Dragonfall and GDFC’s 40k Virtual Invitational – Meet the Competitors

Greetings all! I’m so pleased to announce that this weekend, GDFC will be hosting the first virtual 40K tournament for the Dragon Fall Charitable Foundation. For those that aren’t aware, Dragon Fall is an annual occurrence that connects wargamers to charitable events that raise money for youth non-profit programs.  Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 quarantine, hosting the large annual in-person event is impossible in our corner of the American Midwest, so Dragon Fall and the GDFC team has worked together to host a 40K event on Tabletop Simulator.

Look, this has been a hard year for all of us as in-person, social gamers, but it’s been doubly hard for countless kids and families struggling with job loss, health issues, and more from the pandemic. Instead of buying that third box of Eradicators (you cruel man!), instead, consider giving that same amount to some folks that really need it. I’m personally pledging to match, dollar-for-dollar, up to $300 of your donations. So, do me a favor … that’s nine boxes of Ork Boyz my wife says I really don’t need anyway! Click this link to give directly to the Dragon Fall Foundation (a 501 c3 tax-exempt charity) and be the real OP, heroically intervening 6″ Space Wolf hero.

https://www.dragonfall-foundation.com/donations/dragon-fall-foundation/

Anyways, for this event, GDFC identified some of the finest 40K players in the Chicago metropolitan area to face-off in an invitational, utilizing the newest Necrons and Marines codexes. For this exciting event, GDFC will be live-streaming select matches on Saturday and Sunday to spread awareness and ask for your support of the Dragon Fall fundraiser. You can check out that live stream at: https://www.twitch.tv/dquebed from Noon-4pm CST for Game 1, 4pm – 8pm for Game 2 on Saturday, and Noon-4pm for Game 3 on Sunday.

Competitor Showcase & Featured Lists

With only a couple of days between now and the event, we wanted to take a closer look at the lists I think will make the Top 8, and give our thoughts on who we think will come out top among these elite few! Make sure to check out our follow-up article next week, showcasing the winner and how wrong all my top picks ended up being! Onwards, to the lists!

Kevin Kazmierowski's Custom Necron Dynasty - Command Points: 10 – Points Total: 1995

Custom Dynasty Battalion: (Eternal Conquerers/Relentlessly Expansionist)

  • Catacomb Command Barge: Warscythe, Resurrection Orb, Gauss Cannon. Warlord: Enduring Will. Relic: Voidreaper. 185 pts
  • Lord, Warscythe: Resurrection Orb. 1CP Relic: Orb of Eternity. 105 pts
  • Chronomancer: Entropic Lance. 1CP Relic: Veil of Darkness. 80 pts
  • 10x Immortals: Gauss Blasters. 170 pts
  • 10x Immortals: Gauss Blasters. 170 pts
  • 5x Immortals: Gauss Blasters. 85 pts
  • 1x Night Bringer: Sky of Falling Stars. 350 pts
  • 20x Flayed Ones: 260 pts
  • 10x Lychguard: Sword + Shield. 280 pts
  • 5x Scarab Swarms: 75 pts
  • 3x Scarab Swarms: 45 pts
  • 3x Scarab Swarms: 45 pts
  • Night Scythe: 145pts 

As one of our two Necrons competitors enjoying the benefits of the new codex, Kevin has brought an incredibly potent array of melee units that would have previously been unheard of in 8th Edition. With great resiliency in the mid-board, and perhaps a clever trick planned with that Night Scythe, I like his odds versus other all-rounder lists, but worry he’ll have some trouble versus the Aeronautica or Demons list in particular.  Asking Kevin about his feelings on a more melee-oriented Necrons list, he said,

“I am excited to test some really powerful combat units from the new Necron book. As a long-time (17 years) Tau player, I am all-too-familiar with shooting, and most of my 7th and 8th edition Necron lists were long-ranged, so this will be a great alternative. So far, every game of 9th edition I have played or spectated resulted in combat during turn two. This is a great edition to test out combat-oriented lists and I am looking forward to seeing how the new Necrons hold up in the thick of it!”

Chris Metcalfe’s Imperial Navy - Command Points: 7 – Points Total: 2000

Patrol Detachment [42 PL, 910pts], Regimental Doctrine: 133rd Lambdan Lions

  • Eversor Assassin [5 PL, 100pts]
  • Tempestor Prime [3 PL, 45pts] Hot-shot Laspistol & Power sword, Warlord Trait: Keys to the Armoury
  • Militarum Tempestus Scions [5 PL, 130pts] 5x Scion w/ Hot-shot Lasgun, 4x Scion w/ Plasma gun, Tempestor w/ Chainsword & Hot-shot Laspistol
  • Militarum Tempestus Scions [3 PL, 45pts] 4x Scion w/ Hot-shot Lasgun, Tempestor w/ Chainsword & Hot-shot Laspistol
  • Officer of the Fleet [2 PL, 25pts]: Relic: Kurov’s Aquila
  • Lightning Strike Fighter [10 PL, 235pts]: 6 Hellstrike Missiles, Twin lascannon
  • Valkyries [7 PL, 165pts] 1x Valkyrie w/ 2x Multiple Rocket Pods, Lascannon & 2x Heavy Bolters
  • Valkyries [7 PL, 165pts] 1x Valkyrie w/ 2x Multiple Rocket Pods, Lascannon & 2x Heavy Bolters

Patrol Detachment [30 PL, 10CP, 640pts], Regimental Doctrine: 133rd Lambdan Lions

  • Tempestor Prime [3 PL, 45pts] Hot-shot Laspistol & Power sword
  • Militarum Tempestus Scions [5 PL, 130pts] 5x Scion w/ Hot-shot Lasgun, 4x Scion w/ Meltagun, Tempestor w/ Chainsword & Hot-shot Laspistol
  • Militarum Tempestus Scions [3 PL, 45pts] 4x Scion w/ Hot-shot Lasgun, Tempestor w/ Chainsword & Hot-shot Laspistol
  • Astropath [2 PL, 25pts]: Psychic Barrier, Telepathica Stave
  • Lightning Strike Fighter [10 PL, 235pts]: 6 Hellstrike Missiles, Twin lascannon
  • Valkyries [7 PL, 165pts] 1x Valkyrie w/ 2x Multiple Rocket Pods, Lascannon & 2x Heavy Bolters

Super-Heavy Auxiliary Detachment [17 PL, -3CP, 450pts], Regimental Doctrine: Astra Millitarum

  • Marauder Destroyer [17 PL, 450pts]: 8 Hellstrike Missiles, Heavy Bombs, Twin assault cannon, 3x Twin autocannon, Twin heavy bolter

Perhaps one of the most unique lists you’ll find in a 40K tournament, Chris has brought an Aeronautica Imperialis themed army, with a smattering of Militarum Tempestus squads. For Chris,

“I have always loved the big tanks and flyers in the 40k universe. There is something about these engines of war that just make a battlefield so satisfying to play on. With this vision in mind, I built a list with as many flyers as possible! The list offers a ton of mobility, allowing me to speed my troops across the battlefield, getting them where I need them most. Thanks to the new 9th edition rules, these flyers are able to effectively use their heavy firepower, boasting Hellstrikes Missiles, or a spread of anti-infantry weapons. There are still plenty of things my opponents can do to shoot this list down, but hopefully, with the focus on the planes, my Tempest will be able to win battles on the all-important objectives.

In looking at our other competitors, the Navy will have the power to completely shut-down some, but will completely struggle versus others. Chris amassed great experience running this list during 8th Edition, so changes allowing his flyers to ignore the -1 to hit on his numerous heavy weapons position these massive planes as a more potent threat. The sticky point is letting the boots on the ground survive and not be overwhelmed by enemy infantry. The two lists I think he really needs to watch out for are Gary Frank’s psychic heavy Tyranids list, and Nathan’s menagerie of demons with copious invulnerable saves.

Anthony’s Black Templars - Command Points: 8 – Points Total: 2000

Battalion Detachment: Black Templars

  • Marshal (Primaris Captain) – Master Crafted Power Sword & Relic Shield / Chapter Master Upgrade, Relic: The Crusader’s Helm / WLT: Front Line Commander [145 points]
  • Primaris Chaplain – Master of Sanctity upgrade, Relic: The Aurilian Shroud / WLT: Wise Orator / Litanies: Litany of Divine Protection & Fires of Devotion [120 points]
  • Troops
  • Assault Intercessor Squad (10) [190 points]
  • Assault Intercessor Squad (10) [190 points]
  • Intercessor Squad (10) – Bolt Rifles [200 points]
  • Intercessor Squad (10) – Bolt Rifles [200 points]
  • Blade Guard Veteran Squad (6) [210 points]
  • Apothecary – Chief Apothecary Upgrade, Relic: The Vox Espiritum / WLT: Selfless Healer [100 points]
  • Inceptor Squad (6) – Plasma Exterminators [270 points]
  • Outrider Squad [135 points]
  • Eradicators (6) – Melta Rifles [240 points]

In looking at Anthony’s list, we find what I like to call a solid “meat n’ taters” list that has all the high-points that are easily attainable by any starting collector. Don’t get me wrong, this is a quality list with a great all-rounder threat of mid-board chaff clearing Intercessors to hold points, the big-daddy 6-man unit of Blade Guards to cut through anything in sight, a deepstriker, and the ubiquitous Eradicators. When asked why he didn’t lean into one of the more prominent Chapters such as Blood Angels or Salamanders, he replied

” I’m just here to try and put the Templars on the map, and show whoever is watching that they are completely under rated!”

He may be a lover of that Templar fluff, but Anthony has also smartly jumped aboard the hype train surrounding the excellent Chief Apothecary combo, ready to revive any of those hard-hitting and hard to kill Marines models with his new 0CP stratagem. Despite the presence of the Eradicators though, I think the list will struggle versus some of the heavier shooting. Once the Eradicators are eradicated, the list loses a lot of teeth. We’ll have to see if this all-comers list can play the secondaries and get some smart board placement.

Thaddeus Wasielewski’s Angry Necrons - Command Points: 11 – Points Total: 2000

Necron Battalion, Custom Dynasty: (Eternal Conquerors/Relentlessly Expansionist)

  • Overlord (Staff of Light, Resurrection Orb): 125 points. Warlord: Implacable Conquerer. Relic: Orb of Eternity. Pregame strat: Hand of the Phaeron
  • Chronomancer: 80 pts, Entropic Lance, Cryptogeometric Adjuster
  • Technomancer, Canoptek Control Node: 90 pts
  • 20x Necron Warriors, gauss flayers: 260 pts
  • 20x Necron Warriors, gauss flayers: 260 pts
  • 5x Immortals, gauss blasters: 85 pts
  • Canoptek Reanimator: 110 pts
  • 5 Skorpekh Destroyers: 175 pts
  • Plasmacyte: 15 pts
  • 5 Skorpekh Destroyers: 175 pts
  • Plasmacyte: 15 pts
  • 5 Canoptek Wraiths: 175 pts
  • Doomstalker: 140 pts
  • Doomstalker: 140 pts
  • Doomstalker: 140 pts

If ever there was a man that has trained in a hyperbolic time-chamber, its local Necrons legend, Thaddeus.  For three years Thad has been getting rep after rep with his Necrons, but has come up short in tournament placement largely due to the well-noted weakness of their 8th Edition Codex. With their newest book in hand, Thad has gone in a classic silver-tide direction that is now well rewarded in his new book. With probably hundreds of games with the “sad-crons” of 8th Edition, what’s his approach for his first tournament with his new book? Thad told me that,

“Well right now the list is leaning into midboard control by parking a fully buffed warrior horde backed by doomstalkers in the middle. The Skorpekhs and Wraiths have obsec thanks to the new codex, so they can go on adventures pushing people off points (while the wraiths can be sent to heroically intervene with new strats).”

I couldn’t agree more that the mid-board is going to be a non-stop party-zone in almost every matchup. If there’s one theme our readers should pick up on, it’s to be prepared to fight for the middle. I’m very much intrigued to see how slyly Thad makes use of his Resurrection Protocols to dominate the primary mission scoring. My worry for Thad is how well he’ll do on his secondaries. The list has significant, hard-hitting shots, but I worry how well his heavy shooting will do vs. opposing heavy weapons. The match-ups are also surprisingly replete with psychic armies, which may be a big liability for his Resurrection Protocols.

Michael Thompson’s Drukkari - Command Points: 10 – Points Total: 1999

Patrol Detachment, Cult of the Red Grief [389pts]

  • Succubus w/ Archite Glaive, Blast Pistol, Grave Lotus, Hyper Swift Reflex, The Blood Glaive [60pts]
  • 7x Wyches w/ Hekatarii blade & Splinter Pistol, 1x Hekatrix w/ Blast Pistol & Power Sword, Adrenalight [119pts]
  • 4x Reavers w/ Bladevanes, Splinter Pistol & Splinter Rifle, 1x Arena Champion w/ Bladevanes, Power Sword, Splinter Pistol, Splinter Rifle. Painbringer Combat Drug [105pts]
  • 4x Reavers w/ Bladevanes, Splinter Pistol & Splinter Rifle, 1x Arena Champion w/ Bladevanes, Power Sword, Splinter Pistol, Splinter Rifle. Hypex Combat Drug [105pts]

Patrol Detachment, Kabal of the Black Heart

  • Archon w/ Huskblade, Labyrinthine Cunning, Shadowfield, Splinter Pistol, Warlord Trait: Writ of the Living Muse [65pts]
  • 4x Kabalite Warriors w/ Splinter Rifle, 1x Sybarite w/ Splinter Rifle [45pts]
  • Ravager w/ Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance, Night Shield [145pts]
  • Ravager w/ Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance, Night Shield [145pts]

Patrol Detachment, Kabal of the Flayed Skull [1,210pts]

  • Drazhar “Master of Blades” [105pts]
  • 3x Kabalite Warriors w/ Splinter Rifles, 1x Kabalite Warrior w/ Blaster, 1x Sybarite w/ Splinter Rifle [60pts]
  • 3x Kabalite Warriors w/ Splinter Rifles, 1x Kabalite Warrior w/ Blaster, 1x Sybarite w/ Splinter Rifle [60pts]
  • 3x Kabalite Warriors w/ Splinter Rifles, 1x Kabalite Warrior w/ Blaster, 1x Sybarite w/ Splinter Rifle [60pts]
  • 4x Incubi w/ Klaive, 1x Klaivex w/ Klaive [80pts]
  • 4x Incubi w/ Klaive, 1x Klaivex w/ Klaive [80pts]
  • 4x Scourges w/ Shredder, 1x Solarite w/ Shardcarbine [115pts]
  • Ravager w/ Bladevanes, 3x Disintegrator Cannon, Night Shield [160pts]
  • Raider w/ Bladevanes, 1x Disintegrator Cannon, Night Shield [95pts]
  • Raider w/ Bladevanes, 1x Disintegrator Cannon, Night Shield [95pts]
  • Venom w/ Bladevanes, Flickerfield, Night Shield, 1x Splinter Cannon, Twin Splinter Rifle [75pts]
  • Venom w/ Bladevanes, Flickerfield, Night Shield, 1x Splinter Cannon, Twin Splinter Rifle [75pts]
  • Venom w/ Bladevanes, Flickerfield, Night Shield, 1x Splinter Cannon, Twin Splinter Rifle [75pts]
  • Venom w/ Bladevanes, Flickerfield, Night Shield, 1x Splinter Cannon, Twin Splinter Rifle [75pts]

Michael Thompson will be representing the often overlooked Drukkari and I couldn’t be more excited. With a fast, hard-hitting and dynamic play-style, much like my Orks, the Dark Eldar always have fun – win or lose.  Michael has told me that,

“The strategy with this list is to leverage my speed to hopefully dictate the terms of engagement. That could mean keeping my army obscured turn one or using my Reavers to disrupt the movement and shooting of key units.”

We’ve seen these tactics come out with big success for Harlequin players, and right now many are waiting to see if Drukkari can achieve something similar. The big question will be how hot Mike can get with his frightening amount of dark lance rolls, as they can be rather feast or famine. Looking at the player pool, I do worry for the Druhkari. Necrons and Marines have both improved greatly in the Fight Phase, but this is a list that I’m sure Chris’ Imperial Navy should pray he never has to face!

Brian Tabata’s “The Kraken Wolves” - Command Points: 10 – Points Total: 2000

Battalion Detachment: Space Wolves

  • Logan Grimnar on Stormrider [180pts]
  • Primaris Chaplain on Bike, Warlord Trait: Wise Orator, Litanities: Litany of Hate, Canticle of Hate, Exhortation of Rage, Relic: Benediction of Fury [140]
  • Phobos Librarian, Hero of the Chapter: Lord of Deceit, Psychic Powers: Hallucination, Tenebrous Curse, Shrouding, Relic: Tome of Malcador [100pts]
  • 10x Incursors [210pts]
  • 5x Infiltrators [120pts]
  • 5x Infiltrators w/ 1x Helix Gauntlet [130pts]
  • 5x Bladeguard Veterans [175pts]
  • 5x Bladeguard Veterans [175pts]
  • Redemptor Dreadnought w/ Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gattling Cannon, 2x Storm Bolter [180pts]
  • Redemptor Dreadnought w/ Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gattling Cannon, 2x Storm Bolter [180pts]
  • 4x Reivers w/ Carbines, Special Issue Bolt Pistol, Grav Chute, 1x Sergeant w/ Carbine, Combat Knife, Special Issue Bolt Pistol, Grav Chute [100pts]
  • 5x Thunderwolf Calvary w/ Astartes Chainsword & Storm Shield, 1x Pack Leader w/ Power Fist & Storm Shield [310pts]

GDFC’s own Brian Tabata is no stranger to Tabletop Simulator tournaments, having shown proven success winning the Nothern Front TTS RTT this summer. This weekend’s event, however, will be the first time he sees organized play with the new Marines book. All things considered, the Space Wolves are in a pretty great place, but one of his most commonly featured keys to victory, his Wulfen, have been put on ice after some really tough nerfs. Thunderwolf Calvary, though, are very much back in full-force, and their ability to be a powerful mid-board melee cruncher during 8th Edition will serve them incredibly well now in 9th. Our readers should make a particular note on the unit sizes he brought to minimize blast weapons as much as possible. As tempting as it is to take the max six Bladeguard Veterans, I’d encourage you to be like Brian and only opt for the five. Similarly, another benefit in taking a unit of 5 versus 6, is that Transhuman Physiology only costs 1CP vs 2CP. Very savvy list design by a veteran gamer. Another list building note – it’s impossible to fully guess who your opponent will be in a tournament, but taking that excellent Phobos Librarian may become a regret versus the potential to really wrack up big Abhor the Witch secondary points. 

Like the Black Templars list, Brian is relying really on only one heavy ranged threat with his Redemptor. When you fight and move like Space Wolf, you don’t necessarily need hardcore shooting, but it will be a blindspot in his list he needs to be cognizant of versus some of the other opponents we see today. Nonetheless, given his deep experience with the faction and the Wolves current place in the meta, I would predict a second or third-place finish.

Nathan Henning’s Chaos Demons - Command Points: 8 – Points Total: 1997

Battalion Detachment, Chaos Allegiance: Chaos Undivided [52 PL, 8CP, 1,067pts]

  • Contorted Epitome [10 PL, 210pts]: Hysterical Frenzy, Pavane of Slaanesh
  • Great Unclean One [14 PL, -1CP, 270pts]: Bilesword, Fleshy Abundance, Miasma of Pestilence, Plague flail, Exalted Great Unclean One: 2. Revoltingly Resilient
  • Sloppity Bilepiper [4 PL, 65pts]
  • Nurglings [4 PL, 90pts]: 5x Nurgling Swarms
  • Nurglings [4 PL, 90pts]: 5x Nurgling Swarms
  • Nurglings [4 PL, 90pts]: 5x Nurgling Swarms
  • Nurglings [4 PL, 90pts]: 5x Nurgling Swarms
  • Nurglings [4 PL, 72pts]: 4x Nurgling Swarms
  • Furies [2 PL, 45pts]: 5x Fury, Mark of Nurgle  
  • Furies [2 PL, 45pts]: 5x Fury, Mark of Nurgle

Battalion Detachment, Chaos Allegiance: Slaanesh [48 PL, -3CP, 930pts]

  • Keeper of Secrets [12 PL, -1CP, 240pts]: Exalted Keeper of Secrets, Hysterical Frenzy, Shining aegis, Symphony of Pain
  • Keeper of Secrets [12 PL, -1CP, 240pts]: Delightful Agonies, Exalted Keeper of Secrets, Phantasmagoria, Shining aegis, The Forbidden Gem, The Murderdance, Warlord
  • Keeper of Secrets [12 PL, -1CP, 240pts]: Exalted Keeper of Secrets, Phantasmagoria, Shining aegis, Symphony of Pain
  • Daemonettes [4 PL, 70pts]: Alluress, 9x Daemonette
  • Daemonettes [4 PL, 70pts]: Alluress, 9x Daemonette
  • Daemonettes [4 PL, 70pts]: Alluress, 9x Daemonette  

During the early summer, there was a very tepid response to the release of Psychic Awakening: Engine War and the modest upgrades that Chaos Demons saw in the book, vs. their Space Marines counterpart.  While many of us were quick to complain about the constant disparity between Imperium upgrades and the scraps leftovers for Chaos/Xenos, Nathan was hard at work crafting an incredibly potent demons army. Emboldened by the dominance of Primary Objective scoring, Nurglings may even be the most competitive unit in 9th Edition 40k, and we see them in spades within this list. With 24 Nurgling swarms on the table, we can plainly see Nathan’s intention to hold an incredibly aggressive domination of objectives and contain his opponent within their deployment zone. On top of that, we see a sprinkling of Furies and Daemonettes, presumably to offer great positional-based secondary scoring solutions… but make no mistake – this list is by no means toothless.  An Exalted Great Unclean One, an Exalted Keeper of Secrets, and two more Keepers give this the punching power, resiliency, and psychic powers that could alone flatten any other list. Knowing Nathan’s high skill as a local Chaos player, in a vacuum I would easily pick this list as the favorite to come out on top. The big reason why I hold back the automatic pick though is that competitive players are becoming more familiar with how this list plays, making it a known quantity. Is that enough to overcome the sheer power and blobby resilience we have on display? We’ll have to wait and see!

Gary Frank’s Forces of the Hive Mind - Command Points: 10 – Points Total: 2000

Battalion Detachment, Hive Fleet: Leviathan [59 PL, 12CP, 1,213pts]

  • Neurothrope [5 PL, 95pts]: Claws and Teeth, Power: Onslaught
  • Neurothrope [5 PL, 95pts]: Claws and Teeth, Power: Catalyst, Resonance Barb, Warlord Trait: Perfectly Adapted
  • Neurothrope [5 PL, 95pts]: Claws and Teeth, Power: Psychic Scream
  • Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 36pts] 3x Ripper Swarm: 3x Claws and Teeth
  • Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 36pts] 3x Ripper Swarm: 3x Claws and Teeth
  • Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 36pts] 3x Ripper Swarm: 3x Claws and Teeth
  • Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 36pts] 3x Ripper Swarm: 3x Claws and Teeth
  • Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 36pts] 3x Ripper Swarm: 3x Claws and Teeth
  • Ripper Swarms [2 PL, 36pts] 3x Ripper Swarm: 3x Claws and Teeth
  • Lictor [2 PL, 37pts]: Flesh Hooks, Grasping Talons, Rending Claws
  • Zoanthropes [10 PL, 225pts]: Power: The Horror 5x Zoanthrope: 5x Claws and Teeth
  • Zoanthropes [10 PL, 225pts]: Power: Dominion 5x Zoanthrope: 5x Claws and Teeth
  • Zoanthropes [10 PL, 225pts]: Power: Paroxysm 5x Zoanthrope: 5x Claws and Teeth

Patrol Detachment, Genestealer Cult [51 PL, -2CP, 787pts]

  • Twisted Helix – Magus [6 PL, 100pts]: Autopistol, Cultist Knife, Familiar, Force stave, Power: Might
  • From Beyond, Power: Psychic Stimulus
  • Twisted Helix – Primus [4 PL, 85pts]: Blasting Charges, Bonesword, Needle Pistol, Toxin Injector
  • Claw
  • 4 Armed Emp – Acolyte Hybrids [3 PL, 60pts]: Cult Icon 4x Acolyte Hybrid (Hand Flamer): Acolyte
  • Leader: Blasting Charges, Cultist Knife, Hand Flamer, Rending Claw
  • Twisted Helix – Aberrants [18 PL, 222pts] 2x Aberrant (Hammer): 2x Heavy Power Hammer, 2x
  • Rending Claw 3x Aberrant (Pick): 3x Power Pick, 3x Rending Claw Aberrant Hypermorph (Improvised):
  • Heavy Improvised Weapon, Hypermorph Tail, Rending Claw
  • Cult of the 4 Armed Emp – Kelermorph [4 PL, 80pts]: Cultist Knife, 3x Liberator Autostub
  • Rusted Claw – Atalan Jackals [8 PL, 120pts] 5x Atalan Jackal: Autopistol, Blasting Charges, Demolition Charge, Shotgun
  • Rusted Claw – Atalan Jackals [8 PL, 120pts] 5x Atalan Jackal: Autopistol, Blasting Charges, Demolition Charge, Shotgun

Mr. Gary Frank is one of the Chicago 40K scene’s most prolific and competitive players, boasting fantastic performances across several events. As a dedicated Grey Knights and Tyranids player, he’s certainly had an uphill struggle with new 9th Edition rules, but if there’s anyone that can overcome those impediments to victory, it’s a seasoned veteran like Gary. For the tournament, he’s brought a clever twist on the Zoanthropes list, filled to the brim with models like ripper swarms and lictors that give us an idea of his general game-plan on secondary objectives. For some added punch, he’s got a big unit of Aberrants. Will they be a hammer, or a resilient “distraction Carnifex” while he dominates primary and secondary scoring? I think out of all the competitors listed here, he’s the one that has most acutely thought through his objectives on the table. Will there be much of the army leftover after Turn 5? Probably not, but I think the list and its pilot has what it takes to win the event.

Concluding Thoughts

So in closing, my top picks for the event is Gary Frank’s Forces of the Hive Mind, followed by Nathan Henning’s Chaos Daemons, and Brian Tabata’s Space Wolves. Disagree and have your own favored picks? Sound off in the comments, or join us on our Discord by emailing us at grimdarkfilthycasuals@gmail.com for an invite!

Once, again, we here at GDFC encourage you to follow along with our competitors as they fight for honor and glory at the Dragon Fall Invitational. Join us on the livestream to cheer on your favorite competitors, or even better, consider clicking this link and make a donation to the Dragon Fall Foundation. Be the real hero, Honor the Chapter, do it for the boyz, and give generously to their very worthy cause!

https://www.dragonfall-foundation.com/donations/dragon-fall-foundation/