See which Warhammer 40k factions are crushing the meta and which ones are flopping hard in a full ranking of the best and worst 40k armies right now.
Updated on September 10th, 2025, by Rob Baer, this list features the latest best and worst Warhammer 40k armies that are currently overpowered in the meta.
Games Workshop has been keeping a close eye on the competitive meta lately, trying to keep every Warhammer 40k army at that sweet 50% win rate with their Balance Dataslates, Points updates, Rules Commentary, and FAQs.
We’ll look at 40k win rates, event wins, and the occasional crisis of faith as we break down the best and worst Warhammer 40k factions, reshaping the landscape.
So, whether you’re gearing up for a tournament or just trying to figure out what to paint next, this is the scoop you don’t want to miss!
Which Warhammer Armies Are Currently Overpowered: Tier List
Image Source: Auspex Tactics
Which Warhammer armies are currently overpowered? Well, that’s pretty easy, Genestealer Cults and Death Guard (still) are the best 40k armies!
The latest tier shake-up paints a clear picture of who’s thriving and who’s gasping for air in the Warhammer 40k meta. Sitting comfortably in S-Tier, we’ve got Genestealer Cults, Death Guard, Imperial Knights, and Thousand Sons.
Genestealer Cults hit a 55% win rate with two event wins, while Death Guard, even after nerfs, are still tearing through events with a staggering eight wins at a 54% win rate. Knights and Thousand Sons hold steady at 54% with their mix of brute force and psychic control, proving they’re far from fading away.
Warhammer 40k Factions A & B Tiers:
In A-Tier, factions like World Eaters, Chaos Knights, Adepta Sororitas, Aeldari, and Blood Angels are circling the top tables. They may not be breaking the meta, but they’re consistent threats with solid showings and event wins sprinkled in. Necrons, too, have clawed their way into this bracket, showing they’re no relic of the past.
The B-Tier is where balance lives. Tyranids, Space Wolves, Leagues of Votann, Chaos Daemons, Adeptus Custodes, and the Tau Empire are all hanging out around that sweet 48–51% win rate zone. These armies can absolutely podium with the right pilot, but they’re not warping the scene on their own.
C & D Tiers:
Things start looking rough in C-Tier. Chaos Space Marines, Drukhari / Dark Eldar, Astra Militarum, Black Templars, Adeptus Mechanicus, and generic Space Marines are struggling to break through. They’re not hopeless, but they need stronger lists, creative builds, or a patch of good luck to keep up with the big dogs.
Then there’s D-Tier, where the pain lives. Imperial Agents technically have the highest win rate, but with less than 1% of players and only 36 games played, they don’t really count. Dark Angels are limping along at 46% despite snagging two event wins. Orks are in the absolute worst spot with a sad 39% win rate, no event wins, and no 4-0 starts.
Deathwatch and Grey Knights are right there with them, falling short of the mark and struggling to find footing in competitive play.
The big takeaway? The latest balance changes worked well overall, with 15 factions clustered around the middle and feeling genuinely competitive. But until the next round of tweaks, expect Genestealer Cults and Death Guard to keep running the table while Orks keep asking where their Waaagh! went.
Warhammer 40k Factions: Win Rates (September 3rd, 2025)
Stat Check shared their latest Warhammer 40k factions’ win rates for the armies that need buffs and those that are currently overpowered.
Like we said already, Genestealer Cults sit at the top of the Warhammer 40k meta with a 55% win rate and two event wins. Technically, the Imperial Agents are the top, but with less than 1% of all players, there isn’t enough data to really give them the top spot.
The Death Guard laughed off NERFs with a 54% win rate and eight wins, not as wild as before, but still super strong. Imperial Knights and Thousand Sons are holding steady around 54%, with Space Wolves and Aeldari starting to bite into the top tables and even manage a couple of wins.
Fifteen armies sit comfortably balanced between 48% and 51%, showing that the recent changes have been effective for the Warhammer meta. Honestly, there are some issues, but that is a good sight to see.
The Bottom of the Meta
At the bottom, Dark Angels and Chaos Space Marines hover in the mid-40s (but did pick up some wins). Grey Knights and Emperor’s Children are struggling, and have been for a little while now.
The Orks are in the dumps with a 39% win rate and no event wins. They had a very short-lived time at the top, and GW has seemingly been punishing for that wild win rate for a while now.
The middle of the pack feels the healthiest it’s been in a while, but the outliers make it clear who’s dominating and who’s barely holding on. For now, the green tide is less of a wave and more of a puddle, and it’s going to take more than a few teef to fix it. Until then, expect to see more cult ambushes, plague-ridden death balls, and stompy robots than Waaagh! cries at your next event.
Final Thoughts on The Best & Worst Warhammer 40k Armies
The Warhammer 40k meta feels like a never-ending rollercoaster, and right now the Genestealer Cults and Death Guard are the ones riding up front with their hands in the air. The mid-table looks pretty healthy with most factions hanging tight, but Orks, Grey Knights, and a few others are still stuck in the mud.
If you’re chasing wins, the Warhammer 40k tier list points straight toward plague, cult tricks, or big stompy robots. If you’re painting for fun, well, at least you know which armies might get some love in the next round of changes.
Until then, get those reps in, keep an eye out for the new dataslate, and maybe give your Ork buddy a hug they’re going to need it.
If you are looking for more on the Best Warhammer 40k armies in the meta right now. Read our in-depth breakdowns of the latest top army finishers at major events, our recent 40k Meta Monday articles, and army lists by tournaments.
Also, be sure to check out the latest Warhammer 40000 Best Army resources below.
- Weekly Warhammer 40k Tournament Coverage & Top Tier Army Lists
- Latest Balance Dataslate
- 40k Points Update & Changes
- Upcoming Warhammer Tournaments & Events
- Latest Warhammer 40k Rumors
- New Release Roadmap For Warhammer 40k
- Warhammer 40k 10th Edition Balance Dataslate Updates
- Warhammer 40k Codex Release Date Guide
- 40k Base Sizes Resource Guide
- How to Paint Miniatures: Warhammer & Other Tabletop Games
A Complete Guide to All The Warhammer 40k Armies
What do you think about the best and worst lists in the metawatch right now, the current Warhammer 40k meta tier lists, and which Warhammer 40k armies are currently overpowered?
Not sure why high player base is considered more impressive. Death Guard have the most wins and the highest playrate, which is statistically expected, and is less impressive than having most wins and a low playrate. Someone needs a stats lesson
Simply put, one is indicative of skill, and the other indicates a faction may be a little overpowered if “anyone” can do it, lol. Hope that clears it up for you.