Golden Demon - GD 2025 V1.0 - Competition guide

Oct 7, 2026

Golden Demon is a Warhammer miniatures painting competition with 14 distinct categories plus two accompanying contests: Youngbloods and The Open Competition. The guide explains how awards work across categories, how entries are evaluated by judges, and what matters for a winning display, including technical skill, atmosphere, consistency, and narrative fit with Games Workshop worlds. It also details entry requirements, registration steps, deadlines, desk hours, handling rules, and restrictions for eligible miniatures, painting method, and submission format.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Competition Overview

Awards and categories

How to Enter

Registration and closing dates

Registration desk opening times

Entry Guidelines

Eligibility and restrictions

Painting and submission rules

GD2025V1.0 EN Golden Demon is the ultimate Warhammer painting competition. Thousands of entries are received each year from all over the world. Painters ofall levels are invited to submit their best work to claim glory, bragging rights, coveted trophies, and a well-deserved sense of accomplishment in this pinnacle of the miniatures painting hobby. The best-of-the-best at each competition is named the overall winner and presented with the legendary Slayer Sword Whether you’re a veteran Golden Demon painter or it’s your first time at the event, you’ll be sure to see something that blows you away! CONTENTS This guide contains everything you need to know about Golden Demon and its two accompanying contests – Youngbloods and The Open Competition. Over the following pages you will find: • Competition Overview • How to Enter • Entry Guidelines • Category List • Category Descriptions • FAQ COMPETITION OVERVIEW Golden Demon comprises 14 distinct categories, ranging from single miniatures and units, to large dioramas, duels and monsters, vehicles and warmachines. Each of the 14 categories will have awards for: • Notable • Commended • Finalist • Gold, Silver and Bronze Each Gold winning entry in its respective category will then be judged collectively to determine which entry will be awarded the ultimate prize in miniature painting; The Slayer Sword. The winner is then awarded an actual sword. Yes, the winner is awarded with an actual sword. Yes, it’s absolutely epic. Alongside the 14 Golden Demon categories are Youngbloods and The Open Competition. Both of these categories have the same awards structure with Notable, Commended and Finalist pins, and a top three of Gold, Silver and Bronze; but they have some key differences. Youngbloods is specifically aimed towards younger competitors. In fact, you must be 12-15 years old on the day of entry to enter the Youngbloods competition In The Open Competition, anything goes here; single miniatures, busts, larger scale miniatures, small armies or themed collections and pretty much any other type of entry that doesn’t fit anywhere else. The Open Competition is also where Games Workshop staff are encouraged to enter and compete alongside the public – this is your chance to go head to head with some of the world’s greatest sculptors and painters and prove your mettle in one of the toughest settings anywhere in the world! What do the judges look for? In all categories the judges look for many different qualities in winning entries. Technical skill, atmosphere, consistency in quality, and narrative are all key components in what makes a winning entry stand out. The painting isn’t just about technical prowess, however, it’s about finding a style and technique that works for you and applying it with care. The judges have no set preference when it comes to style – as long as it looks amazing, there are no rules as to how you go about it. The background and setting is important as well. The judges will be looking at how well the entry fits into Games Workshop’s different worlds and universes – a strong narrative can go a long way towards grabbing the judges’attention. HOW TO ENTER To enter into Golden Demon, Youngbloods orThe Open Competition at Adepticon 2025, you must first purchase your Adepticon Tickets. Proof of purchase will be required when entering the competition. To register your entries simply fill out the online entry form. We do recommend completing this form in advance to ensure the smoothest and most efficient entry process, but you will have an opportunity to complete the form at the registration desk if needed. The closing date for registration into all categories for Golden Demon, Youngbloods and The Open Category is 12:00 Local Time, March 29th 2025 REGISTRATION DESK OPENING TIMES March 27th-10:00-18:00 March 28th-10:00-18:00 March 29th-09:00-12:00 MINIATURE COLLECTION March 30th-13:00* Non-Finalist Entri

FAQs

What is Golden Demon, and what other contests are included?

Golden Demon is the Warhammer painting competition featuring 14 categories. The guide also covers Youngbloods and The Open Competition as the two accompanying contests.

What awards can entries receive in Golden Demon categories?

Each of the 14 categories awards Notable, Commended, and Finalist pins, plus Gold, Silver, and Bronze. The Gold winners are judged collectively to determine the ultimate prize in miniature painting, the Slayer Sword.

Who can enter Youngbloods, and what are key entry requirements?

Youngbloods is aimed at younger competitors, requiring participants to be 12–15 years old on the day of entry. Entries must be Games Workshop-produced miniatures, be hand painted (no digital/printed painting), be fully built and dry, and be submitted in person by the person who painted them.

Oct 7, 2026

Upload by Taylor Morgan