In my last post, I looked at the overall field for the UK Clash of Kings 2025; the biggest Kings of War tournament in the world. The takeaway was clear: a vibrant, diverse meta with Halflings surging, Abyssal Berserkers everywhere, and artefacts shaping the battlefield. (You can catch up on that full meta breakdown here: UK Clash of Kings 2025 Overview).
This time I want to zoom in on five specific lists that stood out from the pack. Each has its own flavor and potential to shake up the standings, whether by sheer efficiency, unusual build choices, or player pedigree.
Shane Heaney’s Dwarfs
On paper, Shane’s Dwarfs bring a little bit of everything. The list clocks in at 15 drops, 24 unit strength, and 13 scoring units; a strong backbone for scenario play. Average defense sits at 5.1, making the army hard to crack. Two troops of Sharpshooters add some long-range teeth, while characters like Faber Ironheart and two Dwarf Lords on Large Beasts give it flexible punch. It’s a toolkit Dwarf build: balanced, resilient, and capable of grinding out points in the late game.
Daniel King’s Basileans
Daniel’s list is a head-turner: average speed 7.5, plenty of Iron Resolve and Heal, and it still manages 65.1 expected damage on offense. The build is spammy but fun: three Phoenixes, three Ogre Palace Guard, three Elohi, and three Dictators (and Jullius for fun). It’s fast, surprisingly tough, and it hits hard. Basileans often skew either toward defense or alpha, and with its heal and resilience, this list manages to lean into both. Expect it to overwhelm opponents who can’t keep up with the pace.
Matt Gorham’s Salamanders
If you want objective play, Matt’s Salamanders deliver. 15 units, 27 unit strength, and 11 scoring drops mean they can sit on, contest, and spread out across the board. On top of that, the list puts out solid shooting threats, giving it ranged pressure many Salamander lists skip. It’s a balanced build that can win on scenario without giving up too much combat power.
Page Neo’s Forces of the Abyss
Page’s Abyssals are fast, nasty, and built for aggression. Average speed 8.2 with 9 nimble units means they’ll dictate positioning. The list brings 71.5 expected damage, along with Regeneration to punish opponents who don’t finish them off. The core includes three hordes and a regiment of Abyssal Berserkers, backed by two regiments of Flamebearers for shooting (a less common inclusion that adds flexibility). This is a classic hammer list; if it connects, it hurts. And even better, we’ll get to see recaps on his incredible youtube channel, Newbie Dice.
Marcelo Rouco’s Order of the Green Lady
Marcelo is a well-known name in the US scene, and it’ll be interesting to see him test his mettle in the UK. His Lady list is an alpha-heavy hammer build with a huge 145 points spent on magic items. The backbone is two hordes of Forsaken and three regiments of Order of Redemption, with three Pegasi to provide chaff and disruption. It’s elite, it’s mobile, and it’s designed to hit hard and hit first. If Marcelo can control the flow of battle, this army has the tools to table opponents quickly. And then you can go listen to him on the CounterCharge OOTGL army review where he discusses his approach.
Closing Thoughts
These five lists showcase the variety and creativity that makes UK Clash of Kings such a compelling event. From balanced toolkits to elite alpha strikes, from grindy Dwarfs to lightning-fast Abyssals, the top tables are going to see some fascinating matchups. Whether they end up on the podium or not, these armies are worth watching; they highlight just how healthy and diverse the game is right now.
As a bonus, if you want to dive deeper into list discussion and get more perspectives, check out the recent video on Caffeinated Warlord where these and other builds are discussed: YouTube Link.
