The Newcomer’s Edge: Judges, When and How to Use Them

Part of what makes UKTC events run smoothly at scale is the work of our judge team. Supported by the judge programme, we aim to raise the bar. Our judges work hard to deliver consistent, clear, and impartial rulings and game management across every round.

The result is a better experience for everyone: clearer resolutions to rules questions, reduced friction at the table, and a fair competitive environment where the focus stays on the game and the fun.

If you are newer to competitive Warhammer or UKTC events you may be unclear on when or how to call a judge. That is completely natural, and this post is here to help. Let's take a look at what judges do, how to call them, and what you can expect from a standard call.

What judges are for

Judges are there to:

• Resolve rules questions and interactions

• Make consistent calls so the event runs smoothly

• Help with timing, pace-of-play, and game flow

• Clarify terrain/line of sight/“can I place this model here?” - for when you need that impartial opinion

• Resolve disagreements so you can get back to playing

Judges are not there to:

• Coach you on tactics (“What should I do this turn?”)

• Correct your strategy mid-game

• “Back you up” in an argument you’re trying to win

A judge call isn’t a confrontation. It’s a tool. Treat it like checking a measurement: normal and part of good play.

When to call a judge

Call early and call neutrally

If you feel that little “hmm” moment in your head - before you commit to a roll, remove models, or change the game state. That’s usually the correct time to call.

The first step is always to try and resolve it yourself, but if you simply can't agree or are not comfortable doing so, then a judge can be a great mediator.

Great reasons to call a judge

• Unclear rules interaction: “Does this ability trigger before or after that stratagem?”

• Disagreement on what’s happening: “We’re reading this differently - can we get a ruling?”

• Terrain/visibility uncertainty: “Is this ruin line-of-sight blocking from this angle?”

• Measurement/placement disputes: “Can this base fit here without moving other models?”

• A mistake that affects the game state: “We think we resolved this incorrectly, what’s the clean fix?”

• Pace-of-play/time concerns: “We’re struggling for time, can we get guidance on moving forward?”

• Sportsmanship issues: Anything that feels disrespectful, pressuring, or not okay.

Times people should call a judge but often don’t

• You’re being rushed through decisions or pressured not to check something

• An opponent won’t let you read a rule, or repeatedly “paraphrases” without showing it

• You’re stuck in a loop of “I’m pretty sure…” with no resolution

• You realise an error two phases later and neither of you knows the proper fix

When you don’t need a judge

• You both agree and just want reassurance

• You’re discussing a tactical plan

• It’s a quick, friendly check you can solve by reading the rule together in 30 seconds

How to call a judge

Here’s the simple process that keeps it fast and stress-free:

1. Pause the game state

   • Stop rolling.

   • Leave dice, models, and measurements as they are.
     

2. Say it neutrally

   • Try: “Let’s get a judge to check this is right.”

   • Avoid: “You’re wrong,” “That’s not how it works,” or anything spicy.
     

3. Get their attention

   • The quickest way is to use the QR codes on the card at the table, tell us your table number, and request a judge.

   • Walk to the end of a row and wave one over. This is why they wear the shirts: to make them easy to spot
     

4. Give the judge the short version first

   • Whose turn and what phase you’re in

   • The exact point of disagreement
     

5. Show the relevant rules

   • Have your app/page open to the specific rule text if possible.

   • If it’s an ability, have the datasheet and any relevant FAQ/errata ready.
     

The 20-second “perfect judge call” script

Via Whatsapp: “Table 12 please"

That’s it. Calm, clear, and quick.

The anatomy of a Judge call

Judges are juggling a whole room. Help them help you:

• One person explains the situation, if needed the judge will ask the other player for their side.

• State the question as a yes/no if possible

• Avoid adding extra “what if” branches unless the judge asks

• Don’t try to “sell” a ruling - let the text and timing do the work

• Accept the outcome gracefully, even if it stings

Common Judge calls

These are the classic calls that everybody makes and should have no hesitancy in calling a judge.

1) Terrain and line of sight

If you’re unsure whether something is visible, obscured, within an area terrain footprint, or eligible for cover, call it before you shoot. Terrain is the backbone of competitive 40K, and events often use consistent terrain conventions to keep things fair across tables.

2) “We did that wrong two minutes ago”

It happens. Everyone mis-sequences at times.

Good approach:

• Own it neutrally: “I think we resolved this incorrectly - can we check the fix?”

• Call a judge if it meaningfully impacts the turn.

• Be prepared that the fix may be “play it as is from here,” depending on how far the game has moved on.
  

3) Measuring, pre-measuring, and intent

Many disputes vanish if you state intent clearly:

• “I’m moving so I’m outside 12.”

• “These models are wholly within.”

• “This unit is screening this gap.”

If intent wasn’t stated and the result is contested? Grab a judge.

4) Pace of play

If you’re worried about finishing, don’t suffer in silence. A judge can’t magically add time, but they can help you reset expectations, encourage clean sequencing, and ensure you play your game to a natural conclusion.

If you feel time pressure building, call sooner rather than later.

The mindset shift

New players sometimes avoid judges because they worry it will:

• make them look inexperienced

• create conflict

• slow the game down
  

It's the opposite.

Experienced players call judges all the time, not because they don’t know rules, but because they want clean and quick outcomes. At a big weekend, with hundreds of moving parts and intense games, a fast judge call is often the easiest and quickest choice you can make.

Quick checklist

Make sure you have all your rules to hand and are able to reference them quickly as needed.

Before the event:

• Bring your rules access (app, codex, printed references if you like)

• Know where your key rules are so you can find them quickly

• Check the FAQs for our specific rulings here.

During the game:

• State intent on key moves

• Pause before as soon as anything feels unclear

• Call early and keep it neutral

After the ruling:

• Accept it, adjust, and carry on

• Don’t let one call tilt your whole round
  

Judges are part of the hype

UKTC weekends are at their best when every table feels like a great match: tight games, great sportsmanship, and a shared understanding that we’re all here to roll dice and have a fun time doing it.

So if you’re newer: don't be afraid to use judges. It’s not a sign you’re out of your depth, it’s a sign you’re playing the game properly. The sooner you treat judge calls as a normal tool, the faster you’ll feel at home.

Not just during the game too, you can walk up to the judges at any time to talk about any concern or question that you may have, they will be happy to help.

We are looking forward to welcoming you all this weekend for another massive UKTC weekend!

If you are interested in becoming a UKTC judge you can find out more about the judge programme here.

Save the date: THE LGT 2026

Last year, the community rallied to help make The London Grand Tournament 2025 the biggest Warhammer event ever. Not just in the UK but in the world. And we want to do it again.

The LGT 2026 is our 10-year anniversary, and we want to celebrate it with you, so mark your calendars and get ready, when tickets launch on Friday, 27th February @ 2PM.

We are making some big changes this year to improve on last year. You can find out more information in our previous blog post about it: here.