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.
It’s Wednesday here, and a little late on the Meta Monday review this week thanks to the timing of the biggest event last weekend, The London GT, which extended into Monday for its Top 8 competitors. I’m going to review the largest singles events over the weekend. How did Imperial Knights come out post-codex release? Are Aeldari the new bullies on the block as predicted? I’m going to take a look at the results of the 3 largest Warhammer 40K singles events from the weekend. So let’s dive right in.
The London GT – Edmonton, UK
This event was by far the largest Warhammer 40K event of the weekend boasting a staggering 1000+ attendees. Europe and the UK specifically has taken the competitive 40K scene by storm the last few years with multiple large scale events with some of the world’s best players. This year was no different as these world class competitors battled it out over 10 rounds of 40K with the ultimate winner being…Liam Vsl with his Chaos Space Marines Veterans of the Long War list. This is Liam’s third LGT win in a row. Here’s how the top 5 came out:
- Liam Vsl – Chaos Space Marines – Veterans of the Long War – 10-0
- Alexandre Sacco – Drukhari – Reaper’s Wager – 9-1
- Boris Michev – Emperor’s Children – Coterie of the Conceited – 8-1
- Innes Wilson – Space Marines – Stormlance – 8-1
- Christopher Langton – Chaos Daemons – Daemonic Incursion 8-1
The Winning List: Liam Vsl – Chaos Space Marines – Veterans of the Long War
Click to see the list
CHARACTER
1x Cypher (90 pts)
- 1x Cypher’s bolt pistol
- 1x Cypher’s plasma pistol
2x Fabius Bile (85 pts)
- 1x Fabius Bile
- 1x Rod of Torment
- 1x The Chirurgeon
- 1x Xyclos needler
- Fabius Bile
- 1x Surgeon Acolyte
- 1x Surgeon Acolyte’s tools
- Surgeon Acolyte, Warlord
1x Chaos Lord (90 pts)
- 1x Daemon hammer
- 1x Plasma pistol
BATTLELINE
10x Cultist Mob (50 pts)
- 1x Cultist Champion
- 1x Brutal assault weapon
- 1x Bolt pistol
- 9x Cultist
- 9x Autopistol
- 9x Brutal assault weapon
5x Legionaries (90 pts)
- 1x Aspiring Champion
- 1x Close combat weapon
- 1x Plasma pistol
- 1x Heavy melee weapon
- Aspiring Champion
- 4x Legionary
- 2x Astartes chainsword
- 4x Bolt pistol
- 4x Close combat weapon
- 1x Heavy melee weapon
- 1x Lascannon
- 4x Legionaries, Chaos icon
OTHER DATASHEETS
10x Chosen (250 pts)
- 1x Chosen Champion
- 1x Plasma pistol
- 1x Power fist
- 1x Boltgun
- Chaos icon, Chosen Champion
- 9x Chosen
- 6x Accursed weapon
- 6x Bolt pistol
- 3x Boltgun
- 4x Combi-weapon
- 2x Paired accursed weapons
- 3x Plasma pistol
- 1x Power fist
- 9x Chosen
5x Nemesis Claw (110 pts)
- 1x Visionary
- 1x Power fist
- 1x Plasma pistol
- 4x Legionary
- 1x Accursed weapon
- 4x Bolt pistol
- 4x Close combat weapon
- 1x Nostraman chainglaive
- 1x Paired accursed weapons
- 1x Astartes chainsword
- Voice eater
6x Noise Marines (145 pts)
- 1x Disharmonist
- 1x Close combat weapon
- 1x Power sword
- 1x Screamer pistol
- Disharmonist
- 5x Noise Marine
- 2x Blastmaster
- 5x Close combat weapon
- 3x Sonic blaster
- 5x Noise Marines
2x Obliterators (160 pts)
- 2x Obliterator
- 2x Crushing fists
- 2x Fleshmetal guns
2x Obliterators (160 pts)
- 2x Obliterator
- 2x Crushing fists
- 2x Fleshmetal guns
10x Warp Talons (270 pts)
- 10x Warp Talon
- 10x Warp claws
3x Chaos Bikers (70 pts)
- 1x Biker Champion
- 1x Close combat weapon
- 1x Combi-bolter
- 1x Power fist
- Chaos icon
- 2x Biker
- 2x Close combat weapon
- 2x Combi-bolter
- 2x Plasma gun
- 2x Astartes chainsword
1x Chaos Predator Destructor (140 pts)
- 1x Armoured tracks
- 1x Havoc launcher
- 1x Predator autocannon
- 1x Combi-weapon
- 2x Lascannon
1x Chaos Predator Destructor (140 pts)
- 1x Armoured tracks
- 1x Havoc launcher
- 1x Predator autocannon
- 1x Combi-weapon
- 2x Lascannon
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts)
- 1x Armoured tracks
- 1x Combi-bolter
- 1x Havoc launcher
- 1x Combi-weapon
1x Chaos Rhino (75 pts)
- 1x Armoured tracks
- 1x Combi-bolter
- 1x Havoc launcher
- 1x Combi-weapon
Liam pulled out some awesome tricks with his Warp Talons throughout this event which really made the difference. This list was certainly an interesting build seeing the much maligned Obliterators make a return to a top table. They can make the most of their once per game indirect ability targeting their Focus of Hate target to get full re-rolls to hit. The army is backed up with a compliment of great combat units and that ever important full reactive move stratagem which, in the hands of top-tier players, can often be a game breaking mechanic. Liam put it all together here for a nice win taking the three-peat for LGT.
Hammer Cup 2nd Edition – France
Turning to France, home of the current reigning WTC Champions, is the Hammer Cup 2nd Edition a 120+ player event which, per the Mini-Headquarters entry, affirmed to have used WTC Rules. Aeldari reigned supreme in this event piloted to victory with a strong Aspect Host build. Let’s look at the top 5.
- Nainfa – Aeldari – Aspect Host – 5-0
- Druchii – Adeptus Sororitas – Champions of Faith- 5-0
- Anthanora – World Eaters – Berzerker Warband – 5-0
- Urian33 – Aeldari – Warhost – 5-0
- Kurai1996 – Space Wolves – Gladius Task Force – 4-1
The Winning List: Nainfa – Aeldari – Aspect Host
Click to see the list
Aeldari
Aspect Host
Strike Force (2 000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Asurmen (125 Points)
• 1x Bloody Twins
• 1x Sword of Asur
Autarch Wayleaper (95 Points)
• 1x Dragon fusion gun
• 1x Star glaive
• Enhancements: Strategic Savant
Fuegan (120 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fire Axe
• 1x Searsong
Jain Zar (105 Points)
• 1x Blade of Destruction
• 1x Silent Death
Lhykhis (120 Points)
• 1x Brood Twain
• 1x Spider’s Fangs
• 1x Weaverender
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Wave Serpent (125 Points)
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Twin bright lance
• 1x Wraithbone hull
OTHER DATASHEETS
Dire Avengers (75 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Dire Avenger Exarch
â—¦ 2x Avenger shuriken catapult
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Dire Avenger
â—¦ 4x Avenger shuriken catapult
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
Falcon (130 Points)
• 1x Bright lance
• 1x Pulse laser
• 1x Shuriken cannon
• 1x Wraithbone hull
Fire Dragons (220 Points)
• 2x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Fire Dragon Exarch
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Firepike
• 9x Fire Dragon
â—¦ 9x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 9x Dragon fusion gun
Howling Banshees (95 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Howling Banshee Exarch
â—¦ 1x Executioner
â—¦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Howling Banshee
â—¦ 4x Banshee blade
â—¦ 4x Shuriken pistol
Rangers (55 Points)
• 5x Ranger
â—¦ 5x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 5x Long rifle
â—¦ 5x Shuriken pistol
Rangers (55 Points)
• 5x Ranger
â—¦ 5x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 5x Long rifle
â—¦ 5x Shuriken pistol
Rangers (55 Points)
• 5x Ranger
â—¦ 5x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 5x Long rifle
â—¦ 5x Shuriken pistol
Striking Scorpions (85 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Striking Scorpion Exarch
â—¦ 1x Biting blade
â—¦ 1x Shuriken pistol
• 4x Striking Scorpion
â—¦ 4x Scorpion chainsword
â—¦ 4x Shuriken pistol
Swooping Hawks (85 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Lasblaster
Swooping Hawks (85 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Lasblaster
Swooping Hawks (85 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Swooping Hawk Exarch
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Hawk’s talon
• 4x Swooping Hawk
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Lasblaster
Warp Spiders (95 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Powerblade array
• 4x Warp Spider
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Death spinner
Warp Spiders (95 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Death weavers
â—¦ 1x Spinneret rifle
• 4x Warp Spider
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Death spinner
Warp Spiders (95 Points)
• 1x Aspect Shrine Token
• 1x Warp Spider Exarch
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 1x Death weavers
â—¦ 1x Spinneret rifle
• 4x Warp Spider
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Death spinner
In the wake of the latest Balance Dataslate and the sudden nerf to some of its natural predators, Aeldari have returned to the top ends of global competitive play. Here we see an Aspect Host built around the new points decrease for Asurmen and the Dire Avengers, who can certainly maximize their already decent value in Aspect Host with rerolls of 1s to hit followed by rerolling all wounds hopping out of a Falcon. It seems the competitive Aeldari players have shifted over mostly to Aspect Host in the wake of these changes and this type of build looks to be the one moving forward that may see the most traction.
Münsterland Major 3 – Rheine, Germany
Over in Germany we saw the 3rd largest event of the weekend, the Münsterland Major 3, with 73 players. This event was 5 rounds and had more of the usual suspects post-Balance Dataslate with Niklas Frerichs and his Chaos Knights taking the top spot going 5-0. Let’s take a look at the top 5:
- Niklas Frerichs – Chaos Knights – Infernal Lance – 5-0
- Artur Güttler – Ad Mech – Haloscreed Battleclade – 5-0
- Mario Titz – Space Wolves – Stormlance – 4-1
- Wolfgang Grießl – Aeldari – Aspect Host – 4-1
- Lennox Hemke – World Eaters – Berzerker Warband – 4-1
The Winning List: Niklas Frerichs – Chaos Knights – Infernal Lance
Click to see the list
Chaos Knights
Infernal Lance
CHARACTER
1x Knight Despoiler (375 pts)
• 1x Titanic feet
• 1x Ruinspear rocket pod
• 1x Despoiler gatling cannon
• 1x Heavy darkflamer
• 1x Despoiler gatling cannon
• 1x Heavy darkflamer
• 1x Diabolus heavy stubber
1x Knight Despoiler (375 pts)
• 1x Titanic feet
• 1x Ruinspear rocket pod
• 1x Despoiler gatling cannon
• 1x Heavy darkflamer
• 1x Despoiler gatling cannon
• 1x Heavy darkflamer
• 1x Diabolus heavy stubber
1x Knight Despoiler (375 pts)
• 1x Titanic feet
• 1x Ruinspear rocket pod
• 1x Despoiler gatling cannon
• 1x Heavy darkflamer
• 1x Despoiler gatling cannon
• 1x Heavy darkflamer
• 1x Diabolus heavy stubber
• Warlord
OTHER DATASHEETS
1x War Dog Karnivore (150 pts)
• 1x Reaper chaintalon
• 1x Slaughterclaw
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (150 pts)
• 1x Reaper chaintalon
• 1x Slaughterclaw
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Karnivore (150 pts)
• 1x Reaper chaintalon
• 1x Slaughterclaw
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
1x War Dog Stalker (140 pts)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Daemonbreath spear
• 1x Slaughterclaw
1x War Dog Stalker (140 pts)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Daemonbreath spear
• 1x Slaughterclaw
1x War Dog Stalker (140 pts)
• 1x Havoc multi-launcher
• 1x Daemonbreath spear
• 1x Slaughterclaw
Triple Despoilers with Double Gatling Cannons complimented by Karnivores and Stalkers, this build has been fairly typical from what we have seen with winning Chaos Knights lists since the codex released. Infernal Lance continues to prove it is the strongest detachment, being able to pick Sustained Hits or Lethal Hits on all those Gatling Cannon shots makes for a rough time for any army.
Meta and Faction Win Rates
Stat-check recently put out their latest global faction win rates data since the release of Imperial Knights and the last Balance Dataslate. Ad Mech sit atop the food chain after their massive facelift having a 59% win rate with Sisters matching pace. Deathwatch pops in at 58% but with only a player count of 10 total players this might be a bit skewed. The most feared faction post-Balance Dataslate update, Aeldari, see a win rate climb up to 56%. As to the former big meta bullies, Imperial Knights, Chaos Knights and Death Guard, all 3 saw significant shifts since the update floating between a 45-48% win rate.
Final Thoughts
There were certainly some big surprises this weekend. Aeldari not making it into the Top 8 at the London GT along with CSM winning that event with a detachment many players had written off as “the worst in the codex.” The Knight varieties and Death Guard have seen their win rates drop drastically but have proven that in capable hands, they can still deliver top finishes also.
Ad Mech certainly look to be the faction to watch heading into LVO. They have very rarely been seen in competitive play and not may people know how they work so they could end up making a big splash in Vegas this year. It’s going to be an exciting close-out to the “year of Chaos” in competitive 40K.
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See you on the tabletop.
