Don’t miss the top Warhammer 40k army lists featuring World Eaters, Adeptus Custodes, and Tyranids from The Challengers Cup 2025.
Ask around and you’ll hear two things: the new balance dataslate update has fixed the 40k meta mess, and yanked the rip cord to give other armies a shot at the spotlight.
The Challengers Cup 2025 is over, and now we can look at which 40k factions’ playstyles and army lists managed to secure a place at the top!
Final 40k Army Lists 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!
Thanks to Best Coast Pairings, we can look back at the event as if we were all there ourselves. Click this special promo link to save $20 on a year’s subscription to BCP.
Editor’s Note: These are individual placings from a team event, so these are all from a unique pool.
1st Place: Shaun Reynolds, World Eaters Army Lists
The Challengers Cup 2025 got split in half and offered to Khorne, courtesy of a World Eaters list that didn’t just win, it butchered its way through the event with skulls, chainblades, and enough frothing rage to make a Word Bearer flinch.
Leading the charge, Khârn the Betrayer himself. Warlord, hype man, and friendly fire hazard all in one. Armed with Gorechild and a plasma pistol, Khârn did what he always does: tore through enemies, allies, and expectations.
Backing him was a Lord on Juggernaut, thundering across the battlefield on a brass beast.
And then there were three Slaughterbound, two standard, and one juiced up with the Berzerker Glaive. These were the heat-seekers of the list, crashing into anything with a pulse and leaving pulp in their wake.
The backbone? Good old Khorne Berzerkers, and lots of them. A 10-man squad with plasma and eviscerators was solid. But the 20-man block was a meat tsunami.
Topping it off, a classic Chaos Rhino taxied Berzerkers into battle behind armored tracks and combi-bolters. Nothing fancy. Just a box of rage on wheels.
Chaos Spawn in three units added that lovely unpredictable violence to the mix. They’re cheap, fast, and excellent at flailing into places where enemy plans go to die.
The Eightbound and Exalted Eightbound were the list’s scalpel. One unit of regulars and three squads of Exalteds backed them up, hitting hard and fast, deleting elite units, characters, or whoever was brave enough to stand still for more than a second.
Need some board presence with a little extra flavor? Jakhals were on hand with a chainblade party of their own. Led by a Pack Leader and his mangling Dishonoured buddy, they filled gaps, tied up threats, and offered Khorne even more names for the Skull Throne.
2nd Place: Cam Howard, Adeptus Custodes Army Lists
3rd Place: Ryan Verbeck, Tyranids Army Lists
Final Thoughts From Us: The Challengers Cup 2025
In the epic showdown of The Challengers Cup 2025, the World Eaters carved their names in blood. While the Adeptus Custodes stood tall with their gleaming might, and the Tyranids slunk in the shadows, ready to swarm back for another bite.
If you’re looking to tighten up your next game, studying these builds is time well spent. And if chasing glory at events like this gets your dice hand twitching, maybe it’s time to aim for something bigger, like joining Team USA.
Until then, the 40k meta’s wide open again, and the next tournament might just flip the script again.
See the Top Warhammer Army Lists & Latest 40k Tournament Schedule
What do you think of the results and Top Challengers Cup 2025 Warhammer 40k army lists for World Eaters, Adeptus Custodes, and Tyranids?
