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’re in a dangerous time now, because writing my so-called “column” is keeping me away from valuable Elden Ring Nightreign time, but I cannot possibly let the audience down, so here we go – part 3 for this week of Chaos:

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

Earlier in the week on Wednesday I covered:

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

While on Friday Lowest of Men looked at:

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

IV GT Andorra & Open Ordino

205-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ordino, Ordino, AD on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Manue WargamesAdictos – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 1st Place

Yncarne: Avatar of Ynnead. Credit: James “Boon” Kelling

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Hola… bailamos?

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead

CHARACTERS

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

Corsair Voidreavers (60 points)
• 1x Voidreaver Felarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Mistshield
1x Power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Corsair Voidreaver
• 1x Blaster
4x Close combat weapon
3x Power sword
3x Shuriken pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Dragons (110 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 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

Striking Scorpions (85 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
• 1x Scorpion chainsword
1x Scorpion’s claw
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol

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

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

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

Ynnari Reavers (65 points)
• 1x Arena Champion
• 1x Agoniser
1x Bladevanes
1x Cluster caltrops
1x Heat lance
1x Splinter pistol
• 2x Reaver
• 2x Bladevanes
2x Splinter pistol
2x Splinter rifle

Archetype

Wraithlord Ynnari

Thoughts

Ynnari are currently doing the dubiously important job of masking just how potent the other top factions are, as their sheer Movement power lets them run rings around everyone else. Manue has gone for the version with Wraithlords, and thus slightly more backbone, able to take on some foes a bit more directly when needed, especially as the Incubi are here too. Otherwise, infinite Aspects to score, murder and harrass stuff till you win. Which they did, well done Manue.

Miguel Durá – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Leagues of Votann Einhyr Champion. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Leagues of Votann
+ DETACHMENT: Oathband
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Brôkhyr Iron-master
+ ENHANCEMENT: Appraising Glare (on Char1: Brôkhyr Iron-master)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 17
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (5×2) + (1×4) – Assassination: 2 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

5x Brôkhyr Iron-master (85 pts)
• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master
• 1x Graviton hammer
• 1x Graviton rifle
• Brôkhyr Iron-master
• 3x E-COG
• 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Plasma torch
• 1x Manipulator arms
• E-COG
• 1x Ironkyn Assistant
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Las-beam cutter
• Ironkyn Assistant, Warlord
• Appraising Glare (+20 pts)

1x Einhyr Champion (60 pts)
• 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
• 1x Mass hammer
• Weavefield crest

BATTLELINE

10x Hearthkyn Warriors (100 pts)
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
• 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 7x Ion blaster
• 1x HYLas auto rifle*
• 1x HYLas rotary cannon*
• Pan spectral scanner, Medipack, Comms array
• 1x Theyn
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Etacarn plasma pistol
• 1x Kin melee weapon
• Weavefield crest

OTHER DATASHEETS

10x Cthonian Beserks (200 pts)
• 10x Beserk
• 10x Concussion maul
• 2x Mole grenade launcher
• 8x Beserk, 2x Beserk w/ mole grenade launcher, 2x Subterranean Explosives

5x Cthonian Beserks (100 pts)
• 5x Beserk
• 5x Concussion maul
• 1x Mole grenade launcher
• 4x Beserk, Beserk w/ mole grenade launcher, Subterranean Explosives

10x Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 pts)
• 10x Hernkyn Yaegir
• 10x Close combat weapon
• 8x Bolt revolver and plasma knife
• 1x APM launcher
• 1x Magna-coil rifle

6x Hernkyn Pioneers (180 pts)
• 6x Hernkyn Pioneer
• 6x Bolt revolver
• 6x Bolt shotgun
• 6x Magna-coil autocannon
• 6x Plasma knife
• 2x HYLas rotary cannon
• Comms array, 2x Hernkyn Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon, Pan-spectral scanner, Rollbar searchlight

3x Hernkyn Pioneers (90 pts)
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
• 3x Bolt revolver
• 3x Bolt shotgun
• 1x HYLas rotary cannon
• 3x Magna-coil autocannon
• 3x Plasma knife
• Hernkyn Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon, Pan-spectral scanner, Rollbar searchlight

1x Hekaton Land Fortress (225 pts)
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x MATR autocannon
• 1x SP heavy conversion beamer
• 2x Twin bolt cannon
• Pan spectral scanner

1x Sagitaur (115 pts)
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x Twin bolt cannon
• 1x HYLas beam cannon

Archetype

Hull Spam Votann

Thoughts

A great way to protect yourself against Ynnari in particular is to roam the board in a Transport, as that can badly throw off their damage planning. Votann do a great job of that thanks to the power of the cheap and effective Sagitaur, and this build really showcases that. It also has a strong early punish play via the big bike unit, and a good amount of melee counterpunch from all those Sagitaurs. Good, clean, all-rounder run, congratulations Miguel.

Terroxer El Rojo – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Rubricae Warpstorm (2000 points)

Thousand Sons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Cult of Magic

CHARACTERS

Ahriman (140 points)
• 1x Black Staff of Ahriman
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Psychic Stalk

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (115 points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Prosperine khopesh
1x Warpflame pistol

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (135 points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Prosperine khopesh
1x Warpflame pistol
• Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal

Infernal Master (130 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Arcane Vortex

Magnus the Red (465 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
1x Gaze of Magnus
1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

Thousand Sons Sorcerer (140 points)
• 1x Fires of the Abyss
1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
• Enhancement: Lord of Forbidden Lore

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (110 points)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (200 points)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 9x Rubric Marine
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
8x Warpflamer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Thousand Sons Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Inferno combi-bolter
1x Inferno combi-weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (165 points)
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex

Thousand Sons Cultists (55 points)
• 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Thousand Sons Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber

Tzaangor Enlightened (50 points)
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 2x Enlightened
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Fatecaster greatbow

Archetype

Rubricae-heavy Cult

Thoughts

When the saga of 10th Edition is written, I think at this point the Thousand Sons Index is locked in for the “longest continuous competitive relevance” award, because despite all the nerfs, here it still is taking an undefeated finish. Such performances are very much the preserve of experts at this point, but it’s wild that you still have to know how to beat this if you want to guarantee winning a big event after all this time. We’ll finally be saying goodbye to Index Thousand Sons too, but the faction as a whole should be surging back up in numbers pretty shortly, so prepare to learn about a whole new set of Psychic horrors, and we’ll see Terroxer back soon.

Manel Tulla – World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin) – 4th Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

hago chas aparezco a tu lado (2000 points)

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Khorne Daemonkin

CHARACTERS

Lord on Juggernaut (105 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bladed horn
1x Exalted chainblade
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancement: Disciple of Khorne

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

BATTLELINE

Bloodletters (90 points)
• 1x Bloodreaper
• 1x Hellblade
• 9x Bloodletter
• 1x Daemonic Icon
9x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos

OTHER DATASHEETS

Bloodcrushers (220 points)
• 1x Bloodhunter
• 1x Hellblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 5x Bloodcrusher
• 1x Daemonic Icon
5x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos
5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

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

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

Helbrute (120 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Helbrute fist
1x Helbrute hammer

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: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Khorne Daemonkin

Thoughts

World Eaters have had a much bumpier launch than Death Guard, as several of their key units (and some of their mechanics) are currently a bit lacking (though some are still making Berzerker Warband work, see Friday’s part and the top four from the US Open).

Khorne Daemonkin builds feel like the exception where you get something that’s actually on par with what’s out there, because it gives you two properly nasty things to act as tip of the spear (Skarbrand and the Leader Bloodcrusher unit) and a Ynnari-tier scoring/pressure trick in Summoned By Slaughter. Those pieces slot together with Forgefiends and Helbrutes (both really good Datasheets in World Eaters) to give you an army that really sings (the songs of angry men), able to flatten foes at pace and keep incredible momentum going via summoning Bloodletters right in the enemy’s face. It’s super cool, and creates a unique and powerful plan for players who want something very unique and very Khornate to play with. Great job Manel running it to an undefeated spot.

The Best of the Rest

There were 31 more players on 4-1+ records. Give me strength. They were:

5th (5-0) – Borja David Palacio Valdueza – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): A sort of go-wide spin on Invasion Fleet, adding cheap Psychophages as more monster bodies, plus two squads of Termagants to broaden the use of Stratagems.
6th (5-0) – Pedro Bollain de la Sota 🐢 – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): One Big Warrior Blob with Doomsdays behind them.
7th (4.5-0.5) – Roger Boira – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Dorn Commanders, Vanquishers, and loads of Krieg Engineers in Tauroxes.
8th – Lluis ThYr – World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin): Skarbrand and a Juggerlord with Bloodcrushers as the tip of the spear for a bunch of Helbrutes and Forgefiends, with plenty of Bloodletters for Stratagem shenanigans.
9th – Francisco José Morales Granado – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Double Dorn Commanders, various mid-weight tanks and a big Rough Rider unit.
10th – Jorge Tobar – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, an Atrapos and Armigers.
11th – Paco Chamorro – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G/Calgar Vindicator/Ballistus gun club with a Desloation squad.
12th – Pepe Andreu – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Go-wide Infantry/Incubi Ynnari.
13th – Nacho Elessarr – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Triple Doomsdays and an Enmitic unit with the Silent King.
14th – Javier Carcel – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion leading an extra shooty Vectorium build with Predators on top of the Bloat-drones, cutting down on Deathshrouds and Plague Marines to pay for it.
15th – Giri {°_°}- Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Hefty Starshatter with the Nightbringer, some Wraiths and a full regular Lokhust unit on top of the SK and double Doomsdays.
16th – Martín Obscuro – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Infantry-skewed Mortarion Vectorium with an extra Rhino filled with Plague Marine MSUs.
17th – OuX™ – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): All Armigers with a Ministorum Priest.
18th – Julen Ramón 🐌 – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Top-heavy Monster mash with a few Flesh Hounds and Flamers to support.
19th – Garsa Garseta – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): Toolboxy Wager with lots of Scourges as the main damage dealers and a healthy Harlequin contingent to flip the Wager/hold objectives with Lone Op.
20th – Cristian Elrond – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): The full triumverate, lots of Aspects, a Kabalite squad and some Reavers.
21st – Many CL – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G/Calgar gun club with Vindicators and Whirlwinds.
22nd – Toni Real – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Crunchy Mortarion/Plague Marine-free Vectorium with lots of Deathshrounds, lots of hulls, and three units of Chaos Spawn to fill out.
23rd – Gonzalo “Raven” 🦭🦭🦭- Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion Vectorium with two of all the mainstays instead of three.
24th – Zen – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-rounder Liberator with hammers of Sanguinary Guard, Jump Assault Intercessors and Mephiston with a couple of Lancers backing them up.
25th – Suiles 🍉 – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Extremely Monstrous Mash with only a few Flamers and Syll’Esske supporting the big stuff.
26th – Dekkers 🦭🤖 – World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin): Juggerlord with Bloodcrushers and Skarbrand to run at enemies and summon Bloodletters while some Forgefiends blast away.
27th – Fran JNL – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G/Calgar Vindicator/Ballistus gun club with a Reaper.
28th – Marco Esteban – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Shooty bugs behind a Norn Emissary and a screen of Gargoyles.
29th – Borja FM – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-rounder Liberator with Sanguinary Guard, Baal Predators and Vindicators.
30th – Nacho Manso – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, Armigers and an Immolator.
31st – Alfonso Delgado – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): SK, Nightbringer and triple Doomsday with a Wraith unit.
32nd – Alvaro Perez – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Go-wide Yncarne Ynnari, adding mobility and sticky objective power with a couple of Kabalite units and two Venoms.
33rd – David Coderch – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Be’lakor, the Fadethirster, lots of Screamers, and CSM scoring stuff, with a big Bloodcrusher unit as a tertiary hammer.
34th – Alberto Miracle Dice – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): Crunchy wager with lots of Talos and a big Grotesque unit, plus a fullTroupe with the Reaper’s Cowl.
35th – koldo gonzalez besga – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Go-wide Votann with lots of Sagitaurs and small Hearthguard units in Deep Strike.

Midwest Conquest GT 2025

71-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Independence, Missouri, US on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Sam Anderson – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

You wish we had deodorant (1995 Points)

Death Guard
Virulent Vectorium
Strike Force (2000 Points)

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
• Enhancements: Revolting Regeneration

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

Lord of Contagion (110 Points)
• 1x Manreaper

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
◦ 1x Blight launcher
◦ 4x Heavy plague weapon
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 9x Plague knives
◦ 2x Plague spewer
◦ 1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 1x 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 Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe

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

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

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

Archetype

Plague Marine and Bloat-Drone Vectorium

Thoughts

All sorts of tinkering round the edges of the stock Vectorium build going on, and in this case there seems to have been a mix-up regarding the sacred number of nurgle, because the third shooty Drone plus a few other bits and pieces have been cut so that there can be exactly two of everything. Very neat and elegant. Good reminder that the mower Drones are pertty good too, just not as metagame busting as the shooty variant. Well done to Sam for bringing us that important reminder.

Luke Peacock – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Agent V (2000 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

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

Mortarion (380 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Lantern
1x Rotwind
1x Silence

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

Typhus (90 points)
• 1x Lakrimae

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Mortarion Vectorium

Thoughts

Here, on the other hand, we’re down to one each of the big Infantry units to pay for Morty and triple Drone. I do tend to feel like not going triple Drone is just leaving value on the table right now, so I’m a fan of this choice, good stuff Luke.

Cody Jiru – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager) – 3rd Place

Scourges with shardcarbines. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Midwest, Southwest, Northwest… Who gives a shit… Drukhari in 5 (1990 points)

Drukhari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Reaper’s Wager

CHARACTERS

Archon (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Huskblade
1x Splinter pistol
• Enhancement: Webway Walker

Beastmaster (120 points)
• 1x Beastmaster
• 1x Agoniser
1x Splinter pods
• 1x Clawed Fiend
• 1x Clawed Fiend fists
• 2x Khymerae
• 2x Khymerae talons
• 3x Razorwing Flock
• 3x Razorwing feathers

BATTLELINE

Kabalite Warriors (100 points)
• 1x Sybarite
• 1x Phantasm grenade launcher
1x Splinter rifle
1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
• 1x Blaster
9x Close combat weapon
1x Dark lance
1x Shredder
1x Splinter cannon
5x Splinter rifle

Wracks (55 points)
• 1x Acothyst
• 1x Wrack blades
• 4x Wrack
• 1x Hexrifle
1x Liquifier gun
1x Ossefactor
1x Stinger pistol
4x Wrack blades

OTHER DATASHEETS

Court of the Archon (95 points)
• 1x Lhamaean
• 1x Shaimeshi blade
• 1x Medusae
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Eyeburst
• 1x Sslyth
• 1x Shardcarbine
1x Splinter pistol
1x Sslyth battle-blade
• 1x Ur-ghul
• 1x Ur-ghul talons

Cronos (50 points)
• 1x Spirit syphon
1x Spirit vortex
1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Grotesques (80 points)
• 3x Grotesque
• 3x Liquifier gun
3x Monstrous weapons

Mandrakes (70 points)
• 1x Nightfiend
• 1x Baleblast
1x Glimmersteel blade
• 4x Mandrake
• 4x Baleblast
4x Glimmersteel blade

Scourges (130 points)
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Drukhari haywire blaster

Scourges (130 points)
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dark lance

Talos (160 points)
• 2x Talos
• 2x Talos gauntlet
2x Twin Drukhari haywire blaster
2x Twin liquifier gun

ALLIED UNITS

Shadowseer (60 points)
• 1x Flip Belt
1x Miststave
1x Neuro disruptor

Troupe (190 points)
• 1x Lead Player
• 1x Flip Belt
1x Fusion pistol
1x Power sword
• 10x Player
• 10x Flip Belt
3x Fusion pistol
10x Harlequin’s blade
4x Neuro disruptor
3x Shuriken pistol

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

Archetype

Speedbump Reaper

Thoughts

Drukhari (with Harlequin help) had a quietly exceptional week win-rate wise, in third behind the top two, albeit not putting up actual wins in numbers to make that concerning. Still, there’s clearly some actual punch to Reapers Wager right now, and quite a bit of variety in exactly what people are doing with it (with a commonality of 15 Scourges as big damage dealers). Cody’s build incorporates some layered speed bumps to hold stuff up while the Scourges do their job (Beastmasters and Talos), and also a powerful roving melee threat in the big Troupe. Using a Shadowseer with this is really strong, as the Lone Op 18″ effect means that if they push the foe out of part of the board, it’s really tricky to then push them out of it, as guns are useless, and you need fairly high melee volume (and the ability to catch them through Danse Macabre) to handle them up close. Glad to see that being tried out, plus experimentation with Drukhari more generally, great stuff Cody.

Conner Tucker – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 4th Place

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Lions (2000 points)

Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Lions of the Emperor

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (120 points)
• 1x Vaultswords

Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (140 points)
• 1x Balistus grenade launcher
1x Castellan axe
• Enhancement: Admonimortis

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (175 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Interceptor lance
1x Vertus hurricane bolter
• Enhancement: Praesidius

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (170 points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 4x Guardian spear

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (130 points)
• 2x Allarus Custodian
• 2x Balistus grenade launcher
2x Guardian spear

Caladius Grav-tank (215 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

Custodian Wardens (260 points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla

Prosecutors (50 points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Prosecutor
• 4x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon

Witchseekers (50 points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Witchseeker flamer

ALLIED UNITS

Inquisitor Draxus (95 points)
• 1x Dirgesinger
1x Power fist
1x Psychic Tempest

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

Archetype

Herohammer Lions

Thoughts

A Lions build to close out this top four, leaning in a bit more on the herohammer angle than normal by adding a solo Bike Captain, and having at least the option of running the Allarus murder machine around solo as well. Otherwise it’s your regular Infantry block and two tanks setup, but I do like the way this version gets some extra, scary activations down without sacrificing too much of the core. Good job Conner.

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Dick Johnson – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G/Calgar Vindicator/Ballistus gun club with a Reaper.
6th – Tyler Schreck – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Lots of Battle Sisters and Characters backed by triple Castigator and the Vahl hammer.
7th – Tyler Sims – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Double Indomitor, double Talonstrike and a big unit of Veterans with a Watch Master.
8th – Joe Norman – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Two stacked Plague Marine units and two big Deathshroud squads backed by the expected Bloat-Drones.
9th – Skyler Williamson – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Classic Custodes with the four infantry unit (triple Wardens and Draxus Guard), two tank setup.
10th – Jacob Meyer – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G/Calgar Vindicator/triple Ballistus gun club.
11th – Kolby Long – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ): Herohammer-tastic Champions with a big Bladeguard unit as an anvil.
12th – John Vuchetich – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Double Wraith, double Doomsday Starshatter.

Risky Rollers – Calling the Banners 2025 – 40k GT

46-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Bulleen, VIC, Australia on May 23 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Linchpin – Fog of War – Tipping Point

Rhys Cunningham – Emperor’s Children (Peerless Bladesmen)
Army List - Click to Expand

flawgussy blades (1995 points)

Emperor’s Children
Strike Force (2000 points)
Peerless Bladesmen

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (205 points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Distortion

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon

Lord Exultant (105 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Phoenix power spear
1x Rapture lash
• Enhancement: Blinding Speed

Lord Exultant (110 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Phoenix power spear
1x Rapture lash
• Enhancement: Rise to the Challenge

Lord Exultant (80 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Phoenix power spear
1x Rapture lash

Lucius the Eternal (140 points)
• 1x Blade of the Laer
1x Lash of Torment

BATTLELINE

Infractors (85 points)
• 1x Obsessionist
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Rapture lash
• 4x Infractor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Duelling sabre
1x Icon of Excess

Infractors (160 points)
• 1x Obsessionist
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Rapture lash
• 9x Infractor
• 9x Bolt pistol
9x Duelling sabre
1x Icon of Excess

Tormentors (85 points)
• 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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (80 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Flawless Blades (110 points)
• 3x Flawless Blade
• 3x Blissblade
3x Bolt pistol

Noise Marines (135 points)
• 1x Disharmonist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
• 2x Blastmaster
5x Close combat weapon
3x Sonic blaster

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

vs.

Ben Coubrough – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders)
Army List - Click to Expand

Mad Max – Chaos Space Marines – Renegade Raiders (2000 Points)

Cypher (90 pts): Cypher’s plasma pistol, Cypher’s bolt pistol, Warlord

Dark Commune (105 pts): Iconarch, Mindwitch, Cult Demagogue, Mark of the Hound, 2x Blessed Blades
Dark Commune (80 pts): Iconarch, Mindwitch, Cult Demagogue, 2x Blessed Blades
Dark Commune (80 pts): Iconarch, Mindwitch, Cult Demagogue, 2x Blessed Blades

Cultist Mob (50 pts): Cultist Champion, 9x Cultist w/ autopistol and brutal assault weapon

Accursed Cultists (195 pts): 6x Torment, 10x Mutant
Accursed Cultists (195 pts): 6x Torment, 10x Mutant
Accursed Cultists (195 pts): 6x Torment, 10x Mutant
Noise Marines (135 pts): Disharmonist, 2x Noise Marine w/ blastmaster, 3x Noise Marine w/ sonic blaster
Noise Marines (135 pts): Disharmonist, 2x Noise Marine w/ blastmaster, 3x Noise Marine w/ sonic blaster
Noise Marines (135 pts): Disharmonist, 2x Noise Marine w/ blastmaster, 3x Noise Marine w/ sonic blaster

Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, 2x Combi-bolter
Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, 2x Combi-bolter

Chaos Bikers (70 pts): Biker Champion, Chaos icon, 2x Biker w/ meltagun
Chaos Bikers (70 pts): Biker Champion, Chaos icon, 2x Biker w/ meltagun

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 pts): Predator autocannon, Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, 2 lascannons, Combi-bolter
Chaos Predator Destructor (140 pts): Predator autocannon, Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, 2 lascannons, Combi-bolter

Nurglings (35 pts): 3x Nurgling Swarm

Thoughts

Rather fittingly, this matchup creates a nice little rise to fall narrative alongside some of the other Emperor’s Children ones we’ve covered recently. We’ve seen several matchups where the servants of Slaanesh can outmatch the foe in melee for long enough that the firepower of Noise Marines lets them control the game, but this Chaos Space Marine force is ready to beat them at their own game (with Noise Marines, no less).

Accursed Communes are actually too much of a lift for most of the Emperor’s Children units to clear, even with the extra powerups from going for Peerless Bladesmen, and have their once-per-game Advance/Charge to control positioning, plus volume-with-re-rolls to clear the Princes. Even on the shooting frontier, the CSM can dictate how things go; Destructors out-range and can take a few hits from Noise Marines, so provide the only shooting tool on either side that doesn’t have to be super cagey. This assembles into a pretty stark mismatch where I’m not really sure how the Children play it – best I can think of, given the mission, is to try and set up opportunities to slingshot onto the Chaos home objective for a big Primary denial. Very hard to do against this list though, and I’m not hugely surprised to see the CSM take a big win.

Result

Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) Victory – 90 – 61

Ben Coubrough – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Mad Max – Chaos Space Marines – Renegade Raiders (2000 Points)

Cypher (90 pts): Cypher’s plasma pistol, Cypher’s bolt pistol, Warlord

Cultist Mob (50 pts): Cultist Champion, 9x Cultist w/ autopistol and brutal assault weapon

Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, 2x Combi-bolter
Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, 2x Combi-bolter

Chaos Bikers (70 pts): Biker Champion, Chaos icon, 2x Biker w/ meltagun
Chaos Bikers (70 pts): Biker Champion, Chaos icon, 2x Biker w/ meltagun

Nurglings (35 pts): 3x Nurgling Swarm

Archetype

Accursed and Noise Marine Raiders

Thoughts

This list rules and is in the genre of “…why isn’t eveyone doing that?”. Triple Accursed Commune dropped off after it took nerfs, but was still fringe OK, and Noise Marines are pretty much the perfect accompaniment to them, providing reliable burst damage to hose down anything that manages to carve up a Cultist block, or to clear out anything they can’t quite lift themselves. That’s especially true with access to full re-rolls from Ruinous Raid, at which point they will just flatten pretty much whatever. Love this, feels like it should inspire imitators, which is always a good sign, great stuff Ben.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Kyle Mackenzie – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Wraithlord/Windrider-packing Yncarne Ynnari.
3rd – Rhys Cunningham – Emperor’s Children (Peerless Bladesmen): See Showdown.
4th – Dylan Cowan – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Wraithlord/Windrider-packing Incubi Ynnari.
5th – Jesse Barns – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Mortarion, Deathshrouds, Destructors and Drones.
6th – Luke Beveridge – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): A Cawl firebase of Destroyers and Disintegrators plus a big unit of Ruststalkers to go out hunting.
7th – Merric Butler – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): A rare Chaos Knights double big build (i.e. cool Chaos Knights) with a Desecrator and Abominant, the latter tooled up with the Panoply to be a wrecking ball.

Heroes of the Mid Table Spring GT 2025

35-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Langley Twp, BC, CA on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Lucas Sterne – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Matxh (1995 Points)

Astra Militarum
Combined Arms
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Cadian Command Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Cadian Commander
◦ 1x Chainsword
◦ 1x Laspistol
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
◦ 1x Chainsword
◦ 1x Laspistol
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Lasgun
◦ 1x Master Vox
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Lasgun
◦ 1x Medi-pack
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Lasgun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard

Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 Points)
• 1x Ibram Gaunt
◦ 1x Bolt Pistol
◦ 1x Gaunt’s chainsword
• 1x Colm Corbec
◦ 1x Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Elim Rawne
◦ 1x Rawne’s lascarbine
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Hlaine Larkin
◦ 1x Larkin’s long-las
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x ‘Try Again’ Bragg
◦ 1x Bragg’s autocannon
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Oan Mkoll
◦ 1x Lascarbine
◦ 1x Mkoll’s straight silver knife

Lord Solar Leontus (150 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
• 1x Konstantin’s hooves
• 1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Rogal Dorn Commander (265 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Coaxial autocannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 2x Meltagun
• 2x Multi-melta
• 1x Oppressor cannon
• 1x Pulveriser cannon

BATTLELINE

Cadian Shock Troops (65 Points)
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant
◦ 1x Chainsword
◦ 1x Laspistol
• 9x Shock Trooper
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Lasgun

Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 Points)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Lasgun

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hydra (95 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Hydra autocannon

Kasrkin (110 Points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Melta Mine
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster

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

Leman Russ Demolisher (190 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher battle cannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta

Scout Sentinels (55 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Multi-laser

Tempestus Aquilons (110 Points)
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Sentry flamer
• 8x Tempestus Aquilon
◦ 8x Close combat weapon
◦ 8x Hot-shot lascarbine
• 1x Gunfighter
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine

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

Archetype

Combined Arms Goodstuff

Thoughts

Combined Arms just keeps trucking along with its very solid assembly of tools. The notable highlight in this build is the return of triple Hydras, and I think that’s well-timed, as they’re great for blasting Bloat-drones out of the sky, and definitely handy to have against many top Necron and Daemon builds also. Good metagame choice, and also helps this particular build present a wall of hulls against foes that can’t handle it, great setup and a well-deserved win for Lucas.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Aiden McFaull – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): A (final?) showing for pre-codex double-Mutalith Tsons.
3rd – Jesse Carson – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Deathshrouds and Daemon Engines for days.
4th – Patrick Crone – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): All War Dogs.
5th – Jake Reuser – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Aspect/Incubi Ynnari.
6th – Nicholas James – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Heavy infantry Black Spear with triple Terminator MSU and two Indomitor teams.
7th – Alexander White – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Vectorium with a couple of Plaguebursts instead of Mortarion and Plague Marines.

Wrap Up

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[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: Death Beckons pt.3

IV GT Andorra & Open Ordino

Manue WargamesAdictos – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Miguel Durá – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Terroxer El Rojo – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Manel Tulla – World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin) – 4th Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Midwest Conquest GT 2025

Sam Anderson – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Luke Peacock – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Cody Jiru – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Conner Tucker – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Risky Rollers – Calling the Banners 2025 – 40k GT

The Showdown

Linchpin – Fog of War – Tipping Point

Thoughts

Result

Ben Coubrough – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Heroes of the Mid Table Spring GT 2025

Lucas Sterne – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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