Put your painting skills on display and enter your finest work into the Golden Badger at Old Guard Games! This Open Format painting exhibition has three categories – Historical, Fantasy, and Sci-fi – allowing entries of all styles and compositions a place to shine. Meet like-minded hobbyists and display your work while you careful consider your vote for The People’s Choice. Do you have what it takes to rise to the top and claim the covered Best of Show trophy?
Golden Badger takes place at Old Guard Games located at 3132 N Downer St. in Milwaukee, WI on Saturday, May 23, 2026 as a part of the Old Guard Games Third Anniversary Celebration Weekend.
Golden Badger registration is open.
Event Cost – Golden Badger is free to enter!
Registration – To ensure your spot ahead of time, register now! Email Andrew at ChicagoDiceTeam@gmail.com and include:
- Your Name
- The Categories you plan to enter and the title/name of your entry.
- Each participant can submit one entry per Category.
Golden Badger Categories
There are three categories at Golden Badger – Historical, Fantasy and Sci-fi. Each participant may submit one entry per category. Entries can be a single model, a squad/unit, a vehicle, a monster, or diorama. There is no separate sub-category for the different types of entries. The Category for each entry is determined by the theme, not the scale, size, or composition. A Chaos Giant, a unit of High Elf Archers, and a Drow Rogue will all be displayed together in the Fantasy Category.
Historical – All types and scales of painted miniatures which are reproductions of real or plausibly real people, places, or events that played a role in history, regardless of era or location. Entries are not required to be tabletop gaming miniatures.
Fantasy – All types and scales of painted miniatures which are scale reproductions of fantasy characters, sagas, or worlds from literature, cinema, illustration, comics, and games. Any IP that is widely considered “Fantasy” is allowed such as Age of Sigmar, The Lord of the Rings, Dungeons & Dragons, and Warhammer Fantasy just to name a few. Entries are not required to be tabletop gaming miniatures.
Sci-fi – All types and scales of painted miniatures which are scale reproductions of science fiction characters, sagas, or worlds from literature, cinema, illustration, comics, and games. Any IP that is widely considered “Sci-fi” is allowed such as Warhammer 40,000, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Konflikt ’47 just to name a few. Entries are not required to be tabletop gaming miniatures.
Submission Requirements
All Golden Badger entries must the requirements below:
- Entries must be submitted in-person at the event by the person who painted them – no one else can submit your entry for you.
- Entries must be attached to a base, plinth or display, such as by adhesive, magnets or a similar method. Entries which contain loose miniatures or display elements will not be accepted.
- Entries cannot exceed a 12″x12″ footprint on the display table.
- Original creations / sculpts / kit bashes / conversions and 3D prints are allowed. Entrants are not limited to a specific game or manufacturer.
- Entries do not have to adhere to in-games rules in terms of weapons, wargear, or unit sizes. The entries are governed by the category descriptions and competition rules alone.
- Entries must be fully built and cannot be entered into the competition if they are damaged.
- Entries must be fully dry and cannot be entered into the competition if they are still wet
- Entries must be hand painted. Digitally painted entries are not permitted. Entries with decals are permitted.
- Entries cannot contain AI generated elements such as backdrops.
- Each participant may only enter each category once.
Any models that do not meet these requirements will not be allowed.
Schedule
Saturday, May 23:
11am – 3:30pm – Entry submission open! Come by the display table and drop off your entries.
12pm – 6pm – People’s Choice Voting is open!
4:30 – 6:30pm – Entry scoring by the Judes.
6pm – People’s Choice Voting cuttoff.
6:30pm – Entry pickup begins.
6:45 – 7:15pm – Awards. Awards will take place during the Border Wars Bolt Action Tournament Awards Ceremony. Golden Badger Awards will be announced first.
7:15 – 7:45pm – Entry pickup continues. All entries must be claimed by 7:45pm.
All are welcome to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award at any time during Entry Submission and Judging. Voting will be cut off at 6pm.
Golden Badger Judging
Inspired by the The Open System of Judging used by MMSI and Monte San Savino, the Golden Badger follows an Open Format. At a high level, this means that although there are only four “Best of” Awards, any entry worthy of the Commended Entry Award shall be given one. Unlike a typical 1st/2nd/3rd format, there is no limit on the number of Commended Entry Awards. To quote MMSI:
Because the number of awards is expandable, no piece wins an award at the expense of another. Each exhibitor’s work is evaluated on its own, and he or she receives the level of award the judges feel the work merits, without regard to the awards given to other pieces in the hall. Painters can thus judge the progress of their work from show to show, without worrying about what other modelers may bring.
No matter the Category or subject matter, entries are judged on sculpting, painting, overall presentation, and storytelling. The painting isn’t just about technical prowess, however, it’s about finding a style and technique that works for you and applying it with care. The judges have no set preference when it comes to style – as long as it looks amazing, there are no rules as to how you go about it.
Awards
A Commended Entry Award will be given to every entry that rises to the top of their Category. This could be every entry in a Category, or only one. Remember, no Commended Entries are award at the expense of another. If two entries are deserving, they will both be rewarded. Of all the Commended Entries in a Category, one will be selected as “Best of” in their category. Of the three “Best of” category winners, one will be selected as Best of Show.
In celebration of the top entry in each Category, trophies will be awarded for:
- Best of Historical – The single entry best exemplifies the highest quality of the historical setting as chosen by the judges.
- Best of Fantasy – The single entry best exemplifies the highest quality of fantasy setting as chosen by the judges.
- Best of Sci-fi – The single entry best exemplifies the highest quality of sci-fi setting as chosen by the judges.
- The People’s Choice – Chosen by popular vote from any and every person who walks into Old Guard Games on the day of the event.
- Best of Show – Chosen by the Judges, the Best of Show is the entry among the three Category Best ofs that stands above the others. The pinnacle of painting skill, style, storytelling, and environment.
Note that awards are not exclusive. If the Best of Show is also the People’s Choice, the same entrant will be awarded for both.
Prize Support
The Awards are generously provided by Old Guard Games and Badger Games.
Community
Join the Chicago Dice & Dice Dojo Historical Minis Discord, and the Old Guard Games Discord for updates, hobby progress, list discussion, and questions.
Golden Badger Winners
| Year | Best of Historical | Best of Fantasy | Best of Sci-fi | The People’s Choice | Best of Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | – | – | – | – |
Questions?
Contact Andrew and John at ChicaogDiceTeam@gmail.com with any questions.
The Fine Print
Photography and Media Usage
Associations, media representatives (including online and print), and authorized personnel may photograph and/or film the exhibited models. They may use such content for documentation, editorial, and/or promotional purposes. By participating, entrants waive any rights to these materials, either explicitly or implicitly.
Right to Refuse Exhibition
Organizers reserve the right not to display models deemed:
- Too fragile
- Potentially offensive to the public
While Old Guard Games staff will take all necessary precautions to protect the models, the organization declines all responsibility in the event of:
- Damage
- Tampering
- Theft
- The judges and organizers are not responsible for any disputes over model ownership or accidental damage.
Participation in the event (exhibition and/or competition) implies full and automatic acceptance of all terms and rules stated in this regulation.
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