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.

It's part 2 of Competitive Innovations, and the usual suspects are still up to their shenanigans out there on the top tables.

Today, Lowest of Men will be breaking down:

Brawl in the Hall 2025
Midsummer O.P.A. 2025 WH40K GT
Rose City Rumble
Viking Games - The Path of the Einherjar
Nemesis 40k Summer 2025

On Wednesday Wings looked at:

II GT Ciudad De Avila
Silver State Major '25 - Warhammer 40K
3rd Annual Roc Hard GT
Hell Pit Grand Tournament 2025
Geek Shack Farewell Taylor GT
Brighton 40k GT XII

He'll be back again on Saturday with:

Ironweld: Warhammer 40K Summer Assault ITC Major
Beach Clash Major 2025
Saskatchewan Open 2025
HAWGHAMMER 40K GT
Wyohammer 40k July Open '25

Brawl in the Hall 2025

67-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Lockport, IL, United States on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Matt Estrada - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 1st Place

Armiger Warglaive. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Austin if you're reading this please send me more good morning texts. (2000 points)

Imperial Knights Strike Force (2000 points) Noble Lance

CHARACTERS

Canis Rex (380 points) • Warlord • 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor 1x Chainbreaker multi-laser 1x Freedom's Hand

Knight Warden (390 points) • 1x Avenger gatling cannon 1x Heavy flamer 1x Questoris heavy stubber 1x Stormspear rocket pod 1x Thunderstrike gauntlet • Enhancement: Mythic Hero

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 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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.36.0 (84), Data Version: v638

Archetype

IK Old School

Thoughts

As big knights capture the popular imagination, the original IK build, with Canis, another big of your choosing and loads of Armigers remains extremely viable and benefits from the juiced up wound count. This list sacrifices any access to Imperial Agents to get as many stompy robots on the table as possible, which proved an event winning combination. It doesn't give up Fixed anything like as easily, and it can draw out and then remove enemy anti-tank on the early waves of Armigers, leaving Canis and his mate the freedom to boss the late game. Fantastic work on the event win.

Pat Lacher - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread) - 2nd Place

Cerastus Knight Lancer. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

What Did You Spill to Make These Objectives So Sticky? (2000 Points)

Chaos Knights Lords of Dread Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Chaos Cerastus Knight Atrapos (385 Points) • 1x Atrapos lascutter • 1x Graviton singularity cannon • Enhancements: Mirror of Fates

Chaos Cerastus Knight Lancer (375 Points) • 1x Cerastus shock lance • Enhancements: Blessing of the Dark Master

Knight Abominant (325 Points) • Warlord • 1x Balemace • 1x Diabolus heavy stubber • 1x Electroscourge • 1x Volkite combustor

Knight Despoiler (345 Points) • 1x Daemonbreath meltagun • 1x Daemonbreath thermal cannon • 1x Daemonbreath thermal cannon • 1x Ruinspear rocket pod • 1x Titanic feet • Enhancements: Warp-borne Stalker

OTHER DATASHEETS

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher • 1x Reaper chaintalon • 1x Slaughterclaw

War Dog Karnivore (140 Points) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher • 1x Reaper chaintalon • 1x Slaughterclaw

ALLIED UNITS

Nurglings (40 Points) • 3x Nurgling Swarm ◦ 3x Diseased claws and teeth

Rotigus (250 Points) • 1x Gnarlrod • 1x Streams of brackish filth

Exported with App Version: v1.37.0 (1), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Big Boi Time - CK Edition

Thoughts

Big boi Chaos Knights with Lords of Dread is a mission playing menace, capable of locking some armies entirely out of the OC game in portions of the board via the sticky strat whilst applying unreasonable forward pressure. Rotigus is a great, cheap include here as a 'pseudo-knight' - his OC reduction compounds enemy efforts to counter the sticky game, and he requires considerable effort to remove relative to his cost. A nice, refined version of the LoD template that will take some stopping. Great work on the top placing.

John Van Dusen - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault) - 3rd Place

Trygon Prime. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

I'm Getting Sick and Tired of These M*F*in Snakes (1995 Points)

Tyranids Subterranean Assault Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Deathleaper (80 Points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons

Old One Eye (150 Points) • 1x Old One Eye's claws and talons

The Swarmlord (220 Points) • Warlord • 1x Bone sabres • 1x Synaptic pulse

Trygon (160 Points) • Subterranean Assault Keywords: Character • 1x Bio-electric pulse • 1x Trygon scything talons • Enhancements: Trygon Prime

BATTLELINE

Gargoyles (85 Points) • 10x Gargoyle ◦ 10x Blinding venom ◦ 10x Fleshborer

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

Haruspex (125 Points) • 1x Grasping tongue • 1x Ravenous maw • 1x Shovelling claws

Haruspex (125 Points) • 1x Grasping tongue • 1x Ravenous maw • 1x Shovelling claws

Hive Guard (180 Points) • 6x Hive Guard ◦ 6x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 6x Shockcannon

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

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

Raveners (125 Points) • 5x Ravener ◦ 5x Ravener claws and talons

Raveners (125 Points) • 5x Ravener ◦ 5x Ravener claws and talons

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

Exported with App Version: v1.36.0 (3), Data Version: v638

Archetype

SA Anti-big

Thoughts

A finely poised version of the new nids that focuses in on using the tunnel rules to leverage anti-tank shooting in key areas- Hive Guard with Shock-Cannons, the Tfex and Old-One Eye all offer you some punchy anti-big damage, as do the Haruspex, and the tunnels can help these navigate terrain and hit hard where you need them. SA hasn't landed quite as brutally as some thought it might, but it has a lot of room to evolve and grow- and lists like this show it! Well done on the top placing.

Mike Smith - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 4th Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

DG VirVic Chicago (2000 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points) • 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

Mortarion (380 points) • Warlord • 1x Lantern 1x Rotwind 1x Silence

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Deathshroud Terminators (300 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Manreaper 1x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 5x Deathshroud Terminator • 5x Manreaper 5x Plaguespurt gauntlet

Deathshroud Terminators (140 points) • 1x Deathshroud Champion • 1x Manreaper 1x 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

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: v1.37.0 (88), Data Version: v647

Archetype

Morty and Mini-Morty VV

Thoughts

Vectorium offers a decisive counter-melee toolkit, with Motarion and his little Daemon Prince side-kick leading the charge. VV may not be quite as potent into the emerging Knights lists but it can put a lot of other things in the locker quite trivially, especially armies relying on damage 2. I like the 6 man of Deathshroud with Lord of Contagion here- this looks like anti-knight punch to me, with Mortarion presumably on duties as well. If you can keep the primarch safe to activate a couple of times, and use the brick astutely, there might be some solutions here. Fantastic work on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

There were 8 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th - Nick Keever - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, Triple Atropos, a Crusader, and some agents.
6th - Pajama Pants - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Mixed arms Virulent,
7th - Christian Valle - World Eaters (Bezerker Warband): Massed Khorne Bezerkers, double MoEs, and Forgefiend / Helbrute support.
8th - James Tilley - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): Deathwing Knights, the Lion, and lots of Inner Circle Companions.
9th - Ian Smith - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven): Massed characters and rubrics, with two Forgefiends and two MVBs.
10th - Brad Chester - Aeldari (War Host): Punchy double Wave Serpent War Host with loads of Fire Dragons.
11th - James R Fisher - Aeldari (Seer Council): Seer Council with double Warlock Conclaves, and MSU Aspect Warriors.
12th - Craig Satler - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread): Triple big, six small in Lords of Dread.

Midsummer O.P.A. 2025 WH40K GT

45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Λάρισα, Ελλάδα on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Liu Guanbo ilias - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

mota (2000 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points) • 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

Mortarion (380 points) • Warlord • 1x Lantern 1x Rotwind 1x Silence

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

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: v1.36.0 (84), Data Version: v638

Archetype

Mortarion and Son

Thoughts

Interesting- another triumph for the Morty / Mini-Morty / Six slab of Deathshroud variant. Maybe this is the way forwards for DG in the emergent meta?! You certainly sacrifice a fair bit of the go-wide threat DG have packed recently, but might just have enough punch to body your way through some Knight chassis on a run to the top. Fantastic work on the event win.

Orestis Stab - T'au Empire (Kauyon) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Riptide Battlesuit. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Opa (1990 Points)

T'au Empire Kauyon Strike Force (2.000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Commander Shadowsun (100 Points) • Warlord • 1x Advanced Guardian Drone • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Command-link Drone (Aura) • 1x Flechette launcher • 2x High-energy fusion blaster • 1x Light missile pod • 1x Pulse pistol

Commander in Coldstar Battlesuit (115 Points) • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Cyclic ion blaster • 2x Fusion blaster • 1x High-output burst cannon • 2x Shield Drone • Enhancements: Exemplar of the Kauyon

BATTLELINE

Breacher Team (100 Points) • 1x Support turret • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas'ui ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Guardian Drone ◦ 1x Pulse blaster ◦ 1x Pulse pistol ◦ 1x Shield Drone • 9x Breacher Fire Warrior ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 9x Pulse blaster ◦ 9x Pulse pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Devilfish (85 Points) • 1x Accelerator burst cannon • 1x Armoured hull • 2x Seeker missile • 2x Smart missile system

OTHER DATASHEETS

Broadside Battlesuits (90 Points) • 1x Broadside Shas'vre ◦ 1x Crushing bulk ◦ 1x Heavy rail rifle ◦ 2x Missile Drone ◦ 1x Seeker missile ◦ 1x Twin smart missile system

Broadside Battlesuits (90 Points) • 1x Broadside Shas'vre ◦ 1x Crushing bulk ◦ 1x Heavy rail rifle ◦ 2x Missile Drone ◦ 1x Seeker missile ◦ 1x Twin smart missile system

Crisis Sunforge Battlesuits (150 Points) • 1x Crisis Sunforge Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Fusion blaster ◦ 1x Gun Drone ◦ 1x Shield Drone • 2x Crisis Sunforge Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 4x Fusion blaster ◦ 2x Gun Drone ◦ 2x Shield Drone

Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 Points) • 1x Battlesuit Support System • 1x Cyclic ion raker • 1x Ghostkeel fists • 1x Twin fusion blaster

Kroot Carnivores (65 Points) • 1x Long-quill ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Kroot carbine ◦ 1x Kroot pistol • 9x Kroot Carnivore ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 8x Kroot rifle ◦ 1x Tanglebomb launcher

Pathfinder Team (90 Points) • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Pulse carbine ◦ 1x Pulse pistol ◦ 1x Recon Drone ◦ 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher ◦ 2x Shield Drone • 9x Pathfinder ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Ion rifle ◦ 6x Pulse carbine ◦ 9x Pulse pistol

Piranhas (60 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Piranha fusion blaster • 2x Seeker missile • 2x Twin pulse carbine

Riptide Battlesuit (190 Points) • 1x Ion accelerator • 2x Missile Drone • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Twin smart missile system

Riptide Battlesuit (190 Points) • 1x Ion accelerator • 2x Missile Drone • 1x Riptide fists • 1x Twin smart missile system

Sky Ray Gunship (140 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Seeker missile rack • 2x Smart missile system

Sky Ray Gunship (140 Points) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Seeker missile rack • 2x Smart missile system

Stealth Battlesuits (80 Points) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit Support System ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 1x Fusion blaster ◦ 1x Homing Beacon ◦ 1x Marker Drone ◦ 1x Shield Drone • 2x Stealth Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Burst cannon

Stealth Battlesuits (80 Points) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre ◦ 1x Battlesuit Support System ◦ 1x Battlesuit fists ◦ 1x Fusion blaster ◦ 1x Homing Beacon ◦ 1x Marker Drone ◦ 1x Shield Drone • 2x Stealth Shas'ui ◦ 2x Battlesuit fists ◦ 2x Burst cannon

Vespid Stingwings (65 Points) • 1x Vespid Strain Leader ◦ 1x Neutron blaster ◦ 1x Stingwing claws • 4x Vespid Stingwing ◦ 4x Neutron blaster ◦ 4x Stingwing claws

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Classic Kauyon

Thoughts

Orestis Stab abandons his family name and shoots instead, packing in all the classic Tau toys for an old school Kauyon run out. I love solo Broadsides since the changes - these are really effective at plinking away at big skew, and help push through toughness thresholds that things like Riptides struggle with. They're also deceptively durable for their cost. A really well balanced list here that can mission and kill in equal measure, great work.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd - John Ioannou - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, four bigs, and a Helverin.
4th - Vasilis Tzachis - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Triple Daemon Prince Coteries.
5th - George Durieux - T'au Empire (Mont'ka): Mont'ka pressure with Hammerheads, Riptides and Broadsides.
6th - Ioannis Papageorgiou - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Double Trygon, Zoan brick, big bugs SA.
7th - Angelos Papadopoulos - Chaos Space Marines (Soulforged Warppack): Glorious Soulforged nonsense with Vashtorr, a Discolord, and a freaking Lord of Skulls.
8th - Stefanos Samotas - Chaos Space Marines (Renegade Raiders): Triple Chaos Lord RR with loads of tanks in support.

Rose City Rumble

38-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Portland, OR, United States on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Alex Pina - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Guardian GT list (1995 Points)

Thousand Sons Grand Coven Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Exalted Sorcerer on Disc of Tzeentch (115 Points) • 1x Arcane Fire • 1x Force weapon • 1x Inferno bolt pistol • 1x Prosperine khopesh • Enhancements: Incandaeum

Infernal Master (110 Points) • 1x Fires of the Abyss • 1x Force weapon • 1x Inferno bolt pistol • Enhancements: Eldritch Vortex of E'Taph

Magnus the Red (420 Points) • Warlord • 1x Blade of Magnus • 1x Gaze of Magnus • 1x Tzeentch's Firestorm

Sorcerer (95 Points) • 1x Force weapon • 1x Inferno bolt pistol • 1x Pandaemonic Delusion • 1x Prosperine khopesh • Enhancements: Umbralefic Crystal

Sorcerer (75 Points) • 1x Force weapon • 1x Inferno bolt pistol • 1x Pandaemonic Delusion • 1x Prosperine khopesh

Tzaangor Shaman (55 Points) • 1x Baleful Devolution • 1x Force stave

Tzaangor Shaman (55 Points) • 1x Baleful Devolution • 1x Force stave

BATTLELINE

Rubric Marines (190 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer ◦ 1x Force weapon ◦ 1x Malefic Curse ◦ 1x Warpflame pistol • 9x Rubric Marine ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Icon of Flame ◦ 1x Soulreaper cannon ◦ 8x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (100 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer ◦ 1x Force weapon ◦ 1x Malefic Curse ◦ 1x Warpflame pistol • 4x Rubric Marine ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Icon of Flame ◦ 1x Soulreaper cannon ◦ 3x Warpflamer

Rubric Marines (100 Points) • 1x Aspiring Sorcerer ◦ 1x Force weapon ◦ 1x Malefic Curse ◦ 1x Warpflame pistol • 4x Rubric Marine ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Icon of Flame ◦ 1x Soulreaper cannon ◦ 3x Warpflamer

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (90 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Havoc launcher • 1x Inferno combi-bolter • 1x Inferno combi-bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 Points) • 1x Betentacled maw • 1x Mutalith claws • 1x Warp vortex

Mutalith Vortex Beast (160 Points) • 1x Betentacled maw • 1x Mutalith claws • 1x Warp vortex

Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (80 Points) • 1x Aviarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Fatecaster greatbow • 5x Enlightened ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 5x Fatecaster greatbow

Tzaangor Enlightened with Fatecaster Greatbows (50 Points) • 1x Aviarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Fatecaster greatbow • 2x Enlightened ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Fatecaster greatbow

Tzaangors (70 Points) • 1x Twistbray ◦ 1x Tzaangor blades • 9x Tzaangor ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 1x Brayhorn ◦ 9x Chainsword ◦ 1x Herd banner

Tzaangors (70 Points) • 1x Twistbray ◦ 1x Tzaangor blades • 9x Tzaangor ◦ 9x Autopistol ◦ 1x Brayhorn ◦ 9x Chainsword ◦ 1x Herd banner

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (1), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Grand Coven Goodstuff

Thoughts

The Tsons ascent to glory has been somewhat spoiled by the ongoing... statistical challenges presented by new Knights and DG, but they remain extremely potent. This list goes hard on what the dusty bois do best- Vortex Beasts, Magnus, and vicious supporting shooting amped up by the many buffs now available to the army. I quite enjoy the big brick of Rubricae here- that gives you a tasty overwatch threat, and the baby Tzaangor Shaman units can bop about doing actions. Fantastic work on the event win!

Ben Blair - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: TheChirurgeon

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Pestilence (1995 points)

Death Guard Strike Force (2000 points) Virulent Vectorium

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

Lord of Contagion (110 points) • 1x Manreaper

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

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

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

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

BATTLELINE

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

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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

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

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

Exported with App Version: v1.36.1 (87), Data Version: v640

Archetype

Non-Morty Virulent

Thoughts

Vectorium rolls on, with double Plague Marine brick here in place of Mortarion. Sticky objectives and -1 damage are one hell of a package and that seems to have wooed the DG fanbase away from Mortarion's Hammer this week, very intriguing! Triple Blight-Launcher Bloat Drones here because, well of course. Amazing work on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

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

3rd - Tanner Hebert - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock): DWK, Inner Circle Companions, and a cheeky squad of Black Knights.
4th - Jonathan Sebert - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Guard, Wardens and some Caladius.
5th - Tyler Stice - Deathwatch (Blackspear Task Force): Lots of Terminators and Kill Teams in the classic DW detachment.
6th - Jeremy Brooks - World Eaters (Khorne Daemonkin): Skarbrand, lots of Bloodletters and supporting WE shooting and melee.

Viking Games - The Path of the Einherjar

34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Östergötlands län, Sverige on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission - T'au Empire (Kauyon) versus Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer)

Max Gullberg - T'au Empire (Kauyon)

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - T'au Empire + DETACHMENT: Kauyon + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Firesight Team + ENHANCEMENT: + NUMBER OF UNITS: 18 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (10x2) - Assassination: 1 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Firesight Team (70 pts): Warlord, Close combat weapons, Longshot pulse rifles, Pulse pistol

10x Breacher Team (100 pts) • 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas'ui: Guardian Drone, Close combat weapon, Pulse blaster, Pulse pistol, Support turret, Twin pulse carbine • 9x Breacher Fire Warriors: 9 with Close combat weapon, Pulse blaster, Pulse pistol

10x Kroot Carnivores (65 pts) • 1x Long-quill: Close combat weapon, Kroot pistol, Kroot rifle • 9x Kroot Carnivores: 9 with Close combat weapon, Kroot rifle 10x Pathfinder Team (90 pts) • 9x Pathfinders 6 with Pathfinder Team, Close combat weapon, Pulse carbine, Pulse pistol 3 with Pathfinder Team, Close combat weapon, Ion rifle, Pulse pistol • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui: Shield Drone, Recon drone, Drone burst cannon, Close combat weapon, Pulse carbine, Pulse pistol, Semi-automatic grenade launcher, Twin pulse carbine, Drone burst cannon 3x Stealth Battlesuits (80 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre: Battlesuit support system, Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Shield Drone, Battlesuit fists, Fusion blaster • 2x Stealth Shas'ui: 2 with Battlesuit fists, Burst cannon 3x Stealth Battlesuits (80 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre: Battlesuit support system, Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Shield Drone, Battlesuit fists, Fusion blaster • 2x Stealth Shas'ui: 2 with Battlesuit fists, Burst cannon 5x Vespid Stingwings (65 pts) • 1x Vespid Strain Leader: Neutron blaster, Stingwing claws • 4x Vespid Stingwings: 4 with Neutron blaster, Stingwing claws 3x Krootox Rampagers (85 pts): 3 with Hunting blades, Kroot pistol and hunting javelins, Rampager fists 1x Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 pts): Battlesuit support system, Ghostkeel fists, Cyclic ion raker, Twin fusion blaster 1x Hammerhead Gunship (145 pts): Armoured hull, Railgun, 2x Seeker missile, 2x Smart missile system 1x Piranha (60 pts): Armoured hull, 2x Twin pulse carbine, Piranha fusion blaster, Seeker missile, Seeker missile 1x Piranha (60 pts): Armoured hull, 2x Twin pulse carbine, Piranha fusion blaster, 2x Seeker missile 1x Riptide Battlesuit (190 pts): Riptide fists, Ion accelerator, 2x Missile pod, Twin smart missile system 1x Riptide Battlesuit (190 pts): Riptide fists, Ion accelerator, 2x Missile pod, Twin smart missile system 1x Riptide Battlesuit (190 pts): Riptide fists, Ion accelerator, 2x Missile pod, Twin smart missile system 1x Sky Ray Gunship (140 pts): Armoured hull, Seeker missile rack, 2x Smart missile system 1x Sky Ray Gunship (140 pts): Armoured hull, Seeker missile rack, 2x Smart missile system 1x Devilfish (85 pts): Accelerator burst cannon, Armoured hull, 2x Seeker missile, 2x Smart missile system

vs.

Emil Söderholm - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer)

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos - Death Guard + DETACHMENT: Mortarion's Hammer + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + ALLIED UNITS: Chaos Knights + + WARLORD: Char4: Lord of Virulence + ENHANCEMENT: Shriekworm Familiar (on Char3: Lord of Contagion) & Tendrilous Emissions (on Char4: Lord of Virulence) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 17 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (6x2) + (1x6) - Assassination: 6 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Lord of Contagion (110 pts): Manreaper Char2: 1x Lord of Contagion (110 pts): Manreaper Char3: 1x Lord of Contagion (125 pts): Manreaper Enhancement: Shriekworm Familiar (+15 pts) Char4: 1x Lord of Virulence (110 pts): Warlord, Power fist, Twin plague spewer Enhancement: Tendrilous Emissions (+20 pts) Char5: 1x Tallyman (40 pts): Close combat weapon, Plasma pistol

3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet 3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet 3x Deathshroud Terminators (140 pts) • 1x Deathshroud Terminator Champion: Icon of Despair, Manreaper, 2x Plaguespurt gauntlet • 2x Deathshroud Terminator: 2 with Manreaper, Plaguespurt gauntlet 10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons 10x Poxwalkers (60 pts): 10 with Improvised weapons 1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe 1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe 1x Foetid Bloat-drone with heavy blight launcher (100 pts): Heavy blight launcher, Plague probe 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta 1x Myphitic Blight-hauler (90 pts): Bile spurt, Gnashing maw, Missile launcher, Multi-melta

Char6: 1x Knight Tyrant (395 pts): Titanic feet, 2x Twin daemonbreath meltagun, 2x Gheiststrike missile launcher, Twin desecrator cannon, Brimstone volcano lance and ectoplasma decimator

Thoughts

Ok then, THIS is fun. T'au have re-emerged as an army that can win games of 40k recently, to the chagrin of many. Meanwhile, Death Guard have been, well, just too good. WAY too good, and slaying the meta relentlessly. So what happens when the two throw down? The answer might surprise you!

I think list comp is absolutely pivotal here. The Death Guard Hammer list packs many of the usual suspects - triple Deathshroud murder packages, loads of Drones, Poxwalkers- but it has cut back on the usual Plagueburst Crawlers in order to jam in a big knight. The wider meta-logic for this might be sound, as the Knight loves contagion range opposition profiles and can help the DG go toe-to-toe with other Knights, but I think it gives our plucky fish heroes an in.

The Kauyon list is nicely balanced, with good outer layers of screening and scoring, the obligatory salvos of Riptides and Skyray, and a Breacher Fish / Hammerhead one-two. The big thing for the T'au here is their ability to screen out the Deathshroud with idiots, before bopping them with Riptide Damage 4 in short order. The Hammer list lacks the means to clear screens and chaff from out of line of sight, which means the T'au can manage space that little bit better. If a few of the big T'au tanks and mechs can go off and whittle down the Drones / Knight at a reasonable pace, a win path exists. I'd expect T'au to need first turn here to get the space to play, but it looks like, whichever way that fell, they managed to hustle a very impressive win. Amazing!

Result

T'au Empire (Kauyon) Victory - 11 - 9

Max Gullberg - T'au Empire (Kauyon) - 1st Place

TX78 Sky Ray Gunship. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Kauyon Goodstuff

Thoughts

The return of the T'au lines up well with a meta-game that is skewing big once again. T'au can certainly out-manoeuvre and out-mission clunky lists, and they have the damage to get through Drones and the like. High toughness definitely does present issues for Kauyon, and I think winning with T'au consistently is no-easy thing at the moment, but that only makes this GT win all the more awesome - fantastic work.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Emil Söderholm - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer): The Drones / Big Knight Hammer list from the Showdown.
3rd - Kim Olsson - Death Guard (Tallyband Summoners): An EPIC big-skew Tallyband list with Morty, a GUO and Rotigus.
4th - Ola Persson - Drukhari (Reaper's Wager): Full-on Dark Lance spam with tonnes of Kabalites, Ravagers and transports.
5th - Max Persson - Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame): Loads of Castigators, Immolators and the Vahl brick in BoF.
6th - Simon Olsson - Adepta Sororitas (Champions of Faith): Tasty Sacrosanct spam in Champions, with Castigator support.

Nemesis 40k Summer 2025

29-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Edmonton, AB, Canada on July 12 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Scotty Bee - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) - 1st Place

Necron Warriors with Gauss Flayers

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Awakened Dynasty

CHARACTERS

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

Hexmark Destroyer (75 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Enmitic disintegrator pistols

Illuminor Szeras (165 points) • 1x Eldritch Lance 1x Impaling legs

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

Orikan the Diviner (80 points) • Warlord • 1x Staff of Tomorrow

Plasmancer (55 points) • 1x Plasmic lance

Royal Warden (70 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Relic gauss blaster • Enhancement: Nether-realm Casket

Skorpekh Lord (120 points) • 1x Enmitic annihilator 1x Flensing claw 1x Hyperphase harvester • Enhancement: Enaegic Dermal Bond

Skorpekh Lord (90 points) • 1x Enmitic annihilator 1x Flensing claw 1x Hyperphase harvester

BATTLELINE

Immortals (70 points) • 5x Immortal • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Gauss blaster

Necron Warriors (200 points) • 20x Necron Warrior • 20x Close combat weapon 20x Gauss reaper

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Ghost Ark (115 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 2x Gauss flayer array

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Cryptothralls (60 points) • 2x Cryptothrall • 2x Scouring eye 2x Scythed limbs

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

Skorpekh Destroyers (90 points) • 3x Skorpekh Destroyer • 1x Plasmacyte 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons

Skorpekh Destroyers (90 points) • 3x Skorpekh Destroyer • 1x Plasmacyte 3x Skorpekh hyperphase weapons

Tomb Blades (75 points) • 3x Tomb Blade • 3x Close combat weapon 2x Particle beamer 3x Shadowloom 1x Twin tesla carbine

Tomb Blades (75 points) • 3x Tomb Blade • 3x Close combat weapon 2x Particle beamer 3x Shadowloom 1x Twin tesla carbine

Archetype

Awakened Dynasty Goodstuff

Thoughts

Necrons are over when they say they're over, ok? More Awakened Dynasty nonsense here, with many of the established tools - the Warrior brick, Szeras, baby Skorpekh units with Lords, and lots of MSU. Light on output, but very high on mission play and trickery. Necrons seem to find a way no matter what the meta game throws at them, a testament to the power of the book! Well done on the event win.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Kieren Trimbee - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault): Massed Kabalites, triple Ravager, some Scourge, and a big brick of Incubi ready to murder big stuff.
3rd - Ryan Mayer - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance): Canis, an Errant, a Crusader, and lots of Armigers.
4th - Shawn Ford - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): All-in infantry Custodes with Guard, Wardens, Allarus and Venatarii. Makes the heart sing!
5th - Paul La Rue - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): MSU BA with double Ballistus, and a small unit of the new Death Company hotness.

Wrap Up

There you have it folks! A few really enjoyable surprises like a T'au GT win, but the undeniable dominance of Knights and Death Guard appears to show no sign of abating. Get those problem children sorted out and we may well be looking at a really healthy meta game. Until then, the horrors persist, but so shall we.

Have a blast out there!

Lowest of Men, out.

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Cops and Robots pt.2

Brawl in the Hall 2025

Matt Estrada - Imperial Knights (Noble Lance) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Pat Lacher - Chaos Knights (Lords of Dread) - 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

John Van Dusen - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault) - 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Mike Smith - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Midsummer O.P.A. 2025 WH40K GT

Liu Guanbo ilias - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Orestis Stab - T'au Empire (Kauyon) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Rose City Rumble

Alex Pina - Thousand Sons (Grand Coven) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ben Blair - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Viking Games - The Path of the Einherjar

The Showdown

Matchup & Mission - T'au Empire (Kauyon) versus Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer)

Thoughts

Result

Max Gullberg - T'au Empire (Kauyon) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Nemesis 40k Summer 2025

Scotty Bee - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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