for complete beginners
In the far future… there is only war
Imagine a galaxy where peace no longer exists. Planets burn, civilizations disappear and every corner of the universe takes its share of fear.
Humanity survives through willpower, faith and weapons. From the depths of space come alien races that do not negotiate – they only destroy. From dark dimensions emerge daemons, feeding on madness. And within humanity itself lurks betrayal.
Warhammer 40,000 is not just a game. It is a world you enter – you choose a side of the conflict and begin writing your own story.
What do you actually do as a player?
You assemble the models yourself and choose their look. Your first miniature does not have to be perfect – it should be yours.
You measure distances, roll dice and make decisions. It is strategy, but with a cinematic atmosphere.
Each army has its own style and motivation. Victory tastes different when you know who you are leading.
Most people start with one package. And if it clicks, you expand your army naturally.
Which boxes make sense for a complete beginner?
“Start immediately” bundles (models + paints + tools)
If you don’t want to deal with “which glue, which paints, which brush”, this is solved for you. The most common beginner problem is buying models – and then realizing they have nothing to start with. That won’t happen here.
Starter sets Warhammer 40K
If you don’t know exactly what you want, a starter set is a safe choice: you get miniatures, basic rules and related items. It is the most “open the box and try it” option.
Warhammer 40K: Combat Patrol
Combat Patrol is a package of one faction – a “first real army core”. If an army has already caught your interest, this is the fastest way to your first proper game.
Armies and “groups” – how to understand them (click and read)
In Warhammer 40K there are hundreds of units, but as a beginner you don’t need to know all the names. It is enough to understand 5 main “directions”:
🟦 Space Marines (Adeptus Astartes)
Space Marines are elite super-soldiers of humanity. Imagine them as “special forces” in heavy armor deployed where normal armies have no chance. For beginners they have a huge advantage: the army does not need dozens of models, it is durable and forgiving.
If you want a first box that will not punish every small mistake and at the same time want something iconic, Space Marines are a safe bet.
🟨 Imperium of Man
The Imperium of Man is a massive war machine. Besides Space Marines, it includes “regular” soldiers, tons of technology, tanks, mechs and factions with strong aesthetics. If you like an army that wins through numbers, discipline and firepower, you will feel at home here.
For a beginner it is best to choose one specific sub-faction of the Imperium (and not jump into everything at once). If you are not sure, we will recommend the easiest start.
🟥 Armies of Chaos
Chaos is everything that broke, became corrupted and fell into darkness. Fallen warriors, daemonic entities, corrupted armor, symbols and rituals. If you are attracted to the story of “fallen heroes” and want an army that looks like it came from a nightmare – Chaos is exactly it.
🟪 Xenos Armies
Xenos means “everything that is not human”. Here you will find armies that are completely different. If you don’t want “humans in armor”, Xenos is a jackpot.
How to start so it hooks you immediately (and you don’t waste money)
The most common beginner mistake is not a wrong faction. It is a wrong first purchase. Choose one of three paths:
✅ I want to try it in the simplest way possible (I know nothing)
Take a Starter Set 40K. You will understand the basics and only then choose “your” army.
🔥 I want one army and a proper foundation right away (most common choice)
Choose a faction you like and take a Combat Patrol.
🎨 I am most interested in building and painting (game comes later)
Here the winners are Start immediately bundles – models + paints + tools in one.
1) box • 2) glue • 3) clippers • 4) paints • 5) brush
Step-by-step process (how it works in practice)
In Warhammer all units have their point value. Points serve only one purpose: to make both armies approximately equally strong.
The stronger the unit, the more points it costs. Weaker units cost fewer points.
Typical game sizes:
• 500 points – complete beginner, ideal for learning
• 1 000 points – smaller full game
• 2 000 points – “standard” for more experienced players
Good news:
Combat Patrol and starter sets are designed so that you don’t have to deal with points at all. You open the box, build the models and play.
Starter sets 40K Combat Patrol Start immediately bundles
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