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.

A massive but very condensed weekend for Warhammer is in the books. The LGT was the largest event ever, and the Challengers Cup in the US brought together a massive number of teams, combining to bring a huge amount of Warhammer to the tabletops in a week with a very small number of events.

Because it didn't finish until Monday, we'll be putting the LGT on Friday where we can give it the proper attention - Lowest of Men was in the booth, so will have lots of thoughts on how the top list performed, and I'm going to try and glean some insights at a more macro level by perusing the full suite of lists that made it as far as the shadow round.

Ahead of that, we've got Part 1 today with:

Münsterland Major 3
Saimaa 40K 2025
2. Traunsteincup
Safety's Off's "The Pumpkin Spice Must Flow" GT

Part 2 on Friday:

The London Grand Tournament
SA Nationals 2025 - Warhammer 40k
Wettcon höst 2025
War in the Wastelands: Warhammer 40k Grand Tournament

Münsterland Major 3

72-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Rheine, NRW, Deutschland on September 27 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Niklas Frerichs - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance) - 1st Place

War Dog - Karnivore. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

3 x 3 macht 6. Widdewidde Wer will's von mir lernen ? Alle groß und klein trallalala lad' ich zu mir ein.

Chaos Knights Infernal Lance

CHARACTER

1x Knight Despoiler (375 pts) • 1x Titanic feet • 1x Ruinspear rocket pod • 1x Despoiler gatling cannon • 1x Heavy darkflamer • 1x Despoiler gatling cannon • 1x Heavy darkflamer • 1x Diabolus heavy stubber

1x Knight Despoiler (375 pts) • 1x Titanic feet • 1x Ruinspear rocket pod • 1x Despoiler gatling cannon • 1x Heavy darkflamer • 1x Despoiler gatling cannon • 1x Heavy darkflamer • 1x Diabolus heavy stubber

1x Knight Despoiler (375 pts) • 1x Titanic feet • 1x Ruinspear rocket pod • 1x Despoiler gatling cannon • 1x Heavy darkflamer • 1x Despoiler gatling cannon • 1x Heavy darkflamer • 1x Diabolus heavy stubber • Warlord

OTHER DATASHEETS

1x War Dog Karnivore (150 pts) • 1x Reaper chaintalon • 1x Slaughterclaw • 1x Havoc multi-launcher

1x War Dog Karnivore (150 pts) • 1x Reaper chaintalon • 1x Slaughterclaw • 1x Havoc multi-launcher

1x War Dog Karnivore (150 pts) • 1x Reaper chaintalon • 1x Slaughterclaw • 1x Havoc multi-launcher

1x War Dog Stalker (140 pts) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher • 1x Daemonbreath spear • 1x Slaughterclaw

1x War Dog Stalker (140 pts) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher • 1x Daemonbreath spear • 1x Slaughterclaw

1x War Dog Stalker (140 pts) • 1x Havoc multi-launcher • 1x Daemonbreath spear • 1x Slaughterclaw

Archetype

Triple Gatling Despoilers

Thoughts

Chaos Knights up first this week, clearly having survived the Dataslate, but as we predicted they've fallen into a very polarised setup for success. The dual gatling Despoiler builds were already the best prior to the points changes and the Dataslate, slightly nerfing a few other things has just cemented that, and it's definitively the best way to play Chaos Knights until the next time the balance train comes past. This version goes particularly aggressive with the supporting Dogs, able to leverage Scouting speed-boosted Stalkers to get right in the enemy's face, and eschewing any gross Nurgle Daemons to maximise that aspect. Well done to Niklas for taking the fight to the foe with such great success.

Artur Güttler - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priest Manipulus by Pendulin

Tech-Priest Manipulus. Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Kaaarrrlll

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adeptus Mechanicus + DETACHMENT: Haloscreed Battleclade + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Belisarius Cawl + ENHANCEMENT: Sanctified Ordnance (on Char1: Tech-Priest Manipulus) & Cognitive Reinforcement (on Char2: Tech-Priest Manipulus) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 17 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (5x2) - Assassination: 3 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHARACTER

Char1: 1x Belisarius Cawl (175 pts) 1 with Arc scourge, Cawl's Omnissian axe, Mechadendrite hive, Solar atomiser • Warlord

Char2: 1x Tech-Priest Manipulus (70 pts) 1 with Omnissian staff, Transonic cannon Enhancement: Sanctified Ordnance (+10 pts)

Char3: 1x Tech-Priest Manipulus (95 pts) 1 with Omnissian staff, Transonic cannon Enhancement: Cognitive Reinforcement (+35 pts)

BATTLELINE

10x Skitarii Rangers (85 pts) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha 1 with Alpha combat weapon, Close combat weapon, Galvanic rifle • 9x Skitarii Ranger 1 with Arc rifle, Close combat weapon 5 with Close combat weapon, Galvanic rifle 1 with Close combat weapon, Galvanic rifle • Omnispex 1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma caliver 1 with Close combat weapon, Transuranic arquebus

10x Skitarii Rangers (85 pts) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha 1 with Alpha combat weapon, Close combat weapon, Galvanic rifle • 9x Skitarii Ranger 1 with Arc rifle, Close combat weapon 5 with Close combat weapon, Galvanic rifle 1 with Close combat weapon, Galvanic rifle • Omnispex 1 with Close combat weapon, Plasma caliver 1 with Close combat weapon, Transuranic arquebus

OTHER DATASHEETS

6x Kataphron Breachers (320 pts) • 6x Kataphron Breacher (Heavy arc rifle & hydraulic claw) 6 with Heavy arc rifle, Hydraulic claw

6x Kataphron Destroyers (210 pts) • 6x Kataphron Destroyer (Kataphron plasma culverin & Cognis flamer) 6 with Close combat weapon, Cognis flamer, Kataphron plasma culverin

5x Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 pts) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha 1 with Flechette blaster, Taser goad • Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha • 4x Pteraxii Skystalkers 4 with Close combat weapon, Flechette carbine

5x Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 pts) • 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha 1 with Flechette blaster, Taser goad • Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha • 4x Pteraxii Skystalkers 4 with Close combat weapon, Flechette carbine

9x Servitor Battleclade (60 pts) • 1x Servitor Underseer 1 with Dataspikes, Mechanicus pistol • Servitor Underseer • 2x Gun Servitor 1 with Heavy arc rifle, Servo-claw 1 with Heavy bolter, Servo-claw • 6x Combat Servitor 2 with Phosphor blaster, Servo-claw 1 with Meltagun, Servo-claw 3 with Incendine igniter, Servo-claw

5x Sicarian Infiltrators (70 pts) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps (Taser goad & flechette blaster) 1 with Flechette blaster, Taser goad • 4x Sicarian Infiltrator (Taser goad & flechette blaster) 4 with Flechette blaster, Taser goad

10x Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 pts) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps (Transonic blades & chordclaw) 1 with Transonic blades & chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Transonic razor & chordclaw) 9 with Transonic razor & chordclaw

10x Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 pts) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps (Transonic blades & chordclaw) 1 with Transonic blades & chordclaw • 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Transonic razor & chordclaw) 9 with Transonic razor & chordclaw

2x Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 pts) • 2x Ironstrider Ballistarius (Twin cognis lascannon) 2 with Ironstrider feet, Twin cognis lascannon • Ironstrider Ballistarii, Ironstrider Ballistarii

1x Ironstrider Ballistarii (75 pts) • 1x Ironstrider Ballistarius (Twin cognis lascannon) 1 with Ironstrider feet, Twin cognis lascannon • Ironstrider Ballistarii, Ironstrider Ballistarii

1x Ironstrider Ballistarii (75 pts) • 1x Ironstrider Ballistarius (Twin cognis lascannon) 1 with Ironstrider feet, Twin cognis lascannon • Ironstrider Ballistarii, Ironstrider Ballistarii

1x Skorpius Dunerider (85 pts) 1 with Armoured hull, Cognis heavy stubber array

Archetype

Kataphron Haloscreed

Thoughts

They did it, they finally fixed AdMech. The faction is now seeing legitimate, real success across the board, and with a bit of build variety to boot. We've seen quite a few go past already that go hard on elite Skitarii and keep the old Skorpius Disintegrator firebase, but this one breaks out the Kataphrons, combining the reliable might of the breacher brick with Haloscreed's ability to make Destroyers actually legit via Sactified Ordnance. Teaming those blocks up with two Ruststalker units discourages enemy melee infantry from pressing too hard, and having legitimate answers to the top pressure melee threats can make this a challenging one to handle. If you've been trapped in a digital hell wanting your AdMech to be good for two years, now's the time to hit the tables, and congratulations to Artur for riding that wave Kataphron style.

Mario Titz - Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force) - 3rd Place

Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

2k (2000 points)

Space Marines Space Wolves Strike Force (2000 points) Stormlance Task Force

CHARACTERS

Arjac Rockfist (105 points) • 1x Foehammer

Bjorn the Fell-Handed (170 points) • Warlord • 1x Heavy flamer 1x Helfrost cannon 1x Trueclaw

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

Logan Grimnar (110 points) • 1x Axe Morkai 1x Storm bolter 1x Tyrnak and Fenrir

Wolf Priest (70 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Crozius arcanum

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

Thunderwolf Cavalry (230 points) • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader • 1x Storm Shield 1x Teeth and Claws 1x Wolf Guard weapon • 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry • 5x Storm Shield 5x Teeth and Claws 5x Wolf Guard weapon

Thunderwolf Cavalry (230 points) • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader • 1x Storm Shield 1x Teeth and Claws 1x Wolf Guard weapon • 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry • 5x Storm Shield 5x Teeth and Claws 5x Wolf Guard weapon

Thunderwolf Cavalry (115 points) • 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader • 1x Storm Shield 1x Teeth and Claws 1x Wolf Guard weapon • 2x Thunderwolf Cavalry • 2x Storm Shield 2x Teeth and Claws 2x Wolf Guard weapon

Wolf Guard Headtakers (170 points) • 6x Wolf Guard Headtaker • 6x Heavy bolt pistol 6x Paired master‑crafted power weapons

Wolf Guard Headtakers (110 points) • 3x Wolf Guard Headtaker • 3x Heavy bolt pistol 3x Paired master‑crafted power weapons • 3x Hunting Wolves • 3x Teeth and claws

Wolf Guard Terminators (170 points) • 1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader • 1x Relic greataxe • 4x Wolf Guard Terminator • 4x Master-crafted power weapon 4x Storm Shield

Wulfen (85 points) • 5x Wulfen • 5x Death Totem 5x Wulfen weapons

Wulfen (85 points) • 5x Wulfen • 5x Death Totem 5x Wulfen weapons

Wulfen with Storm Shields (100 points) • 5x Wulfen • 5x Death Totem 5x Thunder hammer

Wulfen with Storm Shields (100 points) • 5x Wulfen • 5x Death Totem 5x Thunder hammer

Exported with App Version: v1.41.0 (98), Data Version: v687

Archetype

ThunderCav Stormlance

Thoughts

Melee pressure Marines next, here in Wolf flavour. Melee Marines in both loyal and traitor forms are everywhere right now, and this build has the substantial upside of packing lots of good trade pieces to fight similar lists - the regular Wulfen need to be at least considered by any roving Marines, while the full Headtaker squad with a priest is on the rarified list of things that can rip apart most of a 20-model Berzerker brick if they don't hold the CP for damage reduction (or you use Logan to lock them out of that). For foes that want to shoot, the aggro pressure from ThunderCav is as good as ever. I'd say there's maybe some mild concern about how this does into the Dark Angels Stormlance variant (a real rivalry from the history books there) because of the static Damage Reduction on Deathwing, and it is also more vulnerable to gatling Despoilers than some other builds (the loss that Mario picked up) but this has a really strong game into substantial parts of the metagame. Which melee Marine is best is going to be a contest for some time yet, but a really strong showing for the Space Wolves from Mario.

Wolfgang Grießl - Aeldari (Aspect Host) - 4th Place

Ulthwe Autarch. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

01 - Aeldari - Aspect Host (2000 points)

Aeldari Strike Force (2000 points) Aspect Host

CHARACTERS

Autarch (85 points) • 1x Dragon fusion gun 1x Star glaive

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

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

Lhykhis (120 points) • 1x Brood Twain 1x Spider's Fangs 1x Weaverender

BATTLELINE

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

Storm Guardians (100 points) • 10x Storm Guardian • 8x Close combat weapon 2x Flamer 2x Fusion gun 2x Power sword 6x Shuriken pistol • 1x Serpent's Scale Platform • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Serpent shield

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Dark Reapers (90 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Dark Reaper Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Missile launcher • 4x Dark Reaper • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Reaper launcher

Fire Dragons (220 points) • 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Firepike • 9x Fire Dragon • 9x Close combat weapon 9x Dragon fusion gun

Fire Dragons (120 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Fire Dragon Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Exarch's Dragon fusion gun • 4x Fire Dragon • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Dragon fusion gun

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

Howling Banshees (95 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 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

Swooping Hawks (85 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (85 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (85 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch • 1x Close combat weapon 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk • 4x Close combat weapon 4x Lasblaster

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

Warp Spiders (95 points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 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: v1.41.0 (98), Data Version: v687

Archetype

Scoring Heavy Aspect Host

Thoughts

Aeldari had their first "wobble" week since the changes, dropping down the rankings considerably, but a substantial part of that was driven by a bit of an underperformance at LGT (which we'll cover on Friday), and there's still plenty to like about them. This build packs the standard triple Phoenix suite, and goes for the option of lots of scoring depth in support of it, leaning hard on the Dragon bus to handle any crunchy games. My current vibe is that I slightly prefer builds with two Transports, but it's very dependent on the matchups you hit, and this is definitely in the top suite of list configurations. Congratulations to Wolfgang for upholding some elf honour in a slightly challenging week.

The Best of the Rest

There were 9 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th - Lennox Hemke - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): The fifty Berzerker special.
6th - Lukas Klinge-Solanki - T'au Empire (Mont'ka): Go-wide Mont'ka suits.
7th - Mathieu Clerc - Leagues of Votann (Hearthband): A dark horse from the new book that I'm reliably informed is "pretty good" after the changes, this build packs in lots of relatively crunchy MSUs, Hearthkyn, Steeljacks and Thunderkyn galore.
8th - Florian Pal - Orks (War Horde): Mechanised mayhem with Ghaz.
9th - Christian Schachmann - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Triple gatling Despoiler.
10th - Andy Jespersen - Dark Angels (Stormlance Task Force): Extra aggro Dark Angels with the Lion, maximum Deathwing Knights, and a full Outrider/Ravenwing Command unit.
11th - Alexander Neuhaus - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Loads of Daemon Engines and two Deathshroud units, plus the triple Poxwalkers to sticky everything.
12th - Maurice Bockelmann - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Caladius tanks, triple Custodian Guard, and some Venatari squeezed in now the core can be cheaper.
13th - Ben Hackländer - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): RepEx/Sword Brethren Templars.

Saimaa 40K 2025

48-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Imatra, Etelä-Karjala, Finland on September 27 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Kaarle Tukia - Adepta Sororitas (Bringers of Flame) - 1st Place

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adepta Sororitas + DETACHMENT: Bringers of Flame (Fervent Purgation) + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Morvenn Vahl + ENHANCEMENT: + NUMBER OF UNITS: 17 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (8x2) - Assassination: 1 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char1: 1x Morvenn Vahl (170 pts): Warlord, Fidelis, Lance of Illumination, Paragon missile launcher

3x Arco-Flagellants (45 pts): 3 with Arco-flails 3x Arco-Flagellants (45 pts): 3 with Arco-flails 3x Arco-Flagellants (45 pts): 3 with Arco-flails 10x Dominion Squad (115 pts) • 9x Dominion 4 with Dominion, Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon 1 with Simulacrum Imperialis, Dominion, Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon 4 with Dominion, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Meltagun • 1x Dominion Superior: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Power weapon, Inferno pistol 10x Dominion Squad (115 pts) • 9x Dominion 4 with Dominion, Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon 1 with Simulacrum Imperialis, Dominion, Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon 4 with Dominion, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Meltagun • 1x Dominion Superior: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Power weapon, Inferno pistol 10x Dominion Squad (115 pts) • 9x Dominion 4 with Dominion, Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon 1 with Simulacrum Imperialis, Dominion, Bolt pistol, Boltgun, Close combat weapon 4 with Dominion, Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Meltagun • 1x Dominion Superior: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Power weapon, Inferno pistol 5x Retributor Squad (105 pts) • 1x Retributor Superior: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Power weapon, Inferno pistol • 4x Retributor: 4 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Multi-melta 5x Retributor Squad (105 pts) • 1x Retributor Superior: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Power weapon, Inferno pistol • 4x Retributor: 4 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Multi-melta 5x Retributor Squad (105 pts) • 1x Retributor Superior: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Power weapon, Inferno pistol • 4x Retributor: 4 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Multi-melta 1x Castigator (160 pts): Armoured tracks, 3x Heavy bolter, Castigator autocannons, Hunter-Killer Missile, Storm bolter 1x Castigator (160 pts): Armoured tracks, 3x Heavy bolter, Castigator autocannons, Hunter-Killer Missile, Storm bolter 1x Castigator (160 pts): Armoured tracks, 3x Heavy bolter, Castigator autocannons, Hunter-Killer Missile, Storm bolter 3x Paragon Warsuits (210 pts) • 1x Paragon Superior: Bolt pistol, Paragon Storm Bolters, Paragon War Blade, Multi-melta • 2x Paragon Warsuit: 2 with Bolt pistol, Paragon Storm Bolters, Paragon War Blade, Multi-melta 1x Immolator (115 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy Bolter, Hunter-Killer Missile, Twin Multi-melta 1x Immolator (115 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy Bolter, Hunter-Killer Missile, Immolation Flamers 1x Immolator (115 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy Bolter, Hunter-Killer Missile, Immolation Flamers

Archetype

Melta Spam Bringers

Thoughts

Someone had to do it - Retributors are back. Armed with ever more potent Dataslate Rules, they are ready to absolutely ruin the day of anything that kills either some Arco-flagellants or the bad half of Dominion units, and they're backed with plenty of other high-powered shooting to boot. This list brings back some of the early Codex and 9th Edition energy of just being able to annihilate the enemy if they even slightly overcommit, and has a very sturdy defensive profile thanks to all the hulls, which combines with Miracle Dice to really stack the odds in its favour in any sort of gunfight. I don't particularly have any deep insights beyond that - just move heaven and earth to try and put the final tap on the early chaff here with something you don't care about. Well done to Kaarle for bringing melta back.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Tom Wikholm - Chaos Knights (Infernal Lance): Triple Despoilers (two gatling, one battle cannon) and a bumper crop of Beasts of Nurgle in support.
3rd - Jouni Haavisto - Orks (Kult of Speed): Deffkopta and Warbiker spam, with a couple of Kill Rigs to add heft.
4th - Eetu Peltola - World Eaters (Berzerker Warband): Double twenty brick with lots of Spawn and Eightbound in support.
5th - Indran Yogaswaran - Aeldari (Aspect Host): Four Phoenix (the three standard plus Maugan) and a big Hawk unit.
6th - Ville Ritari - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Bloat-drones, Blight-haulers, Deathshrouds, and a Plague Marine brick.
7th - Joonas Neva - Dark Angels (Stormlance Task Force): The Lion, Deathwing, and newly improved Land Speeders Vengeance.
8th - Antti Haapaniemi - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Gribbly mash, maximum Wraiths and 2x6 Skorpekh, also featuring two units of Triarch Praetorians, who are maybe finally cheap enough to be just generically good slot fillers.
9th - Touko Kästämä - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Triple GMDK, 30 Purifiers.

2. Traunsteincup

46-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Vorchdorf, Oberösterreich, Österreich on September 27 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Sweeping Engagement – Burden of Trust

Sebastian Kipling - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault)

Army List - Click to Expand

uriens letzter raid vor der pension (2000 Points)

Falls Kevin meine Armee vergisst spiel ich seine Armee.

Drukhari Skysplinter Assault Strike Force (2.000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Archon (105 Points) • Warlord • 1x Blast pistol • 1x Huskblade • Enhancements: Nightmare Shroud

Archon (85 Points) • 1x Blast pistol • 1x Huskblade

Beastmaster (120 Points) • 1x Beastmaster ◦ 1x Agoniser ◦ 1x Splinter pods • 1x Clawed Fiend ◦ 1x Clawed Fiend fists • 2x Khymerae ◦ 2x Khymerae talons • 3x Razorwing Flock ◦ 3x Razorwing feathers

Lelith Hesperax (95 Points) • 1x Lelith's blades

Urien Rakarth (80 Points) • 1x Casket of Flensing • 1x Haemonculus tools and scissorhands

BATTLELINE

Kabalite Warriors (100 Points) • 1x Sybarite ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher ◦ 1x Sybarite weapon • 9x Kabalite Warrior ◦ 1x Blaster ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Dark lance ◦ 1x Shredder ◦ 1x Splinter cannon ◦ 5x Splinter rifle

Kabalite Warriors (100 Points) • 1x Sybarite ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher ◦ 1x Sybarite weapon • 9x Kabalite Warrior ◦ 1x Blaster ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Dark lance ◦ 1x Shredder ◦ 1x Splinter cannon ◦ 5x Splinter rifle

Wracks (55 Points) • 1x Acothyst ◦ 1x Wrack blades • 4x Wrack ◦ 1x Hexrifle ◦ 1x Liquifier gun ◦ 1x Ossefactor ◦ 1x Stinger pistol ◦ 4x Wrack blades

Wyches (80 Points) • 1x Hekatrix ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Hekatarii blade ◦ 1x Phantasm grenade launcher • 9x Wych ◦ 9x Hekatarii blade ◦ 9x Splinter pistol

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Raider (75 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Dark lance

Raider (75 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Dark lance

Venom (65 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Splinter cannon • 1x Splinter cannon

Venom (65 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Splinter cannon • 1x Splinter cannon

Venom (65 Points) • 1x Bladevanes • 1x Splinter cannon • 1x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Cronos (50 Points) • 1x Spirit syphon • 1x Spirit vortex • 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Cronos (50 Points) • 1x Spirit syphon • 1x Spirit vortex • 1x Spirit-leech tentacles

Grotesques (80 Points) • 3x Grotesque ◦ 3x Liquifier gun ◦ 3x Monstrous weapons

Incubi (85 Points) • 4x Incubi ◦ 4x Klaive • 1x Klaivex ◦ 1x Demiklaives

Incubi (85 Points) • 4x Incubi ◦ 4x Klaive • 1x Klaivex ◦ 1x Demiklaives

Mandrakes (65 Points) • 1x Nightfiend ◦ 1x Baleblast ◦ 1x Glimmersteel blade • 4x Mandrake ◦ 4x Baleblast ◦ 4x Glimmersteel blade

Scourges (130 Points) • 1x Solarite ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Shardcarbine ◦ 1x Solarite weapon • 4x Scourge ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Dark lance

Scourges (130 Points) • 1x Solarite ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Shardcarbine ◦ 1x Solarite weapon • 4x Scourge ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Drukhari haywire blaster

Talos (160 Points) • 2x Talos ◦ 2x Talos gauntlet ◦ 2x Twin Drukhari haywire blaster ◦ 2x Twin liquifier gun

vs.

Thomas Büttelmann - Aeldari (Aspect Host)

Army List - Click to Expand

Aeldari Aspect Host Strike Force (2.000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Autarch (85 Points) • 1x Dragon fusion gun • 1x Star glaive

Fuegan (120 Points) • Warlord • 1x Fire Axe • 1x Searsong

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

Lhykhis (120 Points) • 1x Brood Twain • 1x Spider's Fangs • 1x Weaverender

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 Shuriken rifle

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 Shuriken rifle

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Fire Dragons (220 Points) • 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 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 Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Howling Banshee Exarch ◦ 1x Executioner ◦ 1x Shuriken pistol • 4x Howling Banshee ◦ 4x Banshee blade ◦ 4x Shuriken pistol

Howling Banshees (95 Points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 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

Swooping Hawks (190 Points) • 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Hawk's talon • 9x Swooping Hawk ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 9x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (190 Points) • 2x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Hawk's talon • 9x Swooping Hawk ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 9x Lasblaster

Swooping Hawks (85 Points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Hawk's talon • 4x Swooping Hawk ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Lasblaster

Warlock Skyrunners (45 Points) • 1x Destructor • 1x Shuriken pistol • 1x Singing Spear • 1x Twin shuriken catapult

Warp Spiders (95 Points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 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 Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Warp Spider Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Death weavers ◦ 1x Spinneret rifle • 4x Warp Spider ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Death spinner

Warp Spiders (95 Points) • 1x Aspect Shrine Token • 1x Warp Spider Exarch ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Death weavers ◦ 1x Spinneret rifle • 4x Warp Spider ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Death spinner

Thoughts

Well it's great news here for everyone who ceaselessly thirsts for elf death, because there's about to be a lot of it. As I discovered to my (painful) cost at the weekend, Drukhari are quite nasty at picking apart Craftworlds builds, as their use of cheap Transports and high strike distance makes it hard for the less spiky elves to achieve the favourable engagements they want.

However, that's not as cut and dried when the 10 Hawk units are present, as those are a complete nightmare for Drukhari to plan around. Do your plans fall apart if they walk up to a Venom and it explodes from their Grenade Packs? Do you have other plans than those ones? These are the questions the bad elves will need to ask themselves. The mission does give them a bit of succor, as they have a pretty deep bench of expendable chaff once they split up all those Battleline units, but it's still not a sure thing. In the end, my own recent Drukhari trauma leads me to think they take it, but not by much, and that's very much how the scores played out, with the dark kin edging it.

Result

Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) Victory - 11 - 9

Sebastian Kipling - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) - 1st Place

Urien Rakarth. Credit: Corrode

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Skysplinter

Thoughts

Drukhari players gave the Index a pretty raucous sendoff this weekend, preying on the popular Aeldari and generally causing a nuisance of themselves. This build is a good example of why - you get a really deep pool of stuff that can inflict real damage at high reach, supported by some good value bastion pieces like Talos and Cronos. You can see some of the places here where changes/loss of units might bite - Urien and Beast Packs going is a blow, as is the change to Pain Tokens and Talos. However, the higher lethality of plenty of pieces could easily offset that, and we'll see how the vicious killers of the Drukhari adapt. Well done to Sebastian.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Konrad Schmuck - Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group): Heavy melee Liberator with a single Vindicator.
3rd - Thomas Büttelmann - Aeldari (Aspect Host): Dragon bus and double big Hawks.
4th - Kevin Zöllinger - Death Guard (Mortarion's Hammer): Direct fire/melee Daemon Engines and a bumper Deathshroud crop of 6/3/3.
6th - Christian Stromberger - Aeldari (Aspect Host): Dragon bus and triple big Hawks.
7th - Felix Schneider - Death Guard (Virulent Vectorium): Plague Marine brick, Deathshrouds, Daemon Engines.

Safety's Off's "The Pumpkin Spice Must Flow" GT

36-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Roebuck, SC, United States on September 27 2025. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Seth Piper - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 1st Place

Adeptus Mechanicus - Skitarii
Credit: Pendulin

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Mechanical override (2000 Points)

Adeptus Mechanicus Haloscreed Battle Clade Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Belisarius Cawl (175 Points) • Warlord • 1x Arc scourge • 1x Cawl's Omnissian axe • 1x Mechadendrite hive • 1x Solar atomiser

Tech-Priest Manipulus (95 Points) • 1x Magnarail lance • 1x Omnissian staff • Enhancements: Cognitive Reinforcement

Tech-Priest Manipulus (70 Points) • 1x Omnissian staff • 1x Transonic cannon • Enhancements: Sanctified Ordnance

BATTLELINE

Skitarii Rangers (85 Points) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha ◦ 1x Alpha combat weapon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Galvanic rifle • 9x Skitarii Ranger ◦ 1x Arc rifle ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 6x Galvanic rifle ◦ 1x Omnispex ◦ 1x Plasma caliver ◦ 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Rangers (85 Points) • 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha ◦ 1x Alpha combat weapon ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Galvanic rifle • 9x Skitarii Ranger ◦ 1x Arc rifle ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 6x Galvanic rifle ◦ 1x Omnispex ◦ 1x Plasma caliver ◦ 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Radium carbine • 9x Skitarii Vanguard ◦ 1x Arc rifle ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Omnispex ◦ 1x Plasma caliver ◦ 6x Radium carbine ◦ 1x Transuranic arquebus

Skitarii Vanguard (95 Points) • 1x Skitarii Vanguard Alpha ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Radium carbine • 9x Skitarii Vanguard ◦ 1x Arc rifle ◦ 9x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Omnispex ◦ 1x Plasma caliver ◦ 6x Radium carbine ◦ 1x Transuranic arquebus

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ironstrider Ballistarii (150 Points) • 2x Ironstrider Ballistarii ◦ 2x Ironstrider feet ◦ 2x Twin cognis lascannon

Kataphron Breachers (320 Points) • 6x Kataphron Breacher ◦ 6x Heavy arc rifle ◦ 6x Hydraulic claw

Kataphron Destroyers (210 Points) • 6x Kataphron Destroyer ◦ 6x Close combat weapon ◦ 6x Cognis flamer ◦ 6x Kataphron plasma culverin

Serberys Raiders (60 Points) • 1x Serberys Raider Alpha ◦ 1x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs ◦ 1x Galvanic carbine ◦ 1x Mechanicus pistol • 2x Serberys Raider ◦ 2x Cavalry sabre and clawed limbs ◦ 2x Galvanic carbine

Sicarian Infiltrators (70 Points) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps ◦ 1x Flechette blaster ◦ 1x Taser goad • 4x Sicarian Infiltrator ◦ 4x Flechette blaster ◦ 4x Taser goad

Sicarian Infiltrators (70 Points) • 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps ◦ 1x Flechette blaster ◦ 1x Taser goad • 4x Sicarian Infiltrator ◦ 4x Flechette blaster ◦ 4x Taser goad

Sicarian Ruststalkers (75 Points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps ◦ 1x Transonic blades and chordclaw • 4x Sicarian Ruststalker ◦ 4x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Sicarian Ruststalkers (75 Points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps ◦ 1x Transonic blades and chordclaw • 4x Sicarian Ruststalker ◦ 4x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Sicarian Ruststalkers (75 Points) • 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps ◦ 1x Transonic blades and chordclaw • 4x Sicarian Ruststalker ◦ 4x Transonic razor and chordclaw

Sydonian Dragoons with Taser Lances (65 Points) • 1x Phosphor serpenta • 1x Taser lance

Sydonian Dragoons with Taser Lances (65 Points) • 1x Phosphor serpenta • 1x Taser lance

Sydonian Dragoons with Taser Lances (65 Points) • 1x Phosphor serpenta • 1x Taser lance

Exported with App Version: v1.41.0 (3), Data Version: v685

Archetype

Kataphron Haloscreed

Thoughts

Another tick in the "yes really this time" column for AdMech, with Seth taking down this tournament with another Kataphron Haloscreed build. He's passed up on big Ruststalker units in favour of lots more screening and support, and I think I'd maybe say that's leaving value on the table - you really want at least one big Ruststalker unit to threaten brutal counter-charges or high reach murder. I will say though - Seth smashed Raven Guard in round four, and I'll fully accept that there going wide with fewer eggs in any one basket is a big upside, so it's not 100% cut and dried till the metagame shakes out. Congratulations on the win.

The Best of the Rest

There was 5 more player on 4-1+ records. They were:

2nd - Drew Rhodes - Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort): Ironstrider and Sydonian Dragoon spam.
3rd - Andrew Vawter - Raven Guard (Shadowmark Talon): The Dev Centurion/VanVet/Inceptor trifecta with all the tricks set up via Characters.
4th - Sam Uhlhorn - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Delightfully over the top double C'tan, double Doomsday, Silent King Starshatter.
5th - Sean Kandare - Grey Knights (Warpbane Task Force): Triple GMDK, lots of Purifiers (10 with Crowe, more with Razorbacks).
6th - Kevin Morrow - Adeptus Custodes (Lions of the Emperor): Elite Infantry Lions with one Bike/Captain murder unit.

Wrap Up

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Sebastian Kipling - Drukhari (Skysplinter Assault) - 1st Place

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Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Safety's Off's "The Pumpkin Spice Must Flow" GT

Seth Piper - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade) - 1st Place

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Archetype

Thoughts

The Best of the Rest

Wrap Up

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