In this inaugural edition of the Gilded Griffin we will be celebrating claws, chitin, and the creativity of the hobby community. This edition of the competition invites participants to showcase their most impressive Monsters from Warhammer 40k, from towering bio-titans to the great leaders of the swarming hordes, each one brought to life with skill, imagination, and a steady brush.

As we prepare to say goodbye to the Tyranids featured in the current starter and introductory boxes, making way for a new galaxy-spanning threat in the next edition of Warhammer 40,000 later this year, the Gilded Griffin is the perfect moment to look back and appreciate the incredible creatures hobbyists have built and painted over the last 3 years. Every entry is a tribute to the era of the Great Devourer: alien, terrifying, and endlessly inspiring for painters.

Whether dripping with toxic colours, stalking through grimdark battlefields, or gleaming with meticulous detail, these Tyranid monsters represent the passion and artistry of the community. Join us as we honour the swarm one more time, and crown the most spectacular monster with the title of Gilded Griffin.

First Place prize will also receive a Norn Emissary!

Second & Third will also win some awesome prizes to be announced in the coming days.

How to Enter

1) Paint your model!

Complete any Warhammer 40k miniature that contains the keyword Monster to a standard you're proud of (Full list of eligible models below). Any paint scheme is welcome, canon hive fleet colours, custom livery, or something entirely your own.

2) Submit your entry! You have three ways to enter:

Social media: Post a photo of your painted model on Facebook or Instagram. Tag @gorgon_games and include the hashtag #GildedGriffin. Your post must be new even if the photo was taken years ago.

Email: Send your photo directly to hello@gorgon.co.nz.

In-store: Bring your model to Gorgon Games in Auckland and we'll photograph it and post it for you.

3) We shortlist & the community votes!

Gorgon Games will review all entries and select the top three finalists. We'll then put it to the community for a public vote running for 48 hours and the Gilded Griffin goes to the winner.

Timeline

• 12 of March - Entries open, begin painting
• 31st of March - Entry deadline, all submissions must be received by end of day
• Shortly after - Gorgon Games announces the top three finalists
• 48-Hour vote -  Community voting opens and you can cast your vote for the Gilded Griffin champion
• Winner announced! - The Gilded Griffin is awarded. The swarm remembers.
  

Rules & Eligibility

• All Submissions must be New Zealand based
• The submission must be a Warhammer 40k model with the Monster Keyword (Full list of eligible models below)
  
• The model must be painted by the entrant. By entering, you confirm the work is entirely your own.
• Any level of modelling, conversion, or basing is permitted and encouraged.
• There is no restriction on when the model was painted — older work is welcome, as long as the submission post is new.
  
• Entries submitted via social media must be posted as new content. The post must tag @gorgon_games and include #GildedGriffin to be counted.
• The Gorgon Games team will select the top three finalists at their sole discretion. The community vote determines the final placing.
• Prizes are non-transferable and have no cash value.
• By entering, you grant Gorgon Games permission to share your images on our social channels and website, with credit to you.
• Gorgon Games staff and their immediate family are not eligible to enter.
• Gorgon Games reserves the right to amend these rules or cancel the competition if required. Any changes will be communicated via our social media channels.

Eligible 40K Monsters 

Tyranids: Hive Tyrant/ Swarmlord, Tervigon / Tyrannofex, Carnifex, Exocrine / Haruspex, Norn Emissary / Norn Assimilator, Trygon / Malwoc, Screamer-Killer, Neurotyrant, Psychophage, and Maleceptor / Toxicrene. 

Chaos Deamons: Bloodthirster, Lord of Change, Keeper of Secrets, Great Unclean One, Be'lakor, Soul Grinder, Mutalith Vortex Beast, Magnus the Red, Mortarion, Angron and Daemon Prince.

Aeldari and Drukhari: Avatar of Khaine, The Yncarne, Wraithlord, Wraithknight, and Talos / Cronos

T'au Empire: The Riptide, Ghostkeel, and Stormsurge.

Necrons: C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer, Void Dragon, Deceiver and Transcendent C'tan

Imperium: Roboute Guilliman and Belisarius Cawl (yes It's silly but technically correct.)

Exceptions

(In the spirit of the law, not the letter)

Orks: Squigosaur, Tramplasquig (Killrig) and Smasha Squigs

Aeldari: Infinity’s Lament (there is a wraith lord on the base)

T'au Empire: Krootox Rider and Rampagers, Kalamandras (Lone-spear)

If you think we have missed any feel free to comment below and we will update the list.