40k tournament players are familiar with two F-tier armies on seemingly different trajectories, but not all is what it seems in the meta.
This week, we are taking another look at the top Warhammer 40k armies on the tournament scene and why they work in the current meta.
This week brought us some expected and not-so-expected results in the 40k Meta. We will look at the Los Angeles Classic GT (Los Angeles, CA) and Bedlam in the Burgh (Coraopolis, PA), both 50-player events that were run this weekend.
Towering Over The Warhammer 40k META
Imperial Knights took a page out of the Chaos Knights book with Marcus Kehoe’s Noble Lance, 10 Baby Knights, and Canis Rex to lead them, a Callidus for Vect and Secondaries. This army is Melta 4-ing it’s way through the competition.
With 6 Warglaives with Thermal Spears (S12, AP-4, D6 Melta 4) and Chain Cleavers, the list rips through anything that fails an invulnerable save. The Melta and high strength on the Thermal Spears make quick work of C’tan and other seemingly tanky monsters/vehicles that are commonly seen in tournament lists.
Canis Rex, as his name implies, wrecks as well. We’ve seen Canis taken even as an addition to other Imperium Armies like Grey Knights recently as well. He’s just an awesome model that hits like a truck. Damage 9 melee strikes and sustained hits on 5+ for all his attacks, this model is well suited to take on nearly any opponent.
Oh, and it’s an Imperium army, so you’ll see the obligatory Callidus at the end.
Marcus Kehoe’s Imperial Knights
Strike Force (2000 points)
Noble LanceCHARACTERS
Canis Rex (435 points)
• Warlord
• 1x Chainbreaker las-impulsor
1x Chainbreaker multi-laser
1x Freedom’s HandBATTLELINE
Armiger Helverin (140 points)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubberArmiger Helverin (140 points)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubberArmiger Helverin (140 points)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubberArmiger Helverin (140 points)
• 2x Armiger autocannon
1x Armoured feet
1x Questoris heavy stubberArmiger Warglaive (150 points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spearArmiger Warglaive (150 points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spearArmiger Warglaive (150 points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spearArmiger Warglaive (150 points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spearArmiger Warglaive (150 points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spearArmiger Warglaive (150 points)
• 1x Questoris heavy stubber
1x Reaper chain-cleaver
1x Thermal spearALLIED UNITS
Callidus Assassin (90 points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
The list is straightforward and effective. It brings a stat check T10-12 line across the board and a lot of firepower while still maintaining a relatively high unit count for scoring purposes.
Marcus didn’t shy away from raking in the points either to secure the W at Bedlam in the ‘Burgh, posting 100/93/99/98/91, an impressive showing for one of the so-called “bad” armies right now!
Oops! All Vehicles!?
Sticking it out in the ‘Burgh, we have another undefeated list brought to you by Ryan Snyder. Another “heavy” list coming out of this event, we see an Ironstorm with exclusively vehicle datasheets (don’t mind their 75-95 point Techmarine enhancements Lone Operating behind them).
This list is committed to what it wants to do: Big Tanks with Big Guns! Much like Marcus’ Knights, this list relies entirely on Hulls to do everything from holding objectives to dealing damage, and that seemed to be the theme of this event since both players managed to secure undefeated runs.
Three Predator Annihilators, Three Predator Destructors, Three Repulsor Executioners, a Hammerstrike, and a Thunderstrike round out this that are firing hundreds of attacks down range per turn. Plus, it has some great baked-in rerolls from Ironstorm. Its only weakness might be a clock; those Repulsor Executioners really do have a wild amount of varying weapon profiles.
Ryan Snyder’s Ironstorm Spearhead
One Final Go (2000 Points)
Space Marines
Ironstorm Spearhead
Strike Force (2000 Points)CHARACTERS
Techmarine (95 Points)
• Warlord (Pointing Pistol)
• 1x Forge bolter
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• Enhancements: Target Augury Web (Aura)Techmarine (80 Points)
• 1x Forge bolter (First Born)
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• Enhancements: Adept of the OmnissiahTechmarine (75 Points)
• 1x Forge bolter (Welcome Hand)
1x Grav-pistol
1x Omnissian power axe
1x Servo-arm
• Enhancements: Master of Machine War (Aura)OTHER DATASHEETS
Predator Annihilator (130 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
1x Storm bolterPredator Annihilator (130 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
1x Storm bolterPredator Annihilator (130 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
1x Hunter-killer missile
2x Lascannon
1x Predator twin lascannon
1x Storm bolterPredator Destructor (130 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Predator autocannon
1x Storm bolterPredator Destructor (130 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Predator autocannon
1x Storm bolterPredator Destructor (130 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Heavy bolter
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Predator autocannon
1x Storm bolterRepulsor 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 bolterRepulsor 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 bolterRepulsor 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 bolterStorm Speeder Hammerstrike (150 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Hammerstrike missile launcher
2x Krakstorm grenade launcher
1x Melta destroyerStorm Speeder Thunderstrike (160 Points)
• 1x Close combat weapon
1x Stormfury missiles
1x Thunderstrike las-talon
1x Twin Icarus rocket pod
The Storm Speeders really allow this list to pummel any opponents that come into its line of fire, adding [Ignores Cover] and +1 To Wound to a model they target. The lethality skyrockets even when sending simple bolters down range when adding everything up.
It’s a classic stacking of rules that allows some combos to get insane results.
Wolves Get Out Of Jail Free
I’m sure you’ve heard about or even been sentenced to Wolf Jail, but today, we are released from our confines by Alex Spathopoulos’ Space Wolves list with exactly zero Thunderwolf Cavalry. Instead, he’s taking all the Wulfen he can and a plethora of characters with some fire support. Emphasis on the fire, with a Landraider Redeemer, and 6 Eradicators+Apothecary Biologis, this list can hit hard.
The Landraider is incredible for mowing down infantry, coupled with a devastating overwatch threat with 2D6+6, S6, AP-2 [Ignores Cover], and two Damage flamers pouring out the hurt. Eradicators blow up just about anything with Lethal Hits from Biologis and all those melta shots.
But the real workhorses (workhounds?) of this list are the Wulfen, the units are wildly efficient and can do all the dirty jobs you need, who doesn’t like 10D6 [Blast] shots, especially with Orks on the horizon, this list could even be ahead of it’s time.
Alex Spathopoulos’ Space Wolves
Wolf Time (1995 Points)
Space Marines
Space Wolves
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)CHARACTERS
Apothecary Biologis (85 Points)
• 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• Enhancements: Fire DisciplineBjorn the Fell-Handed (180 Points)
• 1x Heavy flamer
1x Trueclaw
1x Twin lascannonHarald Deathwolf (85 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x Crushing teeth and claws
1x GlaciusLibrarian in Phobos Armour (70 Points)
• Warlord
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Force weapon
1x SmiteLogan Grimnar (100 Points)
• 1x Storm bolter
1x The Axe MorkaiRagnar Blackmane (90 Points)
• 1x Bolt Pistol
1x FrostfangBATTLELINE
Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
• 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
• 1x Plasma pistol
1x Power fist
• 4x Assault Intercessor
• 4x Astartes chainsword
4x Heavy bolt pistolOTHER DATASHEETS
Eradicator Squad (190 Points)
• 1x Eradicator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Melta rifle
• 5x Eradicator
• 5x Bolt pistol
5x Close combat weapon
3x Melta rifle
2x Multi-meltaFenrisian Wolves (30 Points)
• 5x Fenrisian Wolf
• 5x Teeth and clawsFenrisian Wolves (30 Points)
• 5x Fenrisian Wolf
• 5x Teeth and clawsInfiltrator Squad (100 Points)
• 1x Infiltrator Sergeant
• 1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
1x Marksman bolt carbine
• 4x Infiltrator
• 4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Helix Gauntlet
1x Infiltrator Comms Array
4x Marksman bolt carbineLand Raider Redeemer (260 Points)
• 1x Armoured tracks
2x Flamestorm cannon
1x Hunter-killer missile
1x Multi-melta
1x Storm bolter
1x Twin assault cannonScout Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifleScout Squad (65 Points)
• 1x Scout Sergeant
• 1x Astartes chainsword
1x Bolt pistol
1x Close combat weapon
• 4x Scout
• 2x Astartes shotgun
4x Bolt pistol
4x Close combat weapon
1x Missile launcher
1x Scout sniper rifleWulfen (160 Points)
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
9x Wulfen hammerWulfen (160 Points)
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
9x Wulfen hammerWulfen (160 Points)
• 1x Wulfen Pack Leader
• 1x Storm Shield
1x Stormfrag auto-launcher
1x Wulfen hammer
• 9x Wulfen
• 9x Storm Shield
9x Stormfrag auto-launcher
9x Wulfen hammerALLIED UNITS
Callidus Assassin (90 Points)
• 1x Neural shredder
1x Phase sword and poison blades
Logan, Ragnar, and Bjorn have been Space Wolf staples since the beginning, but they aren’t to be forgotten here, either. Logan Grimnar just kinda gives your whole army reroll hit’s for a turn, across all that shooting and combat just makes otherwise unassuming Wulfen that hit on 5+ much more efficient.
Ragnar seems to be attached to a unit of Assault Intercessors, which are just wonderful in the current meta since they grant ablative wounds and reroll to wound against enemies on objectives. In Alex’s experienced hands, there’s no doubt this unit was a scalpel at carving out enemies’ weaknesses.
Then we get to Bjorn, he’s still around, and still a great model, he halves damage like C’tan, on a Dreadnought platform, and also gets a little twin linked lascannon if needed. Nothing like the other Space Wolf lists we’ve been seeing, and that reiterates how great of a place the 40k Meta is in right now.
It was a wild weekend of 40k wargaming, with more players eager to add their own twist to the meta. Innovation is clearly isn’t dead, and the best time to try that new idea is right now.
Take your shot, have fun, and surprise the meta—this is what the hobby is all about.
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About the Author: Steven Ross
Steven Ross
Job Title: Competitive 40k Writer
Socials: Steven on Facebook
About Steven Ross: Steven plays more Warhammer 40k in a week than most people do in a quarter, maybe even a calendar year. He studies every Warhammer tournament army list each week, watches all the live streams, and interacts everywhere he can online.
After only being in the hobby for a few years, Steven placed 8th overall out of several hundred at the Warhammer 40k Adepticon Championships in 2024, and was selected to play in the Warhammer World Championships as well.
Basically, he knows 10th Edition Warhammer 40k like few others, so watch this space for some great advice from tactics to army list building.
