New to 40k

Like the look of Warhammer 40,000 but never played? I know how intimidating it is to start, because I just did, so remember that we all start learning somewhere, and an unasked question never gets answered. Here's how to get to your first game, one step at a time.

1. 1 Watch the free videos, or walk into a store

   Warhammer Academy's free videos cover building, painting and playing. Or visit a store, where staff will show you the armies.

   Open Warhammer Academy Find a store near you

2. 2 Pick a faction you like the look of

   A faction is one of the armies, and there are lots to choose from. Pick the one that looks coolest to you. You'll spend hours painting it, so looks matter more than rules. Can't decide? Watch a Battle Report and see which army you'd want on your side of the table.

3. 3 Get that faction's Combat Patrol box

   A Combat Patrol is a boxed starter force for one faction, and the usual first buy. Add clippers, plastic glue and a few paints. Full list below.

4. 4 Build and paint

   Follow the building and painting videos in the Academy. Don't worry about neat. Painted-ish is fine for your first game.

5. 5 Get the app and make your first list

   Warhammer 40,000: The App is free to download. It has the core rules and builds your army list (the units you bring to a game). Some features need a paid Warhammer+ subscription; you don't need it to start.

   Then watch a whole game before you play one. Games Workshop's free Battle Report shows a full game turn by turn, so the rules make sense when you sit down at the table.

   • The App on the App Store
   • The App on Google Play

6. 6 Find a game

   Visit a shop on the Where to play page on a 40k night, or say hi in one of the Local Groups. Don't be nervous about reaching out: people love talking about their hobby. Soon you'll also be able to say "Looking to learn" here and get matched with someone happy to teach.

Unofficial: links go to Games Workshop's own free resources. Nothing here sells you anything.

Learn

• Warhammer Academy: free video lessons (more than 150 on 40k). Needs a free My Warhammer account.
• Watch a Battle Report: Games Workshop's own full game of the new edition, Space Marines against Orks. Free on Warhammer TV with a My Warhammer login. Good for picking a faction, and for seeing how a whole game plays out.
• Warhammer 40,000: The App, free: App Store or Google Play. Rules and army lists.
• Warhammer Colour: The App: Games Workshop's free painting app (it used to be called Citadel Colour). Shows which paints to use.

What you need

• A Combat Patrol box for your faction.
• Clippers (sprue cutters) to snip parts off the plastic frame.
• Plastic glue (often called plastic cement).
• A primer (undercoat), a few paints and one or two brushes.
• Dice and a tape measure in inches. Other players often have spares to lend.

Your local shop can tell you what to get. You don't need it all before your first visit.

Where to go

The Where to play page lists shops that run 40k nights. Look for ones marked "Beginner friendly". The Events page shows game nights, including "Learn to play" sessions when shops run them.

What to expect at your first game night

• Bring your models if you have some. It's fine if you don't. Just come and watch.
• Tell the store staff you're new. They can usually point you to someone who'll show you a game.
• A small game takes about 1 to 3 hours.
• Nobody expects you to know the rules. Ask questions.

Words you'll hear

Faction

One of the armies of the setting, like Space Marines, Orks or Necrons. Each has its own models and rules.

Combat Patrol

A boxed starter force for one faction. It is also a quick, small way to play using just what is in that box.

Sprue

The plastic frame the model parts come on. You snip parts off with clippers.

Points

Each unit costs points. Players agree a total, often 1,000 or 2,000, so the two armies are a fair match.

Army list (or just "list")

The units you are bringing to a game, with their points. You build it in the app.

Detachment

A set of extra rules your army picks for a game. It shapes how the army plays.

Matched play

The standard way to play: equal points on both sides and the official missions.

The app

Warhammer 40,000: The App, the free official app for rules and army lists.

Kitbash

Mixing parts from different kits to make a model your own.

Stuck, or something here is wrong? Send feedback.

Want this guide handy at the shop? Save the hub to your phone. It opens like an app.