Summer 40k League R1 Results

Dice have been rolled, tears have been wept and Luke's everywhere has been defeated. Let's see how things panned out in Round 1.

Luke N (Awakened Necrons) VS "Craig" (Champions Death Guard)

Prediction: "Craig"

Result: 91-49 "Craig" Death Guard are fine they say, DEATH GUARD ARE FINE all the Death Guard players say, now with a hint of desperation. They aren't fine.

Luke's unkillable Warrior brick did its thing in this game with both players reckoning about 50 of the 20 man unit were killed across the course of the game. Unfortunately it looked like they were largely locked in their deployment zone so were unable to leverage this.

Ryan (Imperial Knights) VS James (Invasion Nids)

Prediction: James Result: 91-72 James

A close game to be had by the fresh meat in round 1 here but the balanced approach of the Tyranids with basically army wide Lethals was always going to be a bit of an uphill battle for Ryan but he put in a decent showing. I think running two big Knights is super difficult to do effectively as it relies on knowing precisely how much punishment they can take and when to survive for more than a single turn of activating.

Ross (Aspect Host Aeldari) VS John (Big Brick Oathband Votann)

Prediction: Ross Result: 74-64 Ross

OK well although Ross got the predicted win John can walk away with his head held high as no vaseline was needed in the end - it was more of a gentle caress to victory than the dry vigorous bumming some of us were expecting. Fire Dragons ate Hekatons as expected but on Ross' big go turn nowhere near enough stuff died compared to expectations. Fortunately the lead, at that point, was comfortable enough to bring the win home.

Ben J (Gladius UM) VS Sean (Zerker Warband WE)

Prediction: Sean

Result: 93-58 Sean

I do believe Ben's list can do better into other matchups but the Forgefiends likely took a toll here and the MSU nature of both armies I think plays into the World Eater's favour.

For some reason my brain has not retained further info about this game so that's all I have to say on the matter.

Sam (Imperial Knights) VS Luke (MSU Oathband Votann)

Prediction: Luke Result: 79-43 Sam

Boy do I love to be wrong about this prediction. Luke has a cracking record against me this year and it was my very first time running IK. I think the confidence got into his brain as, despite going second, he surged forward with aggression. Which I was able to answer with strat reserve Warglaives popping Sagitaurs and killing most of his chaff. A single heroic Bezerk did charge Canis end of T2 which was adorable. By the time Canis really came into play though Luke was down to two Sagitaurs, and quickly then one. With that cleared up there wasn't a great amount of threat into my hulls left.

Couple of highlights for me:

6 man Pioneer unit, who were responsible for many of my Custodes deaths historically, getting absolutely deleted by a Helverin.

Warglaive charging onto Luke's home objective with just a couple of bikes left, Warriors heroically intervening and immediately dying.

Harry Lord of the Rubric (Index Tsons) VS Ben B (Ynnari)

Prediction: Ben B Result: 95-52 Ben

I am sure Harry continued saying "It's pretty close" up until Turn 4, as usual, and then had nothing left and got smashed. More like Harry Lord of the Rubiks Cube.

Unfortunately for Ben (and the great joy of everyone else) Ynnari got absolutely gutted on Tuesday and whilst he may continue to harbour under the delusion it is still decent my local Farseer predicts a Wildcard in the near future.

Max (Imperial Agents) Vs Tom D (Taktical Orks)

Prediction: Max Result: 98-73 Max

Tom must have read my prediction about him playing at Ent-like speed and decided to make a point. Although he spent some time licking the Blu Tack off the terrain pieces he finished comfortably before the end of the night. Losing faster is better than losing slow and will speed up how quickly you learn to play effectively.

There are rumours on the wind that I am bullying him to take Custodes after Teams...

Fletcher (Peerless EC) VS Freddie (WTF Wolves)

Prediction: Fletcher

Result: Bye win for Fletcher

Freddie is locked in Birmingham so unable to make the game. Shame as I want to see his mad list in action.

Angus (Index Tsons) VS Mark (Skysplinter Drukhari)

Prediction: Angus Result: Angus 75-58

I was able to personally witness the horror on Angus' face as Mark's Beastpack tore into his deployment zone T1 and started slapping Rubrics silly. It took a while for Angus to put that pesky pack down and honestly I thought he might be cooked.

As it was my brain was clearly not functioning Angus was just beginning to start the murder fest and roast Druchii left, right and centre.

Dan (Virulent DG) VS Nick (Lions Custodes)

Prediction: Dan Result: 86-58 Dan

OK this was always going to be brutal. Most first introductions to new DG are but Custodes are hand crafted off the factory line to get eaten by many DG profiles. Dan has been crushing the new DG but as we all know he is an idiot I am sure things will revert to the norm soon.

Jenko (Kauyon Tau) VS Gary (Virulent DG)

Prediction: Jenko Result: 82-81 Jenko

I actually don't know why I predicted Jenko as he is running a weird Tau list (44% WR) against a good DG list (56% WR) but I am happy I did. Just goes to show that win rates mean fuck all if the SBC (smooth brain co-efficient) isn't taken into account.

A super close game coming down to T5 and Gary hates playing Tau but at least he got it out of the way before the buff comes into play.

In addition, a little PSA for the club - it is really important that, going forward, we refuse to entertain any notion that CK are going to be rubbish and continue to push the narrative that Gary is just a sad whiny bitch.

Callum (Biosanctic GSC) VS Tom (MSU Vanguard UM)

Prediction: Callum Result: 88-81 Tom

Only my second incorrect prediction this week and a nail biter at that. Callum performs a heroic return to the 40k scene with hordes of Aberrants while Tom valiantly tried to hold the line.

I actually thought this would be more of a blow out so well played to both for keeping it this close.