INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the exciting and fantastical universe of Age of Sigmar! This thrilling tabletop game, developed by the acclaimed creators of Warhammer, Games Workshop, brings epic battles, strategic gameplay, and a rich lore-filled universe to your living room table. Whether you’re drawn in by the breathtaking miniatures, competitive gameplay, or engaging storytelling, Age of Sigmar offers an immersive adventure that can be enjoyed by both hobby enthusiasts and gaming veterans. With this guide, we will demystify the jargon, explain the gameplay mechanics step-by-step and help you get started on your Age of Sigmar journey.
WHAT IS AGE OF SIGMAR?
Age of Sigmar is a tabletop wargame where players command armies of beautifully detailed miniatures to battle against one another. The game originated as a successor to the Warhammer Fantasy universe, taking players to a completely new realm filled with fantastical races, magical spells and enormous monsters.
Age of Sigmar is set in the Mortal Realms, eight inter-connected worlds each governed by a different type of magic. As a player, you take on the role of a general, leading your chosen race to battle for supremacy against your foes, with every game crafting an engaging storyline unfolding on the battlefield.
On a wider scale, Age of Sigmar is more than just a game. It’s a hobby, incorporating aspects of miniature painting, modeling, and narrative development. Each miniature represents a character in your army, and assembling and painting them is often as enjoyable as the competitive gameplay itself.
HOW IT WORKS AND HOW TO GET STARTED
The game of Age of Sigmar is based on a series of phases including Hero, Movement, Shooting, Charge, Combat and Battleshock, with players taking turns to manoeuvre their troops and execute their strategic plans.
To get started:
1. Choose your Faction: There are a variety of factions to pick from, each with unique lore and gameplay mechanics. Some examples are the brave Stormcast Eternals, the savage Orruk Warclans, or the mystical Seraphon.
2. Assemble Your Army: This involves purchasing, assembling, and optionally painting your miniatures.
3. Learn the Rules: The Core Rules provide the basic structure for how the game is played, while Battle Tomes contain specifics for each Faction.
4. Set up Your Battlefield: This can be any flat surface, with terrain features added for strategy and aesthetics.
5. Play the Game: Finally, you maneuver your army and score points by completing objectives, with the goal of defeating your opponent’s soldiers.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
Getting started with Age of Sigmar requires a few key essentials:
* Start Collecting Box: This contains a playable force for your chosen faction.
* Rulebook: The Core Rules are freely available online, but the full rulebook and Faction-specific Battle Tomes are recommended for a comprehensive understanding.
* Dice: To resolve actions during the game.
* Tape Measure: For measuring movement and ranges for attacks.
* Paints and Brushes: These are essential if you want to paint your miniatures.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
Here are five tips to get started:
1. Start Small: Begin with a Start Collecting box and gradually expand your collection.
2. Learn the Basics: Ensure you understand the core mechanics before diving into Faction-specific rules.
3. Practice Painting: Miniature painting is a skill that improves over time, so don’t worry if it’s not perfect initially.
4. Challenge Yourself: Regularly playing games, especially against different factions, will improve your understanding of strategies.
5. Enjoy the Hobby: Remember that the primary goal is to have fun!
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Some useful resources to help new players are:
* Warhammer Age of Sigmar App: Contains rules and an army builder.
* Games Workshop Website: Provides free guides on assembling and painting miniatures.
* Communities like DakkaDakka, TGA Community, and the Age of Sigmar subreddit where you can get advice and share your progress.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Faction: A playable race or group in the game.
2. Miniature: The small figurines that represent the units in your army.
3. Battletome: A guidebook containing specific rules and background information for a particular Faction.
4. Terrain: 3D objects representing features on the battlefield.
5. Wound Roll: A roll of a die determining if an attack causes damage.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
You’re now ready to dive into your first game of Age of Sigmar! Grab a Start Collecting box, invite a friend over, and start your adventure in the Mortal Realms. Remember, this is just the start of your journey; there’s a whole world (or rather, eight of them!) to discover. Happy gaming!
