Unlock victory with the top 40k tournament army lists featuring Grey Knights, Death Guard, and Adeptus Custodes from the Castle Con.
Final Standings:
The tournament is over, and now we can look at which 40k factions’ playstyles and army lists managed to secure a place at the top! Check out what these winners brought in their armies with our expert commentary on their selections.
Studying these winning army lists for their tactical synergies provides valuable insights for honing your strategic approach since the latest balance dataslate rules changes and points updates.
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1st Place: Nicholas Bialek – Adeptus Custodes Army Lists
The Adeptus Custodes don’t do anything halfway. When they show up, they’re draped in gold, ready to break physics with their sheer skill, and carrying the Emperor’s will like it’s a personal grudge. At Castle Con, Nicholas’ Custodes proved once again that there’s no substitute for a handful of warriors who consider other factions’ “elite units” to be warm-up exercises.
Leading the charge were two Blade Champions, each bringing a mastery of melee combat that would make most warriors rethink their life choices. Paired with them, a Captain on Dawneagle Jetbike soared across the battlefield with the kind of mobility, durability, and raw power that makes enemies regret their deployment zones.
For early movement and protection, an Anathema Rhino provided a safe ride, ensuring that key units arrived where they needed to be without getting picked apart on the way in. Once the battlefield was properly surveyed, two Grav-tanks rolled in, delivering a potent mix of durability and firepower that turned would-be threats into cautionary tales.
On the ground, two units of Wardens stood their ground alongside the Blade Champions, forming a pair of resilient melee-focused squads that refused to go down easily. They weren’t just a wall; they were an immovable force ready to punish anything foolish enough to engage them.
For a little flexibility, the list included a single Prosecutor and two units of Witchseekers. These fast, cheap models provided some valuable battlefield control, allowing Nicholas to play smart without sacrificing the Custodes’ signature toughness.
Rounding out the force, two Vertus Praetors added their own brand of destruction. Between their devastating weapons and the ability to deliver mortal wounds, they ensured that anything left standing wouldn’t stay that way for long.
2nd Place: Zach LaFontaine – Death Guard Army Lists
3rd Place: Milan Grubl – Grey Knights Army Lists
Final Thoughts on Army Lists From Castle Con 2025
Nicholas’ approach kept things direct: hit hard, take the best the enemy can throw, and then hit even harder. It’s the kind of strategy that makes Custodes players smile and everyone else sigh. The golden warriors walked onto the battlefield, claimed their victory, and left another tournament in awe of the Emperor’s chosen.
These top army lists from the Castle Con are a reminder that the Adeptus Custodes can win if built with every on of their (limited) units having a purpose. With a little bit of finesse, they can hold their own against even the deadliest Death Guard and Grey Knights.
The performance of these armies serves as a testament to the ever-evolving nature of the competitive Warhammer 40k meta. Studying these winning army lists for their tactical synergies provides valuable insights for honing your strategic approach.
See the Top Warhammer Army Lists & 40k Tournament Schedule for 2025
What do you think of the results and top Warhammer 40k army lists at Castle Con for Grey Knights, Death Guard, and Adeptus Custodes?
