Your guide to the latest Warhammer Balance Dataslate featuring all the 10th Edition 40k rules updates, changes from December 2025.
The Warhammer studio dropped the new 40k Balance Dataslate before Christmas, probably because their first Open Tournament of the year is a month away.
Regardless of timing, you know what that means for the meta: fresh rules, point tweaks, and a shake-up that could flip your army list on its head.
This guide breaks down the newest 40k rules updates for 10th Edition so you can see what got buffed, what took a hit, and how it all stacks up at the table, until the next balance dataslate drops, that is.
Latest Warhammer 40k Balance Dataslate Update
Updated on December 12th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest points and Balance Dataslate updates from Games Workshop.
GW released the latest full 10th Edition Warhammer 40k Balance Dataslate in December 2025, along with updated point changes to the Munitorum Field Manual.
Keep reading for the latest shifts in the 40k meta, and don’t forget to grab the full download of every new 40k dataslate rules change right here.
Then be sure to read more about the latest Warhammer 40,000 point changes in our Munitorum Field Manual changes article, which breaks down each of the faction updates in detail.
Big Winners From The Balance Dataslate, 40k Rules Update
The latest Warhammer Balance Dataslate featuring 40k rules updates is here, and as always, they will shake things up across the competitive and casual meta.
It’s also worth noting that GW published some changes in each of the new Faction Packs, and not a big FAQ document.
40k Balance Dataslate Winners: Imperial Factions
Adeptus Custodes
Wardens have been dominating the spotlight, so this new Balance Dataslate update trims points on alternative infantry to tempt players into trying more of the range. It should lead to more balanced internal competition across their datasheets. Allarus, Custodian Guard, Vigilators, and Witchseekers also all go down in points.
Astra Militarum
The new Grizzled Company detachment already gives Guard players a fresh way to bully the table. GW leaves them untouched since the detachment itself is expected to move the needle by a noticeable amount. Getting skipped in a dataslate tends to be a win when everyone else is eating changes.
Blood Angels
Rage-cursed Onslaught becomes the new identity piece for the faction, offering wild charge patterns and damage spikes. The Sanguinor also drops 10 points, which makes that golden blitzer even more appealing to slot into lists.
Dark Angels
Ravenwing bike units drop, which is exactly the kind of support that the wing needed to function as a real list core again. Azrael pays a bit more since his baseline value was way above the curve, but he’s still strong. Players get a more flexible army without losing their lynchpin tools.
Grey Knights
Interceptors and Purgation Squads both come down, which helps the faction actually afford the support pieces that make their teleport tricks shine. The faction still plays elite and fragile, but with a little more cushion. With a decent win rate already, this should help them climb.
Imperial Knights
Several big Knight frames saw point reductions, which helps shake off the pressure they were under after the new codex launched. These drops open up list templates that were previously just a bit too tight. The Crusader, Defender, Errant, Gallant, and Warden all drop.
Space Wolves
Saga of the Great Wolf becomes the faction’s marquee detachment, which encourages a fast, punchy, character-driven playstyle. Several unique Dreadnoughts drop, which supports that direction and adds durability to the package. Space Wolves get to lean into their iconic theme without sacrificing efficiency.
Chaos Factions: 40k Balance Dataslate Winners
Chaos Knights
Despoilers pay extra for double guns, but the Ruinator and Desecrator drop, which nudges players toward more diverse loadouts. The balance between melee and shooting setups becomes easier to justify on the larger chassis. Like the Imperial Knights, most of the big Knights get buffs in this 40k Balance Dataslate update.
Death Guard
The faction already had a major overhaul in the last update, so this one brings only small alignment tweaks. Land Raiders and Rotigus are adjusted to match broader changes across multiple factions. The faction holds steady, which is exactly what they needed after a stretch of turbulence.
Emperor’s Children
Court of the Phoenician unlocks a flashy new direction for the faction with Fulgrim finally stepping into the spotlight. Rapid Evisceration now benefits transports, which makes pressure lists flow much more smoothly. Spawn and Daemon Princes on foot get cheaper while winged Princes go up, giving the faction more list identity and room to experiment.
Thousand Sons
Changehost of Deceit now lets Daemons benefit from Cabal points, which opens up a completely new hybrid playstyle that feels very on-brand for Tzeentch. Several units dropped, which helps the faction build wider without sacrificing damage output. Greater Daemons also get synced to the adjustments from the Daemon faction.
40k Balance Dataslate Winners: Xenos Factions
Leagues of Votann
Fresh codex data leads to several point drops across newer units, which smooths out internal balance. This gives players freedom to try models that were previously overshadowed. The Evaluator, Buri, Ironkin, Kahls, and Sagitaur all go down in points, so plenty to try out!
Tyranids
Carnifexes and Screamer Killers get cheaper, which instantly amps up monster mash lists. The faction benefits enormously from any discount on mid-sized bruisers. You will likely see more pressure-focused builds that lean into raw threat saturation.
The Losers From 40k’s Balance Dataslate
Adepta Sororitas
Sisters were flying high recently with a great win rate, so some NERFS were probably needed. Units that were stacking buffs across previous updates finally get point increases to reflect their real power level. Seven units in total received NERFS without a single buff, so this might be a hard pill to swallow.
Adeptus Mechanicus
Their previous glow up pushed certain units a little too high, so this dataslate brings them back to earth with several point hikes. The faction still has power, but you now need to commit more resources to fielding the strongest combos. Cawl, Ironstriders, Skystalkers, Infiltrators, and Ruststalkers have all raised in points.
This basically hits the WCW winner’s list with direct NERFS. If you were planning on copying and pasting that list, you’re in for a rough night.
Aeldari
A combination of point increases (seven units all go up by at least ten points, some by up to 20) and rule tightenings directly targets the strongest Aspect Host builds.
Star Engines become Assault, Skyborn Sanctuary requires eligibility to fight, and Fire and Fade loses the embark trick. Aspect tokens no longer help attached characters, which shuts down multiple-layered buffs. It is a targeted breakup of their most oppressive gameplay loops.
Black Templars
Repulsor Executioners and Castellans rise in cost since they were carrying the faction above the Marine curve. The Crusade Ancient and Execrator drop, which nudges players toward the new kits. These 40k Balance Dataslate Changes shift list focus but still keeps the faction competitive.
Deathwatch
The Indomitor Kill Team climbs 15 points, which pulls it back in line with equivalent elite choices. It still functions well, but no longer overwhelms internal options. They don’t have so many units, so a single one getting an increase is huge.
Space Marines
Raven Guard are specifically targeted in this round as Shadowmark Talon Hunter Instincts gets restricted to your movement phase, which removes several abusive timing loops. Terminator Assault Squads receive an updated datasheet to match their new kit.
Key units like Centurions, Vanguard Vets, Victrix Guard (a lot of people think this isn’t a big enough NERF), and Aethon Shaan go up, while a few others drop to keep variety alive. It is a broad but measured Balance Dataslate pass.
Balance Dataslate 40k’s Mixed Bag
Chaos Daemons
Kairos, Rotigus, and the Lord of Change pay more for their impact, while Shalaxi and the Keeper become budget threats with real bite. Endless Gift tones down to a 5+ version, which keeps the upgrade interesting without being oppressive.
Chaos Space Marines
Fabius Bile increased because he has been showing up everywhere and was too efficient for his cost, especially in the Grotmas Detachment. The Terminator Lord and Forgefiend drop, which encourages more balanced list building instead of relying on the same repeat offenders.
Drukhari
Only slight changes (Ravager gets a 5-point buff and Reavers see a ten-point buff at six models) since the faction is still under observation after its codex release. The developers are clearly watching performance before making heavy moves. This is a wait-and-see 40k Balance Dataslate adjustment cycle for them.
T’au Empire
Riptides and Skyrays see a 10-point bump, which reins in their efficiency. Breachers and Strike Teams get small drops to make troop-heavy play more appealing. The Stormsurge gets a chunky reduction, which rewards players who want the giant gun platform back in the mix.
World Eaters
Goremongers and Angron drop, which encourages the faction to return to its roots of smashing everything with violent speed. Both changes make the army hit harder and sooner, which is perfect for their identity. Juggernaut Lords and Slaughterbound step up in cost, which keeps the overall power level stable.
Warhammer 40k Balance Dataslate: Final Thoughts From Us
Overall, the 40k Balance Dataslate keeps shaking things up, and this round proves no army is safe from a good old-fashioned points increase. Some factions are cashing in on discounts, others are footing the bill, and everyone has new tech to test.
If you’re already wondering “When is the next 40k balance dataslate?”, it should be in April of 2026 (unless GW needs another emergency update.)
But for now, grab the new 40k rules update, rebuild 2,000 points, and run some practice games until the muscle memory clicks.
New Munitorum Field Manual 40k Points Update
