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.
It’s the final part of CI for the week, this time with Lowest of Men covering:
- 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
Wings covered the following in 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
…and in Part 2 on Friday:
- Fal-Con 2025: Live Free or Fly Hard 40k Event
- Old Guard Games Grand Tournament
- Dutch Masters Mid Season GT
- Sunshine Coast Open III
AC Champions Cup 2025 – Warhammer 40k Champs (Singles)
103-player, 7-round Major in Atlantic City, NJ, United States on June 13 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Derek Apsche – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points) Foul Blightspawn (60 points) Lord of Contagion (135 points) Lord of Contagion (120 points) Mortarion (380 points) Tallyman (40 points) Typhus (90 points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (95 points) Plague Marines (95 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (85 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chaos Spawn (80 points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
1 1 Morty vectorium 2 (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plague sprayer
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Furnace of Plagues
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Daemon Weapon of Nurgle
• Warlord
• 1x Lantern
1x Rotwind
1x Silence
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Lakrimae
• 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
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
2x Heavy plague weapon
1x Meltagun
4x Plague knives
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
Archetype
Morty and Mini-Morty
Thoughts
Hero hammer with Mortarion and his cute Daemon Prince son has emerged as one of the most enjoyable ways to play the new Death Guard book. These guys absolutely slap in Virulent, where the -1 damage makes them a nightmare for opponents. Ignore modifiers has gradually crept out of the meta over the last year or so making the defensive tricks here more powerful than ever! This list is far more combat focused and infantry based than some of the lists we’ve seen for Death Guard, and I am here for it.
David Anderson – Space Marines (Gladius Task Force) – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Captain (95 points) Captain in Gravis Armour (90 points) Librarian (90 points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) BATTLELINE Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Impulsor (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Gladiator Reaper (160 points) Inceptor Squad (120 points) Incursor Squad (80 points) Infiltrator Squad (100 points) Repulsor (180 points) Repulsor Executioner (220 points) Scout Squad (70 points) Sternguard Veteran Squad (200 points) Vindicator (185 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
A Space Marine List
(1995 points)
No Bobby G
No Calgar
Just some boring Space Marine datasheets and their Gladius Task Force detachment.
Strike Force (2000 points)
Gladius Task Force
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Master-crafted bolter
1x Power fist
• Enhancement: The Honour Vehement
• Warlord
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
1x Power fist
1x Relic fist
• Enhancement: Artificer Armour
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancement: Fire Discipline
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessor
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Armoured hull
2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Orbital Comms Array (Aura)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
2x Tempest bolter
1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma exterminators
• 1x Incursor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Occulus bolt carbine
1x Paired combat blades
• 4x Incursor
• 4x Bolt pistol
1x Haywire Mine
4x Occulus bolt carbine
4x Paired combat blades
• 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
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Hunter-slayer missile
1x Las-talon
1x Repulsor defensive array
1x Twin lascannon
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy laser destroyer
1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array
1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
1x Twin heavy bolter
• 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 Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power fist
1x Sternguard bolt pistol
1x Sternguard bolt rifle
• 9x Sternguard Veteran
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Sternguard bolt pistol
7x Sternguard bolt rifle
2x Sternguard heavy bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
Archetype
Boring Old Space Marines
Thoughts
Shawn even of the joys of having Calgar and Gulliman running about making googly eyes at each other, Gladius persists regardless. Stripping them out gets you, well, a bunch more tanks and guys, so that’s no bad thing at all but perhaps a bit less fun for the wielder if the list name is anything to go by! Note the Repulsors – these are SO cheap now relative to other battle tanks and being able to yeet Jump Pack units from them gives you flexibility. Really well done on the top placing.
TJ Lanigan – Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Thousand Sons CHARACTERS Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (100 points) Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (115 points) Infernal Master (110 points) Infernal Master (105 points) Magnus the Red (420 points) BATTLELINE Rubric Marines (100 points) Rubric Marines (100 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) Tzaangor Enlightened (50 points) Tzaangor Enlightened (50 points) Tzaangor Enlightened (50 points) Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 points) Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 points) Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 points) Tzaangors (70 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
Goat get it (1990 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Grand Coven
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
• 1x Arcane Fire
1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
• Enhancement: Incandaeum
• 1x Fires of the Abyss
1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
• Enhancement: Eldritch Vortex of E’Taph
• 1x Fires of the Abyss
1x Force weapon
1x Inferno bolt pistol
• Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal
• Warlord
• 1x Blade of Magnus
1x Gaze of Magnus
1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Malefic Curse
1x Warpflame pistol
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer
• 1x Aspiring Sorcerer
• 1x Force weapon
1x Malefic Curse
1x Warpflame pistol
• 4x Rubric Marine
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Flame
1x Soulreaper cannon
3x Warpflamer
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Betentacled maw
1x Mutalith claws
1x Warp vortex
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Divining spear
• 2x Enlightened
• 2x Divining spear
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Divining spear
• 2x Enlightened
• 2x Divining spear
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Divining spear
• 2x Enlightened
• 2x Divining spear
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 5x Enlightened
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Fatecaster greatbow
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 5x Enlightened
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Fatecaster greatbow
• 1x Aviarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fatecaster greatbow
• 5x Enlightened
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Fatecaster greatbow
• 1x Twistbray
• 1x Tzaangor blades
• 9x Tzaangor
• 9x Tzaangor blades
Archetype
Thousand Sons Coven
Thoughts
Remember when I said the days of Magnus, Vortex Beasts, and Mortals were behind us last week? Of course you do, you lean on every single word I type I’m sure… well, I lied. Tsons break out with Grand Coven looking like a very potent meta force once again – Magnus remains deadly, Tzaangor on Discs are SO cheap for the supporting provision they offer, and Rubrics and Vortex Beasts are still the dream team from hell. A deadly build, and one to start prepping for. Really well done on the top placing.
Max Berlove – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necrons CHARACTERS Catacomb Command Barge (150 Points) Hexmark Destroyer (100 Points) Technomancer (90 Points) The Silent King (420 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Reanimator (75 Points) Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 Points) Canoptek Spyders (75 Points) Canoptek Wraiths (220 Points) Doomsday Ark (200 Points) Doomsday Ark (200 Points) Doomsday Ark (200 Points) Lokhust Destroyers (40 Points) Ophydian Destroyers (80 Points) Triarch Stalker (110 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629
I like big guns and I cannot lie (2000 Points)
Starshatter Arsenal
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• 1x Gauss cannon
• 1x Overlord’s blade
• 1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancements: Dread Majesty (Aura)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• Enhancements: Chrono-impedance Fields
• 1x Staff of light
• Enhancements: Demanding Leader
• 1x Szarekh
• Warlord
◦ 1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory
◦ 1x Staff of Stars
◦ 1x Weapons of the Final Triarch
• 2x Triarchal Menhir
◦ 2x Annihilator beam
◦ 2x Armoured bulk
• 2x Atomiser beam
• 1x Reanimator’s claws
• 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm
◦ 3x Feeder mandibles
• 1x Automaton claws
• 1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura)
• 1x Gloom Prism (Aura)
• 2x Particle beamer
• 6x Canoptek Wraith
◦ 6x Particle caster
◦ 6x Vicious claws
• 1x Armoured bulk
• 1x Doomsday cannon
• 2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
• 1x Doomsday cannon
• 2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
• 1x Doomsday cannon
• 2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Gauss cannon
• 3x Ophydian Destroyer
◦ 3x Ophydian hyperphase weapons
◦ 1x Plasmacyte
• 1x Heat ray
• 1x Stalker’s forelimbs
Archetype
Somehow, Starshatter Returned
Thoughts
Ok, let’s theorise on the re-emergence of Starshatter. Combat rush armies take a slight knock with the emergence of Death Guard, Tsons and Knights. Going toe-to-toe at range becomes more important than absorbing on the frontlines, so Awakened starts to fade as an option, and speedy Dakka with some Wraiths makes more sense with the recent points changes? Something like that? Anyway, it’s cool to see this potent detachment back out once again taking names, it remains absolutely lethal in the right hands.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Matt Aaron – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Retooled Wraith centric Awakened with the Silent King.
- 6th – Mark Hertel – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force): Bonkers double Land Raider Ultramarines with Gulliman and Calgar.
- 7th – Matt Huber – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Massed Purifiers in Warpbane.
Battle Ready Wargaming’s Road To NOVA Hosted by Away Games
53-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Valdosta, GA, United States on June 14 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Supply Drop – Tipping Point
Gabriel Nixon – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) Death Guard CHARACTERS Biologus Putrifier (45 points) Biologus Putrifier (45 points) Biologus Putrifier (45 points) Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points) Lord of Contagion (110 points) Malignant Plaguecaster (60 points) Tallyman (40 points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (190 points) Plague Marines (95 points) Plague Marines (95 points) Plague Marines (95 points) Plague Marines (95 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (85 points) Chaos Rhino (85 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
Army List - Click to Expand
grant me sticky in my hour of Need (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• Warlord
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration
• 1x Manreaper
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Corrupted staff
1x Plague Wind
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 9x Plague Marine
• 2x Blight launcher
3x Heavy plague weapon
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
2x Plasma gun
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
vs.
Noah Neundorfer – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors) CHARACTER 1x Chief Librarian Mephiston (120 pts) 1x Commander Dante (120 pts) 1x The Sanguinor (140 pts) 1x Apothecary (50 pts) 1x Captain with Jump Pack (75 pts) 1x Captain with Jump Pack (75 pts) 1x Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (95 pts) BATTLELINE 5x Intercessor Squad (80 pts) OTHER DATASHEETS 5x Desolation Squad (200 pts) 6x Inceptor Squad (240 pts) 5x Infiltrator Squad (100 pts) 3x Sanguinary Guard (110 pts) 3x Sanguinary Guard (110 pts) 3x Sanguinary Guard (110 pts) 1x Vindicator (185 pts) 1x Vindicator (185 pts)
Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Blood Angels
+ DETACHMENT: Angelic Inheritors
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Commander Dante
+ ENHANCEMENT: Ordained Sacrifice (on Char4: Lieutenant with Combi-weapon)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (2×2) – Assassination: 7 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
• 1x Fury of the Ancients
• 1x Plasma Pistol
• 1x Vitarus
• 1x Perdition
• 1x The Axe Mortalis
• Warlord
• 1x Encarmine Broadsword
• 1x Absolver Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Reductor Pistol
• 1x Power Fist
• 1x Hand Flamer
• 1x Power Fist
• 1x Hand Flamer
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired Combat Blades
• Ordained Sacrifice (+25 pts)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Bolt Rifle
• 1x Close Combat Weapon
• Intercessor Sergeant
• 4x Intercessor
• 4x Bolt Pistol
• 4x Bolt Rifle
• 4x Close Combat Weapon
• 4x Intercessor Squad
• 4x Desolation Marine
• 4x Bolt Pistol
• 4x Castellan Launcher
• 4x Close Combat Weapon
• 4x Superkrak Rocket Launcher
• 4x Desolation Squad
• 1x Desolation Sergeant
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Castellan Launcher
• 1x Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Vengor Launcher
• Desolation Sergeant
• 5x Inceptor
• 5x Close Combat Weapon
• 5x Plasma Exterminators
• 5x Inceptor Squad
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Plasma Exterminators
• Inceptor Sergeant
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt Pistol
• 4x Close Combat Weapon
• 4x Marksman Bolt Carbine
• 4x Infiltrator Squad, Infiltrator Comms Array, Helix Gauntlet
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Marksman Bolt Carbine
• Infiltrator Sergeant
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 3x Encarmine Blade
• 1x Inferno Pistol
• 2x Angelus Boltgun
• Sanguinary Banner, 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 3x Encarmine Blade
• 1x Inferno Pistol
• 2x Angelus Boltgun
• Sanguinary Banner, 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 3x Encarmine Blade
• 1x Inferno Pistol
• 2x Angelus Boltgun
• Sanguinary Banner, 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 1x Armoured Tracks
• 1x Demolisher Cannon
• 1x Hunter Killer Missile
• 1x Storm Bolter
• 1x Armoured Tracks
• 1x Demolisher Cannon
• 1x Hunter Killer Missile
• 1x Storm Bolter
Thoughts
Woof, ok. This is a brutal match up and mission for a Showdown! Virulent Death Guard LOVE Supply Drop, which is a mission that rewards their ‘bunker down mid board and out last the opponent’ approach very heavily. Loads of Plague Marines and Shroud in this list for pushing the enemy off the objectives and enough shooting to whittle down the foe as well. We’ve not seen a tonne of MSU Plague Marines of late, but with the Putrifiers they are very dangerous and can trade in the initial exchanges very happily.
Angelic Inheritors loves the recent BA points drops, and packs a bit of guile for getting around and behind the opponent and protecting their shooting units. Vindicators with Oaths and SUSTAINED will get through the DG units if they get a bead – the question is whether the BA can handle the rate of attrition and benefit from the end game scoring. The score here looks like it went down to the mad scramble to grab the final objective end game – I’d have Death Guard as favoured to achieve this but if they went second it feels even more likely, and I’d guess that’s what happened here. Looks like the Sons of Sanguinius gave a great account of themselves though!
Result
Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) Victory – 50 – 37
Gabriel Nixon – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Biologus Putrifier (45 points) Biologus Putrifier (45 points) Biologus Putrifier (45 points) Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points) Lord of Contagion (110 points) Malignant Plaguecaster (60 points) Tallyman (40 points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (190 points) Plague Marines (95 points) Plague Marines (95 points) Plague Marines (95 points) Plague Marines (95 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (85 points) Chaos Rhino (85 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Poxwalkers (60 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
grant me sticky in my hour of Need (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• Warlord
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration
• 1x Manreaper
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Corrupted staff
1x Plague Wind
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 9x Plague Marine
• 2x Blight launcher
3x Heavy plague weapon
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
2x Plasma gun
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Plasma gun
1x Power fist
• 4x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
1x Heavy plague weapon
4x Plague knives
1x Plague spewer
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
Archetype
MSU Melee Virulent
Thoughts
Another triumph for the Death Guard, who are rolling through a meta that took a balance patch they swerved at the moment. As alluded to above, I like the more MSU / transports based take here, it’s closer to how DG were playing prior to their book but is even better now with Deathshroud drops to compliment it. Amazing work on the event win!
Marcus Johnson – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Adeptus Custodes CHARACTERS Blade Champion (120 Points) Blade Champion (120 Points) Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (160 Points) Trajann Valoris (140 Points) BATTLELINE Custodian Guard (170 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Custodian Wardens (260 Points) Custodian Wardens (260 Points) Custodian Wardens (210 Points) Prosecutors (50 Points) Venatari Custodians (165 Points) Vertus Praetors (150 Points) Witchseekers (50 Points) Witchseekers (50 Points) ALLIED UNITS Inquisitor Draxus (95 Points)
Savannah Bananas (2000 Points)
Lions of the Emperor
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• 1x Vaultswords
• 1x Interceptor lance
• 1x Salvo launcher
• Enhancements: Admonimortis
• Warlord
• 1x Eagle’s Scream
• 1x Watcher’s Axe
• 4x Custodian Guard
◦ 3x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Misericordia
◦ 1x Praesidium Shield
◦ 1x Vexilla
• 5x Custodian Warden
◦ 5x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Vexilla
• 5x Custodian Warden
◦ 5x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Vexilla
• 4x Custodian Warden
◦ 4x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Vexilla
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Prosecutor
◦ 4x Boltgun
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
• 3x Venatari Custodian
◦ 3x Venatari lance
• 2x Vertus Praetor
◦ 2x Interceptor lance
◦ 2x Salvo launcher
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Witchseeker flamer
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Witchseeker flamer
• 1x Dirgesinger
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Psychic Tempest
Archetype
Warden Brick Custodes
Thoughts
Lions have waned in the meta somewhat, but the patented ‘slam Wardens on the discs and score points’ approach remains durable and lethal, capable of running through armies that can’t pass the stat check in the pivotal 4+++ turn. Sprinkling in some Bikes and Venatari gives you other angles of attack as well, and it’s awesome to see this continuing to do well in a meta that feels a lot more hostile to it now. Well done!
The Best of the Rest
There were 9 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Steven Tosky – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Bucketloads of MSU Destroyers in Awakened Dynasty.
- 4th – Minchul Kim – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and the Armigers doing their thing.
- 5th – Chris Dailey – Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Double Rogal Dorns and some supporting Aquilons in Combined Arms.
- 6th – Drew Townsend – Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Haruspex and Psychophage with a Zoan brick in the cool new Nids Detachment!
- 7th – Z Martin – Aeldari (Guardian Battlehost): Massed Storm Guardians and some Wraithlords in the BATTLEHOST! Epic to see this out.
- 8th – Noah Neundorfer – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors): The Inheritors list from the Showdown.
- 9th – Griffin Odom – Emperor’s Children (Carnival of Excess): Glorious Carnival antics with Fulgrim and a Keeper leading the charge.
- 10th – Seth Oster – Necrons (Canoptek Court): Epic Canoptek and C’tan nonsense, love to see it.
- 11th – Giacomo Tirelli – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Double Wraith brick Starshatter with DDA fire base.
III Iberian Ham GT AEPDA 2025
41-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sant Joan Despí, CT, España on June 14 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Dekkers 🦭🤖 – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Space Marines CHARACTERS Chaos Lord (90 points) Cypher (90 points) Fabius Bile (85 points) Lord Discordant on Helstalker (160 points) BATTLELINE Cultist Mob (50 points) Cultist Mob (50 points) Legionaries (90 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (75 points) Chaos Rhino (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chaos Bikers (70 points) Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points) Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points) Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points) Chosen (250 points) Raptors (90 points) ALLIED UNITS Beasts of Nurgle (65 points) Noise Marines (145 points) Noise Marines (145 points) Nurglings (40 points) Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (83), Data Version: v629
iberham (1990 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Renegade Raiders
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol
• Warlord
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
1x Cypher’s plasma pistol
• 1x Fabius Bile
• 1x Chirurgeon
1x Rod of Torment
1x Xyclos Needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
• 1x Baleflamer
1x Bladed limbs
1x Bolt Pistol
1x Impaler chainglaive
1x Magma cutter
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon
• 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
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Biker Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-bolter
1x Power fist
• 2x Chaos Biker
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Close combat weapon
2x Combi-bolter
2x Meltagun
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
• 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
• 1x Raptor Champion
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Raptor
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
2x Meltagun
• 1x Putrid appendages
• 1x Disharmonist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power sword
1x Screamer pistol
• 5x Noise Marine
• 2x Blastmaster
5x Close combat weapon
3x Sonic blaster
• 1x Disharmonist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power sword
1x Screamer pistol
• 5x Noise Marine
• 2x Blastmaster
5x Close combat weapon
3x Sonic blaster
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
Archetype
Renegade Raiders
Thoughts
Renegade Raiders get a little boost with the potency of the Lord Discordant rewrite – he absolutely LOVES this detachment. Being MOUNTED unlocks a deceptive number of great tricks here, including moving 12 after fighting. Otherwise the list is business as usual – Noise Marines are great here, Predators are great here, and Legios give you MSU nonsense. It’s a staple of the comp scene at this stage but I think it’s awesome the slate gave it a whole new lease of life by bringing back one of the coolest models in the game. Well done on the event win!
The Best of the Rest
There were 7 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
- 2nd (4.5-0.5) – Joan Scelus – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Mixed Arms Lions with double Caladius and Wardens.
- 3rd – Tkila RiP – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Glorious big brick Aspect Host with the Avatar leading the way.
- 4th – Manel Tulla – Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Massed Deathshroud and Blight Launchers in VV.
- 5th – Dorian Coral – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and the Armigers stomp out once again.
- 6th – Suiles 🍉 – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Epic five Greater Daemon Incursion.
- 7th – Albert Hernandez Fabres – Aeldari (Aspect Host): All-in Aspect Host with two big bricks of Banshees and Shining Spears.
- 8th – Lluis ThYr – World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin): Epic Daemonkin with a bunch of Letters, Skarbrand, and Forgefiends supporting.
Adeptus Bastardes I
31-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Østfold, Norge on June 14 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Lasse Tilrem – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 1x C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (305 pts): Gaze of death, Scythe of the Nightbringer 2x Cryptothralls (60 pts): 2 with Scouring eye, Scythed limbs
List Name: Horsin’ Around
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Necrons
+ DETACHMENT: Awakened Dynasty
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char4: The Silent King
+ ENHANCEMENT: Enaegic Dermal Bond (on Char1: Skorpekh Lord)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 13
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (3×2) + (1×6) – Assassination: 6 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Illuminor Szeras (165 pts): Eldritch lance, Impaling legs
Char3: 1x Imotekh the Stormlord (100 pts): Gauntlet of Fire, Staff of the Destroyer
Char4: 3x The Silent King (420 pts): Warlord
• 1x Szarekh: Sceptre of Eternal Glory, Staff of Stars, Weapons of the Final Triarch
• 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2 with Annihilator beam, Armoured bulk
Char5: 1x Skorpekh Lord (120 pts): Enmitic annihilator, Flensing claw, Hyperphase harvester
Enhancement: Enaegic Dermal Bond (+30 pts)
Char6: 1x Technomancer (80 pts): Staff of light
5x Flayed Ones (60 pts): 5 with Flayer claws
3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts): Plasmacyte, 3 with Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
5x Triarch Praetorians (100 pts): 5 with Rod of covenant
6x Canoptek Wraiths (220 pts): 6 with Particle caster, Vicious claws
1x Canoptek Reanimator (75 pts): 2x Atomiser beam, Reanimator’s claws
1x Doomsday Ark (200 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array
Archetype
Awakened Wraiths
Thoughts
A pivot away from Warrior bricks to Wraiths continues for the Necrons, encouraged by some nice points drops in the dataslate. This list goes light on raw shooting power but packs so many durable characters and phase locking traps with the toolkit Awakened provides, and will wear down many opponents over the five turns. Great work on the event win!
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Jonathan Arkin – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Plenty of MSU Jump Pack squads with Baal Predators and Lancers providing the fire base.
- 3rd – Thomas Harkestad – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede): Big bug Crusher Stampede with a Norn Emissary.
- 4th – Rasmus Valand Fredriksen – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Wraith brick Starshatter with the Silent King and DDAs.
- 5th – Snorre Bugge – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): A Grab-bag of Custodes units in Talons with Witchseekers, Venatari, and Grav Tanks.
Wrap Up
There we are folks! Meta that will be is kicking in, and it looks like IK and Death Guard are reaping the rewards at the moment. A few armies are hanging on in there- Necrons in particular seem able to hang, but things feel a touch off for the first time in awhile. Hopefully the powers that be will be keeping an eye on things going forwards!
Lowest of Men, out.
Have any questions or feedback? Drop us a note in the comments below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com. Want articles like this linked in your inbox every Monday morning? Sign up for our newsletter. And don’t forget that you can support us on Patreon for backer rewards like early video content, Administratum access, an ad-free experience on our website and more.
