The competitive 40K “meta” is one of the most widely discussed topics among 40K players. As the game updates from week to week with new model and rules releases, FAQs and balance dataslates, the global meta shifts at a massively rapid pace. One of the most common pitfalls I see among newer players is the focus on the global meta. What really matters most is your own local meta. Let’s break it down.
Defining The Meta
I discuss this in my ebook “Forging Your Path to Victory: A Beginner’s Guide to Competitive Warhammer 40,000” which you can download for free by going here and subscribing to my email list.
Simply put, “the meta” as it applies to Warhammer 40K can be defined as what people are playing and what’s winning.
Breaking that down further I classify metas two ways.
The Macro Meta
First is the “macro meta” or, the global meta. These are the armies and factions that are performing well at major events across the globe.
This global meta generally defines what people play for a certain period of time. This shifts as new army codexes and models release and point levels update.
Generally the armies at the top of the metagame globally are there because they have a variety of tools capable of dealing with multiple opposing armies and strategies while playing the mission set well.
The Micro Meta
The second, and in my opinion the most important meta, is what I call the “micro meta.”
This is your local meta. It’s composed of the armies and builds being piloted to success in your local area by the best players. Quite often the macro and micro metas can and will intersect, but this is not always the case.
I frequently find newer players and even veteran players stressing and worrying about the macro meta of competitive 40K when their real focus should be the micro meta.
For example, if Aeldari is crushing the larger meta at major events, do you need to worry about them if no one is playing them locally? Probably not.
When to Worry About the Macro Meta
Most people who play this game competitively can only ever travel to a couple of larger Warhammer 40K events each year. In fact, the large majority of competitive 40K players only ever attend even one single large event per year.
The macro meta should only be of concern when you are planning to attend a large event. That isn’t to say you should never pay attention to the wider metagame. Of course you should especially if you play those factions that are performing well.
Paying attention to the macro meta and seeing how it is influencing the game is important, but unless you are planning to travel to multiple large events over the course of a season, you shouldn’t let the anxiety of it distress you.
Focusing on the Micro Meta
While most competitive 40K players only attend a couple of large events a year it is very common for players to play in local smaller RTTs and leagues as frequently as once or even twice a month.
What are the top players playing? How can you compete against them? I’ll give you an example. As of this writing Ad Mech are not a particularly strong faction and haven’t been through most of tenth edition, however one of our top players locally plays them and crushes our events with them. When I’m preparing for our local RTTs I have to factor in that I will very likely have to play against him and his Ad Mech army if I want to make a podium finish.
When I’m refining my lists for events here I have to adjust to what is being played locally (the micro meta) as opposed to what is being played in the more global meta (macro meta).
Look at what your top local players are running and doing well with. Adjust your strategy and list builds to counter them as best as possible. Get reps in with your local top players as well. Practice makes perfect and getting quality reps in against your meta’s top players can help you improve your game tremendously.
Final Thoughts
While it’s important to know and understand the larger global meta, you should focus most of your attention on the smaller local meta especially as a new competitive 40K player.
I mentioned it above, but if you liked this article please take the time to subscribe and get my free eBook. It has tons of useful information for new Warhammer 40K players.
If you’re interested in pushing your game to the next level consider reaching out for my personal coaching as well. Just shoot me an email at [email protected]
See you on the table top!
