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Merlin's Miniatures · Top Picks · Warhammer · Classic Citadel · Pre-Owned Merlin's Top Picks is not a conventional “best sellers” page. It is a moving cross-section of classic Games Workshop, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer Fantasy, Age of Sigmar, Citadel metal, Black Library, Middle-earth and unusual collector pieces selected from a much larger pre-owned catalogue. We analysed the first 500 listings in the current Top Picks dataset to understand what is actually being surfaced — and which types of buyer are most likely to find something worth pursuing.

ROGUE TRADER · CLASSIC WARHAMMER 40K · MERLIN'S MINIATURES Rogue Trader-era miniatures occupy a different place in Warhammer 40,000 collecting from ordinary second-hand models. They come from the earliest design period of the setting, when Space Marines, Eldar, Orks, Imperial troops, Squats, Chaos and other factions were still developing the visual identities that later became familiar.

Pre-owned Blood Angels collecting goes far beyond finding a cheaper way into a Space Marine army. Decades of Warhammer 40,000 releases have produced different generations of Tactical Marines, Assault Marines, Scouts, characters, Sanguinary Guard, Death Company, vehicles, metal miniatures and chapter-specific components that can be difficult to reproduce through the current range alone.

Pre-owned Thousand Sons are particularly interesting because the second-hand market brings together very different kinds of Warhammer 40,000 collecting: Rubric Marines, Sorcerers, Scarab Occult Terminators, painted squads, army lots, older metal miniatures, conversion pieces and models from different generations of the faction.

Death Guard collecting becomes much more interesting once you move beyond the current boxed range. Pre-owned miniatures open the door to older Plague Marines, different generations of Terminators, vehicles, characters, Forge World models, Rogue Trader-era pieces and individual components that can be difficult to find in a conventional current-product catalogue.

Space Crusade is one of those classic Warhammer-era games where collecting can become as interesting as playing. A complete vintage set has obvious appeal, but the pre-owned market also lets collectors rebuild incomplete copies piece by piece, recover missing miniatures, hunt older Space Marines and alien sculpts or simply add unusual models from this early period of Warhammer 40,000 history.

Aeldari and Eldar are unusually rewarding factions to collect through the pre-owned market because their miniature history spans very different eras of Warhammer 40,000. Rogue Trader sculpts, classic metal Aspect Warriors, older Guardians, Harlequins, characters, grav-vehicles, transfer sheets and modern Aeldari can all belong to the same wider collection without feeling as though every model has to come from one generation.

Chaos Space Marines are unusually well suited to the pre-owned market because age, variation and conversion work do not necessarily make a collection feel inconsistent. Older armour patterns, classic metal sculpts, Rogue Trader renegades, painted warbands, legion-specific characters and heavily modified vehicles can all contribute to the sense of a force assembled across centuries of warfare.

Chaos Space Marines are one of the best Warhammer 40,000 factions to collect through the pre-owned market because older miniatures do not simply look like outdated versions of current kits — many represent completely different sculpting styles, armour interpretations, legion identities and periods of Games Workshop history.

Few Warhammer 40,000 factions reward second-hand collecting as much as the Imperial Guard. Across decades of releases, the army has represented entire regiments with radically different uniforms, equipment, sculpting styles and identities — many of which are now far easier to explore through the pre-owned market than through the current range.

Space Marines are not only the most recognisable army in Warhammer 40,000 — they are also one of the richest areas of the entire hobby for collectors hunting older miniatures, discontinued sculpts, chapter-specific models, metal figures, vehicles, Dreadnoughts and pre-owned army components.

There are pre-owned Warhammer collections, and then there are collections large enough to become miniature archives in their own right. Merlin's Miniatures' pre-owned Astra Militarum catalogue belongs firmly in the second category.

Getting into Warhammer 40,000 is not complicated — but there are more ways to start than there used to be, and choosing the wrong entry point can mean spending money on things you do not actually need yet. This guide cuts through the options and explains which starter set makes sense depending on what you want from the hobby: playing games quickly, building and painting a proper army, or doing both at once. All products are available at Merlin's Miniatures using coupon code SCALEANDMOTION at checkout.

Combat Patrol is the most practical entry point into Warhammer 40,000—a single box that gives you a complete, playable force at a size specifically designed for the smaller Combat Patrol game format, which uses simplified rules and fits on a smaller table. It is also the format Games Workshop recommends for new players, and for good reason: you get a coherent set of units from a single faction, enough models to start painting and learning the hobby, and a self-contained experience that does not require you to own a full army before you can play.

Wargaming miniatures sit at an unusual crossroads in the hobby world. They are simultaneously a tabletop gaming system, a modelling discipline, a painting challenge and — for many collectors — an end in themselves. Whether you are building your first Bolt Action platoon, deep into a Warhammer 40,000 campaign army, assembling Fallout: Wasteland Warfare figures between games, or simply buying Gunpla kits as display pieces, the range of products, systems and retailers available in 2026 is broader than it has ever been.

Entering the world of Warhammer 40,000 is a significant step into a hobby that combines complex storytelling, artistic expression, and strategic gameplay . With decades of history and dozens of unique factions, the initial choice of an army box can be overwhelming for a newcomer. This guide focuses on the essential factors to consider when selecting your starting point in the grim darkness of the far future .

Tabletop wargaming and miniature collecting have evolved far beyond simple gameplay. What was once a niche hobby has grown into a structured and highly detailed discipline that combines craftsmanship, artistic expression, and strategic thinking.

For decades, Warhammer 40,000 has stood as a towering presence in the world of miniature wargaming, inviting enthusiasts into a rich and sprawling universe where science fiction collides with epic strategy. This game transforms finely detailed miniatures into instruments of storytelling and tactical challenge, allowing players to immerse themselves in battles that feel grand in scope and deeply personal in craft.

  Trajann Valoris – Adeptus Custodes The Emperor’s Chosen, Brought to the Tabletop Trajann Valoris stands at the pinnacle of the Adeptus Custodes — the Captain-General, the voice of the Emperor’s will, and one of the most powerful individual characters available to Imperial armies in Warhammer 40,000. For collectors, painters and players alike, this model represents more than a single miniature. It is a centrepiece. Why Trajann Valoris Matters Within the lore, Trajann Valoris is not simply a commander — he is the embodiment of the Custodes’ purpose: absolute loyalty, unmatched skill, and strategic brilliance. On the tabletop, that translates into: Strong aura abilities that enhance nearby units Exceptional survivability Reliable combat output against elite and standard units alike For Adeptus Custodes players, this is not a niche addition — it is a cornerstone unit. Trajann Valoris – Adeptus Custodes at Merlin's Miniatures  (affiliate link) Model ...

The Space Marines: Drop Pods kit is a dedicated transport option for Adeptus Astartes armies in Warhammer 40,000. Designed to deliver rapid assault forces directly into the heart of battle, these iconic Drop Pods are launched from orbit, allowing Space Marines to strike with speed and overwhelming force. Overview This box contains two detailed plastic Drop Pod miniatures, supplied unassembled and unpainted. Each pod is equipped with opening hatches and a range of optional faction-specific iconography, allowing hobbyists to customise their models for various Chapters. The set also includes optional rubble pieces for added basing detail. Key features Includes two Drop Pod miniatures in 28mm scale Multiple Chapter icons: Ultramarines, Space Wolves, Imperial/Crimson Fists, Black Templars, Raven Guard, Dark Angels, Blood Angels 26 optional rubble pieces for custom basing Designed for Adeptus Astartes forces in Warhammer 40,000 Supplied unassembled and un...