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 Competitive Innovations on a Dataslate day, so you know the drill – time to look at which factions are justifiably paying for their many crimes, and which factions are laughing it up on their plane to Tijuana as they make their getaway with the loot.
If, somehow, you have not thus far noticed that it’s Dataslate day, you can check out our coverage below:
The rest of our regular Dataslate coverage can be found at the links below:
Main Reviews
New Rules
- Index Daemons 2.0: The Goonhammer Review
- Detachment Focus: Shadow Legion (Daemons)
- Detachment Focus: More Dakka! (Orks)
- Detachment Focus: Lions of the Emperor (Adeptus Custodes)
- Detachment Focus: Experimental Prototype Cadre (T’au)
As for our rogue’s gallery, today we’ve got:
- Scorched Earth Open 2025 – 40K World Championships Qualifier
- Ides of March 2025
- 2 GT Bilbao
- CM Games Warhammer 40K Tournament – Bluffhammer Brawl
- MAD Warhammer 40k GT 03.08 – 03.09
On Friday we will have Lowest of Men running part 2 with:
- Cascade Clash: Ascent – 40k Major Spring 2025
- 11th Barrie Bash
- Wheat City Open 2025: 40k
- Safety’s Off “Go Outside, Nerd!” GT
- Califato Wars
Finally, me again on Saturday covering:
- BAYERN MAJOR #1 2025 40K
- Hunter GT Autumn – NSWTC
- Third Annual Blue Ridge Championship GT
- Hyper 345: GT
Scorched Earth Open 2025 – 40K World Championships Qualifier
82-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Phoenix, AZ, United States on March 08 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Durante “Glynisir” Bozzini – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Char1: 1x Commander Shadowsun (100 pts): Warlord, Battlesuit fists, Flechette launcher, 2x High-energy fusion blaster, Light missile pod, Pulse pistol 10x Breacher Team (100 pts) 10x Kroot Carnivores (65 pts) 10x Pathfinder Team (90 pts) 3x Stealth Battlesuits (60 pts) 3x Stealth Battlesuits (60 pts) 3x Stealth Battlesuits (60 pts) 5x Vespid Stingwings (65 pts) 1x Krootox Riders (40 pts): Close combat weapon, Krootox fists, Repeater cannon
Railguns Have 3 Shots
+ PLAYER NAME: Dante (Glynisir)
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – T’au Empire
+ DETACHMENT: Kauyon
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Commander Shadowsun
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 19
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (10×2) – Assassination: 1 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui: Guardian Drone, Shield Drone, Close combat weapon, Pulse blaster, Pulse pistol, Support turret
• 9x Breacher Fire Warriors: 9 with Close combat weapon, Pulse blaster, Pulse pistol
• 1x Long-quill: Close combat weapon, Kroot pistol, Kroot carbine
• 1x Kroot Carnivore: Close combat weapon, Tanglebomb launcher
• 8x Kroot Carnivores: 8 with Close combat weapon, Kroot rifle
• 9x Pathfinders
6 with Close combat weapon, Pulse carbine, Pulse pistol
3 with Close combat weapon, Ion rifle, Pulse pistol
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui: Shield Drone, Recon drone, Drone burst cannon, Close combat weapon, Pulse carbine, Pulse pistol, Semi-automatic grenade launcher, Twin pulse carbine, Drone burst cannon
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre: Battlesuit support system, Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Shield Drone, Battlesuit fists, Fusion blaster
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui: 2 with Battlesuit fists, Burst cannon
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre: Battlesuit support system, Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Shield Drone, Battlesuit fists, Fusion blaster
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui: 2 with Battlesuit fists, Burst cannon
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre: Battlesuit support system, Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Shield Drone, Battlesuit fists, Fusion blaster
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui: 2 with Battlesuit fists, Burst cannon
• 1x Vespid Strain Leader: Neutron blaster, Stingwing claws
• 4x Vespid Stingwings: 4 with Neutron blaster, Stingwing claws
1x Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 pts): Battlesuit support system, Ghostkeel fists, Cyclic ion raker, Twin fusion blaster
1x Hammerhead Gunship (145 pts): Armoured hull, Railgun, 2x Seeker missile, 2x Smart missile system
1x Piranha (60 pts): Armoured hull, 2x Twin pulse carbine, Piranha fusion blaster, 2x Seeker missile
1x Piranha (60 pts): Armoured hull, 2x Twin pulse carbine, Piranha fusion blaster, 2x Seeker missile
1x Riptide Battlesuit (190 pts): Riptide fists, Ion accelerator, 2x Missile pod, Twin smart missile system
1x Riptide Battlesuit (190 pts): Riptide fists, Ion accelerator, 2x Missile pod, Twin smart missile system
1x Riptide Battlesuit (190 pts): Riptide fists, Ion accelerator, 2x Missile pod, Twin smart missile system
1x Sky Ray Gunship (140 pts): Armoured hull, Seeker missile rack, 2x Smart missile system
1x Sky Ray Gunship (140 pts): Armoured hull, Seeker missile rack, 2x Smart missile system
1x Devilfish (85 pts): Accelerator burst cannon, Armoured hull, 2x Seeker missile, 2x Smart missile system
Archetype
Hull Spam T’au
Thoughts
If in doubt, just shoot a million guns at it. Classic T’au. Works for overwhelming Aeldari, and is definitely happy that the full bore Bobby G gun club builds are getting toned down. May suffer a bit into Orks though – T9 and T10 hulls are more vulnerable to massed rokkit fire (the latter via a pulsa rokkit) than most, so could find themselves humuliatingly out-dakkaed by Orks, of all things. Or maybe not – Tau also get some new toys, and have some great anti-Infantry tools to pivot to, so maybe expect this to come back, but with Starscythe units to counterpunch any devious greenskins. Well done to Durante on victory.
Jason Flanzer – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess) – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Daemons CHARACTERS Contorted Epitome (80 Points) Keeper of Secrets (300 Points) The Masque of Slaanesh (85 Points) Tormentbringer on Exalted Seeker Chariot (170 Points) Tranceweaver (60 Points) BATTLELINE Daemonettes (100 Points) Daemonettes (100 Points) Nurglings (40 Points) Plaguebearers (110 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fiends (210 Points) Fiends (210 Points) Fiends (210 Points) Seeker Chariot (65 Points) Seekers (80 Points) Soul Grinder (180 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (1), Data Version: v574
Slaanesh (2000 Points)
Legion of Excess
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Coiled tentacles
• 1x Ravaging claws
• Warlord
• 1x Phantasmagoria
• 1x Snapping claws
• 1x Witstealer sword
• Enhancements: Soul Glutton
• 1x Serrated claws
• 1x Exalted Seeker tongues
• 1x Lashes of torment
• 1x Ravaging claws
• Enhancements: False Majesty (Aura)
• 1x Ravaging claws
• 1x Alluress
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
◦ 9x Slashing claws
• 1x Alluress
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
◦ 9x Slashing claws
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
◦ 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Plagueridden
◦ 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
◦ 9x Plaguesword
• 1x Blissbringer
◦ 1x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 5x Fiend
◦ 5x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Blissbringer
◦ 1x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 5x Fiend
◦ 5x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Blissbringer
◦ 1x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 5x Fiend
◦ 5x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Lashes of torment
• 1x Seeker tongues
• 1x Slashing claws
• 1x Heartseeker
◦ 1x Lashing tongue
◦ 1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
◦ 4x Lashing tongue
◦ 4x Slashing claws
• Daemonic Allegiance: Slaanesh
• 1x Harvester cannon
• 1x Iron claw
• 1x Scream of despair
• 1x Warpclaw
Archetype
Fiend-heavy Legion
Thoughts
Our first full-bore casualty of the week, Slaanesh Daemons via Legion of Excess are the latest and greatest faction to soar way too close to the sun, crashing down to earth with more nerfs than I care to list here, and probably just outright dead. If there’s a silver lining it’s that massed Fiends are still pretty good, but even they suffer substantially from the loss of full Wound re-rolls and Thieves of Pain needing Line of Sight. Big RIP, basically, and I do think that’s a little bit of a shame for the more techy, all-rounder versions like this, which had some interesting stuff going on, but alas they perish alongside the more “Whoops all keepers” variants. Congratulations to Jason for going out on a high, which I’m sure Slaanesh approves of.
Ben Jurek – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Astra Militarum CHARACTERS Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 Points) Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (100 Points) Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (90 Points) Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (75 Points) Ursula Creed (65 Points) BATTLELINE Cadian Shock Troops (65 Points) Death Korps of Krieg (130 Points) Tempestus Scions (130 Points) Tempestus Scions (130 Points) Tempestus Scions (65 Points) Tempestus Scions (130 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Taurox (65 Points) Taurox (65 Points) Taurox (65 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Cadian Heavy Weapons Squad (50 Points) Cadian Heavy Weapons Squad (50 Points) Cadian Heavy Weapons Squad (50 Points) Kasrkin (110 Points) Kasrkin (110 Points) Krieg Combat Engineers (70 Points) Krieg Combat Engineers (70 Points) Krieg Combat Engineers (95 Points) Tempestus Aquilons (110 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (1), Data Version: v574
Stop stop I’m still doing something , (2000 Points)
Bridgehead Strike
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Ibram Gaunt
◦ 1x Bolt Pistol
◦ 1x Gaunt’s chainsword
• 1x Colm Corbec
◦ 1x Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Elim Rawne
◦ 1x Rawne’s lascarbine
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Hlaine Larkin
◦ 1x Larkin’s long-las
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x ‘Try Again’ Bragg
◦ 1x Bragg’s autocannon
◦ 1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Oan Mkoll
◦ 1x Lascarbine
◦ 1x Mkoll’s straight silver knife
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 2x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Master Vox
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime
• Warlord
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
◦ Enhancements: Bombast-class Vox-array
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Hot-shot volley gun
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime
◦ 1x Command Rod
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
◦ Enhancements: Shroud Projector
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Hot-shot volley gun
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime
◦ 1x Command Rod
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
• 1x Power weapon
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Chainsword
• 9x Shock Trooper
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 7x Lasgun
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster
◦ 2x Plasma pistol
◦ 2x Power weapon
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
◦ 18x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Death Korps Medi-pack
◦ 2x Flamer
◦ 14x Lasgun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Twin autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Twin autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Twin autocannon
• 3x Heavy Weapon Team
◦ 3x Laspistol
◦ 3x Mortar
◦ 3x Weapons team close combat weapons
• 3x Heavy Weapon Team
◦ 3x Laspistol
◦ 3x Mortar
◦ 3x Weapons team close combat weapons
• 3x Heavy Weapon Team
◦ 3x Laspistol
◦ 3x Mortar
◦ 3x Weapons team close combat weapons
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
◦ 1x Melta Mine
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
◦ 1x Melta Mine
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 1x Krieg Engineer Watchmaster
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 4x Krieg Combat Engineer
◦ 3x Autopistol
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Flamer
◦ 1x Remote Mine
◦ 2x Trench club
• 1x Krieg Engineer Watchmaster
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 4x Krieg Combat Engineer
◦ 3x Autopistol
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Flamer
◦ 1x Remote Mine
◦ 2x Trench club
• 1x Krieg Engineer Watchmaster
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Power weapon
• 9x Krieg Combat Engineer
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Flamer
◦ 1x Remote Mine
◦ 7x Trench club
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Sentry flamer
• 8x Tempestus Aquilon
◦ 8x Close combat weapon
◦ 6x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Hot‐shot long‐las
◦ 1x Melta carbine
• 1x Gunfighter
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine
Archetype
Infantry Bridgehead
Thoughts
Moving straight to our second big casualty, we have Bridgehead. Probably not as dead as pure Slaanesh Daemons, but taking a similar major knock to the ability to punch up at hard targets is going to need at least some major retooling. That’s especially true since Krieg Engineers also take a moderate hit in Mortal output, so you can’t backfill the capability that way. Fewer Infantry units and (probably) some Dorn Commanders seems like the way through, and Bridgehead is sufficiently unique in how vicious it is out of Deep Strike that there might be surviving builds, but also maybe we’ll get an opportunity to see some other Codex detachments get outings. Well done Ben on taking third place.
Wyatt Harris – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch (75 Points) Autarch (75 Points) The Yncarne (250 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (115 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dark Reapers (90 Points) Fire Dragons (100 Points) Fire Dragons (100 Points) Howling Banshees (90 Points) Howling Banshees (90 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Warlock Skyrunners (45 Points) Warlock Skyrunners (45 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Windriders (160 Points) Wraithlord (140 Points) Wraithlord (140 Points) Wraithlord (140 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (3), Data Version: v56
Ynnari (1995 Points)
Devoted of Ynnead
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Star glaive
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Star glaive
• Warlord
• 1x Swirling soul energy
• 1x Vilith-zhar
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Tempest launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Reaper launcher
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Ranger
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Long rifle
◦ 5x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Destructor
• 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Singing Spear
• 1x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Destructor
• 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Singing Spear
• 1x Twin shuriken catapult
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 6x Windrider
◦ 6x Close combat weapon
◦ 6x Scatter laser
• 2x Bright lance
• 2x Flamer
• 1x Ghostglaive
• 1x Wraithbone fists
• 2x Bright lance
• 2x Flamer
• 1x Ghostglaive
• 1x Wraithbone fists
• 2x Bright lance
• 2x Flamer
• 1x Ghostglaive
• 1x Wraithbone fists
Archetype
Wraithlord Ynnari
Thoughts
Moving on from our casualties to our first “got away with it” faction, Ynnari catch minimal flak in the Dataslate (this build only goes up 30pts, for example), and look set to be the Aeldari detachment of choice for the next quarter, and to be well positioned to take down some events, although I anticipate Nurgle Daemons being able to put some (disgusting) speed bumps in their way. Given what I expect to arise in the metagame, I think you’ll probably see even more Windriders used in Ynnari, because the combination of massed Lethal Hits (via the Stratagem) in your turn and really strong Overwatch into stuff like Orks is going to be great. Were I taking them out, I’d even consider swapping one of the Wraithlords here for a second Windrider unit, but we’ll see what the future holds. Also a fan of the Banshees with Autarchs, the Leader makes the unit a really nice package for which the price is right, and having two maintains threat projection into the late game. Basically, really love this version of the list, and expect to see more of this sort of thing – congratulations Wyatt.
The Best of the Rest
There were 4 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Tanner Floyd – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Heavy Infantry World Eaters with two full squads of Terminators.
- 6th – Peter Elias – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Lots of Aspects (including a big unit each of Fire Dragons and Banshees) plus a Yvraine/Incubi squad.
- 7th – Don Hooson – Death Guard (Plague Company): Hull-tastic Death Guard with Defilers alongside all the usual hits, and cheaper Executioners instead of Brigands to maximise the number of units.
- 8th – William Walker – Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots): Classic Abaddon Pactbound gunline with Vindicators and Forgefiends as the shooty threats, plus cheap bikers squads to try and spike some super Nurgle pact melta.
Ides of March 2025
62-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Rockport, ME, United States on March 08 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Samuel Pope – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Tyranids CHARACTERS Hive Tyrant (235 points) Neurotyrant (105 points) BATTLELINE Hormagaunts (65 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Biovores (50 points) Exocrine (135 points) Exocrine (135 points) Exocrine (135 points) Haruspex (125 points) Neurolictor (90 points) Neurolictor (90 points) Norn Emissary (260 points) Tyrannofex (190 points) Tyrannofex (190 points) Tyrannofex (190 points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (72), Data Version: v574
I saved this one for last for a reason (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Crusher Stampede
• Warlord
• 1x Heavy venom cannon
1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
• 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes
1x Psychic scream
• 10x Hormagaunt
• 10x Hormagaunt talons
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Grasping tongue
1x Ravenous maw
1x Shovelling claws
• 1x Piercing claws and talons
• 1x Piercing claws and talons
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
1x Monstrous scything talons
1x Psychic Tendril
• 1x Acid spray
1x Powerful limbs
1x Stinger salvoes
• 1x Powerful limbs
1x Rupture cannon
1x Stinger salvoes
• 1x Powerful limbs
1x Rupture cannon
1x Stinger salvoes
Archetype
Crusher Mash
Thoughts
Big bugs. Bugs that are big. Also numerous, in this instance. If you like unsubtle chitinous violence, jamming many large bugs should continue to excel, and despite some point increases on Exocrines and Tyrannofexes, the net impact on bug quantity is pretty minimal – this list, for example, only ends up down 15pts because it recovers most of the increases from drops on the Neurolictors and Hive Tyrant. I’d maybe expect to see a second acid spray Tyrannofex if Dakka Orks are as good as they look, as playing into their overwatch can be quite challenging, but otherwise this sort of thing (also optionally running as Invasion Fleet) can continue apace. Well done to Samuel for taking the trophy.
Jeffrey Colpitts – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand CHARACTER Char1: 1x Roboute Guilliman (345 pts) Char2: 1x Uriel Ventris (95 pts) Char3: 1x Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 pts) BATTLELINE 5x Intercessor Squad (80 pts) OTHER DATASHEETS 6x Centurion Devastator Squad (370 pts) 3x Inceptor Squad (120 pts) 6x Inceptor Squad (240 pts) 6x Inceptor Squad (240 pts) 5x Incursor Squad (80 pts) 5x Scout Squad (70 pts) 5x Scout Squad (70 pts) 1x Invader ATV (60 pts) 1x Invader ATV (60 pts) ALLIED UNITS Char4: 1x Callidus Assassin (100 pts)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ PLAYER NAME: Jeff Colpitts
+ TEAM NAME: AP Zero Tactics
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Ultramarines
+ DETACHMENT: Vanguard Spearhead
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Roboute Guilliman
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 14
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (1×2) – Assassination: 4 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 with Hand of Dominion, The Emperor’s Sword
• Warlord
1 with Bolt Pistol, Invictus, Sword of Idaeus
1 with Combi-weapon, Paired Combat Blades
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
1 with Bolt Pistol, Astartes Grenade Launcher, Bolt Rifle, Power Fist
• 4x Intercessor
4 with Bolt Pistol, Bolt Rifle, Close Combat Weapon
• 5x Devastator Centurion
5 with Centurion Fists, Centurion Missile Launcher, Twin Lascannon
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
1 with Centurion Fists, Centurion Missile Launcher, Twin Lascannon
• 2x Inceptor
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Exterminators
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
5 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Exterminators
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
5 with Close Combat Weapon, Assault Bolters
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Assault Bolters
• 4x Incursor
3 with Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades
1 with Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades
• Haywire Mine
• 1x Incursor Sergeant
1 with Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades
• 1x Scout Sergeant
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Astartes Chainsword
• 2x Scout
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Missile Launcher
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Scout Sniper Rifle
• 2x Scouts
2 with Astartes Shotgun, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Scout Sergeant
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Astartes Chainsword
• 2x Scout
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Missile Launcher
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Scout Sniper Rifle
• 2x Scouts
2 with Astartes Shotgun, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Twin Bolt Rifle, Onslaught Gatling Cannon
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Twin Bolt Rifle, Onslaught Gatling Cannon
1 with Neural shredder, Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Ultravanguard
Thoughts
RIP teleporting Vanguard Centurions, 2023-2025, taken from us nowhere near soon enough too soon. Kind of, anyway – no longer having access to “true” Deep Strike does hurt Guilliman’s heftiest sons, but you did occasionally see variants of this run with Centurions and without Ventris (sometimes even without Ultramarines entirely), and unlike most other common Marine shooty threats, they went down in price to compensate. This list does not, in fact, catch any point increases to offset the 40pts drop on Centurions, so I wouldn’t count out the possibility of it just continuing on with Ventris subbed out for something. Alternatively, we’ve seen some experimentation with Sternguard as a Deep Strike threat that’s still valid, so you could see them appear either as well as or instead of the Centurions, as the 40 extra points makes it much more feasible to work them into the list. I do not, for a second, believe this is the last we’ll hear from Ultravanguard, and presumably Jeffrey will be returning to the shadows to plot his next move even now.
Travis Morton – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Mortarion (300 points) Tallyman (45 points) Typhus (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Death Guard Cultists (50 points) Death Guard Cultists (50 points) Death Guard Cultists (50 points) Death Guard Predator Annihilator (130 points) Death Guard Predator Annihilator (130 points) Death Guard Predator Destructor (130 points) Death Guard Predator Destructor (130 points) Death Guard Predator Destructor (130 points) Deathshroud Terminators (220 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) ALLIED UNITS War Dog Karnivore (140 points) War Dog Karnivore (140 points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (72), Data Version: v574
Stankonia (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Plague Company
• Warlord
• 1x Rotwind
1x Silence
1x The Lantern
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Infected plasma pistol
• 1x Master-crafted manreaper
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter
2x Lasconnon Sponsons
1x Predator twin lascannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
1x Plague combi-bolter
2x Lasconnon Sponsons
1x Predator twin lascannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Plague combi-bolter
1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
• 5x Manreaper
5x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Plague probe
2x Plaguespitter
• 1x Plague probe
2x Plaguespitter
• 1x Plague probe
2x Plaguespitter
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
Archetype
Hull-heavy Death Guard
Thoughts
Let the annals of infamy forever record that in 10th Edition, in the year of our lord 2025, Games Workshop had to nerf Predator Annihilators.
We’re through the looking glass now, folks.
Anyway – a combined 40pts increase will not, in fact, stop the time-honoured strategy of cramming a bunch of hulls and Mortarion into a list and letting rip. I do wonder if you might find that both Dakka Orks and Nurgle Daemons present issues for it, as the former is less impacted by Contagions than most shooty builds, and the latter may just be able to out-crunch (or maybe squish) you, but these builds have kept going through thick and thin, so I’m not about to count them out. Well done Travis, and I’m sure we’ll see you back with more Nurgle fun soon enough.
Drew Salzborn – T’au Empire (Kauyon) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand T’au Empire CHARACTERS Cadre Fireblade (70 points) Cadre Fireblade (50 points) Cadre Fireblade (50 points) BATTLELINE Breacher Team (100 points) Breacher Team (100 points) Breacher Team (100 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Devilfish (85 points) Devilfish (85 points) Devilfish (85 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Hammerhead Gunship (145 points) Hammerhead Gunship (145 points) Hammerhead Gunship (145 points) Kroot Carnivores (65 points) Kroot Farstalkers (85 points) Pathfinder Team (90 points) Sky Ray Gunship (140 points) Sky Ray Gunship (140 points) Sky Ray Gunship (140 points) Stealth Battlesuits (60 points) Stealth Battlesuits (60 points) Stealth Battlesuits (60 points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (72), Data Version: v574Strike Force (2000 points)
Breachers are still a thing (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Kauyon
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fireblade pulse rifle
2x Gun Drone
• Enhancement: Exemplar of the Kauyon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fireblade pulse rifle
2x Gun Drone
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Fireblade pulse rifle
2x Gun Drone
• 1x Support turret
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Guardian Drone
1x Pulse blaster
1x Pulse pistol
1x Shield Drone
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Pulse blaster
9x Pulse pistol
• 1x Support turret
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Guardian Drone
1x Pulse blaster
1x Pulse pistol
1x Shield Drone
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Pulse blaster
9x Pulse pistol
• 1x Support turret
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Guardian Drone
1x Pulse blaster
1x Pulse pistol
1x Shield Drone
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Pulse blaster
9x Pulse pistol
• 1x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
2x Seeker missile
2x Smart missile system
• 1x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
2x Seeker missile
2x Smart missile system
• 1x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
2x Seeker missile
2x Smart missile system
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Ion cannon
2x Seeker missile
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Railgun
2x Seeker missile
• 1x Long-quill
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Kroot pistol
1x Kroot rifle
• 9x Kroot Carnivore
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Kroot rifle
• 1x Kroot Kill-broker
• 1x Kroot pistol
1x Ritual blade
1x T’au-tech rifle
• 9x Kroot Farstalker
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Dvorgite skinner
8x Farstalker firearm
9x Kroot pistol
1x Pech’ra
• 2x Kroot Hound
• 2x Ripping fangs
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Grav-inhibitor Drone
1x Pulse carbine
1x Pulse pistol
1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
1x Shield Drone
• 9x Pathfinder
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Ion rifle
6x Pulse carbine
9x Pulse pistol
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Seeker missile rack
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Seeker missile rack
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
1x Armoured hull
1x Seeker missile rack
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Burst cannon
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Burst cannon
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
1x Battlesuit fists
1x Burst cannon
1x Homing Beacon
1x Marker Drone
1x Shield Drone
• 2x Stealth Shas’ui
• 2x Battlesuit fists
2x Burst cannon
Archetype
Classic Tau Combined Arms
Thoughts
Breachers are still pretty good, that’s right. In fact, if you want to explore the full breadth of what Breachers can do, you should definitely look at them in the Experimental Prototype Cadre, because boosted Range, Strength and AP is pretty spicy. That would be quite a different build to what’s here, mind, and this should still be just fine post-Dataslate. Breacherfish provide strong threat projection that cause the foe to be cautious, and your damage output ramps up spectacularly from turn three onwards. While Prototype Cadre is very cool, this setup looks like it should be really good going forward – breachers are great answers to Orks, the volume of threats can overwhelm Ynnari, and the turn three damage ramp up plus ultra high strength weaponry means they can probably take out even the most durable Nurgle builds. Time for a T’au takeover? We’ll find out. Great work from Drew bringing back a classic T’au build with strong future prospects.
The Best of the Rest
There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Anthony Massicotte – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Ultra heavy Fleet with triple Norn Emissary, Maleceptors and Tyrannofexen.
- 6th – William Cliff – Genestealer Cult (Xenocreed Congregation): A melee horde build that catches far less of a hit from the one GSC price hike than most builds, as it’s only sporting one full Neophyte unit alongside lots of Acolytes and two Metamorph squads.
- 7th – Matthew Wood – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): The very classic four Infantry unit (3x Warden/Champ, Draxus/Custodians) plus two Caladius recipe.
- 8th – Connor Flotten – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Lots of Aspect MSUs, couple of Wraithlords, big Incubi unit, and the full triumverate.
- 9th – Cullen Burns – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike): Lots of drop Infantry, and the unusual (but with the potential to get more common post-Dataslate) choice to go for maximum Ogryns, which is an alarming amount of D2 shooting.
- 10th – Martin Periard – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Armigers and Agents.
- 11th – Christopher McInnis – Space Wolves (Ironstorm Spearhead): Your list is named “Oops All Dreads” and yet I distinctly see a squad of Fenrisian Wolves. Shameful.
2 GT Bilbao
50-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Bilbo, PV, Spain on March 08 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Koldo Besga – Leagues of Votann (Oathband) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Leagues of Votann CHARACTERS Einhyr Champion (60 Points) Einhyr Champion (80 Points) BATTLELINE Hearthkyn Warriors (100 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Sagitaur (115 Points) Sagitaur (115 Points) Sagitaur (115 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Cthonian Beserks (100 Points) Cthonian Beserks (100 Points) Cthonian Beserks (100 Points) Einhyr Hearthguard (150 Points) Einhyr Hearthguard (150 Points) Hekaton Land Fortress (225 Points) Hekaton Land Fortress (225 Points) Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points) Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points) Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points) Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (1), Data Version: v574
KOLDO TORNEO LEAGUES OF VOTANN (1995 Points)
Oathband
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
• 1x Mass hammer
• 1x Weavefield Crest
• 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter
• 1x Mass hammer
• 1x Weavefield Crest
• Enhancements: Appraising Glare
• 1x Theyn
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x EtaCarn plasma pistol
◦ 1x Kin melee weapon
◦ 1x Weavefield Crest
• 9x Hearthkyn Warrior
◦ 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Comms Array
◦ 1x HYLas auto rifle
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 7x Ion blaster
◦ 1x Medipack
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x HYLas beam cannon
• 1x Twin bolt cannon
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x HYLas beam cannon
• 1x Twin bolt cannon
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x HYLas beam cannon
• 1x Twin bolt cannon
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
◦ 5x Concussion maul
◦ 1x Mole grenade launcher
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
◦ 5x Concussion maul
◦ 1x Mole grenade launcher
• 5x Cthonian Beserk
◦ 5x Concussion maul
◦ 1x Mole grenade launcher
• 1x Hesyr
◦ 1x Concussion hammer
◦ 1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 1x Teleport Crest
◦ 1x Volkanite disintegrator
• 4x Einhyr Hearthguard
◦ 4x Concussion gauntlet
◦ 4x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 4x Volkanite disintegrator
• 1x Hesyr
◦ 1x Concussion hammer
◦ 1x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 1x Teleport Crest
◦ 1x Volkanite disintegrator
• 4x Einhyr Hearthguard
◦ 4x Concussion gauntlet
◦ 4x Exo-armour grenade launcher
◦ 4x Volkanite disintegrator
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x MATR autocannon
• 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
• 1x SP heavy conversion beamer
• 2x Twin bolt cannon
• 1x Armoured wheels
• 1x MATR autocannon
• 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
• 1x SP heavy conversion beamer
• 2x Twin bolt cannon
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
◦ 3x Bolt revolver
◦ 3x Bolt shotgun
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
◦ 3x Plasma knife
◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
◦ 3x Bolt revolver
◦ 3x Bolt shotgun
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
◦ 3x Plasma knife
◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight
• 3x Hernkyn Pioneer
◦ 3x Bolt revolver
◦ 3x Bolt shotgun
◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon
◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon
◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner
◦ 3x Plasma knife
◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight
• 1x Yaegir Theyn
◦ 1x Bolt revolver
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma knife
• 9x Hernkyn Yaegir
◦ 1x APM launcher
◦ 7x Bolt revolver
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Magna-coil rifle
◦ 7x Plasma knife
Archetype
All-rounder Votann
Thoughts
Similar to T’au above, this style of build has been valid for huge chunks of the edition, and Votann truck on into the new metagame completely (at least for Oathband) unchanged. If I had to guess I’d expect to see more builds going for the big Deep Strike Hearthguard unit going forward, as it helps diversify the threat profile somewhat, but the core efficiency of Votann stuff should still let them thrive. Well done to Koldo.
Alvaro Perez – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Autarch (75 points) Autarch (75 points) The Yncarne (250 points) Ynnari Archon (85 points) BATTLELINE Ynnari Kabalite Warriors (110 points) Ynnari Kabalite Warriors (110 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Ynnari Venom (70 points) Ynnari Venom (70 points) Ynnari Venom (70 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fire Dragons (100 points) Fire Dragons (100 points) Fire Dragons (100 points) Howling Banshees (90 points) Howling Banshees (90 points) Howling Banshees (90 points) Striking Scorpions (75 points) Striking Scorpions (75 points) Warp Spiders (95 points) Warp Spiders (95 points) Warp Spiders (95 points) Ynnari Incubi (75 points) Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (71), Data Version: v569
CocaYnnari (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Devoted of Ynnead
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Star glaive
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
1x Star glaive
• Warlord
• 1x Swirling soul energy
1x Vilith-zhar
• 1x Blast pistol
1x Huskblade
1x Shadow Field
• Enhancement: Borrowed Vigour
• 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
• 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
• 1x Bladevanes
2x Splinter cannon
• 1x Bladevanes
2x Splinter cannon
• 1x Bladevanes
2x Splinter cannon
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s Dragon fusion gun
• 4x Fire Dragon
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
• 1x Executioner
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
• 4x Banshee blade
4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
• 1x Executioner
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
• 4x Banshee blade
4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
• 1x Executioner
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
• 4x Banshee blade
4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
• 1x Biting blade
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
• 1x Biting blade
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 1x Klaivex
• 1x Demiklaives
• 4x Incubi
• 4x Klaive
Archetype
Go-wide Ynnari
Thoughts
Slightly more of a hit to this Ynnari variant due to it maxing out on Fire Dragons, but it also highlights why they’ll be tough to pin down balance-wise. Kabalites with a Venom for the “good” half are just a really nice unit, and perfect Ork killers to boot, so expect to see plenty as we Lethal Surge into the new metagame. Definitely interesting to see no Yvraine in both our featured builds for the day – maybe the fact that she (and bodyguard) are a minimum 250pts investment is just a little too dear for what are (ultimately) T3 models, and Banshees with Autarchs cover the same space more flexibly. Much to ponder, well done to Alvaro for unleashing a cool set of tools.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Borja David Palacio Valdueza – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): A big buffed Tervigon with a couple of Termagant swarms backed up by many of the (now not quite so) efficient big bugs.
- 4th – Dekkers 🦭🤖 – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile): Double Possessed brick plus many brawlers in Rhinos.
- 5th – VICTOR TEJA – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Double Atrapos with many Armigers.
- 6th – Rodrigo Serna – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force): Deathwing GTF with some added Desolation Marines.
- 7th – Ivan Andres – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): Yvraine with Incubi plus a truly spectacular number of MSUs.
- 8th – Rafael miguel Martinez Legorburu – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess): Double Soul Grinder, double Keeper, double Epitome battery. Also a Tormentbringer, RIP to a real one, god forbid Daemonettes have hobbies.
CM Games Warhammer 40K Tournament – Bluffhammer Brawl
33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Knoxville, TN, US on March 08 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Unknown Mission
Jake Durant – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) Necrons CHARACTERS Hexmark Destroyer (75 Points) Hexmark Destroyer (75 Points) Illuminor Szeras (175 Points) Orikan the Diviner (80 Points) Overlord with Translocation Shroud (105 Points) Skorpekh Lord (95 Points) Skorpekh Lord (80 Points) Skorpekh Lord (80 Points) Transcendent C’tan (295 Points) BATTLELINE Necron Warriors (200 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Ghost Ark (115 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Reanimator (75 Points) Canoptek Scarab Swarms (40 Points) Cryptothralls (60 Points) Deathmarks (65 Points) Flayed Ones (60 Points) Lokhust Destroyers (35 Points) Lokhust Destroyers (35 Points) Skorpekh Destroyers (90 Points) Skorpekh Destroyers (90 Points) Tomb Blades (75 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (1), Data Version: v574
Army List - Click to Expand
Reanimation Protocols Activate
Awakened Dynasty
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• Warlord
• 1x Eldritch Lance
• 1x Impaling legs
• 1x Staff of Tomorrow
• 1x Overlord’s blade
• 1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancements: Nether-realm Casket
• 1x Enmitic annihilator
• 1x Flensing claw
• 1x Hyperphase harvester
• Enhancements: Enaegic Dermal Bond
• 1x Enmitic annihilator
• 1x Flensing claw
• 1x Hyperphase harvester
• 1x Enmitic annihilator
• 1x Flensing claw
• 1x Hyperphase harvester
• 1x Crackling tendrils
• 1x Seismic assault
• 20x Necron Warrior
◦ 20x Close combat weapon
◦ 20x Gauss reaper
• 1x Armoured bulk
• 2x Gauss flayer array
• 2x Atomiser beam
• 1x Reanimator’s claws
• 3x Canoptek Scarab Swarm
◦ 3x Feeder mandibles
• 2x Cryptothrall
◦ 2x Scouring eye
◦ 2x Scythed limbs
• 5x Deathmark
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Synaptic disintegrator
• 5x Flayed One
◦ 5x Flayer claws
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Gauss cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Gauss cannon
• 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
◦ 1x Plasmacyte
◦ 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
• 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
◦ 1x Plasmacyte
◦ 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
• 3x Tomb Blade
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Shadowloom
◦ 3x Twin gauss blaster
vs.
Sean Rice – Aeldari (Aspect Host) Aeldari CHARACTERS Asurmen (135 Points) Eldrad Ulthran (110 Points) Fuegan (120 Points) Jain Zar (105 Points) Lhykhis (120 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (115 Points) Wave Serpent (115 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dire Avengers (150 Points) Fire Dragons (200 Points) Howling Banshees (90 Points) Howling Banshees (90 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Shroud Runners (80 Points) Striking Scorpions (75 Points) Striking Scorpions (75 Points) Striking Scorpions (75 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (1), Data Version: v574
Army List - Click to Expand
Brad Chester says to stop letting trees fall on my new car and to stop mediating the divorce between my parents…..also take 3 Striking Scorpions and 3 Warp Spiders (1995 Points)
Aspect Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Bloody Twins
• 1x Sword of Asur
• Warlord
• 1x Mind War
• 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
• 1x Fire Axe
• 1x Searsong
• 1x Blade of Destruction
• 1x Silent Death
• 1x Brood Twain
• 1x Spider’s Fangs
• 1x Weaverender
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Dire Avenger Exarch
◦ 2x Avenger shuriken catapult
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 9x Dire Avenger
◦ 9x Avenger shuriken catapult
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Dragon axe
◦ 1x Dragon fusion pistol
• 9x Fire Dragon
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Ranger
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Long rifle
◦ 5x Shuriken pistol
• 3x Shroud Runner
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Long rifle
◦ 3x Scatter laser
◦ 3x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 1x Scorpion’s claw
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 1x Scorpion’s claw
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 1x Scorpion’s claw
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Death spinner
Thoughts
Oh noooooooo. Look – I love me a big block of Necron Warriors. Huge fan. Had a great time with them early in the Edition. Are they probably being slept on a little? Yeah sure, especially in Awakened with Orikan.
Unfortunately, the bane of any Necron Warrior list is an army that can just reliably lift them with impunity, and that’s just going to happen here, like 100% of the time. Eldrad and those Dire Avengers are going to banish those skeletons back to the crypt the first time one pops their head out, and the rest of the Necron army are small, manageable threats of the sort that Aeldari excel at picking off. The Necrons also lack fast ways to crack a Wave Serpent, so the elves are going to be able to set up and control the table at their leisure. This is a horrific, nigh unsalvageable mismatch for the Necrontyr (tragic because it’s a very cool list), and I’m entirely unsurprised that this year’s war of the heavens classic ended up with a decisive elf victory.
Result
Aeldari (Aspect Host) Victory – 93 – 28
Sean Rice – Aeldari (Aspect Host) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari CHARACTERS Asurmen (135 Points) Eldrad Ulthran (110 Points) Fuegan (120 Points) Jain Zar (105 Points) Lhykhis (120 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (115 Points) Wave Serpent (115 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dire Avengers (150 Points) Fire Dragons (200 Points) Howling Banshees (90 Points) Howling Banshees (90 Points) Rangers (55 Points) Shroud Runners (80 Points) Striking Scorpions (75 Points) Striking Scorpions (75 Points) Striking Scorpions (75 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Warp Spiders (95 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (1), Data Version: v574
Brad Chester says to stop letting trees fall on my new car and to stop mediating the divorce between my parents…..also take 3 Striking Scorpions and 3 Warp Spiders (1995 Points)
Aspect Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Bloody Twins
• 1x Sword of Asur
• Warlord
• 1x Mind War
• 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
• 1x Fire Axe
• 1x Searsong
• 1x Blade of Destruction
• 1x Silent Death
• 1x Brood Twain
• 1x Spider’s Fangs
• 1x Weaverender
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Dire Avenger Exarch
◦ 2x Avenger shuriken catapult
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 9x Dire Avenger
◦ 9x Avenger shuriken catapult
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Dragon axe
◦ 1x Dragon fusion pistol
• 9x Fire Dragon
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
◦ 1x Executioner
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
◦ 4x Banshee blade
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 5x Ranger
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Long rifle
◦ 5x Shuriken pistol
• 3x Shroud Runner
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Long rifle
◦ 3x Scatter laser
◦ 3x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 1x Scorpion’s claw
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 1x Scorpion’s claw
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 1x Scorpion’s claw
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Death spinner
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Death spinner
Archetype
Aspect Host
Thoughts
The most violent Asuryani takes the crown here, though suffers a fair bit more points attrition compared to the Ynnari. My guess is that we’ll see Asurmen and five Avengers in a Falcon far more, or alternatively see people experiment with Baharroth and a big Hawk unit, which are very strong in Aspect Host. Still a fan of the big hammerblow Fire Dragon unit even at the higher price point though – there’s really nothing else quite like it for levelling heavy targets. Love to see elf victory, great job Sean!
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Kalen Ogle – Astra Militarum (Recon Element): Pony club! Someone actually did it. Owns. 62 horses and some backup artillery and heavy weapons.
- 3rd – Cole Cook – Space Marines (Ironstorm Spearhead): Small Marine meme town, using a bunch of Tactical Squads plus some Scouts and Devastators with a wall of Rhinos and Razorbacks.
- 4th – Keith Loveday – Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Taktikal Brigade but with planes, which to be fair modern military history would suggest are pretty taktikal. Not 100% sure where this one goes, as planes are (mercifully) not compatible with the new More Dakka! detachment.
- 5th – Aiden Williams – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): All-rounder Warpbane with a healthy mix of Purifiers, Dreadknights and Terminators, and looking very well set for the new metagame with not a Purgation Marine in sight.
- 6th – Jake Durant – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Character and MSU span with a single fully tooled up Warrior unit as a centrepiece.
MAD Warhammer 40k GT 03.08 – 03.09
26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Fairfield, CA, US on March 08 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Floof Cox – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Genestealer Cults CHARACTERS Benefictus (70 points) Benefictus (70 points) Benefictus (85 points) Primus (100 points) Reductus Saboteur (65 points) BATTLELINE Acolyte Hybrids with Autopistols (65 points) Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 points) Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 points) Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (70 points) Acolyte Hybrids with Hand Flamers (140 points) Neophyte Hybrids (130 points) Neophyte Hybrids (130 points) Neophyte Hybrids (130 points) Neophyte Hybrids (130 points) Neophyte Hybrids (130 points) Neophyte Hybrids (65 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points) Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points) Achilles Ridgerunners (85 points) Purestrain Genestealers (75 points) Purestrain Genestealers (75 points) Purestrain Genestealers (75 points) Exported with App Version: v1.28.0 (72), Data Version: v574
Trans rights are human rights (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Host of Ascension
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Psionic Cascade
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Psionic Cascade
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Psionic Cascade
• Enhancement: Assassination Edict
• Warlord
• 1x Cult bonesword
1x Scoped needle pistol
1x Toxin injector claw
• Enhancement: A Chink In Their Armour
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charges
1x Remote explosives
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
1x Cult claws and knife
3x Heavy mining tool
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
4x Cult claws and knife
3x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
4x Cult claws and knife
3x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
4x Cult claws and knife
3x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 9x Acolyte Hybrid
• 1x Cult Icon
9x Cult claws and knife
8x Hand flamer
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
2x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
2x Mining laser
2x Seismic cannon
2x Webber
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
2x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
2x Mining laser
2x Seismic cannon
2x Webber
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
2x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
2x Mining laser
2x Seismic cannon
2x Webber
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
2x Grenade launcher
11x Hybrid firearm
2x Mining laser
2x Seismic cannon
2x Webber
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 19x Neophyte Hybrid
• 19x Autopistol
19x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
2x Flamer
2x Heavy stubber
11x Hybrid firearm
2x Seismic cannon
2x Webber
• 1x Neophyte Leader
• 1x Autopistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Hybrid firearm
• 9x Neophyte Hybrid
• 9x Autopistol
9x Close combat weapon
1x Cult Icon
1x Flamer
1x Heavy stubber
5x Hybrid firearm
1x Seismic cannon
1x Webber
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy mortar
1x Survey Augur
1x Twin heavy stubber
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy mortar
1x Survey Augur
1x Twin heavy stubber
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy mortar
1x Survey Augur
1x Twin heavy stubber
• 5x Purestrain Genestealer
• 5x Cult claws and talons
• 5x Purestrain Genestealer
• 5x Cult claws and talons
• 5x Purestrain Genestealer
• 5x Cult claws and talons
Archetype
Horde Host
Thoughts
Floof returns with the Neophyte horde build that took them to the top eight at LVO, throwing out an amount of Deep Strike pain that even Bridgehead winces at. This strategy has, of course, caught the attention of the balance team with its sheer viciousness, but ultimately can pay for the points increases just by cutting one unit of Genestealers, and probably gets a metagame level boost from Bridgehead getting hit a lot harder – right now, you have to plan for handling a Deep Strike Infantry build, but if that becomes more optional again then it’s good news for the revolution. Great work once more from Floof!
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Christopher Shelton – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): All Armigers and one very dedicated Priest.
- 3rd – Tyler Nutt – Orks (War Horde): Mechanised melee War Horde.
- 4th – Scott Cairns – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Dorn Commanders, Russes and Combat Engineers.
- 5th – Jeremy Ecklin – Aeldari (Windrider Host): Maximum shuriken cannon Windriders and 2×6 Shining Spears if that doesn’t get the point across.
- 6th – Billy Willis – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught): Tricksy melee Vanguard with the Swarmlord to maximise disruption and two full Warrior units to flense the unsuspecting.
Wrap Up
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