Tanks & Aeldari: Secrets To 40k Meta Armies Right Now

By Steven Ross | April 9th, 2024 | Categories: 10th Edition 40k, 40k News & Articles, Games Workshop, Tabletop Gaming News & Rumors, Warhammer Army Lists, Warhammer Community

Grey Knights fall completely out of the X-0 Column, but everyone’s favorite Space Elves return to the top of 40k. Coincidence?

This week, we are taking another look at the top Warhammer 40k armies on the tournament scene and why they work in the current meta.

Adepticon hangover, over. The 40k scene is ripping off events like crazy once again, with multiple noteworthy events showing up. We will browse the biggest three, Leoben 40k Singles -Alpine Cup (166 players in Proleb, Austria), I GT Iberian Barcelona (122 players in Barcelona, Spain), and Scorched Earth Open 2024 (77 players in Phoenix, Arizona).

Just like Fuegan, Aeldari Refuse To be Removed From Play

Skilled generals can still make this army a threat to ruin anyone’s tournament run this weekend. Piloted by the savant Liam VSL, Aeldari took down the biggest event of the weekend, Leoben 40k Singles.

This list is wacky, meta-shattering, and downright indecipherable. I would not recommend jumping into it without at least 5 or 50 practice games, as its inner workings and efficacy rely on planning and tactics that can tip on a razor’s edge. I have reached out to Aeldari experts for a translation, and the overall consensus is, “I don’t know how, but Liam makes it work.”

That’s what’s so awesome about it.

Liam “Rose’s Fighter” Richiardi
Team/# in Team: No Name #33
Factions used: craftworlds
Detachments used: Battle host
Enhancements: autarch wayleaper phoenix gem

Char1: 1x Autarch Wayleaper (140 pts): Warlord, Howling Banshee Mask, Star Glaive, Dragon Fusion Gun
Enhancement: The Phoenix Gem (25 pts)
Char2: 1x Fuegan (115 pts): Searsong, The Fire Axe
Char3: 1x Yvraine (100 pts): Kha-vir, the Sword of Sorrows, Storm of Whispers

11x Storm Guardians (115pts): • 10x Storm Guardian, • 4 with Guardian Combat Weapon, Shuriken Pistol, • 2 with Aeldari Flamer, • 2 with Guardian Fusion Gun, • 2 with Shuriken Pistol, Aeldari power sword, • 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform
5x Dark Reapers (80 pts): • 4x Dark Reaper: Close combat weapon, Reaper Launcher, • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch: Close combat weapon, Tempest Launcher
5x Dark Reapers (80 pts): • 4x Dark Reaper: Close combat weapon, Reaper Launcher, • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch: Close combat weapon, Tempest Launcher
5x Dark Reapers (80 pts): • 4x Dark Reaper: Close combat weapon, Reaper Launcher, • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch: Close combat weapon, Tempest Launcher
5x Rangers (55 pts): Close Combat Weapon, Ranger long rifle, Shuriken Pistol
5x Shadow Spectres (95 pts): Close combat weapon, Prism Rifle
5x Shadow Spectres (95 pts): Close combat weapon, Prism Rifle
5x Swooping Hawks (75pts): • 4x Swooping Hawk, • 4 with Lasblaster, Close combat weapon, • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch, • 1 with Aeldari Power Sword, Close combat weapon, Hawk’s Talon
5x Swooping Hawks (75pts): • 4x Swooping Hawk, • 4 with Lasblaster, Close combat weapon, • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch, • 1 with Aeldari Power Sword, Close combat weapon, Hawk’s Talon
5x Swooping Hawks (75pts): • 4x Swooping Hawk, • 4 with Lasblaster, Close combat weapon, • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch, • 1 with Aeldari Power Sword, Close combat weapon, Hawk’s Talon
11x Troupe (165pts): • 1x Lead Player, • 1 with Aeldari power sword, Fusion Pistol, • 10x Player, • 3 with Shuriken Pistol, Harlequin’s Blade, • 3 with Fusion Pistol, Harlequin’s Special Weapon, • 4 with Neuro Disruptor, Harlequin’s Special Weapon
5x Warp Spiders (115pts): • 4x Warp Spider, • 4 with Deathspinner, Close combat weapon, • 1x Warp Spider Exarch, • 1 with 2xDeathspinner, Powerblades, Close combat weapon
5x Warp Spiders (115pts): • 4x Warp Spider, • 4 with Deathspinner, Close combat weapon, • 1x Warp Spider Exarch, • 1 with 2xDeathspinner, Powerblades, Close combat weapon
5x Warp Spiders (115pts): • 4x Warp Spider, • 4 with Deathspinner, Close combat weapon, • 1x Warp Spider Exarch, • 1 with 2xDeathspinner, Powerblades, Close combat weapon
2x Skyweavers (95 pts): Close Combat Weapon, Skyweaver Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive
2x Skyweavers (95 pts): Close Combat Weapon, Skyweaver Haywire Cannon, Zephyrglaive
1x Wave Serpent (120 pts): Wraithbone Hull, Shuriken Cannon, Twin Bright Lance

Warp Spiders are good, but having a galaxy brain to pilot them is even better. That’s about the level of analysis anyone can give you on a masterfully piloted list.

What C’tan You Do About Necrons?

Necrons are still here, having dropped 11 points in 6 rounds at I GT Iberian Barcelona. I’ve missed more points in a single round before.

The scoring machine doesn’t stop; C’tan, Monoliths, Wraiths, Oh My! There’s a lot of durability to chew through, and in Hypercrypt, it’s pretty quick. You may be surprised to know that wraiths gain the ability to go through a Monolith because a Technomancer grants the unit the Infantry Keyword. I’m sure that tech was utilized early and often for David Anducas’ list.

David Anducas

Hypercrypt Legion

CHARACTERS

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

C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon (270 points)
• 1x Canoptek tail blades
1x Spear of the Void Dragon
1x Voltaic storm

Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer

Lokhust Lord (100 points)
• 1x Lord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancement: Osteoclave Fulcrum

Plasmancer (80 points)
• 1x Plasmic lance
• Enhancement: Arisen Tyrant

Technomancer (70 points)
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancement: Dimensional Overseer

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Cryptothralls (60 points)
• 2x Cryptothrall
• 2x Scouring eye
2x Scythed limbs

Deathmarks (65 points)
• 5x Deathmark
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Synaptic disintegrator

Deathmarks (65 points)
• 5x Deathmark
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Synaptic disintegrator

Lokhust Destroyers (180 points)
• 6x Lokhust Destroyer
• 6x Close combat weapon
6x Gauss cannon

Monolith (350 points)
• 4x Death ray
1x Particle whip
1x Portal of exile

This list is not lacking for destruction either; with two C’tan, a Lokhust Unit, a Plasmancer [Arisen Tyrant] with 10 Immortals and a Monolith, the damage output can be surprising and deliverable. The wraiths teleporting through the monolith is a surefire way to catch many opponents off guard as well.

This is a lot of the good stuff in Necrons. If you’re looking for a good solution to C’tan, single-damage lethal hits are a great answer.

Tanks For The Memories

Ben Jurek reminds us not to sleep on Astra Militarum, taking down the Scorched Earth Open by doing just that.

The Astra Militarum answers problems with Tanks and dudes of varying sizes. Bullgryn are wildly efficient units when you look at their points and Time To Kill (how quickly something dies) from almost any profile in the game. With T6, a 4+ Invuln, and -1 Damage, they’re a nightmare to remove from objectives.

The guard also backs those big bodies up with little ones, but man, do Melta Mines (2D3 Mortals into a Vehicle) from Kasrkin throw a real wrench into other players’ plans. If you kill them, they come back for 2CP, too.

Ben Jurek

Combined Regiment

Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord Solar Leontus (125 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
1x Konstantin’s hooves
1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Platoon Command Squad (60 Points)
• 1x Platoon Commander
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 2x Veteran Guardsman
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Lasgun
2x Laspistol
1x Master Vox
1x Regimental Standard
• 1x Veteran Heavy Weapons Team
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
1x Mortar

Tank Commander (205 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher battle cannon
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta

Tank Commander (205 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher battle cannon
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta

Ursula Creed (55 Points)
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
1x Power weapon

BATTLELINE

Catachan Jungle Fighters (55 Points)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
• 9x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
7x Lasgun
1x Vox-caster

OTHER DATASHEETS

Basilisk (135 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile

Basilisk (135 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Earthshaker cannon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile

Bullgryn Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Bullgryn Bone ’ead
• 1x Brute Shield
1x Bullgryn maul
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Bullgryn
• 2x Brute Shield
2x Bullgryn maul
2x Close combat weapon

Bullgryn Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Bullgryn Bone ’ead
• 1x Brute Shield
1x Bullgryn maul
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Bullgryn
• 2x Brute Shield
2x Bullgryn maul
2x Close combat weapon

Bullgryn Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Bullgryn Bone ’ead
• 1x Brute Shield
1x Bullgryn maul
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Bullgryn
• 2x Brute Shield
2x Bullgryn maul
2x Close combat weapon

Kasrkin (100 Points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster

Kasrkin (100 Points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster

Kasrkin (100 Points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster

Manticore (180 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm eagle rockets

Manticore (180 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm eagle rockets

Scout Sentinels (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw

Scout Sentinels (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw

This army just trades wildly on efficiently. With indirect from Manticores and Basilisks hammering opponents and forcing them to come out, and Tank Commanders/Kasrkin to mow them down when they do, it’s hard to find a light at the end of the Tank Barrel. Tank Commanders also fire on death; it’s just a little thing they do. Watch out!

Adding the Commanders, the Kasrkin revive Stratagem, and the Bullgryn holding down the fort, this army is very effective in the hands of a skilled general. Good Stuff.

It was a wild weekend of 40k wargaming, with more players eager to add their own twist to the meta. Innovation is clearlyn’t dead, and the best time to try that new idea is right now.

Take your shot, have fun, and surprise the meta—this is what the hobby is all about.