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.

More visions of a post Dataslate world today, this time with Lowest of Men at the helm.

Part 2 on Friday:

Safety's Off's Second Coming of the Double Critmas Charity GT
Gothic Games Canterbury: December 40k GT
King of Blades, the 2nd - 40k Grand Tournament
Christmas Hammer

Part 1 on Wednesday:

Rise of The Empire GT 2025
13 & 14 December 2025 - OWN's Breaking Point GT at Game HQ (partial)
Jingle Bombz 5
Fight Before Christmas 2025 - 40K Grand Tournament
Rogue City Rumble GT

Part 3 on Saturday:

Da Winter Waaagh 2025
Twin Dragons - Dragons Cup (Champions Only)
Warhammer: 40,000 Charity GT for NFBNJ
Grim GT

Safety's Off's Second Coming of the Double Critmas Charity GT

34-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Roebuck, SC, United States on December 13 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jonathan Arkin - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock) - 1st Place

Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Dark Angels + DETACHMENT: Wrath of the Rock + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1990pts + + WARLORD: Char2: Lion El'Jonson + ENHANCEMENT: Deathwing Assault (on Char3: Ancient in Terminator Armor) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 13 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (2x2) - Assassination: 5 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Azrael (115 pts): Lion's Wrath, The Sword of Secrets Char2: 1x Lion El'Jonson (315 pts): Warlord, Arma Luminis, Fealty Char3: 1x Ancient in Terminator Armor (90 pts): Terminator Storm Shield, Thunder Hammer Enhancement: Deathwing Assault (+15 pts) Char4: 1x Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 pts): Combi-weapon, Paired Combat Blades

5x Deathwing Knights (250 pts): Watcher in the Dark • 4x Deathwing Knight: 4 with Mace of absolution • 1x Knight Master: Great Weapon of the Unforgiven 5x Deathwing Knights (250 pts): Watcher in the Dark • 4x Deathwing Knight: 4 with Mace of absolution • 1x Knight Master: Great Weapon of the Unforgiven 5x Desolation Squad (200 pts) • 4x Desolation Marine: 4 with Bolt pistol, Castellan Launcher, Close combat weapon, Superkrak Rocket Launcher • 1x Desolation Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Castellan Launcher, Close combat weapon, Vengor Launcher 3x Inceptor Squad (120 pts) • 2x Inceptor: 2 with Close combat weapon, Plasma Exterminators • 1x Inceptor Sergeant: Close combat weapon, Plasma Exterminators 6x Inner Circle Companions (180 pts): 6 with Calibanite Greatsword, Heavy Bolt Pistol 5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Astartes Chainsword • 4x Scouts: 4 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Combat Knife 5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 2x Scout 1 with Scout Squad, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Missile Launcher 1 with Scout Squad, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Scout Sniper Rifle • 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Astartes Chainsword • 2x Scouts: 2 with Astartes Shotgun, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon 1x Gladiator Lancer (160 pts): Armoured Hull, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Lancer Laser Destroyer, 2x Fragstorm grenade launcher Char5: 1x Callidus Assassin (100 pts): Neural shredder, Phase sword and poison blades

Archetype

Wrath of the Rock Mixed Arms

Thoughts

An event win for Wrath of the Rock! This detachment has always packed some very clutch tools (reactive charging, strength boosting at range, advance and charge!) but hasn't hit the heights all that often. It just might be that the vicious counter-melee plays you can pull here take it over the line in a meta with plenty of speedy damage 2 melee armies that really, really don't love getting counter charged by Deathwing Knights! Desolation Marines sneak in here to give you that sweet anti-elf tech. Excellent work on the event win.

The Best of the Rest

There was 4 more player on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd - John Casey - Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force): Ultramarines Victrix Goodstuff.
3rd - Seth Piper - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Melee MSU WE with Angron leading the charge!
4th - Clay Plumridge - Space Marines (Astartes) (Gladius Task Force): Ultramarines Gladius Goodstuff.
5th - Steven Saroka - World Eaters (Berzker Warband): Even more melee MSU with Angron! Glorious.

Gothic Games Canterbury: December 40k GT

32-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on December 13 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) vs. Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite)

Take and Hold - Search and Destroy

Oliver Jawara - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited)

Army List - Click to Expand

Pride with Extreme Prejudice (1990 points)

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

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (245 points) • Warlord • 1x Hellforged weapons 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancement: Pledge of Unholy Fortune

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (215 points) • 1x Hellforged weapons 1x Infernal cannon

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (215 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 (70 points) • 1x Close combat weapon 2x Screamer pistol

BATTLELINE

Infractors (85 points) • 1x Obsessionist • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power sword • 4x Infractor • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Duelling sabre 1x Icon of Excess

Infractors (85 points) • 1x Obsessionist • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power sword • 4x Infractor • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Duelling sabre 1x Icon of Excess

Infractors (85 points) • 1x Obsessionist • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power sword • 4x Infractor • 4x Bolt pistol 4x Duelling sabre 1x Icon of Excess

Tormentors (85 points) • 1x Obsessionist • 1x Plasma pistol 1x Power sword • 4x Tormentor • 2x Boltgun 4x Close combat weapon 1x Meltagun 1x Plasma gun 1 x Icon of Excess

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Chaos Rhino (80 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher

Chaos Rhino (80 points) • 1x Armoured tracks 2x Combi-bolter 1x Havoc launcher

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (70 points) • 2x Chaos Spawn • 2x Hideous mutations

Noise Marines (145 points) • 1x Disharmonist • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Power sword 1x Screamer pistol • 5x Noise Marine • 2x Blastmaster 5x Close combat weapon 3x Sonic blaster

Noise Marines (145 points) • 1x Disharmonist • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Sonic blaster • 5x Noise Marine • 2x Blastmaster 5x Close combat weapon 3x Sonic blaster

Noise Marines (145 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: v1.45.0 (105), Data Version: v720

vs.

James Love - Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite)

Army List - Click to Expand

50 Shades of Flayed (1995 points)

Drukhari Strike Force (2000 points) Spectacle of Spite

CHARACTERS

Lady Malys (100 points) • Warlord • 1x Lady's Blade 1x Razor fan

Lelith Hesperax (85 points) • 1x Lelith's blades

Succubus (70 points) • 1x Archite glaive and agoniser • Enhancement: Morghenna's Curse

Succubus (65 points) • 1x Archite glaive and agoniser • Enhancement: Chronoshard

Succubus (50 points) • 1x Archite glaive and agoniser

BATTLELINE

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

Wyches (90 points) • 1x Hekatrix • 1x Blast pistol 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych • 3x Gladiatorial weapons 6x Hekatarii blade 6x Splinter pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Raider (85 points) • 1x Bladevanes and chainsnares 1x Dark lance

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 points) • 1x Bladevanes 2x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hellions (170 points) • 1x Helliarch • 1x Hellglaive 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher 1x Splinter pods • 9x Hellion • 9x Hellglaive 9x Splinter pods

Hellions (170 points) • 1x Helliarch • 1x Hellglaive 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher 1x Splinter pods • 9x Hellion • 9x Hellglaive 9x Splinter pods

Hellions (85 points) • 1x Helliarch • 1x Hellglaive 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher 1x Splinter pods • 4x Hellion • 4x Hellglaive 4x Splinter pods

Mandrakes (75 points) • 1x Nightfiend • 1x Baleblast 1x Glimmersteel blade • 4x Mandrake • 4x Baleblast 4x Glimmersteel blade

Reavers (140 points) • 1x Arena Champion • 1x Bladevanes 1x Cluster caltrops 1x Heat lance 1x Splinter pistol • 5x Reaver • 5x Bladevanes 1x Cluster caltrops 1x Heat lance 5x Splinter pistol 4x Splinter rifle

Reavers (70 points) • 1x Arena Champion • 1x Bladevanes 1x Cluster caltrops 1x Heat lance 1x Splinter pistol • 2x Reaver • 2x Bladevanes 2x Splinter pistol 2x Splinter rifle

Scourges with Heavy Weapons (130 points) • 1x Solarite • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Shardcarbine • 4x Scourge • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dark lance

Scourges with Heavy Weapons (130 points) • 1x Solarite • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Shardcarbine • 4x Scourge • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dark lance

Thoughts

Oliver is a Goonhammer Patron, and has written before about his experiences at the GHO UK. Since that last writeup, he has been somewhat corrupted by the Chaos Gods, and joins us from the top table with his view on how his Emperor's Children fared.

The list background

List design in EC is pretty straightforward currently and I had a list I’d been running happily in the post-LGT meta. Basically, WDPs are the best datasheet in the codex so maxing on those and investing in them with enhancements made sense to me. The other banger datasheets are Lord Exultants (LE) and Infractors to do early pledges and punch into pretty much every target with lance lethals (on the LE) and full wound rerolls on objectives; and Noise Marines to flex into pretty much every target at T10 and below. Prior to the dataslate, I was running that plus one Lord Kakophonist to give juice and overwatch threat to one Noise Marine squad; two Rhinos to carry the infantry; and two Tormentor units to infiltrate and sticky objectives.

Then (with my and others urging) the TO decided to use the dataslate at this event and the monkey’s paw curled a finger. WDPs go up 15 points each and nothing else in my army comes down. I have to find 45 points. I toyed with dropping a WDP but see above point about them being the best unit. So instead I ditched the two worse enhancements on them (keeping the ‘flip a hit, wound or save to a 6 once per turn’ enhancement) and sidegraded a Tormentor squad to a newly cheaper Spawn. My thinking here is that the second Tormentor squad often just has to walk into the open onto an objective at some point and die, and Spawn are sometimes better at that thanks to reactive move and being T5 with a 5+ feel no pain.

The top table game

I had played Drukhari in this detachment at a UKTC terrain RTT a few weekends ago where I had failed to unpick the knot that is Lelith’s fights first wych brick inside the huge UKTC L. They are extremely good at killing marine bodies; have a lot of fight phase options with Lelith and one Succubus creating fights first traps; and have a strategem that allows a Wych Cult unit to charge a unit that has ended a normal or advance move within 9” of them at the end of their opponent’s movement phase which is a truly wild ability.

They are not so good at killing WDPs. James’ list can only get there through 9 dark lances and a smattering of mortal wound sources. His entire army is also very fragile. My win condition was to force him to deal with the three WDPs in one turn and, if he couldn’t, leverage that to roll him off the board. His win condition was to play a 5 turn game to use Scourges to wear down my WDPs while his ‘fights first’ traps and marine killers work on the rest of my stuff.

The mission was played on GW Layout 6, Take and Hold primary and Search and Destroy deployment; and I ended up going second. Normally as EC I want to go first and commit early pressure into my opponent’s deployment; but in melee mirrors like this, it’s good to be the one who can sit back and threaten a big final turn score to force the opponent to come out.

We trade slightly cageily across turn 1 so the big moment in the game comes in turn 2. James hedges rather than pushes - he kills one Rhino and the Noise Marines inside it centrally but leaves an exposed LE squad alive; and he charges a Succubus and 5 Wyches into the LE squad on my expansion but crucially fails to kill the Lord; who in return lifts the 5 Wyches and maintains my hold on that objective. This would deny him Storm Hostile into the bargain, so Lelith’s squad standing on the central objective but within range of a Venom decides not to jump back into it.

This was my opportunity - Lelith’s squad is a problem but once it’s in the open, it’s extremely vulnerable. I push everything out, using a LE and Infractor squad to physically block Lelith from charging the WDPs to deny their charge mortals. I kill three Venoms, two Succubi, Lelith, 14 Wyches and 4 Mandrakes. End of turn, I had three WDPs all threatening his home objective, two full LE squads still running around and a Kakophonist Noise Marine squad on his expansion.

James’ last hope was to drop multiple WDPs with Scourges and clear out all my Infractor squads. He puts all nine of his dark lances into my WDP with my flip a 6 enhancement but I only fail one of five 4+ invulnerable saves and turn that fail into a 6. I have an interrupt saved for the fight phase, so the 10 Wyches and Succubus with fights first and one LE squad mutually annihilate in a blaze of interrupt and 2CP fight on death. At this point, we’re done - my WDPs can fly around unchecked and I leave just a single Hellion alive at the end of the game.

James, like all my opponents this weekend, was a great opponent and a really good bloke - I think the match-up basically favoured whoever went second and Drukhari, like all elves, can fold extremely quickly under pressure if things start to go wrong. It also meant I won a GT for the first time ever - not something I thought I would achieve! Gothic Games Canterbury run wonderful events so any SE UK folks, check them out.

Result

Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) Victory - 95 - 59

Oliver Jawara - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

EC Triple Prince

Thoughts

Emperor's Children roll on, and this build leans fully into the mayhem that the EC Daemon Princes can cause. Games into this build often feel very close and tit for tat, until suddenly an opposing army simply has nothing left that can mitigate the Daemon Princes, who run the game with gleeful abandon, swapping targets and knocking the foe off primary on a whim. A potent list from one of the standout melee armies of the last few months. Amazing work on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Finley Phillippo - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Pressure MSU in Haloscreed with a Disintegrator backline.
3rd - James Love - Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite): The Spectacle / Dark Lance build from the showdown.
4th - Thomas Dobson - Space Marines (Astartes) (Forgefather's Seekers): Adrax and Vulkan leading a Redeemer and a Redemptor to war.
5th - Ciaran Furlong - T'au Empire (Kauyon): Massed Strike Teams in Kauyon out ahead of the obligator Triptide. Is the time of the Strike Team upon us?!
6th - Simon Hicks - Space Marines (Astartes) (Forgefather's Seekers): MORE Salamanders, this time with double Redeemer behind the named characters.

King of Blades, the 2nd - 40k Grand Tournament

62-player, 6-round Grand Tournament in Phoenix, AZ, United States on December 13 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Jason McKenzie - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre) - 1st Place

Crisis Fireknife Battlesuits with Missile Pods. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Emissaries of the Dawn (2000 points)

T'au Empire Strike Force (2000 points) Retaliation Cadre

CHARACTERS

Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit (100 points) • Warlord • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Cyclic ion blaster 2x Gun Drone 3x Missile pod • Enhancement: Starflare Ignition System

Ethereal (50 points) • 1x Honour stave 1x Hover Drone 1x Marker Drone 1x Shield Drone

Firesight Team (60 points) • 1x Close combat weapons 1x Longshot pulse rifles 1x Pulse pistol

OTHER DATASHEETS

Broadside Battlesuits (170 points) • 1x Broadside Shas'vre • 1x Crushing bulk 1x Heavy rail rifle 2x Missile Drone 1x Twin smart missile system 1x Weapon Support System • 1x Broadside Shas'ui • 1x Crushing bulk 1x Heavy rail rifle 2x Missile Drone 1x Twin smart missile system 1x Weapon Support System

Broadside Battlesuits (80 points) • 1x Crushing bulk 1x Heavy rail rifle 2x Missile Drone 1x Twin smart missile system 1x Weapon Support System

Broadside Battlesuits (80 points) • 1x Crushing bulk 1x Heavy rail rifle 2x Missile Drone 1x Twin smart missile system 1x Weapon Support System

Crisis Fireknife Battlesuits (120 points) • 1x Crisis Fireknife Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Gun Drone 1x Marker Drone 2x Missile pod • 2x Crisis Fireknife Shas'ui • 2x Battlesuit fists 2x Gun Drone 4x Missile pod 2x Shield Drone

Crisis Starscythe Battlesuits (110 points) • 1x Crisis Starscythe Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Gun Drone 1x Marker Drone 2x T'au flamer • 2x Crisis Starscythe Shas'ui • 2x Battlesuit fists 2x Gun Drone 2x Shield Drone 4x T'au flamer

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 pistol 1x Kroot rifle • 9x Kroot Carnivore • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Kroot rifle

Pathfinder Team (90 points) • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon 2x Gun Drone 1x Pulse carbine 1x Pulse pistol 1x Recon Drone 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher • 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 fusion blaster

Riptide Battlesuit (190 points) • 1x Ion accelerator 2x Missile Drone 1x Riptide fists 1x Twin fusion blaster

Riptide Battlesuit (190 points) • 1x Ion accelerator 2x Missile Drone 1x Riptide fists 1x Twin fusion blaster

Stealth Battlesuits (110 points) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Fusion blaster 1x Gun Drone 1x Marker Drone 1x Pulse pistol • 4x Stealth Shas'ui • 4x Battlesuit fists 3x Burst cannon 1x Fusion blaster 1x Homing Beacon

Stealth Battlesuits (110 points) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists 1x Fusion blaster 1x Gun Drone 1x Marker Drone 1x Pulse pistol • 4x Stealth Shas'ui • 4x Battlesuit fists 3x Burst cannon 1x Fusion blaster 1x Homing Beacon

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: v1.44.0 (104), Data Version: v715

Archetype

Triptide / Suit Ret Cadre

Thoughts

Ret Cadre continues to do work as a toolbox list with the backline of Riptides to smoothe it out. The latter offer some very real damage 4 shooting for the new Ultramarines menace, and the ability to 6 inch deep strike and bring flamer suits in real close helps it to manage elve nuisance too. This list is quite brutal into Spectacle Drukhari - by all means charge the vehicles, they're shooting you anyway! Excellent work on the event win.

Daniel Olivas - Aeldari (Warhost) - 2nd Place

Iyanna Arienal - Credit: RichyP

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Wartoast (2000 points)

Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Warhost

CHARACTERS

Asurmen (125 points) • 1x Bloody Twins 1x Sword of Asur

Autarch (100 points) • 1x Reaper launcher 1x Star glaive • Enhancement: Gift of Foresight

Eldrad Ulthran (110 points) • Warlord • 1x Mind War 1x Shuriken pistol 1x The Staff of Ulthamar and witchblade

Fuegan (120 points) • 1x Fire Axe 1x Searsong

Jain Zar (105 points) • 1x Blade of Destruction 1x Silent Death

BATTLELINE

Corsair Voidreavers (65 points) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Mistshield 1x Power sword 1x Shuriken rifle • 4x Corsair Voidreaver • 1x Blaster 4x Close combat weapon 3x Power sword 4x Shuriken pistol

Corsair Voidreavers (65 points) • 1x Voidreaver Felarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Mistshield 1x Power sword 1x Shuriken rifle • 4x Corsair Voidreaver • 1x Blaster 4x Close combat weapon 3x Power sword 4x Shuriken pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Wave Serpent (125 points) • 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Twin bright lance 1x Wraithbone hull

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (195 points) • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Tempest launcher • 9x Dark Reaper • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Reaper launcher

Dire Avengers (75 points) • 1x Dire Avenger Exarch • 2x Avenger shuriken catapult 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Dire Avenger • 4x Avenger shuriken catapult 4x Close combat weapon

Falcon (130 points) • 1x Pulse laser 1x Scatter laser 1x Shuriken cannon 1x Wraithbone hull

Fire Dragons (220 points) • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Firepike • 9x Fire Dragon • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Dragon fusion gun

Howling Banshees (95 points) • 1x Howling Banshee Exarch • 1x Executioner 1x Shuriken pistol • 4x Howling Banshee • 4x Banshee blade 4x Shuriken pistol

Rangers (55 points) • 5x Ranger • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Long rifle 5x Shuriken pistol

Rangers (55 points) • 5x Ranger • 5x Close combat weapon 5x Long rifle 5x Shuriken pistol

Striking Scorpions (85 points) • 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch • 1x Scorpion chainsword 1x Scorpion's claw 1x Shuriken pistol • 4x Striking Scorpion • 4x Scorpion chainsword 4x Shuriken pistol

War Walkers (85 points) • 1x Bright lance 1x Missile launcher 1x War Walker feet

Warp Spiders (95 points) • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Powerblade array • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Warp Spiders (95 points) • 1x Warp Spider Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Death weavers 1x Spinneret rifle • 4x Warp Spider • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Death spinner

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (104), Data Version: v715

Archetype

War Host Last Hurrah

Thoughts

Pour one out for the full strength War Host non-interactivity centre. You'll surely be missed by some, your demise cheered by others. Great work on the top placing!

Durante "Glynisir" Bozzini - T'au Empire (Kauyon) - 3rd Place

Riptide Battlesuit. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Railguns Have 2 Shots & Ignore Mods - King of Blades AZ

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos - T'au Empire + DETACHMENT: Kauyon (Patient Hunter) + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Commander Shadowsun + ENHANCEMENT: N/A + NUMBER OF UNITS: 18 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (9x2) - Assassination: 2 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

1x Commander Shadowsun (100 pts) • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Flechette launcher • 2x High-energy fusion blaster • 1x Light missile pod • 1x Pulse pistol • Warlord

1x Cadre Fireblade (50 pts) • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Fireblade pulse rifle • 2x Twin pulse carbine

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

10x Kroot Carnivores (65 pts) • 1x Long-quill • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Kroot pistol • 1x Kroot carbine • 1x Kroot Carnivore • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Tanglebomb launcher • 8x Kroot Carnivores • 8x Close combat weapon • 8x Kroot rifle

10x Pathfinder Team (90 pts) • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Pulse carbine • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher • 1x Twin pulse carbine • 1x Drone burst cannon • Shield Drone, Pathfinder Shas'ui (Shield Drone), Recon drone • 1x Drone burst cannon • 9x Pathfinders • 9x Close combat weapon • 6x Pulse carbine • 9x Pulse pistol • 3x Ion rifle • 9x Pathfinder Team

10x Pathfinder Team (90 pts) • 1x Pathfinder Shas'ui • 1x Close combat weapon • 1x Pulse carbine • 1x Pulse pistol • 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher • 1x Twin pulse carbine • 1x Drone burst cannon • Shield Drone, Pathfinder Shas'ui (Shield Drone), Recon drone • 1x Drone burst cannon • 9x Pathfinders • 9x Close combat weapon • 6x Pulse carbine • 9x Pulse pistol • 3x Ion rifle • 9x Pathfinder Team

5x Stealth Battlesuits (110 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Fusion blaster • 1x Twin pulse carbine • Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Stealth Shas'vre • 4x Stealth Shas'ui • 4x Battlesuit fists • 3x Burst cannon • 1x Fusion blaster • 4x Stealth Shas'ui

5x Stealth Battlesuits (110 pts) • 1x Stealth Shas'vre • 1x Battlesuit fists • 1x Fusion blaster • 1x Twin pulse carbine • Homing beacon, Marker Drone, Stealth Shas'vre • 4x Stealth Shas'ui • 4x Battlesuit fists • 3x Burst cannon • 1x Fusion blaster • 4x Stealth Shas'ui

5x Vespid Stingwings (65 pts) • 1x Vespid Strain Leader • 1x Neutron blaster • 1x Stingwing claws • 4x Vespid Stingwings • 4x Neutron blaster • 4x Stingwing claws

1x Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 pts) • 1x Ghostkeel fists • 1x Cyclic ion raker • 1x Twin fusion blaster • Battlesuit support system

1x Hammerhead Gunship (145 pts) • 1x Armoured hull • 1x Railgun • 2x Seeker missile • 2x Smart missile system

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Archetype

Kauyon Riptides

Thoughts

I suspect Kauyon is making a return precisely because of the Victrix menace. That army can't close you down as rapidly as others in the game- so taking the Riptide output right up in 3-5 makes a lot of sense, and gives you a chance to hoover the Victrix away. The T'au book finally seems capable of succeeding with almost any of the detachments, and I am very much here for it. Great work!

Ben McDonald - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar) - 4th Place

Victrix Guard Chapter Ancient Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Blades - Ultra Warhost (2000 Points)

Space Marines Ultramarines Blade of Ultramar Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain Sicarius (85 Points) • 1x Artisan plasma pistol • 1x Talassarian Tempest Blade

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

Marneus Calgar (200 Points) • 1x Marneus Calgar ◦ 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar • 2x Victrix Honour Guard ◦ 2x Victrix power sword

Roboute Guilliman (340 Points) • Warlord • 1x Emperor's Sword • 1x Hand of Dominion

BATTLELINE

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

Incursor Squad (80 Points) • 1x Incursor Sergeant ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Occulus bolt carbine ◦ 1x Paired combat blades • 4x Incursor ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Haywire Mine ◦ 4x Occulus bolt carbine ◦ 4x Paired combat blades

Redemptor Dreadnought (195 Points) • 1x Icarus rocket pod • 1x Macro plasma incinerator • 1x Onslaught gatling cannon • 1x Redemptor fist • 1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

Redemptor Dreadnought (195 Points) • 1x Icarus rocket pod • 1x Macro plasma incinerator • 1x Onslaught gatling cannon • 1x Redemptor fist • 1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

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 Heavy bolter ◦ 1x Scout sniper rifle

Victrix Honour Guard (210 Points) • 1x Chapter Ancient ◦ 1x Banner of Macragge ◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon • 1x Chapter Champion ◦ 1x Blades of honour • 4x Victrix Honour Guard ◦ 4x Master-crafted bolt carbine ◦ 4x Master-crafted power weapon

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

Exported with App Version: v1.44.0 (2), Data Version: v715

Archetype

Blades of Ultramar with Gulliman

Thoughts

Victrix, Gulliman, Redemptors and Vindicators. So much 2+ save heft, and lots of angles of attack via the potential double oaths. Ultramarines are all set to absolutely dominate the field, and it is exceptionally cool to see the new detachment thrive amongst the sea of Gladius lists! Great work on the top placing.

The Best of the Rest

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

5th - Donovan Sailo - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force): Massed Fortis and Indomitor Kill Teams, love to see it.

Christmas Hammer

45-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Middle Wallop, England, United Kingdom on December 11 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

George Crabtree - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) - 1st Place

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

1 trip Prince (1995 Points)

Emperor's Children Coterie of the Conceited Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (230 Points) • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon • Enhancements: Pledge of Unholy Fortune

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (200 Points) • Warlord • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon

Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (200 Points) • 1x Hellforged weapons • 1x Infernal cannon

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

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

Lord Kakophonist (70 Points) • 1x Power sword • 1x Screamer pistol

Lord Kakophonist (70 Points) • 1x Power sword • 1x Screamer pistol

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 (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

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Maulerfiend (130 Points) • 1x Lasher tendrils • 1x Maulerfiend fists

Noise Marines (145 Points) • 1x Disharmonist ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Sonic blaster • 5x Noise Marine ◦ 2x Blastmaster ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Noise Marines (145 Points) • 1x Disharmonist ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Sonic blaster • 5x Noise Marine ◦ 2x Blastmaster ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Noise Marines (145 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: v1.43.0 (1), Data Version: v705

Archetype

Triple Daemon Prince Coterie

Thoughts

Another triumph for the triple Daemon Prince Coterie- we will see how the EC shrug off a few light nerfs going forwards, but they truly do seem to be one of the armies to beat. Are there any anti-melee toolkits capable of taking them on? New BA looks like an intriguing possibility... Fantastic work on the event win!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Archie Balfour - Tyranids (Subterranean Assault): Double Zoan brick SA.
3rd - Thomas Douch - Adepta Sororitas (Hallowed Martyrs): Sacrosanct spam in Martyrs.
4th - Daniel Ward - Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite): Mixed arms Spectacle with some Scourge behind the Wyches.
5th - Glen Harrison - Space Marines (Astartes) (Vanguard Spearhead): Old school Centurion Vanguard with some Victrix plugged in... Oh no...
6th - Ash Caddy - Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host): MSU Praetors out ahead of a wall of Guard.
7th - Oliver Brown - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Big brick BA with Astorath leading the charge and the Sanguinor lurking.
8th - Kris Owen - Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Massed Chickens and bodies in Hunter Cohort.
9th - Antony Bull - Imperial Knights (Gate Warden Lance): A Defender, an Errant, and a wall of Armigers.

Wrap Up

There we are folks! A meta that is slowly evolving, with more than a hint of Blue Space Marine. How will it develop as we head into Christmas? Only time will tell!

Be well out there.

Lowest of Men, out!

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Competitive Innovations in 10th: Grizzly Gifts pt.2

Safety's Off's Second Coming of the Double Critmas Charity GT

Jonathan Arkin - Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Gothic Games Canterbury: December 40k GT

The Showdown - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) vs. Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite)

Take and Hold - Search and Destroy

Thoughts

Result

Oliver Jawara - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

King of Blades, the 2nd - 40k Grand Tournament

Jason McKenzie - T'au Empire (Retaliation Cadre) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Daniel Olivas - Aeldari (Warhost) - 2nd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Durante "Glynisir" Bozzini - T'au Empire (Kauyon) - 3rd Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

Ben McDonald - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar) - 4th Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Christmas Hammer

George Crabtree - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) - 1st Place

The List

Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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