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.

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

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

Texas Open 2026 - Warhammer 40k Champs

164-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Lewisville, TX, United States on January 16 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Scorched Earth - Search and Destroy

Christian Alessi - Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite)

Army List - Click to Expand

DE (1990 points)

Drukhari Strike Force (2000 points) Spectacle of Spite

CHARACTERS

Lelith Hesperax (85 points) • 1x Lelith's blades

Succubus (50 points) • Warlord • 1x Archite glaive and agoniser

Succubus (65 points) • 1x Archite glaive and agoniser • Enhancement: Chronoshard

Succubus (70 points) • 1x Archite glaive and agoniser • Enhancement: Morghenna's Curse

BATTLELINE

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Raider (85 points) • 1x Bladevanes and chainsnares 1x Dark lance

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Cronos (55 points) • 1x Spirit syphon 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Cronos (55 points) • 1x Spirit syphon 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Hellions (170 points) • 1x Helliarch • 1x Hellglaive 1x Splinter pods • 9x Hellion • 9x Hellglaive 9x Splinter pods

Hellions (85 points) • 1x Helliarch • 1x Hellglaive 1x Splinter pods • 4x Hellion • 4x Hellglaive 4x Splinter pods

Hellions (170 points) • 1x Helliarch • 1x Hellglaive 1x Splinter pods • 9x Hellion • 9x Hellglaive 9x Splinter pods

Reavers (140 points) • 1x Arena Champion • 1x Bladevanes 1x Cluster caltrops 1x Heat lance 1x Splinter pistol • 5x Reaver • 5x Bladevanes 1x Cluster caltrops 1x Heat lance 5x Splinter pistol 4x Splinter rifle

Scourges with Heavy Weapons (130 points) • 1x Solarite • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Shardcarbine • 4x Scourge • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dark lance

Scourges with Heavy Weapons (130 points) • 1x Solarite • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Shardcarbine • 4x Scourge • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dark lance

Scourges with Heavy Weapons (130 points) • 1x Solarite • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Shardcarbine • 4x Scourge • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dark lance

Exported with App Version: v1.46.0 (106), Data Version: v726

vs.

Cam Hawkins - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock)

Army List - Click to Expand

LION ON THE JOB (2000 Points)

Space Marines Dark Angels Wrath of the Rock Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Azrael (125 Points) • 1x Lion's Wrath • 1x The Lion Helm • 1x The Sword of Secrets

Chaplain in Terminator Armour (90 Points) • 1x Crozius arcanum • 1x Storm bolter • Enhancements: Deathwing Assault

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

Lion El'Jonson (315 Points) • Warlord • 1x Arma Luminis • 1x Fealty

Ravenwing Command Squad (120 Points) • 1x Ravenwing Champion ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon ◦ 1x Plasma talon • 1x Ravenwing Apothecary ◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Plasma talon • 1x Ravenwing Ancient ◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Plasma talon

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessor ◦ 4x Astartes chainsword ◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathwing Knights (250 Points) • 1x Watcher in the Dark • 1x Knight Master ◦ 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven • 4x Deathwing Knight ◦ 4x Power weapon

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

Land Speeder Vengeance (120 Points) • 1x Assault cannon • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Plasma storm battery

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

Ravenwing Black Knights (160 Points) • 1x Ravenwing Huntmaster ◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Plasma talon • 5x Ravenwing Black Knight ◦ 5x Black Knight combat weapon ◦ 5x Bolt pistol ◦ 5x Plasma talon

Ravenwing Black Knights (160 Points) • 1x Ravenwing Huntmaster ◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Plasma talon • 5x Ravenwing Black Knight ◦ 5x Black Knight combat weapon ◦ 5x Bolt pistol ◦ 5x Plasma talon

Ravenwing Black Knights (160 Points) • 1x Ravenwing Huntmaster ◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Plasma talon • 5x Ravenwing Black Knight ◦ 5x Black Knight combat weapon ◦ 5x Bolt pistol ◦ 5x Plasma talon

Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (135 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Stormfury missiles • 1x Thunderstrike las-talon • 1x Twin Icarus rocket pod

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

Thoughts

Lol, an excellent showdown this week that pits two armies that can BOTH charge and countercharge the foe to death in the opposing turn. The Wrath build is very interesting - it avoids going in too hard on melee, instead leveraging JUST enough counter-charge to support a whole host of bikers and speeders. These have been creeping up in use in recent months, and pack excellent output into the many other marine equivalent armies we are seeing, especially the pressure ones. Guard those guns with a front line of the Lion and some DWK, and we are cooking.

The Spite list is well established now - a swingy fire base of Scourges, then plenty of Wyches and Hellions. The latter really don't like Deathwing Knights, who are an ideal profile to absorb them once Armour of Contempt is applied. That, and the rapid death of any Wych Cults units that stray into the Dark Angel firing lanes, keeps this suitably close. I have to say i'd have backed the Dark Kin here but it looks like with careful positioning and patience, the Sons of the Lion snuck the narrowest of wins. Fantastic work to you both! Nothing like a one point final. Except for that time Aarron's Caladius killed all my Acolytes in melee. That one still stings.

Result

Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock) Victory - 86 - 85

Cam Hawkins - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock) - 1st Place

Lion El’Jonson. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Bike Pressure DA

Thoughts

As alluded to above, the interesting pivot here is away from pure DWK spam towards a more ranged damage build, that still retains the ability to charge the opponent in their turn with a Fights First Primarch or Deathwing Tarpit to relieve pressure as required. Plenty of speed and reach, and the massed plasma shooting is ideal for the many marine bodies in the meta right now. Awesome to see DA take an event win just as they were looking a little bit unloved compared to their own special marine brothers! Great work.

Justin Moore - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Redemptor Dreadnought. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Shake & Bake (1990 points)

Space Marines Ultramarines Strike Force (2000 points) Gladius Task Force

CHARACTERS

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (80 points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Paired combat blades • Enhancement: Artificer Armour

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

Roboute Guilliman (340 points) • 1x Emperor's Sword 1x Hand of Dominion

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 Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs • 4x Astartes chainsword 3x Heavy bolt pistol 1x Plasma pistol

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

Redemptor Dreadnought (195 points) • 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Macro plasma incinerator 1x Onslaught gatling cannon 1x Redemptor fist 1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

Redemptor Dreadnought (195 points) • 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Macro plasma incinerator 1x Onslaught gatling cannon 1x Redemptor fist 1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

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 3x Combat knife 1x Heavy bolter

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

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

Archetype

Ultramarines Dakka

Thoughts

Coming in a close second, it's the new Ultramarines, with a massed car park of tanks supported by cheeky Victrix nonsense. The lists are pivoting away from melee towards raw ranged output, with the Gulliman / Repulsor castle giving me mild PTSD of late 8th Edition. This build shoots phenomenally hard, and has more than enough melee push to repel those trying to close on them quickly. Excellent work on the top placing!

Nick Carpenter - Aeldari (Seer Council) - 3rd Place

Credit: Wings

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Eldrad Ulthran (120pts): Mind War, Shuriken Pistol, Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade, Warlord Fuegan (120pts): Searsong, The Fire Axe Jain Zar (120pts): Silent Death, The Blade of Destruction Maugan Ra (100pts): Maugetar Farseer (70pts): Eldritch Storm, Shuriken Pistol, Singing Spear Warlock (75pts): Lucid Eye, Destructor, Shuriken Pistol, Singing Spear Warlock (45pts): Destructor, Shuriken Pistol, Singing Spear

11x Guardian Defenders (100pts) 11x Storm Guardians (110pts)

10x Dark Reapers (195pts) 10x Fire Dragons (240pts) 10x Howling Banshees (190pts) 5x Rangers (55pts) 5x Rangers (55pts) 4x Warlock Conclave (130pts) 2x Warlock Conclave (55pts) Warlock Skyrunners (45pts) Warlock Skyrunners (45pts) Warlock Skyrunners (45pts) War Walkers (85pts)

Archetype

Seer Council Control

Thoughts

The delicious, techy control of Seer Council is back on people's radars after Aspect Host took some heavy nerfs. Teleporting Fuegan around with a Lone Op 18 strat is certainly one way to keep him alive into the late game, and it saves points on a Wave Serpent too! Maugan and 10 Reapers gives you another ranged control piece, and this list walks a very delicate line keeping the damage pieces alive whilst distracting you with chaff, until it has enough of a foothold to push out. Seer Council is enormous fun to play, so I am delighted to see if performing well out there once again. Great work!

Kit Smith Hanna - Dark Angels (Ironstorm Spearhead) - 4th Place

Rainbow Warriors Azrael by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

It's Back (2000 points)

Space Marines Dark Angels Strike Force (2000 points) Ironstorm Spearhead

CHARACTERS

Azrael (125 points) • 1x Lion's Wrath 1x The Lion Helm 1x The Sword of Secrets

Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (90 points) • 1x Combi-weapon 1x Paired combat blades • Enhancement: Master of Machine War

Lion El'Jonson (315 points) • Warlord • 1x Arma Luminis 1x Fealty

Techmarine (85 points) • 1x Forge bolter 1x Grav-pistol 1x Omnissian power axe 1x Servo-arm • Enhancement: Target Augury Web

Techmarine (90 points) • 1x Forge bolter 1x Grav-pistol 1x Omnissian power axe 1x Servo-arm • Enhancement: Adept of the Omnissiah

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

Land Speeder Vengeance (120 points) • 1x Assault cannon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma storm battery

Land Speeder Vengeance (120 points) • 1x Assault cannon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma storm battery

Ravenwing Darkshroud (100 points) • 1x Assault cannon 1x Close combat weapon

Redemptor Dreadnought (195 points) • 1x Icarus rocket pod 1x Macro plasma incinerator 1x Onslaught gatling cannon 1x Redemptor fist 1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

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

Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (135 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Stormfury missiles 1x Thunderstrike las-talon 1x Twin Icarus rocket pod

Stormraven Gunship (280 points) • 1x Armoured hull 2x Hurricane bolter 2x Stormstrike missile launcher 1x Twin heavy plasma cannon 1x Twin multi-melta

Vindicator (185 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

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

Archetype

Dark Angles Ironstorm

Thoughts

Another spin on the new Dark Angels, this Ironstorm list harnesses the nonsense of the Stormraven with the CP boost and cheap Speeders the Dark Angels special units can bring. It has a LOT of assets to trade with at range, and should win a shooting war a lot of the time. At a pinch, it has Redemptors and the Lion to take things to the opponent instead. Another triumph for the DA! Awesome to see.

The Best of the Rest

There were 13 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th - Christian Alessi - Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite): The mixed arms Spite build from the showdown.
6th - Mikroponis Hopontopodes - Chaos Space Marines (Fellhammer Siege-host): Abaddon and Vashtorr leading huge slabs of Possessed and Terminators in Fellhammer.
7th - Raul Valencia - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): Heavy shooting Wrath with Cent Devs, Black Knights and the Lion leading the way.
8th - Robert Moreland - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): A Stormsword with lots of Rough Riders out ahead.
9th - Tyler Prothro - Necrons (Pantheon of Woe): Triple C'tan, DDAs and Destroyer MSU.
10th - Clifton “Murica” Russell - Orks (Dread Mob): Massed Lootas and Tankbustas in Dread Mob.
11th - Matthew Sorrels - Space Marines (Astartes) (Blade of Ultramar): Ultras gunline with Vindicators and Redemptors.
12th - Peyton Beard - Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge): All-in Biosanctic with 20 Metamorphs behind the Aberrants and Purestrains.
13th - Jensen Simmons - Death Guard (Champions of Contagion): Massed Deathshroud and a Plague Marine brick in Champs.
14th - Erik Brody - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Triple Prince Coteries.
15th - Hunter Boyd - Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): Old School Solar Dreadnought and Caladius spam.
16th - Justin Dunn - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus Grand Coven with a brick of Sekhatar Robots and two Vortex Beast.
17th - AlanMichael Torres - Necrons (Cursed Legion): Ammentar leading Destroyer bricks to war in the awesome Cursed Legion.

Skövde Battle Forge VI

42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Västra Götalands län, Sweden on January 17 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Emil Söderholm - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) - 1st Place

Deathwatch veteran Marcus Varro. Credit: Charlie Brassley

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Bobo (1995 Points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (105 Points) • Warlord • 1x Boltstorm gauntlet • 1x Power fist • 1x Relic chainsword • Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

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 (125 Points) • 1x Vigil spear • Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fortis Kill Team (180 Points) • 1x Kill Team Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Deathwatch bolt rifle ◦ 1x Power fist • 3x Kill Team Intercessor ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Deathwatch bolt rifle • 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Plasma incinerator ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Castellan launcher ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Superkrak rocket launcher ◦ 1x Vengor launcher

Fortis Kill Team (180 Points) • 1x Kill Team Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Deathwatch bolt rifle ◦ 1x Power fist • 3x Kill Team Intercessor ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Deathwatch bolt rifle • 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Plasma incinerator ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Castellan launcher ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Superkrak rocket launcher ◦ 1x Vengor launcher

Fortis Kill Team (180 Points) • 1x Kill Team Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Deathwatch bolt rifle ◦ 1x Power fist • 3x Kill Team Intercessor ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Deathwatch bolt rifle • 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Plasma incinerator ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Castellan launcher ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Superkrak rocket launcher ◦ 1x Vengor launcher

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

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

Indomitor Kill Team (265 Points) • 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle • 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) • 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle • 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

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

Archetype

Big Brick Deathwatch

Thoughts

A triumph for the Deathwatch here, who dispense with nonsense like MSU Terminators as bait in favour of just blasting the living daylights out of the foe with maxed out Fortis and Indomitor teams. There are plenty of elite armies in the meta who don't love being jumped from reserves with excellent shooting, and as long as the Task Force can dodge their loss condition (mass tagging / overrun), they can reduce enemy armies to a crater in relatively short order. Awesome to see the detachment continuing to take names, very well done on the event win.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Johan Lindsten - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus / Scarab brick Grand Cover.
3rd - Björn Håkansson - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught): Double Baal Predators supporting a wall of Death Company and Sang Guard.
4th - Johannes Einemo - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): MSU Ruststalkers out ahead of a line of Skorpius tanks.
5th - Sebastian Magnusson - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): A gunline of Leman Russ and Rogal Dorn with Infantry and Cavalry out ahead. As God intended.

Loch 'n Load GT3

36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in North Kessock, Scotland, United Kingdom on January 17 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Kenneth Mackenzie - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar) - 1st Place

Marneus Calgar in the Armour of Antilochus. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Don't worry about me. I'm a fluffy gamer. (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain Sicarius (85 points) • 1x Artisan plasma pistol 1x Talassarian Tempest Blade

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

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

Marneus Calgar in Armour of Antilochus (140 points) • Warlord • 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (150 points) • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Thunder hammer • 9x Assault Intercessor • 9x Astartes chainsword 9x Heavy bolt pistol

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Eradicator Squad (180 points) • 1x Eradicator Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon 1x Melta rifle • 5x Eradicator • 5x Bolt pistol 5x Close combat weapon 3x Melta rifle 2x Multi-melta

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

Repulsor (180 points) • 1x Armoured hull 1x Hunter-slayer missile 1x Las-talon 1x Repulsor defensive array 1x Twin lascannon

Scout Squad (70 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Boltgun 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 2x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy bolter 1x Scout sniper rifle

Sternguard Veteran Squad (200 points) • 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Power fist 1x Sternguard bolt pistol 1x Sternguard bolt rifle • 9x Sternguard Veteran • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Sternguard bolt pistol 7x Sternguard bolt rifle 2x Sternguard heavy bolter

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

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

Archetype

Ultramarines Mixed Arms

Thoughts

A win for the Ultramarines, who pack the new Wardens unit in as a big old tarpit of wounds complimenting this with massed Eradictator, Repulsor, and Vindicator shooting. Key elements of the meta have switched back towards egregious application of damage at range, and few do it quite as well as the scions of Gulliman. Fantastic work on the event win!!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Gavin Heritage - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Massed Bullgryn out ahead of the tanks. Delicious.
3rd - Rich Dovey - Space Wolves (Saga of the Beastslayer): Big skew targeting Beastslayer with Headtakers, Lancers, and Terminators.
4th - Nathanial Valente - Thousand Sons (Rubricae Phalanx): 30 Scarab Phalanx, utterly bonkers and very dangerous.
5th - Blair Wilson - Death Guard (Tallyband Summoners): Rotigus, Plaguebearers and Nurglings supporting lots of Deathshroud and Drones.
6th - Alasdair Meek - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Guard Wardens and Caladius in a classic Lions build.

The Iron Halo 2026

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hobart, TAS, Australia on January 16 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Ethan Armstrong - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught) - 1st Place

Primaris Chapter Master Dante. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Heralds of Dawn RCO (1980 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain with Jump Pack (100 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • Enhancement: Master of the Red Thirst

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

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

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

Death Company Captain with Jump Pack (75 points) • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist

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

The Sanguinor (130 points) • Warlord • 1x Encarmine broadsword

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 points) • 1x Intercessor Sergeant • 1x Astartes grenade launcher 1x Bolt pistol 1x Bolt rifle 1x Thunder hammer • 4x Intercessor • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Bolt rifle 4x Close combat weapon

OTHER DATASHEETS

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 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

Sanguinary Guard (260 points) • 6x Sanguinary Guard • 4x Angelus boltgun 6x Encarmine spear 2x 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

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

Archetype

All-in BA

Thoughts

Blood Angels lists like this are what Warhammer is all about. A collection of Captains, Champions and Dante leading a small band of exceptionally doomed, angry men on a one way trip to murdertown. Rage Cursed can horde CP and then put the foe in a fairly insufferable position, between Fights First, Fight on Death, and tactical Feel No Pain 5+ on DC units. This list can all-in brutally, and I love the Sanguinor as an ADDITIONAL Fight Phase headache for melee mirrors. Amazing work on the event win.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Adam Douglas - Thousand Sons (Rubricae Phalanx): Triple Scarab Terminators and the Daemon Prince.
3rd - Zac Greene - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): 4 Kastelan Robots plug into the usual Haloscreed Goodstuff.
4th - Tyler Walsh - Necrons (Pantheon of Woe): Triple C'tan, Ammentar, and the Silent King.
5th - Callum Lane - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): The full 6 C'tan in Starshatter, brutal!

Wrap Up

There you have it folks! Our flux meta continues to evolve. Necrons are creeping in, Ultramarines are diversifying, and we have breakout stars in the ongoing resurgence of Thousand Sons and Death Guard. There seems to be an almost straight divide between all-in melee pressure and brutal ranged builds right now, with both sides trying to skew hard enough to throw the other off. Touch wood, it looks like a genuinely diverse meta! Can this hold up as the new Necron rules continue to take hold? Time will tell!

Lowest of Men, out.

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Texas Open 2026 - Warhammer 40k Champs

The Showdown

Scorched Earth - Search and Destroy

Thoughts

Result

Cam Hawkins - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Justin Moore - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Loch 'n Load GT3

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

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The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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