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 part three of CI, coming to you on Sunday on purpose this time (not just because the Wordpress Scheduler is an abominable intelligence that should not be trusted). This is because, as you may have noticed, we had two Codex reviews go up yesterday, which you can find below:

Expect to see Black Templars making a splash in these pages in a few weeks time. Grey Knights...well I'm sure there will be attempts.

Anyway, today we've got:

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)

On Wednesday I covered:

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 looked at:

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

Hee Yaw GT 2025

50-player, 6-round Major in Killeen, TX, United States on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Samuel Cook - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) - 1st Place

Cerastus Knight Lancer. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Chaos Divided (1995 points)

Chaos Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Infernal Lance

CHARACTERS

Chaos Cerastus Knight Lancer (355 points) • 1x Cerastus shock lance

Chaos Cerastus Knight Lancer (355 points) • 1x Cerastus shock lance

Knight Despoiler (335 points) • Warlord • 2x Despoiler gatling cannon 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 2x Heavy darkflamer 1x Ruinspear rocket pod 1x Titanic feet

Knight Despoiler (335 points) • 1x Daemonbreath meltagun 1x Daemonbreath thermal cannon 1x Ruinspear rocket pod 1x Titanic feet 1x Warpstrike claw

Knight Despoiler (335 points) • 2x Despoiler gatling cannon 1x Diabolus heavy stubber 2x Heavy darkflamer 1x Ruinspear rocket pod 1x Titanic feet

OTHER DATASHEETS

War Dog Huntsman (140 points) • 1x Daemonbreath meltagun 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Reaper chaintalon

War Dog Huntsman (140 points) • 1x Daemonbreath meltagun 1x Daemonbreath spear 1x Reaper chaintalon

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

Archetype

Five Big Infernals

Thoughts

Really putting the Lance in Infernal Lance here, this five big build mixes the double Gatling Despoilers that are such terrors in this detachment with a couple of Lancers as pressure threats, replacing the normal Karnivores. Being able to give these already tough Knights a Feel No Pain seems pretty good, and the movement boost is also massive against other big Knight builds, as it lets you dictate the terms of engagement. Is the rest of the meta drowning in the face of this kind of build? Sure, but this isn't about them. I definitely like this as a way to adapt to what's at the top, nice work from Samuel.

The Best of the Rest

There were 9 more players on 4-1+ records (the top four here had a playoff round, hence scores with six games). They were:

2nd (5-1) - Jordan Heightshoe - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Double Prince double Maulerfiend Coterie.
3rd (5-1) - NATHANIEL BJORGE - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Ultra shooty Subterranean, going for triple Zoanthrope/Neurotyrant.
4th (4-2) - Josh Martin - Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Bobby G/Calgar shooty Vanguard with a big Centurion Devastator unit.
5th - Keven Rand - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Deathshroud spam, the full 18 with a depressing number of Daemon Engines still squeezed in around them.
6th - Daniel Weseloh - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Combined arms Liberator with large Sanguinary Guard units, Vindicators and Baal Predators.
7th - Tim Frisbee - World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin): Ultra-heavy Daemonkin with Angron, a Bloodthirster and Skarbrand and a Land Raider and an allied Knight Tyrant.
8th - Russell Tassin - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Five bigs with Rotigus to help shut out opponents taking back locked objectives..
9th - David Villareal - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Toolboxy AdMech with a bit of everything and a big unit of Breachers as a centrepiece.
10th - Matt Jackowski - World Eaters (Goretrack Onslaught): Berzerkers, Eightbound and Forgefiends plus a Land Raider to take advantage of the detachment.

Winchester 40K GT - July 2025

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

Martyn Cooper - Astra Militarum (Recon Element) - 1st Place

Catachan Sergeant "Ripper" Jackson. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Charge of the light brigade (2000 Points)

Astra Militarum Recon Element Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Cadian Castellan (55 Points) • Warlord • 1x Plasma pistol • 1x Power fist

Cadian Command Squad (65 Points) • 1x Cadian Commander ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power fist • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power fist • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Lasgun ◦ 1x Master Vox • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Lasgun ◦ 1x Medi-pack • 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Lasgun ◦ 1x Regimental Standard

Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 Points) • 1x Ibram Gaunt ◦ 1x Bolt Pistol ◦ 1x Gaunt’s chainsword • 1x Colm Corbec ◦ 1x Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine ◦ 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Elim Rawne ◦ 1x Rawne’s lascarbine ◦ 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Hlaine Larkin ◦ 1x Larkin’s long-las ◦ 1x Straight silver knife • 1x ’Try Again’ Bragg ◦ 1x Bragg’s autocannon ◦ 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Oan Mkoll ◦ 1x Lascarbine ◦ 1x Mkoll’s straight silver knife

Rogal Dorn Commander (265 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Coaxial autocannon • 1x Heavy stubber • 2x Heavy stubber • 2x Multi-melta • 1x Oppressor cannon • 1x Pulveriser cannon

Tech-Priest Enginseer (45 Points) • 1x Enginseer axe • 1x Mechanicus pistol • 1x Servo-arm

BATTLELINE

Cadian Shock Troops (65 Points) • 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Sergeant’s autogun • 9x Shock Trooper ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 7x Lasgun ◦ 1x Meltagun ◦ 1x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 Points) • 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Laspistol • 9x Jungle Fighter ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Flamer ◦ 7x Lasgun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 Points) • 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Laspistol • 9x Jungle Fighter ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Flamer ◦ 7x Lasgun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 Points) • 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Laspistol • 9x Jungle Fighter ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Flamer ◦ 7x Lasgun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 Points) • 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Laspistol • 9x Jungle Fighter ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Flamer ◦ 7x Lasgun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points) • 1x Death Korps Watchmaster ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Death Korps Trooper ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Death Korps Medi-pack ◦ 7x Lasgun ◦ 1x Meltagun ◦ 1x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points) • 1x Death Korps Watchmaster ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Death Korps Trooper ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Death Korps Medi-pack ◦ 7x Lasgun ◦ 1x Meltagun ◦ 1x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points) • 1x Death Korps Watchmaster ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Death Korps Trooper ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Death Korps Medi-pack ◦ 7x Lasgun ◦ 1x Meltagun ◦ 1x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Death Korps of Krieg (65 Points) • 1x Death Korps Watchmaster ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Death Korps Trooper ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Death Korps Medi-pack ◦ 7x Lasgun ◦ 1x Meltagun ◦ 1x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

OTHER DATASHEETS

Death Riders (60 Points) • 1x Ridemaster ◦ 1x Death Rider lascarbine ◦ 1x Frag lance ◦ 1x Power sabre ◦ 1x Savage claws • 4x Death Rider ◦ 4x Death Rider lascarbine ◦ 4x Frag lance ◦ 4x Power sabre ◦ 4x Savage claws

Death Riders (60 Points) • 1x Ridemaster ◦ 1x Death Rider lascarbine ◦ 1x Frag lance ◦ 1x Power sabre ◦ 1x Savage claws • 4x Death Rider ◦ 4x Death Rider lascarbine ◦ 4x Frag lance ◦ 4x Power sabre ◦ 4x Savage claws

Death Riders (60 Points) • 1x Ridemaster ◦ 1x Death Rider lascarbine ◦ 1x Frag lance ◦ 1x Power sabre ◦ 1x Savage claws • 4x Death Rider ◦ 4x Death Rider lascarbine ◦ 4x Frag lance ◦ 4x Power sabre ◦ 4x Savage claws

Kasrkin (110 Points) • 1x Kasrkin Sergeant ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Kasrkin ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Hot-shot lasgun ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol ◦ 1x Hot-shot marksman rifle ◦ 1x Melta Mine ◦ 2x Meltagun ◦ 2x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Kasrkin (110 Points) • 1x Kasrkin Sergeant ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Kasrkin ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Hot-shot lasgun ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol ◦ 1x Hot-shot marksman rifle ◦ 1x Melta Mine ◦ 2x Meltagun ◦ 2x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Leman Russ Battle Tank (185 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy stubber • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Lascannon • 1x Leman Russ battle cannon • 2x Multi-melta

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy stubber • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Lascannon • 2x Plasma cannon • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy stubber • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Lascannon • 2x Multi-melta • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

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

Archetype

Recon Board Control

Thoughts

Guard master Martyn unleashes a new spin on Guard here, taking a fairly standard all-rounder build, cutting one Dorn to run loads more Infantry MSUs, then running at as Recon Element. That ups the durability of all the chaff substantially, and provides tools like a reactive move and anti-Reinforcements Stratagem to improve the scoring capability of the list. The tradeoff is that you have reduced firepower, but crucially you're still over the line where a big Knight has to worry about getting popped outright if it emerges, meaning they can't just roll the army over. That deterrent can be enough to let the army consistently max out its scoring, and Martyn took the trophy with some very high scores under his belt, congratulations!

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:

2nd (4.5-0.5) - Anthony Donaldson - Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Most of the standard Death Guard pieces with the full triple Deathshroud MSUs, plus a unit of Plague Marines and a larger Poxwalker unit.
3rd (4.5-0.5) - Daniel Latham - Ultramarines (Firestorm Assault Force): Shooty Bobby G Firestorm with a Stormraven, plus Sicarius with Company Heroes in an Impulsor as a roving threat.
4th - Adam Parmenter - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Berzerkers and Forgefiends with support, one of the Berzerker units bulked out to the full twenty for maximum violence.
5th - Pete Armstrong - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus-free Goodstuff with lots of Enlightened and some extra standard Tzaangors for scoring.
6th - Aidan Brocklehurst - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Melee herohammer Liberator with lots of small units with Leaders and two larger threats, a full Assault Intercessor unit with a Priest (a very underutilised choice) and a full Sanguinary Guard squad.
7th - Matthew Truell - Astra Militarum (Recon Element): Pure horde Recon with an eye-watering number of Infantry models.

J-Town Throwdown

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

The Showdown

Take and Hold - Hammer and Anvil

Josh Wilson - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband)

Army List - Click to Expand

Double Beserker (1990 Points)

World Eaters Berzerker Warband Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Khorne (220 Points) • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancements: Helm of Brazen Ire

Khârn the Betrayer (85 Points) • 1x Gorechild • 1x Plasma pistol

Master of Executions (85 Points) • 1x Axe of dismemberment • 1x Bolt pistol • Enhancements: Berzerker Glaive

Slaughterbound (100 Points) • Warlord • 1x Lacerator and daemonic claw • Enhancements: Favoured of Khorne

BATTLELINE

Khorne Berzerkers (180 Points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion ◦ 1x Chainblade ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Khorne Berzerker ◦ 7x Bolt pistol ◦ 7x Chainblade ◦ 1x Icon of Khorne ◦ 2x Khornate eviscerator ◦ 2x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (180 Points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion ◦ 1x Chainblade ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Khorne Berzerker ◦ 7x Bolt pistol ◦ 7x Chainblade ◦ 1x Icon of Khorne ◦ 2x Khornate eviscerator ◦ 2x Plasma pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

Eightbound (150 Points) • 1x Eightbound Champion ◦ 1x Chainblades • 2x Eightbound ◦ 2x Chainblades

Eightbound (150 Points) • 1x Eightbound Champion ◦ 1x Chainblades • 2x Eightbound ◦ 2x Chainblades

Forgefiend (150 Points) • 2x Ectoplasma cannon • 1x Ectoplasma cannon • 1x Forgefiend claws

Forgefiend (150 Points) • 2x Ectoplasma cannon • 1x Ectoplasma cannon • 1x Forgefiend claws

Jakhals (65 Points) • 1x Jakhal Pack Leader ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Chainblades • 1x Dishonoured ◦ 1x Skullsmasher and mangler • 8x Jakhal ◦ 8x Autopistol ◦ 7x Chainblades ◦ 1x Icon of Khorne ◦ 1x Mauler chainblade

Maulerfiend (150 Points) • 2x Magma cutter • 1x Maulerfiend fists

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

vs.

Connor Johnson - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven)

Army List - Click to Expand

Magnus Price Coven (2000 Points)

Thousand Sons Grand Coven Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Tzeentch with Wings (195 Points) • 1x Dark Blessing • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancements: Eldritch Vortex of E’Taph

Magnus the Red (420 Points) • Warlord • 1x Blade of Magnus • 1x Gaze of Magnus • 1x Tzeentch’s Firestorm

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (105 Points) • 1x Force weapon • 1x Gaze of Hate • 1x Inferno combi-bolter • Enhancements: Umbralefic Crystal

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (85 Points) • 1x Force weapon • 1x Gaze of Hate • 1x Inferno combi-bolter

Tzaangor Shaman (55 Points) • 1x Baleful Devolution • 1x Force stave

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 Points) • 1x Betentacled maw • 1x Mutalith claws • 1x Warp vortex

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 Points) • 1x Betentacled maw • 1x Mutalith claws • 1x Warp vortex

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 Points) • 1x Betentacled maw • 1x Mutalith claws • 1x Warp vortex

Scarab Occult Terminators (180 Points) • 1x Scarab Occult Sorcerer ◦ 1x Force weapon ◦ 1x Inferno combi-bolter ◦ 1x Malefic Curse • 4x Scarab Occult Terminator ◦ 1x Hellfyre missile rack ◦ 3x Inferno combi-bolter ◦ 4x Prosperine khopesh ◦ 1x Soulreaper cannon

Scarab Occult Terminators (180 Points) • 1x Scarab Occult Sorcerer ◦ 1x Force weapon ◦ 1x Inferno combi-bolter ◦ 1x Malefic Curse • 4x Scarab Occult Terminator ◦ 1x Hellfyre missile rack ◦ 3x Inferno combi-bolter ◦ 4x Prosperine khopesh ◦ 1x Soulreaper cannon

Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 Points) • 1x Aviarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Fatecaster greatbow • 5x Enlightened ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 5x Fatecaster greatbow

Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 Points) • 1x Aviarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Fatecaster greatbow • 5x Enlightened ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 5x Fatecaster greatbow

Tzaangors (70 Points) • 1x Twistbray ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Chainsword • 9x Tzaangor ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 1x Brayhorn ◦ 9x Chainsword ◦ 1x Herd banner

Tzaangors (70 Points) • 1x Twistbray ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Chainsword • 9x Tzaangor ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 1x Brayhorn ◦ 9x Chainsword ◦ 1x Herd banner

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

Thoughts

The classic nerds vs. jocks showdown here, with Thousand Sons attempting to use sorcerous tricks to deal with the wall of angry men coming towards them. The Khorne forces are a fairly standard example, with the only major difference from the norm being the presence of a Maulerfiend instead of an Exalted unit (kind of a wash here), but it's a very strong build that plays well on Hammer and Anvil. In particular, the Brazen Ire Daemon Prince is kind of a pain for Thousand Sons to deal with, and sitting that out on an objective with some hidden models nearby to provide Lone Operative is probably the best single objective holder that either side has access to.

The Tsons certainly can come and kill it, but will have to devote some real units to the effort, which will then get charged in response. That's especially true of this build, which is missing the normal Rubricae in favour of Terminators, which are much tougher but also less all purpose murderous against something on an objective. In this matchup I'm not sure that swap ends up helping, as you also lose flamer overwatch to discourage Chaos Spawn, and a squad probably still evaporates if the Eightbound with the Slaughterbound comes and murders them. They're also comically vulnerable to the Forgefiends.

The big upside the Thousand Sons have is the maxed out contingent of Mutaliths, as taking these down will require heavy commitment from the World Eaters that will then just get rolled up. They do need to do quite a bit of heavy lifting though, as the other advantage the World Eaters have is a much deeper well of sacrificial stuff, so the Thousand Sons will need to do something to take the initiative.

I think this game probably hangs a lot on who gets second turn, as a reliable big end-of-game score, plus potentially some challenger cards, will go a long way to overcoming either side's challenges. If forced onto the first turn, for World Eaters I think the game becomes trying to lock in ten point turns with the Daemon Prince and denying as hard as possible, while for the Thousand Sons they would have to go hard on the aggressive with Mutaliths to try and force bad trades - but the presence of a Maulerfiend makes that a lot harder than you'd like. The World Eaters plan feels a little bit more pleasant of those two, and they did end up taking a (pretty narrow) victory, so despite the sheer viciousness of Thousand Sons, the body checking from all those angry men was enough to get there.

Result

World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) Victory - 78 - 70

Josh Wilson - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Warband with a Maulerfiend

Thoughts

It's the Berzerker Warband build, with a Maulerfiend. That seems like a great swap at the moment, as it scares the hell out of Knights, and as the Showdown demonstrated can be a great asset against more medium-weight targets too. Good tech pick and a good win, well done Josh.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd - Connor Johnson - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus Coven that completely exchews Rubricae in favour of a couple of small Scarab units.
3rd - David Clark - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer): Loads of Daemon Engines (including Plaguebursts) and a Knight Despoiler.
4th - Brent Simon - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer): The more aggressive Daemon Engines (no Plaguebursts here) with 2x6 Deathshrouds to double down on pressure.
5th - Zach Mobley - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus triple Mutalith Coven goodstuff.
6th - Nicholas Rupel - Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion): Tzeentch shooty monster mash with three big birds of various configurations plus Be'lakor, with various cheap stuff to fill out for scoring and board presence.
7th - Nathan Sims - Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Monster Shadow Legion with Be'lakor, two Bloodthirsters and a Great Unclean One supported by scoring-focused smaller stuff.

Lëtz play 40k III

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

liam Vsl - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 1st Place

Lhykis. Credit: James "Boon" Kelling

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PLAYER NAME: liam vsl + TEAM NAME: Team belgium + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Aeldari + DETACHMENT: Aspect Host + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Fuegan + ENHANCEMENT: + NUMBER OF UNITS: 18 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (1x2) - Assassination: 3 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Fuegan (120 pts) 1 with Searsong, The Fire Axe • Warlord

Char2: 1x Jain Zar (105 pts) 1 with Silent Death, The Blade of Destruction

Char3: 1x Lhykhis (120 pts) 1 with Brood Twain, Spider's Fangs, Weaverender

BATTLELINE

5x Corsair Voidreavers (60 pts) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch 1 with Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Neuro disruptor • Mistshield, Corsair Voidreaver • 3x Voidreaver with sword and pistol 3 with Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Shuriken Pistol • Corsair Voidreaver • 1x Voidreaver with Blaster 1 with Blaster, Close Combat Weapon, Shuriken Pistol • Corsair Voidreaver

5x Corsair Voidreavers (60 pts) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch 1 with Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Neuro disruptor • Mistshield, Corsair Voidreaver • 3x Voidreaver with sword and pistol 3 with Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Shuriken Pistol • Corsair Voidreaver • 1x Voidreaver with Blaster 1 with Blaster, Close Combat Weapon, Shuriken Pistol • Corsair Voidreaver

5x Corsair Voidreavers (60 pts) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch 1 with Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Neuro disruptor • Mistshield, Corsair Voidreaver • 3x Voidreaver with sword and pistol 3 with Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Shuriken Pistol • Corsair Voidreaver • 1x Voidreaver with Blaster 1 with Blaster, Close Combat Weapon, Shuriken Pistol • Corsair Voidreaver

11x Storm Guardians (100 pts) • 1x Serpent's Scale Platform 1 with Close Combat Weapon • Serpent's Scale Platform, Serpent Shield • 6x Storm Guardian 6 with Close Combat Weapon, Shuriken Pistol • Storm Guardian • 2x Storm Guardian with Flamer 2 with Close Combat Weapon, Flamer • Storm Guardian • 2x Storm Guardian with Fusion Gun & Power Sword 2 with Fusion Gun, Power sword • Storm Guardian

OTHER DATASHEETS

5x Dark Reapers (90 pts) • 4x Dark Reaper 4 with Close combat weapon, Reaper Launcher • Dark Reaper • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch 1 with Close combat weapon, Tempest Launcher • Dark Reaper Exarch • Aspect Shrine Token

5x Dark Reapers (90 pts) • 4x Dark Reaper 4 with Close combat weapon, Reaper Launcher • Dark Reaper • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch 1 with Close combat weapon, Tempest Launcher • Dark Reaper Exarch • Aspect Shrine Token

10x Fire Dragons (220 pts) • 9x Fire Dragon 9 with Close combat weapon, Dragon Fusion Gun • Fire Dragon • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch 1 with Close combat weapon, Firepike • Fire Dragon Exarch • 2x Aspect Shrine Token

5x Howling Banshees (95 pts) • 4x Howling Banshee 4 with Banshee Blade, Shuriken Pistol • Howling Banshee • 1x Howling Banshee Exarch 1 with Executioner and Shuriken Pistol • Howling Banshee Exarch • Aspect Shrine Token

5x Rangers (55 pts) • 5x Ranger 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Long rifle, Shuriken Pistol • Rangers

10x Swooping Hawks (170 pts) • 9x Swooping Hawk 9 with Close combat weapon, Lasblaster • Swooping Hawk • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch 1 with Close combat weapon, Hawk's Talon • Swooping Hawk Exarch • 2x Aspect Shrine Token

10x Swooping Hawks (170 pts) • 9x Swooping Hawk 9 with Close combat weapon, Lasblaster • Swooping Hawk • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch 1 with Close combat weapon, Hawk's Talon • Swooping Hawk Exarch • 2x Aspect Shrine Token

10x Swooping Hawks (170 pts) • 9x Swooping Hawk 9 with Close combat weapon, Lasblaster • Swooping Hawk • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch 1 with Close combat weapon, Hawk's Talon • Swooping Hawk Exarch • 2x Aspect Shrine Token

5x Warp Spiders (95 pts) • 4x Warp Spider 4 with Close Combat Weapon, Death spinner • Warp Spider • 1x Warp Spider Exarch 1 with Close Combat Weapon, 1 Powerblade array • Warp Spider Exarch • Aspect Shrine Token

5x Warp Spiders (95 pts) • 4x Warp Spider 4 with Close Combat Weapon, Death spinner • Warp Spider • 1x Warp Spider Exarch 1 with Close Combat Weapon, 1 Spinneret rifle & 1 Death weavers • Warp Spider Exarch • Aspect Shrine Token

1x Wave Serpent (125 pts) 1 with Wraithbone Hull, Shuriken Cannon, Twin Bright Lance

Archetype

Swooping Hawk Spam

Thoughts

Aspect Host builds continue to grimly hold onto being somewhat viable by maxing out their damage potential, and this one eschews double Fire Dragons (one squad is still here for Skyborne Sanctuary fun) in favour of maximum Swooping Hawks, because being able to plug 15 Mortal Wounds into any enemy that gets too close is a pretty universal deterrant, especially as you can follow that up with enough Lethal Hits to do massive chip damage to anything. In order to ensure it can bait the foe into position for this nastiness to happen, lots of cheap Corsairs can expand to whatever position they're needed in, and if the opponent undercommits then Battle Focus can squeeze a little extra value out. Finally, if the opponent is on more of an Infantry plan, or lurking in ruins, then Lhykhis or Jain Zar can go sort them out. Liam piloted this build through a series of popular meta matchups to take the trophy here, and if you can face painting that many Hawks it feels pretty real (and I'm guessing this is also WTC practice, this is a very WTC-ish Aeldari build). Just really, really hope you don't hit Deathwing Knight spam, because I'm pretty sure this army folds to that.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Jonathan Fagnoul - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): A classic spin on Raiders using triple Accursed Commune, a full Chosen hammer and some Predators in support.
3rd - Paul Neuburger - Leagues of Votann (Oathband): All-rounder Votann with double Iron-master, double Fort and two big Beserk units.
4th - Kevin De Vliegher - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Premium triple bigs with Canis Rex, a teleporting Castellan and a Banner-bearing Atrapos.
5th - Gilles Kaye - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Double Dorn Commander with double Bullgryn brick to protect them, supported by three Kasrkin squads for precision strike.
6th - Luca Ianni - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Five bigs with a few supporting Nurgle Daemons.

1er Gt No Surrender Maná Infinito

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

Lluis ThYr0N - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) - 1st Place

CreditL Mildnorman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Perdon, despues de esto ya no sabre jugar nada normal. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - Chaos Knights + DETACHMENT: Infernal Lance + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + ALLIED UNITS: Legiones Daemonica + + WARLORD: Char4: Knight Despoiler + ENHANCEMENT: Bestial Aspect (on Char1: Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 9 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (3x2) + (4x6) - Assassination: 4 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos (375 pts): Atrapos lascutter, Graviton singularity cannon Enhancement: Bestial Aspect (+20 pts) Char2: 1x Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos (355 pts): Atrapos lascutter, Graviton singularity cannon Char3: 1x Knight Despoiler (335 pts): Titanic feet, Ruinspear rocket pod, Despoiler gatling cannon, Heavy darkflamer, Despoiler gatling cannon, Heavy darkflamer, Diabolus heavy stubber Char4: 1x Knight Despoiler (335 pts): Warlord, Titanic feet, Ruinspear rocket pod, Despoiler gatling cannon, Heavy darkflamer, Despoiler gatling cannon, Heavy darkflamer, Diabolus heavy stubber

1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher 1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher 1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher

1x Beasts of Nurgle (65 pts): Putrid appendages 10x Plaguebearers (110 pts) • 9x Plaguebearer: 9 with Plaguesword • 1x Plagueridden: Plaguesword

Archetype

Quad Big Infernal Lance

Thoughts

It's just a really, really good all-rounder Infernal Lance build. What do you want from me? There's nothing else to say. Just looking at it triggers a prey response in my hindbrain. Which, to be fair, is on brand for Chaos Knights. Good stuff Lluis.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Ålfred Phobos ☠️ - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Four Dreadknights and a full Brotherhood Terminator squad with Draigo.
3rd - Marc Soler - Raven Guard (Vanguard Spearhead): Lots of small board control pieces, a couple of Lancers, then two centrepieces: Shrike with a full Vanguard Veteran squad and a Centurion unit to teleport around the board edges.
4th - Xavo Melenero L'Escamarlà - Genestealer Cult (Outlander Claw): Loads of cheap Acolyte MSUs, five Ridgerunngers and triple Rockgrinder.
5th - Kikko Fra - Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Two big Plague Marine units backed by Deathshrouds and Bloat-drones.

La Classique d'Été (40k)

28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sherbrooke, QC, Canada on July 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Éric Marcoux - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 1st Place

Imperial Knight Atrapos. Credit: Magos Sockbert

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Blame GW not me (1995 points)

Imperial Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Noble Lance

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (380 points) • 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 Lancer (365 points) • 1x Cerastus shock lance

Knight Crusader (390 points) • Warlord • 1x Avenger gatling cannon 1x Heavy flamer 1x Questoris heavy stubber 1x Stormspear rocket pod 1x Thermal cannon 1x Titanic feet • Enhancement: Mysterious Guardian

ALLIED UNITS

Inquisitorial Agents (60 points) • 5x Inquisitorial Agent • 5x Agent firearm 5x Agent melee weapon • 1x Gun Servitor • 1x Agent melee weapon 1x Heavy bolter

Voidsmen-at-Arms (70 points) • 1x Voidmaster • 1x Artificer shotgun 1x Close combat weapon 1x Laspistol • 4x Voidsman • 4x Close combat weapon 3x Lasgun 4x Laspistol 1x Voidsman rotor cannon • 1x Canid • 1x Vicious bite

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

Archetype

Five Big Imperials

Thoughts

I was already out of things to say last list. Don't worry thought Éric, I do, in fact, blame GW and not you.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Dominique Carette - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): It's Centurion week, apparently, as two Assault Centurion MSUs join an all-rounder Liberator Goodstuff build.
3rd - Christian Nadeau - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Double Doomsday, double Wraiths with a Command Barge for the aura.
4th - Hugo-Paul Lamoureux - Space Wolves (Gladius Task Force): The wolfiest Gladius build, packing ten Wulfen, a couple of Wolf Guard Terminator units, some ThudnerCav and some Headtakers.

Wrap Up

Have any questions or feedback? Drop us a note in the comments below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com. Want articles like this linked in your inbox every Monday morning? Sign up for our newsletter. And don’t forget that you can support us on Patreon for backer rewards like early video content, Administratum access, an ad-free experience on our website and more.

Thank you for being a friend.

Latest

Games Industry News Roundup- April 7th, 2026
by Dan "Swiftblade" Richardson - Apr 07 2026
Infinity N5 First Principles: Understanding the Outcomes of Face to Face Rolls
by Genghis Cohen - Apr 07 2026
A Brush With Greatness, Part 1: Introductions
by keewa - Apr 07 2026

Patreon

Support us on Patreon to get access to our Discord and exclusive App features.

Thank you for being a friend.

Already a Patron? Login with Patreon.

Fashion Accessories

Visit our incredibly official store on RedBubble.

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Dead of Knight pt.3

Hee Yaw GT 2025

Samuel Cook - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Winchester 40K GT - July 2025

Martyn Cooper - Astra Militarum (Recon Element) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

J-Town Throwdown

The Showdown

Take and Hold - Hammer and Anvil

Thoughts

Result

Josh Wilson - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Lëtz play 40k III

liam Vsl - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

1er Gt No Surrender Maná Infinito

Lluis ThYr0N - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

La Classique d'Été (40k)

Éric Marcoux - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

Latest

Patreon

Fashion Accessories

AGE OF SIGMAR 4th EDITION

WARHAMMER 40,000 10th EDITION

ABOUT US

OUR SOCIALS