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.

Quick intro from me today, so rapid fire: Ultramarines - good. Sisters/AdMech - beyond busted on win rate. Seriously, it's a slow week but they're both in the mid 60s. Bad sign. Thousand Sons - somehow kind of back, mostly because people noticed that their Predator Annihilator datasheet is crazy. Aeldari - surprisingly washed, under 50% for three weeks running.

Let's dig in and find out more.

Part 1 on Wednesday:

ObSec presents the Perth GT 2025
The YYC Friendship 40K GT
Gonghammer 2025
Skövde Battle Forge V
Kirtonian Total Carnage VIII

Part 2 on Friday:

ADFWGA Herocon 2025
Winchester 40K GT - November 2025
Heroes of the Mid Table Fall GT 2025
West Allotment at War 3 RTT ITC
Burn & Learn Vol.15

ObSec presents the Perth GT 2025

66-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Kelmscott, WA, Australia on November 29 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Matthew Dean - Adepta Sororitas (Champions of Faith) - 1st Place

Credit: Greg Narro

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

No you don't understand, it's actually a really niche list with a lot of counterplay potential and interesting tactics that can be interacted with by my opponent with high stakes fair dice rolling so honestly I think it's one of the most balanced armies at the moment and by extension the most fun army to play both for me and my opponent really (2000 Points)

Adepta Sororitas Champions of Faith Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Hospitaller (50 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol • 1x Chirurgeon's tools

Hospitaller (50 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol • 1x Chirurgeon's tools

Hospitaller (50 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol • 1x Chirurgeon's tools

Morvenn Vahl (170 Points) • Warlord • 1x Fidelis • 1x Lance of Illumination • 1x Paragon missile launcher

Saint Celestine (150 Points) • 1x Celestine ◦ 1x The Ardent Blade • 2x Geminae Superia ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Power weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Immolator (115 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy bolter • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Twin multi-melta

Immolator (115 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy bolter • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Twin multi-melta

OTHER DATASHEETS

Castigator (160 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Castigator autocannons • 3x Heavy bolter • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Storm bolter

Celestian Sacresants (130 Points) • 1x Sacresant Superior ◦ 1x Inferno pistol ◦ 1x Spear of the faithful • 9x Celestian Sacresant ◦ 9x Bolt pistol ◦ 9x Hallowed mace

Celestian Sacresants (130 Points) • 1x Sacresant Superior ◦ 1x Inferno pistol ◦ 1x Spear of the faithful • 9x Celestian Sacresant ◦ 9x Bolt pistol ◦ 9x Hallowed mace

Celestian Sacresants (130 Points) • 1x Sacresant Superior ◦ 1x Inferno pistol ◦ 1x Spear of the faithful • 9x Celestian Sacresant ◦ 9x Bolt pistol ◦ 9x Hallowed mace

Dominion Squad (115 Points) • 1x Dominion Superior ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Ministorum hand flamer ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Dominion ◦ 9x Bolt pistol ◦ 5x Boltgun ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Meltagun ◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Dominion Squad (115 Points) • 1x Dominion Superior ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Ministorum hand flamer ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Dominion ◦ 9x Bolt pistol ◦ 5x Boltgun ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Meltagun ◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Paragon Warsuits (210 Points) • 1x Paragon Superior ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Multi-melta ◦ 1x Paragon grenade launchers ◦ 1x Paragon war blade • 2x Paragon ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Multi-melta ◦ 2x Paragon grenade launchers ◦ 2x Paragon war mace

Retributor Squad (105 Points) • 1x Retributor Superior ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Inferno pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 4x Retributor ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Multi-melta

Retributor Squad (105 Points) • 1x Retributor Superior ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Inferno pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 4x Retributor ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Multi-melta

Sanctifiers (100 Points) • 1x Miraculist ◦ 1x Burning hands ◦ 1x Holy fire • 1x Salvationist ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Salvationist Medikit • 1x Death Cult Assassin ◦ 1x Death Cult blades • 2x Missionary ◦ 1x Holy fire ◦ 1x Ministorum flamer ◦ 1x Plasma gun ◦ 2x Sanctifier melee weapon • 4x Sanctifier ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 5x Ministorum hand flamer ◦ 2x Sanctifier melee weapon ◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (2), Data Version: v715

Archetype

Sacresant Shieldwall

Thoughts

The Sororitas rock to victory in the biggest event of the week, leaning on the reliable plan of a Sacresant shieldwall with guns behind it. Matthew's build has one big novelty, which is bringing Celestine to the party as a solo roving threat that lets the list dip into the well of a reviving Character, normally reserved for Hallowed Martyrs. We've seen Martyrs builds spinning on the Champions tools, so the other way round seems only fair, and it's nice to see a bit of a tweak to the stock receipe rewarded, congratulations Matthew.

Callum German - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar) - 2nd Place

Victrix Guard Chapter Ancient Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Just how many crayons can I fit up my nose? Tune in this weekend to find out!! (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain (90 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Armour of Antoninus

Captain Sicarius (85 points) • 1x Artisan plasma pistol 1x Talassarian Tempest Blade

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Redemptor Dreadnought (195 points) • 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Macro plasma incinerator 1x Onslaught gatling cannon 1x Redemptor fist 1x Twin storm bolter

Redemptor Dreadnought (195 points) • 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Macro plasma incinerator 1x Onslaught gatling cannon 1x Redemptor fist 1x Twin storm bolter

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (95 points) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Storm Shield 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon • 4x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack • 4x Storm Shield 4x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Victrix Honour Guard (210 points) • 1x Chapter Ancient • 1x Banner of Macragge 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 5x Victrix Honour Guard • 5x Master-crafted bolt carbine 5x Master-crafted power weapon

Victrix Honour Guard (210 points) • 1x Chapter Champion • 1x Blades of honour • 5x Victrix Honour Guard • 5x Master-crafted bolt carbine 5x Master-crafted power weapon

Victrix Honour Guard (210 points) • 6x Victrix Honour Guard • 6x Master-crafted bolt carbine 6x Master-crafted power weapon

Archetype

Dreadnought Blue Man Group

Thoughts

Victrix, Characters, and Redemptors in Blade of Ultramar continues to provide a premium mixture of melee pressure and mobile shooting, and can leverage Cato and Stratagem reactive moves with the Victrix surge to keep foes thoroughly on the back foot if they make the mistake of letting the Ultramarines get close. This build gets even more herohammer with it than most - not only are the full suite of Victrix here, a regular Captain is rding with one squad, leaving Calgar to make do merely with Company heroes. Ultramarine stocks are riding high, and this is why, well done Callum.

Lachlan Rigg - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) - 3rd Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Argel Tal & Khârn: Matebound (1995 points)

World Eaters Berzerker Warband

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Khorne (220 points) • Warlord • Enhancement: Helm of Brazen Ire

Khârn the Betrayer (100 points)

Argel Tal, SB (110 points) • Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive

BATTLELINE

10 Khorne Berzerkers (180 points) • 8x Chainblade 2x Khornate eviscerator 1x Icon of Khorne 3x Plasma pistol 7x Bolt pistol

10 Khorne Berzerkers (180 points) • 8x Chainblade 2x Khornate eviscerator 1x Icon of Khorne 3x Plasma pistol 7x Bolt pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 points) • 2x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

2 Chaos Spawn (90 points)

2 Chaos Spawn (90 points)

2 Chaos Spawn (90 points)

3 Eightbound (135 points)

3 Eightbound (135 points)

3 Exalted Eightbound (140 points)

3 Exalted Eightbound (140 points)

Forgefiend (170 points) • 3x Ectoplasma cannon

10 Jakhals (65 points) • 1x Dishonoured 1x Skullsmasher and mangler 1x Icon of Khorne 1x Mauler chainblade 9x Autopistol 8x Chainblades

10 Jakhals (65 points) • 1x Dishonoured 1x Skullsmasher and mangler 1x Icon of Khorne 1x Mauler chainblade 9x Autopistol 8x Chainblades

Archetype

Go-wide(ish) Warband

Thoughts

World Eaters continue to rock in the current metagame, and this build takes the successful Warband core and tweaks it to go just slightly wider, favouring an extra Infantry unit and change over a Forgefiend. Presumably that's to account for Forgefiends being a bit less exciting into Victrix than most targets, so you want the extra board presence to help try and outmaneuvre the Ultramarines, since the heavy Victrix builds do at least tend to be relatively short on drops. With that change in place, this is set up to do what World Eaters do best, which is punch people in a lot of places at once. Good job Lachlan.

Jordan Berresford - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 4th Place

Adeptus Mechanicus - Belisarius Cawl
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Servo-Arm in the Streets, Mechadendrite in the Sheets (2000 Points)

Halo (2000 Points)

Adeptus Mechanicus Haloscreed Battle Clade Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Belisarius Cawl (175 Points) • Warlord • 1x Arc scourge • 1x Cawl's Omnissian axe • 1x Mechadendrite hive • 1x Solar atomiser

Sydonian Skatros (50 Points) • 1x Mechanicus pistol • 1x Radium jezzail • 1x Sydonian feet

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Rangers (85 Points) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha ◦ 1x Alpha combat weapon ◦ 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 Alpha combat weapon ◦ 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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ironstrider Ballistarii (225 Points) • 3x Ironstrider Ballistarii ◦ 3x Ironstrider feet ◦ 3x Twin cognis autocannon

Ironstrider Ballistarii (225 Points) • 3x Ironstrider Ballistarii ◦ 3x Ironstrider feet ◦ 3x Twin cognis lascannon

Ironstrider Ballistarii (225 Points) • 3x Ironstrider Ballistarii ◦ 3x Ironstrider feet ◦ 3x Twin cognis lascannon

Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 Points) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha ◦ 1x Flechette blaster ◦ 1x Taser goad • 4x Pteraxii Skystalker ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Flechette carbine

Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 Points) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha ◦ 1x Flechette blaster ◦ 1x Taser goad • 4x Pteraxii Skystalker ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Flechette carbine

Serberys Raiders (60 Points) • 1x Serberys Raider Alpha ◦ 1x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs ◦ 1x Galvanic carbine ◦ 1x Mechanicus pistol • 2x Serberys Raider ◦ 2x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs ◦ 1x Enhanced data-tether ◦ 2x Galvanic carbine

Sicarian Infiltrators (140 Points) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps ◦ 1x Flechette blaster ◦ 1x Taser goad • 9x Sicarian Infiltrator ◦ 9x Flechette blaster ◦ 9x Taser goad

Sicarian Infiltrators (140 Points) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps ◦ 1x Flechette blaster ◦ 1x Taser goad • 9x Sicarian Infiltrator ◦ 9x Flechette blaster ◦ 9x Taser goad

Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 Points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps ◦ 1x Transonic blades and chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker ◦ 9x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 Points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps ◦ 1x Transonic blades and chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker ◦ 9x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 Points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps ◦ 1x Transonic blades and chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker ◦ 9x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Archetype

Ruststalker/Ironstrider Haloscreed

Thoughts

It may not have escaped your notice, but Ruststalkers, Ironstriders and Infiltrators are extremely pushed right now, and you basically cannot go wrong taking lots of them, to the point that there's a lot of similarities between the best Hunter Cohort and Haloscreed builds. As this one shows, the biggest difference is that the latter tends to go harder on Ruststalkers, as you get more benefit from being able to multiply Advance/Charge on the higher threat (and faster, with their Battleline buff) Ruststalkers. Past that it's a numbers game, in that you get a lot of really good stuff, and your opponent probably doesn't get enough to deal with it all unless their name is M. Calgar. Well done Jordan.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th - Alex Fritzsch - Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Infantry-heavy Champions, bringing two Plague Marine units and a full Blightlord squad.
6th - Marc Fritzsch - Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Ruststalker and Itonstrider-heavy Hunter Cohort.
7th - Brett Marshall - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Double Norn heavy Assault, also packing a Zoanthrope unit.

The YYC Friendship 40K GT

51-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Calgary, Alberta, CA on November 29 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Adam Green - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) - 1st Place

Rainbow Warriors Uriel Ventris by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PLAYER NAME: Adam Green + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Ultramarines + DETACHMENT: Gladius Task Force + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char2: Roboute Guilliman + ENHANCEMENT: Artificer Armour (on Char4: Captain in Gravis Armour) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 13 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (1x2) + (2x4) - Assassination: 5 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

1x Captain Sicarius (85 pts) • 1x Artisan Plasma Pistol • 1x Talassarian Tempest Blade

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

1x Uriel Ventris (95 pts) • 1x Bolt pistol • 1x Invictus • 1x Sword of Idaeus

1x Captain in Gravis Armour (90 pts) • 1x Boltstorm Gauntlet • 1x Power Fist • 1x Relic Blade • Artificer Armour (+10 pts)

1x Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 pts) • 1x Combi-weapon • 1x Paired Combat Blades

OTHER DATASHEETS

5x Desolation Squad (200 pts) • 4x Desolation Marine • 4x Bolt pistol • 4x Castellan Launcher • 4x Close combat weapon • 4x Superfrag Rocket Launcher • 4x Desolation Squad • 1x Desolation Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol • 1x Castellan Launcher • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Vengor Launcher • Desolation Sergeant

5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Astartes Chainsword • Scout Sergeant • 2x Scout • 2x Bolt pistol • 2x Close combat weapon • 1x Missile Launcher • 1x Scout Sniper Rifle • 2x Scout Squad • 2x Scouts • 2x Bolt pistol • 2x Boltgun • 2x Close combat weapon • 2x Scout Squad

5x Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (95 pts) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Vanguard Veteran Weapon • 1x Inferno Pistol • Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 4x Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs • 4x Vanguard Veteran Weapon • 4x Inferno Pistol • 4x Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs

5x Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (95 pts) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Vanguard Veteran Weapon • 1x Inferno Pistol • Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 4x Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs • 4x Vanguard Veteran Weapon • 4x Inferno Pistol • 4x Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs

6x Victrix Honour Guard (210 pts) • 1x Chapter Champion • 1x Blades of Honour • Victrix Honour Guard, Attached Unit • 5x Victrix Honour Guard • 5x Master-crafted Bolt Carbine • 5x Master-crafted Power Weapon • 5x Victrix Honour Guard, 5x Attached Unit

6x Victrix Honour Guard (210 pts) • 1x Chapter Ancient • 1x Master-crafted Power Weapon • Banner of Macragge, Victrix Honour Guard, Attached Unit • 5x Victrix Honour Guard • 5x Master-crafted Bolt Carbine • 5x Master-crafted Power Weapon • 5x Victrix Honour Guard, 5x Attached Unit

1x Repulsor Executioner (220 pts) • 1x Armoured Hull • 1x Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon • 1x Icarus Rocket Pod • 1x Ironhail Heavy Stubber • 1x Repulsor Executioner Defensive Array • 1x Twin Heavy Bolter • 1x Twin Icarus Ironhail Heavy Stubber • 1x Heavy Laser Destroyer

1x Repulsor Executioner (220 pts) • 1x Armoured Hull • 1x Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon • 1x Icarus Rocket Pod • 1x Ironhail Heavy Stubber • 1x Repulsor Executioner Defensive Array • 1x Twin Heavy Bolter • 1x Twin Icarus Ironhail Heavy Stubber • 1x Heavy Laser Destroyer

Archetype

RepEx Blue Man Group

Thoughts

Our first Ultramarine trophy of the week goes to Adam, who has taken the Templar-favoured recipe of brutal elite Infantry with RepExes to ride around in, and made it blue. Between Cato's reactive and Squad Tactics you can often pull off similar re-embarkation tricks to Sword Brethren, and you've also got the upside of super Oaths and Guilliman's free Stratagmes compared to Templars, though lose the ability to go quite as wide with quality. Interesting to see a strategy leap across subfactions like this, congratulations Adam on giving it a new coat of paint.

The Best of the Rest

There were 9 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd - Brandon Powell - Thousand Sons (Warpforged Cabal): Predators, Vindicators and Forgefiends hiding behind a big unit of Scarabs.
3rd - Anthony Dalla Lana - Raven Guard (Shadowmark Talon): Infantry Shadowmark.
4th - Thomas Walker - Thousand Sons (Rubricae Phalanx): Double big Scarab unit with lots of MSU Rubricae supporting.
5th - Gordon Sundin - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Five Dreadknights and Purifiers.
6th - Kenneth Taylor - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion Vectorium goodstuff.
7th - Brian Brown - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Double C'tan, double Wraiths, double Doomsdays.
8th - Simon Baines - Aeldari (Aspect Host): Extra go-wide Aspects.
9th - Nathan Sgrazzutti - Chaos Space Marines (Veterans of the Long War): Toolboxy Veterans with a couple of War Dog Brigands.
10th - Nigel Halloran - Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Standard Infantry/double Tank setup squeezing in a squad of Vigilators with Aleya.

Gonghammer 2025

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Wollongong, NSW, Australia on November 28 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Nathan Princi - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) - 1st Place

War Dog - Karnivore. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

washed up player, washed up list (1990 points)

Chaos Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Infernal Lance

CHARACTERS

Knight Despoiler (395 points) • Warlord • 1x Daemonbreath meltagun 2x Despoiler gatling cannon 2x Heavy darkflamer 1x Ruinspear rocket pod 1x Titanic feet • Enhancement: Bestial Aspect

Knight Despoiler (375 points) • 1x Daemonbreath meltagun 2x Despoiler gatling cannon 2x Heavy darkflamer 1x Ruinspear rocket pod 1x Titanic feet

Knight Despoiler (375 points) • 1x Daemonbreath meltagun 2x Despoiler gatling cannon 2x Heavy darkflamer 1x Ruinspear rocket pod 1x Titanic feet

OTHER DATASHEETS

War Dog Karnivore (150 points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (150 points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (150 points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher 1x Reaper chaintalon 1x Slaughterclaw

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

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

Rotigus (250 points) • 1x Gnarlrod 1x Streams of brackish filth

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (104), Data Version: v715

Archetype

Rotigus Gatling Despoilers

Thoughts

Triple gatling Despoiler status: still great. They have the big advantage that their guns are decently well-statted for Victrix hunting, and that they can also work around the surge move better than many armies - one Despoiler won't lift a Victrix squad, but if you line up two to shoot one, as long as you fire with the one that's further away first, you can still just point blank the rest of the unit down with the second even if they tag it. Rotigus also helps handle the matchup by bringing their OC down to something more manageable, and T12 is the magic number where even the banner squad only wounds on 5s in Oaths on a go turn. Plenty of good tools here, good job Nathan.

Greg Maginnity - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Asurmen. Credit: Wings

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Gong but not forgotten (2000 points)

Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Aspect Host

CHARACTERS

Asurmen (125 points) • Warlord • 1x Bloody Twins 1x Sword of Asur

Baharroth (115 points) • 1x Fury of the Tempest 1x Shining Blade

Fuegan (120 points) • 1x Fire Axe 1x Searsong

Jain Zar (105 points) • 1x Blade of Destruction 1x Silent Death

Lhykhis (120 points) • 1x Brood Twain 1x Spider's Fangs 1x Weaverender

BATTLELINE

Corsair Voidreavers (65 points) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Mistshield 1x Neuro disruptor 1x Power sword • 4x Corsair Voidreaver • 1x Blaster 4x Close combat weapon 3x Power sword 3x Shuriken pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Wave Serpent (125 points) • 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Twin bright lance 1x Wraithbone hull

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dire Avengers (75 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dire Avenger Exarch • 2x Avenger shuriken catapult 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Dire Avenger • 4x Avenger shuriken catapult 4x Close combat weapon

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

Fire Dragons (220 points) • 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Firepike • 9x Fire Dragon • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Dragon fusion gun

Howling Banshees (95 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Howling Banshee Exarch • 1x Executioner 1x Shuriken pistol • 4x Howling Banshee • 4x Banshee blade 4x Shuriken pistol

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

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

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

Swooping Hawks (85 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (85 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (85 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Warp Spiders (95 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death weavers 1x Spinneret rifle • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Warp Spiders (95 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death weavers 1x Spinneret rifle • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Warp Spiders (95 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Powerblade array • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (104), Data Version: v715

Archetype

Five Phoenix Fiesta

Thoughts

Aeldari are, for the first time in ages, looking slightly beleagured since the World Championships, dropping below a 50% win rate for three weeks running. Greg has, like many Aeldari players (this is alarmingly close to my list for this coming weekend), concluded that the solution is to add even more Phoenix Lords, and you can't argue with results because here they are undefeated. The full setup gives you an absurdly deep well of tricks to play with, and still being able to squeeze in maxed out Hawks/Spiders and two Ranger units gives you loads of redundancy for playing the mission on top. Great job keeping Aeldari standards up Greg.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records (and one on 3-2 who has been pushed up the standings manually, I'm *assuming* it's that they got paired up to play an undefeated player in the finals, and the event was doing fixed 3rd/4th for the losers of the top tables). They were:

3rd - Nestor Tsambos - Space Marines (Astartes) (Ironstorm Spearhead): Incredibly heavy Marines, using Dreadnoughts galore, a Land Raider, and full units each of Aggressors and Heavy Intercessors.
4th - Alexander Englezos - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Speedy/Deep Strike-sewed Invasion Fleet, using Trygons and full Ravager stacks.
5th - Kirby - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Brethren, RepEx, full Assault Intercessors with Grimaldus.
6th - Michael House - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Triple Prince Coterie that goes ultra-light on line Infantry to also pack a Land Raider.
7th - Bren Kentwell - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Melee pressure from triple Rampager, anti-hull from a double thermal Despoiler, triple Blue Horrors to gum up the board.
8th - Tyler Visser - Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Hull/Retributor/Dominion spam Bringers, with Sanctifiers in transports for board control.

Skövde Battle Forge V

33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Västra Götalands län, Sweden on November 29 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Johannes Einemo - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 1st Place

Skorpius Disintigrator
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Admech 9.0 (1995 Points)

Adeptus Mechanicus Haloscreed Battle Clade Strike Force (2 000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Belisarius Cawl (175 Points) • Warlord • 1x Arc scourge • 1x Cawl's Omnissian axe • 1x Mechadendrite hive • 1x Solar atomiser

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Skorpius Dunerider (85 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Cognis heavy stubber array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ironstrider Ballistarii (225 Points) • 3x Ironstrider Ballistarii ◦ 3x Ironstrider feet ◦ 3x Twin cognis lascannon

Ironstrider Ballistarii (225 Points) • 3x Ironstrider Ballistarii ◦ 3x Ironstrider feet ◦ 3x Twin cognis lascannon

Sicarian Infiltrators (70 Points) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps ◦ 1x Power weapon ◦ 1x Stubcarbine • 4x Sicarian Infiltrator ◦ 4x Power weapon ◦ 4x Stubcarbine

Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 Points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps ◦ 1x Transonic razor and chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker ◦ 9x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 Points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps ◦ 1x Transonic razor and chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker ◦ 9x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 Points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps ◦ 1x Transonic razor and chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker ◦ 9x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 3x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Disruptor missile launcher • 1x Ferrumite cannon

Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 3x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Disruptor missile launcher • 1x Ferrumite cannon

Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 3x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Disruptor missile launcher • 1x belleros energy cannon

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.43.0 (1), Data Version: v705

Archetype

Skorpius Haloscreed

Thoughts

You can also just bring more guns in Haloscreed. Do whatever, I'm not your dad. Worth highlighting the one belleros Skorpius here - having full re-rolls available from Cawl ups the value of access to one decent volume indirect tool to try and take out enemy Phoenix Lord bodyguards or something, especially as you can stick re-roll 1s to Wound on it via Eradication Protocols. It's not like the list needs any more brute firepower, so I think diversifying like that is a smart choice. Good stuff Johannes.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Emil Söderholm - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Kill-team-tastic Deathwatch, going for triple Fortis, double Indomitor, and the rare sight of a Spectrus.
3rd - Rickard Stormhammar - Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Full Elite Skitarii horde, maxing out on Infiltrators, Ruststalkers and Skystalkers.
4th - Simon Olsson - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Herohammer (including the Triumph) and Sacresants

Kirtonian Total Carnage VIII

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on November 29 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Linchpin - Tipping Point

Tom Godfrey - Orks (War Horde)

Army List - Click to Expand

Now we're cooking with Ghaz (1995 points)

Orks Strike Force (2000 points) War Horde

CHARACTERS

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

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

Big Mek (95 points) • 1x Drilla 1x Traktor blasta • Enhancement: Follow Me Ladz

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

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kommandos (120 points) • 1x Bomb Squig 1x Distraction Grot • 9x Kommando • 1x Breacha ram 8x Choppa 8x Slugga • 1x Boss Nob • 1x Power klaw 1x Slugga

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (104), Data Version: v715

vs.

Jake Dinner - Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite)

Army List - Click to Expand

Wyches be getting stitches (2000 points)

Drukhari Strike Force (2000 points) Spectacle of Spite

CHARACTERS

Lelith Hesperax (85 points) • Warlord • 1x Lelith's blades

Succubus (65 points) • 1x Archite glaive and agoniser • Enhancement: Chronoshard

Succubus (70 points) • 1x Archite glaive and agoniser • Enhancement: Morghenna's Curse

Succubus (50 points) • 1x Archite glaive and agoniser

BATTLELINE

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Raider (85 points) • 1x Bladevanes and chainsnares 1x Dark lance

Raider (85 points) • 1x Bladevanes and chainsnares 1x Dark lance

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Cronos (55 points) • 1x Spirit syphon 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Hellions (170 points) • 1x Helliarch • 1x Hellglaive 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher 1x Splinter pods • 9x Hellion • 9x Hellglaive 9x Splinter pods

Hellions (170 points) • 1x Helliarch • 1x Hellglaive 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher 1x Splinter pods • 9x Hellion • 9x Hellglaive 9x Splinter pods

Hellions (85 points) • 1x Helliarch • 1x Hellglaive 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher 1x Splinter pods • 4x Hellion • 4x Hellglaive 4x Splinter pods

Reavers (130 points) • 1x Arena Champion • 1x Bladevanes 1x Heat lance 1x Splinter pistol • 5x Reaver • 5x Bladevanes 2x Grav-talon 1x Heat lance 5x Splinter pistol 4x Splinter rifle

Reavers (130 points) • 1x Arena Champion • 1x Bladevanes 1x Heat lance 1x Splinter pistol • 5x Reaver • 5x Bladevanes 2x Grav-talon 1x Heat lance 5x Splinter pistol 4x Splinter rifle

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (104), Data Version: v715

Thoughts

A truly spectacular melee clash here, bringing together two forces that largely dispense with the shooting options they normally bring along in favour of more melee violence. Unfortunately, the result is a spectacular mismatch against the Orks. While the Orks have the upside that their go pieces are slightly more independent in being able to punch pesty elves into next week, the Drukhari have a vastly greater ability to dictate the flow of battle due to greater speed, more transports, and two Fight First units that the Orks have to be cautious about how they engage. Their incidental shooting is also way more relevant - all those Splinter Cannons on Venoms will actually meaningfully chip the good stuff, and the splinter pods on the big hellion units will do plenty. Very, very tricky to see how the Orks avoid just getting sliced up, and the scoreline does not encourage me to meditate on that further. I think the Orks would have been in with a way better shot here if they'd had a battlewagon or Kill Rig or two kicking around, as the downside this Drukhari list has compared to ones with Scourges is struggling to reliably open heavier Transports.

Result

Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite) Victory - 84 - 44

Jake Dinner - Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite) - 1st Place

Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Ultra Melee Spectacle

Thoughts

A shockingly brutal list for us to close, capable of going toe to toe in the arena with any sort of melee build and coming out the comfortable champion (imaging running into this with World Eaters and just crying lmao). I do worry that the lack of Scourges sets up some very painful potential matchups (say if Ultramarines end up more on a RepEx-heavy plan), but the sheer monstrousness of this against does who don't have that is...well it's very Drukhari. Congratulations Jake.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Tom Godfrey - Orks (War Horde): Mechanised pressure and a Ghaz Boyz mob.
3rd - Jack West - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Classic two by two Warband, with an extra Juggerlord to carry the Blessings of Khorne.
4th - Bob Wolstencroft - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): A huge wall of Custodian Guard backed by Bikes and some Sororitas stuff out of Agents.
5th - Clive Keys - Leagues of Votann (Hearthband): Double Fort Hearthband that skips the big Hearthguard stack to go a bit wider.

Wrap Up

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

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Nathan Princi - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Greg Maginnity - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Skövde Battle Forge V

Johannes Einemo - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Kirtonian Total Carnage VIII

The Showdown

Linchpin - Tipping Point

Thoughts

Result

Jake Dinner - Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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