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.

Just a hint of an Imperium fightback to kick us off, amidst all the Chaotic horrors.

If you would like to face the horrors yourself, tickets for the Goonhammer Open UK in September are now available, check out this post for more:

It’s Lowest of Men in charge today, covering:

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

Part 1 looked at:

GERMAN SUPER MAJOR 2025 40K
Bay Area Open 2025 – 40k Champs
CTC 2025 Warhammer 40k Championship Open
Hammertime: May-hem
The Iron Cage

Part 3 tomorrow will cover:

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

Warhammer 40,000 GT: Warhammer Open Dallas

266-player, 8-round Supermajor in Arlington, TX, United States on May 23 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Conan Jennings – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place

Primaris Captain in Gravis Armour: Chapter Master Drusus of the Cobalt Scions. Credit: Charlie Brassley

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

G for Glad (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (90 Points)
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Relic chainsword
• Enhancements: Artificer Armour

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades

Marneus Calgar (210 Points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
◦ 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
◦ 2x Victrix power sword

Roboute Guilliman (345 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
• 1x Hand of Dominion

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Company Heroes (105 Points)
• 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

Gladiator Reaper (160 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 2x Tempest bolter
• 1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

Infiltrator Squad (100 Points)
• 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

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

Scout Squad (70 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
◦ 2x Astartes shotgun
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy bolter
◦ 1x Scout sniper rifle

Vindicator (185 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter

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

Archetype

Ultramarines Gunline

Thoughts

Ultramarines Gladius claims an event triumph, with the established formula of loads of tanks and double Oaths doing the heavy lifting. Gulliman and Calgar rush about, all trimmed and merry, bopping people on the head if they try to interrupt the guns as they do all that cool gun stuff. It keeps on rolling, and Ultras are surely one of the armies you simply have to have a plan for if heading to an event at the moment. Amazing work on the win!

Folger Pyles – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Clocked, Locked, and Loaded (2000 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead

CHARACTERS

Autarch (75 points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Star glaive

The Visarch (90 points)
• 1x Asu-var

The Yncarne (250 points)
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar

Yvraine (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Kha-vir
1x Storm of Whispers

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (90 points)
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher

Fire Dragons (110 points)
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun

Howling Banshees (90 points)
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
• 1x Executioner
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
• 4x Banshee blade
4x Shuriken pistol

Rangers (55 points)
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol

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

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

Warp Spiders (95 points)
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death weavers
1x Spinneret rifle
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner

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

Archetype

Ynnari Nonsense

Thoughts

Look at all this nonsense! It truly is, a massive pile of nonsense. Ynnari trade better on nonsense than any other faction having carefully horded huge stockpiles of it in their detachment rules, and are capable of utterly blitzing the unwary. They don’t love out and out stat checks but if the opposing army triggers their combinations they are insufferable, and they have a huge suite of tools for solving almost any problem. The conclave sneaks in here as a fantastic horde solving unit. Well done on the top placing.

Brian Daugherty – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

The points cost on 8bound is too damn high. (Pls give points cuts GW)

World Eaters
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Khorne (220 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancements: Helm of Brazen Ire

Khârn the Betrayer (85 Points)
• 1x Gorechild
• 1x Plasma pistol

Slaughterbound (110 Points)
• 1x Lacerator and daemonic claw
• Enhancements: Berzerker Glaive

Slaughterbound (100 Points)
• 1x Lacerator and daemonic claw
• Enhancements: Favoured of Khorne

BATTLELINE

Khorne Berzerkers (180 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
◦ 1x Chainblade
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Khorne Berzerker
◦ 7x Bolt pistol
◦ 7x Chainblade
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 2x Khornate eviscerator
◦ 2x Plasma pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Eightbound (150 Points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Chainblades
• 2x Eightbound
◦ 2x Chainblades

Exalted Eightbound (160 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Chainblades
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 2x Chainblades

Forgefiend (150 Points)
• 2x Ectoplasm cannon
• 1x Ectoplasm cannon
• 1x Forgefiend claws

Goremongers (85 Points)
• 1x Blood Herald
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chainblade
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 7x Goremongers
◦ 7x Autopistol
◦ 7x Chainblade
◦ 7x Close combat weapon

Jakhals (65 Points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Skullsmasher and mangler
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 7x Chainblades
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 1x Mauler chainblade

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

Archetype

Berzerker Warband

Thoughts

The OG detachment, with a brand new feel! MSU Eightbound slot in as problem solves here ahead of some Forgefiends, Spawn, and a solitary brick of Berzerkers. Double Slaughterbound slots in tastily as well – These carry the enhancements here well (a damage 3 slaughterbound with the Glaive is a very good time) and you get delightfully punchy little units with those attached. Coasting to triumph via a series of extended pile-ins and consolidates feels order of the day here, and I think the new book requires some skill to pilot to a top placing- so very well done!

Oscar Ruiz – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

20250522 – Yes, I have 700 points of Characters. (1990 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

Lord of Contagion (120 points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Daemon Weapon of Nurgle

Lord of Virulence (90 points)
• 1x Power fist
1x Twin plague spewer

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

Tallyman (40 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Vectorum Deathshroud

Thoughts

It hasn’t taken the Death Guard community long to boil down to the strength of the Codex – Deathshroud are real good, Blight-launcher Drones are REAL good, and the Poxwalker chaff infiltration helps the party get started. Where you go from there is really a matter of taste- This list brings the mini-Mortarion Deamon Prince, and plenty of Lords to help buff up the various tools. Cheap Stratagems go a LONG way in Vectorum, where getting -1 damage going regularly becomes absolutely clutch. A potent brew, Nurgle would be proud! Very well done on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 players on 7-1+ records in the 2nd bracket. They were:

5th (8-0) – Jeffrey Kolodner – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) : Vahl, Junith, some Paragons and some Castigators.
6th – Joshua Campbell – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) : Orikan Warrior brick in Awakened Dynasty.
7th – Zach Point – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Ultramarines Gunline with a Repulsor Executioner and two Predator Destructors alongside the usuals.
8th – Don Hooson – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Massed Deathshroud, hulls and a DEFILER. Awesome.
9th – Peyton Beard – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Warpbane Dreadknights with the Purifier brick.

40k Rocky Top Rumble 2025

106-player, 7-round Major in Knoxville, Tennessee, US on May 23 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Stephen Mitchell – Chaos Daemons (Plague Legion) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Not feeling so hot-guard (1980 Points)

Chaos Daemons
Plague Legion
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

Poxbringer (55 Points)
• 1x Foul balesword

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

Sloppity Bilepiper (70 Points)
• 1x Marotter
• Enhancements: Cankerblight (Aura)

The Changeling (90 Points)
• 1x Infernal Flames
• 1x The Trickster’s Staff

BATTLELINE

Blue Horrors (125 Points)
• 10x Blue Horror
◦ 10x Blue claws
◦ 10x Coruscating Blue Flames

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

Archetype

Plague Legion Babyyy

Thoughts

Nurgle’s Best Bois take an event, with their patent mix of standing places, refusing to die, and then removing the OC of the other chumps trying to share their space. I’ve played into this detachment a lot thanks to a 6++ community buddy who loves them (your time has come Laurence!!), and this detachment can absolutely body you if you don’t get to grips with the Great Unclean Ones / Rotigus quickly. Low leadership armies simply wilt before it, and the stat check is real. Very real. Fantastic work on the event win!

Bryan Dorsey – Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Beer lots tournament big2 (2000 Points)

Chaos Space Marines
Pactbound Zealots
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Helbrute (130 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Helbrute hammer
• 1x Twin lascannon

Possessed (240 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 9x Hideous mutations

Possessed (240 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 9x Hideous mutations

Warp Talons (125 Points)
• Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
• 1x Warp Talon Champion
◦ 1x Warp claws
• 4x Warp Talon
◦ 4x Warp claws

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.29.0 (2), Data Version: v579

Archetype

Pactbound Possessed Spam

Thoughts

An utterly brutal Pactbound CSM list that slams the YES button on Possessed – the Undivided bricks can delete god at the touch of a button, and this build has plenty of supporting guns to take full advantage as the opponent tries to clear the wall of tentacled horrors. Beasts of Nurgle and Nurglings continue to provide all-star scoring and screening support. A lot of classic includes here for one of the longest standing competitive heavy hitters of the edition! Well done.

Gabriel Nixon – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Tubbies and Tanks (2000 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Plague Company

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (95 points)
• 1x Plagueblade
• Enhancement: Deadly Pathogen

Mortarion (300 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Rotwind
1x Silence
1x The Lantern

Typhus (80 points)
• 1x Master-crafted manreaper

OTHER DATASHEETS

Death Guard Cultists (50 points)
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
Death Guard Cultists (50 points)
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
Plague Marines (90 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x heavy plauge weapon
• 4x Plague Marine
• 2x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun

Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Predator autocannon

Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter
2x Plague heavy bolter
1x Predator autocannon

Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Predator autocannon

Deathshroud Terminators (110 points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points)
• 1x Plague probe
2x Plaguespitter

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (85 points)
• 1x Bile spurt
1x Gnashing maw
1x Missile launcher
1x Multi-melta

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (74), Data Version: v581

Archetype

Death Guard Hull Spam

Thoughts

A run out for old school Death Guard hulls. The future is certainly bright for Death Guard, but this list is a solid reminder of the competitive viability they have enjoyed through wide application of vehicles with guns over the last few months. Pour one out for the Karnivores, who are being left behind in favour of cool codex toys now. We won’t forget you!! Well done on the top placing.

Dakota Pfeiffer – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Terminator Brick(Predators) (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Space Wolves
Champions of Russ
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Arjac Rockfist (95 Points)
• 1x Foehammer

Bjorn the Fell-Handed (190 Points)
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Helfrost cannon
• 1x Trueclaw

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades

Logan Grimnar (115 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x The Axe Morkai

Murderfang (170 Points)
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x The Murderclaws

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (105 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
• 1x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancements: Black Death

Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (95 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Storm Shield
• Enhancements: Frost Weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma pistol

Predator Annihilator (135 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator twin lascannon
• 1x Storm bolter

Thunderwolf Cavalry (120 Points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
◦ 1x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 1x Heirloom weapon
◦ 1x Storm Shield
• 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry
◦ 2x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 2x Heirloom weapon
◦ 2x Storm Shield

Wolf Guard Terminators (370 Points)
• 1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Power fist
◦ 1x Storm Shield
• 9x Wolf Guard Terminator
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Cyclone missile launcher
◦ 5x Power fist
◦ 7x Storm Shield
◦ 2x Storm bolter
◦ 4x Thunder hammer

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

Archetype

Mixed Arms Champions of Russ

Thoughts

Finely balanced Russ forces here, with some Cavalry, lots of blendy infantry and suitable supporting tanks. Very cool to see a celebratory run out of a bunch of the heroes and special characters ahead of new models and a new book too! Much like Death Guard, Space Wolves are headed into a new ruleset having enjoyed an extended run of serious competitive viability- it will be very interesting seeing which units and combos rise to the top now! Amazing work on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Marshall Arthurs – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Double Wraith Brick Starshatter.
6th – Seth Piper – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): A grab bag of MSU Ruststalkers and Dragoons out ahead of the guns in Haloscreed.
7th – Timothy Huebscher – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Good ole’ War Dogs and Daemons.

Gothic Games Canterbury: May 40k GT

47-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) versus World Eaters (Goretrack Onslaught)

Ryan Williams – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead)
Army List - Click to Expand

5318008 (1995 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead

CHARACTERS

Autarch (75 points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Star glaive

The Visarch (90 points)
• 1x Asu-var

Yvraine (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Kha-vir
1x Storm of Whispers

BATTLELINE

Ynnari Kabalite Warriors (110 points)
• 1x Sybarite
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Phantasm grenade launcher
1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
• 1x Blaster
9x Close combat weapon
1x Dark lance
1x Shredder
1x Splinter cannon
5x Splinter rifle

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

Ynnari Venom (70 points)
• 1x Bladevanes
2x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (195 points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
• 9x Dark Reaper
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Reaper launcher

Dark Reapers (90 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher

Fire Dragons (220 points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 9x Fire Dragon
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Dragon fusion gun

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

Howling Banshees (90 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
• 1x Executioner
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
• 4x Banshee blade
4x Shuriken pistol

Rangers (55 points)
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol

Striking Scorpions (85 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
• 1x Biting blade
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol

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

Warp Spiders (95 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death weavers
1x Spinneret rifle
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner

Windriders (160 points)
• 6x Windrider
• 6x Close combat weapon
6x Scatter laser

Ynnari Incubi (150 points)
• 1x Klaivex
• 1x Demiklaives
• 9x Incubi
• 9x Klaive

Exported with App Version: v1.32.1 (78), Data Version: v599

vs.

Jacob Black – World Eaters (Goretrack Onslaught)
Army List - Click to Expand

Dad went to get milk (2000 points)

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Goretrack Onslaught

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Khorne (210 points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Unleash Hell

Khârn the Betrayer (85 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Gorechild
1x Plasma pistol

Master of Executions (80 points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
1x Bolt pistol
• Enhancement: Aggressive Deployment

BATTLELINE

Khorne Berzerkers (180 points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Chainblade
1x Icon of Khorne
1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Khorne Berzerker
• 7x Bolt pistol
7x Chainblade
2x Khornate eviscerator
2x Plasma pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

Forgefiend (150 points)
• 3x Ectoplasm cannon
1x Forgefiend claws

Goremongers (85 points)
• 1x Blood Herald
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainblade
1x Close combat weapon
• 7x Goremongers
• 7x Autopistol
7x Chainblade
7x Close combat weapon

Jakhals (65 points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Skullsmasher and mangler
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
8x Chainblades
1x Icon of Khorne

Maulerfiend (150 points)
• 1x Lasher tendrils
1x Maulerfiend fists

Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609

Thoughts

Elves versus men who would dearly love to catch said elves and punch them repeatedly. Ahh, a classic tale, and one that hinges very much on both how fast, how numerous, and how determined the men in the story are. For the new World Eaters, speed is certainly not too much of a challenge, with increased movement and, in this case, the Skysplinter esque transport delivery tricks of Goretrack. I’ve not seen many lists goes as hard on the Berzerkers in this detachment and it does make sense as they carry the buffs best. Maulerfiends give you some serious threat overload potential to buy the transports breathing space. We can really count the WE for determination either, then!

Unfortunately, one issue the new book does seem to have is the give and go trading that losing 5 man Bezerker squads has put to bed. As such, it is going to need to connect hard when it goes and weather quite a Ynnari fight back first. The reality is that a strong Ynnari build (as elf stalwart Ryan’s is), has all the tools to thoroughly dismantle the WE once they are committed. The big shooting bricks will reap a toll here (from far enough away that Forgefiends aren’t very likely to be getting their rerolls), and there is enough fights first that the Berzerkers will struggle to engage on their terms a lot of the time. This should add up to a reasonable (but respectable) elf win, and that is very much what transpired here.

Result

Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) Victory – 13 – 7

Ryan Williams – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 1st Place

Yvraine & The Visarch. Credit: James “Boon” Kelling