Thousand Sons (Warhammer 40,000)

Thousand Sons are a Chaos Space Marine army built around sorcery, led by Magnus the Red and devoted to Tzeentch, the Chaos God of change and scheming. They suit collectors who like ornate, characterful miniatures and players who enjoy a psychic, character-driven style of play. A good first purchase is the Codex: Thousand Sons plus one leader and one or two squads, so you can learn the army before expanding it.

What are the Thousand Sons in Warhammer 40,000?

The Thousand Sons are a Traitor Legion of Space Marines. Their story is tied to their Primarch, Magnus the Red, to the study of sorcery, and to the fall of their home world, Prospero. Their warriors are famous for their Egyptian-inspired armour, plumed helmets and a mix of Space Marines, sorcerers, daemons and strange allies.

If you are new to the hobby as a whole, the Warhammer 40,000 guide explains the game, and the complete Warhammer buying guide shows how all the Games Workshop ranges fit together.

How do Thousand Sons play?

The army is about magic. Sorcerers and psychic abilities are central, and the force rewards players who plan their turns carefully and combine characters with the units they lead. Expect an army that leans on powerful characters and elite warriors rather than large swarms, with daemonic and beastman allies adding variety.

It is not a simple army to master, but it is a rewarding one. If you prefer something more direct, the World Eaters are a Chaos army built on close combat, while the Ultramarines are the classic loyalist Space Marine force.

Where should I start a Thousand Sons army?

Begin with the book and a leader, then add units that show you how the army works. A sensible first order looks like this:

1. The codex. The Codex: Thousand Sons (English) holds the army's background, rules and painting inspiration, so it is the place to begin.
2. A leader. Ahriman, Arch-Sorcerer of Tzeentch is the most recognisable character for the faction and a rewarding first model to build and paint.
3. An elite unit. The Scarab Occult Terminators are heavily armoured veterans that give the army a strong centrepiece.
4. Support. Exalted Sorcerers bring more magical presence and are good practice for the army's detailed armour.

Rubric Marines, the army's rank-and-file infantry, are worth adding next to fill out the core of the force.

Which Thousand Sons characters should I know?

Characters are the heart of the army, and several kits cover them:

• Magnus the Red, Daemon Primarch of Tzeentch is the army's towering figurehead and a showpiece model for a collection.
• Infernal Master is a sorcerous commander that adds another distinctive leader option.
• Daemon Prince is a Chaos character who has embraced daemonhood, and is a flexible model for converting and painting.
• Lord of Change is the Greater Daemon of Tzeentch, a large winged centrepiece.

Check the codex before you buy to see how each model fits your plans, since the rules for each unit can change between editions and updates.

What are the beastmen and robots in a Thousand Sons army?

The faction is not only Space Marines. It also draws on servants and allies that give the army its unusual look:

• Tzaangor Enlightened are bird-headed beastmen warriors who serve Tzeentch, ideal if you want a different silhouette from the armoured Marines.
• Tzaangor Shaman is a beastman spellcaster who adds a magical leader to that side of the army.
• Sekhetar Robots are mechanical servants that suit the army's ancient, ornate theme.

These kits let you build a collection that looks different from a standard Space Marine force, which is a large part of the faction's appeal.

How do I paint Thousand Sons?

The classic scheme is blue armour with gold or bronze trim, though many collectors choose their own colours. The ornate detail rewards patience: work in stages, paint the large areas first and add trim and gems last.

If you have never painted before, how to start painting Warhammer miniatures covers the basics, including tools and order of work. For choosing colours, the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide explains base paints, shades, layers and contrast paints so you can build a recipe that suits your army.

A practical tip: paint one squad to a finished standard first. That becomes your reference for the rest of the army and keeps the colours consistent across later purchases.

What book do I need for Thousand Sons?

You need the Codex: Thousand Sons for the army's rules, background and datasheets. You will also need the core rules for Warhammer 40,000, which the Warhammer 40,000 guide explains in more detail. Always check that you are using the current version of any rules document, as the game receives updates over time.

Thousand Sons FAQ

Are Thousand Sons good for beginners?

They are playable for beginners, but they reward planning more than some armies. If you like reading rules and combining abilities, they are a good fit. If you want the simplest possible army, you may find another faction easier at first.

What is the best first model to buy?

Ahriman is a strong first choice because he is the faction's best-known character and a satisfying paint project. Pair him with the codex so you know how he fits into an army.

Do I need to buy Magnus the Red?

No. Magnus is a centrepiece model, not a requirement. Many players build a full army before adding him, and some never do.

Can I mix daemons and Space Marines in one army?

The Thousand Sons collection includes both, such as the Daemon Prince and Lord of Change alongside the Marine kits. Check the codex for how each unit can be used in your list.

Can Universe TCG ship Thousand Sons kits abroad?

Yes. Universe TCG ships worldwide from Spain and also has physical shops in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès and Segovia.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Warhammer 40,000
• Tyranids (Warhammer 40,000)
• Ultramarines (Warhammer 40,000)
• World Eaters (Warhammer 40,000)
• T'au Empire (Warhammer 40,000)
• Space Wolves (Warhammer 40,000)
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures