Warhammer 40,000 Tournament Weekend
3 Days of War
Swiss + Top 4 Knockout · 20 Players · 10 Tables
Two events, two champions. Friday is a 1000 point Swiss with a top 4 knockout. Saturday and Sunday are a 2000 point Swiss with a top 4 knockout for the Grand Champion. Play one event or both.
1000pts
3 Swiss + Top 4
2 hour rounds
Crowns the Friday Champion. Results seed Saturday's round 1.
2000pts
Swiss rounds 1–3
3 hour rounds
Round 1 pairings come from Friday's results.
2000pts
Round 4 + Top 4
3 hour rounds
Last Swiss round, then semifinals and the Grand Final.
How a Game Is Scored
Every game earns tournament points based on the result. Record the victory points (VP) each player scored on the mission, because VP break ties at the end.
3
Win
1
Draw
0
Loss
Both players sign the pairings sheet after every game. Once it is signed and handed in, the result stands.
How Players Are Ranked
Same order for both events.
Tournament points
Win 3, draw 1, loss 0.
Strength of schedule (SoS)
The combined tournament points of every opponent you played. If two players both go 4–1, the one who beat tougher opponents ranks higher.
Total VP scored
Victory points scored across all your games.
Example after 5 rounds
Player A ranks first on strength of schedule. Players B and C are tied on SoS too, so total VP puts B ahead. This same order decides who makes the top 4.
Day 1 · Friday — 1000 Point Swiss
Three Swiss rounds of 2 hours. Round 1 is a random draw. In rounds 2 and 3 you play someone on the same points, and never the same opponent twice. After round 3 the top 4 play semifinals and a final for the Friday Champion. Everyone else can play two more optional Swiss rounds on tables 3 to 10, or call it a day.
Day 2 · Saturday Round 1 — Seeded from Friday
Everyone entered in the 2000 point event is listed in their Friday finishing order. The top half plays the bottom half. Players who skipped Friday fill the bottom of the list in a random draw.
Table 1
1 v 11
Table 2
2 v 12
Table 3
3 v 13
Table 4
4 v 14
Table 5
5 v 15
Table 6
6 v 16
Table 7
7 v 17
Table 8
8 v 18
Table 9
9 v 19
Table 10
10 v 20
This keeps Friday's strongest players apart at the start. They meet later, once the standings bring them to the top tables.
How Pairing Works — Rounds 2 to 4
Players are grouped by points: everyone on 6, everyone on 3, and so on.
Within each group, the highest ranked plays the next highest, down the list.
You never play the same opponent twice. If a rematch can't be avoided, a player moves up or down to the next points group.
If a group has an odd number, its lowest ranked player drops to the next group.
The top pairing plays on table 1, down to table 10.
20 players pair evenly, so there are no byes. If a dropout leaves an odd number, a standby player fills in. If no standby is available, the lowest ranked player who hasn't had a bye gets one, scored as a win with their average VP.
What to expect after round 4
Going 4–0 or 3–1 usually puts you in the running for the top 4. Among players on 3–1, strength of schedule decides who makes it, so who you beat matters.
Top 4 Knockout
After the last Swiss round (round 3 on Friday, round 4 on Sunday), the top 4 by points, then SoS, then total VP go into a knockout on tables 1 and 2.
Semifinal 1 · Table 1
1st v 4th
Semifinal 2 · Table 2
2nd v 3rd
Final · Table 1
Semifinal winners
3rd Place · Table 2
Semifinal losers
Weekend General
For players entered in both events. Add your Friday finishing place to your final 2000 point place. The lowest total wins.
Ties go to the player with the better 2000 point finish.
Schedule
Friday · 1000pts
Saturday · 2000pts
Sunday · 2000pts
Time, Lists & Conduct
Clock
- A 30 minute warning is called before the end of every round.
- When time is called, no new battle round starts. Finish the current one and score it.
- Next round's pairings go up once every table has reported, so a slow game holds up the whole room.
- Chess clocks are strongly recommended and may be required on request, especially in the knockout.
Army Lists
- Submit each list to the organizer before the event. Your 1000 and 2000 point lists are separate and don't need to match.
- Use the current official points and matched play mission pack. The organizer announces missions in advance.
- Your 2000 point list is locked for both days.
Dropping Out
- Tell the organizer before the next round's pairings are made.
- Games you already played still count toward your opponents' strength of schedule.
Questions about a rule during a game? Call a judge before you move on. The organizer's ruling is final.
Prizes
Friday Champion
1000 point event
Grand Champion
2000 point event
2nd & 3rd Place
2000 point event
Best Painted Army
Each event
Weekend General
Best combined finish across both events
Answer the Call
20 players. 10 tables. One Grand Champion. Secure your spot in the Three Day War.