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.
Part 3 today covers:
- North Star Open 2025
- Black Crow Gaming’s Battle of the RAGNAR GT!
- GRIMDARK 25: THE FINAL GRIMDARK
- GRILLIN’ DICE 2025!!!
- Palladium Games Presents “the dumpster fire gt” NOVA Prep Edition
Part 1 on Wednesday looked at:
- Denver 40K Fight Club August Open 2025
- GT Golden Dawn III – Warhammer 40k
- Hour Zero 2: Heroes Unchained
- Abyss 40k GT #5
- VT 40K GT AUGUST 25
- 40k Brawl – August GT 2025
Part 2 on Friday featured Lowest of Men reviewing:
- Ragnar̦k GT 2025 РA Valkyrie Wargaming Event
- Games and Stuff 40K Event Hosted by Away Games
- Rammaric Industries The GT 2025
- Summer Slaughter: Warhammer 40K Summer Assault ITC Major
- Toys of Mass Destruction – Hertfordshire Summer GT
North Star Open 2025
54-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Duluth, MN, US on August 16 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Devin Orchard – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necrons CHARACTERS Catacomb Command Barge (150 points) Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points) Technomancer (105 points) Technomancer (90 points) The Silent King (420 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Reanimator (75 points) Canoptek Spyders (75 points) Canoptek Wraiths (220 points) Canoptek Wraiths (220 points) Cryptothralls (60 points) Doomsday Ark (200 points) Doomsday Ark (200 points) Ophydian Destroyers (80 points)
Markenezan Starshatter (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Starshatter Arsenal
• 1x Gauss cannon
1x Staff of light
• Enhancement: Dread Majesty (Aura)
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancement: Chrono-impedance Fields
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancement: Demanding Leader
• 1x Szarekh
• Warlord
• 1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory
1x Staff of Stars
1x Weapons of the Final Triarch
• 2x Triarchal Menhir
• 2x Annihilator beam
2x Armoured bulk
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws
• 1x Automaton claws
1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura)
1x Gloom Prism (Aura)
2x Particle beamer
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws
• 2x Cryptothrall
• 2x Scouring eye
2x Scythed limbs
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 3x Ophydian Destroyer
• 3x Ophydian hyperphase weapons
1 plasmacyte
Archetype
Double Wraith Starshatter
Thoughts
Glorious robot domination to start us off today, but it’s the good kind. Yes. Double Wraith/double Doomsday is, for my money, the best Starshatter build, because two Wraith blocks will completely stymie some builds, and provide plenty of breathing room for the guns to do their work. I don’t see this getting any worse after the changes too – melee Marine builds tend to hate Wraiths as well since they can soak up a charge, and you’ve got plenty of anti-Marine shooting too. A good time to be a robot skeleton coming right up, great work Devin.
The Best of the Rest
There were 10 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Zach Bolger – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs):Â Martyrs with lots of sacrificial units and a few hammers backing them.
- 3rd – J Sawlaw – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion):Â Double Plague Marine Champions goodstuff, notably using a Plaguecaster as one of the Characters in each squad, which is obviously appealing post update as those stayed the same price.
- 4th – Cody Disterhaupt – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread):Â Five bigs with a Tyrant.
- 5th – Jasper Axelson – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband):Â Heavy hitting Warband that cuts some of the normal supporting cast for Angron.
- 6th – Jonny Berkness – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance):Â Infernal quad bigs with a Tyrant.
- 7th – Tim Cook – Space Wolves (Saga of the Beastslayer):Â Elite Infantry riding around in double Land Raider.
- 8th – Cyle Thompson – Thousand Sons (Changehost of Deceit):Â An exciting experiment into whether having a garbage Detachment rule is worth it to allow you to put Kairos and 18 Screamers in a list with Thousand Sons shooting, and the answer is “yeah, kinda”.
- 9th – Patrick Meisch – T’au Empire (Retaliation Cadre):Â A mix of big suits and Crisis (Sunforge for Farsight and a choice of Starscythe or more Sunforge for an uppy-downy Commander) in Ret Cadre.
- 10th – Joseph Karamitsios – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium):Â Mortarion Vectorium goodstuff, and at lower end of how hard armies get hit by the updates.
- 11th – Cody Derosier – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven):Â Magnus Grand Coven Goodstuff.
Black Crow Gaming’s Battle of the RAGNAR GT!
40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on August 16 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Toby Bennett – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Captain (115 points) Chaplain (85 points) Chief Librarian Mephiston (120 points) Death Company Captain with Jump Pack (75 points) Lemartes (100 points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) BATTLELINE Intercessor Squad (80 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Impulsor (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Bladeguard Veteran Squad (160 points) Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (230 points) Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (120 points) Outrider Squad (80 points) Outrider Squad (80 points) Scout Squad (70 points) Scout Squad (70 points) Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 points) Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (95 points) Exported with App Version: v1.39.0 (92), Data Version: v662
Run it Straight challenge (2000 points)
Blood Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Liberator Assault Group
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Master-crafted bolter
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: Rage-fuelled Warrior
• Warlord
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Crozius arcanum
• Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch
• 1x Fury of the Ancients
1x Plasma pistol
1x Vitarus
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power fist
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x The Blood Crozius
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
4x Bolt pistol
4x Bolt rifle
4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Shield Dome
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Master-crafted power weapon
1x Neo-volkite pistol
• 5x Bladeguard Veteran
• 5x Heavy bolt pistol
5x Master-crafted power weapon
• 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs
• 5x Astartes chainsword
2x Eviscerator
6x Heavy bolt pistol
2x Inferno pistol
2x Plasma pistol
3x Power fist
• 5x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs
• 2x Astartes chainsword
1x Eviscerator
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Inferno pistol
1x Plasma pistol
2x Power fist
• 1x Outrider Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Twin bolt rifle
• 2x Outrider
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Heavy bolt pistol
2x Twin bolt rifle
• 1x Outrider Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Twin bolt rifle
• 2x Outrider
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Heavy bolt pistol
2x Twin bolt rifle
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
3x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
3x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
• 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power fist
1x Sternguard bolt pistol
1x Sternguard bolt rifle
• 4x Sternguard Veteran
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Sternguard bolt pistol
4x Sternguard bolt rifle
• 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Vanguard Veteran weapon
• 4x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack
• 4x Storm Shield
4x Vanguard Veteran weapon
Archetype
All-melee Liberator
Thoughts
…and here are those melee Marines, in all their crimson glory. This build has a great sliding scale of threats, ranging from small but relevant stuff like the Jump Intercessors, spike damage bombs like the Rage-fueled/Sternguard unit, and heavier hitters at the top end with the Death Company and Bladeguard. This build will dominate other elite melee builds due to higher threat redundancy, and has the speed and reach to bully armies of pretty much any stripe. Blood Angels are probably the army to watch post the balance update, so make sure you have a plan to handle this, and congratulations to Tony for taking down an event with it in a more hostile environment.
Darren Chapman – Drukhari (Realspace Raiders) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Drukhari CHARACTERS Archon (85 points) Lelith Hesperax (95 points) Urien Rakarth (80 points) BATTLELINE Kabalite Warriors (100 points) Wracks (55 points) Wracks (55 points) Wracks (55 points) Wyches (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Court of the Archon (95 points) Cronos (50 points) Cronos (100 points) Mandrakes (65 points) Reavers (65 points) Scourges (180 points) Scourges (180 points) Scourges (180 points) Talos (160 points) Talos (160 points) Talos (160 points) Exported with App Version: v1.39.0 (92), Data Version: v662
Fat Albert (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Realspace Raiders
• Warlord
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Huskblade
• 1x Lelith’s blades
• 1x Casket of Flensing
1x Haemonculus tools and scissorhands
• 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
• 1x Acothyst
• 1x Wrack blades
• 4x Wrack
• 1x Hexrifle
1x Liquifier gun
1x Ossefactor
1x Stinger pistol
4x Wrack blades
• 1x Acothyst
• 1x Wrack blades
• 4x Wrack
• 1x Hexrifle
1x Liquifier gun
1x Ossefactor
1x Stinger pistol
4x Wrack blades
• 1x Acothyst
• 1x Wrack blades
• 4x Wrack
• 1x Hexrifle
1x Liquifier gun
1x Ossefactor
1x Stinger pistol
4x Wrack blades
• 1x Hekatrix
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Hekatarii blade
1x Phantasm grenade launcher
• 9x Wych
• 9x Hekatarii blade
9x Splinter pistol
• 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
• 1x Spirit syphon
1x Spirit vortex
1x Spirit-leech tentacles
• 2x Cronos
• 2x Spirit syphon
2x Spirit vortex
2x Spirit-leech tentacles
• 1x Nightfiend
• 1x Baleblast
1x Glimmersteel blade
• 4x Mandrake
• 4x Baleblast
4x Glimmersteel blade
• 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
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 9x Scourge
• 9x Close combat weapon
4x Heat lance
5x Shardcarbine
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 9x Scourge
• 9x Close combat weapon
4x Drukhari haywire blaster
5x Shardcarbine
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 9x Scourge
• 9x Close combat weapon
4x Drukhari haywire blaster
5x Shardcarbine
• 2x Talos
• 2x Talos gauntlet
2x Twin Drukhari haywire blaster
2x Twin liquifier gun
• 2x Talos
• 2x Talos gauntlet
2x Twin Drukhari haywire blaster
2x Twin liquifier gun
• 2x Talos
• 2x Talos gauntlet
2x Twin Drukhari haywire blaster
2x Twin liquifier gun
Archetype
Scourge Spam Drukhari
Thoughts
When Marines need killing you can rely on the Drukhari to pop up loking eager, and this build walks a decent line between anti-heavy and anti-elite tools, plus some decent Torrent stuff for hordes. The most unique thing here are the big Scourge units, taking advantage of it being relatively cheap to fill them out.if you’re already going to put re-rolls on them, lots of extra anti-Infantry shots will add up to some chip damage into Marines, and stops you just losing a high value unit straight up to Grenades or whatever. It also helps a bunch into Lords of Dread, as it means that Scourges can use their big reach to flip a super-sticky objective, helping unpick scoring momentum. Not sure how relevant that will be after the changes, but it’s a very relevant attribute for the weekend we just had. Cool to see a datasheet used a bit differently, and well done to Darren on undefeated second place.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Theo Hayat – Ultramarines (Stormlance Task Force): The Bobby G/Calgar Stormraven build.
- 4th – Josh Holder – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Five hefty bigs as Imperium, decked out in Enhancements etc.
- 5th – Harley Scully – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force):Â Fairly unsurprisingly given the Codex, four Dreadknights and a bunch of Purifiers.
- 6th – Samuel Squires – Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge):Â Aggro Biosanctic with a decent number of Ridgerunners backing it up.
- 7th – Connor Nicholls – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force):Gladius Herohammer Sword Brethren and RepExes.
GRIMDARK 25: THE FINAL GRIMDARK
38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Stockholms län, SE on August 16 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Sebastian Larsson – Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand 10x Pink Horrors, Pinne och trumpet (140pts) 3x Flamers (65pts)
Be’lakor (375pts): Betraying Shades, The Blade of Shadows
Kairos Fateweaver (270pts): Infernal Gateway, Staff of Tomorrow
Lord of Change (270pts): Inescapable Eye, Bolt of Change, Staff of Tzeentch, Rod of sorcery
Lord of Change (270pts): Warlord, Infernal Puppeteer, Bolt of Change, Staff of Tzeentch, Rod of sorcery
3x Flamers (65pts)
3x Flamers (65pts)
6x Screamers (160pts)
6x Screamers (160pts)
6x Screamers (160pts)
Archetype
Birdemic
Thoughts
Big birds galore here, aiming to maximise the amount of shooting they can throw out without reply via a mix of Be’lakor and Infernal Puppeteer. Supporting that you’ve got maximum Screamers, which is just a generically good thing to have in any list that can do it (and great into a putative Marine metagame), plus some small Flamer squads for cheap scoring. You’re maybe in a bit of trouble if something really aggressive rushes you down (and Sebastian did pick up a draw against the Imperial Knight build below), but you’ve got plenty of adaptability via Delirium Unmade, which also helps punish foes that can’t reach you for big damage. Always fun to see this Detachment get some airtime, you want a few more confusing, magical things in the world, good work Sebastian.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Johan Nicolaisen – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance):Â Canis, a Castellan and double Cerastus.
- 3rd – Patric Wreeth – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance):Â Double Despoiler four big Infernals.
- 4th – Sebastian Magnusson – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): No Mortarion Vectorium.
- 5th – Frank Kummel – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension):Â Horde host.
- 6th – Kalle Abrahamsson – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal):Â ALl-in big shooting, Silent King, triple Doomsday and an enmitic Lokhust squad, no real tarpit.
GRILLIN’ DICE 2025!!!
32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in North Pole, AK, United States on August 16 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Matchup & Mission – Unknown Mission
Scott Adams – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead) Adeptus Custodes CHARACTERS Blade Champion (120 points) Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (260 points) Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (250 points) BATTLELINE Custodian Guard (170 points) Custodian Guard (170 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Caladius Grav-tank (215 points) Caladius Grav-tank (215 points) Contemptor-Galatus Dreadnought (165 points) Prosecutors (40 points) Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought (170 points) Vertus Praetors (225 points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651
Army List - Click to Expand
Val day (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Solar Spearhead
• 1x Vaultswords
• Solar Spearhead Keywords: Character
• Warlord
• 1x Arachnus storm cannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Spiculus bolt launcher
1x Telemon caestus
1x Twin plasma projector
• Enhancement: Augury Uplink
• Solar Spearhead Keywords: Character
• 1x Arachnus storm cannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Spiculus bolt launcher
1x Telemon caestus
1x Twin plasma projector
• Enhancement: Adamantine Talisman
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 4x Guardian spear
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 4x Guardian spear
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon
• 1x Galatus warblade
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
3x Close combat weapon
• 1x Combi-bolter
1x Contemptor combat weapon
1x Multi-melta
• 3x Vertus Praetor
• 3x Interceptor lance
3x Salvo launcher
vs.
Levi Chester – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) Adeptus Mechanicus CHARACTERS Tech-Priest Dominus (100 Points) Tech-Priest Manipulus (70 Points) BATTLELINE Skitarii Rangers (85 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Skorpius Dunerider (85 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Kataphron Breachers (320 Points) Kataphron Breachers (320 Points) Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 Points) Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 Points) Sicarian Infiltrators (70 Points) Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Points) Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Points) ALLIED UNITS Inquisitor Draxus (95 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651
Army List - Click to Expand
Get Breached (1995 Points)
Haloscreed Battle Clade
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Macrostubber
• 1x Omnissian axe
• 1x Volkite blaster
• Enhancements: Cognitive Reinforcement
• 1x Magnarail lance
• 1x Omnissian staff
• Enhancements: Sanctified Ordnance
• 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Ranger
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 6x Galvanic rifle
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 6x Radium carbine
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 6x Radium carbine
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 6x Radium carbine
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 6x Radium carbine
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Cognis heavy stubber array
• 6x Kataphron Breacher
â—¦ 6x Heavy arc rifle
â—¦ 6x Hydraulic claw
• 6x Kataphron Breacher
â—¦ 6x Heavy arc rifle
â—¦ 6x Hydraulic claw
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
â—¦ 1x Flechette blaster
â—¦ 1x Taser goad
• 4x Pteraxii Skystalker
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Flechette carbine
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
â—¦ 1x Flechette blaster
â—¦ 1x Taser goad
• 4x Pteraxii Skystalker
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Flechette carbine
• 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps
â—¦ 1x Flechette blaster
â—¦ 1x Taser goad
• 4x Sicarian Infiltrator
â—¦ 4x Flechette blaster
â—¦ 4x Taser goad
• 1x Armoured hull
• 3x Cognis heavy stubber
• 1x Disruptor missile launcher
• 1x Ferrumite cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 3x Cognis heavy stubber
• 1x Disruptor missile launcher
• 1x Ferrumite cannon
• 1x Dirgesinger
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Psychic Tempest
Thoughts
A powerful AdMech build faces a Custodes throwback here, with the might of Solar Spearhed returning to the battlefield. It faces a pretty uphill challenge here, as big units of Kataphron Breachers are absurdly lethal into almost everything in the list, smoking big Dreadnoughts and Custodian Guard with equal abandon. The AdMech also have a lot of chaff to defend their key units, and feel like they score Secondaries better than the Custodes to boot.
A rough one, so is it impossible for the Golden Host? I think a lot is going to turn on whether they can set up a good Rapid Ingress for their bike unit here, as this can get into one of the Breacher units and lift them, then suddenly the game is afoot. Obviously the AdMech can try and screen that out, and have a lot of bodies, but if the Custodes get cunning about it, then they might be able to Ingress then use Unstoppable to launch a long charge (or alternatively move staging position to staging position that way). I think as the Custodes you have to spend the first turn sweeping up as much of the chaff in the AdMech list as possible, then go for a solid mid-game push powered by the bikes to get things done.
That’s obviously high risk and means that the AdMech could run away with things if you don’t then manage to get things under control. From the scoreline, the Custodes stayed on the table pretty effectively, but perhaps weren’t able to ever do enough damage to the AdMech to cut their scoring, and were thwarted as a result.
Result
Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) Victory – 100 – 90
Levi Chester – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Adeptus Mechanicus CHARACTERS Tech-Priest Dominus (100 Points) Tech-Priest Manipulus (70 Points) BATTLELINE Skitarii Rangers (85 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Skorpius Dunerider (85 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Kataphron Breachers (320 Points) Kataphron Breachers (320 Points) Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 Points) Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 Points) Sicarian Infiltrators (70 Points) Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Points) Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Points) ALLIED UNITS Inquisitor Draxus (95 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651
Get Breached (1995 Points)
Haloscreed Battle Clade
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Macrostubber
• 1x Omnissian axe
• 1x Volkite blaster
• Enhancements: Cognitive Reinforcement
• 1x Magnarail lance
• 1x Omnissian staff
• Enhancements: Sanctified Ordnance
• 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Ranger
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 6x Galvanic rifle
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 6x Radium carbine
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 6x Radium carbine
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 6x Radium carbine
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
â—¦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
â—¦ 1x Arc rifle
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Omnispex
â—¦ 1x Plasma caliver
â—¦ 6x Radium carbine
â—¦ 1x Transuranic arquebus
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Cognis heavy stubber array
• 6x Kataphron Breacher
â—¦ 6x Heavy arc rifle
â—¦ 6x Hydraulic claw
• 6x Kataphron Breacher
â—¦ 6x Heavy arc rifle
â—¦ 6x Hydraulic claw
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
â—¦ 1x Flechette blaster
â—¦ 1x Taser goad
• 4x Pteraxii Skystalker
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Flechette carbine
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
â—¦ 1x Flechette blaster
â—¦ 1x Taser goad
• 4x Pteraxii Skystalker
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Flechette carbine
• 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps
â—¦ 1x Flechette blaster
â—¦ 1x Taser goad
• 4x Sicarian Infiltrator
â—¦ 4x Flechette blaster
â—¦ 4x Taser goad
• 1x Armoured hull
• 3x Cognis heavy stubber
• 1x Disruptor missile launcher
• 1x Ferrumite cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 3x Cognis heavy stubber
• 1x Disruptor missile launcher
• 1x Ferrumite cannon
• 1x Dirgesinger
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Psychic Tempest
Archetype
Double Breacher Haloscreed
Thoughts
Apparently the trick was literally just taking a second unit of Breachers. Incredible. Trust the AdMech not to be able to count to two. Great work from Levi.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Scott Adams – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead):Â See Showdown.
- 3rd – Ben Tuttle – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): The Lion, Deathwing Knights, and even more Terminators in the form of a regular Deathwing squad.
- 4th – Dakota Pfeiffer – Space Wolves (Saga of the Beastslayer):Â Heavy hitting Beastslayer with a full Wolf Guard Terminator unit and some Predators.
- 5th – Jeff Roe – Black Templars (Wrathful Procession):Â An unusual pull from Grotmas here, combining extra speed and durability for Infantry units with access to a bit of Fight First from an Enhancement.
Palladium Games Presents “the dumpster fire gt” NOVA Prep Edition
26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Phoenixville, PA, US on August 16 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
David Anderson – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Captain (95 points) Castellan (60 points) Castellan (60 points) Emperor’s Champion (100 points) Marshal (80 points) Marshal (80 points) BATTLELINE Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Impulsor (85 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points) Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points) Outrider Squad (80 points) Repulsor Executioner (220 points) Repulsor Executioner (220 points) Scout Squad (70 points) Sword Brethren Squad (105 points) Sword Brethren Squad (105 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (100 points) Exported with App Version: v1.39.0 (92), Data Version: v662
Before you submit to itc can you change my list name to “I think IK and DG need some rules help, hold my beer” (1995 points)
Black Templars
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Master-crafted bolter
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: The Honour Vehement
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• Warlord
• 1x Black Sword
1x Bolt Pistol
• Enhancement: Artificer Armour
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Heavy bolt pistol
• 4x Assault Intercessor
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Multi-melta
1x Shield Dome
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter
• 1x Outrider Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Twin bolt rifle
• 2x Outrider
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Heavy bolt pistol
2x Twin bolt rifle
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy laser destroyer
1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Multi-melta
1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array
1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
1x Twin heavy bolter
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy laser destroyer
1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Multi-melta
1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array
1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
1x Twin heavy bolter
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 4x Sword Brother
• 4x Heavy bolt pistol
4x Master-crafted power weapon
• 4x Sword Brother
• 4x Heavy bolt pistol
4x Master-crafted power weapon
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
We have Oaths at Home
Thoughts
That’s some fantastic bookending for the week – we end as we began, with the Herohammer Gladius Templar build. This uses the extreme punch of small Sword Brethren units with double Characters plus a bunch of stuff that gets built-in re-rolls to flatten anything that gets in its way, and relies on the layered defences of Transports to keep its toys in play. Aggressive and potent, and looking good to break into top build conversations once the balance update hits. Great work David on giving us a heads up for the future.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Nolan Haley – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband):Â Heavy Warband, dialing back on any Eightbound to squeexe in Angron, two Forgefiends and two Maulerfiends.
- 3rd – Will Hull – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer):Â Plagueburst Hammer.
- 4th – Frank Smith – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance):Â Canis triple Atrapos, may we never see its like again.
- 5th – Sascha Alexander Edelkraut – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile):Â Double Possessed block to push, lascannon Havocs for a bit of dakka.
Wrap Up
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