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.

Ancient Egyptian robot star gods continue to warp reality and the metagame around them, but this week they've been slightly pipped to the top by their natural predator, the ancient Egyptian zombie space wizard. Really I wanted to call this week's edition Yu-Gi-Oh mode, but I'm pretty sure putting the name of another game in the article title gets me sent to SEO super hell, so this will have to do.

Also, the Astra Militarum are cheerfully blasting both foes off the table and/or outscoring them with expendable infantry. That's the clear trifecta at the top right now, but it's a fairly huge week event count wise, so there's plenty of other things to look at as well.

Event News - Goonhammer UK Teams March 2026

Tickets are still available for the first Goonhammer Open UK of 2026 - which this time is going to be our first Teams tournament. If you're interested in playing in a 5-player Team Tournament with WTC Terrain on 14th-15th March in Leicester, check out the details below:

This Week's Events

Part 1 on Wednesday:

OPEN TALAVERA 2026
Vault Hammer presents: Vault Hammer to the Face 40k GT
Dearg Doom V: V is for Volatile
3. Schwarzwald GT
Red Dragon 2k GT - January 2026
Marcus Miniatures – New Year’s Rumble 2026
Cross-Swords PAW 2026

Part 2 on Friday:

CaptainCon 2026 40K Event Hosted by Away Games
Torchlight Ironman 2000pts - January 31st 2026
Guild War II
Turbulent Games Warhammer 40K GT
2026 Miniature Market Warhammer 40k Grand Tournament
El Rey en el Norte II - wh40k

Part 3 on Saturday:

I swear there was an LVO here 40k GT
2026 Battleborn Open
Battle for the Bend III 40k GT 2026
January Grand Tournament at GG presented by Warhound Tournaments
Winter War 2
Fun n Games January GT

OPEN TALAVERA 2026

87-player, 7-round Major in Talavera de la Reina, CM, España on January 31 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Roger Boira - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company) - 1st Place

Lord Solar. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Leontus se hace de rogal (2000 points)

Astra Militarum Strike Force (2000 points) Grizzled Company

CHARACTERS

Cadian Command Squad (65 points) • 1x Cadian Commander • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Lasgun 1x Master Vox • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Lasgun 1x Medi-pack • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Lasgun 1x Regimental Standard

Commissar (50 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • Enhancement: Abhuman Detail

Gaunt's Ghosts (100 points) • 1x Ibram Gaunt • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Gaunt's chainsword • 1x Colm Corbec • 1x Corbec's hot-shot lascarbine 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Elim Rawne • 1x Rawne's lascarbine 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Hlaine Larkin • 1x Larkin's long-las 1x Straight silver knife • 1x 'Try Again' Bragg • 1x Bragg's autocannon 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Oan Mkoll • 1x Lascarbine 1x Mkoll's straight silver knife

Lord Solar Leontus (130 points) • Warlord • 1x Conquest 1x Konstantin's hooves 1x Sol's Righteous Gaze

BATTLELINE

Cadian Shock Troops (65 points) • 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Chainsword • 9x Shock Trooper • 9x Close combat weapon 7x Lasgun 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Artillery Team (95 points) • 1x Crew close combat weapons 1x Heavy mortar 1x Lasgun

Attilan Rough Riders (120 points) • 1x Rough Rider Sergeant • 1x Hunting lance 1x Lasgun 1x Laspistol 1x Steed's hooves • 9x Rough Rider • 9x Hunting lance 9x Lasgun 9x Laspistol 9x Steed's hooves

Attilan Rough Riders (60 points) • 1x Rough Rider Sergeant • 1x Hunting lance 1x Lasgun 1x Laspistol 1x Steed's hooves • 4x Rough Rider • 4x Hunting lance 4x Lasgun 4x Laspistol 4x Steed's hooves

Basilisk (140 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Earthshaker cannon 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile

Bullgryn Squad (200 points) • 1x Bullgryn Bone 'ead • 1x Brute Shield 1x Bullgryn maul 1x Close combat weapon • 5x Bullgryn • 5x Brute Shield 5x Bullgryn maul 5x Close combat weapon

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

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

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

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (250 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Coaxial autocannon 1x Heavy stubber 2x Meltagun 2x Multi-melta 1x Oppressor cannon 1x Pulveriser cannon

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (250 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Coaxial autocannon 1x Heavy stubber 2x Meltagun 2x Multi-melta 1x Oppressor cannon 1x Pulveriser cannon

Exported with App Version: v1.46.2 (108), Data Version: v732

Archetype

Grizzled Dorns

Thoughts

Grizzled Company takes our first big win out of the gate, deploying a list that showcases a couple of noticeable trends that successful variants are showing. In general, such armies are sporting fewer Kasrkin while dropping some mid-weight artillery back into the list. My assumption is that this is C'tan driven - Kasrkin rely on spike damage to earn their keep, and they can't really do enough to a C'tan, whereas if you can strip away some scoring pieces from the Necron backfield/flanks it helps cruise to a points victory. the combination of being able to drop a Battleshock somewhere and inflict movement penalties is also nice - Terminator deathbricks are on the rise in various factions, and slowing those to an absolute crawl is always very funny. Bringing those also means you want Leontus instead of Dorn Commanders as your special Order vector, as he can buff the Artillery team, and is more likely to hang back near a Basilisk than Dorns are. Other than those, business as usual at the more Vanquisher-heavy end of things, and a very successful outing for the guard, congratulations Roger.

Many CL - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar) - 2nd Place

Marneus Calgar Credit: Alfredo Ramirez

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Ultras (2000 points)

Space Marines Ultramarines Strike Force (2000 points) Blade of Ultramar

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (90 points) • 1x Boltstorm gauntlet 1x Power fist 1x Relic blade • Enhancement: Armour of Antoninus

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

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

Roboute Guilliman (340 points) • Warlord • 1x Emperor's Sword 1x Hand of Dominion

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

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

Gladiator Lancer (160 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Lancer laser destroyer 2x Storm bolter

Victrix Honour Guard (220 points) • 1x Chapter Ancient • 1x Banner of Macragge 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 1x Chapter Champion • 1x Blades of honour • 4x Victrix Honour Guard • 4x Master-crafted bolt carbine 4x Master-crafted power weapon

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

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

Wardens of Ultramar (90 points) • 1x Ancient Gadriel • 1x Bolt rifle 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Veteran Sergeant Metaurus • 1x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Storm Shield • 1x Gaius Silva • 1x Archeotech laspistol 1x Power weapon 1x Refractor Field • 1x Aemelia Minervas • 1x Archeotech laspistol 1x Power weapon • 1x Dainal Komelius • 1x Astropathic Blast 1x Force stave • 1x Lucia Vestha • 1x Archeotech laspistol 1x Close combat weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.46.2 (108), Data Version: v732

Archetype

Blade Hulltramarines

Thoughts

Blade continues to perform extremely well, with pretty much any combination of quality hulls stacked up alongside the Ultramarines herohammer and scoring core being brutally effective. This variant is a little lighter in the hulls department, leaving the RepExes at home in favour of Vindicators, but its still just an incredibly solid all-rounder source of violence that can go toe-to-toe with almost anything. Well done Many.

Borja FM - White Scars (Spearpoint Task Force) - 3rd Place

Suboden Khan, Credit: Rocco Gest

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

But Khan you do this??

Renée Good 🎗 (2000 points)

Space Marines White Scars Strike Force (2000 points) Spearpoint Task Force

CHARACTERS

Captain (105 points) • Warlord • 1x Neo-volkite pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Spearpoint Paragon

Kor'sarro Khan (60 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Moonfang

Lieutenant (75 points) • 1x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Neo-volkite pistol 1x Storm Shield • Enhancement: Hunter's Eye

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

Suboden Khan (115 points) • 1x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Onslaught gatling cannon 1x Power sword 1x Stormtooth

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant • 1x Hand flamer 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessor • 4x Astartes chainsword 4x Heavy bolt pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Brutalis Dreadnought (160 points) • 1x Brutalis talons 1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber 1x Twin multi-melta

Hellblaster Squad (220 points) • 1x Hellblaster Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma incinerator 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Hellblaster • 9x Bolt pistol 9x Close combat weapon 9x Plasma incinerator

Incursor Squad (80 points) • 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

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

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

Repulsor Executioner (220 points) • 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

Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 points) • 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Power fist 1x Sternguard bolt pistol 1x Sternguard bolt rifle • 4x Sternguard Veteran • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Sternguard bolt pistol 4x Sternguard bolt rifle

Stormraven Gunship (280 points) • 1x Armoured hull 2x Hurricane bolter 2x Stormstrike missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon 1x Twin multi-melta

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (100 points) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Storm Shield 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon • 4x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack • 4x Storm Shield 4x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.46.2 (108), Data Version: v732

Archetype

Spearpoint Stormraven

Thoughts

Faster Space Marines up next, with both Khans getting a solid outing alongside the big hits of this detachment. Spearpoint has all the Stormraven support of the normal Stormlance setup, and packing one full of Hellblasters with Hunter's Eye creates a very nasty all-purpose shooting setup with big reach. Suboden's unit is also obviously strong at reaching out and punishing stuff, and he's supported by a great MSU second wave - the Spearpoint Paragon murder Captain with Assault Intercessors and Kor'sarro with Sternguard means the army has two very cost efficient trade pieces that can go out hunting as required. Love to see people really leaning in on this detachment and making it work, it helps break up the Ultramarine monotony when looking at Codex Marine builds. Great stuff from Borja.

El coyote Enmascarado - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) - 4th Place

The Nightbringer. Credit: Wings

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Sayonara baby (2000 points)

Necrons Strike Force (2000 Point) Starshatter Arsenal

CHARACTER

C'tan Shard of The Nightbringer (315 points) • 1x Gaze of death • 1x Scythe of the nightbringer

C'tan Shard of The Void Dragon (310 points) • 1x Canoptek tail blades • 1x Spear of the void dragon • 1x Voltaic storm

Hexmark Destroyer (100 points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols • Enhancement: Chrono-impedance Fields

Technomancer (80 points) • 1x Staff of light

The Silent King (400 points) • Warlord • 1x Szarekh • 1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory • 1x Staff of Stars • 1x Weapons of The Final Triarch • 2x Triarchal Menhirs • 2x Annihilator Beam • 2x Armoured Bulk

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 points) • 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarms • 3x Feeder Mandibles

Canoptek Wraiths (220 points) • 6x Canoptek Wraiths • 6x Vicious Claws • 6x Particle Caster

Deathmarks (60 points) • 5x Deathmarks • 5x Synaptic Disintegrator • 5x Close Combat Weapon

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

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

Tomb Blades (75 points) • 3x Tomb Blades • 3x Close Combat Weapon • 3x Particle Beamer • 3x Shadowloom

Archetype

Gut Punch Starshatter

Thoughts

This is firmly the Hulltramarines of Necrons right now - just cram two C'tan in alongside the Starshatter Silent King/Wraith/Doomsday core and blow your opponents clean off the table. not complex, but terrifyingly effective, great stuff from El Coyote in fourth.

The Best of the Rest

This event cut to a top four after round 5, the players on 4-1 records prior to that were:

5th - Gonzalo "Raven" de La Moneda - Emperor's Children (Peerless Bladesmen): Extra hard-hitting EC with Fulgrim and a full Flawless Blade unit, cutting out the Princes.
6th - Terroxer El Rojo - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus/Rubricae Grand Coven goodstuff, wiht a Forgefiend and Mutalith as mid-sized threats.
7th - Francisco pellon lopez - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Double C'tan and lots of guns from Doomsdays and Annihilation Barges.
8th - Cajolín waif - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Double Dorn, double Bullgryn, and also double Field Ordnance with Bombast guns to blast the foe while they're chewing through the Bullgryn bricks.
9th - Pedro Cbrr - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Go-wide Liberator with lots of small units/mid-weight hulls, with the only big block being a full aggro VanVet squad with inferno pistols.
10th - Javier Peigneux - Chaos Space Marines (Veterans of the Long War): Destructor, Obliterator and Noise Marine shooting backing a big squad each of Chosen and Warp Talons.
11th - Miguel Moreno - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Double Dorn, double Bullgryn, double Kasrkin.
12th - Fredy Blanco - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus/Rubricae Grand Coven goodstuff, wiht a Forgefiend and Mutalith as mid-sized threats.
13th - Arcuos - Pedro Delgado - Ultramarines (Librarius Conclave): A rare sighting for Librarius, injected with new oomph by the upgrade to Assault Terminators, who run around with a Celerity Librarian while a Fusillade Sternguard brick melts stuff. This...actually seems kind of wild in a metagame dominated by C'tan and Dorns, because the Sternguard pop-off will do a tonne of work in either situation. It won't quite kill the former, but you can get away with that in a detachment with access to a second Grenade equivalent. Also sports some Victrix MSUs as good troubleshooters.
14th - Ruquinos Paint Forge - Necrons (Pantheon of Woe): Quad C'tan and the unusual sight of Wraith MSUs (two with Technomancers).
15th - Nymerio Stark - Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Many angry Wulfen, big units each of ThunderCav and Headtakers, and a couple of Predator Annihilators to handle enemy tanks.

Vault Hammer presents: Vault Hammer to the Face 40k GT

50-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Scotland, United Kingdom on January 31 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Adam Sargeant - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) - 1st Place

Broodlord. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Tyranids + DETACHMENT: Invasion Fleet (Hyper Adaptions) + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + + WARLORD: Char5: Neurotyrant + ENHANCEMENT: + NUMBER OF UNITS: 18 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (3x2) + (2x4) - Assassination: 6 Characters - Cull The Horde: 1x5 (before leaders attached) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Broodlord (80 pts) • 1x Broodlord Claws and Talons

Broodlord (80 pts) • 1x Broodlord Claws and Talons

Broodlord (80 pts) • 1x Broodlord Claws and Talons

Deathleaper (80 pts) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Neurotyrant (105 pts) • 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes • 1x Psychic scream • Warlord

Winged Hive Tyrant (170 pts) • 1x Tyrant talons • 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip

BATTLELINE

Hormagaunts (65 pts) • 10x Hormagaunts • 10x Hormagaunt talons

Hormagaunts (65 pts) • 10x Hormagaunts • 10x Hormagaunt talons

Termagants (120 pts) • 2x Termagant • 2x Chitinous claws and teeth • 2x Strangleweb • 18x Termagants • 18x Chitinous claws and teeth • 18x Termagant spinefist

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (50 pts) • 1x Biovore • 1x Chitin-barbed limbs • 1x Spore mine launcher

Exocrine (140 pts) • 1x Bio-plasmic cannon • 1x Powerful limbs

Genestealers (140 pts) • 10x Genestealer • 10x Genestealers claws and talons

Genestealers (140 pts) • 10x Genestealer • 10x Genestealers claws and talons

Genestealers (140 pts) • 10x Genestealer • 10x Genestealers claws and talons

Neurolictor (70 pts) • 1x Piercing claws and talons

Neurolictor (70 pts) • 1x Piercing claws and talons

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

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

Archetype

Pressure Invasion Fleet.

Thoughts

Mid-weight Tyranid Monsters feel a bit iffy right now, as they struggle to compete with the sheer brutality of some of the other things on offer. To remedy that, players are trying a few things, some going for the big stuff like multiple Norns, but others focusing on pressure and the objective game. Genestealers are really good in Invasion Fleet, as two wounds plus access to a 5+ Feel No Pain is a reliable way to get resilience going, and running the full three units lets you go big on move blocking and boxing a foe in. The list retains some Rupture Cannons to threaten enemy big stuff, and the Stealers can have a solid go at pinning the foe in place long enough for them to really count. The sheer number of attacks on Genestealers also means they can chip almost anything with Lethal Hits in this detachment. This feels like a nice adaptation to a fairly hostile metagame, which is a classic Tyranid move, congratulations Adam.

James Boyle - Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Adeptus Custodes - Custodian Guard
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

(2000 points)

Adeptus Custodes Strike Force (2000 points) Shield Host

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (125 points) • 1x Vaultswords • Enhancement: Panoptispex

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (150 points) • 4x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (150 points) • 4x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (150 points) • 4x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (150 points) • 4x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (150 points) • 4x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (150 points) • 4x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear

OTHER DATASHEETS

Custodian Wardens (210 points) • 4x Custodian Warden • 4x Guardian spear 1x Vexilla

Prosecutors (40 points) • 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior • 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 3x Prosecutor • 3x Boltgun 3x Close combat weapon

Venerable Land Raider (220 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Godhammer lascannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin heavy bolter

Venerable Land Raider (220 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Godhammer lascannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin heavy bolter

Witchseekers (45 points) • 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Witchseeker flamer • 3x Witchseeker • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Witchseeker flamer

Witchseekers (45 points) • 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Witchseeker flamer • 3x Witchseeker • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Witchseeker flamer

ALLIED UNITS

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

Inquisitor Draxus (95 points) • Warlord • 1x Dirgesinger 1x Power fist 1x Psychic Tempest

Exported with App Version: v1.46.2 (108), Data Version: v732

Archetype

Land Raider Shield Host

Thoughts

Speaking of things you really want to move block, Custodes own gut punch build comes next, here in a pure violence form out of Shield Host. Drive Land Raiders forward, unleash large numbers of Custodians, flatten the foe in a volley of double shooting chip damage and melee evisceration powered by easily activate wound re-rolls. There are options to get clever with it by running Talons for reactive moves or tinkering with the exact unit composition, but you can also just go full send like this, relying on boosted Ka'tahs to punch through anything. I got some reps against this at the ITT with C'tan, and I do think the version with the third Land Raider is a bit scarier for them but Shield Host's melee definitely worries them more than Talons' does, so if you want to stick to two Raiders (easier to maneuvre certainly) then I can respect Shield Host as the play. The multi-C'tan matchup can still be scary for this though, and honestly that's probably what's stopping this being the big thing everyone's complaining about at the moment, because it is vicious. Well done to James for unleashing the full might of the Custodes here.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd - Ben Owen - Dark Angels (Company of Hunters): A super cool genuine Ravenwing theme lsit, running massive numbers of Outriders, one big Black Knight stack, and various Leaders for them.
4th - Duncan Dishington - Adepta Sororitas (Champions of Faith): A bit more of an all-rounder take on Sacresants, only running two squads and supporting with Retributors, Dominions and utility Seraphim.
5th - Ed Uniacke - Emperor's Children (Court of the Phoenician): A court without its (main) prince here, instead using the Detachment to support wallhacking Maulerfiends and triple Winged Prince.
6th - Isaac Bishop - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): All-rounder Hallowed Martyrs with Celestine for extra herohammer.
7th - Rose Hogg - Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Melee monster mash using Skarbrand, Shalaxi and a Bloodthirster to push and Rotigus/a Gift GUO to anchor.
8th - Greg Foster - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Angron and a Land Raider alongside sime of the more normal Warband tools.
9th - Ben McCartney - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Kill Teams and Terminator MSUs.

Dearg Doom V: V is for Volatile

44-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Cork, CO, Ireland on January 31 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Purge the Foe - Hammer and Anvil

Colin Power - Aeldari (Serpent's Brood)

Army List - Click to Expand

Quins (2000 points) Totally not stolen from Liam/France(again) Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Serpent's Brood

CHARACTERS

Solitaire (115 points) • 1x Flip Belt 1x Solitaire weapons

Troupe Master (75 points) • Warlord • 1x Flip Belt 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Troupe Master's blade

Troupe Master (95 points) • 1x Flip Belt 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Troupe Master's blade • Enhancement: Weaver's Wail

Troupe Master (95 points) • 1x Flip Belt 1x Shuriken pistol 1x Troupe Master's blade • Enhancement: Key of Ghosts

BATTLELINE

Storm Guardians (110 points) • 10x Storm Guardian • 8x Close combat weapon 2x Flamer 2x Fusion gun 2x Power sword 6x Shuriken pistol • 1x Serpent's Scale Platform • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Serpent shield

Troupe (85 points) • 1x Lead Player • 1x Flip Belt 1x Fusion pistol 1x Power sword • 4x Player • 4x Flip Belt 1x Fusion pistol 4x Harlequin's blade 2x Neuro disruptor 1x Shuriken pistol

Troupe (85 points) • 1x Lead Player • 1x Flip Belt 1x Fusion pistol 1x Power sword • 4x Player • 4x Flip Belt 1x Fusion pistol 4x Harlequin's blade 2x Neuro disruptor 1x Shuriken pistol

Troupe (85 points) • 1x Lead Player • 1x Flip Belt 1x Fusion pistol 1x Power sword • 4x Player • 4x Flip Belt 1x Fusion pistol 4x Harlequin's blade 2x Neuro disruptor 1x Shuriken pistol

Troupe (85 points) • 1x Lead Player • 1x Flip Belt 1x Fusion pistol 1x Power sword • 4x Player • 4x Flip Belt 1x Fusion pistol 4x Harlequin's blade 2x Neuro disruptor 1x Shuriken pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Starweaver (80 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 2x Shuriken cannon

Starweaver (80 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 2x Shuriken cannon

Starweaver (80 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 2x Shuriken cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (90 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Tempest launcher • 4x Dark Reaper • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Reaper launcher

Dark Reapers (90 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Tempest launcher • 4x Dark Reaper • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Reaper launcher

Dark Reapers (90 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Tempest launcher • 4x Dark Reaper • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Reaper launcher

Falcon (130 points) • 1x Bright lance 1x Pulse laser 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Rangers (55 points) • 5x Ranger • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Long rifle 5x Shuriken pistol

Skyweavers (190 points) • 4x Skyweaver • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Skyweaver haywire cannon 4x Zephyrglaive

Swooping Hawks (95 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (95 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (95 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Exported with App Version: v1.46.2 (108), Data Version: v732

vs.

Tom Maher - T'au Empire (Mont'ka)

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - T'au Empire + DETACHMENT: Mont'ka (Killing Blow) + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Ethereal + ENHANCEMENT: Coordinated Exploitation (on Char1: Ethereal) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Ethereal (90 pts) • 1x Honour stave • Warlord, Hover Drone, 2x Shield Drone • Coordinated Exploitation (+40 pts)

BATTLELINE

Breacher Team (90 pts) • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Pulse blaster • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Support turret • Guardian Drone, Gun Drone • 9x Breacher Fire Warriors • 9x Close combat weapon • 9x Pulse blaster • 9x Pulse pistol

Strike Team (70 pts) • 1x Fire Warrior Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Pulse rifle • 1x Support turret • Guardian Drone, Gun Drone • 9x Fire Warrior • 9x Close combat weapon • 9x Pulse pistol • 9x Pulse rifle

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 pts) • 1x Ghostkeel fists • 1x Cyclic ion raker • 1x Twin fusion blaster • Battlesuit support system

Hammerhead Gunship (145 pts) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Railgun • 2x Seeker missile • 2x Smart missile system

Pathfinder Team (90 pts) • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Pulse carbine • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher • 1x Drone burst cannon • Gun Drone, Shield Drone, Recon drone • 1x Drone burst cannon • 9x Pathfinders • 9x Close combat weapon • 6x Pulse carbine • 9x Pulse pistol • 3x Ion rifle

Pathfinder Team (90 pts) • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Pulse carbine • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher • Gun Drone, Shield Drone, Grav-inhibitor drone • 9x Pathfinders • 9x Close combat weapon • 6x Pulse carbine • 9x Pulse pistol • 3x Ion rifle

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

Riptide Battlesuit (200 pts) • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Ion accelerator • 2x Missile pod • 1x Twin smart missile system

Riptide Battlesuit (200 pts) • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Ion accelerator • 2x Missile pod • 1x Twin smart missile system

Riptide Battlesuit (200 pts) • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Ion accelerator • 2x Missile pod • 1x Twin smart missile system

Sky Ray Gunship (150 pts) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Seeker missile rack • 2x Smart missile system

Stealth Battlesuits (110 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Fusion blaster • Homing beacon, Gun Drone, Marker Drone • 4x Stealth Shas'ui • 4x Battlesuit fists • 3x Burst cannon • 1x Fusion blaster

Stealth Battlesuits (110 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Fusion blaster • Homing beacon, Gun Drone, Marker Drone • 4x Stealth Shas'ui • 4x Battlesuit fists • 3x Burst cannon • 1x Fusion blaster

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

Thoughts

The Serpent's Brood get an outing here, a bunch of Troupes and a Skyweaver bomb teaming up with the still potent Aeldari utility suite of Dark Reapers and Swooping Hawks. That gives the list solid scoring, screening and harrassment, allowing the Troupes to focus on going out and neutralising priority targets, especially the one in the Falcon, which is the build's way of handling extreme threats.

This T'au build is a fairly uphill battle for them, however, especially on Purge. Riptides have always been a headache for Aeldari, as the Invulnerable save makes killing them quite unreliable, and that's truer than ever for most of the Harlequins, who risk a big bounce at a crucial moment. The Skyweavers do help, as those are ideal for Riptide hunting, but the Riptides in turn are very good at popping Starweavers, and have a lot of reach to set up firing lines. Hammer and Anvil is a little bit of a relief in that regard for the clowns though - on a corner or Dawn of War style deployment, you'd be pretty worried about losing on the spot if the T'au got first turn, but Hammer provides more constrained firing lanes.

What I think still pushes this over the edge in the T'aus favour, however, is the humble Devilfish. Two of these are a real pain for the Harlequin list, providing enough layered protection that it's difficult to engage with them profitably, and also threatening to line up a bunch of pain on all those juicy utility pieces the Aeldari have brought if allowed to. It's also easier for T'au to deny kills for purge as the game goes on - they're going to run out of fragile stuff pretty sharpish, while the Aeldari are never going to stop engaging with it, because that's all they have. There are probably worlds where the clown car express spikes enough damage fast enough to create winning momentum, but that didn't come to pass here.

Result

T'au Empire (Mont'ka) Victory - 65 - 49

Tom Maher - T'au Empire (Mont'ka) - 1st Place

Riptide Battlesuit. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Mont'ka Triptide

Thoughts

Classic Mont'ka Triptide stuff, going fast and shooting things. Reliable and efficient, and well utilised by Tom to take the win.

Hugh Mc Cluskey - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Castellan Crowe is Khorne's favourite champion. (2000 points)

Grey Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Warpbane Task Force

CHARACTERS

Brotherhood Librarian (80 points) • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter 1x Vortex of Doom

Castellan Crowe (90 points) • Warlord • 1x Black Blade of Antwyr 1x Purifying Flame 1x Storm bolter

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (225 points) • 1x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer 1x Sublimator

Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (225 points) • 1x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer 1x Sublimator

BATTLELINE

Strike Squad (120 points) • 1x Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 4x Grey Knight • 4x Nemesis force weapon 4x Storm bolter

Strike Squad (120 points) • 1x Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 4x Grey Knight • 4x Nemesis force weapon 4x Storm bolter

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Rhino (80 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Interceptor Squad (250 points) • 1x Interceptor Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 9x Interceptor • 2x Close combat weapon 2x Incinerator 7x Nemesis force weapon 7x Storm bolter

Nemesis Dreadknight (210 points) • 1x Heavy incinerator 1x Heavy psycannon 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer

Purifier Squad (250 points) • 1x Knight of the Flame • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Purifying Flame 1x Storm bolter • 9x Purifier • 9x Nemesis force weapon 9x Purifying Flame 9x Storm bolter

Purifier Squad (125 points) • 1x Knight of the Flame • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Purifying Flame 1x Storm bolter • 4x Purifier • 4x Nemesis force weapon 4x Purifying Flame 4x Storm bolter

Purifier Squad (125 points) • 1x Knight of the Flame • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Purifying Flame 1x Storm bolter • 4x Purifier • 4x Nemesis force weapon 4x Purifying Flame 4x Storm bolter

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.46.0 (106), Data Version: v726

Archetype

Dreadknights and Purifiers

Thoughts

All the usual Warpbane hits on show here, with one unusual addition of a full Interceptor unit. This feels on-theme with the changes players are making elsewhere to give them options to work around targets they just can't safely kill, and it's a nice unit to do that with; if you don't need them off doing some daring thrust towards the enemy home objective, they can just make a nuisance of thmselves popping in and out of a Rhino and causing mischief. The more you can do to ensure tech pieces for a plan B don't overly weaken your plan A the better, and this list is a good example of that. Great stuff Hugh.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd - Colin Power - Aeldari (Serpent's Brood): See Showdown.
4th - Stephan Richter - Imperial Knights (Questoris Companions): Quad bigs with Canis, a Lancer, a Crusader, and a Warden.
5th - Sean Murray - Necrons (Pantheon of Woe): The terribe trio and some Doomsdays.
6th - Dan Ahern - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Abaddon and a tonne of guns, plus one big roving Warp Talon murder unit.
7th - Michael Mc Carthy - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught): 10/5/5 Jump Death Company backed by the standard Sanguinary MSU, some extra herohammer, plus Gladiator Lancers.

3. Schwarzwald GT

39-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Titisee-Neustadt, BW, Deutschland on January 30 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Pascal Haberstroh - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company) - 1st Place

Solar Auxilia Leman Russ. Credit: Andrew_N

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Astra Militarum + DETACHMENT: Grizzled Company (Ruthless Discipline) + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1990pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Gaunt's Ghosts + ENHANCEMENT: + NUMBER OF UNITS: 19 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (4x2) + (2x4) - Assassination: 6 Characters - Cull The Horde: 1x5 (before leaders attached) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Cadian Castellan (55 pts) • 1x Power fist • 1x Plasma pistol

Cadian Command Squad (65 pts) • 1x Cadian Commander • 1x Power fist • 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman • 4x Close combat weapon • 2x Plasma gun • 1x Plasma pistol • 2x Lasgun • Master vox, Medi-pack

Gaunt's Ghosts (100 pts) • 1x Ibram Gaunt • 1x Bolt pistol • 1x Gaunt's chainsword • Warlord, Invulnerable Save 5+ • 5x Tanith Ghost • 1x Bragg's autocannon • 4x Straight silver knife • 1x Corbec's hot-shot lascarbine • 1x Larkin's long-las • 1x Lascarbine • 1x Mkoll's straight silver knife • 1x Rawne's lascarbine

Ogryn Bodyguard (40 pts) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Ripper gun • Brute shield

Rogal Dorn Commander (275 pts) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy stubber • 1x Pulveriser cannon • 2x Meltagun • 2x Multi-melta • 1x Coaxial autocannon • 1x Oppressor cannon

Rogal Dorn Commander (275 pts) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy stubber • 1x Pulveriser cannon • 2x Meltagun • 2x Multi-melta • 1x Coaxial autocannon • 1x Oppressor cannon

BATTLELINE

Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts) • 2x Shock Trooper Sergeant • 2x Close combat weapon • 2x Sergeant's autogun • 18x Shock Trooper • 18x Close combat weapon • 14x Lasgun • 2x Flamer • 2x Plasma gun • 2x Vox-caster

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Attilan Rough Riders (60 pts) • 1x Rough Rider Sergeant • 1x Lasgun • 1x Laspistol • 1x Steed's hooves • 1x Power sabre • 1x Hunting lance • 4x Rough Rider • 4x Hunting lance • 4x Lasgun • 4x Laspistol • 4x Steed's hooves

Attilan Rough Riders (60 pts) • 1x Rough Rider Sergeant • 1x Lasgun • 1x Laspistol • 1x Steed's hooves • 1x Power sabre • 1x Hunting lance • 4x Rough Rider • 4x Hunting lance • 4x Lasgun • 4x Laspistol • 4x Steed's hooves

Catachan Heavy Weapons Squad (65 pts) • 3x Heavy Weapons Team • 3x Lasgun • 3x Mortar • 3x Weapons team close combat weapons

Catachan Heavy Weapons Squad (65 pts) • 3x Heavy Weapons Team • 3x Lasgun • 3x Mortar • 3x Weapons team close combat weapons

Chimera (85 pts) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Lasgun array • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Heavy flamer • 1x Heavy flamer • 1x Heavy stubber

Chimera (85 pts) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Lasgun array • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Heavy flamer • 1x Heavy flamer • 1x Heavy stubber

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Vanquisher Grizzled

Thoughts

All-rounder Grizzled with a balance of all the common pieces and the spike option of joining a Castellan to the full Cadian squad and going wild. This version keeps two units of Kasrkin in, but does still find space for a bit of indirect fire from Mortars, though honestly those are probably for the mirror more than anything else. Not a bad thing to plan for given how popular Grizzled is, mind, as Pascal shows by earning the second trophy for Grizzled this week.

The Best of the Rest

There was 1 more player on 5-1 records, and a trio of 4.5-1.5s so sure they can come too. They were:

2nd - Marc Wörz - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): C'tanless Awakened Herohammer.
3rd - William Fuhrimann - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Lots of Redemptors, a Victrix brick, and the less common tech of a Tigurius/Sternguard unit.
4th - Julian Billeter - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught): Mostly melee Rage-Cursed with extra Jump Intercessors, and just a couple of Baals for shooting.

Red Dragon 2k GT - January 2026

34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ottawa, ON, CA on January 31 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

François Lalonde - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) - 1st Place

C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

I only wanted to use 2 brain cells this weekend (1990 Points)

Necrons Awakened Dynasty Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

C'tan Shard of the Deceiver (285 Points) • 1x Cosmic insanity • 1x Golden fists

C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer (315 Points) • 1x Gaze of death • 1x Scythe of the Nightbringer

C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon (310 Points) • 1x Canoptek tail blades • 1x Spear of the Void Dragon • 1x Voltaic storm

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

Illuminor Szeras (165 Points) • Warlord • 1x Eldritch Lance • 1x Impaling legs

Nekrosor Ammentar (165 Points) • 1x Blade tail and whip coils • 1x Enmitic disintegrators • 1x Nullstone Field Generator (Aura) • 1x Unmaker Gauntlet

Skorpekh Lord (120 Points) • 1x Enmitic annihilator • 1x Flensing claw • 1x Hyperphase harvester • Enhancements: Enaegic Dermal Bond

Technomancer (100 Points) • 1x Staff of light • Enhancements: Nether-realm Casket

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Reanimator (75 Points) • 2x Atomiser beam • 1x Reanimator's claws

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

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

Flayed Ones (60 Points) • 5x Flayed One ◦ 5x Flayer claws

Lokhust Destroyers (40 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Gauss cannon

Exported with App Version: v1.46.2 (1), Data Version: v732

Archetype

Triple C'tan Awakened Herohammer

Thoughts

This list is a monstrous, brutal creation, and is definitely not alarmingly close to a unit-for-unit mirror of what I'm bringing to the Beachhead supermajor this weekend. Why would you say that? I'm the nice one.

Anyway - the cream of Awakened herohammer meets triple C'tan and a block of Wraiths, leaving opponents weeping salt tears as they realise they cannot kill anything in a way that matters. I hope so, anyway, that's would definitely be my plan if I was going to bring this sort of horror to a tournament. Congratulations François.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd - John Winter Russell - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Single Dorn Grizzled adding a pair of Scion/Command units for spike damage.
3rd - Noah Nadeau - Imperial Knights (Valourstrike Lance): Ultra gut-punch Valourstrike with Canis, a Crusader, a Castellan and a Warden, plus an extra spicy utility unit in the form of a Deathwatch Kill Team.
4th - Dominique Carette - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught): Lots of the normal stuff, but also a spicy new piece of tech - did you know that you can put Assault Centurions in a Repulsor? I didn't, but I do now, and so do you!
5th - Thomas Cosgrove - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Double Land Raider/Custodian Spam, but it's Lions.
6th - Josh Crowe - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Norn and Swarmlord to hold the line, backed by lots of big shooty bugs, Zoanthropes and some Raveners.
7th - Ramzi Be - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Once again seems like lots of Necron players want to flex by not taking C'tan, here we have Triple Doomsday mixed in with Awakened Herohammer.

Marcus Miniatures – New Year’s Rumble 2026

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Wien, Wien, Österreich on January 31 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Fabian Huber - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PLAYER NAME: Fabian Huber "Katzophant" + TEAM NAME: ATTACK + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - Thousand Sons + DETACHMENT: Grand Coven (Kindred Sorcery) + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Magnus the Red + ENHANCEMENT: Eldritch Vortex of E'taph (on Char2: Daemon Prince of Tzeentch with wings) & Umbralefic Crystal (on Char6: Sorcerer in Terminator Armour) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 15 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (3x2) + (1x4) - Assassination: 6 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Daemon Prince of Tzeentch with wings (205 pts) • 1x Dark Blessing • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon • Eldritch Vortex of E'taph (+35 pts)

Magnus the Red (435 pts) • 1x Blade of Magnus • 1x Gaze of Magnus • 1x Tzeentch's Firestorm • Warlord

Sorcerer (80 pts) • 1x Force weapon • 1x Inferno bolt pistol • 1x Pandaemonic Delusion • 1x Prosperine khopesh

Sorcerer (80 pts) • 1x Force weapon • 1x Inferno bolt pistol • 1x Pandaemonic Delusion • 1x Prosperine khopesh

Sorcerer (80 pts) • 1x Force weapon • 1x Inferno bolt pistol • 1x Pandaemonic Delusion • 1x Prosperine khopesh

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (105 pts) • 1x Force weapon • 1x Gaze of Hate • 1x Inferno combi-bolter • Umbralefic Crystal (+20 pts)

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Scarab Occult Terminators (360 pts) • 1x Scarab Occult Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon • 1x Malefic Curse • 1x Inferno combi-bolter • 9x Scarab Occult Terminator • 7x Inferno combi-bolter • 9x Prosperine khopesh • 2x Soulreaper cannon • 2x Hellfyre missile rack

Sekhetar Robots (80 pts) • 2x Sekhetar Robot • 2x Close combat weapon • 2x Heavy warpflamer • 2x Hellfyre missile rack • 2x Power claw • 2x Warpflame projector

Tzaangor Enlightened (45 pts) • 1x Aviarch • 1x Divining spear • 2x Divining spear Enlightened • 2x Divining spear

Tzaangors (70 pts) • 1x Twistbray • 1x Autopistol • 1x Chainsword • 9x Tzaangor • 9x Autopistol • 9x Chainsword • Herd banner, Brayhorn

Tzaangors (70 pts) • 1x Twistbray • 1x Autopistol • 1x Chainsword • 9x Tzaangor • 9x Autopistol • 9x Chainsword • Herd banner, Brayhorn

Archetype

Grand Coven Goodstuff

Thoughts

All-rounder Grand Coven is making a solid comeback right now, and this list plays all the hits. Magnus and a full Terminator brick provide big plays, the Winged Daemon Prince forces excessive caution from foes, and the Rubricae/Tzaangor quality core for skirmishing threats and scoring. Thousand Sons excel at concentrating violence and have enough re-rolls to make that stick on even the nastiest targets, while not themselves being trivial to cut through. That sets them up resonably well to counter threats that rely on inevitability like C'tan, and the other elements of this list are also well set up to punish foes that skimp on drop count. Fabian put that into practice with an impressive 20-0 win over Pantheon on the way to victory here, so if C'tan have got you down, give this a look!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Christian Stromberger - Necrons (Pantheon of Woe): Four C'tan and Annihilation Barges/Triarch for board control.
3rd - Michael Ramminger - Thousand Sons (Rubricae Phalanx): Heavy-Phalanx with two Scarab blocks, a big Rubricae unit, and Mutaliths on top.
4th - Sebastian Mühling - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar): RepExes, Vindicators, Bobby G, and a Victrix block.
5th - Thomas Faulkner - Aeldari (Spirit Conclave): Two Squads each of Wraithblades and Wraithguard, triple Wraithlord (obviously) and lots of small utility/Psyker units to support.

Cross-Swords PAW 2026

26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on January 31 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Tom Godfrey - Orks (War Horde) - 1st Place

Ghazghkull Thraka. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Dude, where's Makari? (1995 points)

Orks Strike Force (2000 points) War Horde

CHARACTERS

Beastboss (80 points) • 1x Beast Snagga klaw 1x Beastchoppa 1x Shoota

Beastboss (80 points) • 1x Beast Snagga klaw 1x Beastchoppa 1x Shoota

Big Mek (95 points) • 1x Kustom mega-blasta 1x Power klaw • Enhancement: Follow Me Ladz

Boss Snikrot (75 points) • 1x Mork's Teeth 1x Slugga

Ghazghkull Thraka (235 points) • 1x Ghazghkull Thraka • Warlord • 1x Gork's Klaw 1x Mork's Roar • 1x Makari • 1x Makari's stabba

Warboss (75 points) • 1x Attack squig 1x Kombi-weapon 1x Power klaw 1x Twin sluggas

Warboss (75 points) • 1x Attack squig 1x Kombi-weapon 1x Power klaw 1x Twin sluggas

BATTLELINE

Beast Snagga Boyz (95 points) • 9x Beast Snagga Boy • 9x Choppa 9x Slugga • 1x Beast Snagga Nob • 1x Power snappa 1x Slugga

Beast Snagga Boyz (95 points) • 9x Beast Snagga Boy • 9x Choppa 9x Slugga • 1x Beast Snagga Nob • 1x Power snappa 1x Slugga

Boyz (170 points) • 19x Boy • 19x Choppa 19x Slugga • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Power klaw 1x Slugga

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Trukk (70 points) • 1x Big shoota 1x Spiked wheels 1x Wreckin' ball

Trukk (70 points) • 1x Big shoota 1x Spiked wheels 1x Wreckin' ball

Trukk (70 points) • 1x Big shoota 1x Spiked wheels 1x Wreckin' ball

Trukk (70 points) • 1x Big shoota 1x Spiked wheels 1x Wreckin' ball

OTHER DATASHEETS

Breaka Boyz (140 points) • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Choppa 1x Rokkit pistol 1x Smash hammer • 5x Breaka Boy • 4x Smash hammer 1x Tankhammer

Breaka Boyz (140 points) • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Choppa 1x Rokkit pistol 1x Smash hammer • 5x Breaka Boy • 4x Smash hammer 1x Tankhammer

Flash Gitz (80 points) • 1x Ammo Runt • 1x Kaptin • 1x Choppa 1x Snazzgun • 4x Flash Git • 4x Choppa 4x Snazzgun

Flash Gitz (80 points) • 1x Ammo Runt • 1x Kaptin • 1x Choppa 1x Snazzgun • 4x Flash Git • 4x Choppa 4x Snazzgun

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

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

Kommandos (120 points) • 1x Bomb Squig 1x Distraction Grot • 9x Kommando • 9x Choppa 9x Slugga • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Power klaw 1x Slugga

Exported with App Version: v1.45.0 (105), Data Version: v720

Archetype

Pressure War Horde

Thoughts

Another fairly uncomplicated built to close us out today, this list goes straight for the enemy with a bunch fo stuff in Trukks and Ghaz's turbo Boyz unit, and applies sufficient pressure by doing so that foes will either break under it, or be sufficiently slowed down that they can't ever recover on scoring. Classic Ork move, honestly. Congratulations Tom.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Steven Connell - Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile): A big wall of Chosen and Possessed with Abaddon leading the charge.
3rd - James Mclean - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught): Double DC Rage Cursed with a Dreadnought and some Baals to broaden it out.
4th - Scott Lockie - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Triple Norn and lots of Termagants.

Wrap Up

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[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: Star God Mode pt.1

Event News - Goonhammer UK Teams March 2026

This Week's Events

OPEN TALAVERA 2026

Roger Boira - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Many CL - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar) - 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Borja FM - White Scars (Spearpoint Task Force) - 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

El coyote Enmascarado - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) - 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Vault Hammer presents: Vault Hammer to the Face 40k GT

Adam Sargeant - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

James Boyle - Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Dearg Doom V: V is for Volatile

The Showdown

Purge the Foe - Hammer and Anvil

Thoughts

Result

Tom Maher - T'au Empire (Mont'ka) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Hugh Mc Cluskey - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

3. Schwarzwald GT

Pascal Haberstroh - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Red Dragon 2k GT - January 2026

François Lalonde - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Marcus Miniatures – New Year’s Rumble 2026

Fabian Huber - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Cross-Swords PAW 2026

Tom Godfrey - Orks (War Horde) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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