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Top Unbeatable 40k Army Lists: Blue Ridge Championship GT

meta painted space marine with win rates behind him

Unlock victory with the top 40k tournament army lists featuring Sisters, CSM, and Space Marines from the Blue Ridge Championship GT.

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. 

Final Tournament Standings:

 

top warhammer 40k army lists to beat tournaments grand 1 Adeptus Custodes Imperial Guard World Eaters Army lists

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. If you’re looking to level up your game even more, think about applying to Team USA to compete in the World Team Championships every year!

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. 

Third Annual Blue Ridge Championship GT top 8

 

1st Place: Mark Hertel – Space Marines (Ultramarines) Army Lists

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Warhammer 40k is a battlefield where strategy meets brutality, and few forces exemplify that better than the Space Marines. At the Blue Ridge Championships, Alex’s list stood tall, proving that the Emperor’s finest are still a force to be reckoned with.

Mark Hertel sm 1

Leading the charge was none other than the Primarch himself—Roboute Guilliman. The Lord Commander is more than just a powerful figurehead; he’s the kind of battlefield presence that turns the tide with sheer strategic genius.  Backing him up was a Librarian, bringing a mix of battlefield control and psychic prowess, and Marneus Calgar, a living legend with fists that hit harder than an orbital strike. This duo gave the army a solid core of leadership, resilience, and sheer stopping power.

On the front lines, the army brought a blend of versatility and firepower. An Assault Intercessor unit handled close-range engagements with brutal efficiency, while a standard Intercessor unit provided mid-range support.

Mark Hertel sm 2

Mobility was key, with an Impulsor and two Land Raiders serving as both transport and heavy support. These armored behemoths ensured that the Marines inside could reach critical points on the battlefield while raining down punishing firepower.

Elite choices made all the difference. Company Heroes brought a few high-quality bodies at a bargain, proving that elite warriors don’t have to come at an absurd cost. Meanwhile, the Desolation Marines filled the role of dedicated armor-busting specialists, ensuring that enemy vehicles didn’t overstay their welcome.

Mark Hertel sm 3

Finally, the list wrapped up with a unit of Sternguard Veterans—rugged melee specialists who could stand toe-to-toe with just about anything that came their way.

2nd Place: Brett Perkins – Chaos Space Marines Army Lists

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3rd Place: Bruce Duffy – Sisters of Battle / Adepta Sororitas Army Lists

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Jeffrey Kolodner sororitas 1

 

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Final Thoughts on Army Lists From Blue Ridge Championships

table tournament warhammer 40k players engaged

At the Blue Ridge Championships, it’s clear that the competitive scene in Warhammer 40k is hotter than a plasma cannon on overcharge. The Space Marines, led by Mark Hertel, showcased that when you have the Primarch himself in your corner, victory is just a tactical maneuver away. Meanwhile, Brett Prekins Chaos Space Marines reminded us that a little chaos can go a long way—after all, who doesn’t love a bit of mayhem on the battlefield? And let’s not forget Jeffrey Kolodner and the Sisters of Battle, who firmly established that faith and firepower go hand in hand; ladies truly do know how to pack a punch!

The performance of these armies really puts an exclamation mark on the ever-evolving nature of the competitive Warhammer 40k meta. Studying these winning army lists for their tactical synergies provides valuable insights for making 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 the Blue Ridge Championships for Sisters of Battle, CSM, and Space Marines?