Unlock victory with the top 40k tournament army lists from LVO XII Champs, featuring Astra Militarum, Deathwatch, and Aeldari.
Looks like the 40k meta problem is ‘fixed now’ with the new balance dataslate, and the rip cord has been pulled for other armies to have a chance.
Currently, it appears that T3 armies are starting to dominate the meta, but who knows what next week will bring, right?
Either way, the huge LVO XII Champs is over, and now we can look at which 40k factions’ playstyles and army lists managed to secure a place at the top!
LVO XII Champs: Final 40k Army Lists & Tournament Standings:
Checking out these winning army lists and their tactical synergies can really help you sharpen your strategy, especially with the latest updates to the balance dataslate rules and points.
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Plus, 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.
1st Place: Wesley St. Hines, Astra Militarum Army Lists
The Astra Militarum has done it again. This list wasn’t about flashy combos or lone heroes carrying the game. It was pure, boots-on-the-ground dominance with layers of infantry, plasma, and horse-mounted chaos.
Three Cadian Castellans led the charge, each strutting around with plasma pistols and power fists like they were born for tabletop attrition.
Backing them were three Command Squads, loaded with medics, vox-casters, and enough plasma to make a Mechanicus tech-priest twitch. They had to issue orders, keep morale high, and vaporize anything within rapid-fire range.
Ursula Creed was the brains behind the whole operation with the kind of authority that would make her father proud.
Gaunt and his men weren’t just for show; they’re a perfect mix of utility, sneaky plays, and precision shooting.
First up were four full squads of Cadian Shock Troops, which made up the backbone. They’re cheap, reliable, and hit harder than they have any right to.
And for a little flavor, two squads of Catachan Jungle Fighters added some classic close-combat grit. These were perfect for flushing out objectives or anything in cover.
Also mixed into that endless tide were the Death Korps of Krieg. Each squad came with medics and special weapons, letting them grind forward through attrition like the grim heroes they are.
When the guns couldn’t reach, the Attilan Rough Riders did. It’s always funny to see opponents underestimate these units until they spear a monster to death on turn three.
Then a single Scout Sentinel rounded out the list, carrying a lascannon and hunter-killer missile.
This list is pure evil genius. It doesn’t just hold the board; it becomes the board. Every inch of space turns into a headache for your opponent, and by the time they realize they can’t shoot or charge through the wall of bodies, it’s already too late.
Between the reactive tricks, OC stacking, and good old-fashioned attrition, this army punishes anyone who underestimates the Guard. It’s the kind of list that reminds everyone why Astra Militarum isn’t just about tanks, it’s about making the enemy run out of time, options, and patience.
2nd Place: Tyler Stice, Deathwatch Army Lists
3rd Place: Folger Pyles, Aeldari (Eldar) Army List
Final Thoughts From Us: LVO XII Champs
That wraps it up for the LVO XII Champs, and wow, what a shakeup. Astra Militarum stormed the stage like it was their own private warzone, proving that disciplined ranks and a mountain of plasma still get the job done.
Deathwatch kept things tactical, and the Aeldari? Still bending reality just enough to stay terrifying. The new balance changes are already mixing things up, so don’t get too comfortable. Next week’s meta could look completely different.
See the Top Warhammer Army Lists & 40k Tournament Schedule for This Year
What do you think of the results and top Warhammer 40k army lists at the LVO XII Champs for Astra Militarum, Deathwatch, and Aeldari?
