If you love gaming with a friend (and amazingly painted armies), the 2025 40k AdeptiCon Team Tournament was the place for you!
AdeptiCon 2025’s 40k Team Tournament was a wild ride from start to finish! With armies so jaw-dropping you’d think they’d jumped straight out of the rulebooks, and strategies so slick they’d make any 40k commander nod in approval. Teams rolled up with their game faces on, showcasing paint jobs that could have won awards on their own and list builds that had us all doing double takes.
The vibe was electric, with teams syncing up like psychic twins there to throw dice and high-fives; the place was buzzing with pure Warhammer joy. We’ve got all the killer highlights, the most mind-blowing armies, and those moments that had everyone talking, right here. Let’s break down what made this year’s showdown legendary!
AdeptiCon 2025’s Stunning Team-Ups
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Once again, AdeptiCon 2025 had players from all over the country stop in and show off their most beautifully painted armies. On the team side, they put in a ton of work to make some awesome armies for the Team Tournament!
Here is a quick preview of some of the armies that were on hand at the event. Look for more in-depth features coming soon for each of these hobby masterpieces!
Khorne’s Cage Match Spectacular
Imagine Khorne in VIP seating, overseeing a blood-soaked cage match between his own minions. This army screams chaos—World Eaters, daemons, and an arena display that makes The Octagon look tame. It’s brutal, it’s theatrical, and it’s everything red, spiked, and angry.
Bonus points for putting the god of war on a throne so massive it’s practically judging you. Great paintwork, clever posing, and a layout that could headline its own pay-per-view.
Nurgle’s Ring of Rot
Think Fight Club, but sponsored by plague. This Nurgle display is a masterclass in controlled decay, with a full symbol-shaped board and a different Nurgle force brawling it out in each ring. The grimy greens and oozing detail really hit, and the commitment to theme is grossly impressive (in a good way). Each circle feels like its own diseased ecosystem. You can practically hear the squelch when you look at it.
Underhive Tank Lift Chaos
An elevator for tanks? Yes. A full-blown underhive scene? Also yes. This army goes full terrain-mad with a massive board that could double as a diorama set from a sci-fi movie. Converted tanks, armored knights, gritty troops—everything’s custom and everything fits. It’s a love letter to the hiveworld grind, with details so good you start planning how to escape the place yourself. Perfect if your aesthetic is “grimy but powerful.”
Slaanesh Goes Haute Couture
This Slaanesh force is bold, fabulous, and fully committed to the bit. The light blue and pink color scheme somehow makes daemons look like they’re strutting the runway and tearing through enemies. The display board doubles down with Be’Lakor keeping watch over an arena of elegant destruction. It’s seductive, chaotic, and more coordinated than your last group chat. You’ll leave wondering why you haven’t painted a daemon in lavender yet.
Orks Just Wanna Have Fun
This one’s loud, messy, and absolutely glorious. Orks are running wild across a chaotic board, stompa in tow, Ghazghkull yelling at something, and hunta rigs rolling deep. It’s everything Orky cranked to eleven—junkyard genius, scrap-built charm, and a paint scheme that screams “speed first, questions never.” It’s not clean, it’s not subtle, and that’s why it rules. Like any good Waaagh, the more you look, the more fun you find.
Knights + Chaos = Yes Please
Ever wonder what happens when Imperium and Chaos get tired of fighting and start building something ridiculous? This army brings it all—Space Marines, Guard, Knights, and a few Chaos surprises—capped off by a Warhound Titan riding a tank (sort of). It’s unhinged in the best way. The conversions are sharp, the painting crisp, and the display is as subtle as a chainsword to the face. You’ll walk away inspired or terrified. Maybe both.
Chaos Tiki Time
This display went full Mardi Gras and never looked back. Bright colors, dancing madness, and a skull mascot right in the thick of it all. These Chaos forces didn’t come to blend in—they came to party. From the tiki bar vibes to the wild mix of forces, it’s clear the creators had a blast putting this together. Bonus: it reminds you that chaos doesn’t always mean doom. Sometimes, it means limbo contests.
Dinos and Jetbikes, Baby
Exodites got the glow-up they deserve. This display is straight-up fantasy sci-fi magic: Eldar riding dinosaurs, scenic boards that feel alive, and enough elegance to make Craftworlds jealous. It’s rare to see this kind of creative lift executed so well—every piece feels like it belongs in a codex cover spread. Don’t be surprised if this army sparks a few dinosaur-themed conversions back home. Yes, they’re as cool as they sound.
Gunship Go Boom
Here’s what you get when good guys and space elves go all out: a beautifully painted Imperial force locked in a forested firefight with nature-themed Aeldari. The highlight? An exploding gunship suspended mid-air. That centerpiece steals the show, but don’t sleep on the color palette—earthy tones, vibrant glows, and contrast that tells a whole story. It’s balanced, cinematic, and absolutely dripping with “we spent weeks on this” energy.
Waffle House: 40K Edition
This board is exactly what you think it is—two factions fighting over a Waffle House. Tau vs. Space Marines in a midnight showdown for greasy glory. It’s hilarious, weirdly relatable, and packed with charm. The signage, the smashed diner booths, the sheer commitment to making this both funny and well-painted is unreal. You’ll never see syrup the same way again. It’s proof that narrative displays can go hard and go weird.
Waterfall Throwdown
Few things say “this is a big deal” like a multi-tiered waterfall with three factions battling for dominance. Marines, Knights, and Death Guard all cram into this vertical slugfest, and somehow it works. The terrain steals the eye at first, but the units more than hold their own. Each one feels like it belongs there, and the whole board is begging for cinematic shots. Basically, it’s Warhammer meets nature documentary—with chainswords.
Final Thoughts on the 40k Team Tournament at AdeptiCon 2025
The 40k Team Tournament at AdeptiCon 2025 brought out some of the most creative and unexpected team-ups we’ve seen yet. From classic rivalries turned alliances to color schemes that shouldn’t work but totally do, this event was a showcase of talent, strategy, and sheer passion for the hobby.
If you’re looking for ideas for your next project or just love seeing what others bring to the table, this event had plenty to offer.
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Got a favorite army from the 40k Team Tournament at AdeptiCon 2025? Let’s hear it!
