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.

More news from the most nefarious of timelines, today with Lowest of Men covering:

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

On Wednesday Wings looked at:

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

Terracon 2025

117-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Naracoorte, SA, Australia on June 06 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Kyle Murray – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Canis-Chan, HAIIIIIIIIII~~~~ Nani ga suki?
Chokominto yori mo a-na-ta

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Imperial Knights
+ DETACHMENT:
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium
+
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 13
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (10×2) + (1×6) – Assassination: 3 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Canis Rex (450 pts)
• 1x Canis Rex: Chainbreaker las-impulsor, Chainbreaker multi-laser, Freedom’s Hand
• 1x Sir Hekhtur: Close combat weapon, Hekhtur’s pistol

1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber
1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber
1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber
1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber
1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Questoris heavy stubber
1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Questoris heavy stubber
1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Questoris heavy stubber
1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Questoris heavy stubber
1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Questoris heavy stubber
1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Questoris heavy stubber

Char2: 1x Callidus Assassin (100 pts): Neural shredder, Phase sword and poison blades
Char3: 1x Culexus Assassin (85 pts): Animus speculum, Life-draining touch

Archetype

Canis and the Armigers

Thoughts

Imperial Knights dominance continues, as the tried and tested template of Canis and friends storms to an event win. I love the double Assassins in here- between them they cover a whole suite of the scoring cards almost effortlessly, pose a threat in areas the Knights can’t reach, and compliment the wider game of the IK. This list doesn’t love being sallied at en masse by a combat army capable of lifting multiple Armigers a turn, but if it gets to focus fire for even a few turns without major attrition it will leave a crater in it’s wake. Amazing work on the event win.

Luke Taylor – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Imperial Knight Armiger Helverin. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Mypoopystinkyhole (2000 Points)

Imperial Knights
Noble Lance
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (450 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
• 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
• 1x Freedom’s Hand

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (130 Points)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Warglaive (140 Points)
• 1x Meltagun
• 1x Reaper chain-cleaver
• 1x Thermal spear

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (100 Points)
• 1x Neural shredder
• 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Immolation flamers

Sisters of Battle Squad (115 Points)
• 1x Sister Superior
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
◦ 9x Bolt pistol
◦ 7x Boltgun
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Ministorum flamer
◦ 1x Ministorum heavy flamer
◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

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

Archetype

Canis and the Armigers

Thoughts

Hey look! More IK! This one brings the Sisters / Immolator mini-game along for the ride as a stabilising and scoring piece ahead of the guns. Imperial Agents play a very key unsung role in the Knights success in recent months, but ultimately Canis and the Armigers are doing the real heavy lifting. Amazing work on the top placing.

Marcus Butler – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Harambes Revenge (1990 points)

T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kroot Hunting Pack

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

Kroot Trail Shaper (75 points)
• 1x Kroot rifle
1x Shaper’s blade
• Enhancement: Nomadic Hunter

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Kroot Farstalkers (85 points)
• 1x Kroot Kill-broker
• 1x Kroot pistol
1x Ritual blade
1x T’au-tech rifle
• 9x Kroot Farstalker
• 9x Close combat weapon
8x Farstalker firearm
9x Kroot pistol
1x Londaxi tribalest
1x Pech’ra
• 2x Kroot Hound
• 2x Ripping fangs

Kroot Hounds (40 points)
• 5x Kroot Hound
• 5x Ripping fangs

Krootox Rampagers (170 points)
• 6x Krootox Rampagers
• 6x Hunting blades
6x Kroot pistol and hunting javelins
6x Rampager fists

Krootox Riders (90 points)
• 3x Krootox Rider
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Krootox fists
3x Repeater cannon

Sky Ray Gunship (140 points)
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Seeker missile rack

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: v1.34.0 (81), Data Version: v620

Archetype

Kroot Hunting Pack

Thoughts

Glorious shooty Krooty Hunting Pack here, which packs in Hammerheads, Skyray and Krootox Rampagers to overwhelm the foe and blast away at them as it does so. Shadowsun provides some buffs to the shooting castle, and the mission play toolkit in Hunting Pack will keep this making mischief until the opponent clears the scavengers from the board. Go second against this at your peril! Amazing work on the top placing.

Evan Wolfendale – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 4th Place

Adeptus Custodes Blade Champion painted by Crab-stuffed Mushrooms

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Custodes
+ DETACHMENT: Lions of the Emperor
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium
+
+ WARLORD: Char3: Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike
+ ENHANCEMENT: Superior Creation (on Char1: Blade Champion)
& Admonimortis (on Char2: Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour)
& Praesidius (on Char3: Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 13
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (2×2) – Assassination: 4 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Blade Champion (145 pts): Vaultswords
Enhancement: Superior Creation (+25 pts)
Char2: 1x Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (140 pts): Balistus grenade launcher, Castellan Axe
Enhancement: Admonimortis (+10 pts)
Char3: 1x Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (175 pts): Warlord, Interceptor lance, Salvo launcher
Enhancement: Praesidius (+25 pts)

4x Custodian Guard (170 pts)
• 2x Custodian Guard (Guardian Spear): 2 with Guardian Spear
• 1x Custodian Guard (Sentinel Blade & Praesidium Shield): Sentinel blade
• 1x Custodian Guard (Vexilla, Praesidium Shield & Misericordia): Vexilla, Misericordia
5x Custodian Guard (215 pts)
• 3x Custodian Guard (Guardian Spear): 3 with Guardian Spear
• 1x Custodian Guard (Sentinel Blade & Praesidium Shield): Sentinel blade
• 1x Custodian Guard (Vexilla, Praesidium Shield & Misericordia): Vexilla, Misericordia

2x Allarus Custodians (130 pts): 2 with Balistus grenade launcher, Guardian Spear
3x Aquilon Custodians (195 pts): 3 with Infernus firepike, Solerite power gauntlet
5x Custodian Guard with Adrasite and Pyrithite spears (250 pts): 5 with Pyrithite spear
4x Prosecutors (40 pts)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior: Boltgun, Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor: 3 with Boltgun, Close combat weapon
1x Caladius Grav-tank (215 pts): Armoured hull, Twin lastrum bolt cannon, Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon

Char4: 1x Inquisitor Draxus (95 pts): Dirgesinger, Power fist, Psychic Tempest
1x Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy bolter, Hunter-killer missile, Twin multi-melta
10x Sisters of Battle Squad (115 pts)
• 9x Battle Sister
6 with Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon
1 with Simulacrum Imperialis, Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Multi-melta
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• 1x Sister Superior: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Power weapon, Inferno pistol

Archetype

Mixed Arms Lions

Thoughts

An intriguing plug in of the Sisters Immolator into the Lions Custodes here, to add a bait unit, some multi-phase puzzle and small scoring units to the tried and true mix of golden lads that slap you really hard. No Wardens here- instead we go big on Guard, who do outrageous damage in this detachment. An original and interesting take on Lions, great work.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Bradley Bugeja – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Massed Rubrics, Vortex Beasts and Tanks in Grand Coven. Love the cheeky Winged Prince.
6th – Adam Napier – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): All the War Dogs.
7th – Kyle Russell – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Glorious MSU Haloscreed with a solid line of tanks in support.
8th – Dylan Cowan – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Ynnari Goodstuff.
9th – Andrew McRae – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Starshatter Necrons with a Lychguard brick, the Silent King and some DDAs.
10th – Beau Kirkwood – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Double Krieg brick Combined with plenty of supporting Leman Russ.
11th – Stephen Grant – Chaos Knights (Traitors Lance): All War Dogs and some Daemons.

Warhammer 40,000 Grand Tournament: Golden Ticket Qualifier

62-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on June 07 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack) versus Emperor’s Children (Peerless Blades)

tony barrett – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack)
Army List - Click to Expand

Kroot (1995 points)

T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kroot Hunting Pack

CHARACTERS

Kroot Flesh Shaper (45 points)
• 1x Kroot scattergun
1x Twin ritualistic blades

Kroot Lone-spear (90 points)
• 1x Blast javelin
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunting javelin
1x Kalamandra’s bite
• Enhancement: Kroothawk Flock

Kroot Lone-spear (80 points)
• 1x Blast javelin
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunting javelin
1x Kalamandra’s bite

Kroot Trail Shaper (75 points)
• 1x Kroot rifle
1x Shaper’s blade
• Enhancement: Nomadic Hunter

BATTLELINE

Kroot Carnivores (130 points)
• 1x Long-quill
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Kroot pistol
1x Kroot rifle
• 19x Kroot Carnivore
• 19x Close combat weapon
17x Kroot rifle
2x Tanglebomb launcher

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Kroot Farstalkers (85 points)
• 1x Kroot Kill-broker
• 1x Kroot pistol
1x Ritual blade
1x T’au-tech rifle
• 9x Kroot Farstalker
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Dvorgite skinner
8x Farstalker firearm
9x Kroot pistol
1x Pech’ra
• 2x Kroot Hound
• 2x Ripping fangs

Kroot Hounds (40 points)
• 5x Kroot Hound
• 5x Ripping fangs

Krootox Rampagers (170 points)
• 6x Krootox Rampagers
• 6x Hunting blades
6x Kroot pistol and hunting javelins
6x Rampager fists

Krootox Riders (90 points)
• 3x Krootox Rider
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Krootox fists
3x Repeater cannon

Pathfinder Team (90 points)
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Gun Drone
1x Pulse carbine
1x Pulse pistol
1x Recon Drone
1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
• 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

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: v1.34.0 (81), Data Version: v620

vs.

Matthew McCurdy – Emperor’s Children (Peerless Bladesmen)
Army List - Click to Expand

Emperor’s Children
Peerless Bladesmen
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon

Lord Exultant (105 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• Enhancements: Blinding Speed

Lord Exultant (105 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• Enhancements: Distortion

Lord Exultant (110 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• Enhancements: Rise to the Challenge

Lord Kakophonist (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Screamer pistol
• 1x Screamer pistol

Lucius the Eternal (140 Points)
• 1x Blade of the Laer
• 1x Lash of Torment

BATTLELINE

Infractors (160 Points)
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 9x Infractor
◦ 9x Bolt pistol
◦ 9x Duelling sabre
◦ 1x Icon of Excess

Tormentors (85 Points)
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Tormentor
◦ 2x Boltgun
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (80 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Noise Marines (135 Points)
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Noise Marines (135 Points)
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Power sword
◦ 1x Screamer pistol
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Thoughts

An extremely intriguing match up next, as the meta menace of the Emperor’s Children take on the (apparently) sudden rise of the Kroot jail list! This Peerless Blades list is novel, taking the core of EC ‘goodstuff’ but trying what is, in my opinion, the coolest detachment in the book with a whole bunch of cool combat control tricks and access to Sustained. Double Infractor bricks feel especially brutal in this match up!

For the Kroot, they are not lacking tools of their own. The Rampagers will do a horrendous amount of damage on their way in (Daemon Princes hate the Mortal Wounds), you can block off space for an army that is almost entirely on foot, and they have a lot of OC to try and drown on the primary. I think if there were even a handful of supporting T’au shooting units here I’d back the Kroot to the hilt – they simply have too much stuff and they can whittle down the EC as they push in front too. As it is, the pure Kroot bodies feel of the list gives the EC an in – do enough violence (and the EC love violence), and you may be able to claw through to victory. In the event this was what happened, in an absolute nail biter of a game! Well done both.

Result

Emperor’s Children (Peerless Bladesmen) Victory – 94 – 91

Matthew McCurdy – Emperor’s Children (Peerless Bladesmen) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Emperor’s Children
Peerless Bladesmen
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon

Lord Exultant (105 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• Enhancements: Blinding Speed

Lord Exultant (105 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• Enhancements: Distortion

Lord Exultant (110 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash
• Enhancements: Rise to the Challenge

Lord Kakophonist (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Screamer pistol
• 1x Screamer pistol

Lucius the Eternal (140 Points)
• 1x Blade of the Laer
• 1x Lash of Torment

BATTLELINE

Infractors (160 Points)
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 9x Infractor
◦ 9x Bolt pistol
◦ 9x Duelling sabre
◦ 1x Icon of Excess

Tormentors (85 Points)
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Tormentor
◦ 2x Boltgun
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (80 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Noise Marines (135 Points)
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Peerless Blades EC

Thoughts

Right EC mains – you’re all guilty of it. You’ve not explored this sexy book anything like as much as you could because you were all drinking the Coterie Kool Aid. Well done to Matt for showing us just how much other nonsense there is in here, by claiming an event win with Peerless. Peerless rocks – Sustained or Lethals on demand is very useful, and the enhancements all rock. Rise to the Challenge let’s you fight again with an Exultant, you can pop a once per game fights first via Blinding Speed, and Distortion gives you a +1 damage Exultant for even more nastiness. The stratagem suite is also fantastic. As people start to figure Coteries out, is it time to give this coolest of combat detachments a try? Well done on the event win Matt!

Boris Michev – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

WHW GT June 2025 (1990 Points)

Emperor’s Children
Coterie of the Conceited
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon

Lord Exultant (80 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Phoenix power spear
• 1x Rapture lash

Lord Kakophonist (80 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Screamer pistol
• 1x Screamer pistol
• Enhancements: Pledge of Unholy Fortune

Lucius the Eternal (140 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of the Laer
• 1x Lash of Torment

BATTLELINE

Infractors (85 Points)
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Rapture lash
• 4x Infractor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Duelling sabre
◦ 1x Icon of Excess

Tormentors (85 Points)
• 1x Obsessionist
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power sword
• 4x Tormentor
◦ 2x Boltgun
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Icon of Excess
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (80 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Noise Marines (135 Points)
• 1x Disharmonist
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
◦ 2x Blastmaster
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Coteries Goodstuff

Thoughts

Boris takes second here with his own beautifully painted Emperor’s Children – much more the standard Coteries build with the solitary Kakophonist to get a flip to a six Noise Marines unit with SUSTAINED HITS. Coteries is phenomenal and very potent on GW boards as use at this event- triple Daemon Prince hits hard, but funding this is going to get harder going forwards! Well done on the top placing.

Adam Shepherd-Jones – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 3rd Place

Armiger Warglaives. Credit: Kevin Genson

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

knights (1995 points)

Imperial Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble Lance

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (450 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s Hand

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (130 points)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Warglaive (140 points)
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (100 points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades

Culexus Assassin (85 points)
• 1x Animus speculum
1x Life-draining touch

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

Archetype

Canis and the Armigers

Thoughts

Canis and the Armigers- just as good as they were above! This double Assassin build appears to be catching on. IK continue to have a surge of dominance with their new book on the horizon. Well done on the top placing!

Tony Barrett – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Kroot (1995 points)

T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kroot Hunting Pack

CHARACTERS

Kroot Flesh Shaper (45 points)
• 1x Kroot scattergun
1x Twin ritualistic blades

Kroot Lone-spear (90 points)
• 1x Blast javelin
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunting javelin
1x Kalamandra’s bite
• Enhancement: Kroothawk Flock

Kroot Lone-spear (80 points)
• 1x Blast javelin
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunting javelin
1x Kalamandra’s bite

Kroot Trail Shaper (75 points)
• 1x Kroot rifle
1x Shaper’s blade
• Enhancement: Nomadic Hunter

BATTLELINE

Kroot Carnivores (130 points)
• 1x Long-quill
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Kroot pistol
1x Kroot rifle
• 19x Kroot Carnivore
• 19x Close combat weapon
17x Kroot rifle
2x Tanglebomb launcher

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Kroot Hounds (40 points)
• 5x Kroot Hound
• 5x Ripping fangs

Krootox Rampagers (170 points)
• 6x Krootox Rampagers
• 6x Hunting blades
6x Kroot pistol and hunting javelins
6x Rampager fists

Krootox Riders (90 points)
• 3x Krootox Rider
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Krootox fists
3x Repeater cannon

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

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: v1.34.0 (81), Data Version: v620

Archetype

Kroot Jail

Thoughts

The all-in Kroot jail from the showdown. Plenty of armies are not specc’d for a sudden rush of OC 2 maniacs into their lines, and the Rampagers are a solid melee datasheet to help you push through some damage. Kroot Hunting Pack is hard to play well but extremely potent in the right hands and dominates a lot of the conventional scoring missions. Really well done on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Nikhil Talwar – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorum): Mini-Mortarion Daemon Prince leading Deathshroud, Plague Marines, and tanks.
6th – Paulie Wallis – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): Double Court of the Archon in Reaper’s Wager for some spicy aggression plays.
7th – Matt Lane – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Silent King Starshatter with triple Doomsday Arks.
8th – Adam Gourlay – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): Beastpack pressure RW with some supporting Harlequins.
9th – Paul James – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ): MSU melee Space Wolves with Bjorn leading the charge.
10th – Nathan Burman – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorum): Another Mini-Morty VV list with loads of Blighthaulers alongside the Drones.
11th – Lewis Chapman – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): A Magnus-centred Coven build with Rubrics and lots of Floaty Goaties in support.

ObSec presents War Calls 40k 2025

52-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Kelmscott, WA, AU on June 06 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jordan Berresford – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Nurgles Nuts (2000 Points)

Death Guard
Virulent Vectorium
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancements: Revolting Regeneration

Lord of Contagion (120 Points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancements: Daemon Weapon of Nurgle

Lord of Contagion (135 Points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancements: Furnace of Plagues

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

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
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x 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 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

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

Archetype

Virulent Vectorum Mixed Arms

Thoughts

Sticky objectives are, by definition, hard to let go of. The mission play toolkit of VV keeps on drawing Death Guard players in depsite the allure of fresh options. Being able to juice up a Nurgle Daemon Prince to 5+++ and hand out -1 damage is a hell of a thing, and you have the incredible width of assets that Death Guards teeny, tiny bit undercosted roster allows for you. It’s one of the lists to beat- can you handle it? Very well done on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Lachlan Rigg – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Go-wide Berzerker Warband with triple Hellbrute.
3rd – Kevin Fontana – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Allarus and Guard heavy Lions.
4th – Troy Dyson – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Oathband with massed Berzerks and some Thunderkyn in the vehicles.
5th – Harrison Darge – Black Templars (Righteous Crusaders): All-in Black Templars Crusaders with loads of special characters and melee.

Brewtown Bloodbath

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand on June 06 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Charlie Kang – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

My hero, Steve Joll

Imperial Knights
Noble Lance
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (450 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
• 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
• 1x Freedom’s Hand

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (130 Points)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Warglaive (140 Points)
• 1x Meltagun
• 1x Reaper chain-cleaver
• 1x Thermal spear

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (100 Points)
• 1x Neural shredder
• 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Immolation flamers

Sisters of Battle Squad (115 Points)
• 1x Sister Superior
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Ministorum hand flamer
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
◦ 9x Bolt pistol
◦ 7x Boltgun
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Ministorum flamer
◦ 1x Ministorum heavy flamer
◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

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

Archetype

Canis and the Armigers

Thoughts

Charlie and I share a love of Steve Joll, so that’s a fantastic starting point. Otherwise, this list is generally the same template for IK unpacked earlier – take Canis, take a LOT of baby knights, and then some Imperial Agent flavour to taste. Super effective, and it claims yet another bit of silverware here! Is Steve guiding the Knight community to glory?! Well done on the event win 😀

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Sean Sullivan – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): War Dogs and some Nurgle Daemons.
3rd – Michael Stewart – Space Marines (Astartes) (Stormlance Task Force): Storm Raven Stormlance.
4th – Matt van Wijk – World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin): Very cool mixed arms Daemonkin with Skarbrand leading the charge.
5th – Alex Cameron – Orks (Dread Mob): Massed Tankbustas and Shokk gunz in Dread Mob.
6th – Sam Wong – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Loads of tanks in Combined Arms with a single Krieg brick.

Green Dice Games Summer Ruin Warhammer 40K June Grand Tournament

35-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Slatington, PA, United States on June 06 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Dan Meloro – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

RIP Cabal Points, You Weren’t A Good Army Rule, You Were The Best Army Rule. (2000 points)

Thousand Sons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Cult of Magic

CHARACTERS

Ahriman (140 points)
• 1x Black Staff of Ahriman
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Psychic Stalk

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (115 points)
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol

Infernal Master (140 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Lord of Forbidden Lore

Infernal Master (125 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal

Infernal Master (130 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Screamer Invocation
• Enhancement: Arcane Vortex

Magnus the Red (465 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
1x Gaze of Magnus
1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (110 points)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Warpflame pistol
1x Warpsmite
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer

Tzaangors (65 points)
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Tzaangor blades
• 9x Tzaangor
• 1x Brayhorn
1x Herd banner
9x Tzaangor blades

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (165 points)
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex

Thousand Sons Cultists (55 points)
• 1x Thousand Sons Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Thousand Sons Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber

Tzaangor Enlightened (50 points)
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 2x Enlightened
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Fatecaster greatbow

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

Archetype

Old Tsons

Thoughts

A last hurrah for Cult of Magic. Tsons are going to miss doing mortal wounds, concentrating huge amounts of damage in certain areas of the board, having amazing mobility tricks and getting loads of juice out of Magnus as Vortex Beasts stand on points. That way of life sure is behind them now. Yep. Done. No more of that.

Really well done on the event win!!

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1+ records (Cody went 5-1, as there was a cut to a final for the two undefeateds). They were:

2nd – Cody Schmidt – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Lots of Taurox, a Dorn and some Russ in Hammer of the Emperor.
3rd – Larry Kutch – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Double Zoan brick Invasion Fleet! Punchy.
4th – Chris Finnegan – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Hallowed Martyrs characters with the Vahlgons.
5th – Timothy Spangler – Emperor’s Children (Coteries of the Conceited): Coteries Goodstuff.
6th – Alec Geno – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorum): VV with Mini Morty and loads of MSU.
7th – Justin Masellas – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Double Rogal Dorn in Hammer.

SHIELDBREAKER GT June 2025

26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia on June 07 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jensen Goh – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

MHammer Gunline (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 points)
• 1x Manreaper

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

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

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

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

Plagueburst Crawler (195 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Entropy cannon
1x Heavy slugger
1x Plagueburst mortar

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

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

Archetype

Mortarion’s Hammer

Thoughts

Hammer is perhaps the most obnoxious of the new Death Guard detachments, able to sprinkle afflication around the board at will which makes keeping Deathshroud out and staving off PBC damage all that harder. The unwary will simply find themselves dragged into uncomfortable positions and slaughtered to the man. A really powerful list, well done on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Timothy Aw – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Awakened Dynasty MSU with the Silent King.
3rd – Alan Cher – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Full style points with both Mortarion AND Mini-Mortarion in VV.
4th – Jarod Lee – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Hunter Cohort bodies with some Dunecrawlers.
5th – Gan Kai Meng – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): MSU Awakened with a Wraith brick.

Wrap Up

Change is eternal. Meta that was is shuddering to a hault – meta that might be is on the way! Who knows what comes next? It should be complete and utter chaos.

See you next time to find out!!

Lowest of Men, out.

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Cult Following pt.2

Terracon 2025

Kyle Murray – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Luke Taylor – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Marcus Butler – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Evan Wolfendale – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Warhammer 40,000 Grand Tournament: Golden Ticket Qualifier

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack) versus Emperor’s Children (Peerless Blades)

Thoughts

Result

Matthew McCurdy – Emperor’s Children (Peerless Bladesmen) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Boris Michev – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Adam Shepherd-Jones – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Tony Barrett – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

ObSec presents War Calls 40k 2025

Jordan Berresford – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Brewtown Bloodbath

Charlie Kang – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Green Dice Games Summer Ruin Warhammer 40K June Grand Tournament

Dan Meloro – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

SHIELDBREAKER GT June 2025

Jensen Goh – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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