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.

We’re running behind this week but that doesn’t mean we can’t finish strong. We’ll be back again on Wednesday with coverage of this wekeend’s events, and hopefully it’ll be a lighter week given Easter Sunday is likely to lead to fewer events.

Montana Beerhammer GT 2025

72-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Clyde Park, MT, United States on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Take and Hold – Rapid Escalation – Search and Destroy.

John Holbrook – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile)
Army List - Click to Expand

Tell ‘Em Steve (2000 Points)

Chaos Space Marines
Creations of Bile
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (125 Points)
• 1x Daemon hammer
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Prime Test Subject

Cypher (90 Points)
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
• 1x Cypher’s plasma pistol

Fabius Bile (85 Points)
• 1x Fabius Bile
• Warlord
◦ 1x Chirurgeon
◦ 1x Rod of Torment
◦ 1x Xyclos Needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
◦ 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (50 Points)
• 1x Cultist Champion
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

Legionaries (90 Points)
• 1x Aspiring Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Lascannon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chosen (250 Points)
• 1x Chosen Champion
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 9x Chosen
◦ 6x Accursed weapon
◦ 6x Bolt pistol
◦ 3x Boltgun
◦ 4x Combi-weapon
◦ 2x Paired accursed weapons
◦ 3x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist

Chosen (125 Points)
• 1x Chosen Champion
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
◦ 3x Accursed weapon
◦ 3x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 2x Combi-weapon
◦ 1x Paired accursed weapons
◦ 1x Plasma pistol

Nemesis Claw (110 Points)
• 1x Visionary
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Legionary
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Voice Eater

Possessed (240 Points)
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 9x Hideous mutations

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (1), Data Version: v581

vs.

Jacob Collins – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty)
Army List - Click to Expand

Drunk Robits +++++++++++++++++++++
+ PLAYER NAME: JcProductions
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Necrons
+ DETACHMENT: Awakened Dynasty
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Illuminor Szeras
+ ENHANCEMENT: Nether-realm Casket (on Char3: Royal Warden)
& Enaegic Dermal Bond (on Char4: Skorpekh Lord)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 22
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x C’tan Shard of the Void Dragon (300 pts): Canoptek tail blades, Spear of the Void Dragon, Voltaic storm
Char2: 1x Illuminor Szeras (175 pts): Warlord, Eldritch lance, Impaling legs
Char3: 1x Orikan the Diviner (80 pts): Staff of Tomorrow
Char4: 1x Hexmark Destroyer (75 pts): Close combat weapon, Enmitic disintegrator pistols
Char5: 1x Plasmancer (60 pts): Plasmic lance
Char6: 1x Royal Warden (70 pts): Close combat weapon, Relic gauss blaster
Enhancement: Nether-realm Casket (+20 pts)
Char7: 1x Skorpekh Lord (95 pts): Enmitic annihilator, Flensing claw, Hyperphase harvester
Enhancement: Enaegic Dermal Bond (+15 pts)
Char8: 1x Skorpekh Lord (80 pts): Enmitic annihilator, Flensing claw, Hyperphase harvester

5x Immortals (70 pts): 5 with Close combat weapon, Tesla carbine
20x Necron Warriors (200 pts): 20 with Close combat weapon, Gauss reaper

2x Cryptothralls (60 pts): 2 with Scouring eye, Scythed limbs
5x Deathmarks (65 pts): 5 with Close combat weapon, Synaptic disintegrator
5x Flayed Ones (60 pts): 5 with Flayer claws
3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts): Plasmacyte, 3 with Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts): Plasmacyte, 3 with Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
3x Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 pts): 3 with Feeder mandibles
1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss cannon
1x Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss destructor
1x Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss destructor
1x Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss destructor
1x Canoptek Reanimator (75 pts): 2x Atomiser beam, Reanimator’s claws
1x Ghost Ark (115 pts): Armoured bulk, 2x Gauss flayer array

Thoughts

Wings: It’s me – I’m on the mend and snuck back in to write just a little bit about warhammer, as a treat. This game sees the current Necron hotness of “one big Warrior unit and some Skorpekh” take on the Creations of Bile, and I think it ends up being a useful illustration of the limitations of this Necron strategy.

Obviously that means I’m spoiling this one up front – the forces of Bile won this comfortably, and unlike a lot of Showdowns I didn’t really even have to look at the result to be 95% sure of what I’d be writing here. 3W infantry, especially accompanied by any sort of defensive tricks, are one of the things that Necrons can struggle to deal with, and this Bile list is going to ram three full squads of that flavour straight forward and roll them. It’s especially problematic because the Chosen squad packs the sort of numbers that can detonate the Warrior brick near-outright, and the Possessed are no slouches in that arena either. Even if they get bogged down for a turn, the counter-punch the Necrons can mount just won’t do enough to make that really matter; Skorpekh are great at killing elite MSUs, but will have a rough time into a full squad, and the Void Dragon doesn’t really have the numbers. The Nemesis Claw is a particular kicker here, as if that slams into the side of the Warriors alongside one of the big units none of the Awakened reanimation tricks can be brought to bear. Finally, the Necrons don’t have great tools to reach out and drop the Hunstman, making them extremely annoying midfield points denial.

All in all, this is a horrendous matchup for the Necrons, and they don’t really have an out because of how pushy the pressure that’s coming for them is. Sure enough, the Creations capitalised on it.

Result

Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) Victory – 94 – 51

John Holbrook – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Tell ‘Em Steve (2000 Points)

Chaos Space Marines
Creations of Bile
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (125 Points)
• 1x Daemon hammer
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Prime Test Subject

Cypher (90 Points)
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
• 1x Cypher’s plasma pistol

Fabius Bile (85 Points)
• 1x Fabius Bile
• Warlord
◦ 1x Chirurgeon
◦ 1x Rod of Torment
◦ 1x Xyclos Needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
◦ 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (50 Points)
• 1x Cultist Champion
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Nemesis Claw (110 Points)
• 1x Visionary
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Legionary
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Voice Eater

Possessed (240 Points)
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 9x Hideous mutations

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.29.1 (1), Data Version: v581

Archetype

Creations of Bile Possessed

Thoughts

TheChirurgeon: John’s Creations of Bile list is interesting in that it trades out a third unit of Possessed and the support of uppy-downy units like Warp Talons and Bikes for a 10-man Chosen unit and a pair of War Dog Huntsmen, which take on the roles of objective holders, ranged support, and anti-vehicle solutions in a pinch. That gives it more play into armies that can eat a charge from a big unit of possessed.

Ryan Wyskochil – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Demonic CSM (2000 Points)

Chaos Daemons
Shadow Legion
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Bloodthirster (320 Points)
• 1x Great axe of Khorne
• 1x Hellfire breath
• Enhancements: Fade to Darkness

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

Rendmaster on Blood Throne (165 Points)
• 1x Attendants’ hellblades
• 1x Blade of blood

BATTLELINE

Bloodletters (110 Points)
• 1x Bloodreaper
◦ 1x Hellblade
• 9x Bloodletter
◦ 1x Daemonic Icon
◦ 9x Hellblade
◦ 1x Instrument of Chaos

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Flamers (65 Points)
• 1x Pyrocaster
◦ 1x Flamer mouths
◦ 1x Flickering Flames
• 2x Flamer
◦ 2x Flamer mouths
◦ 2x Flickering Flames

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

ALLIED UNITS

Accursed Cultists (195 Points)
• 10x Mutant
◦ 10x Blasphemous appendages
• 6x Torment
◦ 6x Hideous mutations

Cultist Mob (50 Points)
• 1x Cultist Champion
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

Dark Commune (95 Points)
• 1x Cult Demagogue
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Commune stave
◦ Enhancements: Leaping Shadows
• 1x Mindwitch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Warp Curse
• 1x Iconarch
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Blessed Blade
◦ 2x Commune blade

Havocs (125 Points)
• 1x Havoc Champion
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Havoc
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Havoc lascannon

Exported with App Version: v1.30.0 (2), Data Version: v588

Archetype

Shadow Legions Goodstuff

Thoughts

TheChirurgeon: There have been a few different versions of Shadow Legion bouncing around at high levels of play, usually with varying numbers of Khorne Daemons and Havocs. The core idea here is still the same, though: Take the best datasheets across both armies and make them even better. This list triples up on big threats – Be’lakor, Bloodthirster, and Great Unclean One – and adds a full unit of Accursed to the mix to enjoy Be’lakor’s protection and re-rolls.

Colin Kay – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

I didn’t have enough CP economy so I added Tigurius 🤣🤣 (Also I took 1,000 points of characters because I couldn’t take 4 Repulsor Executioners) (1995 Points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (95 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: Fire Discipline

Captain (95 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Master-crafted bolter
• 1x Power fist
• Enhancements: The Honour Vehement

Chief Librarian Tigurius (75 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Rod of Tigurius
• 1x Storm of the Emperor’s Wrath

Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Force weapon
• 1x Smite

Marneus Calgar (210 Points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
◦ 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
◦ 2x Victrix power sword

Roboute Guilliman (345 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
• 1x Hand of Dominion

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Ironhail skytalon array

OTHER DATASHEETS

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 (200 Points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Melta rifle
• 5x Eradicator
◦ 5x Bolt pistol
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Melta rifle
◦ 2x Multi-melta

Inceptor Squad (120 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Plasma exterminators

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

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

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (1), Data Version: v589

Archetype

Gladius Ultramarines

Thoughts

TheChirurgeon: If you haven’t played against this list, let me tell you the worst part: The CP. Between extra generation from Calgar and the ability to throw out free Stratagems, these lists just operate with an insane amount of CP at their disposal to do whatever they want, including secondary discards to goose their VP opportunities. It’s pretty common to get to round 2 or 3 and see an opponent with 3+ CP just wondering what they should even spend it on. With no vehicles, this list will play more like a melee pressure/midboard brawler list than a traditional Gladius list, which can sit back a bit more and use Vindicators for mid-range fire support.

Vespid Stingwings Kill Team. Credit: Jack Hunter

Bryan Scherrer – T’au Empire (Auxiliary Cadre) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Rampaging with Riptides (2000 points)

T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Auxiliary Cadre

CHARACTERS

Kroot Lone-spear (80 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blast javelin
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunting javelin
1x Kalamandra’s bite

OTHER DATASHEETS

Broadside Battlesuits (180 points)
• 1x Broadside Shas’vre
• 1x Crushing bulk
1x Heavy rail rifle
2x Missile Drone
1x Twin smart missile system
1x Weapon Support System
• 1x Broadside Shas’ui
• 1x Crushing bulk
1x Heavy rail rifle
2x Missile Drone
1x Twin smart missile system
1x Weapon Support System

Kroot Farstalkers (85 points)
• 1x Kroot Kill-broker
• 1x Kroot pistol
1x Ritual blade
1x T’au-tech rifle
• 9x Kroot Farstalker
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Dvorgite skinner
8x Farstalker firearm
9x Kroot pistol
1x Pech’ra
• 2x Kroot Hound
• 2x Ripping fangs

Kroot Hounds (40 points)
• 5x Kroot Hound
• 5x Ripping fangs

Krootox Rampagers (85 points)
• 3x Krootox Rampagers
• 3x Hunting blades
3x Kroot pistol and hunting javelins
3x Rampager fists

Krootox Riders (40 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Krootox fists
1x Repeater cannon

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

Stealth Battlesuits (60 points)
• 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

Vespid Stingwings (65 points)
• 1x Vespid Strain Leader
• 1x Neutron blaster
1x Stingwing claws
• 4x Vespid Stingwing
• 4x Neutron blaster
4x Stingwing claws

Exported with App Version: v1.30.0 (75), Data Version: v588

Archetype

Aux Cadre with triple Riptides

Thoughts

TheChirurgeon: The Auxiliary Cadre list gives you a way to supercharge your shooting by putting Kroot and Vespid units within 9″ of a target, improving your AP by 1 and giving you the ability to re-roll wound rolls with the Interlocking Manouevres Stratagem and improve your weapon strength. This is great on everything but particularly useful for the Ion cannons on Riptides, which go up to AP-3 or AP-4 when overcharged. Rampagers and Hounds give you fast units to throw out at your opponents to create those 9″ relationships.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Thomas Moore – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Ynnari with all the same stuff you’re expecting.
6th – Troy Oswood – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Ditto.
7th – Ryan McGuire – Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Yes to Tankbustas, no to Breaka Boyz. Two units of Nobz do a similar job.
8th – Cam Grieser – Death Guard (Plague Company): A shooting-heavy Death Guard build with double Predator Destructors, triple Myphitic Blight-haulers, and 3×3 Deathshroud.
9th – Matthew Hartnett – Orks (War Horde): 5 Trukks disgorge a mob of Beastbosses, Nobz, and Flash Gits.
10th – Kory Mashek – Death Guard (Plague Company): Three War Dogs and some Deathshroud backed up by the Fights First Plague Marine brick.
11th – Mike Pestilens – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Fucking Grey Knights? You’re a traitor to your principles, Mike. Hope running 5 Dreadknights was worth it.
12th – Quentin Killian – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): 3 sets of Veterans backed up by Terminators, jump Intercessors, and a Storm Speeder.

Silicon Valley Grand Tournament

50-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Foster City, CA, United States on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Forrest Phanton – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Big ol Puppers (2000 points)

Space Marines
Space Wolves
Strike Force (2000 points)
Champions of Russ

CHARACTERS

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

Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 points)
• 1x Flurry of teeth and claws
1x Storm bolter
1x The Axe Morkai

Ragnar Blackmane (90 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Frostfang

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (125 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Relic Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancement: Black Death

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (115 points)
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Twin lightning claws
• Enhancement: Frost Weapon

BATTLELINE

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

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
2x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle

Thunderwolf Cavalry (240 points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x Heirloom weapon
1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
• 5x Crushing teeth and claws
5x Heirloom weapon
5x Storm Shield

Vindicator (185 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Wolf Scouts (80 points)
• 1x Wolf Scout Pack Leader
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Twin lightning claws
• 4x Wolf Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
3x Combat knife
1x Power weapon

ALLIED UNITS

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

Archetype

Wolf Jail

Thoughts

TheChirurgoen: Wolf Jail is still around, it just uses Vindicators now instead of Wulfen. The plan is still to trap your opponent in their Deployment Zone early with durable units of Thunderwolf Cavalry, then claim objectives while they try and dig themselves out. The big difference between this and prior lists is trading out Wulfen and Bjorn for a pair of Vindicators, one of the strongest units in the space marine (or Chaos Space Marines) arsenal.

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. For some reason most of them played Custodes or World Eaters, and they were:

2nd – Jonathan Lee – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): See Showdown.
3rd – Ruben Zhao – Grey Knights (Teleport Strike Force): Quad Dreadknights with a pair of Terminator Squads.
4th – Jim Yeh – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): A single biker Captain with quadruple Custodian Guard, triple Vertus Praetors, and triple Venatari.
5th – Taylor Davis – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Look, at Forgefiend!
6th – Will Trovato – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): Triple Telemon and triple Venerable Contemptors with a Caladius thrown in for good measure.
7th – John Kilcommons – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Triple Blade Champions with triple Allarus Shield-Captains running around on their own.
8th – Patrick Kilcommons – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): To quote Patrick, “Only an original list bc goremongers just came out.”
9th – Samuel Cabrera Valencia – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Shadow Legion with 18 Bloodcrushers and double Rendmasters.

Perils Of The Geekery

44-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Shawnee, KS, United States on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Cody Jiru – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

No Dakka? No problem?! (1995 points)

Drukhari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Reaper’s Wager

CHARACTERS

Archon (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Huskblade
• Enhancement: Webway Walker

Beastmaster (120 points)
• 1x Beastmaster
• 1x Agoniser
1x Splinter pods
• 1x Clawed Fiend
• 1x Clawed Fiend fists
• 2x Khymerae
• 2x Khymerae talons
• 3x Razorwing Flock
• 3x Razorwing feathers

BATTLELINE

Kabalite Warriors (100 points)
• 1x Sybarite
• 1x Phantasm grenade launcher
1x Splinter rifle
1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
• 1x Blaster
9x Close combat weapon
1x Dark lance
1x Shredder
1x Splinter cannon
5x Splinter rifle

Wracks (55 points)
• 1x Acothyst
• 1x Wrack blades
• 4x Wrack
• 1x Hexrifle
1x Liquifier gun
1x Ossefactor
1x Stinger pistol
4x Wrack blades

OTHER DATASHEETS

Court of the Archon (95 points)
• 1x Lhamaean
• 1x Shaimeshi blade
• 1x Medusae
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Eyeburst
• 1x Sslyth
• 1x Shardcarbine
1x Splinter pistol
1x Sslyth battle-blade
• 1x Ur-ghul
• 1x Ur-ghul talons

Cronos (50 points)
• 1x Spirit syphon
1x Spirit vortex
1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Grotesques (80 points)
• 3x Grotesque
• 3x Liquifier gun
3x Monstrous weapons

Mandrakes (70 points)
• 1x Nightfiend
• 1x Baleblast
1x Glimmersteel blade
• 4x Mandrake
• 4x Baleblast
4x Glimmersteel blade

Scourges (130 points)
• 1x Solarite
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Shardcarbine
1x Solarite weapon
• 4x Scourge
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dark lance

Talos (160 points)
• 2x Talos
• 2x Talos gauntlet
2x Twin Drukhari haywire blaster
2x Twin liquifier gun

ALLIED UNITS

Shadowseer (60 points)
• 1x Flip Belt
1x Miststave
1x Neuro disruptor

Troupe (190 points)
• 1x Lead Player
• 1x Flip Belt
1x Fusion pistol
1x Power sword
• 10x Player
• 10x Flip Belt
3x Fusion pistol
10x Harlequin’s blade
4x Neuro disruptor
3x Shuriken pistol

Voidweaver (125 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Shuriken cannon
1x Voidweaver haywire cannon

Exported with App Version: v1.30.0 (75), Data Version: v588

Archetype

Reaper’s Wager Drukhari

Thoughts

TheChirurgeon: Reaper’s Wager continues to emerge as the best way to play Drukhari following the release of the Aeldari Codex and an FAQ. That said, the goal isn’t so much to actually have a back-and-forth but rather to have a very good unit of the best Harlequins have to offer, then get more out of your Drukhari units with the ability to re-roll 1s to hit and wound.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Aaron Cook – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Double Allarus with Shield-Captains and unusually no Wardens at all. Aaron finished on 4 wins and a draw.
3rd – Kyle McCord – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): See Showdown.
4th – Broc Bowman – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, 5 Helverins, 6 Warglaives, some Inquisitorial Agents hanging out.
5th – John Vuchetich – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): The Silent King and triple Doomsday Arks. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.
6th – Kyle Lamperez – Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm): Triple Psychophages!
7th – Treynor Wolfe – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Some Windriders in this one.
8th – Michael Roberts – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Three big Knights, with Canis backed up by a Lancer and a Crusader with Mysterious Guardian.

Amarillo Warhammer 40k Grand Tournament

33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Amarillo, TX, United States on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Deathwatch Terminators by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

Colton Havens – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Space Marines
Deathwatch
Black Spear Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (110 Points)
• 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: Thief of Secrets

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

Watch Master (105 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Vigil spear

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (200 Points)
• 1x Watch Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes shield
◦ 1x Xenophase blade
• 9x Deathwatch Veterans
◦ 1x Astartes shield
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer
◦ 2x Frag cannon
◦ 2x Infernus heavy bolter
◦ 1x Power weapon

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Talonstrike Kill Team (290 Points)
• 1x Kill Team Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Kill Team Intercessor with Jump Pack
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 2x Plasma pistol
• 5x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with Jump Pack
◦ 5x Assault bolters
◦ 5x Close combat weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.30.0 (2), Data Version: v588

Archetype

Deathwatch Black Spear

Thoughts

TheChirurgeon: Deathwatch just put out an insane amount of damage with a small number of units, so the game plan is usually “pick a moment to strike, then obliterate the opponent with superior firepower.” This list packs an extra melee threat in the form of the Watch Master with 10 Veterans in a Rhino, who can drop out, advance, and charge for a long-distance punch.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Derrick Ramsey – Chaos Daemons (Plague Legion): See Showdown.
3rd – Vyasar Ganesan – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Triple Tyrannofexes in a list “Shamelessly stolen from Dag Samuelson” per Vyasar.
4th – Josh Archer – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Triple Doomstalkers and double Reanimators for a War of the Worlds vibe.
5th – Josh Anderson – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and double Knight Crusaders.

The Great Game – Gongaii GT Spring 2025

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Forest Grove, OR, United States on April 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Isaac Terada – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ PLAYER NAME: Isaac Terada
+ TEAM NAME: Try Hard Wargaming
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Genestealer Cults
+ DETACHMENT: Host of Ascension
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1990pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char4: Primus
+ ENHANCEMENT: A Chink in Their Armour (on Char4: Primus)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 21
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (3×2) – Assassination: 6 Characters – Cull The Horde: 5×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Benefictus (70 pts)
1 with Close combat weapon, Psionic cascade

Char2: 1x Benefictus (70 pts)
1 with Close combat weapon, Psionic cascade

Char3: 1x Benefictus (70 pts)
1 with Close combat weapon, Psionic cascade

Char4: 1x Primus (100 pts)
1 with Cult bonesword, Scoped needle pistol, Toxin injector claw
• Warlord
Enhancement: A Chink in Their Armour (+20 pts)

Char5: 1x Reductus Saboteur (65 pts)
1 with Autopistol, Close combat weapon, Demolition charges, Remote explosives

Char6: 1x Reductus Saboteur (65 pts)
1 with Autopistol, Close combat weapon, Demolition charges, Remote explosives

BATTLELINE

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

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

10x Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (140 pts)
• 1x Acolyte Leader
1 with Hand flamer, Leader’s bio-weapons
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
1 with Cult claws and knife
• Cult icon
8 with Cult claws and knife, Hand flamer

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

20x Neophyte Hybrids (145 pts)
• 1x Neophyte Leader
1 with Autopistol, Close combat weapon, Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
2 with Autopistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy stubber
2 with Autopistol, Close combat weapon, Seismic Cannon
10 with Autopistol, Close combat weapon, Hybrid firearm
1 with Autopistol, Close combat weapon, Hybrid firearm
• Cult Icon
2 with Autopistol, Close combat weapon, Grenade launcher
2 with Autopistol, Close combat weapon, Webber

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

Archetype

Host of Ascension GSC

Thoughts

TheChirurgeon: Yep, that’s a GSC list. The Host of Ascension is all about dropping into the battlefield and using the SUSTAINED HITS 1 and IGNORES COVER abilities to focus down bigger opponents with assists from your Ridgerunners and a ton of mining lasers. It’s pretty astonishing how easy it is for a Host of Ascenion army to whttle down even the game’s biggest targets in a single shooting phase, and having three units of Genestealers gives it a tiny amount of melee punch to close with.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Matthew Griffen – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Yvraine stays home with the Yncarne leading the line instead and an Archon heading up the Incubi brick in a Raider.
3rd – Gwen Freeman – T’au Empire (Experimental Prototype Cadre): Detachment: Gun brings many, many guns and a lot of Pathfinders and Stealth Suits to get in the way of the things that want to punch the guns.
4th – Alex Najdek – Orks (War Horde): Alex would like you to know that his Kill Rigs are his best painted and favourite models. He has also just painted 12 Tankbustas. Fair play Alex.
5th – Sergey Tupikov – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): The Silent King is here. Only double Doomsday Orks however, with some singleton Lokhusts and a Triarch Stalker as well.
6th – Zack Coddington – Orks (Dread Mob): No matter what detachment, triple SAG Meks are the order of the day. They back up 3×6 Tankbustas and a big mob of Killa Kans.

Wrap Up

That concludes a week of Competitive Innovations in which our fearless leader was stricken ill and the B-team forgot that we only need to write one Showdown per article. Let’s hope next week is better.

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Scramble Scramble pt.3

Montana Beerhammer GT 2025

The Showdown

Take and Hold – Rapid Escalation – Search and Destroy.

Thoughts

Result

John Holbrook – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ryan Wyskochil – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Colin Kay – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Bryan Scherrer – T’au Empire (Auxiliary Cadre) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Silicon Valley Grand Tournament

Forrest Phanton – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Perils Of The Geekery

Cody Jiru – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Amarillo Warhammer 40k Grand Tournament

Colton Havens – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The Great Game – Gongaii GT Spring 2025

Isaac Terada – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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