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.
It’s time. The World Championships of Warhammer 40K are upon us. This past weekend the roster and army lists were unveiled for the most challenging singles event in the world. Players from all over the world will duke it out to determine the World Champion of Warhammer 40K. In this article I’m going to breakdown the World Championships of Warhammer 40K faction meta and highlight 3 standout army lists for the event. Let’s dive in.
What are the World Championships of Warhammer 40K?
The World Championships of Warhammer 40K is the culmination of a year-long path to declare the world champion. Players from all over the world compete all year long in major events across the globe to earn “golden tickets” to participate in the World Championships of Warhammer 40K. Games Workshop selects certain events to be golden ticket qualifiers and event winners and top placing players from those events can earn a golden ticket to play in the event. The World Championships of Warhammer 40K are played in Atlanta, GA every November. Suffice to say that most of the players that make up the roster have either won a major event or placed very highly. That factor alone makes it one of the most challenging singles events in the world.
Players are grouped by country and represent not only themselves at their events but their respective home nations as well. Players are then paired into other international players from other countries until the final brackets begin. The event hosts several awards which include Best Overall, Best Painted and of course the coveted top spot of winning the event through the gauntlet of the best players in the world.
Breaking Down the World Championships of Warhammer 40K 2025 Meta
If you’ve been following the global meta lately then this breakdown probably isn’t very surprising. Space Marines and Aeldari make up 31 players each of which is the highest representation of factions. Ad Mech comes up 3rd in total players with 27. Not surprising given their tremendous win rate jump post-Q3 Balance Dataslate. World Eaters being the 4th highest representation comes as a bit of a surprise at 24 players. While World Eaters are certainly a high performing army since the latest Balance Dataslate, it is a tad bit surprising to see 24 players repping the faction at this event. Especially considering the success of Adeptus Sororitas and Tau each with 15 and 16 players respectively.
Overall I can’t say this meta is very surprising in general. Space Marines and Aeldari have massive representation in competitive Warhammer 40K and the other top-end roster slots are full of pretty standard meta choices these days. It’s refreshing to see such a wide varied metagame going into the capstone event featuring the best players in the world. The meta now is probably in the healthiest place it’s been over the entirety of 10th Edition which should make for a very exciting event.
Standout Lists for the World Championships of Warhammer 40K 2025
While this roster is full of big-time players from across the globe, I want to highlight 3 army lists that standout for either being piloted by incredibly skilled players, being unique “off meta” builds, or in some cases a combination of both. Let’s take a look.
Steve Trimble – Drukhari – Spectacle of Spite
Click to see the List
Drukhari
Spectacle of Spite
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Lelith Hesperax (85 Points)
- 1x Lelith’s blades
Succubus (70 Points)
- 1x Archite glaive and agoniser
- Enhancements: Morghenna’s Curse
Succubus (65 Points)
- 1x Archite glaive and agoniser
- Enhancements: Chronoshard
Succubus (50 Points)
- Warlord
- 1x Archite glaive and agoniser
BATTLELINE
Wyches (90 Points)
- 1x Hekatrix
◦ 1x Blast pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon - 9x Wych
◦ 3x Gladiatorial weapons
◦ 6x Hekatarii blade
◦ 6x Splinter pistol
Wyches (90 Points)
- 1x Hekatrix
◦ 1x Blast pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon - 9x Wych
◦ 3x Gladiatorial weapons
◦ 6x Hekatarii blade
◦ 6x Splinter pistol
Wyches (90 Points)
- 1x Hekatrix
◦ 1x Blast pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon - 9x Wych
◦ 3x Gladiatorial weapons
◦ 6x Hekatarii blade
◦ 6x Splinter pistol
Wyches (90 Points)
- 1x Hekatrix
◦ 1x Blast pistol
◦ 1x Power weapon - 9x Wych
◦ 3x Gladiatorial weapons
◦ 6x Hekatarii blade
◦ 6x Splinter pistol
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Raider (85 Points)
- 1x Bladevanes and chainsnares
- 1x Dark lance
Venom (70 Points)
- 1x Bladevanes
- 1x Splinter cannon
- 1x Splinter cannon
Venom (70 Points)
- 1x Bladevanes
- 1x Splinter cannon
- 1x Splinter cannon
Venom (70 Points)
- 1x Bladevanes
- 1x Splinter cannon
- 1x Splinter cannon
OTHER DATASHEETS
Cronos (55 Points)
- 1x Spirit syphon
- 1x Spirit-leech tentacles
Hellions (170 Points)
- 1x Helliarch
◦ 1x Hellglaive
◦ 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher
◦ 1x Power weapon
◦ 1x Splinter pistol
◦ 1x Splinter pods - 9x Hellion
◦ 9x Hellglaive
◦ 9x Splinter pods
Hellions (170 Points)
- 1x Helliarch
◦ 1x Hellglaive
◦ 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher
◦ 1x Power weapon
◦ 1x Splinter pistol
◦ 1x Splinter pods - 9x Hellion
◦ 9x Hellglaive
◦ 9x Splinter pods
Hellions (85 Points)
- 1x Helliarch
◦ 1x Hellglaive
◦ 1x Phantasm Grenade Launcher
◦ 1x Power weapon
◦ 1x Splinter pistol
◦ 1x Splinter pods - 4x Hellion
◦ 4x Hellglaive
◦ 4x Splinter pods
Mandrakes (75 Points)
- 1x Nightfiend
◦ 1x Baleblast
◦ 1x Glimmersteel blade - 4x Mandrake
◦ 4x Baleblast
◦ 4x Glimmersteel blade
Reavers (130 Points)
- 1x Arena Champion
◦ 1x Bladevanes
◦ 1x Splinter pistol
◦ 1x Splinter rifle - 5x Reaver
◦ 5x Bladevanes
◦ 2x Cluster caltrops
◦ 2x Heat lance
◦ 5x Splinter pistol
◦ 3x Splinter rifle
Reavers (130 Points)
- 1x Arena Champion
◦ 1x Bladevanes
◦ 1x Splinter pistol
◦ 1x Splinter rifle - 5x Reaver
◦ 5x Bladevanes
◦ 2x Cluster caltrops
◦ 2x Heat lance
◦ 5x Splinter pistol
◦ 3x Splinter rifle
Scourges with Heavy Weapons (130 Points)
- 1x Solarite
◦ 1x Blast pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Power weapon - 4x Scourge
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Dark lance
Scourges with Heavy Weapons (130 Points)
- 1x Solarite
◦ 1x Blast pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Power weapon - 4x Scourge
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Dark lance
In a world full of Reapers Wagers, Steve Trimble chooses a Spectacle of Spite. Steve earned his golden ticket by winning the GW Tacoma Open earlier this year with Death Guard. There are 12 Drukhari players on the roster (yes including Skari) and all of them are running Reapers Wager except Steve. A unique and bold risk going against the grain, but Steve is an amazing player and if anyone can have success with a list like this it’s him (and maybe Skari too). Not sure if this list has the teeth to stand toe-to-toe with the world’s finest but we will see.
liam vsl – Aeldari – Aspect Host
Click to see the List
Bon i guess i come with the broken shit (sniff sniff)
wesh alors (1995 points)
Aeldari
Strike Force (2000 points)
Aspect Host
CHARACTERS
Fuegan (120 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fire Axe
1x Searsong
Jain Zar (105 points)
• 1x Blade of Destruction
1x Silent Death
Lhykhis (120 points)
• 1x Brood Twain
1x Spider’s Fangs
1x Weaverender
BATTLELINE
Storm Guardians (100 points)
• 10x Storm Guardian
• 8x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
2x Fusion gun
2x Power sword
6x Shuriken pistol
• 1x Serpent’s Scale Platform
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Serpent shield
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Wave Serpent (125 points)
• 1x Shuriken cannon
1x Twin bright lance
1x Wraithbone hull
OTHER DATASHEETS
Dark Reapers (90 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Tempest launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher
Dark Reapers (90 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Tempest launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher
Dark Reapers (90 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dark Reaper Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Tempest launcher
• 4x Dark Reaper
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Reaper launcher
Fire Dragons (220 points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Firepike
• 9x Fire Dragon
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Dragon fusion gun
Howling Banshees (95 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
• 1x Executioner
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
• 4x Banshee blade
4x Shuriken pistol
Rangers (55 points)
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
Rangers (55 points)
• 5x Ranger
• 5x Close combat weapon
5x Long rifle
5x Shuriken pistol
Striking Scorpions (85 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
• 1x Biting blade
1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
• 4x Scorpion chainsword
4x Shuriken pistol
Swooping Hawks (190 points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 9x Swooping Hawk
• 9x Close combat weapon
9x Lasblaster
Swooping Hawks (85 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
Swooping Hawks (85 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Lasblaster
Warp Spiders (95 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
Warp Spiders (95 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death weavers
1x Spinneret rifle
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
Warp Spiders (95 points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Death weavers
1x Spinneret rifle
• 4x Warp Spider
• 4x Close combat weapon
4x Death spinner
liam vsl has made quite the name for himself in the competitive 40K world stage having won the London GT recently with his CSM Veterans of the Long War list which I featured in a Monday Meta review article last month. That was in fact his 3rd London GT win in a row! liam has solidified himself as one of the world’s best players. He’s opted to bench his major winning CSM in favor of returning to the Aeldari, an army he previously ran at the World Team Championships. This Aeldari list is pretty standard faire for the meta featuring an Aspect Host built around all the best Aspect Warriors and their respective Phoenix Lord leaders. I anticipate liam to be among those left standing at the end of the event.
Mark Hertel – Space Marines – Gladius Task Force
Click to see the List
Dr Guilliman or: how I learned to stop worrying and love land raiders (1995 Points)
Space Marines
Ultramarines
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Chief Librarian Tigurius (75 Points)
- 1x Bolt Pistol
- 1x Rod of Tigurius
- 1x Storm of the Emperor’s Wrath
Marneus Calgar (200 Points)
- 1x Marneus Calgar
◦ 1x Gauntlets of Ultramar - 2x Victrix Honour Guard
◦ 2x Victrix power sword
Roboute Guilliman (340 Points)
- Warlord
- 1x Emperor’s Sword
- 1x Hand of Dominion
BATTLELINE
Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
- 1x Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Power fist - 4x Intercessor
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Bolt rifle
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
- 1x Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Power fist - 4x Intercessor
◦ 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 Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist - 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
Centurion Devastator Squad (165 Points)
- 1x Devastator Centurion Sergeant
◦ 1x Centurion fists
◦ 1x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 1x Grav-cannon - 2x Devastator Centurion
◦ 2x Centurion fists
◦ 2x Centurion missile launcher
◦ 2x Grav-cannon
Company Heroes (105 Points)
- 1x Ancient
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Bolt rifle
◦ 1x Close combat weapon - 1x Company Champion
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon - 2x Company Veteran
◦ 2x Bolt pistol
◦ 2x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Master-crafted bolt rifle
◦ 1x Master-crafted heavy bolter
Land Raider Crusader (220 Points)
- 1x Armoured tracks
- 1x Hunter-killer missile
- 2x Hurricane bolter
- 1x Multi-melta
- 1x Storm bolter
- 1x Twin assault cannon
Land Raider Redeemer (270 Points)
- 1x Armoured tracks
- 2x Flamestorm cannon
- 1x Hunter-killer missile
- 1x Multi-melta
- 1x Storm bolter
- 1x Twin assault cannon
Land Raider Redeemer (270 Points)
- 1x Armoured tracks
- 2x Flamestorm cannon
- 1x Hunter-killer missile
- 1x Multi-melta
- 1x Storm bolter
- 1x Twin assault cannon
Sternguard Veteran Squad (100 Points)
4x Sternguard Veteran
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Sternguard bolt pistol
◦ 3x Sternguard bolt rifle
◦ 1x Sternguard heavy bolter
1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Power fist
◦ 1x Sternguard bolt pistol
◦ 1x Sternguard bolt rifle
Mark Hertel won the Las Vegas Open earlier in January with his Deathwatch build and comes to the World Champs with a strong competitive 40K Space Marines Ultramarines list featuring not 1, not 2, but 3 Land Raiders! One Crusader and 2 Land Raider Redeemers accompanied by Guilliman, Marneus Calgar, Company Heroes and Sternguard. Mark has been running this Land Raider list in some version or another this season piloting it to success across some big events including the Richmond Open GT and the Blue Ridge Championship GT, both events he won. Does Guilliman and his Land Raider motorpool have what it takes to go all the way at the World Championships of Warhammer 40K?
Final Thoughts
The World Championships of Warhammer 40K 2025 begins this Thursday November 6th. The best players in the world will face off in this invitational event to declare a world champion. If you’re interested in watching along, be sure to check out the Warhammer Twitch and YouTube Streams.
If you’re new to the game or want to improve quickly, then don’t forget to grab my FREE eBook: Forging Your Path to Victory: A Beginner’s Guide to Competitive 40K. A great starting point for those looking to jump into Competitive 40K. Subscribe and get your free copy!
Want more personalized insight into the meta? Looking for some help with an Army List build for your next event? My coaching program is designed to help give you the tools for success to navigate meta changes and weather the storm. I’d love to help you one-on-one level up your game.
See you on the tabletop.
