#Psykers #Baneblades #Collecting #Warhammer #WorthPoint
In the 41st millennium, the once all-powerful Imperium of Man is locked in a death struggle with the other races of the galaxy. Technological and scientific progress has stagnated, and humankind itself is racked by the forces of Chaos. The Space Marines and Imperial Guardsmen of the Imperium fight with neither fear nor hope. They know that there is no chance of final victory; their fights only delay the inevitable doom of the Empire because, as the tagline of the series says, “in the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war.”
Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniature franchise that has gradually expanded into computer games and other mediums. It is full of horrific creatures, insane commanders, psychic soldiers, and outrageously over-armed vehicles. Having fun is the main object of the game—the grim, dark setting is satirical and not meant to be taken seriously.
It stands as the most popular miniatures game in the world, though it is particularly well-regarded in the United Kingdom (that may explain why the Space Marine officers tend to have well-spoken English accents).
For the Empire!
In 1982, Citadel Miniatures, a company that produced figurines for tabletop games, enlisted game designer Rick Priestley to develop a new figurine-heavy game to launch a range of miniatures, as they felt that the tabletop RPGs they were working with, such as Dungeons & Dragons were too light on models. The result was Warhammer Fantasy Battle, a tabletop game that pitted armies against each other. The game was primarily fantasy, but, as with many fantasy titles of the era, featured some light sci-fi elements. The game proved highly popular, and it was decided that Priestley would be given the chance to create a futuristic sci-fi spinoff, based on a space-based game he already had in development called Rogue Trader. The result, published in 1987, was titled Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader.
The series has undergone many revisions since then, with a vast wealth of new lore and factions added, as well as some tonal changes from Priestley’s original vision. As of 2024, the ruleset is now on its tenth edition, released in 2023. Nowadays, an original 1987 copy of Rogue Trader can go for over $500.
Warhammer 40K Models and Campaigns
For anyone wanting to start playing the tabletop game, Games Workshop is the place to be. Their stores can be found in many cities, and you’ll find shelves full of models and kits to begin your collection.
Outside the figurines intended for gameplay, Games Workshop also sells some collectible models of its own. One such model is the Gargantuan Squiggoth, a detailed resin model of one of the terrifying creatures that Orks deploy in battle, which goes for nearly $500. The infamous Baneblade can be picked up new for closer to $200.
Even more impressive—and even more expensive —are the likes of the Mars Pattern Warlord (which stands over two feet tall when fully constructed) and the Tau Manta ship, both of which cost staggering amounts of money—nearly $2,000 each—and are considered highly collectible.
For those who want to collect good-looking figures at bargain prices, JoyToy provides an extensive range. The company is renowned for high-quality collectible figures and provides such a range that anyone interested in 40K is sure to find a superb model of their favorite faction. Models of the Space Marines are, of course, plentiful, but the range covers factions as diverse as the Sisters of Battle, the Necrons, and the Tau.
Video Games
If starting a model collection sounds too costly for you, the good news is that Warhammer: 40,000 has a long and rich history in the world of video games. The first was 1992’s Space Crusade, based on the popular board game of the same name. Over the subsequent three decades, releases have been plentiful, from FPS titles like Fire Warrior and Boltgun to action games like Space Marine, and even sprawling RPGs like the recently released Rogue Trader. Dawn of War in 2004, however, is the title that is perhaps most fondly regarded by gamers today. A real-time strategy game that put the player in command of a Warhammer 40,000 faction of their choice and let them command spectacular battles with tens or even hundreds of units on-screen at a time, the game was a best-seller and spawned a series of its own.
These games’ availability and relatively low prices mean that they’re a decent point for anyone wanting to start a collection. Even a 1992 copy of Space Crusade can sell quite cheaply.
Several of the games have collector’s editions available. For example, last year’s Rogue Trader has one that costs over $300 and contains an art book, banner, Warrant of Trade (an item the player obtains in the game’s story), and, of course, the game itself.
Books
As well as the core and expansion rule sets, several fiction books are set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. One of the most sought-after fiction series is The Horus Heresy, which to date has a whopping sixty-four published volumes. Following the saga of a traitor Imperial legion, the first dozen entries remain the most desirable.
Collector’s editions have been produced for most entries in the series. A collector’s edition of Book Six: Retribution sold for $500 last year. Book Four: Conquest almost hit $400 earlier this year.
Of special note is a limited-edition set of beautifully bound artwork books, known as The Horus Heresy: Visions Set. Only 300 were ever produced, and one recently sold for almost $4,000.
Final Thoughts
Warhammer 40,000 has gone from a tabletop game to a pop culture phenomenon. For anyone looking for an introduction to the universe, Games Workshop offers reasonably priced starter sets to get you into the game quickly. For collectors, a whole range of models, books, games, and figures are available and will surely increase in value as time goes on, and the popularity of this setting continues to grow.
Matthew Doherty is a writer, editor, and teacher specializing in all things history-related. His work has been published in the UK Defence Journal, the Small Wars Journal, and The Collector. He holds an MSc from the University of Edinburgh and a BA from the University of Leeds. In his spare time, he also writes science fiction stories.
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