40K: Heading into the LVO 2019 – ITC Team and Faction Standings
Hello, fellow Warhammer 40k fans! SaltyJohn from TFG Radio, and one of the Las Vegas Open Head Judges, here to bring you a wrap up of this week in the ITC.
The last few weeks I have focused largely on interviews with players in the top 10 and in the running to win the ITC, or specific faction awards, after the Las Vegas Open. Today I wanted to run through the top 3 of each faction with the LVO just 3 weeks away! Before I post up the faction standings let’s take a quick look at the teams in the top 10. While it is unlikely that the number one spot with change, due to the heavy weighting of winning the ATC, there are plenty of teams in the top 20 that can make a jump into the top 5 or 3. The LVO is so many points that having a player from your team just make the top 8 is a huge boost to the overall team score. The best team on the West Coast of the US is definitely in play between last year’s best West Coast team #REKT, Relentless D, and Team Zero Comp. Mugu Legion probably also qualifies as West Coast.
First up on Faction Standings is the Sisters of Battle or Adeptus Sororitas! This is a faction that could see some big changes in the top 3 as the Beta Codex from Chapter Approved will be in play at the LVO 2019.
Space Marines are another faction that might see some serious movement during the LVO. With Chapter Approved the Adeptus Astartes took some big point drops and are looking to fit even more bodies and bolters into their lists. Patrick McAneeny is definitely the favorite here, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the competition was fierce.
Custodes are pretty much guaranteed to see someone other than Geoff Robinson crowned king of the Emperor’s Golden boys. Geoff will be commentating on the GW Live Stream along with Frankie so he won’t have a chance to rack up any more points.
Joshua Death is in the hunt for more than one faction prize but it will all come down to what he plays at LVO and how well he does to see if he can take one. It is unlikely he takes home two, I think it’s also unlikely he makes a run at Mechanicus.
The next factions that I think should be watched closely for a fierce, big name, competition to get the top prize over those who have been in the top 3 all year are Orks, Tau, Death Guard, Astra Militarum, Imperial Knights, and Renegade Knights. The top 3 for these factions have all had superb seasons so far and done well. With Orks, though the new dominant kid on the block syndrome might be an issue for top-ranked Simon Priddis and Rich Kilton to hold at bay. Renegade Knights have been dominated by Derek Page all year and if he brings his vaunted Porphyrion with him, he could go deep into day two undefeated giving him some huge points. Death Guard is going to be where it is at in my opinion. With Don Hooson and Josh Death in the running it might all come down to which of them makes it furthest for this one, or even a top 10 dark horse could swoop in and take it all. Here are the standings for Orks, Tau, Death Guard, Astramiliwhatsit, Imperial Knights, and Renegade Knights.
Of those, I haven’t mentioned yet, I think the next most contentious Faction fight for the top prize will likely be Tyranids. Although I believe Matt Root is bringing Orks that just means there will be even more room for someone to leapfrog him to take top Tyranid this season. I still maintain that in the right hands and with the right lists Tyranids are something to really be feared in Competitive 40k it just hasn’t seemed to manifest itself yet. Aeldari, Dhrukhari, Harlequins, Ynnari will all be well represented, but I think their power level has wained in the new Ork dominated meta, but LVO will be a true test of the pointy-eared space elves power drop if it exists.
If you look through most of the Faction Standings and you find your name in the top 10, and you’re going to LVO, you definitely have a shot at winning the Faction title. Just getting into the top 8 would be huge, but with a solid winning record, and perhaps the top dog in the category missing out, it is still conceivable. If you’re coming to the LVO and are in the running for a Best in Faction Award, put a little more thought into that list and get a little more practice with it on the table top! You might hear your name called and live in immortal glory as an ITC Best in Faction player for the 2018 Season!
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