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.

Lots more events to look at today with Lowest of Men in charge.

This part will cover:

Protect Ya Neck #4
Capital Clash – Dakka Dakka!
Into the Maelstrom 2025 Summer Warhammer 40k GT
Clever Kobold’s Solar Bombardment Summer GT
Big Beef Beat down
River City Rumble 40k
North Sea Slam GT RottenHammer

Part 1 on Wednesday covered:

Warhammer 40,000 GT – Warhammer Open Tacoma
3rd Annual Eastern Montana WAAAAAGH!!!!!
El Rey en el Norte
Historicon 40K GT, Your Hobby Place Led and Hosted by Away Games
Wargames for Warriors 2025 – 40K Championships
Exploding Dice 40K GT 2025
Phoenix 40K 2 Day GT 2025

On Sunday this week I’ll look at:

Hee Yaw GT 2025
Winchester 40K GT – July 2025
J-Town Throwdown
Lëtz play 40k III
1er Gt No Surrender Maná Infinito
La Classique d’Été (40k)

Protect Ya Neck #4

53-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Stockport, England, United Kingdom on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Vik Vijay – Aeldari (Aspect Host) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Vik Vijay | 40K Fireside | Team Ignite

Aeldari
Aspect Host
2000

CHARACTERS

Autarch Wayleaper (95 Points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: Strategic Savant

Fuegan (120 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fire Axe
• 1x Searsong

Jain Zar (105 Points)
• 1x Blade of Destruction
• 1x Silent Death

Lhykhis (120 Points)
• 1x Brood Twain
• 1x Spider’s Fangs
• 1x Weaverender

Maugan Ra (100 Points)
• 1x Maugetar

BATTLELINE

Corsair Voidreavers (60 Points)
• 1x Voidreaver Felarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Mistshield
◦ 1x Power sword
◦ 1x Shuriken rifle
• 4x Corsair Voidreaver
◦ 1x Blaster
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Power sword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol

Corsair Voidreavers (60 Points)
• 1x Voidreaver Felarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Mistshield
◦ 1x Neuro disruptor
◦ 1x Power sword
• 4x Corsair Voidreaver
◦ 1x Blaster
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Power sword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (90 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Missile launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Reaper launcher

Falcon (130 Points)
• 1x Bright lance
• 1x Pulse laser
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Wraithbone hull

Fire Dragons (220 Points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Firepike
• 9x Fire Dragon
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Dragon fusion gun

Howling Banshees (95 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

Swooping Hawks (170 Points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hawk’s talon
• 9x Swooping Hawk
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (85 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Exarch’s lasblaster
• 4x Swooping Hawk
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Lasblaster

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

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

Archetype

Aspect Host

Thoughts

Aeldari are down, but not remotely out, with an incredible suite of datasheets and rules to call on despite taking some hits in the last slate. Vik demonstrates the power of the codex by building into Aspect Host, ready to punt some big skew into the sun. The Fuegan Dragon brick has become more or less mandatory, and complimenting this with Spiders / Hawks and Lykhis gives you the ability to pick off and body Knights of various ilk without compromising too much on the other things that make Eldar sing. Shoutout here to the Maugan Ra / Falcon package – this little combo slaps a lot of dev wounds and damage onto a target, and can be recycled with the return to transport stratagem if needed. PBCs have demonstrated that the splash mortal wounds effect is more powerful than you’d think – great to see Maugan getting a run out, and an Aeldari triumph in these somewhat stat checky times. Well done on the event win!!

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:

2nd (4.5-0.5) – Aiden Smalley – Death Guard (Death Lord’s Chosen): A very novel Terminator heavy list with a brick of Blightlords in DLC, trust Aiden to innovate!
3rd (4.5-0.5) – Tim Vass – T’au Empire (Mont’ka): Hyper aggressive triple Hammerhead Mont’ka.
4th – David Irving – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Many, many Rogal Dorns in Hammer.
5th – Andy Mitten – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): A GSC infantry horde build that I… recognise well! Loads of Neos, Hand Flamers, and Bikers.
6th – Peter Duff – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Triple Abominant, an Atropos, and double Despoiler in Dread.
7th – Markus Hinson – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, three bigs, and three Armigers.
8th – Jack Ferguson – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Virulent with mini-Morty and a big slab of Deathshroud.
9th – Steve Siddall – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): A big cohort of Beasts of Nurgle and Nurglings alongside the three big and lots of little Knights.

Capital Clash – Dakka Dakka!

49-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Holt, ACT, Australia on July 18 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Alex Rigby – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread) – 1st Place

Cerastus Knight Lancer. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Quick, thick n putting chaos on your …

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Knights
+ DETACHMENT: Lords of Dread
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Legiones Daemonica
+
+ WARLORD: Char4: Knight Despoiler
+ ENHANCEMENT: Putrid Carapace (on Char1: Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos)
& Mirror of Fates (on Char2: Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos)
& Throne Mechanicum of Skulls (on Char3: Chaos Cerastus Knight Lancer)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 7
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (1×2) + (5×6) – Assassination: 5 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos (385 pts): Atrapos lascutter, Graviton singularity cannon
Enhancement: Putrid Carapace (+30 pts)
Char2: 1x Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos (385 pts): Atrapos lascutter, Graviton singularity cannon
Enhancement: Mirror of Fates (+30 pts)
Char3: 1x Chaos Cerastus Knight Lancer (380 pts): Cerastus shock lance
Enhancement: Throne Mechanicum of Skulls (+25 pts)
Char4: 1x Knight Despoiler (335 pts): Warlord, Titanic feet, Ruinspear rocket pod, Despoiler gatling cannon, Heavy darkflamer, Despoiler gatling cannon, Heavy darkflamer, Diabolus heavy stubber
Char5: 1x Knight Despoiler (335 pts): Titanic feet, Ruinspear rocket pod, Despoiler gatling cannon, Heavy darkflamer, Daemonbreath thermal cannon, Diabolus heavy stubber

1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Diabolus heavy stubber

3x Nurglings (40 pts): 3 with Diseased claws and teeth

Archetype

Lords of Dread

Thoughts

Sticky 5 objective is good. Sticky 5 objective is best friend. Five big knights here lets you tool up with the various enhancements in Lords of Dread – a Lord of Deceit aura on a big Knight is simply brutal for armies dependant on stratagems to push their damage through. We are seeing increasing use of gatling cannons as it becomes clear that the squishy damage armies have some answers to big knights- these give you the volume to problem solve. Fantastic work on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Joe Loke – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Twelve Deathshroud and Mini-Morty in Vectorium.
3rd – Rowan Kennett – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Shooting-skewed tunnel bug nids, with a brick of Zoans, Hive Guard and a Tyrannofex.
4th – Cody Howden – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, three big mates, a Callidus and some Armigers.
5th – Tim Neal – Dark Angels (Stormlance Task Force): Triple Deathwing Knights in Stormlance – yum.
6th – Tim Zuber – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Lots of Custodes Guard and Wardens with a single Caladius in support.
7th – Richard King – Deathwatch (Blackspear Taskforce): Loads of MSU Veteran and Terminator squads out ahead of two Indomnitor and a Talonstrike team.
8th – David Cottam – Orks (Dread Mob): Glorious Dreadmob with a Gorka, a Deff Dread, and Killa Kans.

Into the Maelstrom 2025 Summer Warhammer 40k GT

42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Shakopee, MN, United States on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Calvin Green – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

2K WE (2000 Points)

World Eaters
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2,000 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

Lord on Juggernaut (100 Points)
• 1x Bladed horn
• 1x Exalted chainblade
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Battle-lust

Master of Executions (85 Points)
• 1x Axe of dismemberment
• 1x Bolt pistol
• Enhancements: 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
• 1x Combi-bolter

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)
• 2x Ectoplasma cannon
• 1x Ectoplasma cannon
• 1x Forgefiend claws

Helbrute (120 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Helbrute fist
• 1x Helbrute hammer

Jakhals (65 Points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Paired manglers
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 8x Chainblades

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (1), Data Version: v647

Archetype

World Eaters Goodstuff

Thoughts

World Eaters have landed decidedly better than some originally feared, with their book being a real ‘sum of its parts’ as far as the buffs and datasheet rules are concerned. Double Berzerker brick has become very popular, with the reach and board control tricks it offers both in and out of a Rhino buying you pivotal board space. Outside of that there are plenty of damage options – Forgefiends and Helbrutes slap, and Eightbound aren’t quite where they were but still pose a substantial threat. The old index detachment remains a potent tournament force, and brings home the bacon for Khorne here. Really well done!!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Andrew White – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, two big friends, loads of Armigers.
3rd – Jeremiah Petit – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): MSU Oathband with Forts, Sags, and many angry little squads.
4th – Alex Vian – Aeldari (Warhost): Hotelier lyrics in the list title?! Epic. Hope you’re ok Alex. 20 Fire Dragons in Warhost ready to crater Knights. Tear the buildings down.
5th – Reid Olson – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Triple Saboteur and massed Neophytes in Host.
6th – Eric Olson – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Classic Screamer / Belly / Fadethirster Shadow Legion.
7th – Dylan Sempel – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, three big bois, some Armigers.
8th – Jason Moore – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Tunnel bugs with a Norn, a Screamer Killer, and a Tyrannofex. Glorious.

Clever Kobold’s Solar Bombardment Summer GT

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Groton, CT, United States on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Benjamin Rubenstein – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Surprise! (1990 points)

Genestealer Cults
Strike Force (2000 points)
Host of Ascension

CHARACTERS

Benefictus (70 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Psionic Cascade

Biophagus (50 points)
• 1x Alchemicus Familiar
1x Autopistol
1x Chemical vials
1x Injector goad

Nexos (60 points)
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon

Primus (100 points)
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• Enhancement: A Chink In Their Armour

Primus (95 points)
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• Enhancement: Assassination Edict

Reductus Saboteur (65 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charges
1x Remote explosives

BATTLELINE

Acolyte Hybrids with Autopistols (65 points)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
1x Cult claws and knife
3x Heavy mining tool

Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (140 points)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
9x Cult claws and knife
4x Demolition charges
4x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 points)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
4x Cult claws and knife
3x Hand flamer

Neophyte Hybrids (145 points)
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
2x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
2x Mining laser
2x Seismic cannon
2x Webber

OTHER DATASHEETS

Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy mortar
1x Survey Augur
1x Twin heavy stubber

Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy mortar
1x Spotter
1x Twin heavy stubber

Atalan Jackals (75 points)
• 4x Atalan Jackal
• 2x Atalan power weapon
3x Atalan small arms
2x Close combat weapon
1x Grenade launcher
• 1x Atalan Wolfquad
• 1x Atalan small arms
1x Close combat weapon
1x Mining laser

Purestrain Genestealers (75 points)
• 5x Purestrain Genestealer
• 5x Cult claws and talons

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Host of Ascension

Thoughts

The fates of Host, both elven and cultist, are intertwined. A meta that has suddenly slid hard away from combat pressure and into stat checks and skews suits both immensely, which helps explain the resurgence (hehe) of GSC in recent weeks. The core of this list is very similar to others we have seen – masses of drop shooting Neophytes- but it also crams in an additional Primus and Demo-charge unit. I can entirely see the appeal of this unit for hunting Knights specifically – it slaps a lot of damage on! Excellent work on the event win.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Sean Keaveny – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Cawl leads a very punchy Hunter Cohort list with plenty of Ruststalkers and Disintegrators alongside a row of gun-chickens.
3rd – Matt Drukhari – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Aggressively anti-Knight Drukhari with a bucketload of Haywire.
4th – Gene Perkins – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Triple Despoiler, Triple Ambominant. The final end point.
5th – Aleksandras Karosas – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): The Old-One-Eye fex brick and some Tyrannofex in SA.
6th – Albert Lim – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): OG style Canis, one big friend, and a million Armigers.

Big Beef Beat down

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Omaha, NE, United States on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Dan Sammons – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

Loyalist Knight Atrapos. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Bangin’ Butt Stuff (2000 points)

Imperial Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble Lance

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (380 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s Hand

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (365 points)
• 1x Atrapos lascutter
1x Graviton singularity cannon

BATTLELINE

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

Armiger Warglaive (140 points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear

ALLIED UNITS

Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta

Sisters of Battle Squad (115 points)
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Condemnor boltgun
1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Canis and Friends

Thoughts

Imperial allies are creeping out of IK lists as their player base discover them to be largely surplus to requirements now. As such it’s fun to see the Immo package sneak in amidst Canis, two big mates, and lots of Armigers. IK are slapping people about hard at the moment, and don’t show any signs of slowing down. Find out who your warlord is, and make sure you have a plan for him to not die against these bad boys! Very well done on the event win.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – John Vuchetich – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Double Despoiler, a Lancer, an Atropos and an Abominant in Dread.
3rd – kyle lamperez – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Triple Norn tunnel bugs- you absolute hero.
4th – Nathan Blankenship – Orks (War Horde): Massed War Horde MSU melee.
5th – Matthew Doughman – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): The Lion leads some Deathwing Knights and ICC to battle in Wrath.

River City Rumble 40k

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Edmonton, AB, Canada on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Chaos Knights (Houndpack Lance) versus Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade)

Kyle Grant – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade)
Army List - Click to Expand

Robots march 2 by 2 (1995 points)

Adeptus Mechanicus
Strike Force (2000 points)
Haloscreed Battle Clade

CHARACTERS

Belisarius Cawl (135 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Arc scourge
1x Cawl’s Omnissian axe
1x Mechadendrite hive
1x Solar atomiser

Skitarii Marshal (35 points)
• 1x Control stave
1x Mechanicus pistol

Tech-Priest Manipulus (95 points)
• 1x Magnarail lance
1x Omnissian staff
• Enhancement: Cognitive Reinforcement

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Rangers (85 points)
• 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Galvanic rifle
• 9x Skitarii Ranger
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Galvanic rifle

Skitarii Vanguard (95 points)
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Radium carbine
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Radium carbine

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Skorpius Dunerider (85 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Cognis heavy stubber array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Kataphron Breachers (320 points)
• 6x Kataphron Breacher
• 6x Arc claw
6x Heavy arc rifle

Sicarian Infiltrators (70 points)
• 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps
• 1x Power weapon
1x Stubcarbine
• 4x Sicarian Infiltrator
• 4x Power weapon
4x Stubcarbine

Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 points)
• 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps
• 1x Transonic razor and chordclaw
• 9x Sicarian Ruststalker
• 9x Transonic blades

Skorpius Disintegrator (165 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
3x Cognis heavy stubber
1x Disruptor missile launcher
1x Ferrumite cannon

Sydonian Dragoons with Taser Lances (195 points)
• 3x Sydonian Dragoon
• 3x Phosphor serpenta
3x Taser lance

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (88), Data Version: v647

vs.

Kieren Trimbee – Chaos Knights (Houndpack Lance)
Army List - Click to Expand

Houndpack (2000 points)

Chaos Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Houndpack Lance

CHARACTERS

War Dog Karnivore (155 points)
• Houndpack Lance Keyword: Character
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• Enhancement: Preyslayer’s Mantle

War Dog Karnivore (155 points)
• Houndpack Lance Keyword: Character
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• Enhancement: Panoply of the Cursed Knights

War Dog Karnivore (160 points)
• Houndpack Lance Keyword: Character
• Warlord
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• Enhancement: Final Howl (Aura)

BATTLELINE

War Dog Huntsman (140 points)
• 1x Daemonbreath meltagun
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Reaper chaintalon

War Dog Karnivore (140 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Stalker (140 points)
• 1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Slaughterclaw

ALLIED UNITS

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

Nurglings (70 points)
• 6x Nurgling Swarm
• 6x Diseased claws and teeth

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (88), Data Version: v647

Thoughts

Alrighty then – what happens when a full mech spam goes up against a list with three dedicated anti-heavy units? Sadly, it is not a heroic tale of odds overcome. Massed War Dogs with Indirect is not a friend to the spindly bodies and relatively slow moving anti-tank of the Adeptus Mechanicus. The early exchanges would typically see the tools Ad Mech have to fight the CK (the Breachers and Disintegrators) drawn out and removed, at which point the dogs are free to run riot.

I could see the Ad Mech standing off and playing the OC game for a little while to stall and deny, but that isn’t going to get you a singles win, especially in a world of Challenger cards (all of which War Dogs rather enjoy). You will have to all-in at some stage and if you don’t pick up enough Dogs on the go-turn, it’s going to hurt. In the event this appears to be how this showdown played out.

Result

Chaos Knights (Houndpack Lance) Victory – 97 – 51

Kieren Trimbee – Chaos Knights (Houndpack Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Houndpack (2000 points)

Chaos Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Houndpack Lance

CHARACTERS

War Dog Karnivore (155 points)
• Houndpack Lance Keyword: Character
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• Enhancement: Preyslayer’s Mantle

War Dog Karnivore (155 points)
• Houndpack Lance Keyword: Character
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• Enhancement: Panoply of the Cursed Knights

War Dog Karnivore (160 points)
• Houndpack Lance Keyword: Character
• Warlord
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• Enhancement: Final Howl (Aura)

BATTLELINE

War Dog Huntsman (140 points)
• 1x Daemonbreath meltagun
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Reaper chaintalon

War Dog Karnivore (140 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Stalker (140 points)
• 1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Slaughterclaw

ALLIED UNITS

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

Nurglings (70 points)
• 6x Nurgling Swarm
• 6x Diseased claws and teeth

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (88), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Houndpack War Dog Spam

Thoughts

As big Knights dominate the meta, a timely reminder that War Dog spam remains extremely deadly too! I love the tooled up triple Karnivore characters here- this feels a great opportunity for some fun modelling and conversion! Preyslayers mantle lets one of them run through walls, big Knight style. Reroll ones to wound via Final Howl is also extremely nice for pushing through the big chunky activations each Knight is packing. With a horde of Daemon allies for early screening and blocking, this list is all set to flood the board, and unlike the big variants it boasts a showering of indirect and more capacity to screen and trade – which may just catch out some of the armies tooled to hunt the big boys… Very well done on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Ryan Mcleod – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion, his little son, and Plague Marines / Deathshroud.
3rd – Ryan Mayer – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, two bigs, and lots of little friends.
4th – Matthew Andrusiak – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force): Classic Ultramarines Gladius with double Company of Heroes and double Vindicator.
5th – Dave Cruickshank – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, a big friend, and lots of little friends.
6th – Kyle Grant – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): The Heroic Battleclade Ad Mech from the Showdown.

North Sea Slam GT RottenHammer

26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Den Haag, ZH, Nederland on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Laurens Tjallingii – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Filthy Champions #1 (1990 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Champions of Contagion

CHARACTERS

Biologus Putrifier (65 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• Enhancement: Final Ingredient

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

Foul Blightspawn (60 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plague sprayer

Lord of Contagion (110 points)
• 1x Manreaper

Lord of Virulence (90 points)
• 1x Power fist
1x Twin plague spewer

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

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

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (190 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 9x Plague Marine
• 2x Blight launcher
4x Heavy plague weapon
2x Meltagun
9x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer

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

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 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: v1.36.1 (87), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Champions Melee

Thoughts

Champions Death Guard sits in a nice spot in new hell meta- able to punch up radically into Knights via a full reroll to hit and wound stratagem, and better placed to exploit Contagion in flexible ways to de-buff and bamboozle the opponent. It probably doesn’t have the all round play that Hammer does, but it absolutely does bring the fight to big skew, and, sadly, that is the world we are living in. Nice to see cheeky Chaos Spawn here- as early trades these are super obnoxious and can buy you time before committing the real juice. Fantastic work on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Martijn Van der Most – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Massed Rubrics, characters, Magnus and Vortex Beasts.
3rd – Thomas “LandsKnecht” Beckers – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Five big boys and Rotigus in Dread.
4th – Daan Van Herk – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Triple LoC Deathshroud ready to rock worlds in Champions.
5th – Thomas Verkooijen – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, two Atropos, loads of Armigers in support.
6th – Florian den Uijl – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): A little more scoring chaff alongside the usual Rubrics and characters.

Wrap Up

There we are folks! Knights, and those that hunt them, continue to dominate the comp scene. Space Marines appear to have fallen off HARD – something in the back of my brain is issuing a warning call, as new Marine characters on the horizon and a sudden dip in their meta presence in the run up triggers my well-trained late edition PTSD… They wouldn’t, would they? In the meantime, get out there and try and kill Knights before they kill you, it’s a hoot!

Lowest of Men, out.

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Dead of Knight pt.2

Protect Ya Neck #4

Vik Vijay – Aeldari (Aspect Host) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Capital Clash – Dakka Dakka!

Alex Rigby – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Into the Maelstrom 2025 Summer Warhammer 40k GT

Calvin Green – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Clever Kobold’s Solar Bombardment Summer GT

Benjamin Rubenstein – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Big Beef Beat down

Dan Sammons – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

River City Rumble 40k

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Chaos Knights (Houndpack Lance) versus Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade)

Thoughts

Result

Kieren Trimbee – Chaos Knights (Houndpack Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

North Sea Slam GT RottenHammer

Laurens Tjallingii – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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