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.
2026 Is starting with a bang and it sounds like bolter fire! I hope your holiday season was great and the Red Gobbo was generous. It’s time to get back into the swing of things in competitive 40K and with the first events of the new year rolling out, it appears it’s all about power armor so far. This week we’re taking a look at 3 of the biggest events of the weekend of January 3-4th 2026. We start off at the Glass City Grand Tournament in Ohio, then it’s off to New Hampshire for the Midgard January 2026 Grand Tournament and we end with Defcon 2026 across the pond in Sweden. Let’s get into it.
Glass City Grand Tournament – Toledo, OH – 100 Players
Glass City was the largest event of the New Year’s weekend with 100 players in Toledo, OH. This event featured some very notable names and stiff competition including the 2024 Warhammer Worlds Champion Folger Pyles and the legendary Brad Chester. This event featured some of the top competition in the U.S. Conan Jennings takes the event with his Ultramarines. You may be thinking, oh brother not another 18 Victrix Honour Guard list. Well, think again. Let’s take a look at the top 5 and Conan’s winning list.
- Conan Jennings – Space Marines – 5-0
- Folger Pyles – Drukhari – 5-0
- Brad Chester – Space Marines – 5-0
- Kyle Trayah – Chaos Space Marines – 4-1
- Anthony Hilla – Space Marines – 4-1
The Winning List: Conan Jennings – Space Marines – Blade of Ultramar
Click to see the List
Space Marines
Ultramarines
Blade of Ultramar
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Captain in Gravis Armour (90 Points)
• 1x Boltstorm gauntlet
• 1x Power fist
• 1x Relic blade
• Enhancements: 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
Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs (90 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant with Jump Pack
◦ 1x Hand flamer
◦ 1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessors with Jump Packs
◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
◦ 3x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 1x Plasma pistol
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
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
◦ 4x Bolt pistol
◦ 4x Close combat weapon
◦ 2x Combat knife
◦ 1x Heavy bolter
◦ 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
Conan has been running Space Marines in major competitive events for a while now and has become one of the best Space Marines players in the U.S. He takes out the new Blade of Ultramar detachment out to an undefeated placing with only a single unit of Victrix Honour Guard led no doubt by Marneus Calgar with the usual shooting suspects you’ve come to know and love (or hate) in Space Marines in the form of Ballistus Dreadnoughts and double Repulsor Executioners. Blade of Ultramar is a great choice here with Calgar as it allows you to shift into a Combat Doctrine multiple times during the course of the game as opposed to only once in Gladius Task Force. With Guilliman handing out an extra Oath of Moment, this list is efficient and lethal.
Midgard January 2026 Grand Tournament – Derry, NH – 35 Players
Heading over to the east coast in New Hampshire we have the Midgard January 2026 GT. Another 5 round event and this time Space Marines are victorious again. This time however it’s not the boys in blue but the rage-filled Blood Angels. Casey Glynn takes the new Rage-Cursed Onslaught detachment to an undefeated finish and an event win. Let’s take a look at the top 5 and Casey’s list.
- Casey Glynn – Blood Angels – 5-0
- Ari C – Drukhari – 4-1
- Tommy DiMartino – Grey Knights – 4-1
- Drew Salzborn – Leagues of Votann – 4-1
- Alex Ing – Adeptus Sororitas – 4-1
The Winning List: Casey Glynn – Blood Angels – Rage-Cursed Onslaught
Click to see the List
Space Marines
Blood Angels
Rage-cursed Onslaught
Strike Force (2,000 Points)
CHARACTERS
Captain with Jump Pack (75 Points)
• 1x Relic Shield
• 1x Thunder hammer
Chaplain with Jump Pack (100 Points)
• 1x Crozius arcanum
• 1x Power fist
• Enhancements: Master of the Red Thirst
Lemartes (100 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
• 1x The Blood Crozius
Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (70 Points)
• 1x Combi-weapon
• 1x Paired combat blades
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
Baal Predator (125 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Baal flamestorm cannon
• 2x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter
Baal Predator (125 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
• 1x Baal flamestorm cannon
• 2x Heavy bolter
• 1x Hunter-killer missile
• 1x Storm bolter
Death Company Dreadnought (160 Points)
• 1x Blood talons
• 1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Twin multi-melta
Death Company Dreadnought (160 Points)
• 1x Blood talons
• 1x Twin Icarus ironhail heavy stubber
• 1x Twin multi-melta
Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (230 Points)
• 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs
◦ 5x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Eviscerator
◦ 8x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 2x Inferno pistol
◦ 3x Power fist
Death Company Marines with Jump Packs (230 Points)
• 10x Death Company Marine with Jump Packs
◦ 5x Astartes chainsword
◦ 2x Eviscerator
◦ 8x Heavy bolt pistol
◦ 2x Inferno pistol
◦ 3x Power fist
Sanguinary Guard (125 Points)
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
◦ 2x Angelus boltgun
◦ 3x Encarmine spear
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Sanguinary Banner
Sanguinary Guard (125 Points)
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
◦ 2x Angelus boltgun
◦ 3x Encarmine spear
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Sanguinary Banner
Sanguinary Guard (125 Points)
• 3x Sanguinary Guard
◦ 2x Angelus boltgun
◦ 3x Encarmine spear
◦ 1x Inferno pistol
◦ 1x Sanguinary Banner
ALLIED UNITS
Callidus Assassin (100 Points)
• 1x Neural shredder
• 1x Phase sword and poison blades
Casey takes an interesting approach with both 2 Baal Predators and 2 Death Company Dreadnoughts along with 2 large bricks of Death Company Marines with Jump Packs and 3 x3 Sanguinary Guard with only one single leader for one of the squads. This list is of course all about pure aggression and pressure. The “sticky” strat in this detachment really helps this list shine with the Blood Angels specific units like the Baal Predators and the Death Company Dreadnought. The strat triggers to sticky an objective when a Blood Angels unit is destroyed within range of an objective marker you control. The fact that this is locked to Blood Angels specific units really incentivizes taking those chapter specific units. Not to mention, all the other amazing strats and abilities available in the detachment. It’s a recipe for success. Blood Angels have been seeing a lot of success since the release of their new detachment during Grotmas and I expect we will see that success continue at least for the next couple of months of 2026.
Defcon 2026 – Sweden – 47 Players
We close out this weekend’s meta Monday over in Sweden with Defcon 2026. While Space Marines dominated the biggest events of the new year stateside, across the pond it was a largely different story. This could also be due to terrain differences as this event utilized the WTC terrain layouts as opposed to the GW layouts which are more commonly used in the U.S. Let’s take a look at the top 5.
- Simon von Berlepsch – Emperor’s Children – 4-0-1
- Martin Hultgren – Chaos Daemons – 4-0-1
- Frank Kummel – Genestealer Cult – 3-0-2
- Max Gullberg – Blood Angels – 4-1
- Simon Olsson – Adeptus Sororitas – 4-1
The Winning List: Simon von Berlepsch – Emperor’s Children – Coterie of the Conceited
Click to see the List
Emperor’s Children
Strike Force (2000 points)
Coterie of the Conceited
CHARACTERS
Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (245 points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Pledge of Unholy Fortune
Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (240 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
• Enhancement: Pledge to Eternal Servitude
Daemon Prince of Slaanesh with Wings (215 points)
• 1x Hellforged weapons
1x Infernal cannon
Lord Exultant (80 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Phoenix power spear
1x Rapture lash
Lord Exultant (80 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Phoenix power spear
1x Rapture lash
Lord Exultant (80 points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Phoenix power spear
1x Rapture lash
Lord Kakophonist (70 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Screamer pistol
Lord Kakophonist (70 points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
2x Screamer pistol
BATTLELINE
Infractors (85 points)
• 1x Obsessionist
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Rapture lash
• 4x Infractor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Duelling sabre
1x Icon of Excess
Infractors (85 points)
• 1x Obsessionist
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Rapture lash
• 4x Infractor
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Duelling sabre
1x Icon of Excess
Tormentors (85 points)
• 1x Obsessionist
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Rapture lash
• 4x Tormentor
• 2x Boltgun
4x Close combat weapon
1x Icon of Excess
1x Meltagun
1x Plasma gun
DEDICATED TRANSPORTS
Chaos Rhino (80 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
Chaos Rhino (80 points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Combi-bolter
1x Combi-weapon
1x Havoc launcher
OTHER DATASHEETS
Chaos Spawn (70 points)
• 2x Chaos Spawn
• 2x Hideous mutations
Noise Marines (145 points)
• 1x Disharmonist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
• 2x Blastmaster
5x Close combat weapon
3x Sonic blaster
Noise Marines (145 points)
• 1x Disharmonist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
• 2x Blastmaster
5x Close combat weapon
3x Sonic blaster
Noise Marines (145 points)
• 1x Disharmonist
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Sonic blaster
• 5x Noise Marine
• 2x Blastmaster
5x Close combat weapon
3x Sonic blaster
How many times can they nerf these Emperor’s Children Daemon Princes before they stop winning events?! This list is pretty typical of what we have seen of Coterie builds with triple Daemon Princes with Wings, Noise Marines, Infractors and Tormentors. WTC is notably more dense of a terrain set than GW and we can see just how much that can impact event results. With lots of ruins to hide and stage it gives armies like Emperor’s Children a tremendous advantage in the game. Interesting to note that removed from these top 5 results are Space Marines, where you would expect Victrix Honour Guard builds to shine in this type of event, none are present in the top 5 at all.
Final Thoughts
What a big start to the new year. Space Marines and Blood Angels really flexing their muscles in the post-Q4 Balance Dataslate meta. While Victrix Honour Guard spam is the notable meta boogeyman at the moment, other armies are seeing great event results including Drukhari with Spectacle of Spite and Blood Angels with Rage-Cursed Onslaught. It’s looking to be an exciting 2026 with the meta in an overall healthy state. A large variety of factions can compete at the highest of levels which really accentuates player skill over sheer codex power. The next few weeks will be interesting to say the least.
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