INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the fantastical world of Warhammer: Age of Sigmar! If you’ve ever wanted to command an army of mythical creatures and wage epic battles in a land brimming with lore and magic, you’ve come to the right place. Age of Sigmar is a table-top wargame that combines deep strategic mechanics with a rich, immersive world. And guess what? This is a beginner-friendly guide, designed to help you get started, understand the rules, and plunge into the heart of the action.
WHAT IS AGE OF SIGMAR?
Age of Sigmar, often abbreviated as AoS, is a table-top wargame created by Games Workshop. Launched in 2015, it supplanted the beloved Warhammer Fantasy Battles series, ushering in a new era of war-torn adventure in the Mortal Realms, eight interconnected dimensions filled with gods, monsters, and heroically epic conflict.
In Age of Sigmar, you control an army hailing from one of these Realms and lead your faction through exhilarating battles. Some players may find similarities between AoS and other war games such as Warhammer 40,000, albeit with a focus on fantasy mythology over sci-fi.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO GET STARTED
To play Age of Sigmar, players gather their chosen forces or army, represent them with miniature figures, and do battle over a crafted tabletop ‘battlefield’.
Here are simple steps to start a round:
1. CHOOSE YOUR ARMY: The various factions—from the disciplined Stormcast Eternals to the chaotic Daughters of Khaine—each possess different abilities and playstyles. It’s about taste and strategy.
2. CREATE A BATTLEFIELD: The battlefield can range from kitchen tables to dioramas, and should be populated with terrain features like buildings and trees for strategic depth.
3. SETUP: Place your models down alternating forces with your opponent.
4. PLAYING THE GAME: Battles are divided into rounds, and each round is split into ‘phases’, featuring movement, magic, shooting, and close combat. Dice rolls determine the success of attacks and magic.
5. OBJECTIVES: Battles often have objectives, like holding specific points on the field, or defeating the enemy’s general. Whoever accomplishes theirs first is the winner.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY (SUPPLIES, GEAR, SETUP)
You just need a few things to get started:
1. MINIATURES: This is your tangible army, represented by beautifully-detailed models available online or in-stores. A Start Collecting! box is a great entrance point.
2. RULEBOOK: The core rulebook outlines gameplay, but you can download the basic rules for free from the official website.
3. DICE & RULER: Dice help determine the outcome of battles, while a measuring tape or ruler allows you to calculate movement and ranges.
4. PLAY ACCESSORIES: This could include paints to customize your models, glue to assemble them, and terrain to populate your battlefield.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
1. START SMALL: Begin with a Start Collecting! box and work your way up.
2. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE: It takes time to learn the nuances of the rules, so don’t be discouraged.
3. PAINTING TAKES TIME: Taking the time to paint and assemble your army can be very rewarding.
4. JOIN A COMMUNITY: Connect with communities online or in local hobby shops to learn and share strategies.
5. ENJOY THE JOURNEY: Remember, it’s about fun, not who wins or loses.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
There are numerous resources available to assist you in your Age of Sigmar journey:
1. The official Age of Sigmar website.
2. Warhammer Community – a website with articles, updates, painting guides, and events.
3. r/ageofsigmar on Reddit – it’s a friendly community willing to help beginners.
4. YouTube channels like Warhammer TV and MiniWarGaming provide painting guides and battle reports.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. WARGAMING: Hobby games where players enact battles with miniatures representing armies.
2. MINIATURES: The models representing your army.
3. D6: Abbreviation for a six-sided dice, used throughout the game.
4. FACTION: A specific faction or ‘race’ that your army belongs to.
5. BATTLEFIELD: The game board where your battles take place.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
You’re ready to take your first steps into the Age of Sigmar. Visit a local gaming store or the official Games Workshop site to find your first set of miniatures, arm yourself with a rulebook, and let your journey in the Mortal Realms begin. Remember, above all, Age of Sigmar is about having fun. Enjoy building and painting your army, strategizing your battles, and immersing yourself in the rich lore. Let the battles begin!
