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.
We’re back to the goldilocks zone for event count this week, with a perfect ten to split between us. In terms of what’s happening out there – not a massive change from the last few weeks. Necrons have dropped back a little now the worst excesses of Starshatter have been curbed (though people are also finding hot new Awakened Dynasty builds), leaving Slaanesh Daemons out in front, with Guilliman lists and Deathwatch in hot pursuit. It’s far from a sweep for this trio though, and plenty of other armies are making an impact, with Grey Knights in particular starting to creep up the rankings as people lock in to the best Warpbane builds. That’s how the land lies as we sit in Aeldari and Astra Militarum waiting room, and I don’t expect massive changes for the next few weeks till those come live – but we’ll be here as always in case a surprise occurs.
This week we’re covering the following events today:
- UTC Invitational Finals
- OPEN TALAVERA 2025
- Winter Ruin II
- Dicehammer Open 40k GT VIII
- Waaghmaster III
And these on Friday:
- Geekfest – Winter War Zone – Warhammer 40K GT
- Dearg Doom II: The Redder, The Deader
- CaptainCon 40K Event Hosted by Away Game
- Battle for the Bend II 40k GT
- Cross-Swords PAW 2025
Our voting public have been consulted on their Showdown preferences, and this week they’ve selected:
- Taktikal Brigade vs. Crusher Stampede at the Dicehammer Open
- Solar Spearhead Custodes vs. War Horde Orks at Cross-Swords.
UTC Invitational Finals
30-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Coraopolis, PA, US on February 01 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Conan Jennings – Ultramarines (Ironstorm Spearhead) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (90 Points) Marneus Calgar (200 Points) Roboute Guilliman (345 Points) BATTLELINE Intercessor Squad (80 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Ballistus Dreadnought (130 Points) Ballistus Dreadnought (130 Points) Ballistus Dreadnought (130 Points) Company Heroes (95 Points) Incursor Squad (80 Points) Scout Squad (70 Points) Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 Points) Vindicator (175 Points) Vindicator (175 Points) Vindicator (175 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (2), Data Version: v541
The G Storm (2000 Points)
Ultramarines
Ironstorm Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
• Enhancements: Master of Machine War
• 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 Astartes grenade launcher
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
◦ 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 Armoured feet
• 1x Ballistus lascannon
• 1x Ballistus missile launcher
• 1x Twin storm bolter
• 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 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
• 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 Missile launcher
◦ 1x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
• 2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
• 1x Melta destroyer
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter
Archetype
Bobby G Gun Club
Thoughts
Our first winner this week cleaned up with this particularly streamlined iteration of the Bobby G gun club – six lethal shooting platforms with extra CP and the Guilliman buffs to push them to their limit, and just enough units for board control outside that. The fact that Calgar and Guilliman double up as a powerful countercharge thrust lets you get away with trimming so light on units, and this is definitely a build you must have a plan for in our current metagame. Congratulations to Conan on victory!
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Joshua Campbell – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Doomsday Arks and MSU Immortals/Skorpekh with Characters scattered around.
- 3rd – TJ Lanigan – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Double Mutalith Tsons. Thank you TJ, we all look forward to seeing it again next week.
- 4th – Jonas Beardsley – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis and a teleporting Crusader with Armigers galore.
- 5th – Malaki Fowler – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Joke we will see it again right now – double Mutalith Tsons.
- 6th – Sam Dayton – Space Wolves (Champions of Russ): A hilarious aggro Infantry spam build with large bricks of Jump Intercessors and two big units of Hounds of Morkai with Librarians, which makes them pleasingly difficult to focus fire.
OPEN TALAVERA 2025
93-player, 7-round Major in Talavera de la Reina, CM, España on February 01 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Gonzalo “Raven” de La Moneda – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand PEGI 18 El rival puede sufrir convulsiones y (Battle)shocks debido a reglas mal planteadas. Experiencia no apta para embarazadas, menores, gente con problemas de corazón, diabéticos o jugadores llorones. O sí, no nos metemos con tus filias. Mantener fuera del alcance de niños y jugadores metachaser. Para una buena conservación, guardar en lugares húmedos y oscuros. Si aún con todos estos avisos quiere seguir bajando y observar tal herejía, no nos hacemos responsables y queda bajo su propia responsabilidad, la palabra de seguridad es Rhana Dandra + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Daemons CHARACTER 1x Syll’esske (120 pts) 1x The Masque of Slaanesh (85 pts) 1x Contorted Epitome (80 pts) 1x Contorted Epitome (80 pts) 1x Keeper of Secrets (300 pts) 1x Keeper of Secrets (290 pts) 1x Tormentbringer on Exalted Seeker Chariot (170 pts) BATTLELINE 10x Daemonettes (100 pts) 10x Daemonettes (100 pts) 10x Daemonettes (100 pts) OTHER DATASHEETS 3x Fiends (105 pts) 3x Fiends (105 pts) 1x Slaanesh Soul Grinder (180 pts) 1x Slaanesh Soul Grinder (180 pts) Como premio por llegar aquí tienes un mensaje oculto escrito en Slaaneshiano foquil 🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭 (Chi, son 6 veces 6 foquitas, el numero de Slaanesh)
LAS PASIVO AGRESIVAS YA ESTAN AQUÍ (EDICION POST NAVIDEÑA)
Esta lista contiene Lenguaje soez, Discriminación, Drogas, Miedo, Sexo, Violencia y Juego.
+ DETACHMENT: Legion of Excess
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char7: Tormentbringer on Exalted Seeker Chariot
+ ENHANCEMENT: Soul Glutton (on Char3: Keeper of Secrets)
& False Majesty (Aura) (on Char5: Tormentbringer on Exalted Seeker Chariot)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 14
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (3×2) + (2×4) – Assassination: 7 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
• 1x Axe of Dominion
• 1x Cacophonic choir
• 1x Scourging whip
• 1x Serrated claws
• 1x Coiled tentacles
• 1x Ravaging claws
• 1x Coiled tentacles
• 1x Ravaging claws
• 1x Phantasmagoria
• 1x Snapping claws
• 1x Witstealer sword
• Shining aegis
• Soul Glutton (+10 pts)
• 1x Phantasmagoria
• 1x Snapping claws
• 1x Witstealer sword
• Shining aegis
• 1x Exalted Seeker tongues
• 1x Lashes of torment
• 1x Ravaging claws
• Warlord
• False Majesty (Aura) (+30 pts)
• 10x Daemonette
• 10x Slashing claws
• Instrument of Chaos, Daemonic Icon
• 10x Daemonette
• 10x Slashing claws
• Instrument of Chaos, Daemonic Icon
• 10x Daemonette
• 10x Slashing claws
• Instrument of Chaos, Daemonic Icon
• 3x Fiends
• 3x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 3x Fiends
• 3x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Harvester cannon
• 1x Iron claw
• 1x Scream of despair
• 1x Warpsword
• 1x Harvester cannon
• 1x Iron claw
• 1x Scream of despair
• 1x Warpsword
🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭
🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭
🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭
🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭
🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭🦭
Archetype
Thieves of Excess Pain
Thoughts
Fittingly given their current metagame position, the Daemons of Slaanesh took the trophy at this week’s biggest event. Gonzalo’s build leans extra hard into the incredible power of Thieves of Pain, taking two Epitome batteries rather than one, and two Soul Grinders to use them. This feels like it adds significant value in a mirror, as a Soul Grinder with a battery nearby creates a wall that enemy monsters are unlikely to be able to safely charge and wreck. It also provides extra staying power against high threat ranged builds like Bobby G lists, and it being able to sometimes sabotage double Oaths by keeping the first target in the game overlong helps disrupt the plans there. This list is just really, really good, and if doubling up on Epitome units turns out to be the key to getting a leg up in important matchups, expect to see plenty of others follow Gonzalo’s example.
Teniente Lechuga – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force) – 2nd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Grey Knights CHARACTERS Brother-Captain Stern (90 Points) Castellan Crowe (90 Points) Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (220 Points) Kaldor Draigo (125 Points) BATTLELINE Brotherhood Terminator Squad (200 Points) Strike Squad (120 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Nemesis Dreadknight (210 Points) Nemesis Dreadknight (210 Points) Purgation Squad (120 Points) Purgation Squad (120 Points) Purgation Squad (120 Points) Purifier Squad (250 Points) Purifier Squad (125 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (2), Data Version: v541
GK 5 (2000 Points)
Warpbane Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• 1x Nemesis force sword
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Black Blade of Antwyr
• 1x Purifying Flame
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Heavy incinerator
• 1x Heavy psycannon
• 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
• Enhancements: Paragon of Sanctity
• Warlord
• 1x Scourging
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x The Titansword
• 1x Terminator Justicar
◦ 1x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Brotherhood Terminator
◦ 1x Ancient’s Banner
◦ 1x Incinerator
◦ 1x Narthecium
◦ 4x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 2x Storm bolter
• 1x Justicar
◦ 1x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Grey Knight
◦ 4x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 4x Storm bolter
• 1x Heavy incinerator
• 1x Heavy psycannon
• 1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
• 1x Heavy incinerator
• 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 Purgator Justicar
◦ 1x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purgator
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Psilencer
• 1x Knight of the Flame
◦ 1x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Purifying Flame
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 9x Purifier
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Incinerator
◦ 5x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 9x Purifying Flame
◦ 5x Storm bolter
• 1x Knight of the Flame
◦ 1x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 1x Purifying Flame
◦ 1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purifier
◦ 4x Nemesis force weapon
◦ 4x Purifying Flame
◦ 4x Storm bolter
Archetype
No-Scope Warpbane
Thoughts
As mentioned up-top, Warpbane is on the rise this week as people lock in on optimised builds, and plenty of those builds are leaning hard on Purgation Squads as we see here. As long as you can reliably set up no-scope mode (which solo Stern is great for, hence his presence here), three Purgation squads is probably the most cost efficient Indirect you can get in the whole game right now, and historically that’s always been a good place to be. It comes alongside the great all-round power of Dreadknights and the big Purifier unit to take on all comers, plus a small Draigo squad to force caution.. Very flexible, very lethal, and decently capable of taking a punch thanks to army-wide 2+ saves, Teniente’s build is a great example of how to get the most out of Grey Knights right now.
Shadowblade 40K – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess) – 3rd Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Yo me hago mis listas, pero hay pocas minis donde elegir. Chaos Daemons CHARACTERS Contorted Epitome (80 points) Contorted Epitome (80 points) Keeper of Secrets (300 points) Keeper of Secrets (320 points) Syll’Esske (120 points) The Blue Scribes (75 points) The Masque of Slaanesh (85 points) BATTLELINE Daemonettes (100 points) Daemonettes (100 points) Daemonettes (100 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fiends (105 points) Fiends (105 points) Fiends (105 points) Seeker Chariot (65 points) Seekers (80 points) Soul Grinder (180 points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (67), Data Version: v541
Talavera 1 soulgrinder (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Legion of Excess
• 1x Coiled tentacles
1x Ravaging claws
• Warlord
• 1x Coiled tentacles
1x Ravaging claws
• 1x Phantasmagoria
1x Shining Aegis
1x Snapping claws
1x Witstealer sword
• Enhancement: Soul Glutton
• 1x Phantasmagoria
1x Shining Aegis
1x Snapping claws
1x Witstealer sword
• Enhancement: False Majesty (Aura)
• 1x Axe of Dominion
1x Cacophonic choir
1x Scourging whip
• 1x Sharp quills
• 1x Serrated claws
• 1x Alluress
• 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Slashing claws
• 1x Alluress
• 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Slashing claws
• 1x Alluress
• 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Slashing 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 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 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
Archetype
Thieves of Excess Pain
Thoughts
See above re: the double Epitome hype. Shadowblade sticks to a single Soul Grinder in favour of more utility, but the core plan is the same here – it’s the vicious killing power of Legion of Excess, but with the option to just say no to opponents pushing past a position in melee. Strong stuff from Shadowblade.
Borja FM – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group) – 4th Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Captain with Jump Pack (110 points) Captain with Jump Pack (100 points) Chief Librarian Mephiston (135 points) The Sanguinor (140 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 points) Baal Predator (135 points) Baal Predator (135 points) Infiltrator Squad (100 points) Sanguinary Guard (260 points) Sanguinary Guard (130 points) Sanguinary Guard (130 points) Vindicator (175 points) Vindicator (175 points) Exported with App Version: v1.25.0 (65), Data Version: v538
Si Mephiston ya venció ls Rabia Negra… ¿por qué tú no?
(1995 points)
Blood Angels
Strike Force (2000 points)
Liberator Assault Group
• Warlord
• 1x Relic Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancement: Speed of the Primarch
• 1x Relic Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancement: Gift of Foresight
• 1x Fury of the Ancients
1x Plasma pistol
1x Vitarus
• 1x Encarmine broadsword
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Baal flamestorm cannon
2x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Baal flamestorm cannon
2x Heavy flamer
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm 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
• 6x Sanguinary Guard
• 4x Angelus boltgun
6x Encarmine blade
2x Inferno pistol
1x Sanguinary Banner
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 2x Angelus boltgun
3x Encarmine blade
1x Inferno pistol
1x Sanguinary Banner
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
• 2x Angelus boltgun
3x Encarmine blade
1x Inferno pistol
1x Sanguinary Banner
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
Archetype
All-rounder Liberator
Thoughts
Not a huge amount to talk about here that hasn’t been covered to death on Liberator – it’s a really, really good all-rounder Detachment, and there are valid uses for going for both “real” blood angels or blood angels lite. Borja takes fourth place with the former option, adding Mephiston’s power, the extreme disruption threat of the Sanguinor, and some extra nasty melee killers to go with the Captains. This list just plays really, really good all-rounder 40K, with plenty of redundancy and a good variety of damage output. Well done to Borja on piloting it to the top four.
The Best of the Rest
All the above went undefeated (incl. one 4.5-0.5) in the Swiss.
There were then 13 players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 5th – Jorge Tobar – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): The classic Canis/Atrapos tag-team with Armigers.
- 6th – Roger Boira – Astra Militarum (Bridgehead Strike): A fairly all-rounder spin on Bridgehead with some tanks and utility units supporting a modest scion contingent, and also the debut of the new Krieg Combat Engineers for emergency Mortals.
- 7th – Joshua Flavio Vespasiano – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): All-rounder Liberator with big Dante and Lemartes bricks.
- 8th – Míwel – Orks (War Horde): A mechanised elite MSU list making full use of all the exciting new datasheets.
- 9th – Nacho Elessarr – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Nightbringer, Silent King and Doomsdays, plus a Wraith brick to soak damage.
- 10th – Nacho Manso – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, Armigers and an Immolator.
- 11th – Negro Negro – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Metal World Eaters with a Lord of Skulls and Forgefiends.
- 12th – Terroxer El Rojo – Thousand Sons (Cult of Magic): Rubric-heavy single Mutalith Tsons.
- 13th – Francisco pellon lopez – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Extreme big boy season with triple Indomitor Kill Team.
- 14th – Samuel Martínez – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Fairly crunchy all-rounder Martyrs with various hulls, Vahl, and one Sacresant unit.
- 15th – Alberto Vacas 🐮 – T’au Empire (Mont’ka): Go-wide shooty Mont’ka
- 16th – Gispano MdE ☣️☢️ – Death Guard: All-rounder Death Guard with Mortarion in charge.
- 17th – Fede Martín – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster Mash with the Swarmlord and a Tyrant as central pivot points.
Winter Ruin II
51-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Slatington, PA, United States on February 01 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Justin Serrano – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Chaos Daemons CHARACTERS Contorted Epitome (80 points) Keeper of Secrets (290 points) Shalaxi Helbane (425 points) The Masque of Slaanesh (85 points) BATTLELINE Daemonettes (100 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Fiends (210 points) Fiends (210 points) Fiends (210 points) Seeker Chariot (65 points) Seeker Chariot (65 points) Seekers (80 points) Soul Grinder (180 points)
Don’t Tempt Me (2000 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Legion of Excess
• 1x Coiled tentacles
1x Ravaging claws
• 1x Phantasmagoria
1x Shining Aegis
1x Snapping claws
1x Witstealer sword
• Warlord
• 1x Lash of Slaanesh
1x Pavane of Slaanesh
1x Snapping claws
1x Soulpiercer
• 1x Serrated claws
• 1x Alluress
• 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
• 9x Slashing claws
• 1x Blissbringer
• 1x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 5x Fiend
• 5x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Blissbringer
• 1x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 5x Fiend
• 5x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Blissbringer
• 1x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 5x Fiend
• 5x Barbed tail and dissecting claws
• 1x Lashes of torment
1x Seeker tongues
1x Slashing claws
• 1x Lashes of torment
1x Seeker tongues
1x Slashing claws
• 1x Heartseeker
• 1x Lashing tongue
1x Slashing claws
• 4x Seeker
• 4x Lashing tongue
4x Slashing claws
• Daemonic Allegiance: Slaanesh
• 1x Harvester cannon
1x Iron claw
1x Scream of despair
1x Warpsword
Archetype
Excess Fiends
Thoughts
OK I promise things aren’t quite as bad as they look, it just so happens that the way events have split this week puts loads of Slaanesh Daemons right up top. This build mostly sticks to the core plan that’s been powering this army for the last few weeks, stacking up massive numbers of Fiends with the threat of Fight on Death, though does also add the increasingly popular tech of Seeker Chariots. These are incredibly cheap for what they do just on pure rate, and adding in their eligibility for Thieves of Pain makes them ultra high value here. No surprise to see people sneaking them in, as it lets you maintain critical mass on board presence while buying more expenive toys like Shalaxi. Well done to Justin!
Sascha Alexander Edelkraut – Space Marines (Librarius Conclave) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Space Marines CHARACTERS Librarian (80 points) Librarian (65 points) Librarian (65 points) Librarian in Phobos Armour (95 points) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Impulsor (80 points) Impulsor (80 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Ballistus Dreadnought (130 points) Hellblaster Squad (115 points) Inceptor Squad (120 points) Inceptor Squad (120 points) Incursor Squad (80 points) Incursor Squad (80 points) Scout Squad (70 points) Sternguard Veteran Squad (200 points) Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 points) Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 points) Vindicator (175 points) Vindicator (175 points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (67), Data Version: v541
1 A Libby detachment fists (2000 points)
Imperial Fists
Strike Force (2000 points)
Librarius Conclave
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancement: Fusillade
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x Smite
• Enhancement: Prescience
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Shield Dome
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Orbital Comms Array (Aura)
2x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter
• 1x Hellblaster Sergeant
• 1x Plasma Pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma incinerator
• 4x Hellblaster
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Plasma incinerator
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Assault bolters
1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Assault bolters
2x Close combat weapon
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma exterminators
• 2x Inceptor
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Plasma exterminators
• 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
• 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
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle
• 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power fist
1x Sternguard bolt pistol
1x Sternguard bolt rifle
• 9x Sternguard Veteran
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Sternguard bolt pistol
7x Sternguard bolt rifle
2x Sternguard heavy bolter
• 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power fist
1x Sternguard bolt pistol
1x Sternguard bolt rifle
• 4x Sternguard Veteran
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Sternguard bolt pistol
3x Sternguard bolt rifle
1x Sternguard heavy bolter
• 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power fist
1x Sternguard bolt pistol
1x Sternguard bolt rifle
• 4x Sternguard Veteran
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Sternguard bolt pistol
3x Sternguard bolt rifle
1x Sternguard heavy bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
Archetype
Stern Librarians
Thoughts
An undefeated showing for the Librarius Conclave here, using some of the standard suite of powerful Marine shooting tools, then sprinkling in Sternguard. These come in both “surprisingly horrendous MSU” and “attack and dethrone god” levels of killing power, with the full ten man Fusillade squad being one of the nastiest “all-purpose” damage-dealing tools available in the entire game. One Librarian can also swap over to Hellblasters if the matchup needs, it, which is a cute toolbox option You also get a very nifty headache-causing scoring piece at a bargain price from the Incursor/Librarian squad, as the combination of Lone Operative and a good reactive move makes them incredibly hard to pin down. Adding reliable disruption from Sensory Assault and an emergency damage spike from being able to tap Assail into Grenades rounds things out with some pocket tools that other Marines don’t have, making this a very compelling option if you want something a bit different. Well done to Sascha for unleashing psychic fury.
The Best of the Rest
There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 3rd – Alex Miller – Death Guard (Plague Company): Poxwalker and Nurgling horde. Upsetting.
- 4th – Evan Tomchin – T’au Empire (Retaliation Cadre): Crisis toolbox with four Broadsides sitting at the back.
- 5th – Mark Benning – Genestealer Cult (Final Day): Lictors and Gargoyles to tee up the detachment and score, then a mix of Ridgerunners, Metamorphs and Aberrants to smash.
- 6th – Karl Vela – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess): Two Keepers, Fiends, Chariots, and a bonus Soul Grinder for max wound-dodging nonsense.
- 7th – Edgar Hernandez – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess): More of that sort of thing, only with slightly fewer units so one of the Keepers can become Shalaxi.
- 8th – Gabriel Routh – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess): Double Keeper/Shalaxi to close out a trioe of variants here.
- 9th – Charles Burgard – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): A fairly terrifying elite Infantry horde using lots of Possessed and Chosen.
Dicehammer Open 40k GT VIII
42-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Irvine, CA, US on February 01 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
The Showdown
Take and Hold – Raise Banners – Tipping Point
Jeff Jew – Orks (Taktikal Brigade) Orks CHARACTERS Big Mek in Mega Armour (125 Points) Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (80 Points) Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 Points) Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (65 Points) Warboss (75 Points) Warboss (75 Points) BATTLELINE Stormboyz (65 Points) Stormboyz (65 Points) DEDICATED TRANSPORTS Trukk (65 Points) Trukk (65 Points) Trukk (65 Points) Trukk (65 Points) Trukk (65 Points) OTHER DATASHEETS Burna Boyz (60 Points) Burna Boyz (60 Points) Flash Gitz (160 Points) Gretchin (40 Points) Gretchin (40 Points) Kommandos (120 Points) Nobz (105 Points) Nobz (105 Points) Tankbustas (120 Points) Tankbustas (120 Points) Tankbustas (120 Points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (2), Data Version: v541
Army List - Click to Expand
boomstikk brigade
Taktikal Brigade
Strike Force (2000 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Grot Oiler
• 1x Kustom Force Field
• 1x Kustom mega-blasta
• 1x Power klaw
• Enhancements: Mek Kaptin
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Grot Assistant
• 1x Shokk attack gun
• Enhancements: Mork’s Kunnin’
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Grot Assistant
• 1x Shokk attack gun
• Enhancements: Gob Boomer
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Grot Assistant
• 1x Shokk attack gun
• 1x Attack squig
• 1x Kombi-weapon
• 1x Power klaw
• 1x Twin sluggas
• 1x Attack squig
• 1x Kombi-weapon
• 1x Power klaw
• 1x Twin sluggas
• 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
• 1x Big shoota
• 1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
• 1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
• 1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
• 1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Big shoota
• 1x Spiked wheels
• 1x Wreckin’ ball
• 1x Spanner
◦ 1x Big shoota
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Burna Boy
◦ 4x Burna
◦ 4x Cuttin’ flames
• 1x Spanner
◦ 1x Big shoota
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Burna Boy
◦ 4x Burna
◦ 4x Cuttin’ flames
• 1x Ammo Runt
• 1x Kaptin
◦ 1x Choppa
◦ 1x Snazzgun
• 9x Flash Git
◦ 9x Choppa
◦ 9x Snazzgun
• 10x Gretchin
◦ 10x Close combat weapon
◦ 10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
◦ 1x Runtherd tools
◦ 1x Slugga
• 10x Gretchin
◦ 10x Close combat weapon
◦ 10x Grot blasta
• 1x Runtherd
◦ 1x Runtherd tools
◦ 1x Slugga
• 1x Bomb Squig
• 1x Distraction Grot
• 9x Kommando
◦ 1x Breacha ram
◦ 1x Burna
◦ 6x Choppa
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Rokkit launcha
◦ 6x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Power klaw
◦ 1x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Power klaw
◦ 1x Slugga
• 4x Nob
◦ 4x Power klaw
◦ 4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Power klaw
◦ 1x Slugga
• 4x Nob
◦ 4x Power klaw
◦ 4x Slugga
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Choppa
◦ 1x Rokkit pistol
◦ 1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Pulsa Rokkit
◦ 5x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Choppa
◦ 1x Rokkit pistol
◦ 1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Pulsa Rokkit
◦ 5x Rokkit launcha
• 1x Boss Nob
◦ 1x Choppa
◦ 1x Rokkit pistol
◦ 1x Smash hammer
• 5x Tankbusta
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Pulsa Rokkit
◦ 5x Rokkit launcha
vs.
Kennith! Onyeabor – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede) Tyranids CHARACTERS Old One Eye (150 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Biovores (50 points) Exocrine (135 points) Exocrine (135 points) Exocrine (135 points) Lictor (60 points) Maleceptor (170 points) Norn Emissary (260 points) Norn Emissary (260 points) Norn Emissary (260 points) Tyrannofex (190 points) Tyrannofex (190 points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (67), Data Version: v541
Army List - Click to Expand
Hive Fleet Moby Thicc (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Crusher Stampede
• Warlord
• 1x Old One Eye’s claws and talons
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Lictor claws and talons
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
1x Monstrous scything talons
1x Psychic Tendril
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
1x Monstrous scything talons
1x Psychic Tendril
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
1x Monstrous scything talons
1x Psychic Tendril
• 1x Powerful limbs
1x Rupture cannon
1x Stinger salvoes
• 1x Powerful limbs
1x Rupture cannon
1x Stinger salvoes
Thoughts
The joy of 40K is that sometimes you get to watch waves of gun toting green hooligans try to blast their way through a wall of giant bugs, and it’s a serious high-level competitive matchup. Glorious.
Anyway – the good news for the Orks here is that they’re pretty reliably going to get to throw the first punch here. The bad news is that the bugs might be able to roll with it. Triple Norn is really good in this matchup, as the Ork army is surprisingly short on stuff that can bully a point off them without killing them, and killing them if they get into position is hard. The go-wide MSU setup the Orks have is also great in a lot of games, but here means that pretty much any time a unit becomes targetable, it is going to die, so it better get some value on the way out. That can be tough given the swingy defences of the Norns, and there’s also particular challenges with running the Nobz units into the threat of Savage Roar to blunt their offence.
So what are da boyz to do? This is definitely a game to take maximum advantage of the Secret Mission potential of Stormboyz – killing the Norns is a tall order, but if you can just push through one 10VP turn in turns 2-4, then you can get to 40 Primary by otherwise sitting on your home objective and scoring War of Attrition at the end. On Tipping Point it’s going to be super hard for a low unit army to screen their whole deployment zone, so pulling a Stormboy unit into Reserve early is exceptionally powerful.
As the bugs, you probably have to accept that that’s happening, and just focus on scoring as much as possible – it feels very feasible for the Nids to score highly enough that a Secret Mission doesn’t matter, and being able to throw Shadow in the Warp to potentially tank one turn of Primary and Secondary play for the Orks only increases that. There’s definitely some nuance to how all this lines up, with both sides having plays to make – and the game ended up ultra close as a result, with Crusher squeaking it by a single point.
Result
Tyranids (Crusher Stampede) Victory – 73 – 72
Kennith! Onyeabor – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Tyranids CHARACTERS Old One Eye (150 points) OTHER DATASHEETS Biovores (50 points) Exocrine (135 points) Exocrine (135 points) Exocrine (135 points) Lictor (60 points) Maleceptor (170 points) Norn Emissary (260 points) Norn Emissary (260 points) Norn Emissary (260 points) Tyrannofex (190 points) Tyrannofex (190 points) Exported with App Version: v1.26.0 (67), Data Version: v541
Hive Fleet Moby Thicc (1995 points)
Strike Force (2000 points)
Crusher Stampede
• Warlord
• 1x Old One Eye’s claws and talons
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
• 1x Lictor claws and talons
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
1x Monstrous scything talons
1x Psychic Tendril
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
1x Monstrous scything talons
1x Psychic Tendril
• 1x Monstrous rending claws
1x Monstrous scything talons
1x Psychic Tendril
• 1x Powerful limbs
1x Rupture cannon
1x Stinger salvoes
• 1x Powerful limbs
1x Rupture cannon
1x Stinger salvoes
Archetype
Triple Norn
Thoughts
It’s so beautiful. I love it. Keepers of Secrets getting you down? Simply put a Norn in the way. Scientists don’t want you to know this. Alternatively if you find yourself up against something that can just blast a Norn to bits (Bobby G gun club, mostly), then use the ability to burst through walls to surprise and devour them. Simple. I love when a list appears that just leans in hard on a comic level of brutality, and this is definitely one of them, well done Kennith!
The Best of the Rest
There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Jeff Jew – Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Mechanised all-rounder Taktikal brigade, with lots of nasty shooting but also enough melee heft from Nobz to keep foes cautious.
- 3rd – Daniel Reddehase – Death Guard (Plague Company): Crunchy Death Guard with Mortarion, Predators, a Deathshroud brick and some War Dogs.
- 4th – Hans Lieber – Death Guard (Plague Company): Another crunchy Death Guard build, this time adding Daemon Engines in place of some of the War Dogs and chaff.
- 5th – Matthew Green – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Extra shooty Warpbane with five Dreadknights and some Purgation squads.
- 6th – Ryan Averill – Dark Angels (Stormlance Task Force): The Lion, elite Infantry and a big Outrider brick with Samael.
- 7th – Nico Urrea – Orks (Taktikal Brigade): Extra shooty Taktikal Brigade.
- 8th – Wyatt Turk – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G and a big plane (Stormraven).
- 9th – Kassie Heitman – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Quad Dreadknights supported by a Draigo/Terminator unit and Crowe’s Purifiers.
Waaghmaster III
31-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Uppsala län, Sverige on February 01 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.
Magnus Bjerke – Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance) – 1st Place
The List
Army List - Click to Expand Char1: 1x War Dog Stalker (165 pts): Warlord, Havoc multi-launcher, Daemonbreath spear, Slaughterclaw 1x War Dog Brigand (165 pts): Armoured feet, Avenger chaincannon, Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Knights
+ DETACHMENT: Traitoris Lance
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char1: War Dog Stalker
+ ENHANCEMENT: Aura of Terror (on Char1: War Dog Stalker)
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 13
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (13×2) – Assassination: 1 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Enhancement: Aura of Terror (+25 pts)
1x War Dog Brigand (165 pts): Armoured feet, Avenger chaincannon, Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Brigand (165 pts): Armoured feet, Avenger chaincannon, Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Brigand (165 pts): Armoured feet, Avenger chaincannon, Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Brigand (165 pts): Armoured feet, Avenger chaincannon, Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Brigand (165 pts): Armoured feet, Avenger chaincannon, Daemonbreath spear, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (140 pts): Reaper chaintalon, Slaughterclaw, Havoc multi-launcher
Archetype
Whoops All Dogs
Thoughts
Much like wearing black, all War Dogs never goes out of style. Having extremely uniform target profiles with high redundancy is maybe even a bit better than usual right now. Good news for Chaos Knights, and good news for Magnus.
The Best of the Rest
There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:
- 2nd – Rasmus Haglund – Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Ultra shooty Warpbane with five Dreadknights and max Purgation MSUs.
- 3rd – Kalle Abrahamsson – Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Monster mash with a big Genestealer unit and Deathleaper for early pressure.
- 4th – Robban Löfhaugen – World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Extra Daemonic Warband, forgoing Berzerkers for extra Exalted and a couple of Forgefiends.
- 5th – Mattias Cedervad – Death Guard: Deathshroud-centric Death Guard, with a bit of everything except Plague Marines, including a big Poxwalker squad with Typhus.
- 6th – Johan Nicolaisen – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): The Ultravanguard teleporting Centurion classic.
Wrap Up
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