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.

Welcome back to the second instalment of this week’s Competitive Innovations. Tom’s out this week, so you get hard-hitting analysis from me (Robert “TheChirurgeon” Jones) instead. Wings already covered the first half of this week’s events, which included a look at the new Aeldari lists making a splash with the new book. We’ll see more of that in the coming weeks as more events allow the new Eldar book, but for now there’s a lot of everything else still to look at and while there’s certainly some very nasty bullshit in the new Elf book on the whole I think a lot of these lists are going to be OK. In part because they need toning down themselves.

Warhammer World Grand Tournament

62-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on February 15 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Stephen Box – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 1st Place

Custodes Vertus Praetors. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

(2000 Points)

Adeptus Custodes
Shield Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Blade Champion (110 Points)
• 1x Vaultswords

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (165 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Interceptor lance
• 1x Vertus hurricane bolter
• Enhancements: Panoptispex

Shield-Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike (160 Points)
• 1x Interceptor lance
• 1x Vertus hurricane bolter

BATTLELINE

Custodian Guard (180 Points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
◦ 2x Guardian spear
◦ 1x Misericordia
◦ 2x Praesidium Shield
◦ 1x Sentinel blade
◦ 1x Vexilla

OTHER DATASHEETS

Allarus Custodians (195 Points)
• 3x Allarus Custodian
◦ 3x Balistus grenade launcher
◦ 3x Guardian spear

Venatari Custodians (165 Points)
• 3x Venatari Custodian
◦ 3x Venatari lance

Venatari Custodians (330 Points)
• 6x Venatari Custodian
◦ 1x Kinetic destroyer
◦ 1x Tarsis buckler
◦ 5x Venatari lance

Vertus Praetors (150 Points)
• 2x Vertus Praetor
◦ 2x Interceptor lance
◦ 2x Vertus hurricane bolter

Witchseekers (50 Points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
◦ 3x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Witchseeker flamer

Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (3), Data Version: v569

Archetype

Shield Host (no vehicle) Custodes

Thoughts

The Custodes continue to fly under the radar as one of the game’s strongest armies – they’re sitting at a 58% win rate for big events and a 1.24 TiWP ratio. And while they certainly got a boost from Solar Spearhead – four out of the five players to score a TiWP with the faction this week were running Spearhead – they’re still more than capable of doling out event wins with an infantry-heavy build, as Stephen Box shows. Stephen’s been chipping away at the GT problem with Shield Host for a few weeks now (though he isn’t alone), and put up a 5-1 result last week at Beachhead Brawl and a 5-0 result at a teams event two weeks ago.

The big difference between this list and that fifth-place list that lost to Legion of Excess last week? Stephen swapped in a single Battline unit (Four Custodian Guard) and more Jetbikes, going lighter on Wardens. The result is a list that’s much faster (and better at scoring and screening), and the bikes more than make up for the loss of durability you get from dropping the Wardens. Grey Knights might have been a tougher matchup for Stephen, but his round 5 opponent was Anthony Ambrose’s Retaliation Cadre T’au.

Kian Tan – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Grey Knights Nemesis Dreadknights. Credit: Colin Ward

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Grey Knights
+ DETACHMENT: Warpbane Task Force
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ ALLIED UNITS: Agents of the Imperium
+
+ WARLORD: Char3: Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight
+ ENHANCEMENT: Radiant Champion (on Char1: Brotherhood Techmarine)
& Paragon of Sanctity (on Char3: Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 14
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (5×2) – Assassination: 5 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Brother-Captain Stern (90 pts): Nemesis Force Sword, Storm Bolter

Char2: 1x Brotherhood Techmarine (85 pts): Flamer, Omnissian Power Axe, Plasma Cutter, Servo-arms, Boltgun
Enhancement: Radiant Champion (+15 pts)

Char3: 1x Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (210 pts): Warlord, Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Gatling Psilencer, Heavy Psycannon

Char4: 1x Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (220 pts): Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Gatling Psilencer, Heavy Psycannon
Enhancement: Paragon of Sanctity (+10 pts)

5x Strike Squad (120 pts)
• 4x Grey Knight: 4 with Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter
• 1x Justicar: Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter

5x Interceptor Squad (130 pts)
• 4x Interceptor: 4 with Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter
• 1x Justicar: Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter

5x Purgation Squad (120 pts)
• 1x Justicar: Nemesis Force Weapon, Storm Bolter
• 4x Purgator: 4 with Close combat weapon, Psycannon

5x Purifier Squad (125 pts)
• 4x Purifier
2 with Nemesis Force Weapon, Purifying Flame, Storm Bolter
2 with Close combat weapon, Incinerator, Purifying Flame
• 1x Knight of the Flame: Nemesis Force Weapon, Purifying Flame, Storm Bolter
4x Servitors (50 pts)
• 2x Servitor with Multi Melta: 2 with Multi-melta, Servitor’s tools
• 2x Servitor with Servo Arm: 2 with Servo arm

1x Nemesis Dreadknight (210 pts): Nemesis Daemon Greathammer, Heavy Incinerator, Heavy Psycannon

Char5: 1x Callidus Assassin (100 pts): Neural shredder, Phase sword and poison blades

Archetype

5 Dreadknight Warpbane Grey Knights

Thoughts

Boy it sure is cool that you can take five or six Dreadknights in a Grey Knights list. I hate seeing all those infantry on the table, too. The play here is to basically throw out as many heavy psycannon shots as you can, while being buffed by a circle of Infantry – being wholly within 6″ of a Purifier Squad gives you full re-rolls to hit. It’s a nasty list that can fall back and shoot and charge with its vehicles and provides a rough stat check while also being able to casually fire through walls.

Jack Painter – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 3rd Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Editor’s note: Nice try. That meme is so three years ago.

Death Guard
Plague Company
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Foul Blightspawn (60 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Plague sprayer

Lord of Contagion (90 Points)
• 1x Plagueblade
• Enhancements: The Droning (Aura)

Malignant Plaguecaster (65 Points)
• 1x Corrupted staff
• 1x Plague Wind
• 1x Plague bolt pistol

Mortarion (300 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Rotwind
• 1x Silence
• 1x The Lantern

Typhus (80 Points)
• 1x Master-crafted manreaper

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (180 Points)
• 1x Plague Champion
◦ 1x Heavy plague weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 9x Plague Marine
◦ 2x Blight launcher
◦ 4x Heavy plague weapon
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 9x Plague knives
◦ 1x Plague spewer
◦ 1x Plasma gun

OTHER DATASHEETS

Blightlord Terminators (310 Points)
• 1x Blightlord Champion
◦ 1x Bubotic blade
◦ 1x Combi-weapon
• 9x Blightlord Terminator
◦ 2x Blight launcher
◦ 7x Bubotic blade
◦ 3x Combi-weapon
◦ 2x Flail of corruption
◦ 2x Plague spewer

Blightlord Terminators (155 Points)
• 1x Blightlord Champion
◦ 1x Bubotic blade
◦ 1x Combi-weapon
• 4x Blightlord Terminator
◦ 1x Blight launcher
◦ 3x Bubotic blade
◦ 2x Combi-weapon
◦ 1x Flail of corruption

Deathshroud Terminators (220 Points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
◦ 1x Manreaper
◦ 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
◦ 5x Manreaper
◦ 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Plagueburst Crawler (180 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 2x Entropy cannon
• 1x Heavy slugger
• 1x Plagueburst mortar

Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (3), Data Version: v569

Archetype

Terminator-Heavy (Blightlords!) Death Guard

Thoughts

In an interesting twist, the third place list at the event is Kian’s Death Guard list, running a 10-man brick of Blightlord Terminators, plus another five and six Deathshroud. Blightlords have a bit of a bad rep in 40k right now, owing in large part to the fact that they don’t have much in the way of 2-damage attacks; you just get the two Flails in a 10-model unit, and those are AP-1. They attempt to make up for this by being more of a shooting unit – Blistering Fusillade gives them the ability to re-roll wound rolls of 1 against the closest eligible target when shooting, letting them put in some work with Plague Spewers (which are Anti-Infantry 2+). They get a lot of help here from having a Lord of Contagion attached to them to give them re-rolls to hit in melee and the ten-model brick is just a super durable unit. And you can swap in Typhus to lead them as needed if you think they’ll be up against a melee threat, since his -1 to hit in melee stacks with the Skullsquirm Blight contagion (-1 WS/BS) to make the unit impossible to take down.

Stefan Donovan – Ultramarines (Anvil Siege Force) – 4th Place

Rainbow Warriors Invader ATV by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Forge Wardens (ASF) (1995 points)

Space Marines
Ultramarines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Anvil Siege Force

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (100 points)
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
1x Power fist
1x Relic blade
• Enhancement: Indomitable Fury

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

Roboute Guilliman (345 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
1x Hand of Dominion

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
• 4x Astartes chainsword
3x Heavy bolt pistol
1x Plasma pistol

Ballistus Dreadnought (130 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter

Desolation Squad (200 points)
• 1x Desolation Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Castellan launcher
1x Close combat weapon
1x Vengor launcher
• 4x Desolation Marine
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Castellan launcher
4x Close combat weapon
4x Superkrak rocket launcher

Inceptor Squad (120 points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon

Infiltrator Squad (100 points)
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Helix Gauntlet
1x Infiltrator Comms Array
4x Marksman bolt carbine

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

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

Vindicator (175 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (71), Data Version: v569

Archetype

Double Vindicator, Double Oaths

Thoughts

The buff to Guilliman was a mistake, as it immediately made it unlikely you’d ever see anything but Ultramarines running in the “basic marines” slot, no matter how cute they got with the buffs to other chapters’ characters. The net result has been Space Marines absolutely dominating with ranged armies, using a healthy mix of Ballistus Dreadnoughts, Vindicators, and, in recent twists, Desolators, whose indirect fire will be helpful against Aeldari and Astra Militarum armies.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th – Richard Lloyd – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Surprisingly vehicle-heavy to support Dante and friends. Plus a Suppressor Squad!
6th – Kyle Naisbitt – Death Guard (Plague Company): Three units of Plague Marines supported by Characters, plus Typhus and a 20-model brick of Poxwalkers.
7th – Stuart Manks – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess): This undefeated (3-0-1) list ran Legion of Excess, passing the buck from Keepers to Daemonettes.
8th – Stuart Harris – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): Another Shield Host army nearly makes the grade, this time running two Caladius tanks.
9th – Anthony Ambrose – T’au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): The list that lost to Box in the final round, running oops! all Battlesuits.
10th – Joseph Reed – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): The third x-1 Custodes list, running heavier on Jetbikes than you’d expect, plus three Dreadnoughts.
11th – Jon Swarbrick – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Surprisingly Guilliman-free Ultramarines, using Ventris and Calgar, plus a lot of movement tricks.

40K Okeanos rising GT

49-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Vestland, Norge on February 15 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Emil Sæternes – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead) – 1st Place

Telemon Heavy Dreadnought. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Custodes
+ DETACHMENT: Solar Spearhead
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Blade Champion
+ ENHANCEMENT: Adamantine Talisman (on Char1: Blade Champion)
& Augury Uplink (on Vehi3: Telemon Heavy Dreadnought)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 12
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (8×2) – Assassination: 2 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Blade Champion (135 pts): Warlord, Vaultswords
Enhancement: Adamantine Talisman (+25 pts)

4x Custodian Wardens (200 pts)
• 3x Custodian Warden (Guardian Spear): 3 with Guardian Spear
• 1x Custodian Warden: Vexilla, Guardian Spear

4x Prosecutors (40 pts)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior: Boltgun, Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor: 3 with Boltgun, Close combat weapon

1x Caladius Grav-tank (215 pts): Armoured hull, Twin lastrum bolt cannon, Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon

Char2: 1x Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (240 pts): Armoured feet, Augury Uplink, Spiculus bolt launcher, Arachnus storm cannon, Telemon Caestus & twin plasma projector

1x Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (215 pts): Armoured feet, Spiculus bolt launcher, Arachnus storm cannon, Telemon Caestus & twin plasma projector

1x Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought (160 pts): Combi-bolter, Contemptor combat weapon, Multi-melta

Archetype

Dreadnought Solar Spearhead

Thoughts

The 21-model Custodes list throws a heavy stat check at opponents, asking if they can handle three Telemons (one of which will have a 5+ Feel No Pain), three Venerable Contemptors, and two Caladius tanks. And the answer will most of the time be “no.” For extra flavor there’s a Blade Champion with Wardens here and two units of Prosecutors for doing actions, holding home, and scoring secondary objectives.

Bjørn Olsen – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Contemptor-Galatus Dreadnought. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Custodes
+ DETACHMENT: Solar Spearhead
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Telemon Heavy Dreadnought
+ ENHANCEMENT: Augury Uplink (on Vehi7: Telemon Heavy Dreadnought)
& Adamantine Talisman (on Vehi8: Telemon Heavy Dreadnought)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 13
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (10×2) – Assassination: 2 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

4x Prosecutors (40 pts)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior: Boltgun, Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor: 3 with Boltgun, Close combat weapon

4x Vigilators (50 pts)
• 1x Vigilator Sister Superior: Executioner greatblade
• 3x Vigilator: 3 with Executioner greatblade

1x Caladius Grav-tank (215 pts): Armoured hull, Twin lastrum bolt cannon, Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon

1x Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought (155 pts): Achillus dreadspear, 2x Infernus incinerator

1x Contemptor-Galatus Dreadnought (165 pts): Galatus warblade

Char1: 1x Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (240 pts): Armoured feet, Augury Uplink, Spiculus bolt launcher, 2x Telemon Caestus & twin plasma projector

Char2: 1x Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (240 pts): Armoured feet, Warlord, Adamantine Talisman, Spiculus bolt launcher, 2x Telemon Caestus & twin plasma projector

1x Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought (160 pts): Combi-bolter, Contemptor combat weapon, Multi-melta

Archetype

Dreadnought Solar Spearhead

Thoughts

I just did this, right? When I was writing this I had to go back several times to make sure I wasn’t crazy. Anyways this list runs Galatus Dreadnoughts over Venerable Contemptors, dropping the Blade Champion and Wardens to free up the extra points.

The Best of the Rest

There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

3rd – Francisco Roque – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors): Very character-heavy Blood Angels with two Vindicators.
4th – Thomas Harkestad – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede): Triple Exocrines, Double Tyrannofex.
5th – Geir Dutta – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Triple Dark Reapers, Double Fire Dragons, with two Wave Serpents full of Howling Banshees and Striking Scorpions. Oh, and three units of Warp Spiders.
6th – Mikael Westbø – T’au Empire (Mont’ka): Breachers in Devilfish supported by Fireknife and Stealth Suits.
7th – Mats Peter Kleven – Blood Angels (Angelic Inheritors): Character-heavy Blood Angels with lots of Jump Infantry.
8th – Mykhailo Liettsev – Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm): Double Exocrine, 1 Psychophage, and a Norn Assimilator.

ForgeFire Winter Open

42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Niles, IL, US on February 15 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Take and Hold – Raise Banners – Tipping Point

Gary Frank – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead)
Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Custodes
+ DETACHMENT: Solar Spearhead
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Telemon Heavy Dreadnought
+ ENHANCEMENT: Adamantine Talisman (on Char1: Blade Champion)
& Augury Uplink (on Vehi3: Telemon Heavy Dreadnought)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 12
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (8×2) – Assassination: 2 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

1x Blade Champion (135 pts)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Adamantine Talisman (+25 pts)

OTHER DATASHEETS

4x Custodian Wardens (200 pts)
• 3x Custodian Warden (Guardian Spear)
• 3x Guardian Spear
• 1x Custodian Warden
• 1x Guardian Spear
• Vexilla

4x Prosecutors (40 pts)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
• 3x Close combat weapon

1x Caladius Grav-tank (215 pts)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon
• 1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon

1x Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (240 pts)
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Warlord
• 1x Augury Uplink
• 1x Spiculus bolt launcher
• 1x Arachnus storm cannon
• 1x Telemon Caestus & twin plasma projector

1x Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (215 pts)
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Spiculus bolt launcher
• 1x Arachnus storm cannon
• 1x Telemon Caestus & twin plasma projector

1x Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought (160 pts)
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Contemptor combat weapon
• 1x Multi-melta

vs.

Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike)
Army List - Click to Expand

“Surely Jordan won’t actually bring 30+ breachers”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Astra Militarum
+ DETACHMENT: Bridgehead Strike
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char5: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad
+ ENHANCEMENT: Shroud Projector (on Char2: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad – Tempestor Prime)
& Bombast-class Vox-array (on Char3: Militarum Tempestus Command Squad – Tempestor Prime)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 24
+ SECONDARY: – Assassination: 7 Characters – Cull The Horde: 1×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Char1: 6x Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 pts)
• 1x Ibram Gaunt
1 with Bolt Pistol, Gaunt’s Chainsword
• 5x Tanith Ghost
1 with Bragg’s autocannon, Straight Silver Knife
1 with Corbec’s Hot-shot Lascarbine, Straight Silver Knife
1 with Larkin’s Long-las, Straight Silver Knife
1 with Lascarbine, Mkoll’s Straight Silver Knife
1 with Rawne’s Lascarbine, Straight Silver Knife

Char2: 1x Ursula Creed (55 pts)
1 with Duty and Vengeance, Power Weapon

Char3: 1x Death Korps Marshal (60 pts)
1 with Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol

Char4: 5x Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 pts)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
1 with Tempestus Dagger
• Command Rod
Enhancement: Shroud Projector (+15 pts)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Medi-pack
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volley Gun

Char5: 5x Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (95 pts)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
1 with Tempestus Dagger, Militarum Tempestus Warlord, Plasma Pistol
Enhancement: Bombast-class Vox-array (+25 pts)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• Master Vox
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Medi-pack
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volley Gun

Char6: 5x Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 pts)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
1 with Tempestus Dagger
• Command Rod
• 4x Tempestus Scion
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Medi-pack
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volley Gun

Char7: 5x Platoon Command Squad (60 pts)
• 1x Platoon Commander
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Pistol, Power Fist
• 4x Veteran Guardsman
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol, Meltagun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol, Plasma Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol, Lasgun
• Master Vox
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol, Lasgun
• Regimental Standard

BATTLELINE

10x Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 pts)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
6 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Flamer
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
• Vox-caster

20x Death Korps of Krieg (130 pts)
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
11 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Lasgun
• Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Grenade Launcher
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster
2 with Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol

10x Tempestus Scions (120 pts)
• 1x Tempestor
1 with Power Fist, Plasma Pistol
• 9x Tempestus Scion
4 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Volleygun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• Vox-caster

10x Tempestus Scions (120 pts)
• 1x Tempestor
1 with Power Fist, Plasma Pistol
• 9x Tempestus Scion
4 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• Vox-caster

OTHER DATASHEETS

3x Heavy Weapons Squad (50 pts)
• 3x Heavy Weapons Team
3 with Close Combat Weapon, Las Small Arms, Mortar

10x Kasrkin (110 pts)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
1 with Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol
• 9x Kasrkin Trooper
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Lasgun
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol
• Melta mine
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Marksman Rifle
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lasgun
• Vox-caster
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Meltagun
2 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma Gun

1x Ogryn Bodyguard (40 pts)
1 with Close combat weapon, Ripper Gun
• Brute Shield

1x Ogryn Bodyguard (40 pts)
1 with Close combat weapon, Bullgryn Maul
• Brute Shield

10x Tempestus Aquilons (110 pts)
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Power Weapon, Sentry hot-shot volley gun
• 9x Tempestus Aquilon
7 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lascarbine
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot long las
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma carbine

10x Tempestus Aquilons (110 pts)
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot Laspistol, Power Weapon, Sentry flamer
• 9x Tempestus Aquilon
7 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot lascarbine
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Hot-shot long las
1 with Close Combat Weapon, Plasma carbine

Thoughts

Bridgehead Strike are currently the best way to run Astra Militarum and that’s not super likely to change as more events allow the Codex to be run. The updated datasheet on Tempestus Scions makes them even more deadly, allowing them to punch way up into more targets than you’d expect. You might think, looking at these lists, that the question is “can Tempestus Scions kill a Telemon with a 5+++?” but the actual question is more likely to be “Can a Custodes list with 21 models stop a Bridgehead Strike list from scoring 85+ points?” And the answer here is definitely “no.” There just aren’t any good targets for the Custodes list to take down, causing it to run into activation problems, especially after it actually loses a Dreadnought or two. You look at this list and all you see are bad targets for expensive weapons – a Caladius can kill, in a good round of shooting, 8 guardsmen. That’s a loss the Guard player will take all day long.

Result

Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike) Victory – 85 – 69

Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike) – 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

“Surely Jordan won’t actually bring 30+ breachers”

CHARACTER

Char2: 1x Ursula Creed (55 pts)
1 with Duty and Vengeance, Power Weapon

Char3: 1x Death Korps Marshal (60 pts)
1 with Power Weapon, Plasma Pistol

BATTLELINE

OTHER DATASHEETS

3x Heavy Weapons Squad (50 pts)
• 3x Heavy Weapons Team
3 with Close Combat Weapon, Las Small Arms, Mortar

1x Ogryn Bodyguard (40 pts)
1 with Close combat weapon, Ripper Gun
• Brute Shield

1x Ogryn Bodyguard (40 pts)
1 with Close combat weapon, Bullgryn Maul
• Brute Shield

Archetype

Bridgehead Strike Guard

Thoughts

See above.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd – Gary Frank – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): See showdown.
3rd – Jordan Nach – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Wraiths. Lots of Wraiths.
4th – Justin Curtis – Chaos Daemons (Scintillating Legion): Lots of Lords of Change.
5th – Michael Schietinger – Chaos Space Marines (Pactbound Zealots): Vehicle-heavy ranged attack (triple predators, triple vindicators), supported by Helbrutes for double pacts.
6th – David T. – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Scarab Brick Thousand Sons.
7th – John Van Dusen – Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Lots of Boyz in Trukks and three Shokk Attack guns.
8th – Kevin Leonard – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess): 18 Fiends and two Keepers.

Red Dragon 40k GT – February ’25

37-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ottawa, ON, CA on February 15 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Terraform – Stalwarts – Crucible of Battle

Thomas Cosgrove – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead)
Army List - Click to Expand

0 ccbb3 (2000 points)

Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Solar Spearhead

CHARACTERS

Contemptor-Galatus Dreadnought (190 points)
• Solar Spearhead Keywords: Character
• 1x Galatus warblade
• Enhancement: Adamantine Talisman

Telemon Heavy Dreadnought (240 points)
• Solar Spearhead Keywords: Character
• Warlord
• 1x Arachnus storm cannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Spiculus bolt launcher
1x Telemon caestus
1x Twin plasma projector
• Enhancement: Augury Uplink

OTHER DATASHEETS

Caladius Grav-tank (215 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus heavy blaze cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

Caladius Grav-tank (215 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin iliastus accelerator cannon
1x Twin lastrum bolt cannon

Contemptor-Galatus Dreadnought (165 points)
• 1x Galatus warblade

Pallas Grav-attack (105 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Twin arachnus blaze cannon

Prosecutors (40 points)
• 1x Prosecutor Sister Superior
• 1x Boltgun
1x Close combat weapon
• 3x Prosecutor
• 3x Boltgun
3x Close combat weapon

Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought (160 points)
• 1x Combi-bolter
1x Contemptor combat weapon
1x Multi-melta

Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (71), Data Version: v569

vs.

Jeremy Atkinson – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force)
Army List - Click to Expand

vanilla at best (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (90 points)
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
1x Power fist
1x Relic chainsword
• Enhancement: Artificer Armour

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

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

Roboute Guilliman (345 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
1x Hand of Dominion

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (130 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter

Company Heroes (95 points)
• 1x Ancient
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Bolt rifle
1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Company Champion
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 2x Company Veteran
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

Gladiator Reaper (160 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
2x Tempest bolter
1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

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

Vindicator (175 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (71), Data Version: v569

Thoughts

We had one our own Goonhammer writers in this matchup, so they’ve been corralled into writing about it. Take us away, Jeremy.

Curie: Jeremy (or Curie to those who know me on-line) here bringing the report from the front lines! Space Marines versus Adeptus Custodes, both armies that have been putting up solid results in the current meta.

This game was quite interesting to me as this matchup was one that Thomas and I practiced just the week before as we were testing before the GT. That practice game resulted in a very narrow victory for the Space Marines, so I was expecting an equally tough battle. What changed here was the mission – Terraform on Crucible of Battle tends to favour the player going first, which is exactly the position I found myself in. The layout also favoured me as Layout 6 gave me a considerably favourable shooting gallery going into his dreadnought-heavy list. By setting up Incursors at my natural expansion and the Combi-Weapon Lieutenant near the centre objective to start early Terraform actions, I was able to set the tempo of the game.

Thomas was forced T1 to send a Venerable Contemptor Dreadnought to the middle of the board to deny the Combi-weapon Lieutenant from Terraforming the middle objective while the Incursors had tucked in nicely into their ruin on my natural expansion, guaranteeing me an early Terraform. Unfortunately for Thomas, I got a little lucky and the Lieutenant lived through the dreadnought’s multi-melta and he was then forced to charge the Lieutenant, opening himself up to have Calgar’s Company Heroes heroic onto the objective. The Lieutenant gave his life, but Calgar in turn took the first life of the Contemptor and found themselves firmly in the middle of the board going into my second turn.

This set the tone for the rest of the game – I managed a significant primary advantage by shoving Calgar onto his home objective T2, and continuing to hold 2-3 objectives myself. From here his dreadnoughts started to be picked off by my Vindicators while Guilliman made a play for his natural expansion on T3. The game continued to slowly unravel for Thomas, despite his best efforts to score what points he could fine, as he was struggling to score secondary objectives while also wresting control of the board from me.

Result

Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force) Victory – 96 – 64

Jeremy Atkinson – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place

Rainbow Warriors Combi-weapon Lieutenant by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

vanilla at best (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (90 points)
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
1x Power fist
1x Relic chainsword
• Enhancement: Artificer Armour

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

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

Roboute Guilliman (345 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
1x Hand of Dominion

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (130 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter

Gladiator Reaper (160 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
2x Tempest bolter
1x Twin heavy onslaught gatling cannon

Vindicator (175 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter

Exported with App Version: v1.27.0 (71), Data Version: v569

Archetype

Gladius Hull Spam

Thoughts

It’s a solid tank-heavy Gladius Task Force list. Very similar to the Ironstorm list I took to LVO and point-for-point the list Josh Roberts took to the same event. I found that while Ironstorm had better damage, the flexibility of Gladius was hard to argue with. The list revolves around three vindicators as the main firebase, using Calgar with Company Heroes as an early distraction / primary denial tool, and then Guilliman as a final hammer to seal the deal. The fun piece of tech that Josh added to the standard Gladius list was the Gravis Captain with Artificer Armour – it’s an extremely tanky model (2+/4++/5+++ with half damage – like a mini-C’tan) with a good amount of punch packed into a 90-point package.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd – Thomas Cosgrove – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): See Showdown
3rd – Arlana Davis – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike): All-rounder Bridgehead
4th – Ian Peng – T’au Empire (Auxiliary Cadre): Lotta Suits with some auxiliaries
5th – Jack Morris – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Aspect Host Good Stuff

Wrap Up

That does it for this week’s Competitive Innovations. We saw a little bit of Aeldari and a lot of the usual suspects but you can be things are going to start shaking up next week. There were already some lists on our radar with truly sicko shit (a Polish list with 30 Swooping Hawks that dares to ask the question: “What if I just didn’t interact with an opponent at all?”) So be sure to come back next Wednesday when we tackle those lists and start to look at early results for the Astra Militarum as well.

Have any questions or feedback? Drop us a note in the comments below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com. Want articles like this linked in your inbox every Monday morning? Sign up for our newsletter. And don’t forget that you can support us on Patreon for backer rewards like early video content, Administratum access, an ad-free experience on our website and more.

[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: Elves off the Shelf pt.2

Warhammer World Grand Tournament

Stephen Box – Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kian Tan – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Jack Painter – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Stefan Donovan – Ultramarines (Anvil Siege Force) – 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

40K Okeanos rising GT

Emil Sæternes – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Bjørn Olsen – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

ForgeFire Winter Open

The Showdown

Take and Hold – Raise Banners – Tipping Point

Thoughts

Result

Wesley St. Hines – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Red Dragon 40k GT – February ’25

The Showdown

Terraform – Stalwarts – Crucible of Battle

Thoughts

Result

Jeremy Atkinson – Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force) – 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

Related

Share this:

Related