Prepare your armies and steel your resolve for an unforgettable day of warfare in the 41st Millennium. The Grimdark Gauntlet promises three intense games of tactical combat, strategic decision-making, and brutal skirmishes. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a bold newcomer to the Warhammer 40,000 hobby, this event is designed to challenge and excite players of all skill levels.
For this event we have partnered with Chaotic Wargaming https://chaoticgaming.co.uk/
The Essentials
| System | Warhammer 40k 10th Edition |
| Tickets | £20 per ticket Available here |
| 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 | 1,500pts Strike Force Matched Play |
| Mission types | Chapter Approved 2025-2026 |
| Terrain | GW terrain layouts, but using Vanguard terrain sets to make beautiful tables. |
| Rules Cut off date | 14th March 2026 |
| List submission | List submissions on BCP by midnight 14th March 2026 https://www.bestcoastpairings.com/event/XwQ8vJ1HoPh1 |
| What to bring |
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| Tournament awards | Trophies will be on offer for: 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Most Sporting Wooden Spoon Best Painted Army – Public vote Best Painted Army – Judges Choice |
Event Schedule
Saturday 21st March 2026
| Start | End | Activity |
| 9:00 | 9:15 | Arrival and Registration |
| 9:15 | 9:30 | Event Briefing |
| 09:30 | 12:30 | Game 1, Lynchpin, Search and Destroy Layout 4 |
| 12:30 | 13:15 | Lunch Painting Competitions |
| 13:15 | 16:15 | Game 2 Scorched Earth, Tipping Point Layout 4 |
| 16:15 | 16:30 | Break |
| 16:30 | 19:30 | Game 3 Terraform, Crucible of Battle Layout 2 |
| 19:30 | 20:00 | Awards and wrap up |
Army Composition
- 1500 points limit
- In accordance with the latest Warhammer 40k Matched Play rules (10th Edition).
- You can only pick each datasheet once, except for Battleline and dedicated transports
- A Battleline unit can be taken a maximum of three times providing that you have already selected each legal Battleline unit at least once already
- Each Dedicated Transport can be taken a maximum of twice
- You can only take 1 Epic Hero
- You can only take 1 Enhancement.
- Allied units are allowed up to a maximum limit of 300 points
- Legends units are permitted. However, they will follow the highlander rules mean a single legends choice per army.
- Units from Imperial Armour supplements (formerly know as Forgeworld units) are permitted and they will follow the highlander rules mean a single Imperial Armour choice per army.
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/Warhammer App
- 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