Warhammer Fantasy Empire Great Cannon GEY-22: A Collector's Guide

Quick answer

Buy the Empire Great Cannon GEY-22 only if you can confirm its condition, completeness, and scale before purchase, because secondhand Warhammer Fantasy artillery is sold as-is and sales are final. If you want a safe first artillery piece, start with a complete, unpainted cannon at a fair price; if you need a project or a display piece, a damaged or painted model can still be worth it at the right discount.

The Empire Great Cannon GEY-22 is the kind of secondhand Warhammer Fantasy miniature that rewards a careful buyer. Artillery is one of the most fragile parts of an Empire army, so condition and completeness matter more than they do for a rank-and-file infantry block. This guide gives you concrete decision rules so you can judge whether a specific cannon is worth your money.

Because these models come through a secondhand program and are sold as-is, you need to inspect what you can see and accept that returns may not be possible. That does not make them a bad buy. It simply means your decision should be based on the photos, the listed scale, and a clear sense of what you plan to do with the model.

What makes an Empire cannon worth buying

Start with completeness. A Great Cannon is only useful on the table if you have the barrel, carriage, and wheels. Missing wheels are the most common problem, and replacements can be hard to source. If the listing shows the model assembled, check that the barrel sits correctly and that the carriage has not been glued out of alignment. A crooked barrel is difficult to fix without breaking the model.

Next, judge the paint. Bare plastic or metal is the easiest starting point because you can prime and paint it your way. A painted model is fine if the paint is thin and the details are still readable. Thick paint that fills in the crew and carriage detail is a warning sign, because stripping it risks damaging brittle older parts.

Finally, confirm the scale and game system. Warhammer Fantasy artillery is not the same as Warhammer 40,000 or Legions Imperialis models. If you are building a Warhammer Fantasy Empire army, you want a cannon that matches the scale of your existing troops.

• Check for all wheels, the barrel, and the carriage before you buy.
• Prefer bare or lightly painted models if you plan to repaint.
• Confirm the scale matches the game system you actually play.

How to price a secondhand cannon

Secondhand pricing is not about what the model cost new. It is about what a complete, usable copy is worth to you right now. A fair price for a complete, unpainted cannon is usually a meaningful discount from the original retail price. If the model is incomplete, painted badly, or has broken parts, the price should drop further, because you are buying a project rather than a finished unit.

One useful comparison is the Legion Imperialis: Predator Squadron, a multipart plastic kit that assembles six epic-scale tanks. It shows how much value a complete, well-supported kit can offer. If a single secondhand cannon is priced close to a full new kit, ask yourself whether the cannon's condition and rarity justify that premium.

Set a maximum price before you shop, and stick to it. Emotional attachment to a rare model is the fastest way to overpay.

• Complete and unpainted: pay the higher end of your range.
• Incomplete or heavily painted: pay less or walk away.
• Compare against complete new kits before committing.

Condition checks you can do from photos

Photos are your main tool when buying secondhand. Ask for clear shots of the barrel, the carriage, and the wheels from a few angles. Look for cracks, bent barrels, and glue residue. If the seller cannot provide additional photos, treat that as a limitation and price the risk into your offer.

Check whether the model is assembled or still on the sprue. An unassembled kit is generally safer because you control the build. An assembled model can still be a good buy if the joins are clean. If the listing says the item is sold as-is, assume there is no return option and decide accordingly.

For painted models, look for thick paint in the recesses and around the crew. That is the clearest sign the model will need stripping, which adds time and risk.

• Request extra photos of the barrel and wheels.
• Treat missing photos as a reason to lower your offer.
• Assume no returns when the listing says sold as-is.

Where the cannon fits in an Empire army

In a Warhammer Fantasy Empire force, artillery gives you ranged pressure and board control. A Great Cannon is a natural centerpiece for a gunline, but it also needs protection from fast units that can reach it. If your list already leans heavily on shooting, adding another cannon can leave you weak in melee.

Think about how many artillery pieces your army can realistically support. Two cannons can be strong, but three often leaves too few points for the infantry and cavalry that hold objectives. If you are new to Empire, one cannon plus a solid infantry core is a better starting point than a full artillery park.

If you also collect other factions, secondhand artillery can be a cost-effective way to try a new playstyle without committing to a full new army.

• One cannon is enough for most beginner Empire lists.
• Pair artillery with units that can protect it.
• Do not let artillery crowd out your core troops.

Decision rules for buying Empire artillery

• If the model is complete and unpainted: Buy it at a fair secondhand price, because it is the easiest version to build and paint your way. Best all-round buy for a playable Empire cannon.
• If the model is painted but intact: Buy only if the paint is thin and the details are still visible, and only at a discount that reflects repainting time. Good for players who enjoy stripping and repainting.
• If the model is incomplete or broken: Walk away unless you specifically need it for parts, because missing wheels and bent barrels are hard to replace. Only worth it at a deep discount.
• If the listing says sold as-is: Treat the purchase as final and decide based only on what you can see in the photos. No returns, so price the risk in.

Secondhand products worth comparing

• Legion Imperialis: Predator Squadron: This multipart plastic kit assembles six epic-scale Legiones Astartes Predator tanks, with a choice of Predator cannon or Predator lascannon turrets and sponson-mounted heavy bolters or lascannons. It is a useful benchmark for what a complete, new multipart kit offers, so you can judge whether a single secondhand cannon is priced fairly.
• Age of Sigmar Celestar Ballista GPO-22: This is a secondhand shop product sold as-is, purchased from clients through the secondhand program, with sales final. It shows the same condition and return limitations that apply to other secondhand artillery, so inspect photos carefully before buying.
• Warhammer 40,000 Chaos Lord GKU-15: This is a secondhand shop product sold as-is, with sales final and no manufacturer or distributor sourcing. It is a reminder that secondhand character models carry the same no-return risk, so confirm completeness before you commit.

Who should buy this cannon

Best for

• Warhammer Fantasy Empire players who want a usable artillery piece at a secondhand price
• Collectors who enjoy restoring or repainting older miniatures
• Players who already have a core army and want to add ranged pressure

Not for

• Buyers who need a guaranteed complete kit with returns
• Players who want a fully painted, table-ready model with no work
• Anyone unsure about scale or game system compatibility

The Empire Great Cannon GEY-22 can be a smart purchase if you confirm condition, completeness, and scale first. Use the decision rules above, set a maximum price, and accept that secondhand sales are final. If the model checks out, it is a rewarding addition to an Empire army or a satisfying restoration project.