Breaking Down the Best Warhammer 40K Army List of 2025

Explore the best Warhammer 40K army list of 2025 through the lens of the winner of the most important event of the year.

As the dust settles after the  World Championships of Warhammer 2025, fans across the globe are analyzing the best lists and strategies that dominated the Warhammer 40K part of the tournament. One army in particular has captured attention: the Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii Hunter Cohort, piloted by the world-class player Richard Siegler.

In this post, we’ll break down Siegler’s winning list, why it worked, and key takeaways for Warhammer 40K players looking to dominate in competitive play.

Adeptus Mechanicus Strike Force: Skitarii Hunter Cohort (2000 points)

Characters

Belisarius Cawl – 175 points

• Warlord

• 1x Arc Scourge

• 1x Cawl’s Omnissian Axe

• 1x Mechadendrite Hive

• 1x Solar Atomiser

Skitarii Marshal – 60 points

• 1x Control Stave

• 1x Mechanicus Pistol

• Enhancement: Cantic Thrallnet

Battleline

Skitarii Rangers – 85 points (x2 units)

• 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha with combat and close combat weapons

• 9x Skitarii Ranger: 1x Arc Rifle, 9x Close Combat Weapon, 6x Galvanic Rifle, 1x Omnispex, 1x Plasma Caliver, 1x Transuranic Arquebus

Other Datasheets

Ironstrider Ballistarii – 225 points (x3 units)

• Two units equipped with Twin Cognis Lascannons

• One unit equipped with Twin Cognis Autocannons

Pteraxii Skystalkers – 140/70 points (x3 units)

• Alpha with Flechette Blaster and Taser Goad

• 9x/4x Pteraxii Skystalkers with Close Combat Weapons and Flechette Carbines

Sicarian Infiltrators – 140 points (x3 units)

• Princeps with Flechette Blaster and Taser Goad

• 9x Sicarian Infiltrators with Flechette Blasters and Taser Goads

Sicarian Ruststalkers – 150 points

• Princeps with Transonic Blades and Chordclaw

• 9x Ruststalkers with Transonic Razors and Chordclaws

Why This List Worked in Warhammer 40K 10th Edition

Skitarii Hunter Cohort: A Proven Detachment

The Skitarii Hunter Cohort has consistently been the strongest detachment for Adeptus Mechanicus in 10th Edition. Its primary strength is simplicity: it provides Skitarii units with stealth and cover benefits outside 12 inches, making almost every model extremely difficult to remove, especially against AP 0 attacks.

Richard Siegler’s list maximized these benefits across the board, allowing units to survive longer and maintain board control.

Belisarius Cawl: The Army-Wide Force Multiplier

Cawl is the only model in this list without the Skitarii keyword, meaning he doesn’t benefit from stealth or cover. However, his army-wide damage boost makes him a must-take in any Adeptus Mechanicus list. Cawl is a force multiplier, significantly increasing the effectiveness of the Hunter Cohort and any other Ad Mech list by giving out a mini Oath of the Moment.

Skitarii Rangers: Objective Control & Synergy

The Rangers excel at holding objectives while still providing moderate damage output. Their synergy with other units in this list, especially the Pteraxii Skystalkers, makes them versatile tools for both scoring and tactical flexibility.

Ironstrider Ballistarii: Heavy Firepower

The backbone of Siegler’s list is the three 3-man units of Ironstrider Ballistarii. Two units with Lascannons and one with Autocannons allow this army to:

• Deliver 12 Twin-Linked Lascannon shots with Sustained Hits 1 and Twin-Linked

• Add 12 Autocannon shots with Sustained Hits 1 with Twin-Linked

• All on a Toughness 7 platform with 7 wounds, 3+ armor, and 5++ invulnerable saves

These units become major threats when paired with Skitarii buffs and stratagems, providing lethal firepower from a mobile and resilient platform.

Pteraxii Skystalkers: Versatile Tactical Threats

The Pteraxii Skystalkers are another highlight:

• T4, 2 wounds, 4+ armor, 5++ invulnerable

• Move 12″ and fire 6 shots per model with Flechette Carbines (totaling 60 shots per unit)

• AP 0, S3, D1 damage, making them overwatch terrors and excellent against hordes like Aeldari or Drukhari

After shooting, Skystalkers can move 6″ or 12″ if finishing wholly within 6 inches of a battleline unit, combining mobility, scoring, and tactical flexibility. With stratagems like return to reserves and the ability to deep strike, they become extremely versatile on the mission side.

Sicarian Infiltrators & Ruststalkers: Melee Pressure and Tough Bricks

The final pieces of the list bring close combat capability and tactical depth:

• Sicarian Infiltrators: 30 S6 attacks, -1 AP, 1 damage with Sustained 2 and can advance while maintaining shooting power

• Sicarian Ruststalkers: Deliver massive melee output with mostly damage 2 attacks

These units allow Siegler’s list to handle almost any opponent, from infantry-heavy armies to mobile elite units.

Conclusion: Adeptus Mechanicus Dominance in 2025

This Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii Hunter Cohort list checks all the boxes for a winning Warhammer 40K army in 10th Edition:

• Resilient units with stealth and cover benefits

• Heavy firepower with Ironstriders

• Versatile scoring and killing units like Skystalkers

• Effective melee pressure with Infiltrators and Ruststalkers

It’s no surprise that this list won the 2025 World Championships, and we can expect many players to adopt similar strategies in upcoming tournaments.

For now, Adeptus Mechanicus reigns supreme, and understanding the mechanics of this list is essential for anyone looking to compete at the highest level in Warhammer 40K.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click a link and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use and trust for the Warhammer 40K hobby.