Is 40k that broke that we need to fix it? I feel like no “major” event sans one has even allowed all the current 7th Edition rules in it as of yet, so what is everyone afraid of?
Sure Wraithknights are “a thing”, but chances are at a competitive event they will get taken down by the several lists out there that can just wreck them early on. Gravstars, alpha stike gravs, and Kataphrons drop these guys cold. But honestly just the fact that they are the 40k boogeymen now and so many people fear them, 40k Tournament Organizers seem to be changing their events based on that whim of public opinion.
And why shouldn’t they, people want to feel like they “have a chance” when they go to an event, right? Problem is there for every action an equal and opposite reaction occurs, and in 40k when you start creating vacuums in the meta other lists that were seemingly bland start to rise to prominence at events (heck or in the case of Seerstar are created on accident to compete in an event itself Circa 2013)
Power Vacuum
It is a political term used to describe a vacancy or weakness in the power structure of a nation or region. The danger is that a group that does not have the country or region’s best interests in mind may fill the vacuum before an appropriate new government can be installed.
Now lets change that to relate to the 40k Competitive scene a bit.
A vacancy or weakness in the power structure of armies that can be fielded. The danger is that a new army that no one is prepared for, or that was seemingly innocuous, or held in check before, may rise to fill the vacuum before yet more restrictions can be placed on the system.
Starting to see my point now? Those players that wanted to have a good time, and Tournament Organizers depend on to come to their events now have to contend with a new shift in meta that they may not be familiar with. Plus chances are that deep down these are just casual players that really don’t have a grasp on the meta anyways, and now they may just experience the same “feel bad” experience at the event that they had such high hopes for.
Are these the three things you shouldn’t change about 40k?
- Removing Gargantuan Creatures / Super Heavies,
- Removing Invisibility
- Removing Grav Weapons?
Let’s map this out a bit, and take a look at how the current 40k meta may be right now.
Say this is how things stack up in a meta where all rules are allowed:
40k’s Top Tier Lists?
Eldar Wraithknight / Scat Bike Spam. Weak against Gravstars, alpha stike gravs, and Kataphrons. D weapons are also very bad for them where “allowed”
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Adeptus Mechanicus Conclave Lists. Weak against flyers, hordes and Daemons, and perhaps Knights.
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Imperial Knight Formation Armies (like Tripartite or Adamantite Lances) Weak against Eldar Wraithknight / Scat Bike Spam, and Tyranid / Daemon FMCs.
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“Super Friends” Bikestar (OR Thunder Wolf Star) lists. Weak against Eldar Wraithknight / Scat Bike Spam, and possibly grav lists depending on the player. Plus of course D weapons and STOMPS.
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Daemonbomb Armies with Multi Flying Monstrous Creatures. Weak Against Adeptus Mechanicus Conclave Lists, and “Super Friends” Bikestar lists.
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Tyranid Flying Monstrous Creature Lists – Weak Against Invisible Mechanic Armies like Superfriends and Grav heavy lists.
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Necron Decurion – Weak Against Invisible Mechanic Armies like Superfriends and Grav heavy lists, and lists the can close fast on statci battle lines.
You’ll notice from that chart, a lot of those top lists seem to counter-balance each other. Sure ultimately it comes down to who’s piloting said lists because very rarely will you see a novice player trump a veteran player outside of the formulas above (but it can happen).
Except that is when you remove one of these lists from the meta, and create… a Power Vacuum.
Say you make an event with no super heavies, and no Gargantuan Creatures (which also pretty much means de-facto no D weapons or stomps). Now most death star lists that can muster Invisibility seem to naturally rise to the top. Take a look:
40k Meta – Removing Super Heavy or Gargantuan Creatures ?
Adeptus Mechanicus Conclave Lists. Weak against flyers, hordes and Daemons, and perhaps Knights and super friends depending on the player. This army type switches from Conclave lists to some sort of Hybrid list of Kataphons and Astartes chapter for X ability / Drop Pods.
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“Super Friends” Bikestar (OR Thunder Wolf Star) lists. Weak against Eldar Wraithknight / Scat Bike Spam, and possibly grav lists depending on the player. Plus of course D weapons and Stomps.
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Daemonbomb Armies with Multi Flying Monstrous Creatures. Weak Against Adeptus Mechanicus Conclave Lists, and “Super Friends” Bikestar lists.
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Tyranid Flying Monstrous Creature Lists – Weak Against Invisible Mechanic Armies like Superfriends and Grav heavy lists.
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Necron Decurion – Weak Against Invisible Mechanic Armies like Superfriends and Grav heavy lists, and lists the can close fast on static battle lines.
Now this chart seems to indicate that “super friend” type death star lists that may (or may not) have an invisibility mechanic, will rise to the top as they literally have no opposing army in this meta that can oppose them reliably. Obviously some of these other armies will have an easier time as well too according to this chart.
Let’s go down this rabbit hole one more level and see what may turn up. What’s another hot button issue out there right now, Invisibility right? How do you think the meta would react to both Invisibility AND Super Heavies / Gargantuan Creatures being removed?
40k Meta – Removing Invisibility / Super Heavies / Gargantuan Creatures?
Adeptus Mechanicus Conclave Lists. Weak against flyers, hordes and Daemons, and perhaps Knights and super friends depending on the player. This army type switches from Conclave lists to some sort of Hybrid list of Kataphons and Astartes chapter for X ability / Drop Pods.
•
Daemonbomb Armies with Multi Flying Monstrous Creatures. Weak Against Adeptus Mechanicus Conclave Lists, and “Super Friends” Bikestar lists.
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Tyranid Flying Monstrous Creature Lists – Weak Against Invisible Mechanic Armies like Superfriends and Grav heavy lists.
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Necron Decurion – Weak Against Invisible Mechanic Armies like Superfriends and Grav heavy lists, and lists the can close fast on static battle lines.
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Space Marine & Dark Angel Decurions –Weak Against Invisible Mechanic Armies like Superfriends and Grav heavy lists, Eldar Wraithknight / Scat Bike Spam, and possibly grav lists depending on the player. Plus of course D weapons and Stomps.
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Tau Super Shooty Lists – Weak Against Invisible Mechanic Armies like Superfriends and Grav heavy lists, and lists the can close fast on static battle lines.
Wow look at that, two whole new armies that may have never had the chance to be in contention for the top, seem to creep into the meta when both Invisibility AND Super Heavies / Gargantuan Creatures are removed.
Not to mention the fact that I’m pretty sure some sort of Eldar list that relies on Scat Jetbikes would sneak back into relevancy at this level of meta as well. The winner in this level of meta seems to be Necrons perhaps and Daemons. We KNOW Daemons will rise in this environment because of the hurting they did at Bay Area Open recently.
Also one more thing to keep in mind here, look at the Ad Mech – they literally seem to be the only thing keeping several of these top tier lists in check. I’ll even go out on a limb here and say that the Skyhammer formation would make a dent in this environment as well because of all the grav they have, and their ability to close gaps fast on turn 1/2.
Now after reading all that, where do you think the meta would go if you removed grav weapons?
In conclusion it’s probable I didn’t get all the army archetypes right, and I surely didn’t account for “home brew” lists like the one I got 30th overall with at Adepticon this year, but I think for the most part the reasoning is solid and you can easily draw parallels to the meta in your area or event the last event you went to perhaps.
So, should we keep tinkering with 40k’s rules or should we start playing with our opponents instead of against them? A three hour game seems like a long time to spend with some one to not make a new friend – just sayin.
This has been a test of the 40k Emergency Broadcast System, it was only a test….
Is Assault Back? Charging From Reserves Is Becoming A Trend! – Long War Episode 14
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
