Here’s my wishlist of the new Grotmas Warhammer 40k rules and balance dataslate changes that could shake up the current meta in all the right ways.
It’s already the holidays, and I think the Warhammer 40k meta is long overdue for some fresh rules tweaks. Fortunately, the upcoming December Balance dataslate and Grotmas Updates could be just the ticket.
From overperforming factions to units that never quite pull their weight, the current state of play has plenty of room for fine-tuning. Our wishlist cuts straight to the fixes that will keep games exciting and armies feeling fair.
If you’re ready for a smoother, sharper playstate, let’s talk about the changes that really need to happen now.
Must-Have 40k Meta Balance Fixes: Balance Dataslate Wishlist
Competitive 40k players love one thing more than rolling dice and arguing about obscure line of sight calls: complaining about 40k. Honestly, it is the real national sport at this point, and that is fine. It means folks care, they are plugged in, and they want the game to keep getting better. Edition after edition, Warhammer keeps pulling that off, which is probably why we are all still here instead of touching grass.
Since the dust settled from the World Championships of Warhammer, a handful of datasheets have dropped that landed like a drop pod full of bricks.
Top of the pile: Victrix Honor Guard, the blue-and-gold wrecking crew that will absolutely fold you in half if you show up unready.
These lads are four wounds each, sitting on a 2+ save, swinging a ridiculous stack of attacks, cutting one wound off anything that even looks at them, and yes, they Blood Surge. All that, and the unit sits at a casual 210 points for six. On top of that, Ultramarines give them a rules buffet that would make a Chapter Master blush, plus a new Gladius trick for extra tricks.
Outside of the Honor Guard menace, the usual problems have not gone away. Admech are still way too efficient and priced like someone forgot to carry a digit. They are durable, quick, flooding the board, and now they hit like a truck with Oaths layered on top.
Eldar are still Eldar. They continue to sit right where they have been all edition, poking the meta with pointy sticks. A tiny tap to Fire Dragons might chill them out, but do not hold your breath.
Then there is the newcomer stirring the pot, Drukhari. Their WCW showing cranked fresh energy into the faction through Spectacle of Spite. Keep your head on a swivel for units juking across the board and charging you during your own movement phase, since that is a thing we live with now.
Dude, Where’s My New 40k Detachment?
GW is hinting that this round of Grotmas is not stopping at fresh detachments for every codex. That opens the door to rule tweaks, bigger reworks, and maybe even a couple of surprises. I’m thinking this could be even better than last year!
Last year’s drops ran the full spectrum. Starshatter Arsenal turned Necrons into a permanent metal wave generator. Legion of Excess was so busted it felt like someone typed the wrong number into a spreadsheet and rolled with it. Then you had Blood Legion, which arrived, waved politely, and wandered off into the void with zero impact.
GW has been absolutely crushing it all edition, so I fully expect this Grotmas to be the same.
Buffs or Nerfs?
I am a firm supporter of buffs over nerfs, but the current meta is already in pretty solid shape. The top end has a little too much spice, so a few small taps should calm things down. Admech, Victrix Honor Guard, and Eldar could use quick nudges to let the rest of the field breathe without gutting their identity.
Once you square that away, you can start handing out the fun stuff. Points are always the easiest dial to turn, but there are plenty of factions that need more than a price check. Some datasheets have faded into cryptid status.
Reworking a couple of those could shake things up for armies like Grey Knights, who have not been living their best life lately. Even a light tune on a melee profile can give a gunline faction a new angle and turn them into an honest combined arms force.
Final Thoughts From Us: 40k Balance Dataslate Wishlisting
Balance in Warhammer 40k isn’t just about trimming numbers or rewriting rules; it’s about keeping the game fun for everyone who rolls dice.
Grotmas is loud, chaotic, and mildly unhinged. Perfect fit for 40k. It brings meta shakeups, lets GW experiment, and gives us all something fresh to argue about. Legion of Excess proved that too much spice can cook the whole pot, but you cannot find the good stuff unless you try some wild ideas first.
Players learn by making mistakes, so it makes sense that 40k gets better the same way. Toss it at the wall, see what sticks, and have a laugh when something hits too hard.
So what are you hoping for this Grotmas?
Latest 40k Balance Dataslate and Grotmas 40k Rules Changes
