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.

For this glorious weekend, at least, the tide has turned just a little. Every single player loading themselves down with every anti-tank weapon they can carry has finally made a difference – Knights had a kind of medicore weekend. Mediocre is, obviously, graded on a curve and is merely about a 52% win rate, but their top finishes are also down considerably. Hurrah. They are still warping the metagame spectacularly, and need to be taken down a peg, but we did it people. We also let Death Guard surge to a monstrous 58% win rate, because they’re way too strong of an all-comers list (and arguably didn’t like dealing with the Lords of Dread builds), but we can’t have everything. We’ve also got the latest hero faction to surge ahead, with a handful of Sisters specialists driving them to a breakout week.

Things are still happening, is what we’re saying – there’s actually stuff to talk about this time, it isn’t just a gigantic iron boot stomping on our faces forever. Let’s get into it, starting with:

Today:

Palm Springs Open 40k GT IV By Dicehammer
BOISE CUP 40k 2025
Dark Sphere July GT
Liberty Open Road to NOVA 40K Event Hosted by Away Games
Welcome Mr. New Iberian Goblin! (Perretes edition)
Iron-Claws Wargaming South Mills GT
Village Brawl GT

Friday will feature:

The North East Open 2025
China Warhammer City Tournament 2025
Weekend Wars VII – Major – WCW Qualifier Event
North and South GT 2025
IRONFORGED I
I GT de Santa Brígida
Red Dragon 40k GT – July ’25 WTC terrain

Saturday will cover:

[40k] Brave New Hive World – Ropecon Grand Tournament 2025
Heart of War Road to NOVA 40K Event with 21st Legion & Away Games
Waterdeep GT 4ta Edición
Cross-Swords War At The Westward VIII
Fleur-De-Lis GT
W4 – Western Wisconsin Wargaming Weekend

Our Showdowns are going to be as follows, voted for by our illustrious Patrons:

Skitarii Hunter Cohort AdMech vs Saga Of The Beastslayer Space Wolves at the appropriately named Iron-Claws Wargaming. There will be both iron and claws.
Aspect Host Aeldari vs. Taktikal Brigade Orks at the North East Open.
Hallowed Martyrs Sisters vs Kroot Hunting Pack at Waterdeep GT

Palm Springs Open 40k GT IV By Dicehammer

145-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Palm Springs, CA, US on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Carlos Kaiser – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

In the sunless body of our Hive, the flock of the faithful grows. We are guided by our Great Father’s sacred vision, protected by his loving hands (2000 points)

Genestealer Cults
Strike Force (2000 points)
Host of Ascension

CHARACTERS

Biophagus (70 points)
• 1x Alchemicus Familiar
1x Autopistol
1x Chemical vials
1x Injector goad
• Enhancement: Our Time is Nigh

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

Reductus Saboteur (65 points)
• 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 (70 points)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 4x Cult claws and knife
4x 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

Neophyte Hybrids (65 points)
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 9x Neophyte Hybrid
• 9x Autopistol
9x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
1x Grenade launcher
5x Hybrid firearm
1x Mining laser
1x Seismic cannon
1x Webber

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Goliath Truck (85 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Demolition charge cache
1x Heavy stubber
1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Achilles Ridgerunners (170 points)
• 2x Achilles Ridgerunner
• 2x Armoured hull
2x Heavy mining laser
2x Spotter
2x 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 incinerator
1x Atalan small arms
1x Close combat weapon

Hybrid Metamorphs (160 points)
• 1x Metamorph Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s cult weapons
• 9x Hybrid Metamorph
• 1x Cult Icon
8x Hand flamer
9x Metamorph mutations

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

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

Archetype

Balanced Host

Thoughts

Genestealer Cults continue to ride the wave of having a great game into Knights, putting up another strong weekend with Carlos at the forefront as the champion of the biggest event. This build isn’t as pure hordey as some Host builds can be, instead packing more dedicated anti-Knight firepower in the Ridgerunners, and focusing on the two big Neophyte units to alpha strike out of Reserves. Fewer of these units obviously reduces the overwhelming potential a bit, but it also reduces the number of games where you’ll have to lose a unit outright without being able to pop Back to the Shadows for protection. It also frees up points for masses of cheap scoring units, allowing RP to be saved to revive the good stuff, and also to support the inclusion of one cost-efficient melee hammer in the Metamorphs, who get a reliable Time is Nigh charge then flatten something thanks to the Biophagus. That helps prevent the list getting bullied out, and quite a few top performing Host builds are packing something with this Enhancement.

This list strikes a good balance between being able to smash the foe on an alpha turn and a more balanced setup, making it lethal and adaptable and a deserved winner here, congratulations Carlos!

Matthew Green – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

magnus (2000 points)

Thousand Sons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Grand Coven

CHARACTERS

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

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

Infernal Master (105 points)
• 1x Fires of the Abyss
1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
• Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal

Infernal Master (85 points)
• 1x Fires of the Abyss
1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol

Magnus the Red (420 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
1x Gaze of Magnus
1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

Sorcerer (100 points)
• 1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
1x Pandaemonic Delusion
1x Prosperine khopesh
• Enhancement: Eldritch Vortex of E’Taph

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (100 points)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Malefic Curse
1x Warpflame pistol
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (65 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Magnus Coven Goostuff

Thoughts

In hot pursuit in an undefeated second we have a Magnus Coven Goodstuff build, which is probably the most reliable setup you can try right now if you want a shot at hosing anything off the board. Magnus and the Rubric/Enlightened and Character units provide extreme damage potential, Mutaliths run great interference, and Tzaangors are fantastic scoring. This build does everything well, and it’s been honed to a precision killing machine in this variant, well done Matthew

Wyatt Harris – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Genestealer Cults
+ DETACHMENT: Host of Ascension
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Benefictus
+ ENHANCEMENT: Assassination Edict (on Char3: Benefictus)
& A Chink in Their Armour (on Char5: Primus)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 23
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (3×2) – Assassination: 7 Characters – Cull The Horde: 4×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

1x Benefictus (70 pts)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Psionic cascade

1x Benefictus (70 pts)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Psionic cascade
• Warlord

1x Benefictus (85 pts)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Psionic cascade
• Assassination Edict (+15 pts)

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

1x Primus (100 pts)
• 1x Cult bonesword
• 1x Scoped needle pistol
• 1x Toxin injector claw
• A Chink in Their Armour (+20 pts)

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

BATTLELINE

5x Acolyte Hybrids with Autopistols (65 pts)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
• 1x Leader’s Bio-weapons
• Acolyte Hybrid
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult claws and knife
• 3x Heavy Mining Tool
• Cult icon, 4x Acolyte Hybrid

5x Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 pts)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
• 1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• Acolyte Hybrid
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 4x Cult claws and knife
• 3x Hand flamer
• Cult icon, 4x Acolyte Hybrid

20x Neophyte Hybrids (145 pts)
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hybrid firearm
• Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
• 19x Close combat weapon
• 2x Seismic Cannon
• 2x Mining Laser
• 11x Hybrid firearm
• 2x Grenade launcher
• 2x Webber
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid, Cult Icon

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

5x Atalan Jackals (75 pts)
• 4x Atalan Jackal
• 3x Atalan small arms
• 2x Close combat weapon
• 2x Atalan power weapon
• 1x Grenade launcher
• 4x Atalan Jackal
• 1x Atalan Wolfquad
• 1x Atalan small arms
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Atalan incinerator
• Atalan Wolfquad

1x Achilles Ridgerunners (85 pts)
• 1x Achilles Ridgerunner
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Twin heavy stubber
• 1x Heavy mortar
• Spotter, Achilles Ridge Runner

1x Achilles Ridgerunners (85 pts)
• 1x Achilles Ridgerunner
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Twin heavy stubber
• 1x Heavy mortar
• Survey augur, Achilles Ridge Runner

Archetype

Horde Host

Thoughts

Another great GSC showing, this time the pure horde version of Host, gambling on the foe not being able to handle the sheer volume of (sometimes respawning) bodies it can put onto the table out of Deep Strike, aiming to do enough damage thanks to the Leaders that there’s not enough of an opposing army left to retaliate. This very nearly worked perfectly – only Carlos’ GSC were able to narrowly thwart this uprising in the final, where I’m guessing the massive number of MSUs his build has let him screen this out just a little too well. Not many armies can pull that, off, and Wyatt’s rampage through the earlier rounds put him into a well-deserved third place.

Hank Bell – Death Guard (Tallyband Summoners) – 4th Place

Scribbus Wretch, the Tallyman. That Gobbo

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Look, I didn’t write the rules. I’m juat playing the faction I’ve been maining for over a year. At least it’s a pretty shade of pink, right? No, please, put the pitchfork down. (2000 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Tallyband Summoners

CHARACTERS

Great Unclean One (265 points)
• 1x Bilesword
1x Plague flail
1x Putrid vomit
• Enhancement: Entropic Knell

Great Unclean One (250 points)
• 1x Bilesword
1x Plague flail
1x Putrid vomit

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

ALLIED UNITS

Knight Despoiler (335 points)
• 1x Daemonbreath meltagun
2x Despoiler battle cannon
2x Diabolus heavy stubber
1x Ruinspear rocket pod
1x Titanic feet

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

Archetype

Daemons and Daemon Engines

Thoughts

On the one hand, it’s new and clever, points for innovation, but sitting down and working out what this horrifying concoction does was deeply upsetting. This build leverages the great synergies between Rotigus, a big Knight and Contagions – you can either use them to weaken whatever defence the enemy has that’s most relevant for the Knight (e.g. against other Knights, dropping them to T10 is great), or just tank their OC and Ld, at which point adding Rotigus’ debuff as well and the extra morale tests from Entropic Knell is going to make scoring a nightmare. If the enemy wants to come slam themselves into T13 GUOs, they’re going to get the nasty surprise that the Knight can shoot into combat thanks to All is Rot, and that they might be trapped via Mireslick. Also, the Unclean Ones can go through walls, and every relevant target in the army is minimum T9. This is a horrifying build to contemplate, and took Hank to a showdown with Matthew’s Thousand Sons, who only narrowly took the Nurgle forces out. Well deserved even if it fills me with terror, congratulations.

The Best of the Rest

There were 11 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Jason Flanzer – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): A board control special with two full Warrior units and lots of Skorpekh as counter-punch pieces.
6th – Killian Minton – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Four bigs (Abominant x2, Atrapos, gatling Despoiler) and Karnivores.
7th – Joseph Ettinger – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Hull-heavy Goodstuff with Vahl and a big Sacresant unit.
8th – Kyle Parry – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): A mid-horde Host build with three big Neophyte blocks, lots of small utility units, and a full Aberrant unit for some heft out of Deep Strike with Our Time is Nigh.
9th – Doug Johnson – Orks (Bully Boyz): Ultra-heavy Bully Boyz, adding Ghaz to one of the Meganobz units and packing two Squighog squads, one each with a Squigboss and Mozrog.
10th – Nico Urrea – Thousand Sons (Warpforged Cabal): A modest vehicular firebase protected by Mutaliths and backed up by loads of Enlightened.
11th – Hans Lieber – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Plagueburst Hammer.
12th – Michael Fox – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Direct fire Hammer with added Predators and a Knight Despoiler.
13th – Antonio Biello – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): A Canis/Castellan/Warden trio with Armigers.
14th – Alejandro Garcia – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Extra violent Warband with Angron and Maulerfiends instead of any Forgefiends.
15th – Jeff Poole – Aeldari (Warhost): Double big Aspect block, here one Fire Dragons and one Dark Reapers, plus lots of MSU backup.

BOISE CUP 40k 2025

74-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Boise, ID, US on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Ryan Brown – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

World Eaters (1995 Points)

World Eaters
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

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

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

Khorne Berzerkers (360 Points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
◦ 1x Chainblade
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 19x Khorne Berzerker
◦ 15x Bolt pistol
◦ 15x Chainblade
◦ 4x Khornate eviscerator
◦ 4x Plasma pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

Maulerfiend (150 Points)
• 2x Magma cutter
• 1x Maulerfiend fists

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Heavy Warband

Thoughts

A win for the World Eaters here, with Ryan taking the standard Berzerker Warband shell and ruthlessly optimising it for Knights. Eightbound? Don’t kill a Knight, out they go, in come the Maulerfiends, who have absolutely no loyalty to their fellow robots, and will mess a Knight right up. The same is true of the big Berzerker unit, who by sheer weight of S6 attacks can murder almost anything on the charge, and putting a Master of Executions with them provides a big shooting deterrant as well thanks to the re-rollable Blood Surge. A big win for Ryan here, and a salient demonstration that you just cannot go wrong with teching hard for Knights at the moment, well played.

Dallas Hulsey – Aeldari (Aspect Host) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Burn Baby Burn, Disco Inferno (2000 points)

Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Aspect Host

CHARACTERS

Avatar of Khaine (300 points)
• 1x The Wailing Doom

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

BATTLELINE

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
3x Shuriken pistol

Storm Guardians (100 points)
• 10x Storm Guardian
• 8x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
2x Fusion gun
2x Power sword
6x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Serpent shield

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Dragons (220 points)
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 9x Fire Dragon
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Dragon fusion gun

Fire Dragons (120 points)
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun

Howling Banshees (95 points)
• 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 (85 points)
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster

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

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

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

Archetype

Avatar Aspects

Thoughts

Speaking of teching for Knights – Aeldari at the moment thrive when they’re either running double ten-model Aspect Warhost (where you can protect two units with Fire and Fade and Skyborne) or go for an Aspect Host build like this one where the combination of Fire Dragons and the Avatar give you the heavy lifting to handle Knights, and other Aspects and your sheer speed give you tools for other targets. The sheer reach of the Aeldari threats thanks to Star Engines helps keep them in the conversation right now, as they can go from caution to fury at the drop of a hat to a level that few armies can manage. Great to see the Avatar taking a few names, good work Dallas.

Hayden Johnson – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Lions (1995 Points)

Adeptus Custodes
Lions of the Emperor
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (120 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords

Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (140 Points)
• 1x Balistus grenade launcher
• 1x Castellan axe
• Enhancements: Admonimortis

Trajann Valoris (140 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Eagle’s Scream
• 1x Watcher’s Axe

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (215 Points)
• 5x Custodian Guard
◦ 5x Guardian spear

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (120 Points)
• 2x Allarus Custodian
◦ 2x Balistus grenade launcher
◦ 2x Guardian spear

Caladius Grav-tank (215 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
• 1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

Custodian Wardens (260 Points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
◦ 5x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Vexilla

Witchseekers (50 Points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Witchseeker flamer

ALLIED UNITS

Inquisitor Draxus (95 Points)
• 1x Dirgesinger
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Psychic Tempest

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Infantry-heavy Lions

Thoughts

The one confounding example of a reduction in Knight-killing guns from an undefeated finisher, but here it’s in favour of bringing Trajann and lots of big Warden units, so there’s still plenty of stuff that can murder a big robot. Cutting out one of the tanks also gives this army more of a fighting chance against horde builds intended to defeat Knights, as it ups their volume output and board presence. The Allarus and Captain unit help with that too, and the Captain can also have a pretty good go at just outright flattening a Knight with Adonimortis and the unit re-rolls, so another great asset. Good to see a Custodes list making a splash, Well done Hayden.

Damien Owen – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Perfection (1995 Points)

Emperor’s Children
Coterie of the Conceited
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (230 Points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
• 1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancements: Pledge of Unholy Fortune

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (200 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 (60 Points)
• 1x Power sword
• 1x Screamer pistol

Lucius the Eternal (150 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 Rapture lash
• 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-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Maulerfiend (130 Points)
• 1x Lasher tendrils
• 1x Maulerfiend fists

Noise Marines (145 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: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Double Prince Maulerfiend Coterie

Thoughts

The Emperor’s Children are submarining a bit right now, not able to quite match up to either Knights or their un-nerfed cult legion cousins, but they can still put down a pretty ferocious pressure build out of Coterie, and this (with Maulerfiends for a fighting chance against Knights) is a timely reminder that when (presumably) the current madness is brought to a close, they’ll be back in the big league conversation. Great work Damien for perservering through adversity.

The Best of the Rest

There were 9 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Kyle Cleveland – Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Immolators, Castigators and Dominions galore, with Vahl’s unit as an extra-heavy hitter and the Triumph to power all the tanks.
6th – Shaun Sharp – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): Elite Wrath, going for Deathwing Knights, the Lion, Inner-Circle Companions and one unit of Outriders with Samael.
7th – Adam Holland – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Ultra aggro Canis triple Lancer.
8th – Marshall Peterson – Astra Militarum (Recon Element): Recon element horse spam, with lots of Kasrkin and Scions to punch into anything that kills the ponies.
9th – Marcus Walker – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): An even heavier infantry Wrath build, adding a couple of Centurion Devastator units to the mix, plus a full Sternguard unit.
10th – Jacob Drexler – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Plagueburst Hammer.
11th – Hunter Siems – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile): Double Possessed block plus some more surgical MSUs, with Havocs adding fire support for Knights.
12th – David Hulsey – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion Vectorium goodstuff.
13th – Connor Jacobsen – T’au Empire (Experimental Prototype Cadre): Crisis/buffed Commander toolbox backed up by Sky Rays.

Dark Sphere July GT

56-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Kian Tan – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adepta Sororitas
+ DETACHMENT: Hallowed Martyrs
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium & Imperial Knights
+
+ WARLORD: Char3: Morvenn Vahl
+ ENHANCEMENT: Saintly Example (on Char2: Canoness)
& Through Suffering, Strength (on Char4: Palatine)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 17
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (4×2) + (1×6) – Assassination: 9 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 2x Daemonifuge (85 pts)
• 1x Ephrael Stern: Bolt pistol, Sanctity
• 1x Kyganil of the Bloody Tears: The Outcast’s Blades
Char2: 1x Junith Eruita (80 pts): Mace of Castigation, Twin Ministorum Heavy Flamer
Char3: 1x Morvenn Vahl (170 pts): Warlord, Fidelis, Lance of Illumination, Paragon missile launcher
Char4: 1x Canoness (50 pts): Null Rod, Hallowed Chainsword, Condemnor boltgun
Char5: 1x Canoness (60 pts): Null Rod, Hallowed Chainsword, Condemnor boltgun
Enhancement: Saintly Example (+10 pts)
Char6: 1x Dialogus (40 pts): Bolt pistol, Dialogus Staff
Char7: 1x Palatine (75 pts): Palatine blade, Plasma pistol
Enhancement: Through Suffering, Strength (+25 pts)

10x Battle Sisters Squad (105 pts)
• 9x Battle Sister
6 with Battle Sister, Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon
1 with Simulacrum Imperialis, Battle Sister, Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon
1 with Battle Sister, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Multi-melta
1 with Battle Sister, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• 1x Sister Superior: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Power weapon, Condemnor boltgun

10x Arco-Flagellants (140 pts): 10 with Arco-flails
10x Arco-Flagellants (140 pts): 10 with Arco-flails
3x Arco-Flagellants (45 pts): 3 with Arco-flails
10x Celestian Sacresants (130 pts)
• 1x Sacresant Superior: Spear of the Faithful, Inferno pistol
• 9x Celestian Sacresant (Anointed Halberd): 9 with Anointed Halberd, Bolt pistol
3x Paragon Warsuits (210 pts)
• 1x Paragon Superior: Bolt pistol, Paragon Storm Bolters, Paragon War Blade, Multi-melta
• 2x Paragon Warsuit: 2 with Bolt pistol, Paragon Storm Bolters, Paragon War Blade, Multi-melta
1x Immolator (115 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy Bolter, Hunter-Killer Missile, Twin Multi-melta
1x Sororitas Rhino (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Hunter-Killer Missile, Storm bolter

Char8: 1x Callidus Assassin (100 pts): Neural shredder, Phase sword and poison blades
Char9: 1x Canis Rex (380 pts)
• 1x Canis Rex: Chainbreaker las-impulsor, Chainbreaker multi-laser, Freedom’s Hand
• 1x Sir Hekhtur: Close combat weapon, Hekhtur’s pistol

Archetype

Hammer and Anvil Martyrs

Thoughts

The first of several Sisters builds we’ll be looking at this week combines the strengths of Hallowed Martyrs with the brute force of Canis Rex and the toughness of Arco-flagellants. Between reviving cheap Characters, Stern and the flagellants, this build can score and bait the foe very effectively in the early game (while also harvesting Miracle dice), then hit with a massive two-pronged hammerblow from Vahl and Canis, executing a brutal swing turn. IF a more protracted combat is needed there’s also the option of the Sacresants getting stuck in, providing a nice tertiary threat. This build excels at forcing the foe to engage it on its own terms, without usually having to sacrifice too many resources to pull that off, allowing it to unleash its full fury to devastating effect. Well done Kian!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Jack Green – Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Five C’tan with a couple of Doomsdays.
3rd – Chris Brookes – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Calgar/Guilliman hull spam.
4th – Lawrence Parmenter – Death Guard (Shamblerot Vectorium): Infantry/Character-heavy Shamblerot.
5th – Nick “Teegi” Teague – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): A rainbow of different souped-up big Knights topped out by a Tyrant, with a couple of War Dogs to send out ranging early on.
6th – Charles Eliatamby – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Classic four Infantry/two tank with the remaining flex points going on Venatari.
7th – Gabriel Evans – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Double Wraith/triple Doomsday Awakened with Skorpekh for counter-charge.
8th – David Gaylard – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Stormlance heavy melee pressure with 15 ThunderCav, Ragnar’s Blood Claws, and a full Wolf Guard Terminator squad, backed by Lancers and a Ballistus Dread.
9th – Lewis Smith – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus Coven Goodstuff.

Liberty Open Road to NOVA 40K Event Hosted by Away Games

39-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Roebuck, SC, United States on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Seth Piper – Aeldari (Warhost) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Strike like Lighting (2000 Points)

Aeldari
Warhost
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch (100 Points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: Timeless Strategist

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

Farseer (100 Points)
• 1x Eldritch Storm
• 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Witchblade
• Enhancements: Psychic Destroyer

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

BATTLELINE

Storm Guardians (100 Points)
• 10x Storm Guardian
◦ 8x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Fusion gun
◦ 2x Power sword
◦ 8x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Serpent shield

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Dragons (120 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Dragon fusion gun

Howling Banshees (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

Shining Spears (110 Points)
• 1x Shining Spear Exarch
◦ 1x Shimmershield
◦ 1x Shuriken cannon
◦ 1x Star lance
• 2x Shining Spear
◦ 2x Laser lance
◦ 2x Twin shuriken catapult

Shroud Runners (80 Points)
• 3x Shroud Runner
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Long rifle
◦ 3x Scatter laser
◦ 3x Shuriken pistol

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

War Walkers (85 Points)
• 1x Bright lance
• 1x Missile launcher
• 1x War Walker feet

Warlock Conclave (55 Points)
• 2x Warlock
◦ 2x Destructor
◦ 2x Shuriken pistol
◦ 1x Singing Spear
◦ 1x Witchblade

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

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Go-wide Warhost

Thoughts

Hats off to Seth here, because I’d be terrified running an Aeldari build without a 10-model Dragon unit right now, but I can’t argue with results. This build sticks to a more go-wide Aspect plan, leaning on Fuegan’s (presumably with the Warhost Sustained Hits Stratagem) to make Knight’s go away, with a bit of additional punch provided by the Farseer/Storm Guardian unit. The age old elf classic of Guide > Doom > destroy is still quite spicy when you get to go off with it, and giving Psychic Destroyer another look now there are fewer T12 targets about is a legimitately good shout. That plus a mini conclave and the fusion guns from the Guardian unit will catch out some opponents quite brutally, and is also quite a durable little unit thanks to -1 to Wound and the Storm Guardian invulnerable save. It helps the list retain a bit of body where it otherwise feels a bit thin on the ground, and is definitely a smart way of filling out. Great stuff from Seth.

Ronnie Kinney – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Trans-Hyperian Alliance Hekaton Land Fortress. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Both Hit, Both Crit (1990 Points)

Leagues of Votann
Oathband
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Brôkhyr Iron-master (65 Points)
• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master
• Warlord
◦ 1x Graviton hammer
◦ 1x Graviton rifle
• 1x Ironkin Assistant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Las-beam cutter
• 1x E-COG
◦ 1x Plasma torch
• 1x E-COG
◦ 1x Manipulator arms
• 1x E-COG
◦ 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Cthonian Beserks (100 Points)
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
◦ 5x Concussion maul
◦ 1x Mole grenade launcher

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

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

Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 Points)
• 1x Yaegir Theyn
◦ 1x Bolt shotgun
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 9x Hernkyn Yaegir
◦ 9x Bolt shotgun
◦ 9x Close combat weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Triple Land Fortress

Thoughts

Next we have a believer in the power of beams, because if the list title holds true and those fortresses consistently double crit, the opponents are going to have a bad time. Three of them is enough to give Knights serious pause given you can put your free grudge tokens on most or all of their big Knights, and it’s also uniquely devastating into Death Guard, where flat damage four can ruin some days. As if that’s not enough anti-Knight tech, a full Thunderkyn unit can properly seal the deal there. Even after cramming all of that in there’s still a fair amount of board presence and utility available to the army, and this can definitely catch out foes who are expecting to tackle Knights via massed AP-1/AP-2 stuff thanks to the durability of the forts. Good work Ronnie.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd – Luke Henderson – Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots): Abaddon and a tank gunline, with Vastorr and a Discolord as roving monster threats.
4th – Danny Shaughnessy – Aeldari (Warhost): Double 20 Fire Dragons backed by various other Phoenix Lords and Eldrad as a CP battery.
5th – Robin Roberts – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): A biker-leaning horde build, adding two big blocks of Jackals to a couple of Neophytes, plus some larger Acolyte units on top.
6th – Aarron Wilson – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Many of the standard Berzerker Warband toys, but cutting down one Berzerker unit and one Eightbound squad for Angron.
7th – Frank Viruet – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Triple Abominant, double Despoiler and two Karnivores still, somehow.

Welcome Mr. New Iberian Goblin! (Perretes edition)

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Fuenlabrada, MD, España on July 25 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Keko 🙂 – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

me duele la tripa (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

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

Lord of Contagion (110 points)
• 1x Manreaper

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

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

Archetype

Plagueburst Hammer

Thoughts

Undisputed public enemy number one right here. Mortarion’s Hammer has definitely taken over as the “best” Death Guard detachment at this point, as the combination of the power of the Daemon Engine datasheets with how well the Detachment Rule supports Deathshrouds makes it an all-round superstar. This is a platonic example of said build, no messing around, just pure, optimised death. Which it delivered, allowing Keko to take the trophy.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Arcuos – Pedro Delgado – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Four Kill teams (two Fortis, one Indomitor and one Talonstrike) all built for shooting and Canis Rex.
3rd – Pedro Bollain de la Sota 🐢 – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): A big Warrior unit with tonnes of herohammer and buff support.
4th – Manuel campos – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Plagueburst Hammer with a couple of Karnivores added.
5th – Guillermo López – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): Toolboxy Wager with a fairly substantial Harlequin contingent of a big Troupe, full Haywire Skyweaver unit, and Solitaire.
6th – Chejuan . – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Shooty monster mash with some Haruspex to run interference, and the ability to build the ten Ravener mega unit to murder stuff with Criticals.

Iron-Claws Wargaming South Mills GT

31-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in South Mills, NC, United States on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Linchpin – Tipping Point

Chris Cardamone – Space Wolves (Saga of the Beastslayer)
Army List - Click to Expand

SW (1995 points)

Space Marines
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Saga of the Beastslayer

CHARACTERS

Arjac Rockfist (95 points)
• 1x Foehammer

Bjorn the Fell-Handed (170 points)
• 1x Heavy flamer
1x Helfrost cannon
1x Trueclaw

Logan Grimnar (110 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Axe Morkai
1x Storm bolter
1x Tyrnak and Fenrir

Wolf Priest (90 points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Crozius arcanum
• Enhancement: Hunter’s Guile

Wolf Priest (70 points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Crozius arcanum

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Thunderwolf Cavalry (100 points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Teeth and Claws
1x Wolf Guard weapon
• 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 2x Storm Shield
2x Teeth and Claws
2x Wolf Guard weapon

Wolf Guard Headtakers (170 points)
• 6x Wolf Guard Headtaker
• 6x Heavy bolt pistol
6x Master-crafted power weapon
6x Storm Shield

Wolf Guard Terminators (340 points)
• 1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader
• 1x Relic greataxe
• 9x Wolf Guard Terminator
• 2x Assault cannon
7x Master-crafted power weapon
2x Power fist
7x Storm Shield

Wulfen with Storm Shields (100 points)
• 5x Wulfen
• 5x Death Totem
5x Thunder hammer

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

vs.

Preston Southan – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort)
Army List - Click to Expand

The Knights Who Say Buh (1995 Points)

Adeptus Mechanicus
Skitarii Hunter Cohort
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Skitarii Marshal (60 Points)
• 1x Control stave
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
• Enhancements: Cantic Thrallnet

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

Tech-Priest Enginseer (55 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 1x Omnissian axe
• 1x Servo-arm

Technoarcheologist (45 Points)
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 1x Servo-arc claw

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Rangers (85 Points)
• 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha
◦ 1x Alpha combat weapon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 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 Mechanicus pistol
• 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

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

Pteraxii Sterylizors (160 Points)
• 1x Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha
◦ 1x Flechette blaster
◦ 1x Pteraxii talons
◦ 1x Taser goad
• 9x Pteraxii Sterylizor
◦ 9x Phosphor torch
◦ 9x Pteraxii talons

Serberys Raiders (60 Points)
• 1x Serberys Raider Alpha
◦ 1x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs
◦ 1x Galvanic carbine
◦ 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 2x Serberys Raider
◦ 2x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs
◦ 2x Galvanic carbine

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

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

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

Thoughts

Saga of the Beastslayer gets a debut Showdown appearence here, packing a powerful elite Infantry build that can apply intense early pressure thanks to Logan’s ability, and with excellent follow-through from the various wolfy units, all of which are maximally compatible with the Stratagems. One particular thing to highlight is the use of Hunter’s Guile here – this list really wants to put the Terminators in Strategic Reserves rather than Deep Strike, so that they’re compatible with Logan, but that uses up most of your allocation, and you’d really like to be able to stash a ThunderCav and Wulfen unit too in some games. Now you can! This build plays a strong all-rounder brawler game, can handle Knights thanks to its Detachment rule, and throws some uniquely heavy early punches if allowed, lovely stuff.

Not all of taht is relevant against the Skitarii here, and honestly they’re pretty well set for this. It’s a Hunter Cohort classic – huge amounts of board presence and interference with a little firebase at the back, and that should work pretty effectively in this game. They have plenty of stuff to sacrifice into the maw of the wolves, don’t care too much about the Detachment rule, inflict good attrition damage, and even have multiple Technoarchaeolgists to screen against Deep Strike tricks.

All that said, they do have one big problem, which is a relative dearth of good answers to the Wolf Guard Terminator unit, especially not when it has access to a reactive move. If allowed, this will deathball its way through endless waves of Skitarii, and make it quite difficult to control the mid-board even with their numbers. However, because the Wolves are very short on shooting, that should allow the Skitarii to control the rate at which they lose units, and on Linchpin they also mount the constant threat of using the speed of some of their stuff to go flip the Wolves home objective for a devastating scoring turn, Infiltrators be damned. I think if they’re careful about rationing their losses, the AdMech should be able to fairly handily win this on points. As it was, they managed it, but in a much closer game than I’d have guessed, so clearly some savvy play on both sides.

Result

Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort) Victory – 80 – 75

Preston Southan – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

The Knights Who Say Buh (1995 Points)

Adeptus Mechanicus
Skitarii Hunter Cohort
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Skitarii Marshal (60 Points)
• 1x Control stave
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
• Enhancements: Cantic Thrallnet

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

Tech-Priest Enginseer (55 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 1x Omnissian axe
• 1x Servo-arm

Technoarcheologist (45 Points)
• 1x Mechanicus pistol
• 1x Servo-arc claw

BATTLELINE

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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 (70 Points)
• 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps
◦ 1x Flechette blaster
◦ 1x Taser goad
• 4x Sicarian Infiltrator
◦ 4x Flechette blaster
◦ 4x Taser goad

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

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

Archetype

Horde Skitarii

Thoughts

As seen with GSC, if you go hordey enough you can thrive against Knights by out-scoring them, and that’s very much what this build can do. Against softer targets the attrition damage isn’t bad either, and the movement you can pull out in a pinch is also handy. Even with all that, AdMech is well known to be 40K on hard mode, so huge props to Preston on the win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Chris Cardamone – Space Wolves (Saga of the Beastslayer): Wolf murder melee backed by some Ballistus Dreads, with a big Wolf Guard Terminator squad and several large Headtaker units as centrepieces.
3rd – Matt Painter – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Three Infantry blocks and two tanks, spending the extra points on bonus Witchseekers for scoring and a jetbike unit.
4th – Justin Leyva – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion-free Vectorium Goodstuff, bringing one big Terminator unit as a heavier threat.
5th – David Penfold – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): A Nurgle/Khorne tag team, with Rotigus and a Gift GUO holding the line for Skarbrand, a Bloodthirster and a Bloodcrusher unit.

Village Brawl GT

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Helena, MT, United States on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

John Holbrook – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Indirect Fire is a Balanced and Healthy Rule Entirely Necessary for the Narrative Flavor of the Game of Warhammer 40000, Thank You Games Workshop, Very Cool (2000 Points)

Death Guard
Mortarion’s Hammer
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Malignant Plaguecaster (75 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Corrupted staff
• 1x Plague Wind
• Enhancements: Shriekworm Familiar

BATTLELINE

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

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 with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Plagueburst Hammer with Plague Marines

Thoughts

Another Hammer build, this one dialing back the Daemon Engines a little to pack some Plague Marines as a nasty anti-horde/Fight First threat. You sure can do that, and it’s also very good. Well done John.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Thomas Moore – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors): Sanguinary Guard MSUs and lots of shooting, combinging Inceptors, Baal Predators and Vindicators.
3rd – Matthew Hartnett – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Monster Mash with Ba’lakor, Skarbrand, a Big Bird and Rotigus/Gift GUO.
4th – Troy Oswood – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus Coven Goodstuff with a Vortex Prince.
5th – Michael Pendergrass – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Due to a mild temporal anomaly, also Magnus Coven Goodstuff with a Vortex Prince.

Wrap Up

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Operation Sufficient Jackals pt.1

Palm Springs Open 40k GT IV By Dicehammer

Carlos Kaiser – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Matthew Green – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Wyatt Harris – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Hank Bell – Death Guard (Tallyband Summoners) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

BOISE CUP 40k 2025

Ryan Brown – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Dallas Hulsey – Aeldari (Aspect Host) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Hayden Johnson – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Damien Owen – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Dark Sphere July GT

Kian Tan – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Liberty Open Road to NOVA 40K Event Hosted by Away Games

Seth Piper – Aeldari (Warhost) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ronnie Kinney – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Welcome Mr. New Iberian Goblin! (Perretes edition)

Keko 🙂 – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Iron-Claws Wargaming South Mills GT

The Showdown

Linchpin – Tipping Point

Thoughts

Result

Preston Southan – Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Village Brawl GT

John Holbrook – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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