Warhammer

The fastest start is a current starter or 'Combat Patrol'-style box for one army — it gives you models, the core rules, and enough to play small games. Pick the faction whose models you love most; you'll be painting them either way.

It can be — a full army, paints, and tools add up — but you can start small with a single boxed force and build over time. The painting and modeling are half the hobby's value, which is why many players consider it a craft as much as a game.

Warhammer 40,000 is the grimdark sci-fi setting; Age of Sigmar is the high-fantasy one. Both share Games Workshop's modeling, painting, and tabletop-wargaming DNA, but they're separate game systems with separate armies and rules.

The Armageddon box just launched June 20, 2026, and it's genuinely excellent. NEW rules, NEW models, and the value is stupid-good. If you're buying a starter set NOW, buy Armageddon. If you're waiting three months hoping prices drop—you're waiting for nothing. Games Workshop doesn't discount launch boxes. Buy now or buy 10th Edition if you want to save money.

Combat Patrol is the sweet spot. It's literally cheaper than buying individual kits, and it's designed for Balance™ (every model works together). If you DIY-buy models separately, you'll overspend AND end up with weird unit combinations that don't synergize. Stick with Combat Patrol until you really know the faction.

Not immediately—all models are push-fit and click together without glue. But if you want durability (especially for models you'll transport or use in play), grab some plastic cement (Citadel Plastic Glue or Tamiya Extra Thin). It's like $5 and makes a huge difference.

Play immediately! The models are gray plastic and totally game-legal unpainted. Painting comes next and is genuinely half the fun, but the Introductory Set even includes six starter paints so you can get a feel for the brush without committing to a full hobby setup.

Yes, absolutely. Combat Patrol comes with everything you need—the models are a complete force, and the Combat Patrol Companion book (included separately or available as a $50 hardback) has all the rules, lore, and beginner guidance you need. You don't even need to build a list; the box *is* your list. Just assemble, paint if you want, and play.

Assembly takes 3–6 hours depending on your speed and experience. Painting is where time really lives—expect 15–40 hours for a tabletop-standard finish (battle-ready), or 50+ if you want to go fancy. Most new players build a patrol over 2–3 weekends and play before everything is painted. Games Workshop's tutorials make painting less scary than you'd think.

Both work! Spray primer goes on faster and smoother, but brush-on primer is cheaper and gives you more control. If you're nervous about spray technique or don't have outdoor space, brush-on primers from Army Painter or Citadel are excellent choices. Spray is faster once you've done it a few times.

A good rule: if the paint looks as thick as heavy cream, add one small drop of water and stir. If it looks like milk, that's usually right. Games Workshop paints are pre-thickened for minimal thinning. Army Painter and Vallejo need a bit more water. The best way to learn is to paint a test model and adjust as you go.

No. Dwarven Forge pieces work on any surface. The magnets and Terrain Trays are optional accessories that make transport and storage neater—they lock pieces in place during play. Many players use Dwarven Forge on standard tables without any additional hardware.

Technically yes; the connector system is universal across themes. In practice, you'll get a visual mash-up unless you're comfortable with a deliberately grimdark or post-apocalyptic aesthetic. Most players keep themes separate or use one as dominant and others as accent scatter.

Warhammer 40,000 (40K) is Games Workshop's grimdark tabletop wargame set in a war-torn far future. You collect, build, and paint small plastic miniature armies, then fight tabletop battles against an opponent using dice, rulers, and rules. It's a modular hobby built on five pillars — collect, build, paint, play, and read/lore — and you can enjoy any one of them on its own.