The Earth is Flat!

Okay after upsetting everyone yesterday by posting my opinion that there was a large disparity between the strongest and the weakest of the Masters 40k lists, today I turn my attention to the Fantasy lists.


These can be found here.

The TO this year decided to use the ETC restrictions for the Fantasy competition. I applaud him using hard caps as it removes the subjective part of the equation, though the ETC restrictions are towards the harder end of caps I like to play under.

So what does this mean? Well a couple of things.

Firstly, the lists are far more even in strength than was evident in the 40k mix. I think that there are approximately ten lists of similar strength and six lists that are grading weaker from there. That's good for a Masters event.

Secondly, the ETC restrictions reward very defensive builds. The ETC is probably the most overtly defensive event in the world with teams trying to score on average 13 points per game. As a result builds are designed not to give up points and that is pretty reflective in the stronger builds here. This is compounded by the de-fanging of the magic phase by limiting the effect of "big magic".

I expect that a lot of games between the top players will fall in the 7-13 point range.

For my own list I decided to go more aggressive. Normally under ETC restrictions I should be using a Bell list. This allows me to pour my points into the unit and if threatened in the last couple of turns, present my rear and rely on Unbreakable.

However that doesn't strike me as a great deal of fun - nor would that style of list give me the opportunity to push for big wins. Masters events are normally won by Battle Point scores sub-80BPs. This is because all players have theoretically earned their place at the table AND all lists are designed to be as strong as possible within the restrictions.

Therefore there is two ways to approach it - look for 6 wins or 4 big wins plus moderate losses.

For this event, I haven't played a lot of players so I'll be trying to chance my arm (where appropriate) rather than try and grind an overall result. That gives me the best opportunity to be in the mix - and if I'm attending then I aim to be contending! The target I'm looking for is 72 Battle Points which works out at 12 per game. How I get there is going to be the interesting part.

Looking at all the lists and taking into account what I know of the players, I'm picking the following podium:

1. Joe Dixon (WoC)
2. Antony Kitson (Ogres)
3. Mal Patel (Lizards)