UK January Meta Check:
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Nottingham’s 355-Player Super-Major Leads the Charge
January gave a really solid snapshot of where competitive Warhammer 40,000 sits right now. Across four UK events — Nottingham GT (355 players), Glasshammer GT (30), VT 40K GT (26), and 40K Brawl – Beachhead Warm Up (38) — the same ideas kept showing up at the top tables.
Armies that could stay on objectives. Lists that presented more than one serious threat at a time. And builds that didn’t just focus on killing, but also had a clear plan for scoring.
Here’s how each event played out, and what it tells us about the current meta.
Nottingham GT — 355 Players
With such a huge field, Nottingham really rewards consistency. The Top 5 reflected that perfectly.
Top 5 Results
- Innes Wilson — Ultramarines (Blade of Ultramar)
- Sam Nash — Adeptus Custodes (Talons of the Emperor)
- Christopher Langton — Chaos Daemons (Daemonic Incursion)
- Theo Hayat — Ultramarines (Gladius Task Force)
- Chris Irvine — Blood Angels (Rage-Cursed Onslaught)
Innes’ Ultramarines list leaned heavily into double Repulsor Executioners and Redemptors backed by Guilliman and Calgar, with Victrix providing durable board control. It’s the sort of army that doesn’t give up easy turns — opponents have to choose between dealing with tanks, dreadnoughts, or elite infantry, and none of those options are comfortable.
Sam Nash brought a very different flavour with Custodes, stacking multiple Guard units alongside triple Land Raiders and agent support. The game plan is straightforward but brutal: move onto the mid-board, stay there, and force inefficient trades.
Chaos Daemons rounded out the podium with a wall of Greater Daemons backed by smaller scoring units. When five massive threats are advancing at once, something is getting through, and that pressure makes mission play much easier.
Nottingham GT (355) — Top 5 Lists (click to expand)
1) Innes Wilson — Ultramarines — Blade of Ultramar (2000)
Captain in Gravis Armour (Armour of Antoninus) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon Marneus Calgar Roboute Guilliman (Warlord) Intercessor Squad Incursor Squad Redemptor Dreadnought Redemptor Dreadnought Repulsor Executioner Repulsor Executioner Scout Squad Victrix Honour Guard (Ancient/Champion + 4)
2) Sam Nash — Adeptus Custodes — Talons (Revered Companions) (2000)
Custodian Guard (5) Custodian Guard (5) Custodian Guard (4) Custodian Guard (4) Custodian Guard (4) Custodian Guard (4) Prosecutors (4) Prosecutors (4) Prosecutors (4) Venerable Land Raider Venerable Land Raider Venerable Land Raider Witchseekers (4) Allies: Callidus Assassin Inquisitor Draxus (Warlord)
3) Christopher Langton — Chaos Daemons — Daemonic Incursion (1995)
Be’lakor (Warlord) Great Unclean One (The Endless Gift) Kairos Fateweaver Lord of Change (The Everstave) Skarbrand Nurglings (3 bases) Plaguebearers (10) Plaguebearers (10) Beasts of Nurgle Beasts of Nurgle Flamers (3)
4) Theo Hayat — Ultramarines — Gladius Task Force (2000)
Captain Sicarius Captain in Gravis Armour (Artificer Armour) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon Marneus Calgar (Warlord) Uriel Ventris Ballistus Dreadnought Ballistus Dreadnought Infiltrator Squad Redemptor Dreadnought Redemptor Dreadnought Scout Squad Victrix Honour Guard (3) Victrix Honour Guard (Ancient/Champion + 4) Victrix Honour Guard (6)
5) Chris Irvine — Blood Angels — Rage-cursed Onslaught (1995)
Captain with Jump Pack Chaplain with Jump Pack (Carmine Reliquary) Chaplain with Jump Pack (Master of the Red Thirst) Commander Dante (Warlord) Lemartes Lieutenant with Combi-weapon Intercessor Squad Death Company Dreadnought Death Company Dreadnought Death Company Marines w/ Jump Packs (10) Death Company Marines w/ Jump Packs (10) Death Company Marines w/ Jump Packs (5) Sanguinary Guard (3) Sanguinary Guard (3) Sanguinary Guard (3) Scout Squad
Glasshammer GT — 30 Players
Glasshammer had a smaller field, but plenty of interesting armies near the top.
Top 5 Results
- Alex Ginns — Leagues of Votann (Hearthband)
- Matt Bell — Adeptus Mechanicus (Skitarii Hunter Cohort)
- Lambo Jon — Necrons (Awakened Dynasty)
- Gareth Jones — Adeptus Custodes (Shield Host)
- Jay Middlecote — Blood Angels (Liberator Assault Group)
Votann leaned into Hearthguard bricks, Thunderkyn, and mobile support units, creating a compact army that hits hard and scores reliably.
AdMech brought Cawl with multiple Ironstrider units and fast-moving Skitarii elements, spreading threat across the table while picking off key targets.
Necrons ran double C’tan supported by tech pieces and infantry, continuing the trend of “two unfair models plus enough bodies to play the mission.”
Custodes appeared again, proving their durability travels well between events, and Blood Angels closed out the Top 5 with a jump-pack heavy build focused on speed and pressure.
Glasshammer GT (30) — Top 5 Lists (click to expand)
1) Alex Ginns — Votann — Hearthband (2000)
Kâhl (Bastion Shield) Kâhl Kâhl (Ironskein) Memnyr Strategist Ûthar the Destined (Warlord) Hearthkyn Warriors (10) Kapricus Carrier Sagitaur Thunderkyn (3) Thunderkyn (3) Cthonian Beserks (5) Cthonian Beserks (5) Einhyr Hearthguard (5) Einhyr Hearthguard (10) Einhyr Hearthguard (10) Hernkyn Pioneers (3) Hernkyn Pioneers (3) Hernkyn Pioneers (3) Hernkyn Yaegirs (10)
2) Matt Bell — Adeptus Mechanicus — Skitarii Hunter Cohort (2000)
Belisarius Cawl (Warlord) Skitarii Rangers (10) Skitarii Rangers (10) Ironstrider Ballistarii (2) Ironstrider Ballistarii (2) Ironstrider Ballistarii (2) Pteraxii Skystalkers (10) Pteraxii Skystalkers (10) Pteraxii Skystalkers (5) Sicarian Infiltrators (5) Sicarian Infiltrators (5) Sicarian Infiltrators (10) Sicarian Ruststalkers (10) Sicarian Ruststalkers (10) Ally: Callidus Assassin
3) Lambo Jon — Necrons — Awakened Dynasty (2000)
C’tan Nightbringer C’tan Void Dragon Imotekh (Warlord) Nekrosor Ammentar Skorpekh Lord Skorpekh Lord Skorpekh Lord (Enaegic Dermal Bond) Technomancer Canoptek Reanimator Canoptek Wraiths (6) Flayed Ones (5) Lokhust Destroyers (1) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (1) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (1) Lokhust Heavy Destroyers (1) Ophydian Destroyers (3) Triarch Praetorians (5)
4) Gareth Jones — Adeptus Custodes — Shield Host (1995)
Blade Champion (Panoptispex) Blade Champion (Warlord) Blade Champion Custodian Guard (5) Custodian Guard (5) Custodian Guard (5) Custodian Guard (5) Custodian Guard (5) Custodian Guard (5) Custodian Wardens (4) Prosecutors (4) Witchseekers (4) Witchseekers (4) Allies: Inquisitor, Inquisitor Draxus
5) Jay Middlecote — Blood Angels — Liberator Assault Group (2000)
Captain with Jump Pack Mephiston Commander Dante (Warlord) Lieutenant with Combi-weapon (Gift of Foresight) The Sanguinor Assault Intercessors w/ Jump Packs (5) Ballistus Dreadnought Ballistus Dreadnought Ballistus Dreadnought Brutalis Dreadnought Brutalis Dreadnought Infiltrator Squad (5) Sanguinary Guard (6) Sanguinary Guard (3) Sanguinary Guard (3)
VT 40K GT — 26 Players
VT delivered one of the most diverse Top 5s of the month.
Top 5 Results
- Stephen Box — Deathwatch (Black Spear Task Force)
- James Hobbs — Tau Empire (Mont’ka)
- Nathan Coe — Drukhari (Kabalite Cartel)
- Jake Harding — Leagues of Votann (Hearthband)
- Sean O’Connor — Tyranids (Assimilation Swarm)
Deathwatch took first with a flexible toolbox of veterans, terminators, and kill teams that could adapt to almost any matchup.
Tau leaned into triple Riptide with supporting suits and fast mission units, applying pressure from multiple angles.
Drukhari did what Drukhari do best: speed, precise trades, and strong mission play through Venoms, Scourges, Incubi, and Mandrakes.
Votann returned with another Hearthband build, while Tyranids rounded things out with monster-heavy lists supported by Zoanthropes and Tyrant Guard.
VT 40K GT (26) — Top 5 Lists (click to expand)
1) Stephen Box — Deathwatch — Black Spear Task Force (2000)
Captain in Gravis Armour (Tome of Ectoclades) Judiciar (Beacon Angelis) Librarian in Terminator Armour Lieutenant with Combi-weapon Watch Master (Warlord, Thief of Secrets) Deathwatch Veterans (10) Deathwatch Veterans (10) Rhino Deathwatch Terminators (10) Fortis Kill Team Fortis Kill Team Indomitor Kill Team Infiltrator Squad (5)
2) James Hobbs — T’au Empire — Mont’ka (2000)
Commander Farsight (Warlord) Firesight Team (Strike Swiftly) Kroot Lone-spear (Strategic Conqueror) Broadsides (3) Crisis Sunforge (3) Ghostkeel Kroot Farstalkers (10 + hounds) Kroot Hounds (5) Kroot Hounds (5) Piranha Piranha Piranha Riptide Riptide Riptide Stealth Suits (5) Stealth Suits (5)
3) Nathan Coe — Drukhari — Kabalite Cartel (2000)
Archon (Warlord, Webway Awl) Archon Drazhar Lady Malys Kabalite Warriors (10) Kabalite Warriors (10) Venom Venom Venom Hand of the Archon (10) Hellions (5) Hellions (5) Incubi (10) Incubi (5) Mandrakes (5) Ravager Ravager Reavers (3) Scourges (5) Dark lances Scourges (5) Dark lances
4) Jake Harding — Votann — Hearthband (1995)
Einhyr Champion (Bastion Shield) Einhyr Champion Memnyr Strategist Ûthar the Destined (Warlord) Hearthkyn Warriors (10) Kapricus Carrier Sagitaur Thunderkyn (3) Thunderkyn (3) Berserks (5) Berserks (5) Cthonian Earthshakers (2) Cthonian Earthshakers (2) Hearthguard (10) Hearthguard (10) Hearthguard (5) Hernkyn Pioneers (3) Hernkyn Yaegirs (10)
5) Sean O’Connor — Tyranids — Assimilation Swarm (1995)
Hive Tyrant (Warlord, Instinctive Defence) Neurotyrant Hormagaunts (10) Biovores (1) Exocrine Exocrine Haruspex Haruspex Lictor Maleceptor Psychophage Psychophage Ripper Swarms Tyrannofex (Rupture Cannon) Tyrant Guard (6) Zoanthropes (6)
40K Brawl – Beachhead Warm Up — 38 Players
Beachhead added another layer to January’s story, with psychic armies and elite Marines making strong showings.
Top 5 Results
- Essien Clifford-James — Thousand Sons (Grand Coven)
- Jay Seebarun — Dark Angels (Wrath of the Rock)
- William Samms — Blood Angels (Rage-Cursed Onslaught)
- Tom Mitchell — World Eaters (Berzerker Warband)
- Paddy Dunford — Blood Angels (Rage-Cursed Onslaught)
Thousand Sons took the win using stacked Sorcerers, Rubric flamer units, and double Mutalith Vortex Beasts to apply constant mortal wound pressure while holding the mid board.
Dark Angels brought Lion El’Jonson, Deathwing Knights, and Inner Circle Companions, leaning hard into elite durability.
Blood Angels appeared twice in the Top 5, both running Rage-Cursed Onslaught and focusing on jump-pack mobility, Death Company, and Sanguinary Guard to hit early and stay on objectives.
World Eaters rounded things out with Angron, Eightbound, and Berzerkers pushing straight forward and forcing opponents to answer immediate melee threats.
40K Brawl – Beachhead Warm Up — Top 5 Lists (click to expand)
1) Essien Clifford-James — Thousand Sons — Grand Coven (1995)
Daemon Prince of Tzeentch (Warlord, Eldritch Vortex) Sorcerer Sorcerer Sorcerer (Umbralefic Crystal) Tzaangor Shaman Rubric Marines x4 (5 each, warpflamers + soulreaper) Chaos Rhino Chaos Rhino Forgefiend Maulerfiend Maulerfiend Mutalith Vortex Beast Mutalith Vortex Beast Tzaangor Enlightened (3) Tzaangor Enlightened (3) Tzaangors (10)
2) Jay Seebarun — Dark Angels — Wrath of the Rock (2000)
Lion El’Jonson (Warlord) Azrael Chaplain in Terminator Armour Chaplain in Terminator Armour Deathwing Knights (5) Deathwing Knights (5) Inner Circle Companions (6) Incursor Squad Scout Squad Land Speeder Vengeance Land Speeder Vengeance Storm Speeder Thunderstrike Whirlwind
3) William Samms — Blood Angels — Rage-Cursed Onslaught (2000)
Captain w/ Jump Pack (Master of the Red Thirst) Captain w/ Jump Pack Lemartes Lieutenant w/ Combi-weapon The Sanguinor Intercessor Squad Assault Intercessors w/ Jump Packs Bladeguard Veterans Death Company w/ Jump Packs (10) Sanguinary Guard (6) Sanguinary Guard (3) Sanguinary Guard (3) Baal Predator Baal Predator Vindicator Ally: Callidus Assassin
4) Tom Mitchell — World Eaters — Berzerker Warband (2000)
Angron (Warlord) Daemon Prince of Khorne (Helm of Brazen Ire) Khârn the Betrayer Master of Executions (Berzerker Glaive) Khorne Berzerkers (10) Khorne Berzerkers (10) Chaos Rhino Eightbound (3) Eightbound (3) Chaos Spawn (2) Chaos Spawn (2) Chaos Spawn (2) Helbrute Jakhals (10) Jakhals (10)
5) Paddy Dunford — Blood Angels — Rage-Cursed Onslaught (2000)
Commander Dante (Warlord) Captain w/ Jump Pack (Angel’s Fang) Captain w/ Jump Pack Chaplain w/ Jump Pack (Master of the Red Thirst) Lemartes Lieutenant w/ Combi-weapon Assault Intercessors w/ Jump Packs Assault Intercessors w/ Jump Packs Death Company Dreadnought Death Company Dreadnought Death Company w/ Jump Packs (10) Death Company w/ Jump Packs (10) Infiltrator Squad Sanguinary Guard (3) Sanguinary Guard (3) Sanguinary Guard (3)
What January Tells Us
Across all four events, a few patterns are hard to ignore.
Durable anchor units are everywhere. Guilliman bricks, Custodes Guard, C’tan shards, Greater Daemons, Angron — most top lists revolve around models that don’t die easily.
The strongest armies present more than one problem at a time. Heavy hitters are paired with cheap scoring units, forcing opponents to choose between stopping damage or losing the mission.
And almost every successful list has objective play baked in. Even the most aggressive builds carry infiltrators, cheap infantry, or fast movers to keep points ticking up.
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See you across the tabletop — and good luck in your next games.
