UKTC Regulars: Team Sigil

If you’ve played a UKTC event recently, chances are you’ve felt it: the buzz of a packed hall, the nervous smiles before round one, the laughter that carries across tables even when the games are tight. UKTC isn’t just a tournament series... it’s a community. And within that community, teams are where the magic really happens.

What do I mean by "Teams"?

I don't just mean the teams format, I mean the people on your squad, your friends in your squad, the people you travel, celebrate, and practice with. Because even when you are playing singles - it never hurts to have a friend cheering you on.

Teams bring the best of Warhammer 40,000 to life: shared practice, list debates at midnight, hype in the group chat, and that unmatched feeling when your mate pulls out a crucial win on the last turn.

It’s a competitive game, sure. But it’s also a fantastic source of camaraderie, encouragement, and building something together.

In this edition of UKTC Regulars, we’re shining a light on one of the squads that embodies that balance: Team Sigil. I was able to talk with captain Gustavo, shortly after their fantastic run at the Winter International Team Tournament to understand a bit more about what makes Sigil special.

Meet the Sigil mindset

At the heart of Team Sigil is Gustavo, one of the founders (alongside Ranchen Li), and current captain. Ask him what his “role” is and he answers like someone who knows the value of keeping things simple:

He’s there to play - and to make sure Sigil stays true to what made it worth starting in the first place.

Sigil’s identity is clear: they play to win, but they do it with a calm, sportsmanlike vibe that makes opponents feel like they’ve had a proper game. Especially when it is a hard one.

That combination is rarer than people think. Plenty of teams chase results. Fewer manage to chase results while staying relaxed and fun to be around. Sigil’s goal is that when you see their name on the pairings, you know you’re in for something memorable:

A tough game and a good time.

The story behind the name

“Sigil” wasn’t born out of a branding brainstorm or a logo design session. It was much more organic and honestly, more fitting for a team identity: something that stuck because it already meant something to the people involved.

Ranchen had a team in China called Sigil. When he and Gustavo started building a team in the UK, they kept the name, a little piece of continuity that became the foundation for something new.

And like a lot of the best teams, the origin wasn’t complicated:

After a local event, Gustavo simply asked Ranchen if he wanted to start a team.

From there, it grew the way real communities grow: one game at a time, one good opponent at a time, one “you should join our practice sometime” at a time.

Who thrives in Sigil?

Sigil wasn't built for a specific faction or a particular playstyle. Their “type” is more about attitude and effort:

• Easygoing and relaxed people who don’t bring drama to the table

• Players who still put in the time, especially practice reps

• People who enjoy improving and growing together

Because of London’s event spacing, Sigil ends up doing a lot of work through TTS (Tabletop Simulator) and when you play your own teammates a lot, the results are predictable in the best way: sharp fundamentals, honest feedback, and reps against people who know your tricks.

That environment rewards players who can take a loss, learn quickly, and come back better — without losing their love for the game.

The roster to watch

Whilst you may have heard of Sigil as a team - you might not have heard of some of their players, but it's not a vague “everyone’s great” . There are some specific standouts on the squad, that is crucial for a team that focuses on team format events.

Here are a few names Gustavo highlighted:

• Sam Martin — an AdMech specialist Sigil relies on for those “small wins” that swing team totals.

• Mickey Baird-Parker — a pressure player, often tasked (alongside Gustavo) with pushing wins for the team.

• Vincent Stein — a consistent presence, known especially for his Orks.

• Chris Cho — captain of Team India/Pakistan (WTC debut this year), standing out with Chaos Knights.

And that’s the key point: Sigil doesn’t just have strong players. They have players with purpose. Specialists, pressure roles, consistent anchors. That’s how team formats are won.

Gustavo attributes their broader success to this depth: Sigil’s three teams consistently place highly because the roster isn’t a one-hero story.

Rivalries and remaches

Every great team has their rivals and white whales. Sigil is no different.

Gustavo calls out a rivalry with LiGiS, another London-based team - a “we’re opposites” kind of rivalry that’s best read as motivation fuel: different philosophies, different vibes, and a competitive edge when they meet.

Beyond that, Sigil has crossed swords with teams like Mind Goblins and Ignite at ITT, and if you’re seeing the theme here, it’s this: they remember the big games, and they want the runbacks.

Because that’s what UKTC Team events do. They create stories you share for months, and it gives you a reason to circle the next event on the calendar.

How Sigil prepares for UKTC events

Sigil is a teams-first outfit because, in Gustavo’s words, they simply "enjoy it more". And their prep reflects a mature understanding of the format:

• For singles, people bring what they fancy.

• For teams, they build with intention.

They’ll create a matrix and build lists to complement each other; covering matchups, avoiding overlaps, and ensuring the team functions as a unit rather than five separate armies wearing matching shirts.

And because Sigil tends to be made up of faction specialists, Gustavo trusts his players to choose the best tools for the job. It’s not micromanagement. It’s accountability and trust in his teammates.

Evolving with the meta

Over the last year, Sigil has shifted in a way that will sound familiar to anyone who’s tried to stay competitive in 40k:

They’ve started following the meta more closely.

Where they once might have brought two or three “random armies,” they now rotate players to ensure a better mix of specialists and meta picks, not because the old way was wrong, but because the team wants to keep pace at the top tables.

Importantly, the vibe hasn’t changed. They’re still Sigil: relaxed, sportsmanlike, and competitive on purpose.

A favourite UKTC moment

Every team has a moment where things click - where you stop seeing yourself as “a new team” and start believing you belong with the best.

For Sigil, that moment came at the last ITT, when they defeated Team Yokai, one of the favourites to win and making it through to the final round.

It wasn’t just an upset. It was a statement - the kind that changes how other teams talk about you, how opponents prepare for you, and how your own squad walks into the next hall.

Sigil exceeded even their own expectations and proved they’re here to be one of the top teams.

Advice for friends thinking about forming their first team

Gustavo’s advice is the kind that lasts longer than any dataslate:

Take it easy.

No matter how competitive it gets, it’s still a hobby. Prioritise fun - because fun keeps practice from becoming a chore, and the more you enjoy playing together, the more you’ll naturally improve.

That’s the real long-term tech: building a team culture that survives losing streaks, bad matchups, and late-night list panic.

What Sigil is most proud of

Ask what he’s proud of, and Gustavo doesn’t talk about trophies first. He talks about how they play:

Sigil has balanced competitiveness with sportsmanship, being tough opponents while still being enjoyable to face across the table.

That’s a legacy. And it’s exactly the kind of culture that makes UKTC events feel like community rather than just competition.

Your turn: find your people, build your team, get to the next event

If you’re reading this and you’ve been hovering on the edge of joining or forming a team, take this as your sign. Not just the game, but the whole experience is genuinely better with friends: the prep, the travel, the post-round debrief, the shared highs and lows.

Whether you’re an experienced player looking for a crew, or a group of mates thinking “should we just go for it?”: go for it.

Find a team. Start a team. Message people you enjoyed playing. Get some reps in. Pick an event, commit, and show up.

Because the next big UKTC moment you talk about for the rest of the year?It’s probably waiting at the next table - with your teammates behind you.

See you at the next UKTC Event.

When you are ready to buy head over to our store where you can get your UKTC event ticket.

• Sheffield - March 28/29

• South Coast - April 11/12

• Bristol - May 23/24

• Leeds - June 13/14

• Birmingham - July 4/5

• Manchester: Summer - August 29/30

And if you want to be part of the biggest Warhammer event in the world?

Tickets to The London GT 2026 go on sale soon!

Friday 27th February @ 2PM