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 looking over the results of the top 3 largest Warhammer 40K tournaments from the weekend of November 14-16th 2025. This week we’re going to coast-to-coast across the U.S. starting in sunny California with the California Cup 2025 GT, a stop along the plains of the mid-west for the Show Me Showdown in Missouri and finally stopping in New York with DaBoyz GT. I’m going to review the top 5 placings for each of these events as well as the winning lists. Let’s get to it!
The California Cup ’25 – Pomona, CA – 266 Players
The California Cup ’25 was the weekend’s largest event with 266 players. Over the course of 3 days and 8 rounds with Michael Mann of Art of War fame pulling out the big win with his Space Wolves. Let’s take a look at the top 5 for the event:
- Michael Mann – Space Wolves – 8-0
- Celeste Lorch – Black Templars – 7-1
- James Thomas – Chaos Space Marines – 7-1
- Ben Jurek – Chaos Knights – 7-1
- Gregory Hunter – Aeldari – 7-1
The Winning List: Michael Mann – Space Wolves – Stormlance
Click to see the List
Space Marines
Space Wolves
Stormlance Task Force
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Arjac Rockfist (105 Points)
• 1x Foehammer
Bjorn the Fell-Handed (170 Points)
• 1x Heavy flamer
• 1x Helfrost cannon
• 1x Trueclaw
Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
Logan Grimnar (110 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Axe Morkai
• 1x Storm bolter
• 1x Tyrnak and Fenrir
Wolf Priest (85 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
• 1x Crozius arcanum
• Enhancements: Portents of Wisdom
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
OTHER DATASHEETS
Scout Squad (70 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 4x Combat knife
Thunderwolf Cavalry (230 Points)
• 1x Thunderwolf Cavalry Pack Leader
◦ 1x Storm Shield
◦ 1x Teeth and Claws
◦ 1x Wolf Guard weapon
• 5x Thunderwolf Cavalry
◦ 5x Storm Shield
◦ 5x Teeth and Claws
◦ 5x Wolf Guard weapon
Wolf Guard Headtakers (170 Points)
• 6x Wolf Guard Headtaker
◦ 6x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 6x Paired master‑crafted power weapons
Wolf Guard Terminators (170 Points)
• 1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader
◦ 1x Twin lightning claws
• 4x Wolf Guard Terminator
◦ 4x Master-crafted power weapon
◦ 4x Storm Shield
Wolf Guard Terminators (340 Points)
• 1x Wolf Guard Terminator Pack Leader
◦ 1x Relic greataxe
• 9x Wolf Guard Terminator
◦ 2x Assault cannon
◦ 7x Master-crafted power weapon
◦ 2x Power fist
◦ 7x Storm Shield
Wulfen with Storm Shields (200 Points)
• 10x Wulfen
◦ 10x Death Totem
◦ 10x Thunder hammer
Wulfen with Storm Shields (200 Points)
• 10x Wulfen
◦ 10x Death Totem
◦ 10x Thunder hammer
Stormlance Space Wolves is no stranger to top finishes, but Michael’s list diverges slightly from the infamous “wolf jail” style we’ve seen in the past with multiple Thunderwolf Cavalry units Advancing and Charging up the battlefield to pin in the opponent. Instead, it’s a similar concept only with bricks of Wulfen, Wolf Guard Terminators and Headtakers and a squad of Thunderwolf Cavalry for good measure. This list is all about hitting like a hammer with army wide Advance and Charge thanks to the Stormlance Detachment Rule. With nearly every important piece in the army having an invulnerable save of 4+, this army has the durability, speed and hitting power to launch into the enemy and cause devastating damage. A great showing for the Space Wolves in this weekend’s largest event.
Show Me Showdown Warhammer 40K Championships – Overland Park, KS – 132 Players
The Show Me Showdown is a long-standing event held annually in the mid-west and is part of the mid-west’s Lord Marshal Conference tournament circuit. This year’s event saw 132 players from across the great plains duke it out over 7 rounds. Aaron Hermstedt took the top placing with a 7-0 finish with his Death Guard proving the despots of decay are far from dead in the competitive meta. Let’s take a look at the top 5.
- Aaron Hermstedt – Death Guard – 7-0
- Cody Jiru – Drukhari – 6-1
- Ryan Verbeck – Genestealer Cult – 6-1
- John Vuchetich – Necrons – 6-1
- Zach Mobley – Ad Mech – 6-1
The Winning List: Aaron Hermstedt – Death Guard – Virulent Vectorium
Click to see the List
Death Guard
Strike Force (2000 points)
Virulent Vectorium
CHARACTERS
Daemon Prince of Nurgle (215 points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Revolting Regeneration
Lord of Contagion (130 points)
• 1x Manreaper
• Enhancement: Daemon Weapon of Nurgle
Lord of Virulence (100 points)
• 1x Power fist
1x Twin plague spewer
Mortarion (380 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Lantern
1x Rotwind
1x Silence
OTHER DATASHEETS
Deathshroud Terminators (160 points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
Deathshroud Terminators (160 points)
• 1x Deathshroud Champion
• 1x Icon of Despair (Aura)
1x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
• 2x Deathshroud Terminator
• 2x Manreaper
2x Plaguespurt gauntlet
Foetid Bloat-Drone (100 points)
• 1x Fleshmower
1x Plague probe
Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (120 points)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (120 points)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
Foetid Bloat-Drone with Heavy Blight Launcher (120 points)
• 1x Heavy blight launcher
1x Plague probe
Myphitic Blight-haulers (100 points)
• 1x Bile spurt
1x Gnashing maw
1x Missile launcher
1x Multi-melta
Myphitic Blight-haulers (100 points)
• 1x Bile spurt
1x Gnashing maw
1x Missile launcher
1x Multi-melta
Poxwalkers (65 points)
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
Poxwalkers (65 points)
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
Poxwalkers (65 points)
• 10x Poxwalker
• 10x Improvised weapon
Aaron’s list is pretty standard from what we’ve seen with Death Guard meta lists, however we do see Mortarion making an appearance here! Equipped with a 6″ aura for a full reactive move, Mortarion occupies an interesting place in Death Guard. We don’t see him taken often as his surviability and hitting power relative to his points is sometimes questionable, especially in a codex that is just full of actually awesome datasheets. Aaron certainly put him to great use here, however pulling off an undefeated finish in one of the mid-west’s toughest major events.
DaBoyz GT – Rochester, NY – 88 Players
DaBoyz GT is another long-standing event held annually in New York. With a strong emphasis on the hobby side of the hobby, DaBoyz is known as one of the northeast’s premier Warhammer 40K events. Let’s take a look at the top 5 from this 88 player event.
- Neil Burns-Morales – Astra Militarum – 5-0
- Travis King – Ad Mech – 5-0
- John Davison – T’au Empire – 5-0
- Greg Seward – Blood Angels – 4-1
- Parker Thomas – Necrons – 4-1
The Winning List: Neil Burns-Morales – Astra Militarum – Combined Arms
Click to see the List
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Astra Militarum
- DETACHMENT: Combined Arms (Lethal Hits)
- TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 2000pts
+ - WARLORD: Char5: Tech-Priest Enginseer
- ENHANCEMENT: Death Mask of Ollanius (on Char2: Cadian Command Squad – Cadian Commander)
- NUMBER OF UNITS: 15
- SECONDARY: – Bring It Down: (2×2) + (3×4) – Assassination: 5 Characters – Cull The Horde: 1×5 (before leaders attached)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Char1: 6x Gaunt’s Ghosts (100 pts)
- 5x Tanith Ghost
1 with Tanith Ghost, Bragg’s autocannon, Straight silver knife
1 with Tanith Ghost, Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine, Straight silver knife
1 with Tanith Ghost, Larkin’s long-las, Straight silver knife
1 with Tanith Ghost, Lascarbine, Mkoll’s straight silver knife
1 with Tanith Ghost, Rawne’s lascarbine, Straight silver knife - 1x Ibram Gaunt: Bolt pistol, Gaunt’s chainsword
Char2: 5x Cadian Command Squad (75 pts)
- 4x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
1 with Cadian Veteran Guardsman, Close combat weapon, Plasma gun, Plasma pistol
1 with Master vox, Cadian Veteran Guardsman, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
1 with Medi-pack, Cadian Veteran Guardsman, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
1 with Cadian Veteran Guardsman, Close combat weapon, Plasma gun - 1x Cadian Commander: Power fist, Plasma pistol
Enhancement: Death Mask of Ollanius (+10 pts)
Char3: 1x Rogal Dorn Commander (275 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy stubber, Pulveriser cannon, 2x Heavy stubber, 2x Multi-melta, Coaxial autocannon, Oppressor cannon
Char4: 1x Rogal Dorn Commander (275 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy stubber, Pulveriser cannon, 2x Heavy stubber, 2x Multi-melta, Coaxial autocannon, Oppressor cannon
Char5: 1x Tech-Priest Enginseer (45 pts): Warlord, Enginseer Axe, Mechanicus pistol, Servo-arm
20x Cadian Shock Troops (120 pts)
- 18x Shock Trooper
12 with Shock Trooper, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
2 with Vox-caster, Shock Trooper, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
2 with Shock Trooper, Close combat weapon, Meltagun
2 with Shock Trooper, Close combat weapon, Plasma gun - 2x Shock Trooper Sergeant: 2 with Close combat weapon, Sergeant’s autogun
10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts)
- 9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
1 with Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Meltagun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Plasma gun - 1x Death Korps Watchmaster: Chainsword, Bolt pistol
10x Death Korps of Krieg (65 pts)
- 9x Death Korps Trooper
5 with Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg Medi-pack, Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
1 with Vox-caster, Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Lasgun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Meltagun
1 with Death Korps of Krieg, Close combat weapon, Plasma gun - 1x Death Korps Watchmaster: Chainsword, Bolt pistol
6x Bullgryn Squad (200 pts)
- 1x Bullgryn Bone ‘ead: Brute shield, Close combat weapon, Bullgryn maul
- 5x Bullgryn: 5 with Brute shield, Close combat weapon, Bullgryn maul
3x Bullgryn Squad (100 pts) - 1x Bullgryn Bone ‘ead: Brute shield, Close combat weapon, Bullgryn maul
- 2x Bullgryn: 2 with Brute shield, Close combat weapon, Bullgryn maul
10x Kasrkin (110 pts)
- 9x Kasrkin Trooper
2 with Kasrkin, Close combat weapon, Hot-shot lasgun
1 with Melta mine, Kasrkin, Close combat weapon, Hot-shot laspistol
1 with Kasrkin, Close combat weapon, Hot-shot marksman rifle
1 with Vox-caster, Kasrkin, Close combat weapon, Hot-shot lasgun
2 with Kasrkin, Close combat weapon, Meltagun
2 with Kasrkin, Close combat weapon, Plasma gun - 1x Kasrkin Sergeant: Power weapon, Plasma pistol
5x Ratlings (60 pts): 5 with Close combat weapon, Sniper rifle
1x Leman Russ Battle Tank (185 pts): Armoured tracks, Leman Russ battle cannon, Lascannon
1x Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (250 pts): Armoured tracks, Heavy stubber, Pulveriser cannon, 2x Heavy stubber, 2x Multi-melta, Coaxial autocannon, Oppressor cannon
1x Taurox (75 pts): Armoured tracks, Twin autocannon
Astra Militarum has seen a resurgence recently. Everyone knows about Wesley St Hines and his LVO winning Guard list by now. Neil takes a more traditional Astra Militarum list going with the Combined Arms Detachment featuring 3 Rogal Dorn tanks (2 being commanders) as well as Gaunt’s Ghosts, a big brick of Bullgryn and plenty of infantry to cover large areas of the board. Neil leans into this traditional build and managed to pull off an impressive 5-0 finish and top placing at the DaBoyz GT.
Final Thoughts
The weekend post-World Championships of Warhammer turned out to be pretty exciting with 3 pretty large major events and a diversity of top 5 armies across all of them. 10th Edition seems to be in a very healthy place meta-wise which is good to see. Ad Mech, Adeptus Sororitas and Aeldari seem to be dominating win rates presently, other factions are pulling off major event wins, proving that others can rise to the top.
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See you on the tabletop.
