INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the world of fantastical battles, undisputed heroes, and incredible lore. Welcome to the Age of Sigmar – an exciting tabletop game brought to life by Games Workshop. Whether you’re completely new to tabletop gaming or you’re returning to it after a long break, this article serves as your comprehensive beginner-friendly guide. Let it show you why Age of Sigmar is worth trying with its captivating gameplay, immersive lore, and imaginative miniatures.
WHAT IS AGE OF SIGMAR?
Derived from the rich cultural history of Warhammer, Age of Sigmar is quite simply a tabletop war game that lets you step into a world of high fantasy, magic, and warfare. Released in 2015, it is a successor to the beloved Warhammer Fantasy Battle, taking the best parts of it and presenting an entirely fresh reinterpretation.
Instead of focusing on a single planet, Age of Sigmar constitutes multiple realms representing different elements and magic. Each of these realms is full of diverse factions, from the angelic warriors of Sigmar to the vile forces of Chaos, undead legions of Death to meddlesome forces of Destruction. Moreover, the endless clash of mighty factions makes for riveting narrative and engaging gameplay. It is the avenue of escapism that embodies the spirit of Warhammer.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO GET STARTED
Age of Sigmar is powered by a turn-based system. Players take turns commanding their armies, constructing strategies, and clashing with foes on the battlefield, which is usually represented by a tabletop surface. Here’s how to start:
1. CHOOSING YOUR FACTION: Start by picking your favorite faction. Do you want to lead celestial warriors to victory or would you prefer commandeering a legion of the undead? The choice impacts your gameplay style, tactics, and lore engagement.
2. ASSEMBLING YOUR ARMY: Once you pick your faction, you assemble your army. This includes miniature figurines of heroes, units, and beasts that you can personally paint and detail.
3. UNDERSTANDING THE RULES: Acquaint yourself with the core rules covering army movements, combat, magic and more. Games Workshop provides a free PDF of these game rules.
4. SETTING UP THE TABLETOP: Build your battlefield using terrain features like ruins or forests.
5. PLAY: Finally, you conduct your battle. Players take turns, using dice rolls to resolve actions and combat.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To play Age of Sigmar, you’ll need:
1. MINIATURES: Representing your army on the battlefield. You can start with a starter set like ‘Age of Sigmar: Starter Set’ for simplification of this task.
2. RULEBOOK: You will need the rules, available for free on the Games Workshop website, or you can opt for the expanded version in the ‘Age of Sigmar Core Book’.
3. DICE: Various dice like d6, d3, and more for resolving actions.
4. BATTLEFIELD: A flat surface with 3D elements representing the battlefield terrain.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. START SMALL: You don’t need a giant army to enjoy Age of Sigmar. Begin with a Start Collecting box and gradually add more.
2. ASSEMBLING & PAINTING: Take your time to assemble and paint your miniatures. It’s a significant part of the hobby that many enjoy.
3. PRACTICE GAMES: Start with small skirmishes to understand the rules better before launching into massive battles.
4. JOIN A COMMUNITY: Connecting with other players can provide great tips, feedback and offer fun, friendly matches.
5. BRACE FOR LOSSES: As a beginner, expect defeats. Treat them as learning experiences.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Online platforms including Warhammer Community, the Age of Sigmar subreddit, and YouTube channels like Warhammer TV, are excellent resources for beginners. Also, Battlescribe is a handy tool for creating army lists.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. WARSCROLL: The character sheet for a unit.
2. BATTLESHOCK TEST: A moral test units take after suffering casualties.
3. WOUND ALLOCATION: Deciding which models within a unit are removed due to damage.
4. PITCHED BATTLE: A standard type of game with equal points on both sides.
5. TURN (ROUND): Consists of a cycle of player actions.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Now that you’re equipped with the basics, consider grabbing a ‘Start Collecting’ box, learn the game, and join a local gaming community. Enjoy your journey in the Age of Sigmar, knowing it only gets more entertaining and intense.
