Summary
Games Workshopmodels are some of the most iconic and eye-catching miniatures in the hobby world. However, before they can look so amazing, they must go through a building process that could make you question your life choices. These models require patience, attention, and a lot of time. But in the end, the detailed results are rewarding.
That said, some older models can cause headaches and frustration due to mismatched parts and poor molding. In short, these models present a serious challenge. If you’re ready for it, we’ve compiled a list of some of the toughest-to-build models from Games Workshop for you.
10Khorne Lord Of Skulls
Prepare For Chaos… And Lots Of Glue!
The Lord of Skulls model is packed with intricate hellish mechanical details. While it’s not exactly difficult to assemble, its large size and numerous parts make it incredibly time-consuming. Getting some pieces properly aligned, especially the liquid tanks and torso, can be tricky, so it’s best to paint them separately before assembly.
If you’re planning on magnetizing weapons for easy swapping, you’re in for even more fun—extra time and effort are a given! Oh, and make sure the torso and tank are properly aligned, because nothing says “chaos” like a twisted model that doesn’t fit together!
9Legion Thunderhawk Gunship
A Sky-High Challenge!
The Legion Thunderhawk Gunship might look incredibly cool with its highly detailed body and wings—and the fact that you can see twoSpace Marine pilotsinside makes it even cooler—but building it is no walk in the park. The detailed interior demands serious attention to detail, and assembling the wings, engines, and connecting armor pieces requires precision and a bit of luck.
Plus, its sheer size can lead to stability issues if you’re not careful. It’s a model that demands both technical skill and a lot of patience, making it a tough challenge for anyone who isn’t prepared for some serious model-building workout!
8Storm Eagle Assault Gunship
Build It Right, Or Don’t Build It At All
This gunship, with its detailed interior and cockpit, is definitely not for beginners. Made up of 33 resin components and 100 plastic pieces, the sheer number of parts makes assembly tricky. It also offers customization options like showcasing the interior and adjusting the landing skids to flight or landing mode—each of which adds another layer of complexity.
Since the interior is visible, getting the assembly and painting just right is crucial. Plus, with a mix of resin and plastic components, you’re in for a unique challenge—kind of like assembling a high-tech jigsaw puzzle that you really don’t want to mess up!
7Combat Patrol: Adeptus Mechanicus
Omnissiah’s Blessings Come With A Challenge!
This set of 19 miniatures may feature some pretty cool units, but building theseOmnissiah-worshipping warriorsis no walk in the park. The parts are packed with tiny details, which means getting everything to fit just right can be a real challenge.
Plus, the customization options can make things even trickier—if you want your models to look exactly as you imagine, you’ll need to carefully assemble the right pieces. The intricate mechanical details require fine craftsmanship, and don’t even get me started on painting! Metallic colors need perfect shading, and those details have to pop. So yeah, notexactly a beginner’s set—it’s a serious test of both your painting and building skills.
6Talos
Tiny Blades, Big Challenge
The Talos Pain Engines, considered the pinnacle of Haemonculi’s art, will make you feel the pain firsthand during assembly. With needles, hooks, chains, blades, and tiny delicate parts, careful placement is required, which can be time-consuming due to the high focus needed. Designed for a dynamic pose, every part’s position must be chosen with precision.
A wrong piece or assembly choice will mess with the model’s aesthetic harmony. The mechanical details demand attention not just during assembly but also in the painting phase. Plus, the tiny parts like needles and blades can easily snap, adding a whole new layer of challenge to this already tricky build.
5Szarekh, The Silent King
Precision Required, Patience Tested
Building Szarekh really does require a “silent” mind. The complex details and numerous parts make everything a challenge. Additionally, building the Triarchal Menhirs requires some serious precision. Like the Flayed Ones and Psychomancer, this model is no walk in the park.
The Dais of Dominion platform, in particular, is a beast with a very complicated structure, making the assembly process a real test of patience. The throne and its phaerons are especially frustrating, and while the cape and other details make the model stunning, they’re also fragile. It’s basically a masterpiece in the making—if you can survive the build!
4Flayed Ones
Patience Required, Fragility Guaranteed
Flayed Ones, with their eerie stance, long claws, and flayed skin, are among the trickiest models for collectors to tackle. Tiny mechanical details and the textures of their skin add layers of complexity to both assembly and painting. The dynamic poses require careful alignment, and those sharp needles and fragile pieces?
Well, they don’t make things easier—they’re practically begging to break. The organic parts, especially the arms and heads, make posing even more of a challenge. If the body parts aren’t aligned just right, get ready to redo the whole thing. A true test of patience, precision, and a steady hand!
3Doomsday Ark
Packed With Parts, And Patience
The Doomsday Ark is a technological marvel… with a notorious reputation among collectors. Behind its glorious Necron design lie monstrous engines that demand precision, or they’ll mock your efforts with misalignment. Packed with dozens of tiny parts, it’s a time-devouring beast—some hobbyists report more than five hours of assembly (and that’s without rage breaks).
Painting it after assembly? Good luck! Most recommend painting before gluing, unless you enjoy misery. The skeletal cage structure is infamous for warping the model if not aligned just right, and the delicate rib-like side pieces? Yeah, you might end up trimming and re-gluing them by hand like a mad tech-priest. It’s beautiful… but it knows it’s your nemesis.
2Ghost Ark
Beautiful, But Cursed
Another infamously cursed model. The Ghost Ark is definitely one to avoid for first-time builders. Those rib-like parts? Misalign one, and your sleek space barge suddenly looks like it crashed into a black hole sideways. The gun mounts attached to the ribs are fragile as a Necron’s patience.
While painting before assembly sounds smart, it often leads to glue refusing to bond, and parts staging dramatic exits mid-build. Despite sharing a kit with the Doomsday Ark, magnetizing is rarely recommended—unless you enjoy pain. Aligning the onboard Necron Warriors is a game of 3D Tetris, but rage-inducing. And even if you survive all that, chances are it’ll still wobble like it had too much amasec.
1Drop Pod
Where Patience Goes To Die
Building the Drop Pod is like sending your heart into battle—except it’s your sanity that gets attacked. The hatch opening mechanism and the need for precise assembly require extra attention. Getting the hatches to close properly can also be a nightmare. Placing the wings and aligning the turbine in the center is one of the most frustrating parts.
This model demands a perfect balance—some parts need to be loose enough to allow adjustments. If the hatches don’t align or close right, expect a massive headache. You might feel the urge to launch it across the room. In short, be prepared for a test of patience—and possibly a complete meltdown!
