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.
- WarGamesCon 15 Warhammer 40K Championship
- Huzzah Hobbies Road to NOVA 40K Event Hosted by Away Games
- Second City Games 40K GT June
- Feel No Pain GT
- RAW 2025, a charity matched play event
On Wednesday Wings looked at:
- Goonhammer Open 2025 Presented By Gaming Under the Ice
- Mountain West Classic Grand Tournament ’25 – Warhammer 40K
- ITA 40K SINGLES GRAND TOURNAMENT 2025
- Behind Enemy Lines 2025
- Iron Man RTT – J&B
- Málaga Open
WarGamesCon 15 Warhammer 40K Championship
110-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Austin, TX, United States on June 21 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Brett Perkins – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Daemons CHARACTERS Be’lakor (375 points) Bloodthirster (330 points) Rendmaster on Blood Throne (165 points) Rendmaster on Blood Throne (165 points) Skullmaster (130 points) BATTLELINE Pink Horrors (140 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Beasts of Nurgle (65 points) Bloodcrushers (220 points) Flesh Hounds (75 points) Flesh Hounds (75 points) ALLIED UNITS Chaos Lord with Jump Pack (80 points) Cultist Mob (50 points) Havocs (125 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
Shadow Daemons (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Shadow Legion
• Warlord
• 1x Betraying Shades
1x The Blade of Shadows
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
1x Hellfire breath
• Enhancement: Leaping Shadows
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
1x Blade of blood
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
1x Blade of blood
• 1x Blade of blood
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• Enhancement: Fade to Darkness
• 10x Pink Horror
• 10x Coruscating pink flames
1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
10x Pink claws
• 1x Putrid appendages
• 1x Bloodhunter
• 1x Hellblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 5x Bloodcrusher
• 1x Daemonic Icon
5x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos
5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 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
• 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
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon
• 1x Havoc Champion
• 1x Accursed weapon
1x Meltagun
• 4x Havoc
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Havoc lascannon
Archetype
Shadow Legion
Thoughts
A novel Shadow Legion here, which opts away from a Fade thirster in favour of a RUSHTHIRSTER, with Leaping Shadows to push it aggressively in the early game. Rendmasters hand out damage buffs, and this list looks suitably juiced up for smashing through mech heavy armies with abandon. Shadow Legion has a fantastic toolkit allowing you to blitz portions of the board whilst staying safe from enemy shooting, and played well it remains a very strong detachment. Fantastic work on the event win.
Noah Pope – Thousand Sons (Warpmeld Pact) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List
Army List - Click to Expand I am da swarm nids Thousand Sons CHARACTERS Sorcerer (75 points) Sorcerer (75 points) Tzaangor Shaman (55 points) Tzaangor Shaman (75 points) BATTLELINE Rubric Marines (100 points) Rubric Marines (100 points) Tzaangors (70 points) Tzaangors (70 points) Tzaangors (160 points) Tzaangors (160 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Forgefiend (140 points) Forgefiend (140 points) Forgefiend (140 points) Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 points) Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
1 – WGC – Tsons – Warpmeld – what da (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Warpmeld Pact
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Pandaemonic Delusion
1x Prosperine khopesh
• Warlord
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Pandaemonic Delusion
1x Prosperine khopesh
• 1x Baleful Devolution
1x Force stave
• 1x Baleful Devolution
1x Force stave
• Enhancement: Diamond of Distortion
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Malefic Curse
1x Warpflame pistol
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Malefic Curse
1x Warpflame pistol
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainsword
• 9x Tzaangor
• 9x Autopistol
1x Brayhorn
9x Chainsword
1x Herd banner
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainsword
• 9x Tzaangor
• 9x Autopistol
1x Brayhorn
9x Chainsword
1x Herd banner
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainsword
• 19x Tzaangor
• 19x Autopistol
1x Brayhorn
19x Chainsword
1x Herd banner
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainsword
• 19x Tzaangor
• 19x Autopistol
1x Brayhorn
19x Chainsword
1x Herd banner
• 3x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Forgefiend claws
• 3x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Forgefiend claws
1x Forgefiend claws
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 5x Enlightened
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Fatecaster greatbow
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 5x Enlightened
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Fatecaster greatbow
Archetype
Goat Jail
Thoughts
Lowest of Men: Ok, Warpmeld sure does let you jam an awful lot of Goats in the opponents fact whilst shooting with reckless abandon doesn’t it?! Triple Forgefiends and Vortex Beasts lay down an awful lot of support fire as Tzzangor drown the mid board. The cute pull away tricks you can apply with this at present make it deceptively hard to grapple with (a few mortals here and there can disrupt your coherency and pile ins in a whole host of nasty way) (Editor’s note: though as we’ll see, some of these around shooting were ruled out for this event), and Warpmeld has the advantage of being a somewhat lesser known entity in the meta… for now. Well done on the top placing!
Noah also sent us through his own thoughts on the army and event, take it away Noah:
My hypothesis is that Forgefiends, when combined with 3 Mutalith Vortex Beasts, would act as a sort of resilience damage check, where even if I bounce on the go turn, I have enough durability left that my damage pieces get to activate multiple times. Combine that with Tzaangor jail being great at stopping Forgefiends from getting tagged, and I thought they were an appealing addition to the list. All that said and done, and the list ended up as 2 sorcerers attached to two rubric squads, two tzangor shamans (one with -1 to hit relic attached to a 20 man squad and one solo), 60 total tzaangors (20/20/10/10), 3 MVBs, 3 forge fiends, and 12 (6/6) Enlightened with bows.
So I packed my models and headed to the tournament, before receiving a surprising announcement the morning of day 1 – WGC had ruled that Tzaangors could not use their ability to pull out of melee attacks or shooting attacks through the use of their detachment ability. As this was the hand I was dealt, I made peace with the decision and began playing.
Justin Moore – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 3rd Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Blood Angels Captain (115 points) Captain with Jump Pack (90 points) Chaplain with Jump Pack (100 points) Commander Dante (120 points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) BATTLELINE Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points) Infiltrator Squad (100 points) Infiltrator Squad (100 points) Repulsor Executioner (220 points) Sanguinary Guard (110 points) Sanguinary Guard (110 points) Sanguinary Guard (110 points) Scout Squad (70 points) Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (190 points) Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (190 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
BA (2000 points)
KICK HIS TEETH IN!
Blood Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Liberator Assault Group
• 1x Inferno pistol
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: Rage-fuelled Warrior
• Warlord
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: Gift of Foresight
• 1x Crozius arcanum
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch
• 1x Perdition Pistol
1x The Axe Mortalis
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessor
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt 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 Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Helix Gauntlet
1x Infiltrator Comms Array
4x Marksman bolt carbine
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Helix Gauntlet
1x Infiltrator Comms Array
4x Marksman bolt carbine
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy laser destroyer
1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array
1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
1x Twin heavy bolter
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 2x Angelus boltgun
3x Encarmine blade
1x Inferno pistol
1x Sanguinary Banner
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 2x Angelus boltgun
3x Encarmine blade
1x Inferno pistol
1x Sanguinary Banner
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 2x Angelus boltgun
3x Encarmine blade
1x Inferno pistol
1x Sanguinary Banner
• 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 Heavy bolter
• 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Vanguard Veteran weapon
• 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Vanguard Veteran weapon
• 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Vanguard Veteran weapon
• 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Vanguard Veteran weapon
Archetype
BA Mixed Arms
Thoughts
Blood Angels had a rather good dataslate, with lots of points drops handed out and a few nice stealth buffs to how Death Company works. This list zeroes in on Sanguinary Guard and Vanguard Veterans as it’s flying units of choice, complimenting them with a Repulsor Executioner and Ballistus for some supporting fire. BA is honest, but brutal and packs a massive punch both at range and up close. Best be ready! Well done on the top placing.
Colin McDade – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 4th Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Foul Blightspawn (60 Points) Lord of Contagion (110 Points) Lord of Contagion (135 Points) Mortarion (380 Points) Tallyman (40 Points) Typhus (90 Points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (190 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chaos Spawn (80 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) Poxwalkers (60 Points) Poxwalkers (60 Points) Poxwalkers (60 Points) ALLIED UNITS War Dog Brigand (165 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629
DeathGaurdCon (2000 Points)
Virulent Vectorium
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Plague sprayer
• 1x Manreaper
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancements: Furnace of Plagues
• Warlord
• 1x Lantern
• 1x Rotwind
• 1x Silence
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Lakrimae
• 1x Plague Champion
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Power fist
• 9x Plague Marine
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 4x Bubotic weapons
◦ 4x Heavy plague weapon
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 9x Plague knives
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 2x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 2x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Bile spurt
• 1x Gnashing maw
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x Multi-melta
• 10x Poxwalker
◦ 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
◦ 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
◦ 10x Improvised weapon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Avenger chaincannon
• 1x Daemonbreath spear
• 1x Diabolus heavy stubber
Archetype
Mortarion Vectorium
Thoughts
Virulent is the anti-melee detachment of choice for the Death Guard, and by goodness does it slap. I’ve lost a few games hard to the potent combination of Mortarion, Fights First, and -1 damage. This list can get hunkered down on the entire mid-board and murder anything that tries to claim it. It’s a little less brutal at range than some of the variants we see, but it can scrap with almost anything and it leaves armies reliant on damage 2 reeling. Fantastic work on the top placing.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Chad Lapham – Space Marines (Ironstorm Spearhead): Vicious Ironstorm with a lot of gun vehicles and triple Invictor for pressure.
- 6th – Bryan Brooks – Orks (War Horde): Boy and Kill Rig heavy War Horde with a brick of Squigz.
- 7th – Will Davis – T’au Empire (Mont’ka): Triple Sky Ray and Pirhanas for massive forward pressure.
- 8th – Justin Dunn – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Mixed arms Lions with multiple Caladius and a Guard brick.
- 9th – Gerry Rodriguez – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Berzerker heavy Oathband with Transports to ferry them to the brawl.
- 10th – Phillip Schwan – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Plague marine centric Champions with a trio of gun Drones.
Huzzah Hobbies Road to NOVA 40K Event Hosted by Away Games
46-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ashburn, VA, US on June 21 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown

Supply Drop – Tipping Point
Scott Horras “Heresy” – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) Astra Militarum CHARACTERS Cadian Command Squad (65 points) Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 points) Rogal Dorn Commander (265 points) Rogal Dorn Commander (265 points) Ursula Creed (85 points) BATTLELINE Cadian Shock Troops (65 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Taurox (75 points) Taurox (75 points) Taurox (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Kasrkin (110 points) Kasrkin (110 points) Kasrkin (110 points) Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (240 points) Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (240 points) Scout Sentinels (55 points) Scout Sentinels (55 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
Army List - Click to Expand
Get in the Dornhole, Shinji (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Combined Arms
• 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 Meltagun
• 1x Ibram Gaunt
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Gaunt’s chainsword
• 1x Colm Corbec
• 1x Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Elim Rawne
• 1x Rawne’s lascarbine
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Hlaine Larkin
• 1x Larkin’s long-las
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x ‘Try Again’ Bragg
• 1x Bragg’s autocannon
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Oan Mkoll
• 1x Lascarbine
1x Mkoll’s straight silver knife
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
2x Meltagun
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
2x Meltagun
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
• Warlord
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
1x Power weapon
• 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
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin autocannon
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
2x Meltagun
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
2x Meltagun
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw
vs.
Matt Schuchman – Aeldari (Warhost) Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch (85 Points) Eldrad Ulthran (110 Points) Fuegan (120 Points) Jain Zar (105 Points) Maugan Ra (100 Points) Solitaire (115 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (125 Points) Wave Serpent (125 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dark Reapers (90 Points) Fire Dragons (220 Points) Howling Banshees (95 Points) Howling Banshees (95 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Shining Spears (110 Points) Shining Spears (110 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629
Army List - Click to Expand
War host cruise missiles (2000 Points)
Warhost
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Star glaive
• 1x Mind War
• 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
• Warlord
• 1x Fire Axe
• 1x Searsong
• 1x Blade of Destruction
• 1x Silent Death
• 1x Maugetar
• 1x Flip Belt
• 1x Solitaire weapons
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 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
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Firepike
• 9x Fire Dragon
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Ranger
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Long rifle
◦ 5x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Ranger
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Long rifle
◦ 5x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Shining Spear Exarch
◦ 1x Shimmershield
◦ 1x Shuriken cannon
◦ 1x Star lance
• 2x Shining Spear
◦ 2x Laser lance
◦ 2x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Shining Spear Exarch
◦ 1x Shimmershield
◦ 1x Shuriken cannon
◦ 1x Star lance
• 2x Shining Spear
◦ 2x Laser lance
◦ 2x Twin shuriken catapult
• 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
• 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
• 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
Thoughts
Wings: We have Scott, a known Goonhammer contributor and notably handsome man, here to talk about this matchup and his list.
Scott: Boy, is it rough to have to write about this one… I was delighted to reach the top table, but I went into this matchup feeling like I was certainly outmatched. Neither Aeldari nor Guard have necessarily been a meta menace, but Aeldari feels like it’s one of the few armies out there that can trivially deal with Rogal Dorns if they’re rocking Fire Dragons and Fuegan. In this case, Matt didn’t leave his tank-busting tools at home, and I rightfully predicted I was going to be in for a rough ride.
To win this game, I had to get Matt to commit his Fire Dragons early, so I could line up an effective counterattack against the unit and remove them from play. If I were able to do that early in the game while only losing one tank, I could build enough material advantage to bully his flimsy little elves from the mid-board objectives.
Matt got first turn and pushed for an all-out attack, failing to kill even a single Dorn with his attack from his Fire Dragons while committing Shining Spears, Banshees with Jain Zar, and Warp Spiders to kill two Taurox and a Sentinel. Unfortunately, on the bottom of the first turn, I failed to kill his Fire Dragon-laden Wave Serpent with a single activation, leaving it on a single wound. He used a Fade Back – Agile Manoeuvre with a heartbreaking 6 on the movement dice to move the transport 8” and out of line of sight from any other shooting unit in my army, narrowly saving the Fire Dragons from further punishment.
The following turn, he picked up the wounded Dorn and a Dorn Tank Commander with his Fire Dragons, and proceeded to move to move-block the rest of my tanks in my deployment zone with all manner of cheap and fast aspect warrior squads. Matt’s Fire Dragons eventually hunted down the cornered tanks while he ran up the score on my beleaguered army, resulting in a crushing loss for me.
Mission failed, we’ll get ‘em next time.
Result
Aeldari (Warhost) Victory – 73 – 23
Matt Schuchman – Aeldari (Warhost) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch (85 Points) Eldrad Ulthran (110 Points) Fuegan (120 Points) Jain Zar (105 Points) Maugan Ra (100 Points) Solitaire (115 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (125 Points) Wave Serpent (125 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dark Reapers (90 Points) Fire Dragons (220 Points) Howling Banshees (95 Points) Howling Banshees (95 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Shining Spears (110 Points) Shining Spears (110 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629
War host cruise missiles (2000 Points)
Warhost
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Star glaive
• 1x Mind War
• 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
• Warlord
• 1x Fire Axe
• 1x Searsong
• 1x Blade of Destruction
• 1x Silent Death
• 1x Maugetar
• 1x Flip Belt
• 1x Solitaire weapons
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 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
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Firepike
• 9x Fire Dragon
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Ranger
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Long rifle
◦ 5x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Ranger
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Long rifle
◦ 5x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Shining Spear Exarch
◦ 1x Shimmershield
◦ 1x Shuriken cannon
◦ 1x Star lance
• 2x Shining Spear
◦ 2x Laser lance
◦ 2x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Shining Spear Exarch
◦ 1x Shimmershield
◦ 1x Shuriken cannon
◦ 1x Star lance
• 2x Shining Spear
◦ 2x Laser lance
◦ 2x Twin shuriken catapult
• 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
• 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
• 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
Archetype
War Host Mech Slayers
Thoughts
If in doubt, push the non-interactivity button. Aeldari may have taken some knuckle taps to Ynnari and their points, but they remain in possession of an incredible ruleset, brilliant Aspect Warrior datasheets, and a potent book. War Host feels like a great fit for the present moment – multiple ways to shoot the opponent and then return to a transport sets Eldar up to tangle with Gunlines and Mech armies (of which their are a few!) It doesn’t have the same raw output of some detachments or the pure jank of Ynnari, but it is FAR from honest, and if opponents don’t set a high tempo they will be picked off. Very well done on the event win!
Andrew Gonyo – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Lord of Virulence (110 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points) Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points) Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points) Poxwalkers (60 Points) Poxwalkers (60 Points) Poxwalkers (60 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629
Huzzah June GT (1995 Points)
Mortarion’s Hammer
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Twin plague spewer
• Enhancements: Tendrilous Emissions
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 2x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 2x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Plague probe
• 2x Plaguespitter
• 1x Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Bile spurt
• 1x Gnashing maw
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Bile spurt
• 1x Gnashing maw
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Bile spurt
• 1x Gnashing maw
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 2x Entropy cannon
• 1x Heavy slugger
• 1x Plagueburst mortar
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 2x Entropy cannon
• 1x Heavy slugger
• 1x Plagueburst mortar
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 2x Entropy cannon
• 1x Heavy slugger
• 1x Plagueburst mortar
• 10x Poxwalker
◦ 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
◦ 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
◦ 10x Improvised weapon
Archetype
Mortarion’s Hammer Car Park
Thoughts
Hammer Death Guard – already a staple, and absolutely vicious. Tonnes of Drones and PBCs, Deathshroud to either aggress or ingress as required, and seemingly infinite T9 OC 3 trade pieces to out attrition the foe. Already one of the best armies in the game – will Knights have anything to say about that?!
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Scott Horras “Heresy” – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Scott’s Astra Militarum list from the showdown.
- 4th – Jeffrey Kolodner – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): A mishmash of Tanks, Characters and Mortifiers in Hallowed Martyrs.
- 5th – Sean Olson – Orks (Dread Mob): Sensational Stompa / Morkanaut / Gorkanaut action in Dread Mob.
- 6th – James Culpepper – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): VV anti-melee with Mortarion and mini-Mortarion.
- 7th – Brock Bourassa – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede): Old school tonnes of big bugs Crusher Stampede.
- 8th – Aidan Dennis – T’au Empire (Kauyon): Riptides and plenty of Broadsides in Kauyon.
Second City Games 40K GT June
37-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Chicago, IL, United States on June 21 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Kevin Leonard – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Daemons CHARACTERS Great Unclean One (295 Points) Great Unclean One (250 Points) Rendmaster on Blood Throne (165 Points) Rotigus (250 Points) BATTLELINE Plaguebearers (110 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Beasts of Nurgle (65 Points) Beasts of Nurgle (65 Points) Bloodcrushers (220 Points) Bloodcrushers (220 Points) Flesh Hounds (75 Points) Skull Cannon (95 Points) Skull Cannon (95 Points) Skull Cannon (95 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.36.0 (3), Data Version: v638
Edmonton (2000 Points)
Daemonic Incursion
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bilesword
• 1x Plague flail
• 1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancements: The Endless Gift
• 1x Bilesword
• 1x Plague flail
• 1x Putrid vomit
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
• 1x Blade of blood
• 1x Gnarlrod
• 1x Streams of brackish filth
• 1x Plagueridden
◦ 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 9x Plaguesword
• 1x Putrid appendages
• 1x Putrid appendages
• 1x Bloodhunter
◦ 1x Hellblade
◦ 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 5x Bloodcrusher
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 5x Hellblade
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 1x Bloodhunter
◦ 1x Hellblade
◦ 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 5x Bloodcrusher
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 5x Hellblade
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos
◦ 5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 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
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
• 1x Biting maw
• 1x Skull cannon
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
• 1x Biting maw
• 1x Skull cannon
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
• 1x Biting maw
• 1x Skull cannon
Archetype
Daemonic Incursion Fat Bois
Thoughts
Rotigus and two GUOs is really going to ruin some peoples day. After that, whack em with Bloodcrushers and flood the board with invuln toting mischief makers, and see what happens. Incursion has had a fantastic few months and have a toolkit to adapt to seemingly any meta- real tests of that theory lie ahead. Great work on the event win!
Wesley St. Hines – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Imperial Knights CHARACTERS Canis Rex (450 Points) BATTLELINE Armiger Helverin (130 Points) Armiger Helverin (130 Points) Armiger Helverin (130 Points) Armiger Helverin (130 Points) Armiger Helverin (130 Points) Armiger Helverin (130 Points) Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) ALLIED UNITS Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 Points) Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 Points) Sisters of Battle Squad (115 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.36.0 (3), Data Version: v638
“Nemo can only play Horde, it’s all he knows”
“Oh yeah punk, watch me go 3-2 with imperial knights”
Chicago (1995 Points)
Noble Lance
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
• 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
• 1x Freedom’s Hand
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 1x Meltagun
• 1x Reaper chain-cleaver
• 1x Thermal spear
• 1x Meltagun
• 1x Reaper chain-cleaver
• 1x Thermal spear
• 1x Meltagun
• 1x Reaper chain-cleaver
• 1x Thermal spear
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Immolation flamers
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Immolation flamers
• 1x Sister Superior
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
◦ 9x Bolt pistol
◦ 7x Boltgun
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Multi-melta
◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis
Archetype
Canis, Armigers, Immolator? I barely know her!
Thoughts
IK man. Dominant in singles for months, and buffed up even further, we are in for a RIDE. The formula is tried and true – buckets of small Knights, a suitably scary big one, and some Sisters to cover one or two gaps. It is going to take some stopping. Great work on the top placing.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Jordan Nach – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ): Mixed arms Champions with a big brick of Terminators, some Van Vets, and a Vindicator.
- 4th – Gary Frank – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Another ride out for Canis and the Armigers.
- 5th – Ian Smith – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Vicious go-wide Rubrics in Coven with double Vortex Beast and double Forgefiend.
- 6th – John Van Dusen – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): A wild mix of big bugs and Raveners, including Old One Eye and a Haruspex enjoying some new found mobility. LOVE IT.
Feel No Pain GT
35-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Edmond, OK, United States on June 21 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown

Purge the Foe – Dawn of War
Brent Simon – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) Death Guard CHARACTERS Lord of Contagion (125 Points) Lord of Virulence (110 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chaos Predator Destructor (145 Points) Chaos Spawn (80 Points) Chaos Spawn (80 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (300 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) Poxwalkers (130 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629
Army List - Click to Expand
Dg hammer (2000 Points)
Mortarion’s Hammer
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancements: Shriekworm Familiar
• Warlord
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Twin plague spewer
• Enhancements: Tendrilous Emissions
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 5x Manreaper
◦ 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 2x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 2x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Bile spurt
• 1x Gnashing maw
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Bile spurt
• 1x Gnashing maw
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x Multi-melta
• 20x Poxwalker
◦ 20x Improvised weapon
vs.
BamBam Hunter – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force) Ragnar Blackmane (90 pts) Iron Priest with Feinting Withdrawal (70 pts) Blood Claws (10 models) (135 pts) Drew sits down to pee Infiltrator Squad (5 models) (100 pts) 3x Thunderwolf Cavalry (6 models) (660 pts) Ballistus Dreadnought (140 pts)
Army List - Click to Expand
Red Rocket 5.0 – Space Wolves – Stormlance Task Force (1990 Points)
Wolf Priest – Warlord (70 pts)
Scout Squad (5 models) (70 pts)
Wolf Guard Headtakers (6 models) (170 pts)
Wulfen w/ Storm Shield (10 models) (200 pts)
Land Raider Redeemer (285 pts)
Thoughts
Wings: This is me, rather than Lowest of Men, paying the price for messing up my processing of the voting and needing to do this late.
New Wolves, mostly old tricks – lots and lots of ThunderCav, ready to roll up the board and use their improved base profile to bite/hack everything to death. It’s a good plan, and their 4W defensive profile makes them a little harder to scythe down en-masse with Bloat-Drones and the like. The melee missiles don’t stop there either, with Ragnar’s blender unit ready to go through that 20 Poxwalker screen like a hot knife, Wolf Guard Headtakers to handle enemy elites, and Wulfen to slam into Monsters or Vehicles. Backing them up, a Land Raider Redeemer provides very solid Overwatch projection (and also helps with staging the melee tools), and an Iron Priest with a pet Ballistus threatens to one-shot an enemy vehicle a turn without needing an Oaths commitment.
A very nasty high pressure toolbox overall, but up against one of the hottest factions out there, so no easy ride. I think the biggest problem for the Wolves here is the deployment map. If they don’t get first drop, the big Poxwalker unit completely neutralised the advantage of Dawn of War for their list, and it means it’s going to be almost impossible to hide from getting blasted by Bloat-Drones out of the gate. Strategic Reserves are very easy to screen out, so protecting cavalry that way isn’t viable. Using the Lord of Virulence buff, in combination with Lethal Hits, will quite probably let the Drones blast a whole ThunderCav squad off the board even through Ride Fast, Ride Hard, so if the pre-game rolls go the Death Guard’s way, the Wolves are likely to be down some assets.
They have a lot of toys to play with though, a deeper supply of alpha units than the Death Guard, and my expectation here would be that they can probably overwhelm the servants of Nurgle – I’m thinking you’ll end up in a situation where there’s at least one big Wolf threat left in the late game that the Death Guard don’t have good answers for. in the event, the Wolves scored strongly, but the Death Guard nailed the 100VP victory. My assumption is that they must have gotten the opportunity to heavily tank Wolf early movement with the big Poxwalker unit, and maybe there was a later big stumble against the large Deathshroud unit or something – certainly if the wolves swing and miss against that, the game is going to get away from them very quickly. Well done Brent!
Result
Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) Victory – 100 – 92
Brent Simon – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Lord of Contagion (125 Points) Lord of Virulence (110 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chaos Predator Destructor (145 Points) Chaos Spawn (80 Points) Chaos Spawn (80 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (300 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) Poxwalkers (130 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629
Dg hammer (2000 Points)
Mortarion’s Hammer
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancements: Shriekworm Familiar
• Warlord
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Twin plague spewer
• Enhancements: Tendrilous Emissions
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 5x Manreaper
◦ 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 2x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 2x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Fleshmower
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe
• 1x Bile spurt
• 1x Gnashing maw
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Bile spurt
• 1x Gnashing maw
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x Multi-melta
• 20x Poxwalker
◦ 20x Improvised weapon
Archetype
Mortarion’s Hammer Deathshroud Spam
Thoughts
A particularly violent Hammer build here which eschews Plagueburst Crawlers in order to slam even MORE Deathshroud in. A six brick with a Lord of Contagion does obscene violence, and I admire the much more direct, apply axe to face until solved, approach to problems that this list applies. Excellent work, style points are in the mail.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Trenton Jannaman – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): MSU BA with a pair of Vindicators, Dante leading the charge.
- 3rd – Jason Mode – Thousand Sons (Hexwarp Thrallband): A novel Thrallband list with a big brick of Scarab Occult Terminators and multiple of the new cute robots. Love it.
- 4th – BamBam Hunter – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): A suitably violent wolf jail list befitting of BamBam Hunter. New Headtakers join the ranks of Thunderwolves.
- 5th – Cam Hawkins – Space Marines (Astartes) (Ultramarines): Gulliman Gladius with a bucket of Tanks and some Inceptors for trouble-shooting.
- 6th – Richard Cozart – Aeldari (War Host): Double Wave Serpent / Falcon War Host for non-interactive nonsense.
- 7th – Kyle Sadler – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, a Lancer, and loads of Armigers.
RAW 2025, a charity matched play event
28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on June 21 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Richard Forrest – Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Space Marines CHARACTERS Lord Discordant on Helstalker (175 points) BATTLELINE Cultist Mob (50 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points) Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points) Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points) Chaos Vindicator (185 points) Chaos Vindicator (185 points) Helbrute (130 points) Obliterators (160 points) Obliterators (160 points) Possessed (120 points) Possessed (120 points) Possessed (120 points) ALLIED UNITS Beasts of Nurgle (65 points) Nurglings (70 points) Nurglings (40 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
CSM – Packbound (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Pactbound Zealots
• Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
• Warlord
• 1x Baleflamer
1x Bladed limbs
1x Bolt Pistol
1x Impaler chainglaive
1x Magma cutter
• Enhancement: Intoxicating Elixir
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
2x Heavy bolter
1x Predator autocannon
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Havoc launcher
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Havoc launcher
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Helbrute fist
1x Multi-melta
• Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
• 2x Obliterator
• 2x Crushing fists
2x Fleshmetal guns
• Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
• 2x Obliterator
• 2x Crushing fists
2x Fleshmetal guns
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Hideous mutations
• 4x Possessed
• 4x Hideous mutations
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Hideous mutations
• 4x Possessed
• 4x Hideous mutations
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Hideous mutations
• 4x Possessed
• 4x Hideous mutations
• 1x Putrid appendages
• 6x Nurgling Swarm
• 6x Diseased claws and teeth
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
Archetype
Pactbound Zealots
Thoughts
It’s the return of an old menace here, as Pactbound Zealots dusts off the jar marked ‘egregious amounts of damage’ and steps back into the sunlight to start killing stat checks, as the Chaos Gods intended. Tonnes of shooting, Lone Op strats to fight dirty, a cheeky Slaaneshii Discolord and baby possessed bombs to delete things, this list has a great toolkit. It can feel a tad clunkier than some of the CSM builds, but it has always been great, and the meta stars feel like they may just be aligning…
The Best of the Rest
There were 2 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Samuel Godding – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, some Armigers and some Imperial Agents.
- 3rd – Steven Ward – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Amazing triple big knight nonsense with Errants and Gallants running about – hero.
Wrap Up
There you have it folks! Factions are reaching for brand new tools as the meta takes a… skewy turn, with lots of hulls and robots that need whacking down. It’s a relief to see that many armies have detachments and weapons for the task – but will they be able to keep up as even more new threats join the fray? Only time will tell! Enjoy yourselves out there, it’s all very loopy and fun at the minute.
Lowest of Men, out.
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