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 Saturday, and it would seem that the Knights are (mostly) off crushing a whole new weekend's worth of tables, so we've got a bit more variety in top finishes today as we cover:

Ironweld: Warhammer 40K Summer Assault ITC Major
Beach Clash Major 2025
Saskatchewan Open 2025
HAWGHAMMER 40K GT
Wyohammer 40k July Open '25

In part 1 on Wednesday I looked at:

II GT Ciudad De Avila
Silver State Major '25 - Warhammer 40K
3rd Annual Roc Hard GT
Hell Pit Grand Tournament 2025
Geek Shack Farewell Taylor GT
Brighton 40k GT XII

Yesterday (Friday) Lowest of Men covered:

Brawl in the Hall 2025
Midsummer O.P.A. 2025 WH40K GT
Rose City Rumble
Viking Games - The Path of the Einherjar
Nemesis 40k Summer 2025

Ironweld: Warhammer 40K Summer Assault ITC Major

67-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Wakefield, MA, United States on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Matthew Wood - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) - 1st Place

Trajann Valoris. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

My “coach” Josh Winslow said this was a good list (2000 Points)

Adeptus Custodes Lions of the Emperor Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (145 Points) • 1x Vaultswords • Enhancements: Superior Creation

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

Trajann Valoris (140 Points) • Warlord • 1x Eagle's Scream • 1x Watcher's Axe

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (170 Points) • 4x Custodian Guard ◦ 3x Guardian spear ◦ 1x Misericordia ◦ 1x Praesidium Shield ◦ 1x Vexilla

Custodian Guard (170 Points) • 4x Custodian Guard ◦ 3x Guardian spear ◦ 1x Misericordia ◦ 1x Praesidium Shield ◦ 1x Vexilla

Custodian Guard (170 Points) • 4x Custodian Guard ◦ 3x Guardian spear ◦ 1x Misericordia ◦ 1x Praesidium Shield ◦ 1x Vexilla

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (120 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

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

Venatari Custodians (165 Points) • 3x Venatari Custodian ◦ 3x Venatari lance

Venatari Custodians (165 Points) • 3x Venatari Custodian ◦ 3x Venatari lance

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: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Guard-heavy Lions

Thoughts

Our headliner today are the Adeptus Custodes, taking a trophy with a build that shakes up the standard Warden-maxing template a bit. Taking all Custodian Guard as your Infantry weakens you a little against all-comers, but access to Wound re-rolls (especially for Trajann in one unit) is key in the prevalent Knight matchups, making the dependable Guard very attractive. It also shaves some points, allowing some Venatari to squeeze in for extra board presence, and to help handle the Lords of Dread matchup, where 6OC of fast models with a free Rapid Ingress is perfect for un-stickying their objectives. This seems like a very smartly build Custodes list for the current metagame, so congratulations Matthew on the win.

Jeffrey Colpitts - Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion) - 2nd Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

List Name: Time To Test Your Screen.

PLAYER NAME: Jeff Colpitts TEAM NAME: AP Zero Tactics FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - Chaos Daemons DETACHMENT: Daemonic Incursion TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + WARLORD: Char1: Be'lakor + ENHANCEMENT: The Endless Gift (on Char1: Great Unclean One) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 14 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (3x6) - Assassination: 4

CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Be'lakor (375 pts) 1 with Betraying Shades, The Blade of Shadows • Warlord

Char2: 1x Skarbrand (305 pts) 1 with Bellow of endless fury, Slaughter and Carnage

Char3: 1x Great Unclean One (295 pts) 1 with Putrid vomit, Bilesword, Bileblade Enhancement: The Endless Gift (+45 pts)

Char4: 1x Rendmaster on Blood Throne (165 pts) 1 with Attendant's hellblades, Blade of blood

BATTLELINE

6x Nurglings (70 pts) • 6x Nurgling Swarm 6 with Diseased claws and teeth

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

10x Plaguebearers (110 pts) • 9x Plaguebearer 7 with Plaguesword 1 with Plaguesword • Instrument of Chaos 1 with Plaguesword • Daemonic Icon • 1x Plagueridden 1 with Plaguesword

OTHER DATASHEETS

6x Bloodcrushers (220 pts) • 5x Bloodcrusher 3 with Hellblade, Juggernaut's bladed horn 1 with Hellblade, Juggernaut's bladed horn • Instrument of Chaos 1 with Hellblade, Juggernaut's bladed horn • Daemonic Icon • 1x Bloodhunter 1 with Hellblade, Juggernaut's bladed horn

1x Beasts of Nurgle (65 pts) • 1x Beast of Nurgle 1 with Putrid appendages

1x Beasts of Nurgle (65 pts) • 1x Beast of Nurgle 1 with Putrid appendages

1x Beasts of Nurgle (65 pts) • 1x Beast of Nurgle 1 with Putrid appendages

5x Flesh Hounds (75 pts) • 4x Flesh Hound 4 with Gore-drenched fangs • Collar of Khorne • 1x Gore Hound 1 with Burning maw, Gore-drenched fangs • Collar of Khorne

5x Flesh Hounds (75 pts) • 4x Flesh Hound 4 with Gore-drenched fangs • Collar of Khorne • 1x Gore Hound 1 with Burning maw, Gore-drenched fangs • Collar of Khorne

5x Flesh Hounds (75 pts) • 4x Flesh Hound 4 with Gore-drenched fangs • Collar of Khorne • 1x Gore Hound 1 with Burning maw, Gore-drenched fangs • Collar of Khorne

Archetype

Monster Mash with Bloodcrushers

Thoughts

As the name here suggests, this build can occupy space with the big Great Unclean One till the opponent messes up, at which point they'll get to experience Skarbrand or some souped-up Bloodcrushers hitting them with a 6" charge, and presumably regret their life choices. Lots of Flesh Hounds also means it's got a tonne of scoring flexibility while Beasts provide great screening and this seems like an excellent all-rounder spin on Daemons. Well done to Jeffrey on second place.

George Gennis - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) - 3rd Place

Repulsor Executioner by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Diet Ultras: now with 66% less CP! (2000 Points)

Space Marines Ultramarines Gladius Task Force Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (90 Points) • 1x Boltstorm gauntlet • 1x Power fist • 1x Relic fist • Enhancements: Artificer Armour

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

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

Roboute Guilliman (320 Points) • Warlord • 1x Emperor's Sword • 1x Hand of Dominion

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 Points) • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Ballistus lascannon • 1x Ballistus missile launcher • 1x Twin storm bolter

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 Points) • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Ballistus lascannon • 1x Ballistus missile launcher • 1x Twin storm bolter

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

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

Infiltrator Squad (100 Points) • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Marksman bolt carbine • 4x Infiltrator ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Helix Gauntlet ◦ 1x Infiltrator Comms Array ◦ 4x Marksman bolt carbine

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

Repulsor Executioner (220 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Heavy laser destroyer • 1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon • 1x Icarus rocket pod • 1x Ironhail heavy stubber • 1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array • 1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber • 1x Twin heavy bolter

Repulsor Executioner (220 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Heavy laser destroyer • 1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon • 1x Icarus rocket pod • 1x Ironhail heavy stubber • 1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array • 1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber • 1x Twin heavy bolter

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

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Bobby G's Extra Heavy Gun Club

Thoughts

Guilliman just loves watching big tanks shoot stuff, and he's not going to stop because of a few little nerfs. This list does exactly what it looks like it does - blasts foes into oblivion with double Oaths, and counter-charges them with the Primarch and Calgar if they get too close. Not complicated, but tried and tested as a strategy, and this version goes even heavier than most with RepExes, ready to punish enemy Knights. Good stuff from George.

Ari C - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault) - 4th Place

Ravener Felltalon and Venomspitter Credit: NotThatHenryC

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Next day shipping with (Trygon) Prime! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Tyranids + DETACHMENT: Subterranean Assault + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + + WARLORD: Char1: The Swarmlord + ENHANCEMENT: Trygon Prime (on Char3: Trygon) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 15 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (6x2) + (1x4) - Assassination: 4 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x The Swarmlord (220 pts): Warlord, Bone Sabres, Synaptic Pulse Char2: 5x Hyperadapted Raveners (165 pts) • 4x Ravener 3 with Ravener, Ravener heavy claws and talons 1 with Ravener, Ravener heavy claws and talons, Venom bolt • 1x Ravener Prime: Prime claws and talons Char3: 1x Neurotyrant (105 pts): Neurotyrant claws and lashes, Psychic scream Char4: 1x Trygon (160 pts): Trygon Character upgrade, Bio-electric pulse, Trygon scything talons Enhancement: Trygon Prime (+20 pts)

10x Gargoyles (85 pts): 10 with Blinding venom, Fleshborer

1x Biovores (50 pts): Chitin-barbed limbs, Spore mine launcher 1x Lictor (60 pts): Lictor claws and talons 1x Neurolictor (80 pts): Piercing claws and talons 5x Raveners (125 pts): 5 with Ravener claws and talons 5x Raveners (125 pts): 5 with Ravener claws and talons 6x Zoanthropes (200 pts) • 1x Neurothrope: Chitinous claws and teeth, Warp blast • 5x Zoanthrope: 5 with Chitinous claws and teeth, Warp blast 1x Haruspex (125 pts): Grasping tongue, Ravenous maw, Shovelling claws 1x Haruspex (125 pts): Grasping tongue, Ravenous maw, Shovelling claws 1x Norn Emissary (260 pts): Monstrous rending claws, Monstrous scything talons, Psychic tendril 1x Psychophage (110 pts): Psycholastic torrent, Talons and betentacled maw

Archetype

Burrowing Goodstuff

Thoughts

Subterranean Assault goes from strength to strength, with the combination of being able to throw big threats on the opponent's doorstep and powerful teleporting shooting proving very effective. Not massively surprising when you put it like that, but very cool to see Tyranids have a solid all-round option they can take that isn't just Invasion Fleet. Love the Norn here too, great for causing problems on purpose. Well done to Ari on taking fourth place.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th - Jack Murphy - Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Double Fort, double big bike block Votann.
6th - Drew Salzborn - T'au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack): The increasingly popular setup of Krootox, Hammerheads and Sky Rays.
7th - Andre Freitas - Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Double Dorn Commander and Russes with Kasrkin goodstuff support.
8th - Aidan McGrath - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion Vectorium goodstuff.
9th - Jared Vail - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Double Prince, double Maulerfiend Coterie.
10th - Eric Hoerger - Emperor's Children (Peerless Bladesmen): Heavy melee Bladesmen with Fulgrim and three Maulerfiends.
11th - Brendan Coster - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Triple Wraiths and triple Doomsdays with solo Skorpekh Lords as trade pieces.

Beach Clash Major 2025

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Wangels, SH, Deutschland on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Andre Fischer - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread) - 1st Place

Credit: Norman Greenberg

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Alles wird aus Hack gemacht ! Hack Hack Hack (1980 Points)

Chaos Knights Lords of Dread Strike Force (2.000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos (385 Points) • Warlord • 1x Atrapos lascutter • 1x Graviton singularity cannon • Enhancements: Mirror of Fates

Knight Despoiler (345 Points) • 1x Daemonbreath meltagun • 1x Despoiler gatling cannon • 1x Despoiler gatling cannon • 1x Heavy darkflamer • 1x Heavy darkflamer • 1x Ruinspear rocket pod • 1x Titanic feet • Enhancements: Warp-borne Stalker

Knight Rampager (360 Points) • 1x Diabolus heavy stubber • 1x Reaper chainsword • 1x Warpstrike claw • Enhancements: Throne Mechanicum of Skulls

OTHER DATASHEETS

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher • 1x Reaper chaintalon • 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher • 1x Reaper chaintalon • 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher • 1x Reaper chaintalon • 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Stalker (140 Points) • 1x Avenger chaincannon • 1x Havoc multi-launcher • 1x Reaper chaintalon

ALLIED UNITS

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: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Rotigus Lords of Dread

Thoughts

Up next, we have a Lords of Dread list that's leaning in on their sticky objective Strategem, going wider around the board than normal with some Karnivores, and adding Rotigus to make it a nightmare to un-sticky an objective in a fairly wide area. The combination of the Mirror aura and Rotigus is just a total screaming nightmare to play into, and any foe trying to devise a cunning way around it has to contend with the threat of an Advance/Charge Rampager or a teleporting Despoiler, both vicious counterpunches. Truly a diabolical assemblage here, well done to Andre on taking a trophy with it!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd (4.5-0.5) - Fred Otto - Chaos Knights (Unknown Detachment): No list submitted. Shameful. Presumably because it's WTC season it's being hidden from global espionage. Still shameful.
3rd - Malte Höfs - Thousand Sons (Rubricae Phalanx): Heavy Infantry maxing with three full Scarab/Sorcerer blocks, one now able to Infiltrate thanks to the FAQ.
4th - Niklas Frerichs - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): MSU jump pack spam using lots of small Death Company units with DC Captains, plus a couple of backup Gladiator Lancers for heavy stuff.
5th - Ben Hackländer - Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): An unusual go-wide MSU Terminator Champions list, even bringing in a trio of Blightlords to shave some points instead of a third Deathshroud unit.
6th - Patrick Schmitt - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): All-rounder Invasion Fleet with a Tyrant tag-team, various monsters, a big Hormagaunt squad and a unit each fo the two Ravener flavours, able to work independently or voltron together to murder Knights as needed.

Saskatchewan Open 2025

36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Saskatoon, SK, Canada on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

John Holbrook - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer) - 1st Place

Plagueburst Crawler. Credit: Raf Cordero

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Indirect Fire is a Balanced and Healthy Rule Entirely Necessary for the Narrative Flavor of the Game of Warhammer 40000, Thank You Games Workshop, Very Cool (2000 Points)

Death Guard Mortarion's Hammer Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Biologus Putrifier (45 Points) • 1x Hyper blight grenades • 1x Injector pistol • 1x Plague knives

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

Lord of Contagion (110 Points) • 1x Manreaper

Lord of Virulence (110 Points) • Warlord • 1x Power fist • 1x Twin plague spewer • Enhancements: Tendrilous Emissions

Malignant Plaguecaster (75 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol • 1x Corrupted staff • 1x Plague Wind • Enhancements: Shriekworm Familiar

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (190 Points) • 1x Plague Champion ◦ 1x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Power fist • 9x Plague Marine ◦ 2x Blight launcher ◦ 3x Heavy plague weapon ◦ 2x Meltagun ◦ 9x Plague knives ◦ 2x Plague spewer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion ◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) ◦ 1x Manreaper ◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator ◦ 2x Manreaper ◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher • 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher • 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher • 1x Plague probe

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) • 1x Bile spurt • 1x Gnashing maw • 1x Missile launcher • 1x Multi-melta

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) • 1x Bile spurt • 1x Gnashing maw • 1x Missile launcher • 1x Multi-melta

Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy slugger • 1x Plagueburst mortar • 2x Plaguespitter

Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy slugger • 1x Plagueburst mortar • 2x Plaguespitter

Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy slugger • 1x Plagueburst mortar • 2x Plaguespitter

Poxwalkers (60 Points) • 10x Poxwalker ◦ 10x Improvised weapon

Poxwalkers (60 Points) • 10x Poxwalker ◦ 10x Improvised weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Mortarion's Hammer with Plague Marines

Thoughts

Mostly the standard Hammer build up next, but swapping out a Deathshroud unit and some change for a Rhino full of Plague Marines, providing solid staging threat projection and (via the Blightspawn) a powerful Fight First threat to push back against any foe that tries to overrun the Daemon Engines. Seems like a solid way to adapt to some possible counters, and given that John went through Drukhari, Custodes and Black Templars over the event, seems to have paid off!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Anthony Richardson - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Double Talos Skysplinter with some extra guns from Ravagers hiding behind them.
3rd - Garret Olson - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Jump pack melee spam with two big Death Company units and smaller Sanguinary Guard squads in support.
4th - James Walsh - Dark Angels (Company of Hunters): Ravenwing/Centurion Company, which is apparently just a thing we're doing now. Hell why not, getting lots of good grav on the table rules at the moment, and this list goes extra hard on that with a Devastator squad as well.
5th - Darren Jac - Orks (War Horde): The timeless joy of a Ghaz-led mechanised melee War Horde.
6th - Michael Williams - Aeldari (Warhost): Aspects and Phoenix Lords in Transports, including one big Fire Dragon unit.

HAWGHAMMER 40K GT

33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Rogers, AR, United States on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Linchpin - Search and Destroy

Eli Harvey - Space Marines (Astartes) (Anvil Siege Force)

Army List - Click to Expand

IF 2.24 Lysander (1995 points)

Space Marines Imperial Fists Strike Force (2000 points) Anvil Siege Force

CHARACTERS

Apothecary Biologis (85 points) • Warlord • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • Enhancement: Stoic Defender

Darnath Lysander (100 points) • 1x Fist of Dorn

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

Tor Garadon (90 points) • 1x Artificer grav-gun 1x Hand of Defiance

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 points) • 1x Intercessor Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Bolt rifle 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Intercessor • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Bolt rifle 4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Aggressor Squad (220 points) • 1x Aggressor Sergeant • 1x Auto boltstorm gauntlets 1x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Twin power fists • 5x Aggressor • 5x Auto boltstorm gauntlets 5x Fragstorm grenade launcher 5x Twin power fists

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Ballistus lascannon 1x Ballistus missile launcher 1x Twin storm bolter

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Ballistus lascannon 1x Ballistus missile launcher 1x Twin storm bolter

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

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

Repulsor Executioner (220 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Heavy laser destroyer 1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array 1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber 1x Twin heavy bolter

Scout Squad (70 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 2x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

Terminator Assault Squad (360 points) • 1x Assault Terminator Sergeant • 1x Storm Shield 1x Thunder hammer • 9x Assault Terminator • 9x Storm Shield 9x Thunder hammer

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (87), Data Version: v640

vs.

Peyton Preece - Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension)

Army List - Click to Expand

Host (2000 Points)

Genestealer Cults Host of Ascension Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Benefictus (70 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Psionic Cascade

Benefictus (70 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Psionic Cascade

Benefictus (85 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Psionic Cascade • Enhancements: Assassination Edict

Biophagus (70 Points) • 1x Alchemicus Familiar • 1x Autopistol • 1x Chemical vials • 1x Injector goad • Enhancements: Our Time is Nigh

Biophagus (50 Points) • 1x Alchemicus Familiar • 1x Autopistol • 1x Chemical vials • 1x Injector goad

Kelermorph (60 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Liberator autostubs

Kelermorph (60 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Liberator autostubs

Primus (100 Points) • 1x Cult bonesword • 1x Scoped needle pistol • 1x Toxin injector claw • Enhancements: A Chink In Their Armour

Reductus Saboteur (65 Points) • Warlord • 1x Autopistol • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Demolition charges • 1x Remote explosives

BATTLELINE

Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader ◦ 1x Hand flamer ◦ 1x Leader's bio-weapons • 4x Acolyte Hybrid ◦ 4x Cult claws and knife ◦ 4x Hand flamer

Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 Points) • 1x Acolyte Leader ◦ 1x Hand flamer ◦ 1x Leader's bio-weapons • 4x Acolyte Hybrid ◦ 4x Cult claws and knife ◦ 4x Hand flamer

Neophyte Hybrids (145 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid ◦ 19x Autopistol ◦ 19x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Grenade launcher ◦ 11x Hybrid firearm ◦ 2x Mining laser ◦ 2x Seismic cannon ◦ 2x Webber

Neophyte Hybrids (145 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid ◦ 19x Autopistol ◦ 19x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Grenade launcher ◦ 11x Hybrid firearm ◦ 2x Mining laser ◦ 2x Seismic cannon ◦ 2x Webber

Neophyte Hybrids (145 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid ◦ 19x Autopistol ◦ 19x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Flamer ◦ 11x Hybrid firearm ◦ 2x Mining laser ◦ 2x Seismic cannon ◦ 2x Webber

Neophyte Hybrids (145 Points) • 1x Neophyte Leader ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Hybrid firearm • 19x Neophyte Hybrid ◦ 19x Autopistol ◦ 19x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Grenade launcher ◦ 11x Hybrid firearm ◦ 2x Mining laser ◦ 2x Seismic cannon ◦ 2x Webber

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Goliath Truck (85 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Demolition charge cache • 1x Heavy stubber • 1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Achilles Ridgerunners (85 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Heavy mortar • 1x Spotter • 1x Twin heavy stubber

Achilles Ridgerunners (85 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Heavy mortar • 1x Spotter • 1x Twin heavy stubber

Hybrid Metamorphs (160 Points) • 1x Metamorph Leader ◦ 1x Hand flamer ◦ 1x Leader's cult weapons • 9x Hybrid Metamorph ◦ 1x Cult Icon ◦ 8x Hand flamer ◦ 9x Metamorph mutations

Hybrid Metamorphs (160 Points) • 1x Metamorph Leader ◦ 1x Hand flamer ◦ 1x Leader's cult weapons • 9x Hybrid Metamorph ◦ 1x Cult Icon ◦ 8x Hand flamer ◦ 9x Metamorph mutations

Purestrain Genestealers (75 Points) • 5x Purestrain Genestealer ◦ 5x Cult claws and talons

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Thoughts

A properly on-theme Anvil force here, with Lysander leading a host of big guns and other heavy hitters to brutalise an increasingly heavy metagame. Unfortunately, that is not what the devious Genestalers have brought along, and thus they need to pivot to withstanding and murdering a horde.

That doesn't seem totally out of the question, as they do have some good tools here. Anvil's Stratagems have quite a bit to offer, as bugging out from Combat at the end of the Fight Phase stops you getting tarpitted, and the Shoot Back stratagem (in combination with Aggressors and Armour of Contempt) makes the maths for the Cult a bit dicey. They really don't want to lose half a unit to a revenge volley, as it messes with their abilty to use Back to the Shadows, as does the more broad fact that the Aggressors just pick up whatever target they look at across the entire list. Even just firing Overwatch they're real terrors here, as the Biologis means that every hit counts, and every hit is going to punk out a dumb Cultist

My suspicion is that the cult can still concentrate enough violence to just about push through, but if the Fists are savvy about positioning they can make a real go of it by occupying a couple of objectives in force. I think the biggest issue is that if the Cult go second, they're very likely to be able to do a big swing turn at the end, whereas the same isn't going to be true of the Fists, as at some point their mobile stuff is going to die. The Cult are also just better at Secondaries here, which further tilts things in their favour. I do wonder if the Fists have a route to victory by slow-rolling Assassinate/baby Cleanse as fixed, using Challenger Cards to try and keep parity on score otherwise, and they did put up a pretty solid fight, but the Cult were able to swarm them to death eventually.

Result

Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) Victory - 79 - 67

Peyton Preece - Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) - 1st Place

Hybrid Metamorphs. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Horde Cult with Metamorphs

Thoughts

Glorious victory for the people's revolution here, combining a standard horde Host core with two fully loaded up Biophagus/Metamorph units. My assumption is that this is part of the general metagame theme of exploring the cheapest things you can put in builds to give big Knights pause for thought, and being able to go for 5+ Critical Lethal Hits between the Biophagus and the Primed and Readied Stratagem certainly helps on that. It doesn't do the trick alone, but it gives you a pretty reliable way to finish a job other units have started, and the squad with Our Time is Nigh is just a headache for opponents to plan around whatever. The units also still get to load up on flamers, so they're generically good harrassment all the time. Seems like a neat addition to the recipe overall, and clearly worked here, good job Peyton!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Brent Simon - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer): Deathshrouds and cheap Daemon Engines.
3rd - Eli Harvey - Imperial Fists (Anvil Siege Force): See Showdown.
4th - Georde Murray - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, a Lancer and Armigers.
5th - Tyler Evans - Aeldari (Windrider Host): Fully 36 shuriken cannon Windriders (with various War Walkers and Warlocks to boost lethality) and some Shining Spears to help with the Knight matchup.

Wyohammer 40k July Open '25

27-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Laramie, WY, United States on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Adam Tricola - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) - 1st Place

Primaris Chapter Master Dante. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Blood Angel Madness (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain with Jump Pack (75 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

Chaplain (85 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Crozius arcanum • Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch

Chaplain with Jump Pack (75 points) • 1x Crozius arcanum 1x Plasma pistol

Commander Dante (120 points) • Warlord • 1x Perdition Pistol 1x The Axe Mortalis

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

The Sanguinor (140 points) • 1x Encarmine broadsword

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infiltrator Squad (100 points) • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Marksman bolt carbine • 4x Infiltrator • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Marksman bolt carbine

Sanguinary Guard (110 points) • 3x Sanguinary Guard • 2x Angelus boltgun 3x Encarmine blade 1x Inferno pistol 1x Sanguinary Banner

Sanguinary Guard (240 points) • 6x Sanguinary Guard • 4x Angelus boltgun 6x Encarmine blade 2x Inferno pistol 1x Sanguinary Banner

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (87), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Liberator Goodstuff

Thoughts

Some Blood Angels to round us out, exemplifying some of the current trends by packing Lancers as a heavy firepower option (unsurprising with Knights around), and squeezing in three different heavy melee threats between the Jump Intercessors, Sanguinary Guard and Chaplain-packing Bladeguard. Thanks to the Detachment Rule and Stratagems, any of these hit hard enough to cause concern for any targets, and if you want a more melee-focused Marine build, this sort of Liberator list is definitely what you want to be considering. Great work Adam!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Colin Kay - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Five bigs (three Atrapos, a despoiler and a Lancer) ready to crush everyone except (narrowly) the Blood Angels.
3rd - Matthew Murrell - T'au Empire (Mont'ka): A very adaptable and speedy Crisis toolbox and Hammerhead build.
4th - Phillip Schwan - Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Plague Marines and the cheap Daemon Engines.
5th - Will Greiner - Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): A more melee/go-wide spin on Host than the norm, only running two big blocks and instead bringing some Aberrants and extra board presence.

Wrap Up

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