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.
While LVO attendees sleep off the exertions of round 3, it’s time for round 3 of this week’s Competitive Innovations.
Today we’ve got:
- Exterminatus X Big Ben 10
- A Grimdark New Years, SGA Finals
- NYKO 2025
- Hawaii “War on the Shore” Charity GT 2025
- Fight for the Fallen GT
On Wednesday I covered:
- The Nottingham 40k Super-Major
- Winter War Grand Tournament
- Red Dragon GT – January 40k
- GT QUALIFIER MODENA – GT Italiano 2025
- We Have LVO at Home GT
- Grand Clash – Warhammer 40k Tournament – 2 Day GT
On Friday we had Lowest of Men review:
- Denver 40K Fight Club January Open 2025
- Guild War I
- The Brawl GT – Beachhead Warm Up!
- North Sea Slam IRONMAN 2025
- Warpstorm
Exterminatus X Big Ben 10
71-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia on January 10 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Jordan McGregor – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) – 1st Place
Credit: Pendulin
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Imperial Knights BATTLELINE Armiger Helverin (130 points) Armiger Helverin (130 points) Armiger Helverin (130 points) Armiger Helverin (130 points) Armiger Helverin (130 points) Armiger Helverin (130 points) Armiger Moirax (160 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) Armiger Warglaive (140 points) ALLIED UNITS Ministorum Priest (40 points) Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 points) Watch Captain Artemis (65 points) Exported with App Version: v1.24.0 (64), Data Version: v525
(2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble Lance
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubber
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Lightning lock
1x Rad cleanser
1x Siege claw
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• 1x Meltagun
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spear
• Warlord
• 1x Zealot’s vindictor
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Twin multi-melta
• 1x Hellfire Extremis
1x Master-crafted power weapon
Archetype
Whoops all Armigers
Thoughts
On Wednesday we saw the return of a triple big Knight build, enabled by the flexibility of Armigers getting cheaper. Here we see the other side of that coin – Armigers are so cheap now that you can just spam them, Chaos-style. None of the individual datasheets are quite as good as Brigands, but the Imperial Knight army and detachment rules heavily reward going wide on units, and you have the Imperial Agents codex to pick a Warlord and some utility pieces from. You also get some surprising synergy from that front – sneaking in an Immolator by starting a Priest in it gives you access to Ignore Cover for your Helverins, which is extremely useful in a pinch. Artemis is also a powerful cheap utility piece thanks to standing back up and having the actual killing power to deck an enemy scoring unit. Put that all together and it’s fourteen hulls with output to handle hordes and heavy stuff, and that’s easily enough to overwhelm many foes. Well done Jordan on the win!
Joe Loke – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Biologus Putrifier (50 points) Death Guard Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (70 points) Lord of Contagion (80 points) Mortarion (300 points) Typhus (80 points) BATTLELINE Plague Marines (180 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Death Guard Rhino (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Death Guard Cultists (50 points) Deathshroud Terminators (220 points) Deathshroud Terminators (220 points) Deathshroud Terminators (220 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) ALLIED UNITS Nurglings (40 points) Rotigus (230 points) Exported with App Version: v1.23.0 (63), Data Version: v507
🤡🤡🤡 (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Plague Company
• 1x Hyper blight grenades
1x Injector pistol
1x Plague knives
• 1x Chainfist
1x Combi-weapon
1x Curse of the Leper
• 1x Plagueblade
• Warlord
• 1x Rotwind
1x Silence
1x The Lantern
• 1x Master-crafted manreaper
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plasma gun
• 9x Plague Marine
• 1x Blight launcher
4x Heavy plague weapon
2x Meltagun
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Havoc launcher
2x Plague combi-bolter
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
9x Cultist firearm
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
• 5x Manreaper
5x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
• 5x Manreaper
5x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 5x Deathshroud Terminator
• 5x Manreaper
5x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 1x Plague probe
2x Plaguespitter
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Gnarlrod
1x Streams of brackish filth
Archetype
Heavy Melee Death Guard
Thoughts
It’s very on-brand for Death Guard to keep inexorably marching on, and that’s what we see here in the other undefeated list from the event. No real change from the pre-Grotmas world here, just some very dangerous melee infantry blocks in the Deathshrouds, a nice melee punch from the Rhino Marines, and two big heavy hitters that bog the foe down and then ensure they get ground up. It ain’t broke, so no need to fix it – great work from Joe.
Alexander Englezos – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Please help me find places to get a massage between rounds because I brought a list that finishes after 1 hour – Winged Hive Tyrant: Bonesword and Lashwhip, Warlord
Tyranids
Vanguard
– Neurotyrant: Hunting Grounds
– Deathleaper
– 10 Termagants: Fleshborers
– Biovore
– Lictor
– Lictor
– Neurolictor
– Neurolictor
– Trygon
– Trygon
– Mawloc
– Mawloc
– Mawloc
– 6 Raveners: Armoured Thorax
– 6 Raveners: Armoured Thorax
– 6 Raveners: Armoured Thorax
Archetype
Full Send Vanguard
Thoughts
The list title and units give the plan away here – everything is tuned to slam into the opponent’s face by turn 2, and then hopefully crush them with overwhelming insectile force. The Neurotyrant and Hunting Grounds help further tip the chitinous scales the Tyranid’s way, making it difficult and risky for opponents to use their own reserves or tools to pull themselves out of this. The gut punch plan seems to have landed pretty well – the list picked up three fairly overwhelming wins, one close win against Tau and a close loss against Blood Angels. That last one does speak to the one weakness here – some armies can, in fact, crack back against this kind of plan, and I’d imagine there are some Custodes and World Eaters list that can give it trouble as well. Even there, the early pressure can still put them behind, providing a route to victory for the Tyranids even in tougher games. Congratulations Alexander.
Josh Hynes – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Char1: 1x Old One Eye (150 pts): Old One Eye’s claws and talons 10x Gargoyles (85 pts): 10 with Blinding Venom, Fleshborer 1x Biovores (50 pts): Chitin-barbed Limbs, Spore Mine Launcher
One of the Waggas in Wagga Wagga is silent. Nobody knows which one.
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Tyranids
+ DETACHMENT: Invasion Fleet
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Hive Tyrant
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (8×2) + (1×4) – Assassination: 3 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Hive Tyrant (235 pts): Warlord, Monstrous Bonesword and Lash Whip, Heavy Venom Cannon
Char3: 1x Neurotyrant (105 pts): Neurotyrant claws and lashes, Psychic scream
10x Hormagaunts (65 pts): 10 with Hormagaunt talons
1x Lictor (60 pts): Lictor Claws and Talons
1x Lictor (60 pts): Lictor Claws and Talons
1x Neurolictor (90 pts): Piercing Claws and Talons
1x Neurolictor (90 pts): Piercing Claws and Talons
2x Carnifexes (230 pts): 2 with Xenos Claws and Teeth, Bio-plasma, Spine Banks, Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots, Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots
1x Exocrine (135 pts): Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs
1x Exocrine (135 pts): Bio-plasmic Cannon, Powerful Limbs
1x Maleceptor (170 pts): Massive Scything Talons, Psychic Overload
1x Maleceptor (170 pts): Massive Scything Talons, Psychic Overload
1x Maleceptor (170 pts): Massive Scything Talons, Psychic Overload
Archetype
Monster Mash
Thoughts
Notch up another one for “it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Big bugs with access to Feel No Pain good, and the ability to vary damage output is extra helpful in the current metagame where we’ve got both hull spam and Infantry horde builds. The dakkafex unit also gets better in that context, and while I’ve always been a fan I think it’s particularly strong at the moment. Good stuff from Josh.
The Best of the Rest
There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – David Hunterford – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): Lots of Talos, a few Transport units, one big Troupe and a Solitaire. Follows a trend with Reaper’s Wager which is that you don’t actually need that many Harlequins – the Stratagems are the big draw, and Pain Tokens are such a strong army rule that it masks the fact that the Detachment rule will only do things at a few key junctures.
- 6th – Tim Matsuda – Ynnari (Battle Host): An Yvraine/Visarch megatroupe and lots of small shooting Infanty units.
- 7th – Jawad Salah – Chaos Daemons (Blood Legion): Bloodcrusher and Flesh Hound spam lead by a Bloodthirster and a couple of Rendmasters.
- 8th – Michael House – Orks (Bully Boyz): A new spin on Bully Boyz with only one Meganobz unit (using a Tellyporta) then a mechanised mix of Breaka Boyz and Nobz. Vastly higher damage than the old Bully Boyz lists, and I think better for it.
- 9th – Lachlan Bakkers – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Highly mechanised Votann with three units of Beserks in Sagitaurs and two Hearthguard squads in Land Fortresses.
- 10th – Jeff Carroll – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Melee-heavy Blood Angels with Outriders, Sanguinary Guard, Jump Pack Intercessors and a big Lemartes squad.
- 11th – Dan Madeley – Death Guard (Plague Company): All-rounder Death Guard with lots of Plague Marines, Terminators and Daemon Engines.
- 12th – Chris Frey – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-rounder Blood Angels with melee threats and Vindicators.
A Grimdark New Years, SGA Finals
42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Valdosta, GA, United States on January 11 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Mark Perry – Orks (Taktikal Brigade) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Orks CHARACTERS Big Mek in Mega Armour (125 points) Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (80 points) Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (65 points) Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (65 points) Warboss (85 points) Weirdboy (65 points) Zodgrod Wortsnagga (80 points) BATTLELINE Boyz (160 points) Stormboyz (65 points) Stormboyz (65 points) Stormboyz (65 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Battlewagon (160 points) Flash Gitz (160 points) Gretchin (80 points) Gretchin (40 points) Morkanaut (280 points) Tankbustas (120 points) Tankbustas (120 points) Tankbustas (120 points) Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (65), Data Version: v538
takis and stuth (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Taktikal Brigade
• 1x Grot Oiler
1x Kustom Force Field
1x Kustom mega-blasta
1x Power klaw
• Enhancement: Mek Kaptin
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Grot Assistant
1x Shokk attack gun
• Enhancement: Mork’s Kunnin’
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Grot Assistant
1x Shokk attack gun
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Grot Assistant
1x Shokk attack gun
• Warlord
• 1x Attack squig
1x Kombi-weapon
1x Power klaw
1x Twin sluggas
• Enhancement: Gob Boomer
• 1x Weirdboy staff
1x ‘Eadbanger
• 1x Da Grabzappa
1x Squigstoppa
• 19x Boy
• 19x Close combat weapon
2x Rokkit launcha
17x Shoota
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x 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
• 4x Stormboy
• 4x Choppa
4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Power klaw
1x Slugga
• 4x Big shoota
1x Deff rolla
1x Grabbin’ klaw
1x Kannon
1x Lobba
1x Wreckin’ ball
1x ‘Ard Case
• 1x Ammo Runt
• 1x Kaptin
• 1x Choppa
1x Snazzgun
• 9x Flash Git
• 9x Choppa
9x Snazzgun
• 20x Gretchin
• 20x Close combat weapon
20x Grot blasta
• 2x Runtherd
• 2x Runtherd tools
2x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
• 1x Runtherd tools
1x Slugga
• 1x Klaw of Mork
1x Kustom mega-blasta
1x Kustom mega-zappa
2x Rokkit launcha
2x Twin big shoota
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
2x Rokkit pistol
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
2x Rokkit pistol
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob
• 1x Choppa
2x Rokkit pistol
• 5x Tankbusta
• 5x Close combat weapon
1x Pulsa Rokkit
5x Rokkit launcha
Archetype
Shooty Taktikal
Thoughts
Mark takes a trophy with another shooty take on Taktikal brigade here. You’ve got the Shokk-attack Tankbustas to blow stuff up, and the big Flash Gitz unit, so far so standard, but the latter are riding around in an honest-to-god Morkanaut, which rules. That gives them massively more protection than normal as they get into position, ensuring they can set up for maximum damage, and the Morkanaut is a pretty good threat in its own right, helping out in melee if the foe tries to push against the shooty stuff up close. Supporting all this ranged violence are Zodgrod’s super Grots (even more of a pain to kill with Stealth from a Taktik) and a big Boyz unit with a Warboss and Weirdboy. The latter is a nice package here – you can turn them into a serious threat with Taktiks and Stratagems, and being able to switch on Charge re-rolls when using Da Jump is handy. Well done to Warboss Mark on the win.
John Lennon – Ultramarines (Stormlance Task Force) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Marneus Calgar (200 Points) Roboute Guilliman (345 Points) BATTLELINE Intercessor Squad (80 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Ballistus Dreadnought (130 Points) Ballistus Dreadnought (130 Points) Brutalis Dreadnought (160 Points) Company Heroes (95 Points) Infiltrator Squad (100 Points) Outrider Squad (80 Points) Reiver Squad (80 Points) Scout Squad (70 Points) Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 Points) Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 Points) Stormraven Gunship (280 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.24.0 (1), Data Version: v525
That’s it, I’m calling Dad!
Ultramarines
Stormlance Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Marneus Calgar
◦ 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar
• 2x Victrix Honour Guard
◦ 2x Victrix power sword
• Warlord
• 1x Emperor’s Sword
• 1x Hand of Dominion
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Bolt rifle
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Ballistus lascannon
• 1x Ballistus missile launcher
• 1x Twin storm bolter
• 1x Armoured feet
• 1x Ballistus lascannon
• 1x Ballistus missile launcher
• 1x Twin storm bolter
• 1x Brutalis bolt rifles
• 1x Brutalis fists
• 1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Twin multi-melta
• 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
• 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
• 1x Outrider Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Twin bolt rifle
• 2x Outrider
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 2x Twin bolt rifle
• 1x Reiver Sergeant
◦ 1x Combat knife
◦ 1x Grapnel Launcher
◦ 1x Reiver Grav-chute
◦ 1x Special issue bolt pistol
• 4x Reiver
◦ 4x Combat knife
◦ 4x Grapnel Launcher
◦ 4x Reiver Grav-chute
◦ 4x Special issue bolt pistol
• 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
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
• 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Melta destroyer
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
• 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Melta destroyer
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Hurricane bolter
• 2x Stormstrike missile launcher
• 1x Twin heavy plasma cannon
• 1x Twin multi-melta
Archetype
Bobby G’s Indestructible Stormraven
Thoughts
Trust John Lennon to further push the boundaries of “things you can do with Ultramarines”. Here the Bobby G and Ballistus package is joined by a comically hard-to-kill Stormraven, sporting a mixture of -1 to Hit, -1 to Wound and -1 Damage when required. Oh, also, if you don’t kill it, a Ballistus Dreadnought gets dropped on you, and is probably joined by Calgar and Bobby himself Advance/Charging into your face. Fun stuff, and a nice change from just cramming in three Vindicators as well, good stuff from John.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Steve Trimble – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): OK I swear I wrote the previous paragraph before I read this list. Which has uh, Bobby G, three Ballistus and three Vindicators.
- 4th – Kyle Jackling – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-rounder Liberators with powerful melee threats and Characters supported by a couple of Lancers.
- 5th – Dustin Hammond – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis Rex and Armigers supported by an Immolator and some Sisters.
- 6th – Nick Nanavati – Genestealer Cult (Final Day): Lots of Ridgerunners to blast stuff with the +1 to Hit, Lictors and Gargoyles for disruption and scoring, a big unit each of Purestrains and Metamorphs to charge, respawn and repeat, and cheap infantry to fill. An interesting blend of the tools we’ve seen in Outlander and Biosanctic tools before, good to see that the new Detachment and options support variety.
- 7th – Griffin Odom – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess): Monster mash Slaanesh with Be’lakor and a Soul Grinder alongside Keepers and a big Fiend unit, plus an Epitome/Daemonette wound battery.
- 8th – Robin Roberts – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Shooty Ascension horde.
NYKO 2025
38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Raytown, MO, United States on January 11 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Dan Sammons – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Knights CHARACTERS War Dog Stalker (165 points) BATTLELINE War Dog Brigand (165 points) War Dog Brigand (165 points) War Dog Brigand (165 points) War Dog Brigand (165 points) War Dog Brigand (165 points) War Dog Brigand (165 points) War Dog Karnivore (140 points) War Dog Karnivore (140 points) War Dog Karnivore (140 points) War Dog Karnivore (140 points) ALLIED UNITS Beasts of Nurgle (65 points) Daemonettes (100 points) Nurglings (40 points) Seekers (80 points) Exported with App Version: v1.24.0 (64), Data Version: v525
Touching Tips (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Traitoris Lance
• Warlord
• 1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Slaughterclaw
• Enhancement: Aura of Terror
* This Datasheet also has the Battleline keyword.
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Avenger chaincannon
1x Daemonbreath spear
1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
• 1x Putrid appendages
• 1x Alluress
• 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Slashing claws
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Heartseeker
• 1x Lashing tongue
1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
4x Lashing tongue
4x Slashing claws
Archetype
Dogs and some Daemons
Thoughts
Defiantly avoiding the newly cheaper War Dogs, Dan sweeps the competition here with the classic Karnivore/Brigand lists, adding some cheap Daemons for utility. Congratulations Dan.
The Best of the Rest
There were N more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
- 2nd (4.5-0.5) – Matthew Doughman – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis Rex, many Armigers and a Subductor squad.
- 3rd (4.5-0.5) – Cody Jiru – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): Shooty infantry, one Talos unit, a Voidraven and one big Troupe.
- 4th – Geoff Husser – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike): The double Tank Commander variant of Bridgehead.
- 5th – Aaron Hermstedt – Death Guard: (Plague Company): All-rounder Death Guard with Destructors, Deathshrouds and Mortarion.
- 6th – Bill Boysen – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede): Shooty bug Monster Mash with one Norn.
- 7th – Rylee Mckitterick – T’au Empire (Auxiliary Cadre): Broadsides, Crisis, and Ghostkeels with three Krootox Rampager MSUs as the main way to push the AP boost forward (and a few faster Kroot for emergencies).
Hawaii “War on the Shore” Charity GT 2025
35-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Waialua, HI, United States on January 10 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Doug Johnson – Orks (Bully Boyz) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 2x Ghazghkull Thraka (235 pts): Warlord 11x Gretchin (40 pts)
Orks
+ DETACHMENT: Bully Boyz
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: Ghazghkull Thraka
• 1x Ghazghkull Thraka: Gork’s Klaw, Mork’s Roar
• 1x Makari: Makari’s stabba
Char2: 1x Mozrog Skragbad (165 pts): Big Chompa’s jaws, Gutrippa, Thump gun
Char3: 1x Beastboss on Squigosaur (130 pts): Beastchoppa, Slugga, Squigosaur’s jaws
Char4: 1x Big Mek in Mega Armour (90 pts): Grot oiler, Kustom force field, Kustom mega-blasta, Power klaw
Char5: 1x Big Mek in Mega Armour (90 pts): Grot oiler, Kustom force field, Kustom mega-blasta, Power klaw
Char6: 1x Weirdboy (65 pts): ‘Eadbanger, Weirdboy staff
• 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga
11x Gretchin (40 pts)
• 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga
11x Gretchin (40 pts)
• 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga
5x Meganobz (175 pts): 5 with Kombi-weapon, Power klaw
5x Meganobz (175 pts): 5 with Kombi-weapon, Power klaw
5x Meganobz (175 pts): 5 with Kombi-weapon, Power klaw
5x Stormboyz (65 pts)
• 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Power klaw
• 4x Stormboy: 4 with Choppa, Slugga
5x Stormboyz (65 pts)
• 1x Boss Nob: Slugga, Power klaw
• 4x Stormboy: 4 with Choppa, Slugga
4x Squighog Boyz (160 pts): Bomb squig
• 1x Nob on Smasha Squig: Big choppa, Slugga, Squig jaws
• 3x Squighog Boy: 3 with Saddlegit weapons, Squig jaws, Stikka
4x Squighog Boyz (160 pts): Bomb squig
• 1x Nob on Smasha Squig: Big choppa, Slugga, Squig jaws
• 3x Squighog Boy: 3 with Saddlegit weapons, Squig jaws, Stikka
1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheels, Wreckin’ ball
1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheels, Wreckin’ ball
Archetype
Squighoz Bullyz
Thoughts
It really is the Ork’s week, with yet another spin on the faction taking down the event here. Doug has brought back the Meganob-heavy version of Bully Boyz, but he’s clearly recognised you need a damage lift beyond that, and has added both Ghazghkull and Squighog Boyz (with Squigosaurs, of course) to provide that. Squighogs were already (in my opinion) underutilised in Bully Boyz, and in this detachment they do particularly well out of the change to Waaagh, because an opponent has to keep worrying about their potential Advance/Charge threat range even after you’ve popped the first one. This list is vicious and very durable, and also super orky – who needs Taktiks anyway? Great stuff Doug.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Sterling Arnet – Drukhari (Reaper’s Wager): Go-wide Drukhari stuff with heavier hammers from a Talos unit, full Incubi squad and a big Troupe.
- 3rd – Aaron Wisch – Dark Angels (Company of Hunters): It’s the week for all-in pressure builds apparently, with Aaron maxing out on Ravenwing Command Squads with full Black Knight units, sallying towards the foe to make use of their new Devastating Wounds. If anything is left when the Lion catches up, he can put them down.
- 4th – Trevor Wylie – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Character-heavy melee Liberator, with one Repex for fire support. Has an interesting melee piece in the form of a Terminator Librarian unit with Speed of the Primarch, a nice position holder that’s super hard to charge.
Fight for the Fallen GT
30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Fredericksburg, VA, US on January 11 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
The Ritual – Swift Action – Crucible of Battle
Brett Perkins – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) Chaos Space Marines CHARACTERS Abaddon the Despoiler (280 points) Cypher (90 points) Fabius Bile (85 points) BATTLELINE Cultist Mob (50 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (75 points) Chaos Rhino (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chosen (125 points) Chosen (250 points) Possessed (240 points) Possessed (240 points) Warp Talons (270 points) ALLIED UNITS Nurglings (40 points) Plague Marines (180 points) Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (65), Data Version: v538
Army List - Click to Expand
Creations (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Creations of Bile
• Warlord
• 1x Drach’nyen
1x Talon of Horus
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
1x Cypher’s plasma pistol
• 1x Fabius Bile
• 1x Chirurgeon
1x Rod of Torment
1x Xyclos Needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
• 3x Accursed weapon
3x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
2x Combi-weapon
1x Paired accursed weapons
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Chosen
• 6x Accursed weapon
6x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
4x Combi-weapon
2x Paired accursed weapons
3x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
• 9x Hideous mutations
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
• 9x Hideous mutations
• 1x Warp Talon Champion
• 1x Warp claws
• 9x Warp Talon
• 9x Warp claws
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plague boltgun
• 9x Plague Marine
• 2x Blight launcher
1x Bubotic weapons
4x Heavy plague weapon
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
vs.
Andrew “VolsungFa” – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) Char1: 1x C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer (305 pts): Gaze of death, Scythe of the Nightbringer 5x Flayed Ones (60 pts): 5 with Flayer claws
Army List - Click to Expand
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – Necrons
+ DETACHMENT: Starshatter Arsenal
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char3: The Silent King
+ ENHANCEMENT: Chrono-impedance Fields (on Char1: Skorpekh Lord)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 15
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (5×2) + (1×6) – Assassination: 4 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char2: 1x Imotekh the Stormlord (100 pts): Gauntlet of Fire, Staff of the Destroyer
Char3: 3x The Silent King (420 pts): Warlord
• 1x Szarekh: Sceptre of Eternal Glory, Staff of Stars, Weapons of the Final Triarch
• 2x Triarchal Menhir: 2 with Annihilator beam, Armoured bulk
Char4: 1x Skorpekh Lord (105 pts): Enmitic annihilator, Flensing claw, Hyperphase harvester
Enhancement: Chrono-impedance Fields (+25 pts)
3x Ophydian Destroyers (80 pts): Plasmacyte, 3 with Ophydian hyperphase weapons
3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts): Plasmacyte, 3 with Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
3x Skorpekh Destroyers (90 pts): Plasmacyte, 3 with Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss cannon
1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss cannon
1x Lokhust Destroyers (35 pts): Close combat weapon, Gauss cannon
1x Canoptek Reanimator (75 pts): 2x Atomiser beam, Reanimator’s claws
1x Doomsday Ark (190 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array
1x Doomsday Ark (190 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array
1x Doomsday Ark (190 pts): Armoured bulk, Doomsday cannon, 2x Gauss flayer array
Thoughts
Two of the top Grotmas detachments clash here, a vicious melee Bile build taking on an all-rounder Starshatter build that combines Doomsdays with Skorpkh and the Nightbringer for situations that need lift up close.
In the Necrons favour, the Doomsdays are (obviously) great for chipping through the Marine units here – every time they get exposed they’re going to have a really bad time. However, in closer engagements things look a lot less good – Skorpekh MSUs aren’t going to do enough damage into Possessed or Chosen for it to matter (though the one unit with a Lord can do a little better), and Specimens for the Spider is a gargantuan headache for the Necrons to play around. I know from experience that “Chosen with full Wound re-rolls” is one of the things that will lift a C’tan from full (Warp Talons are good for this also), and both Chosen and Possessed will do horrific things to the Silent King with it active as well. All of this also gets much worse if the Creations hit +1S or +1A, and they have a pretty high chance of landing one of them.
Unfortunately for the Necrons, The Ritual is exactly not the mission you want these dynamics at play on. This rewards you if you’re willing to get stuck into the foe early on, and can lead to a low Primary score if you get put on the back foot. Chaos are extremely happy to play that game, the robots not so much, and I think as Necrons here you’ll have to do something quite imaginative to seize victory. I’d honestly wonder if you want to be aiming for Unbroken Wall from very early, as getting three no-man’s land objectives is much easier here than usual, and shaping your play around that. You’re still at a real risk of just getting bodied out, and though Necrons did decently (maybe landing the Secret Mission), the Chaos aggression was enough to secure a big win.
Result
Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) Victory – 93 – 72
Brett Perkins – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Space Marines CHARACTERS Abaddon the Despoiler (280 points) Cypher (90 points) Fabius Bile (85 points) BATTLELINE Cultist Mob (50 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Chaos Rhino (75 points) Chaos Rhino (75 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Chosen (125 points) Chosen (250 points) Possessed (240 points) Possessed (240 points) Warp Talons (270 points) ALLIED UNITS Nurglings (40 points) Plague Marines (180 points) Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (65), Data Version: v538
Creations (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Creations of Bile
• Warlord
• 1x Drach’nyen
1x Talon of Horus
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
1x Cypher’s plasma pistol
• 1x Fabius Bile
• 1x Chirurgeon
1x Rod of Torment
1x Xyclos Needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Chosen
• 3x Accursed weapon
3x Bolt pistol
1x Boltgun
2x Combi-weapon
1x Paired accursed weapons
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Chosen
• 6x Accursed weapon
6x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
4x Combi-weapon
2x Paired accursed weapons
3x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
• 9x Hideous mutations
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
• 9x Hideous mutations
• 1x Warp Talon Champion
• 1x Warp claws
• 9x Warp Talon
• 9x Warp claws
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
• 1x Plague Champion
• 1x Heavy plague weapon
1x Plague boltgun
• 9x Plague Marine
• 2x Blight launcher
1x Bubotic weapons
4x Heavy plague weapon
9x Plague knives
2x Plague spewer
Archetype
Full Send Creations
Thoughts
No, I don’t know why all the ultra-aggro lists ended up in part 3. We’re looking into it.
This is covered in the Showdown – it’s a hyper aggressive version of Creations that’s extremely terrifying for anyone not loaded to murder elite infantry, and pretty terrifying even for them, as the Necrons discovered to their cost. Well done Brett.
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1+ records. They were:
- 2nd (4.5-0.5) – Stephen Henry – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): All-rounder Talons with two Warden/Blade Champion units, three Caladius tanks for dakka, and a couple of bike MSUs as flexible threats.
- 3rd – Joshua Campbell – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): See showdown.
- 4th – Sean Urban – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis Rex and his many, many squires.
Wrap Up
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