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

[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: Warp Speed

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Jan 29 2025
Welcome to Competitive Innovations, our weekly feature for a number of game lines across the tabletop wargame space. Each week our army list and tactics experts canvass the top tournaments for their game of specialty, looking at the week’s top match-ups and how they played out on the tabletop to let you know what’s hot, what’s not, and what might be coming next as the competitive meta evolves year-round.

It's a little bit of a quiet one this week, presumably as the Americans recover from LVO, but Australia has boldly forged onwards into a new ITC season with a massive supermajor, and we've got a collection of GTs to look at as well.

A couple of notes up-top:
  1. If you haven't already checked out our massive review of the Aeldari Codex, check it out here. As a known elf afficionado, I cannot wait for this thing to come into play.
  2. Tickets are still available for the Goonhammer Open UK in Leicester on March 22nd/23rd. Check out the details here.
And now, on to the events. This week it's just me, and I'm covering:
  • Uprising Adelaide 2025
  • Rose City Rampage
  • Winchester 40K GT - January 2025
  • 2. Schwarzwald GT
  • Castle Con 40k Tournament
Our patrons have been provided with their weekly dose of delicious democracy, and have selected the following Showdown:
  • Scintillating Legion vs Black Spear Task Force at Uprising Adelaide

Uprising Adelaide 2025

179-player, 8-round Supermajor in Highbury, South Australia, AU on January 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Take and Hold - Raise Banners - Tipping Point

Mission details right there in the BCP event, top marks.

Matt Morosoli - Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion)
Army List - Click to Expand
Mom: " We have good army lists at home(2000 points)"

The army list at home: Chaos Daemons Strike Force (2000 points) Scintillating Legion

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Chaos with Wings (200 points) • Daemonic Allegiance: Tzeentch • 1x Hellforged weapons 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancement: Neverblade

Kairos Fateweaver (270 points) - WARLORD • 1x Infernal Gateway 1x Staff of Tomorrow

Lord of Change (270 points) • 1x Bolt of Change 1x Staff of Tzeentch • Enhancement: Infernal Puppeteer

BATTLELINE

Pink Horrors (140 points) • 10x Pink Horror • 10x Coruscating Pink Flames 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 10x Pink claws

Pink Horrors (140 points) • 10x Pink Horror • 10x Coruscating Pink Flames 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 10x Pink claws

Plaguebearers (110 points) • 1x Plagueridden • 1x Plaguesword • 9x Plaguebearer • 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 9x Plaguesword

OTHER DATASHEETS

Burning Chariot (115 points) • 1x Fire of Tzeentch 1x Flamer mouths 1x Screamer bites

Burning Chariot (115 points) • 1x Fire of Tzeentch 1x Flamer mouths 1x Screamer bites

Flamers (150 points) • 1x Pyrocaster • 1x Flamer mouths 1x Flickering Flames • 5x Flamer • 5x Flamer mouths 5x Flickering Flames

Flamers (150 points) • 1x Pyrocaster • 1x Flamer mouths 1x Flickering Flames • 5x Flamer • 5x Flamer mouths 5x Flickering Flames

Screamers (85 points) • 3x Screamer • 3x Lamprey bite

Screamers (85 points) • 3x Screamer • 3x Lamprey bite

Screamers (170 points) • 6x Screamer • 6x Lamprey bite


vs.

Callum German - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force)
Army List - Click to Expand
Of course my army is different colours...its Deathwatch

Deathwatch (1995 points)

Space Marines Deathwatch Strike Force (2000 points) Black Spear Task Force

CHARACTERS

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

Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Force weapon 1x Smite

Lieutenant in Phobos Armour (80 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Master-crafted bolt carbine 1x Paired combat blades • Enhancement: Beacon Angelis

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

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (100 points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 4x Deathwatch Veterans • 1x Astartes shield 1x Black Shield blades 2x Deathwatch thunder hammer 1x 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

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

Centurion Devastator Squad (370 points) • 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant • 1x Centurion fists 1x Centurion missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon • 5x Devastator Centurion • 5x Centurion fists 5x Centurion missile launcher 5x Twin lascannon

Indomitor Kill Team (270 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 (270 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

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

Spectrus Kill Team (200 points) • 3x Kill Team Infiltrator • 3x Bolt pistol 3x Close combat weapon 3x Deathwatch marksman bolt carbine 1x Helix Gauntlet • 1x Kill Team Infiltrator with bolt sniper rifle • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Instigator Bolt Carbine • 4x Kill Team Infiltrator with Deathwatch occulus bolt carbine • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Deathwatch occulus bolt carbine 4x Paired combat blades • 2x Kill Team Infiltrator with combat knife • 2x Combat knife 2x Special-issue bolt pistol

ALLIED UNITS

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

Thoughts

Oh no. The day has finally arrived, much sooner than I had hoped. I have to attempt to comprehend the Scintillating Legion. Happily this build is relatively easy to do that with - you get access to redeploys, some extra mobility tricks, a Lord of Change that can melt stuff from behind walls, and one turbo-nasty melee threat. Using the Neverblade on a Winged Daemon Prince is a neat choice, because it stacks with their built in Malefic Destruction ability to just absolutely dust something once-per-game, and this game is one in which it's phenomenal, as it'll go through Deathwatch stuff like a hot knife. Backing that with accumulated shooting that will cause some real damage, plus very sticky objective holders from the Horrors and great mobile scoring pieces creates a powerful, if mind-bending creation.

Up against it we have a particularly brutal Deathwatch list, eschewing some of the more go-wide options to go full chonk. Site-to-Site Teleportation lets you do Ultravanguard-style teleporting Centurions, and having a Spectrus team lets you maintain the option of having two bouncy threats if you need to target the Centurions on a given turn. Two Indomitor teams provide a powerful anvil to anchor that strategy around, and you've got some cheap stuff to go out and score, plus some backfield Infiltrators to go with it. This list is just vicious, and if you're up against it you're certainly very happy to have the option to blast it from behind walls or threaten to alpha off a whole unit. I was a little surprised to see boltstorm gauntlets rather than flamestorm gauntlets in the Indomitor teams though, as it feels like you're sacrificing some Overwatch potential to add more volume, which the army can already handle.

So, two armies with good redeploys and shooting, Deathwatch with more durability,  and thus the option of going full send, Tzeentch with more options to make stuff happen without fully committing in a cagier game. No particular help from the mission. Tricky. I would probably end up handing this one to the Deathwatch on the basis that I think both armies want to go second here, but Deathwatch has more of a plan going first. If you're playing a cautious game from either side here you're looking for opportunities to pick off the opponent's smaller units at a profit, and Tzeentch can definitely do that going second thanks to Puppeteer, and use the threat projection from the Daemon Prince to stop an Indomitor team being too bold. Going first, however, they're going to be in a tough spot as committing enough stuff to score is going to risk them getting cleared out. The Deathwatch, on the other hand, have the option of going aggro on the play and potentially bowling the Daemons over. The forces of Chaos do have good tools into most of what's here, but not so much into the Centurions, and absolutely not if the Deathwatch full send with multiple big tools at once.

It could still go wrong, but I think there's a reasonable chance it works, and I'd tap them to win on that basis. Naturally, master of Chaos Matt has used the powers of Tzeentch to bamboozle me here, and took a narrow victory despite (I still think) the game slightly favouring the Deathwatch.

Result

Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion) Victory - 82 - 75

Matt Morosoli - Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion) - 1st Place

Credit: Liebot - https://instagram.com/liebot_pics

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Mom: " We have good army lists at home(2000 points)"

The army list at home: Chaos Daemons Strike Force (2000 points) Scintillating Legion

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Chaos with Wings (200 points) • Daemonic Allegiance: Tzeentch • 1x Hellforged weapons 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancement: Neverblade

Kairos Fateweaver (270 points) - WARLORD • 1x Infernal Gateway 1x Staff of Tomorrow

Lord of Change (270 points) • 1x Bolt of Change 1x Staff of Tzeentch • Enhancement: Infernal Puppeteer

BATTLELINE

Pink Horrors (140 points) • 10x Pink Horror • 10x Coruscating Pink Flames 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 10x Pink claws

Pink Horrors (140 points) • 10x Pink Horror • 10x Coruscating Pink Flames 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 10x Pink claws

Plaguebearers (110 points) • 1x Plagueridden • 1x Plaguesword • 9x Plaguebearer • 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 9x Plaguesword

OTHER DATASHEETS

Burning Chariot (115 points) • 1x Fire of Tzeentch 1x Flamer mouths 1x Screamer bites

Burning Chariot (115 points) • 1x Fire of Tzeentch 1x Flamer mouths 1x Screamer bites

Flamers (150 points) • 1x Pyrocaster • 1x Flamer mouths 1x Flickering Flames • 5x Flamer • 5x Flamer mouths 5x Flickering Flames

Flamers (150 points) • 1x Pyrocaster • 1x Flamer mouths 1x Flickering Flames • 5x Flamer • 5x Flamer mouths 5x Flickering Flames

Screamers (85 points) • 3x Screamer • 3x Lamprey bite

Screamers (85 points) • 3x Screamer • 3x Lamprey bite

Screamers (170 points) • 6x Screamer • 6x Lamprey bite

Archetype

Scintillating Legion

Thoughts

A big win for Tzeentch here in Matt's hands, and it's worth saying that I think the Deathwatch list from the final is one of the tougher things for this to face because it matches it in redeploys and has greater durability. Against armies that can't just body you, the threat diversity (many units get real nasty when you pop Pyrogenesis), speed and attrition are going to create a steep uphill challenge, and I think this really showcases what the Tzeentch detachment can do. Great work from Matt!

Callum German - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) - 2nd Place

Rainbow Warriors Combi-weapon Lieutenant by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Of course my army is different colours...its Deathwatch

Deathwatch (1995 points)

Space Marines Deathwatch Strike Force (2000 points) Black Spear Task Force

CHARACTERS

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

Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Force weapon 1x Smite

Lieutenant in Phobos Armour (80 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Master-crafted bolt carbine 1x Paired combat blades • Enhancement: Beacon Angelis

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

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (100 points) • 1x Watch Sergeant • 1x Astartes shield 1x Xenophase blade • 4x Deathwatch Veterans • 1x Astartes shield 1x Black Shield blades 2x Deathwatch thunder hammer 1x 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

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

Centurion Devastator Squad (370 points) • 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant • 1x Centurion fists 1x Centurion missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon • 5x Devastator Centurion • 5x Centurion fists 5x Centurion missile launcher 5x Twin lascannon

Indomitor Kill Team (270 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 (270 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

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

Spectrus Kill Team (200 points) • 3x Kill Team Infiltrator • 3x Bolt pistol 3x Close combat weapon 3x Deathwatch marksman bolt carbine 1x Helix Gauntlet • 1x Kill Team Infiltrator with bolt sniper rifle • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Instigator Bolt Carbine • 4x Kill Team Infiltrator with Deathwatch occulus bolt carbine • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Deathwatch occulus bolt carbine 4x Paired combat blades • 2x Kill Team Infiltrator with combat knife • 2x Combat knife 2x Special-issue bolt pistol

ALLIED UNITS

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

Archetype

Crunchy Deathwatch

Thoughts

Mostly covered in the Showdown - this is just an alarmingly daunting Infantry army to face off against, and will grind a lot of stuff cleanly into the dust. Deathwatch - no joke, and able to use diverse strategies to great effect as Callum demonstrated here.

Joshua Brodie - Raven Guard (Vanguard Spearhead) - 3rd Place

Kayvaan Shrike infiltrating as a Crimson Fist Kayvaan Shrike infiltrating as a Crimson Fist. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Shrikes Shuffling Sneaky Boiz (2000 points)

Space Marines Raven Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Vanguard Spearhead

CHARACTERS

Captain (80 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

Captain (80 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

Kayvaan Shrike (100 points) • Warlord • 1x Blackout 1x The Raven's Talons

Librarian in Phobos Armour (70 points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Force weapon 1x Smite

BATTLELINE

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 points) • 1x Armoured hull 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Shield Dome

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (160 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 9x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 9x Astartes chainsword 7x Heavy bolt pistol 2x 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

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

Centurion Devastator Squad (370 points) • 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant • 1x Centurion fists 1x Centurion missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon • 5x Devastator Centurion • 5x Centurion fists 5x Centurion missile launcher 5x Twin lascannon

Inceptor Squad (240 points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 5x Inceptor • 5x Assault bolters 5x Close combat weapon

Inceptor Squad (240 points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 5x Inceptor • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Plasma exterminators

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 4x Marksman bolt carbine

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

Scout Squad (70 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 3x Astartes shotgun 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher

Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (67), Data Version: v541

Archetype

Ravanguard

Thoughts

A spin on the traditional Vanguard Centurion build here, sacrificing a little of the raw threat  and full Deep Strike from the Ultramarine version in favour of better Primary play, particularly from a points denial point of view. Shrike's Lone Operative Jump squad has always been a great piece for both objective play and as a threat, but he's also by far the biggest winner from the Balance Dataslate handing out boosted OC to some units. OC2 Jump Intercessors are even better value than normal, and a fantastic tool for reliably saying "no" to your opponent's scoring plans for the turn, and Shrike's own unit is even stronger. The list leans into this further with some cheap but lethal Assault Intercessor/Captain units that can be fired out one at a time to maul something, flip an objective, then demand an answer. It takes a lot to justify dropping Ultramarines, but the superior ability to bully an opponent's scoring plans is a genuine draw to this variant, and could increase in value further if Aeldari are as good as they look. Congratulations to Joshua on the third-place finish and cool list design.

Lachlan Booth - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) - 4th Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Red Ultramarines (2000 points)

Space Marines Ultramarines Strike Force (2000 points) Gladius Task Force

CHARACTERS

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 (345 points) • Warlord • 1x Emperor's Sword 1x Hand of Dominion

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

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

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

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

Company Heroes (95 points) • 1x Ancient • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Bolt rifle 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Company Champion • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 2x Company Veteran • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 1x Master-crafted bolt rifle 1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

Gladiator Reaper (160 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 2x Tempest bolter 1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

Inceptor Squad (240 points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma exterminators • 5x Inceptor • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Plasma exterminators

Inceptor Squad (240 points) • 1x Inceptor Sergeant • 1x Assault bolters 1x Close combat weapon • 5x Inceptor • 5x Assault bolters 5x Close combat weapon

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

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

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

Archetype

Bobby G's Flying Gun Club

Thoughts

Bobby G, Gladius, many guns, you know the deal by now. This version does mix up the normal formula, teching for the (accurate) assumption of many Space Marines in the meta by adding a big brick of plasmaceptors, and building on that for a full shooty gun club.

Ethan Armstrong - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force) - 5th Place

Grey Knights Paladins. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Kadosh Celestial Flame (1995 points)

Grey Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Warpbane Task Force

CHARACTERS

Brother-Captain (105 points) • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Psycannon • Enhancement: Radiant Champion

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

Kaldor Draigo (125 points) • Warlord • 1x Scourging 1x Storm bolter 1x The Titansword

BATTLELINE

Brotherhood Terminator Squad (420 points) • 1x Terminator Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 9x Brotherhood Terminator • 1x Ancient’s Banner 2x Incinerator 1x Narthecium 9x Nemesis force weapon 6x Storm bolter

Strike Squad (120 points) • 1x Justicar • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 4x Grey Knight • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Incinerator 3x Nemesis force weapon 3x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Paladin Squad (215 points) • 1x Paragon • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Storm bolter • 1x Paladin Ancient • 1x Ancient’s Banner 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Psycannon • 3x Paladin • 3x Nemesis force weapon 2x Psycannon 1x Storm bolter

Purifier Squad (250 points) • 1x Knight of the Flame • 1x Nemesis force weapon 1x Purifying Flame 1x Storm bolter • 9x Purifier • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Incinerator 5x Nemesis force weapon 9x Purifying Flame 5x 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

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

Archetype

Terminator Warpbane

Thoughts

"What the hell Wings?" you ask, "Why is there a fifth list?". Well, it's by far the biggest event of the week, Ethan sent me a full writeup of their list that goes above and beyond what's needed for Best of the Rest, and it's for a faction that's still very much being tinkered and experimented with, so you get one more this week. Enjoy, and take it away Ethan!

Ethan: 30 Purifiers, 15 terminators and a dream. My list building here involved looking at a lot of the tech being taken with the new Grotmas detachment such as the servitor Techmarine block or the Purgation squad indirect skew and found it really unimpressive at playing into common meta threats. All of these units rely on being babysat by MSU purifier squads to turn on their output in the absence of durable units on objectives, resulting in a need to play very conservatively with up to 375 points of your list to use the army rule. The new detachment needs to be able to hold the midboard in order to gain re-rolls and the OC on Terminators/Paladins allow you to push this angle to maintain re-rolls into your opponents turns and away from purely relying on the purifiers.

The output available here is utterly disgusting, some turns you roll upwards of 100 dice with full hit re-rolls from an elite army. You don't need 6 NDKS to kill vehicles anymore, you just reroll hits and wounds instead! Full hit re-rolls on both the Paladins (for sustained from the BroCap) and Terminators (Lethals on the charge) push their output to pretty absurd levels and a unit of 5 purifiers with a full melee loadout becomes a really powerful trading piece for 1cp to re-roll wounds. Often if units of purifiers get chipped to 2 models, the +1 to wound makes them monstrous trading pieces on relatively few dice which happened relatively often throughout the event.

In terms of piloting, the list absolutely sends it most games, I tabled or near tabled the majority of my opponents over the 8 games and reserved the 10 terminators for a RI+heroic threat far more often than I'd thought I would going in. Draigo minds not from where the charge comes. Hopefully other people give the power list version of this another look in, as I honestly believe it is the best way to play the new detachment and is a blast to play as a bonus!

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 more players on 7-1 records. They were:
  • 6th - Tyler Walsh - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): A hilarious Protocol of the Eternal Revenant skew list with tonnes of Characters, including 3x Skorpekh Lords with Skorpekh MSUs. Tyler also sent me some notes, just in time to sneak them in pre-publication.
Army List - Click to Expand


CHARACTER

1x Illuminor Szeras (175 pts) • 1x Eldritch lance • 1x Impaling legs • Warlord

1x Imotekh the Stormlord (100 pts) • 1x Gauntlet of Fire • 1x Staff of the Destroyer

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

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

1x Lokhust Lord (100 pts) • 1x Lord's blade • Nanoscarab amulet • Veil of Darkness (+20 pts)

1x Plasmancer (60 pts) • 1x Plasmic lance

1x Skorpekh Lord (95 pts) • 1x Enmitic annihilator • 1x Flensing claw • 1x Hyperphase harvester • Enaegic Dermal Bond (+15 pts)

1x Skorpekh Lord (80 pts) • 1x Enmitic annihilator • 1x Flensing claw • 1x Hyperphase harvester

1x Skorpekh Lord (80 pts) • 1x Enmitic annihilator • 1x Flensing claw • 1x Hyperphase harvester

1x Technomancer (105 pts) • 1x Staff of light • Nether-realm Casket (+20 pts)

BATTLELINE

10x Immortals (150 pts) • 10x Immortal • 10x Close combat weapon • 10x Gauss blaster

OTHER DATASHEETS

5x Flayed Ones (60 pts) • 5x Flayed One • 5x Flayer claws

5x Flayed Ones (60 pts) • 5x Flayed One • 5x Flayer claws

3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts) • 3x Skorpekh Destroyer • 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons • Plasmacyte

3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts) • 3x Skorpekh Destroyer • 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons • Plasmacyte

3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts) • 3x Skorpekh Destroyer • 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons • Plasmacyte

1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts) • 1x Lokhust Destroyer • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Gauss cannon

3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (165 pts) • 3x Destroyer • 3x Close combat weapon • 3x Enmitic exterminator

6x Canoptek Wraiths (230 pts) • 6x Wraith • 6x Particle caster • 6x Vicious claws

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



Tyler: This character-heavy style of Awakened list leverages two unique strats: Protocol of the Eternal Revenant and Protocol of the Undying Legions. Being able to lean in on the resilience of the characters and Wraith brick is a strong gameplan against many armies, and the accumilated value of the resurrecting characters, both in terms of the VP they score and the output they do, is more than worth the CP. This particular composition of units also has a lot of internal synergy, and is able to leverage all 5 good strats effectively without finding itself with too many targets for the same strat. It doesn't look like it does much damage on paper, but lots of lethals and access to full rerolls also helps. You often have slightly more resources than your opponent expects by the end of turn 3, and they have slightly fewer (or they are tied up) and you can snowball that advantage in the later turns.
  • 7th - Stuart Trainer - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): All-rounder Invasion Fleet with a mix of Exocrines, Maleceptors, one Norn, and a larger-than-normal Hormagaunt contingent.

Rose City Rampage

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Portland, OR, United States on January 25 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jonathan Sebert - Orks (War Horde) - 1st Place

Ork Beastboss by Crab-stuffed Mushrooms

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Ghaz's New Toyz - Horde (2000 Points)

Orks War Horde Strike Force (2000 Points)

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 with Shokk Attack Gun (65 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Shokk attack gun

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

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Trukk (65 Points) • 1x Big shoota • 1x Spiked wheels • 1x Wreckin' ball

Trukk (65 Points) • 1x Big shoota • 1x Spiked wheels

Trukk (65 Points) • 1x Big shoota • 1x Spiked wheels

OTHER DATASHEETS

Battlewagon (160 Points) • 4x Big shoota • 1x Deff rolla • 1x Lobba • 1x Zzap gun • 1x 'Ard Case

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 (160 Points) • 1x Ammo Runt • 1x Kaptin ◦ 1x Choppa ◦ 1x Snazzgun • 9x Flash Git ◦ 9x Choppa ◦ 9x Snazzgun

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

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

Meganobz (105 Points) • 3x Meganob ◦ 3x Twin killsaws

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

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

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

Tankbustas (120 Points) • 1x Boss Nob ◦ 1x Choppa ◦ 1x Rokkit pistol ◦ 1x Smash hammer • 5x Tankbusta ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Pulsa Rokkit ◦ 5x Rokkit launcha

Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (2), Data Version: v541

Archetype

All-rounder War Horde

Thoughts

Honestly a bit of everything in our next winning build, taking advantage of Orks suddenly being very feature-complete Datasheet-wise. Improved Tankbustas with an Attack Gun Big Mek give you an anti-tank shooting threat that demands actual respect, while still being low commitment, and Breaka Boyz help with heavy infantry and crunchy builds up close, stopping your momentum getting spiked in crucial games, especially with Ghaz about as well. Running as War Horde further amps up the momentum, and the overall list feels very well suited to a metagame that seems to particularly reward being able to body an opponent when required. Excellent Orky work from Jonathan.

Tom Martin - Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Hellhound. Credit: Rockfish Hellhound. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Its not 150 infantry dont stress (2000 points)

Astra Militarum Combined Regiment

CHARACTERS

Gaunt's Ghosts (110 points) • 1x Ibram Gaunt • Warlord • 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

Platoon Command Squad (60 points) • 1x Platoon Commander • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Veteran Guardsman • 4x Close combat weapon 3x Lasgun 4x Laspistol 1x Master Vox 1x Medi-pack 1x Plasma gun 1x Regimental Standard

Tank Commander (240 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher battle cannon 1x Heavy stubber 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 2x Multi-melta • Enhancement: Grand Strategist

Tank Commander (225 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher battle cannon 1x Heavy stubber 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 2x Multi-melta

Ursula Creed (55 points) • 1x Duty and Vengeance 1x Power weapon

BATTLELINE

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

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

Infantry Squad (60 points) • 1x Sergeant • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Guardsman • 9x Close combat weapon 8x Lasgun 1x Plasma gun

Infantry Squad (60 points) • 1x Sergeant • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Guardsman • 9x Close combat weapon 8x Lasgun 1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Taurox (65 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin autocannon

Taurox (65 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin autocannon

Taurox (65 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Heavy Weapons Squad (50 points) • 3x Heavy Weapon Team • 3x Las small arms 3x Mortar 3x Weapons team close combat weapons

Hellhound (125 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Inferno cannon

Hellhound (125 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Multi Melta 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Inferno cannon

Leman Russ Battle Tank (170 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 1x Leman Russ battle cannon 2x Plasma cannon 1x Storm bolter

Leman Russ Exterminator (170 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Exterminator autocannon 1x Heavy stubber 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 2x Multi-melta

Scout Sentinels (165 points) • 3x Scout Sentinel • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Hunter-killer missile 3x Lascannon 3x Sentinel chainsaw

Tempestus Scions (60 points) • 1x Tempestor • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Tempestus Scion • 4x Close combat weapon 2x Hot-shot lasgun 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun

Archetype

Pressure Combined Regiment

Thoughts

Another build that's well set up to pressure the foe here, using easy-to-hide Tauroxes and a big (respawnable) Scout Sentinel brick to get into the mid-board and start messing with scoring, and backing that up with an ultra-efficient tank suite to gun down anything that dares poke out of cover to try and deal with that. Nothing too out there, just effective use of the strong fundamentals that have carried guard all the way from the Index, tweaked slightly for additional Primary play, well done Tom.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Lukas Troller - Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Extra mechanised Taktikal brigade with loads of Flash Gitz and melee infantry in a Trukk convoy.
  • 4th - Brennan Larson - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Shooty bug spectacular with two big Genestealer/Broodlord units to run interference. Also, early leader in the "best list name of the year" contest.
  • 5th - Ryan Cherewich - Death Guard (Plague Company): Max Deathshrouds and Brigands with nasty Characters and one big Plague Marine unit.
  • 6th - Alex Pina - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): The Hertel Deathwatch build with one big Indomitor and Talonstrike team each and supporting Veterans plus Terminator MSUs.
  • 7th - Ty Skelton - Chaos Daemons (Blood Legion): Be'lakor, a Bloodthirster, and a fully tooled-up Bloodcrusher/Bloodmaster unit with two Rendmasters to amp it up. Lots of smaller stuff supporting to control the board and bully with the detachment rule.

Winchester 40K GT - January 2025

39-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on January 25 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Nicholas Willingale - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) - 1st Place

Blood Ravens Ballistus Dreadnought. Credit - Soggy. Kicking myself for not figuring out that Blood Ravens were the perfect chapter to illustrate the non-Angel Liberator builds a few weeks ago.

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
To BA or not to BA, that is the question! (2000 points)

Never was a fan of Shakespeare!

Space Marines Blood Angels Strike Force (2000 points) Liberator Assault Group

CHARACTERS

Captain (105 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch

Judiciar (85 points) • Warlord • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Executioner relic blade • Enhancement: Gift of Foresight

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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 4x Heavy bolt 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 4x Heavy bolt 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 4x Heavy bolt pistol

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

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

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

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

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

Predator Destructor (130 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator autocannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Destructor (130 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator autocannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Destructor (130 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator autocannon 1x Storm bolter

Scout Squad (70 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 3x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher

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

Archetype

Jetpack
Shooty Oath Liberator

Thoughts

Liberator Assault Force is one of the best all-rounder Marine detachments, and this build puts a quite different spin on the option of running it without any actual Blood Angels units (so that you get Wound-boost Oaths) than we saw from Innes a few weeks back. The principle of using the combined power of Oaths and Liberator to go wider with true threats than anyone else can manage is the same, but here we've got a much more shooty setup, using the cheap and cheerful Ballistus Dreads and Destructors to provide great all-rounder shooting. Opponents are discouraged from closing in by cheap melee threats that hit absurdly harder than their price tag would suggest. There's also just so much here, providing extreme redundancy and letting it trade very aggressively when the situation demands. Very powerful, all-told, and gives you some different options if you run up against foes who somehow can clear out four or five Marine units a turn. Well designed and played from Nicholas.

Brett Keable - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Kataphron Destroyers. Credit: Rockfish Kataphron Destroyers. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
No robots :( (2000 Points)

Adeptus Mechanicus Haloscreed Battle Clade Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Tech-Priest Dominus (80 Points) • 1x Omnissian axe • 1x Phosphor serpenta • 1x Volkite blaster • Enhancements: Sanctified Ordnance

Tech-Priest Manipulus (95 Points) • 1x Magnarail lance • 1x Omnissian staff • Enhancements: Cognitive Reinforcement

Technoarcheologist (45 Points) • Warlord • 1x Mechanicus pistol • 1x Servo-arc claw

Technoarcheologist (45 Points) • 1x Mechanicus pistol • 1x Servo-arc claw

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Rangers (85 Points) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Galvanic rifle • 9x Skitarii Ranger ◦ 1x Arc rifle ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 6x Galvanic rifle ◦ 1x Omnispex ◦ 1x Plasma caliver ◦ 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Rangers (85 Points) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Galvanic rifle • 9x Skitarii Ranger ◦ 1x Arc rifle ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 6x Galvanic rifle ◦ 1x Omnispex ◦ 1x Plasma caliver ◦ 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Radium carbine • 9x Skitarii Vanguard ◦ 1x Arc rifle ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Plasma caliver ◦ 6x Radium carbine ◦ 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Radium carbine • 9x Skitarii Vanguard ◦ 1x Arc rifle ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Plasma caliver ◦ 6x Radium carbine ◦ 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Radium carbine • 9x Skitarii Vanguard ◦ 1x Arc rifle ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Plasma caliver ◦ 6x Radium carbine ◦ 1x Transuranic arquebus

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 Points) • 2x Ironstrider Ballistarii ◦ 2x Ironstrider feet ◦ 2x Twin cognis lascannon

Kataphron Breachers (320 Points) • 6x Kataphron Breacher ◦ 6x Heavy arc rifle ◦ 6x Hydraulic claw

Kataphron Destroyers (210 Points) • 6x Kataphron Destroyer ◦ 6x Close combat weapon ◦ 6x Cognis flamer ◦ 6x Kataphron plasma culverin

Onager Dunecrawler (155 Points) • 1x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Dunecrawler legs • 1x Neutron laser

Onager Dunecrawler (155 Points) • 1x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Dunecrawler legs • 1x Neutron laser

Pteraxii Sterylizors (80 Points) • 1x Pteraxii Sterylizor Alpha ◦ 1x Flechette blaster ◦ 1x Pteraxii talons ◦ 1x Taser goad • 4x Pteraxii Sterylizor ◦ 4x Phosphor torch ◦ 4x Pteraxii talons

Sicarian Infiltrators (70 Points) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps ◦ 1x Flechette blaster ◦ 1x Taser goad • 4x Sicarian Infiltrator ◦ 4x Flechette blaster ◦ 4x Taser goad

Sydonian Dragoons with Taser Lances (70 Points) • 1x Phosphor serpenta • 1x Taser lance

Sydonian Dragoons with Taser Lances (70 Points) • 1x Phosphor serpenta • 1x Taser lance

Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (2), Data Version: v541

Archetype

Shooty Haloscreed

Thoughts

An undefeated finish for the new AdMech hotness here, leaning into the toolbox style of play that the Halo Override detachment rule pushes by bringing guns for every occasion. The big innovation here is that Haloscreed makes Kataphron Destroyers an actual real unit, and while they're still not as good as Breachers, they're vastly cheaper, helping you get a critical mass of threats on the board while still packing enough Skitarii to score and sacrifice themselves for the Omnissiah. Destroyers do also help a bunch in a metagame with lots of Marine MSUs, as they will make multiple units fully disappear in a single volley, and threaten to comfortably lift a whole unit on overwatch, which can be a serious challenge to play around. This list feels like it succeeds because of how cheaply it manages to set up what can be overwhelming ranged firepower, giving it plenty of space to buy all the supporting toys you could possibly want, and it's set up to really maximise the power of the new detachment. Great work from Brett.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Joshua Cowlard - Orks (War Horde): Heavily mechanised melee-focused War Horde.
  • 4th - Stephen Carmichael-Wilson - Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Nurgle Monster mash with Soul Grinders and Great Unclean Ones galore.
  • 5th - James "One_Wing" Grover - Necrons (Canoptek Court): It's me! I never like playing armies once we've got a new set of rules for them being reviewed, as my head is in the future, so the elves are on the shelf for a few weeks. Instead, I got Canoptek Court out to see if it had a place in the current meta. It worked pretty well - I was on two Wraith bricks, a tooled-up Immortal unit, two Doomstalkers and the Void Dragon, and the sheer resilience of Wraith units is as awesome as ever - though I got thoroughly out-durabilitied by Stephen's list above as my one loss! I'll be tweaking the list a bit for Beachhead in a few weeks to cover some weaknesses. I had a Reaminator and Triarch Stalker which didn't do anything, and want a Royal Warden instead of Imotekh in the Immortal unit, which frees up a few more points for some mobile scoring pieces and upgrading Voidy to the Nightbringer - with the amount of Daemons in the meta, you really want to get the latter in.
  • 6th - William Samms - Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Ultra shooty teleporting Centurions with supporting Ballistus Dreads and Bobby G.

2. Schwarzwald GT

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Titisee-Neustadt, BW, Deutschland on January 25 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

William Fuhrimann - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
We are so fucking back

Chaos Space Marines Renegade Raiders Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (105 Points) • 1x Daemon hammer • 1x Plasma pistol • Enhancements: Dread Reaver

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

Fabius Bile (85 Points) • 1x Fabius Bile • Warlord ◦ 1x Chirurgeon ◦ 1x Rod of Torment ◦ 1x Xyclos Needler • 1x Surgeon Acolyte ◦ 1x Surgeon Acolyte's tools

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (50 Points) • 1x Cultist Champion ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon • 9x Chaos Cultist ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

Cultist Mob (50 Points) • 1x Cultist Champion ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon • 9x Chaos Cultist ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

Legionaries (90 Points) • 1x Aspiring Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Legionary ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon ◦ 1x Lascannon

Legionaries (90 Points) • 1x Aspiring Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Legionary ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon ◦ 1x Lascannon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Bikers (70 Points) • 1x Biker Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Combi-bolter ◦ 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Combi-bolter ◦ 2x Plasma gun

Chaos Bikers (70 Points) • 1x Biker Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Combi-bolter ◦ 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Combi-bolter ◦ 2x Plasma gun

Chaos Predator Annihilator (130 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Lascannon • 1x Predator twin lascannon

Chaos Predator Annihilator (130 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Lascannon • 1x Predator twin lascannon

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Lascannon • 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Lascannon • 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Lascannon • 1x Predator autocannon

Chosen (250 Points) • 1x Chosen Champion ◦ 1x Boltgun ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power fist • 9x Chosen ◦ 6x Accursed weapon ◦ 6x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Boltgun ◦ 4x Combi-weapon ◦ 2x Paired accursed weapons ◦ 3x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power fist

Raptors (90 Points) • 1x Raptor Champion ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power fist • 4x Raptor ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Meltagun

Warp Talons (125 Points) • 1x Warp Talon Champion ◦ 1x Warp claws • 4x Warp Talon ◦ 4x Warp claws

Archetype

Predator Spam

Thoughts

Why is 10th Edition the one where they finally pressed the "make Predators good" button? Experts (i.e. me) are still unclear, but you can't argue with results. Much like some of the previous few lists, in Renegade Raiders they're very cheap for how powerful of a threat they are, letting you pack in plenty of other juice (like a big Chosen brick) to unleash on the foe. That once again adds up to an army that's just a lot, there's so much here that needs actual attention to put down, and will do you tremendous violence if you leave it alone, and it was clearly a very effective setup - great work William.

Jan Reisenauer - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Commander Dante by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen Commander Dante by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Blood Angels + DETACHMENT: Liberator Assault Group + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Commander Dante + ENHANCEMENT: + NUMBER OF UNITS: 17 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (6x2) - Assassination: 1 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Commander Dante (130 pts): Warlord, Perdition, The Axe Mortalis

5x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 pts) • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Pack 3 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol 1 with Astartes Chainsword, Plasma Pistol • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist 5x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 pts) • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Pack 3 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol 1 with Astartes Chainsword, Plasma Pistol • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist 5x Incursor Squad (80 pts) • 4x Incursor 3 with Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades 1 with Haywire Mine, Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades • 1x Incursor Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades 5x Infiltrator Squad (100 pts) • 4x Infiltrator 2 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine 1 with Helix Gauntlet, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine 1 with Infiltrator Comms Array, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine 3x Sanguinary Guard (130 pts) 1 with Sanguinary Banner, Encarmine Blade, Inferno Pistol 2 with Encarmine Blade, Angelus Boltgun 3x Sanguinary Guard (130 pts) 1 with Sanguinary Banner, Encarmine Blade, Inferno Pistol 2 with Encarmine Blade, Angelus Boltgun 3x Sanguinary Guard (130 pts) 1 with Sanguinary Banner, Encarmine Blade, Inferno Pistol 2 with Encarmine Blade, Angelus Boltgun 5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Astartes Chainsword • 4x Scouts: 4 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Combat Knife 5x Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (110 pts) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack: Vanguard Veteran Weapon, Inferno Pistol • 4x Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: 4 with Vanguard Veteran Weapon, Inferno Pistol 5x Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (110 pts) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack: Vanguard Veteran Weapon, Inferno Pistol • 4x Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs: 4 with Vanguard Veteran Weapon, Inferno Pistol 1x Predator Annihilator (130 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter Killer Missile, Predator Twin Lascannon, Storm Bolter, 2x Lascannon 1x Predator Annihilator (130 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter Killer Missile, Predator Twin Lascannon, Storm Bolter, 2x Lascannon 1x Predator Destructor (130 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter Killer Missile, Predator Autocannon, Storm Bolter, 2x Lascannon 1x Predator Destructor (130 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter Killer Missile, Predator Autocannon, Storm Bolter, 2x Lascannon 1x Predator Destructor (130 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter Killer Missile, Predator Autocannon, Storm Bolter, 2x Lascannon 1x Vindicator (175 pts): Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter

Archetype

Also Predator Spam

Thoughts

Edition of the Predator intensifies. This is like a synthesis of some of the last few lists - Liberator so everything is a threat (albeit going with actual Blood Angels for Sanguinary Guard), massively go-wide, lots of Predators, plenty of redundancy, things of this nature. Looks like a recipe for success, congratulations to Jan for giving us yet another spin on it.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Benjamin Rüegger - Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Full Sagitaur spam.
  • 4th - Sebastian Auwärter - Ynnari (Battle Host): Massively go-wide Ynnari with lots of small shooty units.
  • 5th - Florian DoltharSodjath Sauter - Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment): Double Dorn all-rounder regiment.
  • 6th - Nicolas Link - Genestealer Cult (Outlander Claw): Primary denial mech claw, leaning even harder on just putting endless bodies on objectives than normal.

Castle Con 40k Tournament

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Rochester, MN, United States on January 25 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Nicholas Bialek - Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor) - 1st Place

Custodes Vertus Praetors Custodes Vertus Praetors. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Pinch of Salt! (1995 points)

Adeptus Custodes Strike Force (2000 points) Talons of the Emperor

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (110 points) • Warlord • 1x Vaultswords

Blade Champion (110 points) • 1x Vaultswords

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (180 points) • 1x Interceptor lance 1x Salvo launcher • Enhancement: Aegis Projector

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Custodian Wardens (250 points) • 5x Custodian Warden • 5x Guardian spear 1x Vexilla

Custodian Wardens (250 points) • 5x Custodian Warden • 5x 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

Vertus Praetors (225 points) • 3x Vertus Praetor • 3x Interceptor lance 3x Salvo launcher

Vertus Praetors (225 points) • 3x Vertus Praetor • 3x Interceptor lance 3x Salvo launcher

Witchseekers (50 points) • 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Witchseeker flamer • 3x Witchseeker • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Witchseeker flamer

Witchseekers (50 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: v1.26.0 (67), Data Version: v541

Archetype

Gut-punch Talons

Thoughts

Finishing up the lists for this week, we've got Custodes taking full advantage of bikes being good again. Fair's fair, they were at least in the wilderness for longer than Deathwing Knights. This takes the standard two Warden brick, two Caladius core and gives it much more aggressive reach with two Bike units, one of which is further augmented on all fronts with a Shield Captain. Getting to dip into the Talons stratagem toolbox for free on Bikes is really, really good, and this gives you a way of setting that up without having to use a less mobile Infantry unit, maximising pressure potential, and helping you adapt to skew in lots of directions. I'm honestly a little surprised we haven't seen more use of larger bike units since the Dataslate, so it's good to see their potential deployed to full effect, congratulations Nicholas.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Zach LaFontaine - Death Guard (Plague Company): All-rounder Plague Company with Mortarion at the head.
  • 3rd - Milan Grubl - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Crunchy Warpbane with three Dreadknights and a Land Raider with lots of Purifiers in it.
  • 4th - Jack Patschull - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and a Warden supported by Armigers and an Immolator with Sisters in it.
  • 5th - Isaac Nelson - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Charged up Kastelan robots with lots of Sydonian Dragoons and Ruststalkers to protect them.
  • 6th - Kristopher Pals - Chaos Space Marines (Veterans of the Long War): Mostly shooty Veterans with two big melee threats from some Chosen and a Warp Talon brick.

Wrap Up

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Tags: ultramarines | Space Marines | chaos space marines | blood angels | Deathwatch | Warhammer 40k | Tzeentch | Adeptus Mechanicus | Raven Guard | chaos daemons | Orks | Astra Militarum | Adeptus Custodes | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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