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.
In the first weekend of major events all using the Q1 2026 Balance Dataslate we saw…not much changing in the upper ends of competitive play. Astra Militarum, Space Marines and Necrons all continued to have big placings in major events. It seems the Dataslate did little to slow the momentum of these already powerful factions. This week I’m going to look at the 3 largest events from the weekend. We start with The Colorado Cup, then moving on to Canada for the 12th Barrie Bash and finally all the way up to Maine for the Ides of March 2026 GT. Let’s get into it.
The Colorado Cup ’26 – Brighton, CO – 190 Players
The Colorado Cup was this weekend’s largest event boasting nearly 200 players. This event is run by the Green Banner Event Co. which have been hosting large events out in the western U.S. for a couple of years now. Known for high quality events, the Colorado Cup ’26 did not disappoint. Let’s check out the top 5.
- Ben Neal – Space Marines – 6-0
- John Vuchetich – Necrons – 6-0
- Marshall Peterson – Necrons – 6-0
- Andrew Champion – World Eaters – 5-0-1
- Scott Ketcham – Adeptus Sororitas – 5-1
The Winning List: Ben Neal – Space Marines – Hammer of Avernii
Click to see the List
Space Marines
Iron Hands
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hammer of Avernii
CHARACTERS
Caanok Var (100 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Axiom
1x Storm bolter
Captain in Terminator Armour (110 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Relic weapon
• Enhancement: Steel Font
Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (95 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
• Enhancement: Iron Laurel
OTHER DATASHEETS
Ballistus Dreadnought (150 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter
Ballistus Dreadnought (150 points)
• 1x Armoured feet
1x Ballistus lascannon
1x Ballistus missile launcher
1x Twin storm bolter
Incursor Squad (80 points)
• 1x Incursor Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Occulus bolt carbine
1x Paired combat blades
• 4x Incursor
• 4x Bolt pistol
1x Haywire Mine
4x Occulus bolt carbine
4x Paired combat blades
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
3x Combat knife
1x Missile launcher
Storm Speeder Hammerstrike (125 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
1x Melta destroyer
Terminator Assault Squad (360 points)
• 1x Assault Terminator Sergeant
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• 9x Assault Terminator
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Thunder hammer
Terminator Assault Squad (360 points)
• 1x Assault Terminator Sergeant
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Thunder hammer
• 9x Assault Terminator
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Thunder hammer
Vindicator (185 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
Vindicator (185 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Demolisher cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
I’ve written about the Hammer of Avernii Detachment before so check that out if you haven’t already. The Detachment rule is quite strong allowing you to re-roll 1s to wound the Oath of Moment target and the ability to select another Oath target with Caanok Var. Caanok himself, likely buried in one of those ten man Terminator Assault Squad units is a great utility piece letting you pick that second Oath target with formidable shooting power in the form of 2 Ballistus Dreadnoughts and 2 Vindicators. Ben takes the Hammer to the biggest win of the weekend showing that Space Marines are absolutely a force even outside of the blue boys of Ultramarines.
12th Barrie Bash – Ontario, Canada – 58 Players
The Barrie Bash has been around for quite some time. Most people are probably already familiar with the legend known as Ridvan “Skari” Martinez, the Drukhari wizard known for single-handedly propping that faction’s win rate up in the worst of times. He’s a man of multiple hats it seems as he runs and organizes the annual Barrie Bash event as well. So let’s look at the top 5.
- Nick Jagiello – Astra Militarum – 6-0
- Ben Greenlay – Grey Knights – 5-1
- Dan Morris – Genestealer Cults – 5-1
- Zachery Riegling – Adeptus Sororitas – 5-1
- Tim Deetlefs – Adeptus Sororitas – 5-1
The Winning List: Nick Jagiello – Astra Militarum – Grizzled Company – 6-0
Click to see the List
Astra Militarum
Strike Force (2000 points)
Grizzled Company
CHARACTERS
Cadian Command Squad (65 points)
• 1x Cadian Commander
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma gun
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasgun
1x Master Vox
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasgun
1x Medi-pack
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma gun
Lord Solar Leontus (130 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
1x Konstantin’s hooves
1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze
Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 points)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot volley gun
1x Medi-pack
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime
• 1x Command Rod
1x Tempestus dagger
BATTLELINE
Cadian Shock Troops (65 points)
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Sergeant’s autogun
• 9x Shock Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
7x Lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 points)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
• 9x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
7x Lasgun
1x Vox-caster
Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 points)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
• 9x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
7x Lasgun
1x Vox-caster
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Chimera (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Heavy flamer
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lasgun array
Taurox (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin autocannon
OTHER DATASHEETS
Attilan Rough Riders (120 points)
• 1x Rough Rider Sergeant
• 1x Hunting lance
1x Lasgun
1x Laspistol
1x Power sabre
1x Steed’s hooves
• 9x Rough Rider
• 9x Hunting lance
9x Lasgun
9x Laspistol
9x Steed’s hooves
Attilan Rough Riders (60 points)
• 1x Rough Rider Sergeant
• 1x Hunting lance
1x Lasgun
1x Laspistol
1x Power sabre
1x Steed’s hooves
• 4x Rough Rider
• 4x Hunting lance
4x Lasgun
4x Laspistol
4x Steed’s hooves
Death Riders (60 points)
• 1x Ridemaster
• 1x Death Rider lascarbine
1x Frag lance
1x Power sabre
1x Savage claws
• 4x Death Rider
• 4x Death Rider lascarbine
4x Frag lance
4x Power sabre
4x Savage claws
Kasrkin (110 points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Kasrkin (110 points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Kasrkin (110 points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Krieg Combat Engineers (60 points)
• 1x Krieg Engineer Watchmaster
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 4x Krieg Combat Engineer
• 1x Autopistol
4x Close combat weapon
2x Combat shotgun
1x Flamer
1x Remote Mine
Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta
1x Vanquisher battle cannon
Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (260 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
3x Heavy stubber
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
Rogal Dorn Battle Tank (260 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
3x Heavy stubber
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
Tempestus Scions (70 points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
2x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
It seems the initial prediction that Grizzled Company had fallen off may have been incorrect after all. After a couple of weeks outside any top 5 placings, the Guard come rolling back with a vengeance. Turns out the build just needed a little tweaking it appears. We see the Rogal Dorns still popping up, but this build leans more heavily into an Infantry and Mounted presence, flooding the board with bodies to control objectives while offering some high-powered offense thanks to the Grizzled Company Detachment rule as well. So it’s not time to shelve those Guard just yet it would seem.
Ides of March 2026 40K GT – Rockport, Maine – 86 Players
They play 40K in Maine? Who knew? Well apparently they do and the Ides of March event had a pretty good showing with 86 players making it the second largest singles event of the weekend. We see some familiar names in the top 5 here and it appears Astra Militarum continue their dominance on the weekend. Let’s take a look.
- Travis Morton – Astra Militarum – 5-0
- Samuel Pope – Tyranids – 5-0
- Jeffrey Colpitts – Space Marines – 4-1
- Nicholas Kudriavetz – Space Marines – 4-1
- Marshall Arthurs – Adeptus Mechanicus – 4-1
The Winning List: Travis Morton – Astra Militarum – Grizzled Company
Click to see the List
Astra Militarum
Strike Force (2000 points)
Grizzled Company
CHARACTERS
Cadian Castellan (55 points)
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
Cadian Command Squad (65 points)
• 1x Cadian Commander
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma gun
1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasgun
1x Master Vox
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Lasgun
1x Medi-pack
• 1x Cadian Veteran Guardsman
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma gun
Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 points)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot volley gun
1x Medi-pack
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime
• 1x Command Rod
1x Tempestus dagger
Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 points)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot volley gun
1x Medi-pack
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime
• 1x Command Rod
1x Tempestus dagger
Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 points)
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot volley gun
1x Medi-pack
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
• 1x Tempestor Prime
• 1x Command Rod
1x Tempestus dagger
Nork Deddog (60 points)
• 1x Huge knife
1x Ripper gun
Rogal Dorn Commander (290 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
3x Heavy stubber
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
BATTLELINE
Cadian Shock Troops (120 points)
• 2x Shock Trooper Sergeant
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Chainsword
• 18x Shock Trooper
• 18x Close combat weapon
14x Lasgun
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Catachan Jungle Fighters (65 points)
• 1x Jungle Fighter Sergeant
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Laspistol
• 9x Jungle Fighter
• 9x Close combat weapon
2x Flamer
7x Lasgun
1x Vox-caster
Death Korps of Krieg (65 points)
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Death Korps Medi-pack
1x Flamer
7x Lasgun
1x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Death Korps of Krieg (65 points)
• 1x Death Korps Watchmaster
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Death Korps Trooper
• 9x Close combat weapon
1x Death Korps Medi-pack
1x Flamer
7x Lasgun
1x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Chimera (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Heavy flamer
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lasgun array
Chimera (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Heavy flamer
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lasgun array
OTHER DATASHEETS
Kasrkin (110 points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Kasrkin (110 points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Kasrkin (110 points)
• 1x Kasrkin Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 9x Kasrkin
• 9x Close combat weapon
3x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Hot-shot marksman rifle
1x Melta Mine
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Krieg Combat Engineers (60 points)
• 1x Krieg Engineer Watchmaster
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power weapon
• 4x Krieg Combat Engineer
• 3x Autopistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Flamer
1x Remote Mine
2x Trench club
Krieg Combat Engineers (60 points)
• 1x Krieg Engineer Watchmaster
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power weapon
• 4x Krieg Combat Engineer
• 3x Autopistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Flamer
1x Remote Mine
2x Trench club
Krieg Combat Engineers (60 points)
• 1x Krieg Engineer Watchmaster
• 1x Hand flamer
1x Power weapon
• 4x Krieg Combat Engineer
• 3x Autopistol
2x Close combat weapon
1x Flamer
1x Remote Mine
2x Trench club
Tempestus Scions (140 points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 9x Tempestus Scion
• 9x Close combat weapon
4x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
2x Meltagun
2x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Tempestus Scions (70 points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Tempestus Scions (70 points)
• 1x Tempestor
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Tempestus Scion
• 4x Close combat weapon
1x Hot-shot lasgun
1x Hot-shot laspistol
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
1x Vox-caster
Another Grizzled Company victory for the weekend. This one leaning much harder into the Infantry units with only one single Rogal Dorn Commander. It seems the Guard players have adjusted their builds to account for the changes from the Q1 2026 Balance Dataslate and prove that Astra Militarum and Grizzled Company are very much alive and well and capable of taking top placings in major events.
Final Thoughts
A great weekend of events for sure, but we see the impact of the Q1 2026 Balance Dataslate didn’t seem to make much of a difference with the top spots in major events mostly dominated by Astra Militarum, Space Marines and Necrons. Perhaps the changes in the Dataslate weren’t enough. I definitely predicted Necrons and Space Marines dominance to continue but after a couple of weeks of not seeing Grizzled Company really having much of an impact they return with a vengeance taking down 2 of the 3 largest events of the weekend. So it is looking like that’s how it stands now until summer and the release of 11th edition.
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