These are the hottest army lists in 40k that went undefeated at the $10,000 ProTableTop grand tournament over the weekend. Check out what rose to the top!
The ProTableTop hosted a 40k tournament bringing $10,000 as the grand prize pool. And with such a high reward, players brought some brutal lists. In the midst of all the dice rolling, three lists climbed the ladder to the top three. Check out what they brought.
Thanks to Best Coast Pairings, we can look back at the event as if we were there ourselves.
Editors Note: These were the placings after day two, with the top 8 being seeded for day three that saw Richard Siegler (Tau) defeat Nick Nanavati (IH Successor) in the finals to win the event. These results were not available at the time this article was written,
3rd Place Day 2: Space Marines- Steven Pampreen
Bringing the McPick two of Space Marine Chapter rules, he used +3″ to ranged weapons with long-range marksmen and a free reroll to each individual unit with Master Artisans. These guys were a Successor of the Raven Guard to unlock their stratagems and relics out of the book.
As for the actual list, there’s not a whole lot different from what we’ve seen time and time again specifically for Raven Guard successors. This list brought two Battalions and a Spearhead, loading down on three squads of Assault Centurions for fast damage that could take a beating. With three separate squads mixed with infiltrating Scouts, these guys took a bit to really deal with.
For another target the enemy had to focus-fire was a Centurion squad loaded down with Grav-cannons. These guys were expensive, but if the opponent decided to deal with the other Centurions pushing their frontline with Raven Guard Stratagems and tricks, the Grav would rip apart any 3+ armor save. Especially with the new Stratagem support out of the Space Marine base book.
And finally, two Thunderfires were brought to sit on backfield objectives and pelt enemies out of LOS. Overall, this list operated on target saturation and was deceptively mobile despite being loaded down with 4″-movement Centurions.
2nd Place Day 2: Chaos Soup- Austin Wingfield
This list opted out of bringing a ton of models, however, it still went with the strategy of target saturation. Three Knights were given two Thermal Cannons a piece, essentially being the Grim Reaper for any list running heavy armor (like Shadowsword Guard spam). To give the list a little speed, Mortarion was brought to act as a disruptive wrecking ball. And for the CP, a Battalion of Nurglings and a small squad of Poxbringers were taken.
Nurglings were thrown into areas of the map near objectives where it was hard for Knights to get to. Being only 54 pts for three, they are deceptively tanky and can soak up wounds like nobody’s business. But all in all, this list had brutal damage output and proved itself meta-worthy.
1st Place Day 2: Space Marines- Matthew Root
Using Raven Guard stratagems and relics from above, the also used the McPick two method giving +3″ to range and a free reroll to each unit. However, on top of all this, a Forge World Chapter, the Minotaurs were taken for the named characters. (yes, it’s possible to do all of that and still have a legal list). Bringing a huge Brigade, this list ran the named Minotaurs Chaplain, Ivanus Enkomi, as the Warlord. Leading six infiltrating Scouts, there was plenty of buffering space for the real damage-dealing aspect of the list.
The classic Centurion blob spam for Raven Guard was brought because it’s just too good to pass up. Using key stratagems like being able to deepstrike and give bonuses to charge, etc. the normally slow Centurion squads become massively mobile. And with so many blobs, target saturation worked against the opponent as well.
For backfield firing support, Suppressors out of Shadowspear were taken. Using a smaller version of the Stormcannon mounted to Leviathan Dreads, these guys are a fantastic, although squishy, damage platform. Plus, they can negate enemy overwatch for the Centurions charging in.
Eliminators were also taken because they are BONKERS in Raven Guard lists. Getting +1 to hit and wound means they can pop T4 character heads and even cause mortal wounds with their weapon on a 5+. And the obligatory Thunderfire Cannon for halving movement and shooting twice is just value. There’s no real point in not taking it. Great job!
What are your thoughts on where the meta is going? Has Chaos proven that it’s still a contender with all the new Space Marine rules?
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
