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.
We are firmly into troubled times this week – Death Guard and Imperial Knights are now substantially out in front of the rest of the field. We’re not in disaster land yet, as there’s still a suite of other armies that can challenge them for trophies, and at least some representation for most factions, but both armies have a high play rate and ~58% win rates, numbers that have historically always needed some sort of nerf to sort out (and while Ynnari’s win rate gets mixed up with Aeldari, their clutch of top placings clearly shows persisting issues as well).
Say it with us once more folks – President James Workshop, our metagame yearns for freedom, please send 2025Q2 Balance Dataslate.
On to the roll of destruction.
Today, we’re covering:
- GERMAN SUPER MAJOR 2025 40K
- Bay Area Open 2025 – 40k Champs
- CTC 2025 Warhammer 40k Championship Open
- Hammertime: May-hem
- The Iron Cage
On Friday Lowest of Men will take over for:
- Warhammer 40,000 GT: Warhammer Open Dallas
- 40k Rocky Top Rumble 2025
- Gothic Games Canterbury: May 40k GT
- Dark Sphere May 40k GT
- YHP “War in the Burg” 40K GT
…and finally on Saturday I’ll return for:
- IV GT Andorra & Open Ordino
- Midwest Conquest GT 2025
- Risky Rollers – Calling the Banners 2025 – 40k GT
- Heroes of the Mid Table Spring GT 2025
GERMAN SUPER MAJOR 2025 40K
283-player, 8-round Supermajor in BS, NDS, DE on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
It is unclear to me whether the top four here were meant to be the final four in the playoffs, or based on points as in BCP. I’ve gone for the final four option.
Niklas Fritschen – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Char1: 1x Be’lakor (375 pts): Warlord, Betraying Shades, The Blade of Shadows 6x Nurglings (60 pts): 6 with Diseased claws and teeth 5x Seekers (80 pts) 16x Accursed Cultists (195 pts)
+ PLAYER NAME: Niklas “Mosbach” Fritschen
+ TEAM NAME: Zugzwang
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Daemons
+ DETACHMENT: Shadow Legion
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1990pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Heretic Astartes
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Be’lakor
+ ENHANCEMENT: Fade to Darkness (on Char1: Bloodthirster)
& Leaping Shadows (on Alli3: Dark Commune)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 14
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (1×4) + (1×6) – Assassination: 3 Characters – Cull The Horde: 1×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Bloodthirster (320 pts): Hellfire breath, Great axe of Khorne
Enhancement: Fade to Darkness (+15 pts)
• 4x Seeker
2 with Seeker, Lashing tongues, Slashing claws
1 with Instrument of Chaos, Seeker, Lashing tongues, Slashing claws
1 with Daemonic Icon, Seeker, Lashing tongues, Slashing claws
• 1x Heartseeker: Lashing tongues, Slashing claws
1x Beasts of Nurgle (65 pts): Putrid appendages
6x Screamers (160 pts): 6 with Lamprey bite
6x Screamers (160 pts): 6 with Lamprey bite
6x Screamers (160 pts): 6 with Lamprey bite
• 10x Mutant: 10 with Blasphemous appendages
• 6x Torment: 6 with Hideous mutations
10x Cultist Mob (50 pts)
• 1x Cultist Champion: Brutal assault weapon, Autopistol
• 9x Cultist: 9 with Autopistol, Brutal assault weapon
Char3: 5x Dark Commune (95 pts)
Enhancement: Leaping Shadows (+15 pts)
• 2x Blessed Blades: 2 with Commune blade
• 1x Cult Demagogue: Autopistol, Commune stave
• 1x Iconarch: Chaos icon, Autopistol, Close combat weapon
• 1x Mindwitch: Close combat weapon, Warp Curse
5x Raptors (90 pts)
• 4x Raptor
2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• 1x Raptor Champion: Power fist, Plasma pistol
5x Raptors (90 pts)
• 4x Raptor
2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• 1x Raptor Champion: Power fist, Plasma pistol
5x Raptors (90 pts)
• 4x Raptor
2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• 1x Raptor Champion: Power fist, Plasma pistol
Archetype
Board Presence Shadow Legion
Thoughts
Shadow Legion is in that luxury spot where it’s hovering just inside the window of acceptable levels of good, providing a powerful board control army with some unique tricks like the Fadethirster. Like many of the most successful iterations, Niklas has gone hard on dominating the table early on, using many Screamers and the helpful ability to make a Scout Dark Commune to pressure lots of the table at once, creating a target rich environment for the Fadethirster to pick off victims from (and in the case of the Accursed Commune, maybe run over foes that underestimate them). Behind that pressure wave is plenty of reliable, cost-efficient scoring from three units of Raptors, and the army is ideally designed to keep the opponent on the back foot and rake in the points. Congratulations to Niklas on taking that plan all the way to the top, sealing a nail-biting 11-9 win over Tyranids in the final.
Kayu Orellana – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Tyranids CHARACTERS Hive Tyrant (250 points) Neurotyrant (105 points) BATTLELINE Gargoyles (85 points) Hormagaunts (130 points) Hormagaunts (130 points) Hormagaunts (130 points) Termagants (60 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Biovores (50 points) Exocrine (140 points) Exocrine (140 points) Lictor (60 points) Maleceptor (170 points) Tyranid Warriors with Melee Bio-weapons (75 points) Tyranid Warriors with Melee Bio-weapons (75 points) Tyrannofex (200 points) Tyrannofex (200 points) Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609
GSM IF 525 (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Invasion Fleet
• Warlord
• 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
1x Monstrous scything talons
• Enhancement: Adaptive Biology
• 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes
1x Psychic scream
• 10x Gargoyle
• 10x Blinding venom
10x Fleshborer
• 20x Hormagaunt
• 20x Hormagaunt talons
• 20x Hormagaunt
• 20x Hormagaunt talons
• 20x Hormagaunt
• 20x Hormagaunt talons
• 10x Termagant
• 10x Chitinous claws and teeth
1x Strangleweb
9x Termagant spinefists
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Lictor claws and talons
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload
• 1x Tyranid Prime
• 1x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons
• 2x Tyranid Warrior
• 2x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons
• 1x Tyranid Prime
• 1x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons
• 2x Tyranid Warrior
• 2x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons
• 1x Powerful limbs
1x Rupture cannon
1x Stinger salvoes
• 1x Powerful limbs
1x Rupture cannon
1x Stinger salvoes
Archetype
Board Presence Invasion Fleet
Thoughts
Another board control build in second place here, reducing the traditional monster ration of Invasion Fleet to pack in a bunch of Hormagaunts, allowing the list to overwhelm and outscore foes where required. This is particularly valuable against Ynnari right now, as the big gaunt units will cheerfully scythe through multiple Aspect Units at once, and can use Death Frenzy to punish opponents on the front foot. They’re also better than you might think into Knights – take Lethal Hits from the detachment and activate Adrenal Surge on a couple of units, and you’re suddently inflicting far more damage than you might expect. I’d maybe be a little hazier about their value into Death Guard, but Kayu was able to (narrowly) take down that matchup on the way to the top, so it’s clearly competitive. It’s certainly not a common choice though, and it’s refreshing to see an unusual unit selection piloted to the top tables – well done Kayu.
Bastian Kry – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) – =3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand ultras (2000 points) Space Marines CHARACTERS Chief Librarian Tigurius (75 points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) Marneus Calgar (210 points) Roboute Guilliman (345 points) BATTLELINE Intercessor Squad (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Bladeguard Veteran Squad (160 points) Company Heroes (105 points) Gladiator Reaper (160 points) Predator Annihilator (135 points) Predator Annihilator (135 points) Scout Squad (70 points) Vindicator (185 points)
Ultramarines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Rod of Tigurius
1x Storm of the Emperor’s Wrath
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• 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 weapon
• 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
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Master-crafted power weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 5x Bladeguard Veteran
• 5x Heavy bolt pistol
5x Master-crafted power weapon
• 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 Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 1x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
Archetype
Bobby G Gun Club
Thoughts
Next up, Ultramarines, where the enduringly efficient combination of layering extra CP from Calgar and a bunch of bonuses from Guilliman onto tanks proves as powerful as ever. What stands out for this particular version is the continued ascendancy of Bladeguard, seen here accompanied by Tigurius, which creates a really tough to crack block – you’ve got a good invulnerable save layered on -1 to hit, a good Feel No Pain against Mortals, and the not-quite-Fights-First of free Counter-offensive. Bladeguard are everywhere at the moment, getting a runaround with almost every Marine Leader who offers them value, and this seems like an especially good choice, well done to Bastian for identifying and executing on it.
William Fuhrimann – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – =3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Space Marines CHARACTERS Abaddon the Despoiler (280 Points) Chaos Lord (105 Points) Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (80 Points) BATTLELINE Cultist Mob (50 Points) Legionaries (90 Points) Legionaries (90 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chaos Bikers (70 Points) Chaos Bikers (70 Points) Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points) Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points) Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points) Chaos Vindicator (185 Points) Chosen (125 Points) Possessed (240 Points) Possessed (120 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609
0.01 thanks liam (2000 Points)
Renegade Raiders
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Drach’nyen
• 1x Talon of Horus
• 1x Daemon hammer
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Dread Reaver
• 1x Chaos Familiar
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Infernal Gaze
• 1x Cultist Champion
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon
• 1x Aspiring Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Lascannon
• 1x Aspiring Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Lascannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 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 Plasma gun
• 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 Plasma gun
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 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
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 9x Hideous mutations
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 4x Possessed
◦ 4x Hideous mutations
Archetype
All-rounder Raiders
Thoughts
This is a disarmingly normal looking build, just packing in a fairly classic suite of strong Chaos Space Marine units and rolling with it. The biggest standout is Abaddon, who doesn’t always make Raiders builds, but here is important for allowing the list to pivot between playing as a gunline and going all-out for pressure because of how much he amplifies the damage output of either contingent. That’s useful for adapting to how differently some of the top builds play, and I suspect it was the X factor that took William to the semi-finals.
The Best of the Rest
The rest of the top eight, plus two more players undefeated after the Swiss, were:
- 5th – Jonas Dobberow – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Top-heavy Vectorium with Mortarion and lots of Characters, shaving down to only two each of Drones and Deathshrouds to pay for it.
- 6th – Torben Thiel – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Heavy melee Liberator with two large Bladeguard units and a full Jump Pack Death Company squad with Lemartes.
- 7th – Mathieu Clerc – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Double Beserk Land Fortress and a big squad of Hearthguard waiting in the wings.
- 8th – Fritz Peters – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Silent King with triple Doomsday, a Wraith brick and an Enmitic Lokhust unit.
- 9th – Innes Wilson – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G/Calgar gun club.
- 10th – Pau “Conejo Malo” Poensgen – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): Lots of Talos up front, a couple of Voidweavers at the back to hold objectives and flip the wager.
Bay Area Open 2025 – 40k Champs
175-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Burlingame, CA, United States on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Junior Aflleje – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Leagues of Votann CHARACTERS Brôkhyr Iron-master (85 Points) Brôkhyr Iron-master (65 Points) Einhyr Champion (80 Points) BATTLELINE Hearthkyn Warriors (100 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Sagitaur (115 Points) Sagitaur (115 Points) Sagitaur (115 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (160 Points) Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (80 Points) Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (80 Points) Cthonian Beserks (100 Points) Einhyr Hearthguard (320 Points) Hekaton Land Fortress (225 Points) Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points) Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points) Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points) Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609
0-6 Thunder (2000 Points)
Oathband
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master
◦ 1x Graviton hammer
◦ 1x Graviton rifle
◦ Enhancements: Appraising Glare
• 1x Ironkin Assistant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Las-beam cutter
• 1x E-COG
◦ 1x Plasma torch
• 1x E-COG
◦ 1x Manipulator arms
• 1x E-COG
◦ 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master
◦ 1x Graviton hammer
◦ 1x Graviton rifle
• 1x Ironkin Assistant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Las-beam cutter
• 1x E-COG
◦ 1x Plasma torch
• 1x E-COG
◦ 1x Manipulator arms
• 1x E-COG
◦ 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• Warlord
• 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
• 1x Mass hammer
• 1x Weavefield Crest
• Enhancements: Grim Demeanour
• 1x Theyn
◦ 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Kin melee weapon
◦ 1x Weavefield Crest
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
◦ 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
◦ 7x Autoch-pattern bolter
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Comms Array
◦ 1x L7 missile launcher
◦ 1x Magna-rail rifle
◦ 1x Medipack
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x L7 missile launcher
• 1x Sagitaur missile launcher
• 1x Twin bolt cannon
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x L7 missile launcher
• 1x Sagitaur missile launcher
• 1x Twin bolt cannon
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x L7 missile launcher
• 1x Sagitaur missile launcher
• 1x Twin bolt cannon
• 6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
◦ 6x Close combat weapon
◦ 6x Graviton blast cannon
• 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Graviton blast cannon
• 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Graviton blast cannon
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
◦ 5x Concussion maul
◦ 1x Mole grenade launcher
• 1x Hesyr
◦ 1x Concussion hammer
◦ 1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 1x Teleport Crest
◦ 1x Volkanite disintegrator
• 9x Einhyr Hearthguard
◦ 9x Concussion gauntlet
◦ 9x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 9x Volkanite disintegrator
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x MATR autocannon
• 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
• 1x SP heavy conversion beamer
• 2x Twin bolt cannon
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
◦ 3x Bolt revolver
◦ 3x Bolt shotgun
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
◦ 3x Plasma knife
◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
◦ 3x Bolt revolver
◦ 3x Bolt shotgun
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
◦ 3x Plasma knife
◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
◦ 3x Bolt revolver
◦ 3x Bolt shotgun
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
◦ 3x Plasma knife
◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight
• 1x Yaegir Theyn
◦ 1x Bolt revolver
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma knife
• 9x Hernkyn Yaegir
◦ 1x APM launcher
◦ 7x Bolt revolver
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Magna-coil rifle
◦ 7x Plasma knife
Archetype
Thunderkyn Votann
Thoughts
A nice simple story here – an extremely good meta call (cramming a bunch of graviton Thunderkyn into Votann) rewarded by a big win, clinching the top table with a 1VP victory over Mortarion’s Hammer Death Guard. Thunderkyn are always low-key fine, but right now they seem incredible, and this list supports them well by keeping the foe wary via the threat of the big Hearthguard unit. With a metagame full of Knights, Death Guard hulls and Ultramarines, this spin on Votann seems super well positioned, as long as you don’t mind crossing your fingers and praying not to hit Shadow Legion. Well played Junior!
Orion Lasater – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Imperial Knights CHARACTERS Cerastus Knight Atrapos (425 Points) BATTLELINE Armiger Helverin (130 Points) Armiger Helverin (130 Points) Armiger Helverin (130 Points) 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 Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 Points) Sisters of Battle Squad (115 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609
2k Knight comp swarm (1995 Points)
Noble Lance
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Atrapos lascutter
• 1x Graviton singularity cannon
• 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
• 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 Questoris heavy stubber
• 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 Questoris heavy stubber
• 1x Reaper chain-cleaver
• 1x Thermal spear
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Immolation flamers
• 1x Sister Superior
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
◦ 9x Bolt pistol
◦ 7x Boltgun
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Multi-melta
◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis
Archetype
Atrapos and Armigers
Thoughts
Speaking of Imperial Knights, our next undefeated from the BAO brought a version of them adapted for the meta. This most notably includesan Atrapos (currently the most common big after Canis) to punish enemy armour (plus provide D4 attacks for murdering Deathshrouds) and the currently vital Immolator. Tou really need your Helverins to be able to flex to fight stuff with a 2+ save, and including the Immolator lets you do that, which in turn ensures you can take the number of Helverins you want for the matchups where they’re just good on baseline. Good job Orion.
Forrest Phanton – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 points) Ragnar Blackmane (90 points) Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (125 points) BATTLELINE Intercessor Squad (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fenrisian Wolves (30 points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (240 points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (240 points) Vindicator (185 points) Vindicator (185 points) Wulfen (190 points) Wulfen (190 points) Wulfen (95 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (100 points)
Space Puppers (2000 points)
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Champions of Russ
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• 1x Flurry of teeth and claws
1x Storm bolter
1x The Axe Morkai
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Frostfang
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Relic Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancement: Black Death
• 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
• 5x Fenrisian Wolf
• 5x Teeth and claws
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield
• 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
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
9x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
9x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 4x Wulfen
• 4x Storm Shield
4x Stormfrag auto-launcher
4x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Wulfen Jail
Thoughts
It’s had a long run, but we’re finally going to be waving off Wolf Jail’s traditional form once the new Wolf book becomes legal. Thats not because ThunderCav are bad now, but they’re more of an MSU roving brawler treat, and you don’t want to just try and pin the foe down with a wall of cavalry and angry jorts-wearing killers. This build does already introduce an element of that via the Vindicators (which seem strong in the good new Wolf detachments), and I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty of this stuff back in the future, just differently arranged. I’m not quite going to say goodbye yet, as we still have at least a few more weeks of this being legal, but well done to Forrest for contributing to the Wolf Jail victory lap.
Adam Dye – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Lord of Virulence (110 points) Tallyman (40 points) Typhus (90 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Defiler (165 points) Defiler (165 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (180 points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (180 points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (180 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609
Hammer of Sickness (+2) (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Mortarion’s Hammer
• Warlord
• 1x Power fist
1x Twin plague spewer
• Enhancement: Tendrilous Emissions
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Lakrimae
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Battle cannon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Defiler claws
1x Defiler scourge
1x Twin lascannon
• 1x Battle cannon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Defiler claws
1x Defiler scourge
1x Twin lascannon
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 2x Myphitic Blight-hauler
• 2x Bile spurt
2x Gnashing maw
2x Missile launcher
2x Multi-melta
• 2x Myphitic Blight-hauler
• 2x Bile spurt
2x Gnashing maw
2x Missile launcher
2x Multi-melta
• 2x Myphitic Blight-hauler
• 2x Bile spurt
2x Gnashing maw
2x Missile launcher
2x Multi-melta
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
Archetype
Death Guard Hull Spam
Thoughts
In fourth place we’ve got our first (but far from last, oh boy) Death Guard build of the week, which leans in hard on Mortarion’s Hammer to create a grindy engine of Death. It’s not especially complicated, planning to trundle stuff forward and pick the foe apart (enabled by the Ignores Cover from the Defilers ensuring you have no dead shots), but it’s frighteningly efficient, and after five dominant rounds (accruing a total of 496VP), it was only the wall of graviton from Junior that was able to stop it – and then only just. Congratulations to Adam on taking 4th in style.
The Best of the Rest
There were 13 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Marshall Peterson – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): A left field pure horde Necron build with four Immortal squads and two Warrior bricks backed by lots of Leaders and Szeras.
- 6th – Cam Howard – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Three Infantry blocks, two tanks, and an extra dose of board presence from the Sisters of Silence, using Rhinos and more Infantry than the norm.
- 7th – Jake Nelson – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Bloat-drones, Helbrutes and Plaguebursts.
- 8th – Scott Cairns – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Double Dorn Commander goodstuff.
- 9th – Dan May – Orks (War Horde): Heavy mechanised War Horde with double Battlewagon for two large Boyz blocks.
- 10th – Erik Sousa – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): The full Triumverate with a Storm Guardian/Conclave unit instead of Incubi and a tonne of Aspect MSUs in support.
- 11th – Nick Farmer – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Teleporting shooting fun with double Doom Scythe, the Silent King and a Vault.
- 12th – Jimmy Space – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Deathshrouds backed by lots of Drones and Blight-haulers plus a Defiler and Plagueburst.
- 13th – James Custer – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Triple Deathshroud, triple Bloat-drone, triple Blight-hauler.
- 14th – Eulis Sanders – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): One Big Warrior Unit Awakened with lots of Skorpekh and small stuff supporting.
- 15th – Paul McKelvey – T’au Empire (Kauyon): Go-wide shooting with Hammerheads, Ghostkeels and solo Broadsides plus Rampagers for counter-charge potential.
- 16th – Culham Otton – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Speedy Kill Team toolbox with double Talonstrike team.
- 17th – Majd Kuteifan – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): All-rounder Martyrs with one of each notable big unit, a couple of extra hulls, and some expendable Characters.
CTC 2025 Warhammer 40k Championship Open
52-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ottawa, ON, Canada on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
The Ritual – Stalwarts – Hammer and Anvil
François Lalonde – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited) Emperor’s Children CHARACTERS Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points) Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points) Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points) Lord Exultant (80 Points) Lord Exultant (80 Points) Lord Exultant (80 Points) Lord Kakophonist (80 Points) Lucius the Eternal (140 Points) BATTLELINE Infractors (85 Points) Infractors (85 Points) Tormentors (85 Points) Tormentors (170 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (80 Points) Chaos Rhino (80 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Noise Marines (135 Points) Noise Marines (135 Points) Noise Marines (135 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609
Army List - Click to Expand
Coterie (1990 Points)
Coterie of the Conceited
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• 1x Power sword
• 1x Screamer pistol
• Enhancements: Pledge of Unholy Fortune
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of the Laer
• 1x Lash of Torment
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Infractor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Duelling sabre
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Infractor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Duelling sabre
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Tormentor
◦ 2x Boltgun
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 9x Tormentor
◦ 5x Boltgun
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster
vs.
Sid Secter – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) CHARACTER Char1: 1x Cypher (90 pts) Char2: 2x Fabius Bile (85 pts) Char3: 1x Chaos Lord (125 pts) BATTLELINE 10x Cultist Mob (50 pts) 5x Legionaries (90 pts) 5x Legionaries (90 pts) OTHER DATASHEETS 5x Chosen (125 pts) 10x Chosen (250 pts) 5x Nemesis Claw (110 pts) 10x Possessed (240 pts) 10x Possessed (240 pts) 1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts) 1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts) 1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts) ALLIED UNITS 1x War Dog Huntsman (140 pts) 1x War Dog Huntsman (140 pts)
Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Space Marines
+ DETACHMENT: Creations of Bile
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Chaos Knights
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Fabius Bile
+ ENHANCEMENT: Prime Test Subject (on Char1: Chaos Lord)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (5×2) – Assassination: 3 Characters – Cull The Horde: 3×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 with Cypher’s bolt pistol, Cypher’s plasma pistol
• 1x Fabius Bile
1 with Rod of Torment, The Chirurgeon, Xyclos needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
1 with Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
• Warlord
1 with Daemon hammer, Power fist
Enhancement: Prime Test Subject (+35 pts)
• 1x Cultist Champion
1 with Brutal assault weapon, Bolt pistol
• 9x Cultist
9 with Autopistol, Brutal assault weapon
• 1x Aspiring Champion
1 with Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon, Plasma pistol
• Chaos icon
• 4x Legionary
2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Lascannon
• 1x Aspiring Champion
1 with Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon, Plasma pistol
• Chaos icon
• 4x Legionary
2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Lascannon
• 5x Chosen
1 with Accursed weapon, Boltgun, Plasma pistol
2 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Combi-weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Paired accursed weapons
1 with Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist
• Chaos icon
• 10x Chosen
2 with Accursed weapon, Boltgun, Plasma pistol
4 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Combi-weapon
2 with Bolt pistol, Paired accursed weapons
1 with Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist
1 with Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist
• Chaos icon
• 1x Visionary
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
1 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Nostraman chainglaive
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Paired accursed weapons
1 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
• Voice eater
• 10x Possessed
9 with Hideous mutations
1 with Hideous mutations
• Chaos icon
• 10x Possessed
9 with Hideous mutations
1 with Hideous mutations
• Chaos icon
1 with Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon
1 with Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon
1 with Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon
1 with Daemonbreath spear, Reaper chaintalon, Daemonbreath meltagun
1 with Daemonbreath spear, Reaper chaintalon, Daemonbreath meltagun
Thoughts
Hmm. The Patrons have put this one on my desk this week, and I’m afraid there’s not that much to cover here. We have two absolutely vicious melee armies that will rip the other to shreds up close, given half a chance, but one of those armies has also brought along some shooting that’s phenomenally good at murdering the melee blocks of the other army, and has broader mobility boosts to control how engagements play out. The advantages aren’t quite all with the Coterie here, but they have a lot more of them, and I don’t massively think the mission helps Bile’s side close the gap. The one big upside for the Creations is that they’ve got more numerous melee models and a bit more of a backbone on the core of them, so going all-in aggro might create a situation where victory can be claimed, but it’ll be tough, especially given how well the Princes match up into Possessed, which they can tank like champs between damage reduction, Armour of Abhorrence and Protection of the Dark Prince.
That, plus the map, makes it feel like if the Creations try and play at bay, they get picked off, and if they go aggro the overwhelming likelihood is they get speed bumped and blasted to death. Best case for them feels like staging as much stuff as possible turn 1, and then going for a big push turn 2, but that feels like big swing, which in this case the Slaaneshi forces were able to handle.
Result
Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited) Victory – 20 – 0
François Lalonde – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Emperor’s Children CHARACTERS Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points) Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points) Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points) Lord Exultant (80 Points) Lord Exultant (80 Points) Lord Exultant (80 Points) Lord Kakophonist (80 Points) Lucius the Eternal (140 Points) BATTLELINE Infractors (85 Points) Infractors (85 Points) Tormentors (85 Points) Tormentors (170 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (80 Points) Chaos Rhino (80 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Noise Marines (135 Points) Noise Marines (135 Points) Noise Marines (135 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609
Coterie (1990 Points)
Coterie of the Conceited
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• 1x Power sword
• 1x Screamer pistol
• Enhancements: Pledge of Unholy Fortune
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of the Laer
• 1x Lash of Torment
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Infractor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Duelling sabre
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Infractor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Duelling sabre
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Tormentor
◦ 2x Boltgun
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 9x Tormentor
◦ 5x Boltgun
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster
Archetype
The One True Coterie Build (ish)
Thoughts
Technically it has +1 Tormentors and -1 Infractors over the standard build. Gives you a bit of extra screening when you really need it, and the Lord Exultant can still spike something reasonably significant by himself. Otherwise – this is an extremely known quantity, but a very, very good one.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
- 2nd (4.5-0.5) – Jeremy “Curie” Atkinson – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Full send triple Daemon Prince, triple Infractor, triple Noise Marine Coterie.
- 3rd – Zach Comeau – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Three Dorns, Russ Vanquishers, and lots of Kasrkin in Tauroxes for precision killiing power.
- 4th – Thomas Cowan – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): All-rounder Raiders mixing Rhino Chosen with some Noise Marines and shooty hulls.
-
5th – Sebastien Potvin – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, Armigers and an Immolator.
Hammertime: May-hem
45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Lake Country, British Columbia, CA on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Idavoll Heimdall – Necrons (Obeisance Phalanx) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necrons CHARACTERS Catacomb Command Barge (120 points) Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points) Overlord (100 points) Overlord (95 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Annihilation Barge (105 points) Annihilation Barge (105 points) Canoptek Reanimator (75 points) Canoptek Spyders (75 points) Convergence of Dominion (60 points) Doomsday Ark (200 points) Doomsday Ark (200 points) Doomsday Ark (200 points) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 points) Lychguard (170 points) Lychguard (170 points) Lychguard (170 points) Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609
Do you smell what the Convergence of Dominion is cooking (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Obeisance Phalanx
• 1x Gauss cannon
1x Overlord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer
• Warlord
• 1x Resurrection Orb
1x Voidscythe
• Enhancement: Warrior Noble
• 1x Resurrection Orb
1x Voidscythe
• Enhancement: Honourable Combatant
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Gauss cannon
1x Twin tesla destructor
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Gauss cannon
1x Twin tesla destructor
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws
• 1x Automaton claws
1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura)
1x Gloom Prism (Aura)
2x Particle beamer
• 1x Transdimensional abductor
• 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
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss destructor
• 10x Lychguard
• 10x Dispersion Shield
10x Hyperphase sword
• 10x Lychguard
• 10x Dispersion Shield
10x Hyperphase sword
• 10x Lychguard
• 10x Dispersion Shield
10x Hyperphase sword
Archetype
Grindy Phalanx
Thoughts
Necrons had a great week, putting up strong results with a variety of different detachments, and holding on to a win rate that’s just above 50% despite the foul-smelling headwinds that are out there in the metagame. This build is easily the most out-there of the top stuff, using a very thematic phalanx of 30 Lychguard backed by a trio of Doomsdays to blat stuff. That’s honestly a fairly nifty combo in the current metagame – Doomsdays are well-statted to cause headaches for all the top players, and while Lychguard are never going to be allowed to be as durable as they were in the Index glory days ever again, they’re still non-trival to push through, and will inflict substantial chip damage on anything that tries. The Catacomb Barge amps up their OC too, which helps ensure the opponent can’t just out-score them.
Annihiliation Barges are a neat choice to round the army out – they’re powerful shooting into some builds (Daemons, most notably) and help add some mobile activations without diluting the defensive profile of the army. Even the Convergence arguably does something to help – Doomsdays are so big that you can easily get cover on a few of them behind it, and by the time you want to move out, the opponent will probably have lost patience and blown it up. Genius! Love to see robots winning (the good, evil skeleton kind, not Knights, obviously), and unusual builds are even more delightful, well done Idavoll.
Kass Kielly-Burke – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Biologus Putrifier (45 points) Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points) Lord of Contagion (135 points) Lord of Virulence (90 points) Malignant Plaguecaster (60 points) Typhus (90 points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (190 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (85 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chaos Spawn (80 points) Deathshroud Terminators (300 points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609
Cheeto Charizard 🐦🔥 (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• Warlord
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Furnace of Plagues
• 1x Power fist
1x Twin plague spewer
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Corrupted staff
1x Plague Wind
• 1x Lakrimae
• 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
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
• 5x Manreaper
5x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Bile spurt
1x Gnashing maw
1x Missile launcher
1x Multi-melta
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
Archetype
All-rounder Vectorium
Thoughts
Apparently the cult Legions are just all going to have standard-issue builds emerge early on, because this is very much standard-issue Vectorium, flexing just a little to add a few extra Poxwalkers and some Spawn (both helpful for keeping Ynnari at bay). Definitely no harm tuning a little for one of the top builds out there, and it paid off in spades with a victory over the death elf menace in the final round to secure the undefeated bag, great call from Kass.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Levi Pawliw – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, a Lancer and Armigers.
- 4th – Stu Angel – Genestealer Cult (Final Day): Ridgerunner-heavy Final Day with lots of sneaky bugs and Armigers to tee up re-rolls, a full Patriarch/Genestealer unit for early pressure and a couple of Biophagus/Metamorph units for emergency punch.
- 5th – David Coren – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Four Dreadknights, 10/5/5 Purifiers and a Draigo Terminator MSU.
- 6th – Kyle “Soft Clock” Smith – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, an Atrapos and Armigers.
- 7th – Simon Baines – Aeldari (Seer Council): Double Guardian, double Conclave Seer Council with a Wraithlord and lots of Aspect MSUs in support.
- 8th – Matt Towes – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Bike-heavy Lions, going for 3×2 (instead of any tanks) as roving pressure out ahead of four heavy Infantry blocks.
The Iron Cage
34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Bremerton, WA, United States on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Alex Schexnaydre – Orks (Taktikal Brigade) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 1x Beastboss (80 pts): Warlord, Beast Snagga klaw, Beastchoppa, Shoota 10x Beast Snagga Boyz (95 pts) 10x Flash Gitz (160 pts): Ammo Runt
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Orks
+ DETACHMENT: Taktikal Brigade
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Beastboss
+ ENHANCEMENT: Mek Kaptin (on Char3: Big Mek in Mega Armour)
& Mork’s Kunnin’ (on Char4: Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 23
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (5×2) – Assassination: 6 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Beastboss (80 pts): Beast Snagga klaw, Beastchoppa, Shoota
Char3: 1x Big Mek in Mega Armour (135 pts): Grot oiler, Kustom force field, Kustom mega-blasta, Power klaw
Enhancement: Mek Kaptin (+45 pts)
Char4: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (90 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun
Enhancement: Mork’s Kunnin’ (+15 pts)
Char5: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun
Char6: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob: Power snappa, Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy: 9 with Choppa, Slugga
10x Beast Snagga Boyz (95 pts)
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob: Power snappa, Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy: 9 with Choppa, Slugga
10x Boyz (80 pts)
• 1x Boss Nob: Big choppa, Slugga
• 9x Boy: 9 with Choppa, Slugga
5x Stormboyz (65 pts)
• 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Power klaw
• 4x Stormboy: 4 with Choppa, Slugga
5x Stormboyz (65 pts)
• 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Power klaw
• 4x Stormboy: 4 with Choppa, Slugga
5x Stormboyz (65 pts)
• 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Power klaw
• 4x Stormboy: 4 with Choppa, Slugga
5x Stormboyz (65 pts)
• 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Power klaw
• 4x Stormboy: 4 with Choppa, Slugga
• 1x Kaptin: Choppa, Snazzgun
• 9x Flash Gitz: 9 with Choppa, Snazzgun
11x Gretchin (40 pts)
• 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga
6x Tankbustas (135 pts)
• 5x Tankbusta
1 with Pulsa rokkit, Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha
4 with Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob: Choppa, Rokkit pistol, Smash hammer
6x Tankbustas (135 pts)
• 5x Tankbusta
1 with Pulsa rokkit, Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha
4 with Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob: Choppa, Rokkit pistol, Smash hammer
6x Tankbustas (135 pts)
• 5x Tankbusta
1 with Pulsa rokkit, Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha
4 with Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob: Choppa, Rokkit pistol, Smash hammer
1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin’ ball
1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin’ ball
1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin’ ball
1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin’ ball
1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin’ ball
Archetype
Mechanised Taktikal
Thoughts
A mild resurgence for shooty Mechanised Taktikal to close out part 1, taking advantage of being able to cram almost all its threats into Trukks and strong alpha strike capability to stay relevant in the harsh metagame. I like the choice to go for the Beastboss/snagga units as melee, as being able to threaten a multi-front spike of hulls is critical to securing momentum in this environment, which Orks live and die on. Many of the non-Knight top players tend to run short on Battleline too, so the Secret Mission Stormboyz plan is creeping up in value. Great to see the Orks having a bit of fun, well done Alex!
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – James Morgan – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Whoops all War Dogs.
- 3rd – Christopher Silva – Aeldari (Spirit Conclave): A mighty five units of Wraithguard with various weapon loadouts (and some in Serpents) plus triple Wraithlord and some Psykers.
- 4th – Dorian Roberts – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Infantry-heavy Lions, adding two small Allarus units with Captains to the mix.
- 5th – Justin Muhisin – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Calgar/Bobby G with hulls, mixing things up a bit with a regular Redemptor.
- 6th – Russell Thayer – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): The much prophesied quintuple bigs, going for two Atrapos, two Gallant (to get the cost over the line) and an Errant.
Wrap Up
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