Don’t miss the top Warhammer 40k tournament army lists featuring Ultramarines, Astra Militarum, and Custodes from the Goonhammer Open.
The March Goonhammer Open 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.
Final Tournament Standings:
Studying these winning army lists for their tactical synergies can provide great insights for playing your army since the latest balance dataslate rules changes and points updates. If you want to elevate your game even further, consider applying to Team USA to compete at the World Team Championships each year!
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1st Place: Sam Nash – Space Marines / Adeptus Astartes (Ultramarines) Army Lists
When the dust settled and the dice stopped rolling, Sam’s Space Marines stood tall at the Goonhammer Open. Not a scratch on the paint (okay, maybe just battle damage for aesthetic).
Sam didn’t go halfway. He brought Guilliman. Then, for good measure, Calgar too. If you’re wondering whether running both the Primarch and the Chapter Master in one list is overkill, the answer is yes—and that’s the point. One rewrites the Codex Astartes; the other turns CP into war crimes. Together? Pure Ultramarine theatre.
Backing them up was a Captain in Gravis armor, tanky enough to take a hit, smash back harder, and still have time to give a motivational speech. His sidekick? A Lieutenant with a combi-weapon, to hand out bonuses.
Then came the Ballistus Dreadnoughts. Three of them. Not one. Not two. Three. This wasn’t a gentle nudge of ranged threat—this was an entire gunline wrapped in adamantium and righteous fury.
Company Heroes showed up ready to flex their cost-efficiency and stop-gap tanking. They’re the type of unit that doesn’t headline the show but wins the game anyway. Real unsung MVPs—until they punch a Carnifex in the jaw.
To round out the ranged violence, Sam threw in a Gladiator Reaper. Because sometimes you need a tank that can delete entire units and still look stylish doing it.
Infiltrators took up space and made deep-strike players cry. Great guns, solid board control, and the smug energy of someone who knows exactly where your reserves aren’t going. Scouts brought early utility, grabbing objectives, screening charges, and generally being power-armored gremlins.
Mobility wasn’t left behind either. Enter: the Invader ATV. Loud, fast, and just unstable enough to be cool. If there was an objective to snag or a unit to harass, this thing was there—probably doing donuts while firing.
And then—just when you thought this list was done—two Vindicators showed up. Yes, those Vindicators. The ones with the cannon so big it looks like they lost a bet with the Forge World artillery team. They brought high armor, high damage, and the energy of a wrecking ball in a porcelain shop.
2nd Place: Nassim Fouchane – Astra Militarum / Imperial Guard Army Lists
3rd Place: Alex Fowler – Adeptus Custodes Army Lists
Final Thoughts on Army Lists: Goonhammer Open
The Goonhammer Open showcased some stellar performances, with Sam Nash’s Ultramarines strutting their tactical stuff alongside Nassim Fouchane’s Astra Militarum, bringing the punishing firepower we all know and love. And let’s not overlook Alex Fowler’s Adeptus Custodes—proving that golden armor isn’t just for show but can pack a serious punch on the battlefield!
So, whether you’re planning to play in the next big tournament or just looking to spice up your games at home, take a page from these winners and remember: every unit counts, and sometimes, all you need is a good plan and a whole lot of golden armored bodies.
See the Top Warhammer Army Lists & 40k Tournament Schedule for 2025
What do you think of the results and top Warhammer 40k Goonhammer Open army lists for Ultramarines, Astra Militarum, and Custodes?
