The cheapest places to buy Warhammer are independent retailers offering 15-25% off RRP: Element Games, Wayland Games, and Goblin Gaming (UK); Miniature Market and Amazon (US). eBay and trading groups offer even bigger savings on secondhand models.
Warhammer is an expensive hobby. A single character model can cost more than a video game, a mid-sized army can rival a new console, and a fully painted, competitive force can easily run into four figures. But it does not have to be as expensive as the sticker price at Games Workshop’s own stores suggests. A thriving ecosystem of independent retailers, secondhand markets, and community trading groups exists specifically to help hobbyists get more plastic for their pound or dollar. Knowing where and how to buy smart can save you 15-30% on new models and even more on secondhand purchases.
This guide covers every legitimate way to buy Warhammer cheaper than Games Workshop’s recommended retail price (RRP). We have organised the options by geography, discount level, and risk profile so you can find the approach that works best for your situation.
UK Independent Retailers — 15-25% Off RRP
The UK has the strongest ecosystem of independent Warhammer retailers, many of which offer consistent discounts of 15-25% off Games Workshop’s RRP. These are legitimate businesses that buy from Games Workshop at trade prices and pass some of the margin on to customers. The models are genuine, factory-sealed, and identical to what you would buy at a GW store — just cheaper.
Element Games (elementgames.co.uk): One of the most popular UK independents, typically offering 15-20% off RRP. Element Games has a wide range covering most of Games Workshop’s current product line, reasonable shipping costs, and a loyalty points system that provides additional savings on future orders. Their website is well-organised and regularly updated with new releases. Pre-orders for new products are usually available at the same discount.
Wayland Games (waylandgames.co.uk): Another major UK independent with discounts typically around 15-20% off RRP. Wayland Games carries a very broad range including Games Workshop, Forge World, and third-party hobby supplies. They occasionally run additional promotional discounts on top of their standard pricing. Shipping can be slow during peak periods (new edition launches, Christmas), but their prices are consistently competitive.
Goblin Gaming (goblingaming.co.uk): Offers some of the deepest discounts among UK independents, regularly hitting 20-25% off RRP. Goblin Gaming’s range is smaller than Element or Wayland, but if they have what you want, the savings are significant. They are particularly popular for large orders where the percentage savings translate into meaningful absolute amounts.
Triple Helix (triplehelixwargames.co.uk): Consistent 20% discount with good availability. Triple Helix has built a reputation for reliable service and fast shipping, making them a favourite for hobbyists who want competitive prices without the uncertainty of stock availability.
Firestorm Games (firestormgames.co.uk): Based in Cardiff, Firestorm operates both a physical store and an online shop with typical discounts of 15-20%. They also run gaming events, making them a good option if you are local to South Wales.
All of these retailers are authorised Games Workshop stockists. The products are genuine, carry full manufacturer warranties, and are eligible for any GW promotions or loyalty schemes that accept third-party purchases.
US Retailers — 10-20% Off MSRP
The US market has fewer independent Warhammer specialists than the UK, but several options offer meaningful savings:
Miniature Market (miniaturemarket.com): The largest US online retailer for tabletop gaming, offering typical discounts of 10-15% off MSRP on Games Workshop products. Miniature Market carries a vast range of products beyond just Warhammer and offers flat-rate shipping that benefits larger orders. Their clearance section occasionally features significant discounts on older or slow-moving products.
Amazon: Amazon’s Warhammer pricing is variable — sometimes at or near MSRP, sometimes significantly discounted (20% or more on select products). The key is to use price-tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel to monitor prices and buy when they dip. Amazon’s advantage is speed of delivery and the peace of mind of their returns policy. The disadvantage is inconsistent pricing and the risk of third-party sellers charging above MSRP for popular items.
Local Game Stores (LGS): Many local game stores in the US carry Games Workshop products at or near MSRP. While they may not offer discounts, supporting your local store provides a place to play, builds community connections, and ensures the store remains viable. Some LGS offer loyalty programmes, discount days, or member pricing that can reduce costs by 10-15%.
GameNerdz (gamenerdz.com): Offers competitive pricing on GW products with regular sales. Their “Deal of the Day” feature occasionally includes Warhammer products at significant discounts.
Secondhand Markets — 30-60% Savings
The biggest savings on Warhammer come from buying secondhand. Many hobbyists sell armies they no longer use, models they bought impulsively, or collections they are downsizing. The result is a steady supply of secondhand Warhammer at prices well below retail.
eBay: The largest secondhand Warhammer market. Tips for buying on eBay: search for “lot” to find bulk deals (e.g., “space marine lot”); check completed listings to understand fair prices; inspect photos carefully for missing parts, damage, or thick paint; factor in stripping costs if models are painted; and use eBay’s buyer protection if items are not as described. Auctions often go for less than Buy It Now listings, especially for partially built or painted models.
Reddit (r/miniswap): A dedicated subreddit for buying, selling, and trading miniatures. Prices are typically lower than eBay because sellers avoid eBay’s fees. The community is generally trustworthy, but always use PayPal Goods & Services (not Friends & Family) for buyer protection. Read feedback, ask for detailed photos, and clarify condition before committing.
Facebook Trading Groups: Numerous Facebook groups specialise in Warhammer trading. Popular groups include “Warhammer Trading” and region-specific groups. These communities operate on reputation, with frequent traders building trust over time. Prices are competitive, and you can often negotiate directly with sellers.
TrollTrader (thetrolltrader.com): A UK-based business that buys and sells secondhand Warhammer. They strip and sort models, providing a curated secondhand experience. Prices are higher than private sellers but lower than retail, and the convenience of a professional operation (reliable descriptions, returns policy, quality control) justifies the premium for many buyers.
When Do Sales Happen?
Games Workshop very rarely discounts its own products. The company has a strict pricing policy and almost never runs sales on current-range products. However, savings opportunities do exist:
New edition starter sets: When a new edition launches, the starter set is always the best value-for-money way to buy the included factions. These boxes typically offer 40-50% savings compared to buying the models individually. If you can split the box with a friend (each taking one faction), the value is even better.
Battleforce / Battlebox sets: Games Workshop releases these bundled sets, usually around Christmas, offering 25-35% savings compared to individual purchases. They are popular and sell out quickly, so pre-order if you can. Independent retailers discount these bundles further, compounding the savings.
Combat Patrol / Spearhead boxes: These standardised army starter boxes offer moderate savings (15-25%) compared to buying the included models separately. They are designed as entry points to a faction and are almost always worth buying as your first purchase for a new army.
Magazine partworks: Publications like Imperium and Mortal Realms (when available) offer models at significant discounts when purchased across the full run. Individual issues can offer models at 50% or more below their standalone retail price. The catch is that you need to buy the full run to get complete units, and the pace of release is slow.
Independent retailer sales: Unlike GW, independent retailers do run sales — typically during Black Friday, Boxing Day, and summer sales periods. These events can stack additional discounts on top of their normal pricing, creating opportunities for 25-30% total savings on new products.
What NOT to Do — Avoiding Recasters and Scams
While saving money is important, some sources should be avoided entirely:
Recasters (bootleg manufacturers): Recasters produce unauthorised copies of Games Workshop models, typically in resin, and sell them at a fraction of the retail price. While the temptation is obvious, recasts are illegal (they violate Games Workshop’s intellectual property), often poor quality (air bubbles, warped parts, loss of detail), and damaging to the hobby ecosystem. Tournament organisers increasingly check for recasts, and using them can result in disqualification. We strongly advise against buying from recasters.
Too-good-to-be-true deals: If a listing on eBay or a trading group offers brand new, sealed products at 50%+ discount, it may be a scam. Common scam patterns include: listing popular products at impossibly low prices to collect payments then disappear; selling stolen goods; or sending counterfeit/recast products described as genuine. Stick to established sellers with positive feedback histories.
3D printed “proxies”: While 3D printing your own miniatures for personal use occupies a legal grey area, buying 3D-printed copies of GW models from third parties is legally problematic. Original 3D-printed designs used as proxies are generally fine, but models that are clearly copied from GW sculpts should be avoided. Many tournaments and gaming groups do not accept 3D-printed proxies of GW models.
Budget-Building Strategy
The most cost-effective approach to building a Warhammer army combines several of these strategies:
Start with a starter set or Combat Patrol: These bundles offer the best value for your first purchase in a faction. Even if you do not want every model in the box, the savings on the models you do want typically outweigh the cost of the “unwanted” models — which can often be sold or traded.
Buy new releases from independent retailers: For subsequent purchases, buy from discounted retailers rather than GW directly. The 15-25% saving adds up rapidly across an army’s worth of purchases.
Fill gaps with secondhand purchases: Once you know what you need to complete your army, check eBay, r/miniswap, and Facebook groups before buying new. You can often find the specific units you need at 30-50% below retail.
Wait for Battleforce boxes: If your faction gets a Battleforce release, this is usually the most cost-effective way to add a large chunk of models to your collection. Pre-order through an independent retailer for maximum savings.
Trade what you do not need: If you buy starter sets or bundles that include models you do not want, trade or sell the surplus. This effectively reduces the cost of the models you did want, sometimes dramatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy from independent retailers?
Yes. Authorised independent retailers buy directly from Games Workshop at trade prices. The products are genuine, factory-sealed, and identical to what you would buy at an official GW store. The only difference is the price. We have listed several established, reputable retailers above — all have years of positive customer reviews.
Why doesn’t Games Workshop run sales?
Games Workshop’s pricing strategy is based on maintaining the perceived value of their products. They believe that discounting devalues the brand and trains customers to wait for sales rather than buying at full price. Whether you agree with this philosophy or not, it is the reality of GW’s pricing policy and is unlikely to change. Independent retailers fill the gap by accepting lower margins to offer customers competitive prices.
Are secondhand models worth buying?
Absolutely, if you know what to look for. Unpainted, on-sprue models are identical to new purchases. Assembled but unpainted models are fine if all parts are present. Painted models can be excellent value if you are willing to strip the paint (Simple Green or Biostrip 20 both work well). The only models to avoid are those with thick, crusty paint that has obscured detail, or models with missing or broken parts.
Should I support my local game store even though it is more expensive?
This is a personal decision. Local game stores provide play space, community, events, and a physical location where you can see products before buying. If your LGS provides value through these services, supporting them with some of your purchases is a worthwhile investment in the hobby ecosystem — even if you save money on larger purchases through online retailers. Many hobbyists adopt a hybrid approach: buying paints, brushes, and small purchases at their LGS while ordering larger kits from discounted online retailers.
Is it worth buying from overseas to save money?
Generally not, due to shipping costs, import duties, and currency exchange fees. Games Workshop sets regional pricing, and the perceived price difference between countries often disappears once additional costs are factored in. The exception is the UK, where prices are typically lower than US or Australian RRP — UK-based retailers that ship internationally can sometimes offer savings even after shipping for customers in higher-priced markets. Always calculate the total cost including shipping and duties before ordering internationally.
Where can I buy Warhammer paints cheaper?
The same independent retailers that discount kits, such as Element Games and Wayland Games, usually sell Citadel paints at a discount too, and paint sets or bundles are cheaper per pot than buying singly. Alternative brands like Vallejo and The Army Painter often give more paint for the money and are widely used alongside Citadel.
What is the cheapest way to start a Warhammer army?
Start with a Combat Patrol (40k) or Spearhead (Age of Sigmar) box bought from a discount retailer, as these give a playable force at a saving over individual kits. Elite, low-model-count armies such as Adeptus Custodes or Imperial Knights need fewer models in total. Second-hand units from eBay or r/miniswap can then fill gaps cheaply.