Age of Sigmar or Warhammer 40,000: which should you start with?
Pick the setting you'd rather paint: Age of Sigmar is fantasy, 40k is science fiction. For 40k, start with a Combat Patrol; for Age of Sigmar, a Spearhead box.
The four games side by side
| Game | Setting | A box to start | Our price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warhammer 40,000 | Science fiction, the 41st Millennium | A Combat Patrol: one small army | £86.11 RRP £109.00 |
| Age of Sigmar | Fantasy, the Mortal Realms | A Spearhead box: one player's army | £75.05 RRP £95.00 |
| Kill Team | Skirmish combat in the 41st Millennium | The Kill Team Starter Set | £57.28 RRP £72.50 |
| The Old World | Fantasy | A Battle March army box (400 to 750 points) | from £56.80 RRP £71.50 |
Trying a game cheaply
Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 each have a cheaper Introductory Set, so you don't need a full army to try them. The Age of Sigmar Introductory Set is £34.76 and holds 25 push-fit miniatures (Stormcast Eternals Liberators and Skaven Clanrats), a handbook, a playing mat, dice and a few paints. The Warhammer 40,000 one is £33.58, but it's the 10th Edition box, so check the edition before you buy. The starter sets guide has the 11th Edition options.
Kill Team
Start with the Kill Team Starter Set. It has 14 push-fit miniatures in two teams (the Angels of Death Space Marines and the Plague Marines), a 64-page introductory rulebook, printed MDF terrain, and rules reference sheets and tokens. It's £57.28 here against an RRP of £72.50.
The Old World
Battle March is the quick way to play The Old World, with armies of between 400 and 750 points. We list four of the five Battle March boxes Games Workshop makes.
| Box | What's in it | Our price |
|---|---|---|
| Empire of Man | One Commander with great weapon, 20 State Troops, 10 Flagellants, 10 State Missile Troops, 10 Empire Archers and five Outriders (who can be built as Pistoliers) | £80.99 in stock |
| Beastmen Brayherds | One Beastman Chieftain, one Beastman Shaman, 10 Ungors, 10 Bestigors, 20 Gors and 10 Chaos Warhounds | £81.00 in stock |
| High Elf Realms | One Sea Guard High Elf Lord, 10 Lothern Sea Guard, five Shadow Warriors (or Sisters of Avelorn), five Ellyrian Reavers, one Lothern Skycutter and one Tiranoc Chariot (or Lion Chariot of Chrace) | £81.00 in stock |
| Wood Elf Realms | Araloth, Lord of Talsyn, 10 Eternal Guard, five Sisters of the Thorn, four Glade Riders and eight Glade Guard | £56.80 in stock |
Common questions
Age of Sigmar or Warhammer 40k: which should I start with?
Go by the setting: Age of Sigmar is fantasy, Warhammer 40,000 is science fiction. Age of Sigmar starts with a Spearhead box (£75.05) and 40k with a Combat Patrol (£86.11).
What is Spearhead in Age of Sigmar?
Spearhead is Age of Sigmar's small-game format, played on a board about a quarter the size of a full battlefield. Each faction's Spearhead force comes from a single box.
Which Kill Team starter should a beginner buy?
The Kill Team Starter Set (£57.28). It has two teams, a rulebook and terrain.
What does the Kill Team Starter Set include?
14 push-fit miniatures in two teams (the Angels of Death Space Marines and the Plague Marines), a 64-page introductory rulebook that takes new players through their first missions, rules reference sheets and tokens for both teams, and printed MDF terrain that slots together. We sell it for £57.28 (RRP £72.50). The full Kill Team rules are free in Games Workshop's Kill Team app.
How do I start Warhammer: The Old World?
With a Battle March box: an army of 400 to 750 points to build and paint. Ours start at £56.80 (Wood Elf Realms).
Is Age of Sigmar cheaper to start than Warhammer 40,000?
A little. A Spearhead box is £75.05 against £86.11 for a Combat Patrol. The Introductory Sets are £34.76 (Age of Sigmar) and £33.58 (Warhammer 40,000, 10th Edition).
Box details come from Games Workshop's Warhammer Community articles on the Kill Team Starter Set, Battle March and Spearhead, and its Kill Team downloads page.