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How to Prepare for the Warlord’s Gauntlet League
How to Prepare for the Warlord’s Gauntlet League
With the Warlord’s Gauntlet League fast approaching at Wandering Adventures, now is the time to get organized. Whether you’re a veteran of the tabletop or newer to competitive play, preparation is key to getting the most out of each event day. This guide walks you through the essentials to help you arrive ready and focused.
1. Build and Prepare Your Army List
One of the most important steps is preparing a legal, streamlined, and adaptable 2000-point Strike Force army list. Since pairings for Round 1 are random, your army should be ready to face anything—from durable gunlines to hyper-mobile melee threats.
Tips for success:
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Use the latest points and rules from Games Workshop (especially from the latest Balance Dataslate).
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Don’t overly skew your list for a single matchup type; you’ll likely face a range of armies.
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Bring redundancy in key roles—don’t hinge your game plan on a single unit doing all the work.
Double check your list format and validation using Best Coast Pairings (BCP). Lists must be submitted by 11:59 PM the Thursday before each event, or you risk a penalty.
2. Get Rested and Arrive On Time
It’s easy to underestimate how mentally demanding two games of Warhammer 40K can be in a single day. Make sure to:
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Get a solid night’s sleep before the event.
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Eat beforehand or bring snacks.
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Show up early to register, unpack, and settle in. Rushing into Game 1 can set the tone for an unsteady day.
3. Make a Game-Day Checklist
Every Warhammer event veteran has made the mistake of forgetting something. Avoid stress with a simple checklist:
Essentials:
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Printed or digital copy of your list
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Your fully assembled army
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Dice, measuring tools, objective markers
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Rulebook, Codex, FAQs
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Any stratagem or reference cards you use frequently
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Glue and super glue (for emergency repairs)
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Pen and paper or score tracking app
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Your phone charger (especially if using digital rules)
Optional but useful:
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Dice tray
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Chess clock (if you want to use one)
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Snacks and water bottle
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Transport case for your army
4. Paint What You Can
While fully painted armies are not required during qualifiers, painted models do earn you bonus points and contribute to a better table presence. It’s worth putting in the effort to paint what you can before each event. Focus on units that will be on the table every game: warlords, linchpin units, or vehicles.
The Final Showdown does require fully painted armies, so starting early gives you time to build toward that standard.
5. Review the Missions and Terrain Layouts
The league uses preset terrain and assigned missions each event day. Reviewing those ahead of time will help with deployment planning, secondary selection, and first-turn strategies. If you know what to expect, you’ll start Game 1 with confidence instead of scrambling to react.
Final Thoughts
The Warlord’s Gauntlet League is meant to challenge your strategic skill—but also to build a fun, competitive community. Preparing ahead of time helps you focus on the game instead of the logistics. Take the time to get your list locked in, pack your materials, and hit the tables ready to lead your forces to victory.
You can find the full player pack here:
Warlord’s Gauntlet Player Pack (PDF)
Wandering Adventures Miniature Painting Competi...
Warhammer Painting Competition Recap – May 2025
At Wandering Adventures in Woodbridge, Vaughan, we recently wrapped up our first-ever Warhammer painting competition, and the turnout was incredible. With 23 entries submitted across Warhammer 40K, Kill Team, Age of Sigmar, and Warcry, the competition showcased a wide range of skill levels, painting styles, and creative approaches.
From the dark corners of the far future to the shifting battlegrounds of the Mortal Realms, each model reflected the passion and effort of its creator. One faction stood out among the rest — World Eaters, with 4 entries, claimed the title of most-represented warband this round.
How Judging Worked
To ensure fairness and encourage strong hobby fundamentals, all entries in our miniature painting contest were judged using the same five scoring categories:
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Clean Painting – line control, brushwork, and finish
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Highlighting & Shading – depth, lighting, and tonal contrast
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Color Choice & Composition – how well colors worked together
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Basing / Presentation – how the base supported the miniature’s theme
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Overall Impact – visual strength and storytelling in the model
Each miniature was evaluated out of 25 points. While full scores remain private, this system helped us celebrate hobbyists at all levels while recognizing technical execution.
Painting Takeaways & Tips
As a Warhammer hobby store, we’re always excited to see local painters push their skills — and there’s always room to grow. Here are a few things that stood out from this event, and how to improve for the next Warhammer painting competition near you:
1. Basing Matters
Models with dynamic or well-painted bases made a stronger first impression. Even basic textured paint or a simple drybrush can create depth.
2. Clean Edges Win Points
Neat linework, especially on armor and trim, often made the difference between “good” and “great.”
3. Color Contrast
High-contrast schemes — light vs. dark, warm vs. cool — helped models stand out from across the room.
4. Avoid Over-Glossing
Several entries suffered from shiny finishes. A matte varnish or controlled gloss placement helps readability and polish.
5. Don’t Skip the Final Details
Eyes, pouches, lenses, and weapons all count. A few final brush strokes can push a piece over the line.
Whether you’re new to painting or looking to level up, these are valuable principles for any miniature painting competition or just for your personal army.
What’s Next?
We’re already planning the next painting competition at Wandering Adventures, with new themes, categories, and maybe even community voting. These events are a great chance to push your skills, connect with other painters, and see what your fellow hobbyists are working on.
If you missed this round, don’t worry — more Warhammer events in Vaughan are on the way. Follow us on Instagram or join our Discord for the next announcement.
Whether you paint for the tabletop or the trophy case, thanks again to everyone who entered — and we hope to see your work in the next round.
Looking for a Hobby Store in Vaughan?
Wandering Adventures is your local hub for Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, Kill Team, and more. From events and gaming nights to painting competitions and product restocks, we’re here to support the hobby community.
Stop by at 7766 Martin Grove Rd, Unit 5 — and bring your brushes.
Tips for Entering Our Painting Competition (and...
Tips for Entering Our Painting Competition (and Maybe Even Winning It)
We’re excited to be running another painting competition here at Wandering Adventures. This time, it’s all about the best single miniature. Whether you’re a first-time entrant or someone who’s been slinging paint for years, here are a few tips to help you put your best work forward.
First off, the basics:
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Entries are due by May 31st.
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One entry per person.
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No commission work — this has to be your own painting.
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No recycled models from previous contests.
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Your model has to be from Warhammer 40K, Kill Team, Age of Sigmar, or Warcry.
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It’s totally free to enter.
Now, onto the good stuff — how to impress the judges. We’ll be looking at each entry across a few key areas. Here’s what those mean in plain terms and how you can aim to score well in each.
Clean Painting
This is about the basics. Neat lines, solid base coats, no paint on places it shouldn’t be (looking at you, shoulder pads that are accidentally half-skin tone). If you’re using washes or drybrushing, aim for control and consistency. This doesn’t mean your model has to be perfect, just intentional.
Highlighting & Shading
Take some time to push your highlights and deepen your shadows. Edge highlights go a long way on armored models, while subtle blends can make cloth or skin pop. If you’ve been curious about techniques like glazing or using contrast between warm and cool tones, now’s a good chance to try it.
Color Contrast & Composition
Pick a scheme that stands out, not just in color, but in how it all ties together. Think about how your colors play off one another and avoid everything blending into a single tone. Try adding a splash color for a weapon or detail to draw the eye, and consider how your palette tells a story.
Basing & Presentation
The base doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it should be thoughtful. A textured base, even something as simple as sand and tufts, adds a lot to the final look. Don’t forget to paint the rim — black, brown, or something that complements your model works best.
Overall Impact
This one’s about the whole package. When someone looks at your miniature, does it grab attention? Does it feel like a finished piece, not just a figure from your army? Cohesion, confidence, and creativity go a long way here.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a Golden Demon winner to enter — this is about celebrating the miniature painting community and encouraging everyone to push their skills a bit further. Whether you paint for tabletop play or display, we’d love to see what you create.
Bring your entry to Wandering Adventures (located at 7766 Martin Grove Road, Unit 5) by May 31st. If you’ve got questions or just want to chat about color schemes, drop by the store or message us online.
See you (and your miniature) soon.




