Warhammer 40k Starter Guides

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Guides

Painting Guides for Beginners

Learn everything you need to get started with painting Warhammer models with our simple guide

Beginner’s Guide to Painting Warhammer

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Image Attributions

Rogue Trader (
https://www.deviantart.com/jinzomask/art/Ignatius-von-Valancius-Rogue-Trader-1017760751
) by JinzoMask (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
)
Mortarion Demon Primarch (
https://www.goodfon.com/fantasy/wallpaper-download-1920×1080-warhammer-40-000-mortarion-demon-primarch-chaos-death-guard.html
) by maria345 (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
)
Necrons Lord Necron Monolith (
https://www.goodfon.com/fantasy/wallpaper-download-1920×1080-necrons-army-warhammer-40-000-lord-necron-monolith.html
) by maria345 (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
)
Black Templar (
https://www.goodfon.com/games/wallpaper-warhammer-40-000-w40k-black-templars-space-marine-silovaia-b.html
) by maria345 (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
)
Gates of Azyr (
https://www.goodfon.com/fantasy/wallpaper-gates-of-azyr-warhammer-art.html
) by Mark22 (
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)
Warhammer Mark of Chaos (
https://www.goodfon.com/games/wallpaper-warhammer-mark-of-chaos-haos.html
) by Slipdem (
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)
Warhammer Flesh Eaters vs Anvils of the Heldenhammer (
https://www.goodfon.com/games/wallpaper-warhammer-40-000-flesh-eaters-vs-anvils-of-the-heldenhammer.html
) by Detofaith (
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)
Boneplitters vs Fyreslayers (
https://www.deviantart.com/t-razz/art/Gamesworkshop-Bonesplitterz-VS-the-Fyreslayers-642749333
) by T-razz (
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
)

Welcome to Warhammer Guild

Warhammer Guild is the premier online resource for hobbyists, strategists, and lore enthusiasts who share a passion for Games Workshop’s iconic tabletop universes. Whether you are a seasoned veteran who has been rolling dice since the days of Rogue Trader or a complete newcomer who just spotted an incredible miniature on social media and wants to know more, this site was built for you. Our mission is simple: provide the most comprehensive, accessible, and up-to-date guides for every aspect of the Warhammer hobby, from assembling your first model to mastering competitive tournament play.

We believe that the Warhammer hobby is one of the most rewarding creative pursuits available today. It combines artistic expression through painting and modelling, strategic depth through tabletop gameplay, and rich narrative immersion through some of the most expansive fictional universes ever created. At Warhammer Guild, we celebrate every facet of this multifaceted hobby and provide resources that help you get the most out of whichever aspects appeal to you most.

Our team of dedicated hobbyists and writers works tirelessly to produce content that is accurate, detailed, and genuinely useful. We do not publish thin, surface-level articles designed merely to attract clicks. Every guide on this site is crafted with care, drawing on years of collective experience in building, painting, playing, and studying the worlds of Warhammer. We fact-check our rules references, test our painting techniques, and play the armies we write about so that you can trust the advice you find here.

Explore Our Guides

Warhammer Guild is organized into clear sections so you can quickly find the information you need. Here is a brief overview of what you will find across the site:

• Armies & Factions: Detailed breakdowns of every playable faction in Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar. Learn about playstyles, strengths, weaknesses, lore backgrounds, and recommended units for each army. Whether you are drawn to the stoic Space Marines, the cunning Orruk Warclans, or the eldritch Thousand Sons, we have a guide for you.
• Beginner Guides: Step-by-step resources for new players covering everything from choosing your first army to understanding core rules, building your starter set, and finding your local gaming community. We remember what it was like to be new, and we have designed these guides to answer every question you might have.
• Painting & Hobby: Tutorials and tips for painting miniatures at every skill level. From basic battle-ready techniques that get your models table-ready fast, to advanced display-level methods involving wet blending, non-metallic metal, and freehand designs. We also cover basing, terrain building, and hobby organization.
• Lore & Background: Deep dives into the rich narratives behind both Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar. Explore the history of the Imperium, the Mortal Realms, the Chaos Gods, and every major character and event that shapes these universes.
• Reviews: Honest, thorough assessments of new releases, starter sets, paints, tools, and accessories. We buy and test products ourselves so we can give you genuine recommendations rather than marketing-driven opinions.

Getting Started with Warhammer

If you are completely new to the hobby, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of products, rules, and lore available. That is entirely normal, and we want to reassure you that getting started is much simpler than it might appear. The Warhammer hobby can be broken down into three core activities: building, painting, and playing. You do not need to do all three at once, and many hobbyists focus primarily on one or two aspects that they enjoy most.

Building involves assembling plastic miniatures from sprues, which are the frames that hold the individual components. Modern Warhammer kits are designed with push-fit technology that makes assembly straightforward, though many hobbyists prefer to use plastic cement for a stronger bond. You will also want a pair of clippers to remove parts from the sprue and a craft knife to clean up any mould lines.

Painting is where many hobbyists find their greatest satisfaction. Transforming a grey plastic miniature into a fully painted character with depth, colour, and personality is deeply rewarding. You do not need to be an artist to paint well. The techniques used in miniature painting are learnable skills, and even basic techniques like basecoating, washing, and drybrushing can produce excellent results. Games Workshop’s Citadel paint range is designed specifically for miniatures and offers an excellent starting point, though many hobbyists also use paints from Vallejo, Army Painter, ProAcryl, and other brands.

Playing the game involves learning the rules for your chosen system, building an army list within a points budget, and rolling dice to resolve battles on the tabletop. Both Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar offer free core rules that you can download to learn the basics before investing in a full rulebook. Starter sets such as the Warhammer 40,000 Ultimate Starter Set and the Age of Sigmar Skaventide box are excellent entry points that include miniatures, rules, and accessories.

Warhammer 40,000

Warhammer 40,000, often abbreviated as 40k, is set in the grim darkness of the far future, where there is only war. Humanity is beset on all sides by hostile alien races, daemonic incursions, and internal corruption. The Imperium of Man, a galaxy-spanning authoritarian regime led by the God-Emperor who sits enthroned upon the Golden Throne of Terra, wages an eternal war for survival against threats that would see humanity extinguished.

The game is played using 28mm scale miniatures on a tabletop battlefield, typically four feet by six feet for standard games. Players take turns moving their units, shooting, and engaging in close combat, with dice rolls determining the outcomes of attacks and saving throws. The current edition of Warhammer 40,000 features streamlined rules that make the game more accessible than ever while retaining the strategic depth that veteran players expect.

Factions in Warhammer 40,000 are broadly divided into three categories: Imperium, Chaos, and Xenos. The Imperium includes Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Adepta Sororitas, Adeptus Mechanicus, and several other forces loyal to the Emperor. Chaos encompasses the Chaos Space Marines, Death Guard, Thousand Sons, World Eaters, and the daemonic legions of the Chaos Gods. Xenos factions include the ancient Aeldari, the ravenous Tyranids, the technologically advanced T’au Empire, the brutal Orks, and the implacable Necrons, among others.

Age of Sigmar

Age of Sigmar is Games Workshop’s fantasy tabletop wargame, set in the Mortal Realms, a series of interconnected magical dimensions that each embody a fundamental aspect of reality. The game features high-fantasy warfare between grand alliances of Order, Chaos, Death, and Destruction, with Sigmar’s Stormcast Eternals serving as the poster faction for the forces of Order.

The Mortal Realms offer a unique setting that blends traditional fantasy elements with cosmic, mythological themes. Each realm has its own character and aesthetic, from the fiery landscapes of Aqshy to the shadowy depths of Ulgu. This diverse setting allows for an extraordinary range of army themes and visual styles, making Age of Sigmar a paradise for creative hobbyists who enjoy building and painting distinctive forces.

Gameplay in Age of Sigmar uses a similar dice-based system to Warhammer 40,000 but with its own distinct mechanics, including a double-turn system that can dramatically shift the momentum of a battle. The game is played at various scales, from small skirmish games using Warcry rules to massive battles featuring hundreds of miniatures. The current edition has refined the rules to provide a balanced and engaging competitive experience while maintaining the narrative appeal that draws many players to the game.

Latest Content

Warhammer Guild is continuously updated with new content to reflect the ever-evolving state of the hobby. Games Workshop regularly releases new miniatures, rules updates, and narrative supplements, and we work hard to ensure our guides remain current and relevant. You can find our latest articles on the blog, where we cover news, reviews, painting tutorials, tactical analysis, and more. We also update our existing guides whenever significant changes occur, such as points adjustments, rules errata, or new edition launches, so you can always trust that the information you find here is up to date.

We recommend bookmarking the site and checking back regularly for new content. Whether you are looking for a painting tutorial for a newly released model, a competitive analysis of the latest faction changes, or simply some inspiration for your next project, Warhammer Guild has you covered.

Join the Community

The Warhammer hobby is fundamentally a social experience. While there is great pleasure in painting miniatures solo or reading lore books at your leisure, the hobby truly comes alive when you connect with other enthusiasts. We encourage all visitors to engage with the wider Warhammer community, whether through local gaming clubs, online forums, social media groups, or organized events and tournaments.

Finding a local gaming community is one of the best things you can do as a new hobbyist. Local game stores often host regular gaming nights, painting sessions, and beginner events where you can learn the ropes in a friendly, supportive environment. Games Workshop’s own Warhammer stores also offer introductory games and painting workshops that are perfect for newcomers. If you do not have a local store nearby, online communities on platforms like Reddit, Discord, and Facebook offer vibrant spaces where you can share your work, ask questions, and connect with fellow hobbyists from around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Warhammer?

Warhammer is a tabletop wargame produced by Games Workshop. It involves collecting, building, and painting miniature figures and then using them to play strategic battles on a tabletop battlefield. There are two main game systems: Warhammer 40,000 (set in a science fiction universe) and Warhammer Age of Sigmar (set in a fantasy universe).

Is Warhammer expensive to get into?

The initial investment can vary depending on how you approach the hobby. Starter sets offer excellent value, providing two small armies, rules, and accessories for a reasonable price. You can also start small with a single unit and expand your collection gradually over time. Many hobbyists find that Warhammer provides exceptional value in terms of hours of entertainment across building, painting, and playing.

Do I need to paint my miniatures to play?

While most gaming groups welcome unpainted miniatures, especially for new players, painting is strongly encouraged and is a significant part of the hobby experience. Many tournaments require a minimum standard of painting, and fully painted armies simply look spectacular on the tabletop. Even basic painting techniques can transform your miniatures and enhance your enjoyment of the game.

Which game system should I choose?

Both Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar are excellent games with active communities. Your choice may come down to whether you prefer science fiction or fantasy themes, or which faction models appeal to you most visually. We recommend visiting a local store to see the miniatures in person, as the models you are most excited to build and paint are usually the best choice for your first army.

How long does a typical game take?

A standard game of Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar at the recommended points level typically takes two to three hours, though this can vary depending on the experience level of the players and the complexity of the armies involved. Smaller games can be completed in under an hour, making them ideal for weeknight gaming sessions.

Why Warhammer Guild?

Warhammer Guild exists because we believe every hobbyist deserves access to high-quality, comprehensive resources that help them get the most from their Warhammer experience. Whether you are learning to paint your first miniature, researching the lore behind your favourite faction, or seeking competitive insights to improve your game, we provide expert content created by passionate hobbyists who understand your needs. Our team combines decades of collective experience across painting, modelling, gaming, and lore to deliver content that is both authoritative and accessible.

What sets us apart is our commitment to covering the complete hobby experience. Many resources focus on just one aspect of Warhammer — competitive play, painting tutorials, or lore discussions. We bring all of these together in one place, creating connections between different aspects of the hobby that enrich your overall experience. Understanding a faction’s lore makes painting their army more meaningful. Knowing competitive strategies helps you build more effective lists. And mastering painting techniques makes your army a source of pride whether you are playing casually with friends or competing in tournaments.

Our Content Library

We have built an extensive library of content covering every major aspect of the Warhammer hobby. Our lore section features detailed articles exploring the rich narratives of both Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar, from broad faction overviews to deep dives into specific characters and events. Our painting guides walk you through techniques for every skill level, from basic basecoating and washing to advanced blending, weathering, and freehand work.

Our army guides help you understand each faction’s playstyle, strengths, and weaknesses, whether you are choosing your first army or expanding into a new faction. Our reviews section provides honest, detailed assessments of the latest releases to help you make informed purchasing decisions. And our news coverage keeps you up to date with everything happening in the Warhammer world, from new releases and rule changes to community events and tournament results. Explore our sections to discover the content that is most relevant to your hobby journey, and check back regularly as we add new articles every week.