Discover the Warhammer 40K factions most likely to dominate LVO XII and learn which armies are favored in this year’s top tournament.
We may be on the heels of a massive tournament in the world of Warhammer 40K with the 2025 London Grand Tournament (LGT), but the competitive scene doesn’t slow down there. North America now hosts one of its largest yearly tournaments: the Las Vegas Open (LVO XII).
Much like LGT, LVO has a way of shaping the meta, and we saw this firsthand last year when Deathwatch, the army that won the event, didn’t even have a Codex or Index at the time. Yet players flocked to it after the tournament, demonstrating how major events influence the broader hobby.
While LVO XII might be smaller than LVO XI—held just over six months ago—the turnout is still expected to be significant, and the event will have a noticeable impact on the North American competitive scene. Based on what we’ve observed since the Balance Dataslate, here are the factions likely to dominate this weekend.
Warhammer 40K LVO XII
Aeldari
Don’t underestimate the Aeldari—they are strong right now. While their Dark cousins may have taken the spotlight at LGT, the Aeldari dataslate left them largely untouched. They retain access to some of the most potent combos in the game, such as Fuegan, Fire Dragons, Wave Serpents, and the ability to shoot and re-embark in vehicles.
This combination is lethal against most armies and has very few direct counters. Add in their high number of activations, which allows them to complete missions efficiently, and it’s easy to see why this army is a top contender. Expect high-level performances from skilled Aeldari players on one of North America’s biggest stages.
Space Marines
This might sound like a safe choice, but there’s reason behind it—particularly the Shadowmark Talon detachment. While detachments like Gladius or Stormlance remain strong, Shadowmark Talon has the versatility to win it all. Its rules enhance multiple units, provide mobility for mission play, and offer tricks to eliminate opponents’ key models.
Expect 30 Vanguard Veterans or 18 Devastator Centurions to appear on tables, backed by Redemptor Dreadnoughts in nearly every Space Marine list. Facing these units is intimidating, and with the faction’s combination of firepower and mission control, Space Marines are poised for excellent results this weekend.
Emperor’s Children
Another faction that performed well at LGT, Emperor’s Children are built for this meta. Their army can reliably engage opponents early, clear hordes with damage 1 attacks, and threaten larger units with precise shooting. Add access to mortal wounds, and this army excels against body-heavy factions like Orks, World Eaters, Genestealer Cults, and Adeptus Mechanicus.
The combination of speed, firepower, and versatility makes them a dangerous opponent in any matchup, and they are one of the armies to watch at LVO XII.
Black Templars
Rounding out the list, Black Templars bring consistent melee pressure paired with strong shooting support from Repulsor Executioners. This combination delivers lethal performance in a take-all-comers approach, making them a top contender for players who can leverage both close combat and ranged attacks effectively.
Great melee with solid shooting has proven effective in the current meta, and LVO XII might finally be the stage where Black Templars turn that strategy into a tournament-winning formula.
Final Thoughts
LVO XII promises to shake up the competitive Warhammer 40K scene once again. While turnout may be slightly smaller than previous years, the factions listed above are well-positioned to leave their mark on the tournament and influence the meta for months to come.
Whether you’re attending in person or following the streams online, keep an eye on Aeldari, Space Marines, Emperor’s Children, and Black Templars—these are the armies most likely to make headlines this weekend.
Are you prepping your list for LVO 2025? Share your predictions in the comments and let’s see which factions dominate the battlefield!
Husband, Florida State Seminole, and fan of all things grimdark, sometimes even winning a game or two.
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