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[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: Our Long National Nightmare is So Back pt.2

By Lowest of Men

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.

Lowest of Men continues his sweep of the week, today looking at:

  • Rocky Mountain Open 2025 – 40k Champs
  • Rosehammer III
  • Ogr Cubb 2025
  • Team Keelhaul Warhammer 40k Grand Tournament
  • Planet arKCanite 2025

On Wednesday we covered:

  • Goonhammer Open UK March 2025
  • THE SOUTH-COAST 40k SUPER-MAJOR
  • All is Dust
  • OP Luck of the Irish GT
  • NurgleMania 6 – 2 Tagesturnier
  • OTT 2025

Obviously Adepticon is this weekend so we’ll see if More Dakka repeats its eye-watering performance (as documented in Hammer of Math). Check back in next time to find out.

Rocky Mountain Open 2025 – 40k Champs

222-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Brighton, CO, United States on March 22 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Zach Point – Orks (More Dakka) – 1st Place

Ork Beast Snagga Beastboss by Crab-stuffed Mushrooms

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

More Dakka Goodstuff

Thoughts

It hasn’t taken long for the archetype to emerge (I guess a detachment that basically just levels up on the previous one that you’ve literally just nerfed will do that!), but tonnes of gun Orks in Trukks is the way to go for More Dakka, with Zodgrod leading the way up top. Brutal, Kunning, and unsufferable if it gets to go first! Really well done on the event win.

Ben Jurek – Orks (More Dakka) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Ork Deathskulls Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

More Dakka Goodstuff

Thoughts

Ben takes a leaf out of the Brian Seipp book and plugs Kommandos in to have a pop at preventing a reverse jail. Otherwise, very much the same Dakka toolkit on display here, ready to cause absolute mayhem. Very well done on the top placing!

Michael Mann – Orks (More Dakka) – 3rd Place (Undefeated)

Morkanaut
Morkanaut. Credit: That Gobbo

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Even MORE Dakka

Thoughts

Michael plugs in a Morkanaut for style points, and to give me something to say about his list. Thanks Michael! The Morkanaut can ferry Lootas to the frontlines, boasts quite terrifying shooting of its own, and is exactly the kind of ‘durable thing that requires real commitment’ that will bring the enemy onto the rest of your guns. It really isn’t that expensive for what you get either! Really well done on the top placing.

Kennith! Onyeabor – Tyranids (Crusher Stampede) – 4th Place

Norn Emissary
Norn Emissary. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Triple Norn Crusher

Thoughts

An extremely thicc Crusher list that packs in triple Norn to body the primary, as big gun bugs assist from the sidelines. The MSU Ripper Swarms are intriguing – this could be for simple screening, but the halving OC also combos quite nicely with the massed OC of the Norns! Lots to like here from this chonky list. Really well done on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

There were 17 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

  • 5th – Brandon Roddy – Ultramarines (Vanguard Spearhead): Ultramarines Vanguard with Desolators.
  • 6th – Steven Crawley – Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Fifteen Allarus in Lions. Absolute hero.
  • 7th – Justin Serrano – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Old-school incursion Daemons, with Belly, Rotigus and that damned GUO.
  • 8th – Mike Pestilens – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): Lots of Flesh Hounds, sneaky Bloodthirster and Belakor in the new Daemons detachment.
  • 9th – Matthew Murrell – Death Guard (Plague Company): Old school Plague Marine / Rhino rush with a bunch of Blighthaulers behind.
  • 10th – Phil Gilchrist – Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, a Crusader, and lots of Armigers.
  • 11th – Junior Aflleje – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Single Fort / Triple Sag Votann with a bunch of Hearthguard.
  • 12th – Andreas Hofmann – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Warrior brick mixed arms Awakened.
  • 13th – Aurelio Correa – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): FOUR ROGAL DORNS. Epic nonsense.
  • 14th – John Kilcommons – T’au Empire (Auxiliary Cadre): Nicely balanced Auxillary Cadre T’au with some Razorshark Fighters.
  • 15th – Michael Lynch – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Massed Neophytes in Host with a smattering of Ridgerunners.
  • 16th – Andrei Gorin – Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Double Dorn in Hammer of the Emperor with Taurox / Ratling support.
  • 17th – Kevin MORRISON – Death Guard (Plague Company): Double Plague Marine, triple PBC Death Guard.
  • 18th – Tom Axen – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): Spearhead Dreadnought spam.
  • 19th – Cael Titus – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension): Neo spam Host with a tasteful brick of Aberrants.
  • 20th – Beau Sheidenberger – Chaos Daemons (Plague Legion): Double GUO and Rotigus with lots of smelly support.
  • 21st – Kyle Colledge – Death Guard (Plague Company): A cheeky 15 Deathshroud with Rotigus in tow.

Rosehammer III

70-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Portland, OR, United States on March 22 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Lukas Troller – Orks (More Dakka) – 1st Place

Wrecka Krew Tankbusta Gunners by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

More Dakka Goodstuff

Thoughts

Lukas does the thing, with the thing. He is a long time Ork lover so that merits celebration. The list title says it all, they will indeed die now! I do really like the Beastboss / Snagga combo in this detachment for cheapish missiles that do a surprising amount of work. Very well done on the event win.

Alex Pina – Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) – 2nd Place

Deathwatch Terminators by Craig “MasterSlowPoke” Sniffen

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Deathwatch Kill Teams / Terminators

Thoughts

The massed Indomnitor and Terminator build from LVO continues to make some waves- I am surprised we haven’t seen more take up of it in recent times given it’s undoubted potential. It boasts precision threat removal via the uppy-downy combos as the Terminators lock in ground and push out, making this a very effective list. Well done on the top placing.

Justin Francis – Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) – 3rd Place

Old School Guilliman
Old School Guilliman. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Ultramarines Gladius

Thoughts

Ultras keep on trucking, and this list jams some MSU Reivers in for mission play and shenanigans. Battleshocking and OC reduction goes a long way in the game right now, and they’re dirt cheap action monkeys as well. A lovely, well rounded list, great work.

Ryan Brown – Orks (More Dakka!) – 4th Place

Lootas. Credit: Rockfish
Lootas. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

More Dakka Ghazstuff

Thoughts

One of the more ‘fun’ versions of Dakka, the Ghaz wrecking ball is very real in this list with near permanent access to Waaagh. Not  a tonne else to say, we know what Dakka is doing, the question is can we stop it! Snikrot gets in on the action for scout lane securing for his buddy Zodgrod, and action cards.

The Best of the Rest

There was 1 more player on a 5-1 record. They were:

  • 5th – Kilen Murphy – Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Silent King / 20 Warrior Awakened for Tarpit and resurrection energy.

Ogr Cubb 2025

48-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hlavní město Praha, Czechia on March 22 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

This event does not appear to have been using the Dataslate.

Jan Ullmann – Orks (Taktikal Brigade) – 1st Place

Kill Rig. Credit: Rockfish
Kill Rig. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Taktikal Big Transports

Thoughts

Taktikal howls from the past and claims one final event win before yielding to Dakka. I really like the Battlewagon and Kill Rig in Taktikal – forcing the opponent to commit real guns before you let loose with yours is a good strategy, and both units are capable of just surviving for a turn when they shouldn’t, allowing you to cause mayhem. Taktikal, we hardly knew ye. Well done on the event win!!

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 2nd (4.5-0.5) – Jan Ferjenčík – Aeldari (Aspect Host): Punchy Aspect Host with Jain Zar, Lykhis and an Autarch / Reaper brick.
  • 3rd – Adam Tetour – Chaos Daemons (Legion of Excess): A last run out for the Slaanesh lists of old.
  • 4th – Dan Sochor – Aeldari (Aspect Host): More Aspect Host MSU goodness with Lykhis, Fuegan and Asurman.
  • 5th – Petr “Rimmer” Dressel – Adeptus Custodes (Solar Spearhead): A single Guard unit plugged into the usual Dreadnought nonsense.
  • 6th – Jakub Jansa – Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Chosen / Legio / Tank Raiders with a sneaky Sorceror for extra AP.
  • 7th – Maxmilián Netušil – Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Incursion Daemons with Belly, Kairos and a Chicken for uppy downy shooting.

Team Keelhaul Warhammer 40k Grand Tournament

40-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Jacksonville, NC, United States on March 22 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Riley Morris – Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead) – 1st Place

Wraithlord. Credit: Rockfish
Wraithlord. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Wraithlord Ynnari

Thoughts

A stubborn wall of Wraithlords to provide a firebase as the Incubi brick and Aspect MSU get to work. I fully see the appeal of these in the detachment – they’re not easy to drop in shooting and deceptively dangerous in combat where surprise Fights First and psyker buffing gets them to very efficient places. Ynnari is among the strongest lists in the game and it feels like there is still room to innovate. Really well done on the top placing!

rOBIN rOBERTS – Genestealer Cult (Host of Ascension) – 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Genestealer Cult Jackal Alphus
Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Host of Ascension Bike Pressure

Thoughts

Oh I LIKE this. GSC lifer Robin gets in on the jail action by bringing along a wall of Bikers with Jackal Alphus to block things in, hand out mortal wounds and cause pressure before the Neophytes drop down to finish the job. Host sometimes gets run off the board but that feels like much less of a concern here, where the bikes can buy you precious space and time. Really nice list, well well done!

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 3rd – Ronnie Kinney – Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Chunky double Land Fort Votann.
  • 4th – Tivi Piechocki – Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Massed Hallowed Martyrs characters and Sacrosancts.
  • 5th – Nate Medlock – Orks (Green Tide): Green Tide Boyz with a smattering of Tankbusta.
  • 6th – Aaron moshier – Aeldari (Windrider Host): Truckloads of Windriders with Eldrad and Lykhis for force multiplying.

Planet arKCanite 2025

36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Kansas City, MO, United States on March 22 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) versus Aeldari (Aspect Host)

Jacob Andes – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion)
Army List - Click to Expand

vs.

kedryn Whittington – Aeldari (Aspect Host)
Army List - Click to Expand

Thoughts

Oooo, a spicy meatball in this match up, as the Aeldari face their fears and take on the Daemonic forces. A lot of potential for trouble here, as the Fade to Darkness Bloodthirster can casually murder and recycle across the game, picking off elf tanks and MSU at will. Your best hope of managing him is screening out with sacrificial lambs as you delete the other Daemonic units – something I think this elf list absolute has the tools to do.

Falcons give you some hard target removal as does Eldrad, but a the Fights First on the Banshees isn’t a lot of use against big monsters, which makes it much easier for the Daemons to start pushing the score. If the Fire Dragons and Reapers have an off day against Daemonic invulnerble saves, things can very much go awry. I suspect the score in this match up is never telling the whole story, but the Daemons got what they needed and stormed to victory!

Result

Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) Victory – 100 – 56

Jacob Andes – Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) – 1st Place

Be'lakor
Be’lakor – Credit: RichyP

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Shadow Legion

Thoughts

Shadow Legion is definitely going a touch under the radar due to… well, Orks, but the new detachment is spicy. Belly getting an upgrade helps a lot, as does a non-interactive Greater Daemon in the Bloodthirster. There are so many ways to build out from this core that I expect to see lists evolve tonnes over the next few months. Amazing work on the event wins!

The Best of the Rest

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

  • 2nd – Rylee Mckitterick – T’au Empire (Experimental Prototype Cadre): Breachers, Crisis Teams and Broadsides fill out this new detachment build!
  • 3rd – kedryn Whittington – Aeldari (Aspect Host): The Aspect Host list from the showdown.
  • 4th – Jacob Soler – Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Go-wide Starshatter MSU.
  • 5th – Tom Deane – Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Twelve Bladeguard anchor an MSU BA list. Is it finally Bladeguard season?!

Wrap Up

There we go folks, the meta! It’s looking a little… green around the gills at the top, but there is still lots of stuff in play further down the pile. Can anyone stop Dakka?! We should know in the next few weeks!

Lowest of Men, out.

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