In the recent reader requests thread, we had a reply for a player who wanted our take on the state of the meta. The “meta” conversation is always tough to have. A major issue immediately arises, as players dispute a real global meta game. I happen to believe that there is a meta 40k, for one main reason–the Internet.

Players have easy access to up to the minute reports from major GTs. Many have running podcasts and streaming top tables thanks to some great volunteers. Lists from the top tables are out within days of the event. A crowded blog-o-sphere allows players to share their lists, thoughts, and battles. Forums allow players to posts army lists and get advice.

What I’m trying to say is that in the realm of competitive 40k, there are major sweeping trends. While 6th edition is relatively new, what’s hot and what’s not has definitely taken hold. In this post, I wanted to share my thoughts on what players need to survive in competitive 6th edition.

6th edition is a game of more extremes. In 5th, most armies had a competitive template or two. Almost all of these involved transports full of troops that spammed special weapons in an optimal configuration. These units were usually backed by fire support. 6th edition has destroyed this paradigm. Because of allies, we see more diverse lists. In addition, armies that were an afterthought (Tau, Eldar, Sisters, Chaos, ect) are now visible in various capacities. While armies like Tau and Eldar have glaring deficiencies on their own, but when supplemented with other armies, they can compete.

What the more extreme edition has given rise to is the idea that it is impossible to build a take all comers list. Plenty of players have advocated building a “rock” list with as few counters as possible and hoping for the best. While this attitude may work in smaller events, it is much harder to “rock” your way through a GT in which list diversity is extremely high. But how do you build a TAC list in 6th? Below I’ve come up with some essential questions that any hopeful list has to answer.

Can I deal with flyers?

There are two schools of thought on flyers–beat them or ignore them. As many recent tourney winners have shown, ignoring flyers is the easier route to take. This generally involves spamming bodies (lots of times including a Guard blob). Spamming models is extremely helpful in that it gives a player additional scoring units in a more objective based edition, greater survivability in a more killy edition, and a bigger footprint to clog up flyer lanes.

While it seems that the popularity of Cron Air has died down (the list is a “rock”), flyers have settled into a nice niche as a tool. Vendettas, Dakkajets, Stormravens, and Night Scythes are out there in a more limited capacity. All of which are easy enough to deal with using the above strategy.

The scariest flyer is undoubtedly the Helldrake. The Drake makes short work of infantry (mainly MEQ) and is less encumbered by limited directional change due to a 360 degree torrent flamer. Players (especially MEQ players) have to have an answer to 1-3 Drakes, as they are going to be very common.

Can I deal with Tzeentch Daemons?

Another major issue in 6th is Tzeentch Daemons. We all know the 27 Flamer, 27 Screamer lists. They are incredibly tough to handle (particularly for MEQ yet again). The answer to the Daemon question is screening bodies, rate of fire, and practice. Disposable bodies help (Guard blob again). Rate of fire is really the only way to down them (sigh…Guard blob). Finally, practice and solid deployment is key. Daemons will kill your models–lots of them. The key is dictating which models die. Yet again, we see why disposable, big footprint units have become so common.

Can I deal with lots of cheap bodies?

Speaking of lots of cheap bodies, can you deal with them when you face them? The ability to give 50 Guardsmen ATSKNF or fearless and buff them with psychic powers makes for an attractive unit. Aegis defense lines give these units a nice save. How do you take them down? Flamer templates!

Yes, packing some fast moving or torrent templates can be a nice answer to cover entrenched hoards, or hoards in general. Another way to deal with them is to hit them with an assault unit that they won’t beat in CC. While you may lose a unit for a while, the Troop choice blob costing 400+ points is usually a bigger loss to your opponent.

Can I deal with mass psychic powers?

Probably the hardest one on the list. Only three armies can shut out psykers–Eldar, SW, and Nids. While the occasional Prescience or Misfortune is not game breaking, playing a Nid list with tons of powers can be. If you can work a Rune Priest or Farseer into your list organically, do so. If not, you must have a plan to deal with a ton of Iron Armed models de-buffing your units.

Can I kill MEQ?

The tried and true question of 40k. MEQ are still very popular, and you need to be able to kill them. In 6th edition, you need to be prepared to take on 50+ of them.

Can I deal with light transports?

A lesser concern, but one that shouldn’t be shirked completely. It is important to realize that the answer to mech is no longer just “as much strength 8 as can fit in a list.” It is easier to kill vehicles in close combat, and fast moving Cavalry or Beast units usually have to goods to take out a few at once. Have a plan, but don’t stress this one like in 5th edition.

Can I deal with a blitz?

I personally like threat overload lists. Cavalry and Beasts are amazing in 6th, and players are taking them more. Does your list have an answer?

Though this criteria is a bit more vague, it is worth thinking about. Can you kill or speedbump fast units? Usually, having some bodies as a screen is a good start here.

What really scares my list?

It’s hard to make a list that doesn’t have a weakness. The key is creating a list that doesn’t have a common hard counter. For example, Tyranids fear Venom spam, especially with an attached Farseer. However, Venom spam isn’t common–it isn’t good now. The reason is that Venom spam loses 10/10 times to that Cron Air list. And if you are playing at a GT, chances are, Cron Air is attending.

Does the above situation mean that you can’t take Nids? Definitely not. Does it mean that a Flyrant and a Spore Pod or two with some shooty units is nice just in case? Definitely. Especially because these units both bolster the strength and diversity of the list, while simultaneously mitigating the lists “worst case scenario.”

The bottom line is that there will always be something that you fear. My Eldar/DE don’t want to run into Stermguard Pod Spam or 4 Podding Rune Priests. I know that while they are outliers, these lists are out there. Thus, I take two Warrior blobs that I can deploy spread out to mitigate damage.

Think about your worst match-ups and how you can deal with them. Look at it realistically. Don’t be overly pessimistic about bad match-ups, but don’t take them too lightly. Adjust accordingly.

In conclusion…

We are seeing a more foot based edition–for good reason. Bodies help mitigate the fact that units kill more. Bodies help beat Daemons, Flyers, and lots of other bad stuff. Bodies help take objectives. The Guard blob may be tired, but if you want to run MEQ, you need to seriously consider it. As for everyone else, having a screening unit is important. Ork Boyz do this incredibly well. As do Dark Eldar Warriors.

Will we see a shift back toward vehicles? I tend to think not. Players like non-meched lists because they are cheaper to build and transport. The game is built in a way in which the metal boxes of old no longer have a laundry list of clear-cut benefits. Mech hybrid? Sure. See the Battle for Salvation winner from last year for an example. Keep in mind, they also had a strong foot presence.

6th edition is a dawn of a new meta, but the aforementioned checklist of needs gives players a good starting point. As always, the best way to find out what works and doesn’t is to test out your lists. So, hit the tables!

What does the community think? Helpful, or not? Agree or disagree? In addition, feel free to post lists in the comment section for help! Thanks as always for checking out the site!