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Getting Started With Warhammer 40,000

What faction is right for me?

We’ve all been there. You think you know what you’re getting, get to the shop, open the doors, and see hundreds of boxes with strange aliens, creatures, and mechanical giants. There are factions and species you’ve never even heard of or seen, and that’s when you realize that there’s a lot more to this game than you thought. So how do you go about picking your first set?

The easiest method is picking with your eyes. Miniature wargaming is just as much about the building and painting of your miniatures as it is playing the game. Many players pick a faction that they think will be fun to paint, fun to put on display, or just to collect. If your objective is to have fun, there’s no better way to start than by buying what you think looks ‘cool’. Keep in mind that a lot of people agree that some factions take more time and patience to paint than others. Models with particularly ornate details might not be the best choice for a total beginner to miniature painting.

If staying competitive is important to you, you might want to explore different factions’ unique characteristics and abilities to guide your purchase decisions. Because most miniatures are customizable, you can prepare a huge number of tactics for any scenario. First, start with the kind of action you want your army to have. Do you want something that can rain fire on your enemies from afar, like the Space Marines? Or to swarm your opponents with Orks, or maybe Tyranids? When you figure out what each faction offers on the strategic level, you can move onto the finer details of army composition.

What paints do I need?

Understanding what paints you’ll need can be tricky. There are hundreds of Citadel colors to choose from, and a wide variety of paint types used for different things. First, you’ll need a primer, something to coat your miniatures with a layer to stick your paints on. Base paints are high-pigment paints that are used to coat your models. On the other hand, layer paints are meant to be slightly translucent, and are usually used for highlights. Shade paints are used to add depth; they run into the small recesses of your miniatures, giving the illusion of shadow.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t coat your model with layer paints; you’ll just need a few more layers of paint to have the same effect as a base paint. Likewise, thinning a base paint with water can create the reverse effect.

How do I meet other players?

The best way to meet other players is simply by going back to your local shop, or shops if you’re lucky. Ask the manager about their game schedule, and you’ll be playing with like-minded enthusiasts in no time. If you don’t have a Warhammer shop in your area, look for hobby shops and other stores. If they sell Warhammer, many host their own events, casual and competitive.

You can also join the Warhammer Community online, and talk to thousands of people all across the world about your shared interests!