Vae Victis – 19th September 2026
Vae Victis returns for 2026 and a new edition of the game. In keeping with previous years, smaller armies encourage quick games, perfect for getting a handle on the new edition or a new army.
The Essentials
| System | Warhammer 40k 11th Edition |
| Tickets | Tickets are available to purchase here £20 per ticket |
| Location | Bristol Independent Gaming (BIG) 16 Cater Road, Bristol, BS13 7TW Please note, no outside food and drink is permitted within the venue. https://www.bristolindependentgaming.co.uk/ |
| Battle size | 700 points |
| Mission types | Matched Play missions on half sized boards – see below |
| Rules Cut off date | Saturday 12th September |
| List submission | Saturday 12th September |
| What to bring | * Your Dice * Dice * Tape measure * Objective markers * All relevant rule publications – if you are relying on digital rules please ensure you have enough charge to last the day. * Tablet or phone to run the Best Coast Pairings app * Chapter Approved 2026-27 Mission cards, Tabletop Battles App or official GW 40k App |
| Tournament awards | Our traditional Vanguard Bear Trophies will be on offer for: * 1st Place * 2nd Place * 3rd Place * Most Sporting * Wooden Spoon * Best Painted Army – Public vote * Judge’s Choice * Best Overall – combination of sporting/painting votes and placing * Middlest Player * Best Newcomer * Best for each disposition |
Event Schedule
19th September 2026
| Start | End | Activity |
| 9:00 | 9:15 | Arrival and Registration |
| 9:15 | 9:30 | Event Briefing |
| 9:30 | 11:00 | Game 1 – Layout B |
| 11:15 | 12:45 | Game 2 – Layout C |
| 12:45 | 13:45 | Lunch and Painting Competition |
| 14:00 | 15:30 | Game 3 – Layout A |
| 15:45 | 17:15 | Game 4 – Layout B |
| 17:30 | 19:00 | Game 5 – Layout C |
| 19:00 | 19:20 | Awards and wrap up |
Army Composition
Armies are to consist of 700 points, using the latest points from the Munitorum Field Manual as of 12/9/2026. The event will use the army building rules for Incursion sized battles (which can be found in section 25 of the Core Rules in the official app), with the following additions:
- No models with a Toughness characteristic greater than 11
- No models with a Wounds characteristic greater than 14
- No one unit may cost more than 200 points (note that this includes enhancements and/or upgrades, but leader and support units will be counted separately)
- A maximum of one Epic Hero
Missions and Layouts
Games at VV26 will use the normal Chapter Approved 26-27 primary missions derived from you and your opponent’s disposition and the normal secondary missions cards. However, in keeping with the history of Vae Victis, games will be played on 30”x44” boards. Instead of using the layouts on your mission card we will be using the below layouts, which can also be found in the Combat Patrol section of the official 40k app, though you must also add a 40mm objective marker in the middle of the board. An objective marker is contested by any models within 3” of it (exactly like last edition, for all those familiar!). This is the Central Objective for missions that require them.
Army Modelling and Painting Requirements
All players should attempt to have their forces painted to a Battle Ready standard. Those that are not considered fully Battle Ready will not gain the 10 Victory Points for it at the beginning of the battle.
Key considerations FOR CONVERSIONS AND PROXY MODELS are:
- Conversions should be of an appropriate size for the rules used (i.e. not using a Rhino chassis for a Land Raider)
- Base size should be those detailed in the Base Size Guide found in the latest Chapter Approved Tournament Companion
- Weapons modelled should be consistent in appearance (i.e. all lascannons should look the same) across the army.
If in any doubt or if your army is highly converted, and to avoid any potential issues at the time of the event, please email the club with any questions and pictures of examples ahead of the event, so the event organiser can provide a ruling.
Sportsmanship Policy
Thankfully we’ve never had issues at our events but any harassment, bullying, poor sportsmanship or unpleasant behaviour will not be tolerated. We hope that any issues would be resolved between players at the table but if you feel uncomfortable or unable to resolve issues, please inform a TO as soon as possible.
The TO will usually provide a warning and guidance on what needs changing. If this warning is not heeded, or in cases of serious deviations from expected standards of behaviour, the TO may force a player to withdraw from the event and venue. Such decisions are at the TO’s complete discretion and are final on the day.