Cold North Open 2025 Special Categories
7. Beginner
First time in a Ropecon painting contest? This separate category is open to anyone who is, for example, taking part in a painting competition for the first time, or otherwise considers themselves a beginner in this field. You can enter with a single entry, or a display consisting of multiple entries allowed in any of the other categories. For example, a contestant could enter a display consisting of a small figure, two groups, a bust and a diorama all made by the same entrant.
Please note! People entering this category are not allowed to enter any of the main categories 1.-6., instead they must place all their entries as a single display in this category.
8. Sculpt
This is a new category from 2025, which is intended for miniature figures, which are entirely self-made. The presentation is allowed to have a maximum of 15 % pre-made parts. The miniature figures signed up for this category must be made by the participant themselves, unpainted, or at most, base coated physical figures, which have been constructed in a way that they do not have parts that easily come loose. Both hand-sculpted works and digitally modelled and then 3D printed works are eligible in this category. Therefore the category is not intended for conversions or kitbashed works. Works made by 3D scanning are prohibited in the category if the scanned parts exceed the 15 %limit for premade parts. Because the category is intended for unpainted works, the judging will naturally focus on only the sculpt (the judging criteria in this category are the quality of work, composition, anatomy, creativity / originality, and the challenge level of the sculpt).
9. Junior
All under 16 year olds can participate in this separate category. You can enter with a single entry or a display consisting of entries allowed in any of the other categories. For example, a contestant could enter a display consisting of a small figure, two groups, a bust and a diorama all made by the same entrant.
People entering this category are not allowed to enter any of the main categories 1.-6., instead they must place all of their entries as a single display in this category.
10. Speedpaint
This category requires a miniature that befits the small miniature category and is painted within the time limit. This category does not accept entries in advance, because the painting will take place in a separate workshop during Ropecon.
The rules and miniatures for this category will be revealed later. Note that in this category only the top three entries are awarded, and also those taking part in the beginner and junior categories are allowed to enter this category separately.
Mortal Models sponsors the figures in the speedpaint category.
11. Theme category: Trench Crusade
In honor of a successful game release, this year the competition hosts a separate Trench Crusade-category. You can participate with a separate work or presentation, which can consist of any Trench Crusade- themed work, which is eligible for any of the other categories. For example, one presentation can include a small figure, two groups and a diorama, all by the same painter. In the spirit of the game the works do not need to be official Trench crusade miniature figures.
The judges of this category alongside the official judges of the competition, the head designer of Trench Crusade Tuomas Pirinen and the head sculptor of Trench Crusade James Sherriff. This category includes additional prizes sponsored by Trench Crusade.