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 are firmly into troubled times this week - Death Guard and Imperial Knights are now substantially out in front of the rest of the field. We're not in disaster land yet, as there's still a suite of other armies that can challenge them for trophies, and at least some representation for most factions, but both armies have a high play rate and ~58% win rates, numbers that have historically always needed some sort of nerf to sort out (and while Ynnari's win rate gets mixed up with Aeldari, their clutch of top placings clearly shows persisting issues as well).

Say it with us once more folks - President James Workshop, our metagame yearns for freedom, please send 2025Q2 Balance Dataslate.

On to the roll of destruction.

Today, we're covering:

GERMAN SUPER MAJOR 2025 40K
Bay Area Open 2025 - 40k Champs
CTC 2025 Warhammer 40k Championship Open
Hammertime: May-hem
The Iron Cage

On Friday Lowest of Men will take over for:

Warhammer 40,000 GT: Warhammer Open Dallas
40k Rocky Top Rumble 2025
Gothic Games Canterbury: May 40k GT
Dark Sphere May 40k GT
YHP "War in the Burg" 40K GT

...and finally on Saturday I'll return for:

IV GT Andorra & Open Ordino
Midwest Conquest GT 2025
Risky Rollers - Calling the Banners 2025 - 40k GT
Heroes of the Mid Table Spring GT 2025

GERMAN SUPER MAJOR 2025 40K

283-player, 8-round Supermajor in BS, NDS, DE on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

It is unclear to me whether the top four here were meant to be the final four in the playoffs, or based on points as in BCP. I've gone for the final four option.

Niklas Fritschen - Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) - 1st Place

Be'lakor - Credit: RichyP

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + PLAYER NAME: Niklas "Mosbach" Fritschen + TEAM NAME: Zugzwang + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - Chaos Daemons + DETACHMENT: Shadow Legion + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1990pts + ALLIED UNITS: Heretic Astartes + + WARLORD: Char1: Be'lakor + ENHANCEMENT: Fade to Darkness (on Char1: Bloodthirster) & Leaping Shadows (on Alli3: Dark Commune) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 14 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (1x4) + (1x6) - Assassination: 3 Characters - Cull The Horde: 1x5 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Be'lakor (375 pts): Warlord, Betraying Shades, The Blade of Shadows Char2: 1x Bloodthirster (320 pts): Hellfire breath, Great axe of Khorne Enhancement: Fade to Darkness (+15 pts)

6x Nurglings (60 pts): 6 with Diseased claws and teeth

5x Seekers (80 pts) • 4x Seeker 2 with Seeker, Lashing tongues, Slashing claws 1 with Instrument of Chaos, Seeker, Lashing tongues, Slashing claws 1 with Daemonic Icon, Seeker, Lashing tongues, Slashing claws • 1x Heartseeker: Lashing tongues, Slashing claws 1x Beasts of Nurgle (65 pts): Putrid appendages 6x Screamers (160 pts): 6 with Lamprey bite 6x Screamers (160 pts): 6 with Lamprey bite 6x Screamers (160 pts): 6 with Lamprey bite

16x Accursed Cultists (195 pts) • 10x Mutant: 10 with Blasphemous appendages • 6x Torment: 6 with Hideous mutations 10x Cultist Mob (50 pts) • 1x Cultist Champion: Brutal assault weapon, Autopistol • 9x Cultist: 9 with Autopistol, Brutal assault weapon Char3: 5x Dark Commune (95 pts) Enhancement: Leaping Shadows (+15 pts) • 2x Blessed Blades: 2 with Commune blade • 1x Cult Demagogue: Autopistol, Commune stave • 1x Iconarch: Chaos icon, Autopistol, Close combat weapon • 1x Mindwitch: Close combat weapon, Warp Curse 5x Raptors (90 pts) • 4x Raptor 2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol 2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun • 1x Raptor Champion: Power fist, Plasma pistol 5x Raptors (90 pts) • 4x Raptor 2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol 2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun • 1x Raptor Champion: Power fist, Plasma pistol 5x Raptors (90 pts) • 4x Raptor 2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol 2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma gun • 1x Raptor Champion: Power fist, Plasma pistol

Archetype

Board Presence Shadow Legion

Thoughts

Shadow Legion is in that luxury spot where it's hovering just inside the window of acceptable levels of good, providing a powerful board control army with some unique tricks like the Fadethirster. Like many of the most successful iterations, Niklas has gone hard on dominating the table early on, using many Screamers and the helpful ability to make a Scout Dark Commune to pressure lots of the table at once, creating a target rich environment for the Fadethirster to pick off victims from (and in the case of the Accursed Commune, maybe run over foes that underestimate them). Behind that pressure wave is plenty of reliable, cost-efficient scoring from three units of Raptors, and the army is ideally designed to keep the opponent on the back foot and rake in the points. Congratulations to Niklas on taking that plan all the way to the top, sealing a nail-biting 11-9 win over Tyranids in the final.

Kayu Orellana - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) - 2nd Place

Hormagaunts. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

GSM IF 525 (2000 points)

Tyranids Strike Force (2000 points) Invasion Fleet

CHARACTERS

Hive Tyrant (250 points) • Warlord • 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip 1x Monstrous scything talons • Enhancement: Adaptive Biology

Neurotyrant (105 points) • 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes 1x Psychic scream

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (85 points) • 10x Gargoyle • 10x Blinding venom 10x Fleshborer

Hormagaunts (130 points) • 20x Hormagaunt • 20x Hormagaunt talons

Hormagaunts (130 points) • 20x Hormagaunt • 20x Hormagaunt talons

Hormagaunts (130 points) • 20x Hormagaunt • 20x Hormagaunt talons

Termagants (60 points) • 10x Termagant • 10x Chitinous claws and teeth 1x Strangleweb 9x Termagant spinefists

OTHER DATASHEETS

Biovores (50 points) • 1x Chitin-barbed limbs 1x Spore Mine launcher

Exocrine (140 points) • 1x Bio-plasmic cannon 1x Powerful limbs

Exocrine (140 points) • 1x Bio-plasmic cannon 1x Powerful limbs

Lictor (60 points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Maleceptor (170 points) • 1x Massive scything talons 1x Psychic overload

Tyranid Warriors with Melee Bio-weapons (75 points) • 1x Tyranid Prime • 1x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons • 2x Tyranid Warrior • 2x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons

Tyranid Warriors with Melee Bio-weapons (75 points) • 1x Tyranid Prime • 1x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons • 2x Tyranid Warrior • 2x Tyranid Warrior claws and talons

Tyrannofex (200 points) • 1x Powerful limbs 1x Rupture cannon 1x Stinger salvoes

Tyrannofex (200 points) • 1x Powerful limbs 1x Rupture cannon 1x Stinger salvoes

Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Board Presence Invasion Fleet

Thoughts

Another board control build in second place here, reducing the traditional monster ration of Invasion Fleet to pack in a bunch of Hormagaunts, allowing the list to overwhelm and outscore foes where required. This is particularly valuable against Ynnari right now, as the big gaunt units will cheerfully scythe through multiple Aspect Units at once, and can use Death Frenzy to punish opponents on the front foot. They're also better than you might think into Knights - take Lethal Hits from the detachment and activate Adrenal Surge on a couple of units, and you're suddently inflicting far more damage than you might expect. I'd maybe be a little hazier about their value into Death Guard, but Kayu was able to (narrowly) take down that matchup on the way to the top, so it's clearly competitive. It's certainly not a common choice though, and it's refreshing to see an unusual unit selection piloted to the top tables - well done Kayu.

Bastian Kry - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) - =3rd Place

Chief Librarian Tigurius. Credit: SRM

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

ultras (2000 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Chief Librarian Tigurius (75 points) • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Rod of Tigurius 1x Storm of the Emperor’s Wrath

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

Marneus Calgar (210 points) • 1x Marneus Calgar • 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar • 2x Victrix Honour Guard • 2x Victrix power sword

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

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (160 points) • 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant • 1x Master-crafted power weapon 1x Plasma pistol • 5x Bladeguard Veteran • 5x Heavy bolt pistol 5x Master-crafted power weapon

Company Heroes (105 points) • 1x Ancient • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Bolt rifle 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Company Champion • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 2x Company Veteran • 2x Bolt pistol 2x Close combat weapon 1x Master-crafted bolt rifle 1x Master-crafted heavy bolter

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

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Predator Annihilator (135 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Hunter-killer missile 2x Lascannon 1x Predator twin lascannon 1x Storm bolter

Scout Squad (70 points) • 1x Scout Sergeant • 1x Astartes chainsword 1x Bolt pistol 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout • 1x Astartes shotgun 4x Bolt pistol 4x Close combat weapon 1x Combat knife 1x Missile launcher 1x Scout sniper rifle

Vindicator (185 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Archetype

Bobby G Gun Club

Thoughts

Next up, Ultramarines, where the enduringly efficient combination of layering extra CP from Calgar and a bunch of bonuses from Guilliman onto tanks proves as powerful as ever. What stands out for this particular version is the continued ascendancy of Bladeguard, seen here accompanied by Tigurius, which creates a really tough to crack block - you've got a good invulnerable save layered on -1 to hit, a good Feel No Pain against Mortals, and the not-quite-Fights-First of free Counter-offensive. Bladeguard are everywhere at the moment, getting a runaround with almost every Marine Leader who offers them value, and this seems like an especially good choice, well done to Bastian for identifying and executing on it.

William Fuhrimann - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) - =3rd Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

0.01 thanks liam (2000 Points)

Chaos Space Marines Renegade Raiders Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Abaddon the Despoiler (280 Points) • Warlord • 1x Drach'nyen • 1x Talon of Horus

Chaos Lord (105 Points) • 1x Daemon hammer • 1x Plasma pistol • Enhancements: Dread Reaver

Sorcerer in Terminator Armour (80 Points) • 1x Chaos Familiar • 1x Combi-weapon • 1x Force weapon • 1x Infernal Gaze

BATTLELINE

Cultist Mob (50 Points) • 1x Cultist Champion ◦ 1x Autopistol ◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon • 9x Chaos Cultist ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon

Legionaries (90 Points) • 1x Aspiring Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Legionary ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon ◦ 1x Lascannon

Legionaries (90 Points) • 1x Aspiring Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon ◦ 1x Plasma pistol • 4x Legionary ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon ◦ 1x Lascannon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (75 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Bikers (70 Points) • 1x Biker Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Combi-bolter ◦ 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Combi-bolter ◦ 2x Plasma gun

Chaos Bikers (70 Points) • 1x Biker Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Combi-bolter ◦ 1x Power fist • 2x Chaos Biker ◦ 2x Astartes chainsword ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Combi-bolter ◦ 2x Plasma gun

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Lascannon • 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Lascannon • 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Havoc launcher • 2x Lascannon • 1x Predator autocannon

Chaos Vindicator (185 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Demolisher cannon • 1x Havoc launcher

Chosen (125 Points) • 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

Possessed (240 Points) • 1x Possessed Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Hideous mutations • 9x Possessed ◦ 9x Hideous mutations

Possessed (120 Points) • 1x Possessed Champion ◦ 1x Chaos Icon ◦ 1x Hideous mutations • 4x Possessed ◦ 4x Hideous mutations

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Archetype

All-rounder Raiders

Thoughts

This is a disarmingly normal looking build, just packing in a fairly classic suite of strong Chaos Space Marine units and rolling with it. The biggest standout is Abaddon, who doesn't always make Raiders builds, but here is important for allowing the list to pivot between playing as a gunline and going all-out for pressure because of how much he amplifies the damage output of either contingent. That's useful for adapting to how differently some of the top builds play, and I suspect it was the X factor that took William to the semi-finals.

The Best of the Rest

The rest of the top eight, plus two more players undefeated after the Swiss, were:

5th - Jonas Dobberow - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Top-heavy Vectorium with Mortarion and lots of Characters, shaving down to only two each of Drones and Deathshrouds to pay for it.
6th - Torben Thiel - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Heavy melee Liberator with two large Bladeguard units and a full Jump Pack Death Company squad with Lemartes.
7th - Mathieu Clerc - Leagues of Votann (Oathband): Double Beserk Land Fortress and a big squad of Hearthguard waiting in the wings.
8th - Fritz Peters - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Silent King with triple Doomsday, a Wraith brick and an Enmitic Lokhust unit.
9th - Innes Wilson - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Bobby G/Calgar gun club.
10th - Pau “Conejo Malo” Poensgen - Drukhari (Reaper's Wager): Lots of Talos up front, a couple of Voidweavers at the back to hold objectives and flip the wager.

Bay Area Open 2025 - 40k Champs

175-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Burlingame, CA, United States on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Junior Aflleje - Leagues of Votann (Oathband) - 1st Place

Brôkhyr Iron-master. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

0-6 Thunder (2000 Points)

Leagues of Votann Oathband Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Brôkhyr Iron-master (85 Points) • 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master ◦ 1x Graviton hammer ◦ 1x Graviton rifle ◦ Enhancements: Appraising Glare • 1x Ironkin Assistant ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Las-beam cutter • 1x E-COG ◦ 1x Plasma torch • 1x E-COG ◦ 1x Manipulator arms • 1x E-COG ◦ 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon

Brôkhyr Iron-master (65 Points) • 1x Brôkhyr Iron-master ◦ 1x Graviton hammer ◦ 1x Graviton rifle • 1x Ironkin Assistant ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Las-beam cutter • 1x E-COG ◦ 1x Plasma torch • 1x E-COG ◦ 1x Manipulator arms • 1x E-COG ◦ 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon

Einhyr Champion (80 Points) • Warlord • 1x Autoch-pattern combi-bolter • 1x Mass hammer • 1x Weavefield Crest • Enhancements: Grim Demeanour

BATTLELINE

Hearthkyn Warriors (100 Points) • 1x Theyn ◦ 1x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Kin melee weapon ◦ 1x Weavefield Crest • 9x Hearthkyn Warrior ◦ 9x Autoch-pattern bolt pistol ◦ 7x Autoch-pattern bolter ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Comms Array ◦ 1x L7 missile launcher ◦ 1x Magna-rail rifle ◦ 1x Medipack ◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Sagitaur (115 Points) • 1x Armoured wheels • 1x L7 missile launcher • 1x Sagitaur missile launcher • 1x Twin bolt cannon

Sagitaur (115 Points) • 1x Armoured wheels • 1x L7 missile launcher • 1x Sagitaur missile launcher • 1x Twin bolt cannon

Sagitaur (115 Points) • 1x Armoured wheels • 1x L7 missile launcher • 1x Sagitaur missile launcher • 1x Twin bolt cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (160 Points) • 6x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn ◦ 6x Close combat weapon ◦ 6x Graviton blast cannon

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (80 Points) • 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Graviton blast cannon

Brôkhyr Thunderkyn (80 Points) • 3x Brôkhyr Thunderkyn ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Graviton blast cannon

Cthonian Beserks (100 Points) • 5x Cthonian Beserk ◦ 5x Concussion maul ◦ 1x Mole grenade launcher

Einhyr Hearthguard (320 Points) • 1x Hesyr ◦ 1x Concussion hammer ◦ 1x Exo-armour grenade launcher ◦ 1x Teleport Crest ◦ 1x Volkanite disintegrator • 9x Einhyr Hearthguard ◦ 9x Concussion gauntlet ◦ 9x Exo-armour grenade launcher ◦ 9x Volkanite disintegrator

Hekaton Land Fortress (225 Points) • 1x Armoured wheels • 1x MATR autocannon • 1x Pan Spectral Scanner • 1x SP heavy conversion beamer • 2x Twin bolt cannon

Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points) • 3x Hernkyn Pioneer ◦ 3x Bolt revolver ◦ 3x Bolt shotgun ◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon ◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon ◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner ◦ 3x Plasma knife ◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight

Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points) • 3x Hernkyn Pioneer ◦ 3x Bolt revolver ◦ 3x Bolt shotgun ◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon ◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon ◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner ◦ 3x Plasma knife ◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight

Hernkyn Pioneers (90 Points) • 3x Hernkyn Pioneer ◦ 3x Bolt revolver ◦ 3x Bolt shotgun ◦ 1x HYLas rotary cannon ◦ 3x Magna-coil autocannon ◦ 1x Pan Spectral Scanner ◦ 3x Plasma knife ◦ 1x Rollbar Searchlight

Hernkyn Yaegirs (90 Points) • 1x Yaegir Theyn ◦ 1x Bolt revolver ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Plasma knife • 9x Hernkyn Yaegir ◦ 1x APM launcher ◦ 7x Bolt revolver ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Magna-coil rifle ◦ 7x Plasma knife

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Thunderkyn Votann

Thoughts

A nice simple story here - an extremely good meta call (cramming a bunch of graviton Thunderkyn into Votann) rewarded by a big win, clinching the top table with a 1VP victory over Mortarion's Hammer Death Guard. Thunderkyn are always low-key fine, but right now they seem incredible, and this list supports them well by keeping the foe wary via the threat of the big Hearthguard unit. With a metagame full of Knights, Death Guard hulls and Ultramarines, this spin on Votann seems super well positioned, as long as you don't mind crossing your fingers and praying not to hit Shadow Legion. Well played Junior!

Orion Lasater - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Loyalist Knight Atrapos. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

2k Knight comp swarm (1995 Points)

Imperial Knights Noble Lance Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Cerastus Knight Atrapos (425 Points) • Warlord • 1x Atrapos lascutter • 1x Graviton singularity cannon

BATTLELINE

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Helverin (130 Points) • 2x Armiger autocannon • 1x Armoured feet • 1x Questoris heavy stubber

Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) • 1x Questoris heavy stubber • 1x Reaper chain-cleaver • 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) • 1x Questoris heavy stubber • 1x Reaper chain-cleaver • 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) • 1x Questoris heavy stubber • 1x Reaper chain-cleaver • 1x Thermal spear

Armiger Warglaive (140 Points) • 1x Questoris heavy stubber • 1x Reaper chain-cleaver • 1x Thermal spear

ALLIED UNITS

Sisters of Battle Immolator (115 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Heavy bolter • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Immolation flamers

Sisters of Battle Squad (115 Points) • 1x Sister Superior ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Battle Sister ◦ 9x Bolt pistol ◦ 7x Boltgun ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Meltagun ◦ 1x Multi-melta ◦ 1x Simulacrum Imperialis

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Atrapos and Armigers

Thoughts

Speaking of Imperial Knights, our next undefeated from the BAO brought a version of them adapted for the meta. This most notably includesan Atrapos (currently the most common big after Canis) to punish enemy armour (plus provide D4 attacks for murdering Deathshrouds) and the currently vital Immolator. Tou really need your Helverins to be able to flex to fight stuff with a 2+ save, and including the Immolator lets you do that, which in turn ensures you can take the number of Helverins you want for the matchups where they're just good on baseline. Good job Orion.

Forrest Phanton - Space Wolves (Champions of Russ) - 3rd Place (Undefeated)

Logan Grimnar as Santa Claus. Credit: Kevin Stillman

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Space Puppers (2000 points)

Space Marines Space Wolves Strike Force (2000 points) Champions of Russ

CHARACTERS

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

Logan Grimnar on Stormrider (180 points) • 1x Flurry of teeth and claws 1x Storm bolter 1x The Axe Morkai

Ragnar Blackmane (90 points) • Warlord • 1x Bolt Pistol 1x Frostfang

Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf (125 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Crushing teeth and claws 1x Relic Shield 1x Thunder hammer • Enhancement: Black Death

BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (80 points) • 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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fenrisian Wolves (30 points) • 5x Fenrisian Wolf • 5x Teeth and claws

Thunderwolf Cavalry (240 points) • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader • 1x Crushing teeth and claws 1x Heirloom weapon 1x Storm Shield • 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry • 5x Crushing teeth and claws 5x Heirloom weapon 5x Storm Shield

Thunderwolf Cavalry (240 points) • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader • 1x Crushing teeth and claws 1x Heirloom weapon 1x Storm Shield • 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry • 5x Crushing teeth and claws 5x Heirloom weapon 5x Storm Shield

Vindicator (185 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Vindicator (185 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 1x Demolisher cannon 1x Hunter-killer missile 1x Storm bolter

Wulfen (190 points) • 1x Wulfen Pack Leader • 1x Storm Shield 1x Stormfrag auto-launcher 1x Wulfen hammer • 9x Wulfen • 9x Storm Shield 9x Stormfrag auto-launcher 9x Wulfen hammer

Wulfen (190 points) • 1x Wulfen Pack Leader • 1x Storm Shield 1x Stormfrag auto-launcher 1x Wulfen hammer • 9x Wulfen • 9x Storm Shield 9x Stormfrag auto-launcher 9x Wulfen hammer

Wulfen (95 points) • 1x Wulfen Pack Leader • 1x Storm Shield 1x Stormfrag auto-launcher 1x Wulfen hammer • 4x Wulfen • 4x Storm Shield 4x Stormfrag auto-launcher 4x Wulfen hammer

ALLIED UNITS

Callidus Assassin (100 points) • 1x Neural shredder 1x Phase sword and poison blades

Archetype

Wulfen Jail

Thoughts

It's had a long run, but we're finally going to be waving off Wolf Jail's traditional form once the new Wolf book becomes legal. Thats not because ThunderCav are bad now, but they're more of an MSU roving brawler treat, and you don't want to just try and pin the foe down with a wall of cavalry and angry jorts-wearing killers. This build does already introduce an element of that via the Vindicators (which seem strong in the good new Wolf detachments), and I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of this stuff back in the future, just differently arranged. I'm not quite going to say goodbye yet, as we still have at least a few more weeks of this being legal, but well done to Forrest for contributing to the Wolf Jail victory lap.

Adam Dye - Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) - 4th Place

Myphitic Blight-Haulers - Credit Beanith

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Hammer of Sickness (+2) (2000 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Mortarion's Hammer

CHARACTERS

Lord of Virulence (110 points) • Warlord • 1x Power fist 1x Twin plague spewer • Enhancement: Tendrilous Emissions

Tallyman (40 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Plasma pistol

Typhus (90 points) • 1x Lakrimae

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator • 2x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Defiler (165 points) • 1x Battle cannon 1x Combi-weapon 1x Defiler claws 1x Defiler scourge 1x Twin lascannon

Defiler (165 points) • 1x Battle cannon 1x Combi-weapon 1x Defiler claws 1x Defiler scourge 1x Twin lascannon

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) • 1x Fleshmower 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) • 1x Fleshmower 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone (90 points) • 1x Fleshmower 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (180 points) • 2x Myphitic Blight-hauler • 2x Bile spurt 2x Gnashing maw 2x Missile launcher 2x Multi-melta

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (180 points) • 2x Myphitic Blight-hauler • 2x Bile spurt 2x Gnashing maw 2x Missile launcher 2x Multi-melta

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (180 points) • 2x Myphitic Blight-hauler • 2x Bile spurt 2x Gnashing maw 2x Missile launcher 2x Multi-melta

Poxwalkers (60 points) • 10x Poxwalker • 10x Improvised weapon

Poxwalkers (60 points) • 10x Poxwalker • 10x Improvised weapon

Poxwalkers (60 points) • 10x Poxwalker • 10x Improvised weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Death Guard Hull Spam

Thoughts

In fourth place we've got our first (but far from last, oh boy) Death Guard build of the week, which leans in hard on Mortarion's Hammer to create a grindy engine of Death. It's not especially complicated, planning to trundle stuff forward and pick the foe apart (enabled by the Ignores Cover from the Defilers ensuring you have no dead shots), but it's frighteningly efficient, and after five dominant rounds (accruing a total of 496VP), it was only the wall of graviton from Junior that was able to stop it - and then only just. Congratulations to Adam on taking 4th in style.

The Best of the Rest

There were 13 more players on 5-1 records. They were:

5th - Marshall Peterson - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): A left field pure horde Necron build with four Immortal squads and two Warrior bricks backed by lots of Leaders and Szeras.
6th - Cam Howard - Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor): Three Infantry blocks, two tanks, and an extra dose of board presence from the Sisters of Silence, using Rhinos and more Infantry than the norm.
7th - Jake Nelson - Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Bloat-drones, Helbrutes and Plaguebursts.
8th - Scott Cairns - Astra Militarum (Combined Arms): Double Dorn Commander goodstuff.
9th - Dan May - Orks (War Horde): Heavy mechanised War Horde with double Battlewagon for two large Boyz blocks.
10th - Erik Sousa - Aeldari (Devoted of Ynnead): The full Triumverate with a Storm Guardian/Conclave unit instead of Incubi and a tonne of Aspect MSUs in support.
11th - Nick Farmer - Necrons (Hypercrypt Legion): Teleporting shooting fun with double Doom Scythe, the Silent King and a Vault.
12th - Jimmy Space - Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer): Deathshrouds backed by lots of Drones and Blight-haulers plus a Defiler and Plagueburst.
13th - James Custer - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Triple Deathshroud, triple Bloat-drone, triple Blight-hauler.
14th - Eulis Sanders - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): One Big Warrior Unit Awakened with lots of Skorpekh and small stuff supporting.
15th - Paul McKelvey - T'au Empire (Kauyon): Go-wide shooting with Hammerheads, Ghostkeels and solo Broadsides plus Rampagers for counter-charge potential.
16th - Culham Otton - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Speedy Kill Team toolbox with double Talonstrike team.
17th - Majd Kuteifan - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): All-rounder Martyrs with one of each notable big unit, a couple of extra hulls, and some expendable Characters.

CTC 2025 Warhammer 40k Championship Open

52-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Ottawa, ON, Canada on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

The Ritual - Stalwarts - Hammer and Anvil

François Lalonde - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited)

Army List - Click to Expand

Coterie (1990 Points)

Emperor's Children Coterie of the Conceited Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points) • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points) • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (180 Points) • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon

Lord Exultant (80 Points) • 1x Bolt Pistol • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Phoenix power spear • 1x Rapture lash

Lord Exultant (80 Points) • 1x Bolt Pistol • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Phoenix power spear • 1x Rapture lash

Lord Exultant (80 Points) • 1x Bolt Pistol • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Phoenix power spear • 1x Rapture lash

Lord Kakophonist (80 Points) • 1x Power sword • 1x Screamer pistol • Enhancements: Pledge of Unholy Fortune

Lucius the Eternal (140 Points) • Warlord • 1x Blade of the Laer • 1x Lash of Torment

BATTLELINE

Infractors (85 Points) • 1x Obsessionist ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Rapture lash • 4x Infractor ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Duelling sabre ◦ 1x Icon of Excess

Infractors (85 Points) • 1x Obsessionist ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Rapture lash • 4x Infractor ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Duelling sabre ◦ 1x Icon of Excess

Tormentors (85 Points) • 1x Obsessionist ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Rapture lash • 4x Tormentor ◦ 2x Boltgun ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Icon of Excess ◦ 1x Meltagun ◦ 1x Plasma gun

Tormentors (170 Points) • 1x Obsessionist ◦ 1x Plasma pistol ◦ 1x Rapture lash • 9x Tormentor ◦ 5x Boltgun ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Icon of Excess ◦ 2x Meltagun ◦ 2x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (80 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Combi-weapon • 1x Havoc launcher

Chaos Rhino (80 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Combi-bolter • 1x Combi-weapon • 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Noise Marines (135 Points) • 1x Disharmonist ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Sonic blaster • 5x Noise Marine ◦ 2x Blastmaster ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Noise Marines (135 Points) • 1x Disharmonist ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Sonic blaster • 5x Noise Marine ◦ 2x Blastmaster ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Noise Marines (135 Points) • 1x Disharmonist ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Sonic blaster • 5x Noise Marine ◦ 2x Blastmaster ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Exported with App Version: v1.33.0 (1), Data Version: v609

vs.

Sid Secter - Chaos Space Marines (Creations of Bile)

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - Chaos Space Marines + DETACHMENT: Creations of Bile + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + ALLIED UNITS: Chaos Knights + + WARLORD: Char2: Fabius Bile + ENHANCEMENT: Prime Test Subject (on Char1: Chaos Lord) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 16 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (5x2) - Assassination: 3 Characters - Cull The Horde: 3x5 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Cypher (90 pts) 1 with Cypher's bolt pistol, Cypher's plasma pistol

Char2: 2x Fabius Bile (85 pts) • 1x Fabius Bile 1 with Rod of Torment, The Chirurgeon, Xyclos needler • 1x Surgeon Acolyte 1 with Surgeon Acolyte's tools • Warlord

Char3: 1x Chaos Lord (125 pts) 1 with Daemon hammer, Power fist Enhancement: Prime Test Subject (+35 pts)

BATTLELINE

10x Cultist Mob (50 pts) • 1x Cultist Champion 1 with Brutal assault weapon, Bolt pistol • 9x Cultist 9 with Autopistol, Brutal assault weapon

5x Legionaries (90 pts) • 1x Aspiring Champion 1 with Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon, Plasma pistol • Chaos icon • 4x Legionary 2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon 1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon 1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Lascannon

5x Legionaries (90 pts) • 1x Aspiring Champion 1 with Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon, Plasma pistol • Chaos icon • 4x Legionary 2 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon 1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy melee weapon 1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Lascannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

5x Chosen (125 pts) • 5x Chosen 1 with Accursed weapon, Boltgun, Plasma pistol 2 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Combi-weapon 1 with Bolt pistol, Paired accursed weapons 1 with Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist • Chaos icon

10x Chosen (250 pts) • 10x Chosen 2 with Accursed weapon, Boltgun, Plasma pistol 4 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Combi-weapon 2 with Bolt pistol, Paired accursed weapons 1 with Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist 1 with Boltgun, Plasma pistol, Power fist • Chaos icon

5x Nemesis Claw (110 pts) • 1x Visionary 1 with Power fist, Plasma pistol • 4x Legionary 1 with Accursed weapon, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon 1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Nostraman chainglaive 1 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Paired accursed weapons 1 with Astartes chainsword, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon • Voice eater

10x Possessed (240 pts) • 10x Possessed 9 with Hideous mutations 1 with Hideous mutations • Chaos icon

10x Possessed (240 pts) • 10x Possessed 9 with Hideous mutations 1 with Hideous mutations • Chaos icon

1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts) 1 with Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon

1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts) 1 with Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon

1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts) 1 with Armoured tracks, Combi-bolter, Havoc launcher, Combi-weapon

ALLIED UNITS

1x War Dog Huntsman (140 pts) 1 with Daemonbreath spear, Reaper chaintalon, Daemonbreath meltagun

1x War Dog Huntsman (140 pts) 1 with Daemonbreath spear, Reaper chaintalon, Daemonbreath meltagun

Thoughts

Hmm. The Patrons have put this one on my desk this week, and I'm afraid there's not that much to cover here. We have two absolutely vicious melee armies that will rip the other to shreds up close, given half a chance, but one of those armies has also brought along some shooting that's phenomenally good at murdering the melee blocks of the other army, and has broader mobility boosts to control how engagements play out. The advantages aren't quite all with the Coterie here, but they have a lot more of them, and I don't massively think the mission helps Bile's side close the gap. The one big upside for the Creations is that they've got more numerous melee models and a bit more of a backbone on the core of them, so going all-in aggro might create a situation where victory can be claimed, but it'll be tough, especially given how well the Princes match up into Possessed, which they can tank like champs between damage reduction, Armour of Abhorrence and Protection of the Dark Prince.

That, plus the map, makes it feel like if the Creations try and play at bay, they get picked off, and if they go aggro the overwhelming likelihood is they get speed bumped and blasted to death. Best case for them feels like staging as much stuff as possible turn 1, and then going for a big push turn 2, but that feels like big swing, which in this case the Slaaneshi forces were able to handle.

Result

Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) Victory - 20 - 0

François Lalonde - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

The One True Coterie Build (ish)

Thoughts

Technically it has +1 Tormentors and -1 Infractors over the standard build. Gives you a bit of extra screening when you really need it, and the Lord Exultant can still spike something reasonably significant by himself. Otherwise - this is an extremely known quantity, but a very, very good one.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd (4.5-0.5) - Jeremy "Curie" Atkinson - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Full send triple Daemon Prince, triple Infractor, triple Noise Marine Coterie.
3rd - Zach Comeau - Astra Militarum (Hammer of the Emperor): Three Dorns, Russ Vanquishers, and lots of Kasrkin in Tauroxes for precision killiing power.
4th - Thomas Cowan - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): All-rounder Raiders mixing Rhino Chosen with some Noise Marines and shooty hulls.
5th - Sebastien Potvin - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, Armigers and an Immolator.

Hammertime: May-hem

45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Lake Country, British Columbia, CA on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Idavoll Heimdall - Necrons (Obeisance Phalanx) - 1st Place

Necron Lychguard/Praetorian Conversion

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Do you smell what the Convergence of Dominion is cooking (2000 points)

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Obeisance Phalanx

CHARACTERS

Catacomb Command Barge (120 points) • 1x Gauss cannon 1x Overlord's blade 1x Resurrection Orb

Imotekh the Stormlord (100 points) • 1x Gauntlet of Fire 1x Staff of the Destroyer

Overlord (100 points) • Warlord • 1x Resurrection Orb 1x Voidscythe • Enhancement: Warrior Noble

Overlord (95 points) • 1x Resurrection Orb 1x Voidscythe • Enhancement: Honourable Combatant

OTHER DATASHEETS

Annihilation Barge (105 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Gauss cannon 1x Twin tesla destructor

Annihilation Barge (105 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Gauss cannon 1x Twin tesla destructor

Canoptek Reanimator (75 points) • 2x Atomiser beam 1x Reanimator's claws

Canoptek Spyders (75 points) • 1x Automaton claws 1x Fabricator Claw Array (Aura) 1x Gloom Prism (Aura) 2x Particle beamer

Convergence of Dominion (60 points) • 1x Transdimensional abductor

Doomsday Ark (200 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Doomsday cannon 2x Gauss flayer array

Doomsday Ark (200 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Doomsday cannon 2x Gauss flayer array

Doomsday Ark (200 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Doomsday cannon 2x Gauss flayer array

Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (55 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Gauss destructor

Lychguard (170 points) • 10x Lychguard • 10x Dispersion Shield 10x Hyperphase sword

Lychguard (170 points) • 10x Lychguard • 10x Dispersion Shield 10x Hyperphase sword

Lychguard (170 points) • 10x Lychguard • 10x Dispersion Shield 10x Hyperphase sword

Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609

Archetype

Grindy Phalanx

Thoughts

Necrons had a great week, putting up strong results with a variety of different detachments, and holding on to a win rate that's just above 50% despite the foul-smelling headwinds that are out there in the metagame. This build is easily the most out-there of the top stuff, using a very thematic phalanx of 30 Lychguard backed by a trio of Doomsdays to blat stuff. That's honestly a fairly nifty combo in the current metagame - Doomsdays are well-statted to cause headaches for all the top players, and while Lychguard are never going to be allowed to be as durable as they were in the Index glory days ever again, they're still non-trival to push through, and will inflict substantial chip damage on anything that tries. The Catacomb Barge amps up their OC too, which helps ensure the opponent can't just out-score them.

Annihiliation Barges are a neat choice to round the army out - they're powerful shooting into some builds (Daemons, most notably) and help add some mobile activations without diluting the defensive profile of the army. Even the Convergence arguably does something to help - Doomsdays are so big that you can easily get cover on a few of them behind it, and by the time you want to move out, the opponent will probably have lost patience and blown it up. Genius! Love to see robots winning (the good, evil skeleton kind, not Knights, obviously), and unusual builds are even more delightful, well done Idavoll.

Kass Kielly-Burke - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Cheeto Charizard 🐦‍🔥 (2000 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

Biologus Putrifier (45 points) • 1x Hyper blight grenades 1x Injector pistol 1x Plague knives

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points) • Warlord • 1x Hellforged weapons 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration

Lord of Contagion (135 points) • 1x Manreaper • Enhancement: Furnace of Plagues

Lord of Virulence (90 points) • 1x Power fist 1x Twin plague spewer

Malignant Plaguecaster (60 points) • 1x Bolt pistol 1x Corrupted staff 1x Plague Wind

Typhus (90 points) • 1x Lakrimae

BATTLELINE

Plague Marines (190 points) • 1x Plague Champion • 1x Plasma gun 1x Power fist • 9x Plague Marine • 2x Blight launcher 3x Heavy plague weapon 9x Plague knives 2x Plague spewer 2x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (85 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (80 points) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous mutations

Deathshroud Terminators (300 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 5x Deathshroud Terminator • 5x Manreaper 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Icon of Despair (Aura) 1x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator • 2x Manreaper 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (100 points) • 1x Heavy blight launcher 1x Plague probe

Myphitic Blight-Haulers (90 points) • 1x Bile spurt 1x Gnashing maw 1x Missile launcher 1x Multi-melta

Poxwalkers (60 points) • 10x Poxwalker • 10x Improvised weapon

Poxwalkers (60 points) • 10x Poxwalker • 10x Improvised weapon

Poxwalkers (60 points) • 10x Poxwalker • 10x Improvised weapon

Exported with App Version: v1.33.1 (80), Data Version: v609

Archetype

All-rounder Vectorium

Thoughts

Apparently the cult Legions are just all going to have standard-issue builds emerge early on, because this is very much standard-issue Vectorium, flexing just a little to add a few extra Poxwalkers and some Spawn (both helpful for keeping Ynnari at bay). Definitely no harm tuning a little for one of the top builds out there, and it paid off in spades with a victory over the death elf menace in the final round to secure the undefeated bag, great call from Kass.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd - Levi Pawliw - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, a Lancer and Armigers.
4th - Stu Angel - Genestealer Cult (Final Day): Ridgerunner-heavy Final Day with lots of sneaky bugs and Armigers to tee up re-rolls, a full Patriarch/Genestealer unit for early pressure and a couple of Biophagus/Metamorph units for emergency punch.
5th - David Coren - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Four Dreadknights, 10/5/5 Purifiers and a Draigo Terminator MSU.
6th - Kyle "Soft Clock" Smith - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, an Atrapos and Armigers.
7th - Simon Baines - Aeldari (Seer Council): Double Guardian, double Conclave Seer Council with a Wraithlord and lots of Aspect MSUs in support.
8th - Matt Towes - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Bike-heavy Lions, going for 3x2 (instead of any tanks) as roving pressure out ahead of four heavy Infantry blocks.

The Iron Cage

34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Bremerton, WA, United States on May 24 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Alex Schexnaydre - Orks (Taktikal Brigade) - 1st Place

Flash Gitz. Credit: 40khamslam.

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - Orks + DETACHMENT: Taktikal Brigade + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Beastboss + ENHANCEMENT: Mek Kaptin (on Char3: Big Mek in Mega Armour) & Mork's Kunnin' (on Char4: Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 23 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (5x2) - Assassination: 6 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Beastboss (80 pts): Warlord, Beast Snagga klaw, Beastchoppa, Shoota Char2: 1x Beastboss (80 pts): Beast Snagga klaw, Beastchoppa, Shoota Char3: 1x Big Mek in Mega Armour (135 pts): Grot oiler, Kustom force field, Kustom mega-blasta, Power klaw Enhancement: Mek Kaptin (+45 pts) Char4: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (90 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun Enhancement: Mork's Kunnin' (+15 pts) Char5: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun Char6: 1x Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun (75 pts): Grot assistant, Close combat weapon, Shokk attack gun

10x Beast Snagga Boyz (95 pts) • 1x Beast Snagga Nob: Power snappa, Slugga • 9x Beast Snagga Boy: 9 with Choppa, Slugga 10x Beast Snagga Boyz (95 pts) • 1x Beast Snagga Nob: Power snappa, Slugga • 9x Beast Snagga Boy: 9 with Choppa, Slugga 10x Boyz (80 pts) • 1x Boss Nob: Big choppa, Slugga • 9x Boy: 9 with Choppa, Slugga 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 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

10x Flash Gitz (160 pts): Ammo Runt • 1x Kaptin: Choppa, Snazzgun • 9x Flash Gitz: 9 with Choppa, Snazzgun 11x Gretchin (40 pts) • 10x Gretchin: 10 with Close combat weapon, Grot blasta • 1x Runtherd: Grot-smacka, Slugga 6x Tankbustas (135 pts) • 5x Tankbusta 1 with Pulsa rokkit, Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha 4 with Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha • 1x Boss Nob: Choppa, Rokkit pistol, Smash hammer 6x Tankbustas (135 pts) • 5x Tankbusta 1 with Pulsa rokkit, Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha 4 with Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha • 1x Boss Nob: Choppa, Rokkit pistol, Smash hammer 6x Tankbustas (135 pts) • 5x Tankbusta 1 with Pulsa rokkit, Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha 4 with Tankbusta, Close combat weapon, Rokkit launcha • 1x Boss Nob: Choppa, Rokkit pistol, Smash hammer 1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin' ball 1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin' ball 1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin' ball 1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin' ball 1x Trukk (65 pts): Big shoota, Spiked wheel, Wreckin' ball

Archetype

Mechanised Taktikal

Thoughts

A mild resurgence for shooty Mechanised Taktikal to close out part 1, taking advantage of being able to cram almost all its threats into Trukks and strong alpha strike capability to stay relevant in the harsh metagame. I like the choice to go for the Beastboss/snagga units as melee, as being able to threaten a multi-front spike of hulls is critical to securing momentum in this environment, which Orks live and die on. Many of the non-Knight top players tend to run short on Battleline too, so the Secret Mission Stormboyz plan is creeping up in value. Great to see the Orks having a bit of fun, well done Alex!

The Best of the Rest

There were 5 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd - James Morgan - Chaos Knights (Traitoris Lance): Whoops all War Dogs.
3rd - Christopher Silva - Aeldari (Spirit Conclave): A mighty five units of Wraithguard with various weapon loadouts (and some in Serpents) plus triple Wraithlord and some Psykers.
4th - Dorian Roberts - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Infantry-heavy Lions, adding two small Allarus units with Captains to the mix.
5th - Justin Muhisin - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force): Calgar/Bobby G with hulls, mixing things up a bit with a regular Redemptor.
6th - Russell Thayer - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): The much prophesied quintuple bigs, going for two Atrapos, two Gallant (to get the cost over the line) and an Errant.

Wrap Up

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[40k] Competitive Innovations in 10th: Death Beckons pt.1

GERMAN SUPER MAJOR 2025 40K

Niklas Fritschen - Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kayu Orellana - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet) - 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Bastian Kry - Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force) - =3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

William Fuhrimann - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders) - =3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Bay Area Open 2025 - 40k Champs

Junior Aflleje - Leagues of Votann (Oathband) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Orion Lasater - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Forrest Phanton - Space Wolves (Champions of Russ) - 3rd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Adam Dye - Death Guard (Mortarion’s Hammer) - 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

CTC 2025 Warhammer 40k Championship Open

The Showdown

The Ritual - Stalwarts - Hammer and Anvil

Thoughts

Result

François Lalonde - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Hammertime: May-hem

Idavoll Heimdall - Necrons (Obeisance Phalanx) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Kass Kielly-Burke - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

The Iron Cage

Alex Schexnaydre - Orks (Taktikal Brigade) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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