Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide

The best way to start Warhammer is to pick the setting that appeals to you, then buy that game's starter or introductory set, a basic paint and tool set, and one rulebook or army book when you are ready for more. Warhammer 40,000 is the grimdark science-fiction game, Age of Sigmar is high fantasy, and The Old World is the classic fantasy setting returned to the tabletop. Smaller skirmish games such as Kill Team and Warhammer Underworlds are cheaper, faster ways in.

Universe TCG has shops in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès and Segovia, and ships worldwide from Spain. This guide covers what each game is, which box to buy first, and how paints and books fit in.

What is Warhammer, and how does it play?

Warhammer is a hobby with three parts: building plastic miniatures, painting them, and playing games with them. You do not have to do all three, and plenty of people enjoy only one. Most games use a tape measure, dice and a table with some scenery, and two players take turns moving and fighting with their armies.

The range is split into several games, each with its own setting and scale. The main ones are:

• Warhammer 40,000: large-scale battles in a far-future galaxy. See our Warhammer 40,000 guide.
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar: fantasy armies with a heroic, fantastical tone. See our Warhammer Age of Sigmar guide.
• Warhammer: The Old World: rank-and-file fantasy battles in the classic Warhammer setting. See our Warhammer: The Old World guide.
• The Horus Heresy: the civil war of the Imperium, played with larger collections. See our Horus Heresy guide.
• Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game: battles from Tolkien's films. See our Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game guide.

Smaller formats include Kill Team, Necromunda, Blood Bowl, Warhammer Underworlds and Legions Imperialis. These use fewer models or a tighter play area, so they are easier to learn and cheaper to start.

Which Warhammer game should I start with?

Choose by setting first, because you will spend hours with the models. If you like sci-fi, start with 40,000. If you prefer wizards, monsters and knights, choose Age of Sigmar or The Old World. If you want something compact, try a skirmish game. All of them are good starting points.

Best first purchases for Warhammer 40,000

The Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set and the Warhammer 40,000 Introductory Set are built for two people learning the game together, with models for both sides. They are the natural choice if you have a friend to play with.

If you want to build your own army from the start, the Getting Started boxes give you a focused first force. The choices are Getting Started with Space Marines (also listed as Warhammer 40,000: Getting Started with Space Marines) and Getting Started with Orks. Space Marines are the most recognisable faction, while Orks are rowdy and tend to be fun to paint.

Once you have a first army, the Combat Patrol Companion is a useful book for small-scale games.

Best first purchases for Age of Sigmar

The Age of Sigmar Starter Set and the Age of Sigmar Introductory Set are the two entry boxes. They give you two small forces and what you need to learn the basics.

For a ready-made army, the Khazalite Holds Army Set and the Ogor Mawtribes Army Set (Spanish Edition) bundle a core force in one box. If you like the idea of fielding giants, Brawlers of Behemat is worth a look. The Spearhead: City of Ash Gaming Pack supports Spearhead, the smaller-scale way to play the game.

Other good ways in

• Kill Team: the Kill Team Starter Set is a small-squad game with a compact footprint.
• The Old World: the Old World Core Set is the entry point for the mass-battle fantasy game.
• Necromunda: the Necromunda Skirmish Core Set suits players who like gangs and campaigns.
• Blood Bowl: Blood Bowl: Third Season Edition is a fantasy football board game with two teams in the box.
• Warhammer Underworlds: Embergard and Spitewood are self-contained duelling boxes.
• Warhammer Quest: Darkwater is a cooperative dungeon-style game.
• The Horus Heresy: Saturnine is the box for this large-scale setting.
• Middle-earth: The War of the Rohirrim – Battle of Edoras brings the setting to the table.

How do I start painting Warhammer miniatures?

Start with a basic set of paints and tools rather than a huge collection. The Warhammer 40,000 Paint + Tools Starter Set and the Age of Sigmar Paints + Tools Set cover brushes, clippers and a starting palette.

If you already know your faction, there are boxes that pair models with paints, such as Space Marines: Intercessors + Paints and Orks: Boyz + Paints. Faction paint sets include the Stormcast Eternals Paint Set and the Skaven Paint Set.

For technique and range advice, read How to start painting Warhammer miniatures and Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide.

Which Warhammer rulebooks and army books do I need?

Starter sets include the rules you need to begin. Books come later, when you want to expand an army or add depth.

Age of Sigmar battletomes

A battletome covers one faction: its background, its rules and how to build a force. Options include Blades of Khorne, Disciples of Tzeentch, Maggotkin of Nurgle, Skaven, Slaves to Darkness, Helsmiths of Hashut and Hedonites of Slaanesh, available as a Chaos Battletome and a Battletome.

The Old World Arcane Journals

Arcane Journals add army lists and background for each faction. Examples include Empire of Man, Kingdom of Bretonnia, Dwarfen Mountain Holds, Orc & Goblin Tribes, Warriors of Chaos, Tomb Kings of Khemri, High Elf Realms, Wood Elf Realms and Armies of Grand Cathay.

There are also campaign-themed journals: The March of Chaos, The Razing of Westerland, The River of Bones, The War of Settra's Fury, The Breaching of the Great Bastion and Dawn of the Storm Dragon.

Other books

• Middle-earth: Armies of Middle-earth, Armies of The Hobbit and Armies of The Lord of The Rings.
• Blood Bowl: the Official Rulebook – Third Season Edition, plus Spike! Journal Issue 21 and Issue 22.
• Adeptus Titanicus: The Horus Heresy, Loyalist Legios, Traitor Legios and the Campaign Compendium, for giant war-machine battles.

If you want the stories behind the settings, our Black Library reading guide explains where to begin.

Warhammer FAQ

Is Warhammer expensive to start?

It depends on the entry point. A starter set or a skirmish game needs far fewer models than a full army, and you can grow the collection slowly. Buying a set with models for both sides, then adding paints, is a sensible way to spread the cost.

Do I have to paint my miniatures?

No. You can play with unpainted models, and many people do at first. Painting is optional, though many players find it the most rewarding part of the hobby, and a starter paint set makes it easy to try.

Which is easier to learn: Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar?

Both are designed to be learnable from the box, and each has an introductory set. Skirmish games such as Kill Team are usually quicker to learn because they involve fewer models. The better question is which setting you would enjoy building and painting.

Do I need glue and tools?

Yes. Plastic kits need clippers, a hobby knife and plastic glue. The paint and tools sets listed above include the basics, so you will not need to assemble a toolkit from scratch.

Does Universe TCG ship outside Spain?

Yes, Universe TCG ships worldwide from Spain. If you are nearby, you can also visit the shops in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès or Segovia and ask for advice in person.

Related guides

• Warhammer 40,000
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar
• The Horus Heresy
• Warhammer: The Old World
• Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game
• Kill Team
• Necromunda
• Blood Bowl
• Warhammer Underworlds
• Legions Imperialis
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures
• Black Library reading guide: where to start