INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the grim, dark universe of Warhammer 40K! Imagine a future where humanity is spread across the stars, fighting ceaseless battles against aliens, heretics, and the powers of darkness. If you’re thrilled by the promise of epic battles, crafting intricate strategies, and painting your own heroic or villainous miniature soldiers, this is for you! Warhammer 40K isn’t just a game, it’s a multi-faceted hobby that combines elements of board games, lore-rich novels, and even model building. But don’t be intimidated, this is your beginner-friendly guide to getting started!
WHAT IS WARHAMMER 40K?
Warhammer 40,000, colloquially known as Warhammer 40K or just 40K, is a tabletop miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop. The setting is a dark and dystopian future of the 41st millennium where the human-dominated Imperium of Man is beset on all sides by malevolent forces. It has an expansive lore, captivating millions of fans worldwide.
But it’s more than just a game. Within the Warhammer 40K ecosystem, you’ll find art, novels, movies, and a deeply engaged community. It’s like a blend between classic tabletop games like Chess and Dungeons & Dragons, but with a heavy emphasis on collecting and painting your miniature army.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO GET STARTED
Getting into Warhammer 40K starts with picking a faction that resonates with your style and lore-interests. Each faction comes with its own unique set of miniatures, backstory, and play-style. The factions, ranging from the noble Space Marines to the mysterious Eldar, all offer different tactical experiences.
Once you’ve selected your faction, it’s time to assemble and paint your miniatures. Warhammer 40K operates on a points system, so the size of your games will depend on the points value of the miniatures you choose to include in your army.
The game itself follows a turn-based system where players take turns moving their units, shooting, and engaging in melee combat. While there’s a lot more to the rules, this gives you a basic grasp of how a game might unfold.
CE QU'IL FAUT POUR JOUER
The essentials to start playing Warhammer 40K are:
– A starting box: These come with a few units and a basic set of rules to start playing.
– Dice: Six-sided dice (or d6) are the most used.
– Rulebook: This is your bible for the game and contains everything about rolling dice, moving units, etc.
– Miniatures: These represent the soldiers in your army and are typically bought in kits.
– Tools: Clippers, glue, and paints for assembling and customizing your miniatures.
Optional but helpful are painting brushes, a gaming mat, and terrain pieces.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Start Small: Don’t buy a huge army at once, start with a few units and gradually expand.
2. Learn to Paint: The better your models look, the more you’ll enjoy the game!
3. Join a Community: Whether it’s a local hobby shop or an online forum, don’t play alone. The community can provide valuable tips and inspiration.
4. Read the Lore: 40K has a vast and rich backstory which makes the universe and your games more immersive.
5. Play Casual Games: Before jumping into competitive play, learn the intricacies of the game and your army in a casual environment.
RESSOURCES UTILES
– Warhammer 40K app: This official app includes the core rules for free and various other tools.
– Warhammer Community: Get news, painting tips, and even narrative campaigns to play.
– BattleScribe: A valuable tool for building your army lists.
– YouTube Channels: MiniWarGaming, Tabletop Tactics, and Warhammer TV.
GLOSSARY
1. Army: The collection of units and models you play with.
2. Faction: The various races or organizations that exist in the Warhammer 40K universe.
3. Battleforce: A boxed set that provides a full, themed army.
4. Point System: A balancing system where units are assigned a point value.
5. Codex: A book providing background, illustrations, and rules for a particular faction.
NEXT STEPS
Now that you’ve got a basic understanding of Warhammer 40K, it’s time to get started! Choose a faction that resonates with you, grab a starter box, and immerse yourself in this rich, dark universe. Remember, the journey will be filled with learning, playing, painting, and most importantly, FUN! This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to welcome you to the amazing community of Warhammer 40K.
