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.

Statistically, you are far less likely than normal to be reading this at the time it drops, because today is the London Grand Tournament in the UK (the biggest 40K event ever) and the Challengers Cup in the US, which will eat a good chunk of our audience in both those countries.

If you are reading this hot off the press, then Lowest of Men is probably on the UKTC TV Stream right now, so go check that out at UKTC TV.

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

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

Invasion 2025 40k

106-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Norge on September 19 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Linchpin - Search and Destroy

Kjetil Andre Liknes - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade)

Army List - Click to Expand

Theme Song:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adeptus Mechanicus + DETACHMENT: Haloscreed Battleclade + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Belisarius Cawl + ENHANCEMENT: Sanctified Ordnance (on Char1: Tech-Priest Manipulus) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 16 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (5x2) + (1x6) - Assassination: 2 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

1x Belisarius Cawl (175 pts) • 1x Arc scourge • 1x Cawl's Omnissian axe • 1x Mechadendrite hive • 1x Solar atomiser • Warlord

1x Tech-Priest Manipulus (70 pts) • 1x Omnissian staff • 1x Transonic cannon • Sanctified Ordnance (+10 pts)

BATTLELINE

10x Skitarii Rangers (85 pts) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha • 1x Alpha combat weapon • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Galvanic rifle • 9x Skitarii Ranger • 1x Arc rifle • 9x Close combat weapon • 7x Galvanic rifle • 1x Plasma caliver • Omnispex

10x Skitarii Rangers (85 pts) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha • 1x Alpha combat weapon • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Galvanic rifle • 9x Skitarii Ranger • 1x Arc rifle • 9x Close combat weapon • 7x Galvanic rifle • 1x Plasma caliver • Omnispex

OTHER DATASHEETS

10x Corpuscarii Electro-Priests (130 pts) • 10x Corpuscarii Electro-Priests • 10x Electrostatic gauntlets

5x Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 pts) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha • 1x Flechette blaster • 1x Taser goad • Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha • 4x Pteraxii Skystalkers • 4x Close combat weapon • 4x Flechette carbine

5x Sicarian Infiltrators (70 pts) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps (Taser goad & flechette blaster) • 1x Flechette blaster • 1x Taser goad • 4x Sicarian Infiltrator (Taser goad & flechette blaster) • 4x Flechette blaster • 4x Taser goad

10x Sicarian Infiltrators (140 pts) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps (Taser goad & flechette blaster) • 1x Flechette blaster • 1x Taser goad • 9x Sicarian Infiltrator (Taser goad & flechette blaster) • 9x Flechette blaster • 9x Taser goad

10x Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 pts) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps (Transonic blades & chordclaw) • 1x Transonic blades & chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Transonic blades) • 9x Transonic blades

10x Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 pts) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps (Transonic blades & chordclaw) • 1x Transonic blades & chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Transonic blades) • 9x Transonic blades

10x Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 pts) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps (Transonic blades & chordclaw) • 1x Transonic blades & chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Transonic blades) • 9x Transonic blades

3x Ironstrider Ballistarii (225 pts) • 3x Ironstrider Ballistarius (Twin cognis lascannon) • 3x Ironstrider feet • 3x Twin cognis lascannon • 6x Ironstrider Ballistarii

1x Skorpius Disintegrator (165 pts) • 1x Armoured hull • 3x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Disruptor missile launcher • 1x Ferrumite cannon

1x Skorpius Disintegrator (165 pts) • 1x Armoured hull • 3x Cognis heavy stubber • 1x Disruptor missile launcher • 1x Ferrumite cannon

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

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

CHEAT SHEET: Army Rule is: * Pick Assault and +1WS, conditional extra AP when near Battleline * Pick Heavy and +1 BS, conditional -1 to hit in melee when near Battleline

Cawl grants oath on a target Strat for Assault Ramp Strat for crit 5's Strat for reactive move on Infantry Strat for reroll hits of 1 and wounds of 1 Strat for Fall Back shoot and charge Strat for Extra Detachment Thing

Detachment is pick 2 units to receive a buff Buffs are: +2" Move Advance and Charge +1 T Stealth

Duneriders can give Fire Support for shooting Disintegrators are +1 to hit against vehicles with the main cannon Ironstriders can always advance and shoot, and fall back and shoot Ironstriders have both sustained and twin linked Infiltrators force a battle-shock test at -1 at the start of the Fight Phase

Ruststalkers are 50 attacks with dev wounds Ruststalkers get +2 to Advance when near battleline Ruststalkers get +2 to Charge when near battleline If not near battleline, +1 That means they can minimum touch something 14" away Maximum 30ish

Corpuscarii do 30 shots with Sustained 2 and lethals Also in melee

vs.

Sveinung Nøding - Aeldari (Aspect Host)

Army List - Click to Expand

# Phoenix Trash +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PLAYER NAME: Sveinung + FACTION: Eldar + DETACHMENT: Aspect Host + + WARLORD: Fuegan + NUMBER OF UNITS: 20 + SECONDARIES: Bring It Down: 4, Assassination: 16 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

**Characters** [100] Maugan Ra [105] Jain Zar [120] Fuegan [120] Lhykis

**Battleline** [ 65] 5 Corsairs: Mistshield, neuro disruptor, blaster, 4 power swords

**Other** [ 55] 5 Rangers [ 55] 5 Rangers

[ 85] 5 Striking Scorpions: Biting blade

[ 95] 5 Banshees: Executioner [ 95] 5 Banshees: Executioner

[ 90] 5 Dark Reapers: Missile launcher

[ 95] 5 Warp Spiders: Spinnaret rifle & death weaver [ 95] 5 Warp Spiders: Spinnaret rifle & death Weaver [ 95] 5 Warp Spiders: Powerblade array

[ 85] 5 Swooping Hawks: Lasblaster [ 85] 5 Swooping Hawks: Lasblaster [ 85] 5 Swooping Hawks: Lasblaster

[220] 10 Fire Dragons: Firepike

[125] Wave Serpent: Twin bright lance, shuriken cannon [130] Falcon: Bright lance, shuriken cannon

= 2000

------------------------------------

My detachment rule is to re-roll 1s to hit or wound with aspect warriors. I choose hit unless it's flamers or I say otherwise.

My army rule is that in each battle round I have 4 battle focus tokens. They are all movement related. Max 1 per unit per phase, max 1 per type per phase. - +2 move. Can be used on multiple units each phase. - +d6+1 move to vehicles. - Unit can't be overwatched this turn. - Unit can pile in/consolidate 6". - React move d6+1 when you fall back. - React move d6+1 after you shot me.

My strats are: - Go back in transport end of any turn if wholly within 6". - Shoot better: Sus, lethal, ignore cover (choose 1 or 2). - Ignore mods. - Fight on death 4+/3+. - Force desperate escape on fall back.

Except going back in a transport they are all aspect warrior locked.

Thoughts

The Aeldari menace faces a new challenger here - the massively boosted forces of the Adeptus Mechanicus, showing off all their new tricks. Variously, you have Cawl providing Oaths, which makes the army way more deadly, and specifically helps out stuff with Sustained Hits like the Corpuscarii priests, who can go fishing for infinity hits. Elsewhere, Ruststalkers could already zoom across the battlefield when required, but can now lean on the re-rolls to reliably turn any Infantry target into a fine mist, and the Ironstriders are back to 9th edition levels of point-click-dead for any heavy targets.

This is a problem for the Aeldari, as there is a lot of stuff here that kills them stone dead, and they really don't love the challenge of trying to lift large numbers of 2W models with invulnerable saves, especially when some of those are layered within Transports. There's a good number of speedy scoring units on the Aeldari side at least, which gives them some agency to try and play cagey here, but I think the mission undermines that. Because of how fast the Ruststalkers are, at some point the AdMech are going to be able to stage a unit to make a play for the Aeldari's home objective, and even in variants of this where careful play keeps the Aeldari level, at best they're aiming for a narrow win in this game. Even one big anti-Linchpin pivot turn feels like it puts this out of reach for them, and they don't have a good way of turning that around on the AdMech. There's such a depth of stuff in the AdMech army that ruins the Aeldari that even if they engage fairly positively and everything goes right, they might still just lose everything on the swingback - the Corpuscarii in particular are a nightmare in this game.

I think the Craftworlds have to play very defensively and try to keep the score for both sides down, then swing for the win later on, but obviously that's tough if they go first. There feel like very few versions of this game that go right for the elves, and I'm thus not hugely surprised to see the AdMech take it.

Result

Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) Victory - 79 - 60

Kjetil Andre Liknes - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 1st Place

Adeptus Mechanicus - Corpuscarii Electro-Priests
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Ruststalker Haloscreed Goodstuff

Thoughts

The results are rolling in, and initial suggestions are that "screw it, Cawl has Oaths now" may, in fact, finally fix the AdMech. Re-rolls turbo charge some nearly there units like Corpuscarii, and Ruststalkers find themselves in a fairly target-rich environment anyway - they will happily butcher squishy elves or melee Marines with equal aplomb. As long as Cawl stays alive, everything in this list is a big threat, and that gives it a huge bench of resources that few armies can match. This looks like a very strong take on how to use all the new toys, so well done Kjetil for assembling it.

Sveinung Nøding - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 2nd Place

Maugan Ra. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Four Phoenix Fiesta

Thoughts

A streamlined hybrid of what we've seen out of the Aspect and Warhost builds of Aeldari thus far, going for the extra punch from four Phoenix Aspects, but still maxing out on scoring stuff, and having two power Transports. That means you need to be looking for safer flanks to utilise Maugan Ra's unit on if you want Fuegan doing stuff too, but you can also just lean on whichever is most appropriate to the matchup, and Maugan's stick is definitely on the up right now with a bunch of 2W stuff that hates Battle Shock out there. Well done to Sveinung on taking second place.

Mykhailo Liettsev - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 3rd Place

Loyalist Knight Atrapos. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Apocalypse Krast Knights. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Imperial Knights + DETACHMENT: Noble Lance + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium + + WARLORD: Char1: Canis Rex + ENHANCEMENT: Mysterious Guardian (on Char1: Cerastus Knight Atrapos) & Revered Knight (Aura) (on Char2: Knight Crusader) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 9 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (4x2) + (3x6) - Assassination: 5 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Canis Rex (415 pts) • 1x Canis Rex 1 with Chainbreaker las-impulsor, Chainbreaker multi-laser, Freedom's Hand • Canis Rex, Chainbreaker, Legendary Freeblade, Invulnerable Save (5+*), Damaged: 1-9 Wounds Remaining • 1x Sir Hekhtur 1 with Close combat weapon, Hekhtur's pistol • Sir Hekhtur, Using Sir Hekhtur • Warlord

Char2: 1x Cerastus Knight Atrapos (430 pts) 1 with Atrapos lascutter, Graviton singularity cannon Enhancement: Mysterious Guardian (+25 pts)

Char3: 1x Knight Crusader (410 pts) 1 with Avenger gatling cannon, Heavy flamer, Titanic feet, Stormspear rocket pod, Questoris heavy stubber, Questoris heavy stubber, Rapid-fire battle cannon Enhancement: Revered Knight (Aura) (+15 pts)

BATTLELINE

1x Armiger Helverin (140 pts) 1 with 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber

1x Armiger Helverin (140 pts) 1 with 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber

1x Armiger Helverin (140 pts) 1 with 2x Armiger autocannon, Armoured feet, Questoris heavy stubber

1x Armiger Warglaive (140 pts) 1 with Reaper chain-cleaver, Thermal spear, Meltagun

ALLIED UNITS

Char4: 1x Callidus Assassin (100 pts) 1 with Neural shredder, Phase sword and poison blades

Char5: 1x Culexus Assassin (85 pts) 1 with Animus speculum, Life-draining touch

Archetype

Big Robot Holding Pattern

Thoughts

It's Noble Lance, it throws some big Knights at people, it's all change imminently. Canis and Atrapos - still very good. Congratulations Mykhailo.

Jonathan Arkin - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock) - 4th Place

The Lion. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

******Things to know Lion CAN rapid ingress turn one if i go first Deathwing termies and the ancient CAN deepstrike turn 1 ALL INFANTRY are -1 to be wounded if your S>T I CAN charge you in your charge phase if you are within 3 inches of me, 6 inches if i am deathwing (termies, ICC) for 1CP

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + "Wrathful Way" + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Dark Angels + DETACHMENT: Wrath of the Rock + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + + WARLORD: Char2: Lion El'Jonson + ENHANCEMENT: Deathwing Assault (on Char1: Ancient in Terminator Armor) & Ancient Weapons (on Char2: Captain in Gravis Armour) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 14 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (4x2) - Assassination: 5 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Azrael (115 pts): Lion's Wrath, The Sword of Secrets Char2: 1x Lion El'Jonson (315 pts): Warlord, Arma Luminis, Fealty Char3: 1x Ancient in Terminator Armor (90 pts): Terminator Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer Enhancement: Deathwing Assault (+15 pts) Char4: 1x Captain in Gravis Armour (105 pts): Boltstorm Gauntlet, Power Fist, Relic Blade Enhancement: Ancient Weapons (+25 pts) Char5: 1x Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 pts): Combi-weapon, Paired Combat Blades

5x Deathwing Knights (250 pts): Watcher in the Dark • 4x Deathwing Knight: 4 with Mace of absolution • 1x Knight Master: Great Weapon of the Unforgiven 5x Desolation Squad (200 pts) • 4x Desolation Marine: 4 with Bolt Pistol, Castellan Launcher, Close combat weapon, Superkrak Rocket Launcher • 1x Desolation Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Castellan Launcher, Close combat weapon, Vengor Launcher 3x Inceptor Squad (120 pts) • 2x Inceptor: 2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma Exterminators • 1x Inceptor Sergeant: Close combat weapon, Plasma Exterminators 5x Incursor Squad (80 pts) • 4x Incursor 3 with Incursor Squad, Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades 1 with Haywire Mine, Incursor Squad, Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades • 1x Incursor Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades 6x Inner Circle Companions (180 pts): 6 with Calibanite Greatsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol 5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 2x Scout 1 with Scout Squad, Bolt Pistol, Close combat weapon, Missile Launcher 1 with Scout Squad, Bolt Pistol, Close combat weapon, Scout Sniper Rifle • 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close combat weapon, Boltgun • 2x Scouts: 2 with Bolt Pistol, Close combat weapon, Combat Knife 1x Gladiator Lancer (160 pts): Armoured Hull, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Lancer Laser Destroyer, 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launcher 1x Gladiator Lancer (160 pts): Armoured Hull, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Lancer Laser Destroyer, 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launcher 1x Impulsor (80 pts): Shield Dome, Armoured Hull, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launcher

******Things to know Lion CAN rapid ingress turn one if i go first Deathwing termies and the ancient CAN deepstrike turn 1 ALL INFANTRY are -1 to be wounded if your S>T I CAN charge you in your charge phase if you are within 3 inches of me, 6 inches if i am deathwing (termies, ICC) for 1CP

Archetype

Lion Wrath

Thoughts

Another big Dataslate beneficiary here, as unsurprisingly giving the Lion a big boost makes the strategy of pushing him forward with a bunch of Deathwing Knights even better. In addition, being able to have both the redeploy and anti-Mortal Wound ability up makes it far more likely you'll actually use some of the big blowout plays you can do with him - no more worrying about your opponent shrugging then Grenade/Tank Shocking him to death immediately. This build leans in on that by setting up one of the Deathwing squads to go for an early Deep Strike too with Deathwing Assault, letting you fully go for the throat if you don't think the enemy can handle it.

The Lion is also another very powerful tool into enemy melee Marines, or indeed Ruststalkers as above; if he has his re-roll aura on, he'll literally just kill a whole squad on Fights First which uh, reduces their utility somewhat. Support that with a classic suite of powerful Marine units, and Azrael's CP farming, and you have a very potent list that can cover most bases very effectively. Great stuff from Jonathan.

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th - Lasse Eikenes - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Triple gatling Despoiler.
6th - Geir Dutta - Aeldari (Aspect Host): A similar four Phoenix Aspect setup to the second place build.
7th - Eirik Rokne Stensland - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Triple gatling Despoiler.
8th - Thomas Harkestad - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): The standard Maleceptor/Exocrine/Tyrannofex monster suite with some extra Genestealers to push out early.
9th - Endre Jordal - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): The same but even more Genestealers.
10th - Snorre Bugge - Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Two Caladius tanks and various Infantry units.
11th - Adam Keith Solumsmo - T'au Empire (Auxiliary Cadre): Auxiliary Cadre Triptide with one big Rampager unit to smash stuff.
12th - Rasmus Valand Fredriksen - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Tarpit Dynasty with a big Warrior unit and two Wraiths squads protecting some Doomsdays and an enmitic Lokhust unit.

Dearg Doom IV: Feel All Pain!

45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Cork, CO, Ireland on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Colin Power - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 1st Place

Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Aeldari + DETACHMENT: Aspect Host + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Fuegan + ENHANCEMENT: + NUMBER OF UNITS: 17 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (1x2) - Assassination: 3 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Fuegan "Aillén mac Midgna"(120 pts): Warlord, Searsong, The Fire Axe Char2: 1x Jain Zar "Morrigan"(105 pts): Silent Death, The Blade of Destruction Char3: 1x Lhykhis "Queen Maeve" (120 pts): Brood Twain, Spider's Fangs, Weaverender

5x Corsair Voidreavers "Banners of Bolcán" (65 pts) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch: Mistshield, Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Neuro disruptor • 3x Voidreaver with sword and pistol: 3 with Close Combat Weapon, Power sword, Shuriken Pistol • 1x Voidreaver with Blaster: Blaster, Close Combat Weapon, Shuriken Pistol 11x Storm Guardians "Host of Dáire Donn" (100 pts) • 6x Storm Guardian: 6 with Close Combat Weapon, Shuriken Pistol • 2x Storm Guardian with Flamer: 2 with Close Combat Weapon, Flamer • 2x Storm Guardian with Fusion Gun & Power Sword: 2 with Fusion gun, Power sword • 1x Serpent's Scale Platform: Close Combat Weapon

5x Rangers "Handmaidens of Ogarmach" (55 pts): 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Long rifle, Shuriken Pistol 5x Rangers "Emissaries of Balor" (55 pts): 5 with Close Combat Weapon, Long rifle, Shuriken Pistol 5x Dark Reapers "Ard Ri Cairbre" (90 pts): Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch: Close combat weapon, Tempest Launcher • 4x Dark Reaper: 4 with Close combat weapon, Reaper Launcher 5x Dark Reapers "Goll Mac Morna"(90 pts): Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch: Close combat weapon, Tempest Launcher • 4x Dark Reaper: 4 with Close combat weapon, Reaper Launcher 10x Fire Dragons "Sons of An Caorthannach" (220 pts): 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch: Close combat weapon, Firepike • 9x Fire Dragon: 9 with Close combat weapon, Dragon Fusion Gun 5x Howling Banshees "Daughters of Clíodhna"(95 pts): Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Howling Banshee Exarch: Executioner, Shuriken Pistol • 4x Howling Banshee: 4 with Banshee Blade, Shuriken Pistol 10x Swooping Hawks "Cael of Thessaly"(170 pts): 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch: Close combat weapon, Hawk's Talon • 9x Swooping Hawk: 9 with Close combat weapon, Lasblaster 10x Swooping Hawks "Niamh of Tir na Og" (170 pts): 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch: Close combat weapon, Hawk's Talon • 9x Swooping Hawk: 9 with Close combat weapon, Lasblaster 10x Swooping Hawks "Benandonner"(170 pts): 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch: Close combat weapon, Hawk's Talon • 9x Swooping Hawk: 9 with Close combat weapon, Lasblaster 5x Warp Spiders "Cooley cattle raiders" (95 pts): Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Warp Spider Exarch: Close Combat Weapon, 1 Powerblade array • 4x Warp Spider: 4 with Close Combat Weapon, Death spinner 5x Warp Spiders "Fear Doirich" (95 pts): Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Warp Spider Exarch: Close Combat Weapon, Death Weavers, Spinneret Rifle • 4x Warp Spider: 4 with Close Combat Weapon, Death spinner 1x Wave Serpent "Mare of the Gille Dacar" (125 pts): Wraithbone Hull, Shuriken Cannon, Twin Bright Lance

Note: To save you doing the maths - yes it adds up with the new Hawk costs, they're just wrongly noted in the list.

Archetype

Swooping Hawk Spam Aspects

Thoughts

Look, it's never a great sign when a dominant strategy gets specifically targeted with points hikes and just shrugs and continues, but what are you gonna do. Many Hawks lets you bury the foe in Mortal Wounds and high volume firepower, and I'd certainly say that if AdMech are strong, sticking with them seems solid, as they take big chunks out of Ruststalker units. You also still get to fit in quite a few of the other powerful toys, including the all-important Dragon bus, giving you a live game into most foes (though I'd worry a bit about whether double Berzerker brick ends up blanking it). It worked out well here, taking down a strong field for the win, so congratulations to Colin.

Guy Grimm - Leagues of Votann (Brandfast Oathband) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Trans-Hyperian Alliance Hekaton Land Fortress. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Leagues of Votann + DETACHMENT: Brandfast Oathband + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Brôkhyr Iron-master + ENHANCEMENT: Trivârg Cyber Implant (on Char1: Brôkhyr Iron-master - Brôkhyr Iron-master) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 14 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (3x2) + (3x4) - Assassination: 1 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 5x Brôkhyr Iron-master (105 pts) • 3x E-COG 1 with E-COG, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon 1 with Plasma torch 1 with Manipulator arms • 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master: Warlord, Graviton hammer, Graviton rifle Enhancement: Trivârg Cyber Implant (+30 pts) • 1x Ironkyn Assistant: Close combat weapon, Las-beam cutter

10x Hearthkyn Warriors (100 pts) • 9x Hearthkyn Warrior 7 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Ion blaster 1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, HYLas auto rifle 1 with Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Magna-rail rifle • 1x Theyn: Weavefield crest, Autoch-pattern bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Theyn's melee weapon, Ion blaster

6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (160 pts): 6 with Close combat weapon, SP conversion beamer

6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (160 pts): 6 with Close combat weapon, SP conversion beamer

5x Cthonian Beserks (100 pts) 3 with Beserk, Concussion maul 1 with Subterranean Explosives, Mole grenade launcher, Concussion maul 1 with Twin concussion gauntlets

5x Cthonian Beserks (100 pts) 3 with Beserk, Concussion maul 1 with Subterranean Explosives, Mole grenade launcher, Concussion maul 1 with Twin concussion gauntlets

10x Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 pts) • 9x Hernkyn Yaegir 7 with Close combat weapon, Bolt revolver, Plasma knife 1 with APM launcher, Close combat weapon 1 with Close combat weapon, Magna-coil rifle • 1x Yaegir Theyn: Close combat weapon, Bolt revolver, Plasma knife

6x Ironkin Steeljacks with Heavy Volkanite Disintegrators (180 pts) • 1x Steeljack Theyn: Preymark crest, Heavy volkanite disintegrator, Plasma knife • 5x Ironkin Steeljack: 5 with Heavy volkanite disintegrator, Plasma knife

1x Hekaton Land Fortress (240 pts): Pan spectral scanner, Armoured wheels, MATR autocannon, Heavy magna-rail cannon, 2x Twin bolt cannon

1x Hekaton Land Fortress (240 pts): Pan spectral scanner, Armoured wheels, MATR autocannon, Heavy magna-rail cannon, 2x Twin bolt cannon

1x Hekaton Land Fortress (240 pts): Pan spectral scanner, Armoured wheels, MATR autocannon, Heavy magna-rail cannon, 2x Twin bolt cannon

1x Sagitaur (95 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon

1x Sagitaur (95 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon

1x Sagitaur (95 pts): Armoured wheels, Twin bolt cannon, HYLas beam cannon

Archetype

Thunderkyn Forts

Thoughts

In undefeated second place, Codex "Put Sustained on Thunderkyn" puts Sustained on Thunderkyn, and it works out pretty well. This list can evaporate enemy heavy threats, and against lighter or more go-wide builds can lean on the difficulty of shifting multiple Fortresses and/or the powerful position control of the Steeljacks to get things done. The threat of Vengeance Flare also makes life very high risk for any crunchier foes planning to try and shift the Infantry at range, as a strike back from a Land Fortress risks killing an enemy tank outright. Finally, all the Transports mean that this army presents a fairly crunchy initial target profile, and it can stay fairly crunchy if only the Steeljacks get out, meaning that foes may find their small arms pretty useless. Lots to like here, and glad to see two different solid Votann builds getting airtime between this and Needgaard. Great work Guy.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd - Bartosz Chmielewski - Drukhari (Reaper's Wager): Toolbox Reaper's Wager.
4th - Conor Crowley - Aeldari (Warhost): Big Dragon and Reaper buses, and lots of supporting tools.
5th - Ross Hilliard - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Brethren/RepEx Gladius.
6th - Dara Meehan - World Eaters (Goretrack Onslaught): Berzerkers in Rhinos and a party bus Land Raider full of Eightbound.
7th - Victor Sefastsson - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Four big Lance wihth Canis, an Atrapos, a Lancer and a Paladin.

The Autumn Swordwind GT - 2000 Points 40k tournament 5 rounds

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in East Huntspill, England, United Kingdom on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Christopher Irvine - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 1st Place

Heavy Blight Launcher Bloat-drone Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Hi my name is Chris, this is my first local GT here in Somerset having recently moved from Scotland, I come bearing gifts … Noooo it's not the plague it's SHREK Written By William Steig & Ted Elliott - SHREK - Once upon a time there was a lovely princess. But she had an enchantment upon her of a fearful sort which could only be broken by love's first kiss. She was locked away in a castle guarded by a terrible fire-breathing dragon. Many brave knights had attempted to free her from this dreadful prison, but non prevailed. She waited in the dragon's keep in the highest room of the tallest tower for her true love and true love's first kiss. (laughs) Like that's ever gonna happen. What a load of - (toilet flush). Allstar - by Smashmouth begins to play. Shrek goes about his day. While in a nearby town, the villagers get together to go after the ogre. (2000 Points)

Death Guard Virulent Vectorium Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 Points) • Warlord • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancements: Revolting Regeneration

Lord of Contagion (145 Points) • 1x Manreaper • Enhancements: Furnace of Plagues

Lord of Contagion (120 Points) • 1x Manreaper

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 ◦ 9x Plague knives ◦ 1x Plague spewer ◦ 2x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Vectorium Goodstuff

Thoughts

The continued shift to Vectorium as the post-Dataslate Death Guard option is on show here, cheerfully absorbing about 200pts of point increases and still trucking. The dual reasons for that are that Vectorium provides some really great options that either didn't go up (the Daemon Prince) or didn't go up that much in relative terms (Plague Marines with Characters), and secondly that the "bait" nature of their Detachment Rule helps you get more value out of your fewer units. If you can start the game by stickying every mid-board objective with Poxwalkers, the your opponent kind of has to come and deal with them, at which point your three Bloat-drones will make them wish they hadn't. I think this is my "favourite" (heavy air quotes there) Death Guard build I've seen post point changes, doing the best job of keeping everything that made the faction strong still active, and if you want to win with them, copy Chris's build. Congratulations Chris.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Luke Harris - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): One big Warrior unit with Doomsdays and Skorpekh.
3rd - Tom Dale - T'au Empire (Auxiliary Cadre): Auxiliary Cadre with lots of suits of various sizes and small Kroot units to set things up.
4th - Adam Parmenter - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): A 20 Berzerker brick with two smaller units in support.
5th - Liam Callebout - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Lots of Wardens and an actual Venerable Land Raider.
6th - Alex Ede - Imperial Fists (1st Company Task Force): Two stacked Assault Terminator units (one with Lysander) and various support.

Hobby Henchmen Autumn GT

30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jordan Checkley - Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors) - 1st Place

Death Company with jump packs. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Angelic Inheritors (1995 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain with Jump Pack (95 Points) • 1x Hand flamer • 1x Power fist • Enhancements: Blazing Icon

Captain with Jump Pack (75 Points) • 1x Hand flamer • 1x Power fist

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 (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 Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Bolt rifle ◦ 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Intercessor ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 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 Hand flamer ◦ 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 Hand flamer ◦ 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

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

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.41.0 (3), Data Version: v685

Archetype

All-rounder Inheritors

Thoughts

A build that manages a weird version of unique here - you could literally run this model for model as Liberator and it would be totally unsurprising, but as Inheritors it's a little out there. It ends up sacrificing some of the raw proactive power of Liberator in favour of better performance against a foe that wants to attack into it, as the army is less dependant on being on the front foot, and can adapt to situations via a redeploy. Access to 18" Lone Operative and the Ordained Sacrifice also gives you some angles to bait foes into the kind of confrontation you want. I do basically think that playing this detachment without at least one Infantry shooting unit to take advantage of Shadow is leaving value on the table, but I do think it's cute that reskinning another Detachment's list works so well. Good job Jordan.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Kobe Walters - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited): A new spin on Coterie that cuts the Princes entirely for new and improved Flawless Blades.
3rd - Ben Baddour - Aeldari (Warhost): A Dragon bus, Asurmen in a Falcon, and all the usual suspects in support.
4th - Jerome Connolly - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Triple Dorn Commander, Vanquishers and Kasrkin, with lots of Catachans to screen.
5th - Josh Kent - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Literally just five bigs (2x Atrapos, Lancer, Despoiler and Rampager).

Aemona Grand Tournament Vol. 4

27-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ljubljana, SI on September 20 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Lukas Wobak - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault) - 1st Place

Ravener Prime Credit: NotThatHenryC

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Hopefully not 5x knights (2000 points)

Tyranids Strike Force (2000 points) Subterranean Assault

CHARACTERS

Hive Tyrant (195 points) • 1x Heavy venom cannon 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip

Neurotyrant (105 points) • Warlord • 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes 1x Psychic scream

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

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (85 points) • 10x Gargoyle • 10x Blinding venom 10x Fleshborer

Termagants (60 points) • 10x Termagant • 10x Chitinous claws and teeth 1x Strangleweb 9x Termagant Spinefists

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Exocrine (140 points) • 1x Bio-plasmic cannon 1x Powerful limbs

Exocrine (140 points) • 1x Bio-plasmic cannon 1x Powerful limbs

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

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

Mawloc (135 points) • 1x Distensible jaw 1x Mawloc scything talons

Mawloc (135 points) • 1x Distensible jaw 1x Mawloc scything talons

Raveners (125 points) • 5x Ravener • 5x Ravener claws and talons

Tyranid Warriors with Melee Bio-weapons (150 points) • 1x Tyranid Prime • 1x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons • 5x Tyranid Warrior • 5x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons

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

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

Archetype

Mawloc Assault

Thoughts

Some Tyranids to round us out, going for an extra shooty version of Subterranean Assault that takes a second squad of Zoanthropes in case the first one has some sort of accident. To pay for that, it goes a bit lighter on monsters than normal, using good value Mawlocs instead. A little jumpy about there only being one unit of Raveners, as a bit of redundancy there would also be valuable, but stacking extra firepower does let this build go for a big ranged alpha strike if enemies mess up. It's also fun to see Mawlocs get work - I've been continually a bit surprised not to see at least one in Assault, as the threat they present is very scary to armies like Aeldari, so it's somewhat relieving to see them in play. Well done Lukas.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Tomislav Turic - Genestealer Cult (Brood Brother Auxilia): Pushing the boundaries of how much Mounted stuff you can put in these factions, loads of Jackals, loads of horses, two Dorns to blow stuff up while the opponent figures out what's up with that.
3rd - Alberto Movio - Chaos Space Marines (Chaos Cult): Accursed Communes, Predators for shooting, one Discolord for troubleshooting.
4th - Ivan Fehir - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): The Lion, Deathwing Knights, and Lancers.
5th - Leonardo Vertuš - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Grand Coven goodstuff with (unsurprisngly) a full Scarab unit.

Wrap Up

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Death by a Thousand Cuts pt.3

Invasion 2025 40k

The Showdown

Linchpin - Search and Destroy

Thoughts

Result

Kjetil Andre Liknes - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Sveinung Nøding - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Mykhailo Liettsev - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Jonathan Arkin - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock) - 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Dearg Doom IV: Feel All Pain!

Colin Power - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Guy Grimm - Leagues of Votann (Brandfast Oathband) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The Autumn Swordwind GT - 2000 Points 40k tournament 5 rounds

Christopher Irvine - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Hobby Henchmen Autumn GT

Jordan Checkley - Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Aemona Grand Tournament Vol. 4

Lukas Wobak - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

Latest

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