See which wargames topped the Fall 2024 Miniature Games Chart, from Warhammer 40k to BattleTech, surprising shifts shook the ICV2 top 10.
Warhammer 40k still leads the charge, but not without some pressure. BattleTech surged into second, Nolzur’s minis made a big splash, and Age of Sigmar lost ground it once held without question. The chart isn’t just a list—it’s a snapshot of what’s getting painted, played, and reordered across hobby shops everywhere.
If you’re wondering what games actually moved the needle this season (and why Halo Flashpoint and Warmachine are back in the mix), you’re in the right place. Let’s break down who climbed, who stumbled, and what it all means for your table.
Miniature Wargames in Fall 2024:
If you’ve been around forums recently, you’ve probably seen this chart floating around—ICv2’s list of the top-selling non-collectible miniature games for Fall 2024 (September to December). It’s based on what retailers, distributors, and manufacturers are actually seeing at the register. Not cold, hard spreadsheets or actual records, but conversations, orders, and a little bit of shop-floor intuition.
Think of it as the hobby industry’s equivalent of “if you know, you know,” and it’s exactly what we do at Spikey Bits with retailers worldwide too.
This chart got a lot of attention as it made a surprise appearance at GAMA and had everyone talking online about the shakeup, specifically with Games Workshop products.
Warhammer 40,000 Still Reigns Supreme
Let’s start with the obvious: Warhammer 40,000 is still king of the hill. Games Workshop has locked in the top spot once again, which won’t shock anyone who’s stepped into a store in the last six months. New box sets, updated codexes, and that slick new Kill Team expansion helped keep the game front and center. GW’s been playing this game for a long time, and they know when to drop just enough new plastic to keep everyone coming back.
BattleTech and Nolzur’s Climb the Ranks
But the interesting shift? Warhammer Age of Sigmar has slipped down to number four (and has been lower for a while, but maybe 4th Edition will get it higher once again). That’s a bit of a shake-up. There have been quarters where GW held both the first and second slots, no contest.
This fall, though, BattleTech clawed its way into second, and Nolzur’s Marvelous Miniatures—WizKids’ highly paintable, ready-to-roll fantasy sculpts—nabbed third (and has been in second or third for a while now). It’s not a small feat when you’re competing with a company that is basically miniature gaming.
Now, before anyone cries foul, it’s worth pointing out this list is more poll than ledger. It’s less “units sold” and more “what’s moving, what’s getting reordered, and what folks are asking for.” It’s how the hobby industry has kept tabs on itself for years.
People still talk about that stretch when X-Wing Miniatures Game knocked 40k off its throne, pre-8th Edition. Then, GW got serious. New CEO. New strategy. Eighth hit like a freight train. Suddenly, the narrative changed again.
So yeah, this kind of list has weight.
What to Watch In 2025
Halo Flashpoint showing up at #7 on the top miniatures games chart is one to watch. Mantic’s stepping up, and a sci-fi game with built-in IP recognition is a smart move. There’s a lot of crossover between fans of the video game and folks curious about dipping a toe into minis. If it lands well, we could see it climb in the next poll.
It’s the same with Marvel Crisis Protocol, holding strong at #6. The game’s been consistent, and Atomic Mass Games continues to drop quality content. With superheroes staying red-hot across media, this one’s got legs.
The Classics Aren’t Going Anywhere
Bones by Reaper Miniatures is still holding tight in the top ten. Affordable, paintable, endless utility. Reaper knows its audience and delivers. Then there’s Warmachine—back on the board at #10, now under the Steamforged Games banner. That’s one to watch. Is this a return to form? Maybe. Either way, it’s good to see the old Warjack stomping back into view.
Tariffs Looming in the Background
Sales stayed steady through the end of 2024, but the tail end of February brought some wobble. Talk of tariffs from the U.S. administration started stirring the pot, and distributors began tightening their belts just a bit. That may impact what we see in the Spring numbers, especially if shipping gets snarlier.
What’s Hot, Who Dropped, and Why It All Still Matters
Miniature wargames are still very much alive and kicking—just changing shape. New players are entering the mix, legacy games are shifting, and those who keep their ear to the ground are already adapting. Whether you paint for the table, the shelf, or the sheer love of tiny armies with big personalities, there’s plenty happening to keep things interesting.
Get Around The Tariffs For Your Favorite Games
What do you think of the Fall 2024 top miniatures games chart?
