The Golden Mace Competition
Coming to Mythic Con 2025
We are proud to offer a competition where our amazing crafters can show off their work. (Not that we weren't already amazed by what you can do in our 4 hour crafting competition!) Instead of being limited to the 4 hour block and limited to what is in the room, you can now bring something you have created outside Mythic Con and let the whole con see your skills!
In addition to the Craft-Off
We will continue the long standing tradition of the craft-off, so don't worry about it going away. This new competition is being added in addition to the Craft-Off.
The highest award given at the Mythic Con Craft-Off, the Golden Mace
What is the Golden Mace Competition?
The Golden Mace is a juried, open-forum award, game crafting show.
Division
- Journeyman – The Journeyman Division is focused on crafters and painters that are developing their skills and artistic expression.
- Master – The Master Division is for crafting who are actively refining their painting and crafting skills and leading their communities. These crafters and painters may have an online presence, be well known in the community, and/or teach professionally. This is a challenging Division, and not for the faint of heart.
Awards
- Gold (per category)
- Silver (per category)
- Bronze/Copper (per category)
- Best of Category
- Best in Show (decided by judges)
- Fan Favorite (vote by attendees)
- Youth Award (ages 5 – 15)
Categories
Game Crafting
Wargame terrain/scatter terrain – Pieces created for miniature wargames, these could be objects from buildings, ruins, hills, wrecks, etc. that will traditionally block line of sight. These do not have to be displayed on the same base, however it is suggested that if you have multiple pieces a clear base is used to keep everything together. 3D printed pieces are allowed if they have been modified or sculpting by the submitting artist.
RPG terrain – Pieces created for use role-playing games. If there are multiple parts they should be displayed together on a base (unlike Wargame terrain above). These can include grids or other items that are necessary to play the RPG this was developed for. Miniatures may be included in these to convey the encounter/story that the pieces were created for. These miniatures do not have to be painted by entrants, prebuilt/pre-painted toys or miniatures can be used. 3D printed pieces are allowed if they have been altered (kitbashed) or sculpted by the submitting artist.
A stunning piece of gaming terrain built by hand
Painting
Large miniature – (greater than 54mm scale) Any complete figure(s), over 54mm scale or monstrous sized creatures. Multiple figures are allowed but must be displayed on a single base. The focus of the category should be on the characters. Examples include: 75mm knight, 32mm Dragon, or a Warhammer Greater Demon.
Small miniature – (up to 54mm scale) Any single figure, up to and including 54mm scale figures. Single figures on a display base may include ancillary models (e.g., familiars, small animals, mounts, etc.) necessary to add to the scene. Examples include: all Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar playable figures, Star Wars: Legion or Shatterpoint figures, or Marvel: Crisis Protocol Characters.
Vehicle – (All scales) Any vehicle, in all scales, in any theme. The focus should be on the vehicle, with ancillary figures in support of the story Examples include: war machines (e.g., Dreadnoughts, Warjacks, mechanical constructs), cars, planes, tanks, ships, trains, etc.
Sculpting
Large miniature – (greater than 54mm scale) Any complete figure(s), over 54mm scale or monstrous sized creatures. Multiple figures are allowed but must be displayed on a single base. The focus of the category should be on the characters. Examples include: 75mm knight, 32mm Dragon, or a Warhammer Greater Demon.
Small miniature – (up to 54mm scale) Any single figure, up to and including 54mm scale figures. Single figures on a display base may include ancillary models (e.g., familiars, small animals, mounts, etc.) necessary to add to the scene. Examples include: all Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar playable figures, Star Wars: Legion or Shatterpoint figures, or Marvel: Crisis Protocol Characters.
Vehicle – (All scales) Any vehicle, in all scales, in any theme. The focus should be on the vehicle, with ancillary figures in support of the story Examples include: war machines (e.g., Dreadnoughts, Warjacks, mechanical constructs), cars, planes, tanks, ships, trains, etc.
Diorama
Diorama – Any diorama, in all scales, in any theme. Diorama entries convey a story or communicate a story to the viewer. Dioramas can involve multiple models, as with a duel, or no models, as with a burning shed in a field. Note that some commercially available miniatures may be presented in a particular setting. All models in this category must have been painted by the entrant (unlike RPG terrain above).
3D printed pieces are allowed if they have been altered/modified (kitbashed) or sculpted by the submitting artist.
Limitations
12”L x 12”W x 12”H size maximum – sizes larger than this will be considered on submission. The Golden Mace/All Games for All Events/Mythic Con reserves the right to refuse entries based on size due to space limitations or if they are viewed as being inappropriate for a family friendly event.
Judging criteria
- Originality
- Craftsmanship/Technique
- Story
- Use of materials
Entries may be upgraded to the next Division or moved to another Category at the discretion of Golden Mace staff and/or judges if they have a justifiable reason for the move. Entries will not be moved to deprive the creator an award.
The Golden Mace uses a panel of judges that award gold, silver, and bronze awards. In this open forum art show, there can be multiple gold, silver, or bronze winners (or no winners) in a Category. Each submitting artists’ work is individually evaluated and receives the level of award the judges feel their work merits, without regard to the awards given to other pieces in the same Division and Category.
Categories may be combined depending on the number of entries in that category. Judges will make this determination.
Crafters busy at work during the Craft-Off
The fine print
The following rules, requirements and limitations apply to all Golden Mace artists, crafters, and entries:
| 1.0 | ENTRY, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS & AGREEMENT |
|---|---|
| 1.1 | Attendees submitting in the Golden Mace must purchase a Convention Badge. Additional registration fees apply for each entry. |
| 1.2 | Golden Mace entries must be purchased through Tabletop Events- Merch Sales. Select the total number of entries you expect to enter. |
| 1.3 | Refunds will be granted though Table-Top Events for withdrawing before registration. |
| 1.4 | Due to space limitations there is a limit of one (1) entry per category/per artist; there is no limit to the number of categories you may enter. |
| 1.5 | The Golden Mace staff and judges presume all entries are made in good faith; however, judges reserve the right to shift a model to a different division. |
| 1.6 | Artist submissions may be disqualified if it is discovered an artist chose a lesser division in bad faith, deliberately trying to “game the system.” |
| 1.7 | All composition and painting must be the artist’s own work. No team entries are allowed, although uncredited conversion work, sculpting, etc. from another party will be accepted. This includes the submission of scratch-built models built by another party and 3D printed figures legally obtained but painted by the submitting artist. |
| 1.8 | Models from any manufacturer are allowed for entry. This includes scratch-built models and 3D printed figures which are allowed and encouraged. |
| 1.9 | Artists agree to have their entries photographed, videoed, or otherwise recorded by Mythic Con. Prize-winning artists, likewise, agree to have their person photographed, videoed, or otherwise recorded. All such recordings shall be the property of Mythic Con and shall be for purposes of identification and promotion. All likenesses will be unedited and credited to the artist. |
| 1.10 | Artists agree to provide all entries, at their own risk to Mythic Con/The Golden Mace for the duration of the competition for the purpose of display, photography, and judging. |
| 1.11 | Submitting artists must agree to the Hold Harmless agreement with Games for All Events/Mythic Con at the time of registration. |
| 1.12 | Games for All Events/Mythic Con staff will make every effort to safely handle and secure entries, but Games for All Events/Mythic Con accepts no responsibility for damage to or loss of entries during the convention. |
| 1.13 | All Games for All Events/Mythic Con displays artwork for viewing by all those who attend the convention, which includes people from all ages and walks of life. Therefore, at its sole discretion, All Games for All Events/Mythic Con reserves the right to NOT DISPLAY any submission considered inappropriate or offensive. All submissions are eligible to win prizes in the competition. |
| 1.14 | All Games for All Events/Mythic Con Staff may submit entries for the open-forum competition and can receive medals if their work warrants it. Staff are ineligible to win the Best in Show Award. Staff are eligible to win Fan Favorite award. |
| 2.0 | ENTRY SUBMISSION, HANDLING & PICK UP |
|---|---|
| The following information applies to all artists and entries: | |
| 2.1 | Entry submission and pickups follow the posted The Golden Mace/Mythic Con Schedule. Entries will only be accessible during posted hours. |
| 2.2 | Artists must drop-off their entries in person; this must be the same person who painted the model(s) or created the entry(s). |
| 2.3 | Artists must provide any special handling instructions for their entry at the time of submission. |
| 2.4 | Games for All Events/Mythic Con is not responsible for transportation of entries to/from the event site. This is the sole responsibility of the artist. |
| 2.5 | No storage space for transportation materials (e.g., figure cases) will be provided. There will be no off-hours storage for entries. |
| 2.6 | If the number of submissions exceeds the capacity of the display cases, The Golden Mace staff will rotate submissions between the display cases and a secured storage area. If space during the convention is available, entries that cannot fit in the display cases may be placed in a monitored location where convention attendees can view the entries. event site. This is the sole responsibility of the artist. |
| 2.7 | Games for All Events/Mythic Con reserves the right to limit the display of oversized dioramas and/or display models that are not contained within a 12”L x 12”W x 12”H space. This restriction is not meant to curtail creativity, so much as to ensure the contest functions cleanly within the facilities and infrastructure that is available. |
| 2.8 | Submission drop-off closes on Saturday afternoon at 12:00pm for judging. Check event schedule to confirm this time. Please speak to Staff if after hours arrangements need to be made. |
| 2.9 | Entries can be picked up on Sunday once Registration opens until 6:00pm. All entries must be retrieved in person. |
| 2.10 | Artists may authorize a designee to pick up submitted entries if said artist is unavailable. Mythic Con should be made aware of designee prior. |
| 2.11 | Artist or a designee must be present to claim prize awards during or after the Awards Ceremony on Sunday |
| 2.12 | Entries and/or awards not retrieved in person will become property of Games for All Events/Mythic Con and may be destroyed due to storage limitations. Shipping can be arranged with cost incurred by the artist. |
| 3.0 | JUDGING |
|---|---|
| The following information applies to all artists and entries: | |
| 3.1 | Games for All Events/Mythic Con uses a panel judging approach to this competition with one or more panels for each Division. These Judging Panels will be chosen by the Mythic Con. These Judges will be the sole arbiters of the results in each Division and Category of the Golden Mace. Their decisions are final. |
| 3.2 | The judging panels will select one model in each category from their Division as the Best in Category winner. The judges will choose the overall Best in Show winner from the Category winners. |
| 3.3 | Judges may enter but are subject to these limitations: |
| • Judges are not allowed to judge their own entries. | |
| • Judges are not allowed to win Best in Show. | |
| 3.4 | Categories may be combined depending on the number of entries in that category. Judges will be making this determination. |
| 4.0 | EVENT OPERATION |
|---|---|
| The following information applies to all artists and entries: | |
| 4.1 | Starting Friday at noon entries may be submitted. Entry drop-off deadline for all submissions is 12:00 pm Saturday afternoon. Entries will be dropped off at Midway (Registration). Submission times: Friday: 12pm – 8pm, Saturday: 8am – 12pm |
| 4.2 | Artists may pick up their Entries any time on Sunday during posted hours. ALL submissions must be picked up before 6:00 pm Sunday. All models and awards not picked up by the deadline will become property of Games for All Events/Mythic Con and may be destroyed due to storage limitations. To pick-up your entry, go to Midway (Registration) and they will be able to retrieve it for you. Pick up times: Sunday: 8am – 6pm |
| 4.3 | Please speak to Staff if after hours or shipping arrangements need to be made. |
| 5.0 | AWARDS CEREMONY |
|---|---|
| 5.1 | Please refer to Mythic Con’s TableTop.Events site for specific timing. The location of the Awards Ceremony will be updated as we get closer to Mythic Con. |
