Get Started in Warhammer 40,000

"In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war"

When any player embarks on an adventure into miniature gaming, the temptation to immerse themselves into Warhammer 40k by Games Workshop is certainly alluring. Known as one of the most popular tabletop games, and currently sitting on its 9th Edition. Games Workshop’s title truly has been standing the test of time since 1987. Warhammer 40k is a tabletop miniatures game in which war machines and fearsome soldiers fight for supremacy in the 41st Millenium.

Before heading into the far and distant world, home to the infamous Space Marines and Necrons. Players will need to select a mission to play, causing their opponents to muster their infantry, preparing for all-out-war atop of the tabletop. Depending on how the player would like to access Warhammer 40k, they can utilise their missions to embark on their new adventure. These missions can be utilised in three different ways:

All three different play styles allow the player to create the game that they want to play, making Warhammer 40k adaptable within the universe.

If you are looking to touch the worlds of Warhammer 40k, keep your eyes peeled for tips on all of the necessary tools and insight from the perspective of staff at Wayland Games on how to get started in this broad and incredible universe. And even better, we offer up to 20% off RRP too!

Filling Your Ranks

These are the items you will need to begin your Warhammer 40k missions. Each item is very important when starting the tabletop miniature hobby in the Warhammer Universe.

Movement, attacks, and abilities are measured in inches. A player’s best friend when playing Warhammer 40k will be a tape measure. Allowing a player to easily measure distance and how far the models can charge into combat.

Six-sided dice (or D6) are there to decide fate. Dice rolling determines your attack and damage. If you are lucky the Dice Gods will grant you their luck!

In Warhammer 40k’s Core Rule Book, players will find everything they need to understand the basic rules of the game and start to get stuck. Including turn sequence, generic hero abilities, and much more.

You can download the core rulebook for free if you are not sure about dipping into the immense world just yet. However, if you do get comfortable, you can pick this up as a hard physical copy from both the Wayland Games Store and online. Saves you from faffing around with PDFs!

Players would not get very far without their physical Warhammer 40k Miniatures! To play a game, the models are one of the most important elements, and Games Workshop has made it easier for their players to bolster up and start creating their armies.

Whether you are looking for some defense with the Tau Empire, Genestealer Cults, Astra Militarum, or any other WH40K faction: using a Start Collecting box can make it easy to begin building and painting your army, and they are the perfect place to start.

Need help determining how much each unit/model is worth? Be sure to access The Combat Roster. This assists you in determining what units you can use with each faction all in one convenient location. As you choose your factions, the drop-down menu lets you choose which units you can use. Meaning you can be time-efficient in creating your Army before charging into battle.

A Steady surface to play your game on is crucial. This flat and spacious surface will encompass encounters, as well as the terrain that is out on the table. Warhammer 40k uses a board size that can depend on the power points that are in play.

Looking for somewhere to play? Now that the world is opening up again, you can start to head back to your FLGS (Local Friendly Gaming Store) or Games Workshop, just head in and ask to join the war.

If you are in Essex, be sure to pop into the Wayland Games store in Hockley. There is a huge selection of tables, terrain, and gaming mats ready to use. And did we mention... there is a bar too?

If you want to play at home, start with a flat surface; like a dining table for example. As long as you and your opponent have a good amount of space in which to play, and a fair amount of terrain scattered across the board - you will be good to go.

Start Collecting Warhammer

Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40k has a wide variety of different Start Collecting boxes in a range of different factions. Available to be purchased and delivered straight to your door, at Wayland Games - and with 20% off!

Start Collecting boxes include models which are a great way to get started and kick off with your first faction. However, if you already have some minis and want to expand further - the Start Collecting boxes will bolster up your army in no time. You may just be a hobbyist, and want to paint to display and collect too.

There are many different purposes for these boxes, and if you are looking for a big bunch of Warhammer 40k miniatures dedicated to your chosen faction, you are in the right place!

Collecting the boxes relevant to your ideal army are a great way to not get overwhelmed when learning the rules. But it is entirely up to how you learn and want to play the game, it’s all about having fun at the end of the day

Warhammer Starter Sets

Starter Sets include various models and accessories for yourself, as well as a friend if you wish to share the box to get started in the universe.

Starter Sets generally include two sets of models from different factions, a manual for the models in the set as well as rules to guide you through your first game. Terrain can also be included in a Starter set too, depending on the box that is chosen.

The most recent Starter Sets, included miniatures from both the Space Marines and Necrons, being the two most popular WH40K Factions. If you are looking to join the skirmish, these boxes will prepare you for battle.

Codexes

Across the worlds of Warhammer 40k, three overarching factions dominate. The Imperium, Armies of Chaos, and Xenos Armies.

For the majority of factions that belong within these overarching cabals, there is a Codex to match. Enabling players to use abilities that they wouldn’t have access to with just the Core Rule Book.

The Codex will include the history of the faction as well as the background of the units within. With all of your 40k faction information in one place, it is very handy to take it with you to your next encounter.

Including exciting Citadel paint guides for you to choose your faction colors from. Or if you’re more creative-minded, you could possibly take inspiration from the included schemes, and paint your models with any colors or theme you choose.

If you ever want to enter tournaments in the future with your army, just make sure to check out the most up-to-date paint rules for Warhammer 40k. This is due to tournament rules including what standard your models need to be painted to, and whether they need to follow any specific rules if you’ve chosen a particular paint scheme for order within your faction.

Alike the Warhammer Age of Sigmar Paint and Tools Set, the Warhammer 40k: Paint and Tools Set provides players with the necessary tools and paint to sink their teeth into WH40K. Including all the Citadel essential tools and paints to start an army.

Glue will be needed, as it is not included in the set. Tamiya Liquid Cement is a fan-favorite in the Wayland Games office. Widely renowned across the world as the very best glue for assembly plastic miniature kits. Allowing the glue and plastic from the model to bond together harmoniously.

Warhammer 40k tournament rules are normally three colours minimum. This is subject to change of course. So make sure that if you were to be playing competitively, you have your three colours present in place for your army.

Warhammer Terrain and Scenery

Tabletop terrain is an essential part of playing Warhammer 40k, whether it be Games Workshops’ Terrain or homemade terrain. In Warhammer 40k, the terrain is set up before the battle begins allowing players to be completely immersed in the action.

Unless a particular mission has requirements, players can be as creative as they like with terrain features. Generally one terrain feature per 12” is a good estimate to stop the tabletop from becoming too busy! Each terrain feature belongs to one of four categories, Hills, Obstacles, Area Terrain, and Buildings. Terrain features can give benefits or cover to specific models, however, if there are no benefits stated to the terrain then there is none for any models - merely an incredible-looking tabletop.

Each piece of terrain can emit one or more traits. These traits can be explored further within the Core Rule Book, teaching players how to interact with scenery in a play. A section full of example battlefields is included inside the Core Rule Book, which is perfect for gaining some inspired innovation. Players can tell their story of their war atop the tabletop, with the opportunity to change the table parallelling events that have unfolded during play.

Storing and Transporting your Miniatures

Tabletop Miniatures are very precious and can be fragile depending on the size and amount of detail in which they have.

You have a few options in which you can carry your miniatures with you. The first being the smaller of the cases, the Warhammer 40k Carry Case. Featuring the established symbol for Warhammer 40k on the front, this case is great for various sizes of miniatures. Wayland Games also stocks other Citadel Carry Cases.

Not just cases, we also have bags and individual layers of foam for miniature fanatics of all levels.

Black Library

If you are interested in brushing up on your history and backstory surrounding the events which unfold within the 41st Millenium, following your favorite characters, factions, gods, and locations: be sure to check out The Black Library.

With new releases on a weekly basis for all Games Workshop titles at 5% off. The Black Library does not just feature Warhammer 40K. Explore the wealth of lore in Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Blood Bowl, and story-centric novels with Warhammer Horror.

Warhammer 40k is a fantastic place to begin your tabletop miniatures adventure. From sandy dunes to grassy hills, let this guide lead you to the battlefield. Do not worry about rushing; take your time when it comes to building and painting your miniatures, if you work at your own pace, you will not feel overwhelmed and enjoy your own time within the hobby.

Learning as you go is part and parcel of the process; we all make mistakes, and it’s okay to do so. Just remember to keep learning and keep getting creative with all of the opportunities Games Workshop has to offer.

Being one of the most popular tabletop titles out there, with new releases roughly on a weekly basis, players will never run out of new content to dip into. Be sure to check out our full 40K range today at a discount, with 20% off.