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 weekās top match-ups and how they played out on the tabletop to let you know whatās hot, whatās not, and what might be coming next as the competitive meta evolves year-round.
Great news everyone, we solved Knights. As you read this, I will be playing in the ITT (a huge team event in the UK), and I trust that this week’s data collection has definitely not been an exercise in lulling me into a false sense of security. Do not imaging a titanic metal boot stamping on a Canoptek Wraith forever. No sir.
Today I’m covering:
- [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
- Incarnatus
On Wednesday I looked at:
- 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
On Friday Lowest of Men took charge and covered:
- 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 BrĆgida
- Red Dragon 40k GT – July ’25 WTC terrain
[40k] Brave New Hive World – Ropecon Grand Tournament 2025
76-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Lasse Toivonen – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 1x Typhus (90 pts): Lakrimae 10x Plague Marines (190 pts) 6x Deathshroud Terminators (300 pts)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ PLAYER NAME: Lasse Toivonen
+ TEAM NAME: Turku Bolter fellows
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Death Guard
+ DETACHMENT: ChampionsĀ ofĀ Contagion
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1990pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char6: Tallyman
+ ENHANCEMENT: Final Ingredient (on Char1: Biologus Putrifier)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 19
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (6×2) – Assassination: 6 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Biologus Putrifier (65 pts): Hyper blight grenades, Injector pistol, Plague knives
Enhancement: Final Ingredient (+20 pts)
Char3: 1x Lord of Contagion (110 pts): Manreaper
Char4: 1x Lord of Contagion (110 pts): Manreaper
Char5: 1x Malignant Plaguecaster (60 pts): Bolt pistol, Corrupted staff, Plague Wind
Char6: 1x Tallyman (40 pts): Close combat weapon, Plasma pistol
ā¢warlord
⢠9x Plague Marine
1 with Plague knives, Plague spewer
2 with Blight launcher, Plague knives
4 with Heavy plague weapon, Plague knives
2 with Meltagun, Plague knives
⢠1x Plague Champion: Plasma gun, Power fist
⢠1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
⢠5x Deathshroud Terminator: 5 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet
3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts)
⢠1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
⢠2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet
3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts)
⢠1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
⢠2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet
10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons
10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons
10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons
1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe
1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe
1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe
1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta
1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta
1x Chaos Rhino (85 pts): Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-bolter
Archetype
Champions Infantry Bricks
Thoughts
Spicing up the Death Guard placings with some variety here we’ve got a Champions list sporting a big unit each of Deathshroud Terminators and Plague Marines. This feels very on the pulse, as this feels like it should do better than the regular Death Guard recipes against the hordier/chaff-filled builds people are teching in to handle Knights and Mortarion’s Hammer, as the big units here will sweep these off the table with maximum prejudice. Since that’s where the metagame has ended up this week – perfect timing, top marks for Lasse.
Kaarle Tukia – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 1x Deathleaper (80 pts): Warlord, Lictor claws and talons 1x Biovores (50 pts): Chitin-barbed limbs, Spore mine launcher
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Tyranids
+ DETACHMENT: VanguardĀ Onslaught
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Deathleaper
+ ENHANCEMENT: Stalker (on Char4: Hyperadapted Raveners – Ravener Prime)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 19
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (1×2) – Assassination: 9 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Broodlord (80 pts): Broodlord Claws and Talons
Char3: 1x Broodlord (80 pts): Broodlord Claws and Talons
Char4: 1x Broodlord (80 pts): Broodlord Claws and Talons
Char5: 5x Hyperadapted Raveners (175 pts)
⢠4x Ravener
3 with Ravener, Ravener heavy claws and talons
1 with Ravener, Ravener heavy claws and talons, Venom bolt
⢠1x Ravener Prime: Prime claws and talons
Enhancement: Stalker (+10 pts)
Char6: 5x Hyperadapted Raveners (165 pts)
⢠4x Ravener
3 with Ravener, Ravener heavy claws and talons
1 with Ravener, Ravener heavy claws and talons, Venom bolt
⢠1x Ravener Prime: Prime claws and talons
Char7: 5x Hyperadapted Raveners (165 pts)
⢠4x Ravener
3 with Ravener, Ravener heavy claws and talons
1 with Ravener, Ravener heavy claws and talons, Venom bolt
⢠1x Ravener Prime: Prime claws and talons
Char8: 1x Winged Hive Tyrant (170 pts): Tyrant talons, Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
Char9: 1x Winged Tyranid Prime (65 pts): Prime talons
5x Genestealers (75 pts): 5 with Genestealers claws and talons
5x Genestealers (75 pts): 5 with Genestealers claws and talons
5x Genestealers (75 pts): 5 with Genestealers claws and talons
1x Lictor (60 pts): Lictor claws and talons
1x Neurolictor (80 pts): Piercing claws and talons
5x Raveners (125 pts): 5 with Ravener claws and talons
5x Raveners (125 pts): 5 with Ravener claws and talons
5x Raveners (125 pts): 5 with Ravener claws and talons
6x Tyranid Warriors with Melee Bio-Weapons (150 pts)
⢠1x Tyranid Prime: Tyranid Warrior claws and talons
⢠5x Tyranid Warrior: 5 with Tyranid Warrior claws and talons
Archetype
Hammer Vanguard
Thoughts
A new spin on a classic here – all-in variants of Vanguard have sporadically performed well in the last few metagame cycles, and this utilises the power of the Ravener datasheets to modernise that into somethingĀ mean. The challenge with those builds (generally lots of Warriors and big Genestealer blocks) was that they’d bowl foes over right up until the point they hit something that could handle them, then they’d pancake. That’s still true to aĀ degree here, but the Ravener Voltron units areĀ vastly higher threat than anything the army was playing with before, and so the threshold a foe needs to cross to reliably bounce or handle this is significantly increased. Even against spicier targets, the fact that you can also play with all the Detachment’s Reserves tricks with such potent threats is gravy. There probablyĀ are still things that can just handle this, but none of them showed up and made themselves known, allowing Kaarle to earn an undefeated second, very well deserved for an innovative snake-themed murder machine.
Mika Liu – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Character: Knight Despoiler (335 pts) Knight Despoiler (335 pts) Knight Rampager (335 pts) Vehicle: War Dog Karnivore (140 pts) War Dog Karnivore (140 pts) Allied Units: Beasts of Nurgle (65 pts) Nurglings (40 pts) Nurglings (40 pts)
infernal – Chaos Knights – Infernal Lance (1990 Points)
Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos (355 pts)
⢠Graviton singularity cannon
⢠Atrapos lascutter
⢠Titanic feet
⢠Daemonbreath meltagun
⢠Gatling cannon and flamer
⢠Despoiler gatling cannon
⢠Heavy darkflamer
⢠Gatling cannon and flamer
⢠Despoiler gatling cannon
⢠Heavy darkflamer
⢠Ruinspear rocket pod
⢠Warlord
⢠Titanic feet
⢠Daemonbreath meltagun
⢠Gatling cannon and flamer
⢠Despoiler gatling cannon
⢠Heavy darkflamer
⢠Gatling cannon and flamer
⢠Despoiler gatling cannon
⢠Heavy darkflamer
⢠Ruinspear rocket pod
⢠Warpstrike claw
⢠Reaper chainsword
⢠Diabolus heavy stubber
War Dog Karnivore (140 pts)
⢠Slaughterclaw
⢠Reaper chaintalon
⢠Havoc multi-launcher
⢠Slaughterclaw
⢠Reaper chaintalon
⢠Havoc multi-launcher
⢠Slaughterclaw
⢠Reaper chaintalon
⢠Havoc multi-launcher
Beasts of Nurgle (65 pts)
⢠Beast of Nurgle
⢠Putrid appendages
⢠Beast of Nurgle
⢠Putrid appendages
⢠3x Nurgling Swarm
⢠3x Diseased claws and teeth
⢠3x Nurgling Swarm
⢠3x Diseased claws and teeth
Archetype
Infernal Lance
Thoughts
All-rounder Infernals here, continuing the trend of the Lance now being by far the best performing detachment, as it’s far less of a coin flip on whether the enemy can handle a big Knight onslaught, and does better than Lords of Dread when diversifying into War Dogs. In fact,Ā every Chaos Knights list this week that either went undefeated or earned a TiWP placing (X-0 going into the final round) was Infernal Lance, so it’s clearly the place to be. This variant has a nice clutch of shockingly fast melee missiles to unleash, backed by the terrifying power of Infernal-ed dual Gatling Despoilers, and under Mika’s command it rampaged to an undefeated third place, good stuff.
Heinrich von Keler – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 4th Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand == CHARACTERS == Ephrael Stern & Kyganil – āThe Sacred Double Penetratorsā (85 pts) Sister Junith āHoly Heatā Eruita (80 pts) Morvenn āDivine Dommeā Vahl (170 pts) [Warlord] Canoness Jenna Sins (100 pts) Canoness Lexi Divine (85 pts) Canoness Nikki Vahlentine (75 pts) Palatine Brandi Blaze (50 pts) == BATTLELINE == Battle Sisters ā The Sacred Starlets (105 pts) == OTHER UNITS == Arco-Flagellants ā The Leather Martyrs (45 pts) Arco-Flagellants ā The Pleasure Penitents (45 pts) Celestian Sacresants ā The Crimson Corset (130 pts) Zephyrim ā The Flying Foxxes (80 pts) Zephyrim ā Sisters of Sinsation (80 pts) Zephyrim ā Valkyrie Vixens (80 pts) Castigator ā āThe Orgasmic Retributorā (160 pts) Castigator ā āSaint Bangalot’s Hammerā (160 pts) Mortifier ā āWhip of Mercyā (70 pts) Mortifier ā āPunishment Protocolā (70 pts) Paragon Warsuits ā Domina Division (210 pts) Immolator ā āThe Burning Desireā (115 pts) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ ARMY NAME: Order of the Burning Bliss
+ PLAYER NAME: Heinrich āTheFonKleurā von Keler
+ FACTION: Imperium ā Adepta Sororitas
+ DETACHMENT: Hallowed Martyrs
+ TOTAL POINTS: 1995 pts
+ WARLORD: Morvenn āDivine Dommeā Vahl
+ ENHANCEMENTS:
– Through Suffering, Strength (Canoness Jenna Sins)
– Saintly Example (Canoness Lexi Divine)
+ SECONDARIES:
– Bring It Down (7×2)
– Assassination (7 Characters)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
– Ephrael Stern: Bolt Pistol, Sanctity
– Kyganil: The Outcast’s Blades
– Mace of Castigation, Twin Ministorum Heavy Flamer
– Fidelis, Lance of Illumination, Paragon Missile Launcher
– Jump Pack, Blessed Halberd
– Enhancement: Through Suffering, Strength
– Jump Pack, Blessed Halberd
– Enhancement: Saintly Example
– Jump Pack, Blessed Halberd
– Palatine Blade, Plasma Pistol
– Sister Superior Tera Takedown: Bolt Pistol, Power Weapon, Inferno Pistol
– 9x Battle Sisters: Bolt Pistols, Bolt Guns, Meltagun, Multi-Melta, Simulacrum Imperialis
– 3x Arco-Flagellant: Arco-Flails
– 3x Arco-Flagellant: Arco-Flails
– Sacresant Superior Stormy Saint James: Inferno Pistol, Spear of the Faithful
– 9x Sacresants: Anointed Halberds, Bolt Pistols
– Superior Chanel Skyblade: Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, Sacred Banner
– 4x Zephyrim: Bolt Pistols, Power Weapons
– Superior Sasha Solarflare: Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, Sacred Banner
– 4x Zephyrim: Bolt Pistols, Power Weapons
– Superior Amber Ascendancy: Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, Sacred Banner
– 4x Zephyrim: Bolt Pistols, Power Weapons
– Castigator Autocannons, 3x Heavy Bolters, Storm Bolter, Hunter-Killer Missile
– Castigator Autocannons, 3x Heavy Bolters, Storm Bolter, Hunter-Killer Missile
– Twin Penitent Buzz-Blades, 2x Heavy Bolters, Anchorite Sarcophagus
– Twin Penitent Buzz-Blades, 2x Heavy Bolters, Anchorite Sarcophagus
– Paragon Superior Mia Malitia: Paragon War Blade, Bolt Pistol, Grenade Launchers, Multi-Melta
– 2x Paragon Warsuits: Same as above
– Twin Multi-Melta, Heavy Bolter, Hunter-Killer Missile
Archetype
Zephyrim Martyrs
Thoughts
Taking the highest scoring 4-1 spot (losing to the Chaos Knights above) is this spin on Hallowed Martyrs, which takes some of the classic pieces then adds some Zephyrim/Canoness murder missiles. The thinking here, I assume, is that if you’re going to sacrifice CharactersĀ anyway then it doesn’t actually cost that much more to make them do some damage on the way, and Zephyrim/Canoness units are pretty scary to some targets between their Dataslate buffs and the once-per-game on the Canoness. That helps give the list a bit more game if the opponent tries to overwhelm silly Sisters nonsense by just bulldozing them. You might point out that this is the plan of the Chaos Knights build it lost to, and that is true, but the margin was a razor thin 89-87, so there’s definitely something to this, and I’m always keen on the extra agency a more aggressive plan gives you. Well done Heinrich.
The Best of the Rest
There were 10 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Eero Saukkonen – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and triple Cerastus (two Atrapos, one Lancer).
- 6th – Sami Kekki – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension):Ā Pure horde host.
- 7th – Ari Hartikainen – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Five bigs and Rotigus.
- 8th – Juha Ottelin – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven):Ā Magnus and max Mutaliths/Englightened.
- 9th – Jussi KoskimƤki – Adepta Sororitas (Champions of Faith): Triple Sacresant/Hospitaller blocks running interference for lots of tanks.
- 10th – Tom Wikholm – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Two dakka Despoilers (one with battle cannons, one with gatling), lots of War Dogs and Rotigus.
- 11th – Aleksi Lehtiƶ – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion):Ā Khorne/Nurgle Incursion, with the Gift GUO and Be’lakor as an anvil and Khorne stuff to smash things.
- 12th – Indran Yogaswaran – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Liberator goodstuff with baal Predators and Ballistus Dreads as shooty backup.
- 13th – Samppa Orhanen – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault):Ā Extra Ravener-heavy Assault with two units each of the two flavours, backed by heavy dakka from Tyrannofexes and a Zoanthrope unit.
- 14th – Niklas Sundstrƶm – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Silent King with double Wraiths and double Doomsday.
Heart of War Road to NOVA 40K Event with 21st Legion & Away Games
57-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Westminster, MD, United States on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Mark Hertel – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Captain in Gravis Armour (110 Points) Judiciar (95 Points) Watch Master (130 Points) BATTLELINE Deathwatch Veterans (100 Points) Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points) Intercessor Squad (80 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points) Deathwatch Terminator Squad (190 Points) Deathwatch Terminator Squad (190 Points) Indomitor Kill Team (270 Points) Indomitor Kill Team (270 Points) Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 Points) Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (150 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (1), Data Version: v647
The men who stare at Death (2000 Points)
Deathwatch
Black Spear Task Force
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
⢠Warlord
⢠1x Boltstorm gauntlet
⢠1x Power fist
⢠1x Relic blade
⢠Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades
⢠1x Absolvor bolt pistol
⢠1x Executioner relic blade
⢠Enhancements: Beacon Angelis
⢠1x Vigil spear
⢠Enhancements: Thief of Secrets
⢠1x Watch Sergeant
⦠1x Astartes shield
⦠1x Xenophase blade
⢠4x Deathwatch Veterans
⦠2x Close combat weapon
⦠2x Deathwatch thunder hammer
⦠1x Frag cannon
⦠1x Infernus heavy bolter
⢠1x Watch Sergeant
⦠1x Astartes shield
⦠1x Xenophase blade
⢠9x Deathwatch Veterans
⦠3x Astartes shield
⦠2x Close combat weapon
⦠4x Deathwatch thunder hammer
⦠2x Frag cannon
⦠3x Power weapon
⢠1x Intercessor Sergeant
⦠1x Astartes grenade launcher
⦠1x Bolt pistol
⦠1x Bolt rifle
⦠1x Power fist
⢠4x Intercessor
⦠4x Bolt pistol
⦠4x Bolt rifle
⦠4x Close combat weapon
⢠1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
⦠1x Plasma pistol
⦠1x Power fist
⢠4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
⦠4x Astartes chainsword
⦠3x Heavy bolt pistol
⦠1x Plasma pistol
⢠1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant
⦠1x Power fist
⦠1x Storm bolter
⢠4x Deathwatch Terminator
⦠3x Cyclone missile launcher
⦠4x Power fist
⦠4x Storm bolter
⢠1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant
⦠1x Power fist
⦠1x Storm bolter
⢠4x Deathwatch Terminator
⦠3x Cyclone missile launcher
⦠4x Power fist
⦠4x Storm bolter
⢠4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors
⦠4x Bolt pistol
⦠4x Close combat weapon
⦠2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
⦠2x Deathwatch heavy bolter
⢠3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists
⦠3x Flamestorm gauntlets
⦠3x Twin power fists
⢠3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle
⦠3x Bolt pistol
⦠3x Close combat weapon
⦠2x Melta rifle
⦠1x Multi-melta
⢠4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors
⦠4x Bolt pistol
⦠4x Close combat weapon
⦠2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
⦠2x Deathwatch heavy bolter
⢠3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists
⦠3x Flamestorm gauntlets
⦠3x Twin power fists
⢠3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle
⦠3x Bolt pistol
⦠3x Close combat weapon
⦠2x Melta rifle
⦠1x Multi-melta
⢠1x Close combat weapon
⢠1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
⢠2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
⢠1x Melta destroyer
⢠1x Close combat weapon
⢠1x Stormfury missiles
⢠1x Thunderstrike las-talon
⢠1x Twin Icarus rocket pod
Archetype
Crunchy Deathwatch
Thoughts
Hi Mark, another event win with Deathwatch is it? Still the only person who seems to notice how great they are? Cool, yeah, same time next month?
Seriously though – this build is very durable, has great mobilty from Stratagems, and can absolutely flatten priority targets while not being dead to hordes. In the current metagame, what’s not to like? Not sure why only Mark (and, to be fair, a few people who put up strong X-1s this week) seems to get that, but great job.
Max Berlove – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necrons CHARACTERS Catacomb Command Barge (150 Points) Technomancer (105 Points) The Silent King (420 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Reanimator (75 Points) Canoptek Spyders (75 Points) Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points) Cryptothralls (60 Points) Deathmarks (60 Points) Doomsday Ark (200 Points) Doomsday Ark (200 Points) Doomsday Ark (200 Points) Lokhust Destroyers (40 Points) Ophydian Destroyers (80 Points) Triarch Stalker (110 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651
I like big guns and I cannot lie (1995 Points)
Starshatter Arsenal
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
⢠1x Gauss cannon
⢠1x Overlord’s blade
⢠1x Resurrection Orb
⢠Enhancements: Dread Majesty (Aura)
⢠1x Staff of light
⢠Enhancements: Chrono-impedance Fields
⢠1x Szarekh
⢠Warlord
⦠1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory
⦠1x Staff of Stars
⦠1x Weapons of the Final Triarch
⢠2x Triarchal Menhir
⦠2x Annihilator beam
⦠2x Armoured bulk
⢠2x Atomiser beam
⢠1x Reanimator’s claws
⢠1x Automaton claws
⢠1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura)
⢠1x Gloom Prism (Aura)
⢠2x Particle beamer
⢠6x Canoptek Wraith
⦠6x Particle caster
⦠6x Vicious claws
⢠2x Cryptothrall
⦠2x Scouring eye
⦠2x Scythed limbs
⢠5x Deathmark
⦠5x Close combat weapon
⦠5x Synaptic disintegrator
⢠1x Armoured bulk
⢠1x Doomsday cannon
⢠2x Gauss flayer array
⢠1x Armoured bulk
⢠1x Doomsday cannon
⢠2x Gauss flayer array
⢠1x Armoured bulk
⢠1x Doomsday cannon
⢠2x Gauss flayer array
⢠1x Close combat weapon
⢠1x Gauss cannon
⢠3x Ophydian Destroyer
⦠3x Ophydian hyperphase weapons
⦠1x Plasmacyte
⢠1x Heat ray
⢠1x Stalker’s forelimbs
Archetype
Doomsday Arks go brrrr.
Thoughts
Classic shooty Starshatter here, with a bit of extra Removes Cover tech from a Triarch for any weird 2+ no invulnerable save-spamming builds. You see the enemy, you start blasting with extreme re-roll support, and then you don’t see the enemy any more, simple. Great work Max.
The Best of the Rest
There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Jeffrey Kolodner – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs):Ā All-rounder Martyrs with a Sacresant squad an extra sacrificial Mortifiers.
- 4th – Nick McClaeb – Space Wolves (Gladius Task Force):Ā Wolfy Gladius Goodstuff with Lancers and lots of ThunderCav.
- 5th – Zach Hilts – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors): Heavy-hitting Inheritors with a large unit each of Sanguinary Guard and Bladeguard backed by Baal Predators and Inceptors for shooting.
- 6th – Stephen Henry – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor):Ā Extra shooty Lions with triple Caladius and 3×2 bikes.
- 7th – Malaki Fowler – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus Coven Goodstuff with added Forgefiends, and one large Rubricae unit.
- 8th – Leigh Brady – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal):Ā Silent King with double Wraiths and double Doomsday.
- 9th – Tyler Principio – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium):Ā Vectorium goodstuff with Mortarion.
- 10th – Brandon Owens – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force):Ā Heavy-duty Deathwatch with two Indomitor teams and a Land Raider Redeemer full of Eradicators.
Waterdeep GT 4ta Edición
41-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Aguascalientes, Ags., MƩxico on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown

Unknown Mission
Xavier Barrera – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) Adepta Sororitas CHARACTERS Canoness (60 points) Daemonifuge (85 points) Imagifier (65 points) Junith Eruita (80 points) Morvenn Vahl (170 points) Palatine (75 points) Palatine (50 points) BATTLELINE Battle Sisters Squad (105 points) Battle Sisters Squad (105 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Immolator (115 points) Immolator (115 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Castigator (160 points) Castigator (160 points) Celestian Sacresants (130 points) Mortifiers (70 points) Mortifiers (70 points) Mortifiers (70 points) Paragon Warsuits (210 points) Sisters Novitiate Squad (100 points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651
Army List - Click to Expand
in Jeff i trust (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hallowed Martyrs
⢠1x Bolt Pistol
1x Brazier of holy fire
1x Hallowed chainsword
⢠Enhancement: Saintly Example
⢠1x Ephrael Stern
⢠1x Bolt pistol
1x Sanctity
⢠1x Kyganil of the Bloody Tears
⢠1x The Outcast’s Weapons
⢠1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
⢠1x Mace of Castigation
1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer
⢠Warlord
⢠1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher
⢠1x Palatine blade
1x Plasma pistol
⢠Enhancement: Through Suffering, Strength
⢠1x Palatine blade
1x Plasma pistol
⢠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
⢠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
⢠1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta
⢠1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta
⢠1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
⢠1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
⢠1x Sacresant Superior
⢠1x Inferno pistol
1x Spear of the faithful
⢠9x Celestian Sacresant
⢠9x Anointed halberd
9x Bolt pistol
⢠1x Anchorite Sarcophagus
2x Heavy bolter
1x Twin penitent buzz-blades
⢠1x Anchorite Sarcophagus
2x Heavy bolter
1x Twin penitent buzz-blades
⢠1x Anchorite Sarcophagus
2x Heavy bolter
1x Twin penitent buzz-blades
⢠1x Paragon Superior
⢠1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war mace
⢠2x Paragon
⢠2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war mace
⢠1x Novitiate Superior
⢠1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
⢠9x Sister Novitiate
⢠9x Autopistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Ministorum flamer
5x Novitiate melee weapons
1x Sacred Banner
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
vs.
Vazto Tovar – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack) T’au Empire CHARACTERS Kroot Trail Shaper (55 points) BATTLELINE Kroot Carnivores (65 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Hammerhead Gunship (145 points) Hammerhead Gunship (145 points) Hammerhead Gunship (145 points) Krootox Rampagers (170 points) Krootox Rampagers (170 points) Krootox Rampagers (170 points) Krootox Riders (90 points) Krootox Riders (90 points) Krootox Riders (90 points) Sky Ray Gunship (140 points) Sky Ray Gunship (140 points) Sky Ray Gunship (140 points) Stealth Battlesuits (80 points) Stealth Battlesuits (80 points) Stealth Battlesuits (80 points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651
Army List - Click to Expand
y como los gorilas!!! (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kroot Hunting Pack
⢠Warlord
⢠1x Kroot rifle
1x Shaper’s blade
⢠1x Long-quill
⢠1x Close combat weapon
1x Kroot pistol
1x Kroot rifle
⢠9x Kroot Carnivore
⢠9x Close combat weapon
8x Kroot rifle
1x Tanglebomb launcher
⢠1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
2x Smart missile system
⢠1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
2x Smart missile system
⢠1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
2x Smart missile system
⢠6x Krootox Rampagers
⢠6x Hunting blades
6x Kroot pistol and hunting javelins
6x Rampager fists
⢠6x Krootox Rampagers
⢠6x Hunting blades
6x Kroot pistol and hunting javelins
6x Rampager fists
⢠6x Krootox Rampagers
⢠6x Hunting blades
6x Kroot pistol and hunting javelins
6x Rampager fists
⢠3x Krootox Rider
⢠3x Close combat weapon
3x Krootox fists
2x Repeater cannon
1x Tanglecannon
⢠3x Krootox Rider
⢠3x Close combat weapon
3x Krootox fists
2x Repeater cannon
1x Tanglecannon
⢠3x Krootox Rider
⢠3x Close combat weapon
3x Krootox fists
2x Repeater cannon
1x Tanglecannon
⢠1x Armoured hull
1x Seeker missile rack
2x Smart missile system
⢠1x Armoured hull
1x Seeker missile rack
2x Smart missile system
⢠1x Armoured hull
1x Seeker missile rack
2x Smart missile system
⢠1x Stealth Shas’vre
⢠1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
⢠2x Stealth Shas’ui
⢠2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
⢠1x Stealth Shas’vre
⢠1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
⢠2x Stealth Shas’ui
⢠2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
⢠1x Stealth Shas’vre
⢠1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Fusion blaster
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
⢠2x Stealth Shas’ui
⢠2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
Thoughts
A fascinating showdown here where I’ll say up front that IĀ wish I had the mission, but could not find it. On the one hand, Martyrs Sisters are conventionally strong into T’au, because their revival Stratagem is a super reliable way to score. Not this T’au list though – the combination of Krootox Riders being able to (easily) tap a Character in the Charge Phase and the sheer number of units the T’au have are both big problems for the Sisters normal plans, and the impact Mortals from the Krootox in general are just a big headache more widely.
The only saving grace for the Sororitas is the lack of high OC or hordey stuff from the T’au – it means they do actually have to play an active game to push Sisters off the objectives to stop them racking up points, and if they kill the Krootox that becomes a fair bit harder. That’s easier said than done though, and I cannot get over the extent to which there is justĀ so much stuff on the T’au side of the table relative to the Sisters. From the Greater Good’s side of thsi game, I think you just get hyper aggressive with everything – all the hulls come up the board too, and there’s a strong shot that the Sisters cannot do enough damage to do anything about it. Sisters are great at reliably killing stuff up to a certain threshold, and I think this T’au army can just overwhelm their killing power.
From the Sisters side, that means they need to be judicious about where they’re killing stuff – this is a classic game where they want to pick a flank and fight hard for it, and commit minimal forces to trying to hold the line elsewhere. That can reclaim some of the value of the reviving Characters – sure they may get killed, but if the T’au have to send a valuable unit off to do it, then it’s still lessened the load a bit.
Even with good planning though I’d expect the T’au to be able to dominate this game – but the Hallowed Martyrs wereĀ just able to flip the script and take a narrow win, so very well played.
Result
Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) Victory – 76 – 74
Xavier Barrera – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Adepta Sororitas CHARACTERS Canoness (60 points) Daemonifuge (85 points) Imagifier (65 points) Junith Eruita (80 points) Morvenn Vahl (170 points) Palatine (75 points) Palatine (50 points) BATTLELINE Battle Sisters Squad (105 points) Battle Sisters Squad (105 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Immolator (115 points) Immolator (115 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Castigator (160 points) Castigator (160 points) Celestian Sacresants (130 points) Mortifiers (70 points) Mortifiers (70 points) Mortifiers (70 points) Paragon Warsuits (210 points) Sisters Novitiate Squad (100 points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651
in Jeff i trust (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hallowed Martyrs
⢠1x Bolt Pistol
1x Brazier of holy fire
1x Hallowed chainsword
⢠Enhancement: Saintly Example
⢠1x Ephrael Stern
⢠1x Bolt pistol
1x Sanctity
⢠1x Kyganil of the Bloody Tears
⢠1x The Outcast’s Weapons
⢠1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
⢠1x Mace of Castigation
1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer
⢠Warlord
⢠1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher
⢠1x Palatine blade
1x Plasma pistol
⢠Enhancement: Through Suffering, Strength
⢠1x Palatine blade
1x Plasma pistol
⢠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
⢠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
⢠1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta
⢠1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta
⢠1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
⢠1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
⢠1x Sacresant Superior
⢠1x Inferno pistol
1x Spear of the faithful
⢠9x Celestian Sacresant
⢠9x Anointed halberd
9x Bolt pistol
⢠1x Anchorite Sarcophagus
2x Heavy bolter
1x Twin penitent buzz-blades
⢠1x Anchorite Sarcophagus
2x Heavy bolter
1x Twin penitent buzz-blades
⢠1x Anchorite Sarcophagus
2x Heavy bolter
1x Twin penitent buzz-blades
⢠1x Paragon Superior
⢠1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war mace
⢠2x Paragon
⢠2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war mace
⢠1x Novitiate Superior
⢠1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
⢠9x Sister Novitiate
⢠9x Autopistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Ministorum flamer
5x Novitiate melee weapons
1x Sacred Banner
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
Archetype
All-rounder Martyrs
Thoughts
Classic all-rounder Martyrs from Xavier again, putting up back-to-back event wins after last week. Always a power move, and I love the solo Mortifiers as anti-Knight melee defence using Suffering and Sacrifice.Ā Congratulations once more to Xavier!
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Vazto Tovar – T’au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack):Ā See Showdown.
- 3rd – Joseph Walsh – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Triarch Stalkers, Doomsdays and a big Warrior block.
- 4th – Daniel Rivera – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager):Ā Extra Venom-heavy Wager with lots of Ravagers as well.
- 5th – Isaac Gutierrez – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Vectorium Goodstuff with Predators and a Plague Marine unit.
- 6th – Miguel Angel ZuƱiga Garcia – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance):Ā A Canis, Atrapos and Lancer trio.
Cross-Swords War At The Westward VIII
34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Lee Mill Bridge, England, United Kingdom on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Mikey Rzasa – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand World Eaters CHARACTERS Daemon Prince of Khorne (220 points) Khârn the Betrayer (85 points) Slaughterbound (110 points) BATTLELINE Khorne Berzerkers (180 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (85 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chaos Spawn (80 points) Chaos Spawn (80 points) Chaos Spawn (80 points) Eightbound (150 points) Exalted Eightbound (160 points) Forgefiend (150 points) Forgefiend (150 points) Helbrute (120 points) Helbrute (120 points) Jakhals (65 points) Maulerfiend (150 points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651
I was going to bring Sisters but couldn’t be asked to stick magnets underneath their bases. (1985 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Berzerker Warband
⢠1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
⢠Enhancement: Helm of Brazen Ire
⢠Warlord
⢠1x Gorechild
1x Plasma pistol
⢠1x Lacerator and daemonic claw
⢠Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive
⢠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
⢠1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
⢠2x Chaos Spawn
⢠2x Hideous mutations
⢠2x Chaos Spawn
⢠2x Hideous mutations
⢠2x Chaos Spawn
⢠2x Hideous mutations
⢠1x Eightbound Champion
⢠1x Chainblades
⢠2x Eightbound
⢠2x Chainblades
⢠1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
⢠1x Chainblades
⢠2x Exalted Eightbound
⢠2x Chainblades
⢠3x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Forgefiend claws
⢠3x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Forgefiend claws
⢠1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Helbrute fist
1x Helbrute hammer
⢠1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Helbrute fist
1x Helbrute hammer
⢠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
⢠2x Magma cutter
1x Maulerfiend fists
Archetype
Helbrute Warband
Thoughts
Lots of the favoured Berzerker Warband toys on top here, but subbing out a second big Berzerker unit for some Helbrutes, providing a bit of hammer-based counterpunch into Knights, and annoying deathballs into more go-wide builds that can’t reliably lift them. A fun spin on things, and also helps minimise the non-durable attack surface early (since Eightbound can easily high). Good to see World Eaters continuing to just be super solid, good work Mikey.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Tomas Hicklin – T’au Empire (Mont’ka):Ā Heavy shooty hulls with Riptides, Sky Rays and a Stormsurge.
- 3rd – Tom Godfrey – Orks (War Horde):Ā Mechanised War Horde
- 4th – Jonathan Summerfield – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders):Ā Monster mash Raiders, using triple Disco, Vashtorr and some Forgefiends, plus a full Warp Talon unit as a roving ingress, murder, repeat threat.
- 5th – Stuart Lee – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Horde host.
- 6th – Kieron Hayman – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms):Ā Dorn spam, two each of Commanders and regulars, protected by two full BUllgryn unit.
Fleur-De-Lis GT
32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in St. Louis, MO, United States on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Ryan Verbeck – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Genestealer Cults CHARACTERS Benefictus (85 points) Benefictus (70 points) Benefictus (70 points) Nexos (60 points) Primus (100 points) Reductus Saboteur (65 points) Reductus Saboteur (65 points) BATTLELINE Acolyte Hybrids with Autopistols (65 points) Acolyte Hybrids with Autopistols (65 points) Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 points) Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 points) Neophyte Hybrids (145 points) Neophyte Hybrids (145 points) Neophyte Hybrids (145 points) Neophyte Hybrids (145 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points) Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points) Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points) Atalan Jackals (75 points) Atalan Jackals (75 points) Hybrid Metamorphs (80 points) Purestrain Genestealers (75 points) Purestrain Genestealers (75 points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651
the hive’s whisper (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Host of Ascension
⢠1x Close combat weapon
1x Psionic Cascade
⢠Enhancement: Assassination Edict
⢠1x Close combat weapon
1x Psionic Cascade
⢠1x Close combat weapon
1x Psionic Cascade
⢠1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
⢠Warlord
⢠1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
⢠Enhancement: A Chink In Their Armour
⢠1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charges
1x Remote explosives
⢠1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charges
1x Remote explosives
⢠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
⢠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
⢠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
⢠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
⢠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
⢠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
⢠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
⢠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
⢠1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy mortar
1x Spotter
1x Twin heavy stubber
⢠1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy mortar
1x Spotter
1x Twin heavy stubber
⢠1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy mortar
1x Survey Augur
1x Twin heavy stubber
⢠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
⢠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
⢠1x Metamorph Leader
⢠1x Autopistol
1x Leader’s cult weapons
⢠4x Hybrid Metamorph
⢠4x Autopistol
4x Metamorph mutations
⢠5x Purestrain Genestealer
⢠5x Cult claws and talons
⢠5x Purestrain Genestealer
⢠5x Cult claws and talons
Archetype
Horde Host
Thoughts
It’s horde host – it brings great scoring and board presence to out-play Knights, and overwhelming force from the big Neophyte blocks for everyone else (and kind of the Knights too, since they’re all packingĀ Lethal Hits). By the numbers this is now one ofĀ the builds to beat, and this build is set up to score especially strongly to lock in reliable wins, so no surprise to see Ryan thriving with it, good stuff.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Connor Johnson – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus, Multaliths, Enlightened and a couple of Scarab Occult units.
- 3rd – Sam Anderson – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Vectorium goodstuff with an allied battle cannon Despoiler.
- 4th – David Clark – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer):Ā Direct fire Daemon Engines, Deathshrounds and a Despoiler.
- 5th – Cody Hogge – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock):Ā Deathwing Knights, an Inner Circle Companion squad and the Lion, backed by Gladiator Lancers.
- 6th – Gabriel Patino – Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance):Ā An Atrapos, Tyrant and gatling Despoiler as heavy hitters with lots of War Dogs.
W4 – Western Wisconsin Wargaming Weekend
30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Eau Claire, WI, United States on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum (Recon Element) – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CHARACTER Char1: 6x Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 pts) Char2: 1x Ursula Creed (85 pts) Char3: 1x Cadian Castellan (60 pts) Char4: 1x Cadian Castellan (55 pts) Char5: 1x Cadian Castellan (55 pts) Char6: 5x Cadian Command Squad (65 pts) Char7: 5x Cadian Command Squad (65 pts) Char8: 5x Cadian Command Squad (65 pts) BATTLELINE 20x Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts) 20x Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts) 20x Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts) 20x Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts) 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 pts) 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 pts) 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 pts) 20x Death Korps of Krieg (145 pts) 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts) 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts) 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts) 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts) 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts) OTHER DATASHEETS 10x Attilan Rough Riders (120 pts) 10x Attilan Rough Riders (120 pts) 1x Scout Sentinels (55 pts)
I’m in my Element… My Recon Element
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Astra Militarum
+ DETACHMENT: ReconĀ Element
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Gaunt’s Ghosts
+ ENHANCEMENT: Scare Gas Grenades (on Char1: Cadian Castellan)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 24
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (1×2) – Assassination: 8 Characters – Cull The Horde: 5×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
⢠1x Ibram Gaunt
1 with Bolt pistol, Gaunt’s chainsword
⢠Warlord, Ibram Gaunt, Invulnerable Save 5+
⢠5x Tanith Ghost
1 with Bragg’s autocannon, Straight silver knife
⢠Tanith Ghost
1 with Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine, Straight silver knife
⢠Tanith Ghost
1 with Larkin’s long-las, Straight silver knife
⢠Tanith Ghost
1 with Lascarbine, Mkoll’s straight silver knife
⢠Tanith Ghost
1 with Rawne’s lascarbine, Straight silver knife
⢠Tanith Ghost
1 with Duty and Vengeance, Power weapon
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
Enhancement: Scare Gas Grenades (+5 pts)
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
⢠1x Cadian Commander
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
⢠Cadian Commander
⢠4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun, Plasma pistol
⢠Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Master vox, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Medi-pack, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun, Regimental standard
⢠Cadian Veteran Guardsman
⢠1x Cadian Commander
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
⢠Cadian Commander
⢠4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun, Plasma pistol
⢠Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Master vox, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Medi-pack, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun, Regimental standard
⢠Cadian Veteran Guardsman
⢠1x Cadian Commander
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
⢠Cadian Commander
⢠4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun, Plasma pistol
⢠Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Master vox, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Medi-pack, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun, Regimental standard
⢠Cadian Veteran Guardsman
⢠2x Shock Trooper Sergeant
2 with Close combat weapon, Sergeant’s autogun
⢠Shock Trooper
⢠18x Shock Trooper
12 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Shock Trooper
⢠2x Shock Trooper Sergeant
2 with Close combat weapon, Sergeant’s autogun
⢠Shock Trooper
⢠18x Shock Trooper
12 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Shock Trooper
⢠2x Shock Trooper Sergeant
2 with Close combat weapon, Sergeant’s autogun
⢠Shock Trooper
⢠18x Shock Trooper
12 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Shock Trooper
⢠2x Shock Trooper Sergeant
2 with Close combat weapon, Sergeant’s autogun
⢠Shock Trooper
⢠18x Shock Trooper
12 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Shock Trooper
⢠1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
1 with Close combat weapon, Laspistol
⢠Catachan Jungle Fighter
⢠9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Catachan Jungle Fighter
2 with Close combat weapon, Flamer
⢠Catachan Jungle Fighter
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Catachan Jungle Fighter
⢠1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
1 with Close combat weapon, Laspistol
⢠Catachan Jungle Fighter
⢠9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Catachan Jungle Fighter
2 with Close combat weapon, Flamer
⢠Catachan Jungle Fighter
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Catachan Jungle Fighter
⢠1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
1 with Close combat weapon, Laspistol
⢠Catachan Jungle Fighter
⢠9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Catachan Jungle Fighter
2 with Close combat weapon, Flamer
⢠Catachan Jungle Fighter
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Catachan Jungle Fighter
⢠2x Death Korps Watchmaster
2 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠18x Death Korps Trooper
10 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠1x Death Korps Watchmaster
1 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠1x Death Korps Watchmaster
1 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠1x Death Korps Watchmaster
1 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠1x Death Korps Watchmaster
1 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠1x Death Korps Watchmaster
1 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
⢠Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
⢠Death Korps of Krieg
⢠1x Rough Rider Sergeant
1 with Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves, Hunting lance
⢠Attilan Rough Rider
⢠9x Rough Rider
9 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
⢠Attilan Rough Rider
⢠1x Rough Rider Sergeant
1 with Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves, Hunting lance
⢠Attilan Rough Rider
⢠9x Rough Rider
9 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
⢠Attilan Rough Rider
⢠1x Scout Sentinel
1 with Close combat weapon, Hunter-killer missile, Sentinel chainsaw, Lascannon
⢠Scout Sentinel
Archetype
Board Flood Recon Element
Thoughts
If you play the ever adaptable Guard and want toĀ pretend to be Genestealer Cults, here’s your army – just endless,Ā endless bodies that die annoyingly hard thanks to the Detachment rule, stack infinite OC thanks to various buffs, and can dance around the board very effectively thanks to Move Move Move! and the Stratagem suite. This one is always a supreme scoring build, and Wesley piloted it to a series of dominant victories here, congratulations.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Preston Cunningham – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium):Ā Mortarion Vectorium goodstuff.
- 3rd – Daniel Lorbiecki – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host):Ā Various Infantry threats, including two units of Venatari, and allied Canis Rex.
- 4th – Jeremiah Petit – Leagues of Votann (Oathband):Ā Triple Land Fortress, several Sagitaurs, and various things to ride around in/with them.
- 5th – Seth Pommer – Orks (Kult of Speed): A proper Speedwaaagh with maximum Deffkoptas, lots of buggies, nasty Biker units with Wartrikes, and Zodgrod’s supa Grots.
Incarnatus
16-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Montevideo, Uruguay on July 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Pablo Assandri – Leagues of Votann – 1st Place

The List
Army List - Click to Expand Los tres amigos (1995 points) Leagues of Votann CHARACTERS Einhyr Champion (80 points) Einhyr Champion (85 points) Einhyr Champion (60 points) Grimnyr (65 points) BATTLELINE Hearthkyn Warriors (100 points) Hearthkyn Warriors (100 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Sagitaur (115 points) OTHER DATASHEETS BrƓkhyr Thunderkyn (80 points) Cthonian Beserks (200 points) Einhyr Hearthguard (150 points) Einhyr Hearthguard (150 points) Hekaton Land Fortress (225 points) Hekaton Land Fortress (225 points) Hernkyn Pioneers (90 points) Hernkyn Pioneers (90 points) Hernkyn Pioneers (90 points) Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 points) Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651
Strike Force (2000 points)
Oathband
⢠1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
1x Mass hammer
1x Weavefield Crest
⢠Enhancement: Appraising Glare
⢠Warlord
⢠1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
1x Mass hammer
1x Weavefield Crest
⢠Enhancement: Wayfarerās Grace
⢠1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
1x Mass hammer
1x Weavefield Crest
⢠1x Grimnyr
⢠1x Ancestral Wrath
1x Ancestral ward stave
⢠2x CORV
⢠2x Autoch-pattern bolter
2x Close combat weapon
⢠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
9x Close combat weapon
1x Comms Array
1x EtaCarn plasma beamer
1x HYLas auto rifle
7x Ion blaster
1x Medipack
1x Pan Spectral Scanner
⢠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
9x Close combat weapon
1x Comms Array
1x EtaCarn plasma beamer
1x HYLas auto rifle
7x Ion blaster
1x Medipack
1x Pan Spectral Scanner
⢠1x Armoured wheels
1x HYLas beam cannon
1x Twin bolt cannon
⢠3x BrÓkhyr Thunderkyn
⢠3x Close combat weapon
3x Graviton blast cannon
⢠10x Cthonian Beserk
⢠10x Concussion maul
2x Mole grenade launcher
⢠1x Hesyr
⢠1x Concussion gauntlet
1x EtaCarn plasma gun
1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
1x Teleport Crest
⢠4x Einhyr Hearthguard
⢠4x Concussion gauntlet
4x EtaCarn plasma gun
4x Exo-armour grenade launcher
⢠1x Hesyr
⢠1x Concussion gauntlet
1x EtaCarn plasma gun
1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
1x Teleport Crest
⢠4x Einhyr Hearthguard
⢠4x Concussion gauntlet
4x EtaCarn plasma gun
4x Exo-armour grenade launcher
⢠1x Armoured wheels
1x MATR autocannon
1x Pan Spectral Scanner
1x SP heavy conversion beamer
2x Twin bolt cannon
⢠1x Armoured wheels
1x MATR autocannon
1x Pan Spectral Scanner
1x SP heavy conversion beamer
2x Twin bolt cannon
⢠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
⢠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
⢠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
⢠1x Yaegir Theyn
⢠1x Bolt revolver
1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma knife
⢠9x Hernkyn Yaegir
⢠9x Bolt revolver
9x Close combat weapon
9x Plasma knife
Archetype
Land Fortress Hearthguard
Thoughts
Does the Grimnyr not get to be an amigo? That seems rude to the poor man. He’s trying. Anyway – this is a double Fortress build that’s gone for the more classic option of putting small Hearthguard units in them over Beserks, which providesĀ extremely good horde clearance when they pop out and useĀ Fire Support.Ā As we’ve seen this week, that’s suddenly aĀ very good thing to have, and this build still has the flexibility to load up a big Beserk brick into one of the Fortresses if counter-charging Knights is more important. Well done to Pablo on the win!
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Sebastian Pombo – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group):Ā Heavy Liberator goodstuff with a pair of Repulsor Executioners.
- 3rd – Pedro Colares – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force):Ā Triple Dreadknight, Crowe’s Purifiers and a couple of Terminator squads.
- 4th – Carlos Burmester – T’au Empire (Experimental Prototype Cadre):Ā Lots of Crisis Sunforge squads with tooled up Commanders and various supporting threats.
Wrap Up
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