THE 2025 CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE
Late of last year, five people took a challenge. The rules were simple enough: each person would be matched Secret Santa style to buy one another a 40k Christmas Box. Each would get two box vetoes. Whatever they ended up with they would have to build and play an army from. To further add fuel to the fire, every 500 points of their army would be bought by another person in the group. AND, atop that? The army colours would be determined by fate, thanks to random dice packs. The gauntlet was thrown, and thus…The Santa’s Little Helpers Christmas Challenge was born! We are a touch over a month out from the arrival of the boxes. Let’s see what the boys have been up to, shall we?
RODNEY
Box: Adeptus Astartes Iron Halo Strike Force
Dice Colors: Blue/Gold and White/Brass
Rodney was given an interesting dichotomy of colour and army choice. It practically begged him to do Ultramarines. Ever the one to buck fate, Rodney chose to stay golden…very golden. Rodney has opted to run the army as Celestial Lions, a flashy legion and successor of the Imperial Fists. Speaking of basing, Rodney has opted for a posh lake house theme, replete with floral abundance and pleasant babbling brooks, to further accent his golden boys.
KIRILL
Box: Tyranid Crusher Stampede
Dice Colors: Yellow/Green Blend and Yellow/Purple Blend
Kirill has wisely consulted expert opinions on his colour palette and theme (i.e. his lovely wife.) The Undying Orchid Fleet is born of vibrant, Halloween-y colours and only the most fearsome of beasts. He has opted to kit out his brood as Neurotyrant, Tervigon, Haruspex, Screamer-Killer and Toxicrene. Further marking the Undying Orchid as unique are the “warp barnacles” sculpted to many of their carapaces, as well as…witch hats. Because witch hats! His basing is utilizing the tried and true methods of cork stone.
JACK
Box: Tyranid Crusher Stampede
Dice Colours: Pink/White and Black/Green
One of the two Tyranid players, Jack also shares a green dice colour with Kirill but in contrast his second set is a lovely pink and white blend. While not the first mix of colours many think for Tyranids, Jack leaned into the bright hues and has opted to do a Watermelon theme for his bugs! To further accentuate that, he is also giving them beach themed basing, a summer bug list to compare and contrast with the Halloween-y autumn tones of Kirill’s army. Jack has kitted his Tyranids out as Neurotyrant, Haruspex, Maleceptor, Screamer-Killer and Tyrannofex.
TAO
Box: Astra Millitarum Krieg Siege Platoon
Dice Colours: Red/Gold and Bronze/White
Truly the most USSR of colours he could have gotten, Tao’s dice and army combo were picture perfect. Though the unique challenges of a horde-style box to start meant Tao actually started slightly under the 500 point starter the rest of the group began with! But, because they’re all upstanding fellows, the rest of the group agreed to let him add on a Rogal Dorn to bulk out the force. Tao is making excellent progress on the Kriegsmen, sticking with a simple but effective colour scheme that evokes the bleak but sturdy forces of the Imperium. He is opting for snowy basing with grey concrete stone.
NATHAN
Box: Heretic Astartes Hellforged Warband
Dice Colours: Black/Orange/White and Yellow/Red
Another stellar colour combo, the Chaos Gods surely favoured their new son! Nathan has opted for the traditional Black Legion regalia of black and brassy metal. His spikey boys are looking shiny in their base colours, and have even taken the field against Jack’s Tyranids recently! He has also chosen the good old standard of cork basing for his army, a first for him. With a few more final touches this hellish legion will be ready to induct their newest members very soon…
