As of October 2024, the Warhammer 40k competitive meta has shifted significantly, particularly after the recent balance adjustments and tournament results from 10th edition. Here’s a faction tier list, based on competitive performance from the past month.
S-Tier:
These factions have proven dominant across numerous tournaments in October 2024, boasting high win rates and top placings.
- Space Wolves
- Recent Buffs: The Space Wolves have surged in the meta with improved melee and character synergy, excelling at aggressive board control. Even with the recent nerfs that have gutted most space marine chapters, space wolves are enjoying their moment in the spotlight.
- Performance: Their performance has been notable in events like the Dark Sphere October GT, where they placed highly.
- Adeptus Custodes
- Recent Buffs: The Custodes received a significant boost in durability and mobility post-balance, making them formidable in both offense and defense. Their Shield Hosts have shined in recent GTs, particularly the Emissaries Imperatus.
- Performance: Dominated tournaments like the Queen City Orktoberfest and Dragon Fall GT. Their unmatched resilience and high damage output give them the edge against many factions.
- Genestealer Cults
- Recent Nerfs: While receiving some nerfs to their summoning abilities, they continue to dominate due to their overwhelming board control. However, their ability to spawn units repeatedly still makes them a top-tier choice.
- Performance: Placed highly in multiple events, including MonsterCon and the Last Of The Summer Winehammer 5.
A-Tier:
Competitive factions that consistently perform well but may face difficulty against top-tier armies.
- Aeldari
- Recent Nerfs: Following multiple nerfs, Aeldari have been brought more in line, but their core mechanics, like powerful psychic abilities and mobility, remain potent.
- Performance: Though toned down, they are still securing wins, evidenced by top finishes at the SoCal Open.
- Dark Angels
- Recent Buffs: Their Deathwing Terminators and Ravenwing Speeders continue to prove highly efficient after adjustments. Their ability to adapt to various mission types has been key to their success in events like Queen City Orktoberfest.
- Performance: Consistently placing in the top 3 of major events such as Dragon Fall.
B-Tier:
These factions are competitive but struggle in certain matchups or have limited top-placing potential.
- Imperial Knights
- Recent Buffs: Buffs to durability and firepower make them a threat, though they struggle with more mobile factions.
- Performance: Solid showings in the Dragon Fall GT, but fewer top finishes compared to S and A-tier armies.
- Chaos Space Marines
- Recent Buffs: Improved stratagems have given them a boost in versatility.
- Performance: Consistently middle-tier, they perform well but rarely dominate the field.
C-Tier:
Struggling factions that need further buffs to compete at the top level.
- Death Guard
- Recent Nerfs: Their durability hasn’t been enough to compensate for their lack of mobility and offensive output, even after slight buffs.
- Performance: Rarely breaking into top 8 placings in recent events.
- Astra Militarum
- Recent Nerfs: Their artillery has been weakened, making them less effective.
- Performance: Struggling in tournaments, with few top finishes.
For a comprehensive breakdown and access to winning lists from October 2024, you can check out the Stat Check Meta Dashboard and Blood of Kittens October results. These sources provide detailed analytics and links to recent tournament-winning lists. Auspex Tactics also has a recent video analyzing tournament finishes.
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