Dear reader, or governmental agency – whomever actually reads this page.

I am happy to announce that this fall the Cowabunga Journal will host a Terrain challenge, complementary to it’s 40k 2nd edition challenge.

Check it out:

The Cowabunga Old School Terrain Challenge The Rules!

WELCOME TO THE OLD SCHOOL TERRAIN CHALLENGE

Welcome, painters, collectors, and long-suffering owners of unpainted terrain endeavours. Here we are in 2026 and 3d-printing and general garbage collection is fast building up the amount of unpainted terrain in my cellar.

I thought that it might be time to try and do something about it. And like for 40k, I work best under pressure and promises: so I thought I might as well make it a challenge!

This challenge exists for one reason: For you to finish a gaming table’s worth of terrain between August 2026 and January 2027.

I am not putting a game system on this – the theme though is OOP – out of production… you are free to do Fantasy, 40k, Epic, Mordheim, Necromunda or any other old school inspired system (Warzone? Void?). I would say though, that if Infinity or some other new game is your gig you are barking up the wrong tree.

THE RULES

The aim of the challenge is to paint a consistent gaming table worth of terrain for your needs. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a strong theme (like Winter or Snow) but all the pieces you’re painting should be for the same table. So not part 6 mm sci-fi, 15 mm historical and 28 mm fantasy.

The challenge is rooted in old school nostalgia, but flexibility applies. Using era-appropriate models and designs is encouraged, not enforced. Creations from Doctor Spork and similar are highly encouraged!

The challenge follows a very similar formula to the 40k 2nd edition challenge: There will be a set number of “slices” that you pledge and then you paint one of these each month. Should life get in the way, you’re allowed one month “off” (a mulligan).

I thought long and hard about criteria and points and so on… at one point I was entertaining 1 square inch = 1 terrain point. But in the end, I would rather just urge to pledge something that is meaningful to you to complete. And “enough that it is a challenge that you won’t get done on your own”. I will judge each entry and give feedback if I find it to be a bit on the flexible side.

To successfully complete the challenge, participants must submit updates for at least five out of the six months. The spirit of the rules is best described as “loose but tight”: the structure matters, but the goal is always to help you finish something, not to catch you out.

TO APPLY – EACH PARTICIPANT MUST

1. Submit an introduction that includes a draft of your project. The draft can be a sketch or pictures of terrain you already own.
   
2. Using your draft, detail how you are going to split it in slices for the months.
   
3. Send both the introduction and starting photo to oldschoolterrainchallenge@gmail.com and wachtmeisterspatrol@gmail.com no later than June 30, 2026. The subject of the email must read name to be used on the blog, country of origin, and the label starting point.
   Example: “Dr. The Viking, Swaziland, Starting point”

There is a limited number of seats (15). This number is chosen based on the assumption that some will fail, fail to short or join and opt out.

Example pledge:

John Hidalgo choses to pledge a fantasy terrain board for the challenge. He has not yet got the terrain he needs, so instead he makes a sketch of the layout he envions. He then divides the landscape into 5 slices. Slice 1: Hill and Woods Slice 2: Watchtower, Woods and scatter terrain Slice 3: An inn and more bushes Slice 4: A river and bridge Slice 5: A ruined tower and a dead wood and some more scatter terrain. John then goes on to procure all the items.

HOW IT WORKS WHILE IT RUNS

Monthly digests will be shared on Facebook, the blog, Instagram or any other platforms that seems to build interesting community around the challenge. Participants are welcome to blog or post independently as well. Introductions and army lists will be published on July 30th, 2026, which is also when painting officially begins. The first compiled progress summary will be posted during the first week of September.

Monthly submissions

Musts:

At the end of every month an entry sheet is sent to all participants. By the last day of every month, each participant must fill out and return the sheet (this will be emailed to you) with their monthly update that adheres to the following:

1. The email subject line must include name, and month. For example: “Wachtmeister, Month 1”. This is required for sorting and processing.
2. Each submission must include one good photo showing progress for the month. The models may be photographed on terrain, a neutral background, or the workbench. Presentation is up to you, but please limit submissions to a single image.
3. The attached stats sheet must be submitted each month, listing model count and accumulated points.

IMPORTANT: If you fail to label your email correctly, or include all necessary information you will be added to the monthly “goof”-list. People who goofed it will get an email after deadline and be allowed a second attempt. If you botch the second attempt you use a mulligan… and if this happens twice – you’re dead! So please don’t. I really want you to succeed… we just don’t want you to create extra work for us out of laziness. 

Mays:
Although not a rule, it is strongly encouraged to join in on: the facebook messenger chat for the challenge. Or the discord.

If a participant maintains a blog or page with additional material about the project, a direct link should be included. NOTE: If you choose to share your entry on social media or a personal blog please link cowabungajournal.com and se we can spread the Challenge as far as possible!

During the first week of each month, a summary post will be published showing participant progress, including images, descriptions, and links.

If posting on Instagram or similar platforms, please use the hashtag #COSTCI (cowabunga old school terrain challenge 1).

FAQ:

Feel free to ask questions in the comments related to the challenge, and I will do my best to answer here.