KOTA KINABALU — The Malaysian hobby gaming scene made history recently when a ‘dark horse’ from Sabah, Daniel Tan, 35, emerged as the national champion of Warhammer 40,000, securing five consecutive wins at the Xunobi Warhammer 40K Golden Ticket Malaysian Nationals Finals 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur on July 6.
For those unfamiliar, Warhammer 40,000 — or simply Warhammer 40K — is no ordinary tabletop game. It is a blend of art, strategy, creativity and community that has captivated millions of players worldwide since it was created by the United Kingdom-based company Games Workshop in 1987.
The game is played on a large tabletop, typically measuring around 4 by 6 feet, filled with miniature military figures that players assemble and paint themselves. With over 26 factions to choose from — including Space Marines, Orks, Tyranids and Eldar — each player leads their unique army into highly tactical battles.
Unlike many other games, Warhammer 40K demands deep strategic thinking, combined with an element of chance through dice rolls. Each match can last between three to four hours, requiring mental and physical endurance, as well as mastery of rules that are regularly updated to keep gameplay balanced.
Globally, the Warhammer community is estimated to number between 3.5 million and 5 million players, including celebrities such as Ed Sheeran and Henry Cavill.
With his victory, Daniel is set to carry Malaysia’s flag to the Warhammer World Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, from November 6 to 9, 2025. Sabah Media caught up with him to learn more about his remarkable journey.
A HUMBLE BEGINNING
“I started playing two years ago after my brother introduced me to the game,” said Daniel, who also runs team building programmes, leadership and communication training, and manages several vending machines as part of his livelihood.
For Daniel, developing this hobby in Sabah has been no easy feat. “The community here is very small compared to Peninsular Malaysia. In Kota Kinabalu, there’s only one dedicated place to play. I even made my own table and terrain at home just to practise,” he shared.
Whenever he travels to Kuala Lumpur, Daniel brings along his miniature army to gain more playing experience with the community there. He also sharpens his skills by watching live streams of international tournaments from the UK and United States on YouTube.
WHAT IS WARHAMMER 40K?
According to Daniel, for those who have never heard of Warhammer 40K, it can be described as a tabletop war game where players act as generals commanding their own armies.
“Imagine a combination of chess and Risk, but on a much larger and more complex scale,” he explained.
The game is played on a board measuring about 4 by 5 feet, complete with varied terrain, obstacles, missions, and unique layouts. Players can choose from 26 different factions — picture chess, but with far more than just black and white pieces, each with its own rules, units, and strengths.
What makes it even more intriguing is that before you can play, you need to buy, assemble, and paint the miniatures yourself. This makes Warhammer 40K not just a strategy game but also an artistic hobby that demands patience and attention to detail.
Dice play an important role during matches. Every attack, movement, or decision is a mix of strategy and luck determined by dice rolls. As players often say, “the dice tell a story.”
Each match typically spans five rounds and can last around 3 to 3.5 hours. At the Malaysian national finals, for example, participants played three matches in a day, from 9am to 9pm, including lunch breaks. Some players even use chess clocks to ensure fair time management for both sides.
This game not only challenges the mind but also requires physical and mental stamina. According to Daniel, Games Workshop updates the rules every three months to keep the game fresh, fair, and exciting.
PREPARING TO BECOME A CHAMPION
On his preparation, Daniel shared, “Honestly, a big part of it was just wanting to experience a two-day, five-game tournament. But of course, I wanted to win — not just for myself, but for my family, for Sabah, and for the golden ticket to represent Malaysia on the world stage.”
He studied the missions, prepared his army list, and crafted strategies for each opponent. “I tried to stick to my plan, and thankfully, it worked out — I won all my matches!” he said with a smile.
HEADING TO ATLANTA: THE NEXT BIG CHALLENGE
This victory has opened the door for Daniel to compete at the World Championships, but the biggest hurdles now are visa arrangements and travel expenses.
“Visa costs from Sabah are higher because I need to travel to Kuala Lumpur for the interview. Plus, flights and accommodation in the US aren’t cheap. For me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Malaysia,” he said.
To turn his dream into reality, Daniel is seeking sponsorship. The total cost is estimated at RM10,000 to RM15,000. He is also selling one of his unused miniature armies and plans to design and sell special T-shirts to raise additional funds.
Those interested in supporting or sponsoring Daniel can contact him via Instagram at @danster_x45.
FROM SABAH TO THE WORLD
Daniel’s story is not just about a tabletop game — it’s about passion, hard work, and ambition. From a self-built table in Kota Kinabalu, he now steps onto the world stage, proudly carrying the names of Sabah and Malaysia.
“Pray for me,” Daniel said with a hopeful smile.
