Warhammer 40k Beginner Guide: How to Start Playing in 2026

Warhammer 40,000 is the world’s most popular tabletop miniature wargame — and also one of its most complex. Starting out can feel overwhelming: which army to choose, what to buy first, how the rules work, how to assemble and paint, and how much it all costs. This guide answers all of those questions and gives you a clear path from complete newcomer to playing your first games.

What Is Warhammer 40,000?

Warhammer 40,000 (“40k”) is a tabletop miniature wargame made by Games Workshop. Two players build and paint armies of miniature models, then play battles against each other on a table with terrain. The game is set in a dark science-fiction universe in the 41st millennium — a setting of perpetual galactic war between humanity, alien species, and chaos gods.

Unlike video game strategy games, every unit in your army is a physical miniature you have assembled and painted. This hobby aspect — collecting, assembling, and painting the models — is as central to the experience as the game itself. Many 40k players paint far more than they play.

Choosing Your First Army

This is the most important decision for a new player. The best advice: choose the army whose aesthetic you find most appealing. You will spend dozens of hours painting these models — motivation to paint comes from genuinely liking the look of what you’re building.

Marines Espaciales

The iconic army — super-soldier humans in powered armour. Space Marines are the most popular army by a significant margin. Excellent beginner choice: comprehensive tutorials available, forgiving to paint, and multiple sub-factions (Ultramarines, Space Wolves, Blood Angels, Dark Angels, etc.) with distinct aesthetic identities. Competitive across most skill levels. See our Space Marines painting guide.

Necrons

Ancient robotic skeletal warriors with living metal bodies and strange warp-science weapons. Necrons are visually striking and highly distinctive. Excellent for beginners: their metallic armour and bone-white details are some of the easiest paint schemes in the game. Very competitive in the current edition. See our Necrons painting guide.

Orkos

Savage, fungal alien wariors who love fighting above all else. Orks are among the most forgiving armies to paint — their scavenged, ramshackle aesthetic means rough paintwork looks intentional. Large, characterful models. Require large numbers of infantry (30-strong mobs are common), which demands efficient batch-painting. See our Orks painting guide.

Death Guard (Chaos Space Marines)

Chaos-corrupted Space Marines dedicated to Nurgle, god of disease. Heavily detailed models covered in corrosion, disease, and decay. An excellent choice for painters interested in weathering techniques — sponge chipping, rust effects, and slime technical paints all look appropriate. One of the most visually distinctive armies in the game. See our Death Guard painting guide.

Tau (T’au)

A young alien race with advanced technology fighting for the “Greater Good.” Tau have clean, angular suits of battlegear and a distinctive anime-influenced aesthetic. Their colour scheme — clean white or cream armour with coloured panels — suits painters who prefer clean, smooth finish over weathered effects. Primarily a ranged/shooting army.

What to Buy First

Combat Patrol Box (Recommended Start)

GW produces a Combat Patrol box for almost every faction — a curated selection of models at a reduced price point, balanced for Combat Patrol (400-point) games. This is the most efficient way to start: you get a complete, playable force without over-buying. For the Space Marines beginner, the Ultramarines Combat Patrol or Patrulla de Combate de los Marines Espaciales gives you a usable army in one purchase.

See our complete Combat Patrol guide for per-faction breakdowns of every current Combat Patrol box.

Painting Supplies

How 40k Games Work: Basic Rules Overview

A game of 40k is played between two armies on a 44″ × 60″ table with terrain. The standard competitive format is 2,000 points per side, though Combat Patrol (400 points) and Incursion (1,000 points) are popular smaller formats for beginners and shorter games.

The Turn Structure

Each player takes a full turn before swapping. A turn consists of: Command phase (command points, special abilities), Movement phase (move units), Shooting phase (ranged attacks), Charge phase (declare and move charges), Fight phase (melee combat). After both players complete 5 rounds, the player with the most victory points wins.

Dice and Rolls

40k uses standard 6-sided dice (D6). Almost every action — hitting, wounding, saving throws — involves rolling D6 against a target number. Each model has a set of statistics that determine these target numbers: BS (Ballistic Skill) for shooting, WS (Weapon Skill) for melee, T (Toughness) for resistance to damage, Sv (Save) for armour. Higher is generally better for offensive stats; lower is better for offensive dice requirements.

Objectives and Victory Points

Modern 40k (10th Edition) is primarily objective-driven. Games are decided by controlling objective markers placed across the board, not by eliminating the enemy army. This means that even a smaller or weaker army can win by playing objectives intelligently. New players often make the mistake of focusing entirely on killing enemy models — experienced players focus on objectives.

Assembly Guide for New Players

40k plastic miniatures require assembly before painting. Most multi-part kits require plastic glue (not super glue) for a strong bond. The basic process:

1. Remove parts from sprue using sprue cutters or a sharp knife. Cut flush to the part — do not pull.
2. Clean mould lines with a hobby knife. Mould lines are thin ridges from the casting process — removing them improves the final painted result significantly.
3. Dry fit before gluing — check all parts fit together before applying adhesive.
4. Apply plastic glue with the built-in brush applicator. Plastic cement melts and fuses the plastic — it creates a stronger bond than super glue for plastic-to-plastic joins. Allow to cure fully (15–30 minutes) before moving.
5. Fill gaps if necessary with modelling putty or Green Stuff for conversion work.
6. Prime once fully assembled and any gap filler is cured.

Frequently Asked Questions for New Players

How much does a starter Warhammer 40k army cost?

A Combat Patrol-sized force (400 points, 10–25 models) costs $80–$130 for the models. Add painting supplies ($40–$80 for a starter set) and primer ($20–$30). A fully painted, game-ready starter force therefore costs $140–$240 in total. A full 2,000-point army costs $200–$500+ depending on faction and how many models the army requires.

Do I have to paint my models to play?

For casual home play, no. For club, tournament, and official GW event play, fully painted armies are typically required (the “Battle Ready” standard requires primer + base colours + washed/highlighted + based). Many newer players start with unpainted models for learning games and paint as they go.

Which is better for beginners — 40k or Age of Sigmar?

Both are accessible at the Combat Patrol/Vanguard level. 40k has a larger community, more online resources, and a wider range of factions. Age of Sigmar has a slightly simpler core ruleset. If you prefer science-fiction, choose 40k. If you prefer fantasy, choose Age of Sigmar. The painting skills transfer completely between both games.

What is the easiest 40k army for beginners?

Space Marines are the standard recommendation: the most comprehensive learning resources, the most forgiving to paint, and competitive at all levels. Necrons are also excellent for beginners — fewer models needed for the same points, very simple paint schemes, and strong in 10th Edition. Avoid armies with many vehicles (harder to assemble) or many small infantry (time-consuming) as a first project.

Where can I find the 40k rules?

The 10th Edition core rules are available as a free PDF download from the Games Workshop website. Army rules (datasheets) for all factions are also available as free downloads from the GW site. You do not need to purchase a rulebook to learn and play 10th Edition — all essential rules are available for free online.

How long does a 40k game take?

A Combat Patrol game (400 points) takes 45–90 minutes. A standard 2,000-point game takes 2.5–4 hours for experienced players. Learning games with new players take longer — budget 3–5 hours for your first few games while you look up rules frequently. Game speed increases significantly after 10–15 games once the core mechanics become automatic.