There were some great contenders, but it was a battle of the 40k primarchs for the best Warhammer miniature of the year for 2023!
Like in past years, you could vote on what miniature you thought was the best and help determine which won for the year. Games Workshop picked one model from each month to nominate for the best overall in 2023. Chaos and Space Marines were near the top like most years, but who won?
GW Reveals Their Best Miniature of 2023
Games Workshop’s best miniatures of the year for 2023 came from Warhammer Community.
Some stunning new heroes have joined the battle in the 41st Millennium and the Mortal Realms, giving Lion El’Jonson and Angron a real run for their money. In Warhammer 40,000, Vashtorr the Arkifane’s machinations bore fruit and tore a baleful hole through the materium, while the Twin-Tailed Crusade saw legendary figures like Tahlia Vedra and Trugg the Troggoth King rise to prominence in Warhammer Age of Sigmar.
Later in the year, Commander Farsight took the fight to the Orks in a stylish new battlesuit, while the towering Cerastus Knight Lancer – and later its Acheron and Castigator counterparts – made its first appearance in plastic. Then as the snow began to fall, two special Christmas miniatures stole the show as Da Red Gobbo’s Surprise got up to mischief and the Grotmas Gitz made off with all the presents.
There are a lot of great miniatures this year. However, only one can win!
#3: Commander Farsight
In third place is Commander O’Shovah. He’s the only dude in the T’au Empire bad enough to head into battle with a sword, and so it’s only fitting that he gets a model that makes him seem like he may even know how to use it.
For such a budding empire, 3rd place isn’t too bad! This is a great mini, and with the shrouded minis preview from Christmas, we might see plenty more Tau in 2024.
#2 Angron
Flapping into contention from all the way back in January comes Angron, the Red Angel. The angriest daemon prince in any of the worlds of Warhammer, Angron set the tone for a furious year of galactic conflict. He even unexpectedly got to battle his brother, who just about got the better of him during the climax of the Arks of Omen narrative, and who just about manages the same in the real battle…
Don’t show these results to Angron because he’ll probably be quite mad about taking the second spot! Especially considering who he lost to. Either way, this is another great-looking mini, and we’ve seen plenty of World Eaters on the field in 2023.
#1 Lion El’Jonson
…yep, it’s Lion El’Jonson. The returned Primarch of the I Legion, a powerhouse of combat and chivalry, and a magisterial presence on any shelf. Having defeated Angron through superior acumen in battle and a handful of votes, he’s a worthy victor as Warhammer Miniature of the Year 2023. For Caliban!
Well, it looks like the Imperium nudged out Chaos this time around, carried on the strong back of the Lion! However, Chaos has won plenty more throughout the years! Let’s check out all the best Warhammer miniatures from the past few years.
Previous Top Games Workshop Miniatures of the Year
The forces of Chaos once held a monopoly over Miniature of the Year winners, but have since been cowed by sterling appearances from the Orks and Aeldari. Will Angron’s rebirth secure another win for them in 2023? Here are some of the previous winners to help you decide if the Red Angel has what it takes.
This model is so unique, so we just don’t see how it wouldn’t have won.
Be’lakor is a stunning miniature, and if you want a painting project, this is the mini for you!
Orks only have one top spot in the past few years, but the big boss is fantastic and had to win!
From Abaddon on, Chaos basically won every single spot; it looks like the followers of Chaos are pretty influential.
What’s there not to love about a Noise Marine shredding?
Primarchs almost always win when they come out, but this year, there are two, and Chaos couldn’t get it done.
Last but not least, Magnus easily took the top spot in 2016!
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
Do you agree with the best 2023 Warhammer miniature of the year?
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About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
