So, you’ve seen the epic miniatures, heard the tales of galactic war, and now you’re wondering, “How do I play Warhammer 40k?” The answer is: it’s a journey into a vast, grim, and exciting tabletop wargame where you lead armies of futuristic soldiers, terrifying aliens, and ancient warriors. This Warhammer 40000 beginner’s guide is here to help you take your first steps into this incredible hobby.
What is Warhammer 40k?
Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniatures wargame produced by Games Workshop. Players build and paint armies of miniature figures to represent their chosen faction. These armies are then used to battle against each other on a tabletop battlefield, following a set of rules that dictate movement, combat, and special abilities. The setting is the far future, where humanity is locked in a constant, brutal war for survival against numerous alien races and internal threats.
Getting Started: Your First Steps into the 40k Universe
The universe of Warhammer 40,000 is immense, and getting started can feel a little daunting. But don’t worry, this guide will break it down into manageable steps. From choosing your first army to understanding the core mechanics, we’ll cover everything a newcomer needs to know to enjoy the 40k tabletop game.
Choosing Your First Faction
Warhammer 40,000 boasts a diverse array of Warhammer 40k factions, each with unique lore, playstyles, and aesthetics. The most crucial decision when starting Warhammer 40k is picking the army that speaks to you.
Here’s a look at some of the most popular factions to help you decide:
- Space Marines: The iconic poster boys of Warhammer 40,000. They are genetically engineered super-soldiers, highly disciplined and incredibly versatile. They are often recommended for beginners due to their straightforward rules and balanced capabilities. There are many Chapters, each with their own traditions and combat doctrines.
- Orks: A green-skinned, warlike alien race driven by a love of combat and da greatest tingz. Orks are known for their ramshackle technology, sheer numbers, and unpredictable nature. They are a “horde” army, often relying on overwhelming their opponents with many troops.
- Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard): The vast human armies of the Imperium. They are ordinary humans who fight with courage and faith, supported by massive numbers of tanks and artillery. If you like large armies with a focus on tanks and shooting, this is a great choice.
- Necrons: Ancient, robotic skeletons from slumbering tomb worlds. They are relentless and reanimate fallen warriors. Necrons excel at shooting and have unique abilities that allow them to get back up after being defeated.
- Tyranids: A ravenous alien swarm from beyond the galaxy. They are biological horrors that consume everything in their path, adapting to their enemies. Tyranids are another horde army, focusing on close combat and overwhelming opponents with sheer numbers and terrifying monsters.
- Chaos Space Marines: Traitor Legions of Space Marines who have fallen to the dark gods of Chaos. They are often corrupted and wield dark powers, with a variety of combat styles.
- Eldar (Aeldari): An ancient, sophisticated alien race with psychic powers and advanced technology. They are a “glass cannon” army, meaning they hit very hard but are fragile. They rely on speed, strategic positioning, and powerful psychic abilities.
Consider your preferred playstyle: do you like close combat, shooting, psychic powers, or overwhelming numbers? Look at the lore and the miniatures. The army that you find most visually appealing and whose story resonates with you will be the most enjoyable to collect and play.
Your First Purchase: Getting into the Game
Once you’ve chosen a faction, your next step is to acquire some miniatures. Games Workshop offers several entry points:
- Combat Patrol Boxes: These boxes are designed as a starting point for each faction. They usually contain a small, playable force (around 500 points) and offer a good introduction to the army’s core units. They are an excellent way to begin your 40k army building.
- Starter Sets: For players entirely new to the hobby, starter sets like the “Leviathan” box (for the 10th Edition of Warhammer 40,000) are fantastic. These often include two opposing armies, dice, measuring tools, and terrain, allowing you to jump straight into playing.
- Individual Kits: You can also buy specific unit kits for your chosen faction. However, for a beginner, a Combat Patrol or Starter Set is generally more cost-effective and provides a more complete starting experience.
Assembling and Painting Your Miniatures
Warhammer 40,000 is as much about the hobby as it is about the game. Assembling and painting your miniatures is a rewarding part of the experience.
Assembly Basics
Most modern Warhammer miniatures are made of plastic and come on sprues (plastic frames with the parts still attached). You’ll need a few tools:
- Plastic Clippers: For carefully removing parts from the sprue.
- Hobby Knife (X-Acto knife): For cleaning up mold lines and excess plastic.
- Plastic Glue: Special glue designed to bond plastic miniatures.
- Hobby Handle (Optional but Recommended): Helps you hold miniatures while assembling and painting.
Follow the assembly instructions carefully. Don’t rush. Pay attention to where parts connect and ensure a clean fit.
The Joy of Painting
How to paint Warhammer 40k miniatures is a deep topic, but here are the basics to get you started:
- Clean the Miniatures: Wash your assembled miniatures with warm, soapy water to remove any mold release agent. This helps paint adhere better.
- Prime the Miniatures: Apply a layer of primer. This provides a uniform base coat for your paints. Black, white, or grey primers are common. Spray primers are quick and efficient.
- Base Coats: Apply the main colours to different areas of the model using acrylic paints.
- Washes: Thin down darker paints into a wash and apply them to recesses. This creates shadows and depth.
- Layering and Highlighting: Apply lighter shades of your base colours to raised areas to make them pop.
- Detailing: Paint smaller details like eyes, buttons, and insignia.
- Basing: Paint and decorate the base of the miniature to represent the terrain it stands on.
There are countless tutorials online and in hobby magazines that delve into advanced techniques. Start simple, experiment, and most importantly, have fun!
Learning the Core Rules
The Warhammer 40k rules explained can seem complex at first, but they follow a logical structure. The game is played in turns, with each player taking their turn to move their units, shoot at the enemy, and engage in close combat.
The Game Turn Structure
Each player’s turn is divided into several phases:
- Command Phase: Certain army-specific abilities or stratagems are activated here. You also gain Command Points (CP) which are used to fuel powerful stratagems.
- Movement Phase: You can move your units across the battlefield. Different units have different movement speeds.
- Shooting Phase: Units equipped with ranged weapons can fire at enemy units. This involves rolling dice to hit and then rolling dice to wound.
- Charge Phase: If your units are within charge range of an enemy unit, you can declare a charge. This is a dice roll to determine how far they move into engagement.
- Fight Phase: Units that have charged or are already engaged in close combat fight the enemy. This is also resolved with dice rolls for hitting and wounding.
- Morale Phase: Your army must test to see if any units break and flee the battlefield after taking casualties.
Key Game Mechanics Explained
- Dice: The game uses six-sided dice (d6). Rolls are used for everything from hitting and wounding to saving your models.
- Measuring: A tape measure is essential for determining movement distances, charge ranges, and weapon ranges.
- Hit Rolls: When attacking, you roll a d6. If the roll meets or exceeds the Ballistic Skill (for shooting) or Weapon Skill (for melee) of the attacking model, it’s a hit.
- Wound Rolls: If a hit is successful, the defender rolls a d6. If the roll meets or exceeds the Strength of the attacking weapon relative to the Toughness of the defending model, it’s a wound.
- Saving Throws: If a model is wounded, the player can attempt to save it by rolling a d6. If the roll meets or exceeds the model’s Armour Save characteristic, the wound is ignored. Some weapons have a “Damage” value, meaning they inflict multiple wounds if successful.
- Abilities and Keywords: Most units and weapons have keywords that grant special abilities or affect how they interact with other units or game mechanics. These are crucial for understanding advanced strategies.
- Stratagems: Special abilities that players can activate by spending Command Points during the game. These can alter dice rolls, grant extra abilities, or provide unique advantages.
Mission Setup and Deployment
To play a game, you’ll need a mission. Missions provide objectives, special rules, and how victory points are scored.
Warhammer 40k Mission Setup
A typical Warhammer 40k mission setup involves the following:
- Choose a Mission: Select a mission from the Rulebook, an Annual supplement, or a campaign.
- Determine the Battlefield: Set up terrain pieces on the table to create cover and obstacles.
- Place Objectives: Mark the locations of objective markers according to the mission.
- Determine Deployment Zones: Players typically set up their armies in designated areas on their side of the battlefield.
- Determine First Turn: Often, players roll off to see who takes the first turn.
40k Deployment
40k deployment is a critical phase. You’ll strategically place your units within your deployment zone, considering the mission objectives, the enemy’s army, and the terrain. Think about where your units will be most effective and how they can support each other. Units with long-range weapons might be placed further back, while fast-moving units could be positioned to exploit early opportunities.
Building Your Army: 40k Army Building Principles
40k army building is a significant part of the hobby. You’ll create a force that fits within a specific points limit, usually starting with 500 or 1000 points for beginner games.
Understanding Points Costs
Every unit, weapon, and upgrade has a points cost. Your entire army must not exceed the agreed-upon points limit. This ensures fair play between opposing forces.
Detachments and Force Organization
Your army is organized into “Detachments.” The most common is the “Patrol Detachment,” which is suitable for smaller games. Larger armies might use a “Battalion Detachment” or other specialized ones. Detachments dictate the minimum and maximum number of “slots” you can fill with different unit types (e.g., HQ, Troops, Elites, Fast Attack, Heavy Support).
Synergy and Playstyle
When building your army, consider:
- Synergy: How do your units work together? Do your close-combat units have support from shooting units? Do your buff characters enhance your core troops?
- Playstyle: Do you prefer a fast, aggressive army, a defensive gunline, or a versatile force?
- Mission Objectives: Does your army have the tools to achieve the objectives of the mission you’re playing?
Playing Your First Game
Your first game is a learning experience. Don’t worry about winning; focus on grasping the flow of the game and trying out your units.
Finding an Opponent
- Local Game Store: Most hobby stores host Warhammer events or have dedicated players.
- Online Communities: Many forums and social media groups connect players.
- Friends: If you have friends who are also interested, starting together is great fun.
Before the Game Starts
- Discuss Rules: Agree on any specific rules interpretations or house rules.
- Check Your Army List: Ensure both players’ army lists are valid and within the agreed points limit.
- Set Up the Battlefield: Follow the mission instructions for terrain and deployment.
During the Game
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask your opponent or other players for clarification on rules.
- Take Notes: Jot down anything that surprised you or that you want to remember for next time.
- Be Patient: Games can take time, especially when you’re learning.
- Have Fun: This is the most important part!
Watching 40k Battle Reports
One of the best ways to learn how the game is played is by watching 40k battle reports. These are recorded games where experienced players showcase their armies and explain their thought processes as they play. You can find many on YouTube. Watching how different units perform, how players manage their resources (like Command Points), and how they tackle objectives can be incredibly insightful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need to paint my miniatures?
A: No, it’s not required to play, but it’s a core part of the hobby and greatly enhances the experience. You can play with unpainted miniatures, often referred to as “grey plastic.”
Q: How long does a game of Warhammer 40k usually take?
A: For smaller games (500-750 points), games can last 1-2 hours. Larger games (1500-2000 points) can take 3-4 hours or more.
Q: Can I use miniatures from different factions in the same army?
A: Generally, no. You build an army around a single faction or allied factions if the rules allow. Your army list will specify your faction.
Q: Where can I find the full Warhammer 40k rules?
A: The core rules are available for free on the Warhammer Community website. You can also purchase the comprehensive “Core Rulebook.”
Q: What if I make a mistake during the game?
A: Most players agree that if a mistake is discovered before the next player’s turn begins, you can usually backtrack and correct it. For serious mistakes discovered later, it’s best to discuss with your opponent.
Embarking on your Warhammer 40,000 journey is an exciting prospect. From the lore of Warhammer 40k factions to the tactical depth of 40k army building, there’s always something new to discover. With this Warhammer 40000 beginner’s guide, you have the foundation to start building your army, learning the Warhammer 40k rules explained, and diving into your first 40k tabletop game. Welcome to the 41st Millennium – may your dice roll well!