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.

Surprise – it’s me, Wings, again, due to some scheduling changes. You’ll get Lowest of Men‘s part tomorrow, but we’ve kept the split of events the same, so now we’ve looking as follows.

Today:

Fal-Con 2025: Live Free or Fly Hard 40k Event
Old Guard Games Grand Tournament
Dutch Masters Mid Season GT
Sunshine Coast Open III

Part 1 on Wednesday:

Warhammer 40,000 GT – Warhammer Open Edmonton
Branson Brawl 2025-40K
Rubicon Grand Tournament III
WestCoast Wargames 40k 2025 June
The Gulf GT

On Saturday Lowest of Men will cover the following:

AC Champions Cup 2025 – Warhammer 40k Champs (Singles)
Battle Ready Wargaming’s Road To NOVA Hosted by Away Games
III Iberian Ham GT AEPDA 2025
Adeptus Bastardes I

Fal-Con 2025: Live Free or Fly Hard 40k Event

63-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Moncton, NB, Canada on June 14 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Phil Cass – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

Imperial Knights - Armiger Helverins — Imperial Knights – Armiger Helverins
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Cannis and Friends (1995 points)

Imperial Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble Lance

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (450 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s Hand

BATTLELINE

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

Armiger Warglaive (140 points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear

ALLIED UNITS

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

Culexus Assassin (85 points)
• 1x Animus speculum
1x Life-draining touch

Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629

Archetype

Canis and Armigers

Thoughts

Welp, the cat’s out of the bag now – prepare to get kicked in by Imperial Knights for the next few months, because this list but with an extra 70pts is now the army to beat. While mirroring stat and point changes from Chaos Knights sort of makes sense on a surface level, in practice it won’t be true, because the army-wide Feel No Pain on Imperial Knights means that extra wounds go further than for traitors. Same per-unit lethality, more stuff, and it was already one of the top four armies. Prepare for suffering. Congratulations to Phil for sliding in under the slamming door and taking a trophy with Knights before that’s too passé.

Stefan Samson – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Maximum Khârnage

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Berzerker Warband

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Khorne (200 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon

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

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

BATTLELINE

Khorne Berzerkers (180 points)
• 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion
• 1x Chainblade
1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Khorne Berzerker
• 7x Bolt pistol
7x Chainblade
1x Icon of Khorne
2x Khornate eviscerator
2x Plasma pistol

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

Eightbound (150 points)
• 1x Eightbound Champion
• 1x Chainblades
• 2x Eightbound
• 2x Chainblades

Forgefiend (150 points)
• 3x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Forgefiend claws

Helbrute (120 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Helbrute fist
1x Helbrute hammer

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

Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629

Archetype

All-rounder Warband

Thoughts

In undefeated second place we’ve got a nice take on an all-rounder Warband build, centring on two large Berzerker bricks and a couple of Forgefiends. This gives a nice balance of damage and board presence, and can be very difficult to break out from thanks to Blood Surges once it gets going. It’s also well tuned for the current setup where most of the top builds are based on elite Infantry, so basic Eightbound are pretty good. My fear is that this build might seriously drop off if Knights are as good as they look, because I’m not convinced re-tooling to Exalted Eightbound will provide enough damage output to handle them, but I’d be delighted to be wrong, because it’s been good to see World Eaters hit their stride. Great work from Stefan.

Blair Macdonald – World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Str8 to Hell (2000 points)

World Eaters
Strike Force (2000 points)
Khorne Daemonkin

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Khorne (230 points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Blade of Endless Bloodshed

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

Lord on Juggernaut (105 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bladed horn
1x Exalted chainblade
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancement: Disciple of Khorne

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

BATTLELINE

Bloodletters (90 points)
• 1x Bloodreaper
• 1x Hellblade
• 9x Bloodletter
• 1x Daemonic Icon
9x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos

OTHER DATASHEETS

Bloodcrushers (220 points)
• 1x Bloodhunter
• 1x Hellblade
1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 5x Bloodcrusher
• 1x Daemonic Icon
5x Hellblade
1x Instrument of Chaos
5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

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

Forgefiend (150 points)
• 3x Ectoplasma cannon
1x Forgefiend claws

Goremongers (85 points)
• 1x Blood Herald
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainblade
1x Close combat weapon
• 7x Goremongers
• 7x Autopistol
7x Chainblade
7x Close combat weapon

Helbrute (120 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy flamer
1x Helbrute fist
1x Helbrute hammer

Jakhals (65 points)
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
• 1x Paired manglers
• 8x Jakhal
• 8x Autopistol
8x Chainblades

Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629

Archetype

Khorne Daemonkin

Thoughts

Speaking of the World Eaters Codex, this continues to be one of my favourite builds to see in the whole game at the moment, and I love seeing it here. The thematic and mechanical synergy of a terrifying bow wave of Daemons and plasma beckoning Bloodletters forth from the warp kicks ass, and it’s great to see GW really nail an ally detachment. I think it probably also has a better chance of sticking around in a Knight hell metagame, as Skarbrand gives you a threat that can one-shot trade up into a big Knight, and the Armiger stat changes do make a substantive difference to this list’s breadth of killing into them because of all the S5 melee (with access to Lance) and the S9 Daemon Prince. Big, big fan of this army, keep on trucking.

Brandon Vallee – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

I already miss Sustained Hits 2 (2000 points)

T’au Empire
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kauyon

CHARACTERS

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

Commander Shadowsun (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Advanced Guardian Drone
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Command-link Drone (Aura)
1x Flechette launcher
2x High-energy fusion blaster
1x Light missile pod
1x Pulse pistol

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (115 points)
• 1x Battlesuit fists
1x Cyclic ion blaster
2x Gun Drone
1x High-output burst cannon
2x Missile pod
• Enhancement: Exemplar of the Kauyon

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 Twin pulse carbine

OTHER DATASHEETS

Crisis Starscythe Battlesuits (110 points)
• 1x Crisis Starscythe Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
1x Gun Drone
1x Marker Drone
• 2x Crisis Starscythe Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
4x Burst cannon
2x Gun Drone
2x Shield Drone

Piranhas (60 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Piranha fusion blaster
2x Seeker missile
2x Twin pulse carbine

Riptide Battlesuit (190 points)
• 1x Ion accelerator
2x Missile Drone
1x Riptide fists
1x Twin plasma rifle

Sky Ray Gunship (140 points)
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Seeker missile rack

Stealth Battlesuits (80 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: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629

Archetype

Go-wide Kauyon

Thoughts

A singular showing for T’au to round out this top four, mostly showing up with pretty similar Kauyon pieces to what was being used pre-Dataslate. With a bit of time for the impact of the Dataslate to settle in, the consensus (which I agree with) is that T’au probably needed a bit more help, but you do see one majorly improved tool here, which is the Starscythe unit. Being able to comfortably split fire on this now means you can threaten to clear up a lot of enemy tools in one swoop if they’re insufficiently cautious, and also allows you to stick a Commander tooled for elite infantry in amongst them to benefit from the extra AP without having to waste the rest of the squad’s guns. Nice to see that unit about, and nice to see some play for T’au, well done to Brandon.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th – Austin Stevenson – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): A Knight Tyrant with loads of War Dogs, perhaps an omen of things to come.
6th – Paul Levesque – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion Vectorium with added Blight-haulers.
7th – Jason Gallant – Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Go-wide Skysplinter making use of cheaper Transports to jam plenty of pieces on the table.
8th – Matthew Wood – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): A slightly wider variant on Lions using regular Guard units instead of Wardens to free up the points for two squads of Venatari.
9th – Melody Wallace – Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Whoops all hulls.
10th – Aaron Wall – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): a cool Wager biker gang running maxed out numbers of Reavers and Skyweavers (the latter built for shooting).
11th – Mike Chapeau – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Another Lions build stretching to five Infantry units, this time using some Allarus units alongside guard.

Old Guard Games Grand Tournament

42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Milwaukee, WI, United States on June 14 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Unknown Mission

Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum (Recon Element)
Army List - Click to Expand

Joushi personally told me that he likes the way I format my lists.

“Oh boy! I’m so happy that I finally finished building all of my 120 Kriegsman and can finally put this list on the table!”

Death Korps of Krieg
10 models …………………………….65 pts
20 models …………………………….(+15) 145 pts

UNSC 42nd Infantry Regiment
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Astra Militarum
+ DETACHMENT: Recon Element
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: “Alpha Nine” Gaunt’s Ghosts
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 25
+ SECONDARY: – Assassination: 8 Characters – Cull The Horde: 5×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

“Alpha Nine” Char1: 6x Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 pts)
“Captain Veronica Dare” 1x Ibram Gaunt
1 with Bolt pistol, Gaunt’s chainsword
• Warlord, Ibram Gaunt, Invulnerable Save 5+
• 5x Tanith Ghost
1 with Bragg’s autocannon, Straight silver knife
“Spartan Taylor “Dutch” Miles” Tanith Ghost
1 with Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine, Straight silver knife
“Spartan Michael “Mickey” Crespo” Tanith Ghost
1 with Larkin’s long-las, Straight silver knife
“Spartan Kojo “Romeo” Agu” Tanith Ghost
1 with Lascarbine, Mkoll’s straight silver knife
“Lance Corporal Jonathan “Rookie” Doherty” Tanith Ghost
1 with Rawne’s lascarbine, Straight silver knife
“Spartan Edward Buck” Tanith Ghost

“Alpha Commander” Char2: 1x Cadian Castellan (55 pts)
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol

“Bravo Commander” Char3: 1x Cadian Castellan (55 pts)
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol

“Eagle Commander” Char4: 1x Cadian Castellan (55 pts)
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol

“Command Team Alpha” Char5: 5x Cadian Command Squad (65 pts)
• 1x Cadian Commander
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
• Cadian Commander
• 4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
• Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Master vox, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Medi-pack, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun, Regimental standard
• Cadian Veteran Guardsman

“Command Team Bravo” Char6: 5x Cadian Command Squad (65 pts)
• 1x Cadian Commander
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
• Cadian Commander
• 4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
• Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Master vox, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Medi-pack, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun, Regimental standard
• Cadian Veteran Guardsman

“Command Team Eagle” Char7: 5x Cadian Command Squad (65 pts)
• 1x Cadian Commander
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
• Cadian Commander
• 4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol
• Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Master vox, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Medi-pack, Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun, Regimental standard
• Cadian Veteran Guardsman

“Kilo Commander” Char8: 1x Ursula Creed (85 pts): Duty and Vengeance, Power weapon

BATTLELINE

“Fireteam Alpha” 20x Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts)
• 2x Shock Trooper Sergeant
2 with Close combat weapon, Sergeant’s autogun
• Shock Trooper
• 18x Shock Trooper
12 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Shock Trooper

“Fireteam Bravo” 20x Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts)
• 2x Shock Trooper Sergeant
2 with Close combat weapon, Sergeant’s autogun
• Shock Trooper
• 18x Shock Trooper
12 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Shock Trooper

“Fireteam Eagle” 20x Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts)
• 2x Shock Trooper Sergeant
2 with Close combat weapon, Sergeant’s autogun
• Shock Trooper
• 18x Shock Trooper
12 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Shock Trooper

“Fireteam Kilo” 20x Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts)
• 2x Shock Trooper Sergeant
1 with Close combat weapon, Sergeant’s autogun
• Shock Trooper
• 18x Shock Trooper
12 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Shock Trooper
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Shock Trooper

“Zulu Company” 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 pts)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
1 with Close combat weapon, Laspistol
• Catachan Jungle Fighter
• 9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Catachan Jungle Fighter
2 with Close combat weapon, Flamer
• Catachan Jungle Fighter
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Catachan Jungle Fighter

“Recon Bravo” 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 pts)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
1 with Close combat weapon, Laspistol
• Catachan Jungle Fighter
• 9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Catachan Jungle Fighter
2 with Close combat weapon, Flamer
• Catachan Jungle Fighter
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Catachan Jungle Fighter

“Sierra Patrol” 10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 pts)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
1 with Close combat weapon, Laspistol
• Catachan Jungle Fighter
• 9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Catachan Jungle Fighter
2 with Close combat weapon, Flamer
• Catachan Jungle Fighter
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Catachan Jungle Fighter

“Autumn Guard” 20x Death Korps of Krieg (145 pts)
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster
2 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
• Death Korps of Krieg
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
10 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
2 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
2 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Death Korps of Krieg
2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Death Korps of Krieg

“Foxtrot Battalion” 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts)
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
2 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
• Death Korps of Krieg
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Death Korps of Krieg

“Fireteam Revenant” 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts)
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
1 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
• Death Korps of Krieg
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Death Korps of Krieg

“Fireteam Oni” 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts)
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
1 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
• Death Korps of Krieg
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Death Korps of Krieg

“Fireteam Rhino” 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts)
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
1 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
• Death Korps of Krieg
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Death Korps of Krieg

“Fireteam Bastion” 10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts)
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
1 with Power weapon, Plasma pistol
• Death Korps of Krieg
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Meltagun
• Death Korps of Krieg
1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun
• Death Korps of Krieg

OTHER DATASHEETS

“The Kestrel Lance” 10x Attilan Rough Riders (120 pts)
• 1x Rough Rider Sergeant
1 with Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves, Power sabre, Hunting lance
• Attilan Rough Rider
• 9x Rough Rider
1 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
• Attilan Rough Rider
1 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
• Attilan Rough Rider
1 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
• Attilan Rough Rider
1 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
• Attilan Rough Rider
1 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
• Attilan Rough Rider
4 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
• Attilan Rough Rider

“The Grim Dawn” 5x Attilan Rough Riders (60 pts)
• 1x Rough Rider Sergeant
1 with Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves, Power sabre, Hunting lance
• Attilan Rough Rider
• 4x Rough Rider
4 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
• Attilan Rough Rider

“The Silent Thunder” 5x Attilan Rough Riders (60 pts)
• 1x Rough Rider Sergeant
1 with Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves, Power sabre, Hunting lance
• Attilan Rough Rider
• 4x Rough Rider
4 with Hunting lance, Lasgun, Laspistol, Steed’s hooves
• Attilan Rough Rider

“The Crimson Rain” 5x Death Riders (60 pts)
• 1x Ridemaster
1 with Death Rider lascarbine, Frag lance, Power sabre, Steed’s savage claws
• Ridemaster
• 4x Death Rider
4 with Death Rider lascarbine, Frag lance, Power sabre, Steed’s savage claws
• Death Riders

vs.

Jordan Nach – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group)
Army List - Click to Expand

BA terminator lag (2000 Points)

Space Marines
Blood Angels
Liberator Assault Group
Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Ancient in Terminator Armour (75 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Terminator Storm Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer

Captain with Jump Pack (75 Points)
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Power fist

Chaplain (60 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
• 1x Crozius arcanum

Commander Dante (120 Points)
• 1x Perdition Pistol
• 1x The Axe Mortalis

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessor
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (160 Points)
• 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 5x Bladeguard Veteran
◦ 5x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 5x Master-crafted power weapon

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

Invader ATV (60 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Twin bolt rifle

Land Raider Crusader (220 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 2x Hurricane bolter
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Twin assault cannon

Predator Destructor (140 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Storm bolter

Sanguinary Guard (110 Points)
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
◦ 3x Angelus boltgun
◦ 3x Encarmine blade
◦ 1x Sanguinary Banner

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
◦ 4x Combat knife

Terminator Assault Squad (360 Points)
• 1x Assault Terminator Sergeant
◦ 1x Storm Shield
◦ 1x Thunder hammer
• 9x Assault Terminator
◦ 4x Storm Shield
◦ 4x Thunder hammer
◦ 5x Twin lightning claws

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629

Thoughts

Sometimes you look at a matchup and wonder idly if if might crack some all time stats, if only these were magically captured, in this case “most models killed in a game of 10th Edition”. Over 200 Guard Infantry models, and a Blood Angels army that can go through them like so many skittles. Marvelous. Any of the Terminators, VanVets or Bladeguard can smoke an entire brick in an activation if they feel like it (which they do), and the Terminators at least are extremely resistent to the counterpunch most of the rest of the guard can muster after that – even the normal concern about getting taken down by D3 lances from the Riders is mitigated by the shield models in the squad. This Guard army will shut out plenty of lists simply by dint of them never, in a million years being able to handle the numbers, but that option is not available to them here.

They can still swarm objectives, mind, and as long as they make sure to stage some sort of counter-punch for the VanVets or Bladeguard, they’ll be able to use volume of fire and special weapons to at least reduce the number of unit-sweeping monstrosities they’re up against. They also have access to the powerful combo of Draw them Out into Tanglefoot Grenades to create a real fail case for the Blood Angels, and can also completely prevent any Deep Strike shenanigans between their model count and Scramble Field.

That’s not going to matter for the Blood Angels scoring though, because they can take fixed Cull/Assassinate here, are very likely to max it, and can delay their Secondary Scoring for a few turns to pick up some extra Challenger Cards early. That puts pressure on the Guard to really pull ahead on Primary, and unfortunately I couldn’t find the mission here, because it’ll make a big difference. New Hidden Supplies? Great for Guard. Purge? Awful, and both that and who goes first will make a huge difference to the outcome. On Purge I think Blood Angels definitely take this, on anything else I’d say the player going second probably wins, but with Guard having more options to score an upset going first. In the end it was ultra close, and I suspect this was a joyous game to participate in, because who doesn’t like watching entire handfuls of their models getting punted into their army tray at once, and still just squeaking a win.

Result

Astra Militarum (Recon Element) Victory – 90 – 89

Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum (Recon Element) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Joushi personally told me that he likes the way I format my lists.

“Oh boy! I’m so happy that I finally finished building all of my 120 Kriegsman and can finally put this list on the table!”

Death Korps of Krieg
10 models …………………………….65 pts
20 models …………………………….(+15) 145 pts

CHARACTER

“Alpha Commander” Char2: 1x Cadian Castellan (55 pts)
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol

“Bravo Commander” Char3: 1x Cadian Castellan (55 pts)
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol

“Eagle Commander” Char4: 1x Cadian Castellan (55 pts)
1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol

“Kilo Commander” Char8: 1x Ursula Creed (85 pts): Duty and Vengeance, Power weapon

BATTLELINE

OTHER DATASHEETS

Archetype

Recon Horde

Thoughts

Delighted to see someone actually doing this, because it looked great on paper in the book, and it’s mostly just the model count that’s the obstacle to putting it down. Big congratulations to Wesley for managing that hobby lift and taking a trophy with it, and if the list title means you had 120 Kreig painted before pivoting to Cadians, even more respect.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Austin Howald – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Top-heavy Magnus Grand Coven.
3rd – Jordan Nach – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Heavy melee Liberator with a full Terminator Assault squad and full VanVet squad.
4th – David T. – World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin): All-rounder Daemonkin with the expected Skarbrand/Berzerker hammers, and a mix of pieces like Berzerkers and a Slaughterbound/Eightbound squad.
5th – Ben Cherwien – Aeldari (Warhost): Phoenix Lord Herohammer and full Fire Dragon units
6th – Tim Wright – Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Two chunky Plague Marine units with lots of Characters and a standard set of supporting toys.

Dutch Masters Mid Season GT

41-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Amersfoort, UT, NL on June 14 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Martijn Van der Most – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Thousand Sons
+ DETACHMENT: Grand Coven
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Magnus the Red
+ ENHANCEMENT: Eldritch Vortex of E’taph (on Char1: Infernal Master)
& Umbralefic Crystal (on Char2: Infernal Master)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (4×2) + (1×4) – Assassination: 6 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Magnus the Red (420 pts): Warlord, Blade of Magnus, Gaze of Magnus, Tzeentch’s Firestorm
Char2: 1x Infernal Master (110 pts): Fires of the Abyss, Force weapon, Inferno bolt pistol
Enhancement: Eldritch Vortex of E’taph (+25 pts)
Char3: 1x Infernal Master (105 pts): Fires of the Abyss, Force weapon, Inferno bolt pistol
Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal (+20 pts)
Char4: 1x Sorcerer (75 pts): Force weapon, Inferno bolt pistol, Pandaemonic Delusion
Char5: 1x Sorcerer (75 pts): Force weapon, Inferno bolt pistol, Pandaemonic Delusion
Char6: 1x Sorcerer (75 pts): Force weapon, Inferno bolt pistol, Pandaemonic Delusion

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

10x Tzaangors (70 pts)
• 9x Tzaangor
7 with Autopistol, Chainsword
1 with Herd banner, Autopistol, Chainsword
1 with Brayhorn, Autopistol, Chainsword
• 1x Twistbray: Autopistol, Chainsword
1x Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 pts): Betentacled maw, Mutalith claws, Warp vortex
1x Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 pts): Betentacled maw, Mutalith claws, Warp vortex
1x Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 pts): Betentacled maw, Mutalith claws, Warp vortex
1x Chaos Rhino (90 pts): Armoured tracks, Havoc launcher, Inferno combi-bolter, Inferno combi-bolter

Archetype

Magnus Mutaliths

Thoughts

For our next Thousand Sons build we have an especially gut-punch variant, combining maximum Mutaliths, Magnus, and lots of Rubricae units with Characters designed to make them hit hard. Bluntly, with the army as it is, this can just roll people straight over. Magnus may not be quite as potent as he once was (and pricier to keep fully operational), but that’s made up for by being able to cram in triple Mutaliths alongside the substantially higher damage output of Rubricae in the new book. It might even have the raw power to face new Knights head on, especially as it’s another build where the Knight T changes matter significantly, and I’m sure we’ll find out in the next few weeks. Congratulations to Martijn for unleashing maximum Psychic firepower.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd (4.5-0.5) – Aat Niehot – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): All-rounder Warband with one Berzerker unit, Eightbound MSUs with some Slaughterbounds, and some walker hulls.
3rd – Daan Van Herk – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Cut-down Coterie with some Maulerfiends.
4th – Thomas Verkooijen – Emperor’s Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Basically the old stock triple Prince build but double Prince now.
5th – Ruben Malschaert – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Triple Dorn Commander supported by lots of elite Infantry in Tauroxes.
6th – Alfonso Gutierrez Segura – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Aggro Raiders with triple Discolord, some Accursed Cultists and two Possessed units, backed up by a surprising amount of shooting from Destructors and Vindicators.

Sunshine Coast Open III

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in East Dean, England, United Kingdom on June 14 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Tom Green – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Leagues of Votann
+ DETACHMENT: Oathband
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Brôkhyr Iron-master
+ ENHANCEMENT: Grim Demeanour (on Char1: Brôkhyr Iron-master)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 17
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (5×2) + (1×4) – Assassination: 1 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 5x Brôkhyr Iron-master (85 pts): Warlord
• 3x E-COG
1 with E-COG, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon
1 with Plasma torch
1 with Manipulator arms
Enhancement: Grim Demeanour (+20 pts)
• 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master: Graviton hammer, Graviton rifle
• 1x Ironkyn Assistant: Close combat weapon, Las-beam cutter

10x Hearthkyn Warriors (100 pts)
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
4 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Ion blaster
1 with Pan spectral scanner, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Ion blaster
1 with Medipack, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Ion blaster
1 with Comms array, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Ion blaster
1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, L7 missile launcher*
1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Kin melee weapon
• 1x Theyn: Weavefield crest, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Ion blaster
10x Hearthkyn Warriors (100 pts)
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
4 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Ion blaster
1 with Pan spectral scanner, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Ion blaster
1 with Medipack, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Ion blaster
1 with Comms array, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Ion blaster
1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, L7 missile launcher*
1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Kin melee weapon
• 1x Theyn: Weavefield crest, Close combat weapon, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Ion blaster

6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (160 pts): 6 with Close combat weapon, Graviton blast cannon
5x Cthonian Beserks (100 pts)
4 with Beserk, Concussion maul
1 with Beserk w/ mole grenade launcher, Subterranean Explosives, Mole grenade launcher, Concussion maul
5x Cthonian Beserks (100 pts)
4 with Beserk, Concussion maul
1 with Beserk w/ mole grenade launcher, Subterranean Explosives, Mole grenade launcher, Concussion maul
5x Cthonian Beserks (100 pts)
4 with Beserk, Concussion maul
1 with Beserk w/ mole grenade launcher, Subterranean Explosives, Mole grenade launcher, Concussion maul
10x Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 pts)
9 with Close combat weapon, Bolt revolver and plasma knife
1 with APM launcher, Close combat weapon
3x Hernkyn Pioneers (90 pts)
1 with Hernkyn Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, HYLas rotary cannon, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Pan-spectral scanner, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Rollbar searchlight, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
6x Hernkyn Pioneers (180 pts)
1 with Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Comms array, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
2 with Hernkyn Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, HYLas rotary cannon, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Pan-spectral scanner, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Rollbar searchlight, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
3x Hernkyn Pioneers (90 pts)
1 with Hernkyn Pioneer w/ HYLas rotary cannon, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, HYLas rotary cannon, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Pan-spectral scanner, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1 with Rollbar searchlight, Bolt revolver, Bolt shotgun, Magna-coil autocannon, Plasma knife
1x Hekaton Land Fortress (225 pts): Pan spectral scanner, Armoured wheels, MATR autocannon, SP heavy conversion beamer, 2x Twin bolt cannon
1x Sagitaur (115 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon
1x Sagitaur (115 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon
1x Sagitaur (115 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon
1x Sagitaur (115 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon
1x Sagitaur (115 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon

Archetype

Sagitaur Spam

Thoughts

Votann keep on trucking, the eternal truism. This build ignores the new option of sticking a three-model Thunderkyn unit with a Brokhyr in a Fort and sticks to the reliable option of massing Sagitaurs with one central Fortress – and you can’t argue with the results here. I do think we’ll see a lot of re-tooling in Votann as Knight start to rise, because Thunderkyn whip in a Vehicle-heavy environment (and the SP beamer on the Land Fortress plus maul Beserks are great into new Armigers too), and I think it’s surprisingly likely that the theme of continuing trucking continues into whatever comes. Well done to Tom on the win.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Harvey Bell – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Mega monster mash.
3rd – David Bell – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Whoops all War Dogs.
4th – Connor Smith – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): All-rounder Fleet adding a unit of Zoanthropes.

Wrap Up

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Winds of Change pt.2

Fal-Con 2025: Live Free or Fly Hard 40k Event

Phil Cass – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Stefan Samson – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Blair Macdonald – World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Brandon Vallee – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Old Guard Games Grand Tournament

The Showdown

Unknown Mission

Thoughts

Result

Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum (Recon Element) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Dutch Masters Mid Season GT

Martijn Van der Most – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Sunshine Coast Open III

Tom Green – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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