Under the Dice Fest 2025: Rusted Demon

The inaugural Rusted Demon competition was held at Under the Dice Fest 2025. Unlike other competitions like Games Workshop’s Golden Demon (of which Rusted Demon cheekily derives its name), Rusted Demon is primarily a converting and modelling competition, emphasizing creativity and kitbashing more than exquisite painting. The competition is very reminiscent of the annual SmashBash competition held by Matt (totally_not_panicking). We wanted to document the winning entries so that people not fortunate enough to attend Under the Dice Fest 2025 could see the exciting miniatures present.

For the first Rusted Demon, there were a handful of categories: Fantasy Small, Fantasy Large, Sci-Fi Small, Sci-Fi Large, Diorama, and Best in Show. With the exception of the Best in Show category, each category had an overall/1st Place winner and approximately three commended entries. The Best in Show was awarded the Berserker Flail handcrafted by Bill (berserkerwrks). The competition was well received and 104 different submissions were entered! The entries were assessed and scored by a panel of judges including Tyler (tylerisalrightatpainting), Gabe (nile_nellie), Phil (bloodtrancefusion), Ian (ipt_minis), Terry (stone.jaw), and Matt (squared_paints).

Rusted Demon statue sculpted by the talented bigbossredskullz. The 1st Place winner in each category was awarded one of these trophies.

Category: Fantasy Small

Fantasy Small: 1st Place - Justin (justinshobbyposting), Ghouls

Fantasy Small: Commended Entry - Grant (underworldalliance), Manticore

Fantasy Small: Commended Entry - Kate (k8thegr8m8_)

Fantasy Small: Commended Entry - Sam (zarmakesart), Fleshmelders

Category: Fantasy Large

Fantasy Large: 1st Place - Dylan (dylanmelisko), La Squisha's Fantastic Traveling Tumor

Fantasy Large: Commended Entry - Shane (7he_blindman), RATKING

Fantasy Large: Commended Entry - Adam (doom_and_apathy), Giants

Fantasy Large: Commended Entry - Maude Bogbody (bogbodyminis), OURMOTHER

Fantasy Large: Commended Entry - Gabby (gabrielle.delbianco)

Category: Sci-Fi Small

Sci-Fi Small: 1st Place - Brian (rojasnoirlac), Vastarian warband, the Cult of the Lantern

Sci-Fi Small: Commended Entry - Mike (gundamofficialhobby), Vastarian warband, The Path to Outer Heaven

Sci-Fi Small: Commended Entry - Chris (pied_pewter_piper), “Come now, child all will be forgiven, the true Emperor wills it.”

Sci-Fi Small: Commended Entry - Matt (totally_not_panicking)

Category: Sci-Fi Large

Sci-Fi Large: 1st Place - Gabby (gabrielle.delbianco)

Sci-Fi Large: Commended Entry - Mike (gundamofficialhobby), Stormseer

Sci-Fi Large: Commended Entry - Tyler (billion_dollar_clown_farm), Tusk Daemon-Killa!

Sci-Fi Large: Commended Entry - Trent (miscast.co)

Category: Diorama

Diorama: 1st Place - Alex (durzin_miniatures), Mind Transferral

Diorama: Commended Entry - Shane (7he_blindman), Family Tree

Diorama: Commended Entry - (blerzcraft), Halfling Regiment

Diorama: Commended Entry - Cameron (cmframent), Lovers of the Wylde Moon and Festival of the Bloated Harvest

Category: Best in Show

Best in Show - Tanner (simpsominiatures), Invasive factors which damage delicate subterranean ecosystems

As you can see by the winning and commended entries, the first Rusted Demon was a strong demonstration of the passion and creativity of the In Rust We Trust community! We are excited to see how the competition evolves in the coming years!

-Adam Wier