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

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Dead of Knight pt.1

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Jul 23 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.

Sometimes a big event comes along and gives us a glimmer of hope that there are answers out there, and sometimes it just confirms that the meta is dead. This past weekend saw the massive Tacoma Open as just one of an incredible 20 total GT+ events, with over 1000 total participants, and it was utterly dominated by Knights and Death Guard. Both Imperium and Chaos Knights are at 60% win rates, and Death Guard managed 55% despite making up 9% of the entire field (which is exceptional when there are other medium play rate factions at 60% win rates).

There are a few other widely played factions holding on (mostly other Chaos armies), and a few niche ones thriving in a skewed metagame, but right now the game is warped around the power of big robots and Nurgle Daemon Engines, and for my money we are fully into "emergency out-of-cycle nerf" territory. I think the argument is especially strong for doing an emergency change because I'm reasonably convinced that there's also some wild differences between faction power underneath the top layer, and if you wait till the next Dataslate to take Death Guard and Knights down a peg, and don't get it right with tuning the other factions, there's a risk that the next metagame will have its own problems. Better to take a medium-touch approach to Knights and Death Guard now so we can see what the full picture looks like when they're at a more normal level of performance.

Anyway, let's examine the carnage, starting today with:
  • Warhammer 40,000 GT - Warhammer Open Tacoma
  • 3rd Annual Eastern Montana WAAAAAGH!!!!!
  • El Rey en el Norte
  • Historicon 40K GT, Your Hobby Place Led and Hosted by Away Games
  • Wargames for Warriors 2025 - 40K Championships
  • Exploding Dice 40K GT 2025
  • Phoenix 40K 2 Day GT 2025
On Friday Lowest of Men will cover:
  • Protect Ya Neck #4
  • Capital Clash - Dakka Dakka!
  • Into the Maelstrom 2025 Summer Warhammer 40k GT
  • Clever Kobold's Solar Bombardment Summer GT
  • Big Beef Beat down
  • River City Rumble 40k
  • North Sea Slam GT RottenHammer
Finally, I'll be back on Saturday (or possibly Sunday depending on a few scheduling things) with:
  • Hee Yaw GT 2025
  • Winchester 40K GT - July 2025
  • J-Town Throwdown
  • Lëtz play 40k III
  • 1er Gt No Surrender Maná Infinito
  • La Classique d'Été (40k)

Warhammer 40,000 GT - Warhammer Open Tacoma

450-player, 8-round Supermajor in Tacoma, WA, United States on July 18 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Scorched Earth - Crucible of Battle

Jeff Jew - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault)
Army List - Click to Expand


when the spore hits your eye like a big pizza pie biovore

Tyranids Subterranean Assault Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Deathleaper (80 Points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Neurotyrant (125 Points) • 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes • 1x Psychic scream • Enhancements: Tremor Senses

The Swarmlord (220 Points) • Warlord • 1x Bone sabres • 1x Synaptic pulse

Trygon (160 Points) • Subterranean Assault Keywords: Character • 1x Bio-electric pulse • 1x Trygon scything talons • Enhancements: Trygon Prime

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (85 Points) • 10x Gargoyle ◦ 10x Blinding venom ◦ 10x Fleshborer

Gargoyles (85 Points) • 10x Gargoyle ◦ 10x Blinding venom ◦ 10x Fleshborer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (50 Points) • 1x Chitin-barbed limbs • 1x Spore Mine launcher

Hive Guard (180 Points) • 6x Hive Guard ◦ 6x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 6x Shockcannon

Lictor (60 Points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Neurogaunts (45 Points) • 1x Neurogaunt Nodebeast ◦ 1x Chitinous claws and teeth • 10x Neurogaunt ◦ 10x Chitinous claws and teeth

Norn Emissary (260 Points) • 1x Monstrous rending claws • 1x Monstrous scything talons • 1x Psychic Tendril

Raveners (125 Points) • 5x Ravener ◦ 5x Ravener claws and talons

Raveners (125 Points) • 5x Ravener ◦ 5x Ravener claws and talons

Tyrannofex (200 Points) • 1x Powerful limbs • 1x Rupture cannon • 1x Stinger salvoes

Zoanthropes (200 Points) • 1x Neurothrope ◦ 1x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 1x Warp Blast • 5x Zoanthrope ◦ 5x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 5x Warp Blast

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651



vs.

Steve Trimble - Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer)
Army List - Click to Expand


UH OH STINKY! POOPY! HAHA! (1995 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 Points) • 1x Manreaper

Lord of Contagion (110 Points) • 1x Manreaper

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion ◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) ◦ 1x Manreaper ◦ 1x 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 Entropy cannons

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

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (1), Data Version: v647

Thoughts

Death Guard vs Tyranids on the top tables at Tacoma, with Mortarion's Hammer facing off against Subterranean Assault. Hammer has taken over as the "top" Death Guard build at this point, as the combination of increasing the flexibility of the Daemon Engines (some of the best datasheets) with maximising the ease of a punishing 6" Deep Strike from Deathshrouds (the other best datasheet) makes it hard to pass up. The opposition here is very strong too though - Jeff's Tyranids are incredibly flexible around the board thanks to Raveners (who can also bring tunnels), Gargoyles, and the Infantry shooting threats set up to maximise the value of teleporting around the table. It sacrifices a few Monsters to do that, but still has a Norn to provide an ultra-solid anvil.

So, who looks hot in this one? Both sides have some stuff going for them in my opinion. The Tyranids feel like they're better able to pressure objectives; the Norn isn't durable enough to just tank on the middle objective, but put it on a side objective with more restricted sightlines and it will take a lot of killing. The Death Guard have to be careful about how much stuff they bring out too, as either the Zoanthropes or Hive Guard will do a lot of damage back to the assembled engines if allowed (though have to watch out in turn because they're super vulnerable to Bloat-drones). Gargoyles also provide a strong way of flipping objectives in an emergency, but need to watch out for Overwatch from Deathshrouds while doing do.

Oddly, I think the biggest problem for the Tyranids is actually the Poxwalkers - these need to be dead so they can actually start playing the game properly, but they're not massively long on stuff that does this without committing forward, at which point the Death Guard can take a big chunk out of their list. The way these lists line up, it feels like if the Tyranids can have a few turns where they can dictate how the threats square up, they're in with a great shot, but it's surprisingly hard for them to get to that point, and with the Death Guard also having their Mortars (which will be clipping through real stuff here) there's just no incentive for the Nurgle side of things to do anything other than grind. That maybe flips things round to where the Tyranids have to try a big push with the Swarmlord/Norn tag team to break into the game, but that's a high risk strategy. I'm guessing that is the one they followed from the scoreline, and probably a correct risk to take, but not one that paid off here.

Result

Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) Victory - 90 - 62

Steve Trimble - Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) - 1st Place

Plagueburst Crawler - Credit Beanith

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


UH OH STINKY! POOPY! HAHA! (1995 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 Points) • 1x Manreaper

Lord of Contagion (110 Points) • 1x Manreaper

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion ◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) ◦ 1x Manreaper ◦ 1x 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 Entropy cannons

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

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (1), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Mortarion's Hammer

Thoughts

Death Guard take Tacoma by unleashing the might of Daemon Engines. The sheer efficiency of the cheap hulls combined with the constant looming threat of firing Deathshroud into the backfield via the Detachment rule makes this one of the strongest builds going, and no one was able to stop Steve romping to a repeat trophy.

Jeff Jew - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault) - 2nd Place

Trygon Prime. Credit: Rockfish Trygon Prime. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


when the spore hits your eye like a big pizza pie biovore

Tyranids Subterranean Assault Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Deathleaper (80 Points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Neurotyrant (125 Points) • 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes • 1x Psychic scream • Enhancements: Tremor Senses

The Swarmlord (220 Points) • Warlord • 1x Bone sabres • 1x Synaptic pulse

Trygon (160 Points) • Subterranean Assault Keywords: Character • 1x Bio-electric pulse • 1x Trygon scything talons • Enhancements: Trygon Prime

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (85 Points) • 10x Gargoyle ◦ 10x Blinding venom ◦ 10x Fleshborer

Gargoyles (85 Points) • 10x Gargoyle ◦ 10x Blinding venom ◦ 10x Fleshborer

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (50 Points) • 1x Chitin-barbed limbs • 1x Spore Mine launcher

Hive Guard (180 Points) • 6x Hive Guard ◦ 6x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 6x Shockcannon

Lictor (60 Points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Neurogaunts (45 Points) • 1x Neurogaunt Nodebeast ◦ 1x Chitinous claws and teeth • 10x Neurogaunt ◦ 10x Chitinous claws and teeth

Norn Emissary (260 Points) • 1x Monstrous rending claws • 1x Monstrous scything talons • 1x Psychic Tendril

Raveners (125 Points) • 5x Ravener ◦ 5x Ravener claws and talons

Raveners (125 Points) • 5x Ravener ◦ 5x Ravener claws and talons

Tyrannofex (200 Points) • 1x Powerful limbs • 1x Rupture cannon • 1x Stinger salvoes

Zoanthropes (200 Points) • 1x Neurothrope ◦ 1x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 1x Warp Blast • 5x Zoanthrope ◦ 5x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 5x Warp Blast

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Toolbox Tunnelers

Thoughts

Assault goes from strength-to-strength, and Jeff's especially anti-Knight variant here feels like a great choice for the current metagame. The Norn picks the most concealed objective in the mid board to go squat on, forcing at least two Knights to come out of they want to flip it, then boom, shockcannons and mind bullets. Elegant. Clean. Brutal. I like this list a lot, congratulations Jeff on taking the runner up spot.

Ben Jurek - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 3rd Place

Loyalist Knight Atrapos Loyalist Knight Atrapos. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Also now that I have you . Check out my friends new DnD book on kickstarter

************

Player Name: Ben Jurek Team Name: Art of War Factions Used: Imperial Knights Army Points: 1995 Army Enhancements: None Detachment Name: Noble Lance ****************

Big man blastoise (1995 Points)

Imperial Knights Noble Lance Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (380 Points) • Warlord • 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor • 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser • 1x Freedom's Hand

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (365 Points) • 1x Atrapos lascutter • 1x Graviton singularity cannon

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (365 Points) • 1x Atrapos lascutter • 1x Graviton singularity cannon

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (365 Points) • 1x Atrapos lascutter • 1x Graviton singularity cannon

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Archetype

Canis and Bigs

Thoughts

As I have been saying for weeks now, you basically cannot go wrong with Canis Rex and as many Atrapos as you can paint and legally field, and sure enough in third place (second on OGW%) we've got Ben's Knights, supporting the driving pressure of four all-rounder big Knights with lots of Helverins to babysit the backfield. Brutal and effective, and deftly piloted to third place by Ben.

Steven Salazar - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 4th Place

Imperial Knight Lancer. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


lol (1990 points)

Imperial Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Noble Lance

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (380 points) • Warlord • 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser 1x Freedom’s Hand

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (390 points) • 1x Atrapos lascutter 1x Graviton singularity cannon • Enhancement: Mysterious Guardian

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (365 points) • 1x Atrapos lascutter 1x Graviton singularity cannon

Cerastus Knight Lancer (365 points) • 1x Cerastus shock lance

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (130 points) • 2x Armiger autocannon 1x Armoured feet 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (130 points) • 2x Armiger autocannon 1x Armoured feet 1x Questoris heavy stubber

ALLIED UNITS

Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Immolation flamers

Sisters of Battle Squad (115 points) • 1x Sister Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Battle Sister • 9x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Canis and Bigs with Sisters

Thoughts

See, if you swap an Atrapos out for a Lancer, look what happens - defeat in the third place playoff to triple Atrapos! More seriously, Steven's list goes for a little bit more flexibility and access to Ignore Cover via some Sisters, which is great if you run into armies with 2+ saves, but feels a little weaker in the big Knight mirror. Still, great run from Steven to make it to the playoffs, congratulations.

The Best of the Rest

Today I have decided we are doing the rest of the top 16 for this. Note that this is the top 16 as it appears in BCP, if the actual results were different because of brackets or whatever, my apologies. They were:
  • 5th - Ridvan Martinez - Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): A melee toolbox Reaper's Wager build with a lone Solitaire to flip the Wager, Hellions as a big damage threat into Knights (thanks to Malicious Frenzy) and a few Scourges to keep a clip of damage going.
  • 6th - Floof Cox - Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Neophyte horde host with extra utility/screening from lots of Jackals and Purestrains.
  • 7th - Steven Crawley - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Five bigs with triple Knight Lancer, a teleport Crusader and the inevitable Canis Rex.
  • 8th - Chris Jung - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): A full lean-in on the speedy War Dogs plus Gatling Infernal plan, featuring two double Gatling Despoilers and maximum Karnivores/Stalkers.
  • 9th - Ken Bush - Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Extra heavy Hammer that adds Canis Rex to double Dorn and Russes.
  • 10th - David Bierek - Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots): A hard-hitting mixture of monster mash and dakka using Discordants, Vashtorr and a Khorne Daemon Prince for the former and the ever-dependable Vindicator for the latter.
  • 11th - David T. - World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin): Extra-heavy Khorne Daemon prince bringing Skarbrand, the big Bloodcrusher unit and Angron, sacrificing shooting tools from the normal builds to go for pure melee violence.
  • 12th - Alex Pina - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus Coven Goodstuff with the Vortex on an Infernal Master.
  • 13th - Alexander White - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer): Extra hull-tastic Hammer with Helbrutes on top of the normal cheap Daemon Engines and Plaguebursts.
  • 14th - Marshall Arthurs - Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): A Cawl Skorpius/Ironstrider firebase with lots of elite Skitarii (including maximum Skystalkers) for board control and pressure.
  • 15th - Ken Onyeabor - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): An extra monstrous spin on Assault with double Norn Emissary.
  • 16th - Zach Starcher - Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Double Plague Marine Champions goodstuff, also featuring a full Deathshroud unit.

3rd Annual Eastern Montana WAAAAAGH!!!!!

50-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Billings, MT, United States on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Brett Perkins - Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) - 1st Place

Be'lakor Be'lakor - Credit: RichyP

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Okay, freeze frame! You are probably wondering how we got here. If you are reading this then you already know the truth. There was a live stream spinning wheel and it landed on Daemons. So here I am... lost in the warp! Invuls dont fail me now!

Shadow Daemons (1995 points)

Chaos Daemons Strike Force (2000 points) Shadow Legion

CHARACTERS

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

Bloodthirster (330 points) • 1x Great axe of Khorne 1x Hellfire breath • Enhancement: Leaping Shadows

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

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

Skullmaster (130 points) • 1x Blade of blood 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn • Enhancement: Fade to Darkness

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Bloodcrushers (220 points) • 1x Bloodhunter • 1x Hellblade 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn • 5x Bloodcrusher • 1x Daemonic Icon 5x Hellblade 1x Instrument of Chaos 5x Juggernaut’s bladed horn

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

ALLIED UNITS

Chaos Lord with Jump Pack (80 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

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

Havocs (125 points) • 1x Havoc Champion • 1x Accursed weapon 1x Meltagun • 4x Havoc • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Havoc lascannon

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (88), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Shadow Legion Pressure

Thoughts

We were promised a summer of Chaos, and if you look below the Knight headlines, it genuinely is Chaos Factions that are doing the best at holding to a solid win rate, with Daemons no exception. This build makes one intriuging change from the normal Shadow Legion recipe, which is to stick Fade to Darkness on the big Bloodcrusher brick and Leaping Shadows on the Bloodthirster rather than the other way round. Having mulled over it, I really like that - the Bloodcrushers have a much broader range of targets that they can mangle (at least once you factor in their Mortal Wounds and the Bloodmasters), so in the current metagame it's plausible that you more consistently get value out of Fade on them. Scout on an Advance/Charge Bloodthirster also forces extreme caution from foes, helping the Daemons eke out early board presence without as much material commitment, focusing more on killing power. It's a really interesting twist that seems to have performed very effectively for Brett, good stuff!

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Tom Cohen - Aeldari (Warhost): The now-default 20 Dragons in Serpents supported by Aspect MSUs and, here, the flex pick of a Windrider unit.
  • 3rd - Colin Kay - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Maximum dakka Despoilers, two with double gatling and one double battle cannon, with Karnivores and Stalkers supporting.
  • 4th - Adam Tricola - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Liberator goodstuff with a pair of Lancers.

El Rey en el Norte

45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Xavier Barrera - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs) - 1st Place

Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


in Jeff i trust (1995 points)

Adepta Sororitas Strike Force (2000 points) Hallowed Martyrs

CHARACTERS

Canoness (60 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Brazier of holy fire 1x Hallowed chainsword • Enhancement: Saintly Example

Daemonifuge (85 points) • 1x Ephrael Stern • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Sanctity • 1x Kyganil of the Bloody Tears • 1x The Outcast’s Weapons

Imagifier (65 points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon

Junith Eruita (80 points) • 1x Mace of Castigation 1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer

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

Palatine (75 points) • 1x Palatine blade 1x Plasma pistol • Enhancement: Through Suffering, Strength

Palatine (50 points) • 1x Palatine blade 1x Plasma pistol

BATTLELINE

Battle Sisters Squad (105 points) • 1x Sister Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Condemnor boltgun 1x Power weapon • 9x Battle Sister • 9x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Battle Sisters Squad (105 points) • 1x Sister Superior • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Condemnor boltgun 1x Power weapon • 9x Battle Sister • 9x Bolt pistol 7x Boltgun 9x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Multi-melta 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

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 battle cannon 3x Heavy bolter 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Castigator (160 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Castigator battle cannon 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 Anointed halberd 9x Bolt pistol

Mortifiers (70 points) • 1x Anchorite Sarcophagus 2x Heavy bolter 1x Twin penitent buzz-blades

Mortifiers (70 points) • 1x Anchorite Sarcophagus 2x Heavy bolter 1x Twin penitent buzz-blades

Mortifiers (70 points) • 1x Anchorite Sarcophagus 2x Heavy bolter 1x Twin penitent buzz-blades

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

Sisters Novitiate Squad (100 points) • 1x Novitiate Superior • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Sister Novitiate • 9x Autopistol 4x Close combat weapon 2x Ministorum flamer 5x Novitiate melee weapons 1x Sacred Banner 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (88), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Martyrs Goodstuff

Thoughts

We got a couple of really good Sisters performances this week, with Xavier leading the charge using Hallowed Martyrs. This build uses the great all-rounder toolkit Sisters has and tunes it a bit for the metagame, adding Stern as an extra way of holding objectives safely early on, and taking three solo Mortifiers as disruption pieces, since Suffering and Sacrifice after a Heroic can completely throw off the plans of a big Knight player, and running them around as a tag team with Vahl's unit can force caution from even the nastiest threats. Combining all these options for squeezing big value out of cheap units with the power of Miracle Dice makes this an extremely potent all-rounder build, and it's great to see some Sisters lists back on the radar. Well done Xavier!

Amador Perez - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) - 2nd Place

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

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


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

CHARACTERS

Captain (115 points) • Warlord • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Master-crafted bolter 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Rage-fuelled Warrior

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

Techmarine (55 points) • 1x Forge bolter 1x Grav-pistol 1x Omnissian power axe 1x Servo-arm

Techmarine (55 points) • 1x Forge bolter 1x Grav-pistol 1x Omnissian power axe 1x Servo-arm

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (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 (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

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

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

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

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

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

Incursor Squad (80 points) • 1x Incursor Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Occulus bolt carbine 1x Paired combat blades • 4x Incursor • 4x Bolt pistol 1x Haywire Mine 4x Occulus bolt carbine 4x Paired combat blades

Incursor Squad (80 points) • 1x Incursor Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Occulus bolt carbine 1x Paired combat blades • 4x Incursor • 4x Bolt pistol 1x Haywire Mine 4x Occulus bolt carbine 4x Paired combat blades

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

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (88), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Liberator Bladeguard Spam

Thoughts

Last week the Ultramarines had a go at holding the line on behalf of the loyalist Astartes, but this week they're pretty much nowhere to be seen, and the Blood Angels are taking up the mantle. Liberator Assault Force remains one of the best all-rounder Marine detachments, and this build leans in on the fact that the Detachment Rule pushes the strength of both Bladeguard and Assault Intercessors to the key S6 breakpoint or beyond, allowing them to contend with the defences of Knights, and make a horrendous mess of most things smaller than that. The ever reliable Ballistus Dreadnought backs them up, here rendered extra reliable via Techmarines, who can also help fight off any chaff that comes for them in a pinch. Going for all those Assault Intercessors as the fast threats means the pressure in this build comes at a bargain price, allowing it to invest in a very dependable second wave, which seems to have worked very effectively. Great job Amador.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Gustavo Marod - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus Coven Goodstuff with slightly more Rubricae than normal (at the cost of a Beast).
  • 4th - Guillermo Martinez - Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): Aggro Stormlance with lots of Dreadnoughts, 6/3/3 ThunderCav, and lots of MSU Wulfen.
  • 5th - Mario "Curi" Fuentes - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Liberator Goodstuff with Lancers.
  • 6th - RAGNAR Armenta - Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots): Shooty hulls and Possessed galore as Pactbound.
  • 7th - Eduardo Villarreal - Orks (War Horde): Even the War Horde builds are going extra hefty, this one features two Battlewagons and a Squighog unit with a Squigosaur boss.

Historicon 40K GT, Your Hobby Place Led and Hosted by Away Games

36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Lancaster, PA, United States on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Cory White - Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Hammer (2000 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 Points) • 1x Manreaper

Lord of Contagion (110 Points) • 1x Manreaper

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Predator Destructor (145 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Heavy bolter • 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Predator Destructor (145 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Heavy bolter • 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Spawn (80 Points) • 2x Chaos Spawn ◦ 2x Hideous mutations

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

Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion ◦ 1x Manreaper ◦ 1x 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 Fleshmower • 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 Points) • 1x Fleshmower • 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

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

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.35.0 (1), Data Version: v629

Archetype

Mortarion's Hammer

Thoughts

A more aggressive, go-wide variant of Hammer here, warding off the failure case of getting boxed in by going wider on the table with Fleshmower drones, and using additional Poxwalkers to ensure the early game plays out to its advantage. Daemon Engines - they're pretty good. Well done Cory.

Carson Okamoto - Adepta Sororitas (Champions of Faith) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Greg Narro

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


Live by the 4++, Die by the 4++ (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

Junith Eruita (80 Points) • 1x Mace of Castigation • 1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer

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

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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 Combi-weapon ◦ 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 blade

Sisters Novitiate Squad (100 Points) • 1x Novitiate Superior ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Sister Novitiate ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Ministorum flamer ◦ 5x Novitiate melee weapons ◦ 1x Sacred Banner ◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (3), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Sacresant Champions

Thoughts

The empowered Champions of Faith detachment gets a showing here, able to put down a wall of Sacresants with defensive buffs, and use them to hold the line long enough for Castigators and Immolators to clear out the foe, with Vahl's hammer unit ready to handle anything that needs particularly stern attention (which, you know, is lots of stuff right now). Obviously the army is vulnerable to anything that can reliably clear a full Sacresant unit through -1 to Hit and Wound plus a Feel No Pain, but those are relatively rare, and as long as you dodge double gatling infernals (who are dangerously on the edge of pulling it off it they go for Sustained), you can enjoy the frustration of foes clearing a few models, then watching you burn some 1s and 2s from the miracle pool to bring back lots of models. Not having to burn dice on the detachment rule massively opens this army up for use, and it's cool to see a proper Sacresant shieldwall out and about. It's also cool that the +1Ld from being Righteous actually matters right now, truly hell is open and the devils (Chaos Knights) are here. Great work Carson.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Johnny Zoo - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): An all-rounder Raiders list with Vashtorr and various brawler/shooty units.
  • 4th - Justin Adams - Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots): A monster mash/brawling build with Abaddon and a full Chosen brick at the core, an Accursed Commune riding shotgun, and Vashtorr and a Daemon Prince as extra roving threats.
  • 5th - Thomas Ferrante - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and triple Atrapos.
  • 6th - Dan Meloro - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): The max Mutalith/Enlightened version of Magnus Coven goodstuff.
  • 7th - Frank Smith - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Liberator Goodstuff with Vindicators.

Wargames for Warriors 2025 - 40K Championships

31-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sandy, UT, US on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Evan Stump - Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors) - 1st Place

Dante. Credit: Rockfish Dante. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


AI (2000 Points)

Space Marines Blood Angels Angelic Inheritors Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

Chief Librarian Mephiston (120 Points) • 1x Fury of the Ancients • 1x Plasma pistol • 1x Vitarus

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

Librarian (65 Points) • 1x Bolt pistol • 1x Force weapon • 1x Smite

Lieutenant in Phobos Armour (55 Points) • Warlord • 1x Bolt Pistol • 1x Master-crafted bolt carbine • 1x Paired combat blades

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (95 Points) • 1x Combi-weapon • 1x Paired combat blades • Enhancements: Ordained Sacrifice

The Sanguinor (140 Points) • 1x Encarmine broadsword

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Devastator Squad (120 Points) • 1x Devastator Sergeant ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Combi-weapon ◦ 1x Power fist • 4x Devastator ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Lascannon

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

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

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

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

Sanguinary Guard (110 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: v1.37.0 (1), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Go-wide Inheritors

Thoughts

Blood Angels aren't one-trick ponies at the moment, with the Angelic Inheritors detachment providing a second powerful playstyle after Liberator. As this version shows, the power of Leadered MSU Sanguinary Guard squads here lets you go pretty wide on the table, and backing it up with powerful shooting means you still have plenty of heavy lifting to clear Knights. On that shooting front, being able to utilise lascannon Devastators with confidence (thanks to In the Shadow of Great Wings) is a huge asset, as they're great value into Knights if you can protect them, but most armies can't. Having Ordained Sacrifice available for the combi-Lieutenant also makes them available to be more of a Sororitas-style scoring piece, especially as the army already gets Wound re-rolls of 1 a lot of the time. Competing with Liberator is no mean feat for any detachment, and I really like that we're still seeing this one do well, good job Evan.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Chase Fowers - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Six bigs.
  • 3rd - Joshua Bush - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Quad bigs with a Lancer, Atrapos and Errant alongside the big dog.
  • 4th - Nico Urrea - Thousand Sons (Warpforged Cabal): A more unusual shooty Tsons build with Predators, a Forgefiend and a Vindicator alongside lots of Enlightened.
  • 5th - Michael Estrada - T'au Empire (Mont’ka): Hefty Mont'ka with triple Riptide and triple Hammerhead.

Exploding Dice 40K GT 2025

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Northern Ireland, GB on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Harry McComb - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


CSM - Renegade Raiders (1990 points)

Chaos Space Marines Strike Force (2000 points) Renegade Raiders

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (280 points) • Warlord • 1x Drach’nyen 1x Talon of Horus

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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 Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 2x Combi-bolter 2x Meltagun

Chaos Bikers (70 points) • 1x Biker Champion • 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-bolter 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 2x Combi-bolter 2x Meltagun

Chaos Bikers (70 points) • 1x Biker Champion • 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-bolter 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 2x Combi-bolter 2x Meltagun

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

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

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

Chaos Vindicator (185 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Havoc launcher

Chaos Vindicator (185 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Havoc launcher

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

ALLIED UNITS

Noise Marines (145 points) • 1x Disharmonist • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Sonic blaster • 5x Noise Marine • 2x Blastmaster 5x Close combat weapon 3x Sonic blaster

Rubric Marines (100 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Malefic Curse 1x Warpflame pistol • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 4x Warpflamer

Exported with App Version: v1.38.0 (90), Data Version: v651

Archetype

Shooty Raiders

Thoughts

Speaking of shooty heavy lifting, that's very much what Abaddon and a pile of Vindicators and Predators does for you, teaming up to flatten almost anything. While that's underway, the foe has to worry about the roving Possessed units with access to the Infantry stratagems from Raiders, and also the big spike damage that will come from Noise Marines blowing Ruinous Raid. Thanks to Dark Pacts and various of their Detachment Rules/Abaddon, Chaos Space Marines can be a very high damage army when required, and have had a low-key decent week thanks to that, well done to Harry for showcasing the pure dakka and of that spectrum.

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Michael McConkey - Drukhari (Reaper's Wager): Reaper's Wager melee toolbox with a Solitaire and the Hellion block.
  • 3rd - Mark Morrow - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Shooty Assault with a unit each of Zoanthropes and shockcannon Hive Guard to teleport around.

Phoenix 40K 2 Day GT 2025

26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sandiacre, England, United Kingdom on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Sam Sadgrove - Chaos Space Marines (No Army List) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand


The Fabulous Bile <3 (2000 Points)

Chaos Space Marines Renegade Raiders Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (105 Points) • 1x Daemon hammer • 1x Power fist • Enhancements: Dread Reaver

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

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

BATTLELINE

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

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

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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 Meltagun

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

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

Chaos Vindicator (185 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Demolisher cannon • 1x Havoc launcher

Chaos Vindicator (185 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Demolisher cannon • 1x Havoc launcher

Chosen (250 Points) • 1x Chosen Champion ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Boltgun ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Power fist • 9x Chosen ◦ 6x Accursed weapon ◦ 5x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Boltgun ◦ 4x Combi-weapon ◦ 2x Paired accursed weapons ◦ 4x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power fist

Chosen (250 Points) • 1x Chosen Champion ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Boltgun ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Power fist • 9x Chosen ◦ 6x Accursed weapon ◦ 5x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Boltgun ◦ 4x Combi-weapon ◦ 2x Paired accursed weapons ◦ 4x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power fist

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (1), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Brawler Raiders

Thoughts

Another high-damage Raiders build, this one going for more of a Combined Arms approach by running Rhinos full of Chosen to punt anything they perform a Ruinous Raid against directly into the sun. Given that higher-pressure plan, packing Cypher behind them makes a lot of sense, as when the enemy are staring down that many T5 wounds, stripping away their tools for a counterpunch is awesome. As I said - good week for Chaos Space Marines, and Sam offers some guidance for anyone waiting to get all their Chosen back off the shelf.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Andrew King - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): Deathwing Knights, the Lion and a big unit of Hellblasters for Azrael to lead around.
  • 3rd - Jack Grace - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, a teleporting Atrapos and a bunch of Armigers (leaning towards Warglaives).
  • 4th - James Climpson - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Extra-hefty quad bigs with a Castellan.
  • 5th - Tristan Whitehead - Space Wolves (Saga of the Beastslayer): Melee herohammer Beastslayer, using Blood Claws and Terminators with powerful Leaders, both Character Dreadnoughts, ThunderCav, and Wulfen (one unit featuring a Battle Leader with Wolf-touched).

Wrap Up

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Tags: Space Marines | chaos space marines | tyranids | imperial knights | blood angels | Death Guard | Warhammer 40k | chaos daemons | adepta sororitas | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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