Top Three AoS Lists from Battle in the Misty Mountains AoS GT

The Battle in the Misty Mountains took place in Tennessee, USA on 28th and 29th May. It involved 29 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament.

Before I jump into the Top Three, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.

Army Faction: Stormcast Eternals
Army Type: Stormkeep
– Army Subfaction: Hammers of Sigmar
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Inspired
– Holy Commands: Thunderbolt Volley, Call for Aid

LEADER
Bastian Carthalos (300)**
Lord-Arcanum on Gryph-Charger (195)**
General
– Command Traits: Master of Magic
– Mount Traits: Scintillating Trail
– Spells: Chain Lightning
Lord-Castellant (155)**
Artefacts: Arcane Tome
– Spells: Celestial Blades

BATTLELINE
1 x Dracothian Guard Fulminators (460)*
Liberators (115)*
Heavens-wrought Weapon and Sigmarite Shield
Liberators (115)*
Heavens-wrought Weapon and Sigmarite Shield
Liberators (115)**
Heavens-wrought Weapon and Sigmarite Shield

OTHER
Aetherwings (65)
1 x Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows (480)**

CORE BATTALIONS:
*Hunters of the Heartlands
**Warlord

TOTAL POINTS: (2000/2000)

Danny: Turns out double-shooting Longstrikes and Fulminators are still good! Bastian is a tactical beat-stick with his re-deploy options and healing-on-killing stuff which makes him an excellent distraction carnifex, that you really only want to engage with at range – but then you have the reinforced Fulminators running rampant.

Tough target priority against this list. A trio of liberators – who are still excellent objective guardians – fill the battleline requirement in style. It’s not especially clever, but it will body you if you don’t have good screens and some kind of answer to the Longstrikes. Which is asking a lot.

Honestly it would be great to see Fulminators and Longstrikes get some kind of change in the near future just so the other 50 units in the SCE book get more of a look in!

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Allegiance: Stormcast Eternals
Subfaction: Hallowed Knights
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumph:

Leaders
Gardus Steel Soul (150)*
Knight-Incantor (125)*
Celestial Blades
– Unleash Thy Hatred
Lord-Relictor (145)*
General
– High Priest
– Mirrorshield
– Thunderbolt Volley
– Translocation

Battleline
5x Liberators (115)*
5x Liberators (115)*
5x Liberators (115)*

Other
3x Aetherwings (65)*
4x Dracothian Guard Fulminators (460)*
5x Protectors (225)*
6x Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows (480)*

Core Battalions
*Hunters of the Heartlands

Points: 1995 / 2000

Danny: More Stormcast, but a tankier flavour with Gardus billowing out a magical dust cloud of 5+ ward from his hero landing (that’s what I like to imagine is happening with his ‘aura’ anyway). Longstrikes, Liberators and Fulminators – the only other difference is the protector squad who are one of the heaviest hitting per point units in the game, but often get left at home because they’re so slow. If only they had some kind of 2+ way of being teleported up the board….

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Army Faction: Lumineth Realm-lords
Subfaction: Zaitrec
– Grand Strategy: Prized Sorcery
– Triumph: Bloodthirsty

LEADERS
Scinari Loreseeker (170)*
Spells: Lambent Light, Overwhelming Heat, Protection of Hysh
Sevireth (345)*
Vanari Lord Regent (155)*
General
– Command Traits: Fast Learner
– Artefacts of Power: Gift of Celennar
– Spells: Overwhelming Heat, Speed of Hysh, Total Eclipse

BATTLELINE
Vanari Auralan Wardens (145)*
Spells: Lambent Light, Overwhelming Heat
Vanari Auralan Wardens (145)*
Spells: Overwhelming Heat, Protection of Hysh
Vanari Auralan Sentinels (510)*
Spells: Overwhelming Heat, Total Eclipse

OTHER
Hurakan Spirit of the Wind (265)*
Hurakan Spirit of the Wind (265)*

TERRAIN
1 x Shrine Luminor (0)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000

Danny: Lumineth seem to be everyone’s ‘love to hate’ army, but at the highest level they’re not setting the world on fire. On the face of it they definitely have the tools – well, they have every single possible tool – and this list packs them all in, sometimes twice. You’ve got the Scoreseeker (who controls an objective he’s on until you kill him – no matter how many bodies you have) for early grabbing and battle tactic denial. Severith and TWO OTHER flying foxes offer an eye-watering set of interference, chip damage and utility that you basically can’t kill in melee. You’ve got your standard Warden and Sentinel blobs for MW output and surprising tankiness, and the underrated Lord Regent for aggro-ing a key threat and buying the infantry time to gank it. Brutal, and my heart goes out to whomever had to ‘play’ against this!

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Army Faction: Kharadron Overlords
Subfaction: Barak-Zilfin
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumph: Large-calibre Augmentation

LEADERS
Arkanaut Admiral (125)***
Artefacts of Power: Staff of Ocular Optimisation
Aether-Khemist (90)***
General
– Command Traits: Collector
– Artefacts of Power: Spell in a Bottle
Endrinmaster with Dirigible Suit (180)***
Artefacts of Power: Phosphorite Bomblets
– Bonding: Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur

BATTLELINE
Arkanaut Company (100)**
Volley Pistol
Arkanaut Company (100)**
Volley Pistol
Arkanaut Frigate (250)**
– Heavy Sky Cannon

BEHEMOTH
Arkanaut Ironclad (490)*
Great Sky Cannon
– Great Endrinworks: Zonbarcorp ‘Dealbreaker’ Battle Ram
Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (400)*

OTHER
Grundstok Gunhauler (155)***
Drill Cannon
– Great Endrinworks: Zonbarcorp ‘Debtsettler’ Spar Torpedo

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Warp Lightning Vortex (90)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Alpha-Beast Pack
**Hunters of the Heartlands
***Warlord

TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000

Danny: KO simply don’t play 3rd edition well – and it doesn’t help them that a few important rules – such as how the garrison rule applies to boats and objective scoring, etc – still haven’t been adequately FAQd, and so TOs apparently often rule inconsistently on them. But of course they still have some insanely good movement and very nasty shooting – the warp lightning vortex is a once per game spell in a bottle that’s a stable of comp KO lists for how much damage it can do, shutting down movement and pinning stuff while they fire away. The other usual suspects are joined by a Krondspine, which we’re seeing prop up a few armies recently who don’t have access to objective bullies, and it makes sense. It offers a durable, good rend melee threat that KO just do not have, so until they get a new book – why not make the most of the tools available? A clever list and congrats for the 3 wins in a hostile meta for the floaty dwarves.

Final Tournament Placings (Top 10)

Hobby Update – Redgrass Wet Palette

A while ago I backed the new Redgrass Wet Palette on Kickstarter and late last week it arrived! Hurrah.

Today I finally got a go on it. It comes with an explanation book, which also covers some of Redgrass’ other products, and some small painting tutorials. It all looks great and although the paints described are not ones I own I’m sure I can substitute them for citadel paints.

A nice, small explanatory booklet from Redgrass Games

Following the instructions, I got the palette set up with the water at the correct level, and got to painting. I chose an undercoated Skaven Clanrat and got going with Mephiston Red.

Attempt 1… no water in the paint!

So, attempt number one was without water in the paint. I routinely thin my paints but didn’t know if this was needed on a wet palette… result: I think I need to continuing adding water… so I did.

Mephiston Red with water added

With the water added, this allowed the paint to get onto the model much more smoothly, but the paint was still drying on the palette. Obviously I was doing something a little wrong, so I added more water to the palette to see if that would help!

Gore Grunta Fur – with water

Thinned Gore Grunta Fur on the legs and arms with water added. This has gone on nicely onto the model with some natural shading (it is Contrast paint after all). But… it’s still drying – one more attempt before I ask for help!

Wild Rider Red as a glaze

Okay, so I wouldn’t normally glaze over white — it’s a bit of a rubbish look in this case – but I wanted to see if glazes would dry as well… Unfortunately it did!

So although not a successful first attempt I have learnt some things about a wet palette. I have reached out to a friend who has received his Redgrass Wet Palette already and asked for some help! I’ll let you know how I get on and post a second article soon.

I would say I’m confident this is user error at the moment and not the palette at this stage – but I thought it would be useful for the readers of Woehammer to see unsuccessful trials as well as successful ones!

— Declan

Top Three AoS Lists from the New Zealand Masters

The New Zealand Masters took place in… New Zealand on 28th and 29th May. It involved 31 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament.

Before I jump into the Top Three, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.

Allegiance: Legion of the First Prince
Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Be’Lakor, the Dark Master (360)
Lore of Ruinous Sorcery: The Master’s Command
Kairos Fateweaver (435)
Lore of Ruinous Sorcery: The Master’s Command
Bloodthirster of Insensate Rage (280)*
General
– Command Trait: Ruinous Aura
– Artefact: Armour of the Pact
Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (210)*
Sword
– Mark of Chaos: Khorne
The Blue Scribes (135)*
Lore of Ruinous Sorcery: The Master’s Command

Battleline
10 x Pink Horrors of Tzeentch (250)*
5 x Flesh Hounds (105)*
10 x Plaguebearers (150)*

Endless Spells & Invocations
Umbral Spellportal (70)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1995 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 95
Drops: 3

Danny: Legion are taking a lot of 1st places in recent weeks – sure they have a high skill floor and ceiling, but once you crack the code it looks like the First Prince has a super broad suite of tools at his disposal.

By now you know what Be’lakor does – let’s think about why he’s so good in the current meta. Partly it’s the ability to shut down a high scoring, beat-stick monster or giant scary unit like Blightlord blobs, or Kroak. The summoning is just excellent for scoring potential and allows tremendous flexibility and peace of mind when sending existing units to score near threats. There’s not much unusual about this list – Kairos for guaranteed magic funs, a Bloodthirster for skull hunting and the other usual chaos best hit. Aos Stats Centre has Legion as the best performing army in the game right now, and it’s not hard to see why!

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Allegiance: Ogor Mawtribes
Mawtribe: Bloodgullet
– Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Kragnos, The End of Empires (720)
Frostlord on Stonehorn (430)
General
– Command Trait: Nice Drop of the Red Stuff!
– Artefact: Splatter-cleaver
– Mount Trait: Metalcruncher
Huskard on Stonehorn (340)*
Blood Vulture

Battleline
2 x Mournfang Pack (160)*
Gargant Hackers
2 x Mournfang Pack (160)*
Gargant Hackers
2 x Mournfang Pack (160)*
Gargant Hackers

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1970 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 79
Drops: 3

Danny: For a while longer, we’re still in the Season of Beasts, and guess what – Kragnos, two giant mammoths and a bunch of jack-of-most-trades-for-a-bargain-price Mournfangs are still showing up, charging around with 3D6 and rolling equal to charge roll for mortals on a 4+. It’s a simple game plan. It leans into the season and scores high on battle tactics. It’s frankly not hard to play which leaves the pilot more mental room for reading the board and opponent. It takes practice to beat a list like this as the shock factor of that much gristle and fur being in your face turn 1 can be overwhelming.

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Allegiance: Ironjawz
Warclan: Bloodtoofs
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Megaboss on Maw-Krusha (480)*
General
– Boss Choppa and Rip-tooth fist
– Command Trait: Hulking Brute
– Artefact: Destroyer
– Mount Trait: Fast ‘Un
Orruk Warchanter (115)*
Warbeat: Get ‘Em Beat
Orruk Warchanter (115)*
Warbeat: Fixin’ Beat

Battleline
6 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (340)*
Jagged Gore-hackas
– Reinforced x 1
6 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (340)*
Jagged Gore-hackas
– Reinforced x 1
6 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (340)*
Jagged Gore-hackas
– Reinforced x 1
3 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (170)*
– Jagged Gore-hackas

Units
3 x Rippa’s Snarlfangs (70)*

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1970 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 141
Drops: 1

Danny: The classic ‘woops all feral hogs’ list has fallen from favour due to… I wouldn’t call it power creep as I think 3e books have been wonderfully balanced on the whole… but certainly tools have appeared to deal with this kind of pressure list. Especially since with their big old b….ases, hogs in such numbers can actually be quite hard to manoeuvre around the board. Still, feels nostalgic to see it back on the podium! It does however make you realise how much Orruks are suffering from new book syndrome – Big Waagh is doing well but mono-Ironjaws really only have this build to fall back on.

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Allegiance: Kruleboyz
Warclan: Big Yellers
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Snatchaboss on Sludgeraker Beast (315)**
General
– Command Trait: Egomaniak
– Mount Trait: Fast ‘Un
Swampcalla Shaman with Pot-grot (105)*
Lore of the Swamp: Sneaky Miasma
Killaboss on Corpse-Rippa Vulcha (240)*
Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Lore of the Swamp: Nasty Hex

Battleline
10 x Gutrippaz (180)**
10 x Gutrippaz (180)**
6 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (240)*
Reinforced x 1
6 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (240)*
Reinforced x 1
3 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (120)*
3 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (120)*

Units
10 x Hobgrot Slittaz (80)**

Artillery
Beast-skewer Killbow (130)*

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Total: 1950 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 125
Drops: 2

Danny: Speaking of first book syndrome, it’s always nice to see Kruleboyz eking out some wins, especially when they bring Big Bird (the un-named version) for a fast moving, decently killy utility piece that can issue two of the same command ability – probably AoD – and prevent the 2x 10 Gutrippaz on show here from losing more than 1 model to battleshock.

18 Boltboyz do what Kruleboyz do best (which isn’t being kunnin’ apparently) – pumping out egregious numbers of MWs on 5+, which will never go out of style. They probably clustered around the Sludegraker for the extra damage, possibly often walking up for only 12″ but double the shots – with the hobgrotz interacting with Egomaniak to keep the Sludgey safe from harm with a 10 wound bodyguard unit. Interesting to see a single Killbow, which are tremendously swingy on their own but can do mad spike damage – here’s hoping it rolled a few hot damage rolls!

Final Tournament Placings (Top 10)

Hobby Update – 10 Gutrippaz

Those who have been following Peter’s Kruleboyz army will already know about the Gutrippaz and what they can do.

When Peter asked for my help to paint a few Bolt Boyz I followed straight on with a unit of Gutrippaz from Dominion.

10 Dominion Kruleboyz Gutrippaz

Unfortunately, they are not the best unit at the moment, due to their high points cost, but the warscroll definitely has potential. Hopefully they’ll get a point reduction in the new General Handbook due this summer.

Closeup!

I have used my regular red & blue scheme which is common across all my Destruction forces. The blue on the shoulder pad is Nihilakh Oxide which I use frequently – it’s especially good for Destruction armies where I see their weapons as being old and reused from previous owners.

Another Closeup

And the red scareshields to cause -1 to hit for opponents!… hopefully.

So, I’m waiting for the GHB update to see if these get a points decrease… especially as I have loads of them from mutiple Dominion sets!

— Declan

Top Three AoS Lists from Fall of the Old World VII

Fall of the Old World VII took place in the UK on April 30th and May 1st. It involved 31 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament.

Before I jump into the Top Three, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.

Allegiance: Skaventide
Grand Strategy: Prized Sorcery
– Triumph: Inspired

Leaders
Arch-Warlock (175)**
Artefact: Vigordust Injector
– Lore of Warplock Galvanism: More-more-more Warp Power!
Grey Seer (140)**
Lore of Ruin: Skitterleap
Lord Screech Verminking (330)
Verminlord Deceiver (345)**
General
– Command Trait: Master of Magic
– Artefact: Gnawbomb
– Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon

Units
20x Clanrats (130)**
Spears
20x Clanrats (130)*
Spears
10x Stormvermin (110)*
Halberds
6x Stormfiends (630)*

Core Battalions
*Hunters of the Heartlands
**Warlord

Points: 1990/2000
Wounds: 121
Reinforced Units: 1/4
Allies: 0/400
Drops: 8

Peter: Skaven seem to be having a resurgence of late. This list, much like Anthony Trentanelli’s at the Motor City GT and the Slambo GT, relies on the Stormfiends to destroy anything they come up against. They have so many shooting attacks, and they’re super swingy. But! John has added an Arch-Warlock with More-more-more Warp Power which will allow him to re-roll all misses on those Stormfiends if he gets the spell off.

On top of that you have a teleporting giant-assassin-rat sneaking up on your lines and killing anything they can, and while all that is going on the Clanrats and Stormvermin are quietly going about their business claiming objectives.

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Allegiance: Maggotkin of Nurgle
Subfaction: Befouling Host
– Grand Strategy: Prized Sorcery
– Triumph: Inspired

Leaders
Great Unclean One (495)*
General
– Command Trait: Master of Magic
– Bile Blade & Doomsday Bell
– Artefact: The Witherstave
– Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon
The Glottkin (700)**
Lore of Malignance: Rancid Visitations

Units
1x Beasts of Nurgle (110)*
3x Plague Drones (200)*
20x Plaguebearers (300)**
Reinforced: Once
10x Plaguebearers (150)**

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Points: 1955/2000
Wounds: 121
Reinforced Units: 1/4
Allies: 0/400
Drops: 2

Peter: A fairly eclectic Nurgle list that aims to out drop you and get the decision on who takes the first turn. Those plaguebearers are going to be hard to shift from any objectives with the disgustingly resilient rules and the Glottkin and GUO pack a punch in combat and love to cast spells which give you a tonne of mortal wounds.

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Allegiance: Cities of Sigmar
City: Living City
– Grand Strategy: Mighty Beachhead
-Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Freeguild General on Griffon (290)*
General
– Lance
– Command Trait: Forest Strider
– Artefact: Spear of the Hunt
– Mount Trait: Soaring Guardian
Freeguild General (100)*
Doralia ven Denst (115)*

Battleline
10x Freeguild Guard (85)*
Swords and Shields
10x Freeguild Handgunners (105)*
10x Freeguild Handgunners (105)*

Units
4 x Dracothian Guard Fulminators (460)*
Reinforced x 1
4x Dracothian Guard Fulminators (460)*
Reinforced x 1

Behemoths
Celestial Hurricanum (230)*

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1950/2000
Reinforced Units: 2/4
Allies: 0/400
Wounds: 112
Drops: 1

Peter: A single drop Cities list, which loves to chip wounds off you with its shooting and then tear whatever is left to shreds with charging Fulminators.

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Allegiance: Bonesplitterz
Warclan: Icebone
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Indomitable

Leaders
Wurrgog Prophet (150)*
Artefact: Glowin’ Tattooz
– Lore of the Savage Beast Glowy Green Tusks Maniak Weirdnob (100)*
General
– Command Trait: Master of Magic
– Mount Trait: Fast ‘Un
– Lore of the Savage Beast Glowy Green Tusks Kragnos, The End of Empires (720)*

Battleline
5 × Savage Boarboys (140)*
Stikkas
5 x Savage Boarboys (140)*
Stikkas
5 x Savage Boarboys (140)*
Stikkas
5 x Savage Boarboys (140)*
Stikkas

Units
10 x Savage Boarboy Maniaks (290)*
Reinforced x 1

Endless Spells & Invocations
Soulscream Bridge (70)
Emerald Lifeswarm (60)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1950 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 1/4
Allies: 0/400
Wounds: 121
Drops: 1

Peter: A nice fast, Orruk army that’s likely to outdrop you and claim objectives early. Chadnos, who’ll give all those units buffs to their charges and will do the Lions share of the fighting. Then, Wurrgog. Oh how we’ll miss Wurrgog once he’s been nerfed by GW….

Final Tournament Placings (Top 20)

Book Review – Warhawk

Book 6 The Siege of Terra by Chris Wraight

Chris Wraight has written a few books on the Khan of the White Scars and he enters the Siege of Terra when the Khan decides that attack is the best form of defence and attacks Mortarion and the Death Guard for the Space Port… hoping for the arrival of the Ultramarines and Gulliman.

Warhawk Cover from Black Library

From the book:

The Inner Walls are breached.

Traitor vanguards tear towards the heart of the Palace, sensing victory. Desperate gambits are attempted: an unwilling saint is released into the ruins, as well as an enthusiastic sinner. A black sword rises, forged from spite, ready to create a legend. But amid the slaughter, Jaghatai Khan, Warhawk of Chogoris, prepares to launch the most audacious strike of the conflict. His goal is nothing less than the liberation of the Lion’s Gate space port. Cut off from any help, he stakes everything on one desperate counter-offensive, launched against an old enemy who has been made far greater than he ever was before. As the White Scars ride out against the newly crowned lords of life and death, they know that defeat for them dooms not only the Legion, but Terra itself.

As we approach the end of the end with the Siege of Terra things are definitely hotting up and it’s great to see Chris Wraight return to the White Scars and the battles with Mortarion and his Death Guard.

The Khan is stuck on Terra where he is one of the Primarchs facing the invasion of Horus in the final stages of the Heresy and it is not his natural environment, being trapped behind walls, unable to use the speed of his jetbikes. Eventually he grows tired of defense and goes on the attack… straight towards the Death Guard and the Lion’s Gate Space Port.

This is another great addition to the series, and one I liked a lot – which, considering neither of the chapters hold particular interest for me was down to the good writing and pace. The White Scars are introduced slightly in case you hadn’t seen or read of them before and then it’s quickly into the action – there are still lots of smaller stories whirling around here, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting a little lost! I certainly did.

That said, it is a fun addition to the story which slowly moves towards it’s conclusion and Chris Wraight does a good job of bringing in the White Scars, but keeping the underlying story moving as well.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

— Declan

Check out the full list of Book Reviews we’ve done on Woehammer here

Top Three AoS Lists from Vault Wars 2022

Vault Wars took place in Missouri, USA on 14th and 15th May. It involved 39 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament.

Vault Wars differs in that each player takes two lists with so 250 points being changed between the lists. The idea being that each player can choose the list yet think most suits their opponent. For the purpose these top three we will only look at their first lists.

Before I jump into the Top Three, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.

1st Place – Tom Lyons

Tom won all five games over the weekend. Along the way they beat Sons of Behemat/Breaker Tribe in round 1, Maggotkin of Nurgle/Drowned Men in round 2, Idoneth Deepkin/Dhom-Hain in round 3, Maggotkin of Nurgle/Befouling Host in round 4 and Lumineth Realm-Lords/Syar in Round 5.

Allegiance: Nighthaunt
Procession: Reikenor’s Condemned
– Grand Strategy: Prized Sorcery
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Dreadblade Harrow (100)**
General
– Command Trait: Ruler of the Spirit Hosts
– Artefact: Pendant of the Fell Wind
Guardian of Souls with Nightmare Lantern (135)**
Artefact: Corpse Candle
– Lore of the Underworlds: Shademist
Guardian of Souls with Nightmare Lantern (135)
Lore of the Underworlds: Shademist
Krulghast Cruciator (120)***
Artefact: Midnight Tome – Reaping Scythe
Reikenor the Grimhailer (145)***
Lore of the Underworlds: Soul Cage
Spirit Torment (115)***

Battleline
30 x Chainrasp Horde (285)*
Reinforced x 2
20 x Chainrasp Horde (190)*
Reinforced x 1
10 x Chainrasp Horde (95)

Units
2 x Chainghasts (75)**
10 x Dreadscythe Harridans (160)*
4 x Myrmourn Banshees (75)
2 x Chainghasts (75)***

Behemoths
Black Coach (200)

Endless Spells & Invocations
Mortalis Terminexus (85)

Core Battalions
*Hunters of the Heartlands
**Warlord
***Warlord

Additional Enhancements
Artefact
Artefact

Total: 1990 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 127
Drops: 14

Danny: What have these Nighthaunt players got to prove, with all this big wins on the eve of the new book! Reikenor’s Condemned is an interesting sub-faction that requires a wide variety of units – the tl;dr is that it offers re-roll hits to Chainrasps and Stalkers, can bring even more models back, and gives Stalkers +6″ movement. So it’s a tight list of requirements but offers a lot of utility. With 5 heroes and a Black Coach there’s an awful lot of overlapping synergy going on in general – but a key piece is the Cruciator who buffs the death ward of 6 to a 5 if he inflicts a wound on anything – with 12″ range, 4 attacks 3/3/-2/1 that’s not usually TOO hard. Beware folks – all of this has just got much, much better…

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2nd Place – Justin Newman

Justin managed four wins over the two days and lost a fifth. Along the way they beat Fyreslayers/Greyfyrd in round 1, Hedonites of Slaanesh/Lurid Haze in round 2, Soulblight Gravelords/Legion of Blood in round 3, then lost against 1st placed Tom in round 4 before beating Sylvaneth/Gnarlroot in round 5.

Allegiance: Maggotkin of Nurgle
Subfaction: Befouling Host
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Horticulous Slimux (225)**
Sloppity Bilepiper, Herald of Nurgle (130)**
Lord of Afflictions (210)*
General
– Command Trait: Overpowering Stench
– Artefact: The Splithorn Helm
Orghotts Daemonspew (300)*

Battleline
1 x Beasts of Nurgle (110)**
1 x Beasts of Nurgle (110)**
2 x Pusgoyle Blightlords (220)*
1 x Beasts of Nurgle (110)**
1 x Beasts of Nurgle (110)**
1 x Beasts of Nurgle (110)**
1 x Beasts of Nurgle (110)*
1 x Beasts of Nurgle (110)*
1 x Beasts of Nurgle (110)*

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Total: 1965 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 117
Drops: 2

Danny: Maggotkin with Befouling Host is emerging as the premier alternative to Drowned Men – Gnarlmaws are pretty darn sweet and offer lots of synergy (and contagion points!) now, so the ability to take 2 offers flexibility. This list is a semi-creative take on the Beast of Nurgle spam list – with two of the funniest characters in the game (who also happen to offer a tonne of buffs and synergy) – Sloppity and Horticulous – and Daemonspew for a nice single-model hammer. Beasts are basically a nightmare to pin down – they can run retreat/charge, put disease points on units they retreat from, and do d3 mortals on a 2+ when they make a charge. You can probably see how the list functions now.

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3rd Place – Bryce Wickline

Bryce finished the weekend with one loss and four wins. His path saw him beat Idoneth Deepkin/Nautilar in round 1, Sylvaneth/Gnarlroot in round 2, Maggotkin of Nurgle/Blessed Sons in round 3, Soulblight Gravelords/Legion of Blood in round 4. This was followed by a loss to Idoneth Deepkin/Nautilar in round 5.

Allegiance: Sons of Behemat
Tribe: Breaker Tribe (Fierce Loathing: Idiots with Flags)
– Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Kragnos, The End of Empires (720)
Gatebreaker Mega-Gargant (525)*
General
– Command Trait: Louder than Words
– Artefact: Enchanted Portcullis
Gatebreaker Mega-Gargant (525)*
Artefact: Amulet of Destiny (Universal Artefact)

Battleline
1 x Mancrusher Gargants (170)

Core Battalions
*Bosses of the Stomp – Magnificent

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 1940 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 100
Drops: 4

Danny: Sons are in an interesting place – they’re still great, but in certain matchups the Priority points they give up handicap more than perhaps is fair. Still, 2 Gate-breakers (the hardest hitting ones) with a 3d6 charge next to big ol’ Chadnos, and a more ‘throwaway’ (it’s all relative with Sons…) Mancrusher offers a nice hierarchy of pain, and kinda gives each warscroll a more dedicated role than the usual 4 big’uns. Sons aren’t going anywhere despite having a big crosshair painting on their enormous butts!

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Wildcard – Brendan Melnick

Brendan won three games and lost two, ending his weekend in a very respectful 11th. Along the way he beat Bonesplitterz/Icebone in round 1, then lost against 3rd placed Bryce in round 2. This was followed by wins against Maggotkin of Nurgle/Drowned Men in round 3 Legion of the First Prince in round 4. In the last round he lost against Maggotkin of Nurgle/Befouling.

Allegiance: Sylvaneth
Glade: Gnarlroot
– Grand Strategy: Prized Sorcery
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Warsong Revenant (275)*
General
– Command Trait: Nurtured by Magic
– Artefact: Chalice of Nectar
– Deepwood Spell: Throne of Vines
Treelord Ancient (280)*
Deepwood Spell: Treesong
Branchwraith (95)*
Deepwood Spell: Regrowth

Battleline
20 x Dryads (190)*
Reinforced x 1
5 x Tree-Revenants (80)*
5 x Tree-Revenants (80)*

Units
3 x Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatswords (225)*
6 x Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Scythes (430)*
Reinforced x 1

Behemoths
Treelord (180)*

Endless Spells & Invocations
Chronomantic Cogs (45)
Umbral Spellportal (70)
Spiteswarm Hive (40)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1990 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 111
Drops: 1

Danny: Gotta love those plucky murder-trees juicing the old…so very old… book for all its worth. This version revolves (as does any competitive build now) around the Warsong Bomb – that’s what all the endless spells are for essentially, to add cast attempts and extend range for fully loading up on the Warsong’s scroll spell. It also brings two Treelord (and ancient and normal) for save stacking, synergy, and durable monsters, and rounds it off with a killer tree blob – 6 sycthes (great value, good rend) and 3 swords (can spike mortals on 6s to wound) offering play into both hordes and tankier, high save stuff. Doesn’t look like 3-2 is going to be the best this kind of list can do for long – but congrats for the result on hard-mode in the meantime!

Final Tournament Placings

Top Three AoS Lists from Mancunian Carnage

Mancunian Carnage took place in Manchester, UK at Element Games on 21st and 22nd. These events are organised by the fantastic Alex “Ghost Arm”. It involved 81 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament.

Carnage is a great event as it tries to level the playing field between the lower tier factions and the higher. For example giving factions like Gloomspite Gitz and Skaven an additional 250 points for their army lists. Points are also awarded. For your painting standard and your sportsmanship which all get added to your overall score for the event.

You can also catch up on some of the games from this event by subscripting to The Hobby Room on twitch who were streaming the games live.

Before I jump into the Top Three, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.

1st Place – Gabe Huddlestone

Gabe won all five games over the weekend. Along the way they beat Nighthaunt/Emerald Host in round 1, Flesh-eater Courts/Gristlegore in round 2, Idoneth Deepkin/Ionrach in round 3, Idoneth Deepkin/Mor’Phann in round 4 and Blades of Khorne/Reapers of Vengeance in Round 5.

Army Faction: Maggotkin of Nurgle
Subfaction: Befouling Host
– Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumph: Bloodthirsty

LEADERS
Rotigus (495)
Spells: Fleshy Abundance
Orghotts Daemonspew (300)
Morbidex Twiceborn (320)**
Lord of Afflictions (210)**
General
– Command Traits: Overpowering Stench
– Artefacts of Power: The Splithorn Helm
Sloppity Bilepiper (130)**
Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
– Spells: Favoured Poxes

BATTLELINE
Plaguebearers (300)*
Beasts of Nurgle (110)*
Beasts of Nurgle (110)*

CORE BATTALIONS
*Hunters of the Heartlands
**Command Entourage

Peter: Lots of big Monsters in here. The reinforced plague bearers will be a nightmare to try and shift from any objectives they go near as they’ll be getting buffed by the Sloppity Bilepiper to stop any units that charge them from piling in any closer too! Add to that units like Daemonspew who hits fairly hard but will allow Gabe to issue a command with this unit each turn without using a command point. Morbidex who can round heal half of all wounds that have been allocated to him in a turn and Rotigus a named Great Unclean One. What makes him different to a regular GUO is his spell Deluge of Nurgle:

Which, by the way, he can re-roll his casting dice for if he fails to cast it the first time around!

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2nd Place – Freddie Leggett

Freddie also finished the weekend with five wins. Along the way they beat Ironjawz/Ironsunz in round 1, Cities of Sigmar/Living City in round 2, Seraphon/Thunder Lizard in round 3, Idoneth Deepkin/Nautilar in round 4 and Cities of Sigmar/Hammerhal in round 5.

Allegiance: Cities of Sigmar
City: Hallowheart
– Grand Strategy: Dominating Presence
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Battlemage (115)*
Hallowheart 2nd Spell: Warding Brand
– City Role: General’s Adjutant
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Lore of Whitefire: Ignite Weapons
Luminark of Hysh with White Battlemage (275)*
Hallowheart 2nd Spell: Sear Wounds
– Universal Spell Lore: Ghost-mist
Black Ark Fleetmaster (70)*
General
– Command Trait: Master of Magic
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Hallowheart 2nd Spell: Ignite Weapons
– Lore of Whitefire: Warding Brand

Battleline
1 x Scourgerunner Chariots (80)*
1 x Scourgerunner Chariots (80)*
1 x Scourgerunner Chariots (80)*

Units
6 x Demigryph Knights (350)**
Lance and Sword
– City Role: Honoured Retinue (Must be 5-20 models)
– Reinforced x 1
6 x Vanguard-Palladors (430)**
Boltstorm Pistols and Starstrike Javelins
– Reinforced x 1
10 x Protectors (450)**
Reinforced x 1

Endless Spells & Invocations
Soulscream Bridge (70)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Hunters of the Heartlands

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 123
Drops: 4

Peter: A nice magic heavy list here, with a lot of fast units to grab the objectives early doors. The magic users are there to buff the rest of the army rather than cause massive damage to the enemy. With Ignite Weapons adding +1 to the wound rolls of a unit. Warding Brand allows units to dish mortal wounds back for every wound they suffer on a 4+, while Sear Wounds will heal up to D6 wounds back on a unit.

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3rd Place – Russ Veal

Russ managed to claim four victories over the course of the event at the cost of a single loss. Through the weekend Russ beat Maggotkin of Nurgle/Befouling Host in round 1, Maggotkin of Nurgle/Drowned Men in round 2, Nighthaunt/Emerald Host in round 3. He then lost to 1st place Gabe in round 4 before going on to beating Gloomspite Gitz/Glogg’s Megamob in round 5.

Allegiance: Idoneth Deepkin
Enclave: Mor’Phann
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Lotann, Warden of the Soul Ledgers (115)*
Eidolon of Mathlann, Aspect of the Sea (325)*
Lore of the Deeps: Steed of Tides
Isharann Soulrender (120)*
General
– Command Trait: Teachings of the Turscoll
– Artefact: Rune of the Surging Gloomtide

Units
20 x Namarti Thralls (260)*
Reinforced x 1
10 x Namarti Reavers (170)*
10 x Namarti Reavers (170)*
1 x Akhelian Allopexes (165)*
Razorshell Harpoon
1 x Akhelian Allopexes (165)*
Razorshell Harpoon
Akhelian Leviadon (500)*
Mount Trait: Ancient
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1990 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 1 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 94
Drops: 1

Peter: This army is surprisingly tanky. Being Mor’Phann the Soulrender will be able to add 3 models back to a Namarti unit when using their Lurelight ability and with 40 of these boys on the board an opponent must have gotten really board of killing Namarti! This obviously makes them prime units to take and hold the objectives while the rest of the army zips around making fish food of things.

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Wildcard – Calvin Smith

Calvin won four games and lost one. Along the way he beat Soulblight Gravelords/Kastelai Dynasty in round 1, Fyreslayers/Greyfyrd in round 2, Idoneth Deepkin/Fuethan in round 3, Slaves to Darkness/Hosts of the Everchosen in round 4. In the last round he lost to Gabe and his Maggotkin of Nurgle list.

Allegiance: Khorne
Slaughterhost: Reapers of Vengeance
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs:

LEADERS
Bloodsecrator (125)*
Skarr Bloodwrath (105)***
Slaughterpriest (110)*
Prayer: Bronzed Flesh
Skarbrand (380)***
Bloodthirster of Insensate Rage (280)*
Artefact: A’rgath the King of Blades
Bloodthirster of Unfettered Fury (295)
General
– Command Trait: Mage Eater – Artefact: Skullshard Mantle

UNITS
10 x Blood Warriors (190)**
Goreaxe & Gorefist – 1 x Goreglaives
10 x Blood Warriors (190)**
Goreaxe & Gorefist – 1 x Goreglaives
5 x Flesh Hounds (105)***
5 x Flesh Hounds (105)***
5 x Wrathmongers (145)**
10 x Bloodreavers (80)***
Meatripper Axes
10 x Bloodreavers (80)*
Meatripper Axes

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
Hexgorger Skulls (60)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Warlord
**Hunters of the Heartlands
***Battle Regiment

ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS
Artefact

TOTAL: 2250/2000
WOUNDS: 153
ALLIES: 0/400
REINFORCED UNITS: 0/4
DROPS: 9

Peter: Calvin was so, so close to going 5-0 with Blades of Khorne! As Danny would say ‘thats a helluva flex!’.

You’ve a Bloodsecrator who will add 1 to the attacks of friendly Khorne units nearby. While Skarr Bloodwrath can allow Wrathmongers to pile in and fight before they die. You can guarantee they’ll have been placed in the middle of the many many troops available to Calvin. Then you’ve got essentially three bloodthirsters who can blend most things in combat.

Final Tournament Placings

Top Three AoS Lists from the Slambo GT

Slambo GT took place in Texas, USA on 21st and 22nd May. It involved 91 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament.

Before I jump into the Top Three, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.

1st Place – Anthony Trentanelli

Anthony followed up his Motor City GT GrandSlam with yet another, winning all five games over the weekend with his Skaven list for the second time. Along the way he beat Beasts of Chaos/Gavespawn in round 1, Seraphon/Thunder Lizard in round 2, Idoneth Deepkin/Dhom-Hain in round 3, Nighthaunt/Emerald Host in round 4 and LVO winner Gavin Grigar and his Daughters of Khaine/Hagg Nar list in Round 5.

Allegiance: Skaventide
Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Thanquol on Boneripper (405)*
General
– 4 Warpfire Projectors
– Lore of Ruin: Skitterleap
Arch-Warlock (175)*
Artefact: Vigordust Injector
– Lore of Warpvolt Galvanism: More-more-more Warp Power!
Arch-Warlock (175)*
Lore of Warpvolt Galvanism: More-more-more Warp Power!

Battleline
9 x Stormfiends (945)*
3x Windlaunchers
– 3x Ratling Cannons
– 3x Doomflayer Gauntlets
– Reinforced x 2
5 x Skryre Acolytes (65)*
5 x Skryre Acolytes (65)*

Endless Spells & Invocations
Soulscream Bridge (70)
Warp Lightning Vortex (90)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1990 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 89
Drops: 1

Peter: Anthony is a big name on the American tournament circuit. He loves to call out big opponent’s before events in a Boxing bout style.

He comes off the back of another 5-0 with Skaven at the Motor City GT as well. To do it once could be viewed as lucky, but twice really shows his skill!

Danny: Two in a row with a list as swingy as double reinforced stormfiends is a helluva flex, Thanquol is the scourge of any kind of large unit. With so few bodies he must just systematically table opponents because the objective play is virtually non existent.

Honestly i can’t see the full rerolls surviving the new book, it’s probably the most oppressive shooting in the entire game.

Peter: I’d just like to add that Anthony beat Las Vegas Open winner Gavin Grigar in the final round. Who himself is a bit of a tourny legend for getting to the podium with Gloomspite Gitz.

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2nd Place – Zach Kennedy

Zach also managed five wins over the two days with possibly the worst book of 3rd edition. Along the way they beat Maggotkin of Nurgle/Befouling Host in round 1, Idoneth Deepkin/Nautilar in round 2, Ironjawz/Bloodtoofs in round 3 and Seraphon/Thunder Lizard in round 4 and Maggotkin of Nurgle/Drowned Men in round 5.

Allegiance: Fyreslayers
Lodge: Greyfyrd
– Mortal Realm: Aqshy
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Auric Runefather on Magmadroth (360)
General
– Command Trait: Blood of the Berzerker
– Artefact: Master Rune of Unbreakable Resolve
– Magmadroth Trait: Coal-heart Ancient
Auric Runesmiter (135)*
Runic Iron
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Curse
– Prayer: Ember Storm
Battlesmith (150)*
Artefact: Nulsidian Icon
Auric Runemaster (125)*
Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Universal Spell Lore: Levitate
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Curse
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Heal

Battleline
15 x Hearthguard Berzerkers (480)**
Poleaxes
– Reinforced x 2
30 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Bladed Slingshields (480)**
Reinforced x 2
10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (170)**

Endless Spells & Invocations
Runic Fyrewall (55)

Core Battalions
*Command Entourage – Magnificent
**Hunters of the Heartlands

Additional Enhancements
Prayer

Total: 1955 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 4 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 145
Drops: 7

Peter: And it’s Fyreslayers! I think their new book is really starting to find it’s groove now, especially with players who have stuck with it. Admittedly it probably requires a high skill level, but this just goes to show that you’re still able to do well with them. This is regarded as possibly the worst of the new books as well.

Dave: What they really need to compete is trousers.

Peter: Ha! And sensible hair. Where do you stand on the Snake ladies then?

Dave: Tail probably, stop them wrapping you up so easily.

Peter: Brilliant

Danny: ahahahah. So they went with two magmadroths and lots of vulkites, very interesting. I found vulkites surprisingly tanky when I fought them and Hearthguard surprisingly non-lethal, so going wider for board control and relying on the Magmadroths for overlapping charges up rend shots is really clever.

Peter: This Fyreslayer list also beat two Maggotkin lists including a Dreaded Drowned Men fly list.

Danny: Very nice. It’s maybe because they’re tanky – and iirc they have a way to turn off wards?

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3rd Place – Randal Brasher

Randal finished the weekend with one draw and four wins. His path saw him beat Lumineth Realm-Lords/Zaitrec in round 1, Sylvaneth/Gnarlroot in round 2. In round 3 he drew against Soulblight Gravelords/Kastelai Dynasty, then beat Soulblight Gravelords/Kastelai Dynasty in round 4 and Seraphon/ Thunder Lizard in round 5.

Allegiance: Cities of Sigmar
City: Tempest’s Eye
– Mortal Realm: Aqshy
– Grand Strategy: Dominating Presence
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Celestial Hurricanum with Celestial Battlemage (280)*
General
– Command Trait: Hawk-eyed
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Lore of Eagles: Strike of Eagles
Aetheric Navigator (95)*

Battleline
5 x Freeguild Pistoliers (105)*
5 x Freeguild Pistoliers (105)*
5 x Freeguild Pistoliers (105)*
10 x Ironbreakers (115)**

Units
4 x Stormdrake Guard (680)** Priority Target
– Drakerider’s Lance
– Reinforced x 1

Behemoths
Arkanaut Ironclad (490)*
Main Gun: Great Volley Cannon

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Hunters of the Heartlands

Total: 1975 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 1 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 110
Drops: 3

Peter: So Randall went the weekend with four wins and one loss with a list that’s made up of 30% Kharadron and 34% SCE. A very fast moving army aimed at board control early on.

Dave: Poor Cities units, there are some good or even great ones but most never see play in favour of stuff from other books. Especially SCE.

Peter: True, it’s not as bad as some like Living City where we can see Dragon spam amounting to over 1.2k of points in a list.

Dave: Imagine what they’d have been like without the pre-nerf.

Danny: so…much…shooting…

Peter: Each Pistolier unit having 10 shots at 4/3/-1/1

Danny: The 4 dragons bog you down while everything else takes pot shots. Well, Ironclad is more tactical missiles rather than pot shots. Hurricanum can ruin your day too, really oppressive list.

Dave: Lots of pew pew noises!

Danny: Ha! What did it lose to?

Peter: It didn’t lose, it drew in the third round against SBGL/Kastelai list with Blood Knights and a Vamp Lord on Zombie Dragon.

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Wildcard – Jacob Mathias

Jacob won four games and lost one, ending his weekend in a very respectful 8th. Along the way he lost to Maggotkin of Nurgle/Drowned Men in the first round. He then beat Beasts of Chaos/Gavespawn in round 2, Soulblight Gravelords/Legion of Night in round 3, Stormcast Eternals/Astral Templars in round 4 and Blades of Khorne/Reapers of Vengeance in the last round.

Allegiance: Ogor Mawtribes
Mawtribe: Bloodgullet
– Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumphs:

Leaders
Frostlord on Stonehorn (430)*
General
– Command Trait: Nice Drop of the Red Stuff!
– Artefact: Splatter-cleaver
– Mount Trait: Metalcruncher
Butcher (135)*
Tenderiser
– Bloodgullet 2nd Spell: Molten Entrails
– Universal Spell Lore: Levitate
Butcher (135)*
Tenderiser
– Bloodgullet 2nd Spell: Ribcracker
– Lore of Gutmagic: Greasy Deluge
Kragnos, The End of Empires (720)

Battleline
2 x Mournfang Pack (160)*
Culling Clubs or Prey Hackers with Iron Fists
2 x Mournfang Pack (160)*
Culling Clubs or Prey Hackers with Iron Fists
2 x Mournfang Pack (160)*
Culling Clubs or Prey Hackers with Iron Fists

Units
20 x Gnoblars (100)*

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 101
Drops: 2

Peter: I mean, Gnoblars…..

Danny: Gnoblars!

Peter: Four wins and a loss with that list is pretty insane.

Danny: Yuup!

Peter: It beat a Maggotkin/Drowned Men list in the first round with All the flies plus Bel’akor. I’m assuming the Gnoblars gum things up and the mournfang/stonehorn pounce on them?

Danny: Mournfangs are objective grabbers and chaff clearers really. The man is a hero for taking gnoblars, but at 5 points per wound they’re actually good value chaff and Mournfangs, at 10 points a wound and their damage potential – shooting chip damage, damage 2 tusks on the charge, 2 damage weapons_ are really solid picks, even if the bigger buffalos are more eye-catching.

Butchers are seeing repeated play as good utility pieces (like Warchanters, can buff damage AND cast a spell) and Kragnos ties it all together. Smart list and shows there’s life in the old frost-bitten tusk-dog

Final Tournament Placings (Top 10)

My First Grand Tournament

On May 14, I attended my first ever Warhammer grand tournament. This is the story of how I won two games, almost won a third, and had a damn good time meeting a lot of really cool people.

The place? Detroit, Michigan. The field? 34 players. The event? Motor City Mayhem. The battleground? A faded Best Western hotel just off the highway, where the lobby floor was always wet but the staff were always accommodating.

I arrived a day early in order to take in the sights of Detroit. While I won’t go into too much detail, if you ever find yourself in that part of the world make sure to check out Belle Isle Aquarium (America’s oldest aquarium!) and John K. King Books (America’s second-largest bookstore!). And for the love of god, try the local rectangular pizza.

🔥🔥🔥

Then Saturday rolled around and it was time for the games to begin.

The List

Now here’s where I admit something embarrassing: I had only played two games with my army list prior to this. Why would I do something so stupid? Well, I have a small toddler who dictates what I do with my free time. Also, I thought I was playing a different list until a week before the tournament.

Long story short: I submitted a list that centered around a Krondspine Incarnate. Then the tournament organizers updated the event packet to disallow a certain unit. I’ll give you one guess what that unit was.

So the Incarnate was out. But as the Girl Scouts say: improvise, adapt, overcome. I peered inside my Ikea Detolfs to see what other models were painted and ready to go. Here’s what I came up with:

Quite the mixed bag. You’ve got two flavors of eels, two styles of Namarti, a couple of sharks, two support heroes, an Eidolon of the Sea and a fully tricked-out Akhelian King (a.k.a. the Slap-King).

Why Dhom-Hain for my enclave?

I thought their ability for Namarti Thralls to charge and fight again after killing an enemy unity sounded extremely cool… if I could pull it off. (Spoiler alert: I did not pull it off once during the entire weekend.)

Why these battleline troops?

I was curious to see how the eels performed. The Thralls and Reavers, however, were a calculated decision. The new Idoneth Deepkin battletome relies on a strong core of Namarti, and I had identified the block of 20 Thralls as one of my biggest sources of reliable damage.

Why these heroes?

Well, it’s hard to say no to the Slap-King. While a little tricky to use, he’s more than capable of earning double his points back with a well-timed charge. How does 7 attacks, hitting on 2s, wounding on 2s, rend -3 and damage 4 sound to you? And that’s just his first weapon (he has four).

The Eidolon of the Sea (hereafter to be known as the “Seadolon”) is a major winner from the new battletome. While useless at melee and shooting, he’s a wildly efficient spellcaster and unbinder of enemy spells. One of his warscroll spells, Tsunami of Terror, can strip the armor from your opponent’s toughest units, and with his surprising durability (12 wounds, a 5+ ward and reliable self-healing) he can even be used as a sacrificial lamb to tie up an enemy unit or absorb an Unleash Hell.

The Idoneth prepare for battle

Day 1

Match 1 versus Maggotkin of Nurgle – Drowned Men

Opponent’s list: Great Unclean One, Horticulus Slimux, Orghotts Daemonspew, Beasts of Nurgle, Plaguebearers

They say battles are won or lost in the mind before a single shot is ever fired. They might be onto something there.

My first opponent of the tournament, Jeremy, was playing a Maggotkin list. I’d never played against Maggotkin but I’d heard rumors about the new battletome – specifically about all the tournaments they’ve been winning. I was keen to see how my fishy aelves would fare against them.

That’s a lot of 5+ ward saves

I out-dropped my opponent and gave him the first turn, hoping he’d move into a position where I could charge with my King and eels – and even, fingers crossed, take a double turn.

He simply moved everything onto the mid-board and ended his turn, daring me to come closer. I took the bait, charging with my eels, King, sharks and Thralls. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a very clean or well-positioned charge, as I could only get my King onto his Great Unclean One and not the eels.

Meanwhile, I had misplaced my Thralls so the only thing they were able to charge was the Plaguebearers. Turns out, Plaguebearers are tanky. I thought my Thralls could chew through them but it didn’t work out that way.

On the other side of the board, my Slap-King did a mighty 20 damage to the GUO. However, he rolled an improbable amount of ward saves and stayed standing. My eels and sharks managed to kill a few Beasts of Nurgle, but his center held.

My opponent then took a double turn and used it to go on a rampage with Orghotts and the GUO. After that, what was left of my army was worn down by the weight of Disease points.

In the end, I think I may have been a little intimidated by facing Nurgle for the first time, causing me to under-think my deployment. If I’d placed a few units differently, my first turn would have been much more effective and the game might have been a lot closer.

RESULT: Loss, 12-39

Match 2 versus Sylvaneth – Gnarlroot

Opponent’s list: Warsong Revenant, Treelord Ancient, Spirit of Durthu, Arch-revenant, Branchwraith, Tree-revenants, Kurnoth Hunters with bows, Dryads

Ah, the classic Warsong Bomb list. Soon to be replaced by the new Sylvaneth battletome, the Warsong Bomb – in which a Warsong Revenant powers up their spellcasting while unleashing magic blasts through an Umbral Spellportal – was one of the only competitive lists available to Sylvaneth in third edition.

Unfortunately, it only works if you cast your spells. This would prove to be a major problem for my opponent, Matt, as my Seadolon just would not stop unbinding his spells. Matt, however, was very nice about this. His enthusiasm and positive attitude made for a really fun match.

The Slap-King about to do his thing

I gave Matt turn one. He split his forces and moved up to the mid-board. In my counter-attack, I was able to completely take out one flank of Dryads and a Treelord Ancient with my King, while pinning the other flank (Durthu and the Kurnoth Hunters) in place with the Ishlaen Guard.

Although Durthu hits hard (he wiped out all 20 Thralls in a single round!), my King was able to cut him down. With the Warsong Revenant having failed to set up his spell-bomb, I went on to clean up the board.

The result wasn’t close, but this game was a blast thanks to Matt being a really fun opponent.

RESULT: Victory, 31-13

Match 3 versus Soulblight Gravelords – Kastelai Dynasty

Opponent’s list: 20 Blood Knights, Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon, Necromancer, Coven Throne, Dire Wolves

My opponent in this game, Austin, seemed a bit unsure of his army going into this match. And there was a good reason for that: The battleplan was Tooth and Nail, a weird scenario which you don’t often see at tournaments.

In Tooth and Nail, you can’t set up any units in reserve. Which sucked for Austin, because setting up Blood Knights in reserve and then bringing them on from the board edge is the entire gimmick of Kastelai Dynasty. His summoned units also couldn’t charge after summoning, which is another blow for a Soulblight army.

To make matters worse, the board for our game was covered in large pieces of blocking terrain. Most of my units could simply fly over it, but his knights would have to go around. This would allow me to pick my battles and take out his units of five knights one at a time.

Those are some chonky terrain pieces

After setting up, he gave me first turn and waited for my army to come to him. I moved up but stayed just out of engagement range. Once it was my turn again, the Slap-King was able to assassinate the Vampire Lord on zombie dragon before it could really do anything.

Realizing he was out of position, Austin actually gave away a double turn on Turn 3 (never seen anyone do that before!) so that he could pull back his army and remove one of my objectives.

But it wasn’t enough, and the Slap-King continued on to remove the Coven Throne and Necromancer, handing me the game.

RESULT: Victory, 24-9

Day 2

Match 4 versus Daughters of Khaine – Khailebron

Opponent’s list: Morathi-Khaine, Bloodwrack Medusa, 15 Bow-snakes, 10 Spear-snakes, Witch Aelves, Shadowstalkers

My opponent for this match, Paul, was a younger guy who was at the tournament with his dad. Which is adorable, and total Parenting Goals. Paul was also an awesome opponent who basically apologized for taking the classic “Morathi and the Bow Snakes” meme list. He told me he was looking forward to the new Daughters of Khaine battletome so he could run literally anything else.

After winning priority, Paul gave me first turn. From here on out, we would trade double turns back and forth for almost the entire match!

My Reavers shot apart a unit of Witch Aelves, killing all but one (that lone aelf would come back to haunt me later). He then got the double turn and pushed up the left flank with the Shadow Queen. My plan was to pull back and try to ignore her while pushing the other flank where his bow-snakes and support characters were hanging out.

That plan did not go so well. The Shadow Queen ate every single one of my Reavers and Thralls, while the bow-snakes rained down fire on my other flank, almost killing both my sharks. Things looked bad. But I wasn’t down and out just yet.

Taking a double turn, I rolled my Slap-King and eels through a screen of Witch Aelves and right into his bow-snakes, wiping them out. My King went on to kill his General, the Medusa, and get stuck into Morathi herself.

On Turn 4, he wheeled the Shadow Queen around and aimed her at my remaining units. She killed my eels, but my King was able to finally slay the rampaging god.

Pretty metal 🤘

At the end of all five rounds, we were completely even on points. We had both taken Hold the Line as our Grand Strategy, and all my battleline units were dead. So were his… except for that one pesky Witch Aelf that was hiding in the corner of the battlefield! This gave him an extra three points and the victory.

In the end, this game was an absolute blast, full of twists and turns and high drama. It was probably the highlight of the entire weekend. My opponent played a great game and fully deserved the win, even though I can’t help but wishing I’d rolled one more hit on that unit of Witch Aelves!

RESULT: Loss, 21-24

Match 5 versus Soulblight Gravelords – Vyrkos Dynasty 

Opponent’s list: 60 Zombies, Prince Vhordrai, Lauka Vai, Necromancer, Vampire Lord, Dire Wolves, Skeletons, Corpse Carts

I’ll be completely honest: This wasn’t a fun game. After two straight days of Warhammer, I was getting tired and losing focus. And after the thrills and spills of the previous game against Daughters of Khaine, facing 60 zombies felt like a brutal slog.

Zombies, man. They have so much going on. Double piling in, returning slain units, buffing auras, piling in different directions until they’re stretched across the board like a weird misshapen Katamari of bodies. Zombies are a lot.

It didn’t help that my opponent, Rob, played a slow game, with his double turns feeling like an eternity. I don’t blame him for this. He was micro-managing his tiny dead dudes and explaining his army mechanics as he did so, as any good opponent should. It just took soooo loooong.

You know, maybe this says more about me and my own impatience. I may have to do some soul-searching here.

The Gruesome Twosome

Anyway, I flubbed this match. I deployed my Gloomtide Shipwreck and Namarti units completely wrong. Then I decided to send my King and eels after his support characters in the back, when I should have tried to end the double threat of Vhordrai and Lauka early in the game. The final result was an ignominous defeat, but at least now I know how zombies work (and I know to ask for a chess clock next time).

RESULT: Loss, 12-32

Final Thoughts

If you’re just starting your Warhammer journey and thinking of taking the plunge into events, I am here to tell you: competitive Age of Sigmar is incredibly fun. It was a pleasure to play against passionate, experienced opponents at a well-organized event. Everyone should try going to a GT at least once, if only for the wealth of knowledge you can glean from your fellow players.

Plus, I got to meet Tyler Mengel and he complimented my painting. That was almost worth the entry fee alone.

What’s next? I’m working on an article about list-building using the new Idoneth Deepkin battletome, to help you get the most out of your own Slap-King and friends. And I can’t wait to attend my next GT, probably with a different list this time. Although the Incarnate is tempting, chatting with fellow Deepkin players at the event has convinced me I need to paint up an Akhelian Leviadon…

Have you recently attended your first GT? Planning to go to one? Drop us a comment below and let us know what you think.