Q3 Balance Update Tier List

Hey all,Welcome back to 40K Fireside, and we’re back at it again with our competitive Warhammer 40K faction tier list.With the latest balance update from September 30th 2026 significantly shaking up the rules of the game, faction balance, and the shape of the competitive meta, Dave and Vik sit down to work through where they think every army stands going into the rest of 2026.We talk through the biggest winners, the biggest losers, which factions look ready to dominate, which ones may be getting overlooked, and how the new balance update could affect tournament preparation, list building, and the wider competitive 40K landscape.As always, sit back, relax, enjoy, and make sure to leave a comment with where you think your faction belongs. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to keep up to date with 40K Fireside content on YouTube.Check out our Masterclasses and Atlas tool here:https://40kfireside.com/Combat Masterclass:https://40kfireside.com/courses/combat-masterclass/See you all again soon - by the Fireside,Vik & Dave#warhammer #40kFireside #firesidepodcast #firesideJoin this channel to get access to members-only content, early videos, and our Discord community:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyYYtA8JdF-04NKO7ZmORkQ/joinFor Business Inquiries: [email protected]

In this 40K Fireside episode, Vik and Dave preview the LGT meta by looking through the top ELO players attending the event and the lists they are bringing.We start with updates on Atlas, the Master Matrix, new course content, and the wider LGT field, before diving into the big faction trends: Custodes everywhere, Orks rising fast, Dark Angels still hanging around the top, and some interesting questions around dispositions like Priority Assets and Disruption.From there, we go through some of the most interesting top player lists at the event, including Innes Wilson’s AdMech, Manny’s Dark Angels double Nephilim Jetfighter build, Dave’s Blood Legion Daemons, Liam’s wild CSM Disruption list, Naseem’s Ultramarines throwback, Glenn’s Tau, Andy’s Necrons, Greg’s Votann, Vik’s Sisters, Matt Bonnet’s Orks, and even some Thunderhawk madness.We also talk through sleeper picks, faction specialists, top cut predictions, which armies may overperform, and why this LGT could reward players sticking with what they know rather than simply chasing the obvious meta picks.02:24 Main Show13:52 Dispositions Priority Assets Talk18:18 Top ELO Lists Intro18:35 Innes Wilson AdMech Breakdown22:28 Manny Dark Angels Jetfighters25:56 Dave Blood Legion List30:55 Liam CSM Disruption Spice35:28 Naseem Ultramarines Throwback39:35 Glenn Tau Left Field Pick41:29 Tau Loadout Talk43:09 Necrons Without Vault45:39 Votann Meta Sleeper47:55 Why Sisters Not Eldar50:10 Sisters Vehicle Core54:59 Terrain And Weapons57:20 Orks Dread Mob Threat01:00:35 Honorable Mentions01:04:26 Thunderhawk Madness01:08:16 Top Cut Predictions01:12:45 Goals And SignoffSee you all again soon - by the Fireside,Vik & DaveCheck out our E-courses for competitive Warhammer at https://40kfireside.com#warhammer #40kFireside #firesidepodcast #firesideJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyYYtA8JdF-04NKO7ZmORkQ/joinFor Business Inquiries: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

In this 40K Fireside episode, Dave takes a step back to talk about the state of Warhammer 40K 11th Edition after its first few months.We look at the early signs of tournament growth, including huge attendance numbers at WTC, Warmasters and LGT, why the new terrain system has been one of the biggest wins of the edition so far, and what the codex rollout could mean for the health of the game moving forward.Dave also talks through the current meta using the Nova Top 8 as a snapshot, why the game feels like it is in a pretty healthy place overall, and where 11th Edition still needs work — especially around scoring, secondary banking, primary dispositions, and how often players are reaching 100-point games.

From our Youtube.

From our Youtube.

Some reflections on the game right now, ahead of the BDS.

See you all again soon - by the Fireside,Vik & DaveCheck out our E-courses for competitive Warhammer at https://40kfireside.comIn this 40K Fireside tutorial, we break down one of the biggest tactical shifts in 11th edition: how to properly use Hidden. Dave talks through 15" and 12" Hidden staging, dense terrain tricks, deployment zone positioning, centre control, OC pressure, and how to bait your opponent into threat range rather than giving them “free” shots.We also look at practical examples using Black Templars and Necrons, including why Wraiths are so strong in the new edition and how patient turn-one positioning can win games.#warhammer #40kFireside #firesidepodcast #firesideJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyYYtA8JdF-04NKO7ZmORkQ/joinFor Business Inquiries: [email protected]:11 Hidden Rule Basics01:51 Bridging and Coherency Tricks02:40 Dense Terrain 12 Inch Hidden04:07 Deployment Zone Staging06:17 Center Control and OC Pressure08:59 Baiting Shots Into Threat Range13:27 Black Templars vs Necrons Setup16:40 Turn One Patience and Positioning20:38 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up

Hey everyone, we're back for an EPIC ranking of what we think are some of the best armies to get into if you're starting 11th edition. Starting a new army can be tough and a significant monetary investment, so follow along to et the pros and cons of factions you might be interested in :)See you all again soon - by the Fireside,Vik & DaveCheck out our E-courses for competitive Warhammer at https://40kfireside.com#warhammer #40kFireside #firesidepodcast #firesideJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyYYtA8JdF-04NKO7ZmORkQ/joinFor Business Inquiries: [email protected] and David00:43 Why This Tier List03:53 Custodes Overview06:32 Sisters 10:44 Daemons15:45 Imperial Guard21:46 Chaos Space Marines42:47 Blood Angels45:33 Genestealer Cult48:33 Emperors Children52:15 Deathwatch57:19 Death Guard01:00:25 Dark Angels01:03:33 Orks Power01:20:55 Grey Knights01:23:56 Imperial Knights01:24:33 Ultramarines01:29:07 Tyranids Meta And Lore01:32:14 Thousand Sons01:36:50 Tau Shooting01:41:15 Space Wolves01:43:47 AdMech Buffs01:46:22 Drukhari01:48:46 World Eaters01:54:31 Final Picks And Wrap Up

Vik and I sat down to talk through 11th now that we’ve got most of the rules, even if points are still the missing piece. Dave is about 35 games in, while Vik is coming at it from the “read the rules, built lists, haven’t played yet” angle.Short version: we’re pretty positive. Not in a “GW nailed everything” way, but this is a much stronger launch state than we expected. It feels like there’s already a real game here.1. Scoring feels very differentThe old 10th edition plan of “hold my expansion, deny yours, win on primary” doesn’t really work the same way anymore.Because missions are asymmetric, throwing a unit away to deny points can also give your opponent points somewhere else. Games seem higher scoring overall, and pushing big differential feels harder unless you properly run someone over.2. Dispositions are a big win gameplay wiseThe disposition system feels like one of the best parts of the edition. It gives list building more texture again.Purge pushes you toward killing and aggression. Recon feels the most like normal 40k. Priority Assets seems solid for singles. Disruption is the one we’re least sold on right now, because it often asks you to kill something and do actions, which can get awkward.That said, we don’t think you should pick a bad detachment just because it has a better disposition. The detachment is still the main thing, but disposition definitely changes how you build the last part of your list.3. Hidden is better than expected (now that is 12" - go to ground)At first, 15" hidden didn’t sound that impactful. But with Go to Ground bringing it to 12", it matters a lot more.It changes how units stage, how objectives are held, and how you force your opponent to come closer before they can interact. That’s good.It doesn’t solve everything though. Slow six-inch melee infantry still looks rough unless it has real delivery, advance and charge, miracle dice, ingress, transports, or some other trick.Move blocking has changed shapeOld-style move blocking is much weaker. You can’t just put five models an inch in front of a tank and expect it to be stuck forever. Vehicles and monsters moving through infantry is a good change overall.But move blocking isn’t gone. It’s now more about:using 2" engagement range properlyblocking where models can enddenying access to terraintagging things awkwardlyusing the fight phase and pivot wellTwo-inch engagement range feels huge, and good players are going to get a lot out of it.Vehicles and transportsVehicles are better, but we don’t think the edition is just “fast gun wins.” Cover matters, minus one to hit is strong, hidden matters, and shooting without ignore cover can feel rough.Transports are one of the areas we’re less positive on. Base-to-base disembarking is a massive change (when destroyed), and losing a transport in the wrong place can expose the unit inside immediately. Drukhari especially feel like they need to relearn a lot of old staging patterns.OverallWe’re genuinely impressed. There are still worries around slow melee, map balance, transports, and whatever points end up doing, but the foundation feels strong.Most factions seem to have something playable, games feel less deterministic, list building is more interesting, and universal terrain is a huge win.For a launch state, this is probably the best 40k has felt in a long time.

Hey everyone! The Guar detachments + dispositions have been released so I'm giving it a read through and giving my initial impressions :) Enjoy! let me know what you think is strong, what you're interested in testing too!