Welcome to Competitive Innovations, our weekly feature for a number of game lines across the tabletop wargame space. Each week our army list and tactics experts canvass the top tournaments for their game of specialty, looking at the week’s top match-ups and how they played out on the tabletop to let you know what’s hot, what’s not, and what might be coming next as the competitive meta evolves year-round.

It's more from our confusing gap week, this time with Lowest of Men in charge.

Part 2 on Friday:

BAYERN MAJOR #2 2025 40k
Karak Portentosus
Warpstorm 2: Waaagh Harder
The Port City GT
40K GT - Sat-Sun 13-14 Sept. - Kawasaki International Center

Flying Monkey Con 40k Champs 2025
X-4 Presents: Summer Waaagh Series
Central Valley Crucible GT
Iron Cage: September Slaughter
gt surrender II
No Surrender 2025

BAYERN MAJOR #2 2025 40k

67-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Regensburg, BY, Deutschland on September 13 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Leif Westermann - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 1st Place

Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

aspect host 2 (1995 points)

Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Aspect Host

CHARACTERS

Autarch (85 points) • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Star glaive

Fuegan (120 points) • Warlord • 1x Fire Axe 1x Searsong

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

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

BATTLELINE

Corsair Voidreavers (60 points) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Mistshield 1x Power sword 1x Shuriken rifle • 4x Corsair Voidreaver • 1x Blaster 4x Close combat weapon 3x Power sword 4x Shuriken pistol

Corsair Voidreavers (60 points) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Mistshield 1x Power sword 1x Shuriken rifle • 4x Corsair Voidreaver • 1x Blaster 4x Close combat weapon 3x Power sword 4x Shuriken pistol

Corsair Voidreavers (60 points) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Mistshield 1x Power sword 1x Shuriken rifle • 4x Corsair Voidreaver • 1x Blaster 4x Close combat weapon 3x Power sword 4x Shuriken pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (90 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher • 4x Dark Reaper • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Reaper launcher

Dark Reapers (90 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher • 4x Dark Reaper • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Reaper launcher

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

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

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

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

Swooping Hawks (170 points) • 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Exarch's lasblaster • 9x Swooping Hawk • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (170 points) • 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Exarch's lasblaster • 9x Swooping Hawk • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Lasblaster

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Aeldari Hawk Rush

Thoughts

German Aeldari heavyweight Leif slaps some people about with the tried and tested 'Hawk and friends' blitz. He wore elf ears at WTC so I know he takes this faction seriously, and there is a delicious toolbox feel to the list. Smatterings of Reapers offer some ranged honesty shooting, Fuegan does war crimes from a central area, and the Hawks / Lykhis blitz is ready to fatally break the opponent at the right moment. Beautiful stuff from a top player, very well done.

Wesselin Georgiev - Space Wolves (Gladius Task Force) - 2nd Place

Logan Grimnar. Credit: Rich Nutter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Still knights meta(2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Arjac Rockfist (95 points) • 1x Foehammer

Bjorn the Fell-Handed (170 points) • Warlord • 1x Heavy flamer 1x Helfrost cannon 1x Trueclaw

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

Logan Grimnar (110 points) • 1x Axe Morkai 1x Storm bolter 1x Tyrnak and Fenrir

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fenrisian Wolves (40 points) • 5x Fenrisian Wolf • 5x Teeth and claws

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

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm 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 Heavy bolter 1x Scout sniper rifle

Thunderwolf Cavalry (100 points) • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Teeth and Claws 1x Wolf Guard weapon • 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Teeth and Claws 2x Wolf Guard weapon

Thunderwolf Cavalry (100 points) • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Teeth and Claws 1x Wolf Guard weapon • 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Teeth and Claws 2x Wolf Guard weapon

Wolf Guard Terminators (170 points) • 1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader • 1x Relic greataxe • 4x Wolf Guard Terminator • 1x Assault cannon 3x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Power fist 3x Storm Shield

Wolf Guard Terminators (170 points) • 1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader • 1x Relic greataxe • 4x Wolf Guard Terminator • 1x Assault cannon 3x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Power fist 3x Storm Shield

Wulfen with Storm Shields (200 points) • 10x Wulfen • 10x Death Totem 10x Thunder hammer

Wulfen with Storm Shields (200 points) • 10x Wulfen • 10x Death Totem 10x Thunder hammer

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

Archetype

Knight Hunting Wolves

Thoughts

A deliciously skewed Space Wolves list here that is ready to do violence to big skew. Wulfen slap mech about, the Preds are speccd to hunt tanks, and there are enough Thunderwolves and Terminators running about to keep them tied up and busy as you blast away. Space Wolves have copped a few strays in the dataslate but have had a solid few months with their new rules, chewing up things worthy of song with enthusiastic glee. Fantastic work on the top placing.

Sami Amr - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) - 3rd Place

Vashtorr the Arkifane. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Und wieder mal es soll so sein, ich scheisse auf dem major rein. (2000 points)

Chaos Space Marines Strike Force (2000 points) Renegade Raiders

CHARACTERS

Chaos Lord (90 points) • 1x Daemon hammer 1x Power fist

Lord Discordant on Helstalker (160 points) • 1x Baleflamer 1x Bladed limbs 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Impaler chainglaive 1x Magma cutter

Vashtorr the Arkifane (175 points) • Warlord • 1x Vashtorr's claw 1x Vashtorr's hammer

BATTLELINE

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

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

Legionaries (90 points) • 1x Aspiring Champion • 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy melee weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Legionary • 2x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy melee weapon 1x Lascannon

Legionaries (90 points) • 1x Aspiring Champion • 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy melee weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Legionary • 2x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy melee weapon 1x Lascannon

Legionaries (90 points) • 1x Aspiring Champion • 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy melee weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Legionary • 2x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy melee weapon 1x Lascannon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher

Chaos Rhino (75 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Bikers (70 points) • 1x Biker Champion • 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon 1x Combi-bolter 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker • 2x Astartes chainsword 2x Close combat weapon 2x Combi-bolter 2x Meltagun

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher 2x Lascannon 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher 2x Lascannon 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher 2x Lascannon 1x Predator autocannon

Nemesis Claw (110 points) • 1x Visionary • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power fist • 4x Legionary • 1x Accursed weapon 1x Astartes chainsword 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Nostraman chainglaive 1x Paired accursed weapons 1x Voice Eater

Warp Talons (125 points) • 1x Warp Talon Champion • 1x Warp claws • 4x Warp Talon • 4x Warp claws

ALLIED UNITS

Noise Marines (145 points) • 1x Disharmonist • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Sonic blaster • 5x Noise Marine • 2x Blastmaster 5x Close combat weapon 3x Sonic blaster

Noise Marines (145 points) • 1x Disharmonist • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Sonic blaster • 5x Noise Marine • 2x Blastmaster 5x Close combat weapon 3x Sonic blaster

Nurglings (40 points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm • 3x Diseased claws and teeth

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

Archetype

Combined Arms Renegade Raiders

Thoughts

I have tested a few lists of this type myself in recent times, and the Discolord / Vashtorr package in Renegade is SO much fun. Lord Disco can go obscenely fast and hide himself away again via stratagem support, Vashtorr loves having some extra AP and helps smack down vehicles, and Noise Marines hitting the disembark and full rerolls do WORK. It's fragile, so you have to time your strikes right, but it is a fantastic detachment that has had a new lease of life with the previous slate alterations. Great work on the top placing!

Fritz Peters - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) - 4th Place

Necron Lokhust Lord

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Necs Ratisbona 09/26 (2000 Points)

Necrons Starshatter Arsenal Strike Force (2.000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lokhust Lord (95 Points) • 1x Lord's blade • 1x Resurrection Orb • Enhancements: Miniaturised Nebuloscope

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

The Silent King (420 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 Wraiths (220 Points) • 6x Canoptek Wraith ◦ 6x Particle caster ◦ 6x Vicious claws

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

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

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

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (165 Points) • 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Enmitic exterminator

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

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

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

Archetype

Silent King / Wraith Crons

Thoughts

Stodgy defensive Starshatter in the Siegler mould, this list hunkers down, demands attention and then counter attacks viciously to leave itself astride the mid board at the end of the game. I think slightly cagier, reactive move toting lists like this will miss having challenger cards to keep them par early game without committing units, but Starshatter still boats excellent offence and is more than capable of going toe-to-toe at range. Just steer clear of that outright melee brutality! Amazing work on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th - Richard Kirsch - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Double C'tan / Warrior brick Awakened - this looks really fun to play!
6th - Christopher Bacher - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Chonky triple Rep Ex Gladius Templars, ready to dish out the hurt.
7th - Ben Hackländer - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Impulsor / double Rep Ex here, allowing a bit more space for tasteful melee MSU including some Reivers!

Karak Portentosus

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hradec Králové, Královéhradecký kraj, CZ on September 13 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Adam Tetour - Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) - 1st Place

Be'lakor - Credit: RichyP

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Adam Tetour (1995 points)

Chaos Daemons Strike Force (2000 points) Shadow Legion

CHARACTERS

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

Bloodthirster (335 points) • 1x Great axe of Khorne 1x Hellfire breath • Enhancement: Fade to Darkness

BATTLELINE

Nurglings (40 points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm • 3x Diseased claws and teeth

OTHER DATASHEETS

Beasts of Nurgle (65 points) • 1x Putrid appendages

Screamers (160 points) • 6x Screamer • 6x Lamprey bite

Screamers (160 points) • 6x Screamer • 6x Lamprey bite

Screamers (160 points) • 6x Screamer • 6x Lamprey bite

Seekers (80 points) • 1x Heartseeker • 1x Lashing tongue 1x Slashing claws • 4x Seeker • 1x Daemonic Icon 1x Instrument of Chaos 4x Lashing tongue 4x Slashing claws

ALLIED UNITS

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

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

Dark Commune (105 points) • 1x Cult Demagogue • 1x Autopistol 1x Commune stave • Enhancement: Leaping Shadows • 1x Mindwitch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Warp Curse • 1x Iconarch • 1x Autopistol 1x Chaos Icon 1x Close combat weapon • 2x Blessed Blade • 2x Commune blade

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.40.0 (93), Data Version: v674

Archetype

Shadow Legion Pressure

Thoughts

Shadow Legion continues to be an incredible high tempo army - it is REALLY going to like challenger cards going away too. Belly and the Thirster smack up big targets, the Accursed brick puts the opponent under the cosh, and Screamers fly out to drown the foe in mortals and deceptive amounts of OC. I had the pleasure of playing Niklas of team Germany at WTC on more or less the list above and it is an exceptional push list in the right hands. Daemons manage to slip by most players consideration as an army to prepare for, and that is always going to give you an edge. Fantastic work on taking a GT with it here!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Pavel Šohaj - Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force): A hard Ultramarines gunline with Ballistus, Gladiators, and a Redemptor led by that big shiny guy that loves admin.
3rd - Jan Ullmann - Orks (Dread Mob): A genuinely unique Dread Mob list that slams a bunch of Deffkoptas and Killa Kans in alongside the usual tide of Gretchin and Tankbustas.
4th - Petr Horak - Leagues of Votann (Needgaârd Oathband): A take on the old school Land Fort / Sagitaur lists with added Steeljacks and the boosted Thunderkyn in support.
5th - Pavel Kohout - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Chunky triple Impulsor and Rep Ex ferried Templars, ready to do reactive move nonsense.

Warpstorm 2: Waaagh Harder

35-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Cloughmills, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom on September 13 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Mark Morrow - Orks (Taktikal Brigade) - 1st Place

Wrecka Krew Boss Nob by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PLAYER NAME: Mark Morrow + TEAM NAME: Team Northern Ireland + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Orks + DETACHMENT: Taktikal Brigade + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char7: Mek + ENHANCEMENT: Mek Kaptin (on Char2: Big Mek in Mega Armour) & Gob Boomer (on Char6: Mek) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 21 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (3x2) - Assassination: 8 Characters - Cull The Horde: 1x5 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Zodgrod Wortsnagga (90 pts): Da Grabzappa, Squigstoppa Char2: 1x Beastboss (80 pts): Beast Snagga klaw, Beastchoppa, Shoota Char3: 1x Big Mek in Mega Armour (135 pts): Grot oiler, Kustom force field, Kustom mega-blasta, Power klaw Enhancement: Mek Kaptin (+45 pts) Char4: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (85 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun Char5: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (85 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun Char6: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (85 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun Char7: 1x Mek (55 pts): Warlord, Kustom mega-slugga, Wrench Enhancement: Gob Boomer (+10 pts) Char8: 1x Warboss in Mega Armour (90 pts): 'Uge choppa, Big shoota

10x Beast Snagga Boyz (95 pts) • 1x Beast Snagga Nob: Power snappa, Slugga • 9x Beast Snagga Boy: 9 with Choppa, Slugga 5x Stormboyz (65 pts) • 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Power klaw • 4x Stormboy: 4 with Choppa, Slugga

10x Flash Gitz (170 pts): Ammo Runt • 1x Kaptin: Choppa, Snazzgun • 9x Flash Gitz: 9 with Choppa, Snazzgun 22x Gretchin (80 pts) • 20x Gretchin: 20 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta • 2x Runtherd: 2 with Grot-smacka, Slugga 11x Gretchin (40 pts) • 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta • 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga 11x Gretchin (40 pts) • 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta • 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga 5x Meganobz (175 pts): 5 with Twin killsaw 6x Tankbustas (140 pts) • 5x Tankbusta 1 with Pulsa rokkit, Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha 4 with Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha • 1x Boss Nob: Choppa, Rokkit pistol, Smash hammer 6x Tankbustas (140 pts) • 5x Tankbusta 1 with Pulsa rokkit, Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha 4 with Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha • 1x Boss Nob: Choppa, Rokkit pistol, Smash hammer 6x Tankbustas (140 pts) • 5x Tankbusta 1 with Pulsa rokkit, Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha 4 with Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha • 1x Boss Nob: Choppa, Rokkit pistol, Smash hammer 1x Trukk (70 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel 1x Trukk (70 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel 1x Trukk (70 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel

Archetype

Taktikal Trukks

Thoughts

On the eve of... generous Ork buffs, a timely reminder of the many nasty builds that army is capable of putting out. Taktikal isn't what it was, but it still packs very good shooting, excellent debuffs, and a fall back case of 'what if tonnes of T5 guys with loads of attacks shot you AND THEN ran at you and punched you? Nice to see Zodgrod still doing nonsense here, and the eternal Flash Gitz brick. Fantastic work on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

There were 2 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd - Haydn Dempster - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Chunky Virulent with mini-Morty, a Plague Marine brick, and plenty of Deathshroud.
3rd - Martin Sloan Carrick - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Good old Rep Ex Templars.
4th - Michael McConkey - Aeldari (Warhost): Non-interactive Warhost with a Baharroth and Fuegan brick to shove at the appropriate moment.

The Port City GT

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Oswego, NY, United States on September 13 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Supply Drop - Tipping Point

Joseph Sault - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre)

Army List - Click to Expand

Retcad (1995 Points)

T'au Empire Retaliation Cadre Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Commander Farsight (95 Points) • 1x Dawn Blade • 1x High-intensity plasma rifle

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (110 Points) • 1x Battlesuit fists • 3x Burst cannon • 2x Gun Drone • 1x High-output burst cannon • Enhancements: Prototype Weapon System

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (115 Points) • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Cyclic ion blaster • 3x Fusion blaster • 1x Marker Drone • 1x Shield Drone • Enhancements: Internal Grenade Racks

Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit (100 Points) • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Cyclic ion blaster • 1x Marker Drone • 3x Plasma rifle • 1x Shield Drone • Enhancements: Starflare Ignition System

Darkstrider (60 Points) • Warlord • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Shade

Firesight Team (70 Points) • 1x Close combat weapons • 1x Longshot pulse rifles • 1x Pulse pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Crisis Fireknife Battlesuits (130 Points) • 1x Crisis Fireknife Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 1x Gun Drone ◦ 2x Plasma rifle ◦ 1x Shield Drone • 2x Crisis Fireknife Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Gun Drone ◦ 1x Marker Drone ◦ 4x Plasma rifle ◦ 1x Shield Drone

Crisis Starscythe Battlesuits (110 Points) • 1x Crisis Starscythe Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 1x Gun Drone ◦ 1x Marker Drone ◦ 2x T'au flamer • 2x Crisis Starscythe Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Gun Drone ◦ 2x Shield Drone ◦ 4x T'au flamer

Crisis Starscythe Battlesuits (110 Points) • 1x Crisis Starscythe Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Burst cannon ◦ 1x Gun Drone ◦ 1x Shield Drone • 2x Crisis Starscythe Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 4x Burst cannon ◦ 2x Gun Drone ◦ 1x Marker Drone ◦ 1x Shield Drone

Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits (150 Points) • 1x Crisis Sunforge Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Fusion blaster ◦ 1x Gun Drone ◦ 1x Shield Drone • 2x Crisis Sunforge Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 4x Fusion blaster ◦ 2x Gun Drone ◦ 1x Marker Drone ◦ 1x Shield Drone

Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits (150 Points) • 1x Crisis Sunforge Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Fusion blaster ◦ 1x Gun Drone ◦ 1x Shield Drone • 2x Crisis Sunforge Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 4x Fusion blaster ◦ 2x Gun Drone ◦ 1x Marker Drone ◦ 1x Shield Drone

Kroot Carnivores (65 Points) • 1x Long-quill ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Kroot pistol ◦ 1x Kroot rifle • 9x Kroot Carnivore ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 9x Kroot rifle

Riptide Battlesuit (190 Points) • 1x Heavy burst cannon • 2x Missile Drone • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Twin fusion blaster

Riptide Battlesuit (190 Points) • 1x Heavy burst cannon • 2x Missile Drone • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Twin fusion blaster

Riptide Battlesuit (190 Points) • 1x Heavy burst cannon • 2x Missile Drone • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Twin fusion blaster

Stealth Battlesuits (80 Points) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 1x Burst cannon ◦ 1x Homing Beacon • 2x Stealth Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Burst cannon

Stealth Battlesuits (80 Points) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 1x Burst cannon ◦ 1x Homing Beacon • 2x Stealth Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Burst cannon

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

vs.

Neil Goldsmith - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault)

Army List - Click to Expand

-K

Drukhari Skysplinter Assault Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Archon (105 Points) • Warlord • 1x Blast pistol • 1x Huskblade • Enhancements: Nightmare Shroud

Archon (85 Points) • 1x Blast pistol • 1x Huskblade

Beastmaster (120 Points) • 1x Beastmaster ◦ 1x Agoniser ◦ 1x Splinter pods • 1x Clawed Fiend ◦ 1x Clawed Fiend fists • 2x Khymerae ◦ 2x Khymerae talons • 3x Razorwing Flock ◦ 3x Razorwing feathers

Lelith Hesperax (95 Points) • 1x Lelith's blades

Urien Rakarth (80 Points) • 1x Casket of Flensing • 1x Haemonculus tools and scissorhands

BATTLELINE

Kabalite Warriors (100 Points) • 1x Sybarite ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher ◦ 1x Sybarite weapon • 9x Kabalite Warrior ◦ 1x Blaster ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Dark lance ◦ 1x Shredder ◦ 1x Splinter cannon ◦ 5x Splinter rifle

Wracks (55 Points) • 1x Acothyst ◦ 1x Hexrifle ◦ 1x Wrack blades • 4x Wrack ◦ 1x Ossefactor ◦ 4x Wrack blades

Wracks (55 Points) • 1x Acothyst ◦ 1x Hexrifle ◦ 1x Wrack blades • 4x Wrack ◦ 1x Ossefactor ◦ 4x Wrack blades

Wyches (80 Points) • 1x Hekatrix ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Hekatarii blade ◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher • 9x Wych ◦ 9x Hekatarii blade ◦ 9x Splinter pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Raider (75 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Dark lance

Venom (65 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Splinter cannon • 1x Splinter cannon

Venom (65 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Splinter cannon • 1x Splinter cannon

Venom (65 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Splinter cannon • 1x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Court of the Archon (95 Points) • 1x Lhamaean ◦ 1x Shaimeshi blade • 1x Medusae ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Eyeburst • 1x Sslyth ◦ 1x Shardcarbine ◦ 1x Splinter pistol ◦ 1x Sslyth battle-blade • 1x Ur-ghul ◦ 1x Ur-ghul talons

Cronos (50 Points) • 1x Spirit syphon • 1x Spirit vortex • 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Cronos (50 Points) • 1x Spirit syphon • 1x Spirit vortex • 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Grotesques (80 Points) • 3x Grotesque ◦ 3x Liquifier gun ◦ 3x Monstrous weapons

Incubi (85 Points) • 4x Incubi ◦ 4x Klaive • 1x Klaivex ◦ 1x Klaive

Mandrakes (65 Points) • 1x Nightfiend ◦ 1x Baleblast ◦ 1x Glimmersteel blade • 4x Mandrake ◦ 4x Baleblast ◦ 4x Glimmersteel blade

Mandrakes (65 Points) • 1x Nightfiend ◦ 1x Baleblast ◦ 1x Glimmersteel blade • 4x Mandrake ◦ 4x Baleblast ◦ 4x Glimmersteel blade

Ravager (100 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 3x Dark lance

Ravager (100 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 3x Dark lance

Scourges (130 Points) • 1x Solarite ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Shardcarbine ◦ 1x Solarite weapon • 4x Scourge ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Drukhari haywire blaster

Scourges (130 Points) • 1x Solarite ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Shardcarbine ◦ 1x Solarite weapon • 4x Scourge ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Dark lance

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

Thoughts

We were lucky enough to have both opponents write in with their account of this game, so I shall hand over to them!

Joseph Sault:

To start, Neil is one of my closest friends, so this face-off was heartbreaking from the start for both of us. This is our third time headbutting in round 5 of a GT. The mission was supply drop, so I knew I needed to reserve some strength for turn 5. I went first, giving Neil the edge here off the start. Layout 2 was very advantageous for me, with 3 burst cannon riptides effectively pinning him behind every ruin, as Drukhari can't withstand that kind of firepower.

Unfortunately, Neil's natural was declared the alpha, so I was able to turtle up on my natural and point guns towards his DZ, and let us both score 5s. I can't go near him, and he can't come out. So we're just kind of skirmishing and making sure nobody gets too much of a good staging position. I was able to take out the raider holding the court fairly early. which really set the pace for me to all in on Turn 3. I pushed Neil fairly far back into his DZ, but offered a lot of my important pieces to do so. he responded by killing everything I committed, but a rapid ingress on the center out of LoS got me a 16 primary, which was a requirement for me to win on this mission.

I re-applied the pressure by donating everything except 2 units of crisis suits and one healthy riptide to move block. On 4, I killed the court (finally) and fire and faded back to the center, where I had to hedge my bets that 5 haywire scourges and 5 lance scourges wouldn't kill a riptide and I would get 15 on top of 5. (Neil did not have the movement to get anything to the center and got kind of scammed on some unlucky advance rolls) I had burst cannon starscythes and some fusion starscythes that could mop up if Neil tried to flip the center with OC, so he had to reserve his venom full of OC idiots to get the end of game 15. I overwatched the haywires with the riptide, and killed 3 of them (very fortunate). A CP re-roll on a failed dark lance save had the riptide live on 4, auto pass morale and secure the win with the 15 end of game. The entire game is extremely stressful for both of us. With both of us spending almost our entire time on movement, since it's absolutely critical. If Neil is out of place and gets shot, it's game over. If I get too close and get charged, it's game over. so the game was spent joking around and kicking ourselves for errors we both made throughout the game. Neil did an excellent job pressuring my home objective where all my spotters were hiding, and I had to play very cagey and couldn't flip his natural objective even once. I did threaten it a few times, but he of course saw right through the attempted stage and responded brilliantly. Overall it was a phenomenally played game.

Neil Goldsmith:

I will start by shouting out Joe, he’s actively made me (and a ton of other folks regionally) significantly better at warhammer. truly thankful to have him as one of my best friends and teammate. this is now the third GT him and i have faced each other in the final round, and im happy to have closed those events out against him. onto the matchup and mission. i’m pretty familiar with Joe’s flavor of retaliation cadre and his gospel of heavy burst cannon riptides. Honestly; however, I feel with skysplinter assault, and drukhari in general, i have a ton of tools to handle his army and the mission. Scourges, incubi, and the court of the archon can pressure his suits and spotters, and my battleline is cheap enough to deny his primary if they can get there.

The mission being supply drop is historically a touch and go mission for players, but even going first I feel I can pressure Joe’s primary with my trash. My biggest hurdle, and what would play a significant part in my mistake that put me on the back foot, was the layout. Layout 4 is difficult to safely deploy my transports and units where they won’t be seen from a riptide cutting an angle or a crisis suit ingress. This leads me to put my raider with the Court in a disadvantageous deployment, but I cannot afford to leave it off the board. Joe knows the damage that unit can do, and if it’s not on the board he has every courtesy to full send on me. My natural unfortunately goes away first, but I do have bottom of turn, which is a safe place to be on supply drop.

I made a pretty egregious error and didn’t move my wracks up to push a deep strike screen out that let Joe get a line on my raider on T2, and after his Plasma unit activated left it limping on 1 wound. This is objectively NOT a great place to be as a skysplinter player. Joe pushed me pretty deep into my DZ, but on my retaliation did manage to dig myself out. Unfortunately, I was unable to reacquire the board state necessary to pull me completely back into the game. I do want to curse out his riptide for killing 3 scourges in overwatch, but I’ll take it as payback for Lelith killing Farsight. Games like this are always so stressful, where every movement phase and activation really has to be planned and executed perfectly. Little mistakes from both of us can snowball the game state into an unrecoverable position. Joe did an amazing job capitalizing on my screening mistake to get a line on one of my win conditions, and a cheeky rapid ingress of a commander to score 16 was an excellent play to keep him safe from my bottom of turn scoring. I’m extremely proud of both of us for our performance at the event and our play in the game.

Lowest of Men: Thanks chaps, sounds like a corker!

Result

T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre) Victory - 80 - 74

Joseph Sault - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre) - 1st Place

Riptide Battlesuit. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Ret Cadre Slaps

Thoughts

Ret Cadre has seized the moment and emerged as a T'au weapon of choice once more. Devastating, capable of hitting from unusual angles, and able to recycle threats and pressure new points again, it is a brutal, but fragile version of the T'au line of attack. Lots of suits tooled for the many new meta menaces makes a lot of sense in a 'wide' and shifting competitive game, and I love to see it thriving once again. Fantastic work on the hard fought event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Clarence Ellsworth - Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force): New-look Wolf Jail, with lots of Thunderwolves and supporting Terminators and Headtakers.
3rd - Gary Hayden - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): Rep Ex Gladius. Goodness this list is everywhere.
4th - Connor Reynolds - Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Massed Rogal Dorns and Taurox in Hammer.
5th - Neil Burns-Morales - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Purist Combined Arms with Bullgryn, Leman Russ and Dorn.

40K GT - Sat-Sun 13-14 Sept. - Kawasaki International Center

26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan on September 13 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Sidney Schaben - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - Death Guard + DETACHMENT: Virulent Vectorium + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Mortarion + ENHANCEMENT: Daemon Weapon of Nurgle (on Char1: Lord of Contagion) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 16 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (7x2) + (1x4) - Assassination: 3 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Mortarion (380 pts) 1 with Lantern, Rotwind, Silence • Warlord

Char2: 1x Lord of Contagion (130 pts) 1 with Manreaper Enhancement: Daemon Weapon of Nurgle (+10 pts)

Char3: 1x Lord of Contagion (120 pts) 1 with Manreaper

OTHER DATASHEETS

3x Deathshroud Terminators (160 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion 1 with Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • Icon of Despair • 2x Deathshroud Terminator 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet

3x Deathshroud Terminators (160 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion 1 with Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • Icon of Despair • 2x Deathshroud Terminator 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet

10x Poxwalkers (65 pts) • 10x Poxwalker 10 with Improvised weapons

10x Poxwalkers (65 pts) • 10x Poxwalker 10 with Improvised weapons

2x Chaos Spawn (80 pts) • 2x Chaos Spawn 2 with Hideous Mutations

2x Chaos Spawn (80 pts) • 2x Chaos Spawn 2 with Hideous Mutations

1x Foetid Bloat-drone (100 pts) 1 with Plague probe, Fleshmower

1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (120 pts) 1 with Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe

1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (120 pts) 1 with Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe

1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (120 pts) 1 with Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe

1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (100 pts) • 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler 1 with Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta • Myphitic Blight-haulers

1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (100 pts) • 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler 1 with Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta • Myphitic Blight-haulers

1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (100 pts) • 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler 1 with Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta • Myphitic Blight-haulers

Archetype

Stodgy Virulent

Thoughts

Death Guard may be settling down, but they remain deadly. Mortarion and a bunch of Deathshroud is a potent mix, and Virulent remains ready to body any army hoping to get by on damage 2 alone. The massed gun drones of various ilk give you your early trading, and the big lad and his bodyguards do the rest. Fantastic work on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - manoêl Jansens - Space Marines (Astartes) (Vanguard Spearhead): Vanguard Ultramarines with some Repulsor Executioners for the backline.
3rd - Hayden jones - Aeldari (Guardian Battlehost): An extremely novel Battlehost list with three full Warlock Conclaves and plenty of Storm Guardians.
4th - Hogan Franklin - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Tunnel bugs with triple Mawlocs and lots of Genestealers.

Wrap Up

There you have it folks! A meta that seems to be shifting slowly but surely away from pure big skew and towards a rather diverse range of different armies vying to fill the power vacuum. How will it all settle down?! LGT in the near future should tell us many things! Hopefully I shall see many of you there.

Have a great time with ya hams!

Lowest of Men, out.

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