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.
Lowest of Men is in charge today, with a few more Xenos forces pushing back against Chaos dominance. We have the following for you:
- The WarDome
- Ice Breaker 2025 – Warhammer 40K GT
- Dicing Death III
- Battle for LA (in Cypress)
- FA CUP Warhammer 40K Grand Tournament 2025
- The Fall of Empire III
Tomorrow I will round out the week with;
- Squig City: Casino Royale 2025
- THERE IS ONLY WAR IV: A Warhammer 40k Major Tournament
- Ozcon
- Imperium Talis VIII 40K (Ironman)
- Battle Ready Games 40K GT
- Double Decker Decimation 2025
…and if you’re looking for the following, check out part 1 from Wednesday:
- Leoben 40K Singles 2025 – Alpine Cup
- ÖK-spelen II
- ValleyCon 2025
- Broadsword Wargaming 40K ITC Seasonal Major VII
- Nidaros Grand Tournament ’25 – Warhammer 40k
The WarDome
72-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in New Caney, TX, United States on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Orks (War Horde) versus Deathwatch
Justin Moore – Orks (War Horde) Orks (2000 points) Orks CHARACTERS Beastboss (80 points) Deffkilla Wartrike (95 points) Painboy (80 points) Warboss (100 points) Warboss (75 points) Warboss (75 points) BATTLELINE Beast Snagga Boyz (95 points) Boyz (160 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Trukk (65 points) Trukk (65 points) Trukk (65 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Battlewagon (160 points) Breaka Boyz (140 points) Breaka Boyz (140 points) Flash Gitz (80 points) Flash Gitz (80 points) Gretchin (40 points) Tankbustas (135 points) Tankbustas (135 points) Tankbustas (135 points) Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589
Army List - Click to Expand
Get busy Killin, or get busy dyin!
Waghhhhhhh!
Strike Force (2000 points)
War Horde
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
1x Beastchoppa
1x Shoota
• Warlord
• 1x Boomstikks
1x Killa jet
1x Snagga klaw
• Enhancement: Supa-Cybork Body
• 1x Grot Orderly
1x Power klaw
1x ’Urty syringe
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas
• Enhancement: Follow Me Ladz
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 19x Boy
• 19x Choppa
19x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
• 2x Big shoota
1x Deff rolla
1x Lobba
1x ’Ard Case
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Breaka Boy
• 4x Smash hammer
1x Tankhammer
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Breaka Boy
• 4x Smash hammer
1x Tankhammer
• 1x Ammo Runt
• 1x Kaptin
• 1x Choppa
1x Snazzgun
• 4x Flash Git
• 4x Choppa
4x Snazzgun
• 1x Ammo Runt
• 1x Kaptin
• 1x Choppa
1x Snazzgun
• 4x Flash Git
• 4x Choppa
4x Snazzgun
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Runtherd tools
1x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
vs.
Primaris Tex – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) Space Marines CHARACTERS Captain in Gravis Armour (105 points) Chaplain (85 points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) Watch Master (135 points) BATTLELINE Deathwatch Veterans (200 points) Intercessor Squad (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Fortis Kill Team (200 points) Fortis Kill Team (200 points) Fortis Kill Team (200 points) Indomitor Kill Team (270 points) Indomitor Kill Team (270 points) Exported with App Version: v1.32.1 (78), Data Version: v599
Army List - Click to Expand
if you play Guilliman/Gladius, puck you! (1995 points)
Deathwatch
Strike Force (2000 points)
Black Spear Task Force
• 1x Master-crafted heavy bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• Enhancement: Thief of Secrets
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Crozius arcanum
• Enhancement: Beacon Angelis
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• Warlord
• 1x Vigil spear
• Enhancement: The Tome of Ectoclades
• 1x Watch Sergeant
• 1x Boltgun
1x Xenophase blade
• 9x Deathwatch Veterans
• 4x Astartes shield
1x Black Shield blades
4x Deathwatch thunder hammer
4x Power weapon
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Intercessor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Bolt rifle
4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Kill Team Sergeant
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
1x Bolt pistol
1x Deathwatch bolt rifle
1x Power fist
• 3x Kill Team Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
3x Deathwatch bolt rifle
• 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Plasma incinerator
• 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Castellan launcher
2x Close combat weapon
1x Superkrak rocket launcher
1x Vengor launcher
• 1x Kill Team Sergeant
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
1x Bolt pistol
1x Deathwatch bolt rifle
1x Power fist
• 3x Kill Team Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
3x Deathwatch bolt rifle
• 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Plasma incinerator
• 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Castellan launcher
2x Close combat weapon
1x Superkrak rocket launcher
1x Vengor launcher
• 1x Kill Team Sergeant
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
1x Bolt pistol
1x Deathwatch bolt rifle
1x Power fist
• 3x Kill Team Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
3x Deathwatch bolt rifle
• 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Plasma incinerator
• 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Castellan launcher
2x Close combat weapon
1x Superkrak rocket launcher
1x Vengor launcher
• 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
2x Deathwatch heavy bolter
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists
• 3x Flamestorm gauntlets
3x Twin power fists
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle
• 3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
2x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta
• 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
2x Deathwatch heavy bolter
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists
• 3x Flamestorm gauntlets
3x Twin power fists
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle
• 3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
2x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta
Thoughts
The Xenos hunters of the Deathwatch drop in to battle the rising green menace here, as Orks continue to wreak havoc even in the wake of recent nerfs. The DW list packs an awful lot of shooting with the ability to redeploy and focus segments of the board. It is packed with Kill Teams – all the output concentrated in five units! This makes opposing scoring a faff – as kill cards become much harder to chase down – but it also raises the risk of activation locking.
Orks love activation locking! The chassis of the Dakka lists basically translates over to War Horde here with some supporting shooting but then a renewed emphasis on melee units around some bricks of Boyz to force commitment. Trukks are a real pain for uppy-downy shooting armies – they buy you time, force activations out of them and ferry you closer to retaliation. I was broadly positive for the Orks here on paper but in the event this was a brutal, low scoring game, so it looks like the Kill Teams put up a solid fight! Very well done both.
Result
Orks (War Horde) Victory – 58 – 44
Justin Moore – Orks (War Horde) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Orks (2000 points) Orks CHARACTERS Beastboss (80 points) Deffkilla Wartrike (95 points) Painboy (80 points) Warboss (100 points) Warboss (75 points) Warboss (75 points) BATTLELINE Beast Snagga Boyz (95 points) Boyz (160 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Trukk (65 points) Trukk (65 points) Trukk (65 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Battlewagon (160 points) Breaka Boyz (140 points) Breaka Boyz (140 points) Flash Gitz (80 points) Flash Gitz (80 points) Gretchin (40 points) Tankbustas (135 points) Tankbustas (135 points) Tankbustas (135 points) Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589
Get busy Killin, or get busy dyin!
Waghhhhhhh!
Strike Force (2000 points)
War Horde
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
1x Beastchoppa
1x Shoota
• Warlord
• 1x Boomstikks
1x Killa jet
1x Snagga klaw
• Enhancement: Supa-Cybork Body
• 1x Grot Orderly
1x Power klaw
1x ’Urty syringe
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas
• Enhancement: Follow Me Ladz
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
• 9x Choppa
9x Slugga
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 19x Boy
• 19x Choppa
19x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
• 2x Big shoota
1x Deff rolla
1x Lobba
1x ’Ard Case
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Breaka Boy
• 4x Smash hammer
1x Tankhammer
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Breaka Boy
• 4x Smash hammer
1x Tankhammer
• 1x Ammo Runt
• 1x Kaptin
• 1x Choppa
1x Snazzgun
• 4x Flash Git
• 4x Choppa
4x Snazzgun
• 1x Ammo Runt
• 1x Kaptin
• 1x Choppa
1x Snazzgun
• 4x Flash Git
• 4x Choppa
4x Snazzgun
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Runtherd tools
1x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
1x Rokkit pistol
1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
Archetype
War Horde Pressure
Thoughts
War Horde got better when new units and an improved Waaagh arrived a little while ago. We didn’t see as much from it as there were newer, shinier, shootier toys for Ork players to explore, but we can sure as hell expect to see more of it now! The Original detachment has a phenomenal toolkit for causing mayhem, and can now do so more flexibly, with a wider range of ways to play the game. Fantastic work on the event win.
Primaris Tex – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Captain in Gravis Armour (105 points) Chaplain (85 points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) Watch Master (135 points) BATTLELINE Deathwatch Veterans (200 points) Intercessor Squad (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Fortis Kill Team (200 points) Fortis Kill Team (200 points) Fortis Kill Team (200 points) Indomitor Kill Team (270 points) Indomitor Kill Team (270 points) Exported with App Version: v1.32.1 (78), Data Version: v599
if you play Guilliman/Gladius, puck you! (1995 points)
Deathwatch
Strike Force (2000 points)
Black Spear Task Force
• 1x Master-crafted heavy bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• Enhancement: Thief of Secrets
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Crozius arcanum
• Enhancement: Beacon Angelis
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• Warlord
• 1x Vigil spear
• Enhancement: The Tome of Ectoclades
• 1x Watch Sergeant
• 1x Boltgun
1x Xenophase blade
• 9x Deathwatch Veterans
• 4x Astartes shield
1x Black Shield blades
4x Deathwatch thunder hammer
4x Power weapon
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Intercessor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Bolt rifle
4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Kill Team Sergeant
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
1x Bolt pistol
1x Deathwatch bolt rifle
1x Power fist
• 3x Kill Team Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
3x Deathwatch bolt rifle
• 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Plasma incinerator
• 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Castellan launcher
2x Close combat weapon
1x Superkrak rocket launcher
1x Vengor launcher
• 1x Kill Team Sergeant
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
1x Bolt pistol
1x Deathwatch bolt rifle
1x Power fist
• 3x Kill Team Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
3x Deathwatch bolt rifle
• 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Plasma incinerator
• 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Castellan launcher
2x Close combat weapon
1x Superkrak rocket launcher
1x Vengor launcher
• 1x Kill Team Sergeant
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
1x Bolt pistol
1x Deathwatch bolt rifle
1x Power fist
• 3x Kill Team Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
3x Deathwatch bolt rifle
• 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Plasma incinerator
• 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Castellan launcher
2x Close combat weapon
1x Superkrak rocket launcher
1x Vengor launcher
• 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
2x Deathwatch heavy bolter
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists
• 3x Flamestorm gauntlets
3x Twin power fists
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle
• 3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
2x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta
• 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
2x Deathwatch heavy bolter
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists
• 3x Flamestorm gauntlets
3x Twin power fists
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle
• 3x Bolt pistol
3x Close combat weapon
2x Melta rifle
1x Multi-melta
Archetype
Deathwatch Murder Drops
Thoughts
Absolute sucker punch drop shooting from this Kill Team list, that goes hard on big drop shooting units to move about the board leaving craters in it’s wake. Getting a second Oaths target via Tome of Ectoclades helps you punch through damage in the key moments, and the free Rapid Ingress via the Beacon also helps you to set up big swings. Deathwatch are quietly simmering away as one of the nasty lesser seen threats in the meta – watch your back! Well done on the top placing.
Nick “Doots” Toomey – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Adepta Sororitas CHARACTERS Canoness (60 points) Canoness with Jump Pack (100 points) Junith Eruita (90 points) Morvenn Vahl (170 points) BATTLELINE Battle Sisters Squad (105 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Immolator (125 points) Immolator (125 points) Sororitas Rhino (75 points) Sororitas Rhino (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Arco-flagellants (140 points) Castigator (170 points) Castigator (170 points) Paragon Warsuits (220 points) Repentia Squad (170 points) Sisters Novitiate Squad (100 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (100 points) Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589
The Emperor Gives His Toughest Battles To His Strongest Warriors (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hallowed Martyrs
• 1x Blessed blade
1x Inferno pistol
• Enhancement: Saintly Example
• 1x Blessed halberd
• Enhancement: Through Suffering, Strength
• 1x Mace of Castigation
1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Condemnor Boltgun
1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Ministorum flamer
1x Ministorum heavy flamer
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Immolation flamers
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator autocannons
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator autocannons
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Paragon Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war mace
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war blade
• 1x Repentia Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Neural whips
• 9x Sister Repentia
• 9x Penitent eviscerator
• 1x Novitiate Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Sister Novitiate
• 9x Autopistol
3x Close combat weapon
2x Ministorum flamer
6x Novitiate melee weapons
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Hallowed Martyrs Characters
Thoughts
Sisters storm to a podium with a sneaky Hallowed Martyrs list that trades hard on resurrecting characters and the ever-present threat of the Vahl Paragons to keep people honest. Down on assets after many nerfs, making the units you do have go further with the control tools in Martyrs makes a lot of sense – you get great anti-melee potential, and the revive allows you to avoid hard committing early game. Fantastic work!
Zach Meyer – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Imperial Knights CHARACTERS Canis Rex (450 points) Knight Errant (415 points) BATTLELINE Armiger Helverin (130 points) Armiger Helverin (130 points) Armiger Helverin (130 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (100 points) Vigilant Squad (85 points) Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589
Once More Unto Glory (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble Lance
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s Hand
• 1x Meltagun
1x Stormspear rocket pod
1x Thermal cannon
1x Thunderstrike gauntlet
• Enhancement: Mysterious Guardian
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
• 1x Proctor-Vigilant
• 1x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Nuncio-acquila
• 9x Vigilant
• 7x Arbites combat shotgun
1x Arbites grenade launcher
9x Arbites shotpistol
9x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Cyber-mastiff
• 1x Mechanical bite
Archetype
Canis and friends
Thoughts
IK keep on slamming, with Canis and another big friend leading the Armigers to battle. You can get an awful lot of stuff in an Imperial Knights list right now, with your own Imperial Agents flavouring to taste. Nice to see Mysterious Guardian out on the second big Knight – threatening redeploy via this keeps opposing assets back and stretches their resources thinner which can only aid you in the portions of the board where the real points are scored! Great work on the top placing.
The Best of the Rest
There were 2 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Oscar Ruiz – Death Guard (Plague Company): Hull heavy Death Guard with Mortarion and some Brigands.
- 6th – Niall Kitching – Chaos Knights: All the War Dogs.
Ice Breaker 2025 – Warhammer 40K GT
62-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Roseville, MN, US on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Tyler Carlson – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Daemons CHARACTERS Be’lakor (375 Points) Bloodthirster (325 Points) Great Unclean One (295 Points) Kairos Fateweaver (270 Points) Skarbrand (305 Points) The Changeling (90 Points) BATTLELINE Daemonettes (100 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Beasts of Nurgle (65 Points) Flesh Hounds (75 Points) Flesh Hounds (75 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (1), Data Version: v589
Fixed or Tactical? (1975 Points)
Daemonic Incursion
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Betraying Shades
• 1x The Blade of Shadows
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
• 1x Hellfire breath
• Enhancements: A’rgath, The King of Blades
• 1x Bileblade
• 1x Bilesword
• 1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancements: The Endless Gift
• 1x Infernal Gateway
• 1x Staff of Tomorrow
• 1x Bellow of endless fury
• 1x Slaughter and Carnage
• 1x Infernal Flames
• 1x The Trickster’s Staff
• 1x Alluress
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
◦ 9x Slashing claws
• 1x Putrid appendages
• 1x Gore Hound
◦ 1x Burning roar
◦ 1x Collar of Khorne
◦ 1x Gore-drenched fangs
• 4x Flesh Hound
◦ 4x Collar of Khorne
◦ 4x Gore-drenched fangs
• 1x Gore Hound
◦ 1x Burning roar
◦ 1x Collar of Khorne
◦ 1x Gore-drenched fangs
• 4x Flesh Hound
◦ 4x Collar of Khorne
◦ 4x Gore-drenched fangs
Archetype
Monster Mash
Thoughts
Monster mash Daemons is very real indeed. Daemonic Incursion was another detachment that saw very genuine stealth buffs, but flew a bit under the radar as Slaanesh wreaked havoc after Grotmas. Being able to suddenly redeploy and deliver the big Daemons into melee wherever you like is really brutal into any army that doesn’t boast quite significant screening capacity. The lists look very light on material, but with the Endless Gift Great Unclean One as a pivot they can do a lot of damage via their other key pieces. Amazing work on the event win!
James Kelling – Aeldari (Seer Council) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch (75 points) Baharroth (115 points) Eldrad Ulthran (110 points) Farseer (100 points) Fuegan (120 points) Maugan Ra (100 points) BATTLELINE Guardian Defenders (100 points) Storm Guardians (100 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (125 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dark Reapers (90 points) Fire Dragons (110 points) Howling Banshees (90 points) Swooping Hawks (85 points) Vibro Cannon Platform (60 points) Vibro Cannon Platform (60 points) Vibro Cannon Platform (60 points) War Walkers (95 points) Warlock Conclave (110 points) Warlock Conclave (110 points) Warlock Skyrunners (45 points) Warlock Skyrunners (45 points) Warp Spiders (95 points) Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589
A Fully Armed and Operational Battle Station (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Seer Council
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Star glaive
• 1x Fury of the Tempest
1x Shining Blade
• Warlord
• 1x Mind War
1x Shuriken pistol
1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
• Enhancement: Lucid Eye
• 1x Fire Axe
1x Searsong
• 1x Maugetar
• 10x Guardian Defender
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Heavy Weapon Platform
• 1x Bright lance
1x Close combat weapon
• 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
• 1x Shuriken cannon
1x Twin bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
• 1x Executioner
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
• 4x Banshee blade
4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shuriken catapult
1x Vibro cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shuriken catapult
1x Vibro cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shuriken catapult
1x Vibro cannon
• 2x Starcannon
1x War Walker feet
• 4x Warlock
• 4x Destructor
4x Shuriken pistol
4x Singing Spear
• 4x Warlock
• 4x Destructor
4x Shuriken pistol
4x Singing Spear
• 1x Destructor
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing Spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Destructor
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing Spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
Archetype
Seer Council Nonsense
Thoughts
Boon makes off with a top placing with his own unique brand of Seer Council mischief. This detachment is gradually seeing more play but he was flying the flag from day one, all credit to you! Teleporting Warlock Conclaves make an absolute mess if you’re not careful, and this list has a mass of tools for responding to enemy pressure in Baharroth, and a carefully applied Maugan Ra or Fuegan. The triple Vibro Cannons are also very interesting – these stack up to some very scary places in threes, especially with a War Walker on hand to add even more AP, and they’re very cheap too! Finding ways to go wide with Eldar whilst remaining deadly feels key at the moment- and Seer Council absolutely can. Really well done on the top placing!
Naturally, given Our Boy has been out there going undefeated, he’s added some thoughts on the list. Take it away Boon:
Since release I’ve been high on the Seer Council as not just a fun way to play Eldar, but as an unheralded, powerful detachment. In private circles I’ve been very vocal on this detachment, but with limited time available to prove it out, I’ve been unable to put results behind my opinions. A prior 4-1 result at a Major sized event wasn’t enough to prove this to myself, so I relished the opportunity for a second shot when Ice Breaker came around. To put a cherry on top, I brought the Guardian Deathstar that has been lampooned as too expensive or not durable enough. The event served as a strong test – by the end of the weekend, I had played into a series of good, tough matchups including Dark Angels, Tyranids, Custodes, Deathwatch, and Ynnari and I am now more confident than ever that not only is Seer Council a fun, dynamic detachment but it’s also very strong.
The list has a few units that are unconventional – Vibro Cannons, Maugen Ra, and the Guardian Defender Deathstar to name a few. I won’t go into the list in detail, if you would like to read more, I’ll cover that in a future faction focus update, but I cannot say enough about the Guardian unit – it really makes the army list a threat in every turn and requires my opponent to always consider how they account for it. In this detachment it hits harder than anything else in the roster while still being mobile, flexible, and durable. My favorite aspect of it is to draw out Cull the Horde, forcing my opponent to forgo a command point or secondary scoring (sometimes both!). For an army that has a major command point advantage, a unit that can help maximize that disparity is always welcome (see also: Eldrad, Autarchs, and if points allow, the enhancement to increase an opponent’s CP cost).
The match that most stands out to me and exemplifies the capability of this detachment was my round four game into a savvy Deathwatch player and friend, Reid Olson. It’s a tough matchup – that army can match my own mobility and counter my defensive strengths with its own redeploys of deadly and durable kill team bricks. I made a critical mistake right away on turn one and then proceeded to lose over a third of my army. The game looked dire. However, what remained was still potent enough that when my opponent drew secondaries that would force him into the open, he opted instead to play for late-game and focus on killing my units rather than giving me the chance to cut down his force advantage.
By selectively sacrificing screening units to Psychic Shield my remaining hitters (Guardian Deathstar, Conclave/Eldrad, and Reapers), leveraging the mobility afforded by Unshrouded Truth, and being opportunistic when an opening presented itself, I was able to keep myself in the game long enough to make a decisive redeploy on turn four and then again on turn five with the Guardian Deathstar that would end up winning me the game with a little help from Maugen Ra and his shooting phase battleshock test. I sincerely believe that with any other Eldar detachment, facing such an early deficit, I’d have found myself clawing for a narrow loss rather than snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, and it’s the tools from Seer Council that made it possible.
That’s the power of a Seer Council build – understated, indirect, but no less impactful.
Devin Orchard – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necrons CHARACTERS Hatshepsut, Phaerakh of the Markenezan Dynasty [Catacomb Command Barge] (150 points) Kheminar, First Tendril of Tholaraskh [Hexmark Destroyer] (75 points) Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points) Tholaraskh, Night’s Whisper [Lokhust Lord] (95 points) Baraka, The Black Butcher of Kharden [Skorpekh Lord] (90 points) Agrondax, The Sleepless Harbinger [Technomancer] (85 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Shades of Markenezan [Canoptek Wraiths] (230 points) Stellar Remnants [Doomsday Ark] (1) (200 points) Fury of the Stars [Doomsday Ark] (2) (200 points) The Harvester [Doomsday Ark] (3) (200 points) Ta’Keph’s Brood [Flayed Ones] (60 points) Tholaraskh’s Reach [Lokhust Heavy Destroyers] (anti-infantry) (165 points) Gameskh, The Obsessed [Ophydian Destroyers] (80 points) Baraka’s 1st Phalanx [Skorpekh Destroyers] (BLACK) (90 points) Baraka’s 2nd Phalanx [Skorpekh Destroyers] (BLUE) (90 points) Baraka’s 3rd Phalanx [Skorpekh Destroyers] (90 points)
Markenezan Arsenal (2000 points)
Starshatter Arsenal
• 1x Gauss cannon
1x Overlord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancement: Dread Majesty (Aura)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• Warlord
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer
• 1x Lord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancement: Miniaturised Nebuloscope
• 1x Enmitic annihilator
1x Flensing claw
1x Hyperphase harvester
• Enhancement: Demanding Leader
• 1x Staff of light
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws
• 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Enmitic exterminator
• 3x Ophydian Destroyer
• 3x Ophydian hyperphase weapons
1x Plasmacyte
• 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
• 1x Plasmacyte
3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
• 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
• 1x Plasmacyte
3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
• 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
• 1x Plasmacyte
3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
Archetype
Starshatter MSU
Thoughts
Skorpekh MSU appears to be in season – I absolutely love these guys and it’s awesome to see them making lists as push and counter push threats. The Silent King makes way here, but otherwise it is Necron business as usual – you’ve got some Destroyers, and a bunch of Doomsday Arks for the meat, as smaller units buzz around being slightly harder to kill than you’d like. Fantastic work on the top placing.
Reid Olson – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Captain in Gravis Armour (110 Points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points) Watch Master (105 Points) BATTLELINE Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points) Intercessor Squad (80 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Rhino (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Deathwatch Terminator Squad (190 Points) Deathwatch Terminator Squad (190 Points) Deathwatch Terminator Squad (190 Points) Indomitor Kill Team (270 Points) Indomitor Kill Team (270 Points) Infiltrator Squad (100 Points) Reiver Squad (80 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.30.0 (2), Data Version: v588
Deathwatch should be squatted v2 (2000 Points)
Deathwatch
Black Spear Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Master-crafted heavy bolt rifle
• 1x Master-crafted power weapon
• Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
• 1x Vigil spear
• 1x Watch Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes shield
◦ 1x Xenophase blade
• 9x Deathwatch Veterans
◦ 1x Astartes shield
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer
◦ 2x Frag cannon
◦ 2x Infernus heavy bolter
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Thunder hammer
• 4x Intercessor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Bolt rifle
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant
◦ 1x Power fist
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Deathwatch Terminator
◦ 3x Cyclone missile launcher
◦ 4x Power fist
◦ 4x Storm bolter
• 1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant
◦ 1x Power fist
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Deathwatch Terminator
◦ 3x Cyclone missile launcher
◦ 4x Power fist
◦ 4x Storm bolter
• 1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant
◦ 1x Power fist
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Deathwatch Terminator
◦ 3x Cyclone missile launcher
◦ 4x Power fist
◦ 4x Storm bolter
• 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolter
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists
◦ 3x Flamestorm gauntlets
◦ 3x Twin power fists
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle
◦ 3x Bolt pistol
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Melta rifle
◦ 1x Multi-melta
• 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolter
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists
◦ 3x Flamestorm gauntlets
◦ 3x Twin power fists
• 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle
◦ 3x Bolt pistol
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Melta rifle
◦ 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Helix Gauntlet
◦ 1x Infiltrator Comms Array
◦ 4x Marksman bolt carbine
• 1x Reiver Sergeant
◦ 1x Combat knife
◦ 1x Grapnel Launcher
◦ 1x Reiver Grav-chute
◦ 1x Special issue bolt pistol
• 4x Reiver
◦ 4x Combat knife
◦ 4x Grapnel Launcher
◦ 4x Reiver Grav-chute
◦ 4x Special issue bolt pistol
Archetype
Death Watch Mixed Arms
Thoughts
In contrast to the murder bricks DW list earlier on, this one spreads much wider and works in a lot more ways to force the opponent to play – double Combi-LT is awesome for this, and the Terminator squads force enemy commitment too. I think this should make getting your teeth into a wider range of enemies more plausible, and opens up more avenues for shenanigans. Fantastic work on the to placing.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Gil Myvett – Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealot): An MSU Pactbound list with baby Possessed squads, some Predators and a Vindicator along the Chosen brick.
- 6th – David Arimond – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Shield Host Guard spam with some Caladius in support.
- 7th – Jacob Virginia – Death Guard (Plague Company): Plague Marine Rhino rush with plenty of Drones.
- 8th – Kiran Arquin – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Gladius Dangels with two squads of Deathwing Knights, Azrael and some supporting Ballistus shooting.
- 9th – Tragg Thorsgard – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): A Starshatter DDA / Silent King list with Wraith brick.
- 10th – Tim Cook – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ): A genuine mixed arms wolves list with Bjorn leading some Terminators, Thunderwolves and a Land Raider!
Dicing Death III
49-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Portland, OR, United States on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Steve Skelley – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 1x Mortarion (300 pts): Warlord, Rotwind, Silence, The Lantern 10x Death Guard Cultists (50 pts) 3x Nurglings (35 pts): 3 with Diseased claws and teeth
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Death Guard
+ DETACHMENT: Plague Company
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Legiones Daemonica & Chaos Knights
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Mortarion
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (10×2) + (1×4) – Assassination: 2 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Typhus (80 pts): Master-crafted manreaper
• 1x Cultist Champion: Brutal assault weapon, Cultist firearm
• 9x Cultist: 9 with Brutal assault weapon, Cultist firearm
10x Death Guard Cultists (50 pts)
• 1x Cultist Champion: Brutal assault weapon, Cultist firearm
• 9x Cultist: 9 with Brutal assault weapon, Cultist firearm
3x Deathshroud Terminators (110 pts)
• 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet
1x Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, Predator autocannon, Plague combi-bolter, 2x Plague heavy bolter
1x Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, Predator autocannon, Plague combi-bolter, 2x Plague heavy bolter
1x Foetid Bloat-drone (90 pts): Plague probe, 2x Plaguespitter
1x Foetid Bloat-drone (90 pts): Plague probe, Fleshmower
1x Foetid Bloat-drone (90 pts): Plague probe, Fleshmower
1x Plagueburst Crawler (180 pts): Armoured tracks, Plagueburst mortar, Rothail stubber, 2x Entropy cannon
1x Plagueburst Crawler (180 pts): Armoured tracks, Plagueburst mortar, Rothail stubber, 2x Entropy cannon
1x Plagueburst Crawler (180 pts): Armoured tracks, Plagueburst mortar, Rothail stubber, 2x Plaguespitter
1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher
Archetype
Death Guard Hull Spam
Thoughts
A fond farewell to Death Guard hull spam, as the new book looms. Brutal, points efficient, and absolutely lethal into anything that can’t chew through several vehicles through debuffs every turns. Death Guard look set to glow up in whole new ways very shortly, but they’ve eaten pretty well in the last few months too! Amazing work on the event win.
The Best of the Rest
There were 8 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
- 2nd (4.5-0.5) – Adrian James – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, double Cerastus, and some Armigers.
- 3rd – Shane Barrantes – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Peteraxii and Ruststalker bricks with some Chicken / Disintegrator shooting.
- 4th – Tanner Hebert – Orks (War Horde): Massed Trukk MSU in War Horde.
- 5th – Brennan Larson – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Triple Trygon, triple Exocrine Invasion Fleet with supporting chaff.
- 6th – Daniel Harrison – Astra Militarum (Mechanised Regiment): Mechanised Artillery with lots of Taurox and Chimaera out ahead.
- 7th – Jeff Cope – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Armiger spam with some Sisters / Immolator support.
- 8th – Jameson Haytas – Chaos Space Marines (Fellhammer): Abaddon and a Terminator brick with some tanks in tow.
- 9th – George Kennedy – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force): Ultramarines Gladius with Gulliman and Calgar.
Battle for LA (in Cypress)
37-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Cypress, CA, United States on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Matthew Geyer – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Daemons CHARACTERS Be’lakor (375 points) Great Unclean One (295 points) Kairos Fateweaver (270 points) Rotigus (250 points) BATTLELINE Nurglings (35 points) Plaguebearers (110 points) Plaguebearers (110 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Beasts of Nurgle (65 points) Flamers (65 points) Flamers (65 points) Soul Grinder (180 points) Soul Grinder (180 points) Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589
How fast can you table me? (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Daemonic Incursion
• Warlord
• 1x Betraying Shades
1x The Blade of Shadows
• 1x Bilesword
1x Plague flail
1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancement: The Endless Gift
• 1x Infernal Gateway
1x Staff of Tomorrow
• 1x Gnarlrod
1x Streams of brackish filth
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Plagueridden
• 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Plaguesword
• 1x Plagueridden
• 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Plaguesword
• 1x Putrid appendages
• 1x Pyrocaster
• 1x Flamer mouths
1x Flickering Flames
• 2x Flamer
• 2x Flamer mouths
2x Flickering Flames
• 1x Pyrocaster
• 1x Flamer mouths
1x Flickering Flames
• 2x Flamer
• 2x Flamer mouths
2x Flickering Flames
• Daemonic Allegiance: Nurgle
• 1x Harvester cannon
1x Iron claw
1x Phlegm bombardment
1x Warpsword
• Daemonic Allegiance: Nurgle
• 1x Harvester cannon
1x Iron claw
1x Phlegm bombardment
1x Warpsword
Archetype
Daemons Big Stuff
Thoughts
Another triumph for big boi Daemons, this list scales back the Greater Daemons in favour of a bit more scoring and some Soul Grinders for ranged threat. To compensate, it ensures the Greater Daemons it does bring are chunky as hell, in Rotigus and the Gift GUO. Applying careful pressure around the edges for a few turns as these big bois sit giggling on the objectives is a very solid game plan right now! Amazing work.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
- 2nd (4.5-0.5) – christopher orton – Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm): Massed Haruspex and Psychophage in Assim Swarm – this is awesome.
- 3rd (4.5-0.5) – Nathan Carnes – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Single Terminator brick / Dreadknight heavy Warpbane.
- 4th – John Hsieh – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): A dizzying go-wide MSU Necrons list with Destroyers and Scarabs and nonsense all over the shop.
- 5th – Junior Aflleje – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Sagitaur / Land Fort Oathband with 15 Hearthguard.
- 6th – Alejandro Garcia – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): A wild triple Forgefiend / Maulerfiend / Jugger Lord WE list. Very unusual!!
FA CUP Warhammer 40K Grand Tournament 2025
33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Kowloon, HK on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Jerry Zhang – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Captain in Gravis Armour (90 Points) Marneus Calgar (210 Points) Roboute Guilliman (345 Points) BATTLELINE Intercessor Squad (80 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points) Ballistus Dreadnought (140 Points) Ballistus Dreadnought (140 Points) Company Heroes (105 Points) Gladiator Reaper (160 Points) Incursor Squad (80 Points) Invader ATV (60 Points) Invader ATV (60 Points) Scout Squad (70 Points) Vindicator (185 Points) Vindicator (185 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (1), Data Version: v581
UM 五车 (2000 Points)
Ultramarines
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Relic blade
• Enhancements: Artificer Armour
• 1x Marneus Calgar
◦ 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
◦ 2x Victrix power sword
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
• 1x Hand of Dominion
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Bolt rifle
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Ballistus lascannon
• 1x Ballistus missile launcher
• 1x Twin storm bolter
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Ballistus lascannon
• 1x Ballistus missile launcher
• 1x Twin storm bolter
• 1x Ancient
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Company Champion
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 2x Company Veteran
◦ 2x Bolt pistol
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
◦ 1x Master-crafted heavy bolter
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 2x Tempest bolter
• 1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon
• 1x Incursor Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Occulus bolt carbine
◦ 1x Paired combat blades
• 4x Incursor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Haywire Mine
◦ 4x Occulus bolt carbine
◦ 4x Paired combat blades
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Twin bolt rifle
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Twin bolt rifle
• 1x Scout Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
◦ 3x Astartes shotgun
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter
Archetype
Ultramarines Gladius
Thoughts
I’ve written many a page on Ultramarines Gladius – it remains a very versatile and dangerous list. I like the double ATVs for trading and I definitely think this is a meta where a Gladiator Reaper goes a long way, so these are astute choices! Otherwise, business as usual here for the sons of Gulliman. Fantastic work on the event win.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Parson Cheung – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Double Vortex Beast / Rubrics and Magnus. Still kicking!
- =3rd – Jireh Mok – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Deathwatch Kill Teams and Terminators.
- =3rd – Terence Tsui – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Oathband with 20 Hearthguard leading the charge.
-
5th – Kenelm Tsang – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Aspect MSU with a brick of Banshees and Incubi respectively.
The Fall of Empire III
30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hồ Chí Minh, Việt Nam on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Drukhari (Realspace Raiders) versus Orks (Taktikal Brigade)
Phạm Xuân Thủy – Drukhari (Realspace Raiders) Char1: 1x Lelith Hesperax (95 pts): Lelith’s blades 10x Kabalite Warriors (100 pts) 4x Court of the Archon (95 pts)
Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Drukhari
+ DETACHMENT: Realspace Raiders
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Archon
+ ENHANCEMENT: The Art of Pain (on Char1: Archon)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 21
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Archon (110 pts): Warlord, Huskblade, Blast pistol
Enhancement: The Art of Pain (+25 pts)
Char3: 1x Succubus (45 pts): Succubus weapons, Blast Pistol
Char4: 1x Succubus (45 pts): Succubus weapons, Blast Pistol
• 5x Kabalite Warrior: 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Splinter rifle
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Blaster: Blaster, Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Dark Lance: Close Combat Weapon, Dark lance
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Shredder: Close Combat Weapon, Shredder
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Splinter Cannon: Close Combat Weapon, Splinter cannon
• 1x Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Sybarite Weapon, Blast Pistol
10x Kabalite Warriors (100 pts)
• 5x Kabalite Warrior: 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Splinter rifle
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Blaster: Blaster, Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Dark Lance: Close Combat Weapon, Dark lance
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Shredder: Close Combat Weapon, Shredder
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Splinter Cannon: Close Combat Weapon, Splinter cannon
• 1x Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Sybarite Weapon, Splinter Rifle
10x Wyches (80 pts)
• 1x Hekatrix: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Hekatarii Blade, Blast Pistol
• 9x Wych: 9 with Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
10x Wyches (80 pts)
• 1x Hekatrix: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Hekatarii Blade, Blast Pistol
• 9x Wych: 9 with Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
• 1x Lhamaean: Shaimeshi Blade
• 1x Medusae: Close combat weapon, Eyeburst
• 1x Sslyth: Shardcarbine, Splinter pistol, Sslyth battle-blade
• 1x Ur-ghul: Ur-ghul Talons
3x Grotesques (80 pts): 3 with Liquifier Gun, Monstrous weapons
5x Scourges (130 pts)
• 4x Scourge with Heavy Weapon: 4 with Close combat weapon, Dark Lance
• 1x Solarite: Close combat weapon, Solarite Weapon, Shardcarbine
1x Cronos (50 pts): Spirit Syphon, Spirit Vortex, Spirit-leech Tentacles
1x Cronos (50 pts): Spirit Syphon, Spirit Vortex, Spirit-leech Tentacles
2x Talos (160 pts): 2 with Twin Liquifier Gun, Talos Gauntlet, Twin Haywire Blasters
2x Talos (160 pts): 2 with Twin Liquifier Gun, Talos Gauntlet, Twin Haywire Blasters
2x Talos (160 pts): 2 with Twin Liquifier Gun, Talos Gauntlet, Twin Haywire Blasters
1x Ravager (110 pts): Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance
1x Ravager (110 pts): Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance
1x Raider (80 pts): Bladevanes, Dark Lance
1x Raider (80 pts): Bladevanes, Dark Lance
1x Raider (80 pts): Bladevanes, Dark Lance
vs.
Jensen Goh – Orks (Taktikal Brigade) Orks CHARACTERS Beastboss (80 points) Big Mek in Mega Armour (135 points) Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 points) Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 points) Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 points) Boss Snikrot (95 points) Mek (55 points) Zodgrod Wortsnagga (80 points) BATTLELINE Beast Snagga Boyz (190 points) Stormboyz (65 points) Stormboyz (65 points) Stormboyz (65 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Trukk (65 points) Trukk (65 points) Trukk (65 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Battlewagon (160 points) Flash Gitz (160 points) Gretchin (40 points) Gretchin (80 points) Gretchin (40 points) Tankbustas (135 points) Tankbustas (135 points) Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589
Army List - Click to Expand
没打卡？你好好听我说 (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Taktikal Brigade
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
1x Beastchoppa
1x Shoota
• Warlord
• 1x Kustom mega-blasta
1x Power klaw
• Enhancement: Mek Kaptin
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Grot Assistant
1x Shokk attack gun
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Grot Assistant
1x Shokk attack gun
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Grot Assistant
1x Shokk attack gun
• 1x Mork’s Teeth
1x Slugga
• 1x Killsaw
1x Kustom mega-slugga
• Enhancement: Gob Boomer
• 1x Da Grabzappa
1x Squigstoppa
• 19x Beast Snagga Boy
• 19x Choppa
19x Slugga
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
• 1x Power snappa
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
1x Spiked wheels
1x Wreckin’ ball
• 4x Big shoota
1x Deff rolla
1x Lobba
1x Zzap gun
1x ’Ard Case
• 1x Ammo Runt
• 1x Kaptin
• 1x Choppa
1x Snazzgun
• 9x Flash Git
• 9x Choppa
9x Snazzgun
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Runtherd tools
1x Slugga
• 20x Gretchin
• 20x Close combat weapon
20x Grot blasta
• 2x Runtherd
• 2x Runtherd tools
2x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Runtherd tools
1x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
2x Rokkit pistol
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
2x Rokkit pistol
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
Thoughts
Orks versus Drukhari eh? Whisper it softly, but the Dark Kin like Orks. Low leadership keeps their pain tokens coming all game, Splinter fire cares not for T5, and they have an awful lot of speed and counter melee with which to make Greenskin life difficult over a five turn game. This Realspace list dials it back by committing hard to Ravagers, Talos and Kabalites in the original detachment, where you have an awful lot of juice to keep the guns firing and put opposing shooting armies away quickly.
The Taktikal list it actually relatively light on shooting, going harder on combat, and this makes getting it’s teeth into the dark elves harder if the Waaagh turn is suitably screened and managed. Getting plenty from the Flash Gitz brick is important here- lose it too cheaply and things can snowball. In the event, it appears the Drukhari were able to bring back many an Ork to the Oubliettes in the Dark City…
Result
Drukhari (Realspace Raiders) Victory – 87 – 55
Phạm Xuân Thủy – Drukhari (Realspace Raiders) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 1x Lelith Hesperax (95 pts): Lelith’s blades 10x Kabalite Warriors (100 pts) 4x Court of the Archon (95 pts)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Drukhari
+ DETACHMENT: Realspace Raiders
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Archon
+ ENHANCEMENT: The Art of Pain (on Char1: Archon)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 21
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Archon (110 pts): Warlord, Huskblade, Blast pistol
Enhancement: The Art of Pain (+25 pts)
Char3: 1x Succubus (45 pts): Succubus weapons, Blast Pistol
Char4: 1x Succubus (45 pts): Succubus weapons, Blast Pistol
• 5x Kabalite Warrior: 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Splinter rifle
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Blaster: Blaster, Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Dark Lance: Close Combat Weapon, Dark lance
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Shredder: Close Combat Weapon, Shredder
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Splinter Cannon: Close Combat Weapon, Splinter cannon
• 1x Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Sybarite Weapon, Blast Pistol
10x Kabalite Warriors (100 pts)
• 5x Kabalite Warrior: 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Splinter rifle
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Blaster: Blaster, Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Dark Lance: Close Combat Weapon, Dark lance
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Shredder: Close Combat Weapon, Shredder
• 1x Kabalite Warrior with Splinter Cannon: Close Combat Weapon, Splinter cannon
• 1x Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Sybarite Weapon, Splinter Rifle
10x Wyches (80 pts)
• 1x Hekatrix: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Hekatarii Blade, Blast Pistol
• 9x Wych: 9 with Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
10x Wyches (80 pts)
• 1x Hekatrix: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Hekatarii Blade, Blast Pistol
• 9x Wych: 9 with Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
• 1x Lhamaean: Shaimeshi Blade
• 1x Medusae: Close combat weapon, Eyeburst
• 1x Sslyth: Shardcarbine, Splinter pistol, Sslyth battle-blade
• 1x Ur-ghul: Ur-ghul Talons
3x Grotesques (80 pts): 3 with Liquifier Gun, Monstrous weapons
5x Scourges (130 pts)
• 4x Scourge with Heavy Weapon: 4 with Close combat weapon, Dark Lance
• 1x Solarite: Close combat weapon, Solarite Weapon, Shardcarbine
1x Cronos (50 pts): Spirit Syphon, Spirit Vortex, Spirit-leech Tentacles
1x Cronos (50 pts): Spirit Syphon, Spirit Vortex, Spirit-leech Tentacles
2x Talos (160 pts): 2 with Twin Liquifier Gun, Talos Gauntlet, Twin Haywire Blasters
2x Talos (160 pts): 2 with Twin Liquifier Gun, Talos Gauntlet, Twin Haywire Blasters
2x Talos (160 pts): 2 with Twin Liquifier Gun, Talos Gauntlet, Twin Haywire Blasters
1x Ravager (110 pts): Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance
1x Ravager (110 pts): Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance
1x Raider (80 pts): Bladevanes, Dark Lance
1x Raider (80 pts): Bladevanes, Dark Lance
1x Raider (80 pts): Bladevanes, Dark Lance
Archetype
Realspace Raid Drukhari
Thoughts
Lots to like in this go-wide Drukhari list, that packs in plenty of Wych nonsense to pressure and deny primary, as Kabalite Raiders get to work at range. Realspace Raiders isn’t glamorous, but it gives you more pain token generation than any other detachment to keep the rerolls flowing, and the reality is some armies simply cannot handle the T1-2 barrage of fully juice up Ravagers and Talos, at which point you are in cleanup mode. Awesome to see this performing well! Well done on the event win.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Jensen Goh – Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Battlewagon / Trukk led Taktikal Brigade.
- 3rd – Vinh cháo Trần – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): An Abominant leading a horde of War Dogs.
- 4th – Duy Nguyen – Death Guard (Plague Company): Fifteen Deathshroud, Morty, and a bunch of Brigands.
- 5th – Trần Ngọc Thanh Danh – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Triple Land Fort with MSU Hearthguard / Champions.
- 6th – Nguyên Nguyễn – Genestealer Cults (Xenocreed Congregation): Massed Acolyte, Neophyte and Metamorphs in Xeno.
Wrap Up
There you have it folks! Marines putting up some good showings alongside a host of Chaos and Xenos intruders. Extremely cool to see Drukhari snatch an event win too, not at all biased me no sir. Have a great weekend and we will catch you next time!
Lowest of Men, out.
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