Prepare for the Warhammer 40K tournament season with our guide to army building, meta-research, painting tips, logistics, and AdeptiCon 2025 insights.
Another Long War Two-Fer is HERE: Keep those hobby muscles strong with this week’s webcast and the latest exciting podcast of table-top wargaming awesomeness.
Show Summary:
The episode focuses on helping Warhammer 40K players with tournament preparation, offering insights on event logistics, competitive strategies, and hobby tips. Here are the key takeaways:
- Panel Introduction and New Year Greetings (00:05–00:56)
- Hosts Rob Bear, Kenny Bucher, Wyatt Turk, and Matt Baugh open the episode.
- Discussions about their New Year experiences, including fun anecdotes like Cuban New Year’s celebrations.
- Tournament News: Adepticon 2025 (17:04–24:58)
- Adepticon moves to Milwaukee’s Baird Center, offering significantly more space for growth.
- Major events include the 40K Championships (expanded to ~350 players) and the 4-man team tournament.
- Championships format updated to include five rounds, culminating in a Saturday night final.
- Terrain Improvements for Events (25:40–30:24)
- New terrain designed specifically for modern Warhammer 40K with functional layouts.
- Enhanced consistency with additional terrain borrowed from Games Workshop.
- New Flex Event Format (32:56–37:23)
- A casual, semi-structured format allowing players to join scheduled games without commitment.
- Encourages flexibility and enjoyment for attendees who want less competitive or rigid gameplay.
- Long War Doubles Overview (56:02–59:59)
- Unique tournament format: players team up with 1,000-point armies each.
- Rule clarifications include detachment-specific interactions, with new flexibility for shared keywords.
- Encouragement for creative army themes and sportsmanship.
- Tournament Preparation Tips (1:05:24–1:14:52)
- Build lists to score objectives effectively and adapt to tournament formats.
- Research meta through tools like BCP, StatCheck, or weekly reports on Spikey Bits
- Practice games are essential for mastering rules and gameplay.
- Logistics and Tools for Events (1:12:05–1:21:21)
- Early registration is critical; pack essentials like movement trays and tokens.
- Use display boards or magnetic transport cases to secure miniatures.
- Staying organized through tools like scorekeeper boards or apps.
- Painting and Presentation (1:22:13–1:30:38)
- Effort is more important than skill; armies must meet “Battle Ready” standards.
- Time-saving techniques include airbrushing, slapchop methods, and using spreadsheets for planning.
- Rules Knowledge and Disputes (1:33:16–1:39:35)
- Memorize key rules, use the GW app for quick references, and ask questions when uncertain.
- Handle disputes amicably and involve judges only when necessary.
- Mindset and Communication (1:40:54–end)
- Communication and cooperation are key to enjoying tournaments.
- Self-advocation and clear discussions prevent conflicts and ensure fair gameplay.
This episode provided a comprehensive guide to navigating tournaments, from preparation and logistics to mindset and gameplay tips, offering insights for both new and veteran Warhammer 40K players.
- Buy Your 2025 LVO Long War 40k Doubles Tickets (affiliate link- thanks!)
- List of Warhammer tournaments for 2025:
- Adepticon How to Register:
- Storage Options for Miniatures:
- Balance Datasheet Breakdown
- Get Your Precision Dice 5% Off Baron of Dice: Use Code Longwar5
Adepticon 2025 Preview & Warhammer Tournament Prep
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What do you think about the new Adepticon 2025 events Warhammer 40k tournament preparation, and what events will you attend this year?
About the Author: Kenny Boucher
Kenny Boucher
Job Title: Master of Miniature Artistry & Podcast Writer
Socials: @NextLevelPainting
About Kenny Boucher: Tabletop gaming since the late 1990s; Kenny joined the Spikey Bits team in 2011, communicating his vast knowledge in articles about how to paint miniatures and more.
Kenny Boucher is not just a name but a brand synonymous with top-tier miniature painting in the world of tabletop wargaming. As the creative force behind Next Level Painting, Kenny has earned his place as a respected authority in the hobby community.
Along with Rob, he co-founded and co-hosted the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes. His unparalleled skills, innovative techniques, and engaging tutorials have made him a go-to resource for hobbyists looking to elevate their painting game.
- YouTube Channel: Next Level Painting
- Instagram: @kenny_boucher
- Facebook: Next Level Painting
- Patreon: Support Kenny on Patreon
