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

We’re back for the final stretch of another massive week of 40K. As you read this, I’ll be diping my toes into the scary world of Team events, so if the column mysteriously vanishes next week, I guess that Teams must have been as fun as everyone says. Given I’m our team’s designated sacrifice to More Dakka on its last weekend of full power, we’ll see.

Back to singles, where today we’re covering:

Fools Errand 2025
WarZone: Tucker Brewing
Dragon’s Hoard 40K GT Event Hosted by Away Game
Bash at the Beach April Grand Tournament
Pachuca Punch Out Round 3

On Wednesday we looked at:

THE SHEFFIELD 40K SUPER MAJOR
SALT III (St. Louis Annual Last Minute Tournament)
Gem Wargaming GT By the Bay
USA Charity Cup
ITA 40K SINGLES FOOLCON GT 2025

Then yesterday (Friday) we had Lowest of Men covering:

OPEN IBERIAN BARCELONA 2025
THE PHUKET OPEN
Vanquish 2025
Courage & Honour X
East Anglian Grand Tournament 2025 April

Fools Errand 2025

62-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Calgary, Alberta, CA on April 05 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Anthony Dalla Lana – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Chaos is not a Pit. Chaos is a Ladder.
Fabulous Bill, John Wick, and the Petty Purple Marines.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Space Marines
+ DETACHMENT: Creations of Bile
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Fabius Bile
+ ENHANCEMENT: Prime Test Subject (on Char1: Chaos Lord)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (4×2) – Assassination: 3 Characters – Cull The Horde: 3×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Cypher (90 pts): Cypher’s bolt pistol, Cypher’s plasma pistol
Char2: 2x Fabius Bile (85 pts): Warlord
• 1x Fabius Bile: Rod of Torment, The Chirurgeon, Xyclos needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte: Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
Char3: 1x Chaos Lord (125 pts): Daemon hammer, Plasma pistol
Enhancement: Prime Test Subject (+35 pts)

10x Cultist Mob (50 pts)
• 1x Cultist Champion: Brutal assault weapon, Bolt pistol
• 9x Cultist: 9 with Autopistol, Brutal assault weapon
5x Legionaries (90 pts)
• 4x Legionary
2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Lascannon
• 1x Aspiring Champion: Chaos icon, Close combat weapon, Plasma pistol, Heavy melee weapon
5x Legionaries (90 pts)
• 4x Legionary
2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Lascannon
• 1x Aspiring Champion: Chaos icon, Close combat weapon, Plasma pistol, Heavy melee weapon

10x Chosen (250 pts)
2 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Boltgun
4 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Combi-weapon
2 with Paired accursed weapons, Plasma pistol
1 with Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist
1 with Chaos icon, Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist
5x Chosen (125 pts)
1 with Chaos icon, Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Boltgun
2 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Combi-weapon
1 with Paired accursed weapons, Plasma pistol
1 with Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist
5x Chosen (125 pts)
1 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Boltgun
2 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Combi-weapon
1 with Paired accursed weapons, Plasma pistol
1 with Chaos icon, Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist
10x Possessed (240 pts)
9 with Hideous mutations
1 with Chaos icon, Hideous mutations
10x Possessed (240 pts)
9 with Hideous mutations
1 with Chaos icon, Hideous mutations
5x Warp Talons (125 pts): 5 with Warp claws
1x Chaos Predator Annihilator (135 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, Predator twin lascannon, Combi-weapon, 2x Lascannon
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon

Archetype

Mechanised Bile

Thoughts

First out the gate we have the Creations of Bile, sporting a slightly more Transport-heavy build than normal. That helps ensure they have good depth in a very murderous metagame, and against something like full strength Dakka, it creates lots of opportunities for their target priority to go slightly wrong. It’s also great into hit-and-run melee threats, of which there are a fair few currently, and just in general “three Rhinos with dudes” has basically been a fool-proof CSM strategy for the entire Edition. Not totally sure how I feel about the single Predator Annihilator, for my money I’d spend the same points on a Warglaive for better emergency Objective play, but it’s much of a muchness – this clearly worked extremely effectively, and well done to Anthony on the win!

Kass Kielly-burke – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

it’s not the size of the movement that matters, it’s how you use it. (2000 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Plague Company

CHARACTERS

Biologus Putrifier (50 points)
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives

Death Guard Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (70 points)
• 1x Curse of the Leper
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Plague fist

Foul Blightspawn (70 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plague sprayer
• Enhancement: The Droning (Aura)

Lord of Contagion (95 points)
• 1x Plagueblade
• Enhancement: Deadly Pathogen

Mortarion (300 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Rotwind
1x Silence
1x The Lantern

Typhus (80 points)
• 1x Master-crafted manreaper

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (180 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 9x Plague Marine
• 2x Blight launcher
1x Bubotic weapons
2x Heavy plague weapon
2x Meltagun
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Death Guard Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Plague combi-bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Death Guard Cultists (50 points)
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber

Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter
2x Plague heavy bolter
1x Predator autocannon

Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Predator autocannon

Deathshroud Terminators (220 points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
1x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
• 5x Manreaper
5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (110 points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
1x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points)
• 1x Plague probe
2x Plaguespitter

Poxwalkers (50 points)
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.30.0 (75), Data Version: v588

Archetype

Death Guard Goodstuff

Thoughts

Yeah that’s right Goodstuff haters, it’s been a while but there’s really not much else I can call this list – it has a bit of all the different things that make Death Guard strong, and it went undefeated. That’s what Goodstuff is! I am not a crank! Anyway congratulations to Kass.

Adam Green – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Leagues of Votann
+ DETACHMENT: Oathband
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1975pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Brôkhyr Iron-master
+ ENHANCEMENT: Appraising Glare (on Char1: Brôkhyr Iron-master)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 13
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (2×2) + (2×4) – Assassination: 1 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

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

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Mechanised Votann

Thoughts

The current big split in Votann builds seems to be wehther or not they’re going in on Hearthguard, and this is an example of the non-Hearthguard option, instead projecting tremendous melee threat by cramming a bunch of hammer-wielding beefcakes into two Land Fortresses. The other big upside this gets over the Hearthguard option is that it alpha strikes very effectively – between Sagitaurs with the good halves of Hearthguard units and two full Bike squads, you can push a lot of Scout pressure in a game where you’re worried you can’t go the distance (or want to box the foe in like with Ynnari). My suspicion is that the upcoming unleashing of Emperor’s Children will push things back towards Heathguard a bit, as you want to be able to constrain their movement options, but we’ll have to see. For now, great work Adam.

Brynn Holdstock – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

*RB2k (2000 Points)

World Eaters
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Angron (435 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder

Lord Invocatus (140 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Coward’s Bane
• 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

World Eaters Master of Executions (135 Points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
• 1x Bolt pistol
• Enhancements: Berzerker Glaive

BATTLELINE

Jakhals (65 Points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 7x Jakhal chainblades
◦ 1x Mauler chainblade

Khorne Berzerkers (180 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
◦ 1x Berzerker chainblade
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
• 9x Khorne Berzerker
◦ 7x Berzerker chainblade
◦ 9x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 2x Khornate eviscerator

Khorne Berzerkers (90 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
◦ 1x Berzerker chainblade
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
• 4x Khorne Berzerker
◦ 3x Berzerker chainblade
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 1x Khornate eviscerator

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

World Eaters Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Eightbound (140 Points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
◦ 2x Eightbound eviscerators

Exalted Eightbound (155 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 2x Eightbound chainfist
◦ 2x Eightbound eviscerator

Exalted Eightbound (310 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 5x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 5x Eightbound chainfist
◦ 5x Eightbound eviscerator

World Eaters Chaos Spawn (70 Points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (1), Data Version: v581

Archetype

The one true World Eaters build

Thoughts

Notch up another one for perhaps the single most “solved” list that 10th Edition has seen. About 1800pts of this is the World Eaters build, and your flex is pretty much solely around whether you have the second 5-model Berzerker unit or some more spawn. It’s very effective, as Brynn demonstrated by adding skulls to the skull throne here.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Frasier Parry – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Yncarne only out of the Triumverate, supported by Aspect MSUs for days, a couple of Wraithlords and some Windriders.
6th – David Coren – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Four Dreadknights, a big Crowe Purifier unit, plus Draigo and some Brotherhood Termies as a teleport threat.
7th – Benjamin Hauser – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, Armigers and an Immolator.
8th – Evan Paterson – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Big aggro Shadow Legion with double Enhanced Bloodthirster and double Khorne Soul Grinder.
9th – Brandon Powell – Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots): Mostly Infantry Pactbound with a big squad each of Chosen and Terminators.
10th – Andrew Taylor – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Triple Wardens with two Blade Champs and Trajann, Caladius tanks for blasting enemy heavy stuff, and a Captain-led Bike squad to finish.

WarZone: Tucker Brewing

60-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Tucker, GA, United States on April 05 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Stephen Mitchell – Chaos Daemons (Plague Legion) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

I wish I was good enough to play shadow legion. (1980 Points)

Chaos Daemons
Plague Legion
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Epidemius (80 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Balesword and Nurgling attendants

Great Unclean One (270 Points)
• 1x Bileblade
• 1x Bilesword
• 1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancements: Font of Spores (Aura)

Great Unclean One (285 Points)
• 1x Bileblade
• 1x Bilesword
• 1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancements: Droning Shroud (Aura)

Poxbringer (55 Points)
• 1x Foul balesword

Rotigus (250 Points)
• 1x Gnarlrod
• 1x Streams of brackish filth

Sloppity Bilepiper (70 Points)
• 1x Marotter
• Enhancements: Cankerblight (Aura)

The Changeling (90 Points)
• 1x Infernal Flames
• 1x The Trickster’s Staff

BATTLELINE

Blue Horrors (125 Points)
• 10x Blue Horror
◦ 10x Blue claws
◦ 10x Coruscating Blue Flames

Plaguebearers (110 Points)
• 1x Plagueridden
◦ 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
◦ 9x Plaguesword

OTHER DATASHEETS

Beasts of Nurgle (65 Points)
• 1x Putrid appendages

Soul Grinder (180 Points)
• Daemonic Allegiance: Nurgle
• 1x Harvester cannon
• 1x Iron claw
• 1x Phlegm bombardment
• 1x Warpsword

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (1), Data Version: v581

Archetype

Plague Legion Monster Mash

Thoughts

Nurgle Daemons on the march here, deploying all their fancy buffs to grind foes out of the game. The basic game here, as far as I’m concerned, is that this is a Monster Mash list where the monsters are a bit less out-and-out nasty than some other factions field, but where entire avenues of counterplay are neutralised by all the Battle-shock nonsense going on, plus the fact that trying to spike down one of the big beasts to clear some space is wildly unreliable. I legitimately think that people have been badly sleeping on this plan since the Dataslate dropped, so I’m glad to see someone making it work. You even get a bargain-bin Be’lakor via Droning Shroud to avoid getting alpha struck, I cannot stress enough that this is the real deal now (and it arguably was before the boosts). Well done to Stephen for racking up an impressive tally.

Walter Langendorf – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

HN candidate 3.2 (1990 points)

Necrons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Awakened Dynasty

CHARACTERS

Hexmark Destroyer (75 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points)
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer

Overlord (85 points)
• 1x Resurrection Orb
1x Voidscythe

Psychomancer (55 points)
• 1x Abyssal lance

Skorpekh Lord (95 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Enmitic annihilator
1x Flensing claw
1x Hyperphase harvester
• Enhancement: Enaegic Dermal Bond

Skorpekh Lord (80 points)
• 1x Enmitic annihilator
1x Flensing claw
1x Hyperphase harvester

Technomancer (105 points)
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancement: Nether-realm Casket

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Reanimator (75 points)
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws

Canoptek Wraiths (230 points)
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws

Doomsday Ark (200 points)
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array

Flayed Ones (60 points)
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws

Lychguard (85 points)
• 5x Lychguard
• 5x Dispersion Shield
5x Hyperphase sword

Skorpekh Destroyers (90 points)
• 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
• 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (74), Data Version: v581

Archetype

Anvil Awakened

Thoughts

Also getting in on the Battle-shock action is another spin on “one very durable Awakened unit”, this time a brick of Wraiths with the Nether-realm Casket (for when you really don’t want to die). Around them you’ve got the standard-issue Skorpekh units with some shooting support, but also the slightly more unusual choice of a couple of Lychguard units to bodyguard Imotekh and an Overlord. That gives some mid-weight melee threats that are relatively reasonably priced (though very fragile into the wrong targets), and they’ll be especially valuable on heavier terrain, as they’re quite annoying to prise out of ruins. No idea if that’s what this event was using, but it seems to have worked, firing Walter to an undefeated second place.

Noah Neundorfer – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Imitation; Flattery; Desolaters

Discord – Redwolf5502
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Blood Angels
+ DETACHMENT: Angelic Inheritors
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Commander Dante
+ ENHANCEMENT: Troubling Visions (on Char2: Captain with Jump Pack)
& Prescient Flash (on Char3: Captain with Jump Pack)
& Ordained Sacrifice (on Char4: Lieutenant with Combi-weapon)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 15
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (2×2) – Assassination: 6 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Commander Dante (130 pts): Warlord, Perdition, The Axe Mortalis
Char2: 1x The Sanguinor (140 pts): Encarmine Broadsword
Char3: 1x Apothecary (50 pts): Absolver Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Reductor Pistol
Char4: 1x Captain with Jump Pack (100 pts): Power Fist, Hand Flamer
Enhancement: Troubling Visions (+15 pts)
Char5: 1x Captain with Jump Pack (105 pts): Power Fist, Hand Flamer
Enhancement: Prescient Flash (+20 pts)
Char6: 1x Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (95 pts): Combi-weapon, Paired Combat Blades
Enhancement: Ordained Sacrifice (+25 pts)

5x Intercessor Squad (80 pts)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Astartes Grenade Launcher, Bolt Rifle, Power Fist
• 4x Intercessor: 4 with Bolt Pistol, Bolt Rifle, Close Combat Weapon

5x Desolation Squad (200 pts)
• 4x Desolation Marine: 4 with Bolt Pistol, Castellan Launcher, Close Combat Weapon, Superkrak Rocket Launcher
• 1x Desolation Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Castellan Launcher, Close Combat Weapon, Vengor Launcher
6x Inceptor Squad (240 pts)
• 5x Inceptor: 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Exterminators
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Exterminators
5x Infiltrator Squad (100 pts)
• 4x Infiltrator
2 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
1 with Infiltrator Comms Array, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
1 with Helix Gauntlet, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
3x Sanguinary Guard (130 pts)
1 with Sanguinary Banner, Encarmine Blade, Inferno Pistol
2 with Encarmine Blade, Angelus Boltgun
3x Sanguinary Guard (130 pts)
1 with Sanguinary Banner, Encarmine Blade, Inferno Pistol
2 with Encarmine Blade, Angelus Boltgun
3x Sanguinary Guard (130 pts)
1 with Sanguinary Banner, Encarmine Blade, Inferno Pistol
2 with Encarmine Blade, Angelus Boltgun
1x Vindicator (185 pts): Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter
1x Vindicator (185 pts): Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter

Archetype

Go-wide Inheritors

Thoughts

Bloodless Angels being dead and gone means that people can get back to experimenting with all the other cool stuff you can do with Blood Angels, in this case an interation on some of the tools that Jack Harpster took to third place at the LVO. In brief, you still have the big upside from this detachment that every small Sanguinary Guard unit is a huge threat, having uppy-downy available on a big Inceptor unit is dynamite, and the option of embedding a Character in a shooty Infantry unit to unlock In The Shadow of Great Wings lets you use them uniquely aggressively.

Rather than the Devastators Jack used, Noah goes for a more hybrid option of sticking an Apothecary with some Desolation Marines, meaning they can rack up value if you don’t have the CP to spare, but if you do then they can step forward and unleash the full fury of their superkrak launchers. An Apothecary is a particularly cute choice for this, because it can potentially bait an opponent into wasting a few shots; if the first thing they point at the Desolation Marines is going to kill one or two max, you just let it happen, then pop the Stratagem against the second thing that targets them, and with the Apothecary reviving a model you’ve essentially bled off some firepower for free. Obviously not safe against something like Sustained Hits Lootas, but definitely something to be wary of here (I’ve done similar many times with my Canoptek Court). Nice to see the shiniest Space Marines thriving, great work from Noah.

Ken Edwards – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Please let me splitfire GW please (2000 points)

T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kauyon

CHARACTERS

Commander Shadowsun (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Advanced Guardian Drone
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Command-link Drone (Aura)
1x Flechette launcher
2x High-energy fusion blaster
1x Light missile pod
1x Pulse pistol

BATTLELINE

Breacher Team (100 points)
• 1x Support turret
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Guardian Drone
1x Gun Drone
1x Pulse blaster
1x Pulse pistol
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Pulse blaster
9x Pulse pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Devilfish (85 points)
• 1x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
2x Seeker missile
2x Smart missile system

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)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin smart missile system

Kroot Carnivores (65 points)
• 1x Long-quill
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Kroot pistol
1x Kroot rifle
• 9x Kroot Carnivore
• 9x Close combat weapon
8x Kroot rifle
1x Tanglebomb launcher

Krootox Riders (40 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Krootox fists
1x Repeater cannon

Pathfinder Team (90 points)
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gun Drone
1x Pulse carbine
1x Pulse pistol
1x Recon Drone
1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
1x Shield Drone
• 9x Pathfinder
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Ion rifle
6x Pulse carbine
9x Pulse pistol

Piranhas (60 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Piranha fusion blaster
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin pulse carbine

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

Vespid Stingwings (65 points)
• 1x Vespid Strain Leader
• 1x Neutron blaster
1x Stingwing claws
• 4x Vespid Stingwing
• 4x Neutron blaster
4x Stingwing claws

Exported with App Version: v1.30.0 (75), Data Version: v588

Archetype

Kauyon Triptide

Thoughts

“Say the line Wings.”

“Triptide is inevitable, Triptide is eternal.”

Anyway – go wide, lots of threats, great early interference, huge power boost as soon as you hit the mid game, you know all this. Congratulations to Ken for rounding out our final major top four this week.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Brett Buckstaff – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Infantry-heavy with Wardens and Custodians galore, supported by two Caladius.
6th – Chris Dailey – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Double Dorn Commanders plus some Russes and various supporting tools.
7th – Seth Piper – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Cawl leading up a Mechanicus goodstuff build with a big Breacher squad as a centrepiece.
8th – David Purcell – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Many, many Leman Russes and two big Infantry units.
9th – Robert Birmingham – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G, Calgar, guns, you know the deal.
10th – Spencer Feuerstein – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Whoops all dogs.
11th – Thomas Byrd – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Teleporting guns 2025 edition, using Centurion MSUs and one big Inceptor unit.

Dragon’s Hoard 40K GT Event Hosted by Away Games

45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Greensboro, NC, United States on April 05 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Riley Morris – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 1st Place

Yvraine & The Visarch. Credit: James “Boon” Kelling

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

000 (1995 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead

CHARACTERS

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 Power sword
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Corsair Voidreaver
• 1x Blaster
4x Close combat weapon
3x Power sword
3x Shuriken pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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 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 Chainsabres
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (74), Data Version: v581

Archetype

Wraithlord Ynnari

Thoughts

Lots of Aspects, three Wraithlords, big Incubi unit, all pretty standard-issue right now. For my money I probably would favour a Scatterbike unit over one Wraithlord (which you can pay for by bumping a Scorpion squad down to Rangers), but that’s very much nitpicking – this is shortly going to be close to the build to beat as it stops being able to hide behind More Dakka, and I for one welcome our new elf overlords. Great stuff from Riley.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd (4.5-0.5) – Frank Viruet – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Dorn Commanders, Russes and Kasrkin in Tauroxes.
3rd – Steven Saroka – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Your standard-issue World Eaters mix, putting a small Berzerker unit in alongside the main 10-model/Executioner one as a flex pick.
4th – Tivi Piechocki – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Triple Sacresants, triple Castigators, lots of Characters to farm dice and revive.
5th – Clark Welch – Space Wolves (Ironstorm Spearhead): Mostly hulls, one big unit each of Bladeguard and ThunderCav for melee munching.
6th – Justin Yun – Orks (More Dakka): Triple Lootas, triple Tankbustas, you know the deal.
7th – Jerad Berhow – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Whoops I say, all dogs.

Bash at the Beach April Grand Tournament

36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Pensacola, FL, United States on April 05 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Linchpin – Raise Banners – Dawn of War

Jason Hooper – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion)
Army List - Click to Expand

hey kid ya like axes? [1990 points]
Chaos Daemons (Legiones Daemonica)
Battle Size: Strike Force (2000 point limit)

Detachment Choice: Shadow Legion

Be’lakor [375 points]
• Warlord
• Betraying shades and The blade of shadows

Beasts of Nurgle [65 points]
• putrid appendages

Bloodthirster [320 points]
• Great axe of khorne, Hellfire breath and Leaping shadows [+15 points]

Bloodthirster [320 points]
• Fade to darkness [+15 points], Great axe of khorne and Hellfire breath

Cultist Mob [50 points]
• 1 Cultist Champion with Autopistol and Brutal assault weapon
• 9 Chaos Cultists with Autopistol and Brutal assault weapon

Flamers [65 points]
• 1 Pyrocaster with Flamer mouths and Flickering flames
• 2 Flamers with Flamer mouths and Flickering flames

Flesh Hounds [75 points]
• 1 Gore Hound with Burning roar, Collar of khorne and Gore-drenched fangs
• 4 Flesh Hounds with Collar of khorne and Gore-drenched fangs

Plaguebearers [110 points]
• 1 Plagueridden with plaguesword
• 9 Plaguebearers with plaguesword

Soul Grinder [180 points]
• Harvester cannon, Iron claw, Nurgle and Warpclaw

vs.

Garrett Camilleri – World Eaters (Vessels of Wrath)
Army List - Click to Expand

Vows of Blood (2000 Points)

World Eaters
Vessels of Wrath
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Angron (435 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder

Lord Invocatus (140 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Coward’s Bane
• 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (80 Points)
• 1x Exalted chainblade
• 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 1x Plasma pistol

World Eaters Master of Executions (110 Points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
• 1x Bolt pistol

BATTLELINE

Jakhals (65 Points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 8x Jakhal chainblades

Khorne Berzerkers (180 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
◦ 1x Berzerker chainblade
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Khorne Berzerker
◦ 7x Berzerker chainblade
◦ 7x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 2x Khornate eviscerator
◦ 2x Plasma pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Exalted Eightbound (310 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 5x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 5x Eightbound chainfist
◦ 5x Eightbound eviscerator

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (1), Data Version: v581

Thoughts

Clearly there are some disagreements in Khorne’s part of the warp this week, because this definitely seems like some workplace friction that has gotten badly out of hand. In the red corner – Bloodthirsters, Be’lakor, and various Daemonic hangers on. In the other red corner; Angron and a bunch of burly, angry men. Garrett has admirably leaned in on Vessels, building a small number of high-powered units so that he can maximise the number benefitting from the Vessels buff, and in this matchup that pays off by forcing the Daemonic threats to be way more cautious than they’d like to. One mis-step is going to result in whatever lunged forward getting murdered by Angron, and with two Fight First blocks, guaranteed Feel No Pain, and option on Brazen Contempt, there are really not that may safe fights to pick.

There is a flip side to that, of course, which is that building tall gives the World Eaters fewer scoring units, whereas the Daemons have lots of throwaway chaff to work with. That’s a big upside on a Dawn of War mission against an army with limited screening, and gives the Daemons a distinct Secondary advantage to work with. Realistically, I think both armies have a chance of walking away triumphant here – the World Eaters can pull ahead on Primary, but have a bunch of dud card draws (and the Daemons can probably mitigate most Fixed plans), so the Daemons maybe edge it on Secondary. I think if the Daemons go second they should definitely take it – a big final turn Primary swing should combine with Secondary advantage to lock in a win, and I think I would narrowly favour them even going first, as they’ve got the mixture of indirect and better redundancy that should provide an edge. The World Eaters defied my projections, however (predicting things is for dumb nerd Tzeentch worshippers), and narrowly claimed triumph.

Result

World Eaters (Vessels of Wrath) Victory – 77 – 75

Garrett Camilleri – World Eaters (Vessels of Wrath) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Vows of Blood (2000 Points)

World Eaters
Vessels of Wrath
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Angron (435 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder

Lord Invocatus (140 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Coward’s Bane
• 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (80 Points)
• 1x Exalted chainblade
• 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 1x Plasma pistol

World Eaters Master of Executions (110 Points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
• 1x Bolt pistol

BATTLELINE

OTHER DATASHEETS

Exalted Eightbound (310 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 5x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 5x Eightbound chainfist
◦ 5x Eightbound eviscerator

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (1), Data Version: v581

Archetype

Top-heavy Vessels

Thoughts

This list is so cool man. I really, really like it when someone leans into a strategy hard and it pays off, and that’s what we’ve got here. There aren’t many units, but what units are there are hyper-powered by the Detachment, and you can also throw lots of them forwards with Invocatus, providing you a route to win even against stuff that can shoot this off the table if you go first (some “poor” Dakka Orks got a nasty surprise in round four, presumably on that plan). It’s also just the biggest nightmare for any enemy melee build; one big Fight First Berzerker brick is bad enough, two is just rude. As discussed above, Berzerker Warband is solved so a bit boring, so it’s super cool to see a completely different spin on the army succeed – great stuff from Garrett.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Mark Perry – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Be’lakor, the Fade Bloodthirster, and a big bird, plus various supporting small Daemon units, and teleporting Havocs (which yeah seems like a cool choice here, why has no one else tried that?).
3rd – Andrew Dennis – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Whoops all dogs, whoops all dogs, everyone knows to say whoops all dogs.
4th – Jason Hooper – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Double Bloodthister, double Soulgrinder (Nurgle this time).
5th – Anthony Carter – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Big Bugs and a big squad of Genestealers with a Broodlord.
6th – Greg Vento – Orks (War Horde): Mechanised Infantry horde with lots of Snagga and Boyz MSUs, lots of Trukks, and a few nastier threats like Ghaz and Nobz.
7th – Milton Ponce – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Blood Angel heroes with big units each of Sanguinary Guard and Death Company.

Pachuca Punch Out Round 3

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Pachuca de Soto, Hgo., México on April 05 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Xavier Barrera – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

no leontus (1990 points)

Astra Militarum
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hammer of the Emperor

CHARACTERS

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

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

Rogal Dorn Commander (285 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
2x Meltagun
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
• Enhancement: Veteran Crew

Tech-Priest Enginseer (45 points)
• 1x Enginseer axe
1x Mechanicus pistol
1x Servo-arm

BATTLELINE

Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 points)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
• 9x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
7x Lasgun

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

Krieg Heavy Weapons Squad (75 points)
• 3x Heavy Weapons Gunner
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Krieg heavy flamer
3x Laspistol
• 1x Fire Coordinator
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol

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 Executioner (170 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Executioner plasma cannon
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta
1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Ratlings (60 points)
• 5x Ratling Sniper
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Sniper rifle

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (74), Data Version: v581

Archetype

Tanks!

Thoughts

Tank lovers rejoice, because Hammer of the Emperor seems to be the real deal. Dorn Commanders are one of the best units in the Guard book, and this detachment pushes them to the max with speed, durability (powered by Leontus at the back) and extra power, creating a build that can grind most foes beneath its tracks. Supporting them you’ve got Kasrkin in Tauroxes, and those are proving to be that most valuable thing in the 10th model; a unit that needs no support from Stratagems or Detachment Rules to be good at their job. That lets you pick a Detachment like Hammer that’s fairly narrowly focused without sacrificing versatility, and is a key part of the glue making this work. Well done to Xavier, our final champion of the week!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Joseph Walsh – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): A Starshatter spin on the one big Warrior unit plan, supporting them with Doomsdays and Triarch Stalkers.
3rd – Ari Baez – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Double Possessed block and supporting tanks as Raiders.
4th – Jaime Cruz – Necrons (Canoptek Court): One big Warrior unit as Court, and hello, I think I just found my next Necron list.
5th – Amador Perez – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G gun club.
6th – Aldo Ayala – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Triple Custodian squad, some Caladius, and two three-model Bike units.

Wrap Up

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[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: Cold Steel pt.3

Fools Errand 2025

Anthony Dalla Lana – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kass Kielly-burke – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Adam Green – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Brynn Holdstock – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

WarZone: Tucker Brewing

Stephen Mitchell – Chaos Daemons (Plague Legion) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Walter Langendorf – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Noah Neundorfer – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ken Edwards – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Dragon’s Hoard 40K GT Event Hosted by Away Games

Riley Morris – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Bash at the Beach April Grand Tournament

The Showdown

Linchpin – Raise Banners – Dawn of War

Thoughts

Result

Garrett Camilleri – World Eaters (Vessels of Wrath) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Pachuca Punch Out Round 3

Xavier Barrera – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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