GW’s MTO brings back 40k Legends like Noise Marines, Phoenix Lords, and Bjorn, but are they worth buying if they’re stuck in Legends?
Games Workshop has once again decided to dip into the nostalgia vault, bringing back a stack of classic Warhammer 40k miniatures on a Made to Order basis.
At first glance, it’s a fun trip down memory lane, with metal models, blister-pack classics, and even some characters that defined whole armies in their heyday.
Let’s break down what’s coming back, why it’s cool, and why it’s also frustrating.
Nostalgia or Just a Cash Grab?
So here’s a bit of an eyebrow-raising twist..
A number of these kits were moved into Legends in 10th Edition, meaning GW is now asking you to buy models they’ve essentially told you not to bother using in standard play. There’s a bit of a sting looking at some of these models that GW has more or less kicked out of the game.
Regardless, some of these kits you may have had back in the day and are ready to tackle again. Here are all the models coming back this year.
Emperor’s Children Classics
The poster children for style over substance are back with a vengeance. Fans of Slaanesh can snag Fabius Bile, Lucius the Eternal, and a Chaos Lord, all in glorious old-school metal.
The lineup also includes a pack of three Noise Marines, featuring the sonic blaster, blastmaster, and doom siren, plus the infamous glam rock Noise Marine, who looks like he’s about to headline a 40k hair metal tour.
The Phoenix Court Returns
Aeldari fans aren’t left out. Nearly every Phoenix Lord has had a modern refresh, but GW is rolling out the metal originals in a set dubbed the Phoenix Court of Khaine. That means Baharroth, Karandras (who knows, maybe he will get a new model and rules in 11th), Asurmen, Jain Zar, Maugan Ra, Fuegan, and even the old metal Avatar of Khaine himself.
To sweeten the deal, you can also grab the classic Eldrad Ulthran, a set of four Warlocks, the original Rogue Trader-era Farseer, and even the Webway Gate terrain piece. That’s a whole basket of nostalgia candy, but the real question is whether these models will actually matter in the next edition.
If history repeats itself, some of them could vanish from playable rules altogether. Looking at you, Karandras.
Space Wolves in Metal Glory
The Sons of Russ have their turn at the rerun, too. Lukas the Trickster, Njal Stormcaller, and a Wolf Guard Battle Standard bearer are all coming back, joined by a set of Rune Priests, an Iron Priest, and a Rune Priest in Terminator armor.
To top it off, the OG Bjorn the Fell-Handed returns, a relic of the era when dreadnoughts looked less like armored sarcophagi and more like walking refrigerators of doom.
These are characterful minis with loads of charm, but again, we’re staring at the same issue: GW just bumped some of these units into Legends. Do you really want to pay premium prices for a model that could be relegated to a display shelf instead of your army case?
The Legends Dilemma
Here’s the sticking point: a lot of these models either are Legends. Sure, they’re technically playable with Legends rules, but those rules don’t show up in matched play, and there’s no guarantee they’ll even exist in 11th edition. Buying these models right now feels like betting on a horse that GW already retired to the stables.
It’s a weird marketing move, asking people to spend money on characters and units they’ve officially said don’t fit into the current game. For collectors, painters, or lore fans, it’s a nice chance to grab history.
For gamers, it feels more like GW saying, “Here’s something you love, but don’t expect us to support it.”
Should You Buy Them?
If you’re in it for nostalgia, hobby projects, or the joy of owning a piece of Warhammer history without having to fight the secondary market, then absolutely, Made to Order is perfect for you. The sculpts ooze character, and the old-school metal vibe has its own charm.
But if you’re looking for models to actually play in competitive or casual games long-term, it’s a gamble. With 11th edition on the horizon, there’s no telling if these Legends kits will ever see rules again, or if they’ll simply disappear into the warp forever.
Final Thoughts
Made-to-order runs are always tempting, especially when they bring back models that defined an era of Warhammer 40k. For collectors, this is a goldmine. For gamers? It’s a bittersweet reminder that sometimes GW cares more about selling nostalgia than supporting the rules that make these minis playable.
So if you’ve always wanted that glam rock Noise Marine or a classic Bjorn for your shelf, now’s your chance.
See All the Models Put Into Legends in 10th Edition
Will you be picking up any of these models on MTO from GW?
