INTRODUCTION
Hey there! Welcome to a beginner-friendly guide on Warhammer Age of Sigmar, an absolutely thrilling tabletop wargame that involves miniatures, dice, and lots and lots of strategy. Whether you’re entirely new to miniature wargaming, or it’s been a while and you’re planning to return, this guide will help walk you through the essentials and get you started on your journey. Age of Sigmar, once you get acquainted with it, is an enthralling hobby, introducing you to marvelous realms, colorful factions, and rich lore that fuels the soul of this game. So, let’s dive in!
WHAT IS AGE OF SIGMAR?
Age of Sigmar is a tabletop war game produced by Games Workshop, the same folks who brought us Warhammer 40,000. In this game, armies of miniatures representing various factions clash on tabletop terrains, guided by comprehensive rule sets. What makes Age of Sigmar interesting are the unique factions, flaming swords, and magical beasts backed up with rich background lore inspired by decades of Warhammer history. Set in the Age of Sigmar, the game’s universe is divided into different realms each associated with a different aspect of magic. The Age of Sigmar offers a distinct change of pace from the grim-dark future of Warhammer 40K, providing a unique take on classical fantasy.
HOW IT WORKS OR HOW TO GET STARTED
The game begins with each player assembling their army of intricate miniatures and deploying them on the field of battle. The rules of Age of Sigmar are rich and complex, yet straightforward enough for beginners to understand.
1. Choose Your Faction: First, you decide on a faction. Each faction has its strengths, weaknesses, and unique abilities.
2. Build Your Army: Once decided, you start building your army – whether you want a horde of faceless warriors or heroic champions leading small elite squads, the decision is yours.
3. Setup: Players take turns setting up their units, based on the battle plan chosen.
4. Gameplay: As the battle commences, players take turns, each taking various measures such as movement, shooting, charging, fighting, and casting spells. The better your strategy, the greater your chances of winning.
5. Objective: The objective often involves seizing particular points on the battlefield or eliminating specific opposing units, based on the scenario the players choose.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To get started with Age of Sigmar, here are a few essential items you will need:
1. Miniatures: These are your army units, available in Starter Sets to get you right into the action.
2. Rulebooks: Provides detailed guides to all the game rules.
3. Dice: Essential for the game. It helps determine the outcomes of the various actions.
4. Tape Measure: Helps you move your units and determine the range of attacks.
5. Painting Supplies: To add color and character to your miniatures.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
1. Start Small: Begin with a simple set, get comfortable and then expand your collection.
2. Learn the Basics: Understanding the basics well makes the more advanced aspects of the game easier.
3. Practices Run-throughs: Nothing gets you comfortable like practice.
4. Customize Your Army: Make your army aesthetically yours. Paint them to express your style.
5. Have Fun: It might be competitive, but don’t forget to enjoy the game!
HELPFUL RESOURCES
1. Warhammer Community Website: Packed with articles, announcements, and solid beginner advice.
2. WarhammerAgeofSigmar.com: Official site with detailed information on each faction.
3. Games Workshop YouTube Channel: Excellent resource for painting tutorials and more.
4. r/ageofsigmar: Reddit community with lots of advice from experienced players.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Battleline Units: These are the core combat troops of your army.
2. Wounds: The “health points” of a model. When it reaches zero, the model is removed from the game field.
3. Warscroll: A document containing all the rules required to use a unit in a game of Age of Sigmar.
4. Turn: The portion of the game where one player can move, attack, and perform other actions with their models.
5. Charge: This is when units rush towards enemy models to launch a close-quarters assault.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Start by getting the “Age of Sigmar Starter Set” or whatever set matches your favorite faction. It might seem a bit daunting at first, but remember, after a couple of games, it gets way more accessible and fun. Once you have the basics down, consider visiting a local gaming group to see experienced players in action, which will help you learn and grow as a player too. Most importantly, remember to enjoy the journey! Welcome to the Age of Sigmar!
