An Interview with Frontline Gaming’s Jake Jacobson, Winner of Best Overall on the 2026 GW Palm Springs Open

Winning Best Overall isn’t only a technique to safe a Golden Ticket to the World Championships; it’s additionally one of the vital prestigious awards in Warhammer, an emblem of a participant who combines generalship with excellence within the pastime. We sat down with Jake Jacobson of Frontline Gaming, who lately gained Best Overall on the GW Open Palm Springs occasion in January, to speak about his military and the pastime journey that led to him profitable.

GH: Hey Jake, thanks for taking the time to speak to us. First off, inform us a bit about your self and your military.

Jake: Hey, thanks a lot for having me on Goonhammer. It’s genuinely an honor.

I’ve worn a number of hats within the pastime through the years. I’m a participant, a hobbyist, I even had a notable 40k YouTube channel briefly, and extra lately I’ve spent quite a lot of time on the occasion group facet of issues currently by Frontline Gaming, so I attempt my finest to maintain a stability between all three. Add to that juggling household time and the by no means ending duties of entrepreneurship. At the tip of the day although, I’m simply somebody who actually loves this pastime and the neighborhood surrounding it. I’ve by no means thought-about myself a high tier participant or painter however evidently, I do pretty first rate at each mixed! In all seriousness, this is the reason I’ve extra realistically gone for a shot at Best Overall in thoughts quite than profitable the rest. 

I initially obtained into Warhammer means again in Fantasy fifth version. Yes, I’m apparently a bit older than I look. I took an extended break from the pastime after which semi-recently returned with Age of Sigmar, reconnecting with the nostalgia of Lizardmen by Seraphon in eighth version. Not lengthy after that, I caught the 40K bug, made some actually cool associates alongside the way in which, re-learned find out how to paint, and right here we’re.

My first 40K military was impulsively Harlequins, which in hindsight won’t have been the simplest place to start out… However, they have been extremely enjoyable however positively a problem to pilot as a studying participant. Then I noticed Mortarion on the shelf and completely needed to take him house. That shortly snowballed right into a full blown Death Guard military, and I fell in love with all the pieces about them, particularly the mannequin sculpts and the concept of being disgustingly resilient. I by no means did get my “NURGLE1” self-importance license plate however oh effectively.

What led to the choice to take Death Guard to the occasion? And why Hammer over Vectorium?

Simply put, I simply haven’t had as a lot time to play as I would really like over the previous 12 months. Juggling work, occasions, and household, my reps have been restricted to say the least. The one military I did handle to take to an occasion throughout that point although, was Death Guard.

Historically, I’ve been an Aeldari faction specialist ever since Dark Harlequins have been launched. But as most individuals know, piloting house elves effectively actually requires fixed reps. Without that, I don’t really feel it’s truthful to your self or your opponent. With the few video games I had underneath my belt lately with Death Guard, it made sense to remain the course quite than relearn one thing new and threat not having fun with my time on the occasion.

With some trusted steerage from Junior Affleje, our 40K group captain, Mortarion’s Hammer stood out as the precise alternative for each my playstyle and the final meta. Being capable of mechanically debuff two models of your alternative, normally making use of minus one to hit, felt extremely robust for staying alive so I may successfully punch again. And for probably the most half, it completely delivered. Except into Tau… Tau positively had one thing to say about it!

I really like the intense highlights in your Death Guard. What made you select that scheme, and when did you begin portray the military?

I’ve positively change into identified for a grim darkish with robust colour pop fashion. Grungy however clear? I’m undecided if that’s an official factor, however it’s positively change into my factor so thanks for noticing my highlights! I at all times need the fashions to really feel worn and soiled, however having an intentional signature on the table-top.

This military is definitely a little bit of a mixture although. I began with a extra conventional darker inexperienced scheme, however later fell in love with a pre Heresy impressed, grungy beige recipe. I believe quite a lot of Death Guard gamers naturally gravitate towards inexperienced, particularly since portray lotions and whites might be fairly intimidating. For me, it’s at all times been about discovering paint recipes that match my private fashion and, simply as importantly, pastime hacks that will let you obtain a excessive tier consequence with quick outcomes.

Since Death Guard was my first 40K military, it’s the place I experimented probably the most. There’s somewhat selection in there for positive, however I’m genuinely proud of the way it all got here collectively. It feels genuine to my pastime journey, and I wouldn’t change it.

Winning Best Overall with no large centerpiece mannequin like Mortarion is hard. Was that one thing you had in thoughts once you constructed the checklist, or was it purely comp choices?

Bro! Let me inform you, this was the precise dialog I had with my teammates main as much as the occasion. I’m actually pleased with my extra showcase-worthy fashions, and going into Palm Springs I anticipated to attain first rate pastime factors in addition to profitable a minimum of some video games, however my mindset was realistically extra centered on the pastime facet than banking on the next event end.

Since lists weren’t due till check-in at this occasion, I even introduced my Plagueburst Crawlers with me simply in case I modified my thoughts on the final minute. I actually take pleasure in how Blight Haulers carry out on the table-top, however personally talking, I’ve at all times thought they appear somewhat derpy. In the tip, dependable heavy capturing felt extra secure, and I caught with what I trusted.

As a lot as I might have liked to showcase my Mortarion mannequin, I had zero reps with him going into the occasion and taking a look at his datasheet, I knew I might overlook guidelines and interactions. I made a decision it was higher to lean into cohesion and consistency throughout the military quite than drive in a centerpiece I wasn’t totally comfy with. Plus PBC’s costing greater than two roomba’s as I name them, felt just like the mistaken alternative. 

What’s your favourite 40K mannequin you’ve ever painted?

How am I presupposed to reply that, that’s a extremely robust query?! I can positively reply on the paint job I’m most pleased with as an alternative if that’s okay. 

During the pandemic, I made a decision to start out an Ultramarines military. Up till that time, I had by no means actually painted Imperium, and like lots of people, I out of the blue had extra time to take a seat nonetheless than I’d had in a long time. That interval grew to become a significant chapter in my pastime journey.

A pal of mine, Jay, who performed a giant position in quick monitoring my early portray progress, shared one thing with me that has caught ever since. He talked about making an attempt to convey emotion by a paint job, not simply method and that’s caught with me ever since. 

I made a decision to push effectively outdoors my consolation zone and tried a twin temperature, gentle sourced paint scheme on a Chaplain mannequin. That venture taught me persistence, the significance of correct layering, and the concept that the darker your darks are, the brighter your brights might be. It’s removed from good, however I nonetheless look again on that piece as my favourite paint job and an actual turning level for me as a painter.

You talked about earlier than the occasion that you just’d been out of comp play for a bit. Does this mark a return to kind for the 12 months? What’s your subsequent occasion?

I’d actually like to get out to as many neighborhood occasions as I can this 12 months, so we’ll see how the schedule shakes out since stability is at all times my problem.

For work, I’ll be heading to the Cherokee Open subsequent month, however on the participant facet, California Teams Tournament in March is the following one on the play calendar. I someway obtained myself roped into that one in having to defend our groups third title or one thing (no stress) I’d additionally actually like to make it out to NOVA this 12 months if timing permits. And in fact, after unexpectedly incomes a GW Golden Ticket, I suppose I’ll be on the World Championships of Warhammer as effectively!

Frontline Gaming additionally arms out pastime awards at their occasions – what’s your philosophy on constructing that rubric and paint judging, and the way does that issue into your portray?

I’m actually glad you requested this, as a result of it’s one thing we’ve put quite a lot of thought into lately. At the beginning of 2025, we made a big variety of significant enhancements to FLG occasions with the aim of elevating the general attendee expertise, and a giant a part of that was refining the pastime facet of our Warhammer 40K Champs occasions.

When we up to date the pastime rubric, I positively introduced my very own experiences as a participant and hobbyist, together with the respective enter from our veteran decide group. The aim was to make the rubric clear, concise, and truthful. We needed it to reward effort and intentionality whereas nonetheless being approachable and clear for members.

One essential facet is that gamers can at all times ask for suggestions after the occasion. Whether somebody needs to grasp find out how to rating extra pastime factors subsequent time or simply get a decide’s perspective on find out how to stand out extra, that dialog is inspired and meant to be significant and academic, primarily based on tangible metrics.

We additionally take judging very critically. Hobby scoring is rarely dealt with by simply any decide. It’s at all times achieved by vetted judges with related portray expertise or credentials. On high of that, we frequently usher in visitor showcase judges so as to add one other layer of experience to the ultimate scoring. Last 12 months alone, we had pastime leaders like Caleb Wissenbeck, Dan Osborne, Phil The Glacial Geek, and Kevin Grubbs take part in that position. 

Ultimately, the aim is to make it possible for when somebody wins a pastime award at an FLG occasion, it genuinely carries weight. The time, effort, and fervour gamers put into their armies should be acknowledged in a significant means.

What’s your plan for Worlds? Do you assume you’ll take the identical military or change it as much as one thing new?

I don’t know what I’ll be bringing to Worlds. What I do know is that I’ll at all times deliver a military I’m pleased with, each in the way it appears and the way it matches my playstyle. Let’s be actual although, the meta will completely play a job within the last choice. It at all times does for aggressive gamers, so we will see. More than something although, I’m simply excited to be going to Worlds generally. It’s an enormous alternative and one thing I’m genuinely grateful to be part of. 

Thanks once more for talking with us Jake, and for sharing pictures of your beautiful military. Good luck on the World Championships!

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