Another trend in GW’s design department is three things (like tactical rocks) that make Warhammer miniatures instantly cooler.
Updated on April 1, 2025, by Rob Baer, with new information and links for the human-sized tactical rock.
Games Workshop has pulled a fast one, and we kind of love it. In a hobby where every model begs for attention, GW has quietly mastered a secret formula for instant cool factor—three things that make miniatures stand out without needing a paint job that took two weeks and your last shred of sanity.
One of those things? Tactical rocks. Lots of them. There are so many that you can stand on one now, too.
Yes, the Tactical Rock is real, it’s human-sized, and it’s an April Fool’s joke that lands so well it might as well be canon. But before you laugh it off, consider this: the design trend behind it is no accident. Tactical elevation, heroic posing, and environmental storytelling have become visual shorthand for “this model means business.” GW just extended that logic to the players.
Ready to stand taller? Let’s get into it.
Captain Morgan Pose is Reserved for the Moderately Cool
If you’re a cool character and want to stand out of the crowd in GW’s line, just find a rock (or dead Space Marine) to prop your foot up on.
Deathwatch Terminator Captain
Primaris Apothecary
New Abaddon
See the trend we’re talking about? There are actually a lot of characters out there that aren’t afraid to hike their knee up to seem more badass. But let’s go on to the pose that’s reserved for ONLY the most heroic of the bunch.
The character that started it all has his very own miniature. Behold the man that mounts, Commander Riker:
GW Reserves Birds for the Coolest Characters
Another design trend is reserved for only GW’s favorite characters…The ol’ bird on the arm.
Alright, so. We know what you’re thinking. Why would anyone want to take a bird into battle? Who in their right mind would want to bring a feathered-up flying stomach into a Grimdark universe where the dudes that get picked on (Space Marines) have exploding grenade bullets that can turn a Guardsmen into red mist in .001 seconds?
Only the dudes that came out on the other side of the high school skinny jeans and snapback phase clean. We’re talking about Njal Stormcaller, the White Scars Praetor, Sanson Farstrider, and Coteaz IN THAT ORDER.
Level 1: Psyber Raven on Norwegian Space Wizard
This guy is already topping the scales for having a bird on his shoulder. What makes it even cooler is that his Raven has a laser eye. His Raven gets better treatment than most Servitors do.
Level 2: Old Space Mongolian With Laser Falcon
Next, we’ve got the new White Scars Praetor for Heresy. In a setting where all of the Imperium’s weapons were designed to crack through Space Marine armor, this guy still goes into battle with a laser-eyed bird of prey.
Level 3: Mystical Space Bird on Golden Lightning Man
We’ve gotta give Sanson props for this one. This guy is killing the Captain Morgan pose and has enough arm strength to hold up that bird. He’s armed with basically a bolt gun (GW will never admit it), but his bird still does more damage.
If you haven’t seen Sanson in action, let’s paint a picture for you. Before you even see him, his bird is already in the sky, targeting you. Sanson steps from behind cover and performs a precisely timed and heavily rehearsed “hammer time” jig to distract you. At that moment, you feel the swift knuckle of the bird separate your C3 and C4 in your neck.
There you are, left with the last image in your head of a golden lightning man dancing in heavy plate armor just before a space bird folds you in half with one punch.
Level 4: Double-Barreled Laser Eagle on Grumpy Bad Guy Hunter
Coteaz is an old dude in some artificer armor that loves his job. He’s responsible for hunting heretics and anything else that would challenge the Imperium’s authority. He’s got a pistol on his hip, but it’s covered in cobwebs and still has ammo in the magazine from 1962.
He honestly has no reason to use it. Not when you have a double-barreled laser eagle on your arm. It’s like America multiplied its freedom with another head and perched itself on the man responsible for keeping the peace through fear.
It’s Only Up From Here
So what could possibly be cooler than a dude holding a bird in the middle of battle? A bird holding his men up in battle.
New future model blueprints from GW Headquarters
A Tactical Rock Brings Unknown Power
The newest addition to GW’s design trends, the ever-present and insanely powerful tactical rock! Some of you may say that the Captain Morgan is the same thing as the tactical rock, but little do you know, they are totally different and represent a whole new power level, possibly over 9000!
Why have your models stand on grass? So 2018, so boring. GW has increased the power of these warlocks by about tenfold, just look at that extra inch of height, and that beautiful stance is truly enhanced. Do the rocks cover the entirety of the base? Of course not! And why should they? Then it would lose the tactical nature.
Come on, learn your rocks.
GW took it to a whole new level with this one! Again, no need to actually walk across the battlefield; now you can reliably keep your high ground advantage (just ask Anakin how important that is) as you saunter into battle.
Obviously, 40k wouldn’t be outdone by AoS, and this double tactical rock/ruins combo on your old favorite is just what this ancient Eldar needed. Why did he get better in the new codex? Power creep? How naive of you!
It’s this wild rock combo; it couldn’t be anything else.
Ka’Bandha takes a tactical rock to a whole new level! Not only is he smashing a poor marine, but he’s also getting ready for the next deadly strike. Just remember, when your opponent drops down miniatures with a tactical rock, you must destroy it right away or there is just no way you could win- (unless you have something cooler).
GW Breaks the 4th Wall
Every army has its centerpiece. The towering dreadnought, the winged daemon prince, the painfully over-detailed HQ mini you painted with a brush the width of a thought. But what about you? That’s right. The strategist. The table general. The person holding the measuring tape with the shaky hands and half-finished coffee.
For too long, your commanding presence has gone unbased—an oversight Games Workshop has heroically corrected with the Tactical Rock, now scaled to you (and a great April Fool’s from GW).
Standing atop this 30kg slab of artistic nonsense, you gain a whole new appreciation for “line of sight.” No more leaning, squinting, or awkward lunges over terrain—just a clean, unobstructed view from your new granite throne. And forget accidental nudges; this thing isn’t moving unless you deploy a forklift or a Carnifex with an attitude problem.
The Tactical Rock comes in a range of terrain styles to match your preferred battleground aesthetic, from “grim battlefield ash” to “mud with skulls in it” (because of course there are skulls). Best part? Your opponent can’t say a word. If their Hive Tyrant can stand on a scenic resin monolith, you sure as hell can climb one too.
Look, if you’re going to argue about rules, roll dice, and knock over units with your elbow, at least do it from a commanding height. This isn’t just immersion—it’s commitment. The Tactical Rock doesn’t make you better at Warhammer. But it absolutely makes you look like you are. And honestly, isn’t that what really matters?
Final Thoughts On Rocks Making Your Minis Cooler
Tactical rocks aren’t just a terrain choice—they’re a lifestyle. GW knows that nothing screams “main character energy” like standing slightly higher than everyone else, ideally on some rubble, a skull, or a conveniently cinematic chunk of slate. It works for your miniatures, and now it works for you.
So, next time you’re eyeing that new model with its toe perched dramatically on a boulder, remember: it’s not just flair. It’s a statement. Height equals authority and apparently, a +2 to all dice rolls.
Want your minis to pop? Add elevation, drama, and just the right amount of over-the-top posing. Want your presence at the table to match? Step onto your own Tactical Rock and make it weird—in the best way.
See The Lieutenant Movie April Fool’s Joke From GW!
What are your thoughts on the personal tactical rock from GW?
