How to Start a Warhammer Collection — Ultimate Beginner Guide

Welcome to Warhammer — one of the most rewarding, creative, and engaging hobbies in the world. Whether you’ve been admiring painted armies on Instagram, watching battle reports on YouTube, or just stumbled across the incredible miniatures in a game store, you’re about to embark on a journey that combines artistic expression, strategic gaming, and an incredibly passionate community.

This guide walks you through every step of starting your Warhammer collection, from choosing your first game system to playing your first game. No prior knowledge required. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for getting into the hobby without wasting time or money on things you don’t need.

Step 1: Choose Your Game System

Games Workshop produces two main tabletop wargames:

Warhammer 40,000 (40k)

A science fiction game set in the far future where humanity fights for survival against aliens, daemons, and traitors. Think space marines, laser guns, tanks, and gothic cathedrals in space. 40k has the larger player base and more extensive lore.

Age of Sigmar (AoS)

A fantasy game set across magical realms where gods and heroes battle for the fate of existence. Think knights, wizards, dragons, and undead hordes. AoS has slightly simpler rules and a passionate community.

For a detailed comparison, see our 40k vs AoS comparison guide.

How to Choose

• Follow your gut: Which setting excites you more? Sci-fi or fantasy? Your enthusiasm for the setting will carry you through the hobby’s learning curve.
• Look at the models: Browse the Games Workshop website and look at the miniatures for each game. Which ones make you think “I want to paint that”? That’s the game for you.
• Check your local scene: Visit your local game store and ask which game is more popular. Playing the game your local community plays means more opponents and more fun.
• Don’t overthink it: Both games are excellent. You can’t make a wrong choice here.

Step 2: Choose Your Faction

Once you’ve picked a game system, you need to choose a faction (army). This is the most exciting part of getting started — and the most personal. Here’s how to approach it:

The Golden Rule: Choose What You Love

You will spend far more time building and painting your army than playing games with it. If you choose an army because it’s “strong” in the current meta but you don’t like how it looks, you’ll burn out before you finish painting it. Choose the faction whose models, lore, and aesthetic appeal to you most. The meta changes constantly; your love for cool models doesn’t.

Practical Considerations

• Model count: Some armies use many cheap models (hordes), others use few expensive ones (elites). Horde armies take longer to build and paint but can be visually impressive. Elite armies are faster to complete but each model needs more attention.
• Painting complexity: Some colour schemes are easier than others. Space Marines and Stormcast Eternals are among the most beginner-friendly to paint. Armies with lots of organic detail (Tyranids) or intricate patterns (Harlequins) are more challenging.
• Budget: Horde armies require more boxes to reach a full army size, making them more expensive overall. Elite armies (Custodes, Knights) need fewer purchases. Consider your budget when choosing.
• Playstyle: Do you want to shoot things from afar? Get up close in melee? Lean on sorcery and psychic powers? Control the board with numbers? Different factions specialise in different approaches.

For detailed faction breakdowns, check our 40k faction tier list or AoS faction tier list.

Step 3: Buy Your First Box

You don’t need to buy an entire army at once. Start small. Here are the best ways to begin:

Option 1: Starter Sets (Best Value)

Each new edition of 40k and AoS launches with a big two-army box (Armageddon, Blood Angels vs Orks, for 40k 11th Edition; Skaventide, Stormcast Eternals vs Skaven, for AoS 4th Edition), and Games Workshop usually follows it with starter sets in a few sizes. They include two small armies, a rulebook, and often dice, measuring tools and a play mat. They’re far and away the best value way to start the hobby.

• Launch boxes and the largest starter sets: The biggest armies for two factions plus a full rulebook. Perfect if you have a friend who wants to start too — split the box and each take one army.
• Mid-sized starter sets: Smaller armies but still excellent value. Good for solo starters.
• Introductory sets: The smallest armies, often with push-fit models. Good for testing the waters with minimal commitment.

Box contents and prices change from edition to edition, so check the current line-up on the Games Workshop website or at your local store before you buy.

Option 2: Combat Patrol and Spearhead Boxes

If you already know which faction you want, look for that faction’s army box: “Combat Patrol” in 40k or “Spearhead” in AoS. (The older “Start Collecting!” boxes were retired years ago, and AoS’s “Vanguard” boxes were replaced by Spearhead boxes when 4th Edition arrived in 2024.) Each one contains a playable small-game army at a discount over buying the units individually, and it doubles as the starting point for a bigger army.

Option 3: Individual Kits

If you just want to try building and painting without committing to a full army, buy a single box of troops for the faction you’re interested in. This lets you experience the hobby at minimal cost before going further.

Where to Buy

• Games Workshop stores: Staff can help you choose and even teach you to paint. No discount but excellent service.
• Friendly Local Game Stores (FLGS): Often offer 10–20% off GW retail. Supporting local stores also supports your local gaming community.
• Online retailers: Typically 15–25% off retail. Less personal but better prices. Check reputable Warhammer retailers in your region.
• Second-hand: eBay, r/miniswap, local Facebook groups, and trade forums. You can find excellent deals on used or even new-on-sprue models. Unbuilt models are the best second-hand value; painted models can be stripped and repainted if the price is right.

Step 4: Get Your Essential Supplies

Beyond the models themselves, you need a few tools and supplies. Here’s the minimum starter kit (prices are rough US figures and vary by retailer and region):

For Building

• Sprue cutters (~$10–$30)
• Hobby knife with spare blades (~$10–$15)
• Plastic glue — Tamiya Extra Thin recommended (~$8)
• Super glue (~$6)
• Cutting mat (~$12)

See our complete hobby tools guide for detailed recommendations at every budget.

For Painting

• Spray primer: One can of Chaos Black, Grey Seer, or Wraithbone primer (~$18). Choose based on your army’s colour scheme — dark armies use black, light armies use grey or white.
• Basic paint set: Start with 6–10 colours relevant to your army’s scheme. A Citadel starter paint set or equivalent from Vallejo/Army Painter costs $25–$40 and covers most needs. At minimum you need: one or two base colours for your scheme, a flesh tone, a metallic silver and gold, black, white, and at least one wash (Nuln Oil is essential).
• Brushes: One medium layer brush and one small detail brush to start. You don’t need expensive brushes as a beginner — learn brush control with cheap synthetics ($5–$10 for a set) before investing in premium brushes.
• Water pot: Any cup or jar for rinsing brushes.
• Palette: A wet palette keeps paint workable longer and is a game-changer for painting. The Redgrass Games Studio palette (~$20) is excellent, or make a DIY version with a plastic container, paper towels, and baking paper for essentially free.

For paint brand recommendations, see our paint comparison guide.

Step 5: Build Your First Models

Building (assembling) your models is the first hands-on step in the hobby, and it’s deeply satisfying. Here’s the basic process:

1. Read the instructions: Games Workshop kits include step-by-step assembly guides. Follow them — they’re well-designed and show you exactly which parts to use.
2. Cut parts from the sprue: Use your sprue cutters to carefully remove each part. Cut away from the part, leaving a small nub, then make a second closer cut. This prevents stress marks.
3. Clean up mould lines: Use your hobby knife or a mould line remover to scrape off the thin ridges of plastic visible on each part. This takes patience but dramatically improves the finished model.
4. Dry fit first: Hold parts together without glue to make sure they fit correctly before committing.
5. Glue carefully: Apply a small amount of plastic glue (for plastic-to-plastic joins) and hold parts together until set. Less is more — excess glue can melt surface detail.
6. Build in sub-assemblies if needed: Some models are easier to paint if you leave certain parts unglued until after painting (e.g., a model’s shield arm might block access to the chest for painting). As a beginner, don’t worry about this too much — fully assembled models are fine to paint.

Beginner Tips

• Don’t rush. Take your time with each model. Carefully cleaned and assembled models look dramatically better when painted.
• YouTube is your friend. Search “[your faction] assembly guide” for helpful videos showing the process.
• It’s okay to make mistakes. Plastic glue gives you a short window to reposition parts. If something goes wrong, a hobby knife can often fix it. No one’s first models are perfect.

Step 6: Paint Your First Model

Painting is where Warhammer truly comes alive. A painted army on the table is infinitely more satisfying than grey plastic. Here’s a simplified process for your first model:

1. Prime your model: Spray primer from a can in a well-ventilated area (outdoors ideally). Hold the can 20-30cm away and use short, sweeping passes. Two or three light coats are better than one heavy coat. Let dry completely (20–30 minutes).
2. Base coat: Apply the main colours of your scheme in thin, even layers. The critical rule: thin your paints. Add a small amount of water to your paint on the palette — it should be the consistency of milk. Two thin coats will always look better than one thick coat. Let each coat dry before applying the next.
3. Wash: Apply a wash (Nuln Oil for dark recesses, Agrax Earthshade for warm/brown recesses) over the entire model. Washes flow into recesses and crevices, creating natural-looking shadows with minimal effort. This single step transforms a flat-looking model into something with depth and dimension. Let dry completely.
4. Layer/Highlight: Go back with your base colours and neatly repaint the raised areas, leaving the wash visible in the recesses. This creates a layered look with shadows and highlights. For your first model, even a basic drybrush (loading a small amount of paint on a dry brush and lightly dragging it over raised edges) will create effective highlights.
5. Base your model: Apply texture paint, sand, or flock to the base. A simple basing scheme (e.g., Citadel Astrogranite Debris texture paint, drybrushed grey, with a green tuft) takes minutes and makes the model look finished.

Painting Tips for Beginners

• Thin your paints: We can’t say this enough. Thick paint obscures detail and looks chalky. Thin paint preserves detail and builds up smoothly.
• Two thin coats: The community mantra exists for a reason. Patience with thin layers produces far better results than rushing with thick ones.
• Done is better than perfect: A fully painted army at “tabletop standard” looks amazing from playing distance. Don’t let perfectionism stop you from finishing models.
• Don’t compare yourself to pros: The incredible paint jobs you see online represent years or decades of practice. Your first model is supposed to look like a first model. Every model you paint will be better than the last.
• Watch painting tutorials: YouTube channels like Warhammer TV, Midwinter Minis, and Duncan Rhodes are invaluable for beginners.

For detailed painting techniques, see our complete painting guide.

Step 7: Play Your First Game

You don’t need a fully painted army to play your first game. In fact, many players play their first games with partially built or unpainted models as they learn the rules. Here’s how to get started:

Learn the Rules

• Core rules are free: Both 40k and AoS have free core rules available as PDFs from the Warhammer Community website. Download and read these first.
• Start with small games: Your first game should be small — 500–1,000 points, using simplified rules if available. Combat Patrol (40k) and Spearhead (AoS) are designed specifically for smaller, simpler games.
• Watch battle reports: YouTube battle reports show how actual games play out and are the fastest way to understand how rules work in practice.

Find Opponents

• Local game store: Most FLGS host regular gaming nights for Warhammer. Walk in, introduce yourself, and ask when people play. The community is almost universally welcoming to newcomers.
• Games Workshop stores: GW stores often run intro games specifically for new players. Staff will teach you the rules and let you use store models.
• Friends: Getting a friend into the hobby simultaneously is the ideal scenario. Split a starter set and learn together.
• Online communities: Local Warhammer Facebook groups, Discord servers, and Reddit communities (r/Warhammer, r/Warhammer40k, r/ageofsigmar) can help you find local players.

Your First Game Will Be Slow — That’s Normal

Expect your first game to take much longer than the standard 2–3 hours as you constantly reference rules. This is completely normal. Every experienced player went through the same learning curve. Most opponents will be happy to help you learn, and you’ll be surprised how quickly the rules become second nature after a few games.

Step 8: Grow Your Collection

Once you’ve built, painted, and played with your first box, you’ll want to expand. Here’s how to do it wisely:

Grow Gradually

The biggest mistake new hobbyists make is buying too much at once. You end up with a mountain of grey plastic that feels overwhelming. Instead:

• Buy one box at a time: Build and paint each purchase before buying the next. This keeps the hobby manageable and ensures you actually finish models.
• Set goals: “I’ll paint 500 points this month” is achievable and motivating. “I’ll paint a 2,000-point army” is overwhelming and leads to the dreaded pile of shame.
• Play as you grow: Use your army at whatever size it currently is. You don’t need 2,000 points to play — 500 and 1,000 point games are perfectly valid and fun.

What to Buy Next

• More troops: Battleline units are the backbone of most armies. Your faction’s basic troops are rarely a wasted purchase.
• Characters: Leaders and heroes provide crucial buffs and abilities. In 40k they join units as Leaders; in AoS each Hero heads a regiment. Most armies want a few.
• Something cool: A big monster, a tank, an elite unit — whatever model made you think “I want to paint that.” The hobby should be fun; buy things that excite you.

Step 9: Join the Community

Warhammer has one of the best hobby communities in the world. Getting involved enhances every aspect of the hobby.

Local Game Stores (LGS/FLGS)

Your local game store is the heart of the hobby community. Regular gaming nights, painting sessions, and local tournaments are where you’ll make hobby friends, learn new techniques, and find regular opponents. Support your local store — they’re essential for keeping the community alive.

Online Communities

• Reddit: r/Warhammer, r/Warhammer40k, r/ageofsigmar, and faction-specific subreddits are excellent for advice, inspiration, and discussion
• YouTube: Hundreds of channels cover painting tutorials, battle reports, lore, and reviews. Start with Warhammer TV (official), Midwinter Minis, Ninjon, and Duncan Rhodes for painting; Auspex Tactics and Goonhammer for competitive analysis
• Discord: Most factions and communities have active Discord servers. Great for real-time advice and finding local players
• Instagram/TikTok: #warhammerpainting is a treasure trove of inspiration. Sharing your own painted models and receiving community encouragement is hugely motivating

Events and Tournaments

Even if you’re not competitive, attending a local tournament or painting competition is a fantastic experience. You’ll see amazing armies, meet passionate hobbyists, and push yourself to improve. Most events are very welcoming to newcomers — don’t be intimidated.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying too much at once: Start small. Build and paint before buying more. The pile of shame is real and demoralising.
• Chasing the meta: Choose an army you love aesthetically and thematically. The meta changes every few months; your painted army is forever.
• Skipping primer: Always prime your models before painting. Paint won’t stick properly to bare plastic and will chip and rub off during handling and gameplay.
• Thick paint: Thin. Your. Paints. Always. Two thin coats.
• Not asking for help: The hobby community is incredibly friendly and helpful. Ask questions in stores, online, and at events. No one will judge you for being a beginner.
• Waiting until models are “perfect” to play: Play with whatever you have, even if it’s unpainted. Perfect is the enemy of fun. You can always improve your painting later.
• Trying to do everything at once: Pick one army, one game system. Master the basics before branching out. There will always be time for more armies later.

The Complete Beginner Shopping List

Here’s everything you need to start, organised by priority. Costs are approximate US prices; Games Workshop raises prices most years, so treat them as a rough guide:

This gets you a playable army, all the tools to build and paint it, and the rules to start playing. Everything else can be added gradually as you progress in the hobby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Warhammer expensive?

The initial investment is moderate (roughly $250–$400 at the time of writing to get started with a playable army and all supplies). Ongoing costs depend on how quickly you expand your collection. Compared to other hobbies that involve equipment purchases (cycling, photography, golf), Warhammer is comparable. Compared to video games, it’s more expensive upfront but the models and paint supplies last for years. The hobby also retains good resale value — painted armies and even used models sell well on the second-hand market.

How long does it take to paint an army?

This varies enormously based on your speed, standard, and model count. A simple “tabletop standard” paint job (clean basecoat, wash, basic highlight) takes 30–60 minutes per infantry model once you’re comfortable. A 2,000-point army of ~50 models at tabletop standard might take 40–80 hours of painting. That sounds like a lot, but spread over a few months of hobby sessions, it’s very manageable. Many hobbyists find the painting itself is the most relaxing and enjoyable part of the hobby.

Can I play with unpainted models?

In casual games at your local store, absolutely. Most communities are understanding about unpainted models, especially for new players. Some tournaments require at minimum a “three-colour minimum” (three distinct colours of paint on every model) or a full paint requirement. Check event rules before entering. Generally, the hobby encourages painting but doesn’t gatekeep based on it.

Am I too old/young to start Warhammer?

No. Warhammer is enjoyed by hobbyists from teenagers to retirees. Many players start (or return to the hobby) in their 30s, 40s, and beyond. The hobby community spans all ages and backgrounds. Games Workshop’s models are technically rated 12+ for the assembly complexity and small parts, but the hobby itself has no age limit.

Do I need to play the game, or can I just paint?

Many hobbyists are primarily painters who rarely or never play the tabletop game. The hobby has multiple entry points: painting, gaming, lore/reading, collecting, and converting/kitbashing. All are equally valid ways to enjoy Warhammer. There’s a thriving community of painters who treat miniatures as art pieces without ever rolling dice.

What if I pick a faction and then want to switch?

It happens — and it’s fine. You can sell or trade your old army on eBay, r/miniswap, or local trading groups. Alternatively, many players collect multiple armies over time. The key is to fully finish your first army before starting a second one. A completed collection is always worth more (financially and emotionally) than two half-finished ones.

How do I find people to play with?

Visit your local game store and ask about Warhammer nights. Most stores have regular gaming sessions. You can also post in local Warhammer Facebook groups or Discord servers to find players. Games Workshop stores run regular intro events specifically for new players. The community is genuinely one of the friendliest in tabletop gaming.

Welcome to the hobby. You’re about to join millions of hobbyists worldwide who share your passion for incredible miniatures, rich lore, and strategic gameplay. Every legendary army started with a single model — go paint yours.

For more detailed guides, explore our hobby tools guide, paint comparison, and painting tutorial.

What is the easiest Warhammer army for beginners?

Space Marines in Warhammer 40,000 and Stormcast Eternals in Age of Sigmar are the easiest armies for beginners. Both are elite armies, so you need fewer models. They’re straightforward to paint, forgiving to play, and they feature in the starter sets, which makes them cheap to begin. That said, the best first army is still the one whose models you love, because that’s what keeps you painting.

Are there other Warhammer games besides 40k and Age of Sigmar?

Yes. Games Workshop also makes smaller skirmish games such as Kill Team, Warcry and Necromunda, as well as Blood Bowl, The Horus Heresy and Warhammer: The Old World. Kill Team and Warcry need only a handful of models, so they’re popular as a cheaper first step. Kill Team models also work in 40k, which lets you grow a team into an army later.

How many points is a full Warhammer army?

A standard full-size game of Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar is 2,000 points, and 1,000-point games are a popular smaller format. For a first game you don’t need anywhere near that. Combat Patrol in 40k and Spearhead in AoS use a single boxed force and are designed as quick, simple games. Build up from one of those at your own pace.

Do I need to buy a codex or battletome to play?

Not to start. The core rules for 40k and Age of Sigmar are free from Warhammer Community, and Combat Patrol and Spearhead rules come with those boxes. For full games, your faction’s rules are in its codex (40k) or battletome (AoS). The official apps and free downloadable updates cover points and changes, so buy the book once you’re sure about the army.