Where to Find The Empire Miniatures

The Empire is the mightiest human nation in the Old World, a sprawling patchwork of provinces united under the Emperor's banner and the faith of Sigmar. On the tabletop, an Empire army is one of the most varied and tactically flexible forces in Warhammer: The Old World — combining disciplined regiments of State Troops, hammer-blow charges from armoured Knights, fearsome war machines, and the righteous fury of warrior priests and battle wizards. Whether you prefer a parade-ground wall of halberds or a thundering cavalry advance backed by cannon fire, the Empire can deliver it.

Building an Empire army is a genuine hobby project, rewarding painters and collectors with an enormous range of models — from humble militia to iconic centrepieces like the Steam Tank. The aesthetic is unmistakably Renaissance European: feathered helms, slashed doublets, full plate armour, and black-powder artillery. If that sounds like your kind of army, this guide will point you in the right direction.

What to Look For

A good Empire miniature should capture the distinctive late-medieval and Renaissance character of the faction. Key things to check:

Base sizes: Standard infantry use 20mm square bases; cavalry use 25x50mm bases. War machines have their own footprints, so check the rulebook before basing.
Equipment variety: State Troops can carry swords, spears, or halberds depending on the regiment, so look for kits with multiple weapon options.
Visual style: Feathered hats, ornate armour, and regimental colour schemes are central to the Empire look. Avoid overly grimdark or sci-fi-adjacent sculpts — the classic fantasy aesthetic is the target.
Rank-and-flank compatibility: Models should rank up cleanly on square bases in close formation. Check for dynamic poses that still leave room in the regiment.

Games Workshop has relaunched The Old World with a strong range of new and returning kits, and several retailers stock them at competitive prices. Here are the best sources to explore.

Wayland Games — Forces of Fantasy & Ravening Hordes

Wayland Games stocks the Forces of Fantasy and Ravening Hordes army books — essential reading before you start buying models. Both rulebooks nail the classic Old World aesthetic and are a great way to plan your list before committing to a shopping basket.

Wayland Games — Empire State Troops

The Empire State Troops box is the natural starting point for any Empire army, giving you a full core regiment with multiple weapon options and all the regimental detail you'd expect. Community members rate it as excellent value and a straightforward build for newcomers to rank-and-flank.

Wayland Games — Empire Knights

The Empire Knights are a standout kit from The Old World relaunch — heavily armoured cavalry with excellent detail and clean construction. Community feedback highlights them as a major step up in quality from older versions of the kit.

Element Games — Characters & War Machines

Element Games is a great source for the characterful individual models that give an Empire army its personality. The Witch Hunter and Warrior Priest of Sigmar are both excellent hero choices, while the Steam Tank remains one of the most iconic centrepiece models in the game. Round out your artillery with the Cannons & Mortars kit — a core part of any serious Empire gunline.

Building an Empire army is one of the most satisfying projects in Old World wargaming, with enough variety to keep you painting for months. Explore the links above, compare prices between retailers, and don't be afraid to mix kits to get the perfect regimental look. Found a great source we've missed? Head over to FindMyMinis and submit your own recommendations to help the community grow.