Eureka Wargames

DOWNFALL returns on October 3rd 2026, one-day, 3 games, 1500 points, of OldHammer 40K 3.5

This year we are running the same as we did 2024.

What is OldHammer 40K 3.5?

It is simply Warhammer 40K using the old 3rd edition rules (1998-2004), FAQs’ and Chapter Approved (2004) Trial Vehicle and Assault rules.

Why?

It was a simpler (in the eyes of some) edition BUT amazingly supported by GW and the community. Codexes and sub-lists, there are a lot of them, from a range of sources that we will get to later.

Date to Remember: 19th September, list due, cutoff for working out prizes.

Entry to any event is $40 and includes a pizza lunch. Please note there is a non-refundable $1 bank fee.

Useful Links:-

Mission Pack:- HERE
Tickets:- TBA
Longshanks:- HERE

Further Information;

Facebook Group:- https://www.facebook.com/groups/3510210582566044
Ballarat Tabletop Wargamers Discord Events :- https://discord.com/channels/1446054466439745630/1447434349611061329

DETAILS

What: 3 Games of 1500 points, 3rd Edition Warhammer 40K (Big Black Book BRB), using FAQs’ and Chapter Approved (2004) Trial Assault and Vehicle Rules, including Fire Points.

When: 3rd October, 2026. (2nd from 8pm-Midnight, the venue will be available for set-up and some early games)

Where: Ballarat Table Tennis Centre, 499 Dowling Str, Wendouree, Vic, 3355

Cost: $40 includes Pizza Lunch (and $1 Bank fee that can’t be refunded). There are no Refunds after the 19th September.

Tickets: available from TBA . The receipt email is your confirmation

Number of Players: Currently 24.

We are not limited by space or tables, we are limited by Mats (6x4) and Terrain for them. We will have the “Bring-a-Table” Prize Raffle “, entry is anyone who brings along a mat & terrain. More details are in the Facebook Group.

SCHEDULE

Friday 2nd Oct

8pm – Midnight Set-Up / Early Games

Saturday 3rd Oct

8:00 am Doors Open

9:15am – 9:30am Welcome & Game 1 Draw

9:30am – 12:00am Game 1

12:00pm – 12:45pm Lunch & Door Prizes

12:45pm – 3:15pm Game 2

3:30pm – 6:00pm Game 3

6:10pm + Clean Up / Presentations

PLAYER PACK

ARMY CONSTRUCTION & REQUIREMENTS

Don’t Be A Dick. Try to be Themey. Remember this is not a hyper-competitive event so please have some consideration for your opponent's when building your list. Lists that are considered over the top will be asked to resubmit.

Army Construction Restriction

Downfall will use the Standard Force Org Chart, compulsory 1 HQ + 2 Troops. Codex's may modify this chart (3.5E Chaos, etc).
Armies are 1500 points, constructed from one codex list plus allowed allies.
Special Character may be used, even if not allowed in a 1500 point game.
Codex Unit Restrictions must be followed, eg Fire Warriors are 1+ so Tau must include at least 1 unit.
We are not allowing any units with Mass or Structure Points, Flyer unless they have VTOL (which they will use the whole game), or the Vehicle/Ceature Design rules.

ARMIES

All these books and magazines went out of print about 20 years ago, 2004 was when 4th Edition launched, To track them down I suggest a Google search or ask in our Facebook Group.

Codexes: Any Codex, including Armagedon and Eye of Terror, released during the 3rd Edition years, Big Black Rulebook Codex’s, 3E or 3.5E Books for Chaos or Imperial Guard, 1st or 2nd Edition (logo on the cover) Codex’s for Dark Angels or Dark Eldar. Hint – Later is better.

Chapter Approved & Index Astartes: all units and army list are allowed

Forge World: any units in Imperial Armour Vol.1 (2003) or Vol.2 (2004), and Imperial Armour Update 2004 are good to go. If you want to use a Forge World Army List or anything else, ask first please.

White Dwarf & Citadel Journal: If you want to use something from either of these magazines, that wasn’t available in Chapter Approved or Imperial Armour, then please ask and include the edition number. Some people have asked already.

Good to Go

Genestealer Cults, Citadel Journal 40

Adeptus Arbites, Citadel Journal 29

Not This year

Experimental Rules – Eldar Harlequins & Exodites

Anything with Structure or Mass Points, or Flyers without VTOl.

Vehicle Design Rules & Tyranid Monstrosities aka Creature Desing Rules

ALLIES & UNITS OUTSIDE CODEXES

They are allowed as detailed in individual Codexes (Witch Hunters or Daemon Hunters) or Unit entries (Daemonettes on Steeds of Slaanesh CA2004 or Land Raider Crusader Codex Armagedon).

Anything else 3rd Edition, or very early 4th, that we have missed isn’t out we have just missed it. As with anything related to Downfall if you’re not sure you can ask us via E-mail, Messager, or our Facebook Group.

PRESENTATION

There are no painting requirements for Downfall,

BUT Painted Units (3 Colour min. & based) will have the “Blood Feud” rule (like 3rd Space Wolves do) with any unit that contains any unpainted models. Units containing unpainted models CAN NOT gain the Blood Feud rule - so get painting!

Blood Feud – in Melee units always hit on 3+ in Melee, if the unit would normally hit on 3+ they may reroll all misses in Melee. When shooting Units with Blood Fued will always hot on 3+, if the unit would normally hit on 3+ or better they may reroll all misses.

MODELS

As with the books, a lot of the models have gone out of print but not all. Second hand markets can be pricey. So Conversions, current models, 3D Printed, Non-GW, etc are all allowed so long as they don’t cause confusion for your opponents and within the Theme of your army.

With all this BE RETRO THEMEY, that’s as simple as all 2nd Edition Necron Models, or an all Bike Space Marine Army (White Scars had rules for that), or Rebel Grot Army (Imperial Guard rules models are converter from Grots and Goblins).

BASE SIZES

We preferred correct 3rd Edition basing use the Codex images, with Goblin Green and Grass Flock as far as the eye can see, but current base sizes are fine. However, Iron Warrior Obliterator Cults, if running more than 1 unit they must be on a base no bigger than 40mm base.

If you army isn’t on 3rd Ed bases sizes, be a bit generous with the partials

OTHER ADMIN

LIST SUBMISSION - Email to: eurekawargames@gmail.com

All lists are due by the 19th September, this is more oversight for unfriendly lists, and will be published for everyone to see around the 26th September.

Preferred formats are, including all points values:

•Army Builder 2.2c - PDF

•Battlescribe - HTML

•New Recruit - PDF

•Office File – Word, Excel, Google Doc, plain text

PRIZES & TROPHIES

What are we handing out?

3D Printed Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and maybe last, no prizes.

Prize - Best Retro Army, chosen by the players

Prize Draw - Any players that “Bring-a-Table” (bring a Gaming Mat (6x4) & Terrain)

Other Prizes will be determined by the number of players.

More information will be published in the Facebook Group.

TEMPLATES

We will be supplying everyone with a set of 3D Printed 3rd Edition Templates and Scatter Dice.