The doors are open, the carpet’s rolled out, and the world’s greatest hobbyists (that’s you) have arrived for the Armies on Parade 2021 Awards Ceremony. This year has been even bigger and better than the last, with Warhammer veterans and newcomers alike submitting their armies in droves.
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted an entry this year, and to all of you joining us for the awards show – whether live or later.
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Want to jump straight to the winners in each category? Just click on the relevant button below to bask in the painting prowess
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Before we get to this year’s winners, we’ve got a bit of catching up to do with some others who got into the Armies on Parade spirit. Firstly, let’s see what our Warhammer colleagues have been up to this year.
As you may have seen on Warhammer Community, expert painter and two-time judge Tyler Mengel has been working away at his own project for this year, and it’s finally time to unveil it in its full glory.
That’s already some phenomenal work on display, but it’s just the appetiser before a fine meal – the best is yet to come. First, let's hear from one of our esteemed judges.
"Armies on Parade is, for me, one of the best ways that hobbyists can showcase their skill set, not only in army painting and terrain building, but their ability to build, paint and show amazing collections that inspire others to do the same. It truly is an honour to look upon these incredible entries time and time again."
– Chris 'Peachy' Peach
A Word from the Judges
"Some of my favorite things to see in Armies on Parade entries are cool and thematic story hooks. Having a display board really gives you the opportunity to tell that story with your collection.
The Genestealer Cults army by Carl Duff perfectly encapsulates the grim darkness of the far future, while also letting the creepiness of the faction shine. The Necrons army by Antoine Cambray accomplishes a similar feat, but this time with a bit of conflicting juxtaposition. The high-tech and utterly alien Necrons are waking up in a swampy tomb world, giving you lots of organic shapes to contrast with the mechanical. Some of the Necrons even have vegetation growing off of them now!"
– Tyler Mengel
The Adepta Sororitas strike a very dramatic look across the third-placed entry with the addition of some atmospheric fog.
You can see why Necrons typically prefer dry, desolate worlds with the moss and plant life springing up all over these vine-choked warriors.
The Genestealer Cults are a creepy, unsettling lot, and this diorama perfectly captures them with moody lighting and gothic architecture aplenty.
A Word from the Judges
“The breadth of the Mortal Realms was most certainly on display in this category, with some truly unique and incredible armies and boards. With a host of beautifully converted and painted monsters, units, war machines, and heroes, it was a real treat to look through each entry, and a serious challenge to whittle them down to the three winners we came to.
Aaron's board is a true joy to behold – just look at all those incredible conversions, which really capture the destructive efforts of the Gargants. Kit's board is a beautiful combination of scenery and models, both perfectly complementing each other as the cold, jagged rocks look almost as inhospitable as the deadly vampires that inhabit them. Steve's winning board blew me away with its beautiful forest scenery and working waterfall. It’s truly something else, and perfectly captures the Sylvaneth defending their realm.”
– Nick Bayton
We’re frankly surprised any of the ruins have stood up to the unstoppable charge of the Sons of Behemat here, led by the God of Earthquakes himself.
The dry and dusty landscape gives these Soulblight Gravelords an appropriately Death-like vibe as they march forth from a spectral tomb.
Life bursts forth from this Sylvaneth host that perfectly represents the wellspring of Alarielle’s power unleashed at the dawn of the Era of the Beast.
A Word from the Judges
"This year’s entries for the Best of the Rest category were incredible. With such a breadth of gaming systems in one category, it can be hard to stand out against such fierce competition, and our winners certainly did – three mindblowing displays, each one a perfect representation of the worlds they’re set in."
– Aidan Daly
Each member of this gang is an interesting character in their own right, perfectly suited to represent the personal kill team of an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor.
The iconic scene of Gandalf arriving to save Helm’s Deep is perfectly captured in this dramatic diorama, which even includes the blinding dawn light cresting over the hill.
The best displays tell a visual story, and plenty can be found on this bright and colourful board. We only hope Scabs can get to Kal Jericho’s side in time…
Just like last year, we had so many entries this year that we couldn’t just limit the awards to the three categories above. Our judges have picked out some honourable mentions that deserve awards all of their own for their skill and creativity.
"With the sheer amount of amazing entries on display this year it was impossible to just pick a 'top three' in each category and leave it at that. All of the judges felt like some special mentions were in order, as a lot of the entries that didn't make it all the way into the top three were still truly awesome! Here we've decided to give an extra shout out to some of the great displays we got to experience throughout the judging process."
– Max Faleij
Finally, this year has seen the return of in-person events all around the world, and some astonishing armies have been spotted at the recent Orlando and New Orleans legs of the Warhammer US Open.
The US Open in Austin, Texas is starting soon after the awards show is over, so while they get set up, we’re having a look back at some of the best armies to grace tournament tables this year.
That’s another year down, which means it’s almost time to start preparing for Armies on Parade 2022! More information on next year’s painting competitions is coming next week, so stay tuned to Warhammer Community to find out what your fellow hobbyists will be up to in the coming months.