INTRODUCTION
If you’re new to the world of tabletop gaming or returning after a substantial hiatus, you could find the extensive variety of games out there a bit overwhelming. One game that stands out amongst the rest though is ‘Age of Sigmar.’ A game famous for its epic battles, grand strategy, and beautiful miniatures, Age of Sigmar is a game worth trying, whether you’re a newbie or a gaming enthusiast returning to the hobby. This beginner-friendly guide aims to help you understand what Age of Sigmar is, how it works, what you’ll need to start playing, and some handy tips and resources for beginners.
WHAT IS AGE OF SIGMAR?
Age of Sigmar is a tabletop wargame produced by Games Workshop, which features fantastic miniatures, rich lore, flexible game rules, and an extensive community worldwide. In this dynamic game of fantasy battles, players command armies, design tactics and strategies, and engage in epic battles against their opponents. Age of Sigmar fits snugly into the larger universe of Warhammer, which is a multi-franchise fictional universe that started with the original Warhammer Fantasy Battle game.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO START
Age of Sigmar is a turn-by-turn game of strategy and combat. To start, each player deploys their army on a battlefield. Then, following a sequence of play, players take turns to move their units, cast spells, and engage in combat. The turn sequence typically follows Command Phase, Movement Phase, Shooting Phase, Charge Phase, Combat Phase, and finally the Battleshock Phase. An integral part of the game is dice rolling, which governs the outcome of many actions, from attacks to spellcasting. Each unit in your army has a ‘warscroll’ providing the characteristics and abilities of that unit.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To start playing Age of Sigmar, the essential items needed include a copy of the Age of Sigmar Rulebook, a Starter Set that often comes with two armies, dice, measuring tools, and the relevant ‘Warscrolls’ or ‘Battletomes’ for your chosen army. These ‘Warscrolls,’ ‘Battletomes’ or army books contain all the rules and statistics for your chosen army. Besides these, some optional but handy tools include a painting kit (the miniatures come unpainted) to personalize your army, and storage or carrying cases for your units.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
1. Start Small: Don’t feel pressured to purchase a huge army right away. Start with a Start Set, learn the rules, and gradually add units.
2. Practice Painting: Painting your miniatures can be overwhelming at first. Start with inexpensive models or practice pieces.
3. Learn from Others: Watch battle reports or join a local gaming group. They are great resources for learning.
4. Use the App: The Age of Sigmar app is an excellent tool to keep track of your army stats.
5. Enjoy the Hobby: Most importantly, remember it’s a game meant to entertain. Enjoy the process.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
There are plenty of helpful resources online, including the official Games Workshop website and Warhammer Community page, the Age of Sigmar app, Reddit forums, and YouTube channels like Warhammer TV.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Warscroll: A document containing the statistics and abilities of a unit.
2. Battletome: An army-specific rulebook.
3. Dice Roll: Determines the outcomes of attacks, spells, etc.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Once you’re all set up, consider joining a local gaming group for your first actual game. This allows for practice, questions, and a hands-on experience. Don’t forget to enjoy and have fun—remember, the journey gets easier and all the more exciting as you dive deeper into the Age of Sigmar universe!
