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.

This week we’ve gone tall rather than wide; another 1000+ player event, but concentrated in 10 events rather than split between 20. I’d say I’m dreading how long the Best of the Rest sections will get, but I’ve already written them and I know full well that it was terrible. Also terrible is the continued Death Guard and Knight domination, which I’m very bored of. Sometimes bigger events bring answers, sometimes they just hammer home what’s wrong, and this is definitely the latter.

Still, there’s new books coming live soon to freshen up the metagame, and if you’re optimistic that Black Templars will somehow fix everything, come prove it at the Goonhammer Open UK on 6th-7th September in Leicester – details and tickets below.

Event Page (Incl. maps/missions)
EventBrite (tickets)
BCP

Now, those massive events, starting today with:

Lone Star Open 2025 – 40k Champs
KREFELD MAJOR 2025 40K
Arch City GT4
Your Hobby Place Road to NOVA 40K Event Hosted by Away Games
EagleHammer

Part 2 on Friday will cover:

WTC Warmaster GT 2025
Krootcon 2025 – NSWTC
Iowaaagh! Moose-tacular 2025
SUMMER SHOWDOWN 40K
The Great Game – Gongaii GT Summer 2025

Finally, in Part 3 on Saturday we’ll have:

A bonus look at the top teams from the WTC.

Lone Star Open 2025 – 40k Champs

307-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Allen, TX, United States on August 09 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Note that one player was dropped from the top placings after the event completed, so I have bumped everyone else up by one place. If the TOs have done some other clever re-arrangement let us know and we’ll try and correct it, but this is what we had to go on in BCP.

Junior Aflleje – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

DG 0-6 here we go! (1995 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 Points)
• 1x Manreaper

Lord of Contagion (125 Points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancements: Shriekworm Familiar

Lord of Virulence (110 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Twin plague spewer
• Enhancements: 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

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (180 Points)
• 2x Myphitic Blight-hauler
◦ 2x Bile spurt
◦ 2x Gnashing maw
◦ 2x Missile launcher
◦ 2x 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: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Nerf this sick filth

Thoughts

Iiiit’s Death Guard. Are you surprised? No? Ah well. This is pretty much the stock Hammer build, but with one Plagueburst cut out for an extra double Hauler squad, which allows the build to be a touch more proactive in games against other heavy hitters, and maybe a little more pushback against someone who tries to rush you down. I think I do marginally prefer this choice if you really pin me down and make me decide, so good work landing on it and taking the trophy Junior.

Oscar Ruiz – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

20250804 – this list is not fun to play (into) (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 points)
• 1x Manreaper

Lord of Contagion (125 points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Shriekworm Familiar

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (140 points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone 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: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Nerf this sick filth

Thoughts

Speaking of which – the stock Plagueburst Hammer build, with three of the artillery tanks. Ultra-strong and a proven engine of destruction. Well done to Oscar on undefeated second place.

Justin Moore – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Crons(1995 points)

On my challenge, by the ancient laws of combat we are met at this chosen ground to settle for good and all who holds sway over the five points, Us xenos born right wise to this fine galaxy, or the imperial hordes defiling it

Necrons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Awakened Dynasty

CHARACTERS

Hexmark Destroyer (75 points)
Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

Orikan the Diviner (80 points)
• 1x Staff of Tomorrow

Royal Warden (70 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Relic gauss blaster
• Enhancement: Nether-realm Casket

Technomancer (80 points)
• 1x Staff of light

BATTLELINE

Necron Warriors (200 points)
• 20x Necron Warrior
• 20x Close combat weapon
20x Gauss reaper

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Ghost Ark (115 points)
• 1x Armoured bulk
2x Gauss flayer array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Reanimator (75 points)
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws

Canoptek Wraiths (220 points)
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
• 6x Particle caster
6x Vicious claws

Cryptothralls (60 points)
• 2x Cryptothrall
• 2x Scouring eye
2x Scythed limbs

Deathmarks (60 points)
• 5x Deathmark
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Synaptic disintegrator

Doomsday Ark (200 points)
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array

Flayed Ones (60 points)
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws

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

Archetype

Tarpit Dynasty, a pure, blameless build that should probably get a little present.

Thoughts

Necrons take the third undefeated slot here, unleashing an ultra durable scoring build, and making some concessions to the existence of double gatling Infernals by bringing enough Doomsdays to blow one up. I know from experience with Court that two Wraith units can pin down and out-score Mortarion’s Hammer if you use them right, and adding Warriors to double down on that further secures that matchup, as Death Guard don’t really have the single activation killing power to handle the unit. Doomsdays provide no questions asked shooty support beyond that, and give you a shot in your nastiest games like Infernals, leaving this build as inexorable, grindy machine that no one at the Lone Star could defeat, great stuff Justin.

Derek Apsche – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 4th Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

1 Morty vectorium (1995 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration

Lord of Contagion (135 points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Furnace of Plagues

Lord of Contagion (120 points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Daemon Weapon of Nurgle

Mortarion (380 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Lantern
1x Rotwind
1x Silence

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

Typhus (90 points)
• 1x Lakrimae

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (95 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Meltagun
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer

Plague Marines (95 points)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Meltagun
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe

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

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

Archetype

Nerf this sick filth.

Thoughts

The opposite end of Death Guard rounds out our top four, with Derek unleashing a nasty brawler build centred around the big man himself. This build rolls around the table taking names, and has some great additional threat projection from the Rhino full of Plague Marines, providing staged reach into ruins that some Death Guard builds are a little short on. It’s a little more vulnerable to someone managing to punk your big centrepiece, but looking at the eye watering scores Derek racked up I don’t think that was an issue.

The Best of the Rest

There were 25 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th – Hunter Nichols – Space Wolves (Saga of the Beastslayer): Heavy duty herohammer Beastslayer, with big units of Wolf Guard Terminators and Headtakers as centrepieces, plus some supporting shooting hulls.
6th – Dominic Gierber – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Horde host with a unit of Metamorphs as a melee surprise.
7th – Jay DeCunzo – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): A melee anvil of the Lion and Deathwing Knights with two big plasma units on brand and in support.
8th – Noah Pope – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): The standard Death Guard core of Deathshrouds, Bload-drones and Blight-haulers plus a Plague Marine unit and a Knight Despoiler.
9th – John Harris – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Deathshroud-heavy Vectorium, bumping two of the units up to a full six models.
10th – Steven Crawley – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Five bigs with Canis, a teleport Crusader, two Lancers and an Atrapos, with just an Assassin running around outside that..
11th – Kit Smith Hanna – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Vectorium goodstuff that’s low on Terminators to pack in a Plague Marine squad and a Despoiler.
12th – John Brock – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Double prince, one Maulerfiend Coterie.
13th – Eric Tadt – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Horde host.
14th – Alex Morgan – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Silent King Starshatter with a Wraith block, two Doomsdays, and a big Lychguard unit with an Overlord as an additional melee threat.
15th – Gabriel Rivera – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Lots of sacrificial Characters and two Sacresant bricks, backed by hulls and Vahl.
16th – Howdyall Donnell – Death Guard (Death Lord’s Chosen): Chosen with Deathshrouds and a big skirmish line of Plague Marines to spread plagues as far and wide as possible.
17th – Cameron Hardin – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors): Elite Inheritors with big hammers of Sanguinary Guard, Bladeguard and Inceptors.
18th – Russell Tassin – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Grindy five bigs with triple Abominant and Rotigus.
19th – Mathew Tweedel – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Jump melee Liberator with lots of Sanguinary Guard and Death Company.
20th – Primini Tex – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Ultra shooty kill teams, sporting three gun-toting Fortis teams and two Indomitor units.
21st – Hunter Boyd – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): Hey this is back – Caladius tanks and a whole host of Dreadnoughts.
22nd – Matthew Geyer – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Monster mash with Gift GUO/Rotigus, Be’lakor, Kairos, and Skarbrand.
23rd – Caleb Faver – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Standard subterranean core with a Zoanthrope unit.
24th – JB Brock – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Elite Custodes, with the standard tank setup but only packing two big Infantry units so leaving at least one Character solo, and bringing a Bike/Captain and Venatari squad instead.
25th – Niall Kitching – Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Heavy duty five bigs with a Tyrant.
26th – Chad Lapham – Space Marines (Astartes) (Ironstorm Spearhead): Actual vanilla Marine Ironstorm, bringing a wall of Dreadnoughts, Invictors, Lancers and RepExes.
27th – Dominic Pitassi – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Triple tank and triple Infantry.
28th – Nicholas “Nickron” Henry – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): A lot of the standard Warband core, but cutting back one Berzerker/Character unit plus a big of chaff for a Knight Rampager to really go all-in on brutality.
29th – Bill Barnes – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Double Lancer, lots of Armigers, and some Sisters.

KREFELD MAJOR 2025 40K

150-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Krefeld, NRW, Deutschland on August 09 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Christian Schachmann – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

Loyalist Knight Atrapos. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

DON’T HATE THE PLAYER, HATE THE GAME!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Imperial Knights
+ DETACHMENT: Noble Lance
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Canis Rex
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 8
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (4×2) + (4×6) – Assassination: 4 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

1x Canis Rex (380 pts)
• 1x Canis Rex
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
• 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
• 1x Freedom’s Hand
• Canis Rex, Chainbreaker, Legendary Freeblade, Invulnerable Save (5+*), Damaged: 1-9 Wounds Remaining
• 1x Sir Hekhtur
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hekhtur’s pistol
• Sir Hekhtur, Using Sir Hekhtur, Warlord

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

BATTLELINE

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

Archetype

Nerf this sick filth

Thoughts

Don’t let the smooth lines fool you – this is just as gross as the Death Guard, and this is pretty much the purest manifestation of the Knight menace. I’ve been saying it from the start – you should just take Canis and as many Atrapos as possible, and I think the results speak for themselves. Well done Christian.

Florian Schmidt – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Blood Angels Assault Intercessor. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

LAG meine Füße (1990 points)

Space Marines
Blood Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Liberator Assault Group

CHARACTERS

Captain (115 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Master-crafted bolter
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: Rage-fuelled Warrior

Captain (80 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Master-crafted bolter
1x Power fist

Captain with Jump Pack (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Relic Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Thunder hammer
• 4x Assault Intercessor
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol

Intercessor Squad (80 points)
• 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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Shield Dome
2x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (160 points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 9x Astartes chainsword
7x Heavy bolt pistol
2x Plasma pistol

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol

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

Gladiator Reaper (160 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
2x Tempest bolter
1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

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

Scout Squad (70 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy bolter
1x Scout sniper rifle

Scout Squad (70 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
3x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher

Archetype

Anti-horde Liberator

Thoughts

An interesting gamble here in second place – rather than teching down the line for Knights, plan for the horde builds that are gunning for them. A bazillion chainsword attacks will ruin the day of things like Necron Warrior builds or Genestealer Cults, and against heavier stuff the build has packed lots of activations, presumably planning to make up for raw anti-armour killing power by scoring effectively (and it’s not like you won’t seriously maul a Knight with the big squads, just probably not kill one, which is an issue). Florian successfully dodged Knights, and carved through various mid-weigh challengers to take an undefeated second place.

Ben Hackländer – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Champions (2000 points)

Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Champions of Contagion

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 points)
• 1x Manreaper

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

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

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

Typhus (90 points)
• 1x Lakrimae

OTHER DATASHEETS

Blightlord Terminators (115 points)
• 1x Blightlord Champion
• 1x Bubotic blade
1x Combi-bolter
• 2x Blightlord Terminator
• 1x Bubotic blade
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-bolter
1x Plague spewer

Chaos Spawn (80 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points)
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe

Helbrute (115 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Helbrute fist
1x Multi-melta

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

Exported with App Version: v1.39.0 (92), Data Version: v662

Archetype

Nerf this Sick Filth

Thoughts

Yeah, sure, you can do it as Champions as well, why not. Squeeze an extra 25pts out by substituting Blightlords for one of the Deathshroud units? It lets you take a Helbrute as a sort of fourth Hauler that doesn’t have to be added to an existing unit, and that’s cute, haven’t seen that many of those (and it’s fairly nasty as a melee counter-charge piece into opposing armour). Isn’t seeing unusual units fun? Well done Ben.

Fabian Thoenes – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion) – 4th Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

The Spirit of Daan – Big Game Hunting

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Death Guard
+ DETACHMENT: Champions of Contagion
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1990pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char6: Tallyman
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 21
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (8×2) – Assassination: 7 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

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

1x Lord of Contagion (110 pts)
• 1x Manreaper

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

10x Plague Marines (190 pts)
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
• 1x Power fist
• 9x Plague Marine
• 9x Plague knives
• 2x Plague spewer
• 2x Blight launcher
• 3x Heavy plague weapon
• 2x Plasma gun

OTHER DATASHEETS

3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts)
• 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion
• 1x Manreaper
• 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• Icon of Despair
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
• 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

10x Poxwalkers (60 pts)
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapons

1x Foetid Bloat-drone (90 pts)
• 1x Plague probe
• 2x Plaguespitter

1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
• 1x Plague probe

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

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

Archetype

Nerf this sick filth

Thoughts

This Death Guard build has a big, threat projecting infantry unit that it can make Fight First. That’s another very good thing to be able to include in armies, and is going to force opponents to be a bit cautious about how aggressively they pressure the hulls here. I feel like if you’re on Champions, you want to be packing the Plague Marine unit

The Best of the Rest

There were 22 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Manuel Wayand – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Double Berzerker triple Forgefiend Warband with some Helbrutes to finish.
6th – Tobias Zoll – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Calgar/Guilliman Gladius with lots of Ballistus Dreads and Vindicators, plus extra Incursors for shooting setup.
7th – Kayu Orellana – Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm): Freaky flamer spam with maxed-out numbers of Pyrovores and Psychophages.
8th – Mathieu Clerc – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Double fort and a big Deep Strike Hearthguard unit.
9th – Julian Lange – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus Coven goodstuff with Predator Annihilators on top of the regular loadout.
10th – Felix Zunino – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Avatar and big units each of Dark Reaper sand Fire Dragons.
11th – Tim Schlizio – Emperor’s Children (Peerless Bladesmen): Elite melee Children with lots of extra Infractors and two full squads of Flawless Blades.
12th – Manuel “BEL” Wieczorek – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike): A fairly standard Guard goodstuff core running as Bridgehead and adding Canis Rex and one big drop Scion unit.
13th – Dennis Gottschalk – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis triple Atrapos.
14th – Andy Jespersen – Dark Angels (Stormlance Task Force): The Lion and Deathwing Knights at full tilt with some Lancers and a Sternguard squad supporting.
15th – Bastian Kry – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Calgar/Guilliman Gladius adding a full Bladeguard unti with Tigurius.
16th – Artur Güttler – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Draigo’s last ride, heading out with five Dreadknights and a big Brotherhood Terminator unit.
17th – Sascha Wagner – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Infractor and Maulerfiend-heavy Coterie.
18th – Stephan Rybold – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Three Infantry blocks two tanks and a Bike/Captain unit.
19th – Clemens Endell – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Aspect MSUs for days and one big Dragon squad.
20th – Tobias Lindenberg – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): The Lion, lots of Deathwing Knights, and Azrael/Sternguard.
21st – Ingo Berthelsen – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Three big Indantry blocks (Guard, Wardens, Allarus) plus a smaller Adonimortis/Allarus unit and two tanks.
22nd – Kevin Mai – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Horde host.
23rd – Nikolai Stocks – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force): An unusual Terminator MSU and Character-heavy Grey Knights build, with one bigger block of Terminators and a single Sigil Dreadknight on top.
24th – Klim Kireev – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus Coven goodstuff with one bigger Rubricae unit and a Predator.
25th – Marvin Rose – Space Wolves (Saga of the Beastslayer): Herohammer and RepExes to ride in.
26th – Zeus Great – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): A Discolord, shooty hulls and Rubricae MSUs to hose stuff off Objectives.

Arch City GT4

62-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Columbus, OH, United States on August 09 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Conan Jennings – Space Marines (Astartes) (Stormlance Task Force) – 1st Place

Rainbow Warriors Stormraven Gunship by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Raven (1995 Points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Stormlance Task Force
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades

Marneus Calgar (200 Points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
◦ 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
◦ 2x Victrix power sword

Roboute Guilliman (320 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
• 1x Hand of Dominion

Uriel Ventris (95 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Invictus
• 1x Sword of Idaeus

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Company Heroes (105 Points)
• 1x Ancient
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Company Champion
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 2x Company Veteran
◦ 2x Bolt pistol
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
◦ 1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

Eradicator Squad (100 Points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Melta rifle
• 2x Eradicator
◦ 2x Bolt pistol
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Melta rifle
◦ 1x Multi-melta

Scout Squad (70 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Combat knife
◦ 1x Missile launcher

Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 Points)
• 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Power fist
◦ 1x Sternguard bolt pistol
◦ 1x Sternguard bolt rifle
• 4x Sternguard Veteran
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Sternguard bolt pistol
◦ 3x Sternguard bolt rifle
◦ 1x Sternguard heavy bolter

Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
• 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Melta destroyer

Stormraven Gunship (280 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Hurricane bolter
• 2x Stormstrike missile launcher
• 1x Twin heavy plasma cannon
• 1x Twin multi-melta

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

Archetype

Stormlance Stormraven

Thoughts

You know things are bad when an ultra vicious Ultramarine build feels like a breath of fresh air. This build has incredible shooting power, an appreciable amount of melee reach from Guilliman and Calgar’s units, and is very adaptable on the table because of the sheer speed of the Stormraven (plus it being able to ferry a Ballistus around). This stops it being as vulnerable to horde or pressure builds as some shooty lists, as you just can’t keep it caged. Never mind actually, I’ve talked myself into hating this one too, nerfs for everyone, but well done to Conan for bringing a bit more variety to the table.

Garrett Stacy – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

wip (1980 points)

Adepta Sororitas
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hallowed Martyrs

CHARACTERS

Canoness (60 points)
• 1x Blessed blade
1x Inferno pistol
• Enhancement: Saintly Example

Daemonifuge (85 points)
• 1x Ephrael Stern
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Sanctity
• 1x Kyganil of the Bloody Tears
• 1x The Outcast’s Weapons

Hospitaller (50 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Chirurgeon’s tools

Junith Eruita (80 points)
• 1x Mace of Castigation
1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer

Morvenn Vahl (170 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher

BATTLELINE

Battle Sisters Squad (105 points)
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
9x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

Sororitas Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Arco-flagellants (140 points)
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails

Castigator (160 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator autocannons
3x Heavy bolter

Castigator (160 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Castigator battle cannon
3x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Celestian Sacresants (130 points)
• 1x Sacresant Superior
• 1x Hallowed mace
1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Celestian Sacresant
• 9x Bolt pistol
9x Hallowed mace

Paragon Warsuits (210 points)
• 1x Paragon Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war blade
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war blade

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

Archetype

Hybrid Hallowed

Thoughts

This is another interesting example of tuning for the counters to the top builds, and does a really strong job of it. The standard Martyrs setup gives you plenty of pounding firepower and strong scoring, but it has a very hard ceiling on the volume it can output, making it a little vulnerable to being overwhelmed. Maximum Arco-flagellants confronts that problem head on, providing the weight of attacks to scatter hordes like skittles, and a decent speedbump against some other armies as well. Great way to broaden the army’s capabilities without losing core strengths, and rewarded with undefeated second place for Garrett.

Ian Smith – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) – 3rd Place

Tzaangor Enlightened. Credit: Mike Bettle-Shaffer

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Goat Wizard Enthusiast

Grand Coven

CHARACTER

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

1x Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (115 pts)
• 1x Arcane Fire
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Inferno bolt pistol
• 1x Prosperine khopesh
• Incandeum (+15 pts)

1x Infernal Master (105 pts)
• 1x Fires of the Abyss
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Inferno bolt pistol
• Umbralefic Crystal (+20 pts)

1x Sorcerer (100 pts)
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Inferno bolt pistol
• 1x Pandaemonic Delusion
• 1x Prosperine khopesh
• Eldritch Vortex of E’taph (+25 pts)

1x Sorcerer (75 pts)
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Inferno bolt pistol
• 1x Pandaemonic Delusion
• 1x Prosperine khopesh

BATTLELINE

5x Rubric Marines (100 pts)
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Malefic Curse
• 1x Warpflame pistol
• Aspiring Sorcerer
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Soulreaper cannon
• 3x Warpflamer
• Icon of Flame

OTHER DATASHEETS

10x Tzaangors (70 pts)
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Tzaangor blades
• 9x Tzaangor
• 9x Tzaangor blades
• Herd banner, Brayhorn

6x Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster greatbows (80 pts)
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 5x Enlightened
• 5x Close combat weapon
• 5x Fatecaster greatbow

3x Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster greatbows (50 pts)
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 2x Enlightened
• 2x Close combat weapon
• 2x Fatecaster greatbow

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

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

Archetype

Grand Coven Goodstuff

Thoughts

Apparently we can have splashes of variety in any colour we like, as long as it’s blue. This build does what most Thousand Sons lists do, which is sit behind Mutaliths hosing the foe down with Psychic firepower. Adding extra Rubricae compared to the standard makes it a little more flexible in how it approaches scoring, and also helps really concentrate the firepower if you hit hordes. Another faction that’s firmly waiting in the wings to strike when the top stuff takes a knock, and well done Ian for giving us a taste of that.

Sean Martin – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 4th Place

Imperial Knight Lancer. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Knights, Knights, baby! (2000 points)

Imperial Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble Lance

CHARACTERS

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

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (380 points)
• 1x Atrapos lascutter
1x Graviton singularity cannon
• Enhancement: Revered Knight (Aura)

Cerastus Knight Lancer (365 points)
• 1x Cerastus shock lance

Knight Errant (385 points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chainsword
1x Stormspear rocket pod
1x Thermal cannon
• Enhancement: Unyielding Paragon

BATTLELINE

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

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

Archetype

Nerf this sick filth

Thoughts

Another ten trillion victory points for the Questor Imperialis. Big robots good, congratulations Sean.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Peter Elias – Aeldari (Warhost): Mostly Aspect MSUs with Phoenixes, one big unit each of Hawks and Dragons.
6th – Geoff Perry – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis triple Atrapos.
7th – Keith Peck – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): Melee tuned Dark Angels, with the normal spearhad of the Lion and a couple of Deathwing Knight units, then also Azrael with choppy Companions and Samael with Outriders.
8th – Nick Laney – Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): A more all-rounder Wrath build, going for max Deathwing Knights for melee then Centurion Devastators and Sternguard for dakka.
9th – Aron Huckaba – T’au Empire (Kauyon): Go-wide Kauyon hulls.
10th – Alex Brudnicki – Orks (War Horde): Mechanised melee War Horde.
11th – Max Saylor – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Full send melee Infantry Warband, going for a full 20-model Berzerker unit as the centrepiece and two full Terminator squads alongside them.

Your Hobby Place Road to NOVA 40K Event Hosted by Away Games

58-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Fredericksburg, VA, United States on August 09 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Hidden Supplies – Crucible of Battle

Alexander Filicko – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor)
Army List - Click to Expand

It’s not delivery, it’s Rogaldorno.
Hot, heavy, and coming right to your doorstep.
(1995 points)

Astra Militarum
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hammer of the Emperor

Detach Rule: Auto advance 6″ and move within engagement range
Strats (only good for vehicles):
1cp – advance and shoot
1cp – fall back and shoot
1cp – drive through walls
1cp – +1 AP to everything within 12″
2cp – -1 damage in shooting phase
1cp – a weird one that I’ll never use to ignore all BS modifiers but makes everything hazardous (officers can’t use this)

CHARACTERS

Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 points)
• 1x Ibram Gaunt
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Gaunt’s chainsword
• 1x Colm Corbec
• 1x Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Elim Rawne
• 1x Rawne’s lascarbine
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Hlaine Larkin
• 1x Larkin’s long-las
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x ‘Try Again’ Bragg
• 1x Bragg’s autocannon
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Oan Mkoll
• 1x Lascarbine
1x Mkoll’s straight silver knife

Lord Solar Leontus (150 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
1x Konstantin’s hooves
1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze

Rogal Dorn Commander (285 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
3x Heavy stubber
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
• Enhancement: Veteran Crew (always rr ranged hits of 1)

Rogal Dorn Commander (280 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
2x Meltagun
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
• Enhancement: Calm Under Fire (duplicate 1 order)

Tech-Priest Enginseer (45 points)
• 1x Enginseer axe
1x Mechanicus pistol
1x Servo-arm

BATTLELINE

Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 points)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
• 9x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
7x Lasgun
1x Vox-caster

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Taurox (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hellhound (125 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Inferno cannon

Kasrkin (110 points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster

Leman Russ Battle Tank (185 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Leman Russ battle cannon
2x Multi-melta

Leman Russ Exterminator (180 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Exterminator autocannon
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Heavy flamer
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Scout Sentinels (55 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw

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

vs.

Mark Hertel – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force)
Army List - Click to Expand

The men who stare at Death (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Deathwatch
Black Spear Task Force
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (110 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Relic blade
• Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades

Judiciar (95 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
• 1x Executioner relic blade
• Enhancements: Beacon Angelis

Watch Master (130 Points)
• 1x Vigil spear
• Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (100 Points)
• 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

Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points)
• 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

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
• 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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points)
• 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

Deathwatch Terminator Squad (190 Points)
• 1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant
◦ 1x Power fist
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Deathwatch Terminator
◦ 3x Cyclone missile launcher
◦ 4x Power fist
◦ 4x Storm bolter

Indomitor Kill Team (270 Points)
• 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

Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
• 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Melta destroyer

Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (150 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Stormfury missiles
• 1x Thunderstrike las-talon
• 1x Twin Icarus rocket pod

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

Thoughts

It’s the Mark Hertel Deathwatch list again, back to claim another trophy – or is it? Mark’s list can grind almost anything off the table and use its great mobility to pile on the pressure, but tank-heavy Guard legitimately does feel like one of the best spoilers to it. There are too many tough targets to go for a broad spectrum alpha strike, and the Guard’s guns are extremely well tuned for lifting the Kill Teams, while being reasonably difficult to punk back, especially with access to -1D. Being able to drive one through a wall to kick off proceedings is excellent as well, and this game is definitely a live one.

Guard honestly probably do just win a straight gunfight, but the mission does provide something of an out for the Deathwatch, because as a tank-heavy build the Guard are unusually low on drops/chaff, and are going to quickly run out of ways to “safely” contest the primary. With access to some easier to hide but still durable units like the Terminators, it might be possible for Deathwatch to set up a situation where they’re scoring “safely” at a higher pace than the Guard are, baiting out some units for them to grind through, or maybe once the chaff is gone being able to teleport a big Kill Team close enough for the melta to get involved. As the Deathwatch, you’re definitely hoping you get to go second, spend a few turns neutralising the guard screening, then make big plays in the mid/late game to take back over the scoring. That’s especially true because the Guard feel like they run out of ways to score Secondaries first, though Deathwatch also potentially have the option of slow rolling fixed Bring it Down to try and farm Challenger cards.

Going first here sucks for either player, but If you’re guard and you do have to go first, maybe you just roll a Dorn out onto a corner objective and dare the Deathwatch to come out and try and kill it? To do so, they’re going to have to expose a tonne of their stuff, and if you screen so they can’t get meltas in, I’m not clear if they manage it through Ablative, and they’re definitely committing both Speeders and some big units to try. Doing that lets you hold a lot more of the rest of your units back, giving you lots of flexibility in how you response, and setting it up does feel like it forces a response from the Deathwatch.

It’s a tough one, both armies have a lot going on, but in the end I’d hand it to the Guard on the standard basis that either side going first here has a rough time, but the Guard options there seem better. As it is, betting against Mark has proven to be wrong as always, and by a very narrow margin he managed to squeak a win.

Result

Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) Victory – 62 – 60

Mark Hertel – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) – 1st Place

Deathwatch Terminators by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

The men who stare at Death (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Deathwatch
Black Spear Task Force
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (110 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Relic blade
• Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades

Judiciar (95 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
• 1x Executioner relic blade
• Enhancements: Beacon Angelis

Watch Master (130 Points)
• 1x Vigil spear
• Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

BATTLELINE

OTHER DATASHEETS

Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
• 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Melta destroyer

Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (150 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Stormfury missiles
• 1x Thunderstrike las-talon
• 1x Twin Icarus rocket pod

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

Archetype

Mark Hertel Deathwatch Special

Thoughts

Is this also sick filth that should be nerfed? Honestly who knows at this point, though at least I have now seen it somewhere else in the wild, as we ran into it at the ITT (and I duly fed Corrode to it, you can see that in his write up). Guard rising a bit in popularity probably is slightly inclement for it, as I do think the Showdown matchup demonstrates the kind of thing that can beat it in some cases, but as ever, beating a list in the abstract and beating it in the hands of someone who knows it inside out are very different prospects. Congratulations Mark on yet another win.

Jeffrey Kolodner – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Sisters of Battle Canoness. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

You Only Die Twice

Order of the Eternal Crucible
-Hallowed Martyrs

Canoness Yda – Canoness – (50)
-Blessed Blade, Condemnor Boltgun

Statuary Tender Honest — Imagifier (65)

Orator Superior Amalia — Junith Eruita (80)

Prioress Sabine – Morvenn Vahl (170)
— Warlord

Purifier Charity – Palatine (75)
– Plasma Pistol, Through Suffering, Strength

Purifier Patience – Palatine (50)
– Plasma Pistol

Battle Sister Squad (105)
– Multi-Melta
– Simulacrum
– Power Weapon+Condemnor
– Meltagun

Crucible’s Reach — Immolator (115)
– Twin Multi-Melta
– Hunter-Killer Missile

Purifying Incandescence — Immolator (115)
– Twin Multi-Melta
– Hunter-Killer Missile

Refutation of Dross — Castigator (160)
-Castigator Battle Cannon
-Hunter-Killer Missile
-Storm Bolter

Ringing Purity — Castigator (160)
-Castigator Battle Cannon
-Hunter-Killer Missile
-Storm Bolter

The Feral — Mortifier (70)
-2x Heavy Bolter+Twin Buzz Blade
-Anchorite Sarcophagus

The Fool — Mortifier (70)
-2x Heavy Bolter+Twin Buzz Blade
-Anchorite Sarcophagus

The Forsaking — Mortifier (70)
-2x Heavy Bolter+Twin Buzz Blade
-Anchorite Sarcophagus

The Refulgant Bulwark – Paragon Warsuits (210)
-3x Multi-Melta+Paragon Grenades
-3x Paragon War Mace

Celestian Sacresancts (130)
-9 Anointed Halberd
-1 Spear of the Faithful+Inferno Pistol

Sisters Novitiates (100)
-Power Weapon+Plasma Pistol
-Sacred Banner
-Simulacra
-2xFlamer
-Autopistols and Novitiate Blades

Madeline – Callidus Assassin (100)

Archetype

Hallowed Martyrs

Thoughts

Speaking of masters of specific lists, recent Goonhammer champion’s belt winner Jeffrey is back with his Hallowed Martyrs, taking another undefeated finish with his spin on the all-rounder build. This adds extra Battle Sisters for scoring and screening, and triple solo Mortifier to ride shotgun with the melee stuff and soak up big swings via Suffering and Sacrifice. It’s a well proven recipe that keeps on winning, well done Jeffrey.

Justin Serrano – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

4++ > Skill (2000 points)

Chaos Daemons
Strike Force (2000 points)
Daemonic Incursion

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Flesh Hounds (75 points)
• 1x Gore Hound
• 1x Burning roar
1x Collar of Khorne
1x Gore-drenched fangs
• 4x Flesh Hound
• 4x Collar of Khorne
4x Gore-drenched fangs

Seekers (80 points)
• 1x Heartseeker
• 1x Lashing tongue
1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
• 4x Lashing tongue
4x Slashing claws

Archetype

Monster Mash

Thoughts

Daemons pop up here, using an anvil of Rotigus/Gift GUO supported by chip damage from Be’lakor and a bird, and a big Skarbrand hammer for when something really needs to die. Strong scoring support from Flesh Hounds and Plaguebearers ensures that every moment the foe is held up by the Nurgle stuff is one they pay for, The second unit of Plaguebearers in particular seems set up to punish either low drop count or shooty hull lists, as it means that being unable to screen a vulnerable objective for even a turn can have big consequences, and it doesn’t feel like the list is giving up much to squeeze them in. A nice little tweak to a standard recipe, good work Justin.

Brock Bourassa – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Meta Gear Subterranean: the Twin Snakes (2000 Points)

Tyranids
Subterranean Assault
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

The Swarmlord (220 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bone sabres
• 1x Synaptic pulse

Trygon (160 Points)
• Subterranean Assault Keywords: Character
• 1x Bio-electric pulse
• 1x Trygon scything talons
• Enhancements: Trygon Prime

Trygon (155 Points)
• Subterranean Assault Keywords: Character
• 1x Bio-electric pulse
• 1x Trygon scything talons
• Enhancements: Vanguard Intellect

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (85 Points)
• 10x Gargoyle
◦ 10x Blinding venom
◦ 10x Fleshborer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (50 Points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
• 1x Spore Mine launcher

Haruspex (125 Points)
• 1x Grasping tongue
• 1x Ravenous maw
• 1x Shovelling claws

Hive Guard (180 Points)
• 6x Hive Guard
◦ 6x Chitinous claws and teeth
◦ 6x Shockcannon

Lictor (60 Points)
• 1x Lictor claws and talons

Maleceptor (170 Points)
• 1x Massive scything talons
• 1x Psychic overload

Norn Emissary (260 Points)
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
• 1x Monstrous scything talons
• 1x Psychic Tendril

Raveners (125 Points)
• 5x Ravener
◦ 5x Ravener claws and talons

Tyrannofex (200 Points)
• 1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Rupture cannon
• 1x Stinger salvoes

Exported with App Version: v1.39.0 (1), Data Version: v662

Archetype

Subterranean Monster Mash

Thoughts

Unsurprisingly, Tyranids also want to get in on the big beast action, deploying this especially heavy-duty version of Subterranean Assault, able to drop Trygons, Haruspex or a Norn on opponents as and when required, and with access to the Hive Guard to help handle enemy Knights. The Gargoyles also line up well with this plan, as they’re the best tool the army has for reliably flipping an objective while the Monsters are busy elsewhere, and lining those team up with the Norn durably holding an objective to always tilt scoring towards this list. That forces the opponent down the road of fighting the big stuff, which is potentially fraught, and here only the Sororitas above were able to take down the bug menace on the other undefeated table in round 5. I’m definitely of the opinion that not having at least one Norn is leaving value on the table for Tyranids at the moment, so big fan of what i’m seeing here, good stuff Brock.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Mike Sanchez – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Triple Dorn (two Commander, one regular), a big Bullgryn squad and a bunch of goodstuff pieces.
6th – James Culpepper – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Character-heavy Mortarion Vectorium.
7th – Don Belec – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors): Sanguinary Guard MSUs backed up by extreme triple Vindicator and Inceptor firepower.
8th – Alexander Filicko – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): See Showdown.
9th – Blake Sawyer – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and Armigers.
10th – Larry Oliver – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Maximum Raveners with Maleceptors and Tyrannofex.
11th – Brandon Owens – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Anti-tank Deathwatch (clearly Brandon was more wary of Dorns), sporting two Indomitor teams and a full Eradicator squad in a Redeemer.

EagleHammer

34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Middle Wallop, England, United Kingdom on August 08 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Robert Leaper – T’au Empire (Experimental Prototype Cadre) – 1st Place

Broadside Battlesuits with Heavy Rail Rifles. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Army (1990 Points)

T’au Empire
Experimental Prototype Cadre
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Cadre Fireblade (50 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Fireblade pulse rifle
• 2x Gun Drone

Commander Farsight (95 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Dawn Blade
• 1x High-intensity plasma rifle

Darkstrider (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Shade

BATTLELINE

Breacher Team (100 Points)
• 1x Support turret
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Guardian Drone
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 1x Pulse blaster
◦ 1x Pulse pistol
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Pulse blaster
◦ 9x Pulse pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Devilfish (85 Points)
• 1x Accelerator burst cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Seeker missile
• 2x Smart missile system

OTHER DATASHEETS

Broadside Battlesuits (180 Points)
• 1x Broadside Shas’vre
◦ 1x Crushing bulk
◦ 1x Heavy rail rifle
◦ 2x Missile Drone
◦ 1x Seeker missile
◦ 1x Weapon Support System
• 1x Broadside Shas’ui
◦ 1x Crushing bulk
◦ 1x Heavy rail rifle
◦ 2x Missile Drone
◦ 1x Seeker missile
◦ 1x Weapon Support System

Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits (150 Points)
• 1x Crisis Sunforge Shas’vre
◦ 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 2x Fusion blaster
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 1x Shield Drone
• 2x Crisis Sunforge Shas’ui
◦ 2x Battlesuit fists
◦ 4x Fusion blaster
◦ 2x Gun Drone
◦ 2x Shield Drone

Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 Points)
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
• 1x Fusion collider
• 1x Ghostkeel fists
• 1x Twin fusion blaster

Kroot Carnivores (65 Points)
• 1x Long-quill
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Kroot pistol
◦ 1x Kroot rifle
• 9x Kroot Carnivore
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Kroot rifle

Pathfinder Team (90 Points)
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Pulse carbine
◦ 1x Pulse pistol
◦ 1x Recon Drone
• 9x Pathfinder
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 6x Pulse carbine
◦ 9x Pulse pistol
◦ 3x Rail rifle
◦ 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher

Riptide Battlesuit (190 Points)
• 1x Ion accelerator
• 2x Missile Drone
• 1x Riptide fists
• 1x Twin smart missile system

Stealth Battlesuits (80 Points)
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
◦ 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 1x Burst cannon
◦ 1x Homing Beacon
◦ 2x Shield Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
◦ 1x Battlesuit Support System
◦ 2x Battlesuit fists
◦ 1x Burst cannon
◦ 1x Fusion blaster

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

Archetype

Experimental Prototype Broadsides

Thoughts

Some T’au as a palate cleanser to finish this part off, using Experimental Prototype Cadre to help Breacherfish units punch way above their weight, keeping the opponent at bay while some Broadsides pound away with their big guns. Broadsides are exploding in popularity in T’au lists as they’re one of the biggest winners from big Knights dropping to T11, especially as multiple units can now work off the buff from a single Stealth Team. They’re also very resilient on the crack back, especially here where they can pick up -1 to Wound. The detachment also makes the Farsight/Crisis unit a pretty decent roving threat, as the extra range and access to Neuroweb System Jammer lets them skirmish along a board edge pretty effectively. There’s no one super flashy thing going on here, but lots of incremental value that added up to a win for the Greater Good, so congratulations Robert.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Aidan Sutherley-Gilmour – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Double Berzerker double Forgefiend Warband with an Atrapos instead of the Maulerfiends you’d usually add on top of that.
3rd – Oliver Brown – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Liberator goodstuff with two big hammers, one Sanguinary Guard and one Death Company unit.
4th – Kris Owen – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): All-rounder Votann with a bit of everything.
5th – Mike Askey – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Combined Arms goodstuff.
6th – Glen Harrison – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Calgar/Guilliman goodstuff with a Bladeguard/Judiciar unit.

Wrap Up

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Scaling Vectors pt.1

Lone Star Open 2025 – 40k Champs

Junior Aflleje – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Oscar Ruiz – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Justin Moore – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Derek Apsche – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 4th Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

KREFELD MAJOR 2025 40K

Christian Schachmann – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Florian Schmidt – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ben Hackländer – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Fabian Thoenes – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion) – 4th Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Arch City GT4

Conan Jennings – Space Marines (Astartes) (Stormlance Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Garrett Stacy – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ian Smith – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Sean Martin – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Your Hobby Place Road to NOVA 40K Event Hosted by Away Games

The Showdown

Hidden Supplies – Crucible of Battle

Thoughts

Result

Mark Hertel – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Jeffrey Kolodner – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Justin Serrano – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Brock Bourassa – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

EagleHammer

Robert Leaper – T’au Empire (Experimental Prototype Cadre) – 1st Place

The List