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.
The meta is starting to (somewhat) settle down now and we have some big surprises this week for our Monday Meta review. This week I’m taking a look at the 3 biggest Warhammer 40K tournaments of the weekend of January 16-18th. We start off with the Warhammer Open: Palm Springs over in California, then we head down to the great state of Texas for the Texas Open 2026 Warhammer 40K Championships and finally up a little further north Colorado for the Denver 40K Fight Club January Open 2026. I’ll be taking a look at the top 5 placings of each event along with analysis of the winning lists. Let’s get into it.
Warhammer Open: Palm Springs – Palm Springs, CA – 177 Players
Our first stop is the first GW Open event of 2026 in Palm Springs, CA. This event was the largest of the weekend with 177 players from all along the west coast and beyond. Being an official GW event, the Warhammer Open events tend to give the best glimpse into the meta. And what we’ve seen is things are looking quite healthy overall. Out of the top 16 that made the top bracket we saw 14 different factions represented! The only repeat factions were Tau and Chaos Daemons (each having 2 players respectively). This kind of distribution is exactly what we hope to see this deep into the current edition. Let’s take a look at the top 5.
- Durante “Glynisir” Bozzini – Tau Empire – 8-0
- Junior Aflleje – Leagues of Votann – 7-1
- Zach Point – Space Marines – 6-1-1
- Robert Jones – Death Guard – 6-1-1
- Ben Jurek – Astra Militarum – 7-1
The Winning List: Durante “Glynisir” Bozzini – Tau Empire – Mont’ka
Click to see the List
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ FACTION KEYWORD: Xenos – T’au Empire
+ DETACHMENT: Mont’ka (Killing Blow)
+ TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1980pts
+ WARLORD: Char1: Commander Shadowsun
+ ENHANCEMENT: N/A
+ NUMBER OF UNITS: 17
+
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHARACTER
Commander Shadowsun (100 pts)
• 1x Battlesuit fists
• 1x Flechette launcher
• 2x High-energy fusion blaster
• 1x Light missile pod
• 1x Pulse pistol
• Warlord
BATTLELINE
Breacher Team (90 pts)
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Pulse blaster
• 1x Pulse pistol
• 1x Support turret
• Guardian Drone, Shield Drone
• 9x Breacher Fire Warriors
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 9x Pulse blaster
• 9x Pulse pistol
OTHER DATASHEETS
Devilfish (85 pts)
• 1x Accelerator burst cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Seeker missile
• 2x Smart missile system
Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 pts)
• 1x Ghostkeel fists
• 1x Cyclic ion raker
• 1x Twin fusion blaster
• Battlesuit support system
Hammerhead Gunship (145 pts)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Railgun
• 2x Seeker missile
• 2x Smart missile system
Kroot Carnivores (65 pts)
• 1x Long-quill
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Kroot pistol
• 1x Kroot carbine
• 1x Kroot Carnivore
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Tanglebomb launcher
• 8x Kroot Carnivores
• 8x Close combat weapon
• 8x Kroot rifle
Pathfinder Team (90 pts)
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Pulse carbine
• 1x Pulse pistol
• 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
• 1x Drone burst cannon
• Gun Drone, Shield Drone, Recon drone
• 1x Drone burst cannon
• 9x Pathfinders
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 6x Pulse carbine
• 9x Pulse pistol
• 3x Ion rifle
Pathfinder Team (90 pts)
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Pulse carbine
• 1x Pulse pistol
• 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
• 1x Drone burst cannon
• Gun Drone, Shield Drone, Recon drone
• 1x Drone burst cannon
• 9x Pathfinders
• 9x Close combat weapon
• 6x Pulse carbine
• 9x Pulse pistol
• 3x Ion rifle
Piranhas (60 pts)
• 1x Piranhas
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Twin pulse carbine
• 1x Piranha fusion blaster
• 2x Seeker missile
Piranhas (60 pts)
• 1x Piranhas
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Twin pulse carbine
• 1x Piranha fusion blaster
• 2x Seeker missile
Riptide Battlesuit (200 pts)
• 1x Riptide fists
• 1x Ion accelerator
• 2x Missile pod
• 1x Twin smart missile system
Riptide Battlesuit (200 pts)
• 1x Riptide fists
• 1x Ion accelerator
• 2x Missile pod
• 1x Twin smart missile system
Riptide Battlesuit (200 pts)
• 1x Riptide fists
• 1x Ion accelerator
• 2x Missile pod
• 1x Twin smart missile system
Sky Ray Gunship (150 pts)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Seeker missile rack
• 2x Smart missile system
Stealth Battlesuits (110 pts)
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
• 1x Pulse pistol
• 1x Fusion blaster
• Homing beacon, Gun Drone, Marker Drone
• 4x Stealth Shas’ui
• 4x Battlesuit fists
• 3x Burst cannon
• 1x Fusion blaster
Stealth Battlesuits (110 pts)
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
• 1x Battlesuit fists
• 1x Pulse pistol
• 1x Fusion blaster
• Homing beacon, Gun Drone, Marker Drone
• 4x Stealth Shas’ui
• 4x Battlesuit fists
• 3x Burst cannon
• 1x Fusion blaster
Vespid Stingwings (65 pts)
• 1x Vespid Strain Leader
• 1x Neutron blaster
• 1x Stingwing claws
• 4x Vespid Stingwings
• 4x Neutron blaster
• 4x Stingwing claws
Durante brings a classic Tau Mont’ka build all the way to the top featuring Triple Riptide, a Skyray, Hammerhead and a Devilfish full of Breachers along with the usual scoring suspects like Steal Battlesuits, Kroot and Pathfinders all led by Shadowsun. This list hits hard early in the game and packs a massive punch in the first 3 turns. Tau have been performing well since the Q4 Balance Dataslate and continue on with a big win at the weekend’s biggest event. Tau are rolling coming into 2026 with little signs of slowing down. It’s a good time to be a fan of the greater good.
Texas Open 2026 – Warhammer 40k Champs – Lewsville, TX – 166 Players
Everything’s bigger in Texas and this year’s Texas Open was a huge event with 166 players. Much like the Warhammer Open, we see a lot of variety in the top 16 but we do see Dark Angels appear twice in the top 5 to include the event winner. Wrath of the Rock has proven to be a formidable detachment in this current meta. Let’s take a look at the top 5.
- Cam Hawkins – Dark Angels – 6-0
- Justin Moore – Space Marines – 6-0
- Nick Carpenter – Aeldari – 5-0-1
- Kit Smith Hanna – Dark Angels – 5-1
- Christian Alessi – Drukhari – 5-1
The Winning List: Cam Hawkins – Dark Angels – Wrath of the Rock
Click to see the List
Space Marines
Dark Angels
Wrath of the Rock
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Azrael (125 Points)
• 1x Lion’s Wrath
• 1x The Lion Helm
• 1x The Sword of Secrets
Chaplain in Terminator Armour (90 Points)
• 1x Crozius arcanum
• 1x Storm bolter
• Enhancements: Deathwing Assault
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 (120 Points)
• 1x Ravenwing Champion
◦ 1x Bolt pistol
◦ 1x Master-crafted power weapon
◦ 1x Plasma talon
• 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
BATTLELINE
Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessor
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol
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
Deathwing Knights (250 Points)
• 1x Watcher in the Dark
• 1x Knight Master
◦ 1x Great weapon of the Unforgiven
• 4x Deathwing Knight
◦ 4x Power weapon
Invader ATV (60 Points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Multi-melta
• 1x Twin bolt rifle
Land Speeder Vengeance (120 Points)
• 1x Assault cannon
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Plasma storm battery
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 (160 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 (160 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 (160 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
Storm Speeder Thunderstrike (135 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Stormfury missiles
• 1x Thunderstrike las-talon
• 1x Twin Icarus rocket pod
You were probably expecting triple Deathwing Knights but Cam pulls a double-whammy with only a single squad, and a ton of Ravenwing Black Knights. That doesn’t mean the Deathwing Knights aren’t a huge part of this list however, being led by a Chaplain in Terminator Armor with the Deathwing Assault enhancement, they’re dropping in potentially on turn 1 which means immediate pressure. Using the Tactical Mastery stratagem, those Ravenwing Black Talons can advance and shoot and charge putting out a ridiculous amount of Plasma and charging in to jail the opponent. Cam uses the strategy to great efficiency here going 6-0 and taking an event win.
Denver 40K Fight Club January Open 2026 – Westminster, CO – 88 Players
We round out this weekend’s Meta Monday in Colorado with the Denver 40K Fight Club January Open 2026. Again, we are seeing a large variety of factions represented in the top 16. Yet again, Tau take the top spot and another event win. Let’s take a look at the top 5.
- John Kilcommons – Tau Empire – 6-0
- Cody Jiru – Drukhari – 6-0
- Travis Armstrong – Adeptus Custodes – 5-1
- Patrick Love – Aeldari – 5-1
- Mason Mutz – Necrons – 5-1
The Winning List: John Kilcommons – Tau Empire – Mont’ka
Click to see the List
T’au Empire
Mont’ka
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Ethereal (90 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Honour stave
• 1x Hover Drone
• 2x Shield Drone
• Enhancements: Coordinated Exploitation
BATTLELINE
Breacher Team (90 Points)
• 1x Support turret
• 1x Breacher Fire Warrior Shas’ui
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Guardian Drone
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 1x Pulse blaster
◦ 1x Pulse pistol
• 9x Breacher Fire Warrior
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Pulse blaster
◦ 9x Pulse pistol
Strike Team (70 Points)
• 1x Support turret
• 1x Fire Warrior Shas’ui
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Guardian Drone
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 1x Pulse pistol
◦ 1x Pulse rifle
• 9x Fire Warrior
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 9x Pulse pistol
◦ 9x Pulse rifle
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Devilfish (85 Points)
• 1x Accelerator burst cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Seeker missile
• 2x Smart missile system
Devilfish (85 Points)
• 1x Accelerator burst cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 2x Seeker missile
• 2x Smart missile system
OTHER DATASHEETS
Ghostkeel Battlesuit (160 Points)
• 1x Battlesuit Support System
• 1x Cyclic ion raker
• 1x Ghostkeel fists
• 1x Twin fusion blaster
Hammerhead Gunship (145 Points)
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Ion cannon
• 2x Seeker missile
Hammerhead Gunship (145 Points)
• 2x Accelerator burst cannon
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Ion cannon
• 2x Seeker missile
Pathfinder Team (90 Points)
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 1x Pulse carbine
◦ 1x Pulse pistol
◦ 1x Recon Drone
◦ 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
◦ 1x Shield Drone
• 9x Pathfinder
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Ion rifle
◦ 6x Pulse carbine
◦ 9x Pulse pistol
Pathfinder Team (90 Points)
• 1x Pathfinder Shas’ui
◦ 1x Close combat weapon
◦ 1x Grav-inhibitor Drone
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 1x Pulse carbine
◦ 1x Pulse pistol
◦ 1x Semi-automatic grenade launcher
◦ 1x Shield Drone
• 9x Pathfinder
◦ 9x Close combat weapon
◦ 3x Ion rifle
◦ 6x Pulse carbine
◦ 9x Pulse pistol
Piranhas (60 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Piranha fusion blaster
• 2x Seeker missile
• 2x Twin pulse carbine
Riptide Battlesuit (200 Points)
• 1x Ion accelerator
• 2x Missile Drone
• 1x Riptide fists
• 1x Twin fusion blaster
Riptide Battlesuit (200 Points)
• 1x Ion accelerator
• 2x Missile Drone
• 1x Riptide fists
• 1x Twin fusion blaster
Riptide Battlesuit (200 Points)
• 1x Ion accelerator
• 2x Missile Drone
• 1x Riptide fists
• 1x Twin fusion blaster
Stealth Battlesuits (110 Points)
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
◦ 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 1x Fusion blaster
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 1x Pulse pistol
• 4x Stealth Shas’ui
◦ 4x Battlesuit fists
◦ 3x Burst cannon
◦ 1x Fusion blaster
◦ 1x Homing Beacon
Stealth Battlesuits (110 Points)
• 1x Stealth Shas’vre
◦ 1x Battlesuit fists
◦ 1x Fusion blaster
◦ 1x Gun Drone
◦ 1x Pulse pistol
• 4x Stealth Shas’ui
◦ 4x Battlesuit fists
◦ 3x Burst cannon
◦ 1x Fusion blaster
◦ 1x Homing Beacon
Vespid Stingwings (65 Points)
• 1x Vespid Strain Leader
◦ 1x Neutron blaster
◦ 1x Stingwing claws
• 4x Vespid Stingwing
◦ 4x Neutron blaster
◦ 4x Stingwing claws
John’s list is very similar to Durante’s build with the core of triple Riptides, Piranhas, Hammerheads and Devilfish with Breachers, but trading in Shadowsun for a lone Ethereal to lead the army. Tau are clearly looking to be top contenders in this new meta and having pulled 2 event wins out of 3 of the biggest events, they seem to be poised to be considered into the top of the A-tier if not potentially flirting with S-tier.
Final Thoughts
Another weekend of big events down and the meta is poised to shift again with the release of the new Necrons updates already hitting the tables. Hard to say what impact they will have, however some of the weekend’s events did allow it, to include the Denver Open event. I would expect to see them hitting the top brackets very soon perhaps as soon as next weekend. Tau certainly look to be in great shape, and given the variety in factions and builds across these events, the meta looks to be in a healthy state with a large variance, which is certainly where we want to be. It means the meta is wide open right now on a global scale and shows that the game is starting to enter a balanced state as the Q4 Balance Dataslate meta starts to solve. The next few weeks will be interesting for sure.
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