We very rarely get a glimpse into the inner workings of Games Workshop, and with the complete rumor lock down of last year we see even less. Interestingly enough, GW is giving us a little window into what products are selling the well for them. The new GW website offers a filter to look at the Warhammer 40k bestsellers. This allows us (on a small-scale) to see exactly what the GW penny pushers are seeing.

Now we don't know if this list includes retail store sales, or just what folks are buying through the online store. Retailers do have to use the website for orders and I cannot imagine GW would take the time to filter them out. The list isn't numbered either, so we don't actually know what is the absolute bestseller. This Top 10 does tell us something on many levels.

First, what is in this list?

Here is a link...

Warhammer 40k Bestsellers

  • Imperial Knight
  • Wraith Knight
  • Riptide
  • Stormraven
  • Centurions
  • Eldar Flyer
  • Wraithguard
  • Sternguard
  • Broadside
  • Space Marine Tactical Squad
  • Tau Fire Warriors
  • Militarum Tempestus Scions

What can we gleam from the list?

The three most powerful 6th edition armies have the most units presented. Price doesn't matter for sales. Everyone still needs basic troops. No troop transports make the list, unless you really want to count the Stormraven. Resculpted units sell very well. Only the Tau Fire Warriors are from kits older than two years.

Having a unit like Fire Warriors on the list tells us how well Tau are selling. Tau are still the newest army, so maybe people don't have a large backlog of models they can find aftermarket. Overall, the list is mostly models people will have a harder time getting on deep discount, players are more likely to buy these products on GW online store because of easy access.

With the exception of maybe three units on this list, every unit has very good rules for the tabletop. If people are buying certain things because they have good rules, it flies in the face of GW notion that competitive gamers don't buy models like an average hobbyist, or more over, average hobbyist also wants good rules as well. The only problem with that analysis, is we don't have much to compare with. Shouldn't Heldrakes, Necron Flyers, Wave Serpents be on this list? Conversely, we don't see the new Ogyrn models or any of the new Tyranid models. We just don't know how far the sales figures go back. It could just be a product of the new website not having older sales data. Regardless, shouldn't GW pay attention to why no Tyranid models on this list?

If GW does keep this list up, it will be fun watching it change and seeing if the changes correlate to how units perform in tournaments. As it stands though, GW is selling the large-scale high price models with ease.

Players see immense value with those units. High points value for an army list, they look impressive on the battlefield, and no other miniature company (sorry warmachine Colossals) can come close. GW is presses their advantage when ever it uses its unique scalability.

Another thing to notice is no Finecast on the list, hardly shocking, and if you include supply chain problems it could explain other exclusions. Going from resin to plastic obviously helps sells models like the Wraithguard, Sternguard, and to a lesser degree Broadsides.

What we don't see are any bargain units on the list like troop choices from other factions. GW should be concerned to basically see only Eldar, Tau, and Space Marine being in the top 10. I hope GW would rather want a list with a unit from every codex represented. In the deluded mind of GW I am sure they think if they can pump out one giant kit for each army they will be ok, but once again why aren't any Tyranids making the list?

It is possible (pretty low for even GW) the list is doctored in some way and GW is showing us what they want to us to buy. The very fact I even have to consider the possibility should tell you something. As it is, I hope GW keeps us informed on what models sell the most for them.

IF you want more of this sort of thing GW also provides best sellers for whatever new release is happening and this month it is Orks so check out that list.

Warning

Meat for Meta is rated editorial nonsense. These articles are meant to complain about some group, somewhere, that is playing the game for all the wrong reasons or simply to just make fun of 40k nerd rage.