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.

This week we’ve got our last few events from the old metagame before the wide adoption of the Dataslate, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing exciting to talk about. Firstly, one group of pioneers jumped straight into the new metagame, so as is customary they get bumped to the top of the article, and we’ve also got the Thousand Sons landing in the metagame to complete the cult Legion quartet. What a quartet it is too – Death Guard domination continues, the Thousand Sons are landing reasonably well, World Eaters have started showing up in decent numbers, and even the Emperor’s Children aren’t going out from their Dataslate nerfs without a fight, if our one new metagame event is anything to go by.

Let us consider the canvas upon which this happens, starting today with:

Iron Cage: Summer Slam (new rules)
THE BRISTOL 40K SUPER MAJOR
40K Lorecast Major with Brad Chester and Brian Horton
105. Bedburger Scheunenkloppen
II IBERIAN OPEN VALLECAS
western syd 40k major

On Friday Lowest of Men will cover:

Terracon 2025
Warhammer 40,000 Grand Tournament: Golden Ticket Qualifier
ObSec presents War Calls 40k 2025
Brewtown Bloodbath
Green Dice Games Summer Ruin Warhammer 40K June Grand Tournament
SHIELDBREAKER GT June 2025

Our Showdowns this week will be:

Berzerker Warband vs Ultramarine Vanguard Spearhead at Iron Cage. The patrons like novelty too (as they should).
Peerless Bladesmen Emperor’s Children vs Kroot Hunting Pack at the Warhammer World Grand Tournament

Iron Cage: Summer Slam

43-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Bedford, TX, US on June 07 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Unknown Mission

Jony Velazquez – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband)
Army List - Click to Expand

rip their heads off! (2000 points)

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Berzerker Warband

CHARACTERS

Khârn the Betrayer (85 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Gorechild
1x Plasma pistol

Master of Executions (85 points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
1x Bolt pistol
• Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

Eightbound (150 points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
• 1x Chainblades
• 2x Eightbound
• 2x Chainblades

Forgefiend (150 points)
• 3x Ectoplasm cannon
1x Forgefiend claws

Forgefiend (150 points)
• 1x Ectoplasm cannon
1x Forgefiend claws
2x Hades autocannon

Goremongers (85 points)
• 1x Blood Herald
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainblade
1x Close combat weapon
• 7x Goremongers
• 7x Autopistol
7x Chainblade
7x Close combat weapon

Helbrute (120 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Heavy flamer
2x Helbrute fist

Jakhals (65 points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Skullsmasher and mangler
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
8x Chainblades
1x Icon of Khorne

Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609

vs.

Kevin Grubbs – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead)
Army List - Click to Expand

I play bad lists. (2000 points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Vanguard Spearhead

CHARACTERS

Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite

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

Marneus Calgar (200 points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
• Warlord
• 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
• 2x Victrix power sword

Uriel Ventris (95 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Invictus
1x Sword of Idaeus

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Intercessor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Bolt rifle
4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (160 points)
• 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 5x Bladeguard Veteran
• 5x Heavy bolt pistol
5x Master-crafted power weapon

Centurion Devastator Squad (330 points)
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
• 1x Centurion fists
1x Centurion missile launcher
1x Twin lascannon
• 5x Devastator Centurion
• 5x Centurion fists
5x Centurion missile launcher
5x Twin lascannon

Company Heroes (105 points)
• 1x Ancient
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Company Champion
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 2x Company Veteran
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

Eradicator Squad (200 points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 5x Eradicator
• 5x Bolt pistol
5x Close combat weapon
3x Melta rifle
2x Multi-melta

Incursor Squad (80 points)
• 1x Incursor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Occulus bolt carbine
1x Paired combat blades
• 4x Incursor
• 4x Bolt pistol
1x Haywire Mine
4x Occulus bolt carbine
4x Paired combat blades

Infiltrator Squad (100 points)
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Helix Gauntlet
1x Infiltrator Comms Array
4x Marksman bolt carbine

Scout Squad (70 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes shotgun
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon

Vindicator (185 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629

Thoughts

Our first post-Dataslate throwdown brings us loyalists vs. traitors, with a Calgar-lead Vanguard build facing the new version of Berzerker Warband. The shooty Vanguard list is pretty clearly loaded for one of the other current metagame pillars, which is Knights of various sorts, but its guns are perfectly capable of flattening Marines as well. No Guilliman and cheaper Calgar means plenty of points to play with, and they can squeeze in two decent melee threats (the Bladeguard and the Company heroes) alongside lots of 2+ save guns, and Deep Striking Eradicators are certainly a worry for foes too.

If the Ultramarines are good at killing other power-armoured lists then the World Eaters truly excel at it, and that feels like a big reason why Berzerker Warband is gathering a bit of steam. In a world of Cult Marines and Loyalists galore, Forgefiends with hit re-rolls rule, and plenty of the melee output (especially with boosted strength and an option on extra AP in Warband) is good into other elite infantry forces too. Even Vindicators can be taken down with the right combination of Blood Blessings and Stratagems on the big Berzerker units, and I think having two of those here (many lists are only running one) is going to be especially helpful. With a Master of Execution in one unit and the other able to pop Berzerker’s Wraith, it’s going to be pretty tricky for the Ultramarines to do the kind of focused killing they want without getting rolled over, and without Fight First in the Bladeguard unit, they’re going to be of fairly limited use in the matchup.

The Centurions do give them a strong power piece mind, able to pick up enough of a Berzerker unit in one activation to make a real difference, but I think there’s a good chance here that the Khornate forces will just put the Ultramarines on the back foot and keep them there, especially as even the cheap units in the list like Spawn and Helbrutes are still threatening and still need killing (and can activate Blood Offering to keep hold an objective as long as they’re keeping the Ultramarines contained). I don’t think it’s impossible here that the Ultramarines make something happen, but it feels like they don’t quite have the right threat profile to work round what World Eaters are doing here, as even the Centurions or Eradicators don’t guarantee enough damage into a full Berzerker blob, leaving an overrun a reasonably likely outcome. From the score, I suspect that’s what happened – the World Eaters established a sufficiently strong early posture that it was never possible to stop them scoring, as if you cannot get out from the pressure, Blood Offering just shuts you out.

Result

World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) Victory – 100 – 84

Jony Velazquez – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

World Eaters Master of Executions. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

rip their heads off! (2000 points)

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Berzerker Warband

CHARACTERS

Khârn the Betrayer (85 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Gorechild
1x Plasma pistol

Master of Executions (85 points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
1x Bolt pistol
• Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive

BATTLELINE

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

Eightbound (150 points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
• 1x Chainblades
• 2x Eightbound
• 2x Chainblades

Forgefiend (150 points)
• 3x Ectoplasm cannon
1x Forgefiend claws

Forgefiend (150 points)
• 1x Ectoplasm cannon
1x Forgefiend claws
2x Hades autocannon

Goremongers (85 points)
• 1x Blood Herald
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainblade
1x Close combat weapon
• 7x Goremongers
• 7x Autopistol
7x Chainblade
7x Close combat weapon

Helbrute (120 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Heavy flamer
2x Helbrute fist

Jakhals (65 points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Skullsmasher and mangler
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
8x Chainblades
1x Icon of Khorne

Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Forgefiend Berzerker

Thoughts

Mostly covered in the Showdown, an impressive event win for the World Eaters here, using a list that really leans into their strengths at killing other Marine builds. Question for me will be where we land once Chaos Knights are fully operational, as that feels like it might prove a tough matchup for these guys, but this list looks legit, and it’s encouraging to see that there’s more to this book than just Daemonkin if the metagame lands right. Great work from Jony.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Apollo Chang – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Mega monster mash with Be’lakor and five Greater Daemons, with just a few Flesh Hounds to support scoring.
3rd – NATHANIEL BJORGE – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught): Given that Nathaniel has been throwing Vanguard bugs at people for a long time now, it should be no surprise that he’s straight on the new Ravener train, running two units each of regular and Hyperadapted (able to combine into super units if needed) as the big damage dealers for Vanguard in place of melee Warriors. Much easier to set up since they don’t need a leader, and way higher damage. Otherwise, the same old plan as always of pressuring the foe with 30 Genestealers then locking them out with the second wave.
4th – Kevin Grubbs – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Shooty Ultravanguard using Calgar and Ventris, setting up the former with some Bladeguard, bringing Eradicators to Deep Strike and adding Centurions and Vindicators for lots of durable dakka.
5th – Alex Ehrich – Chaos Daemons (Plague Legion): A wall of Plaguebearers with tricky Characters, Rotigus and a GuO as heavyweaght threats, and a few mid-weight things like a Daemon Prince and a double Beast unit to tangle up foes while the morale shuts them out of scoring.
6th – Brian Ellis – Emperor’s Children (Peerless Bladesmen): An (almost) pure melee Emperor’s Children build that benches Noise Marines in favour of two large Flawless Blade units to slice up the foe, and retaining triple Prince despite the price hike.

THE BRISTOL 40K SUPER MAJOR

410-player, 7-round Supermajor in England, United Kingdom on June 07 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Josh Roberts – Ultramarines (Stormlance Task Force) – 1st Place

Rainbow Warriors Stormraven Gunship by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Bristol GT Ultras Storm List (1995 points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Stormlance Task Force

CHARACTERS

Captain (80 points)
• 1x Neo-volkite pistol
1x Power fist

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

Marneus Calgar (210 points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
• 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
• 2x Victrix power sword

Roboute Guilliman (345 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
1x Hand of Dominion

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Bolt rifle
4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter

Scout Squad (70 points)
• 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

Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 points)
• 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
3x Sternguard bolt rifle
1x Sternguard heavy bolter

Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
1x Melta destroyer

Stormraven Gunship (280 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Hurricane bolter
2x Stormstrike missile launcher
1x Twin heavy plasma cannon
1x Twin multi-melta

Archetype

Shooty Stormlance

Thoughts

Another supermajor win for Josh here, experimenting with how shooty you can make Stormlance and get away with it. The answer is apparently very, with the expected Stormraven joined by cheap Storm Speeders and Ballistus Dreads, and melee largely covered by Calgar and Bobby G. The result has some brutal firepower, and while obviously you have to consider swapping up the Character setup to take this forward, I think there’s a good possibility that a list like this (or perhaps more likely, an Iron-Priest Space Wolf version) continues to thrive in the new metagame, especially as the Stormraven matches up very well into the mostly flat damage stuff the cult legions are throwing about. Congratulations Josh.

Andy Quas-Cohen – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

why oh why when it comes to list submission deadline do i always feel like (6mins to go) i want to change something and that the list im playing is not quite working. every detachment feels like the grass is always greener, and i literally end up going back and forth between ideas, how to fill the last 200 points, seeing if i can blend to completely different archtypes together watching the clock tick towards that last minute deadline. one day i will learn to plan ahead and work all this shit out long before, but it doesnt help that i dont sign up to these events until about 2 days before submission either. (4mins to go). even when i do think about this stuff ahead of time, get my practice games in, i still sit with the last few minutes ticking away (3mins to go) that theres something that needs changing, what if the meta does a total u-turn, did i read that latest new codex? (are TSons legal here? what do they even do, doombolt sucks by the way), is there enough time to quickly watch a video on it (2mins to go), doubtful, they’re all like an hour long. list building should be easy, it used to be, fill the last 3 points with some random weapon upgrade to finish on an annoying 1998 points, now everything costs 5, even stuff that should cost max 2 (1min to go), never mind, not enough time in the day to make these decisions, screw it i’ll just submit what i played last tournament, hope i get lucky in my pairings…theres no way this could go wrong, right?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Necrons
+ DETACHMENT: Starshatter Arsenal
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: The Silent King
+ ENHANCEMENT: Dread Majesty (on Char1: Catacomb Command Barge)
& Chrono-impedance Fields (on Char2: Skorpekh Lord)
& Demanding Leader (on Char4: Technomancer)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 15
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (5×2) + (1×6) – Assassination: 5 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 3x The Silent King (420 pts): Warlord
• 1x Szarekh: Sceptre of Eternal Glory, Staff of Stars, Weapons of the Final Triarch
• 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2 with Annihilator beam, Armoured bulk
Char2: 1x Catacomb Command Barge (150 pts): Resurrection orb, Gauss cannon, Overlord’s blade
Enhancement: Dread Majesty (+30 pts)
Char3: 1x Skorpekh Lord (105 pts): Enmitic annihilator, Flensing claw, Hyperphase harvester
Enhancement: Chrono-impedance Fields (+25 pts)
Char4: 1x Skorpekh Lord (80 pts): Enmitic annihilator, Flensing claw, Hyperphase harvester
Char5: 1x Technomancer (95 pts): Staff of light
Enhancement: Demanding Leader (+10 pts)

2x Cryptothralls (60 pts): 2 with Scouring eye, Scythed limbs
5x Flayed Ones (60 pts): 5 with Flayer claws
1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss cannon
1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss cannon
1x Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss destructor
6x Canoptek Wraiths (230 pts): 6 with Particle caster, Vicious claws
1x Canoptek Reanimator (75 pts): 2x Atomiser beam, Reanimator’s claws
1x Doomsday Ark (200 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array
1x Doomsday Ark (200 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array
1x Doomsday Ark (200 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array

Archetype

Triple Doomsday Single Wraith Starshatter

Thoughts

Moving onto lists that are definitely going to be a big part of the upcoming metagame, we’ve got Starshatter Necrons, another build that loves seeing elite Infantry (even 4W Deathshrouds) across the table, and which has the option to build in some all-purpose durability by adding some extra Wraiths, here presumably under consideration instead of the Skorpekh Lords after their points increase. Prepare to get shot with doomsday cannons a lot, well done to Andy on taking undefeated second place.

Nathan Roberts – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Plaguestorm 2: electric boogaloo (1990 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Predator Destructor (145 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Extra Shooty Mortarion’s Hammer

Thoughts

Completing the undefeated podium we have an extremely hull-heavy spin on Mortarion’s Hammer, bringing a whole host of Daemon Engines and tanks to crush the foe. It’s not an especially complex build, as it’s essentially just way too many cheap hulls crammed into a list, but it’s a solid counterpick to some of the Marine builds, as it just has too many threats for them to carve through. Expect to see plenty of this as well, good job Nathan.

Christopher Radford – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

How long until I can play the new wolves? (1995 points)

Space Marines
Blood Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Liberator Assault Group

CHARACTERS

Blood Angels Captain (115 points)
• 1x Inferno pistol
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: Rage-fuelled Warrior

Chaplain (85 points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Crozius arcanum
• Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch

Chaplain with Jump Pack (75 points)
• 1x Crozius arcanum
1x Power fist

Lemartes (110 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x The Blood Crozius

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

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessor
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Shield Dome

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (160 points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power fist
• 9x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 9x Astartes chainsword
7x Heavy bolt pistol
2x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points)
• 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

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (160 points)
• 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

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (240 points)
• 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

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (130 points)
• 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

Scout Squad (70 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Combat knife

Exported with App Version: v1.34.0 (81), Data Version: v620

Archetype

All Melee Angels

Thoughts

Rounding out our top four we’ve got another very direct build, this one planning to punch people super hard and fast with Death Company and Bladeguard. Very on brand for Blood Angels, very effective, and also about to get a bunch of extra points to play with, so that’s nice. My assumption with World Eaters suddenly looking real is that you’d want to get a Judiciar in here so you could double up on Fights First coverage on a key turn, but otherwise just doing this with one unit upgraded into something extra spicy seems lit, and is also potentially a good counter to big-heavy Chaos Knight lists, as this army has a deep well of stuff that can punch one to death. Great job Chris, and I guess we’ll see you on Wolves soon once everyone else pivots to this.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players in the top cut. They were:

5th – Denis 🤖 🦾 Naberezhnykh – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Double Wraith, double Doomsday Starshatter, likely forming the template for the go-to Necron list of the new metagame.
6th – Jonathan Summerfield – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Classic Chosen/Legionary Brawler Raiders with Predator Destructors in support, should be truly horrifying with a Discolord added.
7th – Greg Chamberlain – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): All-rounder Votann with lots of different power pieces, including a full graviton Thunderkyn squad to handle heavy stuff.
8th – Joshua P – Chaos Space Marines (Chaos Cult): Triple Accursed Commune with Destructors, utility pieces, and some Nurgle Daemons.
9th – Ieuan Bevan – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Single Wraith triple Doomsday Starshatter with a surprise block of Lychguard for extra melee threat.
10th – Mikey Rzasa – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Go-wide World Eaters with lots of small Eightbuond units, a couple of Forgefiends, a few support units, then Kharn with a Berzerker squad as a slightly heavier melee hitter.

40K Lorecast Major with Brad Chester and Brian Horton

104-player, 7-round Major in Southfield, MI, United States on June 06 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Joshua Minnich – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Halloween Slime (2000 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

Biologus Putrifier (45 points)
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration

Lord of Contagion (135 points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Furnace of Plagues

Lord of Contagion (110 points)
• 1x Manreaper

Malignant Plaguecaster (60 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Corrupted staff
1x Plague Wind

Mortarion (380 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Lantern
1x Rotwind
1x Silence

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (190 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 9x Plague Marine
• 2x Blight launcher
3x Heavy plague weapon
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
2x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.34.0 (81), Data Version: v620

Archetype

Stock Mortarion Vectorium

Thoughts

You know about this list. I know about this list. We’re going to hear a lot more about this list, and at this point I’m 50:50 on whether GW are going to have to break their balance cadence and do something about it early. Guess it will depend on whether any of the other new things is able to properly rein it in. For this particular version, I do like the use of the melee Bloat Drones to get some cheap threat projection in while still having the big fnacy toys like Mortarion. Well done Joshua on the win.

Brian Daugherty – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 2nd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Kyle you already denied me once, I will get my 25-0 bud. (Pls give points cuts GW) (2000 Points)

World Eaters
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Khorne (220 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancements: Helm of Brazen Ire

Khârn the Betrayer (85 Points)
• 1x Gorechild
• 1x Plasma pistol

Master of Executions (75 Points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
• 1x Bolt pistol
• Enhancements: Favoured of Khorne

Slaughterbound (110 Points)
• 1x Lacerator and daemonic claw
• Enhancements: Berzerker Glaive

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Eightbound (150 Points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Chainblades
• 2x Eightbound
◦ 2x Chainblades

Exalted Eightbound (160 Points)
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Chainblades
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 2x Chainblades

Forgefiend (150 Points)
• 2x Ectoplasma cannon
• 1x Ectoplasma cannon
• 1x Forgefiend claws

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

Exported with App Version: v1.34.0 (1), Data Version: v620

Archetype

Forgefiend Berzerker Warband

Thoughts

Another Berzerker Warband list in second place here, again using the double Berzerker and multi-Forgefiend setup, but making a few different picks elsewhere in the army. A Daemon Prince with lots of Chaos Spawn gives you a very reliable clip of activations of Blood Offering, and the list also uses Exalted Eightbound (optionally with a Slaughterbound) as a powerful discouragement to any enemy Vehicles that get overconfident. Being able to roll through one hull and bounce to another with a 6″ Consolidate, then force it to take a Desperate Escape test is a decent bit of value from the squad, and it’s nice they have some purpose even if they’re underwhelming on raw killing now. Cool to see that, and to get a good variety of units down, great stuff Brian (who had a credible go at taking down Joshua in the final).

Kyle Trayah – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 3rd Place

Myphitic Blight-Haulers – Credit Beanith

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

butter (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Manreaper

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

Deathshroud Terminators (140 points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
1x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Defiler (165 points)
• 1x Battle cannon
1x Combi-bolter
1x Defiler claws
1x Defiler scourge
1x Twin lascannon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.34.0 (81), Data Version: v620

Archetype

Hull Spam

Thoughts

Blight Haulers are spammable levels of good too? Great, love that for us. Very nice. This is another very crunchy and grindy Death Guard build, albeit the only flavour that does take a nerf thanks to Defilers being forced onto large bases in the new Tournament Companion. I’d assume that leaves them as a one-of at most (since one can still just wallhack in this Detachment), but who knows. Other elements of this sticking around probably depends on where Knights go – if there’s still a good all War Dog build then Haulers are laughing, because Contagions put them down to T8 and the +1 to Wound thus means hitting and wounding on 2s. If it’s bigs (and I do think that’s more likely) then this may be more of a flash-in-the-pan, because multi-model vehicle units can be a liability against the kinds of guns they bring, and you’re not getting getting your wound rolls above 4s. What an adventure it shall be to find out. Congratulations Kyle on crushing the foe.

Brenton Weiss – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 4th Place

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

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Fun Times With Yvraine (1995 Points)

Aeldari
Devoted of Ynnead
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

The Visarch (90 Points)
• 1x Asu-var

Troupe Master (75 Points)
• 1x Flip Belt
• 1x Fusion pistol
• 1x Troupe Master’s blade

Yvraine (100 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Kha-vir
• 1x Storm of Whispers

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Dragons (110 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Dragon fusion gun

Howling Banshees (90 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol

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

Troupe (205 Points)
• 1x Lead Player
◦ 1x Flip Belt
◦ 1x Power sword
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 11x Player
◦ 11x Flip Belt
◦ 4x Fusion pistol
◦ 11x Harlequin’s special weapon
◦ 4x Neuro disruptor
◦ 3x Shuriken pistol

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

Warp Spiders (95 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Death weavers
◦ 1x Spinneret rifle
• 4x Warp Spider
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Death spinner

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

Ynnari Incubi (150 Points)
• 1x Klaivex
◦ 1x Klaive
• 9x Incubi
◦ 9x Klaive

Exported with App Version: v1.34.0 (1), Data Version: v620

Archetype

Deceased Elves

Thoughts

Here Lies an Attempt To Fix 8th Edition Ynnari

2025-2025

“Never fucking mind.”

There is a small ray of light for the Aeldari here which is that this list shows off something I think is underutilised, which is just jamming a Troupe into other builds and seeing what happens. They’re pretty great! Good at killing power armour, and can use their big Consolidate to touch a whole bunch of tanks in games like Mortarion’s Hammer. Maybe this will prompt me to give them a go, and seeing them alongside Windriders (another unit you can just jam in lots of builds for value) is especially encouraging. Good job Brenton for bringing a bit of hope amidst the despair.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Zachary Morales – Ultramarines (Ironstorm Spearhead): Bobby G with a selection of Dreadnoughts to shoot or rip apart the foe as required.
6th – Jerry Reynolds – Aeldari (Warhost): A combo/buff-centric Warhost build with a full squad each of Fire Dragons, Reapers and Dire Avengers, then lots of the support pieces that let you set them up to hit at maximum punch. Actually comes down by a net 10pts unlike almost every other good Aeldari build, so worth a serious look if you love elves.
7th – Willie Couch – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): All-rounder Votann with a bit of everything and a full Iron-Master/Thunderkyn unit.

105. Bedburger Scheunenkloppen

58-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Bedburg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE on June 07 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Mathieu Clerc – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

SuperMajor (2000 points)

Leagues of Votann
Strike Force (2000 points)
Oathband

CHARACTERS

Einhyr Champion (80 points)
• 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
1x Darkstar axe
1x Weavefield Crest
• Enhancement: Appraising Glare

Kâhl (90 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Mass gauntlet
1x Rampart Crest
1x Volkanite disintegrator
• Enhancement: Grim Demeanour

BATTLELINE

Hearthkyn Warriors (100 points)
• 1x Theyn
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x EtaCarn plasma pistol
1x Kin melee weapon
1x Weavefield Crest
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
• 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
7x Autoch-pattern bolter
9x Close combat weapon
1x Comms Array
1x HYLas auto rifle
1x HYLas rotary cannon
1x Medipack
1x Pan Spectral Scanner

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Cthonian Beserks (100 points)
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
• 5x Heavy plasma axe
1x Mole grenade launcher

Einhyr Hearthguard (320 points)
• 1x Hesyr
• 1x Concussion hammer
1x EtaCarn plasma gun
1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
1x Teleport Crest
• 9x Einhyr Hearthguard
• 9x Concussion gauntlet
9x EtaCarn plasma gun
9x Exo-armour grenade launcher

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

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

Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 points)
• 1x Yaegir Theyn
• 1x Bolt revolver
1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma knife
• 9x Hernkyn Yaegir
• 1x APM launcher
8x Bolt revolver
9x Close combat weapon
8x Plasma knife

Exported with App Version: v1.34.0 (81), Data Version: v620

Archetype

All-rounder Votann

Thoughts

Another week, another big event win for the (unironically) perfectly balanced Leagues of Votann. This build dips into the well of bringing a few grav Thunderkyn, and I suspect we’ll see some iterations on builds like this that take advantage of the new ability to put a unit with a Brokhyr in a fortress. Otherwise, the dwarves are just going to keep on trucking, well done Mathieu.

Tobias Moellmann – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Daemons
+ DETACHMENT: Shadow Legion
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1990pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Heretic Astartes
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Be’lakor
+ ENHANCEMENT: Fade to Darkness (on Char1: Bloodthirster)
& Leaping Shadows (on Alli3: Dark Commune)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 14
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (1×4) + (1×6) – Assassination: 3 Characters – Cull The Horde: 1×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

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

1x Bloodthirster (320 pts)
• 1x Hellfire breath
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
• Fade to Darkness (+15 pts)

BATTLELINE

6x Nurglings (60 pts)
• 6x Nurgling Swarm
• 6x Diseased claws and teeth

OTHER DATASHEETS

5x Seekers (80 pts)
• 1x Heartseeker
• 1x Lashing tongues
• 1x Slashing claws
• Seeker
• 4x Seeker
• 4x Lashing tongues
• 4x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker

1x Beasts of Nurgle (65 pts)
• 1x Beast of Nurgle
• 1x Putrid appendages

6x Screamers (160 pts)
• 6x Screamer
• 6x Lamprey bite
• 6x Screamer

ALLIED UNITS

16x Accursed Cultists (195 pts)
• 10x Mutant
• 10x Blasphemous appendages
• 10x Mutant
• 6x Torment
• 6x Hideous mutations
• 6x Torment

10x Cultist Mob (50 pts)
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
• 1x Autopistol
• 9x Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
• 9x Brutal assault weapon

5x Dark Commune (95 pts)
• 2x Blessed Blades
• 2x Commune blade
• 2x Blessed Blade
• 1x Cult Demagogue
• 1x Autopistol
• 1x Commune stave
• Cult Demagogue
• 1x Iconarch
• 1x Autopistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• Chaos icon, Iconarch
• 1x Mindwitch
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Warp Curse
• Mindwitch
• Leaping Shadows (+15 pts)

5x Raptors (90 pts)
• 1x Raptor Champion
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Raptor
• 2x Astartes chainsword
• 2x Bolt pistol
• 2x Close combat weapon
• 2x Plasma gun

Archetype

Board Control Shadow Legion

Thoughts

Speaking of keeping on trucking – at this point, this is looking pretty close to the “solved” version of Shadow Legion, and it took only modest hits in the Dataslate. Control the board early with Screamers, hit and run with the Bloodthirster, project threat with the Accursed blob, score with Raptors. All good.

Felix Zunino – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Felix Zunino
Detec

koks und Nutten (1985 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead

CHARACTERS

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

The Visarch (90 points)
• 1x Asu-var

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

Yvraine (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Kha-vir
1x Storm of Whispers

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Fire Dragons (110 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun

Howling Banshees (90 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
• 1x Executioner
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
• 4x Banshee blade
4x Shuriken pistol

Striking Scorpions (85 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
• 1x Scorpion chainsword
1x Scorpion’s claw
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol

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

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

Ynnari Reavers (65 points)
• 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

Exported with App Version: v1.34.0 (81), Data Version: v620

Archetype

Deceased Elves

Thoughts

I got to use that Yncarne in eight whole games this edition, so there’s that.

Well done Felix for seeing them off in style.

Bastian Kry – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Ein letztes Mal 🥲

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force

CHARACTERS

Chief Librarian Tigurius (75 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Rod of Tigurius
1x Storm of the Emperor’s Wrath

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

Marneus Calgar (210 points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
• 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
• 2x Victrix power sword

Roboute Guilliman (345 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
1x Hand of Dominion

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Astartes grenade launcher
1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Power weapon
• 4x Intercessor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Bolt rifle
4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points)
• 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

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (160 points)
• 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Master-crafted power weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 5x Bladeguard Veteran
• 5x Heavy bolt pistol
5x Master-crafted power weapon

Gladiator Reaper (160 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
2x Tempest bolter
1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

Predator Annihilator (135 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
1x Storm bolter

Scout Squad (70 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 1x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle

Vindicator (185 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Archetype

Gladius Goodstuff

Thoughts

Ultramarines galore to close this top four out, and while you could just keep running this as-is, there are probably better ways to spend the points than Calgar after the updates for this kind of build. Tigurius, on the other hand, feels like he’s ready to hit the big time now there’s less competition for slots – people have already been trying him with Bladeguard to great effect, as here, and he’s also good with Sternguard, so look out for him, maybe with Sicarius subbing in for Calgar to provide a mobile melee threat. So many Ultramarines man. Anyway, good work Bastian.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Pierre Debey – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Whoops all War Dogs, something we will finally be freed from soon and definitely won’t yearn for the days of once lists that can take three bigs for under a thousand points are on the rampage.
6th – Ben Hackländer – Death Guard (Tallyband Summoners): Lots of the standard Death Guard hits (Deathshrouds, Drones, Characters) with added Nurglings and Rotigus.
7th – Roland Brüx – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Gut punch Aspect Host with a full squad each of Fire Dragons and Dark Reapers. Sucks that it loses 40pts, but also access to the Fire Dragon unit that can smoke two big Knights at once might be about to get a lot more valuable.
8th – Felix Moschkau – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Triple Prince Coterie, using a Maulerfiend instead of one Noise Marine unit.
9th – Hannes Fernstrom – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ): Index Herohammer stuff with some Ballistus Dreads.
10th – Alessandro Liessem – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Another runaround for the gut punch build.

II IBERIAN OPEN VALLECAS

37-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Madrid, MD, España on June 07 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Marco Esteban – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Sabes cómo se cogen los percebes?
Con perceberancia.

Después de esta maravilla del hombre blanco todo lo que venga a continuación te parecerá basura, te confiarás y perderás. No digas que no te avisé

Tyranids
Invasion Fleet
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Hive Tyrant (250 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Heavy venom cannon
• 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
• Enhancements: Adaptive Biology

Winged Tyranid Prime (65 Points)
• 1x Prime talons

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (85 Points)
• 10x Gargoyle
◦ 10x Blinding venom
◦ 10x Fleshborer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (50 Points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
• 1x Spore Mine launcher

Exocrine (140 Points)
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
• 1x Powerful limbs

Lictor (60 Points)
• 1x Lictor claws and talons

Maleceptor (170 Points)
• 1x Massive scything talons
• 1x Psychic overload

Norn Emissary (260 Points)
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
• 1x Monstrous scything talons
• 1x Psychic Tendril

Tyranid Warriors with Melee Bio-weapons (150 Points)
• 1x Tyranid Prime
◦ 1x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons
• 5x Tyranid Warrior
◦ 5x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons

Tyrannofex (200 Points)
• 1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Rupture cannon
• 1x Stinger salvoes

Exported with App Version: v1.34.0 (1), Data Version: v620

Y recuerda:
Si la orga te quita una mini,
Recuerda que tú no eres Thor!
Él es un Dios, y tú no,
Toma tu medicación!!

Archetype

Monster Mash

Thoughts

I mean it’s not like Exocrines are going to stop being great with all those Marine lists around, is it? Between that and access to the very good new Raveners Datasheets, expect to see plenty more Invasion Fleet in the new world – here, you can just use spare points from the Hive Tyrant to upgrade the melee Warriors to Hyperadapted Raveners and the list just feels flatly better (not that the current choice was bad, just the Raveners whip). Congratulations Marco for living the bug life.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Guillermo López – Aeldari (Ghosts of the Webway): The other way to dodge the nerf, which is to go Harlequins and run Starweaver Troupes backed by MSU Dark Reapers and Warp Spiders, with a jump Autarch for one of the latter (presumably the melee one).
3rd – Terroxer El Rojo – Thousand Sons (Rubricae Phalanx): Unsurprisingly, it’s a wall of Rubricae and Scarabs – two full blocks of 10 of the former, one big unit of the latter, with Characters galore and supporting Tzaangors and a single Mutalith to amp up rituals.
4th – Keko 🙂 – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Double Prince Coterie.
5th – Dani Semi Nerf – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and Armigers.
6th – Pedro Bollain de la Sota 🐢 – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Unusual Starshatter with double Doom Scythe and one big block of Warriors.

western syd 40k major

32-player, 8-round Major in Penrith, NSW, Australia on June 06 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jordan McGregor – Thousand Sons (Warpmeld Pact) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

I had to rebuild this because the list in BCP is an image, monstrous stuff.

Transcribed (2000 Points)

Thousand Sons
Warpmeld Pact
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (100 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Arcane Fire
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Inferno bolt pistol
• 1x Prosperine khopesh

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (100 Points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Inferno bolt pistol
• 1x Prosperine khopesh

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (85 Points)
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Gaze of Hate
• 1x Inferno combi-bolter

Tzaangor Shaman (75 Points)
• 1x Baleful Devolution
• 1x Force stave
• Enhancements: Diamond of Distortion

Tzaangor Shaman (65 Points)
• 1x Baleful Devolution
• 1x Force stave
• Enhancements: Flowing Flesh

BATTLELINE

Tzaangors (70 Points)
• 1x Twistbray
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chainsword
• 9x Tzaangor
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brayhorn
◦ 9x Chainsword
◦ 1x Herd banner

Tzaangors (160 Points)
• 1x Twistbray
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chainsword
• 19x Tzaangor
◦ 19x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brayhorn
◦ 19x Chainsword
◦ 1x Herd banner

Tzaangors (70 Points)
• 1x Twistbray
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chainsword
• 9x Tzaangor
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brayhorn
◦ 9x Chainsword
◦ 1x Herd banner

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (90 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Inferno combi-bolter
• 1x Inferno combi-bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Predator Annihilator (130 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Inferno combi-bolter
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator twin lascannon

Chaos Spawn (65 Points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations

Forgefiend (140 Points)
• 2x Ectoplasma cannon
• 1x Ectoplasma cannon
• 1x Forgefiend claws

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 Points)
• 1x Betentacled maw
• 1x Mutalith claws
• 1x Warp vortex

Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 Points)
• 1x Aviarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 5x Enlightened
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Fatecaster greatbow

Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629

Archetype

Warpmeld Pressure

Thoughts

Ah, the fresh horrors, I was wondering where those had got to. There’s quite a variety of Thousand Sons builds being tried out this weekend, but this is the only new Codex one that took an event win. Jordan has gone for Warpmeld Pact, which leans into the…let’s say aggressive pricing on Enlightened and Mutalith Beasts to create something very nasty. Mutalith Beasts with -1 to Wound are a nightmare to shift, as is the one Tzaangor mega stack with access to all the defensive buffs (I went through this in our hater’s guide to the new book, alongside the potential for a solo Shaman for objective grabbing as a Spawn), and that stops your opponent breaking through to your nasty firebase of Enlightened and Predators. That’s especially nasty on the Enlightened since several of the squads are Lone Op 18″ from the Sorcerers, but the Predators are vital for ensuring you can punch up into enemy tanks.

The last big thing the list has going for it is strong early disruption from one squad of Tzaangors in a Rhino – these can either move block or charge a good distance turn 1 because of Scouts, so watch out for that. Increasinly nervous about the fact that I know that a good number of UK players have 18 Enlightened on deck, not going to lie, but cool seeing one of the more theme-heavy detachments making waves, good stuff Jordan.

The Best of the Rest

Due to loads of rounds and 32-players, the scores are all over the place here, so here are the rest of the top four:

2nd – Daniel Xerri – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Triple Prince Coterie.
3rd – Nathan Bugmann – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): ALl-rounder Warband, mixing Forgefiends and Helbrutes with one big Leader-packing squad each of Eightbound and Berzerkers.
4th – Pui Hin HO – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, Armigers, and a presumably slightly lose Deathwatch Kill Team.

Wrap Up

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Cult Following pt.1

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The Showdown

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Thoughts

Result

Jony Velazquez – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

THE BRISTOL 40K SUPER MAJOR

Josh Roberts – Ultramarines (Stormlance Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Andy Quas-Cohen – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Nathan Roberts – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Christopher Radford – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

40K Lorecast Major with Brad Chester and Brian Horton

Joshua Minnich – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Brian Daugherty – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kyle Trayah – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Brenton Weiss – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

105. Bedburger Scheunenkloppen

Mathieu Clerc – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Tobias Moellmann – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Felix Zunino – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Bastian Kry – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

II IBERIAN OPEN VALLECAS

Marco Esteban – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

western syd 40k major

Jordan McGregor – Thousand Sons (Warpmeld Pact) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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