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Tactics | Warhammer 40k | Meta Analysis | Competitive Play | Goonhammer | 40K Competitive Innovations

[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: Excessive Krumpin' pt.3

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Jan 18 2025
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.

While LVO attendees sleep off the exertions of round 3, it's time for round 3 of this week's Competitive Innovations.

Today we've got:
  • Exterminatus X Big Ben 10
  • A Grimdark New Years, SGA Finals
  • NYKO 2025
  • Hawaii “War on the Shore” Charity GT 2025
  • Fight for the Fallen GT
On Wednesday I covered:
  • The Nottingham 40k Super-Major
  • Winter War Grand Tournament
  • Red Dragon GT - January 40k
  • GT QUALIFIER MODENA - GT Italiano 2025
  • We Have LVO at Home GT
  • Grand Clash - Warhammer 40k Tournament - 2 Day GT
On Friday we had Lowest of Men review:
  • Denver 40K Fight Club January Open 2025
  • Guild War I
  • The Brawl GT - Beachhead Warm Up!
  • North Sea Slam IRONMAN 2025
  • Warpstorm

Exterminatus X Big Ben 10

71-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia on January 10 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jordan McGregor - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 1st Place

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

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
(2000 points)

Imperial Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Noble Lance

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

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

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

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

Armiger Moirax (160 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Lightning lock 1x Rad cleanser 1x Siege claw

Armiger Warglaive (140 points) • 1x Meltagun 1x Reaper chain-cleaver 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 points) • 1x Meltagun 1x Reaper chain-cleaver 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 points) • 1x Meltagun 1x Reaper chain-cleaver 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 points) • 1x Meltagun 1x Reaper chain-cleaver 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 points) • 1x Meltagun 1x Reaper chain-cleaver 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 points) • 1x Meltagun 1x Reaper chain-cleaver 1x Thermal spear

ALLIED UNITS

Ministorum Priest (40 points) • Warlord • 1x Zealot's vindictor

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

Watch Captain Artemis (65 points) • 1x Hellfire Extremis 1x Master-crafted power weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.24.0 (64), Data Version: v525

Archetype

Whoops all Armigers

Thoughts

On Wednesday we saw the return of a triple big Knight build, enabled by the flexibility of Armigers getting cheaper. Here we see the other side of that coin - Armigers are so cheap now that you can just spam them, Chaos-style. None of the individual datasheets are quite as good as Brigands, but the Imperial Knight army and detachment rules heavily reward going wide on units, and you have the Imperial Agents codex to pick a Warlord and some utility pieces from. You also get some surprising synergy from that front - sneaking in an Immolator by starting a Priest in it gives you access to Ignore Cover for your Helverins, which is extremely useful in a pinch. Artemis is also a powerful cheap utility piece thanks to standing back up and having the actual killing power to deck an enemy scoring unit. Put that all together and it's fourteen hulls with output to handle hordes and heavy stuff, and that's easily enough to overwhelm many foes. Well done Jordan on the win!

Joe Loke - Death Guard (Plague Company) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
🤡🤡🤡 (1995 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Plague Company

CHARACTERS

Biologus Putrifier (50 points) • 1x Hyper blight grenades 1x Injector pistol 1x Plague knives

Death Guard Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (70 points) • 1x Chainfist 1x Combi-weapon 1x Curse of the Leper

Lord of Contagion (80 points) • 1x Plagueblade

Mortarion (300 points) • Warlord • 1x Rotwind 1x Silence 1x The Lantern

Typhus (80 points) • 1x Master-crafted manreaper

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (180 points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plasma gun • 9x Plague Marine • 1x Blight launcher 4x Heavy plague weapon 2x Meltagun 9x Plague knives 2x Plague spewer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Death Guard Rhino (75 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Havoc launcher 2x Plague combi-bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Death Guard Cultists (50 points) • 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion • 1x Brutal assault weapon 1x Cultist firearm • 9x Death Guard Cultist • 9x Brutal assault weapon 9x Cultist firearm

Deathshroud Terminators (220 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 5x Deathshroud Terminator • 5x Manreaper 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (220 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 5x Deathshroud Terminator • 5x Manreaper 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (220 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 5x Deathshroud Terminator • 5x Manreaper 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) • 1x Plague probe 2x Plaguespitter

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

ALLIED UNITS

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

Rotigus (230 points) • 1x Gnarlrod 1x Streams of brackish filth

Exported with App Version: v1.23.0 (63), Data Version: v507

Archetype

Heavy Melee Death Guard

Thoughts

It's very on-brand for Death Guard to keep inexorably marching on, and that's what we see here in the other undefeated list from the event. No real change from the pre-Grotmas world here, just some very dangerous melee infantry blocks in the Deathshrouds, a nice melee punch from the Rhino Marines, and two big heavy hitters that bog the foe down and then ensure they get ground up. It ain't broke, so no need to fix it - great work from Joe.

Alexander Englezos - Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught) - 3rd Place

Trygon Prime. Credit: Rockfish Trygon Prime. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Tyranids Vanguard

Please help me find places to get a massage between rounds because I brought a list that finishes after 1 hour

- Winged Hive Tyrant: Bonesword and Lashwhip, Warlord - Neurotyrant: Hunting Grounds - Deathleaper - 10 Termagants: Fleshborers - Biovore - Lictor - Lictor - Neurolictor - Neurolictor - Trygon - Trygon - Mawloc - Mawloc - Mawloc - 6 Raveners: Armoured Thorax - 6 Raveners: Armoured Thorax - 6 Raveners: Armoured Thorax

Archetype

Full Send Vanguard

Thoughts

The list title and units give the plan away here - everything is tuned to slam into the opponent's face by turn 2, and then hopefully crush them with overwhelming insectile force. The Neurotyrant and Hunting Grounds help further tip the chitinous scales the Tyranid's way, making it difficult and risky for opponents to use their own reserves or tools to pull themselves out of this. The gut punch plan seems to have landed pretty well - the list picked up three fairly overwhelming wins, one close win against Tau and a close loss against Blood Angels. That last one does speak to the one weakness here - some armies can, in fact, crack back against this kind of plan, and I'd imagine there are some Custodes and World Eaters list that can give it trouble as well. Even there, the early pressure can still put them behind, providing a route to victory for the Tyranids even in tougher games. Congratulations Alexander.

Josh Hynes - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) - 4th Place

Old One Eye. Credit: Rockfish Old One Eye. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
One of the Waggas in Wagga Wagga is silent. Nobody knows which one.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Tyranids + DETACHMENT: Invasion Fleet + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char2: Hive Tyrant + ENHANCEMENT: + NUMBER OF UNITS: 16 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (8x2) + (1x4) - Assassination: 3 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Old One Eye (150 pts): Old One Eye's claws and talons Char2: 1x Hive Tyrant (235 pts): Warlord, Monstrous Bonesword and Lash Whip, Heavy Venom Cannon Char3: 1x Neurotyrant (105 pts): Neurotyrant claws and lashes, Psychic scream

10x Gargoyles (85 pts): 10 with Blinding Venom, Fleshborer 10x Hormagaunts (65 pts): 10 with Hormagaunt talons

1x Biovores (50 pts): Chitin-barbed Limbs, Spore Mine Launcher 1x Lictor (60 pts): Lictor Claws and Talons 1x Lictor (60 pts): Lictor Claws and Talons 1x Neurolictor (90 pts): Piercing Claws and Talons 1x Neurolictor (90 pts): Piercing Claws and Talons 2x Carnifexes (230 pts): 2 with Xenos Claws and Teeth, Bio-plasma, Spine Banks, Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots, Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots 1x Exocrine (135 pts): Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs 1x Exocrine (135 pts): Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs 1x Maleceptor (170 pts): Massive Scything Talons, Psychic Overload 1x Maleceptor (170 pts): Massive Scything Talons, Psychic Overload 1x Maleceptor (170 pts): Massive Scything Talons, Psychic Overload

Archetype

Monster Mash

Thoughts

Notch up another one for "it ain't broke, don't fix it". Big bugs with access to Feel No Pain good, and the ability to vary damage output is extra helpful in the current metagame where we've got both hull spam and Infantry horde builds. The dakkafex unit also gets better in that context, and while I've always been a fan I think it's particularly strong at the moment. Good stuff from Josh.

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - David Hunterford - Drukhari (Reaper's Wager): Lots of Talos, a few Transport units, one big Troupe and a Solitaire. Follows a trend with Reaper's Wager which is that you don't actually need that many Harlequins - the Stratagems are the big draw, and Pain Tokens are such a strong army rule that it masks the fact that the Detachment rule will only do things at a few key junctures.
  • 6th - Tim Matsuda - Ynnari (Battle Host): An Yvraine/Visarch megatroupe and lots of small shooting Infanty units.
  • 7th - Jawad Salah - Chaos Daemons (Blood Legion): Bloodcrusher and Flesh Hound spam lead by a Bloodthirster and a couple of Rendmasters.
  • 8th - Michael House - Orks (Bully Boyz): A new spin on Bully Boyz with only one Meganobz unit (using a Tellyporta) then a mechanised mix of Breaka Boyz and Nobz. Vastly higher damage than the old Bully Boyz lists, and I think better for it.
  • 9th - Lachlan Bakkers - Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Highly mechanised Votann with three units of Beserks in Sagitaurs and two Hearthguard squads in Land Fortresses.
  • 10th - Jeff Carroll - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Melee-heavy Blood Angels with Outriders, Sanguinary Guard, Jump Pack Intercessors and a big Lemartes squad.
  • 11th - Dan Madeley - Death Guard (Plague Company): All-rounder Death Guard with lots of Plague Marines, Terminators and Daemon Engines.
  • 12th - Chris Frey - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-rounder Blood Angels with melee threats and Vindicators.

A Grimdark New Years, SGA Finals

42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Valdosta, GA, United States on January 11 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Mark Perry - Orks (Taktikal Brigade) - 1st Place

Morkanaut Morkanaut. Credit: That Gobbo

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
takis and stuth (2000 points)

Orks Strike Force (2000 points) Taktikal Brigade

CHARACTERS

Big Mek in Mega Armour (125 points) • 1x Grot Oiler 1x Kustom Force Field 1x Kustom mega-blasta 1x Power klaw • Enhancement: Mek Kaptin

Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (80 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grot Assistant 1x Shokk attack gun • Enhancement: Mork's Kunnin'

Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (65 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grot Assistant 1x Shokk attack gun

Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (65 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grot Assistant 1x Shokk attack gun

Warboss (85 points) • Warlord • 1x Attack squig 1x Kombi-weapon 1x Power klaw 1x Twin sluggas • Enhancement: Gob Boomer

Weirdboy (65 points) • 1x Weirdboy staff 1x 'Eadbanger

Zodgrod Wortsnagga (80 points) • 1x Da Grabzappa 1x Squigstoppa

BATTLELINE

Boyz (160 points) • 19x Boy • 19x Close combat weapon 2x Rokkit launcha 17x Shoota • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Power klaw 1x Slugga

Stormboyz (65 points) • 4x Stormboy • 4x Choppa 4x Slugga • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Power klaw 1x Slugga

Stormboyz (65 points) • 4x Stormboy • 4x Choppa 4x Slugga • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Power klaw 1x Slugga

Stormboyz (65 points) • 4x Stormboy • 4x Choppa 4x Slugga • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Power klaw 1x Slugga

OTHER DATASHEETS

Battlewagon (160 points) • 4x Big shoota 1x Deff rolla 1x Grabbin' klaw 1x Kannon 1x Lobba 1x Wreckin' ball 1x 'Ard Case

Flash Gitz (160 points) • 1x Ammo Runt • 1x Kaptin • 1x Choppa 1x Snazzgun • 9x Flash Git • 9x Choppa 9x Snazzgun

Gretchin (80 points) • 20x Gretchin • 20x Close combat weapon 20x Grot blasta • 2x Runtherd • 2x Runtherd tools 2x Slugga

Gretchin (40 points) • 10x Gretchin • 10x Close combat weapon 10x Grot blasta • 1x Runtherd • 1x Runtherd tools 1x Slugga

Morkanaut (280 points) • 1x Klaw of Mork 1x Kustom mega-blasta 1x Kustom mega-zappa 2x Rokkit launcha 2x Twin big shoota

Tankbustas (120 points) • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Choppa 2x Rokkit pistol • 5x Tankbusta • 5x Close combat weapon 1x Pulsa Rokkit 5x Rokkit launcha

Tankbustas (120 points) • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Choppa 2x Rokkit pistol • 5x Tankbusta • 5x Close combat weapon 1x Pulsa Rokkit 5x Rokkit launcha

Tankbustas (120 points) • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Choppa 2x Rokkit pistol • 5x Tankbusta • 5x Close combat weapon 1x Pulsa Rokkit 5x Rokkit launcha

Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (65), Data Version: v538

Archetype

Shooty Taktikal

Thoughts

Mark takes a trophy with another shooty take on Taktikal brigade here. You've got the Shokk-attack Tankbustas to blow stuff up, and the big Flash Gitz unit, so far so standard, but the latter are riding around in an honest-to-god Morkanaut, which rules. That gives them massively more protection than normal as they get into position, ensuring they can set up for maximum damage, and the Morkanaut is a pretty good threat in its own right, helping out in melee if the foe tries to push against the shooty stuff up close. Supporting all this ranged violence are Zodgrod's super Grots (even more of a pain to kill with Stealth from a Taktik) and a big Boyz unit with a Warboss and Weirdboy. The latter is a nice package here - you can turn them into a serious threat with Taktiks and Stratagems, and being able to switch on Charge re-rolls when using Da Jump is handy. Well done to Warboss Mark on the win.

John Lennon - Ultramarines (Stormlance Task Force) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Rainbow Warriors Stormraven Gunship by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
That's it, I'm calling Dad!

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

CHARACTERS

Marneus Calgar (200 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

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 Points) • 1x Intercessor Sergeant ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Bolt rifle ◦ 1x Power fist • 4x Intercessor ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Bolt rifle ◦ 4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (130 Points) • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Ballistus lascannon • 1x Ballistus missile launcher • 1x Twin storm bolter

Ballistus Dreadnought (130 Points) • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Ballistus lascannon • 1x Ballistus missile launcher • 1x Twin storm bolter

Brutalis Dreadnought (160 Points) • 1x Brutalis bolt rifles • 1x Brutalis fists • 1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber • 1x Twin multi-melta

Company Heroes (95 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

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

Outrider Squad (80 Points) • 1x Outrider Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes chainsword ◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol ◦ 1x Twin bolt rifle • 2x Outrider ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 2x Heavy bolt pistol ◦ 2x Twin bolt rifle

Reiver Squad (80 Points) • 1x Reiver Sergeant ◦ 1x Combat knife ◦ 1x Grapnel Launcher ◦ 1x Reiver Grav-chute ◦ 1x Special issue bolt pistol • 4x Reiver ◦ 4x Combat knife ◦ 4x Grapnel Launcher ◦ 4x Reiver Grav-chute ◦ 4x Special issue bolt pistol

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.24.0 (1), Data Version: v525

Archetype

Bobby G's Indestructible Stormraven

Thoughts

Trust John Lennon to further push the boundaries of "things you can do with Ultramarines". Here the Bobby G and Ballistus package is joined by a comically hard-to-kill Stormraven, sporting a mixture of -1 to Hit, -1 to Wound and -1 Damage when required. Oh, also, if you don't kill it, a Ballistus Dreadnought gets dropped on you, and is probably joined by Calgar and Bobby himself Advance/Charging into your face. Fun stuff, and a nice change from just cramming in three Vindicators as well, good stuff from John.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Steve Trimble - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): OK I swear I wrote the previous paragraph before I read this list. Which has uh, Bobby G, three Ballistus and three Vindicators.
  • 4th - Kyle Jackling - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-rounder Liberators with powerful melee threats and Characters supported by a couple of Lancers.
  • 5th - Dustin Hammond - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis Rex and Armigers supported by an Immolator and some Sisters.
  • 6th - Nick Nanavati - Genestealer Cult (Final Day): Lots of Ridgerunners to blast stuff with the +1 to Hit, Lictors and Gargoyles for disruption and scoring, a big unit each of Purestrains and Metamorphs to charge, respawn and repeat, and cheap infantry to fill. An interesting blend of the tools we've seen in Outlander and Biosanctic tools before, good to see that the new Detachment and options support variety.
  • 7th - Griffin Odom - Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess): Monster mash Slaanesh with Be'lakor and a Soul Grinder alongside Keepers and a big Fiend unit, plus an Epitome/Daemonette wound battery.
  • 8th - Robin Roberts - Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Shooty Ascension horde.

NYKO 2025

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Raytown, MO, United States on January 11 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Dan Sammons - Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance) - 1st Place

Credit: Swiftblade

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Touching Tips (2000 points)

Chaos Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Traitoris Lance

CHARACTERS

War Dog Stalker (165 points) • Warlord • 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Slaughterclaw • Enhancement: Aura of Terror * This Datasheet also has the Battleline keyword.

BATTLELINE

War Dog Brigand (165 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Avenger chaincannon 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher

War Dog Brigand (165 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Avenger chaincannon 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher

War Dog Brigand (165 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Avenger chaincannon 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher

War Dog Brigand (165 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Avenger chaincannon 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher

War Dog Brigand (165 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Avenger chaincannon 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher

War Dog Brigand (165 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Avenger chaincannon 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Havoc multi-launcher

War Dog Karnivore (140 points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

ALLIED UNITS

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

Daemonettes (100 points) • 1x Alluress • 1x Slashing claws • 9x Daemonette • 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 9x Slashing claws

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

Seekers (80 points) • 1x Heartseeker • 1x Lashing tongue 1x Slashing claws • 4x Seeker • 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 4x Lashing tongue 4x Slashing claws

Exported with App Version: v1.24.0 (64), Data Version: v525

Archetype

Dogs and some Daemons

Thoughts

Defiantly avoiding the newly cheaper War Dogs, Dan sweeps the competition here with the classic Karnivore/Brigand lists, adding some cheap Daemons for utility. Congratulations Dan.

The Best of the Rest

There were N more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
  • 2nd (4.5-0.5) - Matthew Doughman - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis Rex, many Armigers and a Subductor squad.
  • 3rd (4.5-0.5) - Cody Jiru - Drukhari (Reaper's Wager): Shooty infantry, one Talos unit, a Voidraven and one big Troupe.
  • 4th - Geoff Husser - Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike): The double Tank Commander variant of Bridgehead.
  • 5th - Aaron Hermstedt - Death Guard: (Plague Company): All-rounder Death Guard with Destructors, Deathshrouds and Mortarion.
  • 6th - Bill Boysen - Tyranids (Crusher Stampede): Shooty bug Monster Mash with one Norn.
  • 7th - Rylee Mckitterick - T'au Empire (Auxiliary Cadre): Broadsides, Crisis, and Ghostkeels with three Krootox Rampager MSUs as the main way to push the AP boost forward (and a few faster Kroot for emergencies).

Hawaii “War on the Shore” Charity GT 2025

35-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Waialua, HI, United States on January 10 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Doug Johnson - Orks (Bully Boyz) - 1st Place

Ork Beastboss on Squigosaur. Credit: Magos Sockbert Ork Beastboss on Squigosaur. Credit: Magos Sockbert

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Orks + DETACHMENT: Bully Boyz + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Ghazghkull Thraka

Char1: 2x Ghazghkull Thraka (235 pts): Warlord • 1x Ghazghkull Thraka: Gork's Klaw, Mork's Roar • 1x Makari: Makari's stabba Char2: 1x Mozrog Skragbad (165 pts): Big Chompa's jaws, Gutrippa, Thump gun Char3: 1x Beastboss on Squigosaur (130 pts): Beastchoppa, Slugga, Squigosaur's jaws Char4: 1x Big Mek in Mega Armour (90 pts): Grot oiler, Kustom force field, Kustom mega-blasta, Power klaw Char5: 1x Big Mek in Mega Armour (90 pts): Grot oiler, Kustom force field, Kustom mega-blasta, Power klaw Char6: 1x Weirdboy (65 pts): 'Eadbanger, Weirdboy staff

11x Gretchin (40 pts) • 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta • 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga 11x Gretchin (40 pts) • 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta • 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga 11x Gretchin (40 pts) • 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta • 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga 5x Meganobz (175 pts): 5 with Kombi-weapon, Power klaw 5x Meganobz (175 pts): 5 with Kombi-weapon, Power klaw 5x Meganobz (175 pts): 5 with Kombi-weapon, Power klaw 5x Stormboyz (65 pts) • 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Power klaw • 4x Stormboy: 4 with Choppa, Slugga 5x Stormboyz (65 pts) • 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Power klaw • 4x Stormboy: 4 with Choppa, Slugga 4x Squighog Boyz (160 pts): Bomb squig • 1x Nob on Smasha Squig: Big choppa, Slugga, Squig jaws • 3x Squighog Boy: 3 with Saddlegit weapons, Squig jaws, Stikka 4x Squighog Boyz (160 pts): Bomb squig • 1x Nob on Smasha Squig: Big choppa, Slugga, Squig jaws • 3x Squighog Boy: 3 with Saddlegit weapons, Squig jaws, Stikka 1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheels, Wreckin' ball 1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheels, Wreckin' ball

Archetype

Squighoz Bullyz

Thoughts

It really is the Ork's week, with yet another spin on the faction taking down the event here. Doug has brought back the Meganob-heavy version of Bully Boyz, but he's clearly recognised you need a damage lift beyond that, and has added both Ghazghkull and Squighog Boyz (with Squigosaurs, of course) to provide that. Squighogs were already (in my opinion) underutilised in Bully Boyz, and in this detachment they do particularly well out of the change to Waaagh, because an opponent has to keep worrying about their potential Advance/Charge threat range even after you've popped the first one. This list is vicious and very durable, and also super orky - who needs Taktiks anyway? Great stuff Doug.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Sterling Arnet - Drukhari (Reaper's Wager): Go-wide Drukhari stuff with heavier hammers from a Talos unit, full Incubi squad and a big Troupe.
  • 3rd - Aaron Wisch - Dark Angels (Company of Hunters): It's the week for all-in pressure builds apparently, with Aaron maxing out on Ravenwing Command Squads with full Black Knight units, sallying towards the foe to make use of their new Devastating Wounds. If anything is left when the Lion catches up, he can put them down.
  • 4th - Trevor Wylie - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Character-heavy melee Liberator, with one Repex for fire support. Has an interesting melee piece in the form of a Terminator Librarian unit with Speed of the Primarch, a nice position holder that's super hard to charge.

Fight for the Fallen GT

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Fredericksburg, VA, US on January 11 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

The Ritual - Swift Action - Crucible of Battle

Brett Perkins - Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile)
Army List - Click to Expand
Creations (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (280 points) • Warlord • 1x Drach'nyen 1x Talon of Horus

Cypher (90 points) • 1x Cypher's bolt pistol 1x Cypher's plasma pistol

Fabius Bile (85 points) • 1x Fabius Bile • 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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

Warp Talons (270 points) • 1x Warp Talon Champion • 1x Warp claws • 9x Warp Talon • 9x Warp claws

ALLIED UNITS

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

Plague Marines (180 points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plague boltgun • 9x Plague Marine • 2x Blight launcher 1x Bubotic weapons 4x Heavy plague weapon 9x Plague knives 2x Plague spewer

Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (65), Data Version: v538


vs.

Andrew "VolsungFa" - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal)
Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Necrons + DETACHMENT: Starshatter Arsenal + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char3: The Silent King + ENHANCEMENT: Chrono-impedance Fields (on Char1: Skorpekh Lord) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 15 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (5x2) + (1x6) - Assassination: 4 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer (305 pts): Gaze of death, Scythe of the Nightbringer Char2: 1x Imotekh the Stormlord (100 pts): Gauntlet of Fire, Staff of the Destroyer Char3: 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 Char4: 1x Skorpekh Lord (105 pts): Enmitic annihilator, Flensing claw, Hyperphase harvester Enhancement: Chrono-impedance Fields (+25 pts)

5x Flayed Ones (60 pts): 5 with Flayer claws 3x Ophydian Destroyers (80 pts): Plasmacyte, 3 with Ophydian hyperphase weapons 3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts): Plasmacyte, 3 with Skorpekh hyperphase weapons 3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts): Plasmacyte, 3 with Skorpekh hyperphase weapons 1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss cannon 1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss cannon 1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss cannon 1x Canoptek Reanimator (75 pts): 2x Atomiser beam, Reanimator's claws 1x Doomsday Ark (190 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array 1x Doomsday Ark (190 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array 1x Doomsday Ark (190 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array

Thoughts

Two of the top Grotmas detachments clash here, a vicious melee Bile build taking on an all-rounder Starshatter build that combines Doomsdays with Skorpkh and the Nightbringer for situations that need lift up close.

In the Necrons favour, the Doomsdays are (obviously) great for chipping through the Marine units here - every time they get exposed they're going to have a really bad time. However, in closer engagements things look a lot less good - Skorpekh MSUs aren't going to do enough damage into Possessed or Chosen for it to matter (though the one unit with a Lord can do a little better), and Specimens for the Spider is a gargantuan headache for the Necrons to play around. I know from experience that "Chosen with full Wound re-rolls" is one of the things that will lift a C'tan from full (Warp Talons are good for this also), and both Chosen and Possessed will do horrific things to the Silent King with it active as well. All of this also gets much worse if the Creations hit +1S or +1A, and they have a pretty high chance of landing one of them.

Unfortunately for the Necrons, The Ritual is exactly not the mission you want these dynamics at play on. This rewards you if you're willing to get stuck into the foe early on, and can lead to a low Primary score if you get put on the back foot. Chaos are extremely happy to play that game, the robots not so much, and I think as Necrons here you'll have to do something quite imaginative to seize victory. I'd honestly wonder if you want to be aiming for Unbroken Wall from very early, as getting three no-man's land objectives is much easier here than usual, and shaping your play around that. You're still at a real risk of just getting bodied out, and though Necrons did decently (maybe landing the Secret Mission), the Chaos aggression was enough to secure a big win.

Result

Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) Victory - 93 - 72

Brett Perkins - Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Creations (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (280 points) • Warlord • 1x Drach'nyen 1x Talon of Horus

Cypher (90 points) • 1x Cypher's bolt pistol 1x Cypher's plasma pistol

Fabius Bile (85 points) • 1x Fabius Bile • 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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

Warp Talons (270 points) • 1x Warp Talon Champion • 1x Warp claws • 9x Warp Talon • 9x Warp claws

ALLIED UNITS

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

Plague Marines (180 points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Heavy plague weapon 1x Plague boltgun • 9x Plague Marine • 2x Blight launcher 1x Bubotic weapons 4x Heavy plague weapon 9x Plague knives 2x Plague spewer

Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (65), Data Version: v538

Archetype

Full Send Creations

Thoughts

No, I don't know why all the ultra-aggro lists ended up in part 3. We're looking into it.

This is covered in the Showdown - it's a hyper aggressive version of Creations that's extremely terrifying for anyone not loaded to murder elite infantry, and pretty terrifying even for them, as the Necrons discovered to their cost. Well done Brett.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
  • 2nd (4.5-0.5) - Stephen Henry - Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): All-rounder Talons with two Warden/Blade Champion units, three Caladius tanks for dakka, and a couple of bike MSUs as flexible threats.
  • 3rd - Joshua Campbell - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): See showdown.
  • 4th - Sean Urban - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis Rex and his many, many squires.

Wrap Up

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Tags: ultramarines | Space Marines | chaos space marines | tyranids | imperial knights | Necrons | Death Guard | Warhammer 40k | Chaos Knights | Orks | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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