Horus Heresy or Warhammer 40,000: what is the difference for a new buyer?
Start with Warhammer 40,000 unless you specifically want the Horus Heresy setting. The Heresy is set in the 31st Millennium and has its own rulebook, army books and starting box. A standard game is 3,000 points, the total cost of the units in each army.
The 11th Edition Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set is £126.40 here and is in stock. The Heresy's launch box, Saturnine, costs £161.95 and is sold out at the moment.
The differences that change what you buy
| Question | Warhammer 40,000 | The Horus Heresy |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | The 41st Millennium | The 31st Millennium: Space Marine Legions fight each other. |
| Rules | 11th edition. The core rules are a free download. | Its own rulebook. The third edition launched in 2025 and its rules are not compatible with older books. |
| Army books | Depends on the army | A Liber book for your side: Loyalist Legions, Traitor Legions, Mechanicum, Knights and Titans or Solar Auxilia. |
| Starting box | The 11th Edition Starter Set holds two Combat Patrol armies and the Core Rulebook. | Saturnine: Saturnine Terminators, a Saturnine Dreadnought, MkII Space Marines, an Araknae Quad Accelerator Platform and a new rulebook. |
| Game size | Combat Patrol is a small pre-set army. | A standard game is 3,000 points, and smaller forces are allowed. |
What you need to play the Heresy
- The rulebook. It comes in the Saturnine box. If you buy it separately, make sure it is for the third edition.
- A Liber book for your army. Games Workshop launched the third edition with five Liber army books. Pick the one that matches the Legion or faction you will paint.
- Miniatures. Saturnine gives you a medium-sized force that any of the 18 Space Marine Legions can use. Add a few more units and a tank or two to grow towards a full-sized game.
- Dice and a measuring tool. You also need dice and a tape measure.
Check the edition on any Liber or rulebook before you pay, including secondhand copies. Our listings for the standalone rulebook and the Liber books do not name an edition, so check the cover or message us before you order.
Which to start with
Warhammer 40,000 first, for most buyers. One r/Warhammer thread on this question gave practical reasons: it is easier to find an opponent, and the Heresy tends to cost more and ask for a larger collection. If you love the Horus Heresy story, are happy to paint a Legion and have players nearby, start there with Saturnine, which is sold out at the moment.
If you mainly want to paint a Legion, pick the models you like the look of.
Can the same models serve both games?
Sometimes. The free Legends rules Games Workshop published in 2023 let Horus Heresy miniatures be used in Warhammer 40,000, but only for the edition of that time. Warhammer 40,000 is now on its 11th edition, so check the current rules for any Heresy kit before you buy it for use in 40,000.
Common questions
Do I need a Liber book to play the Horus Heresy?
Yes, one for your army. The rulebook has the core rules and the Liber books carry each side's units and special rules.
How many points is a Horus Heresy game?
A standard game is 3,000 points, according to Games Workshop. Smaller forces are allowed, so a medium-sized box like Saturnine is a fine start for smaller games.
Is the Saturnine box enough to start the Horus Heresy?
It gets you started but is not the whole kit. Games Workshop designed it as a launch set with the models and a new rulebook, and as a medium-sized force in its own right. You also need a Liber book for your Legion, and more units to reach a full-sized game.
Third edition, Saturnine and compatibility: Warhammer Community (Games Workshop's news site), 23 May 2025. Standard game size: Warhammer Community, 7 October 2026. The Heresy in the 31st Millennium and Liber books: Warhammer Community, 30 May 2022. Legends rules: Warhammer Community, 21 June 2023. Player views: Reddit, 2026. Prices and stock: this shop, read live.