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 3 of the largest Warhammer 40K tournaments from the weekend of November 21st-23rd. This week we’re looking over the Renegade Open in Minneapolis, MN, the Alba GT in Hungary and then over to Sweden for the Fantasia Fanatic XLVIII 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!
Renegade Open 2025 – Minneapolis, MN – 101 Players
The Renegade Open is a long-standing event and has become a staple classic event up in the cold wintery north. This year’s Renegade Open saw over 100 players duke it out over 5 rounds. Let’s take a look at the top 5.
- Scott Blegen – Dark Angels – 5-0
- Eric Olson – Chaos Daemons – 5-0
- Tyler Devries – Ad Mech – 5-0
- Craig Parker – Orks – 4-1
- David Arimond – Grey Knights – 4-1
The Winning List: Scott Blegen – Dark Angels – Stormlance
Click to see the List
Space Marines
Dark Angels
Stormlance Task Force
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Azrael (115 Points)
• 1x Lion’s Wrath
• 1x The Lion Helm
• 1x The Sword of Secrets
Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
Lion El’Jonson (315 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Arma Luminis
• 1x Fealty
Ravenwing Command Squad (130 Points)
• 1x Ravenwing Champion
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
◦ 1x Plasma talon
◦ Enhancements: Feinting Withdrawal
• 1x Ravenwing Apothecary
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 1x Ravenwing Ancient
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
Ravenwing Command Squad (145 Points)
• 1x Ravenwing Champion
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
◦ 1x Plasma talon
◦ Enhancements: Hunter’s Instincts
• 1x Ravenwing Apothecary
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 1x Ravenwing Ancient
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
Sammael (115 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
• 1x Master-crafted plasma cannon
• 1x The Raven Sword
• 1x Twin storm bolter
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 Plasma pistol
◦ 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 Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
Gladiator Lancer (160 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Lancer laser destroyer
• 2x Storm bolter
Gladiator Lancer (160 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Lancer laser destroyer
• 2x Storm bolter
Inner Circle Companions (90 Points)
• 3x Inner Circle Companion
◦ 3x Calibanite greatsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
Outrider Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Outrider Sergeant
◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Twin bolt rifle
• 2x Outrider
◦ 2x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 2x Twin bolt rifle
Ravenwing Black Knights (180 Points)
• 1x Ravenwing Huntmaster
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 5x Ravenwing Black Knight
◦ 5x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 5x Bolt pistol
◦ 5x Plasma talon
Ravenwing Black Knights (180 Points)
• 1x Ravenwing Huntmaster
◦ 1x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 5x Ravenwing Black Knight
◦ 5x Black Knight combat weapon
◦ 5x Bolt pistol
◦ 5x Plasma talon
For the second weekend in a row Stormlance takes a top placing at a major event. You may remember Michael Mann piloting Space Wolves Stormlance to victory at the California Cup just one week ago. This weekend Scott pilots a nasty, fast moving Dark Angels Stormlance to victory. With 2 big Ravenwing Black Knights bike squads with Ravenwing Command Squads attached. With the ability to Advance and Charge (and shoot with the use of the Blitzing Fusillade stratagem) this squad is putting out a potential 27 Plasma shots at Str 8 AP-3 and 2 DMG and if that isn’t bad enough, they’re charging what’s left. This gives them incredible flexibility to blast away counter threats and charge with devastating force in the first turn. And if all that isn’t enough there’s the Lion, and Inner Circle Companions following them up. This army strikes hard and fast with a ridiculous alpha strike. Woe be to the unprepared because this list can potentially shut you down in the beginning of the game if you are not ready. Well done on taking them all the way to the podium, Scott!
Alba GT – Hungary – 83 Players
Moving across to Europe we have the Alba GT in Hungary. This event had over 80 players and used the WTC terrain pack for their event. There were some definite surprises here including an undefeated Thousand Sons list in the top 3 along with Custodes making a top 5 finish.
- Marek Vinka – Tyranids – 5-0
- Patrik Bajnoci – Astra Militarum – 5-0
- Leonardo Vertus – Thousand Sons – 4-0-1
- Gergo Hrusko – Adeptus Custodes – 4-1
- Botond Blasovszky – Drukhari – 4-1
The Winning List: Marek Vinka – Tyranids – Invasion Fleet
Click to see the List
Tyranids
Strike Force (2000 points)
Invasion Fleet
CHARACTERS
Broodlord (80 points)
• 1x Broodlord claws and talons
Hive Tyrant (195 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip
1x Monstrous scything talons
Neurotyrant (105 points)
• 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes
1x Psychic scream
BATTLELINE
Gargoyles (85 points)
• 10x Gargoyle
• 10x Blinding venom
10x Fleshborer
Hormagaunts (65 points)
• 10x Hormagaunt
• 10x Hormagaunt talons
OTHER DATASHEETS
Biovores (50 points)
• 1x Chitin-barbed limbs
1x Spore Mine launcher
Exocrine (140 points)
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
Exocrine (140 points)
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
Exocrine (140 points)
• 1x Bio-plasmic cannon
1x Powerful limbs
Genestealers (140 points)
• 10x Genestealer
• 10x Genestealers claws and talons
Maleceptor (170 points)
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload
Maleceptor (170 points)
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload
Maleceptor (170 points)
• 1x Massive scything talons
1x Psychic overload
Neurolictor (70 points)
• 1x Piercing claws and talons
Neurolictor (70 points)
• 1x Piercing claws and talons
Zoanthropes (200 points)
• 1x Neurothrope
• 1x Chitinous claws and teeth
1x Warp Blast
• 5x Zoanthrope
• 5x Chitinous
Another strong placing for Tyranids Invasion Fleet which once again proves to be a timeless detachment putting up solid wins. This list is your pretty standard fare Nids build with the Hive Tyrant for free CP usage, triple Exocrines, triple Malceptors, Gargoyles and the Neurotyrant with Zoanthropes. It’s a build we’ve all come to know and love (or hate depending on what side of the table you’re on) and Marek takes it to a big event win.
Fantasia Fanatic XLVIII – Sweden – 114 Players
Over in Sweden we had one of the largest events of the weekend with the Fantasia Fanatic XLVIII GT. With 114 players and some of Europe’s finest in attendance this proved to be a hard fought tournament. Again being in Europe, this event also used the WTC Terrain pack as well. Let’s look at the top 5.
- Bjorn Eriksson – Chaos Knights – 5-0
- Samppa Orhanen – Space Marines – 5-0
- Victor Astrom – Aeldari – 4-1
- Tim Nordin – Dark Angels – 4-1
- Lukas Berglin – World Eaters – 3-0-2
Bjorn Eriksson – Chaos Knights – Infernal Lance
Click to see the List
Chaos Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Infernal Lance
CHARACTERS
Knight Despoiler (375 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Daemonbreath meltagun
2x Despoiler gatling cannon
2x Heavy darkflamer
1x Ruinspear rocket pod
1x Titanic feet
Knight Despoiler (375 points)
• 1x Daemonbreath meltagun
2x Despoiler gatling cannon
2x Heavy darkflamer
1x Ruinspear rocket pod
1x Titanic feet
Knight Despoiler (375 points)
• 1x Daemonbreath meltagun
2x Despoiler gatling cannon
2x Heavy darkflamer
1x Ruinspear rocket pod
1x Titanic feet
OTHER DATASHEETS
War Dog Karnivore (150 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
War Dog Karnivore (150 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
War Dog Karnivore (150 points)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x Reaper chaintalon
1x Slaughterclaw
ALLIED UNITS
Beasts of Nurgle (65 points)
• 1x Putrid appendages
Beasts of Nurgle (65 points)
• 1x Putrid appendages
Beasts of Nurgle (65 points)
• 1x Putrid appendages
Nurglings (40 points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
Nurglings (40 points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
Nurglings (40 points)
• 3x Nurgling Swarm
• 3x Diseased claws and teeth
Plaguebearers (110 points)
• 1x Plagueridden
• 1x Plaguesword
• 9x Plaguebearer
• 1x Daemonic Icon
1x Instrument of Chaos
9x Plaguesword
Bjorn Eriksson is no stranger to top finishes being one of Sweden’s most well known competitive players. Once again he takes a top finish at a major event this time with the dreaded triple Despoiler double Gatling Cannon Chaos Knights. Interestingly, we find a lot of Nurgle allies including 3 Beast of Nurgle units, 3 squads of Nurglings and a squad of Plaguebearers. These make great choices for scoring secondaries and having the utility to be used as screens for the big boys against a lot of the aggressive pressure melee combat armies that are becoming popular in the larger meta.
Final Thoughts
It was an interesting weekend for Warhammer 40K events and we see more variance at the top levels of play in terms of faction and lists. It looks like we have entered into the solved meta phase now in the meta lifecycle as the top builds for each faction have revealed themselves. That being said, there is still a lot of variety in the capability of multiple different factions to take top placings at majors and GT events. The meta continues to be in a very healthy state as we head into December and potentially another Balance Dataslate before the new year. With the dreaded double Victrix Guard Blade of Ultramar detachment set to make a big splash into the meta very soon it will be interesting to see what their impact will be on the meta in the next several weeks.
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