Whether you’re a veteran of narrative Warhammer 40K or just Crusade-curious, these five compact but characterful 1000-point armies are absolute gold for anyone looking to start their own war for glory.
As the Warhammer+ crew launches their latest Crusade campaign on the doomed world of Eudora, each presenter has brought something unique to the table—ranging from shimmering Aeldari hosts to relentless Tyranid vanguard swarms. If you’re looking for inspiration, lore, or just some cool themed lists to copy (or face across the table), read on.
Josh’s Iyanden Host: Where Wraithbone Meets Wings
Josh is flying the flag for the Aeldari with a gorgeous hybrid force of Aspect Warriors and Wraith constructs. At the head of his army is Iradil the Duskborn, an Autarch Wayleaper who’s walked many paths of war—reflected in his custom loadout: a Dragon Fusion Pistol, Banshee Blade, and the Shimmerstone enhancement. That last bit is a cool bit of kit inspired by Dire Avenger shimmer shields, reducing wound rolls against the unit he leads. It’s thematic and practical.
The list is built around an Aspect Warhost Detachment, leaning into mobility and durability. The Swooping Hawks provide flexible board control, zipping around and scoring secondaries, while Wraithguard and Wraithlords act as a slow but unstoppable wall. Throw in Fire Dragons for elite-trashing fusion fun, and this force really captures the essence of Iyanden—stoic ancestors and daring elites working in perfect harmony.
Josh’s List Highlights:
- Autarch Wayleaper with Shimmerstone
- 10 Swooping Hawks for objective play
- 2x Wraithguard units & 2x Wraithlords for firepower and tankiness
- Fire Dragons for elite-blasting
Alex’s Tyranid Swarm: Lictors in the Walls
Alex brings the creeping horror with a Vanguard Onslaught Detachment from Hive Fleet Leviathan. The vibe? Pure infiltration. His list centers on a deadly trifecta of Deathleaper, a Lictor, and a Neurolictor—units that thrive on stealth and disruption. The idea is clear: sow chaos early, and overwhelm with bodies.
This army leans into numbers with Hormagaunts and Termagants acting as the wave that crashes against elite targets, backed by Barbgaunts and a Psychophage for suppression. Von Ryan’s Leapers and a Winged Tyranid Prime add speed, while Rippers play the objective game. And let’s not forget the big bug himself: the Screamer-Killer, ready to scream and kill, in that order.
Alex’s List Highlights:
- Stealthy character trio: Deathleaper, Neurolictor, Lictor
- Swarms of gaunts for board control
- Von Ryan’s Leapers and Rippers for tricks and secondaries
- Screamer-Killer for raw melee punch
Nick’s Ultramarines: 1st Company, First to Kill
Nick taps into 14 years of Ultramarines painting experience to field a 1st Company Task Force, with an elite-heavy core of Terminators and Sternguard. With the Extremis-level Threat rule, the whole army gets rerolls to wound against your Oath of Moment target—perfect for those hard targets that need to go away now.
Terminators bring the pain with Fury of the First (+1 to Hit against Oath targets), while Sternguard double down with rerolling wounds. It’s a small but lethal force, and yes, there’s a Land Raider Crusader. Because of course there is. Not only is it a classic, but it’s the perfect delivery system for those Terminators to punch straight into the heart of the enemy.
Nick’s List Highlights:
- 2 Terminator squads for hard-hitting durability
- 2 Sternguard squads for objective and firepower
- Vanguard Vets for mobility
- Land Raider Crusader because big gun go boom
Ed’s Necron Wrecking Crew: The Annihilation Legion
Ed brings metal mayhem with a classic Annihilation Legion—a full-on destroyer cult led by Skorpekh Lord Amenotekh. This force is dripping with lore: Skorpekh Destroyers, Hexmarks, Lokhusts, and even a Canoptek Doomstalker. The madness of the destroyer sub-culture oozes from every model.
The big standout here is the balance of melee and firepower. The Skorpekh and Ophydian Destroyers handle the slicing and dicing, while Lokhusts and the Doomstalker bring the high-strength dakka. There’s even a unit of Necron Warriors and a Reanimator, which adds a cool narrative of the old Necron dynasties still trying to wrangle their insane kin into something vaguely coordinated.
Ed’s List Highlights:
- All the Destroyer flavors: Skorpekh, Hexmark, Lokhust, Ophydian
- Doomstalker and Reanimator for heavy support
- Small Warrior unit for a hint of dynasty structure
- Fast, lethal, and extremely thematic
Simon’s Custodes: Golden Justice, 1000pts at a Time
Simon takes a very elite route with his Shield Host Detachment—only 15 models in total, but each one hits like a truck and costs as much. His Shield-Captain, Ulysses Orion, is built to duel enemy characters using the Epic Challenge Stratagem (Precision melee on demand). And with Vigilance Eternal, he can lock down objectives even after moving off of them—huge for low-model armies.
There’s a solid mix here: Custodian Guard with spears for core control, Pyrithite spear Guards for elite hunting, a Contemptor-Achillus Dreadnought for sheer punch, and a unit of Allarus Custodians that can Deep Strike for mission flexibility. This is the definition of a precision strike team, built for clutch moves and brutal retribution.
Simon’s List Highlights:
- Shield-Captain duelist with precision melee
- Custodian Guard to hold the field and vaporize threats
- Deep-striking Allarus Custodians
- Achillus Dreadnought for heavyweight brawling
Final Thoughts: A Crusade Worth Watching—and Copying
These lists aren’t just competitive—they ooze character. Each one tells a story and sticks close to its faction’s thematic core. Whether you’re into ancient wraithbone, bug infestations, elite Space Marine squads, deranged Necron killers, or golden gods of war, there’s something here to fire up your own Crusade ideas.
Even better, these are all built at 1000 points, making them approachable for new campaigns or fast-paced games. And if you want to dive into your own narrative adventures, don’t forget to check out Warhammer 40,000: Crusade – Nachmund Gauntlet. It’s packed with rules for drop assaults, planetary conquests, and dramatic moments like Celestine vs. Haarken Worldclaimer dueling above a burning bastion. Peak 40K storytelling, right there.
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