INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the colourful world of “Age of Sigmar”! As a beginner, stepping into a gaming universe as vast and complex as Age of Sigmar can appear overwhelming.Where to start? Which models to buy? How does gameplay work? Fret not, this guide is curated with beginners in mind, aiming to strip down the complexity and build your understanding from scratch. Age of Sigmar is a captivating tabletop war game filled with fantastical realms and mythical creatures. If you love strategy, fantasy and model painting, this game will become an addictive pastime.
WHAT IS AGE OF SIGMAR?
Age of Sigmar, often referred to as Warhammer: Age of Sigmar is a tabletop war game published by Games Workshop in 2015. It is the successor to the popular Warhammer Fantasy game, a shift from the high-fantasy setting to a new universe comprising of eight interconnected realms. These realms, built around different elements such as light, life, metal, and so forth; are filled with a multitude of races and creatures, each vying for power and survival. Age of Sigmar stands apart with its emphasis on story-driven battles and dynamic gaming scenarios.
HOW IT WORKS/ HOW TO GET STARTED
As a miniature war game, in Age of Sigmar, you command an army of models representing fantasy creatures, and wage battles against your opponent’s force. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
1. Choose your Army: Select a group of models with similar themes or styles. This could be anything from savage orcs to noble knights.
2. Assemble your Forces: Each model represents a ‘unit’ in your army with unique abilities and characteristics. Some units are frontline warriors, some are ranged attackers and others are magical creatures.
3. Set up the Battlefield: Using model terrain, you establish a playing area where your battles take place. Typical battles happen on a 6×4 foot table.
4. Battle: Gameplay consists of player turns, divided into five phases. Each phase has different rules for movement, shooting, charging, and combat.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY (SUPPLIES, GEAR, SETUP)
The beauty of Age of Sigmar is you can start simple and expand as you go. For beginners, here are the essentials you’ll need to start your first game:
1. Models: Start with the Age of Sigmar starter set which includes two ready-to-play armies.
2. Rulebook: Contains all the gameplay rules, lore and scenarios.
3. Dice and Tape Measure: Used for in-game mechanics like calculating movement and resolving combats.
4. Paints and Brushes: Part of the fun comes from painting your models, bringing your miniature army to life.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Start with small battles: This helps you learn the rules and tactics without getting overwhelmed.
2. Practice painting: Perfect painted models take practice so don’t be harsh on yourself if your first models don’t look perfect.
3. Join a community: Be it online or a local gaming shop, gaming communities can provide much needed advice and keep the hobby engaging.
4. Study your rulebook: The more familiar you are with the rules, the smoother your games will go.
5. Enjoy the game: Age of Sigmar is a rich hobby, enjoy the painting, strategy, and lore.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
1. Warhammer Official Website: For official news, updates and painting guides.
3. Warhammer Community: A forum with advice, painting tips, and battle reports.
3. YouTube channels: Such as Warhammer TV, replete with useful tutorials.
4. Reddit Subreddits, namely r/ageofsigmar
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
War-scroll: Essentially the stats and rules for a unit in your army.
Battleline: Basic units which make up the primary force of your army.
Command Phase: Initial phase in a player turn where certain special abilities are activated.
AoS: Acronym for Age of Sigmar.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Having familiarised yourself with Age of Sigmar, your next step should be getting your hands on a starter set and painting your first models. Join your local gaming community and immerse yourself in your first game. This journey is more about enjoyment than mastery so above all, enjoy this new fantastical universe. Happy gaming!
