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.
As we grow ever closer to Warhammer 40K 11th Edition, it seems the good keep on being good with strong performances from Space Marines, Necrons and T’au in the larger global meta. This weekend there were a couple of surprises at the top placings of the three biggest events, however, which is refreshing to see. This week we are looking at the Tennessee Elite Open in the U.S., Rataclysm 2026 in the land down under, and finally over to Germany for the largest event of the weekend the LEIPZIG MAJOR 40K 2026. Let’s get into it.
Tennessee Elite Open Singles – Hopkinsville, KY – 150 Players
The Tennessee Elite Open is known for hosting some of the best Teams events in the United States. I’ve had the honor of attending one of their events this past January and it was an absolute blast. Frank and the staff at TEO (now re-branded as Tabletop Elite Open) are some of the most professional I’ve ever seen and I’ve been playing for many many years. This weekend they held their singles event featuring 150 players and 7 rounds of 40K. Let’s take a look at the top 5.
- Scott Ketcham – Adeptus Sororitas – 7-0
- Levi Hummon – Tyranids – 6-1
- Aron Huckaba – T’au Empire – 6-1
- Ken Edwards – T’au Empire – 6-1
- Robert Birmingham – T’au Empire – 6-1
The Winning List: Scott Ketcham – Adeptus Sororitas – Hallowed Martyrs
Click to see the List
Adepta Sororitas
Strike Force (2000 points)
Hallowed Martyrs
CHARACTERS
Canoness (70 points)
• 1x Hallowed chainsword
1x Inferno pistol
1x Null Rod
• Enhancement: Saintly Example
Daemonifuge (85 points)
• 1x Ephrael Stern
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Sanctity
• 1x Kyganil of the Bloody Tears
• 1x The Outcast’s Weapons
Dialogus (40 points)
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Dialogus staff
Junith Eruita (80 points)
• 1x Mace of Castigation
1x Twin Ministorum heavy flamer
Ministorum Priest (50 points)
• 1x Zealot’s vindictor
Ministorum Priest (50 points)
• 1x Zealot’s vindictor
Ministorum Priest (50 points)
• 1x Zealot’s vindictor
Morvenn Vahl (185 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Fidelis
1x Lance of Illumination
1x Paragon missile launcher
Palatine (75 points)
• 1x Palatine blade
1x Plasma pistol
• Enhancement: Through Suffering, Strength
Triumph of Saint Katherine (235 points)
• 1x Bolt pistols
1x Relic weapons
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Sororitas Rhino (75 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Storm bolter
OTHER DATASHEETS
Arco-flagellants (140 points)
• 10x Arco-flagellant
• 10x Arco-flails
Arco-flagellants (45 points)
• 3x Arco-flagellant
• 3x Arco-flails
Celestian Insidiants (120 points)
• 1x Celestian Insidiant Superior
• 1x Inferno pistol
1x Null mace
• 9x Celestian Insidiant
• 2x Blessed sword
3x Condemnor bolt pistol
1x Denuncia oratory
2x Ministorum hand flamer
6x Null mace
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
1x Virge of admonition
Celestian Insidiants (120 points)
• 1x Celestian Insidiant Superior
• 1x Inferno pistol
1x Null mace
• 9x Celestian Insidiant
• 2x Blessed sword
3x Condemnor bolt pistol
1x Denuncia oratory
2x Ministorum hand flamer
6x Null mace
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
1x Virge of admonition
Celestian Sacresants (140 points)
• 1x Sacresant Superior
• 1x Anointed halberd
1x Inferno pistol
• 9x Celestian Sacresant
• 9x Anointed halberd
9x Bolt pistol
Paragon Warsuits (210 points)
• 1x Paragon Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Multi-melta
1x Paragon grenade launchers
1x Paragon war mace
• 2x Paragon
• 2x Bolt pistol
2x Multi-melta
2x Paragon grenade launchers
2x Paragon war mace
Retributor Squad (120 points)
• 1x Retributor Superior
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Plasma pistol
1x Power weapon
• 4x Retributor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
4x Multi-melta
Sanctifiers (110 points)
• 1x Miraculist
• 1x Burning hands
1x Holy fire
• 1x Salvationist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Salvationist Medikit
• 1x Death Cult Assassin
• 1x Death Cult blades
• 2x Missionary
• 1x Holy fire
1x Ministorum flamer
1x Plasma gun
2x Sanctifier melee weapon
• 4x Sanctifier
• 2x Close combat weapon
5x Ministorum hand flamer
2x Sanctifier melee weapon
1x Simulacrum Imperialis
Scott pilots his Hallowed Martyrs into a literal sea of T’au (seriously…4 of the top 6 were T’au). Hallowed Martyrs has become a go-to Detachment for the Sisters giving +1 to hit if a unit is below its Starting Strength and +1 to Wound as well if the unit is Below Half-Strength. This applies to both shooting and combat making for a pretty efficient punch when the Nuns start taking casualties. The list is rounded out with the usual suspects we’ve come to see in many of these lists like Retributors, Sanctifiers and Celestian Sacresants and of course Morvenn Vahl. This list packs an efficient punch with a nice suite of Strats that pair well with the unit choices.
Rataclysm 2026 – Australia – 122 Players
Next we’re taking a trip down under to Rataclysm 2026. This 122 player Super Major event featured 6 rounds with a surprise winning list at the top. Unlike the TEO mentioned above, this event somehow wasn’t dominated by T’au, but had a pretty varied top 5.
- Nic Burrows – Blood Angels – 6-0
- Liam Stephens – Chaos Space Marines – 6-0
- Leo Monty – World Eaters – 5-1
- Luke Beveridge – Chaos Space Marines – 5-1
- Joe Bowerman – Thousand Sons – 5-1
The Winning List: Nic Burrows – Blood Angels – Angelic Inheritors
Click to see the List
Space Marines
Blood Angels
Angelic Inheritors
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Apothecary (50 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
• 1x Close combat weapon
• 1x Reductor pistol
Captain with Jump Pack (75 Points)
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Power fist
Captain with Jump Pack (75 Points)
• 1x Plasma pistol
• 1x Power fist
Commander Dante (120 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Perdition Pistol
• 1x The Axe Mortalis
Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (110 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
• Enhancements: Ordained Sacrifice
The Sanguinor (130 Points)
• 1x Dildo of Consequences
â—¦ 0x Lubrication
BATTLELINE
Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Intercessor Sergeant
â—¦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
â—¦ 1x Bolt pistol
â—¦ 1x Bolt rifle
â—¦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Intercessor
â—¦ 4x Bolt pistol
â—¦ 4x Bolt rifle
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
OTHER DATASHEETS
Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
â—¦ 1x Falcon Punch
â—¦ 1x Plasma Pistol
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
â—¦ 4x Astartes chainsword
â—¦ 1x Plasma pistol
â—¦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
Devastator Squad (120 Points)
• 1x Devastator Sergeant
â—¦ 1x Combi Weapon
â—¦ 1x Power fist
â—¦ 1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Devastator
â—¦ 4x Bolt pistol
â—¦ 4x Close combat weapon
â—¦ 4x Lascannon
Gladiator Lancer (160 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Lancer laser destroyer
• 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launcher
Gladiator Lancer (160 Points)
• 1x Armoured hull
• 1x Icarus rocket pod
• 1x Ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Lancer laser destroyer
• 2x Fragstorm Grenade Launcher
Incursor Squad (80 Points)
• 1x Incursor Sergeant
â—¦ 1x Bolt pistol
â—¦ 1x Occulus bolt carbine
â—¦ 1x Paired combat blades
• 4x Incursor
â—¦ 4x Bolt pistol
â—¦ 1x Haywire Mine
â—¦ 4x Occulus bolt carbine
â—¦ 4x Paired combat blades
Sanguinary Guard (125 Points)
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
â—¦ 2x Angelus boltgun
â—¦ 3x Encarmine blade
â—¦ 1x Inferno pistol
â—¦ 1x Sanguinary Banner
Sanguinary Guard (125 Points)
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
â—¦ 2x Angelus boltgun
â—¦ 3x Encarmine blade
â—¦ 1x Inferno pistol
â—¦ 1x Sanguinary Banner
Sanguinary Guard (125 Points)
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
â—¦ 2x Angelus boltgun
â—¦ 3x Encarmine blade
â—¦ 1x Inferno pistol
â—¦ 1x Sanguinary Banner
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
Very fitting that among a top-end field of Chaos forces that the glorious Blood Angels would emerge the victor. Nic’s list features a pretty typical Angelic Inheritors build with the Apothecary leading a squad of 18″ lone op Devastators (with help of a strat), a couple of Vindicators, the dreaded resurrecting Lieutenant with Combi-Weapon and plenty of Sanguinary Guard to clean up in melee and of course, the start of this Detachment, The Sanguinor, who can pull off so many tricks with this Detachment it almost feels unfair for his point value really. The Detachment rule lets you pick 2 of 3 abilities and you’re always taking re-roll hit and wound rolls of 1 and usually fall back and shoot and charge for the other to really maximize the jankiness of The Sanguinor. This list is a powerful way to play Blood Angels and Angelic Inheritors continues to post great results on the top ends of events.
LEIPZIG MAJOR 40K 2026 – Leipzig, Germany – 177 Players
Finally we head over to Germany for the largest event of the weekend, the Leipzig Major 2026 featuring 177 players duking it out over 5 rounds. Because there were so many players and only 5 rounds there were a few undefeated players naturally. Let’s take a look at the top 5.
- Luis Cabrera – Adeptus Custodes – 5-0
- Richard Kirsch – Necrons – 5-0
- Arne Klemens – T’au Empire – 5-0
- Sebastian Bleth – Deathwatch – 5-0
- Mathieu Clerc – Leagues of Votann – 5-0
The Winning List: Luis Cabrera – Adeptus Custodes – Lions of the Emperor
Click to see the List
Adeptus Custodes
Strike Force (2000 points)
Lions of the Emperor
CHARACTERS
Blade Champion (145 points)
• 1x Vaultswords
• Enhancement: Superior Creation
Blade Champion (120 points)
• 1x Vaultswords
Shield-Captain in Allarus Terminator Armour (140 points)
• 1x Balistus grenade launcher
1x Castellan axe
• Enhancement: Admonimortis
Trajann Valoris (140 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Eagle’s Scream
1x Watcher’s Axe
BATTLELINE
Custodian Guard (160 points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 3x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla
Custodian Guard (160 points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 3x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla
Custodian Guard (160 points)
• 4x Custodian Guard
• 3x Guardian spear
1x Misericordia
1x Praesidium Shield
1x Vexilla
OTHER DATASHEETS
Allarus Custodians (110 points)
• 2x Allarus Custodian
• 2x Balistus grenade launcher
2x Guardian spear
Custodian Wardens (260 points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla
Custodian Wardens (260 points)
• 5x Custodian Warden
• 5x Guardian spear
1x Vexilla
Witchseekers (45 points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Witchseeker flamer
Witchseekers (45 points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Witchseeker flamer
Witchseekers (45 points)
• 1x Witchseeker Sister Superior
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Witchseeker flamer
• 3x Witchseeker
• 3x Close combat weapon
3x Witchseeker flamer
ALLIED UNITS
Callidus Assassin (100 points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Inquisitor Draxus (110 points)
• 1x Dirgesinger
1x Power fist
1x Psychic Tempest
Luis’s list features a strong Detachment rule with Lions of the Emperor to get +1 to hit and wound with non-Vehicle Custodes units when more than 6″ from another friendly unit. Combined with a great combination of characters with the ability to use their “once per battle” abilities multiple times with a stratagem, along with fight on death on a 4+ (2+ for a Character), Fall Back and shoot and charge and a reactive move. This Detachment features a lot of tools that helps ramp up the hitting power of those Custodes units. I’ve been playing a version of this myself since January and in fact this list is nearly identical to my own with the exception of the Witchseekers and second squad of Wardens (I trade those out for a pair of Caladius Grav-tanks in my own version) so I can attest to it’s raw hitting power and efficiency personally.
Final Thoughts
This was a great weekend for Warhammer 40K events and we finally see some lists winning that aren’t Space Marines, which begs the question, is the meta becoming a bit more varied, or are people just getting bored with pushing Guilliman and a couple of Repulsor Executioners and Victrix around? There was a nice variance of builds at the top ends but we didn’t see as much maybe out of the Defiler as we expected? I would have predicted Emperor’s Children to have a more prevalent showing, but it is the first weekend since the model’s release so I’m sure we will see them there soon.
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