Games Workshop is back at it again pushing their hobby standards. Is GW getting a little out of line in the hobby community? Let’s take a look.
We posed a question of the rules to people on our Spikey Bits Hobbies FB group (which you should totally join if you are not a part of already)- a couple of days ago. Some of the more generic things, like no outside food, are fairly standard for big events. Still, what caught our eye was the confusing and open-ended nature with which they are taking on the hobby side of things.
It’s not just no alternative minis, it’s how you paint them (more on that later), what type of conversions you can have, and more. Sure we totally understand their stance on all GW or Forge World minis at their own event, but the rest may be a bit over the top…
Just remember before we get too far, these are guidelines, so GW can choose to enforce them, or not. It is totally their prerogative.
Also, if you have any questions about your army, you can email them and verify to avoid any gotchas. If you have any converted minis, you must do this two weeks before the event, so don’t slack and get hit with scoring penalties!
However, as many folks have pointed out from these guidelines it’s easy to infer that GW is trying to not only tell us how to play with our models but also how to hobby on them. Mainly that you have to paint your army exactly like the paint scheme for whatever Chapter, Kabal, Hive Fleet, etc. you are playing.
Strict Guidelines for Hobbying at GW Tournament Series
There are some strange and strict guidelines for your hobbying at the upcoming GW tournament series- check out what isn’t allowed.
The most interesting thing here is the sub-factions area. Because if you just painted your entire army with the same scheme, but want to use multiple sub-factions, you may not be allowed. Again, you can submit it, but they may not allow it. Meaning you have to (maybe) paint them all in official colors if you want to use them as different sub-factions and not all the same thing.
This gets really interesting with Space Marines. They have so many chapter colors out there, we just hope they are lenient on it. Because a lot of people paint custom colors, then use them as some main chapter, but according to the wording above, they must be in the official GW paint scheme. If you don’t feel like sticking to these guidelines, maybe something like the LVO or Adepticon is for you.
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Conversions & All GW Minis
We understand the reasoning for not gaining extra LOS or advantages for your conversions. Just be sure to get those emails in if you have any questions. It would really suck to get penalties day of the tournament for something like an extra half-inch of height!
Nothing here is too crazy, but the only confusing things are the basing and bits requirements. Because they say excluding basing or scratch-built components. Does that mean it’s okay to put resin bits on your bases, or does it mean totally 3rd party bases are acceptable? Let’s hope it’s the latter because so many armies are based on amazing 3rd part bases.
This also means no 3rd party printed bits (unless you design them yourself). We imagine you can just say they are something you came up with, but it gets tricky with things like special and heavy weapons. Stock has been very hard to get lately, so hopefully, they don’t crack down on bits you couldn’t get from them but needed in your army. Or just bits you think look amazing!
In the past, they have taken a strict stance on things even like 3rd party bases:
This post was from a few years ago, and to be fair to them, they haven’t said anything specifically this strict yet (but it surely seems inferred). Still, it just shows that even though they say except basing, they have in the past been harsh even on that side of things.
We understand the restrictions with models, but things like paint schemes are taking it a step too far in our opinion. This is another time to vote with your hobby dollars, if you are a fan of alternative mini-makers, go to a tournament that isn’t so strict on your models or paint schemes.
What do you think about the modeling and painting restrictions? Are you going to the GW tournament series?
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
