INTRODUCTION
Hello future Warhammer 40,000 player and welcome! Whether you’re completely new or returning to the game after a long break, we’ve created an in-depth and beginner-friendly guide to help you master the basics and beyond. Warhammer 40K is an all-encompassing hobby that combines strategic gameplay, detailed miniatures, and an expansive lore-filled universe. By the end of this guide, we hope you’ll have a solid understanding of how to jump in and play this thrilling game!
WHAT IS WARHAMMER 40K?
Warhammer 40,000 (40K, for short) is a tabletop miniatures war game created and published by Games Workshop. The game is set in a dystopian future universe where a multitude of factions, each with unique units and abilities, vie for supremacy. The lore of Warhammer 40K is rich and deep, giving its universe a uniquely immersive quality. Each game sees two or more players engaging their armies in battle on a terrain-filled tabletop – the objective typically being to outmaneuver and outfight your opponent’s forces. The game’s mechanics balance chance with skill, requiring both strategic thinking and tactical cunning.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO GET STARTED
To start playing Warhammer 40k, you first need an army. This can be built by collecting miniatures, each representing a different unit in your army. Once you have your meticulously painted force ready, the game begins! Here’s a simplified breakdown:
1. SETUP: You and an opponent arrange your respective armies on a tabletop battlefield.
2. MOVEMENT: Players take turns to move their units across the battlefield, with distance determined by the specific rules for each unit.
3. BATTLE: During each battle round, players alternate in attacking with their units, trying to decimate the foe’s forces. The effectiveness of these attacks is determined by rolling dice.
4. SCORE: Players score victory points based on the objectives they’ve achieved, which can range from wiping out enemy units to controlling specific areas of the map.
With that simple framework, Warhammer 40K can get extremely tactical with its vast array of unit types, abilities, and complex terrain interactions!
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
You will need:
1. MINIATURES: These represent your army. Consider starting with a Starter Set, which comes with miniatures, a battlefield, and other necessary tools.
2. RULEBOOK: The core rules outline how the game is played.
3. DICE: Primarily six-sided dice, used to resolve attacks and other random events.
4. MEASURING DEVICE: You’ll need to accurately measure distances for fair play.
5. MODELLING AND PAINTING SUPPLIES: Optional but highly encouraged for immersion and the pride of fielding a painted army!
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
Ready to dive in? Here are a few tips to ensure your journey is enjoyable and less stressful:
1. START SMALL: Invest in a Starter Set — it has all you need to dip your toes.
2. LEARN THE LORE: Understanding your chosen faction’s history can make you enjoy the game even more!
3. SLOW AND STEADY: Don’t rush. The assembling and painting part of the process is as much of the hobby as the game itself.
4. JOIN A LOCAL COMMUNITY: Having people to learn from and play with can greatly improve your experience.
5. PRACTICE: Like any other game, practice makes perfect.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
There are plenty of online resources to help you along:
1. GAMES WORKSHOP: The official Warhammer 40K website.
2. WARHAMMER COMMUNITY: Official guides and news updates.
3. BATTLESRIBE: A fantastic army-builder tool.
4. WARPEDIA: A fan-made wiki stuffed with detailed explanations and in-depth guides.
5. YouTube: Channels like Tabletop Tactics and Warhammer TV provide great content for all 40K enthusiasts.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. “FACTION”: A distinct race or group (e.g., the Space Marines, Orks, or Eldar).
2. “MINIATURES”: The characters and structures you use to play the game.
3. “TURN”: A portion of the game where one player completes all their actions.
4. “AG”: Armor value, dictates how easy a unit is to wound.
5. “D6”: Six-sided dice, the most commonly used dice in the game.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Now that you’re equipped with all the essentials knowledge, it’s time to plunge into the immersive world of Warhammer 40k! Take your time, enjoy each process, and remember that the community is here if you need any help. We’re eager to welcome you into the grim darkness of the far future. Remember – in the world of Warhammer 40K, there is only war… and a tremendous amount of fun! Happy gaming!
