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.
Part 2, now with some Xenos and Chaos forces getting a chance to shine.
Today we’ve got:
- HAMBURG MAJOR 2025 40k
- First Assault!
- DA GITHAMMER WAAAGH WEEKEND!!!! GT
- Cross-Swords Vigil of Peace
- Abyss Bonne année, Grand Nez 40k GT
Part 1 on Wednesday covered:
- LVO 2025 Warhammer 40k Champs
- Dutch Masters finale GT
- Loch ‘n Load GT 1
- 1 GT MOGUER IBERIAN OPE
- Burn & Learn Vol.10
HAMBURG MAJOR 2025 40k
103-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hamburg, HH, Deutschland on January 18 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Jens ‘Bothi’ Bothur – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necrons CHARACTERS Hexmark Destroyer (100 points) Hexmark Destroyer (75 points) Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points) Lokhust Lord (90 points) The Silent King (420 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Reanimator (75 points) Canoptek Spyders (75 points) Doomsday Ark (190 points) Flayed Ones (60 points) Lokhust Destroyers (180 points) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (110 points) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 points) Skorpekh Destroyers (90 points) Tomb Blades (75 points) Tomb Blades (75 points) Triarch Stalker (110 points) Triarch Stalker (110 points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (67), Data Version: v541
German Major Hamburg 25.2 (1990 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Starshatter Arsenal
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• Enhancement: Chrono-impedance Fields
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer
• 1x Lord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancement: Demanding Leader
• 1x Szarekh
• Warlord
• 1x Sceptre of Eternal Glory
1x Staff of Stars
1x Weapons of the Final Triarch
• 2x Triarchal Menhir
• 2x Annihilator beam
2x Armoured bulk
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws
• 1x Automaton claws
1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura)
1x Gloom Prism (Aura)
2x Particle beamer
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws
• 6x Lokhust Destroyer
• 6x Close combat weapon
6x Gauss cannon
• 2x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Enmitic exterminator
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Enmitic exterminator
• 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
• 1x Plasmacyte
3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Particle beamer
3x Shadowloom
• 3x Tomb Blade
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Particle beamer
3x Shadowloom
• 1x Heavy gauss cannon array
1x Stalker’s forelimbs
• 1x Heavy gauss cannon array
1x Stalker’s forelimbs
Archetype
Go-wide Starshatter
Thoughts
How do you adapt when everyone and their mums is packing Doomsday Ark solutions? Cut those down and go wider with other units instead. Plenty of heft in this list regardless with two Triarch Stalkers to draw the opponent out for cheaper, a Spyder to soak mortals, and Destroyer emphasis to pick off marine bodies and MSU. I like this as a more flexible solution to the pressure infantry builds we are seeing in the game right now! Really well done on the event win.
Sebastian Müller – Dark Angels (Gladius Task Force) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Azrael (115 Points) Bladeguard Ancient (45 Points) Lieutenant in Phobos Armour (55 Points) Lion El’Jonson (315 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points) Deathwing Knights (250 Points) Deathwing Knights (250 Points) Deathwing Knights (250 Points) Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) Gladiator Lancer (160 Points) Inner Circle Companions (180 Points) Invader ATV (60 Points) Scout Squad (70 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (2), Data Version: v541
DA: Der König der Möwen (2000 Points)
Dark Angels
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Lion’s Wrath
• 1x The Lion Helm
• 1x The Sword of Secrets
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Master-crafted bolt carbine
• 1x Paired combat blades
• Warlord
• 1x Arma Luminis
• 1x Fealty
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Watcher in the Dark
• 1x Knight Master
◦ 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven
• 4x Deathwing Knight
◦ 4x Mace of absolution
• 1x Watcher in the Dark
• 1x Knight Master
◦ 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven
• 4x Deathwing Knight
◦ 4x Mace of absolution
• 1x Watcher in the Dark
• 1x Knight Master
◦ 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven
• 4x Deathwing Knight
◦ 4x Mace of absolution
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Lancer laser destroyer
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Lancer laser destroyer
• 6x Inner Circle Companion
◦ 6x Calibanite greatsword
◦ 6x Heavy bolt pistol
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Onslaught gatling cannon
• 1x Twin bolt rifle
• 1x Scout Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
◦ 1x Astartes shotgun
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Boltgun
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Missile launcher
◦ 1x Scout sniper rifle
Archetype
Dark Angels DWK
Thoughts
Loads of Deathwing Knights and the Lion – still a really potent force! Gladius gives it a bunch of crucial tricks, and Lancers provide hard target removal. It isn’t rich on assets but it packs a crucial stat check / fights first problem that will help into some of the nasty damage two melee brawlers we are seeing. Amazing work!
Ben Hackländer – Death Guard (Plague Company) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Death Guard CHARACTERS Mortarion (300 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Death Guard Cultists (50 points) Death Guard Cultists (50 points) Death Guard Cultists (50 points) Death Guard Predator Annihilator (130 points) Death Guard Predator Annihilator (130 points) Death Guard Predator Annihilator (130 points) Death Guard Predator Destructor (130 points) Death Guard Predator Destructor (130 points) Death Guard Predator Destructor (130 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (180 points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 points) Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 points) ALLIED UNITS War Dog Karnivore (140 points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (67), Data Version: v541
Disgusting Highway (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Plague Company
• Warlord
• 1x Rotwind
1x Silence
1x The Lantern
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Death Guard Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
1x Cultist firearm
• 9x Death Guard Cultist
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
6x Cultist firearm
1x Flamer
1x Grenade launcher
1x Heavy stubber
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Plague heavy bolter
1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Plague heavy bolter
1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Plague heavy bolter
1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
• 1x Plague probe
2x Plaguespitter
• 2x Myphitic Blight-hauler
• 2x Bile spurt
2x Gnashing maw
2x Missile launcher
2x Multi-melta
• 1x Bile spurt
1x Gnashing maw
1x Missile launcher
1x Multi-melta
• 1x Bile spurt
1x Gnashing maw
1x Missile launcher
1x Multi-melta
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
Archetype
Death Guard Hull Spam
Thoughts
Hull spam Death Guard had a great run at Nottingham under Nathan Roberts, and we see another take on this here – freeing up some points by cutting out the Plagueburst Crawlers in favour of the nippier, cheaper Blighthaulers. A lot of tank to chew through with Mortarion mashing things up and providing crucial buffs. Well done on the top placing!
Paul Hilsdorf – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Necrons CHARACTERS Catacomb Command Barge (150 points) Illuminor Szeras (175 points) Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points) Plasmancer (75 points) Plasmancer (85 points) BATTLELINE Immortals (150 points) Immortals (70 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Canoptek Reanimator (75 points) Doomsday Ark (190 points) Doomsday Ark (190 points) Doomsday Ark (190 points) Flayed Ones (60 points) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 points) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 points) Ophydian Destroyers (80 points) Skorpekh Destroyers (90 points) Skorpekh Destroyers (90 points) Triarch Stalker (110 points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (67), Data Version: v541
Hamburg (1990 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Starshatter Arsenal
• Warlord
• 1x Gauss cannon
1x Overlord’s blade
1x Resurrection Orb
• Enhancement: Dread Majesty (Aura)
• 1x Eldritch Lance
1x Impaling legs
• 1x Gauntlet of Fire
1x Staff of the Destroyer
• 1x Plasmic lance
• Enhancement: Miniaturised Nebuloscope
• 1x Plasmic lance
• Enhancement: Chrono-impedance Fields
• 10x Immortal
• 10x Close combat weapon
10x Tesla carbine
• 5x Immortal
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Tesla carbine
• 2x Atomiser beam
1x Reanimator’s claws
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 1x Armoured bulk
1x Doomsday cannon
2x Gauss flayer array
• 5x Flayed One
• 5x Flayer claws
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss destructor
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Gauss destructor
• 3x Ophydian Destroyer
• 3x Ophydian hyperphase weapons
1x Plasmacyte
• 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
• 1x Plasmacyte
3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
• 3x Skorpekh Destroyer
• 1x Plasmacyte
3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons
• 1x Heat ray
1x Stalker’s forelimbs
Archetype
Starshatter Goodstuff
Thoughts
A more conventional triple DDA Starshatter list, this one compliments that with screening melee destroyers out ahead of the guns. Starshatter will continue to be one to watch in the meta going forwards, and you need a plan for this build to go far at events right now. Amazing work on the top placing.
The Best of the Rest
There were 12 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Ingo Berthelsen – Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Massed infantry Custodes in Talons.
- 6th – Niklas Frerichs – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead) : Dreadnought spam with a couple of bike squads.
- 7th – Kayu Orellana – Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm): Assimilation Swarm with a big brick of Hormagaunts, some Zoanthropes, and lots of stodgy scoring trash.
- 8th – Nils Gottschalk – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): 15 Bikes and 20 Berzerks, delicious Dwarf nonsense!
- 9th – Leif Westermann – Aeldari (Battle Host): Triple Wave Serpent, triple Fire Prism, lots of Aspects. Epic.
- 10th – Sebastian Maack – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): New wave Vanguard with Gulliman.
- 11th – Dennis Gottschalk – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Triple Purgation Warpbane with a Razorback and some Dreadknights.
- 12th – Nikolai Anthony – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile): Terminator brick / Possessed brick Bile.
- 13th – Sebastian Kollberg – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Accursed brick and MSU in Raiders.
- 14th – Niels Scheer – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Ultramarines Gladius with multiple Vindicators and some infantry MSU.
- 15th – Robin Schreiber – Ynnari (Battle Host): Yvraine brick / Wraithblade brick Ynnari with Scourge in support.
- 16th – Jonas Dobberow – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile): 15 Warp Talons and 20 Possessed in Bile.
First Assault!
42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hyrylä, Uusimaa, Suomi on January 18 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Juuso Sipiläinen – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Daemons CHARACTERS Be’lakor (325 points) Keeper of Secrets (300 points) Syll’Esske (120 points) BATTLELINE Plaguebearers (110 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fiends (105 points) Fiends (105 points) Fiends (105 points) Seeker Chariot (65 points) Seeker Chariot (65 points) Seekers (80 points) Seekers (80 points) Soul Grinder (180 points) Soul Grinder (180 points) Soul Grinder (180 points) Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (65), Data Version: v538
Kulumahiomakoneet (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Legion of Excess
• Warlord
• 1x Betraying Shades
1x The Blade of Shadows
• 1x Phantasmagoria
1x Shining Aegis
1x Snapping claws
1x Witstealer sword
• Enhancement: Soul Glutton
• 1x Axe of Dominion
1x Cacophonic choir
1x Scourging whip
• 1x Plagueridden
• 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Plaguesword
• 1x Blissbringer
• 1x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 2x Fiend
• 2x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Blissbringer
• 1x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 2x Fiend
• 2x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Blissbringer
• 1x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 2x Fiend
• 2x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Lashes of torment
1x Seeker tongues
1x Slashing claws
• 1x Lashes of torment
1x Seeker tongues
1x Slashing claws
• 1x Heartseeker
• 1x Lashing tongue
1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
4x Lashing tongue
4x Slashing claws
• 1x Heartseeker
• 1x Lashing tongue
1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
4x Lashing tongue
4x Slashing claws
• Daemonic Allegiance: Slaanesh
• 1x Harvester cannon
1x Iron claw
1x Scream of despair
1x Warpsword
• Daemonic Allegiance: Slaanesh
• 1x Harvester cannon
1x Iron claw
1x Scream of despair
1x Warpsword
• Daemonic Allegiance: Slaanesh
• 1x Harvester cannon
1x Iron claw
1x Scream of despair
1x Warpsword
Archetype
Hefty Slaanesh
Thoughts
A more rounded, gun-toting take on the Slaanesh hotness here, with Soul Grinders for backfield presence and shooting and Belakor to provide that sweet no-sell aura to stop enemy guns. As a break out meta star Slaanesh has a way to run on finding the ideal build, and it’s very cool to see this different take on it winning a GT! Amazing work.
The Best of the Rest
There were 6 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Jouni Haavisto – Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Flash Gitz, Tankbustas, and some tasteful Deffkoptas in Taktikal.
- 3rd – Eero Saukkonen – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike): The emerging Bridgehead chassis – lots of Scions, some indirect, and a cheeky Tank Commander.
- 4th – Tatu Sipola – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile): Hefty Bile with lots of Possessed and Chosen.
- 5th – Juha Ottelin – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike): Same list as above but with an extra Tank Commander!
- 6th – Arto Lampila – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Massed Sagitaur and Land Forts.
- 7th – Migs Silvanto – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): LAG MSU with some small squads of Centurions! I love this.
DA GITHAMMER WAAAGH WEEKEND!!!! GT
34-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Cypress, CA, United States on January 18 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Crucible of Battle – Purge the Foe – Smoke and Mirrors
Kyle Parry – Ynnari (Battle Host) Aeldari CHARACTERS Death Jester (105 Points) Farseer Skyrunner (90 Points) The Visarch (90 Points) Yvraine (125 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Starweaver (80 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Striking Scorpions (65 Points) Striking Scorpions (65 Points) Swooping Hawks (85 Points) Troupe (180 Points) Vypers (75 Points) Vypers (75 Points) War Walkers (110 Points) War Walkers (110 Points) War Walkers (110 Points) Warlock Skyrunner Conclave (135 Points) ALLIED UNITS Kabalite Warriors (110 Points) Kabalite Warriors (110 Points) Venom (70 Points) Venom (70 Points) Venom (70 Points) Venom (70 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (2), Data Version: v538
Army List - Click to Expand
Mediocre (2000 Points)
Battle Host
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Jester’s blade
• 1x Shrieker cannon
• Enhancements: Fate’s Messenger
• 1x Eldritch Storm
• 1x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Singing spear
• 1x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Asu-var, the Sword of Silent Screams
• Warlord
• 1x Kha-vir, the Sword of Sorrows
• 1x Storm of Whispers
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Mandiblasters
◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 1x Scorpion’s claw
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Mandiblasters
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
◦ 1x Mandiblasters
◦ 1x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 1x Scorpion’s claw
• 4x Striking Scorpion
◦ 4x Mandiblasters
◦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
◦ 1x Aeldari power sword
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Lasblaster
• 1x Lead Player
◦ 1x Aeldari power sword
◦ 1x Fusion pistol
• 11x Player
◦ 3x Fusion pistol
◦ 11x Harlequin’s special weapon
◦ 4x Neuro disruptor
◦ 4x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Bright lance
• 1x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 1x Bright lance
• 1x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Wraithbone hull
• 2x Bright lance
• 1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
• 1x War Walker feet
• 2x Bright lance
• 1x War Walker feet
• 3x Warlock Skyrunner
◦ 3x Destructor
◦ 3x Shuriken pistol
◦ 3x Singing Spear
◦ 3x Twin shuriken catapult
• 1x Sybarite
◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher
◦ 1x Splinter rifle
◦ 1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
◦ 1x Blaster
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Dark lance
◦ 1x Shredder
◦ 1x Splinter cannon
◦ 5x Splinter rifle
• 1x Sybarite
◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher
◦ 1x Splinter rifle
◦ 1x Sybarite weapon
• 9x Kabalite Warrior
◦ 1x Blaster
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Dark lance
◦ 1x Shredder
◦ 1x Splinter cannon
◦ 5x Splinter rifle
• 1x Bladevanes
• 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Bladevanes
• 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Bladevanes
• 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Bladevanes
• 1x Splinter cannon
• 1x Splinter cannon
vs.
Alan Dehesa – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) World Eaters CHARACTERS Angron (435 Points) Lord Invocatus (140 Points) BATTLELINE Jakhals (65 Points) Jakhals (65 Points) Jakhals (65 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Eightbound (140 Points) Eightbound (140 Points) Exalted Eightbound (155 Points) World Eaters Chaos Spawn (70 Points) World Eaters Chaos Spawn (70 Points) World Eaters Helbrute (130 Points) World Eaters Helbrute (130 Points) World Eaters Helbrute (130 Points) World Eaters Predator Destructor (130 Points) World Eaters Predator Destructor (130 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (2), Data Version: v538
Army List - Click to Expand
Not LVO (1995 Points)
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Coward’s Bane
• 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 7x Jakhal chainblades
◦ 1x Mauler chainblade
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 7x Jakhal chainblades
◦ 1x Mauler chainblade
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 7x Jakhal chainblades
◦ 1x Mauler chainblade
• 1x Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
◦ 2x Eightbound eviscerators
• 1x Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
◦ 2x Eightbound eviscerators
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 2x Eightbound chainfist
◦ 2x Eightbound eviscerator
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Heavy flamer
• 1x Helbrute fist
• 1x Helbrute fist
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Helbrute hammer
• 1x Twin lascannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Heavy flamer
• 1x Helbrute fist
• 1x Helbrute fist
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
Thoughts
A spicy match up here pitting those who would quite like to be dead against those who would really like you to be dead. The WE list is interesting, dialling down the Eightbound to slot in some Predators and Helbutes and create different challenges and profiles for the foe to deal with. Otherwise, business as usual with the going fast and punching things!
The Ynnari probably quite appreciate the WE bringing tanks for them to pick off with Lances and such, and the list here is beautifully asset rich with a million cheap and cheerful units to give the Eaters the run around. That gives them a better chance of avoiding the loss condition of a mass connect from the melee push. On paper I’d be optimistic of the elves ability here to absorb and out-activate the WE, which makes the perfectly executed one point win by Angron’s sons even more impressive, really well done!
Result
World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) Victory – 83 – 82
Alan Dehesa – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand World Eaters CHARACTERS Angron (435 Points) Lord Invocatus (140 Points) BATTLELINE Jakhals (65 Points) Jakhals (65 Points) Jakhals (65 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Eightbound (140 Points) Eightbound (140 Points) Exalted Eightbound (155 Points) World Eaters Chaos Spawn (70 Points) World Eaters Chaos Spawn (70 Points) World Eaters Helbrute (130 Points) World Eaters Helbrute (130 Points) World Eaters Helbrute (130 Points) World Eaters Predator Destructor (130 Points) World Eaters Predator Destructor (130 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (2), Data Version: v538
Not LVO (1995 Points)
Berzerker Warband
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Samni’arius and Spinegrinder
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Coward’s Bane
• 1x Juggernaut’s bladed horn
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 7x Jakhal chainblades
◦ 1x Mauler chainblade
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 7x Jakhal chainblades
◦ 1x Mauler chainblade
• 1x Jakhal Pack Leader
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Jakhal chainblades
• 1x Dishonoured
◦ 1x Skullsmasher
• 8x Jakhal
◦ 8x Autopistol
◦ 1x Icon of Khorne
◦ 7x Jakhal chainblades
◦ 1x Mauler chainblade
• 1x Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
◦ 2x Eightbound eviscerators
• 1x Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Lacerators
• 2x Eightbound
◦ 2x Eightbound eviscerators
• 1x Exalted Eightbound Champion
◦ 1x Paired Eightbound chainfists
• 2x Exalted Eightbound
◦ 2x Eightbound chainfist
◦ 2x Eightbound eviscerator
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations
• 2x Chaos Spawn
◦ 2x Hideous mutations
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Heavy flamer
• 1x Helbrute fist
• 1x Helbrute fist
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Helbrute hammer
• 1x Twin lascannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Heavy flamer
• 1x Helbrute fist
• 1x Helbrute fist
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
Archetype
World Eaters Mixed Arms
Thoughts
Perpetual bridesmaids, the World Eaters claim an event win and I am very psyched about it! This list is genuinely very innovative, packing in some supporting fire. The triple Helbrute is really funny into some melee match ups getting you some additional activations and making the mini-games that WE pose even more complicated. Fantastic work on the event win!
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 5-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Kyle Parry – Aeldari (Battle Host):
- 3rd – Ed Safarian – Astra Militarum (Combined Regiment):
- 4th – Jason McKenzie – Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade):
Cross-Swords Vigil of Peace
34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Lee Mill Bridge, England, United Kingdom on January 18 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Jonathan Summerfield – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Grey Knights CHARACTERS Brotherhood Librarian (120 points) Brotherhood Librarian (120 points) Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (210 points) Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (210 points) BATTLELINE Strike Squad (120 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Nemesis Dreadknight (210 points) Nemesis Dreadknight (210 points) Nemesis Dreadknight (210 points) Purgation Squad (120 points) Purgation Squad (120 points) Purifier Squad (125 points) Purifier Squad (125 points) ALLIED UNITS Callidus Assassin (100 points) Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (65), Data Version: v538
For Gareth (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Warpbane Task Force
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purge Soul
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purge Soul
• Warlord
• 1x Gatling psilencer
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
• 1x Gatling psilencer
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
• 1x Justicar
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Grey Knight
• 1x Close combat weapon
3x Nemesis force weapon
1x Psycannon
3x Storm bolter
• 1x Gatling psilencer
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
• 1x Gatling psilencer
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
• 1x Gatling psilencer
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
• 1x Purgator Justicar
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purgator
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Psycannon
• 1x Purgator Justicar
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purgator
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Psycannon
• 1x Knight of the Flame
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purifier
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Nemesis force weapon
2x Psycannon
4x Purifying Flame
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Knight of the Flame
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purifier
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Nemesis force weapon
2x Psycannon
4x Purifying Flame
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Archetype
Warpbane Librarians
Thoughts
A very tidy Warpbane list, which mixes in some of the standouts (Purifiers and Purgation Squads), and then adds some mortal wound output from Librarians to help it muscle through tanks and monsters. Warpbane seems to be flexible and effective but takes some careful piloting to get the best out of, so an event win in a game full of nasty threats is very commendable, really well done!
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Cameron Giles – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): Dreadnought / Caladius spam with two Assassins!
- 3rd – James Mclean – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Truckloads of Invasion Fleet Termagants in front of the usual heavy hitting monsters.
- 4th – Liam Steptoe – World Eaters (Vessels of Wrath): Three huge bricks of Eightbound to maximise the new buffs in Vessels, epic.
- 5th – Steve Pearce – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Techy Deathwatch with a Talonspear team, some Judiciar squads and a Navigator from the IA book.
- 6th – Steven Connell – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile): Four Rhinos chock full of Legionaires in Bile – amazing.
Abyss Bonne année, Grand Nez 40k GT
28-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Montréal, Québec, CA on January 18 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
John Winter Russell – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Number of units: 23 Les hommes avec des pelles (2000 Points) Astra Militarum CHARACTERS Death Korps Marshal (60 Points) Gaunt’s Ghosts (110 Points) Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (95 Points) Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 Points) Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (70 Points) Platoon Command Squad (60 Points) Ursula Creed (55 Points) BATTLELINE Death Korps of Krieg (130 Points) Tempestus Scions (60 Points) Tempestus Scions (120 Points) Tempestus Scions (120 Points) Tempestus Scions (120 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Taurox Prime (90 Points) Taurox Prime (90 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Attilan Rough Riders (120 Points) Heavy Weapons Squad (50 Points) Heavy Weapons Squad (50 Points) Heavy Weapons Squad (50 Points) Kasrkin (110 Points) Kasrkin (110 Points) Ogryn Bodyguard (40 Points) Tempestus Aquilons (110 Points) Tempestus Aquilons (110 Points)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Player Name: John Winter Russell
Factions Used: Astra Militarum
Army Points: 2000
Army Enhancements: Bombast-Class Vox-array
Detachment Rule: Bridgehead Strike
Bring it down: 4
Assassination: (7) 28
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bridgehead Strike
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Power weapon
• 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 Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 2x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Master Vox
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard
Bombast-Class Vox-array (+25 pts)
• 1x Tempestor Prime
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard
• 1x Tempestor Prime
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Tempestus dagger
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Medi-pack
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard
• 1x Platoon Commander
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Veteran Guardsman
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Lasgun
◦ 4x Laspistol
◦ 1x Master Vox
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Regimental Standard
• 1x Duty and Vengeance
• 1x Power weapon
• 2x Death Korps Watchmaster
◦ 2x Plasma pistol
◦ 2x Power weapon
• 18x Death Korps Trooper
◦ 18x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Death Korps Medi-pack
◦ 2x Grenade launcher
◦ 12x Lasgun
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 1x Meltagun
◦ 1x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
◦ 2x Meltagun
◦ 2x Plasma gun
◦ 1x Vox-caster
• 1x Tempestor
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 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 Armoured tracks
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Taurox gatling cannon
• 1x Twin Taurox hot-shot volley gun
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Taurox gatling cannon
• 1x Twin Taurox hot-shot volley gun
• 1x Rough Rider Sergeant
◦ 1x Hunting lance
◦ 1x Lasgun
◦ 1x Laspistol
◦ 1x Steed’s hooves
• 9x Rough Rider
◦ 9x Hunting lance
◦ 9x Lasgun
◦ 9x Laspistol
◦ 9x Steed’s hooves
• 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
• 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 Brute Shield
• 1x Bullgryn maul
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Sentry hot‐shot volley gun
• 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
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hot-shot lascarbine
◦ 1x Sentry hot‐shot volley gun
• 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
Bridgehead Infantry Spam
Thoughts
Guard stalwart John gets on the new hotness and packs in the Scions and Kasrkin. I like the tasteful counter charge unit of Rough Riders for those nasty melee pushers, and Mortars help to put the opponent on a timer. Getting the drops in the right places is key here, but when it goes off Bridgehead is really very hard to play against. Fantastic work on the event win!
The Best of the Rest
There were 3 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Sebastien Geoffrion – Tyranids (Vanguard Onslaught): Pressure Vanguard with loads of Genestealers and supporting Warrior bricks.
- 3rd – Valentin Puchkarov – Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile): Thirty Possessed Bile, let’s go!
- 4th – Sebastian Hebert – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): MSU Sang Guard, double Vindicator and plenty of other flying murderers in LAG.
Wrap Up
There we are folks! Our meta continues to throw up combat pressure and go-wide shooty threats. It’s a world of extremes out there but so many builds seem to be able to win events right now, and we love to see that. Keep on enjoying those hams!
Lowest of Men, out.
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