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.
So, it’s not exactly Monday, but I’m catching up from a long weekend at the Tennessee Elite Open 8-Man Teams Event. I’ll have more on that later this week, but for now let’s check out this week’s top 3 events and the winning lists. First stop is the Nottingham GT over in jolly ol’ England, next we head down to sunny Florida for the Grand Onslaught 11, and we finish up out in the midwest with New Years Knockout 2026. Let’s get to it!
The NOTTINGHAM 40K SUPER-MAJOR – UK – 355 Players
The UK has really taken over the big 40K competitive event scene hosting multiple super majors per year. This past weekend’s event featured competitors from all over the UK and beyond gathering in the biggest event, The Nottingham 40K Super Major. Let’s take a look at the top 5.
- Innes Wilson – Space Marines – 7-0
- Sam Nash – Adeptus Custodes – 7-0
- Christopher Langton – Chaos Daemons – 6-1
- Theo Hayat – Space Marines – 6-1
- Chris Irvine – Blood Angels – 6-1
The Winning List: Innes Wilson – Space Marines – Blade of Ultramar
Click to see the List
Space Marines
Ultramarines
Strike Force (2000 points)
Blade of Ultramar
CHARACTERS
Captain in Gravis Armour (90 points)
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
1x Power fist
1x Relic blade
• Enhancement: Armour of Antoninus
Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Paired combat blades
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
OTHER DATASHEETS
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
Redemptor Dreadnought (195 points)
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Macro plasma incinerator
1x Onslaught gatling cannon
1x Redemptor fist
1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher
Redemptor Dreadnought (195 points)
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Macro plasma incinerator
1x Onslaught gatling cannon
1x Redemptor fist
1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher
Repulsor Executioner (220 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy laser destroyer
1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array
1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
1x Twin heavy bolter
Repulsor Executioner (220 points)
• 1x Armoured hull
1x Heavy laser destroyer
1x Heavy onslaught gatling cannon
1x Icarus rocket pod
1x Ironhail heavy stubber
1x Repulsor Executioner defensive array
1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
1x Twin heavy bolter
Scout Squad (70 points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifle
Victrix Honour Guard (240 points)
• 1x Chapter Ancient
• 1x Banner of Macragge
1x Master-crafted power weapon
• 1x Chapter Champion
• 1x Blades of honour
• 4x Victrix Honour Guard
• 4x Master-crafted bolt carbine
4x Master-crafted power weapon
Innes has been featured on Grimhammer multiple times well, because he’s one of the best players in the world and he just keeps winning gigantic events. Stop being so damn good, Innes! Anyway, Innes is rocking the good old blueberries here featuring a Blade of Ultramar list that is NOT spamming Victrix (with only a single squad) and includes a couple of Redemptor Dreadnoughts and Repulsor Executioners along with the usual suspect of characters like Marneus Calgar and Guilliman and a smattering of scoring units. It’s no secret that Space Marines are at or near the top of the meta pile right now. Of course, giving last week’s pseudo-stealth update to drop Victrix back down to 3 wounds, it remains to be seen if they can remain on the top of the meta-mountain. Whether they do or not, I’m sure Innes will find some way to win another major event with Space Marines.
Grand Onslaught 11 – Hudson, FL – 69 Players
Heading down to Florida and the Grand Onslaught 11 GT where Grey Knights came out on top of this 69 player event. Piloted by the amazing David Ozawa. He may not be a global name, but down here in the southeastern U.S. David is very well known for being an amazing player having multiple GT wins under his belt. Let’s take a look at the top 5 and David’s list.
- David Ozawa – Grey Knights – 5-0
- Sam Hellman – Chaos Daemons – 5-0
- Steven Rota – Necrons – 4-0-1
- Tyler Logan – Astra Militarum – 4-1
- Dirk Braak – Necrons – 4-1
The Winning List: David Ozawa – Grey Knights – Warpbane Task Force
Click to see the List
Grey Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Warpbane Task Force
CHARACTERS
Brotherhood Librarian (80 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Vortex of Doom
Brotherhood Librarian (80 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Vortex of Doom
Brotherhood Librarian (80 points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Vortex of Doom
Castellan Crowe (90 points)
• 1x Black Blade of Antwyr
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (225 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
1x Sublimator
Grand Master in Nemesis Dreadknight (225 points)
• 1x Fragstorm grenade launcher
1x Heavy psycannon
1x Nemesis daemon greathammer
1x Sublimator
BATTLELINE
Strike Squad (120 points)
• 1x Justicar
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Grey Knight
• 1x Close combat weapon
3x Nemesis force weapon
1x Psycannon
3x Storm bolter
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Razorback (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin lascannon
Razorback (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin lascannon
Razorback (85 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin lascannon
OTHER DATASHEETS
Interceptor Squad (125 points)
• 1x Interceptor Justicar
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Interceptor
• 1x Close combat weapon
3x Nemesis force weapon
1x Psilencer
3x Storm bolter
Land Raider (220 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Godhammer lascannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin heavy bolter
Purifier Squad (250 points)
• 1x Knight of the Flame
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
• 9x Purifier
• 4x Close combat weapon
5x Nemesis force weapon
4x Psilencer
9x Purifying Flame
5x Storm bolter
Purifier Squad (125 points)
• 1x Knight of the Flame
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purifier
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Incinerator
2x Nemesis force weapon
4x Purifying Flame
2x Storm bolter
Purifier Squad (125 points)
• 1x Knight of the Flame
• 1x Nemesis force weapon
1x Purifying Flame
1x Storm bolter
• 4x Purifier
• 2x Close combat weapon
2x Incinerator
2x Nemesis force weapon
4x Purifying Flame
2x Storm bolter
Warpbane Task Force continues to be the best (and maybe only) way to play Grey Knights competitively. David opts to take 2 Nemesis Dreadknight Grand Masters and a crap ton of Purifiers for those sweet re-rolls. Interesting here is the choice of the triple Twin-lascannon Razorbacks and the Land Raider. David piloted this to an impressive 5-0 undefeated finish and an event win against some stiff competition.
New Years Knockout 2026 – Lee’s Summit, MO – 99 Players
Finally we have the New Year’s Knockout 2026 out in the plains of Missouri. Part of the Lord Marshal Conference circuit, Dan Sammons takes the Grizzled Company to an undefeated finish and an event win. I’ve written about Grizzled Company before and I strongly feel they are truly an S-tier army (and maybe the only S-tier army presently). The mid-west features some of the U.S.’s best players and Dan Sammons is certainly among that short list. Let’s see how the top 5 shook out.
- Dan Sammons – Astra Militarum – 5-0
- Josh Lewis – Space Marines – 5-0
- Tedd Williamson – Necrons – 5-0
- Aaron Hermstedt – Death Guard – 4-1
- Tom Deane – Thousand Sons – 4-1
The Winning List: Dan Sammons – Astra Militarum – Grizzled Company
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 Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 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 Lasgun
1x Regimental Standard
Gaunt’s Ghosts (100 points)
• 1x Ibram Gaunt
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Gaunt’s chainsword
• 1x Colm Corbec
• 1x Corbec’s hot-shot lascarbine
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Elim Rawne
• 1x Rawne’s lascarbine
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Hlaine Larkin
• 1x Larkin’s long-las
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x ’Try Again’ Bragg
• 1x Bragg’s autocannon
1x Straight silver knife
• 1x Oan Mkoll
• 1x Lascarbine
1x Mkoll’s straight silver knife
Lord Solar Leontus (130 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Conquest
1x Konstantin’s hooves
1x Sol’s Righteous Gaze
Rogal Dorn Commander (275 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
3x Heavy stubber
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
BATTLELINE
Cadian Shock Troops (65 points)
• 1x Shock Trooper Sergeant
• 1x Chainsword
1x Laspistol
• 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
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
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
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
Field Ordnance Battery (110 points)
• 2x Ordnance Team
• 2x Battery close combat weapons
2x Bombast field gun
2x Lasgun
2x Laspistol
Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
2x Multi-melta
1x Vanquisher battle cannon
Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
3x Heavy flamer
1x Heavy stubber
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Vanquisher battle cannon
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 (250 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Coaxial autocannon
3x Heavy stubber
2x Multi-melta
1x Oppressor cannon
1x Pulveriser cannon
Scout Sentinels (55 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw
Scout Sentinels (55 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw
Scout Sentinels (55 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Lascannon
1x Sentinel chainsaw
Tempestus Aquilons (100 points)
• 1x Tempestor Aquilon
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hot-shot lascarbine
1x Sentry flamer
• 8x Tempestus Aquilon
• 8x Close combat weapon
6x Hot-shot lascarbine
1x Hot‐shot long‐las
1x Plasma carbine
• 1x Gunfighter
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hot-shot lascarbine
This list features most of the usual suspects you’d expect to find in a Grizzled Company build to include Gaunt’s Ghosts and some Tempestus Aquilons along with Rogal Dorns and Leman Russ Vanquishers. Interestingly, there are no Bullgryn present in Dan’s list and instead we see a unit of…Field Ordnance Battery? Well, as it turns out this unit is just amazing in Grizzled Company getting Sustained Hits when it doesn’t move (hint it never will) and popping the Ignores Cover strat meaning it’s getting to re-roll 1s to hit under an order and 1s to wound if the target is on an objective and, of course, it always will be. That kind of efficiency from an indirect weapon makes it rough for the opponent to hold their home field objective (or any for that matter) making it a great choice specifically to punch at shifty Victrix that want to hide and be annoying. Clearly an effective strategy as Dan takes this list to an undefeated finish and a major event win.
Final Thoughts
2026 Is already shaping up to be an interesting year with Space Marines, Astra Militarum and also Necrons showing strong event results. Of course 500 Worlds is right around the corner as is the release of the new Space Marines and Necrons detachments and models that will undoubtedly have an immediate meta impact.
I’ll have my own weekend report here from my Aspect Host Aeldari and our team’s performance at the Tennessee Elite Open 8-Man Teams Event up later this week so keep an eye out for that.
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.
If you enjoyed this article and want to keep seeing ad free content and get access to additional competitive 40K content, consider supporting me on Patreon.
See you on the tabletop.
