Golden Demon 2025 Rules Release

It’s 2025, and that means Golden Demon has come back, and with the announcement made on January 2nd, we know where the competition will be taking place, along with some rule changes. Let’s dig in.

If you’re new to the competitive painting scene, Golden Demon is a miniature painting competition hosted by Games Workshop, first established in 1987. It is the longest running miniature painting competition in the world, and has been hosted all over the world.

Artists from all over the world submit models in various categories in order to win the coveted Golden Demon statue, which is available in Gold / SIlver / Bronze awards. However, only one model will be awarded the legendary Slayer Sword (an actual 5ft long broadsword).

The subject matter is all Games Workshop models, from Space Marines to Chaos Demons, Blood Bowl champions, Necromunda Gangers, the heroes and villains of Middle Earth Fantasy Battles, and other categories and game systems GW supports.

The first stop of the competition will return to the USA at AdeptiCon, which kicks off on March 26th. The show has a new home at the Baird Centre in Milwaukee, which promises to be a larger space, with an expectation of more gamers and hobbyists than in years past.

Let’s break down the rule and category changes. First off is the return of the Duel category, which last year was bundled with Diorama, which led to confusion in the hobby scene. Also,  Warhammer Underworlds, a hybrid card/board/skirmish game has now been placed under the Age of Sigmar banner. These are great changes, especially in the Duel/Diorama area.

The top three spots in each category still award Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Below those three, however, the awards have changed. The highest achievement is now Finalist, followed by Commended, and then Notable – this is a shift from previous years, where Commended was the highest achievement before the top spots.

From the perspective of someone who has competed in 2, having won 3 Notables in 2024, this isn’t a problem.

Here’s each category:

Warhammer: 40,000

• Single Miniature
• Unit or Kill Team
• Large Model or Vehicle

Warhammer: Age of Sigmar

• Single Miniature
• Unit, Warcry or Underworlds Warband
• Large Model or War Machine

Middle Earth – Strategy Battle Game

Warhammer: The Horus Heresy

Blood Bowl

Necromunda

Warhammer: The Old World

Diorama

Epic Scale

Duel

Youngbloods (Ages 12-15)

The Open Competition

 

For more information, including specific rules and how to enter Golden Demon, check out the blog post at Warhammer Community,  or visit the official Golden Demon website.

And lastly, look forward to more Golden Demon coverage here on Gaming Trend!

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