The Winter War 2022 was the next installment in our annual pre-Christmas 2000pt Warhammer 40,000 tournament, held at Tabletop Republic, High Wycombe on the 17th December
RESULTS
Rankings were based on the following: Wins > Total Battle Points Scores > Strength of Schedule
Sadly due to illness, Chris and Jake could not make the event so we competed with 22 players
ROUNDS
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
LISTS
Here are the lists from the Top 3 players, plus a quick rundown of all other's players subfactions and key units!
1st: Sid Sidhu (Fire and Dice) - Imperial Knights
++ Super-Heavy Detachment -3CP (Imperium - Imperial Knights) [96 PL, , 1,835pts] ++
Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)
Chivalric Oaths:
Oath: Defend the Realm
Oath: Lay Low The Tyrants
Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim
Questor Allegiance: Custom, Martial Tradition: Strike and Shield, Questor Imperialis
+ Lord of War +
Armiger Helverins [24 PL, 470pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Hunters of Beasts, Questor Imperialis
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Meltagun
Armiger Helverins [8 PL, -1CP, 155pts]
. Armiger Helverin: Heirloom: The Bastard's Helm, Heirlooms of the Household, Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
Armiger Helverins [16 PL, 310pts]
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
. Armiger Helverin: Questor Ironhail Heavy Stubber
Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, -2CP, 450pts]
. Armiger Warglaive: Heirloom: Sanctuary, Heirlooms of the Household, Knight Baron, Meltagun, Warlord Trait: Ion Bulwark
. Armiger Warglaive: Character (Knight Lance), Meltagun, Warlord
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
Armiger Warglaives [24 PL, 450pts]
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
. Armiger Warglaive: Meltagun
++ Super-Heavy Auxiliary Detachment -3CP (Imperium - Imperial Knights) [8 PL, , 165pts] ++
Detachment Command Cost [-3CP]
Questor Allegiance: Questor Mechanicus
Shared Faction Bonus [3CP]
+ Lord of War +
Knight Moiraxes [8 PL, 165pts]: Freeblade, Martial Tradition: Last of Their Line, Questor Mechanicus
. Knight Moirax: 2x Lightning Lock
++ Total: [104 PL, 0CP, 2,000pts] ++
2nd: Hristo Nikolov (Square Base Crew) - Forces of the Hive Mind
++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Tyranids) [68 PL, 3CP, 1,340pts] ++
+ Configuration +
Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)
Detachment Command Cost
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim
Hive Fleet: Adaptive, Behemoth
+ Stratagems +
Hive Predator [-1CP]: Extra Warlord Trait
Relic [-1CP]
+ No Force Org Slot +
Tyrant Guard [8 PL, 120pts]
. 3x Tyrant Guard (Scything): 3x Two Rending Claws, 3x Two Scything Talons
+ HQ +
Neurothrope [5 PL, 100pts]: Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Power: Smite, Power: Unstoppable Onslaught, Warlord Trait: Direct Guidance
Winged Hive Tyrant [11 PL, -1CP, 225pts]: Adrenal Glands, Lash Whip and Monstrous Bonesword, Power: Onslaught, Power: Paroxysm, Power: Smite, Power: Unstoppable Onslaught, Relic: The Reaper of Obilterax, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology
+ Troops +
Tyranid Warriors [4 PL, 90pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Dual Boneswords
+ Elites +
Venomthropes [5 PL, 105pts]
. 3x Venomthrope: 3x Toxic Lashes
+ Fast Attack +
Raveners [8 PL, 175pts]
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
Raveners [8 PL, 175pts]
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
. Ravener: Deathspitter, Two Rending Claws
+ Heavy Support +
Biovores [9 PL, 135pts]
. 3x Biovore: 3x Chitin-barbed Fists, 3x Spore Mine Launcher
Exocrine [10 PL, 215pts]: Adaptive Physiology: Voracious Ammunition
++ Patrol Detachment -2CP (Tyranids - Genestealer Cults) [33 PL, -2CP, 660pts] ++
+ Configuration +
Cult Creed: The Twisted Helix
Detachment Command Cost [-2CP]
+ No Force Org Slot +
Sanctus [3 PL, 70pts]: Cult Sniper Rifle
+ HQ +
Magus [4 PL, 90pts]: Power: Mass Hypnosis, Power: Mind Control, Power: Mutagenic Deviation, Psychic Familiar
Patriarch [7 PL, 150pts]: Power: Mass Hypnosis, Power: Might From Beyond, Power: Mutagenic Deviation, Psychic Familiar
+ Troops +
Acolyte Hybrids [3 PL, 45pts]
. 4x Acolyte Hybrid: 4x Autopistol, 4x Blasting Charges, 4x Cult Claws and Knife, 4x Frag Grenades
. Acolyte Leader: Autopistol, Cult Claws and Knife
+ Elites +
Purestrain Genestealers [8 PL, 155pts]: Proficient Planning: A Trap Sprung
. 10x Purestrain Genestealer: 10x Cult Claws and Talons
Purestrain Genestealers [8 PL, 150pts]: Proficient Planning: They Came From Below
. 10x Purestrain Genestealer: 10x Cult Claws and Talons
++ Total: [101 PL, 1CP, 2,000pts] ++
3rd: Paulie Wallis (Realspace Raiders) - Drukhari
++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari - Drukhari) [27 PL, 395pts, -1CP] ++
+ Configuration +
Detachment Command Cost
Obsession: The Prophets of Flesh: Connoisseurs of Pain
Raiding Forces - CP Refund
+ HQ +
Haemonculus [5 PL, 90pts, -1CP]: As Detachment (Coven), Stratagem: Relic, The Vexator Mask, Warlord
. Alchemical Maestro (Prophets): Alchemical Maestro
+ Troops +
Haemoxytes [8 PL, 135pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. 7x Haemoxyte: 7x Wrack Blade
. Haemoxyte Acothyst: Electrocorrosive Whip, Liquifier Gun
. Haemoxyte w/ Special Weapon: Liquifier Gun
. Haemoxyte w/ Special Weapon: Liquifier Gun
Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade
Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade
+ Elites +
Mandrakes [8 PL, 90pts]
. 5x Mandrake: 5x Baleblast, 5x Glimmersteel Blade
. Nightfiend
++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari - Drukhari) [61 PL, 1,084pts, 4CP] ++
+ Configuration +
Battle Size [6CP]: 3. Strike Force (101-200 Total PL / 1001-2000 Points)
Detachment Command Cost
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: War Zone Nephilim
Obsession: Kabal of the Black Heart: Thirst for Power
Raiding Forces - CP Refund
+ Stratagems +
Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]
+ No Force Org Slot +
Court of the Archon [10 PL, 134pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. Lhamean
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Sslyth
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
. Ur-Ghul: As Detachment (Kabal)
+ HQ +
Archon [5 PL, 95pts, -1CP]: As Detachment (Kabal), Blast Pistol, Hatred Eternal, Huskblade, Overlord, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Djin Blade
. Splintered Genius (Black Heart): Splintered Genius
Drazhar [8 PL, 145pts]
+ Troops +
Kabalite Warriors [3 PL, 50pts]: As Detachment (Kabal)
. 3x Kabalite Warrior: 3x Splinter Rifle
. Kabalite Warrior w/ Special Weapon: Blaster
. Sybarite: Splinter Rifle
Wracks [3 PL, 40pts]: As Detachment (Coven)
. Acothyst: Wrack Blade
. 4x Wracks: 4x Wrack Blade
+ Elites +
Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives
Incubi [4 PL, 90pts]
. 4x Incubi: 4x Klaive
. Klaivex: Demiklaives
+ Fast Attack +
Reavers [3 PL, 60pts]: 3 - Hypex (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Arena Champion: Splinter Rifle
. 2x Reaver: 2x Bladevanes, 2x Splinter Pistol, 2x Splinter Rifle
Reavers [3 PL, 60pts]: 3 - Hypex (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Arena Champion: Splinter Rifle
. 2x Reaver: 2x Bladevanes, 2x Splinter Pistol, 2x Splinter Rifle
+ Dedicated Transport +
Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: As Detachment, Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies
Raider [6 PL, 110pts]: As Detachment, Dark Lance, Grisly Trophies
Raider [6 PL, 100pts]: As Detachment, Disintegrator Cannon
++ Patrol Detachment 0CP (Aeldari - Drukhari) [27 PL, 520pts, -2CP] ++
+ Configuration +
Detachment Command Cost
Obsession: Cult of Strife: The Spectacle of Murder
Raiding Forces - CP Refund
+ Stratagems +
Stratagem: Prizes from the Dark City [-1CP]
+ HQ +
Succubus [5 PL, 95pts, -1CP]: 1 - Adrenalight (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult), Precision Blows, Stratagem: Tolerated Ambition, The Triptych Whip
. Agoniser & Archite Glaive
. Show Stealer (Strife): Show Stealer
+ Troops +
Hekatrix Bloodbrides [8 PL, 140pts]: 2 - Grave Lotus (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 9x Hekatrix Bloodbride: 9x Hekatarii Blade, 9x Plasma Grenades, 9x Splinter Pistol
Wyches [3 PL, 60pts]: 3 - Hypex (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol
Wyches [3 PL, 55pts]: *Random x 2* (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
. 4x Wych: 4x Hekatarii Blade, 4x Plasma Grenades, 4x Splinter Pistol
+ Fast Attack +
Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: 1 - Adrenalight (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods
Hellions [4 PL, 85pts]: 1 - Adrenalight (Combat Drug), As Detachment (Wych Cult)
. Helliarch: Hellglaive
. 4x Hellion: 4x Hellglaive, 4x Splinter Pods
4th: Robby Sweeney (Warmasters) - Space Marines (Iron Hands Successors) - Vehicle-focused with 3 Redemptors, 1 Relic Contemptor, and 2 Land Speeders, plus 2 units of Devastators and VanVets
5th: Pete Armstrong (Cryptic Cabin) - Tzeentch - Thousand Sons Duplicity with 4 units of Rubrics, plus 14 Flamers
6th: Greg Wall (Blitzkrieg) - Chaos Daemons - Be'lakor, Bloodthirster and Lord of Change leading 17 Flamers
7th: Nic Burrows - Chaos - Disciples of Be'lakor with 12 Flamers and War Dog Brigands
8th: Lewis Smith (The Warhamsters) - Drukhari - Poisoned Tongue, Prophets of Flesh + Berserk Fugue detachments , with the standard array of Drukhari plus 2 Voidravens
9th: Dan Gilbert (Fire and Dice) - Genestealer Cult (Twisted Helix) - 30 Genestealers, loads of Hybrids and mix of Characters
10th: Sam Smith (Tabletop Republic) - Chaos Space Marines (Black Legion) - Abaddon with the usual Terminator blob, with the addition of 3 Venomcrawlers
11th: Angus Patterson (Fire and Dice) - Adepta Sororitas (Argent Shroud) - Retributor and Dominion-heavy squad, with Vahl+ Paragons and a Culexus Assassin
12th: Tom Mepham (Tabletop Republic) - Chaos Daemons - Khorne led by a Bloodthirster and Undivided led by Be'lakor, plus (only) 6 Flamers
13th: Scott Errington-Bazley (Tabletop Republic) - Harlequins (Light) - 5 Troupes in 3 Starweavers, plus 3 Voidweavers
14th: Chris Braber (Square Base Crew) - Space Marines (Salamanders) - 2 loads of Aggressors and Eliminators, 1 max-strength Eradicator unit and a Termite
15th: Stuart Harris (Fire and Dice) - Adeptus Custodes (Chosen) - 3 Dreadnoughts, 2 bike squads and an Inquisitor
16th: Byron Sidhu (Fire and Dice) - Chaos Knights (Herpetrax) - 13 Dogs, with 5 Executioners, 5 Stalkers, and 3 Karnivores
17th: Ashley Blake (Twisted Dice) - Imperial Knights - Strike and Shield, with 1 Paladin, 5 Helverins and 5 Warglaives
18th: Leo Pesci (Blitzkrieg) - Chaos Space Marines (Emperor's Children) - Abaddon leading 5 units of Noise Marines and max-strength Terminators
19th: Rhys Evans (Tabletop Republic) - Genestealer Cult (Impassioned/Industrial) - 2 squads of Aberrants, 1 max Jackal squad, 20 Neophytes, 30 Acolytes and the usual suspect characters
20th: Simon Bellars - Grey Knights (Rapiers) - Interceptor-heavy list with 3 characters (inc GMiND), 1 Dreadknight and a max-strength Paladin squad
21st: Hughey Herbert (Tabletop Republic) - Adepta Sororitas (Bloody Rose) - 3 Sera/Zeph, 16 Repentia, Vindicare Assassin perched on a Battle Sanctum
22nd: Yavor Bidzhov (Square Base Crew) - Orks (Goffs) - Infantry spam ft. 30 Gretchin, 10 Meganobz, 20 Kommandos, 20 BS Boyz and 2 Squigosaurs
SECONDARIES
Now the fun bit; all the stats, facts and nerdy bits to see what did well at the event
Here are all the secondaries chosen over the event, how many times they were picked and their average score
MOST PICKED SECONDARY: Raise the Banners High (23 times)
BEST SCORING NEPHILIM SECONDARY: Bring it Down (Avg 11.8 with 10 picks - thanks to 9 games vs Knights)
WORST SCORING NEPHILIM SECONDARY (chosen 3+ times): Warp Ritual (Avg 6.8 with 5 picks)
BEST SCORING FACTION SECONDARY (chosen 3+ times): Reality Rebels (Chaos Daemons, Avg 13.7 with 9 picks). Special mention to Broodswarm (GSC) not far behind with an avg of 13.6 with 6 picks.
WORST SCORING FACTION SECONDARY (chosen 3+ times): Da Biggest and Da Best (Orks, avg 4 with 3 picks)
AWARDS
Here are all the awards for the event! The Top 3 + Best Painted were all awarded prizes for their achievements, and all other awards below are just fun awards just for this blog!
1st Place: Sid Sidhu
2nd Place: Hristo Nikolov
3rd Place: Paulie Wallis
Best Painted Army: Ashley Blake's Imperial Knights
Most Consistent: Sid Sidhu (4 points between highest and lowest score)
Closest Game: Leo Pesci 72 - 71 Stuart Harris (Round 2)
Biggest Win: Tom Mepham 97 - 36 Yavor Bidzhov (Round 2)
Highest Scoring Game: Robby Sweeney 100 - 73 Chris Braber (Round 1)
Best Team (2+ players): Fire and Dice (avg position 10.4)
Best Imperium Player: Sid Sidhu (Imperial Knights, 1st)
Best Chaos Player: Pete Armstrong (Tzeentch, 5th)
Best Xenos Player: Hristo Nikolov (Forces of the Hive Mind, 2nd)
Imperium Average Position: 12.9
Chaos Average Position: 9.3
Xenos Average Position: 10.9
The 'Submarine' Award: Nic Burrows (highest position after starting loss)
The 'Wooden Spoon' Award: Yavor Bidzhov
The 'TO's Player' Award: Nic Burrows (the TO was a player, so technically Player's P,layer too!)
The 'Flamer' Award: Greg Wall (player with the most Flamers, obviously!)
The 'Unlucky' Award: Simon Bellars (scored 224pts over 3 games, but 0 wins)
SUMMARY
It was a Flamer-heavy event with Chaos Daemons and Daemon detachments being a strong focus of many armies, but none managed to crack the podium. The Top 3 were all familiar to the top spots - Sid's Knights once again proved to be incredibly stong with the Warmaster at the helm, Hristo once again stood on the podium after winning our last event, and Paulie's orange Drukhari also went undefeated and finished 3rd for a second Winter War in a row
I was happy with my Daemon's performance finishing 12th - I held my own vs Hristo in round 1, thrashed Orks round 2 and was just edged out in Round 3's Be'lakor-off. The next event in-store is 1750pts and I'm thinking of taking inspiration from Nic's list and also going Disciples.
There were some incredibly close games, with one of the toughest line-ups in our event history. Even some of the top players struggled in this event, with Byron only getting 16th and Stuart Harris in 15th! Robby Sweeney's Iron Hands list really impressed me coming 4th, it's not often Marines finish that high up!
Keep an eye out for a 2022 year-in-review blog post coming very soon too!
and that's the report! Thanks to all those that came to this event and all other, and to you for reading! See you next year for more 40k events and reports!
If there's anything missing or incorrect about the blog, please give us a message!
- Tom Mepham
Tabletop Republic Manager & Event TO