Warhammer 40k on a Budget — How to Start for Less

How Much Does Warhammer Really Cost?

Warhammer 40k has a reputation as an expensive hobby, and that reputation is not entirely undeserved — but it is often exaggerated. Here is what you can realistically expect to spend at different levels:

Minimum to start playing: £35-50 / $45-65 for a small set of models, with free rules. You can play learning games at this level.
Combat Patrol (beginner games): £85-105 / $110-140 for a Combat Patrol box, plus £30-40 / $40-55 for paints, brushes, glue, and clippers. Total: roughly £115-145 / $150-195.
1,000-point army (Incursion): £150-250 / $200-330 depending on faction, plus hobby supplies.
Full 2,000-point army (Strike Force): £300-600 / $400-800 depending on faction. Elite armies with fewer, more expensive models cost less. Horde armies with many cheap infantry cost more.

But here is the thing most people overlook: Warhammer is not a recurring expense like a video game subscription or a gym membership. Once you buy and paint an army, it lasts forever. The cost per hour of entertainment — factoring in building, painting, and playing — is actually excellent compared to many hobbies. A £400 army that gives you hundreds of hours of hobby time and years of gaming is objectively good value.

That said, there are many smart ways to reduce the upfront cost. This guide covers all of them.

The Cheapest Way to Start

The single cheapest route into Warhammer 40k is the Combat Patrol pathway. Here is why:

Buy one Combat Patrol box (£85-105 / $110-140 at RRP, or £70-90 / $95-120 from an independent retailer at 15-20% off).
Download the free rules from the Warhammer 40,000 website or app. You do not need to buy a rulebook.
Play Combat Patrol games using the pre-set rules included with your box. No army building required.

With this approach, you have a fully playable army for around £70-90 from a discount retailer, plus about £25-35 for basic hobby supplies (cheap clippers, a starter paint set, and glue). Total starting cost: under £100 / $130.

If even that is too much, consider splitting an Introductory Set (£35 / $50) with a friend. Each player gets a small force for under £20, and you can learn the basics before committing to a larger purchase.

For a complete guide to starter sets and what they include, see our Warhammer 40k starter set guide.

Budget Army Tier List

Not all factions cost the same to collect. Some armies use a small number of expensive, powerful models, while others require hordes of infantry. Here is a rough cost ranking for building a 2,000-point army at RRP:

Cheapest Factions (under £350 / $460)

Imperial Knights — An entire army can be just 4-6 large models. Fewest boxes needed of any faction. Approximately £250-300 / $330-400 for a full army.
Chaos Knights — Similar to Imperial Knights, using a handful of massive war machines. Around £250-300 / $330-400.
Custodes — The most elite infantry faction in the game. An army of 20-30 models, many of which come in small, premium boxes. Around £280-350 / $370-460.
Grey Knights — Elite Space Marine psykers with small model counts. Around £300-350 / $400-460.

Mid-Range Factions (£350-500 / $460-650)

Space Marines (most chapters) — Moderate model count, lots of box options, and starter set availability keeps costs manageable. Around £350-450 / $460-590.
Necrons — A mix of infantry and vehicles at reasonable prices. Around £350-450 / $460-590.
Death Guard — Moderate model count with good value boxes. Around £350-400 / $460-525.
Thousand Sons — Similar to Death Guard in cost structure. Around £350-400 / $460-525.
Adeptus Mechanicus — A moderate number of unique, detailed kits. Around £400-500 / $525-650.
T’au Empire — Good mix of infantry and battlesuits at reasonable box prices. Around £350-450 / $460-590.

Most Expensive Factions (over £500 / $650)

Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard) — A true horde army requiring huge numbers of infantry, tanks, and artillery. Easily the most expensive faction. Around £500-700 / $650-900+.
Orks — Another horde army with high model counts. Around £450-600 / $590-780.
Tyranids — Large swarms of small creatures plus expensive big monsters. Around £450-600 / $590-780.
Aeldari — A wide range of specialised kits, many of which are needed for a competitive list. Around £450-550 / $590-720.

If budget is your primary concern, Imperial Knights, Chaos Knights, or Custodes are the most wallet-friendly choices. You can have a fully painted, tournament-legal army for under £300.

Save Money on Models

Here are proven strategies for spending less on your plastic soldiers:

Buy from Independent Retailers

This is the single most impactful tip and the one most beginners miss. Independent stockists sell Games Workshop products at 15-20% below RRP. This is not a sale price — it is their standard pricing, made possible by GW’s retailer discount structure.

Top UK retailers: Element Games, Wayland Games, Goblin Gaming, Dark Sphere, Triple Helix.

Top US retailers: Miniature Market, GameNerdz, Noble Knight Games.

A 20% saving on a £400 army is £80 back in your pocket — enough for paints and supplies with change to spare.

Buy Second-Hand

The second-hand Warhammer market is enormous and thriving. Common sources include:

eBay — The largest marketplace. Search for “Warhammer 40k lot” or specific unit names. Assembled-but-unpainted models typically sell for 40-60% of retail. Even painted models can be stripped and repainted.
Reddit r/miniswap — A dedicated trading community with fair prices and trustworthy sellers.
Facebook trading groups — Search for “Warhammer trading” or “Warhammer buy sell” in your region. These groups often have better prices than eBay because sellers avoid listing fees.
TrollTrader — A UK-based second-hand Warhammer retailer with a large, regularly updated inventory.
Local gaming stores — Some stores have second-hand sections or notice boards where players sell unwanted models.

3D Printing Considerations

3D printing has become a viable option for budget-conscious hobbyists, but it comes with important caveats:

Resin printers (like the Elegoo Mars or Anycubic Photon) cost £150-250 / $200-330 and can produce models with excellent detail.
Third-party STL files (digital model designs) are widely available from creators on platforms like MyMiniFactory and Cults3D.
However, you cannot use 3D-printed models at official Games Workshop events or in most GW stores. Many independent tournaments also require official GW models.
If you play exclusively at home or at stores that allow proxies, 3D printing can dramatically reduce long-term costs. If you plan to attend events, stick to official models.
The initial investment in a printer, resin, and curing equipment means printing only saves money if you plan to print a large volume of models over time.

Kitbashing and Conversions

Kitbashing — combining parts from different kits to create unique models — can save money in several ways:

Use cheaper kits as the base for more expensive units. Space Marine Intercessor bodies can be combined with character upgrade sprues to create budget HQ models.
Bits websites (like Bitzbox or Hoard o Bits) sell individual model components, so you can buy just the parts you need.
Converted models are not only cheaper but often more characterful and unique than stock builds.

Save Money on Paints and Supplies

Citadel paints (Games Workshop’s brand) are good quality but expensive — typically £4-5 / $5-7 per pot. Here are ways to reduce your painting costs:

Alternative Paint Brands

Army Painter — Excellent quality at around 60-70% of Citadel’s price. Their Speedpaint range is particularly good for beginners — a single coat over primer gives tabletop-ready results.
Vallejo — Widely regarded as the best value-for-money paint brand. Dropper bottles reduce waste (Citadel pots are notorious for drying out). Around £2.50-3.50 / $3.50-5 per bottle.
AK Interactive, Scale75, ProAcryl — All high-quality alternatives at competitive prices.

Budget Primers

Citadel spray primers cost £14-18 / $18-22 per can. Budget alternatives include:

Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch — Available from hardware stores for £5-8 / $4-6. Works excellently as a primer.
Halfords primer (UK) — A community favourite at around £6-8 per can. The grey and white primers are highly regarded.
Vallejo Surface Primer — Airbrush-ready primer that also works through a regular brush. Economical in larger bottles.

Other Savings

Use a wet palette (make one for free with a plastic container, kitchen paper, and baking parchment) to keep paints workable for longer.
Buy brushes from art supply stores rather than Games Workshop. Windsor & Newton Series 7 are the gold standard, but even cheap synthetic brushes from a craft store will serve a beginner well at a fraction of the GW price.
Superglue and plastic glue from hardware stores are identical to hobby-branded equivalents at a quarter of the price.

Free Rules and Apps

One of the best things about modern Warhammer 40k is that the essential rules are completely free:

Core Rules — The complete rules for playing Warhammer 40k are free to download from the official website and the Warhammer 40,000 app.
Datasheets — Every unit’s datasheet (stats, weapons, abilities) is freely available in the app and on the Warhammer Community website.
Army building — The official app includes a free army builder that handles points, detachments, and list validation.
Missions — Basic missions are included in the free rules. The full mission pack (Leviathan, Pariah Nexus, etc.) requires purchase, but basic missions are sufficient for casual play.

You genuinely do not need to buy a single rulebook to play Warhammer 40k. The days of mandatory £40 codexes are gone — the free resources cover everything a new player needs.

Budget-Friendly Army Lists

Here are example 500-point armies you can build for under £100 from a discount retailer:

Custodes — Approximately £75-85

Custodes are the ultimate budget army because their models are individually powerful and you need very few of them. A 500-point list might include just a Shield-Captain and two small squads of Custodian Guard — purchasable from a single box of Custodian Guard plus a character model.

Space Marines — Approximately £80-95

A Combat Patrol box from a discount retailer gives you well over 500 points. You can field a Captain, a squad of Intercessors, Infernus Marines, a Dreadnought, and Terminators — all from a single box purchase.

Imperial Knights — Approximately £90-100

A single Questoris-class Knight (£42-50 from discount retailers) forms the centrepiece of a 500-point army. Add a pair of Armigers (small Knights) from the Armiger box and you have a playable force with just two purchases.

For faction overviews and deeper strategic advice, browse our complete faction guide.

Common Money Traps to Avoid

These are the mistakes that cause new players to overspend:

Buying before you play. Do not invest hundreds of pounds in models before you have played a game. Start with one box, play several games, and confirm you enjoy the hobby before expanding.
The “grey plastic pile.” It is easy to buy faster than you build and paint. Unbuilt models on a shelf are wasted money. Adopt the “buy it, build it, paint it” rule — do not purchase the next box until the current one is finished.
Always buying new. The second-hand market offers enormous savings. There is no shame in buying pre-owned models — strip the paint if needed and make them your own.
Buying from Games Workshop directly. GW’s own website and stores charge full RRP. Independent retailers sell the same products for 15-20% less. The only reason to buy from GW directly is to support your local Warhammer store (which is a valid reason, but know you are paying a premium).
Chasing the meta. Competitive rankings change with every balance update. Buying models solely because they are currently strong is a recipe for expensive regret when the next balance patch arrives. Buy models you like the look of and want to paint — those never go out of style.
Buying individual paints instead of sets. Paint sets offer better per-pot value than buying individually. Start with a beginner set and add individual colours as needed.
Premium hobby tools. Expensive clippers, cutting mats, and hobby stations are nice but unnecessary for beginners. Basic tools from a craft store or hardware shop do the same job. Upgrade later when you know what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the absolute cheapest way to start Warhammer 40k?

Split an Introductory Set with a friend for under £20 each, download the free rules, borrow dice and a ruler, and play on your kitchen table with improvised terrain. Total cost: under £20 / $25. If you want a full playable army, a Combat Patrol from a discount retailer is around £70-90 / $95-120.

Is Warhammer 40k pay-to-win?

No. The most expensive army does not win more games. Army skill, list building, and tactical play matter far more than model cost. Some of the cheapest armies (Custodes, Knights) are regularly competitive at tournament level.

Can I play with unpainted models?

In casual games, absolutely. Most opponents will not mind. However, most tournaments require a minimum paint standard (usually “battle ready” — three colours and a based model). Painting does not need to be elaborate — simple techniques like drybrushing, washes, and contrast paints can get an army table-ready in a weekend.

Should I buy a 3D printer instead of models?

Only if you primarily play at home or at venues that accept non-GW models. Official GW events and many tournaments require genuine Games Workshop miniatures. A resin printer pays for itself after printing roughly £300-400 worth of equivalent models, so it is a long-term investment, not an instant saving.

Are Combat Patrols good value?

Yes. Combat Patrol boxes typically save 20-40% compared to buying their contents as separate kits. Combined with a discount retailer’s 15-20% off, you are looking at 35-50% savings versus buying individual boxes at RRP. They are one of the best value products GW sells.

How can I try before I buy?

Visit your local Warhammer store and ask for an introductory game. GW stores offer free demo games with store models — no purchase required. This is the best zero-cost way to find out if you enjoy the game. Many independent stores and gaming clubs also run intro sessions.

What is the best budget faction for competitive play?

Custodes and Imperial Knights consistently offer the lowest cost of entry for a competitive army. Both require very few models, and their boxes are efficiently priced relative to their points costs. Space Marines are also strong because of the sheer number of starter sets and Combat Patrols available, giving you many affordable entry points.

How do I strip paint from second-hand models?

For plastic models, soak them in methylated spirits (UK) or Simple Green / Isopropyl Alcohol 99% (US) for 24 hours, then scrub with an old toothbrush. For metal models, Dettol (UK) or Super Clean (US) works well. Never use acetone on plastic — it will melt the model.