Warhammer 40K starter set guide, and beginners tips

“In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war.” Sounds bleak, doesn’t it? However, that well known quote from Warhammer 40K sets up the universe succinctly and horribly accurately. There are organisms akin to alien bugs that devour planets like they’re cinema snacks, chaos-driven daemons that claw into reality and disrupt whatever remnants of normal life folk might be trying to enjoy, and evil space elves that torture people for sustenance to name but a few characteristics of it. It doesn’t sound like a place where puppies and chocolate abound (presumably). Its a grim setting as it says, but a fascinating one and Warhammer 40K is an incredibly fun game to play and embracing a Warhammer 40K starter set for the first time can reveal a whole new universe for you and like-minded friends to enjoy playing through and in. If you’ve already dived into some of our best board games, think of tabletop gaming as the next step.

Warhammer 40,000, its lore, armies, stories and universe are all so popular that i’s given birth to titles across all of the medias (books, movies, video games and card games) and even shoes, weirdly. However, it is the tabletop game that started it all, way back in the late ’80s now, and lining up your armies of miniatures against one another on a scenic battle board or playing area is still still immensely fun.

So, if you’re keen to give it a go, or even jump back in after having some time away from it, this guide will give you an informative place to start start collecting an army, how to get the Warhammer 40K starter sets cheaper, and, of course, get playing straight away. We cover every aspect, from buying to building to painting, so this is the perfect place for beginners and returners alike.

Warhammer 40K starter kits

Dark Imperium

Here you get 53 models, the rule books, and a fancy box to store them all in. But you’re getting loads of extras for the asking price in Dark Imperium too, as well as plenty of Primaris Space Marines and Death Guard models. In terms of actual value, there’s loads to love here. It’s notable, because Games Workshop doesn’t normally do discounts or sales, so you need to pack in as much as possible for a starter set. The plastic ruler is not greatly different to one you’ve probably already got, but everything else here is laudable, especially the dice and the quick-reference rules sheet.

Bonus items: 12 dice, printed rule sheet, hard cover rulebook, printed data sheets, plastic ruler.

Know No Fear

A smaller-scaled version of Dark Imperium, Know No Fear still includes some nice items for the money. It has a handful of Death Guard and Primaris Space Marine models (31 in total, broken down into 14 Space Marines and 17 Death Guards), the box doubles as terrain in the form of an Imperial shrine, and there’s a two-sided gaming surface with detailed artwork.

Bonus items: Six dice, printed rulebook (truncated), narrative/hobbyist booklet, plastic ruler, double-sided gaming mat, cardboard terrain.