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.
The perfidious Aeldari return to the battlefield this week, armed with a powerful new codex and ready to take on the world. Globally, there were plenty of 4-1 finishes for them, but no immediate sweep of everything. In Poland, however, they dominated the absolute shark tank of a tournament that is our biggest event of the week. Truly elves are a land of contrasts. More as we get it next week.
Anyway, events. Today, I’ve got:
- DiceCrusher2025
- Dark Sphere February 40k GT
- WARZONE WELLINGTON 2025
- Down Under 40k February Dawnbringer GT
On Friday Lowest of Men will look at:
- Warhammer World Grand Tournament
- 40K Okeanos rising GT
- ForgeFire Winter Open
- Red Dragon 40k GT – February ’25
We will have three Showdowns this week, two voted for by our patrons, and one from the latest Goonhammer contributor to volunteer themselves by dint of making it into a GT final. These will be:
- Aeldari-on-aeldari action as Warhost faces Ghosts of the Webway at Dicecrusher.
- Bridgehead Strike vs. Solar Spearhead at the ForgeFire Winter Open.
- Ultramarine Gladius vs. Solar Spearhead at the Red Dragon GT.
DiceCrusher2025
79-player event in Poland. All the lists for this event can be found in ChampionsHub.
The Showdown
Scorched Earth – Inspired Leadership – Crucible of Battle
Wiktor Schmidt – Aeldari (Ghosts of the Webway)
Army List - Click to Expand Hlq (2000 Points) CHARACTERS Asurmen (135 Points) Shadowseer (75 Points) Troupe Master (100 Points) BATTLELINE Storm Guardians (100 Points) Troupe (190 Points) Troupe (85 Points) Troupe (190 Points) Troupe (85 Points) Troupe (85 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Starweaver (80 Points) Starweaver (80 Points) Starweaver (80 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dire Avengers (75 Points) Falcon (130 Points) Swooping Hawks (170 Points) Swooping Hawks (170 Points) Swooping Hawks (170 Points)
Aeldari
Ghosts of the Webway
• 1x Bloody Twins
• 1x Sword of Asur
• 1x Flip Belt
• 1x Miststave
• 1x Neuro disruptor
• Enhancements: Mistweave
• Warlord
• 1x Flip Belt
• 1x Fusion pistol
• 1x Troupe Master’s blade
• Enhancements: Cegorach’s Coil
• 10x Storm Guardian
◦ 8x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Flamer
◦ 2x Fusion gun
◦ 2x Power sword
◦ 6x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Serpent shield
• 1x Lead Player
◦ 1x Flip Belt
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
◦ 1x Power sword
• 10x Player
◦ 10x Flip Belt
◦ 3x Fusion pistol
◦ 10x Harlequin’s blade
◦ 4x Neuro disruptor
◦ 3x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Lead Player
◦ 1x Flip Belt
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
◦ 1x Power sword
• 4x Player
◦ 4x Flip Belt
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
◦ 4x Harlequin’s blade
◦ 2x Neuro disruptor
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Lead Player
◦ 1x Flip Belt
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
◦ 1x Power sword
• 10x Player
◦ 10x Flip Belt
◦ 3x Fusion pistol
◦ 10x Harlequin’s blade
◦ 4x Neuro disruptor
◦ 3x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Lead Player
◦ 1x Flip Belt
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
◦ 1x Power sword
• 4x Player
◦ 4x Flip Belt
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
◦ 4x Harlequin’s blade
◦ 2x Neuro disruptor
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Lead Player
◦ 1x Flip Belt
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
◦ 1x Power sword
• 4x Player
◦ 4x Flip Belt
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
◦ 4x Harlequin’s blade
◦ 2x Neuro disruptor
◦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Dire Avenger Exarch
◦ 1x Avenger shuriken catapult
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Dire Avenger
◦ 4x Avenger shuriken catapult
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Bright lance
• 1x Pulse laser
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Exarch’s lasblaster
• 9x Swooping Hawk
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Lasblaster
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Exarch’s lasblaster
• 9x Swooping Hawk
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Lasblaster
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Exarch’s lasblaster
• 9x Swooping Hawk
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Lasblaster
vs.
Michał Duda – Aeldari (Warhost)
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari Secondaries: CHARACTERS Asurmen (135 points) Autarch (90 points) Eldrad Ulthran (110 points) Fuegan (120 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (115 points) OTHER DATASHEETS D-cannon Platform (125 points) Dark Reapers (90 points) Dire Avengers (75 points) Falcon (130 points) Falcon (130 points) Fire Dragons (100 points) Howling Banshees (90 points) Rangers (55 points) Shadow Weaver Platform (75 points) Shroud Runners (80 points) Striking Scorpions (75 points) Swooping Hawks (85 points) Swooping Hawks (85 points) Warp Spiders (95 points) Wraithlord (140 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Warhost
Assasinate: 16VP + 4VP (Resurection)
Bring it down: 8VP
• 1x Bloody Twins
1x Sword of Asur
• Warlord
• 1x Reaper launcher
1x Star glaive
• Enhancement: Timeless Strategist
• 1x Mind War
1x Shuriken pistol
1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
• 1x Fire Axe
1x Searsong
• 1x Shuriken cannon
1x Twin bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dire Avenger Exarch
• 2x Avenger shuriken catapult
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Dire Avenger
• 4x Avenger shuriken catapult
4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Bright lance
1x Pulse laser
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Bright lance
1x Pulse laser
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 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
• 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 Close combat weapon
1x Shadow weaver
1x Shuriken catapult
• 3x Shroud Runner
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Long rifle
3x Scatter laser
3x 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 Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Scatter laser
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Scatter laser
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s death spinner
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 2x Bright lance
2x Flamer
1x Ghostglaive
1x Wraithbone fists
Thoughts
Elf fight! A nicely varied elf fight at least, with the all-rounder Warhost taking on a Harlequin build with some Aspect backup. Before talking about where the lists differ, it’s important to highlight the one big overlap – Asurmen with five Dire Avengers and a Transport are pretty much a lock for any non-Ynnari build because of how much value they add between built-in evasive firepower and the once per game murder mode (the latter especially out of a Falcon for Wound re-rolls). If you play Eldar, run him.
Elsewhere, there’s far more to consider. Michał’s Warhost build takes a nice, all-rounder variety of strong units – Fuegan joins Asurmen on the Phoenix Lord front, with his Dragon unit providing great anti-tank punch, while an Autarch with some Reapers provides a reliable, evasive clip of long-ranged firepower. Reapers are making a big splash across early Aeldari builds that have a way of protecting them, usually with an Autarch to power whatever Stratagem they’re using, as now that their big shots do real damage and their small shots still get AP-2 Ignore Cover, they’re a real versatile threat again. Past that, lots of cheap, speedy stuff to harass and score, and a D-cannon to project some indirect threat. Worth noting that the D-cannon is especially strong in Warhost, as it has the INFANTRY keyword so can redeploy for angles with Webway Tunnel, or use Fire and Fade if you really need to get a direct fire shot off. Also neat to see that Wraithlords do seem to have finally landed on being just kind of neat – the new version of Fated Hero combined with being able to get decent hit rolls from any Psyker makes them a good choice if you need a high punch unit with a bit more backbone than the Aeldari standard.
Up against them is a fairly skewed Harlequin build, using two big Troupes and masses of Swooping Hawks as the big threats. All those Hawks plus the Coil of Cegorach give this build an almost unprecedented (for 10th Edition) Mortal Wound output when it wants to go big, and I can certainly see this as an interesting choice for Teams, especially since it can also handle hordes. Lots of cheap transports also provides a bit of depth past the alpha units, and it’ll be a real challenge for some foes to avoid being baited into a fatal trap here.
So which flavour of Aeldari are favoured? Realistically, here it’s the Warhost. Either side here can pick up half of the other’s army in a turn if allowed, but Michal’s build has better tools to dictate the flow of the game. A bit of Indirect plus more disposable cheap fast stuff means that if both sides try to play keepaway, he’ll probably come out on top, and extra Battle Focus tokens and speed will come in clutch if both players have to scramble for a big score late game. I do think the Harlequins have a slightly better chance of creating a big swing turn mind – staging all three Hawk squads then going for a massive, Battle Focus powered sweep forward could be utterly devastating, and the threat of Bloody Dance could be used to ward the foe off till then. In the end, the decisive victory went to the Warhost – either the Harlequins couldn’t open up the opportunity for a big score, or turbo-boosted Battle Focus let Warhost find an angle for the win.
Result
Warhost Victory 19-1
Michał Duda – Aeldari (Warhost) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari Secondaries: CHARACTERS Asurmen (135 points) Autarch (90 points) Eldrad Ulthran (110 points) Fuegan (120 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (115 points) OTHER DATASHEETS D-cannon Platform (125 points) Dark Reapers (90 points) Dire Avengers (75 points) Falcon (130 points) Falcon (130 points) Fire Dragons (100 points) Howling Banshees (90 points) Rangers (55 points) Shadow Weaver Platform (75 points) Shroud Runners (80 points) Striking Scorpions (75 points) Swooping Hawks (85 points) Swooping Hawks (85 points) Warp Spiders (95 points) Wraithlord (140 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Warhost
Assasinate: 16VP + 4VP (Resurection)
Bring it down: 8VP
• 1x Bloody Twins
1x Sword of Asur
• Warlord
• 1x Reaper launcher
1x Star glaive
• Enhancement: Timeless Strategist
• 1x Mind War
1x Shuriken pistol
1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade
• 1x Fire Axe
1x Searsong
• 1x Shuriken cannon
1x Twin bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x D-cannon
1x Shuriken catapult
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dire Avenger Exarch
• 2x Avenger shuriken catapult
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Dire Avenger
• 4x Avenger shuriken catapult
4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Bright lance
1x Pulse laser
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Bright lance
1x Pulse laser
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 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
• 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 Close combat weapon
1x Shadow weaver
1x Shuriken catapult
• 3x Shroud Runner
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Long rifle
3x Scatter laser
3x 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 Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Scatter laser
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Scatter laser
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Exarch’s death spinner
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
• 2x Bright lance
2x Flamer
1x Ghostglaive
1x Wraithbone fists
Archetype
Attrition Warhost
Thoughts
The Aeldari classic of “do unto others, do not let them do unto you” returns, with Battle Focus, Asurmen and the Warhost Stratagems stacking up to enable maximum damage with minimum exposure to retaliation. Speedy Aspects provide reliable scoring on top of that, and high threat pieces like the Phoenix Lords discourage/punish over-aggressive pushes by the foe. Classic Aeldari, great stuff Michał.
Marcin – Aeldari (Aspect Host) – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Aeldari DC (1990 points) Aspect Host CHARACTERS Asurmen (135 points) Autarch (105 points) Fuegan (120 points) Lhykhis (120 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Wave Serpent (115 points) Wave Serpent (115 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Dark Reapers (180 points) Dire Avengers (75 points) Falcon (130 points) Fire Dragons (200 points) Howling Banshees (90 points) Rangers (55 points) Shining Spears (120 points) Shining Spears (120 points) Striking Scorpions (75 points) Warlock Skyrunners (45 points) Warp Spiders (95 points) Warp Spiders (95 points) Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (71), Data Version: v569
• Warlord
• 1x Bloody Twins
1x Sword of Asur
• 1x Reaper launcher
1x Star glaive
• Enhancement: Mantle of Wisdom
• 1x Fire Axe
1x Searsong
• 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 Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Tempest launcher
• 9x Dark Reaper
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Reaper launcher
• 1x Dire Avenger Exarch
• 2x Avenger shuriken catapult
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Dire Avenger
• 4x Avenger shuriken catapult
4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Bright lance
1x Pulse laser
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Wraithbone hull
• 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
• 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 Shining Spear Exarch
• 1x Shimmershield
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Star lance
• 2x Shining Spear
• 2x Laser lance
2x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Shining Spear Exarch
• 1x Shimmershield
1x Shuriken cannon
1x Star lance
• 2x Shining Spear
• 2x Laser lance
2x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
• 1x Chainsabres
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Destructor
1x Shuriken pistol
1x Twin shuriken catapult
1x Witchblade
• 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 Exarch’s death spinner
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
Archetype
Aspect Host
Thoughts
In second place we’ve got a much more directly violent spin on Aeldari, leveraging the power of the Aspect Host to hit like a truck. The really notable centrepieces here are the full squads each of Fire Dragons and Dark Reapers, the latter going for maximum buff power (and Stratagem utility) via an Autarch. Fire Dragons with Fuegan are very strong all-round skirmishing threats, as the boosted range gives them the reach to melt foes at a respectable distance. In Aspect Host you can also go completely sicko mode with Preternatural Precision (burning a shrine token) to vaporise a truly heroic amount of stuff in a single phase. The Reapers can also play that card, and for both these units the ability to tee up 5+ Criticals with Lhykis makes them extra scary, especially with access to ignoring modifiers for the Reapers. One unit can duck back into a Transport with Skyborne Sanctuary, and the Reapers can lean on their Autarch to Fade Back them to safety since they’ll be operating at more of a distance.
The rest of the list provides loads of threat projection to keep foes at bay while the bodies pile up from the shooting. Spears are lethal in Aspect Host, Spiders area either serious pressure threats (Lhykis’ squad) or great scoring toys, and Banshees discourage people getting too close. The other thing worth highlighting is the use of a solo Warlock Skyrunner as a pure Action model – now they don’t give up Assassinate, they’re very good in this role for their cost. Sad to not see the Avatar out to play, but though I’m certainly going to give him a go, I suspect Marcin is correct not to deploy him – freeing up those points allows the Aeldari to field a great range of both threats and scoring pieces, making this a very powerful build. Well done Marcin!
Maks ‘waf’ Adamek – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand TRAITORIS LANCE DETACHMENT CH1: Knight Despoiler: WARLORD, Daemonbreath thermal cannon, Reaper chainsword, Diabolus heavy stubber, Havoc missile pod [415] BL1: War Dog Karnivore: Havoc [140] ALLIES: DAEMONIC PACT
CH2: Knight Rampager [380]
BL2: War Dog Karnivore: Havoc [140]
BL3: War Dog Karnivore: Havoc [140]
BL4: War Dog Karnivore: Havoc [140]
BL5: War Dog Karnivore: Havoc [140]
BL6: War Dog Brigand: Havoc [165]
BL7: War Dog Brigand: Havoc [165]
BL8: Plaguebearers: Daemonic icon, Instrument of chaos [110]
OT1: Beasts of Nurgle [65]
Archetype
Aggro Double Bigs
Thoughts
Chaos Knights in third place here, going for the power move of doubling up on bigs, both melee capable. The big sell here is that this list can go for a stupendous gut punch from concealment, as the two big boys can naturally move through walls, and two Karnivores can join them via Knights of Shade. That kind of pressure can overwhelm some lists, and I think that probably includes Aeldari variants that haven’t gone hard on killing power (I wouldn’t try it against the Aspect Host above, but the Warhost…), and also gives you a fair shake against some of the ultra-killy Marine lists, providing a window to do enough damage to keep pace on resources. You probably do need heavy European terrain to make this really sing, but in that environment I can definitely see the value here, and Maks took this to an impressive finish with four wins and a draw – congratulations!
Gabriel Sarosiek – Genestealer Cults (Outlander Claw) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Bandycka jazda (2000 Points) Genestealer Cults CHARACTERS Jackal Alphus (55 Points) Kelermorph (70 Points) Kelermorph (60 Points) Reductus Saboteur (65 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) Neophyte Hybrids (65 Points) Neophyte Hybrids (65 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Goliath Truck (85 Points) Goliath Truck (85 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Achilles Ridgerunners (170 Points) Achilles Ridgerunners (170 Points) Achilles Ridgerunners (170 Points) Atalan Jackals (80 Points) Atalan Jackals (80 Points) Atalan Jackals (80 Points) Goliath Rockgrinder (120 Points) Goliath Rockgrinder (120 Points) Goliath Rockgrinder (120 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (3), Data Version: v569
Outlander Claw
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Autopistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Cult sniper rifle
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Liberator autostubs
• Enhancements: Cartographic Data-leech
• Warlord
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Liberator autostubs
• 1x Autopistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Demolition charges
• 1x Remote explosives
• 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
◦ 2x Demolition charges
◦ 1x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
◦ 1x Cult Icon
◦ 4x Cult claws and knife
◦ 2x Demolition charges
◦ 1x Hand flamer
• 1x Acolyte Leader
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Leader’s bio-weapons
• 4x Acolyte Hybrid
◦ 1x Cult Icon
◦ 4x Cult claws and knife
◦ 2x Demolition charges
◦ 1x Hand flamer
• 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 Grenade launcher
◦ 5x Hybrid firearm
◦ 1x Mining laser
◦ 1x Seismic cannon
◦ 1x 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 Grenade launcher
◦ 5x Hybrid firearm
◦ 1x Mining laser
◦ 1x Seismic cannon
◦ 1x Webber
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Demolition charge cache
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Twin autocannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Demolition charge cache
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Twin autocannon
• 2x Achilles Ridgerunner
◦ 2x Armoured hull
◦ 2x Heavy mining laser
◦ 2x Spotter
◦ 2x Twin heavy stubber
• 2x Achilles Ridgerunner
◦ 2x Armoured hull
◦ 2x Heavy mining laser
◦ 2x Spotter
◦ 2x Twin heavy stubber
• 2x Achilles Ridgerunner
◦ 2x Armoured hull
◦ 2x Heavy mining laser
◦ 2x Spotter
◦ 2x Twin heavy stubber
• 4x Atalan Jackal
◦ 2x Atalan power weapon
◦ 3x Atalan small arms
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Grenade launcher
• 1x Atalan Wolfquad
◦ 1x Atalan incinerator
◦ 1x Atalan small arms
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Atalan Jackal
◦ 2x Atalan power weapon
◦ 3x Atalan small arms
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Grenade launcher
• 1x Atalan Wolfquad
◦ 1x Atalan incinerator
◦ 1x Atalan small arms
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Atalan Jackal
◦ 2x Atalan power weapon
◦ 3x Atalan small arms
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Grenade launcher
• 1x Atalan Wolfquad
◦ 1x Atalan incinerator
◦ 1x Atalan small arms
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Clearance incinerator
• 1x Demolition charge cache
• 1x Drilldozer blade
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Clearance incinerator
• 1x Demolition charge cache
• 1x Drilldozer blade
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Clearance incinerator
• 1x Demolition charge cache
• 1x Drilldozer blade
• 1x Heavy stubber
Archetype
Mechanised Claw
Thoughts
To round out the top four we’ve got a return of the Outlander Claw, going for the classic combination of guns on trucks and extreme Primary denial capability. Like many post-Dataslate GSC builds, Gabriel has dialed back on volume of Battleline Infantry, as you can now plan around a predictable quantity of revivals, which is powerful for a list aiming to manage the opponents scoreline very aggressively. It also frees up points for more raw power – maximum Ridgerunners and Rockgrinders, which is enough firepower that opponents have to respect this as a serious shooting list, not just plan for the standard cult shenanigans. Good to see a souped up version of a classic doing work, great stuff from Gabriel.
The Best of the Rest
This event was doing true 20-0 placings, so I’m just going to cover the rest of the top eight. Sorry to the pair of 4-1 players who managed to fire themselves 10 places deep into the 3-2 bracket somehow.
- 5th – Wiktor Schmidt – Aeldari (Ghosts of the Webway): Two big Troupes with a Shadowseer and Troupe Master (Infiltrating and throwing out Charge Mortals respectively) as major hammers, Asurmen with some Avengers in the Falcon for attrition and a big once-per-game punch, more small Troupes in boats, and then maximum Swooping Hawks for massive Mortal Wound output.
- 6th – Grzegorz Wąs – Genestealer Cults (Biosanctic Broodsurge): All the melee pressure fun of Broodsurge with a couple of Rockgrinders added over additional Ridgerunners as more durable on-board pieces. Gut punching elves at speed is definitely a way to fight them, so there could be some real mileage here (and indeed Grzegorz went 2-1 into Aeldari, including beating Marcin’s second place list).
- 7th – Maciej Pająk – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-rounder combined arms Liberator with all the Bangles classics.
- 8th – WarBrother – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): The arms race toward decent D1 indirect continues apace here with the surprise return of Hive Guard, which does seem distressingly plausible if Aeldari and Bridgehead are getting you down. Termagants and big shooty bugs provide screening and heavier lifting respectively.
Dark Sphere February 40k GT
61-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on February 15 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Gustavo José Branco Varandas de Sousa – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Astra Militarum CHARACTERS Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 Points) Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (95 Points) Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 Points) Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 Points) Tank Commander (225 Points) Tank Commander (225 Points) Ursula Creed (55 Points) BATTLELINE Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 Points) Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 Points) Tempestus Scions (120 Points) Tempestus Scions (120 Points) Tempestus Scions (120 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Taurox (65 Points) Taurox (65 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Field Ordnance Battery (100 Points) Heavy Weapons Squad (50 Points) Heavy Weapons Squad (50 Points) Kasrkin (110 Points) Kasrkin (110 Points) Tempestus Aquilons (110 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (3), Data Version: v569
Bridgehead strike (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
• 1x Tempestor Prime
• Warlord
◦ 1x Command Rod
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
◦ Enhancements: Bombast-class Vox-array
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Hot-shot volley gun
◦ 1x Master Vox
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime
◦ 1x Command Rod
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
• 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
• 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 Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher battle cannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher battle cannon
• 1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Lascannon
• 2x Multi-melta
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
• 1x Power weapon
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Flamer
◦ 7x Lasgun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Flamer
◦ 7x Lasgun
◦ 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
• 9x Tempestus Scion
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 2x Hot-shot volley gun
◦ 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 Armoured tracks
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Twin autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Twin autocannon
• 2x Ordnance Team
◦ 2x Battery close combat weapons
◦ 2x Bombast field gun
◦ 2x Lasgun
◦ 2x Laspistol
• 3x Heavy Weapon Team
◦ 3x Las small arms
◦ 3x Mortar
◦ 3x Weapons team close combat weapons
• 3x Heavy Weapon Team
◦ 3x Las small arms
◦ 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 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 Plasma carbine
• 1x Gunfighter
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine
Archetype
All-rounder Bridgehead
Thoughts
Bridgehead goes from strength-to-strength right now, with the double Tank Commander variant we see here continuing to be my favourite, especially on UKTC terrain that rewards flank shooting threats (though the weakening of demo cannons in the Guard codex could shift that a little). Current builds are also going ever harder on indirect, as seen here with both Mortars and a FOB, which help in both the mirror and against the Aeldari menace. If you’re an elf hater and wants them to stumble rather than conquer the metagame this is definitely the build you’re rooting for, as the sheer volume of Deep Strike power with Indirect backing is a genuine challenge for fragile, elite builds to handle. It does, also, continue to have the power to take on all-comers, as Gustavo demomstrated here!
Jak Payne – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 3x Marneus Calgar (200 pts): Warlord 5x Assault Intercessor Squad (75 pts) 5x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 pts)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Ultramarines
+ DETACHMENT: Gladius Task Force
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Marneus Calgar
+ ENHANCEMENT: The Honour Vehement (on Char1: Captain)
& Artificer Armour (on Char2: Captain in Gravis Armour)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 18
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (6×2) – Assassination: 5 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
• 1x Marneus Calgar: Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard: 2 with Victrix Power Sword
Char2: 1x Captain (95 pts): Bolt Pistol, Master-crafted Bolter, Power Fist
Enhancement: The Honour Vehement (+15 pts)
Char3: 1x Captain in Gravis Armour (90 pts): Boltstorm Gauntlet, Power Fist, Relic Blade
Enhancement: Artificer Armour (+10 pts)
Char4: 1x Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 pts): Combi-weapon, Paired Combat Blades
Char5: 1x Techmarine (55 pts): Forge Bolter, Grav-pistol, Omnissian Power Axe, Servo-arm
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant: Hand Flamer, Power Fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors: 4 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Pack
3 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol
1 with Astartes Chainsword, Plasma Pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack: Hand Flamer, Power Fist
5x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 pts)
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Pack
3 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol
1 with Astartes Chainsword, Plasma Pistol
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack: Hand Flamer, Power Fist
4x Company Heroes (95 pts)
• 2x Company Veteran
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Master-crafted Bolt Rifle
1 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Master-crafted Heavy Bolter, Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Ancient: Bolt Pistol, Bolt Rifle, Close Combat Weapon
• 1x Company Champion: Bolt Pistol, Master-crafted Power Weapon
5x Infiltrator Squad (100 pts)
• 4x Infiltrator: 4 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
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
1x Ballistus Dreadnought (130 pts): Armoured Feet, Ballistus Lascannon, Ballistus Missile Launcher, Twin Storm Bolter
1x Ballistus Dreadnought (130 pts): Armoured Feet, Ballistus Lascannon, Ballistus Missile Launcher, Twin Storm Bolter
1x Gladiator Reaper (160 pts): Armoured Hull, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, 2x Tempest Bolter, Twin Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon
1x Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 pts): Close Combat Weapon, Hammerstrike Missile Launcher, 2x Krakstorm Grenade Launcher, Melta Destroyer
1x Vindicator (175 pts): Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter
1x Vindicator (175 pts): Armoured Tracks, Demolisher Cannon, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter
Archetype
Calgar Gun Club
Thoughts
Stacking up lots of shooting hulls as Ultramarines also continues to be very strong, though this build breaks from the norm by leaving Guilliman at home, instead building in more go-wide scoring/melee counterpunch units, and an extra utility piece in the extra tough Gravis Captain. If Bridgehead and Aeldari are your main worries, I can certainly see the argument for favouring extra redundancy and board coverage over raw killing power (there’s still more than enough here), particularly on UKTC terrain, and I’ll be interested to see if we get more people trying this version – I suspect it’ll depend on how much of a presence Daemons and Knights end up being as things settle down. Congratulations to Jak on undefeated second place.
Vincent Stein – Orks (War Horde) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Orks CHARACTERS Beastboss (80 Points) Beastboss (80 Points) Ghazghkull Thraka (235 Points) Warboss (100 Points) Warboss (75 Points) BATTLELINE Beast Snagga Boyz (95 Points) Beast Snagga Boyz (95 Points) Boyz (160 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Trukk (65 Points) Trukk (65 Points) Trukk (65 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Battlewagon (160 Points) Breaka Boyz (140 Points) Flash Gitz (80 Points) Flash Gitz (80 Points) Gretchin (40 Points) Gretchin (40 Points) Gretchin (40 Points) Meganobz (70 Points) Nobz (105 Points) Stormboyz (65 Points) Stormboyz (65 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (3), Data Version: v569
Orkliedekop (2000 Points)
War Horde
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
• 1x Beastchoppa
• 1x Shoota
• 1x Beast Snagga klaw
• 1x Beastchoppa
• 1x Shoota
• 1x Ghazghkull Thraka
• Warlord
◦ 1x Gork’s Klaw
◦ 1x Mork’s Roar
• 1x Makari
◦ 1x Makari’s stabba
• 1x Attack squig
• 1x Kombi-weapon
• 1x Power klaw
• 1x Twin sluggas
• Enhancements: Follow Me Ladz
• 1x Attack squig
• 1x Kombi-weapon
• 1x Power klaw
• 1x Twin sluggas
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
◦ 9x Choppa
◦ 9x Slugga
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
◦ 1x Power snappa
◦ 1x Slugga
• 9x Beast Snagga Boy
◦ 9x Choppa
◦ 9x Slugga
• 1x Beast Snagga Nob
◦ 1x Power snappa
◦ 1x Slugga
• 19x Boy
◦ 19x Choppa
◦ 19x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Power klaw
◦ 1x Slugga
• 1x Big shoota
• 1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Big shoota
• 1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Big shoota
• 1x Spiked wheels
• 4x Big shoota
• 1x Deff rolla
• 1x Grabbin’ klaw
• 1x Lobba
• 1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x ‘Ard Case
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Choppa
◦ 1x Rokkit pistol
◦ 1x Smash hammer
• 5x Breaka Boy
◦ 4x Smash hammer
◦ 1x Tankhammer
• 1x Kaptin
◦ 1x Choppa
◦ 1x Snazzgun
• 4x Flash Git
◦ 4x Choppa
◦ 4x Snazzgun
• 1x Kaptin
◦ 1x Choppa
◦ 1x Snazzgun
• 4x Flash Git
◦ 4x Choppa
◦ 4x Snazzgun
• 10x Gretchin
◦ 10x Close combat weapon
◦ 10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
◦ 1x Runtherd tools
◦ 1x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
◦ 10x Close combat weapon
◦ 10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
◦ 1x Runtherd tools
◦ 1x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
◦ 10x Close combat weapon
◦ 10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
◦ 1x Runtherd tools
◦ 1x Slugga
• 2x Meganob
◦ 2x Killsaw
◦ 2x Power klaw
• 1x Ammo Runt
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Power klaw
◦ 1x Slugga
• 4x Nob
◦ 4x Power klaw
◦ 4x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
◦ 4x Choppa
◦ 4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Power klaw
◦ 1x Slugga
• 4x Stormboy
◦ 4x Choppa
◦ 4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Power klaw
◦ 1x Slugga
Archetype
Go fast and krump things
Thoughts
Look, sometimes you’ve just got to drive straight at the enemy and start punching. It’s almost always at least a semi-viable strategy for Orks, and right now seems pretty solid – no one likes dealing with that much pressure, and lists that have focused too much on shooting or techy scoring pieces are going to get overwhelmed. Good job Vincent.
Alaeze Ugoala – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 1x Captain (105 pts): Power Fist, Plasma Pistol 5x Assault Intercessor Squad (75 pts) 5x Deathwatch Terminator Squad (180 pts) Char5: 1x Inquisitor (55 pts): Force weapon, Combi-weapon, Psychic gifts
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Deathwatch
+ DETACHMENT: Black Spear Task Force
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Captain in Gravis Armour
+ ENHANCEMENT: Thief of Secrets (on Char1: Captain)
& The Tome of Ectoclades (on Char2: Captain in Gravis Armour)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (3×2) – Assassination: 5 Characters – Cull The Horde: 2×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Enhancement: Thief of Secrets (+25 pts)
Char2: 1x Captain in Gravis Armour (110 pts): Warlord, Boltstorm Gauntlet, Power Fist, Relic Blade
Enhancement: The Tome of Ectoclades (+30 pts)
Char3: 1x Librarian (65 pts): Bolt Pistol, Force Weapon, Smite
Char4: 1x Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 pts): Combi-weapon, Paired Combat Blades
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant: Plasma Pistol, Power Fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors: 4 with Astartes Chainsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol
• 4x Deathwatch Terminator
1 with Power Fist, Storm Bolter
3 with Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter & Power Fist, Cyclone Missile Launcher
• 1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant: Power Fist, Storm Bolter
5x Deathwatch Terminator Squad (180 pts)
• 4x Deathwatch Terminator
1 with Power Fist, Storm Bolter
3 with Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter & Power Fist, Cyclone Missile Launcher
• 1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant: Power Fist, Storm Bolter
5x Incursor Squad (80 pts)
• 4x Incursor
3 with Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades
1 with Haywire Mine, Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades
• 1x Incursor Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades
10x Indomitor Kill Team (270 pts)
2 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
2 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Deathwatch heavy bolter
2 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Melta rifle
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Multi-melta
3 with Flamestorm gauntlets, Twin power fists
10x Indomitor Kill Team (270 pts)
2 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle
2 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Deathwatch heavy bolter
2 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Melta rifle
1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Multi-melta
3 with Flamestorm gauntlets, Twin power fists
5x Infiltrator Squad (100 pts)
• 4x Infiltrator
2 with Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
1 with Infiltrator Comms Array, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
1 with Helix Gauntlet, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Marksman Bolt Carbine
5x Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 pts)
• 4x Sternguard Veteran
3 with Close Combat Weapon, Sternguard Bolt Pistol, Sternguard Bolt Rifle
1 with 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 Ballistus Dreadnought (130 pts): Armoured Feet, Ballistus Lascannon, Ballistus Missile Launcher, Twin Storm Bolter
1x Ballistus Dreadnought (130 pts): Armoured Feet, Ballistus Lascannon, Ballistus Missile Launcher, Twin Storm Bolter
1x Impulsor (80 pts): Armoured Hull, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Bellicatus Missile Array, 2x Storm Bolter
Archetype
Grindy Deathwatch
Thoughts
Rounding out the top four we’ve got a very grindy Black Spear Task Force build, doubling up on Indomitor teams and adding Terminators to create a solid heavy infantry core, and supplementing that with small utility pieces and some Ballistus Dreads. Adding the Dreads on top of a unit of Infiltrators lets you solidly wall out the backfield, meaning that any time the grindy shooting opens up space you can afford to teleport one of the Kill Teams forward, gradually closing the noose on the foe. Deathwatch also help some common Marine choices go the extra mile – Assault Intercessors with a Captain are especially nasty with the Thief of Secrets, while being able to Teleport a Librarian/Sternguard squad makes them a good scalpel for when something that’s especially vulnerable to Devastating Wounds needs to die. A daunting and powerful build overall, well done to Alaeze on taking fourth place.
The Best of the Rest
There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Tim Lowes – Aeldari (Seer Council): A mind-bending MSU Seer Council list with lots of Phoenix Lords and a few larger threats, specifically a big Dragon unit and a squad of six Windriders as a Strat Reserve threat.
- 6th – Ranchen Li – Death Guard: Extra crunchy hull Death Guard with Destructors, PBCs and Brigands, all led by Mortarion.
- 7th – Aidan Brocklehurst – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Oathed up not-Blood Angels with a mix of shooty hulls and MSUs.
- 8th – Charles Holland – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash favouring the shootier end of things, plus scoring from lots of Lictors and some cheap Infantry units.
- 9th – Samuel Martin – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Lots of Battleline Skitarii (some in boats), a big squad each of Ironstriders, Ruststalkers and Breachers as alpha units, then many elite Skitarii MSUs for scoring and harrassment.
- 10th – Alun Perkins – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Speedy Shield Host with 2×2 bikes and 2×3 Venatari.
- 11th – Jordan Penning – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): A spin on Vanguard that cuts the Centurions in favour of Sternguard as a much cheaper teleporting threat, and blows the leftover points on hulls.
- 12th – Oliver Misick – Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Herohammer-heavy Taktikal Brigade that finally lives the dream of Infiltrating a Squigosaur.
WARZONE WELLINGTON 2025
42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand on February 14 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Courtney Thomson – Imperial Agents (Imperialis Fleet) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Imperial Agents CHARACTERS Culexus Assassin (100 points) Eversor Assassin (110 points) Inquisitor (70 points) Inquisitor (55 points) Inquisitor Draxus (75 points) Rogue Trader Entourage (85 points) Watch Master (115 points) BATTLELINE Deathwatch Kill Team (200 points) Imperial Navy Breachers (90 points) Imperial Navy Breachers (90 points) Imperial Navy Breachers (90 points) Imperial Navy Breachers (90 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Imperial Rhino (75 points) Imperial Rhino (75 points) Imperial Rhino (75 points) Sisters of Battle Immolator (100 points) Sisters of Battle Immolator (100 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Sisters of Battle Squad (100 points) Subductor Squad (85 points) Subductor Squad (85 points) Subductor Squad (85 points) Voidsmen-at-Arms (50 points)
Kill Teams, Assemble!
Strike Force (2000 points)
Imperialis Fleet
• 1x Animus speculum
1x Life-draining touch
• 1x Executioner pistol
1x Power sword and neuro gauntlet
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Force weapon
1x Psychic Gifts
1x Psychic Shock Wave
• Enhancement: Clandestine Operation
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Force weapon
1x Psychic Gifts
1x Psychic Shock Wave
• 1x Dirgesinger
1x Power fist
1x Psychic Tempest
• 1x Rogue Trader
• Warlord
• 1x Household pistol
1x Monomolecular cane-rapier
• Enhancement: Combat Landers
• 1x Death Cult Assassin
• 1x Dartmask
1x Death Cult power blade
• 1x Lectro‐Maester
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Voltaic pistol
• 1x Rejuvenat Adept
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Healing serum
1x Laspistol
• 1x Vigil spear
• Enhancement: Digital Weapons
• 1x Watch Sergeant
• 1x Astartes shield
1x Xenophase blade
• 9x Deathwatch Veterans
• 1x Astartes shield
4x Close combat weapon
4x Deathwatch thunder hammer
2x Frag cannon
2x Infernus heavy bolter
1x Power weapon
• 1x Navis Sergeant-at-Arms
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Navis shotgun
• 9x Navis Armsman
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charge
1x Endurant Shield
1x Navis heavy shotgun
1x Navis las-volley
7x Navis shotgun
• 1x Navis Sergeant-at-Arms
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Navis shotgun
• 9x Navis Armsman
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charge
1x Endurant Shield
1x Navis heavy shotgun
1x Navis las-volley
7x Navis shotgun
• 1x Navis Sergeant-at-Arms
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Power weapon
• 9x Navis Armsman
• 2x Autopistol
1x Chainfist
9x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charge
1x Endurant Shield
1x Meltagun
1x Navis heavy shotgun
5x Navis shotgun
1x Power weapon
• 1x Navis Sergeant-at-Arms
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Power weapon
• 9x Navis Armsman
• 2x Autopistol
1x Chainfist
9x Close combat weapon
1x Demolition charge
1x Endurant Shield
1x Meltagun
1x Navis heavy shotgun
5x Navis shotgun
1x Power weapon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta
• 1x Sister Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-weapon
1x Power weapon
• 9x Battle Sister
• 9x Bolt pistol
7x Boltgun
9x Close combat weapon
1x Meltagun
1x Multi-melta
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
• 1x Proctor-Subductor
• 1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Nuncio-acquila
1x Shock maul
• 9x Subductor
• 9x Arbites shotpistol
9x Shock maul
• 1x Cyber-mastiff
• 1x Mechanical bite
• 1x Proctor-Subductor
• 1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Nuncio-acquila
1x Shock maul
• 9x Subductor
• 9x Arbites shotpistol
9x Shock maul
• 1x Cyber-mastiff
• 1x Mechanical bite
• 1x Proctor-Subductor
• 1x Arbites shotpistol
1x Nuncio-acquila
1x Shock maul
• 9x Subductor
• 9x Arbites shotpistol
9x Shock maul
• 1x Cyber-mastiff
• 1x Mechanical bite
• 1x Voidmaster
• 1x Artificer shotgun
1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 4x Voidsman
• 4x Close combat weapon
3x Lasgun
4x Laspistol
1x Voidsman rotor cannon
• 1x Canid
• 1x Vicious bite
Archetype
Imperial Fleet Score Horde
Thoughts
Hell yeah someone actually went and pulled it off. Imperialis Fleet provides Imperial Agents with a solid plan to actually win games – heavy access to Infiltrate lets them put down early pressure, Combat Landers and Acquire at All Costs give them good scoring depth, and Displacer Field lets their key units get out of dodge at critical moments. Layering that on top of the baseline depth of bodies that Agents can put down, plus lots of pocket Battle-shock tests from the Subductors, provides a route to substantially out-score opponents, even if you’ll rarely smash them off the board. Adding extra Rhinos for a bit of defence in depth seems good with Bridgehead around as well – I’d be a bit worried about getting hosed off the board on an alpha turn otherwise. Ultra cool to see someone pull this off, huge props to Courtney!
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Alastair Helm – Dark Angels (Stormlance Task Force): The Lion and Deathwing Knights charging forward, with Samael and a small Outrider unit providing a supporting surgical strike.
- 3rd – Steve Joll – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): AN Atrapos and many Armigers.
- 4th – Sean Sullivan – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): A big Indomitor, Talonstrike and Veterans unit each as big hitters with supporting Terminator MSUs and Infiltrators.
- 5th – Michael Stewart – Ultramarines (Stormlance Task Force): Stormlance Bobby G Gunclub with the John Lennon Stormraven special.
- 6th – Haydn Korach – Death Guard (Plague Company): Hull-tastic Death Guard with Daemon Engines, Destructors and Brigands galore.
- 7th – Matthew Searle – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike): Infantry spam Bridgehead with a unit of Rough Riders as a melee counterpunch.
Down Under 40k February Dawnbringer GT
38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Beresfield, NSW, Australia on February 14 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Woody Wu – Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Harald Deathwolf (85 Points) Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 Points) Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (80 Points) Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (80 Points) Wolf Guard Battle Leader on Thunderwolf (80 Points) Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (125 Points) BATTLELINE Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Scout Squad (70 Points) Scout Squad (70 Points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (240 Points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (120 Points) Thunderwolf Cavalry (120 Points) Wulfen (95 Points) Wulfen (190 Points) Wulfen (190 Points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (100 Points) Culexus Assassin (100 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (3), Data Version: v569
New wolf jail (2000 Points)
Space Wolves
Stormlance Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
• 1x Glacius
• Warlord
• 1x Flurry of teeth and claws
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x The Axe Morkai
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
• 1x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
• 1x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
• 1x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Crushing teeth and claws
• 1x Relic Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancements: Fury of the Storm
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Thunder hammer
• 4x Assault Intercessor
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol
• 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
• 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
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
◦ 1x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 1x Heirloom weapon
◦ 1x Storm Shield
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
◦ 5x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 5x Heirloom weapon
◦ 5x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
◦ 1x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 1x Heirloom weapon
◦ 1x Storm Shield
• 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry
◦ 2x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 2x Heirloom weapon
◦ 2x Storm Shield
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
◦ 1x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 1x Heirloom weapon
◦ 1x Storm Shield
• 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry
◦ 2x Crushing teeth and claws
◦ 2x Heirloom weapon
◦ 2x Storm Shield
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
◦ 1x Storm Shield
◦ 1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
◦ 1x Wulfen hammer
• 4x Wulfen
◦ 4x Storm Shield
◦ 4x Stormfrag auto-launcher
◦ 4x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
◦ 1x Storm Shield
◦ 1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
◦ 1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
◦ 9x Storm Shield
◦ 9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
◦ 9x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
◦ 1x Storm Shield
◦ 1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
◦ 1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
◦ 9x Storm Shield
◦ 9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
◦ 9x Wulfen hammer
• 1x Neural shredder
• 1x Phase sword and poison blades
• 1x Animus speculum
• 1x Life-draining touch
Archetype
Wolf Jail
Thoughts
Somehow, we are still doing this, albeit with slightly fewer wolves, and many Wulfen. For what it’s worth, I like that as a choice in the metagame – Wulfen feel very good into Aeldari of pretty much any flavour, and reducing the number of eggs you have concentrated in a small number of baskets helps into Taktikal Brigade and Bridgehead. Good choices, well rewarded, strong stuff from Woody.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Jordan Duchatel – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Doomsday and Silent King core with utility MSUs in support.
- 3rd – Christopher Wright – Aeldari (Warhost): Big squads of Reapers and Dire Avengers (with an Autarch and Asurmen) in Wave Serpents backed up by loads of Aspect MSUs.
- 4th – Tyler Visser – Genestealer Cult (Final Day): All-arounder Final Day with Purestrains and Hybrid Metamorphs for pressure, GSC hulls for shooting, and speedy bugs for buffing.
- 5th – Ben Smith – T’au Empire (Auxiliary Cadre): Missile Fireknifes (plus one Starscythe unit), Hammerheads and a pair of Broadsides to deal damage, Rampagers, Hounds and Vespid to switch on the bonuses.
- 6th – Ryan Duchatel – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): I can’t believe it’s not Blood Angels with melee MSUs, Ballistus and Vindicators.
- 7th – Brodie Middleton – Aeldari (Warhost): 20 Reapers in Wave Serpents and lots of Aspect MSUs.
Wrap Up
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