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

[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: T'au Take Over pt.3

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Apr 04 2026
Welcome to Competitive Innovations, our weekly feature for a number of game lines across the tabletop wargame space. Each week our army list and tactics experts canvass the top tournaments for their game of specialty, looking at the week’s top match-ups and how they played out on the tabletop to let you know what’s hot, what’s not, and what might be coming next as the competitive meta evolves year-round.

It's Wings, back to close out last weekend's action. Thanks Rob for stepping in yesterday, let's see what we've got today.

This Week's Events

Part 1 on Wednesday:
  • AdeptiCon 2026 40K Championships
  • LDXP Tacoma 2026 Grand Tournament
  • Planet Comicon Kansas City/Mindgames and Magic host: Planet arKCanite 2026
  • Welcome To ThunderMania 2
  • Red Dragon 2k GT - March 2026 All is Dust
Part 2 on Friday:
  • THE SHEFFIELD 40K GT
  • Northern Rockies Spring Thaw 2026
  • Frost Spite GT 2026
  • Batalla por la Roca
  • WG MARCH 2026 GT - Warhammer 40k Tournament 2,000 Points
Part 3 on Saturday:
  • Rosehammer IV
  • Layton March GT
  • Member Hour Gaming Presents: The event formerly known as the January GT.
  • Space Hawg GT

Rosehammer IV

65-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Portland, OR, United States on March 28 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Take and Hold - Crucible of Battle

Harry Gieringer - Salamanders (Bastion Task Force)
Army List - Click to Expand
Emperors Children Lite (2000 points)

Space Marines Salamanders Strike Force (2000 points) Bastion Task Force

CHARACTERS

Captain (95 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Master-crafted bolter 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Bombast Omnivox

Librarian in Terminator Armour (95 points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Force weapon 1x Smite • Enhancement: Hero of the Chapter

Vulkan He'stan (100 points) • Warlord • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Gauntlet of the Forge 1x Spear of Vulkan

BATTLELINE

Tactical Squad (140 points) • 1x Tactical Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 8x Tactical Marine • 8x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 8x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun • 1x Tactical Marine • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Multi-melta

Tactical Squad (140 points) • 1x Tactical Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 8x Tactical Marine • 8x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 8x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun • 1x Tactical Marine • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Lascannon

Tactical Squad (140 points) • 1x Tactical Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 8x Tactical Marine • 8x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 8x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun • 1x Tactical Marine • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Multi-melta

Tactical Squad (140 points) • 1x Tactical Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 8x Tactical Marine • 8x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 8x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun • 1x Tactical Marine • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Lascannon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Devastator Squad (120 points) • 1x Devastator Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Devastator • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Multi-melta

Devastator Squad (120 points) • 1x Devastator Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Devastator • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Multi-melta

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Scout Squad (70 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 3x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon 1x Scout sniper rifle

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

Exported with App Version: v1.49.0 (114), Data Version: v757



vs.

Tyler Bortel - T'au Empire (Mont'ka)
Army List - Click to Expand
Abolish ICE (1990 points)

Sorry. 😕

T'au Empire Strike Force (2000 points) Mont'ka

CHARACTERS

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

Kroot War Shaper (65 points) • 1x Bladestave and prey-hook 1x Kroot pistol 1x Shaper's blade • Enhancement: Strategic Conqueror

The Twin Lance (160 points) • 1x Ri'Lantar • 1x Fusion eliminator 1x MV15 Gun Drone 1x Shardstorm burst system 1x XV pulse pistol • 1x Ri'Locai • 1x Ion scattercannon 1x MV15 Gun Drone 1x Shardstorm burst system 1x XV pulse pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Broadside Battlesuits (80 points) • 1x Crushing bulk 1x Heavy rail rifle 1x Marker Drone 1x Missile Drone 1x Seeker missile 1x Weapon Support System

Crisis Starscythe Battlesuits (110 points) • 1x Crisis Starscythe Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Gun Drone 1x Marker Drone 2x T'au flamer • 2x Crisis Starscythe Shas'ui • 2x Battlesuit fists 2x Gun Drone 2x Shield Drone 4x T'au flamer

Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 points) • 1x Battlesuit Support System 1x Cyclic ion raker 1x Ghostkeel fists 1x Twin fusion blaster

Kroot Carnivores (65 points) • 1x Long-quill • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Kroot pistol 1x Kroot rifle • 9x Kroot Carnivore • 9x Close combat weapon 8x Kroot rifle 1x Tanglebomb launcher

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stormsurge (360 points) • 1x Cluster rocket system 1x Destroyer missiles 1x Pulse blast cannon 1x Thunderous footfalls 1x Twin airbursting fragmentation projector 2x Twin smart missile system

Exported with App Version: v1.49.0 (114), Data Version: v757

Thoughts

A true Marine hero steps up to the plate here - Harry has caught my eye in the past by repeatedly managing 4-1 finishes with Firstborn-centric Salamanders lists, including his signature Tactical Squads, and now the Bastion Task force provides better support for them than ever. Four tactical squads can be split into up to eight small Battleline units, and that provides lots of ways to set up Auspex Scans, and lots of Primary/Seconday play, especially with them all being able to Advance/Action. Vulkan's melta buff also means that if you concentrate the firepower of their heavy and special weapons, you have a decent shot of punking one target, and if they don't the Devastators will. Supporting them, lots of Predators, good beneficiaries for the Scan, and a big Terminator Assault squad to rock around the table causing mayhem.

Up against them is legendary triangle visionary Tyler Bortel, sporting the terrifying Stormsurge/Triptide Mont'ka build. This is (obviously) capable of swiftly carving up almost any foe, with the only drawback being that it doesn't get as many scoring chaff/Infiltrate pieces as normal. That's clearly been considered in the selection of Strategic Conqueror instead of Strike Swiftly, which makes moving onto an expansion objective in force a pretty reliable way to lock it down.

Conventionally, of course, T'au are pretty good at carving up Marines, and that's definitely true here, but the exact way these builds line up provides a bit more of an out to the Marines than normal. Specifically, the T'au build (by dint of having the Stormsurge) is lower on activations than normal, whereas once fully split up, the Marines have a lot more than you'd normally expect, which gives them plenty of stuff to play bait with (and that won't die to purely incidental firepower). You can also extend the bait-ness to the Predator Destructors, which don't have fantastic targets, but do need real killing, so could push forward to hold a position while killing some Piranhas or something. There's also the Terminator unit to consider, which is rough for the Greater Good to handle, especially without any Stealth Suits present and Angel's Defiant available. If all three Riptides and the Stormsurge swing for it they maybe get the job done, but it's still only a maybe, and that drops off further if the Terminators wait till Lethal Hits falls off later on in the game, or if some of the big threats get taken out.

I think that creates a model for how the Marines can win this - hold the Terminators staged, ready to rock into a central threat, use the Destructors and bad bits of tactical squads as bait, and then see what happens. If the T'au feel compelled to take the bait (perhaps if they've gone first), then see if the big Marine guns can drop two Riptides on the swingback (pretty plausible on the numbers). If they do, then the Terminators can start playing aggressive. If they don't wait a bit longer and use them in the late game to target saturate the T'au. Alternatively, if they push out onto the middle objective early they might demand the entire T'au army shoot them to avoid a 15VP turn, which could also be a decent play if the Marines are going first, and setup lots of counterattack options.

The T'au, for their part, want to focus on removing Marine activations so that they're forced more level. The Twin Lance is obviously great for doing this (this event was pre-rules change, so killing a Tactical Squad then hitting the bricks was very much on the cards), and the Starscythes can be handy for that too. They then need to focus on locking down reliable 10VP turns to try and ensure that their more reliable attrition output over the game wins things out for them in the end.

I'd say the T'au plan ends up a little more likely to succeed, but there are real angles for the Space Marines, and Harry found one to take the win!

Result

Salamanders (Bastion Task Force) Victory - 81 - 74

Harry Gieringer - Salamanders (Bastion Task Force) - 1st Place

Salamanders. Credit: Whiteshark12

Yeah that's right, we actually have a Salamanders Tactical Squad in our media library. Looks like it's got some Primaris parts in there, but it still counts. Did I know this before today? No I did not, but I believed in our team.

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Emperors Children Lite (2000 points)

Space Marines Salamanders Strike Force (2000 points) Bastion Task Force

CHARACTERS

Captain (95 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Master-crafted bolter 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Bombast Omnivox

Librarian in Terminator Armour (95 points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Force weapon 1x Smite • Enhancement: Hero of the Chapter

Vulkan He'stan (100 points) • Warlord • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Gauntlet of the Forge 1x Spear of Vulkan

BATTLELINE

Tactical Squad (140 points) • 1x Tactical Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 8x Tactical Marine • 8x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 8x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun • 1x Tactical Marine • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Multi-melta

Tactical Squad (140 points) • 1x Tactical Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 8x Tactical Marine • 8x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 8x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun • 1x Tactical Marine • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Lascannon

Tactical Squad (140 points) • 1x Tactical Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 8x Tactical Marine • 8x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 8x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun • 1x Tactical Marine • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Multi-melta

Tactical Squad (140 points) • 1x Tactical Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 8x Tactical Marine • 8x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 8x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun • 1x Tactical Marine • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Lascannon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Devastator Squad (120 points) • 1x Devastator Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Devastator • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Multi-melta

Devastator Squad (120 points) • 1x Devastator Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Grav-pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Devastator • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Multi-melta

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Scout Squad (70 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 3x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon 1x Scout sniper rifle

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

Exported with App Version: v1.49.0 (114), Data Version: v757

Archetype

Firstborn Bastion

Thoughts

All covered in the Showdown, this list genuinely thrives using the options Bastion provides it, and what a heroic way to win an event in 2026. Congratulations Harry!

Tyler Bortel - T'au Empire (Mont'ka) - 2nd Place

The Twin Lance. Credit: Rockfish The Twin Lance. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Abolish ICE (1990 points)

Sorry. 😕

T'au Empire Strike Force (2000 points) Mont'ka

CHARACTERS

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

Kroot War Shaper (65 points) • 1x Bladestave and prey-hook 1x Kroot pistol 1x Shaper's blade • Enhancement: Strategic Conqueror

The Twin Lance (160 points) • 1x Ri'Lantar • 1x Fusion eliminator 1x MV15 Gun Drone 1x Shardstorm burst system 1x XV pulse pistol • 1x Ri'Locai • 1x Ion scattercannon 1x MV15 Gun Drone 1x Shardstorm burst system 1x XV pulse pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Broadside Battlesuits (80 points) • 1x Crushing bulk 1x Heavy rail rifle 1x Marker Drone 1x Missile Drone 1x Seeker missile 1x Weapon Support System

Crisis Starscythe Battlesuits (110 points) • 1x Crisis Starscythe Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Gun Drone 1x Marker Drone 2x T'au flamer • 2x Crisis Starscythe Shas'ui • 2x Battlesuit fists 2x Gun Drone 2x Shield Drone 4x T'au flamer

Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 points) • 1x Battlesuit Support System 1x Cyclic ion raker 1x Ghostkeel fists 1x Twin fusion blaster

Kroot Carnivores (65 points) • 1x Long-quill • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Kroot pistol 1x Kroot rifle • 9x Kroot Carnivore • 9x Close combat weapon 8x Kroot rifle 1x Tanglebomb launcher

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stormsurge (360 points) • 1x Cluster rocket system 1x Destroyer missiles 1x Pulse blast cannon 1x Thunderous footfalls 1x Twin airbursting fragmentation projector 2x Twin smart missile system

Exported with App Version: v1.49.0 (114), Data Version: v757

Archetype

Stormsurge Mont'ka

Thoughts

Also covered in the Showdown, Tyler's slightly grindier version of Mont'ka will brutally carve through most foes, and I really like the inclusion of one flamer Starscythe team given the sudden surge of horde builds that are appearing in the metagame, though the trade of not having a Stealth team can hurt in some matchups (including the Showdown), and I'd wonder about dropping the Broadside and one Hounds for one. Still, a very commanding performance and only a narrow defeat in the final, congratulations Tyler.

Daniel "WTFChicken" Espinoza - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) - 3rd Place

Tervigon. Credit: Rockfish Tervigon. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Tyranids + DETACHMENT: Invasion Fleet (Hyper Adaptions) + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char3: Neurotyrant + ENHANCEMENT: Perfectly Adapted (on Char2: Hive Tyrant) & Adaptive Biology (on Char4: Tervigon) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 16 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (4x2) + (3x4) - Assassination: 4 Characters - Cull The Horde: 3x5 (before leaders attached) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Broodlord (80 pts): Broodlord Claws and Talons Char2: 1x Hive Tyrant (210 pts): Monstrous bonesword and lash whip, Monstrous scything talons Enhancement: Perfectly Adapted (+15 pts) Char3: 1x Neurotyrant (105 pts): Warlord, Neurotyrant claws and lashes, Psychic scream Char4: 1x Tervigon (185 pts): Stinger salvoes, Massive scything talons Enhancement: Adaptive Biology (+25 pts)

20x Termagants (120 pts): 20 with Chitinous claws and teeth, Termagant spinefist 20x Termagants (120 pts): 20 with Chitinous claws and teeth, Termagant spinefist 20x Termagants (120 pts): 20 with Chitinous claws and teeth, Termagant spinefist

1x Biovores (50 pts): Chitin-barbed limbs, Spore mine launcher 1x Exocrine (140 pts): Bio-plasmic cannon, Powerful limbs 1x Exocrine (140 pts): Bio-plasmic cannon, Powerful limbs 10x Genestealers (140 pts): 10 with Genestealers claws and talons 1x Lictor (60 pts): Lictor claws and talons 1x Lictor (60 pts): Lictor claws and talons 1x Tyrannofex (200 pts): Powerful limbs, Stinger salvoes, Rupture cannon 1x Tyrannofex (200 pts): Powerful limbs, Stinger salvoes, Rupture cannon 3x Venomthropes (70 pts): 3 with Toxic lashes

Archetype

Termagant Fleet

Thoughts

Exhibit A for "sudden surge in horde builds", we've got a mildly reduced tally of the traditional Invasion Fleet hits so as to bring 60 Termagants and a friendly Tervigon to revive them. This represents sufficient horde pressure to really trouble some armies (particularly monster mash builds), but still leaves plenty of points for quite a few dakka bugs, so against lists that can kill the hordes, you just use them as move block speed bumps to buy time, and tax the foe enough as they wade through that they can't pull back into the scoring. Well done Daniel for unleashing the gaunts.

Tom Martin - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company) - 4th Place

Cadian Shock Troops. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Blank your dmg 12 twat

Grizzled Company (1995 points)

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 Master Vox • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman 1x Medi-pack • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman 1x Regimental Standard

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

Gaunt's Ghosts (100 points)

Tech-Priest Engineseer (45 points)

Lord Solar Leontus (130 points) • Warlord

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 points) • 4x Tempestus Scion 1x Hot-shot lasgun 1x Hot-shot laspistol 1x Medi-pack 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun 1x Grenade Launcher • 1x Tempestor Prime • 1x Command Rod (Enhancement: Laud Hailer 10pts)

BATTLELINE

Cadian Shock Troops (120 points) • 2x Shock Trooper Sergeant • 2x Chainsword 2x Laspistol • 18x Shock Trooper 14x Lasgun 2x Meltagun 2x Plasma gun

Cadian Shock Troops (65 points) • 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant • 1x Chainsword 1x Laspistol • 9x Shock Trooper 7x Lasgun 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chimera (85 points) 2x Heavy Flamer

Chimera (85 points) 2x Heavy Flamer

Chimera (85 points) 2x Heavy Flamer

Taurox (75 points)

OTHER DATASHEETS

10x Attilan Rough Riders (120 points)

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

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

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

Krieg Combat Engineers (60 points) • 1x Krieg Engineer Watchmaster • 1x Hand flamer 1x Power weapon • 4x Krieg Combat Engineer • 1x Autopistol 2x Combat shotgun 1x Flamer 1x Remote Mine

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 points) 1x Heavy stubber 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 2x Plasma cannon 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (260 points) 1x Coaxial autocannon 3x Heavy stubber 2x Multi-melta 1x Oppressor cannon 1x Pulveriser cannon

Tempestus Scions (70 points) • 1x Tempestor • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Tempestus Scion 2x Hot-shot lasgun 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun

Archetype

Mechanised Grizzled

Thoughts

Grizzled Company takes the final slot here, running a more transport-heavy version with lots of Kasrkin to push out, plus a drop Scion unit and one regular Dorn, the latter presumably designed to avoid dying so brutally to the big Stormsurge gun as a Commander would. The overall list is mobile and high on damage, but does end up a little easier to sweep through than Bullgryn variants, so needs to make sure the pressure and violence it can unleash really counts. Tom was clearly doing that, as his only loss was by a single point to a Blade of Ultramar build. Well done Tom!

The Best of the Rest

There was 1 more player on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - John Smith - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Six teleporting C'tan and a Technomancer with Dimensional Overseer. It's a living.

Layton March GT

43-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Altamonte Springs, FL, United States on March 28 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

John Lennon - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) - 1st Place

Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Ending the edition how I should have started it (1995 Points)

Space Marines Deathwatch Black Spear Task Force Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (105 Points) • 1x Boltstorm gauntlet • 1x Power fist • 1x Relic chainsword • Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

Judiciar (95 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol • 1x Executioner relic blade • Enhancements: Beacon Angelis

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (85 Points) • 1x Combi-weapon • 1x Paired combat blades

Watch Master (125 Points) • Warlord • 1x Vigil spear • Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (190 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant ◦ 1x Combi-weapon ◦ 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veterans ◦ 4x Astartes shield ◦ 1x Black Shield blades ◦ 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer ◦ 4x Power weapon

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

Eliminator Squad (85 Points) • 1x Eliminator Sergeant ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Instigator Bolt Carbine ◦ 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Eliminator ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Las fusil

Fortis Kill Team (180 Points) • 1x Kill Team Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Deathwatch bolt rifle ◦ 1x Power fist • 3x Kill Team Intercessor ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Deathwatch bolt rifle • 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Plasma incinerator • 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Castellan launcher ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Superkrak rocket launcher ◦ 1x Vengor launcher

Fortis Kill Team (180 Points) • 1x Kill Team Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Deathwatch bolt rifle ◦ 1x Power fist • 3x Kill Team Intercessor ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Deathwatch bolt rifle • 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Plasma incinerator • 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Castellan launcher ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Superkrak rocket launcher ◦ 1x Vengor launcher

Fortis Kill Team (180 Points) • 1x Kill Team Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Deathwatch bolt rifle ◦ 1x Power fist • 3x Kill Team Intercessor ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Deathwatch bolt rifle • 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Plasma incinerator • 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Castellan launcher ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Superkrak rocket launcher ◦ 1x Vengor launcher

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

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

Indomitor Kill Team (265 Points) • 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle ◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolter • 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists ◦ 3x Auto boltstorm gauntlets ◦ 3x Fragstorm grenade launcher ◦ 3x Twin power fists • 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Melta rifle ◦ 1x Multi-melta

Indomitor Kill Team (265 Points) • 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle ◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolter • 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists ◦ 3x Flamestorm gauntlets ◦ 3x Twin power fists • 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Melta rifle ◦ 1x Multi-melta

Exported with App Version: v1.49.0 (1), Data Version: v757

Archetype

Deathwatch Kill Team

Thoughts

John Lennon claims another trophy for the presumably wldly over-stuffed Art of War cabinet, and takes another event for the Deathwatch in progress. This is pretty much the standard 3 Fortis/2 Indomitor setup, with the one flex pick being a unit of Eliminators, who provide a few extra good shots with relative impunity thanks to getting to shoot and scoot. That also gives them a bit of extra flexibility to flip objectives or position if you pick them up with Site-to-Site teleportation, which can provide a bit swing if your opponent is trying to hold their home with a lone Character or similar. Nice little personal touch on a current top build, congratulations to John!

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Morgan Timpy - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Starscythes, Riptides and the Twin Lance.
  • 3rd - Steve Trimble - Chaos Space Marines (Huron’s Marauders): All-in melee Marauders with big Chosen/Possessed blocks and Abaddon for maximum damage.
  • 4th - Garrett Befera - Grey Knights (Banishers): Three massive Terminator units with Librarians (two Paladins and a Brotherhood unit) for all-rounder threat plus a few Interceptors for scoring.
  • 5th - Bryce Bennett - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Starscythes, Riptides and the Twin Lance. I think literally identical to the second place build and the players are from the same team so that would make sense.
  • 6th - Jonathan Manning - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Massive numbers of Crisis suits and lots of Pathfinders/Stealths to tee them up.
  • 7th - Kameron Calabro - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): All-rounder Lions wth a mix of Wardens, Caladius tanks and Custodians, plus one Bike/Captain unit.
  • 8th - Jarret Robinson - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Doomsdays, Herohammer, the Deceiver, and a buffed Warrior unit.
  • 9th - Michael Farley - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Dreadknights, Purifiers, Razorbacks, solo Librarians, and a Land Raider for some of the Purifiers to ride in.

Member Hour Gaming Presents: The event formerly known as the January GT.

35-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Smyrna, DE, United States on March 28 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Justin Adams - Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Give me a chance and my dice will surprise you!

Chaos Space Marines Pactbound Zealots Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (270 Points) • Warlord • 1x Drach'nyen • 1x Talon of Horus

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

Dark Commune (90 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Cult Demagogue ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Commune stave • 1x Mindwitch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Warp Curse • 1x Iconarch ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Blessed Blade ◦ 2x Commune blade

Heretic Astartes Daemon Prince with Wings (195 Points) • Daemonic Allegiance: Slaanesh • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancements: Intoxicating Elixir

Lord Discordant on Helstalker (160 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh • 1x Baleflamer • 1x Bladed limbs • 1x Bolt Pistol • 1x Impaler chainglaive • 1x Magma cutter

Vashtorr the Arkifane (175 Points) • 1x Vashtorr's claw • 1x Vashtorr's hammer

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (50 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Cultist Champion ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon • 9x Chaos Cultist ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

Cultist Mob (50 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Cultist Champion ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon • 9x Chaos Cultist ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

Cultist Mob (50 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch • 1x Cultist Champion ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon • 9x Chaos Cultist ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Accursed Cultists (195 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 10x Mutant ◦ 10x Blasphemous appendages • 6x Torment ◦ 6x Hideous mutations

Chaos Bikers (70 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch • 1x Biker Champion ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Combi-bolter ◦ 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Combi-bolter ◦ 2x Meltagun

Chaos Vindicator (185 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-weapon • 1x Demolisher cannon • 1x Havoc launcher

Chosen (250 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided • 1x Chosen Champion ◦ 1x Accursed weapon ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Combi-weapon • 9x Chosen ◦ 7x Accursed weapon ◦ 5x Bolt pistol ◦ 6x Boltgun ◦ 3x Combi-weapon ◦ 4x Plasma pistol ◦ 2x Power fist

Forgefiend (170 Points) • Mark of Chaos: Nurgle • 1x Armoured limbs • 2x Ectoplasma cannon • 1x Ectoplasma cannon

Exported with App Version: v1.49.0 (1), Data Version: v757

Archetype

Antiherohammer Pactbound

Thoughts

The rise of Chaos gets some airtime in part three as well, via another build that applies fast melee pressure, but with a different spin than the Marauders builds. Pactbound provides a critical mass of extra value on Characters and ways to accelerate them, and this means you can go deep on lots of nasty brawlers, something this version doubles down on with an Abaddon/Chosen squad and an Accursed Commune. Pactbound also lets a few shooty hulls go a long way - Nurgle Vindicators have terrifying high-roll potential, while the Nurgle Forgefiend can lurk at the back blasting with impunity all day long. This build can hammer foes when needed, but spreading the threats out across lots of Characters also makes it quite adaptable when needed, as they're largely fast without the help of Stratagems and the like. Nice to see really strong variety across Chaos, and this build feels like one where I'd really like to try a Defiler, too. Congratulations to Justin.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd (4.5-0.5) - Joshua Campbell - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Two C'tan, Herohammer, and a fully buffed Warrior unit.
  • 3rd - Stephen Dorfner - Orks (Green Tide): Three big Boyz units, smaller ones in support, and some Tankbustas to try and nuke enemy heavies.
  • 4th - Cory White - Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Talons Land Raider/Custodian spam.
  • 5th - Ari C - Drukhari (Reaper's Wager): Wager with a bit of everything.

Space Hawg GT

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Springdale, AR, United States on March 28 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Nathaniel Thompson - Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) - 1st Place

Vertus Praetor Vertus Praetor. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Teams List (2000 Points)

Adeptus Custodes Shield Host Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Shield-Captain (120 Points) • Warlord • 1x Praesidium Shield • 1x Pyrithite spear

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (160 Points) • 4x Custodian Guard ◦ 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (160 Points) • 4x Custodian Guard ◦ 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (160 Points) • 4x Custodian Guard ◦ 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (160 Points) • 4x Custodian Guard ◦ 4x Guardian spear

Custodian Guard (160 Points) • 4x Custodian Guard ◦ 4x Guardian spear

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (110 Points) • 2x Allarus Custodian ◦ 2x Balistus grenade launcher ◦ 2x Guardian spear

Allarus Custodians (110 Points) • 2x Allarus Custodian ◦ 2x Balistus grenade launcher ◦ 2x Guardian spear

Caladius Grav-tank (215 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon • 1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

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

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

Vertus Praetors (150 Points) • 2x Vertus Praetor ◦ 2x Interceptor lance ◦ 2x Salvo launcher

Vertus Praetors (150 Points) • 2x Vertus Praetor ◦ 2x Interceptor lance ◦ 2x Salvo launcher

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

Exported with App Version: v1.48.0 (1), Data Version: v750

Archetype

Pressure Custodes

Thoughts

Custodes close out the week, unleashing a very high threat build that wants to roll through foes in melee. Two bike units give it the speed to pin the enemy down quickly, and one Land Raider acts as a good staging bastion, particularly as the setup here lets you put one Custodian and one small Allarus unit in it, making it a more adaptable centrepiece. Very scary to a lot of foes, especially the various horde and Chaos pressure builds that are rising, though does need the note of caution that you really don't want to run into C'tan with this (or if you do, you have to believe they'll fail all their blaze cannon/lascannon saves). Congratulations to Nathaniel for winning our final event of the week!

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Bryce Watson - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Infantry Grizzled with Kasrkin and Scions.
  • 3rd - Heath Shepherd - Necrons (Cursed Legion): Local robots too angry to bring C'tan, many big units of Lokhusts and Skorpekh.
  • 4th - Hunter Spakes - Leagues of Votann (Needgaârd Oathband): Heavy Needgaard with triple Fort, big squads of Thunderkyn, and a big unit of each kind of Ironkin.
  • 5th - Thomas Congdon - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar): Extra shooty Calgar Hulltramarines with double Vindicator on top of double RepEx.
  • 6th - János Krész - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Double Dorn, big units of Krieg, and Kasrkin, just as Combined Arms instead of Grizzled.

Wrap Up

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Tags: Space Marines | chaos space marines | tyranids | Deathwatch | Warhammer 40k | Salamanders | Astra Militarum | Adeptus Custodes | tau | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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