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.

Things are gathering pace after the holidays as the first GW open of the year fires, and players continue to explore the updates from Grotmas and the recent releases. Obviously the malevolent Star God in the room is the presence of the new C'tan, which are currently in "mid table bully" position - win rate for Necrons has jumped to the front of the pack, but they're not converting it into serious over-representation at the top. Having played with them myself at a team event at the weekend, I can say that they're definitely too cheap and give you far too much flexibility into the late game in some builds, so I expect as people learn to maximise them we'll see the results roll in, but maybe there are still counters to be found. Grizzled Company and Rage-Cursed also continue strong, and the big surprise breakout for this week is Mont'ka T'au, with two winning finishes at some of the biggest tournaments of the weekend. All sorts of things going on, and plenty more to come from the look of the preview last Friday!

Also, Rob is here to help out, because for reasons that will rapidly become clear, I wasn't going to be able to stop him. Say hi to Rob!

Event News - Goonhammer UK Teams March 2026

Speaking of the future - we're a few months away from the first Goonhammer Open UK of 2026 - which this time is going to be our first Teams tournament. If you're interested in playing in a 5-player Team Tournament with WTC Terrain on 14th-15th March in Leicester, check out the details below:

This Week's Events

Part 1 on Wednesday:

Warhammer 40,000 GT - Warhammer Open Palm Springs
Hammer in the New Year 2026 Hosted by Away Games
IV Iberian Ham
Akron Brew Brawl-Winter GT-WH 40k
2 Tabled 2 Talk GT

Part 2 on Friday:

Texas Open 2026 - Warhammer 40k Champs
Skövde Battle Forge VI
Loch 'n Load GT3
The Iron Halo 2026

Part 3 on Saturday:

Denver 40K Fight Club January Open 2026
II GT Iberian Open Wargames Moguer
FIRST BLOOD CDMX
Glasshammer GT - January

Warhammer 40,000 GT - Warhammer Open Palm Springs

172-player, 8-round Supermajor in Palm Springs, CA, United States on January 16 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Linchpin - Search and Destroy

Junior Aflleje - Leagues of Votann (Needgaârd Oathband)

Army List - Click to Expand

0-6 hearthguard 2.0 (1990 Points)

Leagues of Votann Needgaârd Oathband Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Memnyr Strategist (75 Points) • 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol • 1x Close combat weapon • Enhancements: Oathbound Speculator

Ûthar the Destined (95 Points) • Warlord • 1x Blade of the Ancestors • 1x Rampart Crest • 1x Volkanite disintegrator

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Kapricus Carrier (75 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Magna-coil autocannon • 1x Smoke Launcher • 1x Twin magna‑coil autocannon

Kapricus Carrier (75 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Magna-coil autocannon • 1x Smoke Launcher • 1x Twin magna‑coil autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (80 Points) • 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Graviton blast cannon

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (80 Points) • 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Graviton blast cannon

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (80 Points) • 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Graviton blast cannon

Cthonian Earthshakers (110 Points) • 2x Cthonian Earthshakers ◦ 4x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol ◦ 2x Plasma picks ◦ 2x Tremor shells

Einhyr Hearthguard (135 Points) • 1x Hesyr ◦ 1x EtaCarn plasma gun ◦ 1x Exoarmour grenade launcher ◦ 1x Graviton hammer ◦ 1x Teleport Crest • 4x Einhyr Hearthguard ◦ 4x Concussion gauntlet ◦ 4x EtaCarn plasma gun ◦ 4x Exoarmour grenade launcher

Einhyr Hearthguard (135 Points) • 1x Hesyr ◦ 1x EtaCarn plasma gun ◦ 1x Exoarmour grenade launcher ◦ 1x Graviton hammer ◦ 1x Teleport Crest • 4x Einhyr Hearthguard ◦ 4x Concussion gauntlet ◦ 4x EtaCarn plasma gun ◦ 4x Exoarmour grenade launcher

Einhyr Hearthguard (135 Points) • 1x Hesyr ◦ 1x Concussion gauntlet ◦ 1x EtaCarn plasma gun ◦ 1x Exoarmour grenade launcher ◦ 1x Teleport Crest • 4x Einhyr Hearthguard ◦ 4x Concussion gauntlet ◦ 4x EtaCarn plasma gun ◦ 4x Exoarmour grenade launcher

Hekaton Land Fortress (240 Points) • 1x Armoured wheels • 1x Heavy magna-rail cannon • 1x MATR autocannon • 1x Panspectral Scanner • 2x Twin bolt cannon

Hekaton Land Fortress (240 Points) • 1x Armoured wheels • 1x Heavy magna-rail cannon • 1x MATR autocannon • 1x Panspectral Scanner • 2x Twin bolt cannon

Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 Points) • 1x Yaegir Theyn ◦ 1x Bolt revolver ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Plasma knife • 9x Hernkyn Yaegir ◦ 1x APM launcher ◦ 7x Bolt revolver ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Magna-coil rifle ◦ 7x Plasma knife

Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 Points) • 1x Yaegir Theyn ◦ 1x Bolt revolver ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Plasma knife • 9x Hernkyn Yaegir ◦ 1x APM launcher ◦ 7x Bolt revolver ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Magna-coil rifle ◦ 7x Plasma knife

Ironkin Steeljacks with Heavy Volkanite Disintegrators (170 Points) • 1x Steeljack Theyn ◦ 1x Heavy volkanite disintegrator ◦ 1x Plasma knife ◦ 1x Preymark Crest • 5x Ironkin Steeljack ◦ 5x Heavy volkanite disintegrator ◦ 5x Plasma knife

Ironkin Steeljacks with Melee Weapons (85 Points) • 1x Steeljack Theyn ◦ 1x Autoch-pattern bolter ◦ 1x Plasma sword ◦ 1x Preymark Crest • 2x Ironkin Steeljack ◦ 2x Autoch-pattern bolter ◦ 2x Plasma sword

Exported with App Version: v1.46.2 (1), Data Version: v732

vs.

Durante "Glynisir" Bozzini - T'au Empire (Mont'ka)

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - T'au Empire + DETACHMENT: Mont'ka (Killing Blow) + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1980pts + WARLORD: Char1: Commander Shadowsun + ENHANCEMENT: N/A + NUMBER OF UNITS: 17 + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER Commander Shadowsun (100 pts) • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Flechette launcher • 2x High-energy fusion blaster • 1x Light missile pod • 1x Pulse pistol • Warlord

BATTLELINE Breacher Team (90 pts) • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Pulse blaster • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Support turret • Guardian Drone, Shield Drone • 9x Breacher Fire Warriors • 9x Close combat weapon • 9x Pulse blaster • 9x Pulse pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Devilfish (85 pts) • 1x Accelerator burst cannon • 1x Armoured hull • 2x Seeker missile • 2x Smart missile system

Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 pts) • 1x Ghostkeel fists • 1x Cyclic ion raker • 1x Twin fusion blaster • Battlesuit support system

Hammerhead Gunship (145 pts) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Railgun • 2x Seeker missile • 2x Smart missile system

Kroot Carnivores (65 pts) • 1x Long-quill • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Kroot pistol • 1x Kroot carbine • 1x Kroot Carnivore • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Tanglebomb launcher • 8x Kroot Carnivores • 8x Close combat weapon • 8x Kroot rifle

Pathfinder Team (90 pts) • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Pulse carbine • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher • 1x Drone burst cannon • Gun Drone, Shield Drone, Recon drone • 1x Drone burst cannon • 9x Pathfinders • 9x Close combat weapon • 6x Pulse carbine • 9x Pulse pistol • 3x Ion rifle

Pathfinder Team (90 pts) • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Pulse carbine • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher • 1x Drone burst cannon • Gun Drone, Shield Drone, Recon drone • 1x Drone burst cannon • 9x Pathfinders • 9x Close combat weapon • 6x Pulse carbine • 9x Pulse pistol • 3x Ion rifle

Piranhas (60 pts) • 1x Piranhas • 1x Armoured hull • 2x Twin pulse carbine • 1x Piranha fusion blaster • 2x Seeker missile

Piranhas (60 pts) • 1x Piranhas • 1x Armoured hull • 2x Twin pulse carbine • 1x Piranha fusion blaster • 2x Seeker missile

Riptide Battlesuit (200 pts) • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Ion accelerator • 2x Missile pod • 1x Twin smart missile system

Riptide Battlesuit (200 pts) • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Ion accelerator • 2x Missile pod • 1x Twin smart missile system

Riptide Battlesuit (200 pts) • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Ion accelerator • 2x Missile pod • 1x Twin smart missile system

Sky Ray Gunship (150 pts) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Seeker missile rack • 2x Smart missile system

Stealth Battlesuits (110 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Fusion blaster • Homing beacon, Gun Drone, Marker Drone • 4x Stealth Shas'ui • 4x Battlesuit fists • 3x Burst cannon • 1x Fusion blaster

Stealth Battlesuits (110 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Fusion blaster • Homing beacon, Gun Drone, Marker Drone • 4x Stealth Shas'ui • 4x Battlesuit fists • 3x Burst cannon • 1x Fusion blaster

Vespid Stingwings (65 pts) • 1x Vespid Strain Leader • 1x Neutron blaster • 1x Stingwing claws • 4x Vespid Stingwings • 4x Neutron blaster • 4x Stingwing claws

Thoughts

This game was streamed - You can watch the coverage of it on Games Workshop's Twitch stream. Click here for that link.

Rob: The T'au have the edge here in most respects - they outspeed, out-range, and out-shoot the Leagues of Votann, and they just have more units to work with. Junior has to play cautiously with the Hekaton Land Fortresses or risk losing them early. The T'au player is more than capable of zipping across the table to light them up with Markerlight observers at any point; it's just a question of getting line of sight on them with the Riptides and tanks, avoiding being shot back, and keeping the Votann deep striking in front of their army and not behind. Glyn's T'au army is vehicle-heavy and that makes the Graviton Cannons pretty nasty into targets like the Riptides.

Glyn ended up going second and was able to control the board early; Yaegirs are easy pickings for the T'au indirect fire, leading to Glyn being able to remove nearly all of them - five units - before Junior's second turn, leaving him with only two Hekatons, a mortar unit, and a single battle-shocked Yaegir on the table going into his second turn. For Junior the play is to then try and take out more valuable units but the Leagues of Votann generally struggle with unit counts late in the game.

Of course this all ignores the elephant in the room, which is that the Mont'ka Detachment has the single tool that completely shuts down the Hearthguard: Counterfire Defence Systems can give any T'au Empire unit -1 damage on incoming attacks, and that makes those units of Hearthguard completely worthless when it comes to their shooting as it halves their output. Because they'll be in Deep Strike it's easy to plan and prepare for their arrival, and that's exactly what Glyn did. Once the transports are gone, the T'au are more or less free to pick apart the Votann army and this game was over pretty early.

Result

T'au Empire (Mont'ka) Victory - 100 - 60

Durante "Glynisir" Bozzini - T'au Empire (Mont'ka) - 1st Place

Riptide Battlesuit. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Pressure Mont'ka

Thoughts

Rob: Having played against this, I can tell you that the key pieces are the Piranhas and Stealth Suits. The Piranhas have the ability to Scout 9", then move 14" with an Advance, at which point they can force a key target to battle-shock (turning off defensive strats), then observe and light them up with a Fusion blaster and Seeker Missiles. That's a ton of movement with a big punch, and it's very difficult to hide from them on the first turn, giving the army a big go-first advantage. The Stealth Suits may have gotten more expensive but they still have Infiltrate, Marker Drones (MARKERLIGHTS keyword plus Advance and Observe), and the Forward Observers rule to give other units the ability to re-roll 1s to shoot their spotted unit.

These combine with the Ghostkeel for a nasty early game punch, either pushing forward hard to cripple an enemy by destroying key units if the army goes first or taking a more reactive approach and zipping out to destroy enemy units on expansion objectives, funneling them out into the open. From there it has a good mix of long-ranged shooting units with the Riptides, Skyray, and Hammerhead while Shadowsun and the Vespid act more as utility/action pieces.

Junior Aflleje - Leagues of Votann (Needgaârd Oathband) - 2nd Place

Ûthar the Destined. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Elite MSU Hearthband

Thoughts

Wings: Junior's runner-up build combines elements of the standard Needgaard package with some aspects of the go-wide versions of Hearthband we've seen. It packs in double Yaegirs/Kapricus but keeping some sturdier bastions like Land Fortresses and one Steeljack squad. That provides the upside of lots of redundancy and board control pieces without creating as much of a vulnerability on getting completely rolled over, which is a nice combo, and against some flavours of large target like C'tan or Knights, swapping the Forts to railguns helps mitigate the more mid-weight threats it otherwise has. Where it does pay a price is with a weakened ability to really go on the offensive, without the perma-contempt Hearthguard deathbrick hearthband would bring, or a full Thunderkyn squad to pop off with Sustained 2 in Needgaard. That can lead to it getting picked apart by other go-wide shooting lists if their individual pieces are sturdier, which is what happened in the final. Great run through up till that point though, congratulations Junior!

Zach Point - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar) - 3rd Place

Captain Titus and the Wardens of Ultramar. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Guilliman? Roboute Guilliman In This Economy?

Space Marines Ultramarines Strike Force (2000 points) Blade of Ultramar

CHARACTERS

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

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

Uriel Ventris (95 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Invictus 1x Sword of Idaeus

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 points) • 1x Armoured hull 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher 1x Ironhail heavy stubber 1x Shield Dome

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Victrix Honour Guard (220 points) • 1x Chapter Ancient • 1x Banner of Macragge 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 1x Chapter Champion • 1x Blades of honour • 4x Victrix Honour Guard • 4x Master-crafted bolt carbine 4x Master-crafted power weapon

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

Wardens of Ultramar (90 points) • 1x Ancient Gadriel • 1x Bolt rifle 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Veteran Sergeant Metaurus • 1x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Storm Shield • 1x Gaius Silva • 1x Archeotech laspistol 1x Power weapon 1x Refractor Field • 1x Aemelia Minervas • 1x Archeotech laspistol 1x Power weapon • 1x Dainal Komelius • 1x Astropathic Blast 1x Force stave • 1x Lucia Vestha • 1x Archeotech laspistol 1x Close combat weapon

ALLIED UNITS

Ministorum Priest (40 points) • 1x Zealot's vindictor

Exported with App Version: v1.46.2 (108), Data Version: v732

Archetype

Hulltramarine Blade

Thoughts

In third place we have what's likely to be the template for Ultramarines going forward, shooty Hulltramarine Blade with added Wardens. Multi-Doctrines mean that it can play as a fast shooty build when necessary, the option to stash the Victrix in a RepEx if needed is great (you can always put Ventris' Deep Strike on some Scouts to make them true uppy-downy pieces), and you now get Wardens to help line up your early shooting and as a very durable bait piece. The biggest decision point is whether to bring Bobby G or just more stuff, and this version goes with the latter, which maybe adds a bit of weakness against really high pressure melee builds, but feels solid against the rest of the podium so clearly right for the metagame. Well done to Zach!

Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 4th Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Rob's LVOTT list (2000 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points) • 1x Hellforged weapons 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration

Lord of Contagion (130 points) • 1x Manreaper • Enhancement: Daemon Weapon of Nurgle

Lord of Virulence (100 points) • 1x Power fist 1x Twin plague spewer

Mortarion (380 points) • Warlord • 1x Lantern 1x Rotwind 1x Silence

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (160 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Manreaper 1x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator • 2x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (160 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Manreaper 1x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator • 2x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone (100 points) • 1x Fleshmower 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

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: v1.45.0 (105), Data Version: v720

Archetype

Mortarion Vectorium

Thoughts

Rob: Hey, it's me! This is my first top 4 finish at a major. We can now shut the website down and move on to other things.

Anyways, this list is what I've been running a while. It's got a great combination of ranged shooting with the drones, solid melee with the Deathshroud, and large statcheck monsters with Mortarion and the Daemon Prince. The Fleshmower usually stays on home to sticky that point and keep deep strikers away; people are happy to drop in and kill Poxwalkers but typically don't want to mess with a Fleshmower. Meanwihle those three units of Poxwalkers do a ton of heavy lifting here - two almost always infiltrate forward to do turn 1 sticky and stop scout moves and melee threats from crossing to midtable while the third helps the Daemon Prince get lone op and sits in reactive move range of Mortarion. Most games Mortarion ends up moseying up the middle of the table and handling key threats while using Disgustingly Resilient with a boost from the Daemon Prince to shrug off damage and laugh at opponents. The Deathshroud keep them honest and force them to screen most of the game. There's one fightman unit with a Lord of Contagion and one shootman unit with the Lord of Virulence and in a Victrix-heavy meta that shootman unit does as much if not more work than the fightman unit, dropping in and putting out an absurd number of ANTI-INFANTRY 4+ shots re-rolling wound rolls.

My only loss of this event was into Glyn's T'au list, and I'd have likely won that game if I had gone second. T'au were generally a tough matchup for me, especially on the more open boards at this event. Zack Point's four-tank Ultramarines also posed a real problem but one that can be overcome on the right mission/terrain layout.

The Best of the Rest

The rest of the top eight were:

5th - Ben Jurek - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Double Dorn, double Bullgryn and triple Kasrkin Grizzled.
6th - Jason McKenzie - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Extra go-wide Retaliation Cadre, foregoing most of the standard Commanders in favour of Broadsides.
7th - Justin Serrano - Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion): Be'lakor and maximum big birds.
8th - Donovan Sailo - Grey Knights (Banishers): The ultra-rare non-Warpbane Grey Knights build here, packing triple Land Raiders with Purifiers in one and big Interceptor sqauds in the others, providing lots of reach and the ability to apply chip damage while hiding in the bus.

Hammer in the New Year 2026 Hosted by Away Games

49-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ashburn, VA, United States on January 17 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission -

Scott Horras "Heresy" - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms)

Army List - Click to Expand

Get in the Dornhole, Shinji (2000 points)

Astra Militarum Strike Force (2000 points) Combined Arms

CHARACTERS

Gaunt's Ghosts (100 points) • 1x Ibram Gaunt • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Gaunt's chainsword • 1x Colm Corbec • 1x Corbec's hot-shot lascarbine 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Elim Rawne • 1x Rawne's lascarbine 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Hlaine Larkin • 1x Larkin's long-las 1x Straight silver knife • 1x 'Try Again' Bragg • 1x Bragg's autocannon 1x Straight silver knife • 1x Oan Mkoll • 1x Lascarbine 1x Mkoll's straight silver knife

Rogal Dorn Commander (275 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Coaxial autocannon 1x Heavy stubber 2x Meltagun 2x Multi-melta 1x Oppressor cannon 1x Pulveriser cannon

Rogal Dorn Commander (275 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Coaxial autocannon 1x Heavy stubber 2x Meltagun 2x Multi-melta 1x Oppressor cannon 1x Pulveriser cannon

Ursula Creed (85 points) • Warlord • 1x Duty and Vengeance 1x Power weapon

BATTLELINE

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Taurox (75 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin autocannon

Taurox (75 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Storm bolter 1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Field Ordnance Battery (110 points) • 2x Ordnance Team • 2x Battery close combat weapons 2x Bombast field gun 2x Lasgun 2x Laspistol

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

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

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

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (250 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Coaxial autocannon 1x Heavy stubber 2x Meltagun 2x Multi-melta 1x Oppressor cannon 1x Pulveriser cannon

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (250 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Coaxial autocannon 1x Heavy stubber 2x Meltagun 2x Multi-melta 1x Oppressor cannon 1x Pulveriser cannon

Scout Sentinels (55 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 1x Sentinel chainsaw

Scout Sentinels (55 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Lascannon 1x Sentinel chainsaw

vs.

Max Berlove - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal)

Army List - Click to Expand

I wike waiphs and ddas (1995 Points)

Necrons Starshatter Arsenal Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Catacomb Command Barge (150 Points) • 1x Gauss cannon • 1x Overlord's blade • 1x Resurrection Orb • Enhancements: Dread Majesty (Aura)

Technomancer (105 Points) • 1x Staff of light • Enhancements: Chrono-impedance Fields

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Canoptek Spyders (75 Points) • 1x Automaton claws • 1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura) • 1x Gloom Prism (Aura) • 2x Particle beamer

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

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

Deathmarks (60 Points) • 5x Deathmark ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 5x Synaptic disintegrator

Doomsday Ark (200 Points) • 1x Armoured bulk • 1x Doomsday cannon • 2x Gauss flayer array

Doomsday Ark (200 Points) • 1x Armoured bulk • 1x Doomsday cannon • 2x Gauss flayer array

Doomsday Ark (200 Points) • 1x Armoured bulk • 1x Doomsday cannon • 2x Gauss flayer array

Flayed Ones (60 Points) • 5x Flayed One ◦ 5x Flayer claws

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

Triarch Stalker (110 Points) • 1x Heat ray • 1x Stalker's forelimbs

Exported with App Version: v1.46.1 (1), Data Version: v728

Thoughts

You know the drill - one of our people makes it to a top table, the big shepherd's crook reaches out and drags them into the CI offices to give us some notes. Take it away Scott:

Scott: I just like Rogal Dorn Battle Tanks so Goddamn much, and there’s not much thought behind the list otherwise.

I’ve been asked why I have taken Combined Arms over Grizzled Company: the honest answer is that Dorns wouldn’t be able to deliver the anti-big punch I crave without LETHAL hits against big stuff. Creed is nice in the list for free Fields of Fire, Coordinated Action, and CP regen targets in a way she wouldn’t be able to contribute in Grizzled Company. Lastly, I still really appreciate Kasrkin off of Reinforcements with Gaunt’s Ghosts for some backfield play. Max’s list below is a great example of why I’m stuck on Combined Arms over Grizzled Company.

Max is a great player from our local meta, and this isn’t the first time I’ve met him at the top table of a GT. I have great games with him, win or lose, and look forward to meeting him at the top tables again in the future.

Max rolls up to the table with a fast and devastating base of shooting Doomsday Arks that will absolutely rinse unsuspecting opponents. He covers counter charging and objectives with Silent King and a large brick of Wraiths with a slim investment on skirmishing Flayed Ones and Triarch Stalker. This is a classic Starshatter build that he’s consistently played since the detachment was released.

Wings: I know from my own experience that Dorns melt Necrons very quickly. This build does have the advantage that it can shoot back, but for that having the regular Dorns to lead with (able to shrug a Doomsday or Silent King shot that pushes through) is really helpful, and the reach of the Kasrkin to go wreck a Doomsday is considerable. Still, having Ophydians to keep up scoring and a Triarch to bring Ignore Cover when focusing a Dorn does help, and I'm not surprised that this ended up fairly close!

Result

Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) Victory - 80 - 74

Scott Horras "Heresy" - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) - 1st Place

Rogal Dorn Battle Tank. Credit: Scott Horras "Heresy"

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Dornhole Enthusiast

Thoughts

Wings: OK it's me from here on out. No more author switches.

This plan has been in the making since the new Guard Codex provided Scott with the option to take more than three Dorns, and all credit to him on following through on that. Fundamentally, Dorns and Kasrkin are the most efficient datasheets in the Guard Codex, and this build just leans into that, providing the firepower to pound most foes into dust, and the reach from Kasrkin in Tauroxes and a Field Battery to threaten anything that doesn't want to come out to play.

You could theoretically run this as Grizzled, but because of the low drop count (to pay for quad Dorns) and the high baseline lethality (with vehicles being the only challenge, as Scott mentions above, which Lethals help with), access to your use of Reinforcements from Combined Arms becomes extra important, and Fields of Fire also helps handle armies that put down lots of 2+Sv tanks. Scott's stuck to the classics, and boy has it paid off - big congratulations (and what a week for team Goonhammer).

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Max Berlove - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Classic triple Doomsday/single Wraith/Silent King Starshatter, not a C'tan in sight.
3rd - James Culpepper - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion Vectorium with a big Plague Marine unit.
4th - Aidan Dennis - T'au Empire (Kauyon): Triptide, Hammerheads and a Fireknife unit.
5th - Parke Benjamin - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): The other end of the Starshatter spectrum - Quad C'tan and the Silent King.
6th - Clayton Greis - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Triple Dorn, triple Kasrkin and lots of Krieg Engineers.
7th - Mike Taylor - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Victrix, RepExes and Bobby G, with the Wardens as a new utility/cheap tarpit piece.
8th - Alex Collier - Leagues of Votann (Hearthband): Double Fort with big stacks of shooty Steeljacks, Thunderkyn, and Hearthguard.
9th - Ryan Schaum - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Herohammer-heavy Vectorium with Morty and a Prince alongside tooled-up Deathshroud MSUs, plus a small Plague Marine squad with a Lord of Poxes as an extra trade piece.
10th - Andrew Nguyen - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Commanders and Crisis Suits of all shapes and sizes, plus some supporting Stealths and Pathfinders.

IV Iberian Ham

41-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sant Joan Despí, CT, España on January 17 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Giri {°_°} - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) - 1st Place

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

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Starshatter Arsenal (1995 points)

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Starshatter Arsenal

CHARACTERS

C'tan Shard of the Deceiver (285 points) • 1x Cosmic insanity 1x Golden fists

C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon (310 points) • 1x Canoptek tail blades 1x Spear of the Void Dragon 1x Voltaic storm

Technomancer (105 points) • 1x Staff of light • Enhancement: Chrono-impedance Fields

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Doomsday Ark (200 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Doomsday cannon 2x Gauss flayer array

Doomsday Ark (200 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Doomsday cannon 2x Gauss flayer array

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

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

Lokhust Destroyers (40 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gauss cannon

Tomb Blades (75 points) • 3x Tomb Blade • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Particle beamer 3x Shadowloom 3x Shieldvanes

Archetype

Deeply Upsetting Starshatter

Thoughts

While Necrons mostly didn't convert win rate to results this weekend, Giri was the exception, taking down this tournament with a truly horrifying Starshatter setup. I myself was running the Void Dragon/Deceiver combo at the weekend and they're such a good tag team, giving you game into almost any type of target, and a lot of resilience and punch into the late game as long as you bring other high-value stuff. The Silent King, Doomsdays and Wraiths definitely fit that bill, and this army is monstrously challenging to race on damage if the opponent confronts it, and the higher speed on C'tan make them much better at going out and picking a fight if they don't. The Deceiver having good enough stats that you want to take him also unlocks the strong synergy his redeploy has with cheap Infiltrators and clunky gun tanks, both of which feature prominently here!

There's all sorts of cool stuff you can do with C'tan, but I do think this may be a situation where the best thing you can do is to brutally overwhelm your opponent with a setup like this, and I suspect we'll see some convergence onto lists like it (with accompanying wailing, gnashing of teeth and demands for nerfs) over the next week weeks. Well done to Giri for showing just how nasty they can be.

Manel Tulla - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Death Company Marines. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Sinceridad (2000 points)

Space Marines Blood Angels Strike Force (2000 points) Rage-cursed Onslaught

CHARACTERS

Chaplain (85 points) • Warlord • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Crozius arcanum • Enhancement: Master of the Red Thirst

Chaplain with Jump Pack (110 points) • 1x Crozius arcanum 1x Inferno pistol • Enhancement: Sanguinary Tear (Aura)

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

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Death Company Dreadnought (160 points) • 1x Blood fist bolt rifles 1x Blood fists 1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber 1x Twin multi-melta

Death Company Marines (160 points) • 10x Death Company Marine • 7x Astartes chainsword 2x Eviscerator 9x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Inferno pistol 1x Thunder hammer

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 (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 (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

Eradicator Squad (90 points) • 1x Eradicator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle • 2x Eradicator • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle 1x Multi-melta

Outrider Squad (80 points) • 1x Outrider Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Twin bolt rifle • 2x Outrider • 2x Astartes chainsword 2x Heavy bolt pistol 2x Twin bolt rifle

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

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 • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 4x Combat knife

Exported with App Version: v1.46.1 (107), Data Version: v728

Archetype

Death Company Spam Rage-Cursed

Thoughts

Speaking of deeply upsetting, here's forty Death Company and change to rip anything they don't like the look of into tiny pieces. Running the foot guys with the Fight First helps you fortify a mid-field staging position while the jump squads go out and cause problems, and stacking that on top of the Fight First really makes this look kind of insurmountable for other melee armies to deal with. So many jump units really helps bully shooty armies as well, and there's a part of me that looks at this and wonders why you wouldn't just do this. The non-Chaplain jump stuff does all have a little bit of a problem with bouncing off C'tan, is the main possible concern I'd guess, but the sheer violence here is off the scale into almost anything else. Well done to Manel for really going for it with this detachment's theme!

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd - Roger Boira - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Double Dorn (regulars rather than Commanders), double Russ and some Artillery, with Leontus to fill the Order gap and a Bullgryn squad to screen.
4th - hector sola arroyo - Orks (War Horde): All-rounder War Horde with lots of different pressure pieces and a Gitz squad.
5th - Xavo Melenero L'Escamarlà - Genestealer Cult (Outlander Claw): Transport MSU board control with a couple of Ridgerunner units for shooty backup.
6th - Vick Buzon - Necrons (Cryptek Conclave): Double C'tan backed by double Wraiths and a big Tomb Blade unit to maximise the power of the anti-Infantry 3+ shooting option, also sporting double Reanimator to keep it in the game.

Akron Brew Brawl-Winter GT-WH 40k

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Akron, OH, United States on January 17 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Geoff Perry - Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion) - 1st Place

Credit: Liebot - https://instagram.com/liebot_pics

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

(2000 Points)

Chaos Daemons Scintillating Legion Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Be'lakor (375 Points) • Warlord • 1x Betraying Shades • 1x The Blade of Shadows

Kairos Fateweaver (285 Points) • 1x Infernal Gateway • 1x Staff of Tomorrow

Lord of Change (280 Points) • 1x Bolt of Change • 1x Rod of sorcery • 1x Staff of Tzeentch • Enhancements: Infernal Puppeteer

Lord of Change (280 Points) • 1x Bolt of Change • 1x Rod of sorcery • 1x Staff of Tzeentch • Enhancements: Inescapable Eye

Lord of Change (270 Points) • 1x Bolt of Change • 1x Rod of sorcery • 1x Staff of Tzeentch

The Blue Scribes (75 Points) • 1x Sharp quills

OTHER DATASHEETS

Flamers (65 Points) • 1x Pyrocaster ◦ 1x Flamer mouths ◦ 1x Flickering flames • 2x Flamer ◦ 2x Flamer mouths ◦ 2x Flickering flames

Flamers (65 Points) • 1x Pyrocaster ◦ 1x Flamer mouths ◦ 1x Flickering flames • 2x Flamer ◦ 2x Flamer mouths ◦ 2x Flickering flames

Flamers (65 Points) • 1x Pyrocaster ◦ 1x Flamer mouths ◦ 1x Flickering flames • 2x Flamer ◦ 2x Flamer mouths ◦ 2x Flickering flames

Screamers (80 Points) • 3x Screamer ◦ 3x Lamprey bite

Screamers (80 Points) • 3x Screamer ◦ 3x Lamprey bite

Screamers (80 Points) • 3x Screamer ◦ 3x Lamprey bite

Exported with App Version: v1.46.0 (1), Data Version: v726

Archetype

Birdemic

Thoughts

Last week Incursion was rising back up a bit, this week it's all birds, all the time. Triple Lord of Change with access to double redeploy plus Puppeteer lets you rain eldritch fire on foes wherever they're hiding themselves. Concentrating this many birds in a list also provides very efficient clearing against elite melee Infantry, and since the main concern with this kind of build is getting rushed down, and most pressure builds at the moment are Marines, you don't take as much of a hit from that potential weakness as you would if melee monster mash was a big thing. Geoff did, in fact, blast through four consecutive melee Marine lists in rounds 2-5, including Rage-Cursed, so no particular worries on that front. For me, the remaining question is whether they can handle Triple C'tan, which the birds are simply not very good at killing (you need all of them firing on one to start even having any real chance of dropping it), and which will definitely be a metagame player. The fires of Tzeentch burn brightly for now, however, and well done to Geoff for deploying them.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Chris Davis - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught): Double jump Death Company and a big Bladeguard squad as the big hammers, lots of Sanguinary Guard for smaller threats.
3rd - Nicolas Chesnick - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): An unusually heavy-duty Liberator list, bringing across the Death Company dreads from Rage-Cursed, and supplementing them with a Repulsor and a full Terminator Assault squad with Speed of the Primarch for the ultimate Fight First melee deterrent.
4th - Christian Pedersen - Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile): Big hammers of Chosen and Possessed with Forgefiends, Obliterators, and all-rounder stuff in support.
5th - Stephen Burrier - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Double tank, double Custodian Guard, and a toolbox of other pieces to work with.
6th - Git Gud - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): All-melee Warband, taking the standard 2x10 Berzerker core and swapping the Forgefiends to Helbrutes, then spending the leftover points on an extra Spawn squad.

2 Tabled 2 Talk GT

27-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Humble, TX, US on January 17 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Blake Chandler - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) - 1st Place

Deathwatch Terminators by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Test (2000 Points)

Space Marines Deathwatch Black Spear Task Force Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (110 Points) • Warlord • 1x Master-crafted heavy bolt rifle • 1x Master-crafted power weapon • Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades

Judiciar (95 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol • 1x Executioner relic blade • Enhancements: Beacon Angelis

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

Watch Master (120 Points) • 1x Vigil spear • Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (190 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes shield ◦ 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veterans ◦ 3x Astartes shield ◦ 1x Black Shield blades ◦ 1x Boltgun ◦ 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer ◦ 4x Power weapon

Deathwatch Veterans (190 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes shield ◦ 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veterans ◦ 2x Astartes shield ◦ 1x Black Shield blades ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer ◦ 1x Frag cannon ◦ 1x Infernus heavy bolter ◦ 2x Power weapon

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

Deathwatch Terminator Squad (190 Points) • 1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant ◦ 1x Storm Shield ◦ 1x Thunder hammer • 4x Deathwatch Terminator ◦ 3x Cyclone missile launcher ◦ 3x Power fist ◦ 1x Storm Shield ◦ 3x Storm bolter ◦ 1x Thunder hammer

Desolation Squad (200 Points) • 1x Desolation Sergeant ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Castellan launcher ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Vengor launcher • 4x Desolation Marine ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Castellan launcher ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Superkrak rocket launcher

Indomitor Kill Team (265 Points) • 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle ◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolter • 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists ◦ 3x Flamestorm gauntlets ◦ 3x Twin power fists • 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Melta rifle ◦ 1x Multi-melta

Indomitor Kill Team (265 Points) • 7x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors ◦ 7x Bolt pistol ◦ 7x Close combat weapon ◦ 5x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle ◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolter • 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Melta rifle ◦ 1x Multi-melta

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

Exported with App Version: v1.46.2 (1), Data Version: v732

Archetype

Indomitus Deathwatch

Thoughts

Sometimes Deathwatch win a tournament, as a treat. Usually when someone remembers that they have the models, and the army is pretty good. This build has the standard mobile elite infantry plan going on, with a little bit of an extra skew towards melee thanks to packing two big Veteran units that are loaded for a close-range scrap, with one also having a Rhino for safe staging and threat projection. Desolation Marines help cover your bases against a foe who refuses to participate, and that's kind of it - this army has been perpetually solid, and still barely ever seen. Well done to Blake!

The Best of the Rest

There was 4 more player on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd - Murat Can Cobanoglu - Thousand Sons (Rubricae Phalanx): The list is titled "30 SOT" so I invite the audience to participate in a little guessing game about what's going on in here.
3rd - Ryan Jewell - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Dreadknights, Razorbacks and Interceptors.
4th - Ismael Hinojosa - Emperor's Children (Court of the Phoenician): Fulgrim, Battleline with Exultants, Maulerfiends and Noise Marines.
5th - Brandon Sosa - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mortarion Vectorium with a full Deathshroud unit as a second hammer.

Wrap Up

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Thank you for being a friend.

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Mont'ka Mash pt.1

Event News - Goonhammer UK Teams March 2026

This Week's Events

Warhammer 40,000 GT - Warhammer Open Palm Springs

The Showdown

Linchpin - Search and Destroy

Thoughts

Result

Durante "Glynisir" Bozzini - T'au Empire (Mont'ka) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Junior Aflleje - Leagues of Votann (Needgaârd Oathband) - 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Zach Point - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar) - 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Hammer in the New Year 2026 Hosted by Away Games

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission -

Thoughts

Result

Scott Horras "Heresy" - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

IV Iberian Ham

Giri {°_°} - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Manel Tulla - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Akron Brew Brawl-Winter GT-WH 40k

Geoff Perry - Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

2 Tabled 2 Talk GT

Blake Chandler - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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