Welcome to Competitive Innovations, our weekly feature for a number of game lines across the tabletop wargame space. Each week our army list and tactics experts canvass the top tournaments for their game of specialty, looking at the week’s top match-ups and how they played out on the tabletop to let you know what’s hot, what’s not, and what might be coming next as the competitive meta evolves year-round.

Part three of Competitive Innovations – on a Sunday no less. You may have noticed that quite a few reviews went up yesterday, and that ended up delaying my ability to finish this off. Never fear, however – lists must be reviewed, and I’m now here to do just that.

If you haven’t yet taken a look at yesterday’s big reviews, check them out below:

Today:

The Alamo 40K GT ’25
San Diego Classic Grand Tournament ’25 – Warhammer 40K
Giga-Bites May Warhammer 40k GT
2025 Game Grid Open

Wednesday:

Mayhem 4: Live Free or Dice Hard
Maryland Open 2025
South Yorkshire GT 2025
Grampian Gaming Guild GT
Brighton 40k GT XI

Friday:

The Storm of Silence Warhammer 40,000 Grand Tournament
Alberta Classic 40k 2025
17 & 18 May 2025 – OWN’s Breaking Point GT at Game HQ
Winchester 40K GT – May 2025
Minsk Eternal GT II

The Alamo 40K GT ’25

76-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in San Antonio, TX, US on May 17 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

David Hall – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

*There can only be one!* (2000 Points)

Chaos Daemons
Daemonic Incursion
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Be’lakor (375 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Betraying Shades
• 1x The Blade of Shadows

Bloodthirster (325 Points)
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
• 1x Hellfire breath
• Enhancements: A’rgath, The King of Blades

Great Unclean One (295 Points)
• 1x Bilesword
• 1x Plague flail
• 1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancements: The Endless Gift

Lord of Change (285 Points)
• 1x Bolt of Change
• 1x Rod of sorcery
• 1x Staff of Tzeentch
• Enhancements: The Everstave

Skarbrand (305 Points)
• 1x Bellow of endless fury
• 1x Slaughter and Carnage

BATTLELINE

Nurglings (35 Points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
◦ 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Pink Horrors (140 Points)
• 10x Pink Horror
◦ 10x Coruscating Pink Flames
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 10x Pink claws

Plaguebearers (110 Points)
• 1x Plagueridden
◦ 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 9x Plaguesword

OTHER DATASHEETS

Beasts of Nurgle (65 Points)
• 1x Putrid appendages

Flamers (65 Points)
• 1x Pyrocaster
◦ 1x Flamer mouths
◦ 1x Flickering Flames
• 2x Flamer
◦ 2x Flamer mouths
◦ 2x Flickering Flames

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Monster Mash

Thoughts

Daemonic forces continue to dominate, here with a heavy duty monster mash build able to unleash extreme violence up close, and at least some violence at range. A fairly standard suite of utility pieces backs them up, with the Pink Horrors being the only sort-of standout, ideal for keeping hold of a point in the face of something like an Armiger. Well done toDavid on the win.

Dick McTrickle – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 2nd Place

Converted Knight Warden — Knight Errant Striiguth, piloted by piloted by Jafnather Yarl Rúna Vestrfjall of House Ulfir. Credit: Tom Saunders

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Control-Alt-Defeat (1995 Points)

Imperial Knights
Noble Lance
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (450 Points)
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
• 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
• 1x Freedom’s Hand

Knight Errant (415 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 1x Reaper chainsword
• 1x Stormspear rocket pod
• 1x Thermal cannon
• Enhancements: Mysterious Guardian

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (130 Points)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Warglaive (140 Points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 1x Reaper chain-cleaver
• 1x Thermal spear

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (100 Points)
• 1x Neural shredder
• 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Immolation flamers

Sisters of Battle Squad (115 Points)
• 1x Sister Superior
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
◦ 9x Bolt pistol
◦ 7x Boltgun
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Multi-melta
◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Exported with App Version: v1.32.1 (2), Data Version: v599

Archetype

Helverin-heavy Knights

Thoughts

Knights in second place also won’t be a surprise to anyone who read parts 1 and 2, as this faction is also having a real moment of glory. Dick’s build mixes things up a bit from the routine Canis + Armigers formula, adding supporting tools to lean into the power of the Helverin autocannons. Stripping cover from a key target with the Immolator helps these really sing, while adding Assault from the Errant helps a Helverin sprint from point-to-point to keep their buffs up. The teleporting Errant also ensures the build has monstrous close engagement power, allowing it to safely go a bit lighter on Warglaives. This build provides a nice balance between heft and flexibility, and I like it a fair bit more than the more one-dimensional Armiger armies, so congratulations to Dick on taking it to second.

Grant Nichols – Chaos Daemons (Plague Legion) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Daddy Nurgle loves you (2000 Points)

Chaos Daemons
Plague Legion
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Epidemius (80 Points)
• 1x Balesword and Nurgling attendants

Great Unclean One (270 Points)
• 1x Bilesword
• 1x Plague flail
• 1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancements: Font of Spores (Aura)

Great Unclean One (285 Points)
• 1x Bilesword
• 1x Plague flail
• 1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancements: Droning Shroud (Aura)

Poxbringer (70 Points)
• 1x Foul balesword
• Enhancements: Cankerblight (Aura)

Rotigus (250 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Gnarlrod
• 1x Streams of brackish filth

Spoilpox Scrivener (60 Points)
• 1x Disgusting sneezes
• 1x Plaguesword and distended maw

BATTLELINE

Nurglings (60 Points)
• 6x Nurgling Swarm
◦ 6x Diseased claws and teeth

Plaguebearers (110 Points)
• 1x Plagueridden
◦ 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
◦ 9x Plaguesword

OTHER DATASHEETS

Beasts of Nurgle (65 Points)
• 1x Putrid appendages

Soul Grinder (180 Points)
• Daemonic Allegiance: Nurgle
• 1x Harvester cannon
• 1x Iron claw
• 1x Phlegm bombardment
• 1x Warpsword

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Plague Legion Monster Mash

Thoughts

More Daemons in third place, demonstrating the faction’s depth with a completely different detachment. The core of the plan is still a monster mash one though – lumber towards the foe and present threats they can’t handle, largely because the Great Unclean One aura makes the entire monster/Vehicle suite T12/13. As if that wasn’t nasty enough, Plague Legion also comes equipped with a brutal array of Battle-shock tricks, and because its monsters are a fair bit cheaper than in mixed-god builds, it has plenty of space for Plaguebearers to contest objectives on top. This build rolls forwards and drowns the enemy’s ability to fight back in a sludge of durability and terror – all very Nurgle. Great work from Grant.

Donnie Rose – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance) – 4th Place

War Dog - Karnivore. Credit: Rockfish — War Dog – Karnivore. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Stinky Puppies (1980 points)

Chaos Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Traitoris Lance

CHARACTERS

War Dog Stalker (165 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Slaughterclaw
• Enhancement: Aura of Terror
* This Datasheet also has the Battleline keyword.

BATTLELINE

War Dog Brigand (165 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher

War Dog Karnivore (140 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw

ALLIED UNITS

Nurglings (35 points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Plaguebearers (110 points)
• 1x Plagueridden
• 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Plaguesword

Rotigus (250 points)
• 1x Gnarlrod
1x Streams of brackish filth

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (79), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Dogs and Rotigus

Thoughts

What if Knights and Daemons though? What if that? Take the standard powerhouse War Dog datasheets, add Rotigus to trap the enemy’s mid-field in a quagmire, and rip them apart. Classic stuff, and well executed by Donnie.

The Best of the Rest

There were 9 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Christopher Vasquez – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Tank-heavy goodstuff.
6th – Simon Alviar IV – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash with one big unit of Hormagaunts.
7th – Joseph Rexer – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Awakened with the Silent King, a Warrior brick, and some Wraiths as the centrepieces.
8th – Justin Pizzoferrato – Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge): Metamorph-heavy Broodsurge, eschewing the normal large Patriarch/Genestealer unit for the more hordey infantry.
9th – Kaleb Hansen – Space Marines (Ironstorm Spearhead): Dreadnought and Vindicator-heavy Ironstorm.
10th – Ethan Nolen – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): New Codex Warband with a nasty Eighbound unit lead by a Berzerker Glaive Slaughterbound, one big Berzerker squad, and lots of Forgefiends.
11th – TJ Bruce – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Revised Slaaneshi chariots join the classics like Screamers, Be’lakor and the Fadethirster in Shadow Legion.
12th – Josh Schneider – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): A mix of melee and ranged threats around the centrepiece of a full Terminator unit with Speed of the Primarch.
13th – Rik Hansen – Space Marines (Gladius Task Force): All-rounder Gladius Goodstuff with an especially large investment in Ballistus Dreads.

San Diego Classic Grand Tournament ’25 – Warhammer 40K

61-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in San Diego, CA, United States on May 17 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Antonio Biello – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

Imperial Knights - Armiger Helverins — Imperial Knights – Armiger Helverins
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Imperial Knights
+ DETACHMENT: Noble Lance
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1975pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium
+
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 13
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (10×2) + (1×6) – Assassination: 2 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

1x Canis Rex (450 pts)
• 1x Canis Rex
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
• 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
• 1x Freedom’s Hand
• Canis Rex, Chainbreaker, Legendary Freeblade, Invulnerable Save (5+*), Damaged: 1-7 Wounds Remaining
• 1x Sir Hekhtur
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hekhtur’s pistol
• Sir Hekhtur, Using Sir Hekhtur

BATTLELINE

1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber

1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts)
• 1x Reaper chain-cleaver
• 1x Thermal spear
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber

ALLIED UNITS

1x Callidus Assassin (100 pts)
• 1x Neural shredder
• 1x Phase sword and poison blades

1x Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 pts)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Immolation flamers

10x Sisters of Battle Squad (115 pts)
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Inferno pistol
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
• 7x Boltgun
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Meltagun

Archetype

Canis, Armigers and Immolators

Thoughts

It’s a day for iterations on a theme, apparently. More Imperial Knights, once again using Immolators to tee up Ignore Cover for Helverins, but this time eschewing the Errant for a second Immolator and more Armigers. Starting to get the feeling that this core strategy might be pretty good you know. Congratulations Antonio.

Mark Ferek – Aeldari (Spirit Conclave) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

eldar wraiths 2 (2000 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Spirit Conclave

CHARACTERS

Baharroth (115 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fury of the Tempest
1x Shining Blade

Farseer (70 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear

BATTLELINE

Storm Guardians (100 points)
• 10x Storm Guardian
• 8x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
2x Fusion gun
2x Power sword
6x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Serpent shield

Wraithblades (170 points)
• 5x Wraithblade
• 5x Ghostswords

Wraithblades (170 points)
• 5x Wraithblade
• 5x Forceshield
5x Ghostaxe

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Wave Serpent (125 points)
• 1x Shuriken cannon
1x Twin bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Dragons (110 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun

Swooping Hawks (85 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster

Warlock Conclave (110 points)
• 4x Warlock
• 4x Destructor
4x Shuriken pistol
4x Singing Spear

Warlock Skyrunners (45 points)
• 1x Destructor
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing Spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult

Wraithlord (140 points)
• 2x Bright lance
2x Flamer
1x Ghostglaive
1x Wraithbone fists

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (79), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Melee Spirit Host

Thoughts

Hell yeah, OK, time for something a bit different – Wraithblades. Ynnari and the direct violence of Aspect Host have dominated the usafe of the Aeldari Codex, but there’s a lot of depth there (as I know from playing Seer Council), and here the rare Spirit Host comes out to play. Wraithblades are very durable, and are powerful all-purpose blenders in this detachment, as you can hand them the ability to ignore Damage Modifiers or Devastating Wounds at will, and they only get nastier when one of the sacrificial Warlock Skyrunners that are zipping around here gets punked, activating Vengeful Dead.

That can also be achieved by the Warlock Conclaves, and I must admit that I, known Aeldari player, had not previously spotted that Vengeful Dead switches on per Psyker model killed, so having Conclaves around can make it really hard for the enemy not to switch it on. That’s extra true for the one that’s (presumably) embedded in the Storm Guardians, as if the enemy has to concentrate fire on them to take them out, you can just choose when those wounds go onto a Warlock.

Supporting that, you’ve got Wraithlords (great in all Aeldari builds, extra great here) and some Fire Dragons, leaning on the glorious fact that they need basically no support to do their job, and sitting them in the Wave Serpent forces the opponent to be cautious about how hard they commit. Baharroth and his boys round things out for a bit of scoring utility, and you end up with a list that’s much more prepared for direct confrontation than the Aeldari average, while still having some of the spike damage tricks that define them. Big fan of seeing exciting new Aeldari technology, well done Mark.

Hans Lieber – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 3rd Place

Plagueburst Crawler. Credit: Raf Cordero

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Trips Redux (2000 Points)

Death Guard
Mortarion’s Hammer
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 Points)
• 1x Manreaper

Lord of Virulence (105 Points)
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Twin plague spewer
• Enhancements: Shriekworm Familiar

Lord of Virulence (110 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Twin plague spewer
• Enhancements: Tendrilous Emissions

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 Points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations

Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 2x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points)
• 1x Bile spurt
• 1x Gnashing maw
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x Multi-melta

Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 2x Entropy cannon
• 1x Heavy slugger
• 1x Plagueburst mortar

Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy slugger
• 1x Plagueburst mortar
• 2x Plaguespitter

Poxwalkers (60 Points)
• 10x Poxwalker
◦ 10x Improvised weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Mortarion’s Hammer

Thoughts

Amidst the initial flurry of Vectorium and Champions builds, there are also some Mortarion’s Hammer builds in the mix for Death Guard. This isn’t massively surprising – Bloat-drones are extremely good anyway, and the combination between the Lord of Virulence and Plagueburst Crawlers gives Death Guard the always dangerous ability to put re-rolls on Indirect Fire. If you’re going hard on this plan, taking Hammer gives you a lot of mobility options to allow you to press forward with hulls when it’s time to close things out, and lets you hand out Afflicted status to maximise the power of the Plaguebursts. You also get a few nice incidental things like free Overwatch for one of your Deathshroud units with the Shriekworm Lord, which is no bad thing. Similar to Fire Dragons as seen above, Deathshrouds are one of those units that’s just so good at their job with no real detachment support needed that they help foster experimentation (as long as there’s only a few such units in a book), as they can provide you with a reliable, solid core to iterate around. Very encouraging, as a result, to see that three Death Guard detachments are getting airtime out the gate, and well done Hans for bringing us a third.

Tony Baumayr – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Astra Militarum
+ DETACHMENT: Combined Arms
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Ursula Creed
+ ENHANCEMENT: Grand Strategist (on Char5: Rogal Dorn Commander)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 18
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (7×2) + (1×4) – Assassination: 6 Characters – Cull The Horde: 1×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

1x Ursula Creed (65 pts)
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
• 1x Power weapon
• Warlord

5x Cadian Command Squad (65 pts)
• 1x Cadian Commander
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Cadian Commander
• 4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 3x Close combat weapon
• 3x Lasgun
• 1x Regimental standard
• 4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman, Master vox, Medi-pack

5x Cadian Command Squad (65 pts)
• 1x Cadian Commander
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Cadian Commander
• 4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Plasma gun
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 3x Lasgun
• 1x Regimental standard
• 4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman, Master vox, Medi-pack

5x Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 pts)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
• 1x Tempestus dagger
• Command rod, Tempestor Prime
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hot-shot volley gun
• 1x Plasma gun
• 2x Hot-shot lasgun
• 1x Hot-shot laspistol
• 4x Tempestus Scion, Medi-pack, Regimental standard

1x Ogryn Bodyguard (40 pts)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Bullgryn maul
• Brute shield

1x Rogal Dorn Commander (280 pts)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Coaxial autocannon
• 1x Oppressor cannon
• 1x Pulveriser cannon
• 2x Multi-melta
• 2x Heavy stubber
• Grand Strategist (+15 pts)

BATTLELINE

10x Cadian Shock Troops (65 pts)
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Sergeant’s autogun
• Shock Trooper
• 9x Shock Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 7x Lasgun
• 1x Grenade launcher
• 1x Plasma gun
• 9x Shock Trooper, Vox-caster

20x Death Korps of Krieg (130 pts)
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster
• 2x Power weapon
• 2x Plasma pistol
• 2x Death Korps of Krieg
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
• 18x Close combat weapon
• 14x Lasgun
• 2x Meltagun
• 2x Plasma gun
• 18x Death Korps of Krieg, 2x Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, 2x Vox-caster

OTHER DATASHEETS

10x Kasrkin (110 pts)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Power weapon
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Kasrkin
• 9x Kasrkin Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 3x Hot-shot lasgun
• 1x Hot-shot laspistol
• 1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
• 2x Meltagun
• 2x Plasma gun
• 9x Kasrkin, Melta mine, Vox-caster

10x Tempestus Scions (140 pts)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Tempestus Scions
• 9x Tempestus Scion
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 4x Hot-shot lasgun
• 1x Hot-shot laspistol
• 2x Hot-shot volley gun
• 2x Plasma gun
• 9x Tempestus Scions, Vox-caster

1x Hellhound (125 pts)
• 1x Inferno cannon
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Armoured tracks

1x Leman Russ Battle Tank (175 pts)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Leman Russ battle cannon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta
• 1x Heavy stubber

1x Leman Russ Exterminator (180 pts)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Exterminator autocannon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta
• 1x Heavy stubber

1x Scout Sentinels (55 pts)
• 1x Scout Sentinel
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Sentinel chainsaw
• 1x Lascannon
• Scout Sentinel

1x Taurox (65 pts)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Twin autocannon
• 1x Storm bolter

Archetype

Cadian-heavy Goodstuff

Thoughts

Guard goodstuff to finish this top four, with the standard backbone of basic Russes, a Dorn Commander and a Krieg brick, but with a slightly more elite supporting cast than the norm. Double Kasrkin and a drop Scion unit with Command provide some nasty spike threats to punish over-aggressive foes, and this build also has the quiety popular tech of an unattached Command Squad with an Ogryn bodyguard. The T boost these provide makes them a surprisingly durable utility piece, great for clinging on to a point in adverse conditions. They add a bit of adaptability, which seems to be what Tony’s spin on this list is going for in general, and well played to take fourth place with it.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Matthew Kulak – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Many tanks (unsurprisingly), a big unit of Krieg to tarpit, and various toolboxy utility pieces.
6th – Brandon Holm – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Extra tarpitty Starshatter with double Wraith brick and double Doomsday.
7th – Jeff Jew – Orks (War Horde): War Horde with the emphasis on horde, going for two full Boyz units in Battlewagons.
8th – Dillon Gonzales – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Infantry Ynnari with a big unit each of Reapers and Hawks.
9th – Joaquin Ruiz – Adepta Sororitas (Champions of Faith): Sacresants for days protecting various hulls, Dominions and Vahl’s unit for extra spike damage.
10th – Ben Jurek – Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Heavily mechanised Taktikal Brigade with Snaggas and Tankbustas in Trukks.
11th – Jason Kavetsky – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): Dread and Caladius spam, bringing along a Sisters of Battle Immolator for Ignore Cover on all the mid-weight guns.

Giga-Bites May Warhammer 40k GT

40-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Marietta, GA, United States on May 17 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Gabriel Nixon – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

grant me sticky in my hour of Need (2000 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

Biologus Putrifier (45 points)
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration

Foul Blightspawn (60 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plague sprayer

Lord of Contagion (135 points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Furnace of Plagues

Malignant Plaguecaster (60 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Corrupted staff
1x Plague Wind

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (190 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 9x Plague Marine
• 2x Blight launcher
3x Heavy plague weapon
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
2x Plasma gun

Plague Marines (95 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun

Plague Marines (95 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 2x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (140 points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe

Poxwalkers (60 points)
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (79), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Vectorium Plague Marine Goodstuff

Thoughts

Another Virulent Vectorium build on top here, this one dropping out Mortarion in favour of lots of small Plague Marine units (on top of the one big one) to provide extra staging threats in the mid-board. Seems perfectly reasonable – they’re a very good Battleline unit, and the rest of the build provides all the (already) standard strong support of the default Deathshroud/Drone/Poxwalker core. Great stuff from Gabriel.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1+ records (Noah in second was 5-0 after the swiss before the final playoff). They were:

2nd – Noah Neundorfer – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors): MSUs, Vindicators , a full Inceptor unit, and a Desolation squad.
3rd – Collin Watts – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and Armigers.
4th – Luca Fleury – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, Armigers and an Immolator.
5th – Walter Langendorf – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Extreme comedy stunt list action with triple Obelisk. I guess they’re at least very cheap for how tough they are?
6th – Collin Cochran – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Lots of cheap hulls and triple Deathshroud.
7th – Matt Aspinwall – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Daemons): Be’lakor, Fadethirster and lots of board control/objective tools.

2025 Game Grid Open

35-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Idaho Falls, ID, United States on May 17 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Supply Drop – Rapid Escalation – Sweeping Engagement

John Holbrook – Chaos Space Marines (Fellhammer Siege-host)
Army List - Click to Expand

“The Fellhammer Siege-Host is complete garbage… this ruleset is so weak and so bland that I’m surprised GW didn’t give it to the Imperial Fists.” – Some Grey Knights Player (1980 Points)

Chaos Space Marines
Fellhammer Siege-host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (280 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Drach’nyen
• 1x Talon of Horus

Cypher (90 Points)
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
• 1x Cypher’s plasma pistol

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (100 Points)
• 1x Chaos Familiar
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Infernal Gaze
• Enhancements: Warp Tracer

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (50 Points)
• 1x Cultist Champion
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Bikers (70 Points)
• 1x Biker Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Combi-bolter
◦ 1x Power fist
• 2x Chaos Biker
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Combi-bolter
◦ 2x Meltagun

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon

Chosen (125 Points)
• 1x Chosen Champion
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
◦ 3x Accursed weapon
◦ 3x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 2x Combi-weapon
◦ 1x Paired accursed weapons
◦ 1x Plasma pistol

Possessed (240 Points)
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 9x Hideous mutations

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

vs.

James Walsh – Dark Angels (Company of Hunters)
Army List - Click to Expand

DA Hunters (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Dark Angels
Company of Hunters
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Ravenwing Command Squad (120 Points)
• 1x Ravenwing Champion
• Warlord
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 1x Ravenwing Apothecary
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 1x Ravenwing Ancient
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon

Ravenwing Command Squad (140 Points)
• 1x Ravenwing Champion
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
◦ 1x Plasma talon
◦ Enhancements: Recon Hunter
• 1x Ravenwing Apothecary
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 1x Ravenwing Ancient
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon

Ravenwing Command Squad (135 Points)
• 1x Ravenwing Champion
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
◦ 1x Plasma talon
◦ Enhancements: Master of Manoeuvre
• 1x Ravenwing Apothecary
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 1x Ravenwing Ancient
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon

BATTLELINE

Outrider Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Outrider Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Twin bolt rifle
• 2x Outrider
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 2x Twin bolt rifle

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 Points)
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Ballistus lascannon
• 1x Ballistus missile launcher
• 1x Twin storm bolter

Centurion Devastator Squad (165 Points)
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
◦ 1x Centurion fists
◦ 1x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 1x Grav-cannon
• 2x Devastator Centurion
◦ 2x Centurion fists
◦ 2x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 2x Grav-cannon

Invader ATV (60 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Twin bolt rifle

Ravenwing Black Knights (90 Points)
• 1x Ravenwing Huntmaster
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 2x Ravenwing Black Knight
◦ 2x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 2x Bolt pistol
◦ 2x Plasma talon

Ravenwing Darkshroud (115 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Heavy bolter

Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
• 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Melta destroyer

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Thoughts

I’ll level, as soon as I saw this in the voting pool I knew I’d be writing about it, the Patrons love a stunt list making it to the top, and this showdown arguably has two! From the Dark Angels, we have the strong combination of Advance/Charge Outrider/Command Squad units supported by a very threatening Ballistus/Centurion firebase, both of which benefit from Advance/Shoot to waddle into position. The list can launch ferocious early charges, gets a good amount of stuff on the table, and has the damage to chew through most things.

Over on the Fellhammer side, the Chaos Space Marines are really leaning in on the fact that the detachment has some unique boosts for non-Leader melee Infantry, and thus maxing out on Possessed. Retaliatory hit re-rolls and Mortals in combat plus a Feel No Pain and wound reduction at range make these a pretty tough nut to crack here, and they’re backed by an ever-efficient Predator Destructor gunline.

In terms of how these lists stack up, the Dark Angels have a huge advantage in shooting supremacy, which they’ll want to use to crack the Predators ASAP, but close engagement is a complete nightmare for them. Non-Leader elite infantry happens to be the perfect counter to Company of Hunters, as they don’t even get to play with Talon Strike to up the damage.

My vibe here is that while the Dark Angels shooting advantage is real, the melee threats from Fellhammer have enough resilience against the shooting that it won’t be enough to help them – at least two of the Possessed units are making it into the fight largely intact, and at that point I don’t think the Angels will be able to stop the rampage. There are maybe some missions that you could play around that on – Linchpin, for example, I’d say the Dark Angels were favoured, because they could use their shooting and mobility advantage to encircle the CSM and flip their home. Supply Drop, however, comically amplifies the strengths the CSM have in this matchup, and I’m not surprised by the result as a consequence!

Result

Chaos Space Marines (Fellhammer Siege-host) Victory – 83 – 57

John Holbrook – Chaos Space Marines (Fellhammer Siege-host) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

“The Fellhammer Siege-Host is complete garbage… this ruleset is so weak and so bland that I’m surprised GW didn’t give it to the Imperial Fists.” – Some Grey Knights Player (1980 Points)

Chaos Space Marines
Fellhammer Siege-host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (280 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Drach’nyen
• 1x Talon of Horus

Cypher (90 Points)
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
• 1x Cypher’s plasma pistol

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (100 Points)
• 1x Chaos Familiar
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Infernal Gaze
• Enhancements: Warp Tracer

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (50 Points)
• 1x Cultist Champion
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon

Possessed (240 Points)
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 9x Hideous mutations

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Fellhammer Possessed

Thoughts

Covered in the showdown, and fair play to John for making this detachment work – max Possessed probably is the best way to be doing it, since as seen in the Showdown, it creates the highest probability of presenting a threat profile the enemy can’t handle in some situations. Great stuff to close out the week!

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Kyle Cleveland – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Mostly the standard Coterie list, just swapping out the third prince for two Spawn units for a bit of extra board presence.
3rd – Jacob O’Neill – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Loads of MSUs with Asurmen, Lhykis and Jain Zar leading some, plus the full Dark Reaper/Autarch murder bus.
4th – James Walsh – Dark Angels (Company of Hunters): See Showdown.
5th – Jordan Gledhill – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Fairly standard all-rounder Lions with Draxus.
6th – Zachary Tampoya – Chaos Daemons (Blood Legion): Many Bloodletters with Rendmasters to tee them up, some big beasts, and a very guilty looking Changeling sneaking in amongst the pack.

Wrap Up

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[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: An Ominous Stench pt.3

The Alamo 40K GT ’25

David Hall – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Dick McTrickle – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Grant Nichols – Chaos Daemons (Plague Legion) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Donnie Rose – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

San Diego Classic Grand Tournament ’25 – Warhammer 40K

Antonio Biello – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Mark Ferek – Aeldari (Spirit Conclave) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Hans Lieber – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Tony Baumayr – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Giga-Bites May Warhammer 40k GT

Gabriel Nixon – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

2025 Game Grid Open

The Showdown

Supply Drop – Rapid Escalation – Sweeping Engagement

Thoughts

Result

John Holbrook – Chaos Space Marines (Fellhammer Siege-host) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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