Discover the Leagues of Votann unit dominating Warhammer 40K’s current meta and why it’s a must-have for competitive players.
I might be the only person out there with this take, but someone has to be the voice of reason on the new Leagues of Votann Codex. Honestly? It just isn’t that great when compared to the index or the rest of the meta in Warhammer 40K.
And yes, this might just be some small frustration on the part of someone that misses easier access to +1 to wound and doesn’t love standing on objectives in a meta that has tons of units that shred opponents on objectives, but still. The book just isn’t that great.
Is it more flavorful? Yes. Are there more units? Sure. Does the army now have one of the coolest models in the entire game? Absolutely. But none of that means this codex is going to perform well in the current Warhammer 40K meta at its current points and standings.
Still, there is one unit that stands out: the Ironkin Steeljacks with melee weapons.
This unit might be a serious problem for opponents and has the potential to help define the meta for Leagues of Votann.
Why the Ironkin Steeljacks Matter in the Current Meta
The Steeljacks aren’t enough to single-handedly fix the shortcomings of the Leagues of Votann codex, but they do cover up a few weaknesses. That alone is a testament to how strong this datasheet really is.
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Points: 100 for 3 models, 200 for 6 models.
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Role: Flexible skirmishers or all-out melee blenders.
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Durability: T6, 2+ save, 3 wounds each, with access to cover and -1 to wound.
Even small squads are hard to shift, while the larger squad starts to look terrifying when you dig into their damage output.
Damage Output: Why Steeljacks Shred Infantry
The Steeljacks’ special rule forcing Desperate Escape tests is mostly irrelevant, but the real magic lies in their weapon options. However, there are going to be a few small moments where this rule does make a big appearance, and those few times will be worth a chuckle.
Concussion Gauntlets
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Strength 10
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AP -2
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2 Damage
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Lethal Hits
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Solid, but not game-changing.
Plasma Swords (The Star of the Show)
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6 attacks per model
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Strength 6
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AP -2
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1 Damage
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Sustained Hits 1
In a 6-man unit, that’s 36 attacks, often translating into 30 hits thanks to Sustained Hits. Against Space Marines or Terminators, you’re wounding on 3s with AP -2.
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Off an objective: Up to 8 dead Space Marines or 3 dead Terminators in one activation.
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On an objective: On average 10 dead space marines and 4 Terminators, pushing 5.
The sheer volume of attacks makes Steeljacks a nightmare for nearly every infantry unit in the game.
Beyond Infantry: Vehicle and Horde Hunting
Steeljacks aren’t just good into elite infantry and skirmishing units. Their Strength 6 blades let them wound most vehicles and even Imperial Knights on 5s. Combined with stratagems that boost AP, their damage ceiling is surprisingly high.
Into infantry-heavy lists like Astra Militarum, Genestealer Cults, or Chaos Cults, Steeljacks are devastating in a meta that wants massive blobs on the table. Entire squads can disappear before the opponent gets a chance to properly respond.
Are Steeljacks Enough to Save the Leagues of Votann?
The rest of the Leagues of Votann Codex may not be top-tier for competitive play, but the Ironkin Steeljacks provide a glimmer of hope. Their combination of durability, flexibility, and insane melee output makes them one of the best units in the army right now.
They won’t single-handedly put Votann at the top of the meta, but they will keep the faction viable — and that’s more than most people expected from this codex. Expect to see a lot when you face this army going forward.
Husband, Florida State Seminole, and fan of all things grimdark, sometimes even winning a game or two.
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