Tabletop wargaming isn’t just about rolling dice and strategizing troop movements (though those are pretty darn important). There’s an undeniable thrill to gazing upon a meticulously painted battlefield, where every miniature tells a story. A greenskin Ork Warboss roaring a challenge, his crude but brutal weapon held high. A stoic Space Marine Captain, his gleaming armor a testament to unwavering faith. These intricately sculpted figures aren’t just markers on a board; they’re the living, breathing heart of the game.
So, for hobbyists who crave not just victory, but a visually stunning battlefield, the question burns eternal: whichtabletop games boast the absolute best miniatures? Buckle up, paintbrush warriors, because we’re about to delve into the glorious realm of the most exquisitely crafted models in theWarhammer 40,000universe.
Updated July 03, 2025 by Kenny Kimberly:Can anyone have too many Warhammer minis? We’ve come back to this list to remove some options that weren’t available anymore, as well as to make sure our information was still accurate. Finally, we added the Accursed Cultists set of Warhammer minis. Enjoy!
Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Space Marines Accursed Cultists Miniature Pack
Eight Cultists seems like enough
This pack is perfect for anyone looking to build a big collection quickly. You’ll have eight miniatures in this pack of Accursed Cultists, ready to assemble and paint.
Looking to add to your army of Chaos Space Marines? This pack of Accursed Cultists comes with more than half a dozen figures for you to get to work on, allowing you to customize them before you add them to your collection.
Thereiswork to be done, though. These plastic miniatures will require assembly and painting to get their rightful space in your display. None of the tools or paint you’ll need are included, so make sure you have the supplies you need before getting this fearsome 8-pack.
Warhammer 40,000 - Tyranids: Deathleaper
The Shadow Strikes Again
For a multipart kit, this Deathleaper figure is a perfect choice. The 44-component kit is ideal for Tyranid fans everywhere.
Deathleaper excels at the art of the surprise attack. Infiltration and deep strike abilities mean you can deploy it practically anywhere on the board, right behind enemy lines where it can cause maximum chaos. Imagine the look on your opponent’s face when their carefully planned formations are suddenly disrupted by a giant bug with murder on its mind!
But Deathleaper isn’t just a sneaky stabber. It’s got a built-in leadership debuff that can make enemy characters sweat. A good leader can distinguish between a powerful psychic blast or a spectacular (potentially deadly) mishap. By messing with their leadership, Deathleaper throws a wrench into their plans and opens up vulnerabilities you can exploit.
Warhammer 40,000 - Black Templars: Emperor’s Champion
The Undisputed Foot Soldier King
This 13-piece kit allows you to build a single fearless warrior, the Emperor’s Champion. It’s an ideal piece if you’re looking for a sizable figure to assemble and paint.
Calling the Black Templars' Emperor’s Champion a “good fighter” would be like calling a supernova a “bright light.” This isn’t just another Space Marine – it’s a walking whirlwind of righteous fury designed to cleave through enemy champions and elite units with contemptuous ease.
Imagine the most skilled duelist you know, then crank everything about them up to eleven. Now imagine they’re a genetically engineered super soldier clad in holy armor and wielding a weapon blessed by the Emperor himself. That’s the Emperor’s Champion in a nutshell. Special rules and a souped-up blade make facing him in a duel a terrifying prospect for any enemy leader.
But the Emperor’s Champion isn’t just a one-trick pony. Faith and fury combine to grant him surprising resilience. He’s no pushover, but don’t expect him to wade into a mob of Orks – that’s a job for lesser warriors. His true strength lies in taking down enemy champions, disrupting their plans, and generally causing havoc in their backfield. Just his presence on the battlefield can be enough to send shivers down the spines of your opponents – who wants to be the unlucky soul facing down the Emperor’s chosen warrior?
Warhammer 40,000 - Chaos Knights: War Dogs
Set Hell to the Battlefield
For a pair of customizable figures, we love this 220-piece kit. You’ll have two War Dog class Chaos Knights that you’re able to assemble and paint to your preference.
Chaos is about to get a whole lot faster, meaner, and, well, more like a pack of ravenous hounds. Forget those slow, lumbering titans – the War Dogs are here to tear across the battlefield, leaving a trail of smoking wreckage in their wake.
Think of them as attack dogs bred from nightmares. These vicious machines are smaller and nimbler than their larger cousins, allowing them to outmaneuver your enemies and strike with lightning speed. But speed isn’t their only advantage. War Dogs come loaded with a variety of nasty weapon options, letting you customize your pack to take down any foe. Need a monstrous melee combatant to rip through enemy lines? The Karnivore is your beast. Want a ranged harbinger of destruction to rain hellfire from afar? The Brigand brings the firepower.
Now, War Dogs aren’t exactly unkillable tanks. They’re flankers and harassers, not frontline fighters. So, use them strategically to exploit weaknesses and support your larger Chaos Knights. Think of them as the perfect hunting pack – the War Dogs flush out the prey, leaving the bigger Knights to deliver the killing blow.
Warhammer 40,000 Adeptus Mechanicus Ironstrider
The perfect Adeptus Mechanicus addition.
The Adeptus Mechanicus' Ironstrider Ballistarius brings versatile firepower and mobility to the tabletop.
If you’re looking to add some fast-firing punch to your Adeptus Mechanicus army, the Ironstrider Ballistarius has got you covered. This versatile kit lets you build either a sleek artillery walker or a mean-looking dragoon, giving you flexibility right out of the box.
Assembling this multi-part plastic model is a lil tricky but also super engaging, since you get a lot of space for customizing your poses and weapons. Options include titanic autocannons or lascannons.
Games Workshop Warhammer AoS & 40k - Chaos Daemons: Great Unclean One
attempt to keep this one clean
Unbox the gory glory of Nurgle with the Great Unclean One, a hefty, jovial, and disgustingly detailed centerpiece for your Chaos army.
Imagine the most lovable blob of pestilence and laughter — that’s this Great Unclean One. A towering beacon of blight, this kit brings back the nostalgic feel of ’90s Warhammer with a modern twist. The digital sculpting ensures that every pustule and sore is disgustingly perfect, making it a painter’s dream (or nightmare, depending on how you feel about infectious sores). With options aplenty, your daemon can be unique, brandishing rusted weaponry or casting decrepit spells.
Your fingers may cramp from the meticulous assembly and detail painting, but as they say in Nurgle’s garden, no pain, no gain! Or was it no pus, no fuss? Whether you’re planning to dominate the tabletop or just showcase it on your shelf, this Great Unclean One is a grand slice of chaos that’s ripe for the picking.
Games Workshop Warhammer 40,000 - Aeldari: Avatar of Khaine
As detailed as a warrior can be
A towering tribute to the Aeldari god of war, this model is a masterpiece of miniature craftsmanship, perfect for taking center stage in your collection.
If your gaming table is crying out for an epic centerpiece, the Avatar of Khaine should be on your radar. It’s a detailed behemoth that’s bound to be the envy of your gaming circle. You might not get to strike a Vogue cover pose with it, but what it lacks in flexibility, it makes up for with sheer presence. Putting it together might feel like a game of Operation with all those fiddly bits, but think of the bragging rights once it’s done.
And, while it’s dressed to the nines in its default fiery theme, don’t forget you can paint it up in any color scheme you fancy. So if you want a model that’s going to turn heads, spark conversations, and basically be the rock star of your shelf, the Avatar of Khaine is ready to rock your Warhammer world.
Games Workshop Warhammer AoS & 40k - Daemons of Tzeentch: Lord of Change
Not for beginners!
A towering beacon of chaos, the Lord of Change model is an ambitious project with a rewarding presence on and off the battlefield.
When your forces demand a champion, the Lord of Change emerges as a centerpiece that not only stands out for its visual splendor but also for its strategic value in-game. The price and complexity are testament to its standing as a high-caliber addition to any Warhammer army. If Tzeentch’s intricate machinations are your tableau, this model becomes an irreplaceable commander, capable of shaping the battlefield to your will.
For an understanding of where Tzeentch fits in the grand scheme of Warhammer races, you’re able to delve deeper into our list ofEvery Warhammer 40K Race, Ranked.
With the Lord of Change at your command, you’ll not only bring a slice of chaos to the table but also a formidable edge to your gameplay.
Games Workshop Warhammer AoS & 40k - Daemons of Khorne: Flesh Hounds
Perfect for soul-fetching
Command the battlefield with these snarling, scale-armored Flesh Hounds—ideal for players who relish in close-quarters carnage and tactical flanking maneuvers.
When you want to bring the heat (and the teeth) to your tabletop battles, look no further than the Daemons of Khorne: Flesh Hounds. You’ll be hard-pressed to find more loyal minions to carry out your bloodthirsty strategies. With their updated stats, these hounds aren’t just for show; they’re built for fast, aggressive gameplay that can rip apart enemy lines before they know what hit them.
Granted, you won’t be casting spells or shooting arrows, but who needs distance when you have the joy of watching these hell pups turn the battlefield into a merry-go-round of mayhem? Just remember, these doggos are not for the faint of heart. You’ll need to strategize to make the most of their brute force. They might not fetch your slippers, but they’ll definitely fetch you victory after victory – provided you play to their strengths and keep them away from those pesky sorcerers.
Games Workshop Warhammer 40,000 - Death Guard Mortarion, Daemon Primarch of Nurgle
As fun to paint as it is to display
Mortarion is a towering symbol of decay, perfect for commanding your Death Guard forces with a mix of dread and detailed decay.
Ready to unleash a small-scale apocalypse? Mortarion, the rot-winged reaper, is a model that’ll make your gaming circle green with envy. The heft of the box alone screams quality, and every sprue is a promise of hours spent assembling not just a model, but a piece of art that will stand testament to your devotion to the dark gods.
With Mortarion at the heart of your forces, you’re not just playing games—you’re orchestrating symphonies of sickness. Get ready to clear some shelf space – Mortarion demands it, and frankly, who are you to deny aPrimarch?
Games Workshop Warhammer 40,000 - Space Marines: Bladeguard Veterans
Great for an easy-ish setup
Jumpstart your Warhammer 40k journey with the versatile Bladeguard Veterans kit. Assemble a trio of heroic Space Marines poised for tabletop glory!
So you’re ready to charge into the Warhammer 40,000 arena, and you want to start with a bang, not a whimper. Bladeguard Veterans are your entry ticket, boasting a build so beginner-friendly, you’ll think they come with training wheels. The customizable options are a buffet of weaponry that lets your Sergeant flex more than just muscles.
Yes, the set’s trio may seem a modest crew, and sure, your piggy bank might feel the pinch. But consider this: in the universe of tabletop gaming, starting strong is half the battle won. Ready your brushes and roll out the welcome mat for your new Space Marine pals. Glory on the battlefield starts with triumph on the crafting table!
FAQ
Can Older Warhammer 40K Minis Still Be Competitive?
Yes, many older miniatures are still very much competitive in gameplay. The most important aspect is to have the current rules and codex for the army you are collecting.
Do I Need Additional Materials To Assemble Minis?
Yes, typically you will need glue, cutters, and possibly other hobby tools to assemble your miniatures. Paints and brushes are also a must if you wish to paint them.
How Much Should I Expect To Spend On A Warhammer 40K Mini?
Prices can vary widely, from around $25 for a basic unit to $150 or more for a detailed, large-scale model. Always consider your budget and how a miniature fits into your existing collection.
