Warhammer 40K: Why The Meta Doesn’t Matter
In the grand scheme of things the Meta doesn’t really matter to the majority of the Warhammer 40,000 player base.
This may be hard to believe but the numbers don’t lie: The vast majority of Warhammer 40,000 player are NOT top tournament players.
Now, I’m not dogging on the tournaments or the tourney scene – in fact, I actually enjoy them when I can attend, but at the end of the day there will be a top 8, then a top 4, then a top 2 and a lone “champion” for a tournament. What does that mean for the rest of the field? It means they went home empty handed with only their armies and hopefully some fun memories from the event.
If you’re going to tournaments and looking to compete and possibly take home the glory then you probably want to keep-up with the meta – but for the other 80-90% of the field, the meta really doesn’t matter.
Meta =/= Average Player Experience
If you’re an average 40k player then you probably don’t buy, build, and paint a new army every month. You probably don’t get to play as much as you’d like. You probably have other hobbies, friends, family, and obligations (like a job) that take up your valuable 40k time. The simple fact is that life gets in the way, bills need to get paid, and you can’t dedicate the resources you’d like to 40k.
So why do you bother worrying about the next big meta army? Are you really that concerned about it showing up at your next local event? Are you worried about it showing up at your local game night? If you don’t have an answer for the “new hotness” on your once-a-week game night, do you really want to spend your evening bashing your head against that brick wall?
I got plans for your meta…
For many players, they will gladly accept that challenge! “Sure, I’ll play against your tournament list. I want to see how I’d fare against it.” Hey, I’ve been there – I think we all have. You get to the point where you just don’t care and just want to get a game in. It might not be the most enjoyable game, but it’s better than not playing…right? Debatable.
At some point you start to value your limited game time more than “the challenge” and you start to say, “No thanks. That’s not the game I’m looking for tonight.” The truth is that for many players they’ve hit that point – and if you haven’t been there, you will. The Meta only matters to folks who want to be a part of the tournament scene. Which, again, isn’t a BAD thing. But recognizing when you want to participate in it or skip out on it is valid.
Games Workshop And The Army Life Cycle
Let’s talk about the life cycle of an army really fast. First you have to buy it. Then you have to build it. Then you have to paint it. Then you, finally, get to play it. How long does that process take? A week? A month? A quarter? A whole year? For the average 40k gamer, I’d probably peg that around the 3 month mark. Now, let’s just say you’re behind the curve – you’ve just learned about a new “Meta Breaker” army and you’re committed to bringing it to the next big tournament! Perfect – but I hope you’re checking your calendar:
It’s an older code, but it checks out.
Games Workshop has been very open about the FAQ process and has shown everyone their timelines. They have been actively “correcting” (some would say nerfing) trouble-causing armies. In previous editions we had lists like Stormravens spam and the Ogryn Hyper-loop get fixed quick. And you can bet GW is watching for more problems in 9th edition.
This was “fun” while it lasted, right?
If your fancy new “Meta” army relies on some gimmick or loophole, odds are by the time you’re army is ready to go, it might be on the chopping block. Are you willing to put your money on the line in a race against the clock? Hey maybe you’ll get lucky and your army will fly under the radar! Until it doesn’t…
Warhammer 40,000 is a hobby and at the end of the day if you’re not having fun with it, then something is wrong. Find your fun and do that – it’s a game after all. If you enjoy constantly chasing the Meta and turning over your army time and time again, more power to you. For the rest of us, my advice is to play what you want.
The Meta is constantly changing but if you can build the army of your dreams then you’ll never get bored tinkering with it. But if you do get bored you can just wait until next edition when it’s the new meta hotness again!
Are you on the bandwagon for the meta? Are you enjoying the ride? How do you feel about chasing the meta vs playing what you want to play?
