Welcome to another Meta Monday 40K, the weekly roundup from Grimhammer Tactics covering the latest Warhammer 40K tournament meta trends.
See all past editions of Meta Monday 40K here.
Today I’ll be taking a look at the three biggest Warhammer 40K tournament events of the weekend. All of these events were at least 6 rounds and featured over 100 players. A new bombshell dataslate dropped a couple of weeks ago which resulted in some big changes across the board with Ad Mech getting massive buffs and other armies like Thousand Sons getting some pretty substantial nerfs. How did that play out in this first weekend of play since the Q3 2025 Balance Dataslate? Let’s find out in this competitive 40K meta Monday review!
Crucible GT – Orlando, FL, USA – 126 Players
Crucible GT is a long-standing event held in Orlando, FL every year. It is currently one of the oldest continuous running competitive 40K tournaments in North America. This year’s event featured 126 players with some of the heaviest hitters in the competitive 40K scene in the United States in attendance including the event winner, a name some of you are probably familiar with.
Crucible GT 2025 Top 5
- John Lennon – Space Marines (Ravenguard) – 7-0
- Richard Siegler – Ad Mech – 6-1
- Nick Antzoulatos – Imperial Knights – 6-1
- Nicholas Fromm – Aeldari – 6-1
The Winning List: John Lennon – Space Marines
Click to see the List
Sneaky Beakies (2000 Points)
Space Marines
Raven Guard
Shadowmark Talon
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Aethon Shaan (85 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Claws of Severax
• 1x Heavy bolt pistol
Captain with Jump Pack (100 Points)
• 1x Relic Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer
• Enhancements: Hunter’s Instincts
Kayvaan Shrike (100 Points)
• 1x Blackout
• 1x The Raven’s Talons
Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (100 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
• Enhancements: Coronal Susurrant
BATTLELINE
Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Bolt rifle
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
OTHER DATASHEETS
Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
Centurion Devastator Squad (330 Points)
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
◦ 1x Centurion fists
◦ 1x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 1x Twin lascannon
• 5x Devastator Centurion
◦ 5x Centurion fists
◦ 5x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 5x Twin lascannon
Centurion Devastator Squad (165 Points)
• 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
◦ 1x Centurion fists
◦ 1x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 1x Twin lascannon
• 2x Devastator Centurion
◦ 2x Centurion fists
◦ 2x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 2x Twin lascannon
Inceptor Squad (240 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Plasma exterminators
• 5x Inceptor
◦ 5x Close combat weapon
◦ 5x Plasma exterminators
Inceptor Squad (120 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
◦ 1x Assault bolters
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
◦ 2x Assault bolters
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
Inceptor Squad (120 Points)
• 1x Inceptor Sergeant
◦ 1x Assault bolters
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 2x Inceptor
◦ 2x Assault bolters
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (190 Points)
• 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Storm Shield
◦ 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon
• 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack
◦ 9x Storm Shield
◦ 9x Vanguard Veteran weapon
Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (190 Points)
• 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Vanguard Veteran weapon
• 9x Vanguard Veteran with Jump Pack
◦ 9x Inferno pistol
◦ 9x Vanguard Veteran weapon
John Lennon takes yet another event with his Space Marines. This time it’s the new Ravenguard Shadowmark Talon Detachment with Aethon Shaan. This detachment is an update from the Vanguard detachment in Codex: Space Marines being almost a direct copy with the exception of a few things. Most notably it allows Aethon Shaan (the new Ravenguard character) to use Into the Darkness for 0CP which allows him to go back into reserves to hop down and annoy/harass in the next turn. This event cut to a top 16 which was separate in BCP from the main event. Congrats to John for taking this new Space Marine build all the way to a top finish!
Invasion 2025 40K – Norway – 107 Players
Invasion is billed as Norway’s biggest annual event. Norway features a stable of highly skilled players and this event certainly brought them out. Let’s take a look at the Top 5.
Invasion 2025 40K Top 5
- Kjetil Andre Liknes – Ad Mech – 6-0
- Sveinung Nøding – Aeldari – 5-1
- Mykhailo Liettsev – Imperial Knights – 5-1
- Jonathan Arkin – Dark Angels – 5-1
- Lasse Eikenes – Chaos Knights – 5-1
The Winning List: Kjetil Andre Liknes – Ad Mech – Haloscreed Battleclade
Click to see the list
Theme Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKDSGfopHdo
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Adeptus Mechanicus
- DETACHMENT: Haloscreed Battleclade
- TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ - WARLORD: Char1: Belisarius Cawl
- ENHANCEMENT: Sanctified Ordnance (on Char1: Tech-Priest Manipulus)
- NUMBER OF UNITS: 16
- SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (5×2) + (1×6) – Assassination: 2 Characters
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHARACTER
1x Belisarius Cawl (175 pts)
- 1x Arc scourge
- 1x Cawl’s Omnissian axe
- 1x Mechadendrite hive
- 1x Solar atomiser
- Warlord
1x Tech-Priest Manipulus (70 pts)
- 1x Omnissian staff
- 1x Transonic cannon
- Sanctified Ordnance (+10 pts)
BATTLELINE
10x Skitarii Rangers (85 pts)
- 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha
- 1x Alpha combat weapon
- 1x Close combat weapon
- 1x Galvanic rifle
- 9x Skitarii Ranger
- 1x Arc rifle
- 9x Close combat weapon
- 7x Galvanic rifle
- 1x Plasma caliver
- Omnispex
10x Skitarii Rangers (85 pts)
- 1x Skitarii Ranger Alpha
- 1x Alpha combat weapon
- 1x Close combat weapon
- 1x Galvanic rifle
- 9x Skitarii Ranger
- 1x Arc rifle
- 9x Close combat weapon
- 7x Galvanic rifle
- 1x Plasma caliver
- Omnispex
OTHER DATASHEETS
10x Corpuscarii Electro-Priests (130 pts)
- 10x Corpuscarii Electro-Priests
- 10x Electrostatic gauntlets
5x Pteraxii Skystalkers (70 pts)
- 1x Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
- 1x Flechette blaster
- 1x Taser goad
- Pteraxii Skystalker Alpha
- 4x Pteraxii Skystalkers
- 4x Close combat weapon
- 4x Flechette carbine
5x Sicarian Infiltrators (70 pts)
- 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps (Taser goad & flechette blaster)
- 1x Flechette blaster
- 1x Taser goad
- 4x Sicarian Infiltrator (Taser goad & flechette blaster)
- 4x Flechette blaster
- 4x Taser goad
10x Sicarian Infiltrators (140 pts)
- 1x Sicarian Infiltrator Princeps (Taser goad & flechette blaster)
- 1x Flechette blaster
- 1x Taser goad
- 9x Sicarian Infiltrator (Taser goad & flechette blaster)
- 9x Flechette blaster
- 9x Taser goad
10x Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 pts)
- 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps (Transonic blades & chordclaw)
- 1x Transonic blades & chordclaw
- 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Transonic blades)
- 9x Transonic blades
10x Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 pts)
- 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps (Transonic blades & chordclaw)
- 1x Transonic blades & chordclaw
- 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Transonic blades)
- 9x Transonic blades
10x Sicarian Ruststalkers (150 pts)
- 1x Sicarian Ruststalker Princeps (Transonic blades & chordclaw)
- 1x Transonic blades & chordclaw
- 9x Sicarian Ruststalker (Transonic blades)
- 9x Transonic blades
3x Ironstrider Ballistarii (225 pts)
- 3x Ironstrider Ballistarius (Twin cognis lascannon)
- 3x Ironstrider feet
- 3x Twin cognis lascannon
- 6x Ironstrider Ballistarii
1x Skorpius Disintegrator (165 pts)
- 1x Armoured hull
- 3x Cognis heavy stubber
- 1x Disruptor missile launcher
- 1x Ferrumite cannon
1x Skorpius Disintegrator (165 pts)
- 1x Armoured hull
- 3x Cognis heavy stubber
- 1x Disruptor missile launcher
- 1x Ferrumite cannon
1x Skorpius Dunerider (85 pts)
- 1x Armoured hull
- 1x Cognis heavy stubber array
1x Skorpius Dunerider (85 pts)
- 1x Armoured hull
- 1x Cognis heavy stubber array
I wrote about the big boost to Ad Mech in my Q3 2025 Balance Dataslate review last week, and here we see our first top showing for the faction in a major event post-dataslate. Led by Cawl, who now has the ability to grant Oaths to an already strong detachment and army rule, this army is chock full of low cost-high damage dealing units like Ruststalkers and the newly upgraded Ironstrider Ballistarii with their twin linked lascannons. This list packs a huge punch with plenty of bodies and speed to dominate the board early, establish board control and shoot the opponent off the table backed up with decent and effective melee units. This build will be one to watch out for in the future.
Doonhammer Open – 40K Super Major – Scotland – 141 Players
Europe continues to pump out large events and this one featured the weekend’s largest Warhammer 40K tournament; Doonhammer Open. Many people are probably familiar with Innes Wilson, of Stat-Check fame. He’s one of the most accomplished players in the world, and in true fashion, he took the top podium placing at this event with his World Eaters, another faction that got a nice boost in the Q3 Balance Dataslate.
Doonhammer Open 40K Super Major Top 5
- Innes Wilson – World Eaters – 7-0
- Bill Patterson – Necrons – 5-0
- Shaun Delaney – Blood Angels – 5-0
- James Lighten – Chaos Knights – 5-0
- Conail Kearns – Death Guard – 5-1-1
The Winning List – Innes Wilson – World Eaters – Berzerker Warband
Click to see the list
Yes the unit can probably get there
World Eaters
Berzerker Warband (2000 Points)
yeah the 20 man can reach you – World Eaters – Berzerker Warband (2000 Points)
Khârn the Betrayer (100 pts)
- Gorechild
- Plasma pistol
Slaughterbound (110 pts)
- Lacerator and daemonic claw
- Enhancement: Berzerker Glaive
World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (100 pts)
- Plasma pistol
- Exalted chainblade
- Juggernaught’s bladed horn
- Enhancement: Battle-Lust
World Eaters Lord on Juggernaut (90 pts)
- Plasma pistol
- Exalted chainblade
- Juggernaught’s bladed horn
- Warlord
Khorne Berserkers (360 pts)
- Khorne Berserker Champion
- Berserker chainblade
- Plasma pistol
- Icon of Khorne
- 4x Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons
- 4x Plasma pistol
- 4x Khornate eviscerator
- 15x Khorne Berserker
- 15x Berserker chainblade
- 15x Bolt pistol
Khorne Berserkers (180 pts)
- Khorne Berserker Champion
- Berserker chainblade
- Plasma pistol
- Icon of Khorne
- 2x Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons
- 2x Khornate eviscerator
- 2x Plasma pistol
- 7x Khorne Berserker
- 7x Berserker chainblade
- 7x Bolt pistol
Khorne Berserkers (360 pts)
- Khorne Berserker Champion
- Berserker chainblade
- Plasma pistol
- Icon of Khorne
- 4x Khorne Berserker w/ alternate weapons
- 4x Plasma pistol
- 4x Khornate eviscerator
- 15x Khorne Berserker
- 15x Berserker chainblade
- 15x Bolt pistol
Exalted Eightbound (140 pts)
- Exalted Eightbound Champion
- Chainblades
- 2x Exalted Eightbound
- 2x Chainblades
Exalted Eightbound (140 pts)
- Exalted Eightbound Champion
- Chainblades
- 2x Exalted Eightbound
- 2x Chainblades
Jakhals (65 pts)
- Jakhal Pack Leader
- Autopistol
- Jakhal chainblades
- Dishonoured w/ skullsmasher
- Skullsmasher
- Icon of Khorne
- 1 mauler chainblade, 7 chainblades
- Jakhal w/ mauler chainblade
- Mauler chainblade
- Autopistol
- 7x Jakhal
- 7x Autopistol
- 7x Jakhal chainblades
World Eaters Rhino (85 pts)
- Armoured tracks
- Combi-bolter
- Combi-weapon
- Havoc launcher
World Eaters Chaos Spawn (90 pts)
- 2x Chaos Spawn
- 2x Hideous Mutations
World Eaters Chaos Spawn (90 pts)
- 2x Chaos Spawn
- 2x Hideous Mutations
World Eaters Chaos Spawn (90 pts)
- 2x Chaos Spawn
- 2x Hideous Mutations
Innes theory of “what if I just ran two 20 man Berserker squads at the enemy?” turned out to be a winning strategy it seems. Forgefiends had become a hugely popular choice for World Eaters players since the release of their codex, but took a huge hit in the Q3 Balance Dataslate going up in points. However, Exalted Eightbound dropped in points and got a huge +1 damage buff against Monster and Vehicle units making them a solid add into World Eaters lists. Chaos Spawn did go up in points as well (and rightly so) but that didn’t stop Innes from bringing 3 squads of them. Well done on yet another top finish for Innes “the angry Scot” Wilson.
Final Thoughts
What a bang-up start to the new post-Q3 Balance Dataslate meta. As we begin to approach the LVO (the world’s largest singles Warhammer 40K tournament), it will be interesting to see how this meta continues to unfold. Aeldari looked poised to take up a top spot in this brave new meta having a major event win and several top finishes. Ad Mech shows that with the right buffs (finally) they can make a difference and become a contender. And despite some points nerfs and changes, Chaos Knights are still lingering around those top placings, but may be relegated to gatekeeper army at this point in the game. All in all, a very interesting weekend of competitive 40K. LVO will be interesting this year for sure.
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See you on the tabletop.
