 1x Dark lance, 1x Shredder, 1x Splinter cannon

Kabalite Warriors, 1x Blast pistol, 1x Phantasm grenade launcher, 1x Blaster, 1x Dark lance, 1x Shredder, 1x Splinter cannon

Venom, 1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

Venom, 1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

Venom, 1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

Venom, 1x Splinter cannon 1x Splinter cannon

Incubi

Incubi

Mandrakes

Scourges, 4x Dark lance

995 points

Ian Atrill 

Dick Nixon reaches the finals again, this time bringing the Bully Boyz. Will he Bully his way to the Trophy?

Orks - Bully Boyz

Warboss, 1x Attack squig, 1x Kombi-weapon, 1x Power klaw, 1x Twin sluggas

Warboss in Mega Armour, Warlord, 1x Big shoota, 1x ’Uge choppa, Enhancements: Big Gob

Warboss in Mega Armour, 1x Big shoota, 1x ’Uge choppa

Boyz, 1x Rokkit launcha, 1x Power klaw

Trukk, 1x Big shoota, 1x Wreckin’ ball

Trukk, 1x Big shoota, 1x Wreckin’ ball

Trukk, 1x Big shoota, 1x Wreckin’ ball

Gretchin

Meganobz, 5x Meganob, 1x Killsaw, 4x Kombi-weapon, 3x Power klaw, 1x Twin killsaws

Meganobz, 5x Meganob, 2x Killsaw, 5x Kombi-weapon, 3x Power klaw

Stormboyz, 1x Power klaw

Stormboyz, 1x Power klaw

995 points

James Soper 

A returning member of Da Boyz, this time bringing the Blood Angels. Will his consistantly good performance see him take the prize?

Blood Angels - Sons of Sanguinius

Commander Dante, Warlord

Sanguinary Priest with Jump Pack, 1x Astartes chainsword, 1x Bolt Pistol,  Enhancements: Icon of the Angel

Intercessor Squad, 1x Astartes chainsword, 1x Astartes grenade launcher

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs, 1x Plasma pistol, 1x Power fist, 9x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs, 1x Plasma pistol, 1x Power fist, 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs

Baal Predator, 1x Baal flamestorm cannon, 2x Heavy flamer, 1x Hunter-killer missile, 1x Storm bolter

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs, 5x Inferno pistol, 5x Power fist

Vindicator, 1x Hunter-killer missile, 1x Storm bolter

1000 points

Justin Snelson

The final member of Da Boyz in the Finals, and a staunch Ork player. Will his Greenskins outperform the Bullies?

Orks - Dread Mob

Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun,  Smoky Gubbinz, Warlord

Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun, Press It Fasta!

Flash Gitz 

Gretchin 

Gretchin

Lootas, 2 Spanners and 8 Lootas, Kustom mega-blasta, Rokkit launcha

Lootas, 2 Spanners and 8 Lootas, 2  Kustom mega-blasta

Meganobz, 3x Meganob w/ Kustom shoota and power klaw, 2x Meganob w/ Twin killsaw
Stormboyz , Power klaw

Stormboyz, Choppa

Trukk, Wreckin' ball

985 points

Ky Aizawa  

Dick Eisen, also an Age of Sigmar player, is bringing his Blue Blood Angels to the fight

Blood Angels - Sons of Sanguinius

Captain, Warlord, 1x Plasma pistol, 1x Power fist

Captain with Jump Pack, 1x Plasma pistol, 1x Power fist

Assault Intercessor Squad

Impulsor, 1x Ironhail heavy stubber, 1x Shield dome, 2x Storm bolter

Impulsor, 1x Ironhail heavy stubber, 1x Shield dome, 2x Storm bolter

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs, 2x Plasma pistol, 1x Power fist

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs, 2x Plasma pistol, 1x Power fist

Bladeguard Veteran Squad, 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant, 5x Bladeguard Veteran

Outrider Squad

Terminator Squad, 1x Cyclone missile launcher, 5x Power fist, 5x Storm bolter

995 points

Pete Yarwood 

Dick Jones brings the Necron Royalty. He started 10th with these events and has been working hard to put his name on the wall.

Necrons - Obeisance Phalanx

Imotekh the Stormlord

Overlord, Warlord, 1x Resurrection Orb, 1x Voidscythe,  Enhancement: Eternal Conqueror

Immortals, 10x Gauss blaster

Doomsday Ark

Flayed Ones

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers, 1x Gauss destructor

Lychguard, 5x Dispersion Shield, 5x Hyperphase sword

Triarch Praetorians, 5x Particle caster, 5x Voidblade

Triarch Stalker, 1x Heavy gauss cannon array

1000 points

Tom Godfrey 

The third Ork player in the Finals, with some gorgeous Pirate conversions, and a seasoned tournament competitor. He's rocking the Bully Boyz for possbily the last time.

Orks - Bully Boyz

Boss Snikrot

Warboss in Mega Armour, Warlord, 1x Big shoota, 1x ’Uge choppa, Enhancement: Tellyporta

Trukk, 1x Wreckin’ ball

Trukk, 1x Wreckin’ ball

Gretchin

Meganobz, 6x Twin killsaws

Meganobz, 6x Twin killsaws

Meganobz, 5x Kustom shoota, 5x Power klaw

Stormboyz, 1x Power klaw

Stormboyz, 1x Power klaw

1000 points

That's the competitors, and their lists. If you want to follow along with the event, it's on BCP

Pariah Nexus Incursion Finals

If you are local, feel free to come down and witness the carnage. There will also be tables free should you fancy a game of 40k yourself.

July sees us running a new player friendly Combat Patrol event

Combat Patrol - Neutral Ground

Got a friend on the fence about joining the hobby? Bring them along

The Incursion series will also return in August

Kirtonian Conflict XII - Part Two

 

Part One

Sunday morning and myself, Dick Jones and Dick Nixon headed to Kirton. Would we find victory? Defeat? Would we have travelled all that way to play each other?

Dick Jones was playing Necrons, in the Awakened Dynasty, and Dick Nixon was trying the new Bully Boyz detachment with his Orks.

Round One 

Nixon was up against the Leagues of Votann, Jones faced T'au and my opponent had brought - 

Necrons Incursion (1000 points)

Hypercrypt Legion

CHARACTERS

C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (295 points) • 1x Gaze of death 1x Scythe of the Nightbringer

C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon (290 points) • 1x Canoptek tail blades 1x Spear of the Void Dragon 1x Voltaic storm

Royal Warden (40 points) • Warlord • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Relic gauss blaster

Transcendent C’tan (285 points) • 1x Crackling tendrils 1x Seismic assault

OTHER DATASHEETS

Lokhust Destroyers (30 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gauss cannon

Lokhust Destroyers (30 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gauss cannon

Lokhust Destroyers (30 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gauss cannon

Triple C'tan! This is a nightmare of a list on paper, and a nightmare to see on the table opposite you. The saving grace of it was Jake was actually a great opponent. We all know players who would have made this the Worst Game Ever TM. But it was a fun game, despite the uphill struggle.

Sites of Power made things worse, as his hard to shift units are also Characters, for the Empowering points. The approach was simple, use my mobility to get to and clear his chaff, and hope I can pull ahead on Secondaries. I nearly messed this up, as I had misunderstood the footprint of a ruin and sent the Hawks in unsupported to tackle a Destroyer I thought my other units could see. Luckily they chose to be heroes that day and it finally took a concerted effort from the Nightbringer to kill the Exarch. 

Round two saw me kill all three Destroyers, to maximise No Prisoner and Fire and Fade the Warp Spiders onto his home Objective. It was Deploy and Behind that made the Nightbringer return to clear me out. The Void Dragon sat on the central Objective almost all game, scoring 24 Primary on it's own. I largely ignored the C'tan, only firing at them when I lacked other targets

We matched on Secondaries, but as expected he out did me on Primary. I did manage to keep the Autarch scoring Primary for me though so I feel i did as much as I good to score well. I'm happy with the points, although I had a few turns to draw Capture Enemy Outpost which would have been great.

A loss for me and wins for my teammates, we had a lunch break then on to round two.

Round Two 

Nixon was up against the Necrons and Jones faced Orks. In fact, they had been paired into each other. Not the best result for the team, as it meant we only had one chance left for someone to go undefeated. They had also essentially already had the game as practice in the week. Meanwhile, I faced the T'au that Jones had defeated in the first round - 

T’au Empire Incursion (1000 points) 

Mont’ka 

CHARACTERS 

Cadre Fireblade (50 points) • Warlord • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Fireblade pulse rifle 2x Gun Drone 

Cadre Fireblade (50 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Fireblade pulse rifle 2x Gun Drone 

BATTLELINE 

Breacher Team (100 points) • 1x Support turret • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Gun Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol 

Breacher Team (100 points) • 1x Support turret • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Guardian Drone 1x Gun Drone 1x Pulse blaster 1x Pulse pistol • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Pulse blaster 9x Pulse pistol 

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS 

Devilfish (85 points) • 1x Accelerator burst cannon 1x Armoured hull 2x Seeker missile 2x Twin pulse carbine 

Devilfish (85 points) • 1x Accelerator burst cannon 1x Armoured hull 2x Seeker missile 2x Twin pulse carbine 

OTHER DATASHEETS 

Hammerhead Gunship (130 points) • 2x Accelerator burst cannon 1x Armoured hull 1x Railgun 2x Seeker missile 

Piranhas (55 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Piranha fusion blaster 2x Seeker missile 2x Twin pulse carbine 

Piranhas (55 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Piranha fusion blaster 2x Seeker missile 2x Twin pulse carbine 

Sky Ray Gunship (140 points) • 2x Accelerator burst cannon 1x Armoured hull 1x Seeker missile rack 

Sky Ray Gunship (140 points) • 2x Accelerator burst cannon 1x Armoured hull 1x Seeker missile rack

A very vehicle heavy T'au list, featuring zero Battlesuits. I know the Breachers are nasty when they get close, while the other tanks want to bring death from afar. The Piranhas are there for scoring. Lots of hulls and mobility, and Purge the Foe wants a mix of holding Objectives and killing units.

Jacob was quite a cagey player, and remarked after the game that Kauyon may fit his playstyle better. But the book was freshly released on Saturday so he wanted to give it a whirl. 

Parking the Sky Rays on his home Objective locked me out from Capture Enemy Outpost, and I couldn't lure them out. I did manage to get a bead on one and drop it to 1 wound though. Dick Jones had remarked on how deadly the Breachers were when they hopped out of Devilfish and deleted units. Jacob's cageyness against me let me pop a Devilfish and deal with the squishy contents without letting them get many shots off.

The Autarch struggled in combat against the Breachers though. He just didnt want to hit, which was frustrating, He did help stop them getting shots off though, so I guess it's a wash.

I was able to get Kill More for most of the game, which let me stay ahead on Primary. He ran out of units and was unable to push out of his half of the board by the mid-game, which let me keep just enouh ahead to win the game.

Dick Jones won the Dick off, leaving me at risk of being paired into Dick Nixon for the final round.

Round Three  

Jones faced his second Ork opponent of the day, Nixon faced his second Votann opponent, and I faced Necrons. Again. After playing them twice for list testing as well.

Necrons Incursion

Hypercrypt Legion

CHARACTERS

C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (295 Points) • 1x Gaze of death 1x Scythe of the Nightbringer

Hexmark Destroyer (70 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

Hexmark Destroyer (70 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

Trazyn the Infinite (75 Points) • Warlord • 1x Empathic Obliterator

OTHER DATASHEETS

Lokhust Destroyers (30 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gauss cannon

Lychguard (85 Points) • 5x Lychguard • 5x Dispersion Shield 5x Hyperphase sword

Monolith (375 Points) • 4x Death ray 1x Particle whip 1x Portal of exile

At least there was only one C'tan this time. No shade intended to Ryan, but as Necrons are quite popular amonst the Dicks I was hoping to not face them two out of three games at this event. It was a different list to Jake's, but running a similar ethos. Trazyn was there to grant Sticky Objectives to the Lychguard and the other units were there to score the chosen Fixed Objectives - Behind Enemy Lines and Deploy Teleport Homer.

The issue in this one was the Objectives disappear. So if i can screen him out from the Omega and the non-Alpha I can actually try and get ahead on Primary. Then it's just hoping my Secondaries are scoreable, while dealing with the units that drop down to score his. 

 Ryan forgot to Deploy a Teleport Homer in the second round, opting to shoot instead. He also then struggled to have more than one unit in my deployment zone, lowering his Behind Enemy Lines score. This let me focus on the Primary, and I would have scored for the Omega in round 5 if I could have done 3 more damage to the Nightbringer. Combined with Assassinate, that would have been worth 20 points. I'm still happy with being able to do 8 damage to it, especially given how little I had left at the time. 

My fellow Dicks both picked up losses in the final round. So all that was left was to see the Standings

Fifth place for me, Ninth for Dick Jones and Thirteenth for Dick Nixon. A good showing from the group and I'm very happy with my result. 

Big thanks to Kirton Games and Rob Angell for running the event. It's a shame there were a few players that couldn't make it as I really like the look of his list

Astra Militarum Combined Regiment

Incursion (1000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Tank Commander (205 Points) • Warlord • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Eradicator nova cannon 1x Heavy bolter 2x Heavy bolter 1x Heavy stubber

OTHER DATASHEETS

Leman Russ Demolisher (200 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher battle cannon 1x Heavy bolter 2x Heavy bolter

Leman Russ Executioner (170 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Executioner plasma cannon 1x Lascannon 2x Plasma cannon

Malcador Defender (310 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher cannon 7x Heavy bolter

Wyvern (110 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy flamer 1x Wyvern quad stormshard mortar

A lovely Tank list and I adore the Malcador model

Takeaways

So, how did the list perform?

I was happy with almost everything in the list. The Autarch doesn't kill much, but is fast and supplies me with Command Points. The Falcon is a great Dragon delivery system and distraction. The Spiders and Rangers do their jobs. 

The Dire Avengers were okay. If I were to run a similar list going forward, I would have to see what else could be in their spot. They weren't awful, but they don't do much about the beef that's running around at the moment.

The Swooping Hawks though. They were MVPs all day and the Exarch was a hero. They made far more saving throws than they should have and scored me so many points. I can't wait for them to get a plastic kit so I can add some more to my army.

Other than that, the list was fine. Not exciting but certainly a workhorse. I'm going to have to tinker to see if I can find some better tools for the job.

Thanks again to Rob Angell for running/hosting and to Dick Jones for driving us there and back. Hopefully we can continue to get the team to events, and share in each others successes.

Kirtonian Conflict XII - Part One

 

Dick Jones convinced myself and Dick Nixon to attended Kirtonian Conflict XII, this weekend at Kirton Games. It's a 1000 point, 3 round event and should be a good day out. I've enjoyed their events for a variety of game systems, although this is my first 40k attendance since Kirtonian Conflict VIII

I took the Drukhari to that one, and had a really good performance. For this one though, I'm going to stick with my beloved Iyanden. Despite GW's best efforts to put me off Wraith units.

Aeldari Incursion (1000 points) 

Battle Host 

CHARACTERS 

Autarch Wayleaper (115 points) • Warlord • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Mandiblasters 1x Star glaive 

Death Jester (105 points) • 1x Jester’s blade 1x Shrieker cannon • Enhancement: Fate’s Messenger 

OTHER DATASHEETS 

Dire Avengers (70 points) • 1x Dire Avenger Exarch • 1x Avenger shuriken catapult 1x Avenger shuriken catapult 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Dire Avenger • 4x Avenger shuriken catapult 4x Close combat weapon 

Falcon (140 points) • 1x Bright lance 1x Pulse laser 1x Twin shuriken catapult 1x Wraithbone hull 

Fire Dragons (85 points) • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Firepike • 4x Fire Dragon • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dragon fusion gun 

Fire Prism (180 points) • 1x Prism cannon 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull 

Rangers (55 points) • 5x Ranger • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Ranger long rifle 5x Shuriken pistol 

Rangers (55 points) • 5x Ranger • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Ranger long rifle 5x Shuriken pistol 

Swooping Hawks (80 points) • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Aeldari power sword 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk’s talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster 

Warp Spiders (115 points) • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death spinner 1x Death spinner 1x Powerblades • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

When the Dicks have posted lists recently, I've been posing them the following questions (stolen from Goonhammer) 

1. What's your plan for dealing with Hordes?
2. What's your plan for dealing with Vehicle/Monsters?
3. How are you approaching the Primary?
4. How are you handling Secondaries?

This ensures that you are already making plans during the building stage, and not just taking units that look cool or defaulting to your faves. So, what are my answers?

1. Geoffrey Dester, on Sustained mode. Getting anywhere between 6 and 12 hits with decent firepower and potential Dev Wounds is amazing into Infantry hordes. This is backed up by the Swooping Hawks, Warp Spiders, Dire Avengers and the alternate firing mode of the Fire Prism. I should have little trouble clearing chaff.
2. The Fire Prism's main gun is flat 6 damage. If that fails I have the guns on the Falcon and the unit of Fire Dragons, plus the Autarch in a pinch.
3. The Primary is a difficult one. With so many abilities granting bonuses when units target enemies on Objectives, and Toughness 3 making most of my Elite army fragile, I can't afford to sit and hope to survive any attempt to shift me. I will have to claim Objectives where I feel safe from retaliation, while using my killing power to try and stop my opponent from getting too far ahead on the Primary themselves. Hopefully I can catch up/overtake in the second half of the game.
4. The Rangers let me start in good positions for scoring, and the list has a lot of mobility. I'm likely to start the Warp Spiders in Deep Strike, as well as the Falcon. It's payload will be match-up dependant. My choices are the Fire Dragons or the Dire Avengers, both can be great when dropped in behind the right foe. The Swooping Hawks ability to jump off and on the table is also key to this.

I've only managed a couple of games for testing, both against Necrons. The Obeisance Phalanx and the Annihilation Legion. Both were very different builds and playstyles despite being from the same book.

Against the Phalanx, my list had a Wraithlord and a D-Cannon platform instead of the Falcon, Fire Dragons and Dire Avengers. The Wraithlord hitting on 4s makes it a massive liability at 160 points, which upsets me as it's one of the models that got me into the game. The D-Cannon, long one of my favourite weapons, is very expensive now for d3 shots. I understand how good it is, but feel it needs to be taken in multiples, which you can't afford in a 1000 point game.

This lead to me swapping to help with scoring in the second game, at the cost of the Iyanden flavouring. Hopefully having the extra units should give me a little more table coverage, while also being much more manouvreable than the Support Platform was. 

The Dataslates have been unkind to Aeldari, rightly so given their tournament performance. But point increases based on 2000 point armies are always going to make list building for 1000 points more difficult. Making Guardians cheaper almost makes them feel useable, but they are still very fragile. And a unit size of 10 makes them difficult to hide. Add in a Leader to Bodyguard and that's 20% of your list already gone. So I'm not happy with them in an Incursion

That's the list and the logic. Now to see if the plan survives contact with the enemy tomorrow

PAW 2024 part two

The battles have been fought, the results are in and the event is finished. 40 Players narrowed down to one winner. So, how did I do. Part one of this report is here

 

Game 1 –Primary Mission Take and Hold - Mission Rule Chilling Rain – Deployment Search and Destroy.

Mikey Rzasa of Powerhouse Wargaming - World Eaters

Lucky Helbrute and Hunters of The Lost Kebab (1965 points)

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Berzerker Warband


CHARACTERS

Angron (415 points)
• Warlord

Khârn the Betrayer (80 points)
• 1x Gorechild
1x Khârn’s plasma pistol

Lord Invocatus (140 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Coward’s Bane
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (130 points)
• 1x Exalted chainblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancement: Favoured of Khorne

World Eaters Master of Executions (105 points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
1x Bolt pistol
• Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive


BATTLELINE

Jakhals (70 points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
1x Icon of Khorne
7x Jakhal chainblades
1x Mauler chainblade

Khorne Berzerkers (200 points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Khorne Berzerker
• 7x Berzerker chainblade
7x Bolt pistol
1x Icon of Khorne
2x Khornate eviscerator
2x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (100 points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Khorne Berzerker
• 3x Berzerker chainblade
3x Bolt pistol
1x Icon of Khorne
1x Khornate eviscerator
1x Plasma pistol


DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

World Eaters Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher

World Eaters Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher


OTHER DATASHEETS

Eightbound (135 points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
• 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound eviscerators

Exalted Eightbound (150 points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Eightbound chainfist
1x Eightbound eviscerator
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound chainfist
2x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (150 points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Eightbound chainfist
1x Eightbound eviscerator
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound chainfist
2x Eightbound eviscerator

World Eaters Helbrute (140 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Helbrute fist
1x Multi-melta

My first round and an army I've not faced since they got their own Codex; World Eaters. I've discovered they have some great tools. The Blessings of Khone giving them access to Advance and Charge for amazing speed, and a Feel No Pain to increase their resiliency. As expected, anything they touch in melee gets murdered. 

That said, my killing power is fine against them, but I have to play cagey and keep my distance. This makes the Primary a struggle, as was reflected in the final score. I also made a critical mistake. Mikey charge Exalted Eightbound into the Dire Avengers, and Kharn with some Bezerkers into The Yncarne. He activated the Eightbound first, reasoning that The Yncarne couldnt kill enough Bezerkers but Asurman could kill the Eightbound. He killed the Dire Avengers, and I forgot about teleporting out of combat until after we had applied damage from Kharn. The Bezerkers then tore The Yncarne down.

It was a grave error. Doing it would have saved The Yncarne, and let me remove those Bezerkers easier in the next turn. I focused on scoring as much as possible and did manage to max out my Secondaries though. I also enjoyed killing Angron in turn 5, leaving no possibility of his return (or so I thought...)

A loss, but a fun game. We also had a special sub-game counting all the people trying the locked door next to us in search of the toilet. 12-0 to the door at the end of our match.

Game 2 – Primary Mission the Ritual – Mission Rule Scrambler Fields – Deployment Sweeping Engagement.

Lee Stubbs of Cross Swords - Adeptus Astartes; Salamanders

salamanders (1980 points)

Space Marines
Salamanders
Strike Force (2000 points)
Firestorm Assault Force


CHARACTERS

Adrax Agatone (85 points)
• 1x Drakkis
1x Malleus Noctum

Librarian (75 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancement: Champion of Humanity

Vulkan He’stan (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Gauntlet of the Forge
1x Spear of Vulkan


BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (85 points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
4x Bolt pistol
4x Bolt rifle
4x Close combat weapon

Intercessor Squad (85 points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
4x Bolt pistol
4x Bolt rifle
4x Close combat weapon


OTHER DATASHEETS

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (180 points)
• 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Master-crafted power weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 5x Bladeguard Veteran
• 5x Heavy bolt pistol
5x Master-crafted power weapon

Brutalis Dreadnought (175 points)
• 1x Brutalis talons
1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
1x Twin multi-melta

Eradicator Squad (95 points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta

Eradicator Squad (95 points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta

Infernus Squad (170 points)
• 1x Infernus Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Pyreblaster
• 9x Infernus Marine
• 9x Bolt pistol
9x Close combat weapon
9x Pyreblaster

Land Raider Redeemer (260 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Flamestorm cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin assault cannon

Repulsor (190 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Hunter-slayer missile
1x Las-talon
1x Repulsor defensive array
1x Twin lascannon

Stormraven Gunship (240 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Hurricane bolter
2x Stormstrike missile launcher
1x Twin lascannon
1x Twin multi-melta

Whirlwind (145 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Whirlwind vengeance launcher

Time to shake off the first round error and face Space Marines. This was a vehicle heavy list, and The Ritual is an interesting mission. Unfortunately, the low number of deployments due to so much starting in vehicles let me destroy the Land Raider in the first turn with the Wraithguard. This repeated for the rest of the game, with the Wraithguard and The Yncarne destroying vehicles and my other units destroying the units inside. 

The biggest sticky moment of the game (and the weekend) was a rules dispute when the Wraithguard killed the Repulsor, and Lee used Burning Vengeance. He was not happy when the Wraithguard got to shoot back. Judge was called and Simon handled the dispute well.

A solid win, as everything I pointed at died and very little died in return. It was a result that made me feel better about my match-up into vehicle heavy lists like Knights.

Game 3 – Primary Mission Purge the Foe – Mission Rule Chilling Rain – Deployment Crucible of Battle.

Liam Steptoe of Powerhouse Wargaming - World Eaters

Mildly Angry Legion (2000 points)

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Berzerker Warband


CHARACTERS

Angron (415 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder

Khârn the Betrayer (80 points)
• 1x Gorechild
1x Khârn’s plasma pistol

World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (130 points)
• 1x Exalted chainblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancement: Favoured of Khorne

World Eaters Master of Executions (105 points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
1x Bolt pistol
• Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive


BATTLELINE

Jakhals (70 points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
1x Icon of Khorne
7x Jakhal chainblades
1x Mauler chainblade

Khorne Berzerkers (100 points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Bolt pistol
• 4x Khorne Berzerker
• 3x Berzerker chainblade
3x Bolt pistol
1x Icon of Khorne
1x Khornate eviscerator
1x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (100 points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Bolt pistol
• 4x Khorne Berzerker
• 3x Berzerker chainblade
3x Bolt pistol
1x Icon of Khorne
1x Khornate eviscerator
1x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (100 points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Bolt pistol
• 4x Khorne Berzerker
• 3x Berzerker chainblade
3x Bolt pistol
1x Icon of Khorne
1x Khornate eviscerator
1x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (100 points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Berzerker chainblade
1x Bolt pistol
• 4x Khorne Berzerker
• 3x Berzerker chainblade
3x Bolt pistol
1x Icon of Khorne
1x Khornate eviscerator
1x Plasma pistol


DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

World Eaters Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher

World Eaters Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher


OTHER DATASHEETS

Eightbound (135 points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
• 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound eviscerators

Exalted Eightbound (150 points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound chainfist
2x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (150 points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound chainfist
2x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (150 points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
• 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
• 2x Eightbound chainfist
2x Eightbound eviscerator

World Eaters Chaos Spawn (65 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

And somehow, Angron returned. A similar, but not identical list from Mikey's teammate. Liam was also a lot more cagey with Angron. This game was the first of the weekend that felt like both players were really battling over positioning. Liam certainly knew how to use the terrain to his advantage, stopping my guns from fruitfully engaging most units. 

I did much better on Primary this time, but it wasn't enough. Purge meant that the World Eaters had to come out to get kills. Once again, Angron was sent to the Warp in Round 5. There is one more World Eaters player in the event, will Angron return again?

Game 4 – Primary Mission Deploy Servo Skulls – Mission Rule Hidden Supplies – Deployment Crucible of Battle

Olly Stokes of Dick Van Dice and Black Crow Gaming - Necrons

I have no technical or tactical ability with the game so I brought 18 wraiths. (2000 Points)

Necrons
Canoptek Court
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chronomancer (50 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chronomancer’s stave

C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (255 Points)
• 1x Gaze of death
1x Scythe of the Nightbringer

Technomancer (80 Points)
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancements: Dimensional Sanctum

Technomancer (60 Points)
• 1x Staff of light

Technomancer (60 Points)
• 1x Staff of light

Transcendent C’tan (275 Points)
• 1x Crackling tendrils
1x Seismic assault

BATTLELINE

Immortals (140 Points)
• 10x Immortal
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Tesla carbine

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Doomstalker (135 Points)
• 1x Doomsday blaster
1x Doomstalker limbs
1x Twin gauss flayer

Canoptek Doomstalker (135 Points)
• 1x Doomsday blaster
1x Doomstalker limbs
1x Twin gauss flayer

Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 Points)
• 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm
• 3x Feeder mandibles

Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 Points)
• 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm
• 3x Feeder mandibles

Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 Points)
• 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm
• 3x Feeder mandibles

Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points)
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws

Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points)
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws

Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points)
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws

Lokhust Destroyers (30 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss cannon 

Betrayal! Also, Servo Skulls. I knew going in this would be a hard match. 18 Wraiths and 2 C'tan is a lot to get through, especially with my armies low OC. My Infiltrators are key to zoning out his and giving me first kick of the ball.

I stuck to the plan, cagey movement and remove threats to the Primary. Disaster struck in turn 2 when I failed to shift a unit of Wraiths, leaving Olly control of the Skull. This Skull then got planted in my Deployment zone. Turn 3 actually saw me shift 2 units of Wraiths, but I was already too far behind on the Primary. The Transcendant C'tan leapt into my deployment zone, only to lose a fight with The Yncarne.

We only got to the end of Round 4 in the time limit, not through slow play but through two armies where positioning and movement is important in a mission where positioning is important and not static. Shout out to the Nightbringer for doing a good job of cleaning objectives and a well deserved win for Olly.

Game 5 – Primary Mission Priority Targets – Mission Rule Chosen Battlefield – Deployment Dawn of War

Robbie Davies of Bugle Bat Reps - Adepta Sororitas

PAW Patrol Sisters (1995 points)

Adepta Sororitas
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hallowed Martyrs


CHARACTERS

Daemonifuge (80 points)
• 1x Ephrael Stern
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Sanctity
• 1x Kyganil of the Bloody Tears
• 1x The Outcast’s Weapons

Imagifier (35 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon

Junith Eruita (90 points)
• 1x Mace of Castigation
1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer

Morvenn Vahl (125 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher

Preacher (55 points)
• 1x Zealot’s vindictor
• Enhancement: Blade of Saint Ellynor

Triumph of Saint Katherine (125 points)
• 1x Bolt pistols
1x Relic weapons


BATTLELINE

Battle Sisters Squad (100 points)
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Chainsword
1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Battle Sisters Squad (100 points)
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Chainsword
1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Battle Sisters Squad (100 points)
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Chainsword
1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis


DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Sororitas Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Sororitas Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter


OTHER DATASHEETS

Arco-flagellants (130 points)
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails

Arco-flagellants (130 points)
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails

Crusaders (25 points)
• 2x Crusader
• 2x Power weapon

Exorcist (160 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Exorcist missile launcher
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile

Exorcist (160 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Exorcist missile launcher
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile

Paragon Warsuits (200 points)
• 1x Paragon Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war mace
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war mace

Seraphim Squad (70 points)
• 1x Seraphim Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Power weapon
• 4x Seraphim
• 6x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Ministorum hand flamer

Zephyrim Squad (70 points)
• 1x Zephyrim Superior
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
1x Sacred Banner
• 4x Zephyrim
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Power weapon


ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (90 points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades

 

This mission is interesting, as unless you play hyper-aggressive, both players are likely to score 10 points for Primary on the majority of turns. I also had a null scoring Round 1 due to drawing unachievable Secondaries. I did get some cheeky shots off  at the Callidus from Geoff that removed a key scoring unit. We both missed that this would have scored Assassinate though, I'm only spotting that now as I type this report. 

I was able to thin his numbers while keeping my stuff realtively safe. Phantasm kept the Striking Scorpions safe when they were the only real targets for Overwhelming Force for two turns. The Yncarne fell before Bring it Down was drawn as well, lowering Robbie's final score.

Robbies resources kept dwindling, which in turn made it harder for him to fight back. Phantasm deserves the nerf it got in the Dataslate, it did far too much work in this game. 

26th place out of the 40, with 2 wins and 3 losses. I can't complain at my results. A positive record would have been great but an average score of 79.2 points a game is really good. 33.4 on Primary and 35.2 on Secondary are good averages, especially on Secondaries. Shows that I need to work on scoring Primary if I want to win more games. 

It's easy to fall into a pile of "What if I had done such and such" and "If only the dice were different", but that doesn't help as much as you think. Each change causes a chain of changes and differing dice rolls that makes changes later in the game harder to process. I did learn from the mistake in Round One and was much more conscious of opportunities to teleport The Yncarne.

I'm not sure what changes I would make to the list, as the Balance Dataslate puts it to 2040 points, so I would first have to remove something before I consider any adjustments. Everything performed well enough. The Striking Scorpions were a great distraction in some games, even if they never go to fight anything. The Dark Reapers surprised me, doing a lot more damage than I expected, especially the Tempest Launcher. If I had to replay the event, I would stick with the same list and hopefully make better tactical choices. 

With so many changes to the Aeldari in this Dataslate, I will have to look at rebuilding from the ground up. I do personally think that the changes to Wraithguard, The Yncarne, Night SPinner and Phantasm are fair. However, 6 Fate dice is too few, as it really stops you re-rolling them at the start of the game when you have a bad roll.

The Elephant in the Room

Going back to Round Two, and addressing this because it was quite public. My opponent was unhappy with the ruling on the Wraithguard and proceeded to literally throw his models around. He is a grown fucking man and threw a tantrum for the rest of the game. It made the game difficult and the least enjoyable game of Warhammer 40,000 I've had in a long time. Players nearby noticed his behaviour and I had to explain to several of them during the lunch break. 

I cannot fault Simon's handling of it though. He didn't take any nonsense and ruled fairly and correctly. 

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed the event. It was great to meet people, play great games of 40K and experience armies that I haven't faced. It was also a nice change of pace to play in a two day event.

Massive thanks to Simon Corder for running the event, and Anthony Cross for running Cross Swords. I would recommend this event to anyone thinking of attendind next year, or their other events.

Thanks to all the Dicks for the playtesting and moral support. Olly secured our best record this year, but we can all help each other do better.