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.

I've had such a busy week at work and it's off to the ITT tomorrow first thing, so anyway here's wonderwarhammer.

Event News - Goonhammer UK Teams March 2026

Tickets are still available for the first Goonhammer Open UK of 2026 - which this time is going to be our first Teams tournament. If you're interested in playing in a 5-player Team Tournament with WTC Terrain on 14th-15th March in Leicester, check out the details below:

This Week's Events

Part 3 on Saturday:

HAMBURG MAJOR 2026 40k
~~Warp Warriors 2026~~ *Bzzt, no this was an unlabelled league, never mind*.
Winchester 40K GT - January 2026
The Gang's 40k Grand Tournament at Castle Con
VT 40K GT JAN 2026

Part 1 on Wednesday:

Wet Coast GT 2026 - 40k Champs
CanCon 40k Open 2026
"Wishing it was LVO" 40K GT
The Great Game - Gongaii GT Winter 2026
NIGEL'S NUTTA'S

Part 2 on Friday:

Uprising Adelaide 2026
The 2026 Swordwind Winter Grand Tournament
Iron-Claws Wargaming South Mills GT
GFGT III
DPW GT 1 2026

HAMBURG MAJOR 2026 40k

121-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Hamburg, HH, Deutschland on January 24 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Mario Titz - Space Wolves (Stormlance Task Force) - 1st Place

Arjac Rockfist. Credit: Rich Nutter

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 (160 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 (80 points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol 1x Crozius arcanum • Enhancement: Feinting Withdrawal

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

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 with Storm Shields (200 points) • 10x Wulfen • 10x Death Totem 10x Thunder hammer

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: v1.46.2 (108), Data Version: v732

Archetype

Aggro Space Wolf Stormlance

Thoughts

Some light Wolf Jail flashbacks to kick us off today, featuring a bunch of furious men, wolves, and man wolves running straight at the foe and trying to bite them to death. Clearly, this was a success, and particularly effective in the 20-0 scoring used here (as this list will demolish people if it gets ahead), allowing Mario to ride to victory - congratulations!

Pau Poensgen 🦭 - Drukhari (Spectacle of Spite) - 2nd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Keewa

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

FCK ICE

Drukhari Spectacle of Spite Strike Force (2.000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Drazhar (85 Points)

Lady Malys (100 Points) • Warlord

Lelith Hesperax (85 Points)

Succubus (70 points) • Enhancements: Morghenna's Curse

BATTLELINE

Kabalite Warriors (115 Points) • 1x Sybarite ◦ 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher ◦ 1x Power weapon ◦ 1x Splinter rifle • 9x Kabalite Warrior ◦ 1x Blaster ◦ 1x Dark lance ◦ 1x Shredder ◦ 1x Splinter cannon

Wyches (90 Points) • 1x Hekatrix ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych ◦ 3x Gladiatorial weapons

Wyches (90 Points) • 1x Hekatrix ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych ◦ 3x Gladiatorial weapons

Wyches (90 Points) • 1x Hekatrix ◦ 1x Blast pistol ◦ 1x Power weapon • 9x Wych ◦ 3x Gladiatorial weapons

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

Venom (70 Points) • 2x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 Points) • 2x Splinter cannon

Venom (70 Points) • 2x Splinter cannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Hellions (170 Points) • 1x Helliarch ◦ 1x Hellglaive ◦ 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher ◦ 1x Splinter pistol ◦ 1x Splinter pods ◦ 1x Stunclaw • 9x Hellion

Hellions (170 Points) • 1x Helliarch ◦ 1x Hellglaive ◦ 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher ◦ 1x Splinter pistol ◦ 1x Splinter pods ◦ 1x Stunclaw • 9x Hellion

Incubi (90 Points) • 1x Incubi Shrine Token • 1x Klaivex ◦ 1x Demiklaives • 4x Incubi ◦ 4x Klaive

Mandrakes (75 Points) • 5x Mandrakes

Reavers (140 Points) • 1x Arena Champion ◦ 1x Cluster caltrops ◦ 1x Heat lance • 5x Reaver ◦ 1x Grav-talon ◦ 1x Heat lance

Reavers (70 Points) • 1x Arena Champion ◦ 1x Grav-talon ◦ 1x Heat lance • 2x Reaver

Scourges with Heavy Weapons (130 Points) • 1x Solarite ◦ 1x Shardcarbine • 4x Scourge ◦ 4x Dark lance

Scourges with Heavy Weapons (130 Points) • 1x Solarite ◦ 1x Shardcarbine • 4x Scourge ◦ 4x Dark lance

Archetype

Utility Spectacle

Thoughts

In second place, edged out by a single battle point behind the Space Wolves, we've got a slightly more all-rounder take on Spectacle than normal, taking the shooty support pieces, adding in some Kabalites for sticky objectives (and to escort Malys), and a Drazhar/Incubi unit. This tilts the list towards stronger performance against elite melee Infantry, as all that stuff is very ready to go toe-to-toe with axe-wielding murder marines of any flavour (especially as it does still keep the two Wych units that are especially strong at that). Keeping the Dark Lance Scourges also means you're not just bounced by multi-C'tan builds. Where the wolves above are all-in on one plan, this is a very toolboxy spin on a hot meta comodity, but it also thrived here and gets a nice variety of Drukhari pieces on the board. Well done Pau!

Manuel Wayand - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited) - 3rd Place (Undefeated)

Credit: Robert "TheChirurgeon" Jones

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Coterie (1995 Points)

Emperor's Children Coterie of the Conceited Strike Force (2.000 Points)

CHARACTERS

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

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

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

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

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 Icon of Excess ◦ 1x Meltagun ◦ 1x Plasma gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

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

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

OTHER DATASHEETS

Chaos Spawn (70 Points) • 2x Chaos Spawn ◦ 2x Hideous mutations

Flawless Blades (110 Points) • 3x Flawless Blade ◦ 3x Blissblade ◦ 3x Bolt pistol

Flawless Blades (110 Points) • 3x Flawless Blade ◦ 3x Blissblade ◦ 3x Bolt pistol

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 Power sword ◦ 1x Screamer pistol • 5x Noise Marine ◦ 2x Blastmaster ◦ 5x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Sonic blaster

Exported with App Version: v1.46.1 (1), Data Version: v728

Archetype

Triple Prince Coterie with Blades

Thoughts

Our next list both is melee Marines and will carve other such things up - triple Prince Coterie, now with some Flawless Blades. These are obviously good into elite Infantry, but can also help the list a lot if it needs to punch up into stuff like Astra Militarum tanks, which it's otherwise short of great answers for (and handily smashed in the finals). Outside the Blades, it's very much business as usual - Princes, Infractor/Lord units, Noise Marines, you know and love it. Well done Manuel.

Alessandro Liessem - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar) - 4th Place (Undefeated)

Cobalt Scions Ballistus Dreadnought. Credit: Charlie Brassley

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium - Adeptus Astartes - Ultramarines + DETACHMENT: Blade of Ultramar (Mastered Doctrines) + TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1995pts + + WARLORD: Char1: Marneus Calgar + ENHANCEMENT: Armour of Antoninus (on Char3: Captain in Gravis Armour) + NUMBER OF UNITS: 15 + SECONDARY: - Bring It Down: (4x2) + (1x4) - Assassination: 4 Characters +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Char3: 1x Captain in Gravis Armour (90 pts): Boltstorm Gauntlet, Power Fist, Relic Fist Enhancement: Armour of Antoninus (+10 pts)

Char4: 1x Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 pts): Combi-weapon, Paired Combat Blades

Char1: 3x Marneus Calgar (200 pts): Warlord • 1x Marneus Calgar: Gauntlets of Ultramar • 2x Victrix Honour Guard: 2 with Victrix Power Sword

Char2: 1x Uriel Ventris (95 pts): Bolt pistol, Invictus, Sword of Idaeus

5x Intercessor Squad (80 pts) • 1x Intercessor Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Astartes grenade launcher, Bolt Rifle, Power Fist • 4x Intercessor: 4 with Bolt pistol, Bolt Rifle, Close combat weapon

1x Ballistus Dreadnought (150 pts): Armoured Feet, Ballistus Lascannon, Ballistus Missile Launcher, Twin Storm Bolter

1x Ballistus Dreadnought (150 pts): Armoured Feet, Ballistus Lascannon, Ballistus Missile Launcher, Twin Storm Bolter

5x Incursor Squad (80 pts) • 4x Incursor 3 with Bolt pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades 1 with Haywire Mine, Bolt pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades • 1x Incursor Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Paired Combat Blades

1x Redemptor Dreadnought (195 pts): Icarus Rocket Pod, Redemptor Fist, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Twin Storm Bolter

1x Redemptor Dreadnought (195 pts): Icarus Rocket Pod, Redemptor Fist, Macro Plasma Incinerator, Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Twin Storm Bolter

1x Repulsor Executioner (220 pts): Armoured Hull, Heavy Onslaught Gatling Cannon, Icarus Rocket Pod, Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Repulsor Executioner Defensive Array, Twin Heavy Bolter, Twin Icarus Ironhail Heavy Stubber, Heavy Laser Destroyer

5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Astartes Chainsword • 1x Scout: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Heavy Bolter • 3x Scouts: 3 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Combat Knife

5x Scout Squad (70 pts) • 1x Scout Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Astartes Chainsword • 1x Scout: Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Missile Launcher • 3x Scouts: 3 with Bolt pistol, Close combat weapon, Combat Knife

6x Victrix Honour Guard (220 pts): 6 with Master-crafted Bolt Carbine, Master-crafted Power Weapon

3x Victrix Honour Guard (110 pts) • 1x Chapter Ancient: Banner of Macragge, Master-crafted Power Weapon • 1x Chapter Champion: Blades of Honour • 1x Victrix Honour Guard: Master-crafted Bolt Carbine, Master-crafted Power Weapon

Archetype

Blade Hulltramarines

Thoughts

Another of the metagame's top dogs to round out a fully undefeated top four, and another list that's tilted slightly towards utility compared to the standard, dropping out one of the Repexes for a small Victrix squad and additional Scouts. Should Ultramarines have more stuff? Probably not, but they do anyway. I do like the trick of putting the "special" Victrix guys in the smaller unit - it means that if the list finds itself in dire need of two melee blenders at once, it can kind of fake it for a single turn. Good way of allocating resources, and great work from Alessandro.

The Best of the Rest

There were 17 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

5th - Arne Klemens - T'au Empire (Mont'ka): Maximum hulls Mont'ka.
6th - Manuel "BEL" Wieczorek - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Hull and horse Grizzled, with one Bullgryn unit as an anchor.
7th - Niklas Frerichs - Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar): RepEx Hulltramarines.
8th - Kayu Orellana - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): All-rounder Fleet with a mix of mid-weight monsters and big Hormagaunt units.
9th - Mario Barkeeper - T'au Empire (Mont'ka): Triptides, Devilfish (with a mix of Breachers and Pathfinders) and a Farsight Starscythe squad.
10th - Alexander Ciecholewski - Thousand Sons (Warpforged Cabal): Two Land Raiders packed with Rubricae supported by lots more shooty hulls.
11th - Andy Jespersen - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Not sure why everyone is bored of Kasrkin this week, but it's another list without them. Dorns, Russes, Bullgryn, Combat Engineers and a drop Scion/Command unit.
12th - Erik Tivas - Orks (War Horde): Ghaz Boyz supported by big Flash Gitz units with Transports.
13th - Jannek Lindemann - T'au Empire (Mont'ka): Big suit Mont'ka, including a Stormsurge.
14th - Pascal Pannicke - Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion): Extra nurgly monster mash with maximum Great Unclean Ones and Kairos for some dakka.
15th - Christopher (C42) Naujoks - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Ah, there they are - a more conventional double Dorn, double Bullgryn, double Kasrkin setup.
16th - Richy Kirsch - Necrons (Awakened Dynasty): Double C'tan, lots of revivable herohammer, and a big, buffed-up Warrior unit.
17th - Andreas Neugebauer - Genestealer Cult (Final Day): Lots of chaff, a big shooting bomb from Neophytes and melee ones from Metamorphs and some Aberrants.
18th - Samuel Edwards - Black Templars (Gladius Task Force): RepEx Brethren Gladius.
19th - Sebastian Neukirchen - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Dorns, Russes and one unit of Kasrkin.
20th - Jonas Mannigel - T'au Empire (Mont'ka): Breacherfish, Broadsides and Riptides.
21st - Sven Behnken - Tyranids (Invasion Fleet): Big shooty bugs and two small Genestealer units with Broodlords for skirmishing pressure.

Winchester 40K GT - January 2026

39-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, GB on January 24 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Reiss Jarvis - Blood Angels (Rage-cursed Onslaught) - 1st Place

Blood Angels Captain with Jump Pack, Thunder Hammer, and Relic Shield. Credit: Jack Hunter

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Red orks be fasta (2000 Points)

Space Marines Blood Angels Rage-cursed Onslaught Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Blood Angels Captain (105 Points) • Warlord • 1x Inferno pistol • 1x Power fist • Enhancements: Angel's Fang

Captain with Jump Pack (100 Points) • 1x Plasma pistol • 1x Power fist • Enhancements: Master of the Red Thirst

Chaplain with Jump Pack (105 Points) • 1x Crozius arcanum • 1x Inferno pistol • Enhancements: Carmine Reliquary

Chief Librarian Mephiston (120 Points) • 1x Fury of the Ancients • 1x Plasma pistol • 1x Vitarus

Lemartes (100 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol • 1x The Blood Crozius

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

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

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

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

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (230 Points) • 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs ◦ 5x Astartes chainsword ◦ 2x Eviscerator ◦ 6x Heavy bolt pistol ◦ 2x Inferno pistol ◦ 2x Plasma pistol ◦ 3x Power fist

Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (230 Points) • 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs ◦ 5x Astartes chainsword ◦ 2x Eviscerator ◦ 6x Heavy bolt pistol ◦ 2x Inferno pistol ◦ 2x Plasma pistol ◦ 3x Power fist

Sanguinary Guard (260 Points) • 6x Sanguinary Guard ◦ 4x Angelus boltgun ◦ 6x Encarmine spear ◦ 2x Inferno pistol ◦ 1x Sanguinary Banner

Sanguinary Guard (125 Points) • 3x Sanguinary Guard ◦ 2x Angelus boltgun ◦ 3x Encarmine spear ◦ 1x Inferno pistol ◦ 1x Sanguinary Banner

Sanguinary Guard (125 Points) • 3x Sanguinary Guard ◦ 2x Angelus boltgun ◦ 3x Encarmine spear ◦ 1x Inferno pistol ◦ 1x Sanguinary Banner

Scout Squad (70 Points) • 1x Scout Sergeant ◦ 1x Astartes chainsword ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon • 4x Scout ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Combat knife

Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 Points) • 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Power fist ◦ 1x Sternguard bolt pistol ◦ 1x Sternguard bolt rifle • 4x Sternguard Veteran ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Sternguard bolt pistol ◦ 3x Sternguard bolt rifle ◦ 1x Sternguard heavy bolter

Exported with App Version: v1.46.1 (1), Data Version: v728

Archetype

All-in Rage-Cursed

Thoughts

Look, as mentioned up top, it's been a hell of a week and thus I appreciate the efforts players have put in to give me some very easy writeups here. Angry red men murder the enemy, the end. The one thing I'll highlight is the import of some Liberator tech in the form of an Angel's Fang Captain with Sternguard. Such a high proportion of the key targets in the metagame are Character/Monster/Vehicle that he's on most of the time, and full re-rolling into oaths targets on his Devastating Wounds turn will flatten anything normal and still punch through considerable hurt on heavier targets. It's a cool addition to the package, and a terrifying overall setup for foes to contemplate. Congratulations to Reiss on unleashing maximum fury.

The Best of the Rest

There were 7 more players on 4-1 records. They were:

2nd - Ben Baddour - Aeldari (Aspect Host): Classic four Phoenix Aspects, just bascially without any Hawks.
3rd - Brett Keable - Adeptus Mechanicus (Haloscreed Battle Clade): Gun-heavy Haloscreen with Ironstriders and a Skorpius firebase.
4th - Matthew Edginton - Astra Militarum (Grizzled Company): Extra pressure Grizzled, cutting the Dorns in favour of extra Bullgryn and some Warglaives to join the high-speed fun.
5th - George Smith - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal): Double Wraith, double Doomsday Silent King Starshatter (classic no-C'tan mode).
6th - Conor McNama - Dark Angels (Stormlance Task Force): Lion Deathwing Stormlance aggro.
7th - Dan M.K - T'au Empire (Mont'ka): Breacherfish, Triptides and a Commander/Sunforge unit for troubleshooting.
8th - James Ball - Chaos Daemons (Shadow Legion): A Fadethirster with Rendmaster hype-Daemons with a GUO/Bird setup to blast behind them.

The Gang's 40k Grand Tournament at Castle Con

33-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in Rochester, MN, United States on January 24 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

Devin Orchard - Necrons (Starshatter Arsenal) - 1st Place

Doomsday Ark. Credit: Rockfish

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Markenezan Arsenal (2000 points)

Necrons Strike Force (2000 points) Starshatter Arsenal

CHARACTERS

Hatshepsut, Phaerakh of the Markenezan Dynasty [Catacomb Command Barge] (150 points) • Warlord • 1x Gauss cannon 1x Overlord's blade 1x Resurrection Orb • Enhancement: Dread Majesty (Aura)

Apotheosis of Techno-Nightmares [C'tan Shard of the Void Dragon] (310 points) • 1x Canoptek tail blades 1x Spear of the Void Dragon 1x Voltaic storm

Eluviosh, Harbinger of Transmorgrification [Geomancer] (75 points) • 1x Tremorglaive

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

Tholaraskh, Night's Whisper [Lokhust Lord] (95 points) • 1x Lord's blade 1x Resurrection Orb • Enhancement: Miniaturised Nebuloscope

Agrondax, The Sleepless Harbinger [Technomancer] (80 points) • 1x Staff of light

OTHER DATASHEETS

Will of Markenezan [Canoptek Reanimator] (75 points) • 2x Atomiser beam 1x Reanimator's claws

Spirits of Markenezan [Canoptek Scarab Swarms] (80 points) • 6x Canoptek Scarab Swarm • 6x Feeder mandibles

Custodians of Markenezan [Canoptek Tomb Crawlers] (50 points) • 2x Canoptek Tomb Crawlers • 2x Claws 1x Transdimensional isolator 1x Twin gauss reaper

Shades of Markenezan [Canoptek Wraiths] (220 points) • 6x Canoptek Wraith • 6x Particle caster 6x Vicious claws

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

Fury of the Stars [Doomsday Ark] (200 points) • 1x Armoured bulk 1x Doomsday cannon 2x Gauss flayer array

Ta'Keph's Brood [Flayed Ones] (BLACK) (60 points) • 5x Flayed One • 5x Flayer claws

Ta'Keph's Swarm [Flayed Ones] (GOLD) (60 points) • 5x Flayed One • 5x Flayer claws

Tholaraskh's Reach [Lokhust Heavy Destroyers] (165 points) • 3x Lokhust Heavy Destroyer • 3x Close combat weapon 3x Enmitic exterminator

Gameskh, The Obsessed [Ophydian Destroyers] (80 points) • 3x Ophydian Destroyer • 3x Ophydian hyperphase weapons 1x Plasmacyte

Archetype

No-King Starshatter

Thoughts

Necrons take another event next, continuing the theme that you can sort of just slot a C'tan into any list and they'll be great. The Void Dragon thrives here, helping pick off heavy targets alongside the Doomsdays, while some Enmitic Lokhusts extinguish any foolish hordes that come to play. The only unusual choice is a Geomancer, who while fragile can either be a good backfield objective babysitter while the rest of the list does its thing, or provide a crucial turn of slowing down the foe's alpha threats or reserves. Lists with the Silent King generally can't spare the points for little tech pieces like that, so if you want to try new things, cutting out the big man does help. Well done Devin.

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - Craig Parker - Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm): Five Norn fiesta. Incredible energy.
3rd - Matthew Pedretti - Death Guard (Death Lord’s Chosen): Mortarion with some Deathshrouds and lots of Plaguebursts behind them.
4th - Alex Shepherd - Genestealer Cult (Biosanctic Broodsurge): Unsurprisingly, lots of Purestrains, Aberrants and Metamorphs.
5th - Jabbar Haider - Emperor's Children (Coterie of the Conceited): Triple Prince Coterie with a Maulerfiend.

VT 40K GT JAN 2026

26-player, 5-round Grand Tournament in England, United Kingdom on January 24 2026. All the lists for this event can be found in Best Coast Pairings.

The Showdown

Take and Hold - Search and Destroy

Stephen Box - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force)

Army List - Click to Expand

Deathwatch - new v3 (2000 Points)

Space Marines Deathwatch Black Spear Task Force Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Captain in Gravis Armour (110 Points) • 1x Master-crafted heavy bolt rifle • 1x Master-crafted power weapon • Enhancements: The Tome of Ectoclades

Judiciar (95 Points) • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol • 1x Executioner relic blade • Enhancements: Beacon Angelis

Librarian in Terminator Armour (75 Points) • 1x Combi-weapon • 1x Force weapon • 1x Smite

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

Watch Master (120 Points) • Warlord • 1x Vigil spear • Enhancements: Thief of Secrets

BATTLELINE

Deathwatch Veterans (190 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant ◦ 1x Combi-weapon ◦ 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veterans ◦ 4x Astartes shield ◦ 1x Black Shield blades ◦ 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer ◦ 4x Power weapon

Deathwatch Veterans (190 Points) • 1x Watch Sergeant ◦ 1x Combi-weapon ◦ 1x Xenophase blade • 9x Deathwatch Veterans ◦ 4x Astartes shield ◦ 1x Black Shield blades ◦ 4x Deathwatch thunder hammer ◦ 4x Power weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Rhino (75 Points) • 1x Armoured tracks • 1x Hunter-killer missile • 1x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Deathwatch Terminator Squad (350 Points) • 1x Deathwatch Terminator Sergeant ◦ 1x Storm Shield ◦ 1x Thunder hammer • 9x Deathwatch Terminator ◦ 3x Cyclone missile launcher ◦ 3x Power fist ◦ 6x Storm Shield ◦ 3x Storm bolter ◦ 6x Thunder hammer

Fortis Kill Team (180 Points) • 1x Kill Team Sergeant ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Deathwatch bolt rifle ◦ 1x Power fist • 3x Kill Team Intercessor ◦ 2x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Deathwatch bolt rifle • 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Plasma incinerator • 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Castellan launcher ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Superkrak rocket launcher ◦ 1x Vengor launcher

Fortis Kill Team (180 Points) • 1x Kill Team Sergeant ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Deathwatch bolt rifle ◦ 1x Power fist • 3x Kill Team Intercessor ◦ 2x Astartes grenade launcher ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 3x Deathwatch bolt rifle • 4x Kill Team Intercessor with plasma incinerator ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 4x Plasma incinerator • 2x Kill Team Intercessor with superfrag rocket launcher ◦ 2x Bolt pistol ◦ 2x Castellan launcher ◦ 2x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Superkrak rocket launcher ◦ 1x Vengor launcher

Indomitor Kill Team (265 Points) • 4x Kill Team Heavy Intercessors ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolt rifle ◦ 2x Deathwatch heavy bolter • 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with power fists ◦ 3x Flamestorm gauntlets ◦ 3x Twin power fists • 3x Kill Team Heavy Intercessor with melta rifle ◦ 3x Bolt pistol ◦ 3x Close combat weapon ◦ 2x Melta rifle ◦ 1x Multi-melta

Infiltrator Squad (100 Points) • 1x Infiltrator Sergeant ◦ 1x Bolt pistol ◦ 1x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Marksman bolt carbine • 4x Infiltrator ◦ 4x Bolt pistol ◦ 4x Close combat weapon ◦ 1x Helix Gauntlet ◦ 4x Marksman bolt carbine

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vs.

Sean O’Connor - Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm)

Army List - Click to Expand

Nids Assimilation 2K.4 Monsters (1995 Points)

Tyranids Assimilation Swarm Strike Force (2,000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Hive Tyrant (210 Points) • Warlord • 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip • 1x Monstrous scything talons • Enhancements: Instinctive Defence

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

BATTLELINE

Hormagaunts (65 Points) • 10x Hormagaunt ◦ 10x Hormagaunt talons

OTHER DATASHEETS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psychophage (110 Points) • 1x Psychoclastic torrent • 1x Talons and betentacled maw

Psychophage (110 Points) • 1x Psychoclastic torrent • 1x Talons and betentacled maw

Ripper Swarms (25 Points) • 1x Chitinous claws and teeth • 1x Spinemaws

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

Tyrant Guard (160 Points) • 6x Tyrant Guard ◦ 6x Bone cleaver, lash whip and rending claws

Zoanthropes (200 Points) • 1x Neurothrope ◦ 1x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 1x Warp Blast • 5x Zoanthrope ◦ 5x Chitinous claws and teeth ◦ 5x Warp Blast

Thoughts

Deathwatch go on a bug hunt here, facing off against an interesting Assimilation board control list. I'm a huge fan of the Tyrant Guard brick in Assimilation, it creates a very high hurdle for most foes to cross damage-wise, and it's well utilised here - lots of mid-weight bugs to roam out from it, and a big squad of Zoanthropes and some Exocrines to blast foes from a distance. it's a bit different to the Tyranid standard and looks like great fun but...

It is basically a list that punishes foes who want to concentrate their offence in one place, or have limited numbers of big threats, and that does not describe this Deathwatch build. Using the cheapness of Fortis Kill Teams, Steve's build packs in an eye-watering six big alpha units, and I think they're just going to go through the Tyranids like a hot knife. The one saving grace for the bugs would normally be that Exocrines are excellent into Indomitor Teams, but the Deathwatch have anticipated and avoided by swapping in a full Terminator block, where a bunch of 4W models Terminators and a good invulnerable save massively reduce the power of the Exocrines, and also hilariously crush the output of the Zoanthropes thanks to the anti-Psychic Leader ability of the Librarian. Fundamentally, I think stock Deathwatch would have a great matchup here, and the tech in this build plus a corner deployment makes this a rout, which it largely was.

Result

Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) Victory - 86 - 48

Stephen Box - Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force) - 1st Place

Painted by Josh Boyes

The List

Army List - Click to Expand

Archetype

Anti-Daemon Deathwatch

Thoughts

Mostly covered in the Showdown, this is some of the standard Deathwatch tools, and some tinkering that I assume is intended to stop the Daemons matchup being a nightmare. Lords of Change normally rock at extinguishing Kill Teams, but they very much do not rock at killing the big Terminator brick with a 4+ Feel No Pain against Psychic. Helps against Dreadknight spam too, which is similarly strong at wiping out regular teams. Always love seeing some clever adaptation to the metagame, congratulations Steve!

The Best of the Rest

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

2nd - James Hobbs - T'au Empire (Mont'ka): Mont'ka Triptide with a triple Broadside unit for heavy targets.
3rd - Nathan Coe - Drukhari (Kabalite Cartel): All-rounder Cartel with a mix of shooty Ravagers and Scourges plus Incubi and Malys to push.
4th - Jake Harding - Leagues of Votann (Hearthband): Double big Hearthguard block supported by MSUs and Earthshakers.
5th - Sean O’Connor - Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm): See Showdown.

Wrap Up

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