Astra Militarum shocks Warhammer 40K by winning LVO XII 2025! See how the Guard’s strategy and firepower toppled the meta’s favorites.
Well, it’s hard to say the horde meta isn’t officially back now. After seeing how the field was shaping up at the London Grand Tournament (LGT), the Las Vegas Open (LVO) just a week later felt like the next natural evolution in how the game of Warhammer 40K was going to shift — and shift it has.
On the heels of the biggest tournament in the world, LVO XII once again proved to be the largest Warhammer 40K event in North America, drawing nearly 600 players to battle for supremacy. The competition was fierce, the matchups unpredictable, and the results anything but expected.
Warhammer 40K and the Return of the Horde Meta
The rounds were full of upsets, but in the end, Wesley St. Hines’ Astra Militarum took home the crown over Tyler Stice’s Deathwatch, winning the final match 96–44.
This win came out of nowhere for an army that’s struggled to find consistent footing in 10th Edition. The Astra Militarum hasn’t exactly been a headline faction this edition — and that’s what made this result so impressive. Hines’ victory wasn’t fueled by tanks, artillery, or flashy gimmicks. It was pure Guard grit.
His list, which averaged 91.6 points per game and finished with a 9-0-1 record, might go down as one of the most infantry-heavy Guard lists ever seen at a major. No Leman Russes, no Rogal Dorns, no Super-Heavies — not even Kasrkin. Just bodies, discipline, and relentless board control.
Hines ran the Scout Regiment detachment, featuring the iconic Gaunt’s Ghosts for some flavorful flair. The backbone of the army was built around four 20-man Cadian Shock Troop squads, supported by three Command Squads, two 10-man Catachan Jungle Fighters, four 10-man Krieg squads, two 20-man Krieg squads, two 10-man Rough Riders, a Scout Sentinel, three Castellans to lead the Cadians, and Ursula Creed herself.
You can check out the official list here if you want to see every detail for yourself.
The Guard’s Path to Victory
The final list functioned as a wall of infantry that opponents simply couldn’t chew through before turn five. In today’s game, where scoring points outweighs raw killing power, that strategy is brutally effective.
By overwhelming objectives, spreading the field, and maintaining board presence turn after turn, Hines leveraged the Guard’s strengths in a way few have managed this edition. It wasn’t flashy — it was disciplined, efficient, and perfectly executed.
For Astra Militarum players everywhere, this win is more than just a trophy — it’s a reminder that the Emperor’s Hammer still hits hard when wielded with patience and precision.
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Husband, Florida State Seminole, and fan of all things grimdark, sometimes even winning a game or two.
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