“I am the Arch-fiend, the Despoiler of Worlds, and by my hands shall the False Emperor fall.”
— Abaddon, Warmaster of Chaos
Do you want to raze the Imperium to the ground and set fire to the galaxy? Do you want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women? Then you might be a Heretic Astartes. Chaos Space Marines have seen a lot of ups and downs in competitive play since the launch of 10th edition and if I’m being completely honest, mostly downs. The faction sits at a 45% win rate as of this writing, which may be a bit of a deceptive number. Hidden beneath that overall faction performance, we find 4 detachments that have been consistently performing well. Let’s get into some of the best competitive Chaos Space Marines lists in 2025.
*UPDATE: 9/29/2025*
Veterans of the Long War win the London GT
Liam Vsl does it again going for the three-peat win at the London Grand Tournament with his Veterans of the Long War Chaos Space Marines army! A detachment the “experts” bemoaned as underwhelming and hopeless, Liam piloted the army to success against some of the best players in Europe at an event with over 1000 attendees. So let’s take a look at Liam Vsl’s Chaos Space Marines LGT Winning Army list.
click to see the list
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ PLAYER NAME: liam vsl
+ TEAM NAME: Ignite
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Chaos – Chaos Space Marines
+ DETACHMENT: Veterans of the Long War
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+
+ WARLORD: Char2: Fabius Bile
+ ENHANCEMENT:
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
+ SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (4×2) – Assassination: 3 Characters – Cull The Horde: 1×5
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHARACTER
1x Cypher (90 pts)
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
• 1x Cypher’s plasma pistol
2x Fabius Bile (85 pts)
• 1x Fabius Bile
• 1x Rod of Torment
• 1x The Chirurgeon
• 1x Xyclos needler
• Fabius Bile
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
• Surgeon Acolyte, Warlord
1x Chaos Lord (90 pts)
• 1x Daemon hammer
• 1x Plasma pistol
BATTLELINE
10x Cultist Mob (50 pts)
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Brutal assault weapon
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 9x Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
• 9x Brutal assault weapon
5x Legionaries (90 pts)
• 1x Aspiring Champion
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Heavy melee weapon
• Aspiring Champion
• 4x Legionary
• 2x Astartes chainsword
• 4x Bolt pistol
• 4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Heavy melee weapon
• 1x Lascannon
• 4x Legionaries, Chaos icon
OTHER DATASHEETS
10x Chosen (250 pts)
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Boltgun
• Chaos icon, Chosen Champion
• 9x Chosen
• 6x Accursed weapon
• 6x Bolt pistol
• 3x Boltgun
• 4x Combi-weapon
• 2x Paired accursed weapons
• 3x Plasma pistol
• 1x Power fist
• 9x Chosen
5x Nemesis Claw (110 pts)
• 1x Visionary
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
• 1x Accursed weapon
• 4x Bolt pistol
• 4x Close combat weapon
• 1x Nostraman chainglaive
• 1x Paired accursed weapons
• 1x Astartes chainsword
• Voice eater
6x Noise Marines (145 pts)
• 1x Disharmonist
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Power sword
• 1x Screamer pistol
• Disharmonist
• 5x Noise Marine
• 2x Blastmaster
• 5x Close combat weapon
• 3x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marines
2x Obliterators (160 pts)
• 2x Obliterator
• 2x Crushing fists
• 2x Fleshmetal guns
2x Obliterators (160 pts)
• 2x Obliterator
• 2x Crushing fists
• 2x Fleshmetal guns
10x Warp Talons (270 pts)
• 10x Warp Talon
• 10x Warp claws
3x Chaos Bikers (70 pts)
• 1x Biker Champion
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Power fist
• Chaos icon
• 2x Biker
• 2x Close combat weapon
• 2x Combi-bolter
• 2x Plasma gun
• 2x Astartes chainsword
1x Chaos Predator Destructor (140 pts)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 2x Lascannon
1x Chaos Predator Destructor (140 pts)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Predator autocannon
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 2x Lascannon
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 1x Combi-weapon
Pactbound Zealots
The old faithful “index” Detachment that was reborn in the Codex is still performing well at events and as of the latest dataslate is sitting right at a 50% win rate as of this writing. The detachment ability lets you trigger Critical Hits on a 5+ with a marked unit when they make a Dark Pact, and gives Undivided units rerolls of 1s to hit (but still triggering Lethal Hits/Sustained Hits on an unmodified roll of a 6). This is especially powerful with Nurgle marked units like Forgefiends and Predators that get to have Sustained Hits 1 on a hit roll of a 5+ which really ramps up their power. Combine this with a nearby Helbrute to get the benefits of both abilities when making a Dark Pact it turns those shooting units into powerhouse damage dealers.
Here’s a Pactbound Zealots list that recently performed well at a Major Event going 4-1 at the La Voz Open 2025 piloted by Goldrius “Goyoron”.
Click to see the list
una lista de Lugo (1995 points)
Chaos Space Marines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Pactbound Zealots
CHARACTERS
Cypher (90 points)
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
1x Cypher’s plasma pistol
Lord Discordant on Helstalker (175 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
• 1x Baleflamer
1x Bladed limbs
1x Bolt Pistol
1x Impaler chainglaive
1x Magma cutter
• Enhancement: Intoxicating Elixir
Lord Discordant on Helstalker (160 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
• 1x Baleflamer
1x Bladed limbs
1x Bolt Pistol
1x Impaler chainglaive
1x Magma cutter
Vashtorr the Arkifane (175 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Vashtorr’s claw
1x Vashtorr’s hammer
BATTLELINE
Cultist Mob (50 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon
OTHER DATASHEETS
Chaos Bikers (70 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
• 1x Biker Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-bolter
1x Power fist
• 2x Chaos Biker
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Close combat weapon
2x Combi-bolter
2x Meltagun
Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
Chaos Vindicator (185 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Havoc launcher
Forgefiend (180 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured limbs
3x Ectoplasma cannon
Forgefiend (180 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
• 1x Armoured limbs
3x Ectoplasma cannon
Helbrute (130 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Heavy flamer
2x Helbrute fist
Possessed (120 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Hideous mutations
• 4x Possessed
• 4x Hideous mutations
Possessed (120 points)
• Mark of Chaos: Chaos Undivided
• 1x Possessed Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Hideous mutations
• 4x Possessed
• 4x Hideous mutations
ALLIED UNITS
Daemonettes (100 points)
• 1x Alluress
• 1x Slashing claws
• 9x Daemonette
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Slashing claws
Syll’Esske (120 points)
• 1x Axe of Dominion
1x Cacophonic choir
1x Scourging whip
Goldrius’ list has great synergy with Slaanesh marked Lord Discordants flying around the board with tons of attacks getting Sustained Hits in melee on a 5+. Chaos Bikers with Meltaguns are marked with Tzeentch to get those sweet Lethal Hits on 5+ as well as powerful shooting from Forgefiends and the Vindicator marked with Nurgle. What really makes this list tick is Vahstorr. His aura ability to increase the STR of Daemon vehicles makes those Forgefiend plasma cannons STR 12 which is enough to push the conversion rate against Knights significantly from wounding on 5s to 3s. This list makes the most of its damage dealing abilities. A great example of a competitive Chaos Space Marines list in the current metagame.
Renegade Raiders
Renegade Raiders has consistently been a high performing detachment since the launch of the Chaos Space Marines Codex. With a great Detachment ability to let all units Advance and shoot and increase the AP of all attacks against enemy units on objective markers, it’s no surprise they’ve had great results. Combine this detachment rule with a nice suite of stratagems, this makes for a staple detachment for the faction.
Here’s a Renegade Raiders list which I featured back in July in my Top 10 lists. This list went 5-0 at III GT Tormenta de Hostias piloted by Dekkers.
Click to see the list
Chaos Space Marines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Renegade Raiders
CHARACTERS
Chaos Lord (90 points)
• 1x Daemon hammer
1x Plasma pistol
Cypher (90 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
1x Cypher’s plasma pistol
Fabius Bile (85 points)
• 1x Fabius Bile
• 1x Chirurgeon
1x Rod of Torment
1x Xyclos Needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
Lord Discordant on Helstalker (160 points)
• 1x Baleflamer
1x Bladed limbs
1x Bolt Pistol
1x Impaler chainglaive
1x Magma cutter
BATTLELINE
Cultist Mob (50 points)
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon
Cultist Mob (50 points)
• 1x Cultist Champion
• 1x Autopistol
1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
• 9x Autopistol
9x Brutal assault weapon
Legionaries (90 points)
• 1x Aspiring Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy melee weapon
1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
• 2x Astartes chainsword
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Heavy melee weapon
1x Lascannon
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Chaos Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
Chaos Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
OTHER DATASHEETS
Chaos Bikers (70 points)
• 1x Biker Champion
• 1x Chaos Icon
1x Close combat weapon
1x Combi-bolter
1x Power fist
• 2x Chaos Biker
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Close combat weapon
2x Combi-bolter
2x Meltagun
Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
Chaos Predator Destructor (140 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
2x Lascannon
1x Predator autocannon
Chosen (250 points)
• 1x Chosen Champion
• 1x Boltgun
1x Chaos Icon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Chosen
• 6x Accursed weapon
6x Bolt pistol
3x Boltgun
4x Combi-weapon
2x Paired accursed weapons
3x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
Raptors (90 points)
• 1x Raptor Champion
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Raptor
• 2x Astartes chainsword
2x Bolt pistol
2x Close combat weapon
2x Meltagun
ALLIED UNITS
Beasts of Nurgle (65 points)
• 1x Putrid appendages
Noise Marines (145 points)
• 1x Disharmonist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power sword
1x Screamer pistol
• 5x Noise Marine
• 2x Blastmaster
5x Close combat weapon
3x Sonic blaster
Noise Marines (145 points)
• 1x Disharmonist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Power sword
1x Screamer pistol
• 5x Noise Marine
• 2x Blastmaster
5x Close combat weapon
3x Sonic blaster
Nurglings (40 points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
This list has all the good stuff you typically find in a Renegade Raiders list. Notably the Lord Discordant really makes great use of the Opportunistic Raiders stratagem which allows him to either make a Normal move of 12″ or Fall Back at the end of the opponent’s Fight Phase giving him tons of movement flexibility to run around causing…well…chaos. It also includes 2 squads of allied Noise Marines from Emperor’s Children who don’t get to use Dark Pacts, but still benefit from the detachment ability. Getting those guns of theirs an extra pip of AP makes them incredibly deadly. Even moreso when they pop out of a Rhino and uses the Ruinous Raid stratagem to reroll all hits AND wounds against a target on an objective. This creates some devastating firepower.
Creations of Bile
Fabius Bile’s unholy creations come to life have consistently been performing well since their release. Currently they sit with a 52% win rate overall which is right in that Goldilocks area making them an incredibly potent army in the hands of a skilled pilot, but not so overtuned they need an FAQ to fix. The pre-game roll for Augmentations can be random and sometimes less relevant in games, Fabius allows you to reroll them to give you the chance to fish for more relevant buffs. Here’s a sample list from the recent NOVA Open in 2025 by Braden Beaudoin who took them to an impressive 6-3 finish at the event.
Click to see the list
“We are not the Flame!” they will cry out, “We are but moths and we are DOOMED!” And their screams will echo amidst the pitiless cyclopean stones… (1990 Points)
Chaos Space Marines
Creations of Bile
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Chaos Lord (125 Points)
• 1x Daemon hammer
• 1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancements: Prime Test Subject
Cypher (90 Points)
• 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
• 1x Cypher’s plasma pistol
Fabius Bile (85 Points)
• 1x Fabius Bile
• Warlord
◦ 1x Chirurgeon
◦ 1x Rod of Torment
◦ 1x Xyclos Needler
• 1x Surgeon Acolyte
◦ 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
BATTLELINE
Cultist Mob (50 Points)
• 1x Cultist Champion
◦ 1x Autopistol
◦ 1x Brutal assault weapon
• 9x Chaos Cultist
◦ 9x Autopistol
◦ 9x Brutal assault weapon
Legionaries (90 Points)
• 1x Aspiring Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
◦ 3x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
Legionaries (90 Points)
• 1x Aspiring Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
◦ 3x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
Legionaries (90 Points)
• 1x Aspiring Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
◦ 3x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
Legionaries (90 Points)
• 1x Aspiring Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
• 4x Legionary
◦ 3x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Heavy melee weapon
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
Chaos Rhino (75 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Havoc launcher
OTHER DATASHEETS
Chaos Predator Destructor (140 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-bolter
• 1x Havoc launcher
• 2x Lascannon
• 1x Predator autocannon
Chaos Vindicator (185 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Demolisher cannon
• 1x Havoc launcher
Chosen (250 Points)
• 1x Chosen Champion
◦ 1x Accursed weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Boltgun
• 9x Chosen
◦ 5x Accursed weapon
◦ 5x Bolt pistol
◦ 3x Boltgun
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 4x Combi-weapon
◦ 2x Paired accursed weapons
◦ 4x Plasma pistol
◦ 2x Power fist
Possessed (240 Points)
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 9x Hideous mutations
Possessed (240 Points)
• 1x Possessed Champion
◦ 1x Chaos Icon
◦ 1x Hideous mutations
• 9x Possessed
◦ 9x Hideous mutations
This list is all about pressure with 2 big blobs of tough as nails Possessed who can use the Autostimulants stratagem to Advance and Charge they can be in your face quickly. And following behind them are a blob of 10 Chosen and Legionaries who hit equally as hard in this detachment. Creations of Bile has been a consistent winner since its release and is a great example of a solid competitive Chaos Space Marines list in 2025.
Final Thoughts
Chaos Space Marines certainly aren’t at the top of the heap in competitive play, but their current 45% faction win rate can be a bit deceiving. Many of these detachments are still very high performing in events. They also happen to be a great choice in Teams play as well as you can tailor a list for specific matchups and they make a great specialist army in that role.
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See you on the tabletop.
