Welcome to Competitive Innovations, our weekly feature for a number of game lines across the tabletop wargame space. Each week our army list and tactics experts canvass the top tournaments for their game of specialty, looking at the week’s top match-ups and how they played out on the tabletop to let you know what’s hot, what’s not, and what might be coming next as the competitive meta evolves year-round.

Lowest of Men: Hi guys! Sorry for the disrupted schedule this week – Wings has been sick and I’ve been knee deep in preparations for Home Nations, so this absolute bumper week of events came at a bad time! That said, there are some really cool lists in here, so let’s get into it!

Firebug Open 2025

156-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Ettlingen, BW, Deutschland on April 11 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Aeldari (Ynnead) versus Imperial Knights (Noble Lance)

Roman Kleiber – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead)
Army List - Click to Expand

Move Move Move

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

Corsair Voidreavers (60 points)
• 1x Voidreaver Felarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Mistshield
1x Power sword
1x Shuriken rifle
• 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 (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 (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 Biting blade
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol

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

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

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

vs.

Fred Otto – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance)
Army List - Click to Expand

Ein Atrapos
4 Warglaives
6 Helverin
10 Sisters mit Imo

(Short and sweet Fred, like it)

Thoughts

A blowout win here that merits an autopsy. Ynnari Aeldari are one of the strongest rulesets in the game with a lot of great datasheets. The Yvraine / Incubi brick gives you great central control, and you have a lot of reach with Banshees and Warp Spiders to cause mischief. Wraith Lords give you a bit of solidity. What the army doesn’t have, is the ability to consisntely manage massed stat-checks, especially of a mech variety.

Lots of Armigers, an Atropos and an Immolator is a classic build for Knights at the moment. To do meaningful damage to it, Fire Dragons and Wraith Lords have to be committed – very little else in the Ynnari list reliably kills Knights, though you do have some Fusion Guns smattered around on the Autarchs. Armies that can force an ‘all-in’ from the Elves – and the high toughness, high OC Knights are certainly one – have the best chance of forcing a huge early scrap that the Aeldari really don’t want, and rolling to victory if they fall short. In the event, it looks like that is what happened here.

Result

Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) Victory – 100 – 48

Fred Otto – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

Imperial Knight Lance. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Ein Atrapos
4 Warglaives
6 Helverin
10 Sisters mit Imo

Archetype

Armigers, Big Knight, Immolator

Thoughts

Another event win for the Imperial Knights, who are having a strong few months. Big skew can catch out the many infantry armies teching for each other, and the disappearance of Dakka can only be a positive for the Noble Houses. Not a tonne else to say about it – stripping cover for Armigers is a recipe for success! Very well done on the event win.

William Fuhrimann – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Abaddon the Despoiler. Credit: Swiftblade

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

0.01 thanks liam (2000 Points)

Chaos Space Marines
Renegade Raiders
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (280 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Drach’nyen
• 1x Talon of Horus

Chaos Lord (105 Points)
• 1x Daemon hammer
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Dread Reaver

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (80 Points)
• 1x Chaos Familiar
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Infernal Gaze

BATTLELINE

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

Legionaries (90 Points)
• 1x Aspiring Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Lascannon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Bikers (70 Points)
• 1x Biker Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Combi-bolter
◦ 1x Power fist
• 2x Chaos Biker
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Combi-bolter
◦ 2x Plasma gun

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Vindicator (185 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Havoc launcher

Chosen (125 Points)
• 1x Chosen Champion
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
◦ 3x Accursed weapon
◦ 3x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 2x Combi-weapon
◦ 1x Paired accursed weapons
◦ 1x Plasma pistol

Possessed (240 Points)
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 9x Hideous mutations

Possessed (120 Points)
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 4x Possessed
◦ 4x Hideous mutations

Archetype

Abaddon Renegade Raiders

Thoughts

An interesting combined arms build that channels four tanks and Abaddon energy but compliments them with 15 Possessed. There is a sneaky Sorcerer in Terminator Armour to drop down and provide an extra AP for the army via Death Hex – this takes Renegade to some really silly places, and there are plenty of scoring pieces here to supplement the damage. CSM outside of Bile haven’t been as common of late so it’s cool to see this out! Well done.

Leif Westermann – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

firebug (2000 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead

CHARACTERS

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

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

Ynnari Raider (80 points)
• 1x Bladevanes
1x Dark lance

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Dragons (220 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 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 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

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

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

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

Archetype

Fire Dragon Spam Ynnari

Thoughts

20 Fire Dragons is a vibe – you aren’t getting caught out quite as hard by a vehicle or monster skew, and it is far harder for the opponent to push you. I like the Raider and Wave Serpent in Ynnari – Transports are a consistent means to triggering Lethal Intent if the opponent really wants to deal with you. Great work on the top placing!

Christian Schachmann – T’au Empire (Mont’ka) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Tau Mont’ka (1990 Points)

T’au Empire
Mont’ka
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Kroot Lone-spear (105 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blast javelin
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hunting javelin
• 1x Kalamandra’s bite
• Enhancements: Strike Swiftly

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 Points)
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
• 1x Cyclic ion raker
• 1x Ghostkeel fists
• 1x Twin fusion blaster

Hammerhead Gunship (145 Points)
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Railgun
• 2x Seeker missile

Kroot Hounds (40 Points)
• 5x Kroot Hound
◦ 5x Ripping fangs

Riptide Battlesuit (190 Points)
• 1x Ion accelerator
• 2x Missile Drone
• 1x Riptide fists
• 1x Twin smart missile system

Sky Ray Gunship (140 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Seeker missile rack
• 2x Smart missile system

Stealth Battlesuits (60 Points)
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
◦ 1x Battlesuit Support System
◦ 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 1x Fusion blaster
◦ 1x Homing Beacon
◦ 1x Marker Drone
◦ 1x Shield Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
◦ 2x Battlesuit fists
◦ 2x Burst cannon

Archetype

Mont’ka Mech

Thoughts

An absolutely brutal triple Hammerhead, triple Riptide, triple Skyray Tau list – this is going to come at you fast and blast you to pieces, and I low-key love it. MSU Kroot Hounds and Stealth Suits support and score. It ain’t subtle, but it is glorious. Well done!

The Best of the Rest

There were 12 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Niklas Fritschen – Chaos Daemons: Daemonic Incursion monster mash.
6th – Patrick Schmitt – Tyranids: ‘Nids’, apparently. Lol.
7th – Pascal Haberstroh – Blood Angels: JPI and Bladeguard Heavy BA with some Ballistus in support.
8th – Simon Rosen – Emperor’s Children: An early run out for Coteries Goodstuff EC – max Noise bois, Lord Exultants, some Daemon Princes and Rhinos.
9th – Samir Amr – Chaos Space Marines: Abaddon tank Renegade Raiders with some Warp Talons.
10th – Roman Kleiber – Aeldari: The Ynnari list from the showdown.
11th – Marc Worz – Necrons: Silent King and Destroyer MSU in Awakened.
12th – Ben Hacklander – Death Guard: Massed Predators in Plague Company.
13th – Norman Werner – Thousand Sons: Tsons Goodstuff with lots of Cultists.
14th – Ares Luthi – Aeldari: Punchy Aspect Host with a big Fire Dragon brick.
15th – Rudiger Krauss – Leagues of Votann: Double Fort Oathband with 20 Hearthguard.

Tennessee Elite Open GT

61-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Clarksville, TN, United States on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Mark Perry – Chaos Daemons (Unknown Detachment) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

bellcore (1995 points)

Chaos Daemons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Shadow Legion

CHARACTERS

Be’lakor (375 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Betraying Shades
1x The Blade of Shadows

Bloodthirster (320 points)
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
1x Hellfire breath
• Enhancement: Fade to Darkness

Lord of Change (260 points)
• 1x Bolt of Change
1x Staff of Tzeentch

BATTLELINE

Bloodletters (110 points)
• 1x Bloodreaper
• 1x Hellblade
• 9x Bloodletter
• 1x Daemonic Icon
9x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos

OTHER DATASHEETS

Flamers (65 points)
• 1x Pyrocaster
• 1x Flamer mouths
1x Flickering Flames
• 2x Flamer
• 2x Flamer mouths
2x Flickering Flames

Flesh Hounds (75 points)
• 1x Gore Hound
• 1x Burning roar
1x Collar of Khorne
1x Gore-drenched fangs
• 4x Flesh Hound
• 4x Collar of Khorne
4x Gore-drenched fangs

Screamers (80 points)
• 3x Screamer
• 3x Lamprey bite

ALLIED UNITS

Cultist Mob (50 points)
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon

Havocs (125 points)
• 1x Havoc Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Havoc
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Havoc lascannon

Archetype

Shadow Legion Bloodthirster

Thoughts

Shadow Legion is emerging as a force to beat in the meta game – being able to no-sell shooting armies, pick off melee ones with an anti-trading Bloodthirster, and generally cause mayhem with invuln toting deviants is a recipe for success! Not a tonne of surprises in the list here- Havocs love hanging out with their new best pal Belly – and it’s definitely a list you need to understand if you want to go deep in an event. Well done on the win!

Tony Baumayr – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

TEO – Tank CA (1995 points)

Astra Militarum
Strike Force (2000 points)
Combined Arms

CHARACTERS

Cadian Command Squad (65 points)
• 1x Cadian Commander
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma gun
1x Plasma pistol
• 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

Cadian Command Squad (65 points)
• 1x Cadian Commander
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 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

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 points)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
2x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot volley gun
1x Medi-pack
1x Plasma gun
1x Regimental Standard
• 1x Tempestor Prime
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Tempestus dagger

Ogryn Bodyguard (40 points)
• 1x Brute Shield
1x Bullgryn maul
1x Close combat weapon

Rogal Dorn Commander (280 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
3x Heavy stubber
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
• Enhancement: Grand Strategist

Ursula Creed (65 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
1x Power weapon

BATTLELINE

Cadian Shock Troops (65 points)
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Sergeant’s autogun
• 9x Shock Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
7x Lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster

Death Korps of Krieg (130 points)
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster
• 2x Plasma pistol
2x Power weapon
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
• 18x Close combat weapon
2x Death Korps Medi-pack
2x Grenade launcher
14x Lasgun
2x Plasma gun
2x Vox-caster

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Taurox (65 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hellhound (125 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Inferno cannon
1x Multi-melta

Kasrkin (110 points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
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 Exterminator (180 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Exterminator autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta

Scout Sentinels (55 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw

Tempestus Scions (140 points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
• 9x Close combat weapon
4x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
2x Hot-shot volley gun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster

Archetype

Combined Arms

Thoughts

A tasteful smattering of Rogal Dorn, Leman Russ, and massed Infantry with transports here. A 20 brick of Krieg adds a bit of solidity. Guard seem able to muddle through to top placings at the moment but it’s not easy, with a lot of pressure to navigate to make it to the top. Really well done on the top placing!

Blake Clotfelter – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 3rd Place

Leagues of Votann Hearthkyn Warriors. Credit: Rich Nutter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

April GT (2000 points)

Leagues of Votann
Strike Force (2000 points)
Oathband

CHARACTERS

Brôkhyr Iron-master (85 points)
• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master
• 1x Graviton hammer
1x Graviton rifle
• Enhancement: Grim Demeanour
• 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 (80 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
1x Mass hammer
1x Weavefield Crest
• Enhancement: Appraising Glare

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 L7 missile launcher
1x Magna-rail rifle
1x Medipack
1x Pan Spectral Scanner

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

Sagitaur (115 points)
• 1x Armoured wheels
1x L7 missile launcher
1x Sagitaur missile launcher
1x Twin bolt cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (160 points)
• 6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
• 6x Close combat weapon
6x Graviton blast cannon

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (80 points)
• 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Graviton blast cannon

Cthonian Beserks (100 points)
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
• 5x Concussion maul
1x Mole grenade launcher

Einhyr Hearthguard (150 points)
• 1x Hesyr
• 1x Concussion hammer
1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
1x Teleport Crest
1x Volkanite disintegrator
• 4x Einhyr Hearthguard
• 4x Concussion gauntlet
4x Exo-armour grenade launcher
4x Volkanite disintegrator

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 (90 points)
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
• 3x Bolt revolver
3x Bolt shotgun
1x HYLas rotary cannon
3x Magna-coil autocannon
1x Pan Spectral Scanner
3x Plasma knife
1x Rollbar Searchlight

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

Archetype

Oathband Sagitaurs

Thoughts

Votann continue to prove solid and consistent, with lots of Sagitaurs, Land Forts, and Thunderkyn propping up this particular build. Volum S5 shooting is nice to have with orks about, and the overwatch control lane helps make life perilous for those pesky elves as well. The formula of a skew that is itself anti-skew keeps on making hay for the Kyn! Well done on the placing.

Charles Barber – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 4th Place

Eldar Farseer Skyrunner. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Putzing Around the Underworld (1995 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead

CHARACTERS

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

Farseer Skyrunner (95 points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Singing spear
1x Twin shuriken catapult
• Enhancement: Gaze of Ynnead

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

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

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

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

Warlock Skyrunners (90 points)
• 2x Warlock Skyrunner
• 2x Destructor
2x Shuriken pistol
2x Singing Spear
2x Twin shuriken catapult

Windriders (160 points)
• 6x Windrider
• 6x Close combat weapon
6x Shuriken cannon

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

Archetype

Ynnari with Wraithlords

Thoughts

Chunky Wraithlord Ynnari is emerging as a staple build. Nice to see the Farseer with the Enhancement here for a tiny bit of extra juice and a cheeky dev wound or two where you need it. Otherwise, very much business as usual here! Well done on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Steven Crawley – Adeptus Custodes: Heroic all-in Allarus in Lions. Amazing.
6th – Jonathon Bruce – T’au Empire: Breacher / Ghostkeel Kauyon.
7th – John Peterson – Orks: More Dakka Goodstuff.
8th – Wilmer Stowe – Chaos Knights: Lots of Wardogs.
9th – Adam Woodward – Chaos Daemons: Shadow Legion Nurgling jail.
10th – Sean Connolly – Space Marines: Stormlance Ultramarines with Gulliman.
11th – Jeremy Stan – Adeptus Custodes: Allarus and Guard bricks in Lions.

Iberian GT Andoain

48-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Andoain, PV, España on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Alvaro Perez – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

CocaYnnari 2.0 (1985 points)
Los 15 puntos es por si vuelven a subir a los dragones

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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 (170 points)
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 9x Swooping Hawk
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Lasblaster

Archetype

Kabalite Ynnari

Thoughts

An event win for the Ynnari, who dine out on their incredibly powerful sequencing plays. Double Kabalite Venom is fantastic in this detachment- you get throwaway OC, cheap transports, and lots of potential triggers for the Yncarne and Lethal Intent. Can highly recommend! Really well done on the event win.

koldo besga – Orks (More Dakka) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

KOLDO TORNEO DESDAKKAMENTO (2000 Points)

Orks
More Dakka!
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Mek (45 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Killsaw
• 1x Kustom mega-slugga

Mek (55 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Kustom mega-slugga
• Enhancements: Zog Off and Eat Dakka!

OTHER DATASHEETS

Flash Gitz (160 Points)
• 1x Kaptin
◦ 1x Choppa
◦ 1x Snazzgun
• 9x Flash Git
◦ 9x Choppa
◦ 9x Snazzgun

Gorkanaut (265 Points)
• 1x Deffstorm mega-shoota
• 1x Klaw of Gork
• 2x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Skorcha
• 2x Twin big shoota

Gretchin (40 Points)
• 10x Gretchin
◦ 10x Close combat weapon
◦ 10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
◦ 1x Runtherd tools
◦ 1x Slugga

Lootas (100 Points)
• 2x Spanner
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Kustom mega-blasta
• 8x Loota
◦ 8x Close combat weapon
◦ 8x Deffgun

Morkanaut (280 Points)
• 1x Klaw of Mork
• 1x Kustom mega-blasta
• 1x Kustom mega-zappa
• 2x Rokkit launcha
• 2x Twin big shoota

Tankbustas (135 Points)
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Choppa
◦ 1x Rokkit pistol
◦ 1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Pulsa Rokkit
◦ 5x Rokkit launcha

Archetype

Gorka Morka Dakka

Thoughts

A Ynnari / Dakka podium feels about right! This list slams in two Morkanauts and two Gorkanauts for style points. Deadly, very effective when placed tactically in the Waaagh, and a great transport chassis for lots of Lootas and Flash Gitz. What’s not to love? Well done on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd – Alex Robleno – Chaos Knights: War Dogs.
4th – Iñaki Arrieta – Necrons: Silent King / DDA Starshatter.
5th – Asier “Hans” Gallego – Tyranids: Assimilation Swarm Gargoyle spam.
6th – Kikko Alpha Strike – Death Guard: Double Plague Marine brick and supporting Vehicles.
7th – Egoitz Eguillor – Adeptus Custodes: Tasteful mixed arms Custodes in Lions.
8th – The Butcher – Blood Angels: Sanguinor inspired MSU with some Vindicators.
9th – Peli – Death Guard: Deathshroud bricks with Brigand shooting support.

The 36 Chambers #4

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Stockport, England, United Kingdom on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Rory Andrew – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

NEW STUFF! Lions test (2000 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (120 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords

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

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (175 Points)
• 1x Interceptor lance
• 1x Vertus hurricane bolter
• Enhancements: Praesidius

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (160 Points)
• 1x Interceptor lance
• 1x Vertus hurricane bolter
• Enhancements: Admonimortis

Trajann Valoris (140 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Eagle’s Scream
• 1x Watcher’s Axe

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (170 Points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
◦ 3x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Misericordia
◦ 1x Praesidium Shield
◦ 1x Vexilla

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Custodian Wardens (210 Points)
• 4x Custodian Warden
◦ 4x 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

Vertus Praetors (150 Points)
• 2x Vertus Praetor
◦ 2x Interceptor lance
◦ 2x Vertus hurricane bolter

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 (55 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Inquisitorial melee weapon
• 1x Psychic Gifts
• 1x Psychic Shock Wave

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

Archetype

Lions Infantry Spam

Thoughts

Custodes take an event, with the newly juiced up power of Lions of the Emperor taking them back to the heights. This list packs in lots of the things that love the detachment- Guard with +1 to wound are insufferably brutal, Allarus give you the ability to switch up attacks and also get some MSU action going via Unleash the Lions, and Inquisitor shooting being taken up a notch by the detachment means a couple of these are a no brainer! Really well done on the event win.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Joseph Kean – Space Marines (Gladius Taskforce): Ultramarines Gladius with plenty of tanks.
3rd – Ash Loftus – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, a Cerastus, and lots of Armigers.
4th – Adam Watson – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Cawl leading out 30 Ruststalkers to inflict harm.
5th – Lewis Archer – Dark Angels: Triple Ballistus Gladius Dark Angels.
6th – Andy Bradbury – Adeptus Custodes: A very nice Shield Host build with lots of Guard and Venatari.

Bedlam in the ‘Burgh 2025 40k GT

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Coraopolis, PA, United States on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Lawrence Paladin – Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Lawrence (2000 Points)

Genestealer Cults
Biosanctic Broodsurge
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Abominant (110 Points)
• 1x Power sledgehammer
• Enhancements: Alien Majesty

Abominant (95 Points)
• 1x Power sledgehammer

Patriarch (100 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Patriarch’s claws
• Enhancements: Biomorph Adaptation

Reductus Saboteur (65 Points)
• 1x Autopistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Demolition charges
• 1x Remote explosives

BATTLELINE

Acolyte Hybrids with Autopistols (65 Points)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Cult claws and knife
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
◦ 4x Autopistol
◦ 4x Cult claws and knife

Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 Points)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
◦ 1x Cult claws and knife
◦ 1x Hand flamer
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
◦ 4x Cult claws and knife
◦ 4x Hand flamer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aberrants (135 Points)
• 1x Aberrant Hypermorph
◦ 1x Aberrant weapons
• 4x Aberrant
◦ 4x Aberrant weapons

Achilles Ridgerunners (85 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Heavy mortar
• 1x Survey Augur
• 1x Twin heavy stubber

Achilles Ridgerunners (170 Points)
• 2x Achilles Ridgerunner
◦ 2x Armoured hull
◦ 2x Heavy mining laser
◦ 2x Spotter
◦ 2x Twin heavy stubber

Goliath Rockgrinder (120 Points)
• 1x Demolition charge cache
• 1x Drilldozer blade
• 1x Heavy mining laser
• 1x Heavy stubber

Purestrain Genestealers (75 Points)
• 5x Purestrain Genestealer
◦ 5x Cult claws and talons

Purestrain Genestealers (150 Points)
• 10x Purestrain Genestealer
◦ 10x Cult claws and talons

Archetype

Broodsurge Laser Spam

Thoughts

My favourite detachment claims a big trophy here, and I really like the subtle adjustment’s Lawrence has made by bringing in triple Rockgrinder with lasers and Flamer Acolytes riding along. You slightly (and only slightly) dilute the melee threat of the infantry, but get a lot more shooting for some of the elite infantry armies that can give Bio trouble. Awesome innovative list, that I may well steal. Well done on the event win!!!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Joseph Sault – Imperial Agents: A novel Imperialis Fleet list with tonnes of Inquisitors, some Immolator Sisters, and triple Subductor Squads.
3rd – Daniel Brown – Space Wolves: Wolf Jail with loads of Cavalry and Wulfen.
4th – Larry Paladin – Space Marines: Gladius Ultramarines with Calgar and his big golden boss leading the way.
5th – Git Gud – World Eaters: World Eaters Goodstuff, now with Goremongers!
6th – Erik Stratigos – Genestealer Cult: A more conventional Mining Laser Runner support Bio list.

Modhammer

26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Modesto, CA, US on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Erik Sousa – Aeldari (Unknown Detachment) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Modhammer (1990 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead

CHARACTERS

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

Autarch Wayleaper (80 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

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 (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 (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 Biting blade
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 Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner

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

Archetype

Ynnari Goodstuff

Thoughts

A lovely list that packs in both Incubi brick AND Yncarne, plenty of Aspect MSU, some Autarchs, and goes to town. You can do incredible things with this army at the moment and it can leave the unwary on their backsides very quickly indeed. That said, piloting it to first in a meta where people are gunning for elves deserves some respect, very well done on the win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Jeremy Newswander – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Massed Guard and Wardens in Lions.
3rd – John Jeffries – Grey Knights (Warpbane Taskforce): A Ruben inspired Dreadknight spam list.
4th – Travis Bughi – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Old One Eye leads an eclectic mix of infantry and monsters to battle. Look a Trygon!

Wrap Up

There we are folks! A few more installments to come – stand by 😀

Lowest of Men, out.

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Scramble Scramble pt.1

Firebug Open 2025

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Aeldari (Ynnead) versus Imperial Knights (Noble Lance)

Thoughts

Result

Fred Otto – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

William Fuhrimann – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Leif Westermann – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Christian Schachmann – T’au Empire (Mont’ka) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Tennessee Elite Open GT

Mark Perry – Chaos Daemons (Unknown Detachment) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Tony Baumayr – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Blake Clotfelter – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Charles Barber – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Iberian GT Andoain

Alvaro Perez – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

koldo besga – Orks (More Dakka) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The 36 Chambers #4

Rory Andrew – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Bedlam in the ‘Burgh 2025 40k GT

Lawrence Paladin – Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Modhammer

Erik Sousa – Aeldari (Unknown Detachment) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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