=] Call to Arms 2025 - XENOS STRONGHOLD [=

[AvePicante]

On 9/16/2025 at 8:53 PM, Dr_Ruminahui said:

To facilitate that, please post your best picture of your favorite painted model or unit that you did for the Xenos Stronghold in this Call to Arms - it will make my job much easier.

 

Any specific timeline for this? I have a lightbox coming tomorrow so I can take better pics, and my nasty desk can stay out of the pictures

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

16 minutes ago, AvePicante said:

Any specific timeline for this? I have a lightbox coming tomorrow so I can take better pics, and my nasty desk can stay out of the pictures

 

By Monday would be great, as I intend to start going through the various photos next week to chose my favourites.  That said, after that would be fine too, though with the risk that they won't be useful for that process.

[firestorm40k]

Not quite as good a picture as I'd hoped to get, but here's a pic of everything I painted - both of my vows 

 

 

65 miniatures in total - the most I've ever pledged and painted for a Call to Arms event   I'm very grateful that taking part in this event has enabled me to get the bulk of this army painted - I feel like I've 'broke the back' of this project. All I have left are Skorpekhs, Flayed Ones, some characters and a couple of vehicles - then it's done. 

 

Thanks again to @Dr_Ruminahui for running the event this year!  And we'll done to everyone who has taken part - it's been great to see so many people making progress with their hobby projects 

[Dr. Clock]

My fave from this Stronghold:

 

 

Cheers,

 

The Good Doctor.

[Silvereyes]

I want to apologise for failing the challenge. Partly because of real life getting in the way, but also really struggling to put the time and effort into painting. It's so easy to promise something, than it is to actually fulfill that promise.

[AvePicante]

Small correction to my full pledge post, I did not include my E Champ or Sagitaur from pledge 1. Oops. Here's a shot of everything

[AvePicante]

If I were to select my one best model from this bunch, it's probably my Sagitaur. Love how this turned out!

[Bouargh]

Hi Folks,

 

A familly protrait of all my production for this CtA25's season. 3 vows in this Stronghold, all associated to Drukhari. Seen the rumored Codex (leaked) datasheet, these units will likely be mostly used in my Ynnari force.

 

 

My favourite model out of this production is the Wytches' Raider. A long time imagined modification of the model to taxi these arenas' evil weirdoes:

 

edit: scenery is NOT part of CtA25

Edited September 21 by Bouargh

[Dr. Clock]

My full Call to Arms compilation photo:

 

"Deep in the Ghoul Stars, as nobility of the Deepvoid Corsairs command their Ulthwé allies, thrallbeasts and Galberkin mercenaries to cleanse a Maiden World of Inquisitor Dartorian's motley crusaders, The Bound Prince Krungkor and his vassal Weaselbound rend the ethereal veil to revel in the slaughter of all."

 

 

Unfortunately, this pic was taken without the single dragon ogre I painted for the Weasels as well... I thought he was here, but he was in a box of Khorne stuff that's now offsite. Still - nice to see these all collected in one place for a moment before they go off on their own separate journies to *checks notes* 6 of my armies.

 

Good times!

 

Cheers,

 

The Good Doctor.

[Alby the Slayer]

A little focus on the characters of Krist'hel retinue and herself plus some details on the project.

 

I removed the background:

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

I'm setting a deadline of the end of the day Friday for extra pictures, as I intend to put together the candidates for voting next weekend.  So, in order to give your models the best chance in the voting, please post the best picture you can of your favorite model (if you haven't already - if you have, thank you) by the end of the week.  Note, if you don't provide new pictures, you are still in the running - I'll just be making my decisions based on the photos already posted, but that may prevent me from selecting models/units whose pictures doesn't focus on that particular model or unit.

[Rusted Boltgun]

Like any doting father, I love all my Boyz equally. But this one gets a photo

 

[zulu.tango]

Bit late, but here are two solo pictures of my completed vows

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Thank you to everyone who provided me with additional photos - they were all much appreciated.

 

I have now set up polls with all my semi-finalistis in the Admin/Mods subforum for them to vote on to determine the top 3 to run off for Stronghold Artificer.  That process should be done next weekend, at which point I will put up polls in the WIP subforum for general membership voting.   I will obviously post links here when that happens.

 

Good luck to the many talented artists whose models are in the running.

[Alby the Slayer]

Since the Imgur is not longer visible for the UK Fraters, as suggested, I created an album right here for this event and will do that for every future project of mine.

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

VOTING FOR STRONGHOLD ARTIFICER IS NOW LIVE!

 

Please go to the follow links to choose your favourite entry for each of the Strongholds:

 

ASTARTES / IMPERIUM / CHAOS / XENOS / HERESY

 

Voting closes on October 15, 2025 at midnight Pacific Coast time.  Happy voting!

 

I have unpinned the Stronghold threads now that voting has commenced to avoid clogging up the WIP forum pinned topics.

Edited October 6 by Dr_Ruminahui

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Voting for Stronghold Artificer is now complete - congratulations @Alby the Slayer for your wonderfully done Drukhari Tantalus.  Thank you to everyone for participating, and all the wonderful entries - though there can only be one top finisher, there were many others that were equally deserving.

 

You can see the final results of each of the Stronghold votes here:  Astartes / Imperium / Chaos / Xenos / Heresy

 

The final rounds of voting are now underway - please go to these links to choose your favourite entries for:

 

Master Artificer

 

Master of the Forge

 

Voting closes on October 23 at midnight, Pacific Coast time, after which the final results of Call to Arms will be announced.

Edited October 16 by Dr_Ruminahui

[Dr_Ruminahui]

 

 

 

Call to Arms 2025 Xenos Stronghold Summary

 

First of all, thank you to the newcomers and returning members who participated in the 2025 Call to Arms, whether or not you completed your Vows, you have all made the event the success it has been. Between the five Strongholds, we all painted 3,028 points of MODELS, which is an OUTSTANDING result by any metric.

 

Second, I apologize for my delay in posting the final summaries - I had started to them fairly promptly, belatedly realized that I didn't have all the badges I needed, and by the time I did my life had gotten incredibly busy and stressful.  So I'm sorry for all those who have been waiting.

 

Third, thank you all to those who extended their thanks and appreciation through out the event.  I know I'm not very good at responding or acknowledging such, tending to brush it aside and focus on the matters at hand.  Anyway, I wanted to let you know that it is appreciated, so thank you and you're welcome.

 

Fourth, a big thank you to @Grotsmasha, for all the fantastic art used in the announcement posts and badges, his advice on things like point costs for models, and all of his past work creating the rules and framework for the event with the first and previous Call to Arms.

 

So, how did the Xenos Forums and Stronghold perform throughout the Event?

 

Total Points Vowed:  1035

Total Points Completed: 839

Completion Ratio (Points):  81.06%

Number of Participants: 21

Number of Participants who completed all vows: 16

Completion Ratio (Participants): 76.19%

This was clearly the Stronghold that aimed high and hit their mark - Xenos having the highest completed points of Call to Arms 2025.

 

Aeldari - Participants vs Completed: 4/1 (25%), Pledged: 240 pts vs Completed: 98 pts  -  40.83% Completion

The Aeldari again had a tough time of it this year, despite having the highest total points pledged, only one of the participants completing their vows.  Still, its an improvement over their completion rate from last year.

 

Drukhari - Participants vs Completed: 4/4 Pledged (100%): 175 pts vs Completed: 175 pts  -  100% Completion

With no participants last year, this year the Dark Eldar hit the ground running, making and completing 8 vows, tied for the 2nd highest points completion of the Xenos subfactions.  Clearly, the B&C frater prefer their Eldar without sugar or cream.  Their 100% completion rate has earned all Drukhari participants the Champions of the Call Badge.

 

Leagues of Votann- Participants vs Completed: 1/1 (100%) Pledged: 62.5 pts vs Completed: 62.5 pts  -  100% Completion

Another subfaction with no participants last time, the Votann met their duty, with the single participant completing all three vows.  This feat and 100% completion rate has also earned him/her the right to the Champions of the Call Badge.

 

Necrons - Participants vs Completed: 3/3 (100%), Pledged: 181 pts vs Completed: 181 pts  -  100% Completion

The forces of the Necrontyr are inexorable, and roused from their slumber to complete all 4 of their collective vows and complete the most points of all the Xenos subfactions.  Like last year, this 100% completion rate has also them the Champions of the Call Badge, and the highest completed points earns them the Champion of the Horde Badge.

 

Orks - Participants vs Completed: 4/4 (100%), Pledged: 147.5 pts vs Completed: 147.5 pts  -  100% Completion

The Ork hordes (well, all 4 of them) completed all of their collective six vows, again earning the Orks the right to the bare the Champions of the Call Badge for achieving the coveted 100% Completed rate.

 

T'au - Participants vs Completed: 1/0 (0 %), Pledged: 10 pts vs Completed: 0 pts  -  0.00% Completion

From the most Xenos points completed last year to the least, a true swing of fortune and the lowest possible completion rate.  Better luck next year.

 

Tyranids - Participants vs Completed: 4/3 (75%), Pledged: 214 pts vs Completed: 175pts  -  79.91% Completion

With the second highest pledged points, the Ravenous Swarm would have had the highest points in completed models but for 1 failed vow.  That said, still a very respectful showing, tying them for second with Drukhari.

 

As with most Events, there are of course Badges for Individual Achievments within the Stronghold,

 

Starting with those who did not Complete their Vows, the Xenocide Badge, these Participants are honour-bound to bear this Badge until years end.

 

@Brother Argent

@GSCUprising

@Magos Takatus

@Silvereyes

@ZeroWolf

 

For Completing 1-9pts within the Call to Arms, the Completed Badge,

 

@Grotsmasha

@Mike Zulu

 

For Completing 10-24pts within the Call to Arms, the Warden of the Stars Badge,

 

@Alby the Slayer

@Kora'tau

@ThePenitentOne

@zulu.tango

 

For Completing 25-44pts within the Call to Arms, the Warrior of the Stars Badge,

 

@Dr. Clock

@Khulu

@Rusted Boltgun

 

For Completing 45-74pts within the Call to Arms, the Hero of the Stars Badge,

 

@AvePicante

 

For Completing 75-99pts within the Call to Arms, the Champion of the Stars Badge,

 

@drakheart

@firestorm40k

@lokkorex

@YoungWolf7

 

For completing +100pts within the Call to Arms, the Master of the Void Badge,

 

@Antarius

@Bouargh

 

 

Congratulations to @Antarius for Completing 139 pts worth of models, which was the most points in the Xenos Stronghold, and claiming the title of Xenos Champion.  This is only 1 point less than last year's Xenos Champion.

 

 

 

Additionally, the top 3 voted entries on the Stronghold Artificer Poll are entitled to wear the Stronghold Artificer Badges.

 

Congratulations to @YoungWolf7 and @zulu.tango for their fantastic entries, earning themselves the Artificer Badge.

 

Additionally, having won the Xenos Artificer pole, @Alby the Slayer is entitled to wear the extra spiffy gold bordered version.

 

Alby the Slayer's Drukhari tantalus:

Spoiler

 

YoungWolf7's Ork jawbreaka

Spoiler

 

zulu-tango's Tau vespid

Spoiler

 

 

Please check out the Call to Arms 2025 Summary Thread for the final event announcements and comparisons between the Strongholds. 

 

Thank you again to everyone for participating, whether it be through your vows, completions, comments or votes.

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Dr_Ruminahui