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Warhammer 40k | Goonhammer | Core Games | 40K Competitive Innovations

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Carnival of Chaos pt.3

by James "One_Wing" Grover | May 03 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 the final stretch for this week, and you better believe there's still plenty more Warhammer.

Today, we've got:
  • Squig City: Casino Royale 2025
  • THERE IS ONLY WAR IV: A Warhammer 40k Major Tournament
  • Ozcon
  • Imperium Talis VIII 40K (Ironman)
  • Battle Ready Games 40K GT
  • Double Decker Decimation 2025
Wednesday:
  • Leoben 40K Singles 2025 - Alpine Cup
  • ÖK-spelen II
  • ValleyCon 2025
  • Broadsword Wargaming 40K ITC Seasonal Major VII
  • Nidaros Grand Tournament '25 - Warhammer 40k
Friday:
  • The WarDome
  • Ice Breaker 2025 - Warhammer 40K GT
  • Dicing Death III
  • Battle for LA (in Cypress)
  • FA CUP Warhammer 40K Grand Tournament 2025
  • The Fall of Empire III

Squig City: Casino Royale 2025

79-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Pendleton, OR, United States on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Keaton Marschman - Orks (War Horde) - 1st Place

Kill Rig. Credit: Rockfish Kill Rig. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Big Green Vibe-check Energy (1995 points)

Orks Strike Force (2000 points) War Horde

CHARACTERS

Beastboss (80 points)

Beastboss (80 points)

Warboss w/ attack squig(75 points) • Warlord

Warboss w/ attack squig (75 points)

Warboss w/ attack squig(75 points)

BATTLELINE

10x Beast Snagga Boyz (95 points)

10x Beast Snagga Boyz (95 points)

20x Choppa Boyz (160 points) - Power Klaw

10x Choppa Boyz (80 points) - Power Klaw

10x Choppa Boyz (80 points) - Power Klaw

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Trukk (65 points)

Trukk (65 points)

Trukk (65 points)

Trukk (65 points)

OTHER DATASHEETS

Battlewagon (160 points) - Deff Rolla, Grabba Klaw, 4x Big shootas, Kannon

11x Gretchin (40 points)

10x Kommandos (120 points) 1x Rokkit, Breacha Ram, Power Klaw

Kill Rig (155 points)

Kill Rig (155 points)

5x Nobz (105 points) -5x Power Klaws

5x Nobz (105 points) -5x Power Klaws

Archetype

Mechanised War Horde

Thoughts

Shooty Orks have driven the conversation for the last few months, but it's worth remembering that the option of just rolling over the foe with lots of melee infantry in Transports never really went away. This build is all-in on that plan, pushing a tremendous amount of pressure up the table at speed, and using the layers of resilience from the hulls and a Waaagh turn to stop the opponent being able to break out from under it. This plan appears to have worked pretty much flawlessly, so great work Keaton.

Joel Rodgers - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Blood Angels Bladeguard Veterans Blood Angels Bladeguard Veterans. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Bloodguard Veterans (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain with Jump Pack (110 points) • Warlord • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch

Judiciar (70 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Executioner relic blade

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 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Orbital Comms Array (Aura) 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 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

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (160 points) • 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 5x Bladeguard Veteran • 5x Heavy bolt pistol 5x Master-crafted power weapon

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (80 points) • 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 2x Bladeguard Veteran • 2x Heavy bolt pistol 2x Master-crafted power weapon

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (80 points) • 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 2x Bladeguard Veteran • 2x Heavy bolt pistol 2x Master-crafted power weapon

Sanguinary Guard (260 points) • 6x Sanguinary Guard • 4x Angelus boltgun 6x Encarmine blade 2x Inferno pistol 1x Sanguinary Banner

Sanguinary Guard (260 points) • 6x Sanguinary Guard • 4x Angelus boltgun 6x Encarmine blade 2x Inferno pistol 1x Sanguinary Banner

Sanguinary Guard (130 points) • 3x Sanguinary Guard • 2x Angelus boltgun 3x Encarmine blade 1x Inferno pistol 1x Sanguinary Banner

Scout Squad (70 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Combat knife

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589

Archetype

Melee Supremacy Liberator

Thoughts

In undefeated second place here we've got a melee-focused Liberator build that goes for quality rather than quantity on the key threats. Using Sanguinary Guard and Bladeguard means there's always going to be a bounce threat for any foe that rocks in, and in Liberator even the smaller units are lethal threats when they charge. Salting a Judiciar and Speed of the Primarch captain into the biggest units of each also ensures that any advantage gained is fully locked in against other melee builds, as the list of things that can safely charge into a Fight First unit of these with access to Savage Echoes is a short one. A really nice example of a properly elite melee Marine army, and a very successful one too, great stuff from Joel.

Hunter Siems - Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) - 3rd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
This list is ass (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (125 points) • 1x Daemon hammer 1x Plasma pistol • Enhancement: Prime Test Subject

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

Master of Possession (80 points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Rite of Possession 1x Staff of possession • Enhancement: Surgical Precision

BATTLELINE

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 Close combat weapon 1x Heavy melee weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Legionary • 3x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy melee weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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 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

Chosen (125 points) • 1x Chosen Champion • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 1x Chaos Icon 1x Power fist • 4x Chosen • 3x Accursed weapon 2x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 2x Combi-weapon 1x Paired accursed weapons 2x Plasma pistol

Nemesis Claw (110 points) • 1x Visionary • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Legionary • 1x Accursed weapon 1x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Nostraman chainglaive 1x Paired accursed weapons 1x Voice Eater

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

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

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

ALLIED UNITS

War Dog Huntsman (140 points) • 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 1x Reaper chaintalon

War Dog Huntsman (140 points) • 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 1x Reaper chaintalon

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589

Archetype

Biker Bile

Thoughts

Rounding out a full undefeated podium we have Hunter, fielding a list that's mostly the Creations of Bile standard, but with one key change for early reach and pressure. Instead of a big Chosen unit, this variant fields three Biker squads, providing a decent amount of extra reach for scoring or picking off small enemy units at a bargain price. Chaos Bikers pack a surprising punch even in detachments that provide them with no extra boosts, and are particularly good in the current Ynnari-heavy ecosystem, as they're comfortably capable of trading up into an Aspect Warrior squad with no questions asked. They add real versatility here - when you need stuff to throw away for scoring they're cheap enough you don't mind, when the opponent's on a go-wide plan and you need to surgically eliminate some elves in fancy hats, they're ready for that too. Bile famously loves a bit of surgical elimination. Good job Hunter.

Daryn Kaczmarczyk - Orks (Taktikal Brigade) - 4th Place

Flash Gitz. Credit: 40khamslam.

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Bustin your balls (2000 Points)

Orks Taktikal Brigade Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Beastboss (95 Points) • 1x Beast Snagga klaw • 1x Beastchoppa • 1x Shoota • Enhancements: Mork’s Kunnin’

Big Mek in Mega Armour (135 Points) • 1x Grot Oiler • 1x Kustom Force Field • 1x Kustom mega-blasta • 1x Power klaw • Enhancements: Mek Kaptin

Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Shokk attack gun Grot assistant

Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Shokk attack gun Grot assistant

Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Shokk attack gun Grot assistant

Boss Snikrot (95 Points) • Warlord • 1x Mork’s Teeth • 1x Slugga

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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 ◦ 1x Burna ◦ 6x Choppa ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Rokkit launcha ◦ 6x Slugga • 1x Boss Nob ◦ 1x Power klaw ◦ 1x Slugga

Tankbustas (135 Points) • 1x Boss Nob ◦ 1x Choppa ◦ 2x Rokkit pistol • 5x Tankbusta ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Pulsa Rokkit ◦ 5x Rokkit launcha

Tankbustas (135 Points) • 1x Boss Nob ◦ 1x Choppa ◦ 2x Rokkit pistol • 5x Tankbusta ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Pulsa Rokkit ◦ 5x Rokkit launcha

Tankbustas (135 Points) • 1x Boss Nob ◦ 1x Choppa ◦ 2x Rokkit pistol • 5x Tankbusta ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Pulsa Rokkit ◦ 5x Rokkit launcha

Exported with App Version: v1.30.0 (2), Data Version: v588

Archetype

Shooty Taktikal

Thoughts

Shooty Taktikal is back in the driving seat for Ork players that like guns, continuing to do just fine, albeit a bit more counterable than Dakka was. We've seen this list plenty of times and I don't have much to say about it, but well done Daryn for taking 4th with careful application of taktiks.

The Best of the Rest

There were 10 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Jeff Petersen - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): An all-rounder spin on Invasion Fleet with some of the normal bonsters but also some board control pieces like a full squad each of Raveners and Genestealers.
  • 6th - Zachary Tampoya - Chaos Daemons (Blood Legion): Hordes of Bloodletters to minimise opponents' options to hide from Blood Surges, then monsters and Bloodcrusher MSUs to land heavy hits.
  • 7th - Brandon Flock - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Herohammer-heavy Awakened with the Silent King and Doomsdays as a firebase. Also, never feel bad about 4+ FNPs on Szeras, Brandon, GW were right to do it. Yes.
  • 8th - Andrew Kisielewski - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Dreadknights and Purifiers galore.
  • 9th - Isaac Terada - Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Neophyte horde with triple Benefictus for maximum violence.
  • 10th - Tom Martin - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): General Guard goodstuff with some extra Tauroxes.
  • 11th - Ryan Brown - Chaos Space Marines (Chaos Cult): A rather less all-in version of Cult than we've seen in the past, going for triple Accursed Commune and all-rounder supporting tools like Legionaries and Vindicators.
  • 12th - Gwen Freeman - T'au Empire (Experimental Prototype Cadre): Coldstar Crisis toolbox with lots of Infiltrate to support.
  • 13th - Nicholas Fromme - Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Yncarne Ynnari with a Windrider unit (going for shuriken cannons rather than the more usual scatters).
  • 14th - Xavier Emel - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Heavy duty jump pack aggro via two full Death Company units and a Sanguinary Guard squad.

THERE IS ONLY WAR IV: A Warhammer 40k Major Tournament

61-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Phoenix, AZ, United States on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jason McKenzie - Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) - 1st Place

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

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
69.2 Shades of Gay (1990 points)

Chaos Daemons Strike Force (2000 points) Shadow Legion

CHARACTERS

Be’lakor (375 points) • Warlord • 1x Betraying Shades 1x The Blade of Shadows

Bloodthirster (320 points) • 1x Great axe of Khorne 1x Hellfire breath • Enhancement: Fade to Darkness

Lord of Change (280 points) • 1x Bolt of Change 1x Rod of sorcery 1x Staff of Tzeentch • Enhancement: Mantle of Gloom (Aura)

Rendmaster on Blood Throne (165 points) • 1x Attendants’ hellblades 1x Blade of blood

BATTLELINE

Bloodletters (110 points) • 1x Bloodreaper • 1x Hellblade • 9x Bloodletter • 1x Daemonic Icon 9x Hellblade 1x Instrument of Chaos

Nurglings (35 points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm • 3x Diseased claws and teeth

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Bloodcrushers (110 points) • 1x Bloodhunter • 1x Hellblade 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn • 2x Bloodcrusher • 1x Daemonic Icon 2x Hellblade 1x Instrument of Chaos 2x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

Flamers (130 points) • 1x Pyrocaster • 1x Flamer mouths 1x Flickering Flames • 5x Flamer • 5x Flamer mouths 5x Flickering Flames

Flesh Hounds (75 points) • 1x Gore Hound • 1x Burning roar 1x Collar of Khorne 1x Gore-drenched fangs • 4x Flesh Hound • 4x Collar of Khorne 4x Gore-drenched fangs

Flesh Hounds (75 points) • 1x Gore Hound • 1x Burning roar 1x Collar of Khorne 1x Gore-drenched fangs • 4x Flesh Hound • 4x Collar of Khorne 4x Gore-drenched fangs

Flesh Hounds (75 points) • 1x Gore Hound • 1x Burning roar 1x Collar of Khorne 1x Gore-drenched fangs • 4x Flesh Hound • 4x Collar of Khorne 4x Gore-drenched fangs

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589

Archetype

Big Bird Shadow Legion

Thoughts

Sniping me with actually having to look up what a unit does, monstrous. Let's find out what this so called Mantle of Gloom does together. Learning is fun!

OK, so apparently it reduces the OC of stuff in melee with it, with no floor even, which is pretty funny on a Lord of Change in Shadow Legion - it's already a nightmare to kill thanks to -1 to hit and the ability to heal itself, and now you probably can't even flip an objective off it by throwing an MSU of Battleline stuff into it, as if it kills even one then it's no dice. Neat. The shooting on it is also pretty nice, and provides a way to chip the foe down while they're trying to work around the headache that is pinning the rest of this list down and/or trying to hide from the Fadethirster. It's a cool choice, and I think one that works particularly well with a toolboxy, scoring build like this; one of the vulnerabilities here is that if an opponent can full send with something that'll tank the Bloodthister swing, they might be able to take over on Primary, and access to the Gloom aura provides a way to stave that off by at least a turn. Seems to have worked out well as Jason took the trophy here, congratulations!

Wyatt Harris - Drukhari (Reaper's Wager) - 2nd Place (5.5-0.5)

Drukhari Archon. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Reaper (2000 Points)

Drukhari Reaper’s Wager Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Archon (100 Points) • Warlord • 1x Blast pistol • 1x Huskblade • Enhancements: Archraider

Beastmaster (120 Points) • 1x Beastmaster ◦ 1x Agoniser ◦ 1x Splinter pods • 1x Clawed Fiend ◦ 1x Clawed Fiend fists • 2x Khymerae ◦ 2x Khymerae talons • 3x Razorwing Flock ◦ 3x Razorwing feathers

Lelith Hesperax (95 Points) • 1x Lelith’s blades

Urien Rakarth (80 Points) • 1x Casket of Flensing • 1x Haemonculus tools and scissorhands

BATTLELINE

Kabalite Warriors (100 Points) • 1x Sybarite ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher ◦ 1x Sybarite weapon • 9x Kabalite Warrior ◦ 1x Blaster ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Dark lance ◦ 1x Shredder ◦ 1x Splinter cannon ◦ 5x Splinter rifle

Wracks (55 Points) • 1x Acothyst ◦ 1x Wrack blades • 4x Wrack ◦ 1x Hexrifle ◦ 1x Liquifier gun ◦ 1x Ossefactor ◦ 1x Stinger pistol ◦ 4x Wrack blades

Wyches (80 Points) • 1x Hekatrix ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Hekatarii blade ◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher • 9x Wych ◦ 9x Hekatarii blade ◦ 9x Splinter pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Raider (80 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Dark lance

Venom (70 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Splinter cannon • 1x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Splinter cannon • 1x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Court of the Archon (95 Points) • 1x Lhamaean ◦ 1x Shaimeshi blade • 1x Medusae ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Eyeburst • 1x Sslyth ◦ 1x Shardcarbine ◦ 1x Splinter pistol ◦ 1x Sslyth battle-blade • 1x Ur-ghul ◦ 1x Ur-ghul talons

Cronos (50 Points) • 1x Spirit syphon • 1x Spirit vortex • 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Grotesques (80 Points) • 3x Grotesque ◦ 3x Liquifier gun ◦ 3x Monstrous weapons

Mandrakes (70 Points) • 1x Nightfiend ◦ 1x Baleblast ◦ 1x Glimmersteel blade • 4x Mandrake ◦ 4x Baleblast ◦ 4x Glimmersteel blade

Scourges (130 Points) • 1x Solarite ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Shardcarbine ◦ 1x Solarite weapon • 4x Scourge ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Dark lance

Scourges (130 Points) • 1x Solarite ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Shardcarbine ◦ 1x Solarite weapon • 4x Scourge ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Dark lance

Talos (160 Points) • 2x Talos ◦ 2x Talos gauntlet ◦ 2x Twin Drukhari haywire blaster ◦ 2x Twin liquifier gun

Talos (160 Points) • 2x Talos ◦ 2x Talos gauntlet ◦ 2x Twin Drukhari haywire blaster ◦ 2x Twin liquifier gun

ALLIED UNITS

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

Troupe (85 Points) • 1x Lead Player ◦ 1x Flip Belt ◦ 1x Fusion pistol ◦ 1x Power sword • 4x Player ◦ 4x Flip Belt ◦ 1x Fusion pistol ◦ 4x Harlequin’s special weapon ◦ 2x Neuro disruptor ◦ 1x Shuriken pistol

Troupe Master (75 Points) • 1x Flip Belt • 1x Fusion pistol • 1x Troupe Master’s blade

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (1), Data Version: v589

Archetype

Talos Wager

Thoughts

Reaper's Wager up next, using a couple of Talos units as a central anchor while a bunch of small threats dance around using the powerhouse Stratagems of this detachment to make the opponent's life miserable. You've also got one Troupe (with a Master) and a Solitaire to provide a couple of flips for the Wager on key turns, which is a lot easier to do with the post-Aeldari codex Datasheets for the Troupe in particular. This basically ends up as a toolbox that can do incomprehensible things to opponents unless they're watching every angle, all the time, and Wyatt nearly danced through everything unscathed, with only the Deathwatch managing to scrape togehter a draw against the elves.

Collin Watson - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) - 3rd Place

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
The loner lions (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (120 points) • 1x Vaultswords

Blade Champion (120 points) • 1x Vaultswords

Blade Champion (120 points) • 1x Vaultswords

Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (155 points) • 1x Balistus grenade launcher 1x Guardian spear • Enhancement: Superior Creation

Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (155 points) • 1x Balistus grenade launcher 1x Guardian spear • Enhancement: Praesidius

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (160 points) • Warlord • 1x Interceptor lance 1x Salvo launcher • Enhancement: Admonimortis

OTHER DATASHEETS

Custodian Wardens (260 points) • 5x Custodian Warden • 5x Guardian spear 1x Vexilla

Custodian Wardens (260 points) • 5x Custodian Warden • 5x Guardian spear 1x Vexilla

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

Prosecutors (50 points) • 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior • 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Prosecutor • 4x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon

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

Witchseekers (65 points) • 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Witchseeker flamer • 4x Witchseeker • 4x Close combat weapon 4x 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

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: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589

Archetype

Full Send Lions

Thoughts

A fairly uncomplicated Custodes build in third place, designed to just be able to send hyper-powerful threats in all directions, and see if the opponent can handle them. Allarus Captains decked out to essentially be one-model armies help ensure as much of the table as possible can be covered, and the big unit of Bikes provides a speedy hammer that makes it tough for foes to escape the wrath of the 10,000. Given that I appear to be cursed in any of my interactions with Custodes armies, this list fills me with sheer terror, and the construction is definitely smart - its carefully tuned such that it feels like it has one more "real" threat than it should, and builds like that tend to thrive. Well done Collin.

Travis Finell - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) - 4th Place

Deathwatch veteran Isak Al'Tah. Credit: Charlie Brassley

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Deathwatch Black Spear Task Force Points-2000

110- Captain in Gravis Armor (Warlord) Fist+Blade Tome of Ectoclades

70- Lieutenant with Combi-Weapon

100- Deathwatch Veterans x5 Sarge has Xenophase and Shield 1 has Black Shield Blades 1 has Frag Cannon 2 have Deathwatch Hammers

100- Deathwatch Veterans x5 Sarge has Xenophase and Shield 1 has Black Shield Blades 1 has Frag Cannon 2 have Deathwatch Hammers

100- Deathwatch Veterans x5 Sarge has Xenophase and Shield 1 has Black Shield Blades 1 has Frag Cannon 2 have Deathwatch Hammers

100- Deathwatch Veterans x5 Sarge has Xenophase and Shield 1 has Black Shield Blades 1 has Frag Cannon 2 have Deathwatch Hammers

75- Rhino Hunter Killer Missile Storm Bolter

75- Rhino Hunter Killer Missile Storm Bolter

90- Assault Intercessors w Jump Packs x5 Sarge has Fist and Plasma Pistol 1 has Plasma Pistol

90-Assault Intercessors w Jump Packs x5 Sarge has Fist and Plasma Pistol 1 has Plasma Pistol

90- Assault Intercessors w Jump Packs x5 Sarge has Fist and Plasma Pistol 1 has Plasma Pistol

200- Fortis Kill Team Sarge has Fist, Bolter, and Launcher 1 has Bolter and Grenade Launcher 2 have Bolters 3 have Plasma 1 has Plasma and Plasma Pistol 1 has Vengor Launcher 1 has Superkrak Launcher

200- Fortis Kill Team Sarge has Fist, Bolter, and Launcher 1 has Bolter and Grenade Launcher 2 have Bolters 3 have Plasma 1 has Plasma and Plasma Pistol 1 has Vengor Launcher 1 has Superkrak Launcher

270- Indomitor Kill Team 2 have Heavy Bolters 2 have Bolters 3 have Boltstorm Gauntlets 1 has Multi-Melta 2 have Meltas

270- Indomitor Kill Team 2 have Heavy Bolters 2 have Bolters 3 have Boltstorm Gauntlets 1 has Multi-Melta 2 have Meltas

60- Inqusitorial Agents 1 Tome Skull 1 has Plasma Pistol 1 has Eviserator 1 has Mystic Staff Gun Servitor has Heavy Bolter

Archetype

Shooty Kill Teams

Thoughts

Speaking of "more threats than it feels like you should have", wow that is a lot of nasty units, holy moly. You've got great anchors from the Indomitor teams, teleporting dakka threats from the two Fortis teams with access to the ammo strats, and still have two stacked Rhino party buses that can unleash more Veterans as the situation requires. The depth on this build feels like it's an absolute nightmare for go-wide armies to try and handle, because it can nearly match them unit for unit, only every unit here is actually scary on some level. It's also hyper adaptable to different targets thanks to the strat sheet, and I really think we'd see way more of this style of build were it not a bit of a pain to put on the table. Great work from Travis.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Cory Walsh - Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Yncarne Ynnari with Aspects and a Serpent.
  • 6th - Thomas Bernard - Death Guard (Plague Company): Max Deathshrouds with Mortarion and cheap Daemon engines.
  • 7th - Kennith! Onyeabor - Tyranids (Crusher Stampede): Triple Norn Emissary Crusher goes godzilla mode on yet more unsuspecting opponents.

Ozcon

47-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in West Plains, MO, United States on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Conner Tucker - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) - 1st Place

Solar Watch Shield Host Legio Custodes Caladius Grav-Tank with Iliastus accelerator cannon by Crab-stuffed Mushrooms

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Lions (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (120 points) • 1x Vaultswords

Blade Champion (120 points) • 1x Vaultswords

Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (140 points) • 1x Balistus grenade launcher 1x Castellan axe • Enhancement: Admonimortis

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (175 points) • Warlord • 1x Interceptor lance 1x Vertus hurricane bolter • Enhancement: Praesidius

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (170 points) • 4x Custodian Guard • 4x Guardian spear

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (130 points) • 2x Allarus Custodian • 2x Balistus grenade launcher 2x Guardian spear

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

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

Custodian Wardens (260 points) • 5x Custodian Warden • 5x Guardian spear 1x Vexilla

Custodian Wardens (260 points) • 5x Custodian Warden • 5x Guardian spear 1x Vexilla

Prosecutors (50 points) • 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior • 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Prosecutor • 4x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon

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

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589

Archetype

All-rounder Lions

Thoughts

A more balanced Lions build takes our next trophy, adding some Caladius tanks to chill at the back and blow up any opposing threats that have had the temerity to bring lots of D3 shooting. It also faetures the Draxus/Custodian combo, which basically should be a staple of every Lions build; double shooting Draxus once per game has always been neat in Custodes, but doing it with the Lions detachment buff up is nothing short of monstrous. I'll just be over here, quaking at the prospect of a world where Custodes are a real army, don't mind me. Good work Connor.

Peyton Preece - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Sicarian Infiltrators and Ruststalkers Sicarian Infiltrators and Ruststalkers. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Cawl (1995 Points)

Adeptus Mechanicus Haloscreed Battle Clade Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Belisarius Cawl (135 Points) • Warlord • 1x Arc scourge • 1x Cawl’s Omnissian axe • 1x Mechadendrite hive • 1x Solar atomiser

Tech-Priest Manipulus (70 Points) • 1x Omnissian staff • 1x Transonic cannon • Enhancements: Sanctified Ordnance

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha ◦ 1x Alpha combat weapon ◦ 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 Alpha combat weapon ◦ 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 Alpha combat weapon ◦ 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 Alpha combat weapon ◦ 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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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 blades

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

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

Skorpius Disintegrator (175 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 3x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Disruptor missile launcher • 1x Ferrumite cannon

Skorpius Disintegrator (175 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 3x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Disruptor missile launcher • 1x Ferrumite cannon

Skorpius Disintegrator (175 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 3x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Disruptor missile launcher • 1x Ferrumite cannon

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (1), Data Version: v589

Archetype

Ruststalker Spam

Thoughts

AdMech in undefeated second place here, using the tools of the Haloscreed detachment to great effect. The combination of Enhancements and Stratagems makes Kataphron Destroyers a genuinely great all-round shooting threat (including on Overwatch), and they work as a good centrepiece for Advance/Charge Ruststalkers, a Cawl/Disintegrator firebase and cheap but effective Skitarii to operate. It's refreshing to see an AdMech build out there which can actually just kill stuff, while still keeping up the board control they've mostly had to trade on this edition, and I really like what Peyton has assembled here, great stuff.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Landon Crowder - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Extra shooty monsters.
  • 4th - Nicholas Rupel - Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion): Big birds and Soulgrinders.
  • 5th - Connor Johnson - Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Double Mutalith, now and forever.
  • 6th - Howard Watts - Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Vanguard Centurion MSUs with lots of Inceptors for even more dakka.
  • 7th - Zach Mobley - Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): The worst list name I've ever read. Cursed. Cursed cursed cursed.
  • 8th - Kenton Evans - Death Guard (Plague Company): Ultra-heavy Death Guard Chaos Soup with Rotigus and a Knight Despoiler joining Mortarion and a Land Raider.

Imperium Talis VIII 40K (Ironman)

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ostrhauderfehn, NDS, Deutschland on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Unknown Mission

Sebastian Pottel - Orks (Dread Mob)
Army List - Click to Expand
Zotti und seine 156Freunde (2000 Points) Orks Dread Mob Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Mek (45 Points) • 1x Killsaw • 1x Kustom mega-slugga Warlord

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

BATTLELINE

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

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

Boyz (80 Points) • 9x Boy ◦ 8x Choppa ° 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Rokkit launcha ◦ 8x Slugga • 1x Boss Nob ◦ 1x Power klaw ◦ 1x Slugga

Boyz (80 Points) • 9x Boy ◦ 8x Choppa ° 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Rokkit launcha ◦ 8x Slugga • 1x Boss Nob ◦ 1x Power klaw ◦ 1x Slugga

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

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Kommandos (120 Points) • 8x Kommandos ◦ 8x Choppa ◦ 8x Slugga • 1x Kommandos ◦ 1x Breacher ram • 1x Boss Nob ◦ 1x Power klaw ◦ 1x Slugga • 1x Bomb squig • 1x Distraction grot

Stompa (800 Points) • 3x Big shoota • 1x Deffkannon • 1x Mega-choppa • 1x Skorcha • 1x Supa-gatler • 1x Supa-rokkits • 1x Twin big shoota

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (1), Data Version: v589


vs.

Frank Stüdemann - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance)
Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Imperial Knights + DETACHMENT: Noble Lance + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium + + WARLORD: Char1: Cerastus Knight Atrapos + ENHANCEMENT: Mysterious Guardian (on Char1: Cerastus Knight Atrapos) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 14 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (11x2) + (1x6) - Assassination: 3 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Cerastus Knight Atrapos (450 pts): Warlord, Atrapos lascutter, Graviton singularity cannon Enhancement: Mysterious Guardian (+25 pts)

1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun

Char2: 1x Ministorum Priest (40 pts): Zealot's vindictor Char3: 1x Ministorum Priest (40 pts): Zealot's vindictor 1x Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy bolter, Hunter-killer missile, Twin multi-melta

Thoughts

See this is one of those Showdowns that makes me do a full body cringe when I look at the matchup. Imagine taking a Stompa through four rounds in one day, rocking up to the top table at like 10PM, and there's only a bloody Knight Atrapos on the other side of the table. That's just rude. It even has Mysterious Guardian to teleport, so what's an Ork to do?

I think probably the plan here has got to be to stick the Stompa right against your table edge, and send out da boyz to try and keep the Atrapos from getting range for as long as possible, and the good news is that the Orks do actually have the numbers to play this plan, at least initially. I strongly suspect here that you're looking at a turn 1 Waaagh just for durability, then ramming as much stuff up the table as possible to try and build up some early scoring, and give the Stompa time to deplete the horde of Armigers before the fates catch up to it. Not a horrible plan, but I think the issue will be that nothing else in the Ork army really kills anything here, and there's just a bit too much threat from the Knight side for that to play out as an Ork win unless they get very lucky. I will say I'm a bit surprised not to see Big Meks in the two larger Boyz units - just having access to pop off Lethal hits on those would make such a huge difference in this matchup, and there are plenty of others where that's also true.

Ultimately here, the likely outcome of a Knight victory did play out, but I do think Orks have to play this game right to make this anything other than a complete washout, so holding the Knights to 14-6 suggests good planning!

Result

Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) Victory - 14 - 6

Frank Stüdemann - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 1st Place

Loyalist Knight Atrapos Loyalist Knight Atrapos. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Imperial Knights + DETACHMENT: Noble Lance + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium + + WARLORD: Char1: Cerastus Knight Atrapos + ENHANCEMENT: Mysterious Guardian (on Char1: Cerastus Knight Atrapos) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 14 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (11x2) + (1x6) - Assassination: 3 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Cerastus Knight Atrapos (450 pts): Warlord, Atrapos lascutter, Graviton singularity cannon Enhancement: Mysterious Guardian (+25 pts)

1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Helverin (130 pts): 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun 1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts): Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun

Char2: 1x Ministorum Priest (40 pts): Zealot's vindictor Char3: 1x Ministorum Priest (40 pts): Zealot's vindictor 1x Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy bolter, Hunter-killer missile, Twin multi-melta

Archetype

Atrapos and Armigers

Thoughts

One big Knight, lots of Armigers, you know how it goes. I do think this is a fairly sharp metagame choice for an Ironman event specifically - it's not too hard to play even after your brain collapses from 12+ hours of Warhammer, and punishes enemies who've brought big, uncomplicated models for the same reason. Great job Frank!

Jannek Lindemann - T'au Empire (Kauyon) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

XV104 Riptide Battlesuit. Credit: Rockfish XV104 Riptide Battlesuit. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - T'au Empire + DETACHMENT: Kauyon + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Commander Shadowsun + ENHANCEMENT: + NUMBER OF UNITS: 19 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (10x2) - Assassination: 1 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Commander Shadowsun (100 pts): Warlord, Battlesuit fists, Flechette launcher, 2x High-energy fusion blaster, Light missile pod, Pulse pistol

10x Breacher Team (100 pts) • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas'ui: Guardian Drone, Close combat weapon, Pulse blaster, Pulse pistol, Support turret, Twin pulse carbine • 9x Breacher Fire Warriors: 9 with Close combat weapon, Pulse blaster, Pulse pistol

10x Kroot Carnivores (65 pts) • 1x Long-quill: Close combat weapon, Kroot pistol, Kroot rifle • 9x Kroot Carnivores: 9 with Close combat weapon, Kroot rifle 10x Pathfinder Team (90 pts) • 9x Pathfinders 6 with Close combat weapon, Pulse carbine, Pulse pistol 3 with Close combat weapon, Ion rifle, Pulse pistol • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui: Recon drone, Drone burst cannon, Close combat weapon, Pulse carbine, Pulse pistol, Semi-automatic grenade launcher, 2x Twin pulse carbine, Drone burst cannon 3x Stealth Battlesuits (60 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre: Battlesuit support system, Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Shield Drone, Battlesuit fists, Fusion blaster • 2x Stealth Shas'ui: 2 with Battlesuit fists, Burst cannon 3x Stealth Battlesuits (60 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre: Battlesuit support system, Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Shield Drone, Battlesuit fists, Fusion blaster • 2x Stealth Shas'ui: 2 with Battlesuit fists, Burst cannon 3x Stealth Battlesuits (60 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre: Battlesuit support system, Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Shield Drone, Battlesuit fists, Fusion blaster • 2x Stealth Shas'ui: 2 with Battlesuit fists, Burst cannon 5x Vespid Stingwings (65 pts) • 1x Vespid Strain Leader: Neutron blaster, Stingwing claws • 4x Vespid Stingwings: 4 with Neutron blaster, Stingwing claws 1x Krootox Riders (40 pts): Close combat weapon, Krootox fists, Repeater cannon 1x Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 pts): Battlesuit support system, Ghostkeel fists, Cyclic ion raker, Twin fusion blaster 1x Hammerhead Gunship (145 pts): Armoured hull, Railgun, 2x Seeker missile, 2x Smart missile system 1x Piranha (60 pts): Armoured hull, 2x Twin pulse carbine, Piranha fusion blaster, Seeker missile, Seeker missile 1x Piranha (60 pts): Armoured hull, 2x Twin pulse carbine, Piranha fusion blaster, 2x Seeker missile 1x Riptide Battlesuit (190 pts): Riptide fists, Ion accelerator, 2x Missile pod, Twin smart missile system 1x Riptide Battlesuit (190 pts): Riptide fists, Ion accelerator, 2x Missile pod, Twin smart missile system 1x Riptide Battlesuit (190 pts): Riptide fists, Ion accelerator, 2x Missile pod, Twin smart missile system 1x Sky Ray Gunship (140 pts): Armoured hull, Seeker missile rack, 2x Smart missile system 1x Sky Ray Gunship (140 pts): Armoured hull, Seeker missile rack, 2x Smart missile system 1x Devilfish (85 pts): Accelerator burst cannon, Armoured hull, Seeker missile, Seeker missile, 2x Smart missile system

Archetype

Kauyon Triptide

Thoughts

Easy to play after 12 hours of Warhammer does, in fact, also apply to blasting stuff with Triptides, though there's a nice mix of utility pieces around them here to score and control the board as needed. Mostly though, you start blasting, and then intensify the blasting till the enemy is gone. Well done Jannek.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Sebastian Schneemelcher - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and Armigers.
  • 4th - Sebastian Pottel - Orks (Dread Mob): See showdown.
  • 5th - Patrick Schmitt - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): All-rounder Invasion Fleet with some extra Hormagaunts and a Swarmlord/Hive Tyrant tag team to create Stratagem supremacy.

Battle Ready Games 40K GT

34-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Markham, ON, Canada on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Chase Bandl - Death Guard (Plague Company) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Mothman and friends (2000 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Plague Company

CHARACTERS

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

Death Guard Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (90 points) • 1x Curse of the Leper 1x Plague combi-bolter 1x Plague fist • Enhancement: Living Plague

Foul Blightspawn (60 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plague sprayer

Lord of Contagion (95 points) • 1x Plagueblade • Enhancement: Deadly Pathogen

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

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

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Havoc launcher 1x Plague combi-bolter 2x Plague heavy bolter 1x Predator autocannon

Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Havoc launcher 1x Plague combi-bolter 2x Plague heavy bolter 1x Predator autocannon

Death Guard Predator Destructor (140 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Havoc launcher 1x Plague combi-bolter 2x Plague heavy bolter 1x Predator autocannon

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

Deathshroud Terminators (110 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator • 2x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (76), Data Version: v589

Archetype

Plague Company Goodstuff

Thoughts

Its lots of good units as Plague Company. You've got some of all the best units, they control the table, they kill stuff, you know the drill. We'll be seeing a lot more Death Guard soon I'll wager, and this just shows they're starting from a great point. Good work Chase.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Nick Jagiello - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Combined Arms goodstuff with extra Rough Riders.
  • 3rd - Sarah Ivankovic - Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): A Lancer and many dogs.
  • 4th - Nicholas Redford - Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots): two murder melee bricks (Accursed and Possessed) with Undivided for wound re-rolls, Vindicators and small Infantry units in support.
  • 5th - Claudio Magnus - Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Yncarne and MSU-heavy Ynnari, with a few more Kabalites than usual to sticky objectives.

Double Decker Decimation 2025

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Cheney, KS, United States on April 26 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Matt Neeley - Death Guard (Plague Company) - 1st Place

Lord of Virulence Lord of Virulence. That Gobbo

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Morty and friends (2000 Points)

Death Guard Plague Company Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

Death Guard Chaos Lord in Terminator Armour (105 Points) • 1x Plague combi-bolter • 1x Plague fist • Enhancements: Living Plague

Foul Blightspawn (60 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Plague sprayer

Foul Blightspawn (60 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Plague sprayer

Lord of Virulence (80 Points) • 1x Heavy plague fist • 1x Twin plague spewer

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

Tallyman (45 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Infected plasma pistol

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

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (180 Points) • 1x Plague Champion ◦ 1x Heavy plague weapon ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Plague Marine ◦ 3x Bubotic weapons ◦ 4x Heavy plague weapon ◦ 2x Meltagun ◦ 9x Plague knives

Plague Marines (180 Points) • 1x Plague Champion ◦ 1x Heavy plague weapon ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Plague Marine ◦ 3x Bubotic weapons ◦ 4x Heavy plague weapon ◦ 2x Meltagun ◦ 9x Plague knives

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Death Guard Cultists (50 Points) • 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion ◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon ◦ 1x Cultist firearm • 9x Death Guard Cultist ◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon ◦ 8x Cultist firearm ◦ 1x Flamer

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

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

Deathshroud Terminators (110 Points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion ◦ 1x Manreaper ◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator ◦ 2x Manreaper ◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Poxwalkers (100 Points) • 20x Poxwalker ◦ 20x Improvised weapon

ALLIED UNITS

Nurglings (60 Points) • 6x Nurgling Swarm ◦ 6x Diseased claws and teeth

Nurglings (35 Points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm ◦ 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Nurglings (35 Points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm ◦ 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Exported with App Version: v1.31.0 (1), Data Version: v589

Archetype

Infantry Plague Company

Thoughts

Another Plague Company build this one a bit more focused on Infantry and Characters, presenting an inexporable wave of melee threats to roll foes over. This also works, and this also has plenty of exciting new things to consider with the codex, and I can't imagine our chaotic carnival is going to end any time soon as new books come online. Well done Matt for closing out a particularly good week for the ruinous powers.

The Best of the Rest

There were N more players on X-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - BamBam Hunter - Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Two big ThunderCav units and some hefty fire support from a Redeemer.
  • 3rd - Torben Leth-Nissen - Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Astoundingly, only a single Mutalith, with some Scarab Occult units taking up the slack of mid-weight hitters.
  • 4th - Kevin West - Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge): All-in Aberrants, Metamorphs and Genestealers.
  • 5th - Quinton Alexander - Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge): See previous, but with a couple of Rockgrinders for board presence.
  • 6th - David Valle - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Silent King, triple Doomsday, Triarch Stalkers and Lokhusts in support.

Wrap Up

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Tags: Space Marines | chaos space marines | imperial knights | blood angels | Deathwatch | Death Guard | Warhammer 40k | drukhari | Adeptus Mechanicus | competitive play | chaos daemons | Orks | Adeptus Custodes | tau | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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