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.

This week's theme is mostly that not one but two tournaments somehow ended up with weird bizarre top cut situations that ate up a valuable part of my Monday night reconcilling. Boo and hiss. I do it because I love our readers, obviously.

Metagame wise - the Dataslate has hit, and the split at the top is between Aeldari on one side and a melee Marine trifecta of Blood Angels, World Eaters and Black Templars on the other. There's also the new Raven Guard hotness starting to pick up a fair bit of momentum in the shadows. All of that is broadly represented in the metagame for this weekend's LGT, and I'm looking forward to seeing how things shake out at the biggest 40K event ever!

Speaking of that - my ever talented co-conspirator Lowest of Men is part of the streaming team for the event, so if you want his insights in real time, not just in Friday's column, make sure to check out the stream over on the UKTC TV feed.

Returning to our appetisers for this weekend's spectacular, we have the following.

Part 1 on Wednesday:

Doonhamer Open - 40K Super Major
The Phoenix GT – End of Summer Showdown
ICE HAMMER ITC GT VII - 2025
2025 Wars on the Shore GT
1° GT Mallorca

Part 2 on Friday:

Crucible Grand Tournament 2025
Orchard of OHNO 2025 40k GT
Grip Figurspel GT II
Setembro Open Almeirim
Nørdcon '25 Warhammer 40000 GT

Part 3 on Saturday:

Invasion 2025 40k
Dearg Doom IV: Feel All Pain!
The Autumn Swordwind GT - 2000 Points 40k tournament 5 rounds
Hobby Henchmen Autumn GT
Aemona Grand Tournament Vol. 4

Doonhamer Open - 40K Super Major

131-player, 7-round Major in Scotland, United Kingdom on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Note: OK, so - this is our first event for the week where top cuts went weird. There was a top cut. So far so good. However. One player couldn't play, so a slot dropped down, then someone who was in the top four got DQed because of an unfixable list error being discovered, then all their opponents got scores retroactively changed to 20-0, so this is carnage. I have put the top three here as the players who actually played the top cut. Fourth onwards I'm just going by the scores as they lie in BCP.

OK? OK.

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

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Player Name: Innes "I miss u Angron" Wilson Team Name: Stat Check Factions Used: World Eaters Army Points: 2000 Army Enhancements (list on which model): Slaughterbound - Berzerker Glaive, World Eaters Lord of Juggernaut - Battle-Lust Detachment Rule: Relentless Rage ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes the unit can probably get there World Eaters Berzerker Warband (2000 Points)

yeah the 20 man can reach you - World Eaters - Berzerker Warband (2000 Points)

Khârn the Betrayer (100 pts) • Gorechild • Plasma pistol

Slaughterbound (110 pts) • Lacerator and daemonic claw • Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive

World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (100 pts) • Plasma pistol • Exalted chainblade • Juggernaught's bladed horn • Enhancement: Battle-Lust

World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (90 pts) • Plasma pistol • Exalted chainblade • Juggernaught's bladed horn • Warlord

Khorne Berserkers (360 pts) • Khorne Berserker Champion • Berserker chainblade • Plasma pistol • Icon of Khorne • 4x Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons • 4x Plasma pistol • 4x Khornate eviscerator • 15x Khorne Berserker • 15x Berserker chainblade • 15x Bolt pistol

Khorne Berserkers (180 pts) • Khorne Berserker Champion • Berserker chainblade • Plasma pistol • Icon of Khorne • 2x Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons • 2x Khornate eviscerator • 2x Plasma pistol • 7x Khorne Berserker • 7x Berserker chainblade • 7x Bolt pistol

Khorne Berserkers (360 pts) • Khorne Berserker Champion • Berserker chainblade • Plasma pistol • Icon of Khorne • 4x Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons • 4x Plasma pistol • 4x Khornate eviscerator • 15x Khorne Berserker • 15x Berserker chainblade • 15x Bolt pistol

Exalted Eightbound (140 pts) • Exalted Eightbound Champion • Chainblades • 2x Exalted Eightbound • 2x Chainblades

Exalted Eightbound (140 pts) • Exalted Eightbound Champion • Chainblades • 2x Exalted Eightbound • 2x Chainblades

Jakhals (65 pts) • Jakhal Pack Leader • Autopistol • Jakhal chainblades • Dishonoured w/ skullsmasher • Skullsmasher • Icon of Khorne • 1 mauler chainblade, 7 chainblades • Jakhal w/ mauler chainblade • Mauler chainblade • Autopistol • 7x Jakhal • 7x Autopistol • 7x Jakhal chainblades

World Eaters Rhino (85 pts) • Armoured tracks • Combi-bolter • Combi-weapon • Havoc launcher

World Eaters Chaos Spawn (90 pts) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous Mutations

World Eaters Chaos Spawn (90 pts) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous Mutations

World Eaters Chaos Spawn (90 pts) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous Mutations

Archetype

Big Berzerkers

Thoughts

This week's breakout strategy is a new and improved melee World Eaters setup, which Innes is leading the charge with here. The significant Dataslate boost to Exalted Eightbound gives you something that can do heavy melee lifting again, which previously the army could ironically struggle with, while the big Berzerker bricks are a huge nightmare for the expected Aeldari menace to handle. They just don't kill enough in any activation, after which the high-reach Blood Surge will turn half their army into paste, as the extra melee reach the Juggerlords provide means that pretty much the whole squad will swing, splitting attacks much more flexibly than otherwise possible. They also provide extra reach for Advancing and Charging, as this Detachment likes to do.

This is a return to a classic strategy of getting in the opponent's face really fast with a lot of stuff and demanding they find and answer, and the Blood Surge threat makes it very hard for some builds to muster that. World Eaters have one of the biggest representations at the LGT, so we'll see if this success gets repeated there, but right now congratulations to Innes for being at the fore with this powerful new setup.

Conail Kearns - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium)

Plague Marine. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (205 Points) • Warlord • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancements: Daemon Weapon of Nurgle

Lord of Contagion (120 Points) • 1x Manreaper

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (190 Points) • 1x Plague Champion ◦ 1x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Power fist • 9x Plague Marine ◦ 1x Blight launcher ◦ 4x Heavy plague weapon ◦ 2x Plague belcher ◦ 9x Plague knives ◦ 2x Plague spewer

Plague Marines (190 Points) • 1x Plague Champion ◦ 1x Plasma gun ◦ 1x Power fist • 9x Plague Marine ◦ 1x Blight launcher ◦ 4x Heavy plague weapon ◦ 2x Plague belcher ◦ 9x Plague knives ◦ 2x Plague spewer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (320 Points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion ◦ 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) ◦ 1x Manreaper ◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 5x Deathshroud Terminator ◦ 5x Manreaper ◦ 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (120 Points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher • 1x Plague probe

Myphitic Blight-haulers (100 Points) • 1x Bile spurt • 1x Gnashing maw • 1x Missile launcher • 1x Multi-melta

Myphitic Blight-haulers (100 Points) • 1x Bile spurt • 1x Gnashing maw • 1x Missile launcher • 1x Multi-melta

Plagueburst Crawler (210 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 2x Entropy cannon • 1x Plagueburst mortar • 1x Rothail volley gun

Plagueburst Crawler (210 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 2x Entropy cannon • 1x Plagueburst mortar • 1x Rothail volley gun

Poxwalkers (65 Points) • 10x Poxwalker ◦ 10x Improvised weapon

Archetype

Heavy Infantry Vectorium

Thoughts

In second place, we have a heavily reworked Vectorium build, using big units of Plague Marines and a full Deathshroud stack to dodge or mitigate the impact of the Dataslate changes respectively, and backing them with a diminished (but still potent) suite of Daemon Engines. The key thing here is that the combination of sticky objectives and Plaguebursts adds a lot of value to the Rhino Plague Marine units, as you can stage those up and then use the other tools to force the opponent to engage with you, at which point the Plague Marines hopefully eliminate whatever threat they face. There's more of a damage ceiling than there used to be, and the big blocks of Berzerkers proved too much for it in the final, but it's a very solid all-rounder strategy for taking on most things that aren't on heavy skew. Well done to Conail.

Robert Mitchell - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) - 3rd Place

Anathema Psykana (Sisters of Silence) by Crab-stuffed Mushrooms

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Al (2045 points)

Note: I can only assume this was done in the app prior to the update, the 9-model Vigilators dropped to 100pts per unit.

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

CHARACTERS

Aleya (65 points) • Warlord • 1x Somnus

Blade Champion (120 points) • 1x Vaultswords

Blade Champion (120 points) • 1x Vaultswords

Knight-Centura (55 points) • 1x Executioner greatblade

Knight-Centura (55 points) • 1x Executioner greatblade

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Anathema Psykana Rhino (75 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Anathema Psykana Rhino (75 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

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 iliastus accelerator cannon 1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

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

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

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

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

Vigilators (115 points) • 1x Vigilator Sister Superior • 1x Executioner greatblade • 8x Vigilator • 8x Executioner greatblade

Vigilators (115 points) • 1x Vigilator Sister Superior • 1x Executioner greatblade • 8x Vigilator • 8x Executioner greatblade

Vigilators (115 points) • 1x Vigilator Sister Superior • 1x Executioner greatblade • 8x Vigilator • 8x Executioner greatblade

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

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

ALLIED UNITS

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

Exported with App Version: v1.40.1 (97), Data Version: v686

Archetype

Lion Vigilator Spam

Thoughts

Is it reductive to say that 10th Edition is ultimately about who can stage units in Rhinos best? Yes, but look at this. Even the Custodes are doing it! They don't fit in Rhinos!

Vigilators do though, and at their new cheaper price have some attractions in a Marine-heavy metagame. With the Lions Detachment buff up they'll take a reasonable chunk out of everything and a fairly big chunk out of anything in power armour, and you don't pay a massive amount for the units (plus get solid reach out of a Rhino). Fights First from Aleya and access to Fight on Death can further complicate things for opponents trying to handle them. Two units of Wardens to tarpit while they operate is a nice setup as well, and while it's left field, I can definitely respect what this army has going on. It did also have a very bad time into the World Eaters, but I'm going to guess that's shortly to be a universal experience, and if you send out one of these units and lift half a Berzerker squad that's still technically trading up, which could maybe be an angle of attack? Anyway - really cool to see a Dataslate buff get an underappreciated unit straight into a strong build, well done Robert.

Bill Paterson - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) - 4th Place

C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

CHARACTER

1x C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon (300 pts) • 1x Canoptek tail blades • 1x Spear of the Void Dragon • 1x Voltaic storm

1x Illuminor Szeras (165 pts) • 1x Eldritch lance • 1x Impaling legs

3x The Silent King (400 pts) • 1x Szarekh • 1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory • 1x Staff of Stars • 1x Weapons of the Final Triarch • Szarekh • 2x Triarchal Menhir • 2x Annihilator beam • 2x Armoured bulk • 2x Triarchal Menhir, 2x Triarchal Menhirs, Warlord

1x Hexmark Destroyer (75 pts) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

1x Skorpekh Lord (90 pts) • 1x Enmitic annihilator • 1x Flensing claw • 1x Hyperphase harvester

1x Skorpekh Lord (120 pts) • 1x Enmitic annihilator • 1x Flensing claw • 1x Hyperphase harvester • Enaegic Dermal Bond (+30 pts)

1x Technomancer (100 pts) • 1x Staff of light • Nether-realm Casket (+20 pts)

OTHER DATASHEETS

5x Flayed Ones (60 pts) • 5x Flayed One • 5x Flayer claws

3x Ophydian Destroyers (80 pts) • 3x Ophydian Destroyer • 3x Ophydian hyperphase weapons

3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts) • 3x Skorpekh Destroyer • 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons

3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts) • 3x Skorpekh Destroyer • 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons

6x Canoptek Scarab Swarms (80 pts) • 6x Canoptek Scarab Swarm • 6x Feeder mandibles

1x Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 pts) • 1x Destroyer • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Gauss destructor

6x Canoptek Wraiths (220 pts) • 6x Wraith • 6x Particle caster • 6x Vicious claws

1x Canoptek Reanimator (75 pts) • 2x Atomiser beam • 1x Reanimator's claws

Archetype

Elite Awakened

Thoughts

An elite Awakened Dynasty build to round out our top four, using Wraiths as the tarpit unit, and Skorpekh to trade. Swapping out Warriors as a centrepiece makes sense as World Eaters rise, as Warrior-centric builds are stone dead to 20 Berzerker units, whereas Wraiths have slightly more of a shot of actually participating in a game with them, while Skorpekh with Lords are another thing that can positively trade with a chunk of a big squad...unless they have Damage Reduction available, which is a whole thing for the Silent King post Dataslate. I like this elite setup better than Warriors despite that, and I'd honestly wonder about leaning in further and taking a full Skorpekh unit - glass cannon sure, but it would mean that big Berzerker units would have to stay away any time they didn't have 2CP up, as a full squad with Hungry Void and the Silent King's aura just about lifts a full squad. Interesting times for Necrons - they came through the Dataslate well, but need to adapt to a very changed metagame, and I certainly think Bill is making the right first steps here.

The Best of the Rest

There was 2 more players with 5-0 records in the Swiss. They were:

5th - Shaun Delaney - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): A fairly top-heavy Liberator build centred around a big unit each of Death Company and Sanguinary Guard, plus some Ballistus Dreads.
6th - James Lighten - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Two gatling/melta Despoilers, plus aggro melee pressure from a Lancer and Karnivores.

The Phoenix GT – End of Summer Showdown

73-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hoofddorp, NH, Netherlands on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

JC van der Lee - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) - 1st Place

Blood Angels Vanguard Veterans (photo courtesy of Musterkrux)

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Veni, Vidi, Vanvets - Theme song: Blood by In This Moment (1965 points)

Sanguinary Guard are +15 for 3, +20 for 6, bringing the list to 2000.

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

CHARACTERS

Blood Angels Captain (115 points) • 1x Inferno pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Rage-fuelled Warrior

Captain with Jump Pack (100 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch

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

Lemartes (100 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x The Blood Crozius

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (230 points) • 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs • 5x Astartes chainsword 2x Eviscerator 6x Heavy bolt pistol 2x Inferno pistol 2x Plasma pistol 3x Power fist

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (120 points) • 5x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs • 2x Astartes chainsword 1x Eviscerator 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Inferno pistol 1x Plasma pistol 2x Power fist

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (120 points) • 5x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs • 2x Astartes chainsword 1x Eviscerator 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Inferno pistol 1x Plasma pistol 2x Power fist

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

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

Sanguinary Guard (110 points) • 3x Sanguinary Guard • 2x Angelus boltgun 3x Encarmine spear 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 3x Combat knife 1x Missile launcher

Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 points) • 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Power fist 1x Sternguard bolt pistol 1x Sternguard bolt rifle • 4x Sternguard Veteran • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Sternguard bolt pistol 3x Sternguard bolt rifle 1x Sternguard heavy bolter

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (190 points) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Inferno pistol 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon • 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack • 9x Inferno pistol 9x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.40.1 (97), Data Version: v686

Archetype

Melee Liberator

Thoughts

No see these ones are the loyal red melee Marines. Obviously. Getting in the opponent's face and smashing them with a pile of attacks is just as fun when Blood Angels do it, and this is definitely one of the other top melee builds post Dataslate. It misses out on the skew threat of the big Berzerker squads, but gets small speedy units like Jump Intercessors in exchange, giving it a different angle of attack on fragile, fast foes like Aeldari. Definite sense from all sides that guns are for cowards, and it's working out well for those that eschew them, great stuff from JC.

Justin Jansen - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Necron Warriors. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Awakened Dynasty

CHARACTERS

Catacomb Command Barge (120 points) • Warlord • 1x Gauss cannon 1x Overlord's blade 1x Resurrection Orb

Chronomancer (65 points) • 1x Chronomancer's stave

Illuminor Szeras (165 points) • 1x Eldritch Lance 1x Impaling legs

Lokhust Lord (100 points) • 1x Resurrection Orb 1x Overlord's blade • Enhancement: Veil of Darkness

Lokhust Lord (80 points) • 1x Resurrection Orb 1x Overlord's blade

Orikan the Diviner (80 points) • 1x Staff of Tomorrow

Royal Warden (70 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Relic gauss blaster • Enhancement: Nether-realm Casket

Royal Warden (50 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Relic gauss blaster

BATTLELINE

Necron Warriors (200 points) • 20x Necron Warrior • 20x Close combat weapon 20x Gauss flayer

Necron Warriors (200 points) • 20x Necron Warrior • 20x Close combat weapon 20x Gauss reaper

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Ghost Ark (115 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 2x Gauss flayer array

OTHER DATASHEETS

Canoptek Reanimator (75 points) • 2x Atomiser beam 1x Reanimator's claws

Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 points) • 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm • 3x Feeder mandibles

Cryptothralls (60 points) • 2x Cryptothrall • 2x Scouring eye 2x Scythed limbs

Cryptothralls (60 points) • 2x Cryptothrall • 2x Scouring eye 2x Scythed limbs

Lokhust Destroyers (180 points) • 6x Lokhust Destroyer • 6x Close combat weapon 6x Gauss cannon

Lokhust Destroyers (180 points) • 6x Lokhust Destroyer • 6x Close combat weapon 6x Gauss cannon

Ophydian Destroyers (80 points) • 3x Ophydian Destroyer • 3x Ophydian hyperphase weapons 1x Plasmacyte

Ophydian Destroyers (80 points) • 3x Ophydian Destroyer • 3x Ophydian hyperphase weapons 1x Plasmacyte

Exported with App Version: v1.40.1 (97), Data Version: v686

Archetype

Warrior Awakened

Thoughts

Another Awakened Dynasty build in undefeated second place here, aiming to exploit a mostly melee metagame by using big Warrior blocks as an anchor to pivot Lokhusts around. Lokhusts are solid into a Marine-heavy environment, but I do worry that this list just folds to some of the World Eaters builds we're seeing, despite Lohusts being somewhat OK at killing them - it's still just not enough to handle how fast the big Berzerkers lift Warriors. We'll see how that plays out pretty quickly, I suspect, and I do like this into several other popular builds (Aeldari will have considerably more trouble into this than the more elite version). Impressive win for Justin for now, and there are certainly versions of the metagame where this could thrive - all hangs on how the World Eaters hold up.

Martijn Van der Most - Chaos Space Marines (Chaos Cult) - 3rd Place (Undefeated)

That Gobbo

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

ITS CULT O CLOCK BABY (1970 points)

Chaos Space Marines Strike Force (2000 points) Chaos Cult

CHARACTERS

Cypher (90 points) • Warlord • 1x Cypher's bolt pistol 1x Cypher's plasma pistol

Dark Commune (95 points) • 1x Cult Demagogue • 1x Autopistol 1x Commune stave • Enhancement: Incendiary Goad • 1x Mindwitch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Warp Curse • 1x Iconarch • 1x Autopistol 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Blessed Blade • 2x Commune blade

Dark Commune (100 points) • 1x Cult Demagogue • 1x Autopistol 1x Commune stave • Enhancement: Cultist's Brand • 1x Mindwitch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Warp Curse • 1x Iconarch • 1x Autopistol 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Blessed Blade • 2x Commune blade

Dark Commune (90 points) • 1x Cult Demagogue • 1x Autopistol 1x Commune stave • Enhancement: Warped Foresight • 1x Mindwitch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Warp Curse • 1x Iconarch • 1x Autopistol 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Blessed Blade • 2x Commune blade

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (80 points) • 1x Chaos Familiar 1x Combi-bolter 1x Force weapon 1x Infernal Gaze

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Accursed Cultists (195 points) • 10x Mutant • 10x Blasphemous appendages • 6x Torment • 6x Hideous mutations

Accursed Cultists (195 points) • 10x Mutant • 10x Blasphemous appendages • 6x Torment • 6x Hideous mutations

Accursed Cultists (195 points) • 10x Mutant • 10x Blasphemous appendages • 6x Torment • 6x Hideous mutations

Chaos Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon

Chaos Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-weapon 1x Havoc launcher 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon

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

Raptors (90 points) • 1x Raptor Champion • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Raptor • 2x Astartes chainsword 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 2x Meltagun

Raptors (90 points) 1x Raptor Champion • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Raptor • 2x Astartes chainsword 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 2x Meltagun

Exported with App Version: v1.40.1 (94), Data Version: v675

Archetype

Cult Horde

Thoughts

The clear, emerging message is that you need to be ready for angry hordes to rush towards you and try and box you in, as the Accursed Commune spectacular is back as well. If the opponent can't handle a big Accursed rush, this list can deliver swift death, and while it's not as brutal as big Berzerkers, it makes up for it by having more of a plan B. The Cult army naturally encourages the inclusion of cheap, cheerful scoring pieces, while Predators with Dark Pacts provide a bargain way to get some actual credible shooting on the table, adding flexibility. Cypher is also great for locking the enemy out, and CP tax effects in general shoot up in value when players are slamming giant bricks into one another, as taking away the window to activate a key Stratagem can be game changing. Always love seeing some fresh energy fired into a classic by a Dataslate, well done Martijn on taking the third undefeated slot.

Laurens Tjallingii - Death Guard (Champions of Contagion) - 4th Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Filthy Champions #1 (2000 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Champions of Contagion

CHARACTERS

Biologus Putrifier (80 points) • Warlord • 1x Hyper blight grenades 1x Injector pistol 1x Plague knives • Enhancement: Final Ingredient

Biologus Putrifier (60 points) • 1x Hyper blight grenades 1x Injector pistol 1x Plague knives

Foul Blightspawn (75 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plague sprayer

Lord of Contagion (120 points) • 1x Manreaper

Lord of Contagion (120 points) • 1x Manreaper

Malignant Plaguecaster (60 points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Corrupted staff 1x Plague Wind

Malignant Plaguecaster (60 points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Corrupted staff 1x Plague Wind

Tallyman (50 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma pistol

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (190 points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Plasma gun 1x Power fist • 9x Plague Marine • 2x Blight launcher 4x Heavy plague weapon 2x Meltagun 9x Plague knives 1x Plague spewer

Plague Marines (190 points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Plasma gun 1x Power fist • 9x Plague Marine • 2x Blight launcher 4x Heavy plague weapon 2x Meltagun 9x Plague knives 1x Plague spewer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 points) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous mutations

Deathshroud Terminators (160 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator • 2x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (160 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 (120 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (120 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (120 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Poxwalkers (65 points) • 10x Poxwalker • 10x Improvised weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.40.1 (97), Data Version: v686

Archetype

Plague Marine Champions

Thoughts

Another Plague Marine-focused Death Guard build in fourth place, using Champions to add target flexibility, and also set up so that both units have access to Fight First, ensuring melee armies can't ever engage entirely safely. That's a solid bit of central board presence, and three Bloat-drones is still very nasty shooting to pack behind it, with Deathshrouds providing heavier troubleshooting. It's quite sparse on the table, so needs to be piloted with care as every lost unit is a disaster, but the punch is still very real, and the adaptability from the Detachment helps paper over some of the gaps. Well done to Laurens.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th - Aat Niehot - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): RepEx/Sword Brethren Gladius.
6th - Kjell Lutz - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): A greatly diminished but still somehow standing Grand Coven Goodstuff build, skimping on any of the durable stuff to keep the maneuvrability and damage.
7th - Miguel Hooijer - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Lions with a couple of discounted Custodian squads at the core, and a toolbox of other stuff around them.
8th - Sjors Meijer - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Double big Berzerker unit supported by Eightbound.
9th - Jort Kassies - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Dreadknight Grand Masters, Crowe's Purifiers, then a mix of Purifiers and Interceptors in Razorbacks.
10th - Ynze H - Orks (War Horde): Ghaz and a Big Mek with a big Boyz horde (as a default option), then mechanised melee murder around them. Also quite a bit of toolbox flexibility on exactly how you set up Ghaz in some matchups.
11th - Adam Jagich - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): One Berzerker unit, double Forgefiend, then leadered-up Exalted.
12th - Lenny Craft-it - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): RepEx/Brethren Gladius.
13th - Gerard Malipaard - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-melee Liberator.

ICE HAMMER ITC GT VII - 2025

34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Seltjarnarnes, Seltjarnarnesbær, Iceland on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Michael Hooper - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - World Eaters + DETACHMENT: Berzerker Warband + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Daemon Prince of Khorne + ENHANCEMENT: Berzerker Glaive (on Char1: Daemon Prince of Khorne) & Favoured of Khorne (on Char2: Lord on Juggernaut) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 14 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (3x2) - Assassination: 2 Characters - Cull The Horde: 1x5 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Daemon Prince of Khorne (225 pts): Warlord, Hellforged weapons, Infernal cannon Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive (+25 pts) Char2: 1x Lord on Juggernaut (105 pts): Bladed horn, Exalted chainblade, Plasma pistol Enhancement: Favoured of Khorne (+15 pts)

20x Khorne Berzerkers (360 pts) • 19x Khorne Berzerker 11 with Bolt pistol, Chainblade 3 with Chainblade, Plasma pistol 1 with Icon of Khorne, Chainblade, Plasma pistol 4 with Bolt pistol, Khornate eviscerator • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion: Chainblade, Plasma pistol

3x Eightbound (135 pts) • 1x Eightbound Champion: Chainblades • 2x Eightbound: 2 with Chainblades 3x Eightbound (135 pts) • 1x Eightbound Champion: Chainblades • 2x Eightbound: 2 with Chainblades 3x Exalted Eightbound (140 pts) • 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion: Chainblades • 2x Exalted Eightbound: 2 with Chainblades 3x Exalted Eightbound (140 pts) • 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion: Chainblades • 2x Exalted Eightbound: 2 with Chainblades 8x Goremongers (85 pts) • 1x Blood Herald: Autopistol, Chainblade, Close combat weapon • 7x Goremonger: 7 with Autopistol, Chainblade, Close combat weapon 10x Jakhals (65 pts) • 8x Jakhal 7 with Autopistol, Chainblades 1 with Autopistol, Mauler chainblade • 1x Jakhal Pack Leader: Icon of Khorne, Autopistol, Chainblades • 1x Dishonoured: Skullsmasher and mangler 2x Chaos Spawn (90 pts): 2 with Hideous Mutations 2x Chaos Spawn (90 pts): 2 with Hideous Mutations 2x Chaos Spawn (90 pts): 2 with Hideous Mutations 1x Forgefiend (170 pts): 2x Ectoplasma cannon, Ectoplasma cannon, Forgefiend claws 1x Forgefiend (170 pts): 2x Ectoplasma cannon, Ectoplasma cannon, Forgefiend claws

Archetype

All-Rounder Warband

Thoughts

A more hybrid take on World Eaters here, sticking to a bit more of a pre-Dataslate configuration, but squashing the two Berzerker units together into a single horde to add some of the overwhelming vibe. Doesn't do a complete shutout the way that the double block build can, but adds a bit more of an ability to play cagey or trade firepower, which can help if it's up against something that can flat out handle a big unit. Fun to see variety despite the small unit roster, well done Michael.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Heiðar Þór Stefánsson - Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Elite Skitarii horde, maxing on Infiltrators, Ruststalkers and Sterylizors.
3rd - Aðalsteinn Sigurðsson - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): GMDKs and lots of Purifiers, taking 3x10.
4th - Örn Steinar Haraldsson - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Ultra elite Starshatter with the Silkent King, Doomsdays, the Nightbringer and an enmitic Lokhust unit.
5th - John King - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): RepEx and Sword Brethren.
6th - johann gretar helgason - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Melee-focused Coterie, cutting all but one Noise Marine unit so it can still take triple Prince, and adding War Dog Stalkers for even more early pressure.

2025 Wars on the Shore GT

31-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Erie, PA, US on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Travis King - Aeldari (Warhost) - 1st Place

Lhykhis. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

I'm only t3 your the agro army I swear (1995 Points)

Aeldari Warhost Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Eldrad Ulthran (110 Points) • Warlord • 1x Mind War • 1x Shuriken pistol • 1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

Corsair Voidreavers (60 Points) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Mistshield ◦ 1x Neuro disruptor ◦ 1x Power sword • 4x Corsair Voidreaver ◦ 1x Blaster ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Power sword ◦ 3x Shuriken pistol

Storm Guardians (100 Points) • 10x Storm Guardian ◦ 8x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Flamer ◦ 2x Fusion gun ◦ 2x Power sword ◦ 6x Shuriken pistol • 1x Serpent's Scale Platform ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Serpent shield

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.40.1 (1), Data Version: v675

Archetype

Double Dragon Warhost

Thoughts

It's an extremely effective tour through the big hitters today, as next we have one of the two main spins on the elf menace. The Warhost variant here trades on two things. First, double re-embarkation tricks (Fire and Fade plus Skyborne Sanctuary) lets it throw multiple high-speed hammer blows with relative impunity, annihilating any Vehicle-heavy builds and causing serious consternation to elite Infantry. Against World Eaters it also has the value that Fire and Fade at least happens before a Blood Surge, so you can meaningfully chip a big unit with Fuegan's squad too. The second part of what makes the build work is five speedy, effective scoring pieces - Hawks and Spiders as MSUs are delightfully flexible on the tabletop, especially with additionally boosted movement from Warhost, and have decent damage output into enemy chaff to boot. They let this list dominate early skirmishing for position, forcing real commitment from the foe that can be punished either by the Dragons or Lhykhis/Jain Zar as needed. All classic elf stuff, tried and tested and ready for the new metagame - the question is just going to be whether it can handle big Berzerkers. Congratulations Travis!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - TJ Lanigan - Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Heavy hitting Shadow Legion, combinging Be'lakor and a Fadethirster with an Accursed Commune and a battle cannon Despoiler.
3rd - Mike Norton - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Triple big Lance with an Atrapos, Desecrator and gatling Despoiler, plus plenty of points left for Dogs.
4th - Zachary Morales - Ultramarines (Ironstorm Spearhead): Bobby G and a bunch of Dreadnoughts.
5th - Joseph Sault - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): High threat Ret Cadre with a Crisis toolbox and triple Riptide.
6th - William Pagonis - Black Templars (Godhammer Assault Force): Leaning in extra hard on the RepExes here, going for the full three plus a Redeemer, and filling them with elite herohammer.

1° GT Mallorca

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Palma, Illes Balears, ES on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Unknown Mission

Carlos Queek - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group)

Army List - Click to Expand

Blood 4.0 (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain with Jump Pack (100 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch

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

Lemartes (100 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x The Blood Crozius

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (90 points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Paired combat blades • Enhancement: Icon of the Angel

The Sanguinor (140 points) • Warlord • 1x Encarmine broadsword

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Baal Predator (125 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Baal flamestorm cannon 2x Heavy flamer 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (230 points) • 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs • 5x Astartes chainsword 2x Eviscerator 6x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Inferno pistol 3x Plasma pistol 3x Power fist

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

Sanguinary Guard (125 points) • 3x Sanguinary Guard • 2x Angelus boltgun 3x Encarmine blade 1x Inferno pistol 1x Sanguinary Banner

Sanguinary Guard (125 points) • 3x Sanguinary Guard • 2x Angelus boltgun 3x Encarmine spear 1x Inferno pistol 1x Sanguinary Banner

Sanguinary Guard (125 points) • 3x Sanguinary Guard • 2x Angelus boltgun 3x Encarmine spear 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 • 2x Astartes shotgun 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

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: v1.41.0 (98), Data Version: v687

vs.

Sibelius . - Space Marines (Astartes) (Shadowmark Talon)

Army List - Click to Expand

shadowmarkTalon (2000 points)

Space Marines Raven Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Shadowmark Talon

CHARACTERS

Aethon Shaan (85 points) • Warlord • 1x Claws of Severax 1x Heavy bolt pistol

Captain with Jump Pack (100 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Hunter's Instincts

Judiciar (95 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Executioner relic blade • Enhancement: Blackwing Shroud

Kayvaan Shrike (100 points) • 1x Blackout 1x The Raven's Talons

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (100 points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Paired combat blades • Enhancement: Coronal Susurrant

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

Ballistus Dreadnought (150 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Ballistus lascannon 1x Ballistus missile launcher 1x Twin storm bolter

Ballistus Dreadnought (150 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Ballistus lascannon 1x Ballistus missile launcher 1x Twin storm bolter

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (170 points) • 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 5x Bladeguard Veteran • 5x Heavy bolt pistol 5x Master-crafted power weapon

Centurion Devastator Squad (330 points) • 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant • 1x Centurion fists 1x Centurion missile launcher 1x Twin lascannon • 5x Devastator Centurion • 5x Centurion fists 5x Centurion missile launcher 5x Twin lascannon

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

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

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 2x Combat knife 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (190 points) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Inferno pistol 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon • 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack • 9x Inferno pistol 9x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (190 points) • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack • 1x Inferno pistol 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon • 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack • 9x Inferno pistol 9x Vanguard Veteran weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.41.0 (98), Data Version: v687

Thoughts

Fittingly given this week's crop we have a melee Marine-off for our showdown, pitting all-rounder Liberator against the sneaky new Raven Guard Detachment. This Shadowmark build is a great exemplar of the absolute bonanza of tools the Raven Guard have to play with. Redeploying perma-Cover Centurions in Vanguard has been great all edition, but here it's free and supplemented with a host of melee threats with loads of different delivery methods. Infiltrate Bladeguard! Advance/Charge VanVets with Shrike and a unit with free turn 1 Rapid Ingress via the Captain. That's lots of different ways to control who fights what where, something that's generally extremely strong in melee matchups, so with Centurions on top, do the Blood Angels have anything to work with?

It's tough for them, but the answer isn't nothing. First up, Vindicators are the right shooting threat to have here, as the 2+ save with access to Armour of Contempt gives them a shot of bouncing the Centurion shooting in cover with a bit of good fortune, pretty much the only combination of things that will ever do that, and they're very happy to drive forward and go for a close range volley in revenge. Doesn't stop the Centurions being a big problem, but it's a start. Next, they have some very solid unit-on-unit matchups. Lemartes Death Company are a great spoiler for the Bladeguard - they can charge, tank the swing thanks to -1D, the sweep up - and the Sanguinary Guard are honestly a bit of a headache for the VanVets, as the Raven Guard have no way to boost their AP, so risk getting bounced pretty badly, and then sliced up because they've gone for the greedier pistol build on both units. The looming threat of the Sanguinor over all this is a factor too.

In short, I think the Blood Angels are relatively well equipped to make a game of it here, but in the end I'd still lean towards the Raven Guard, just because controlling engagements is so powerful, I don't the Angels ever quite overturn the Centurion advantage, and also because I think both sides will be CP-starved, and the free redeploys from Shaan might tip the balance. Given that, props to the Blood Angels for running this very close to an upset, losing by only a single point, where I would have guessed this to be something more like an 85-70-something game.

Result

Raven Guard (Shadowmark Talon) Victory - 63 - 62

Sibelius . - Raven Guard (Shadowmark Talon) - 1st Place

Aethon Shaan. Credit: Dan Boyd

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Birdemic

Thoughts

Lord help me it's 8th Edition Raven Guard again. Centurions and tricks of every shape and size, they're so back, and a big headache for almost everyone, as covered in the Showdown. They do suffer a little from a lack of output buffs, as the Showdown demonstrated, so there are angles of attack if you can survive the Centurions, but this is also definitely a list where one false move results in game over. The depth is pretty scary too - the fact you get a couple of Ballistus on top of everything else is rude. The only thing I'll highlight is that other successful iterations of this put shields on one VanVet unit, and I think I like that more than two pistol squads, which feels like it opens up a bit too much of a vulnerability to Aeldari carving the units up. Minor quibble though (and has the flipside of reducing the damage output a bit) - this is a mean list that's ready to make a big impact, well done Sibelius.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Carlos Queek - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Liberator with melee herohammer and some Vindicators.
3rd - Joaquin Jurado - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Extra shooty Infernals with two gatling Despoilers, a Desecrator and a Tyrant, plus Rotigus.
4th - Biel R - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Cawl, lots of Ruststalkers and some shooty toys.
5th - Joan Llabrés - Genestealer Cult (Xenocreed Congregation): Lots of Acolytes and Metamorphs with Ridgerunner backup.
6th - Arturo Garrido - Dark Angels (Stormlance Task Force): The upgraded Lion sprinting forward with Deathwing Knights and Inner Circle Companions, plus one Command/Black Knight unit for extra reach.

Wrap Up

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Death by a Thousand Cuts pt.1

Doonhamer Open - 40K Super Major

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

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Conail Kearns - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Robert Mitchell - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor) - 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Bill Paterson - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) - 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The Phoenix GT – End of Summer Showdown

JC van der Lee - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Justin Jansen - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Martijn Van der Most - Chaos Space Marines (Chaos Cult) - 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Laurens Tjallingii - Death Guard (Champions of Contagion) - 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

ICE HAMMER ITC GT VII - 2025

Michael Hooper - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

2025 Wars on the Shore GT

Travis King - Aeldari (Warhost) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

1° GT Mallorca

The Showdown

Unknown Mission

Thoughts

Result

Sibelius . - Raven Guard (Shadowmark Talon) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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