The general rules for the Tournament are straightforward. You must use the same army for each game, and the models must be painted Miniatures. The latest edition of the rules must be used. Furthermore, contestants should know that. Tournaments are for fun, and that poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated in any way.

1. You can only use one Force Organization chart.
2. You must create this force using rules found in the latest Warhammer 40,000 rulebook, a Warhammer 40,000 Codex or the Chapter Approved books and articles in WD that are Chapter approved. Only published material is legal. The most current rules must be used.
3. The army must be made up of miniatures that are representative of the race. If you are playing Space Marines you must use Space Marine models. If you are playing Dark Eldar, you must use Dark Eldar models, etc . If you have a proxy army - for example Space Squats as Imperial Guard - the entire army must be space Squats.
4. What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG). If a model is armed with an item, it must be shown on the figure. Models for army list choices that are not available must be converted.
5. We would prefer that you bring a painted army. See the Appearance scoring guidelines for how they will be scored. Unpainted armies are allowed but will put you at a disadvantage as the painting score is integral to the overall scoring process.
6. You must conduct yourself in a manner that will not bring the hobby into disrepute.
7. You must bring all materials needed to play including: dice, measuring device, templates, models, and any rules that you will be using.
8. You may use Special Characters.
9. Jungle fighting rules found in Codex: Catachans, Cityfight rules found in Codex: Cityfight, and Vehicle Design Rules will NOT be in effect.
10. Imperial Armor may be used; however, no Super Heavies or Flyers are allowed.
11. Chapter Approved rules clarifications and Q&A appearing in White Dwarf are in use.
12. Scoring will be done on appearance, sportsmanship and battle points.

*Special Characters* must be used exactly as described in the codex and must be represented by the appropriate figure. If no GW model is available for the special character a converted or modeled figure must be used and identified as the character and include all WYSIWG equipment.

Why do we care about a painted army? Because it looks better on the table and adds to the overall enjoyment of the hobby. You do not have to be an expert to score well on the painting score, a little effort goes a long way towards pushing up your score. For some players the look of their army is more important than how it performs on the battlefield, for most of us a well-painted army is enjoyable to play or play against and adds to the visual enjoyment of the game. Pride of ownership increases astronomically with each hour enjoyably spent refining, touching up, converting and creating a standout army. Getting your army ready for tournament play may be the boost you need to finally get the army completely painted and looking the way you want it to. Plus lets face it painted armies fight better!

We highly recommend a carrying tray for moving your army around from game to game - it lets you keep track of your figures, is easier to carry than 2 shoulder bags and means you don't have to repack your army after every game.

*The BASIC Painting /Appearance score for each army will be judged as follows*

1. Are ALL models in the Army painted with at least 3 colors? Simple clean base colors work here. We are not asking for expert work just neat clean simple paint jobs. +2point
2. Are ALL models in the Army based in a similar or themed manner [this can be as simple as green flock] Plain black bases will only be accepted if there is a theme involved. +2 points
3. Does the Army have a cohesive appearance or color scheme that identifies it as an army? Does it all match or have a theme? Do individual units have identifying markings/banners/unit colors? Shoulder pads, helmet colors, banners etc. +2 points
4. Do Character models/Leaders stand out from the army and are easily identifiable? +1 point
5. Are all models What You See Is What You Get? I.e.: are all Weapons/Special items* represented on models? +1 point

*The BONUS Painting Appearance Score for each army will be judged as follows:*

1. Is the ENTIRE army painted to a high standard shading / Washing / Highlighting / Glossing? +1 point
2. Are there extensive/special conversions or detail work /effects added to the army? +1 point
3. Has a high level of detail been built into the basing of the army +1 point
4. Is it presented on a matching/Themed display base? +1 point
5. In the judges opinion is this the best looking army in the tournament? +3 point

Please note ENTIRE army means all models in the army including vehicles. Examples of Conversions/detail work - fancy camo scheme, every lasgun in army converted to AK47 clip, 5 pounds of milliput used on army, light up vehicles, sound effects, etc.

High level of detailing on bases - dirt /static grass and rocks, discarded equipment, dead enemies.

Matching /Themed display base - A piece of board terrained to match the army bases that holds the army for transport. A Chapter Symbol Display base. A diorama battlefield display base matching the theme of the army - aka The Grinch who stole Xmas. A tea tray painted with the Army Badge to match. A colored Cardboard cutout of your chapter symbol glued onto a cardboard tray.