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Gaming | Tactics | Warhammer 40k | Meta Analysis | Competitive Play | Goonhammer | Core Games | 40K Competitive Innovations

Competitive Innovations in 10th: Stamp On the Ground pt.1

by James "One_Wing" Grover | Jul 02 2025
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.

For anyone instantly earwormed by the title - you're welcome, consider it my revenge for there being 19 events this week. Good grief.

Looooot of robots, too. Big ones. Four or five, in most of the good lsits which is a lot of big robots. Too many big robots? I guess we let things bed in for a few weeks and see, but I would not describe results thus far as auspicious, with the Atrapos in particular looking extremely undercosted on both sides of the divide. Knights everywhere and Forge World options breaking a Codex, it's like 8th Edition all over again. Worth saying also that as sometimes happens, the sorting of events has pushed all the Knight event wins into other parts - there are four of them, they just happen not to have landed in part 1 today!

What we do have today is the following:
  • Glasshammer Major - Nottingham
  • Battle for the Capital GT 2025
  • 2.Sinsheimer Gt Canes Belli
  • Skövde Battle Forge IV
  • Safety's Off "Slap 'Em On The Sunburn" GT
  • Prestige Wargaming GRAND Tournament
On Friday Lowest of Men will bring us:
  • Tolaris Grand Tournament
  • Sydney GT Winter - NSWTC
  • BrewHammer GT 7
  • Torneo GT Blackstone
  • Kirtonian Total Carnage VII
  • DA GITHAMMER SUMMER WAAAGH!!!! GT
  • Auspicious Northern Showdown
I'll then be back on Saturday with:
  • Salzburg Major 40K Singles 2025 - Alpine Cup
  • The Battle For Middle Wisko GT
  • Luxembourg Open - Golden ticket event
  • The PNW Warlord's TACOMA OPEN PREP GT
  • The GOLDEN CREW - Golden Ticket Atlanta 2025
  • 3rd Annual Pop Con GT
This week's Patron-voted showdowns will be:
  • Mortarion's Hammer vs Subterranean Assault Tyranids at Skövde Battle Forge.
  • The mighty Chaos Knight Lords of Dread vs. Warpbane Grey Knights at the Sydney Winter GT.
  • Coterie Emperor's Children lining up against the Lords of Dread at the Luxembourg Open.

Glasshammer Major - Nottingham

109-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on June 28 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Nathan Roberts - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer) - 1st Place

Plagueburst Crawler - Credit Beanith

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Plaguestorm (2000 Points)

Death Guard Mortarion's Hammer Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Lord of Contagion (110 Points) • 1x Manreaper

Lord of Contagion (110 Points) • 1x Manreaper

Lord of Virulence (110 Points) • Warlord • 1x Power fist • 1x Twin plague spewer • Enhancements: Tendrilous Emissions

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion ◦ 1x Manreaper ◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator ◦ 2x Manreaper ◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (140 Points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion ◦ 1x Manreaper ◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator ◦ 2x Manreaper ◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher • 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher • 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 Points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher • 1x Plague probe

Helbrute (115 Points) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Helbrute hammer • 1x Multi-melta

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) • 1x Bile spurt • 1x Gnashing maw • 1x Missile launcher • 1x Multi-melta

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) • 1x Bile spurt • 1x Gnashing maw • 1x Missile launcher • 1x Multi-melta

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 Points) • 1x Bile spurt • 1x Gnashing maw • 1x Missile launcher • 1x Multi-melta

Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy slugger • 1x Plagueburst mortar • 2x Plaguespitter

Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy slugger • 1x Plagueburst mortar • 2x Plaguespitter

Plagueburst Crawler (195 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy slugger • 1x Plagueburst mortar • 2x Plaguespitter

Poxwalkers (60 Points) • 10x Poxwalker ◦ 10x Improvised weapon

Poxwalkers (60 Points) • 10x Poxwalker ◦ 10x Improvised weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Plagueburst Mortarion's Hammer

Thoughts

Up first, champion of the event's largest weekend is Nathan, keeping on trucking with his Mortarion's Hammer build, despite new robots appearing on the block. This build has the advantage of lots of activations compared to Knight lists and some powerful counter-charge threat projection from the Deathshroud, which even big Knights have to be quite cautious around if they've taken any chip damage (which, you know, they will). Lethal Hits everywhere plus a gradual clip of Mortals also means that even the mightiest targets can fall to Nurgle, and this is still an exceptionally strong crunchy option in a metagame suddenly full of them. Well done to Nathan on the trophy!

Josh Roberts - Ultramarines (Stormlance Task Force) - 2nd Place

Rainbow Warriors Stormraven Gunship by Craig "MasterSlowPoke" Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Glasshammer Ultras Storm List (1995 points)

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

CHARACTERS

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

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

Roboute Guilliman (320 points) • Warlord • 1x Emperor's Sword 1x Hand of Dominion

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 points) • 1x Armoured feet 1x Ballistus lascannon 1x Ballistus missile launcher 1x Twin storm bolter

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 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

Eradicator Squad (100 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

Scout Squad (70 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 3x Combat knife 1x Missile launcher

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

Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher 1x Melta destroyer

Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher 1x Melta destroyer

Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher 1x Melta destroyer

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

Archetype

Stormlance Stormraven

Thoughts

In second place, Bobby G and Calgar provide further evidence that when a strategy is dominant you can just cleanly nerf it - you don't have to give compensatory point drops! Bobby G does not need to be this cheap again! We already tried that!

Being begrudgingly fair, a sudden pivot to Knights as a major part of the Metagame does provide major incentives for both units that weren't as prevalent before; double Oaths from Bobby G is incredible if you're dealing with four or five big Knights, and Calgar roaming around with Eradicators is a nice multi-phase threat they need to be wary of. You also see the use of triple Hammerstrike here to both go a bit wider with threats (fewer eggs in baskets is good against Knights) and to make sure the army can engage maximum numbers of targets at once. Well done to Josh on taking second, mutually annihilating from a first place spot by drawing with our next list in round 5.

Brian Seipp - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) - 3rd Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Thousand Sons - Grand Coven (2000 Points)

=== CHARACTERS === Magnus the Red (420 pts) - Warlord

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (115 pts) - Prosperine Khopesh, Incandaeum

Infernal Master (110 pts) - Eldritch Vortex of E'taph Infernal Master (85 pts)

Sorcerer (95 pts) - Prosperine Khopesh, Umbralefic Crystal

Tzaangor Shaman (55 pts) Tzaangor Shaman (55 pts) Tzaangor Shaman (55 pts)

=== BATTLELINE === 5x Rubric Marines (100 pts): Icon of Flame, Soulreaper Cannon, 3x Warpflamer, Warpflame Pistol 5x Rubric Marines (100 pts): Icon of Flame, Soulreaper Cannon, 3x Warpflamer, Warpflame Pistol 5x Rubric Marines (100 pts): Icon of Flame, Soulreaper Cannon, 3x Warpflamer, Warpflame Pistol 5x Rubric Marines (100 pts): Icon of Flame, Soulreaper Cannon, 3x Warpflamer, Warpflame Pistol

=== DEDICATED TRANSPORT === Thousand Sons Rhino (90 pts) - Havoc Launcher, 2x Infernal combi-bolter

=== OTHER === 10x Tzaangors (70 pts): Twistbray, Brayhorn, Herd Banner, Tzaangor Blades

6x Tzaangor Enlightened w/ Fatecaster Greatbows (80 pts) 3x Tzaangor Enlightened w/ Fatecaster Greatbows (50 pts)

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 pts) Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 pts)

Archetype

Magnus Coven Goodstuff

Thoughts

Thousand Sons up next, who are just aggressively great at killing stuff right now, and have a few useful tools that can help with top-heavy matchups like the threat projection from the Rhino and cheap Tzaangor Shaman as speedy objective pieces. Basically, the top metagame is now defined by Knights and stuff that can trivially drop two big Knights in a shooting phase, and this build very much qualifies while also having a great scoring plan, so no surprise to see it performing, especially with Brian at the wheel!

Daniel Whitaker - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) - 4th Place

Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
This is so wizard Ani (1995 points)

Thousand Sons Strike Force (2000 points) Grand Coven

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Tzeentch with Wings (195 points) • 1x Dark Blessing 1x Hellforged weapons 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancement: Eldritch Vortex of E'Taph

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (115 points) • 1x Arcane Fire 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Prosperine khopesh • Enhancement: Incandaeum

Magnus the Red (420 points) • Warlord • 1x Blade of Magnus 1x Gaze of Magnus 1x Tzeentch's Firestorm

Sorcerer (95 points) • 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Pandaemonic Delusion • Enhancement: Umbralefic Crystal

Sorcerer (75 points) • 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Pandaemonic Delusion 1x Prosperine khopesh

Sorcerer (75 points) • 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol 1x Pandaemonic Delusion 1x Prosperine khopesh

Tzaangor Shaman (55 points) • 1x Baleful Devolution 1x Force stave

Tzaangor Shaman (55 points) • 1x Baleful Devolution 1x Force stave

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (100 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Malefic Curse 1x Warpflame pistol • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (100 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Malefic Curse 1x Warpflame pistol • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (100 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Malefic Curse 1x Warpflame pistol • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (100 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Malefic Curse 1x Warpflame pistol • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (100 points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer • 1x Force weapon 1x Malefic Curse 1x Warpflame pistol • 4x Rubric Marine • 4x Close combat weapon 1x Icon of Flame 1x Soulreaper cannon 3x Warpflamer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (90 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Havoc launcher 2x Inferno combi-bolter

Chaos Rhino (90 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Havoc launcher 2x Inferno combi-bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) • 1x Betentacled maw 1x Mutalith claws 1x Warp vortex

Tzaangors (70 points) • 1x Twistbray • 1x Autopistol 1x Chainsword • 9x Tzaangor • 9x Autopistol 1x Brayhorn 9x Chainsword 1x Herd banner

Exported with App Version: v1.36.0 (84), Data Version: v638

Archetype

Magnus Coven Prince Goodstuff

Thoughts

Another Coven Goodstuff build next, this time adding the Vortex Daemon pPrince to really make sure that you've got go turn options for turning multiple large targets into a fine mist. Also an important demonstration that this is one of those books that fires on all cylinders - I'm reasonably sure the 3 Mutalith/18 Enlightened build is the "best", but this list barely dips into that stuff at all and is still phenomenal. Great job Dan on taking 4th (also on 4.5-0.5).

The Best of the Rest

There were 14 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
  • 5th (4.5-0.5) - Enrique Aguirre - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Calgar/Bobby G gun club.
  • 6th (4.5-0.5) - Will Whitaker - Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Castigators, several units of the new Sanctifiers, Repentia and Paragon Warsuits as hammers, and Canis as a big, aggressive centrepiece.
  • 7th - Alex Fowler - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Magnus/Mutalith/Enlightened maxing.
  • 8th - Ed Watts - Astra Militarum (Recon Element): 180 Infantry and Characters, with a few Rough Rider units for scoring.
  • 9th - Toby Bennett - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): Lots of Deathwing Knights and a toolbox of other pieces supporting them.
  • 10th - Sam Dickinson - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): All melee Berzerker Warband, featuring a full 20-model Berzerker unit as a centrepiece.
  • 11th - Nassim Fouchane - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): A wall of Bullgryn protecting double Dorn Commander and lots of Kasrkin to launch out.
  • 12th - Bob Wolstencroft - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Bike-heavy Lions with two squads, cutting down to only three big Infantry units to fit them.
  • 13th - Rafael Harbinson - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Herohammer and jump pack spam
  • 14th - Gareth Jones - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Double double gatling Despoiler and triple Rampager for maximum aggression.
  • 15th - Jack Tite - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Triple Abominant and a tooled up Atrapos and Despoiler, with Rotigus as a sixth big threat.
  • 16th - Brant Wilson - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Double Despoiler with lots of War Dogs.
  • 17th - Jordan Penning - Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Shooty Vanguard with Calgar leading triple Ballistus and double Vindicator, with a Judiciar/Bladeguard unit as a melee anvil.
  • 18th - Jay Middlecote - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Melee-skewed big Knights with a Mirror Lancer as an annoying durable centrepiece, two Rampagers riding shotgum, and a Despoiler/Abominant for more all-rounder support.

Battle for the Capital GT 2025

62-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Holt, MI, United States on June 28 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Note that this event was not using the new Knight books.

Brian Daugherty - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Vacuum cleaner salesman in a trench coat (1995 Points)

World Eaters Berzerker Warband Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Khorne (220 Points) • Warlord • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancements: Helm of Brazen Ire

Khârn the Betrayer (85 Points) • 1x Gorechild • 1x Plasma pistol

Master of Executions (85 Points) • 1x Axe of dismemberment • 1x Bolt pistol • Enhancements: Berzerker Glaive

Slaughterbound (100 Points) • 1x Lacerator and daemonic claw • Enhancements: Favoured of Khorne

BATTLELINE

Khorne Berzerkers (180 Points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion ◦ 1x Chainblade ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Khorne Berzerker ◦ 7x Bolt pistol ◦ 7x Chainblade ◦ 1x Icon of Khorne ◦ 2x Khornate eviscerator ◦ 2x Plasma pistol

Khorne Berzerkers (180 Points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion ◦ 1x Chainblade ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Khorne Berzerker ◦ 7x Bolt pistol ◦ 7x Chainblade ◦ 1x Icon of Khorne ◦ 2x Khornate eviscerator ◦ 2x Plasma pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 Points) • 2x Chaos Spawn ◦ 2x Hideous mutations

Chaos Spawn (80 Points) • 2x Chaos Spawn ◦ 2x Hideous mutations

Eightbound (150 Points) • 1x Eightbound Champion ◦ 1x Chainblades • 2x Eightbound ◦ 2x Chainblades

Eightbound (150 Points) • 1x Eightbound Champion ◦ 1x Chainblades • 2x Eightbound ◦ 2x Chainblades

Eightbound (150 Points) • 1x Eightbound Champion ◦ 1x Chainblades • 2x Eightbound ◦ 2x Chainblades

Forgefiend (150 Points) • 2x Ectoplasma cannon • 1x Ectoplasma cannon • 1x Forgefiend claws

Forgefiend (150 Points) • 2x Ectoplasma cannon • 1x Ectoplasma cannon • 1x Forgefiend claws

Jakhals (65 Points) • 1x Jakhal Pack Leader ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Chainblades • 1x Dishonoured ◦ 1x Skullsmasher and mangler • 8x Jakhal ◦ 8x Autopistol ◦ 7x Chainblades ◦ 1x Icon of Khorne ◦ 1x Mauler chainblade

Exported with App Version: v1.36.0 (3), Data Version: v638

Archetype

Solved Warband

Thoughts

World Eaters love solving equations, it's their whole thing. It must be, anyway, because we keep ending up with extremely solved builds for them, and this is the Berzerker Warband build for the codex era, with the only real tinkering points being whether you go one unit of Exalted Eightbound instead of the third regular, and what you do with your final 100pts or so. For my money, I like the inclusion of a second Rhino with the flex points pretty much whatever, and I expect if we saw this again next week it would have the Exalted in it - I realised this event wasn't using the Knight books because I was so weirded out by not seeing the Exalted here that I went and checked! Well done to Brian on the win, and well done to me for avoiding besmirching his choices by calling him an idiot for not bringing Exalted for Knight meta.

Will Horan - Thousand Sons (Warpmeld Pact) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Here you go boss

goats (1980 points)

Thousand Sons Strike Force (2000 points) Warpmeld Pact

CHARACTERS

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (100 points) • 1x Arcane Fire 1x Force weapon 1x Inferno bolt pistol

Magnus the Red (420 points) • Warlord • 1x Blade of Magnus 1x Gaze of Magnus 1x Tzeentch's Firestorm

Tzaangor Shaman (65 points) • 1x Baleful Devolution 1x Force stave • Enhancement: Flowing Flesh

Tzaangor Shaman (75 points) • 1x Baleful Devolution 1x Force stave • Enhancement: Diamond of Distortion

BATTLELINE

Tzaangors (160 points) • 1x Twistbray • 1x Tzaangor blades • 19x Tzaangor • 19x Tzaangor blades

Tzaangors (70 points) • 1x Twistbray • 1x Tzaangor blades • 9x Tzaangor • 9x Tzaangor blades

Tzaangors (70 points) • 1x Twistbray • 1x Tzaangor blades • 9x Tzaangor • 9x Tzaangor blades

Tzaangors (70 points) • 1x Twistbray • 1x Tzaangor blades • 9x Tzaangor • 9x Tzaangor blades

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Predator Annihilator (130 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Predator twin lascannon

Chaos Predator Annihilator (130 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Predator twin lascannon

Chaos Spawn (65 points) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous mutations

Chaos Spawn (65 points) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous mutations

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) • 1x Betentacled maw 1x Mutalith claws 1x Warp vortex

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) • 1x Betentacled maw 1x Mutalith claws 1x Warp vortex

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 points) • 1x Betentacled maw 1x Mutalith claws 1x Warp vortex

Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 points) • 1x Aviarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Fatecaster greatbow • 5x Enlightened • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Fatecaster greatbow

Exported with App Version: v1.36.0 (84), Data Version: v638

Archetype

Magnus Warpmeld

Thoughts

Warpmeld pack takes an undefeated second place here, sporting a slightly more violent build than the one we saw from Noah last week, adding Magnus so it can actually kill stuff alongside the extreme durability and scoring power of the Tzaangor elements. I like that choice in the pre-Knight elite Infantry metagame here, but I suspect Magnus without buff tricks isn't dangerous enough to big Knights to make it worthwhile going forward, so I'd expect future Warpmeld builds to be on the all-in scoring plan. Fun to see a strong choice for a very narrow metagame window go past though, great work from Will.

Lyle Dixon - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer) - 3rd Place

Foetid Bloat-drone. Credit: Rockfish Foetid Bloat-drone. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
If I can't get this stuff painted by 10pm Friday I guess I'm not coming on Saturday. (1990 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Mortarion's Hammer

CHARACTERS

Lord of Virulence (110 points) • Warlord • 1x Power fist 1x Twin plague spewer • Enhancement: Tendrilous Emissions

Lord of Virulence (90 points) • 1x Power fist 1x Twin plague spewer

Tallyman (40 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator • 2x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator • 2x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator • 2x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Defiler (165 points) • 1x Battle cannon 1x Combi-bolter 1x Defiler claws 1x Defiler scourge 1x Twin lascannon

Defiler (165 points) • 1x Battle cannon 1x Combi-bolter 1x Defiler claws 1x Defiler scourge 1x Twin lascannon

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) • 1x Fleshmower 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) • 1x Fleshmower 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) • 1x Fleshmower 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Helbrute (115 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy flamer 1x Helbrute fist 1x Power scourge

Helbrute (115 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Heavy flamer 1x Helbrute fist 1x Power scourge

Poxwalkers (60 points) • 10x Poxwalker • 10x Improvised weapon

Poxwalkers (60 points) • 10x Poxwalker • 10x Improvised weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.36.0 (84), Data Version: v638

Archetype

Pushy Mortarion's Hammer

Thoughts

We hit our third cult legion in as many lists here, with a high pressure version of Mortarion's hammer that cuts Plaguebursts for Defilers and more stuff so it can push. Like a broken record, I will say that I think this choice becomes wrong in Knight metagame (where you need the ability to hurt them with impunity), but in the pre-Knight world here this is about as high pressure clank as it gets, and was almost able to carve through the incredible durability of Will's Thousand Sons, losing by only a single point! Well done Lyle.

Peter Elias - Aeldari (Warhost) - 4th Place

Credit: James "Boon" Kelling

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
Peter Elias Warhost (1990 Points)

Aeldari Warhost Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch (85 Points) • 1x Reaper launcher • 1x Star glaive

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

Lhykhis (120 Points) • Warlord • 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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (195 Points) • 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Reaper launcher • 9x Dark Reaper ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 9x Reaper launcher

Dark Reapers (195 Points) • 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Reaper launcher • 9x Dark Reaper ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 9x Reaper launcher

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

Fire Dragons (120 Points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Firepike • 4x Fire Dragon ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Dragon fusion gun

Fire Dragons (120 Points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Firepike • 4x Fire Dragon ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Dragon fusion gun

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

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

Striking Scorpions (85 Points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch ◦ 1x Biting blade ◦ 1x Shuriken pistol • 4x Striking Scorpion ◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword ◦ 4x Shuriken pistol

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Big Aspect Bonanza

Thoughts

Stealing Slaanesh's place in the top four we have a Warhost build, which leans in on what seems to be the Aeldari's only attractive tool at the moment, big shooty infantry units that can kill god. If god is not available, either elite Infantry or Knights can be smoked instead, and running as Warhost lets two of these units operate with relative impunity (at least until a bunch of Khorne Berzerkers get in their face, as happened in the final). I suspect we'll see builds like this but swapping out one of the Reaper units for a second Fire Dragon block quite a lot in the coming months - Aeldari are in a rough spot, but do just about tick that "can kill two big Knights in a turn" checkbox, which probably lets them hold onto some representation. Well done Peter for keeping the flame lit.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 5th - Randy Brigham - T'au Empire (Kroot Hunting Pack): Extreme Krootmaxing with lots of Carnivores supported by all the Rampagers and Krootox you can take.
  • 6th - Ben Isenhoff - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Double Disco and some Chosen for brawling melee, Noise Marines and Destructors for close support shooting.
  • 7th - Jake Gray - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash with the Swarmlord and a Norn.
  • 8th - David DeLisle - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): A relatively small number of actual burrowers to fire lots of cheap melee monster missiles like Screamer-Killers and Haruspex at the foe.
  • 9th - Kyle Sams - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Lots of Helbrutes and Forgefiends with a toolbox of Eightbound and a Berzerker unit.
  • 10th - Ken Smith - Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors): Sanguinary Guard MSUs with Vindicators and a big Inceptor unit supporting them.
  • 11th - Willie Couch - Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Go-wide Oathband with lots of Sagitaurs and small units, then one big squad of Thunderkyn and a Land Fortress as chunkier centrepieces.

2.Sinsheimer Gt Canes Belli

47-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Sinsheim, BW, Deutschland on June 28 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Pascal Haberstroh - Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort) - 1st Place

Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priest Belisarius Cawl by Pendulin Belisarius Cawl. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FRAKTIONSSCHLÜSSELWORT: Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus + ABTEILUNG: Skitarii-Jägerkohorte + GESAMTPUNKTE DER ARMEE: 1995 Punkte + VERBÜNDETE EINHEITEN: Imperiale Ritter + + WARLORD: Char1: Belisarius Cawl + VERBESSERUNG: Battle-Sphere-Uplink (auf Char1: Skitarii-Marschall) + ANZAHL DER EINHEITEN: 17 + SEKUNDÄR: - Bring It Down: (5x2) + (2x6) - Assassination: 3 Charaktere +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Belisarius Cawl (135 Pkt): Kriegsherr, Arc-Geißel, Cawls Omnissian-Axt, Mechadendrite-Bienenstock, Solar-Zerstäuber Char2: 1x Skitarii-Marschall (65 Punkte): Kontrollstab, Mechanicus-Pistole Verbesserung: Battle-Sphere-Uplink (+30 Punkte)

10x Skitarii Rangers (85 Punkte) • 9x Skitarii-Ranger 1 mit Arc-Gewehr, Nahkampfwaffe 5 mit Nahkampfwaffe, Galvanisches Gewehr 1 mit Omnispex, Nahkampfwaffe, Galvanisches Gewehr 1 mit Nahkampfwaffe, Plasmakaliber 1 mit Nahkampfwaffe, Transuranische Arkebuse • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha: Alpha-Kampfwaffe, Nahkampfwaffe, Galvanisches Gewehr 10x Skitarii-Vorhut (95 Punkte) • 9x Skitarii-Vorhut 1 mit Arc-Gewehr, Nahkampfwaffe 1 mit Omnispex, Nahkampfwaffe, Radium-Karabiner 1 mit Nahkampfwaffe, Plasmakaliber 5 mit Nahkampfwaffe, Radium-Karabiner 1 mit Nahkampfwaffe, Transuranische Arkebuse • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha: Alpha-Kampfwaffe, Nahkampfwaffe, Radium-Karabiner

5x Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 Pte) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha: Flechette-Blaster, Taser-Stachel • 4x Pteraxii Skystalkers: 4 mit Nahkampfwaffe, Flechette-Karabiner 5x Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 Pte) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha: Flechette-Blaster, Taser-Stachel • 4x Pteraxii Skystalkers: 4 mit Nahkampfwaffe, Flechette-Karabiner 5x Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 Pte) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha: Flechette-Blaster, Taser-Stachel • 4x Pteraxii Skystalkers: 4 mit Nahkampfwaffe, Flechette-Karabiner 9x Servitor Battleclade (60 Punkte) • 2x Waffenservitor 1 mit schwerem Bogengewehr, Servoklaue 1 mit schwerem Bolter, Servoklaue • 6x Kampfservitor 1 mit Phosphorblaster, Servoklaue 1 mit Phosphorblaster, Servoklaue 1 mit Melter, Servoklaue 3 mit Incendine-Zünder, Servo-Klaue • 1x Servitor Underseer: Dataspikes, Mechanicus-Pistole 9x Servitor Battleclade (60 Punkte) • 2x Waffenservitor 1 mit schwerem Bogengewehr, Servoklaue 1 mit schwerem Bolter, Servoklaue • 6x Kampfservitor 2 mit Phosphorblaster, Servoklaue 1 mit Melter, Servoklaue 3 mit Incendine-Zünder, Servo-Klaue • 1x Servitor Underseer: Dataspikes, Mechanicus-Pistole 5x Sicarian Infiltrators (70 Punkte) • 4x Sicarian Infiltrator (Taser-Stachel und Flechette-Blaster): 4 mit Flechette-Blaster, Taser-Stachel • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps (Taser-Stachel & Flechette-Blaster): Flechette-Blaster, Taser-Stachel 3x Serberys Raiders (60 Punkte) • 2x Serberys Raider 1 mit Kavalleriesäbel und Klauengliedmaßen, galvanisches Karabiner 1 mit verbesserter Datenverbindung, Kavalleriesäbel und Klauengliedmaßen, galvanischem Karabiner • 1x Serberys Raider Alpha: Kavalleriesäbel und Klauengliedmaßen, Galvanisches Karabiner, Mechanicus-Pistole 1x Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Punkte): Gepanzerter Rumpf, 3x schweres Cognis-Maschinengewehr, Disruptor-Raketenwerfer, Ferrumite-Kanone 1x Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Punkte): Gepanzerter Rumpf, 3x schweres Cognis-Maschinengewehr, Disruptor-Raketenwerfer, Ferrumite-Kanone 1x Skorpius Disintegrator (165 Punkte): Gepanzerter Rumpf, 3x schweres Cognis-Maschinengewehr, Disruptor-Raketenwerfer, Ferrumite-Kanone 3x Sydonian Dragoons mit Taser-Lanzen (195 Punkte): 3 mit Phosphor Serpenta, Taser-Lanze 1x Skorpius Dunerider (85 Punkte): Gepanzerter Rumpf, schwere Cognis-Stubber-Anordnung

Char3: 1x Canis Rex (380 Punkte) • 1x Canis Rex: Kettenbrecher-Laserimpulsor, Kettenbrecher-Multilaser, Freiheitshand • 1x Sir Hekhtur: Nahkampfwaffe, Hekhturs Pistole

Archetype

Skitarii Hunter Canis

Thoughts

Woo AdMech won an event! Let's figure out how the- ah. Yes that'd do it. AdMech have been perpetually nearly there with Skitarii Cohort builds, and it looks like combining even cheaper Skorpii with access to cheap Canis Rex and ultra efficient new action pieces is enough to make the army real. Also, you get the fun of explaining to Knight opponents that Anti-Walker 2+ (on the Dragoons) is strong, real, and your friend. Not their friend. Yours. They don't quite one-shot a big Knight with Conqueror Protocol up, but the spike potential is there thanks to the Sustained Hits 2, and thus a 195pts unit demands a huge amount of respect and caution (since it can also Advance/Charge). It's honestly a little bit of a shame that we can't explore whether AdMech builds without Canis could get there right now, but I'm hardly going to begrudge AdMech players having their fun - congratulations to Pascal.

Jan Reisenauer - Dark Angels (Company of Hunters) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

On nuclear-powered motorbikes, the enemies of Unst will burn Ravenwing Outriders. Credit: Kevin Stillman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Dark Angels + DETACHMENT: Company of Hunters + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1990pts + + WARLORD: Char2: Lion El'Jonson + ENHANCEMENT: Recon Hunter (on Char1: Ravenwing Command Squad - Ravenwing Champion) & Master of Manoeuvre (on Char2: Ravenwing Command Squad - Ravenwing Champion) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 14 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (4x2) - Assassination: 4 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Azrael (115 pts): Lion's Wrath, The Sword of Secrets

Char2: 1x Lion El'Jonson (315 pts): Warlord, Arma Luminis, Fealty

Char3: 3x Ravenwing Command Squad (140 pts) • 1x Ravenwing Ancient: Black Knight combat weapon, Bolt Pistol, Plasma talon • 1x Ravenwing Apothecary: Black Knight combat weapon, Bolt Pistol, Plasma talon • 1x Ravenwing Champion: Bolt Pistol, Master-crafted power weapon, Plasma talon Enhancement: Recon Hunter (+20 pts)

Char4: 3x Ravenwing Command Squad (135 pts) • 1x Ravenwing Ancient: Black Knight combat weapon, Bolt Pistol, Plasma talon • 1x Ravenwing Apothecary: Black Knight combat weapon, Bolt Pistol, Plasma talon • 1x Ravenwing Champion: Bolt Pistol, Master-crafted power weapon, Plasma talon Enhancement: Master of Manoeuvre (+15 pts)

3x Outrider Squad (80 pts) • 2x Outrider: 2 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol, Twin Bolt Rifle • 1x Outrider Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol, Twin Bolt Rifle

3x Outrider Squad (80 pts) • 2x Outrider: 2 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol, Twin Bolt Rifle • 1x Outrider Sergeant: Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol, Twin Bolt Rifle

3x Centurion Devastator Squad (165 pts) • 2x Devastator Centurion: 2 with Centurion Fists, Centurion Missile Launcher, Twin Lascannon • 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant: Centurion Fists, Centurion Missile Launcher, Twin Lascannon

3x Centurion Devastator Squad (165 pts) • 2x Devastator Centurion: 2 with Centurion Fists, Centurion Missile Launcher, Twin Lascannon • 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant: Centurion Fists, Centurion Missile Launcher, Twin Lascannon

5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Astartes Chainsword • 1x Scout: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Missile Launcher • 3x Scouts: 3 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Combat Knife

5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Astartes Chainsword • 1x Scout: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Missile Launcher • 3x Scouts: 3 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Combat Knife

5x Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 pts) • 4x Sternguard Veteran 3 with Sternguard Veteran Squad, Close Combat Weapon, Sternguard Bolt Pistol, Sternguard Bolt Rifle 1 with Sternguard Veteran Squad, Close Combat Weapon, Sternguard Bolt Pistol, Sternguard Heavy Bolter • 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant: Close Combat Weapon, Sternguard Bolt Pistol, Power Fist, Sternguard Bolt Rifle

1x Vindicator (185 pts): Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter

1x Vindicator (185 pts): Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter

1x Vindicator (185 pts): Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter

Archetype

Speedy Hunters

Thoughts

An undefeated second place for another iteration on Company of Hunters here, combining cheap high-speed melee missiles from the Ravenwing Command Outrider units with lots of Advance/Shoot fun via Centurions and Vindicators, all with the Lion overseeing proceedings and ready to flumox the foe with surprise teleports. This list is a great example of the genre of thinning out as much stuff as possible that does anything other than get into position and do violence, with only two token Scout squads to guard the backfield and do some Actions via redeploy, and because of that it's very ready to thrive in a high-threat metagame. Slightly surprised not to just see grav cannons on the Centurions, but maybe without the space for ignore cover, just the higher AP on the lascannons was deemed safer. Anyway - this is a cool build that gets in some great Dark Angels toys without sacrificing speedy shooting power, well constructed from Jan.

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 3rd - Jonas Schröfel - Thousand Sons (Rubricae Phalanx): Three big Infantry bricks (two Rubricae, one Scarab) and lots of Characters.
  • 4th - Rob „RaZZputin“ Fritz - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): A mere four big Knights, but one of them is a Tyrant, and some Karnivores are here too.
  • 5th - Moritz Mantel - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Double C'tan herohammer with one big Warrior brick.
  • 6th - Sebastian Schäfer - Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Monster mash with some utility pieces and a Bloodletter squad as backup.
  • 7th - Tobias Zoll - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G/Calgar gun club.

Skövde Battle Forge IV

42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Västra Götalands län, Sweden on June 28 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Take And Hold - Hammer And Anvil

Emil Söderholm - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer)
Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - Death Guard + DETACHMENT: Mortarion's Hammer + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + ALLIED UNITS: Chaos Knights + + ENHANCEMENT: Shriekworm Familiar (on Char3: Lord of Contagion) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 17 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (6x2) + (1x6) - Assassination: 5 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Lord of Contagion (110 pts): Manreaper Char2: 1x Lord of Contagion (110 pts): Manreaper Char3: 1x Lord of Contagion (125 pts): Manreaper Enhancement: Shriekworm Familiar (+15 pts) Char4: 1x Lord of Virulence (90 pts): Power fist, Twin plague spewer

3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet 3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet 3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet 10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons 10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons 10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons 1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe 1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe 1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta

Char5: 1x Knight Tyrant (395 pts): Titanic feet, 2x Twin daemonbreath meltagun, 2x Gheiststrike missile launcher, Twin desecrator cannon, Brimstone volcano lance and ectoplasma decimator



vs.

Joakim Engström - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault)
Army List - Click to Expand
Burrow Skövde (1995 points)

Tyranids Strike Force (2000 points) Subterranean Assault

CHARACTERS

Hive Tyrant (215 points) • Warlord • 1x Heavy venom cannon 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip • Enhancement: Tremor Senses

The Swarmlord (220 points) • 1x Bone sabres 1x Synaptic pulse

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

Maleceptor (170 points) • 1x Massive scything talons 1x Psychic overload

Neurogaunts (90 points) • 2x Neurogaunt Nodebeast • 2x Chitinous claws and teeth • 20x Neurogaunt • 20x Chitinous claws and teeth

Norn Emissary (260 points) • 1x Monstrous rending claws 1x Monstrous scything talons 1x Psychic Tendril

Pyrovores (40 points) • 1x Chitin-barbed limbs 1x Flamespurt

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

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

Tyrannofex (200 points) • 1x Powerful limbs 1x Rupture cannon 1x Stinger salvoes

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (87), Data Version: v640

Thoughts

Ah, it's one of these - a Showdown where I look at the lists and mission and go "oh come on, that's just unnecessary". Big Burrowing Bugs are making a pretty big splash in general, as the detachment provides a nice combination of baseline efficiency improvement for good Datasheets with some exceptional big power plays and ways to punish mistakes from the opponent. What they do not punish is a Chaos Knight Tyrant on Hammer and Anvil, which is highly resilient to all of their weaponry, and can cheerfully shut out all of their tricks on pretty much an entire flank, all while blasting a large bug or two off the table every turn. Which just seems mean. I guess the upside for the Tyranids is they have the small out here of going for a very light deployment (via Tremor Senses) and going in on big plays to try and flip the script in the mid game.

Bringing in the Tyrannofex and popping Sustained Hits is one option for making the Tyrant play just a little bit more cautious, and access to 3" Deep Strike from the Trygon (and the Death Guard being fairly ponderous) means there's minimal risk of getting shut out if you try that - the Tyrant can't be everywhere. It won't be enough to flip the script, however, as there are too many other factors against the bugs - Hammer and Anvil makes screening home too easy for the Death Guard, the 4W Deathshroud are awkward for all the flat D3 weaponry the bugs are bringing to bear, and I think they'll struggle to ever get a foothold. Given that, they put up a respectable fight, but Nurgle takes this one.

Result

Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer) Victory - 13 - 7

Emil Söderholm - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer) - 1st Place

Knight Tyrant. Credit - Norman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - Death Guard + DETACHMENT: Mortarion's Hammer + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + ALLIED UNITS: Chaos Knights + + ENHANCEMENT: Shriekworm Familiar (on Char3: Lord of Contagion) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 17 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (6x2) + (1x6) - Assassination: 5 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Lord of Contagion (110 pts): Manreaper Char2: 1x Lord of Contagion (110 pts): Manreaper Char3: 1x Lord of Contagion (125 pts): Manreaper Enhancement: Shriekworm Familiar (+15 pts) Char4: 1x Lord of Virulence (90 pts): Power fist, Twin plague spewer

3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet 3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet 3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet 10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons 10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons 10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons 1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe 1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe 1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta

Char5: 1x Knight Tyrant (395 pts): Titanic feet, 2x Twin daemonbreath meltagun, 2x Gheiststrike missile launcher, Twin desecrator cannon, Brimstone volcano lance and ectoplasma decimator

Archetype

Tyrant Hammer

Thoughts

This build does everything to a distressing degree - extreme go loud potential, great screening, great melee counter-charge threats, and some really sticky scoring thanks too the Lords of Contagion. Lots of other Knights in the metagame also makes a Tyrant a wonderful choice as a single Knight, as the Anti-Titanic 4+ Devastating missiles are a serious concern for foes. It also has fantastic cross-faction synergy with the Mortarion's Hammer detachment rule, as you can use it to tee up reduced toughness (and sometimes armour saves) on whatever is about to get whacked with the plasma decimator.

In a week of brutal lists, I think this may actually be the single nastiest, so congratulations to Emil for bringing it into existence.

The Best of the Rest

There were 4 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Johannes Einemo - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): A relatively sensible three bigs (Canis, Castellan and Gallant) with some Armigers and Assassins in support.
  • 3rd - Stefan Love - Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Neophyte Horde with some Purestrains and Ridgerunners backing them up.
  • 4th - Daniel Ström - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Vectorium goodstuff with Mortarion.
  • 5th - Joakim Engström - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Raveners and a Trygon to tee up various melee threats.

Safety's Off "Slap 'Em On The Sunburn" GT

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Taylors, SC, United States on June 28 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jonathan Arkin - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) - 1st Place

Primaris Chapter Master Dante. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Blood Angels + DETACHMENT: Liberator Assault Group + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Chief Librarian Mephiston + ENHANCEMENT: Rage-Fuelled Warrior (on Char1: Captain with Jump Pack) & Speed of the Primarch (on Char2: Chaplain) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 16 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (5x2) - Assassination: 5 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Chief Librarian Mephiston (120 pts): Warlord, Fury of the Ancients, Plasma Pistol, Vitarus Char2: 1x Commander Dante (120 pts): Perdition, The Axe Mortalis Char3: 1x The Sanguinor (140 pts): Encarmine Broadsword Char4: 1x Captain with Jump Pack (110 pts): Power Fist, Plasma Pistol Enhancement: Rage-Fuelled Warrior (+35 pts) Char5: 1x Chaplain (85 pts): Absolver Bolt Pistol, Crozius Arcanum Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch (+25 pts)

5x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 pts) • 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Pack 3 with Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs, Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol 1 with Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs, Astartes Chainsword, Plasma Pistol • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist 6x Bladeguard Veteran Squad (160 pts) • 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant: Master-crafted Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol • 5x Bladeguard Veterans: 5 with Heavy Bolt Pistol, Master-crafted Power Weapon 5x Infiltrator Squad (100 pts) • 4x Infiltrator 2 with Infiltrator Squad, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine 1 with Helix Gauntlet, Infiltrator Squad, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine 1 with Infiltrator Comms Array, Infiltrator Squad, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine 6x Sanguinary Guard (240 pts) 1 with Sanguinary Guard, Encarmine Blade, Inferno Pistol 1 with Sanguinary Banner, Sanguinary Guard, Encarmine Blade, Inferno Pistol 4 with Sanguinary Guard, Encarmine Blade, Angelus Boltgun 3x Sanguinary Guard (110 pts) 1 with Sanguinary Banner, Sanguinary Guard, Encarmine Blade, Inferno Pistol 2 with Sanguinary Guard, Encarmine Blade, Angelus Boltgun 5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 2x Scout 1 with Scout Squad, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Missile Launcher 1 with Scout Squad, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Scout Sniper Rifle • 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Astartes Chainsword • 2x Scouts: 2 with Astartes Shotgun, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon 1x Baal Predator (125 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter, 2x Heavy Flamers, Baal Flamestorm Cannon 1x Baal Predator (125 pts): Armoured Tracks, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter, 2x Heavy Flamers, Baal Flamestorm Cannon 1x Gladiator Lancer (160 pts): Armoured Hull, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Lancer Laser Destroyer, 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launcher 1x Gladiator Lancer (160 pts): Armoured Hull, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Lancer Laser Destroyer, 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launcher 1x Impulsor (80 pts): Shield Dome, Armoured Hull, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launcher

Archetype

All-rounder Liberator

Thoughts

After a bafflingly slow start, Blood Angels players have finally gotten with the programme this week and deployed their extreme buffs to winning effect, edging out both kinds of Knights to take the second highest win rate (behind Death Guard) in our data. This build is a particularly powerful example, threading the needle between enough threats that can drop an entire Knight and tools to punish other forces. The mix of Lancers and Sanguinary guard for the really nasty stuff and cost-efficient Baal Predators and the Sanguinor for more flexibility seems really good, and the combination of tools that's been assembled makes this one of the strongest all-rounder builds I've seen in the new metagame. Great work from Jonathan.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
  • 2nd (4.5-0.5) - Andrew Vawter - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Quad bigs with Canis, a Warden, Atrapos and Errant.
  • 3rd - Seth Piper - Aeldari (Warhost):  Warhost herohammer with lots of Phoenix Lords.
  • 4th - Ed Curry - Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge): Aberrants, Metamorphs and Acolytes.
  • 5th - Timothy Huebscher - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Maximum all-rounder Knights with double Despoiler and double Atrapos.
  • 6th - Michael De Legge - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and a Warden with Armigers.
  • 7th - Minchul Kim - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, a Castellan and Armigers.

Prestige Wargaming GRAND Tournament

26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on June 28 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Christopher Chedotal - World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand
WE V1 (2000 points)

World Eaters Strike Force (2000 points) Khorne Daemonkin

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Khorne (230 points) • 1x Hellforged weapons 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancement: Blade of Endless Bloodshed

Khârn the Betrayer (85 points) • Warlord • 1x Gorechild 1x Plasma pistol

Lord on Juggernaut (105 points) • 1x Bladed horn 1x Exalted chainblade 1x Plasma pistol • Enhancement: Disciple of Khorne

Skarbrand (305 points) • 1x Bellow of endless fury 1x Slaughter and Carnage

BATTLELINE

Bloodletters (90 points) • 1x Bloodreaper • 1x Hellblade • 9x Bloodletter • 1x Daemonic Icon 9x Hellblade 1x Instrument of Chaos

Bloodletters (90 points) • 1x Bloodreaper • 1x Hellblade • 9x Bloodletter • 1x Daemonic Icon 9x Hellblade 1x Instrument of Chaos

Khorne Berzerkers (180 points) • 1x Khorne Berzerker Champion • 1x Chainblade 1x Icon of Khorne 1x Plasma pistol • 9x Khorne Berzerker • 7x Bolt pistol 7x Chainblade 2x Khornate eviscerator 2x Plasma pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Bloodcrushers (220 points) • 1x Bloodhunter • 1x Hellblade 1x Juggernaut's bladed horn • 5x Bloodcrusher • 1x Daemonic Icon 5x Hellblade 1x Instrument of Chaos 5x Juggernaut's bladed horn

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

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

Flesh Hounds (75 points) • 1x Gore Hound • 1x Burning roar 1x Collar of Khorne 1x Gore-drenched fangs • 4x Flesh Hound • 4x Collar of Khorne 4x Gore-drenched fangs

Flesh Hounds (75 points) • 1x Gore Hound • 1x Burning roar 1x Collar of Khorne 1x Gore-drenched fangs • 4x Flesh Hound • 4x Collar of Khorne 4x Gore-drenched fangs

Forgefiend (150 points) • 3x Ectoplasma cannon 1x Forgefiend claws

Forgefiend (150 points) • 3x Ectoplasma cannon 1x Forgefiend claws

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (87), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Daemonkin

Thoughts

Hell yeah! I'm just going to say that every time I see this list, it's still my favourite, and I'm thrilled it's trundling onwards into Knight meta. The combination of big threats that can punch clean through almost any target and great combat tricks is super potent while also feeling very World Eaters appropriate, and having access to a great flat D4 melee threat in the buffed prince is just gravy for the current metagame. Awesome work from Christopher to close out part 1.

The Best of the Rest

There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
  • 2nd - Michael Duff - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Triple Atrapos with Canis Rex and a Lancer.
  • 3rd - Carl Cooke - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Triple bigs with Canis, Atrapos and an Errant.
  • 4th - Kevin Cochrane - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Elite Infantry with double Indomitor team and triple Terminators, plus a big Veteran unit.

Wrap Up

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Tags: ultramarines | Space Marines | tyranids | blood angels | world eaters | Death Guard | Warhammer 40k | Aeldari | Thousand Sons | Dark Angels | Adeptus Mechanicus | Meta Analysis | Competitive Innovations

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