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What is Warhammer 40,000?
Warhammer 40,000 is both a science-fiction setting and the world behind a tabletop miniature hobby. Its broad story frame is a galaxy in the 41st Millennium, beset by conflict between different factions. The official Warhammer 40,000: The Ultimate Guide names Space Marines, Tyranids, Chaos Daemons, and Necrons among them. These are examples, not a complete roster.
The setting is a starting point for stories, art, characters, and imagined armies. The tabletop game is one way to engage with it, but it is not a prerequisite for enjoying the fiction or learning who its factions are.
How do people engage with Warhammer 40K?
The hobby brings together several activities, and you can focus on the ones that interest you:
#1 Best Overall
- The ideal way to get started with the Warhammer 40,000 hobby
- Includes two full Combat Patrol armies of push-fit miniatures, a Core Rules Book, gaming boards, and accessories to get you playing games quickly
- A comprehensive guidebook will walk you through your first steps in building, painting, and playing games
- Also includes a set of plastic, push-fit terrain to provide objectives and cover as your armies advance
- These push-fit miniatures require assembly and are supplied unpainted
- Explore the lore: Learn about the setting, its factions, and the conflicts that shape it.
- Collect miniatures: Choose figures associated with an army or characters you like.
- Build and paint: Assemble miniatures and customize their appearance.
- Play: Use miniatures in tabletop games. The beginner resources introduce first games, though this overview does not cover current rules.
You can begin with the background and faction exploration alone. Buying models, paints, or game materials only becomes relevant if you decide to try the hands-on parts of the hobby.
What are the main Warhammer 40K factions?
There is no single required faction for a newcomer. Official beginner guidance encourages people to explore the armies and choose ones that appeal to them. Space Marines, Tyranids, Chaos Daemons, and Necrons offer a few examples of the variety, but they do not represent the full range. A broad faction-by-faction encyclopedia or complete account of the setting is beyond this introduction.
Rank #2
- An introductory set for Warhammer 40,000
- Includes 12 push-fit miniatures, a gaming mat, accessories, and card terrain to get you playing games quickly
- A comprehensive guidebook will walk you through your first steps in building, painting, and playing games
- Includes a set of 6 essential paints to customise your miniatures
- These push-fit miniatures require assembly and are supplied unpainted
Where should a beginner start?
Try Warhammer Academy for free
Warhammer Academy is the most direct no-purchase route to exploring the hobby. The official page describes it as free and says video lessons do not require buying products. Signing up requires a free My Warhammer account. Its beginner material covers lore, exploring and choosing armies, building and painting miniatures, and introductory play.
The Academy page lists English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean as supported languages. Because service details can change, check the live page for current availability and language options.
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Rank #3
- Includes 23 Space Marines: 1 Captain with Relic Shield, 1 Librarian, 1 Chaplain with Jump Pack, 1 Ancient, 10 Intercessors, 5 Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs, 3 Eradicators with Heavy Bolters, and 1 Land Speeder
- Also included are 38 Orks: 20 Ork Boyz, 10 Gretchin, 1 Warboss, 1 Bannernob, 1 Bigboss, 1 Painboy with 1 Grot Orderly, 1 Weirdboy, 1 Wartrakk, 1 Big Mek Dakkarig
- One 114 page hardcover Armageddon: Operation Imperator book, 88 Page Core rules booklet, Chapter Approved 2026-27: Mission Deck 88 cards, 89 Cards Dominatus Narrative Campaign Deck,
- 17 Armageddon datasheet cards. Armageddon Transfer Sheet: 728 high-quality waterslide transfers to decorate your miniatures.
- These miniatures are unpainted and need to be assembled. We recommend using Citadel Plastic Glue and Citadel Paints.
Use a physical guide if you want an illustrated overview
Warhammer 40,000: The Ultimate Guide is a 336-page illustrated reference covering lore, factions, and miniatures, according to its official listing. Guy Haley and Gav Thorpe are named as its writers. It is suited to browsing the setting and its imagery; the listing does not present it as a rules manual. Price and stock depend on retailer and region.
Choose a narrower reference for character browsing
Warhammer 40,000 Character Encyclopedia is a more focused option. Its official listing describes more than 120 characters and includes an assemble-yourself Lieutenant Titus miniature. At 200 pages, it centers on characters rather than offering the broadest setting overview. The listing bears a 2025 copyright notice; availability and price vary by retailer and region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need to buy anything?
No. You can start by reading about the universe or watching the Academy’s video lessons without purchasing miniatures. If you later want to build or paint, you can decide what supplies suit that activity; the beginner resource mentions tools, brushes, and paints but does not establish a particular kit as required. A physical guide is an optional way to explore, not an entry requirement.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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