Marcus Chen
Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniature game that involves formulating battle plans, building army lists, and painting armies to compete in tournaments. While there is no single governing body that officiates over competitive 40k tournaments, most tournaments require painted armies. The previous standard mandated that each model in an army be painted with at least three colours and based. However, Games Workshop has updated this standard to Battle Ready, which awards 10 points per game for painted armies, influencing a player's overall score. While some players may not prioritise painting their armies, it is an essential aspect of tournament preparation, contributing to the overall experience and aesthetics of the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting requirement | Most tournaments require painted armies. |
| Tournament rules | Each tournament has its own rules, missions, terrain, and army restrictions. |
| Paint standard | Armies must be painted to a tabletop standard. |
| Paint scheme | Players can choose their own paint scheme. |
| Paint techniques | Drybrushing, picking out details, and basing are recommended techniques for tournament painting. |
| Army list submission | Players must submit their army list ahead of time for review by tournament organizers. |
| Model conversions and proxies | Tournaments may allow model conversions and proxies. |
| Base size | Tournaments have a standardized base size for all models. |
| Scoring | Paint requirements may be included in scoring, with unpainted armies losing points. |
| Enforcement | Some tournaments may not strictly enforce paint requirements. |
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What You'll Learn
Painting requirements vary across tournaments
For example, Games Workshop's Rogue Trader Tournaments (RTT) and Grand Tournaments (GT) set the standard for many years by requiring models to be fully painted and based. On the other hand, the 'Ard Boyz format, introduced by Games Workshop in response to the rise of Privateer Press and Warmachine, had no painting requirement at all. This created a stark contrast, with metal or metal and plastic armies competing for the top spot.
Some tournaments may incorporate painting requirements into the match play or scoring system. For instance, a tournament may deduct ten points per game for an unpainted army, which can significantly impact a player's overall score. This encourages participants to paint their armies to remain competitive.
Additionally, tournaments may have specific requirements for model conversions, proxies, and weapon configurations. For instance, the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) rule dictates that players cannot include features or weapons on their models that are not paid for or represented in their army list. This ensures that the models accurately represent the capabilities and equipment of the army.
While there is no single governing body for competitive 40k tournaments, the lack of standardized rules and formats can lead to misconceptions about event results and army performance. Players must carefully review the rules and requirements of each tournament they plan to participate in to ensure compliance and avoid any surprises.
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The benefits of painting your army
While tournament rules vary, most 40k tournaments require painted armies. Painting your army can be challenging, but it comes with several benefits. Here are some advantages of painting your 40k army:
Sense of Accomplishment
Finishing a painted army is an exhilarating feat. Having a fully painted force ready for battle is a source of pride for many players. It is a testament to your dedication and creativity, and it adds a unique personal touch to your army.
Enhanced Immersion and Aesthetics
Playing with and against painted armies enhances the immersion and visual appeal of the game. The detailed paint jobs, unique colour schemes, and characterful faces bring the miniatures to life, making the tabletop battles more engaging and aesthetically pleasing.
Adherence to Tournament Standards
Tournaments often require armies to be "Battle Ready," with models painted in a uniform style. Painting your army ensures you meet these standards and can participate fully in tournaments. It also helps distinguish between different detachments in your army, making it easier for opponents to identify them.
Creative Expression and Skill Development
Painting your army allows you to express your creativity and develop new skills. You can experiment with different techniques, colour combinations, and effects to create unique and realistic results. With each model, you can refine your painting abilities and see your progress over time.
Community Engagement and Motivation
Painting your army can connect you with the wider 40k community. You can seek advice, share techniques, and showcase your creations with other enthusiasts. This sense of community can provide motivation and help you stay engaged with the hobby.
Overall, painting your 40k army offers a range of benefits, from personal satisfaction and creative expression to ensuring compliance with tournament standards. It adds a layer of depth and immersion to the gaming experience and fosters a sense of community within the 40k world.
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Tips and tricks for painting your army
Painting your first 40K army can be a challenge, but with some simple tips and tricks, you can have a great-looking army in no time. Here are some guidelines to help you get started on your painting journey:
Planning and Motivation
Before you begin painting, it's important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Decide on a colour scheme that you like and keep the basic colours consistent across your army to create a uniform look. If you're struggling for inspiration, consider watching tutorials or finding reference photos to guide your colour choices. Remember, you don't need to be an artist to paint your army—it's all about creativity and having fun making your army unique!
Simplify and Prioritize
Don't overthink or over-plan your painting process. Simplify your colour palette and focus on the key details that will make your army stand out. Prioritize painting the eyes, face, and basing of each model, as these areas naturally draw the viewer's attention. If you're short on time, consider taking shortcuts, such as dry brushing or using a dip method with Army Painter Quickshade, to add contrast and depth to your models.
Assembly Line Approach
To speed up your painting process, adopt an assembly line mindset. Set up a pipeline with multiple models of different genres, and use ergonomic handles like Citadel Painting Handles to facilitate quick colour changes and improve your productivity. This approach will help you avoid the tedium of painting a single model at a time and will keep you motivated by providing a sense of variety.
Details and Customization
Once you have the basic colours in place, it's time to add details. Pick out important features like guns, pouches, and faces to make your models more visually interesting. Consider using techniques like highlighting and shading to add depth and contrast, especially to the face and hands. If you're feeling creative, add personalized touches with customized characters and centerpiece models, such as lieutenants, to make your army truly yours.
Tournament Requirements
If you're painting your army for a tournament, make sure to familiarize yourself with the specific rules and requirements. Most tournaments require models to be "Battle Ready," with a minimum of three colours and textured basing. Ensure that your army is distinguishable when you bring multiple sub-factions, and be aware of any standardized base size requirements. Additionally, submit your army list ahead of time to comply with tournament guidelines.
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Tournament rules and requirements
One common requirement for 40k tournaments is that players must submit their army list ahead of time. This allows tournament organizers to review the lists for any issues. The submission date is usually publicized in advance, and players typically submit their lists using BCP or email.
Another important aspect of tournament preparation is ensuring that your army is painted. Many tournaments require painted armies, and it is incorporated into the match play grand tournament book. The specific painting requirements can vary, but the standard was previously that each model in the army must be painted with at least three colors and based. More recently, the requirement has been updated to be more defined as "Battle Ready," which most tournaments have adopted. This means that players receive 10 points per game for having a painted army, which can be a significant advantage or disadvantage depending on the tournament's scoring system.
In addition to the painted army requirement, most tournaments also have a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) rule. This means that any upgrades, weapons, or abilities that a model has must be clearly marked or modeled on the physical miniature. This helps ensure that players cannot misrepresent their army's capabilities during gameplay.
Some tournaments may also have additional rules or requirements, such as standardized base sizes for all models or restrictions on the use of model conversions and proxies. It is important for players to carefully review the rules and requirements for each tournament they plan to participate in to ensure that their army complies with all the necessary standards.
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The history of painting requirements
Over time, tournaments began to require at least some paint, with a three-colour minimum becoming a standard rule to ensure that armies were not completely bare. This rule was intended to make the games more visually appealing and to encourage players to put some effort into their models. Some tournaments even began to require fully painted armies, with penalties for those who did not meet the requirement.
The introduction of the ten-point rule, where players could lose ten points per game if their army was not fully painted to a tabletop standard, caused some controversy. Some players felt that this could unfairly impact the final standings, especially in close games. However, others argued that it encouraged players to paint their armies and ensured that tournaments featured fully painted armies for spectators to enjoy.
Today, most tournaments have adopted Games Workshop's updated standard of "Battle Ready", which includes the three-colour minimum and other requirements. While the painting requirement is not a hard-and-fast rule for participation, it does affect scoring, with unpainted armies losing out on points compared to their painted counterparts.
It is worth noting that each tournament has its own rules and requirements, and there is no single governing body that officiates over competitive 40k. As such, players must be prepared to adapt to different standards and requirements depending on the event they are attending.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, most tournaments require painted armies. However, the specific painting requirements may vary across tournaments.
The painting requirements for 40k armies in tournaments have evolved over time. Initially, the standard was to have every model in the army painted with at least three colours and based. More recently, the requirement has been updated to "'Battle Ready', which may include more detailed painting and modelling specifications.
Painting armies for tournaments adds to the visual appeal of the game, both for those watching in person and those following along via streams or battle reports. Painted armies also contribute to a sense of pride and accomplishment for the players themselves.
Yes, there can be penalties for not meeting the painting requirements. In some tournaments, players with unpainted or partially painted armies may lose points, affecting their overall standing in the tournament.
It depends on the specific tournament rules. Some tournaments may require models to be "WYSIWYG" (What You See Is What You Get), meaning that the model's equipment and weapons must accurately represent what is listed in your army list. Additionally, tournaments typically have standardised base sizes for all models, so older models should adhere to these requirements.
