Closer look at the Golden Demon Slayer Sword winner from AdeptiCon 2026

Slayer Sword winner David Arroba has revealed he spent 800 hours perfecting the incredible miniature, which triumphed at the US leg of Golden Demon 2026. 

David, from Spain, took home the coveted sword at AdeptiCon last weekend for this amazing take on Prince Vhordrai, Lord of the Crimson Keep.

Speaking to Warhammer TV after claiming the Slayer Sword, David said: “I feel like I’m in a dream, it’s amazing.” David estimates that he spent 400 hours constructing the miniature and its elaborate base, and then another 400 hours on the painting.

David was set on painting Prince Vhordrai from the first moment he saw the miniature. He said: “I think it’s one of the best models ever made by Games Workshop. I chose the rest of the pieces that complement the diorama set, such as the Necromancer and skeletons, to represent the Soulblight Gravelords army in the best possible way. My favourite part of the piece is the composition in general, because I believe it represents the Soulblight Gravelords army the way I imagined it in my head.”

You can watch our full in-depth interview with David on Painting Desk Roadshow over on Warhammer TV right now. He speaks to host Ed about what went into his winning entry, his thought process behind the composition and colour palette, and also shares some work-in-progress shots of this incredible miniature.

This is David’s first Slayer Sword win, but he’s previously taken home multiple trophies from previous Golden Demon events. 

At Warhammer Fest in 2023, he took golds in the Open Competition and Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Large Model, as well as silver in Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Single Miniature. Before that, he took Silver in the Open Competition and a bronze in Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Large Model at Warhammer World in 2022.

David encourages everyone to pick up a paintbrush and enter Golden Demon if they get the chance. He said: “Don’t be afraid to do it, the sooner you do it, the better, because it is an amazing experience. The experience, not just the anticipation for the awards, but mostly being able to show and share what you do with others. It is something that you only find in a place like this.”