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.

The new meta continues to unfold (elfily) today, with Lowest of Men in charge. As a reminder, if you want to hear him live and not just read the words, he’s part of the streaming team for the LGT, the biggest Warhammer tournament ever and happening this weekend, so make sure to check out the stream over on the UKTC TV feed!

Part 2 on Friday:

Crucible Grand Tournament 2025
Orchard of OHNO 2025 40k GT
Grip Figurspel GT II
Setembro Open Almeirim
Nørdcon ’25 Warhammer 40000 GT

Part 1 on Wednesday:

Doonhamer Open – 40K Super Major
The Phoenix GT – End of Summer Showdown
ICE HAMMER ITC GT VII – 2025
2025 Wars on the Shore GT
1° GT Mallorca

Part 3 on Saturday:

Invasion 2025 40k
Dearg Doom IV: Feel All Pain!
The Autumn Swordwind GT – 2000 Points 40k tournament 5 rounds
Hobby Henchmen Autumn GT
Aemona Grand Tournament Vol. 4

Crucible Grand Tournament 2025

126-player, 7-round Major in Orlando, Florida, US on September 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in two parts in Best Coast Pairings:

Main Event (with the lists)
Top Cut (scores only)

Note: This is our second event this week with a magical mystery top cut. In this case, the top cut was after round three of a seven round event, and got set up as a completely separate tournament in BCP because I have no idea if it even lets you do that with the cut feature. In terms of who we’ve included here, we’re considering:

The top eight from the top cut.
All 6-1 players from the rest of the event.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Raven Guard (Shadowstrike Talon) versus Grey Knights (Warpbane Taskforce)

John Lennon – Raven Guard (Shadowstrike Talon)
Army List - Click to Expand

Sneaky Beakies (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Raven Guard
Shadowmark Talon
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Aethon Shaan (85 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Claws of Severax
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol

Captain with Jump Pack (100 Points)
• 1x Relic Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancements: Hunter’s Instincts

Kayvaan Shrike (100 Points)
• 1x Blackout
• 1x The Raven’s Talons

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (100 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
• Enhancements: Coronal Susurrant

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
◦ 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 Hand flamer
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma pistol

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

Centurion Devastator Squad (165 Points)
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
◦ 1x Centurion fists
◦ 1x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 1x Twin lascannon
• 2x Devastator Centurion
◦ 2x Centurion fists
◦ 2x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 2x Twin lascannon

Inceptor Squad (240 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (120 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
◦ 1x Assault bolters
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
◦ 2x Assault bolters
◦ 2x Close combat weapon

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (190 Points)
• 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Storm Shield
◦ 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon
• 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack
◦ 9x Storm Shield
◦ 9x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (190 Points)
• 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon
• 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack
◦ 9x Inferno pistol
◦ 9x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.41.0 (3), Data Version: v685

vs.

David Ozawa – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force)
Army List - Click to Expand

Big David’s Crucible List (2000 points)

Grey Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Warpbane Task Force

CHARACTERS

Brotherhood Librarian (80 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Vortex of Doom

Castellan Crowe (90 points)
• 1x Black Blade of Antwyr
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (225 points)
• 1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
1x Sublimator

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (225 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
1x Sublimator

BATTLELINE

Strike Squad (120 points)
• 1x Justicar
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Grey Knight
• 1x Close combat weapon
3x Nemesis force weapon
1x Psycannon
3x Storm bolter

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Razorback (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin lascannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Land Raider (220 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Godhammer lascannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin heavy bolter

Nemesis Dreadknight (210 points)
• 1x Heavy incinerator
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

Purifier Squad (125 points)
• 1x Knight of the Flame
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purifier
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Incinerator
2x Nemesis force weapon
4x Purifying Flame
2x Storm bolter

Purifier Squad (250 points)
• 1x Knight of the Flame
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
• 9x Purifier
• 4x Close combat weapon
5x Nemesis force weapon
4x Psycannon
9x Purifying Flame
5x Storm bolter

Exported with App Version: v1.41.0 (98), Data Version: v687

Thoughts

Fear for the man who catches John Lennon on a run with a Marine ruleset he is excited about. Raven Guard are poised to take the meta by storm, and this list demonstrates why – phenomenal drop shooting at range that is very durable to try and retaliate against, speedy pressure options with a brutal early Rapid Ingress in the locker, and a toolkit geared at drawing the opponent closer whilst deleting them on a whim.

In many ways, Warpbane plays a similar sort of patient game, with relocating Dreadknight and Purifier shooting. I quite like the hulls based approach here, which gives it some solidity mid-board early on which GK can sometimes lack. That said, I think the GK will struggle into the sheer weight of high AP shooting and melee pressure that Raven Guard can bring to bear. John is an expert in applying this style of list with years of Vanguard reps under his belt, and it looked like this made for quite a one sided finale in the end!

Result

Raven Guard (Shadowstrike Talon) Victory – 87-32

John Lennon – Raven Guard (Shadowstrike Talon) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Sneaky Beakies (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Raven Guard
Shadowmark Talon
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Aethon Shaan (85 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Claws of Severax
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol

Captain with Jump Pack (100 Points)
• 1x Relic Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancements: Hunter’s Instincts

Kayvaan Shrike (100 Points)
• 1x Blackout
• 1x The Raven’s Talons

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (100 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
• Enhancements: Coronal Susurrant

BATTLELINE

OTHER DATASHEETS

Inceptor Squad (240 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (120 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
◦ 1x Assault bolters
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
◦ 2x Assault bolters
◦ 2x Close combat weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.41.0 (3), Data Version: v685

Archetype

Raven Guard Devastation

Thoughts

Behold, a new meta menace let loose! John takes a big GT win here with the brutal application of surgical Vanguard Vet strikes out ahead of crushing Devastator Centurion Activations. This is a list that wants to keep the opponent under such a degree of pressure out ahead of the guns that the Centurions are able to shoot for several turns relatively unimpeded. It needs to be applied carefully around enemy threat ranges, and has to utilise every asset effectively, but if it does the potential damage ceiling is so, so high. Fantastic work on the event win!

Richard Siegler – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort) – 2nd Place

Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priest Belisarius Cawl by Pendulin — Belisarius Cawl. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Adeptus Mechanicus
Strike Force (2000 points)
Skitarii Hunter Cohort

CHARACTERS

Belisarius Cawl (175 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Arc scourge
1x Cawl’s Omnissian axe
1x Mechadendrite hive
1x Solar atomiser

Skitarii Marshal (60 points)
• 1x Control stave
1x Mechanicus pistol
• Enhancement: Cantic Thrallnet

Skitarii Marshal (65 points)
• 1x Control stave
1x Mechanicus pistol
• Enhancement: Battle-sphere Uplink

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Rangers (85 points)
• 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha
• 1x Alpha combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Galvanic rifle
• 9x Skitarii Ranger
• 1x Arc rifle
9x Close combat weapon
6x Galvanic rifle
1x Omnispex
1x Plasma caliver
1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (95 points)
• 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha
• 1x Alpha combat weapon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Radium carbine
• 9x Skitarii Vanguard
• 1x Arc rifle
9x Close combat weapon
1x Omnispex
1x Plasma caliver
6x Radium carbine
1x Transuranic arquebus

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ironstrider Ballistarii (225 points)
• 3x Ironstrider Ballistarii
• 3x Ironstrider feet
3x Twin cognis lascannon

Pteraxii Skystalkers (140 points)
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 9x Pteraxii Skystalker
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Flechette carbine

Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 points)
• 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 4x Pteraxii Skystalker
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Flechette carbine

Sicarian Infiltrators (140 points)
• 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 9x Sicarian Infiltrator
• 9x Flechette blaster
9x Taser goad

Sicarian Infiltrators (70 points)
• 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps
• 1x Flechette blaster
1x Taser goad
• 4x Sicarian Infiltrator
• 4x Flechette blaster
4x Taser goad

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

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

Archetype

Hunter Cohort Pressure

Thoughts

Siegler unleashes newly buffed Ad Mech on the world, going hard on Disintegrators for his backline whilst applying surgical strikes with Infiltrators and Ruststalkers. Big bricks of Pteraxii can apply key blocks before popping a 5+++ to choke the opponent and buy your guns space before moving out further to blitz the opponent. The army-wide Stealth is very hard to pass up and the Lone Op 18 is super effective now you are protecting units that pack a much greater punch than before. The future looks bright for the Adeptus Mechanicus! Fantastic work on the top placing.

Nick Antzoulatos – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 3rd Place

Imperial Knight Armiger Helverin. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Big Dawg Status (2000 Points)

Imperial Knights
Noble Lance
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (415 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
• 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
• 1x Freedom’s Hand

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (140 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

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: v1.40.1 (1), Data Version: v675

Archetype

Canis and the Armigers

Thoughts

Another run out for Canis and the Armigers, a classic combination at this point with their two Assassin roadies for support. This list chucks out mech bodies until the opponent runs out of guns capable of answering them, and then runs the show. Fantastic work on the top placing.

Nicholas Fromme – Aeldari (Warhost) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Can Molten slag melt adamantine beams? (2000 Points)

Aeldari
Warhost
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Eldrad Ulthran (110 Points)
• 1x Mind War
• 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade

Fuegan (120 Points)
• 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)
• Warlord
• 1x Maugetar

Solitaire (115 Points)
• 1x Flip Belt
• 1x Solitaire weapons

BATTLELINE

Corsair Voidreavers (65 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

Striking Scorpions (85 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Biting blade
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol

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

Exported with App Version: v1.41.0 (3), Data Version: v685

Archetype

War Host Goodstuff

Thoughts

Some nice little counter-melee adjustments to the standard War Host chassis here, as Nicholas packs in the Solitaire to give him another Fights First option and some additional combat reach. War Host proved very capable of blasting Knights apart, and it is now navigating a slightly more combat-heavy meta. I think it absolutely has the tools available to it to hang in this field, and Nicholas demonstrates that ably here!

The Best of the Rest

The rest of the top eight from the top cut was:

5th – David Ozawa – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): The Warpbane mixed arms list from the showdown.
6th – Chris Dailey – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Dorns, Leman Russ, and some Sentinels in a particular mech-heavy Combined list.
7th – Luca Fleury – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, an Atropos, and loads of Armigers.
8th – Z Martin – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Terminator / Indomitor Kill Team heavy Deathwatch.

And then the following players finished 6-1 in the main event:

Nick Nanavati – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Asurman and Baharroth come along for the ride in this Aspect Host list.
Bryce Bennett – Aeldari (Warhost): Double Fire Dragon brick in Wave Serpents, Bryce is a man after my own heart!
Robert Birmingham – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Some MSU Flawless Blades plug into a Lennon-style Coteries with Maulerfiends list.

Orchard of OHNO 2025 40k GT

48-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Calgary, Alberta, CA on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Kass Kielly-Burke – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Kass KB the True Champion of Nurgle briefly finding his Faith – Adepta Sororitas – Hallowed Martyrs (1995 Points)

Epic Hero:
Junith Eruita (80 pts)
• Mace of Castigation
• Twin Ministorum Heavy Flamer

Morvenn Vahl (170 pts)
• Paragon missile launcher
• Fidelis
• Lance of Illumination
• Warlord

Character:
Canoness (60 pts)
• E: Saintly Example
• Blessed blade
• Inferno pistol

Canoness with Jump Pack (100 pts)
• E: Through Suffering, Strength
• Blessed Halberd

Hospitaller (50 pts)
• Chirugeon’s tools
• Bolt pistol

Palatine (50 pts)
• Palatine blade
• Plasma pistol

Infantry:
Arco-Flagellants (45 pts)
• 3x Arco-Flagellant
• 3x Arco-flails

Celestian Sacresants (130 pts)
• Sacresant Superior
• Inferno pistol
• Hallowed Mace
• 9x Celestian Sacresant (Hallowed Mace)
• 9x Hallowed Mace
• 9x Bolt pistol

Dominion Squad (115 pts)
• Dominion Superior
• Power weapon
• Bolt pistol
• Close combat weapon
• Inferno pistol
• Dominion w/ Simulacrum Imperialis
• Bolt pistol
• Boltgun
• Simulacrum Imperialis
• Close combat weapon
• 4x Dominion
• 4x Bolt pistol
• 4x Boltgun
• 4x Close combat weapon
• 4x Dominion w/ Special Weapon
• 4x Bolt pistol
• 4x Close combat weapon
• 4x Ministorum Flamer

Retributor Squad (105 pts)
• Retributor Superior
• Plasma pistol
• Power weapon
• Close combat weapon
• Bolt pistol
• 4x Retributor
• 4x Multi-melta
• 4x Close combat weapon
• 4x Bolt pistol

Seraphim Squad (80 pts)
• Seraphim Superior
• Close combat weapon
• Plasma Pistol and Power Weapon
• Power Weapon
• Plasma pistol
• 2x Seraphim
• 2x 2 Bolt Pistols
• 4x Bolt pistol
• 2x Close combat weapon
• 2x Seraphim with Special Weapons
• 2x 2x Ministorum Hand Flamers
• 4x Ministorum hand flamer
• 2x Close combat weapon

Sisters Novitiate Squad (100 pts)
• Novitiate Superior
• Plasma Pistol and Power Weapon
• Plasma pistol
• Power weapon
• Novitiate with Simulacrum Imperialis
• Autopistol
• Simulacrum Imperialis
• Close combat weapon
• Novitiate with Sacred Banner
• Autopistol
• Sacred Banner
• Close combat weapon
• 2x Novitiate with Ministorum Flamer
• 2x Ministorum flamer
• 2x Close combat weapon
• 5x Sister Novitiate (Autogun)
• 5x Novitiate autogun
• 5x Close combat weapon
• 5x Autopistol

Zephyrim Squad (80 pts)
• Zephyrim Superior
• Plasma pistol
• Sacred Banner
• Power Weapon
• 4x Zephyrim
• 4x Power Weapon
• 4x Bolt pistol

Dedicated Transport:
Immolator (115 pts)
• Twin Multi-melta
• Hunter-Killer Missile
• Armoured tracks
• Heavy Bolter

Immolator (115 pts)
• Heavy Bolter
• Armoured tracks
• Twin Multi-melta
• Hunter-Killer Missile

Vehicle:
Castigator (160 pts)
• Armoured tracks
• Hunter-Killer Missile
• Storm bolter
• Castigator autocannons
• 3x Heavy bolter

Castigator (160 pts)
• Armoured tracks
• Hunter-Killer Missile
• Storm bolter
• Castigator autocannons
• 3x Heavy bolter

Mortifiers (70 pts)
• Mortifier
• 2 Heavy Bolters
• 2x Heavy Bolter
• Anchorite Sarcophagus
• Twin Penitent Buzz-Blades

Paragon Warsuits (210 pts)
• Paragon Superior
• Paragon Grenade Launchers
• Multi-melta
• Bolt pistol
• Paragon War Blade
• 2x Paragon Warsuit
• 2x Multi-melta
• 2x Paragon War Blade
• 2x Paragon Grenade Launchers
• 2x Bolt pistol

Archetype

Hallowed Martyrs Mixed Arms

Thoughts

A real grab-bag of Sisters units in the delicious counter-melee toolkit of Hallowed Martyrs. Sisters have great anti-mech tools in the Vahl unit and newly buffed Retributors, and the anti-combat tricks here will serve them well in an increasingly pressure-heavy meta. I think it speaks well of the subtle buffs to various lesser seen datasheets over the last couple of slates that almost every classic Sisters unit makes it into an event winning list. Fantastic work on taking it down Kass!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Jake Chalmers – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Chunky double GUO / Rotigus Incursion with some Bloodcrusher bricks.
3rd – Brynn Holdstock – Leagues of Votann (Needgaârd Oathband): A big Hearthguard unit and double Land Forts with some of the new melee Steeljacks and loads of Thunderkyn.
4th – Frederic Lapointe – Space Wolves (Saga of the Beastslayer): MSU Terminators and a trio of Dreadnoughts.
5th – Anthony Dalla Lana – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): All-in Incubi and Dark Lance Skysplinter.
6th – Frasier Parry – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Truckloads of freshly buffed Eightbound, some Berzerkers and Forgefiends.
7th – Nigel Halloran – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Classic Caladius / infantry brick Talons with plenty of supporting sisters.
8th – Laszlo Bakos – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Massed Castigators and Immolators in Hallowed Martyrs.
9th – Lyndon McIvor – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Eightbound complimented by a single Berzerker 20 brick.

Grip Figurspel GT II

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Skåne län, Sweden on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Björn Eriksson – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

De tre vännerna och Eriksson (2000 points)

Chaos Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Infernal Lance

Themesong:

CHARACTERS

Knight Despoiler (375 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Daemonbreath meltagun
2x Despoiler gatling cannon
2x Heavy darkflamer
1x Ruinspear rocket pod
1x Titanic feet

Knight Despoiler (375 points)
• 1x Daemonbreath meltagun
2x Despoiler gatling cannon
2x Heavy darkflamer
1x Ruinspear rocket pod
1x Titanic feet

OTHER DATASHEETS

War Dog Karnivore (150 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw

ALLIED UNITS

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

Nurglings (40 points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Plaguebearers (110 points)
• 1x Plagueridden
• 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Plaguesword

Exported with App Version: v1.40.1 (94), Data Version: v675

Archetype

Triple Despoiler IS Real, and it CAN Hurt You

Thoughts

Look, this list just absolutely bangs, ok? Look at the pure, unadulterated deviance of it. An outer layer of Beasts of Nurgle- nonsense units that require you to get your real damage out or face the consequences. Then another lay of baby Knights ready to stab you and demand further attention. All the while, three Despoilers just absolutely go to town behind the lines, until there is nothing left to stop them as they stand on the middle. It’s a thing of beauty. Really well done on the event win!!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Wilhelm Törnered – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): No-King Starshatter with DDAs, Wraiths, and some Skorpekh Lord units.
3rd – Kim Rasmusson – Aeldari (Warhost): Punchy War Host with Asurman alongside the Fuegan brick.
4th – Lorenzo Migliavacca – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force): Vintage Ultramarines Gladius.
5th – Joel Hansson – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Massed Dreadknights in Warpbane.
6th – Mikael Hoff – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Vashtorr and a Disco out ahead of plenty of Venomcrawlers and Forgefiends.

Setembro Open Almeirim

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Almeirim, Santarém, Portugal on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Alexis Bourrat – Aeldari (Warhost) – 1st Place

Jain Zar & Howling Banshees. Credit: James “Boon” Kelling

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Aeldari
+ DETACHMENT: Warhost
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Eldrad Ulthran
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 18
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (2×2) – Assassination: 4 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Eldrad Ulthran (110 pts): Warlord, Mind War, Shuriken Pistol, Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
Char2: 1x Fuegan (120 pts): Searsong, The Fire Axe
Char3: 1x Jain Zar (105 pts): Silent Death, The Blade of Destruction
Char4: 1x Lhykhis (120 pts): Brood Twain, Spider’s Fangs, Weaverender

5x Corsair Voidreavers (65 pts)
• 1x Voidreaver Felarch: Mistshield, Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Shuriken rifle
• 3x Voidreaver with sword and pistol: 3 with Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Shuriken Pistol
• 1x Voidreaver with Blaster: Blaster, Close Combat Weapon, Shuriken Pistol
11x Storm Guardians (100 pts)
• 6x Storm Guardian: 6 with Close Combat Weapon, Shuriken Pistol
• 2x Storm Guardian with Flamer: 2 with Close Combat Weapon, Flamer
• 2x Storm Guardian with Fusion Gun & Power Sword: 2 with Fusion gun, Power sword
• 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform: Close Combat Weapon

10x Fire Dragons (220 pts): 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch: Close combat weapon, Firepike
• 9x Fire Dragon: 9 with Close combat weapon, Dragon Fusion Gun
10x Fire Dragons (220 pts): 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch: Close combat weapon, Firepike
• 9x Fire Dragon: 9 with Close combat weapon, Dragon Fusion Gun
5x Howling Banshees (95 pts)
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch: Executioner, Shuriken Pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee: 4 with Banshee Blade, Shuriken Pistol
5x Rangers (55 pts): 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Long rifle, Shuriken Pistol
5x Swooping Hawks (85 pts)
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch: Close combat weapon, Hawk’s Talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk: 4 with Close combat weapon, Lasblaster
5x Swooping Hawks (85 pts)
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch: Close combat weapon, Hawk’s Talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk: 4 with Close combat weapon, Lasblaster
5x Swooping Hawks (85 pts)
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch: Close combat weapon, Hawk’s Talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk: 4 with Close combat weapon, Lasblaster
5x Warp Spiders (95 pts)
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch: Close Combat Weapon, 1 Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider: 4 with Close Combat Weapon, Death spinner
5x Warp Spiders (95 pts)
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch: Close Combat Weapon, Death Weavers, Spinneret Rifle
• 4x Warp Spider: 4 with Close Combat Weapon, Death spinner
5x Warp Spiders (95 pts)
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch: Close Combat Weapon, Death Weavers, Spinneret Rifle
• 4x Warp Spider: 4 with Close Combat Weapon, Death spinner
1x Wave Serpent (125 pts): Wraithbone Hull, Shuriken Cannon, Twin Bright Lance
1x Wave Serpent (125 pts): Wraithbone Hull, Shuriken Cannon, Twin Bright Lance

Archetype

You’re Fired

Thoughts

20 Fire Dragons is a vibe. I ran a similar build at Glasshammer teams recently and I cannot stress enough how brutal this is into anything hoping to get by with Mechanised units alive. The Fire Dragon bricks can also punch quite happily into lower model-count marine units too, and are deceptively flexible as a result. War Host let’s you recycle both constantly, and this along leaves plenty of armies on the floor. Fantastic work on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – André Ribeiro – Space Wolves (Gladius Task Force): Chunky Gladius wolves with Thunderwolf MSU, the Terminator brick, and some Predators.
3rd – Pedro Araújo – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): Full on DWK spam in Wrath of the Rock.
4th – Alexander Kondakov – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Monster-heavy SA with loads of Maleceptors and Haruspex.
5th – Pedro Carvalho – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mini-Morty leads an array of Drones and some Deathshroud to war.

Nørdcon ’25 Warhammer 40000 GT

28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in København, Danmark on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Nicklas Schmidt – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 1st Place

Be’lakor, The Dark Master. Credit: Skails

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Big daddy and friends 🧡 (2000 points)

Chaos Daemons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Daemonic Incursion

CHARACTERS

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

Bloodthirster (325 points)
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
1x Hellfire breath
• Enhancement: A’rgath, The King of Blades

Great Unclean One (295 points)
• 1x Bilesword
1x Plague flail
1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancement: The Endless Gift

Lord of Change (285 points)
• 1x Bolt of Change
1xRod of sorcery
1x Staff of Tzeentch
• Enhancement: The Everstave

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

Skarbrand (305 points)
• 1x Bellow of endless fury
1x Slaughter and Carnage

Sloppity Bilepiper (55 points)
• 1x Marotter

BATTLELINE

Plaguebearers (110 points)
• 1x Plagueridden
• 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
• 9x Plaguesword

Exported with App Version: v1.41.0 (98), Data Version: v687

Archetype

Incursion Big Boy Time

Thoughts

Good old fashioned Daemon big-boy time claims another GT win, as Belly and his multi-coloured friends slap down the competition. This skew can catch out many lists and has plenty of guile to relocate and apply pressure over a game. It goes ok into Knights, where big Skarbs and the Thirster can do a lot of work, but it is always one unexpected Daemon loss away from a tough time, so takes some real piloting! Very well done on the event win.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Marcus Jensen – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Lennon-style EC with Maulerfiends.
3rd – Christian Kolding – Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Double Rep Ex Templars.
4th – Anders Petersen – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Lennon-style EC with Maulers and some Flawless Blades.
5th – Michael Roune – Space Marines (Astartes) (Stormlance Task Force): Chunky Storm Raven Stormlance.
6th – Jakob Birch Rosenberg – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): A GLORIOUS full 18 Sanguinary Guard – my heart sings!!!

Wrap Up

There you are folks – our new meta is throwing up a lot of combat pressure, a lot of elves, and an enduring number of Knights. Business as usual with a twist? We find out exactly how far the needle has moved over in London at the LGT this weekend. In a cheeky plug, I will be making my debut as commentator for the UKTCTV stream – if you wanna hear me natter about Warhammer as the very best in the UK scene throwdown, come have a listen!

Hopefully see some of you there in person too!

Lowest of Men, out.

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Death by a Thousand Cuts pt.2

Crucible Grand Tournament 2025

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Raven Guard (Shadowstrike Talon) versus Grey Knights (Warpbane Taskforce)

Thoughts

Result

John Lennon – Raven Guard (Shadowstrike Talon) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Richard Siegler – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort) – 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Nick Antzoulatos – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Nicholas Fromme – Aeldari (Warhost) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Orchard of OHNO 2025 40k GT

Kass Kielly-Burke – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Grip Figurspel GT II

Björn Eriksson – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Setembro Open Almeirim

Alexis Bourrat – Aeldari (Warhost) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Nørdcon ’25 Warhammer 40000 GT

Nicklas Schmidt – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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