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.

It’s another week of Death Guard domination as the scourge of Too Damn Many Daemon Engines claims yet more victims. It’s also more of a mixed week for Knights, with Imperial Knights recovering to a very high win rate but Chaos Knights smashing their loyalist brethren when they go head to head, and taking more event wins despite a falling win rate. The issue seems to be that for Chaos Knights, the win rate is being suppressed by players who haven’t gotten the memo and moved off of Lords of Dread – all the undefeated and TiWP finishes for Chaos were with Infernal Lance, which does not get hard countered by a Knight hunting metagame nearly as badly. Stick to the best build and the faction is still an absolute nightmare, and the trio of both Knights and Death Guard, all pushed by overly cheap hulls, continue to shape the metagame.

Before we go into this week’s events, do you think you have the super secret tech to smash the terrible trio off the top of the metagame? Come and show it off at the Goonhammer Open UK, now just a month away on 6th-7th September in Leicester. All the details can be found below (final map and mission pack will be up this weekend):

Now, for Wahammer that has already happened, starting with part 1:

The Salt City GT IV Warhammer 40,000
1ST – SAW MUST GO ON
Grand Onslaught 10: Carnage
Valley of the Moon Open GT
NIGHTWOLF’S MAJOR 40K SOLO TOURNAMENT

Part 2 on Friday with some special guests, since Lowest of Men has begged off on the absurd excuse of “representing England at the WTC”:

The Kent Major 2025: Warhammer 40,000
Alpine Summer Sprint GT – WTC 2025
Loch ‘n Load GT2
Clowns Massacre
Conclaribe Mix 2025

Part 3 on Saturday:

ECDC Present: The BIg Sky Open 2025
One Thicc Grand Tournament at Motor City Gaming
Slaanesh Summer Slam 2 Shalaxi’s Revenge. Ironman GT
BC BBQ BRAWL
Baja Open

The Salt City GT IV Warhammer 40,000

107-player, 7-round Major in Syracuse, NY, United States on August 01 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Brad Chester – Aeldari (Warhost) – 1st Place

Lhykis. Credit: James "Boon" Kelling — Lhykis. Credit: James “Boon” Kelling

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

warhost part deux (1990 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Warhost

CHARACTERS

Autarch (85 points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Star glaive

Autarch (85 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Reaper launcher
1x Star glaive

Fuegan (120 points)
• 1x Fire Axe
1x Searsong

Jain Zar (105 points)
• 1x Blade of Destruction
1x Silent Death

Lhykhis (120 points)
• 1x Brood Twain
1x Spider’s Fangs
1x Weaverender

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Fire Dragons (220 points)
• 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
2x Aspect Shrine Token

Fire Dragons (120 points)
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun
1x Aspect Shrine Token

Howling Banshees (95 points)
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
• 1x Executioner
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
• 4x Banshee blade
4x Shuriken pistol
1x Aspect Shrine Token

Rangers (55 points)
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Long rifle
5x 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 Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
1x Aspect Shrine Token

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
1x Aspect Shrine Token

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Double Aspect Hammer Warhost

Thoughts

While their win rate is down in the mid-40s, the best Aeldari players are quietly making things work with anti-armour tuned builds, of which this is a great example. Warhost lets you field two big Aspect hammer units and keep both safe with Stratagems (using either Autarchs or Eldrad to power it), and support that with lots of speedy scoring pieces to lock in great secondaries. This plus similar Aspect Host builds are legitimate ways to hit back at the metagame right now, and seeing these go past has finally got me putting paint on my Lhykhis and second Spider unit. Well done Brad for helping lure me back to my elf ways.

Travis King – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Hammer with Knight (2000 Points)

Death Guard
Mortarion’s Hammer
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 Points)
• 1x Manreaper

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALLIED UNITS

Knight Despoiler (335 Points)
• 1x Despoiler battle cannon
• 1x Despoiler battle cannon
• 1x Diabolus heavy stubber
• 1x Diabolus heavy stubber
• 1x Diabolus heavy stubber
• 1x Ruinspear rocket pod
• 1x Titanic feet

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Despoiler Hammer

Thoughts

Our first example this week (but boy is it not the last) of the Death Guard menace, here going for the extra heavy Hammer variant with a Knight, able to exploit remote plagues to set up deadly weaknesses in the foe. That really pushes the angle of being able to sweep anything off the table, and adds extra crunch to absorb the hitback, though does leave you a little less board presence if the opponent can reach out and smash you, as Brad’s Aeldari presumably managed in the final here. Still, the record on the way there from this build was eye-watering (580/600pts from the pre-final rounds) and if you’re somehow finding that Mortarion’s Hammer just isn’t mean enough for you, give this variant a look. Well done Travis.

Ari Chang – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager) – 3rd Place

Drazhar, the Master of Blades. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

We’ve had one Beastpack, yes, but what about second Beastpack?
Don’t think he knows about second Beastpack.
What about Drazhar? 33 Dark Lances? Lelith? Urien? An Archon? He knows about them, doesn’t he?
I wouldn’t count on it.

Xenos – Drukhari – [2000 pts]

## ++ Army Roster ++ [2000 pts]
**Configuration**
Battle Size: Strike Force (2000 Point limit)
Detachment: Reaper’s Wager
Show/Hide Options
**Epic Hero [260 pts]**
Drazhar [85 pts]: The Executioner’s demiklaives
Lelith Hesperax [95 pts]: Lelith’s blades
Urien Rakarth [80 pts]: Casket of Flensing, Haemonculus tools and scissorhands
**Character [340 pts]**
Archon [100 pts]: Warlord, Webway walker, Huskblade, Blast pistol
Beastmaster [120 pts]:
– 1x Beastmaster: Agoniser, Splinter pods
– 1x Clawed Fiend: Clawed Fiend fists
– 2x Khymerae: Khymerae talons
– 3x Razorwing Flock: Razorwing feathers
Beastmaster [120 pts]:
– 1x Beastmaster: Agoniser, Splinter pods
– 1x Clawed Fiend: Clawed Fiend fists
– 2x Khymerae: Khymerae talons
– 3x Razorwing Flock: Razorwing feathers
**Battleline [180 pts]**
Kabalite Warriors [100 pts]:
– 1x Sybarite: Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Sybarite Weapon, Blast Pistol
– 5x Kabalite Warrior: Close Combat Weapon, Splinter rifle
– 1x Kabalite Warrior with Blaster: Blaster, Close Combat Weapon
– 1x Kabalite Warrior with Dark Lance: Close Combat Weapon, Dark lance
– 1x Kabalite Warrior with Shredder: Close Combat Weapon, Shredder
– 1x Kabalite Warrior with Splinter Cannon: Close Combat Weapon, Splinter cannon
Wyches [80 pts]:
– 1x Hekatrix: Hekatarii Blade, Phantasm Grenade Launcher, Blast Pistol
– 9x Wych: Hekatarii Blade, Splinter Pistol
**Infantry [505 pts]**
Court of the Archon [95 pts]:
– 1x Lhamaean: Shaimeshi Blade
– 1x Medusae: Close combat weapon, Eyeburst
– 1x Sslyth: Shardcarbine, Splinter pistol, Sslyth battle-blade
– 1x Ur-ghul: Ur-ghul Talons
Incubi [85 pts]:
– 1x Klaivex: Demiklaives
– 4x Incubi: Klaive
Mandrakes [65 pts]:
– 1x Nightfiend: Baleblast, Glimmersteel Blade
– 4x Mandrake: Baleblast, Glimmersteel Blade
Scourges [130 pts]:
– 1x Solarite: Close combat weapon, Solarite Weapon, Shardcarbine
– 4x Scourge with Heavy Weapon: Close combat weapon, Dark Lance
Scourges [130 pts]:
– 1x Solarite: Close combat weapon, Solarite Weapon, Shardcarbine
– 4x Scourge with Heavy Weapon: Close combat weapon, Drukhari Haywire Blaster
**Monster [50 pts]**
Cronos [50 pts]:
– 1x Cronos: Spirit Syphon, Spirit Vortex, Spirit-leech Tentacles
**Vehicle [535 pts]**
Ravager [100 pts]: Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance
Ravager [100 pts]: Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance
Ravager [100 pts]: Bladevanes, 3x Dark Lance
Voidraven Bomber [235 pts]: Bladed wings, Voidraven Missiles, 2 Dark Scythes (2x Dark Scythe)
**Dedicated Transport [130 pts]**
Venom [65 pts]: Bladevanes, 2x Splinter Cannon
Venom [65 pts]: Bladevanes, 2x Splinter Cannon

Archetype

Shooty Wager

Thoughts

OK so 33 Dark Lances is an exageration (I did count) but this build shows that you can put a lot of darklight on the table, and support it with nasty ruin-clearing toys like Drazhar and Lelith to great effect. The Voidraven is also a great touch, working well with the updated Wager Detachment rule to present consistent threat for minimum investment, and help soften up anything lurking that can disrupt the melee missiles. These builds are still a bit glass jawed, and that seems to be holding them back from managing the consistency needed to win a big event, but they’re clearly not miles off either, as Ari has helped demonstrate here.

Jack Murphy – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Tim (1990 Points)

Leagues of Votann
Oathband
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Brôkhyr Iron-master (85 Points)
• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master
• Warlord
◦ 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

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

BATTLELINE

Hearthkyn Warriors (100 Points)
• 1x Theyn
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x EtaCarn plasma pistol
◦ 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 HYLas auto rifle
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 1x Medipack
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Cthonian Beserks (200 Points)
• 10x Cthonian Beserk
◦ 8x Concussion maul
◦ 2x Mole grenade launcher
◦ 2x Twin concussion gauntlet

Cthonian Beserks (200 Points)
• 10x Cthonian Beserk
◦ 10x Concussion maul
◦ 2x Mole grenade launcher

Hekaton Land Fortress (225 Points)
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x MATR autocannon
• 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
• 1x SP heavy conversion beamer
• 2x Twin bolt cannon

Hernkyn Pioneers (180 Points)
• 6x Hernkyn Pioneer
◦ 6x Bolt revolver
◦ 6x Bolt shotgun
◦ 1x Comms Array
◦ 2x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 6x Magna-coil autocannon
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
◦ 6x Plasma knife
◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight

Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 Points)
• 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

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

All-rounder Votann

Thoughts

Celebrating perhaps the most prolonged reign of being “solid” that any army has achieved in 10th, it’s an all-rounder Votann build. Bikes if they try and hide at the back, Land Forts and Sagitaurs if they’re at middle distance, hammer-wielding maniacs if they get too close. It’s a proven recipe, and good to see it getting some reps in before whatever the new codex might bring, congratulations Jack.

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 more players on 6-1 records. They were:

5th – Nick Jagiello – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): The Emperor’s heaviest hitters in the form of Dorns, Russes and Canis Rex.
6th – Zach Point – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Triple double gatling Despoiler takes Infernal Lance to its logical endpoint.

1ST – SAW MUST GO ON

68-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Murcia, MC, España on August 02 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Falco La_Orden – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

La peste eterna (1995 Points)

Death Guard
Mortarion’s Hammer
Strike Force (2.000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 Points)
• 1x Manreaper

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (140 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 Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (1), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Plagueburst Hammer

Thoughts

The Daemon Engine menace in the flesh. Rather too much flesh for a mostly vehicle list, some would argue. Anyway you know what this does, we all know what this does. We know. Congratulations Falco.

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

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Leagues of Votann
+ DETACHMENT: Oathband
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Einhyr Champion
+ ENHANCEMENT: Grim Demeanour (on Char1: Einhyr Champion)
& Appraising Glare (on Char2: Einhyr Champion)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 17
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (6×2) – Assassination: 2 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Einhyr Champion (80 pts)
1 with Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Mass hammer
• Weavefield crest
Enhancement: Grim Demeanour (+20 pts)

Char2: 1x Einhyr Champion (80 pts)
1 with Autoch-pattern combi-bolter, Mass hammer
• Warlord, Weavefield crest
Enhancement: Appraising Glare (+20 pts)

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (160 pts)
* 6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
6 with Close combat weapon, Graviton blast cannon

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

10x Einhyr Hearthguard (320 pts)
* 1x Hesyr
1 with Exo-armour grenade launcher, Concussion hammer, Volkanite disintegrator
• Teleport crest, Einhyr Hearthguard
* 9x Einhyr Hearthguard
9 with Exo-armour grenade launcher, Concussion gauntlet, Volkanite disintegrator
• Einhyr Hearthguard

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

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

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

Archetype

Sagitaur Spam

Thoughts

Another dependable spin on Votann here, eschewing the Land Fortresses for a fleet of tiny transports, providing great board control and hopefully luring the foe into positions where the big Hearthguard hammer unit can come down and vaporise something. Great work Miguel.

Juanpe Pelos – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 3rd Place

Loyalist Knight Atrapos. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

caballeros (2000 points)

Imperial Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble Lance

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (380 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s Hand

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (365 points)
• 1x Atrapos lascutter
1x Graviton singularity cannon

Knight Errant (370 points)
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chainsword
1x Stormspear rocket pod
1x Thermal cannon
• Enhancement: Mysterious Guardian

BATTLELINE

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

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (88), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Canis and Friends

Thoughts

A sterling example of the Imperial Knight menace here, using several of the best bigs and a supporting cast of Armigers, amped up by the high reliability their re-rolls and Feel No Pains provide them. Knights good. Well done Juanpe.

Curro La_Orden – Aeldari (Aspect Host) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Sr. Fenix (2000 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Aspect Host

CHARACTERS

Asurmen (135 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bloody Twins
1x Sword of Asur

Autarch (85 points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Star glaive

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

Fuegan (120 points)
• 1x Fire Axe
1x Searsong

Jain Zar (105 points)
• 1x Blade of Destruction
1x Silent Death

Lhykhis (120 points)
• 1x Brood Twain
1x Spider’s Fangs
1x Weaverender

Maugan Ra (100 points)
• 1x Maugetar

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Dire Avengers (160 points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dire Avenger Exarch
• 2x Avenger shuriken catapult
1x Close combat weapon
• 9x Dire Avenger
• 9x Avenger shuriken catapult
9x Close combat weapon

Fire Dragons (120 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 (95 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 (150 points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
• 1x Scorpion chainsword
1x Scorpion’s claw
1x Shuriken pistol
• 9x Striking Scorpion
• 9x Scorpion chainsword
9x Shuriken pistol

Swooping Hawks (170 points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 9x Swooping Hawk
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Lasblaster

Warp Spiders (95 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s death spinner
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (88), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Phoenix Fiesta

Thoughts

All current Phoenix Lords unleashed, and I hope the Autarch is leading those Scorpions and dressed up as Kharandras to complete the bit. I imagine this list is a blast to play and can unleash some spectacular power moves, and feels incredible right up until it falls flat on its face into something that can call it on its bullshit, which in this case was Mortarion’s Hammer in the final. Hell of a stylish ride to get there though, great stuff Curro.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Cajolín waif – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): The shooty end of Liberator, with both Ballistus Dreads and Vindicators backing up a small number of melee hammers.
6th – Franxu Axo – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Dorns, Russes, and a big protective squad of Bullgryn.
7th – Víctor Benavente – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): An unusually old school Guilliman gunline, adding some grav Devastators to the mix.
8th – Alfredo Garcia-marcos – Aeldari (Aspect Host): An extra shooty Aspect Host build with a couple of D-cannons alongside a big Reaper squad and smaller Fire Dragon units.
9th – Luis González Hernández – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Heavy Subterranean Assault, doubling up on Trygons and bringing lots of big Monsters.
10th – Xandre Ramos – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Big Knights tooled to go toe to gigantic toe with other heavy builds, bringing a volcano lance Tyrant and two gatling/melta Despoilers.
11th – Dekkers 🦭🤖 – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): A Discolord and some Chosen providing melee punch for an otherwise very shooty Raiders build.

Grand Onslaught 10: Carnage

42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hudson, FL, United States on August 02 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Lee Zagrzebski – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 1st Place

Custodes Vertus Praetors. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Auric Rex (2000 Points)

Adeptus Custodes
Lions of the Emperor
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (155 Points)
• 1x Balistus grenade launcher
• 1x Guardian spear
• Enhancements: Superior Creation

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (165 Points)
• 1x Interceptor lance
• 1x Salvo launcher
• Enhancements: Fierce Conqueror

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (150 Points)
• 1x Interceptor lance
• 1x Salvo launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (180 Points)
• 3x Allarus Custodian
◦ 3x Balistus grenade launcher
◦ 3x Guardian spear

Vertus Praetors (225 Points)
• 3x Vertus Praetor
◦ 3x Interceptor lance
◦ 3x Salvo launcher

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

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

Canis Rex (380 Points)
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
• 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
• 1x Freedom’s Hand

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Anti-Knight Custodes

Thoughts

A uniquely heavy-hitting spin on Custodes leads the pack here, cutting down the army to solely units that meaningfully threaten a Knight with no help (which is on brand for Lions), then adding Canis Rex on top for good measure. The result is a very low footprint army, but one that can unleash truly appalling violence at a critical juncture, helping it survive in a crunchy metagame. It’s also considerably faster than most Custodes armies, and can potentially bowl over foes that are expecting to have one extra turn to get their plan in motion. It’s a spicy change to the regular mixture and one that’s clearly worked very well, and it’s worth noting that while I would have potentially pegged Aeldari as a problem for this (due to low unit count), Lee cheerfully smashed through several of their lists on the way to the top, so it’s can clearly roll with a punch as well.

Steve Trimble – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

UH OH STINKY! POOPY! HAHA! (1995 Points)

Death Guard
Mortarion’s Hammer
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 Points)
• 1x Manreaper

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Plagueburst Hammer

Thoughts

Rob: The current best version of the Death Guard list in my estimation, Mortarion’s Hammer runs big on undercosted units like Blight Haulers, Bloat-Drones, and Deathshroud to launch wave after wave of bullshit at the opponent. There are games that the PBCs just flat-out win you by being able to dig out enemy units from across the table thanks to being able to give them -1 to saves at the start of the first battle round, and the list packs enough punch to deal with knights. Steve’s list opts for a second Lord of Contagion over a third Blight-hauler, which gives him more melee punch at the expense of better shooting but it’s really just playing around in the margins. Three units of poxwalkers give him a ton of screening and the Deathshroud can threaten large portions of the board.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd – Garrett Befera – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Plagueburst Hammer.
4th – Bryce Bennett – Adepta Sororitas (Penitent Host): An unusual sighting of Penitent Host, unsurprisingly packing many melee missiles of various sorts, plus a Castigator/Triumph firebase.
5th – Mike Muzeni – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus-free Coven Goodstuff, adding other nasty Characters like Ahriman and the Vortex Prince instead.
6th – Z Martin – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Avatar and 10 Fire Dragons, the coolest or hottest Eldar build depending on how literal you’re feeling.
7th – Jake Smith – Adeptus Custodes (Auric Champions): Another unusual detachment sighting here with a tooled up captain/squad each of Bikes and Allarus, a Superior Creation Blade Champ, and some tanks.

Valley of the Moon Open GT

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Kenwood, CA, United States on August 02 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Adam Dye – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

Myphitic Blight-Haulers – Credit Beanith

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Hammer of Sickness (+3) (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 points)
• 1x Manreaper

Lord of Virulence (110 points)
• 1x Power fist
1x Twin plague spewer
• Enhancement: Tendrilous Emissions

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

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 (90 points)
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe

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

Helbrute (115 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Helbrute fist
1x Helbrute hammer

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (180 points)
• 2x Myphitic Blight-hauler
• 2x Bile spurt
2x Gnashing maw
2x Missile launcher
2x Multi-melta

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

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Direct Fire Hammer

Thoughts

I mean technically I do have to give it points for innovation, because I don’t think I’ve seen the max 6 Blight-haulers in a winning list yet. Arguably that’s surprising, because they’re super good, and here let the army push up the board with confidence even against other lists with armoured might. Against more go-wide stuff the support from the fleshmowers comes into play, helping roll up elite infantry and profitably tie down hordes. There’s just so much here and it’s all so good at its job, meaning only the very nastiest builds have any hope of stopping it. None managed do that here, leaving Adam with a big win, and a begrudging “you innovated!” award. On a technicality.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Dan Morriss – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Now, this list is called “Surprise Norn Emissary”, and I’ll grant that this might be true for the first one, but I think savvy opponents might cotton on before numbers two and three hit.
3rd – Marcus Utsey – Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots): Abaddon, Vinidcators and a buff Helbrute for shooting, Vashtorr and Warp Talons to rove and hunt.
4th – Edward Molnar – Adeptus Mechanicus (Cohort Cybernetica): Crunchy AdMech with eight melee Robots and a trio of Skorpii to blast away while the foe handles the aggro.

NIGHTWOLF’S MAJOR 40K SOLO TOURNAMENT

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Courcelette, QC, Canada on August 02 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Purge the Foe – Dawn of War

kevin bonneau – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock)
Army List - Click to Expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nom du joueur : Kevin bonneau
Factions utilisées : darkangel
Points de l’armée : 2000
Améliorations de l’armée (liste sur quel modèle) : anciens Weapons on librarian
Règle de détachement : wrath of the rock
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rules Keep Ultramarines Organized; Lions Keep Enemies Dead (2000 points)

Space Marines
Dark Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Wrath of the Rock

CHARACTERS

Azrael (115 points)
• 1x Lion’s Wrath
1x The Lion Helm
1x The Sword of Secrets

Librarian (90 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancement: Ancient Weapons

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

Lion El’Jonson (315 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Arma Luminis
1x Fealty

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathwing Knights (250 points)
• 1x Watcher in the Dark
• 1x Knight Master
• 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven
• 4x Deathwing Knight
• 4x Mace of absolution

Gladiator Lancer (160 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Lancer laser destroyer

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
4x Marksman bolt carbine

Inner Circle Companions (180 points)
• 6x Inner Circle Companion
• 6x Calibanite greatsword
6x Heavy bolt pistol

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
• 4x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651

vs.

Dominic Dafoe – Orks (Taktikal Brigade)
Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Orks
+ DETACHMENT: Taktikal Brigade
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ ENHANCEMENT: Mek Kaptin (on Char1: Big Mek in Mega Armour)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 21
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (4×2) – Assassination: 4 Characters – Cull The Horde: 1×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Big Mek in Mega Armour (135 pts): Kustom mega-blasta, Power klaw
Enhancement: Mek Kaptin (+45 pts)
Char2: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (85 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun
Char3: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (85 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun
Char4: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (85 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun

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

10x Flash Gitz (170 pts): Ammo Runt
• 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
11x Gretchin (40 pts)
• 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga
22x Gretchin (80 pts)
• 20x Gretchin: 20 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta
• 2x Runtherd: 2 with Grot-smacka, Slugga
10x Kommandos (120 pts)
• 9x Kommandos
1 with Kommandos, Breacha ram
1 with Kommandos, Burna, Close combat weapon
1 with Kommandos, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha
6 with Kommandos, Choppa, Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Choppa
10x Lootas (115 pts)
• 8x Loota: 8 with Close combat weapon, Deffgun
• 2x Spanner: 2 with Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha
10x Lootas (115 pts)
• 8x Loota: 8 with Close combat weapon, Deffgun
• 2x Spanner: 2 with Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha
6x Tankbustas (140 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, 2x Rokkit pistol
6x Tankbustas (140 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, 2x Rokkit pistol
6x Tankbustas (140 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, 2x Rokkit pistol
3x Deffkoptas (80 pts): 3 with Kopta rokkits, Slugga, Spinnin’ blades
3x Deffkoptas (80 pts): 3 with Kopta rokkits, Slugga, Spinnin’ blades
3x Deffkoptas (80 pts): 3 with Kopta rokkits, Slugga, Spinnin’ blades
1x Trukk (70 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin’ ball

Thoughts

Do you think Deffkopta pilots ever get confused when someone yells “get to da choppa” near them? What if they’re already holding one?

Anyway – the new Wrath of the Rock heavy Infantry/Lion hotness up against Taktikal Brigade, who have decided to go for the menacing government agency kind of taktikal (topical) that brings lots of black helicopters.

These help a fair bit here. You start reading the Orks list and worry they’re just going to bounce off the Dark Angels, but when you add three units of deffkoptas to the mix the Unforgiven suddenly have a big problem on this mission/map. It’s going to be very hard to avoid the rotary menace being able to get lines on the more vulnerable toys, and Gladiator Lancers are entirely the wrong tool for fighting back against them, because atomising a 27pt model (or even two) just isn’t that impressive. The sheer volume of Rokkits and Deffguns here will also smash anything in the Angels army that isn’t the Deathwing Knights, and get through those eventually as well, and having a very wide front they need to try and push on is a nightmare for the Marines here, as they don’t really have the bodies to do it. On Purge, the Orks just need to sit on two objectives and blow the Dark Angels off one each turn to gradually build up an insurmountable advantage, and they’ve got the speed and killing power to do it. For the Dark Angels, ultra high pressure into a Leonine Aggression punish seems like the best way to flip the script, but the odds are distinctly stacked against them, and that played out as an Ork win.

Result

Orks (Taktikal Brigade) Victory – 12 – 8

Dominic Dafoe – Orks (Taktikal Brigade) – 1st Place

Ork Deathskulls Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Taktikal Koptas

Thoughts

Taktikal Brigade but with Deffkoptas, and honestly at their incredibly low price that seems like a steel. There’s no real synergy with the rest of the army, but there kind of doesn’t need to be, as they’re fast, reasonably shooty, and non-trivial to kill, which helps close off the weakness of Taktikal, which is how squishy their big power pieces are once deployed. Being able to play with mid-weight stuff before the big shooty go turn helps massively, and I love what Dominic has done with this.

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Sebastien Geoffrion – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught): Ravener-heavy hyper aggro Vanguard.
3rd – Robert Mailloux – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, an Atrapos, Armigers and an Immolator. A reminder of more innocent times before the updated Index.

Wrap Up

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Competitive Innovation in 10th: A Plague of Low Costs pt.1

The Salt City GT IV Warhammer 40,000

Brad Chester – Aeldari (Warhost) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Travis King – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ari Chang – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Jack Murphy – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

1ST – SAW MUST GO ON

Falco La_Orden – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

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

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Juanpe Pelos – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Curro La_Orden – Aeldari (Aspect Host) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Grand Onslaught 10: Carnage

Lee Zagrzebski – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Steve Trimble – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Valley of the Moon Open GT

Adam Dye – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

NIGHTWOLF’S MAJOR 40K SOLO TOURNAMENT

The Showdown

Purge the Foe – Dawn of War

Thoughts

Result

Dominic Dafoe – Orks (Taktikal Brigade) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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