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

Tabletop Tactics League - First Games

 

With the Tabletop Tactics League underway, I've gotten my first two games in. A couple of other Dicks have also played, and some are even getting in games against non-Dick players. It's great to see people playing, and interesting to see how the League rankings look this early.

At time of writing, the number one spot in the League belongs to a player who has already played 9 games. There also appears to be quite a diverse selection of armies doing well. It will be interesting to see how things stand in a few months. Will participation have tailed off?

Game One - Dick Burton's Space Wolves

Space Wolves, Champions of Russ 2000 points

Arjac Rockfist

Canis Wolfborn, Warlord

Murderfang

Ragnar Blackmane

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf, Relic Weapon, Storm Shield, Close Combat Weapon

Wolf Guard Pack Leader, Combi-Weapon, Power Weapon

Wolf Guard Pack Leader with Jump Pack, Combi-Weapon, Power Weapon

Wolf Guard Pack Leader with Jump Pack, Combi-Weapon, Thunder Hammer

10 Blood Claws, Power Fist, 2 Meltaguns

3 Bladeguard Veterans

5 Infiltrators, Helix Gauntlet, Infiltrator Comms Array

5 Skyclaws, Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, 2 Meltaguns

5 Skyclaws, Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, 2 Meltaguns

5 Wolf Guard Terminators, 2 Twin Lightning Claws, 2 Storm Shields, 2 Thunder Hammers, Assault Cannon, Power Fist

3 Thunderwolf Cavalry, Heirloom Weapons, Storm Shields

3 Thunderwolf Cavalry, Heirloom Weapons, Storm Shields

Predator Annihilator, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter, 2 Lascannons

Repulsor Executioner, Heavy Laser Destroyer, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber

Space Wolves Venerable Dreadnought, Fenrisian Great Axe, Blizzard Shield, Storm Bolter

Mark wants to stick to the spirit of things and give the Champions of Russ Detachment a whirl. This requires taking plenty of Characters and making certain decisions in order to complete the Sagas as he has done in his list. Often though, that means one saving throw can be the difference between a Character killing a target and the Bodyguard doing the job instead.

However, Mark's list is built well to just play a normal game of 40K and consider the Sagas as gravy. Decent ranged weapons on the armour, fast moving assault elements and Meltas to crack transports. The Infiltrators keep the home objective secure from Deep Strike.It's a solid looking list.

Our Mission was Crucible of Battle, Targets of Opportunity, and Purge the Foe. So, the Primary rewards us for killing units and holding objectives, while we have 3 cards for Secondaries each turn.

It was a hard fight, with some key saves on my part allowing me to run away with the Primary. Also sacrificing the Warp Hunter and the Wratihseer helped hold up a unit of Thunderwolves until late in the game. Mark did max his Secondaries, so he was a Battle Ready bonus away from a score in the mid 80s.

I learnt that 4 Wound models are actually quite annoying for my list to shift, as I have a lot of d6 or 2-3 Damage weapons. I was mostly able to keep away from the combat threats though, and brought the two tanks down in the first battle round.

Game Two - Dick Harris' Necrons

Necrons, Awakened Dynasty 1990 points

Chronomancer

Hexmark Destroyer

Orikan the Diviner

Overlord, Resurrection Orb, Veil of Darkness

Technomancer

Transcendant C'tan

10 Immortals, Tesla Carbines

10 Immortals, Tesla Carbines

10 Immortals, Gauss Blasters

Annihilation Barge, Gauss Cannon, Twin Tesla Destructor

5 Deathmarks

Doomsday Ark

Doomsday Ark

Monolith, Gauss Flux Arcs

George has played a lot of variations of Necrons over the years, and wanted to move away from Wraith blocks. He also wanted to try out a lesser run Detachment in the Awakened Dynasty and give Orikan a run out. The cherry on the list is the Monolith. Is it good?

Our mission was Dawn of War, Sweep and Clear, and Priority Targets. Objectives are sticky, allowing us a lot of freedom of movement and Priority Targets really rewards dominance in the end game. I chose Fixed Secondaries as an experiment for this one. I normally snap decide on Tactical, but with Necrons often being hard to shift I didn't want to risk having to have key units out of the fight to score points. 

Five targets for Bring It Down, that all needed to be removed anyway, grants me a potential 16 points. The Six Characters, combined with a Stratagem to bring them back to life, gives me plenty of options for scoring, and again they will be leading units that need to be removed. The C'Tan serves double duty, scoring me both if it falls.

I was mostly able to pin the Necron's into their own half, which kept the Primary high for me. Again, this was aided by the Sweep and Clear rule. The Monolith did grab the Overlord and deposit him in position to score Deploy Teleport Homer. It also took me a couple of turns to destroy it, while suffering it's punishing firepower. 

This did show me that I can struggle to shift large-ish units of decent infantry, without putting a tonne of resources into them. Especially with Reanimate. The Wraithblades also struggled against the Annihilation Barge. Their Strength 7 and Damage 2 aren't great for dealing with vehicles.

Going Forward  

Two wins places me 53rd, at time of writing. Also, following the spirit of the rules, I am unable to make any changes to my list currently. I'm also happy with how the list performs'

However, the two Forge World units are on notice!

The Wraithseer costs the same as a Wraithlord, but trades the 2 Flamer and/or Shuriken Catapults for Destructor (a Heavy Flamer) and can only take 1 other weapon. The Lord also has better melee weapons. The Battleshock ability is quite niche, espcially compared to potentially gaining a Fate Die. When I get a loss, this is likely to be the first swap I make. Which is a shame, but it feels like the design rules disincentivise Forge World models for most factions.

The Warp Hunter is such a cool model. I love it. But, d3 shots isn't great, and Damage 3 makes it really unclear what the intended target is. I'm not sure what I would want in it's place though. 145 is a really awkward points value for Aeldari. Also, as I'm unclear as to the role this unit fulfills, I'm likewise unclear as to what needs to replace it.

The Scatter Laser Wave Serpent isn't enough shots to really hurt an Infantry unit. This should probably just be replaced with a Bright Lance for more consitancy in bringing down enemy armour.

The Wraithguard and Wraithblades have been illustrating why I was using units of ten. With only five in the unit, if the opponent engages them they do so seriously enough that the Spiritseer can never bring any back. This isn't a "bad" thing, just something I had noted a while ago and doesn't appear to have changed.

Everything else seems fine. Fuegan's flexibilty in Leading or not Leading is really good. Geoff is still Geoff. I'm happy with the majority of the list. It will be interesting to see if I feel the same way after picking up a couple of losses.

I can't wait to get some more games in, and continue to chart my progress. My wins have been really good, so I've got quite a buffer to keep my position strong, within my bracket. Still plenty of Dicks to play as well, before needing to either look for outside opponents or start having rematchs.

Are you playing in the League? How are your games going?

Dick Van Dice join the Tabletop Tactics League

 

Tabletop Tactics have started a Global Warhammer 40,000 League, using their updated App. This allows you to track your progress against others online (1601 players registered at time of writing leaving me at 196th with zero games played), while playing games against locals who are also in the League. 

After some discussion, several members of Dick Van Dice have decided to join, including myself. I'm going to track our progress to help the team organize games and talk about my own successes and failures as the League carries on.

The Rules  

The Tabletop Tactics League uses a tournament ladder system to determine its players’ rankings via submission of points scoring. The format follows the latest Core Rules publications, including all current Games Workshop FAQs and Balance Dataslates. Future game systems are planned to be added and will also follow the current rules and FAQs as outlined by the publisher. As seasons progress, we may implement our own FAQs for the League and any events run by Tabletop Tactics.

In addition, the following rules are in effect:

• Your gaming group may use different FAQ formats or rulings such as the WTC if desired. Note: You must still submit victory point scores in the correct format for the game system played i.e up to 90pts for Warhammer 40,000. 
• Should any rules change or be updated during a season of the League, changes will be used as soon as possible between matches. This includes the releases of new army books or supplements where appropriate.
• Once an Army Faction is chosen, it cannot be changed for that Season. No meta chasing to swap to the latest and greatest Faction here, you must command your army through thick and thin for the duration of a Season!
• Lists can be changed between games throughout the season. However, we recommend doing so only if the Player lost their previous Game, or if rules changes are released in the form of a balance or rules update. This should help prevent tailoring your list against a specific opponent.
• Rather than give a strict terrain requirement, we recommend creating a battlefield that you and your gaming group feel will be both balanced and narrative to play on. As a guideline you may use any of the Terrain Layouts from Games Workshop or other tournament format event packs if structure is desired.
• A maximum of 20 League games may be played outside of events in a season. These may be played at a destination of your choosing with your opponent, such as your home, club or local shop. Additionally, only a maximum of 3 games against the same opponent may be played.
• Official League Events, such as ones held at our venue, may be played in addition to your 20 games at home and also award cumulative ‘win in a row’ bonus points. For example, a Warhammer 40,000 event will award the first win +100pts, the second +200pts, the third +300pts and so on. The exact bonus points awarded will be outlined in your event packs as required. Note: Lists may not be changed during an official League Event.
• Missions for your chosen game system should be randomly determined. If you have played the same mission with an opponent previously in a League match, generate a new mission.
• Where possible, all games are to played out to completion. There is no time limit enforced on non event League games. As all victory points scored contribute to your overall League Ranking, we do not recommend conceding games. However, if one player wishes to concede due to the impossibility of scoring any more points, or other circumstance such as having to leave a game, they will still retain the existing victory points scored up to that point. Their opponent must then play out the rest of the game alone, scoring themselves points as per the mission rules until the game ends. The player must then still get their opponent’s verification in our app to submit the final scores.

League Rankings are determined by a player’s total Victory Points and are updated with every game played that season. Additionally, depending on your game system, bonus points are awarded at the end of each match played as outlined in your season’s rules.

That's the rules. Play games, submit results, try and face a variety of opponents. Factions are locked for the season and they recommend that you play the way they do in League videos; no changing your list until you lose a game. The goals being prove yourself as a faction champion, don't tailor your list for each game and don't chase the meta.

20 games is an interesting number. Dick Van Dice currently stands at 19 members. So, internally, playing each member once almost ends your League. If you only have a couple of friends that play, then not so much. Especially with the added limitation of 3 games against the same opponent. Not so great if you can't get people interested at your local club/shop. I get the spirit of the rule, to stop a couple of players colluding to fix results. But 3 is quite limiting if your only play is your best friend who comes over once a week, and you buy direct from the GW webstore due to having no local shop. Not sure what a good middle ground is, however.

13 Dicks have joined the league so far, allowing for a game and a half against each, or 1 game against each with room for more of the Dicks to register. I'm hoping that the group will use this opportunity to play more than their regular opponents and get to know each other more. A selection of us play during the Trollslayer's Open week on alternate Wednesdays and I'll help get people together on free weekends. The Incursion events won't count towards the League as they are staying at 1000 points for now. 

Here is my First List 

Tabletop Tactics list 1.0

Aeldari Strike Force (2000 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 

Farseer Skyrunner (90 points) • 1x Eldritch Storm 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Twin shuriken catapult 1x Witchblade 

Fuegan (115 points) • 1x Searsong 1x The Fire Axe 

Spiritseer (65 points) • 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Witch staff 

Spiritseer (65 points) • 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Witch staff 

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS 

Wave Serpent (120 points) • 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Twin shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull 

Wave Serpent (120 points) • 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Twin scatter laser 1x Wraithbone hull 

OTHER DATASHEETS 

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 

Warp Hunter (145 points) • 1x D-flail 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull 

Windriders (80 points) • 3x Windrider • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Shuriken cannon 

Wraithblades (170 points) • 5x Wraithblade • 5x Forceshield 5x Ghostaxe 

Wraithguard (190 points) • 5x Wraithguard • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Wraithcannon 

Wraithseer (160 points) • 1x Destructor 1x Ghostspear 1x Wraithseer D-cannon 

Having to stick to to one faction meant that Craftworlds was the obvious choice. Especially with the Dataslate shaking the format up. Being able to alter the list, rather than being stuck like one would be in a tournament, allows me to experiment with Datasheets that I might not nornally take.

The Autarch is a standard choice as, even with the nerf to Phantasm, Command Points are key. This is my standard loadout for the Wayleaper, as while I have the other model I don't rate the Fusion Pistol it's equipped with.

Geoff Dester. I don't really intend on leaving Iyanden without him and am still surprised he avoided nerfs. I suppose the lower amount of Fate Dice means he can't be as crazy as often, but he is still really good.

The Skyrunner is to help mitigate that nerf. Plus Guide is still amazing and I'd rather have Windrunners than Guardian Defenders. Their mobility and in-built rerolls make the Shuriken Cannons deadly.

Feugan is here because he brings options. He can lead the Fire Dragons to make them better at killing, or he can go solo to keep some of the firepower while the other half does an action. He's also tasty in combat. Either way, he and the unit will deploy in the Falcon and often start in Reserve to maximise the surprise value of their threat. It's equiped to deal with similar threats and make life hostile for Vehicles and Monsters.

Two Spiritseers, one with Wraithguard and one with Wraithblades, in Wave Serpents to bully the middle of the table. I'm yet to use Serpents or Blades this edition. This is the closet to beef that the Eldar can deploy though.

The Fire Prism can hold the back line and has consistant and versatile firepower. No notes.

Rangers are a great utilty unit, not sure I can build a list that doesn't contain at least one squad. Especially when you are getting close to the point limit, at 55 points they are amongst the cheapest choices.

Finally, two Forge World units. The Wraithseer is arguably a worse Wraithlord although Devastating Wounds on the D-Cannon and Precision on the Ghostspear can make it a great finisher. The Warp Hunter is just great at Overwatch against harder targets like Vehicles and Terminators. Both can also cause targeted Battleshock (along with Geoff) which can disrupt plans and even steal Objectives.

Not appearing - Asurman and the Dire Avengers. I have used this unit a lot, so it's time to give them a break. I am also not running anything that can add Fate Dice to my pool. Let's get some games in and see how restrictive 6 dice is. 

Otherwise, the nerfs don't bother me. The change to Phantasm is fair, although I believe the issue was the timing of the Stratagem rather than the distance. Paying a CP to move 1" doesn't sound worth the resource to me. The change to Wraithguard is also fair, though it remains to be seen if the points hike was also needed.

Future Plans

I'm going to stick with the "no changes until you lose" rule, but will also follow the Tabletop Tactics habit of 'banking' a change. One loss doesn't mean the list should be thrown out, and an early loss wont always tell me what isn't working. It also gives me incentive to get my few remaining unpainted units painted - War Walkers and Corsairs. 

I have access to a lot of choices for changes, and completly rebuild the army from the ground up. I'd rather tinker and make adjustments. I can see the Wraithseer just straight swapping to a Wraithlord, and I have access to a choice of weaponry should I do so. 

I have had one non-League game with the list, against a Deathwing force. Alex was trialing a mono-Terminator list using the Inner Circle Task Force. Their lack of mobility was a massive issue, alongside the higher toughness values of my list. He's making some adjustments though, so a rematch is on the cards

 

Are you playing in their League? Get in touch and we can help you get some games in.