So, you’re thinking about diving into the grim darkness of the far future? Excellent choice! What is Warhammer 40k? Warhammer 40,000 (often shortened to 40k) is a tabletop wargame where players control armies of futuristic soldiers, aliens, and horrors. Can I start Warhammer 40k easily? Yes, absolutely! This guide is designed to make your journey into the 41st millennium as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Who is Warhammer 40k for? It’s for anyone who enjoys strategy, creativity, building and painting miniatures, and a rich, immersive fictional universe. This Warhammer 40k beginner guide will cover everything you need to know to take your first steps.
Getting Into Warhammer 40k: A Step-by-Step Approach
Starting a new hobby can feel overwhelming, especially one as vast as Warhammer 40k. But don’t worry, we’ll break it down. Think of it like building your first space marine – one step at a time. This guide will help you navigate getting into Warhammer 40k, from picking your army to playing your first game.
The Big Picture: What is the Hobby About?
At its core, Warhammer 40k involves two main aspects:
- Collecting and Building: You’ll choose, assemble, and paint miniature figures representing your chosen army.
- Playing the Game: You’ll use these painted miniatures on a tabletop battlefield, moving them, shooting at your opponent, and engaging in close combat, all governed by a set of rules.
It’s a hobby that blends strategy, artistry, and a love for science fiction.
Choosing Your First Warhammer 40k Army: The Galaxy Awaits Your Command
This is arguably the most exciting, and perhaps most daunting, first step: choosing a Warhammer 40k faction. The 41st millennium is filled with diverse and fascinating factions, each with unique lore, aesthetics, and playstyles.
Exploring the Factions: Who Will You Lead?
Let’s take a look at some of the major players:
The Imperium of Man
The vast, crumbling empire of humanity. They are humanity’s last bastion against countless xenos (alien) threats and internal heresy.
- Space Marines: Genetically engineered super-soldiers, the iconic poster boys of Warhammer 40k. They are diverse, with many different Chapters (like Ultramarines, Blood Angels, Dark Angels) each having unique histories and fighting styles. They are generally well-rounded and excellent for beginners.
- Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard): The endless human armies. They rely on vast numbers of basic infantry, supported by powerful tanks and artillery. They are a great choice if you like the idea of a gritty, human-led force.
- Adepta Sororitas (Sisters of Battle): Zealous female warriors who channel divine faith into martial prowess. They fight with bolters, flamers, and chainswords, often supported by powerful Acts of Faith.
- Adeptus Mechanicus: The tech-priests and their augmented warriors. They are masters of technology and cybernetics, fielding robotic armies and advanced weaponry.
- Imperial Knights: Gigantic walking war machines piloted by noble families. They are powerful, elite units that can dominate the battlefield.
- Agents of the Imperium: Specialized forces like Inquisitors and Rogue Traders who operate in the shadows.
The Xenos (Aliens)
The myriad alien species that threaten humanity’s existence.
- Orks: Green-skinned, brutal, and warlike. Orks love fighting and have a ramshackle, “works on the day you buy it” approach to technology. They are fun to paint with a more chaotic style.
- Aeldari (Eldar): An ancient, psychic, and technologically advanced race. They are graceful and deadly, relying on speed, psychic powers, and potent weaponry.
- Craftworlds: The main Aeldari empire, residing on giant starships.
- Drukhari (Dark Eldar): Sadistic, raiding cousins of the Craftworlds, who live in the dark webway.
- Harlequins: Mysterious cults of acrobatic, deadly warriors who worship the Laughing God.
- T’au Empire: A young, technologically superior alien race focused on the Greater Good. They excel at ranged combat and have unique battlesuits.
- Tyranids: A ravenous alien swarm from beyond the galaxy, driven by a singular instinct to consume all life. They are a horde army with many small, fast creatures and large monstrous beasts.
- Necrons: Ancient robotic skeletons from tomb worlds, reawakening to reclaim the galaxy. They are resilient and possess powerful, energy-based weaponry.
- Genestealer Cults: Human cults infected by Tyranid aliens, who secretly infiltrate Imperial worlds to prepare for the arrival of the Hive Mind. They are known for their ambushes and surprising combat ability.
- Ynnari: A new faction that combines elements of Craftworld Aeldari, Drukhari, and Harlequins, focused on the Aeldari god of death.
The Forces of Chaos
Corrupted elements of the Imperium and various alien races who worship the dark gods of Chaos.
- Chaos Space Marines: Traitorous Space Marines who have fallen to Chaos. They come in various forms, often mirroring their loyalist counterparts but with a darker, more mutated aesthetic.
- Chaos Daemons: Monstrous beings from the Warp, manifestations of the Chaos Gods’ power. They are highly varied and can be very potent.
- Chaos Knights: Corrupted versions of Imperial Knights, wielding dark technologies and often adorned with daemonic iconography.
What Factors Should You Consider?
- Aesthetics: Which army looks the coolest to you? This is the most important factor!
- Lore: Which faction’s backstory and motivations resonate with you?
- Playstyle: Do you prefer close combat, shooting, psychic powers, or a mix?
- Hobby Aspect: Some armies are easier to paint than others. Some have more intricate models.
- Beginner Friendliness: Some factions have simpler rules or more accessible starter kits.
Tip: Watch battle reports on YouTube, read lore articles, and look at pictures of painted armies. The best way to find your first Warhammer 40k army is to see what sparks your imagination.
Your First Warhammer 40k Army: Starter Sets and Beyond
Once you have an idea of which faction you like, you’ll need to acquire some models. Games Workshop, the company behind Warhammer 40k, offers several excellent entry points.
Warhammer 40k Starter Sets: The Perfect Entry Point
Games Workshop regularly releases Warhammer 40k starter sets. These are fantastic value and designed specifically for new players. They typically include:
- Two starter armies: Usually opposing factions, giving you an instant opponent.
- Core rules: A simplified version of the game to get you playing quickly.
- Assembly guides: Instructions on how to build your models.
- Dice and a measuring tool: All the essential gaming accessories.
- Optional: Sometimes they include a game mat and scenery.
These sets are ideal for learning the game with a friend or family member. They are an excellent way to dip your toes in without a massive initial investment. Look for titles like “Leviathan” or other “Starter Sets” – these are your best bet for getting started.
Building Your Warhammer 40k Force: Expanding Your Collection
Once you’ve played a few games and become more familiar with the rules, you’ll likely want to expand your army. When building a Warhammer 40k force, consider these points:
- Codex: Each faction has a “Codex” – a book containing the full rules, lore, and unit options for that army.
- Combat Patrol Boxes: These are smaller, curated boxes designed to give you a playable force of around 500 points (a common game size). They often include core units and a character.
- Individual Units: You can buy individual kits for specific units you like.
- Lord of War: For larger games, you might eventually want a powerful “Lord of War” unit, like a Knight or a Forgefiend.
Warhammer 40k collecting tips often revolve around focusing on one army at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Enjoy the process of building your collection piece by piece.
The Warhammer 40k Rules Explained: Mastering the Battlefield
The game of Warhammer 40k is governed by a comprehensive set of rules. While they can seem daunting at first, they are logical and, once grasped, incredibly rewarding.
The Core Gameplay Loop
A game of Warhammer 40k is played over a series of turns. Each turn consists of several phases, executed by each player in sequence:
- Command Phase: Gain Command Points, special abilities might trigger.
- Movement Phase: Move your units across the battlefield.
- Psychic Phase: Psychic units attempt to cast spells.
- Shooting Phase: Units with ranged weapons fire at enemy units.
- Charge Phase: Units in range attempt to close with the enemy for close combat.
- Fight Phase: Units engaged in close combat attack each other.
- Morale Phase: Units that have suffered casualties may try to rally or flee.
Key Concepts to Grasp
- Dice Rolls: The game relies heavily on dice rolls to determine success or failure. Most rolls involve rolling a 20-sided die (d20).
- Stats: Each unit has stats like Movement (how far it moves), Toughness (how hard it is to damage), Save (how well its armour protects it), Ballistic Skill (how accurate its shooting is), Weapon Skill (how good it is in close combat), Strength (how powerful its attacks are), and Wounds (how much damage it can take).
- Army Rules: Each faction has unique rules that affect how their units play.
- Stratagems: Special abilities you can use by spending Command Points.
- Objectives: Most games involve completing specific missions by controlling objectives on the battlefield.
Warhammer 40k rules explained in full detail can be found in the Core Rulebook. Starter sets often provide a streamlined version to ease you in.
Essential Gaming Tools
- Dice: You’ll need several different types of dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20). A starter set usually includes the basics.
- Measuring Tool: A tape measure or a 12-inch ruler is essential for determining movement and ranges.
- Tokens and Markers: To denote special abilities, unit statuses, and objectives.
Painting Your Miniatures: Bringing Your Army to Life
While you can play with unpainted miniatures, the true magic of Warhammer 40k comes from painting them. It’s a creative and therapeutic aspect of the hobby.
The Basics of Miniature Painting
You don’t need to be a professional artist to paint your miniatures. A few basic steps and tools will get you started:
- Tools:
- Hobby Knife/Sprue Cutters: For removing models from their plastic frames.
- Plastic Glue/Citadel Plastic Glue: For assembling plastic models.
- Files/Sandpaper: For cleaning up mold lines and excess plastic.
- Paint Brushes: A few different sizes are helpful.
- Paints:
- Primer: A base coat that helps paint adhere to the plastic.
- Base Coats: The main colours for your models.
- Shades (Washer): Thin, dark paints that settle into the recesses of the model, adding depth.
- Layer Paints: Lighter shades used to highlight raised areas.
- Technical Paints: Special paints for effects like rust, blood, or glowing energy.
- Primer: Start with a spray primer. Black, white, or grey are common choices.
A Simple Warhammer 40k Painting Tutorial
Here’s a very basic outline for painting a Space Marine:
- Assemble and Prime: Cut out the parts, assemble the model, and then prime it.
- Base Coat: Paint the main colour of the armour. For example, blue for Ultramarines.
- Wash: Apply a dark wash (like Nuln Oil for metallic or dark colours) over the entire model. This will flow into the details.
- Highlight: Once the wash is dry, carefully paint the raised edges of the armour panels with a lighter shade of your base colour.
- Details: Paint the weapons, shoulder pads, eyes, and any other details.
- Base: Paint the base of the model. Green for grass, brown for mud, or grey for rock are common. Add texture paint for extra effect.
- Varnish: Apply a varnish to protect your paint job.
This is just a starting point. Many fantastic Warhammer 40k painting tutorial videos and guides are available online. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
The Rich Warhammer 40k Lore Introduction: The Galaxy of War
Warhammer 40k is famous for its incredibly deep and expansive lore. It’s a universe filled with grim darkness, endless war, and fascinating characters and events.
The Setting: The 41st Millennium
The game is set roughly 38,000 years in the future, in a galaxy dominated by humanity’s Imperium. However, it’s not a utopian future. Humanity has been through countless ages of progress and devastating decline. The Imperium is a brutal, theocratic, and xenophobic empire, constantly at war with alien races, daemonic incursions from the Warp, and internal rebellions.
Key Lore Elements:
- The Emperor of Mankind: The immortal, psychic ruler of the Imperium, currently interred on a golden throne, but still a beacon of hope and a psychic conduit for humanity.
- The Warp: A parallel dimension of raw emotion and psychic energy, from which daemons emerge and warp space-time.
- Xenos: The various alien species that populate the galaxy, including the Orks, Eldar, Tyranids, Necrons, and T’au.
- Chaos Gods: Four powerful entities that embody negative emotions: Khorne (bloodlust), Nurgle (decay), Tzeentch (change), and Slaanesh (excess).
- The Great Crusade: The ancient campaign led by the Emperor to unite humanity across the galaxy.
- The Horus Heresy: The devastating civil war that saw half of the Emperor’s sons (the Primarchs) turn against him, leading to the Imperium’s current fractured state.
A Warhammer 40k lore introduction can’t cover everything, but a good starting point is to read the lore sections in the rulebooks, visit the Warhammer Community website, or explore wikis dedicated to the universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How much does it cost to get started with Warhammer 40k?
A1: The initial cost can vary. A starter set is usually the most budget-friendly way to begin, often costing between $60-$100 USD. Expanding your army will incur further costs, but you can pace yourself.
Q2: Do I need to paint my miniatures?
A2: No, you don’t have to paint them to play. However, painting is a huge part of the hobby and significantly enhances the experience.
Q3: How long does it take to build and paint an army?
A3: This varies greatly depending on your speed, the size of the army, and the complexity of the models and paint schemes. A small starter force might take a few weeks, while a larger, fully painted army can take months or even years.
Q4: Where can I play Warhammer 40k?
A4: You can play at home with friends, at local game stores (often called “flgs” – friendly local game store), or at gaming clubs and conventions.
Q5: Are there other ways to enjoy Warhammer 40k besides the tabletop game?
A5: Absolutely! There are novels, video games, animation, and even board games set in the Warhammer 40k universe.
Starting Warhammer 40k is an adventure. Embrace the learning process, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and most importantly, have fun. Welcome to the 41st millennium!