Warhammer 40K Meta Watch: What the London Grand Tournament Lists Reveal

The London Grand Tournament 2025 list submissions reveal key trends in the Warhammer 40K meta. Discover which factions and builds are shaping competitive play.

The competitive wheel keeps turning for Warhammer 40K as we approach one of the biggest weekends of the year for the hobby — the largest tournament ever, the London Grand Tournament (LGT).

With well over 1,000 people participating, including many of the biggest names in the game, the meta for the next few months is about to be defined in a pretty major way. What we see here could easily carry us into the fast-approaching 11th Edition.

While you need an officially subscribed Best Coast Pairings account to view the individual lists, the event has released a full list breakdown for all attendees. Even without the specifics, this snapshot of the field gives the average player plenty to think about — especially when it comes to what’s popular right now and what the meta will be going forward.

If you haven’t seen the full breakdown yet, you can check it out here.

Warhammer 40K Meta Surprise: World Eaters Lead the Way

It’s impossible to look at this list breakdown without being surprised by the army sitting at the top. None of this is to say that World Eaters are bad — far from it. They’re actually great right now. But considering this army was largely absent from the competitive singles meta just a few weeks ago, their surge to the top is eye-opening.

All it really took were some buffs to Eightbound and their Exalted brethren, delivered through recent points adjustments and rules changes. Combined with their natural fit in today’s horde-heavy environment, World Eaters suddenly look like one of the most effective choices in the game. Sorry, Aeldari players.

Yes, you read that right — 20-man bricks of Berzerkers are back. If you’re not running World Eaters yourself, you better hope you’ve brought a lot of Damage 2 shooting and blast weapons to thin those mobs down.

Familiar Faces at the Top of the Warhammer 40K Meta

After the initial surprise of World Eaters, the rest of the breakdown looks far more familiar. Space Marines, Blood Angels, Aeldari, Death Guard, Necrons, and Imperial/Chaos Knights (with a combined total of 86 Knight players) all rank near the top of the most-played factions.

These armies have had staying power throughout 10th Edition. Each fills a distinct role in the meta, whether through durability, melee punch, or long-range firepower. The most intriguing piece might be where vanilla Space Marines players take their armies. Right now, it still feels like Roboute Guilliman, Marneus Calgar, and heavy gun platforms are the safe bets, but that could change once results start rolling in. In addition, the new Raven Guard detachment could also create major problems in this meta.

Warhammer 40K Factions Sitting Too Low

Looking past the top of the breakdown, the middle and bottom tiers tell their own story.

• Adeptus Mechanicus: Their minimal representation here feels misleading. AdMech rules and tools are strong right now, but it’s clear that not many players have access to fully painted, competitive armies.

• Orks and Emperor’s Children: Both factions seem underrepresented compared to their ability to create immediate melee pressure. Still, when faced with the choice, it looks like most competitive players decided that World Eaters were the “safer” melee pick.

What the London Grand Tournament Lists Say About the Warhammer 40K Meta

Whether it’s World Eaters overwhelming boards with massed bodies, or gunline armies trying to shoot opponents off the table, one theme is clear: the Warhammer 40K meta loves mobility and volume right now.

That means armies either choke the board with units that trade efficiently, or they bring enough ranged firepower to sweep the table in a few turns. In short, the pendulum is swinging back toward melee pressure and horde play, and the shooting armies that can keep up in volume of fire are right behind them.

It will take a few more days before results from the London Grand Tournament actually shape the standings, but even now, we have a strong sense of what’s popular and where the game is heading.

Final Thoughts on the Warhammer 40K Meta

The London Grand Tournament is always a landmark event, and 2025 is no exception. With over 1,000 lists submitted, this breakdown gives us a glimpse into the armies and strategies shaping the competitive scene heading into the next few months — and maybe even into 11th Edition.

The meta wheel keeps spinning, and this event proves once again how quickly things can shift. One patch of buffs, and suddenly World Eaters are everywhere.

What do you think of the LGT list breakdown? Are you surprised by the rise of World Eaters, or do you think another army will emerge on top once the dust settles? Share your thoughts in the comments and keep checking back as we track the results and future meta shifts in Warhammer 40K.

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