How to Start Warhammer 40K in 2026: A Beginner’s Guide

Thinking about getting into Warhammer 40,000 but not sure where to start? You're not alone.

Between starter sets, Combat Patrols, paints, rules, factions and a frankly enormous range of miniatures, Warhammer 40K can look complicated from the outside.

The good news is that you don't need to understand all of it before you begin.

In this guide we'll explain the easiest ways to start Warhammer 40K in 2026, what you'll actually need, which starter set is right for you and where Combat Patrol fits in.

If you'd rather skip straight to the boxes, take a look at our Warhammer 40K Start Here collection.

What is Warhammer 40,000?

Warhammer 40,000 – usually shortened to Warhammer 40K or simply 40K – is a tabletop miniature game set in a vast science-fiction universe.

The hobby has several parts to it. You collect miniature armies, build the models, paint them and then use them to play tabletop battles against other players.

Some people enjoy all of those parts equally. Others mostly paint, collect armies they like the look of, play competitively, or simply enjoy occasional games with friends.

There isn't a wrong way to get into Warhammer.

What Do I Need to Start Warhammer 40K?

You can start much smaller than you might think.

At the most basic level, you need some miniatures and a few hobby supplies if you want to try building and painting. If you want to start playing, you'll also need rules, dice, measuring tools and eventually a battlefield and an army.

The current Warhammer 40K beginner range packages these things together in different ways, so the easiest option depends on what you actually want to do.

What's the Cheapest Way to Try Warhammer 40K?

If you're mainly curious about building and painting miniatures, one of the small miniatures and paints sets is the easiest place to start.

The Space Marines Intercessors + Paints Set and Orks + Paints Set include push-fit miniatures, six Warhammer Colour paints and a brush.

They're a good choice if you want to spend an evening trying the hobby without committing to an army or full game.

Best for: trying miniature building and painting for the first time.

See our Warhammer 40K beginner sets

Which Warhammer 40K Starter Set Should I Buy?

This is probably the most common question new players ask, and the answer depends on what you want from your first box.

If you want to...	Start with...
Try building and painting miniatures	Space Marines or Orks + Paints Set
Try the whole Warhammer 40K hobby	Warhammer 40,000 Introductory Set
Start your own Space Marines army	Getting Started with Space Marines
Start your own Ork army	Getting Started with Orks
Start playing 40K with two people	Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set

Warhammer 40,000 Introductory Set – Best for Complete Beginners

If you want to experience a bit of everything Warhammer offers, the Warhammer 40,000 Introductory Set is probably the best place to begin.

It includes 12 Space Marine and Ork miniatures, paints, a brush, gaming accessories and a beginner handbook that introduces you to building, painting and playing.

The miniatures are push-fit, so you don't need plastic glue, and the box is designed to guide someone with no previous Warhammer experience through their first steps.

Best for: someone who has never tried Warhammer before and wants to experience both the hobby and the game.

View the Warhammer 40K Introductory Set

Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set – Best for Two Players

If two of you want to start playing Warhammer 40K together, the main Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set is the obvious step up.

It contains 46 miniatures forming two complete Combat Patrol armies: Space Marines and Orks.

You also get terrain, game boards, Core Rules, a Starter Set Handbook, reference sheets, dice and rulers.

That means you're not just getting a few introductory miniatures. You're getting two proper playable forces and a battlefield to fight over.

Best for: two new players, families, or anyone who wants a substantial all-in-one start to playing Warhammer 40K.

See the Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set

What if I Already Know Which Army I Want?

If you've already decided that Space Marines or Orks are for you, the Getting Started boxes are an excellent route.

Getting Started with Space Marines and Getting Started with Orks each contain a complete Combat Patrol army, together with 11 paints, a brush and introductory hobby guidance.

That means you can go straight from opening the box to building and painting an army you'll actually use for games, rather than buying a small beginner force and immediately needing to replace it.

Best for: a new player who already knows which of those two factions they want to collect.

What is Combat Patrol?

Combat Patrol is a smaller-scale way to play Warhammer 40K using pre-designed forces.

There's no need to build a complicated army list before your first game. Each Combat Patrol is designed as a playable force, which makes the format particularly well suited to new players.

Games use smaller armies than full-size Warhammer 40K, so they're easier to set up, learn and play while you're getting used to the rules.

Once you know which faction you want to collect, a Combat Patrol is often the most straightforward way to start that army.

Browse Warhammer 40K Combat Patrols

Starter Set vs Combat Patrol – What's the Difference?

The simplest way to think about it is this:

Choose a Starter Set if:

• You're completely new to Warhammer 40K
• You want help learning the game
• Two people want to start together
• You need gaming accessories as well as miniatures

Choose a Combat Patrol if:

• You already know which faction you want
• You want your own playable army
• You have access to dice, rules and a battlefield
• You want a force you can expand into a larger Warhammer 40K army

There isn't really a better option – they're designed for slightly different starting points.

Do I Need Paints, Glue and Tools?

It depends on the set.

Many of the beginner miniatures are push-fit, meaning they can be assembled without plastic glue. You will usually still need hobby clippers to carefully remove the parts from their frames.

Some beginner boxes include paints and a brush. Others, including the main Starter Set, focus on the gaming side and do not include paint supplies.

If you need the basics in one box, the Warhammer 40,000 Paints & Tools Set includes 13 paints, clippers, a mouldline scraper and a Starter Brush.

See beginner paints, tools and starter sets

How Much Does It Cost to Start Warhammer 40K?

You don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to find out whether you enjoy the hobby.

At Mighty Melee, there are currently several sensible starting points:

• Around £18 – try building and painting a few miniatures
• Around £38 – experience building, painting and introductory games with the Introductory Set
• Around £84 – start a full Space Marine or Ork Combat Patrol army with paints and hobby supplies
• Around £124 – get two Combat Patrol armies, terrain, boards, rules and gaming accessories in the Starter Set

Prices can change, so check our Warhammer 40K Start Here collection for current pricing and availability.

What Warhammer 40K Army Should I Choose?

There are a lot of Warhammer 40K factions, and you don't need to pick the one somebody tells you is currently strongest.

For a first army, we'd usually suggest choosing the faction whose miniatures, background and overall style appeal to you most.

You're going to spend considerably more time building, painting and looking at your army than worrying about whether it happens to be the strongest faction this month.

If you already know which army you like, head to our Combat Patrol collection and you'll find many of the easiest ways to start a playable force.

What's a Good Warhammer 40K Gift for a Beginner?

If you're buying for somebody else, the best choice depends on how much they already have.

For somebody who has never tried Warhammer, the Introductory Set or one of the small miniatures and paints sets makes a straightforward gift.

If they've already started collecting, hobby supplies, the Combat Patrol Companion or a battlefield such as the Combat Patrol Battlezone can make useful additions without requiring you to know exactly which unit their army needs next.

If you're unsure, ask us. We'd much rather help you pick something useful than sell you the wrong box.

Where Can I Learn to Play Warhammer 40K?

If you're local to Market Drayton, you don't have to learn everything on your own.

Mighty Melee Games has an active Warhammer 40,000 gaming community and runs regular gaming, leagues and events.

New players are welcome, and nobody expects you to memorise every rule before you turn up.

If you're unsure what to buy or how to get started, jump into our community Discord or WhatsApp the Mighty Melee team on 01630 350150.

Warhammer 40K Beginner FAQ

Is Warhammer 40K difficult to learn?

There are plenty of rules once you get deeper into the game, but you don't need to learn them all at once. Beginner sets and Combat Patrol let you start with smaller games and add complexity as you become more comfortable.

Can two people start Warhammer 40K with one box?

Yes. The Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set contains Space Marine and Ork Combat Patrol armies along with terrain, boards, rules, dice and rulers, making it particularly well suited to two new players.

Do Warhammer miniatures come painted?

Generally no. Warhammer miniatures are normally supplied unpainted so you can choose how you want them to look. Some beginner sets include paints and a brush to help you get started.

Do I need glue for Warhammer 40K starter sets?

Many beginner-set miniatures are push-fit and don't require plastic glue. Other Warhammer kits do require assembly with plastic glue, so always check the individual product description.

Do I need a Codex to start playing?

Not necessarily. Combat Patrol is specifically designed as an accessible entry point with pre-designed forces, and the current Warhammer 40,000 app supports Combat Patrol play. As you move into larger games and expand your army, you'll want to look at the current rules available for your faction.

Is Combat Patrol good for beginners?

Yes. Combat Patrol uses smaller, pre-designed armies and removes much of the list-building complexity from your first games, making it one of the easiest ways to begin playing Warhammer 40K.

Can I expand a Combat Patrol into a full army?

Yes. A Combat Patrol gives you a core force that you can add units to over time as you move towards larger games.

Ready to Start Warhammer 40K?

You don't need to buy an enormous army or learn every rule before your first game.

Start small, choose the bit of the hobby that interests you and build from there.

Explore our Warhammer 40K Starter Sets & Beginner Range

Still not sure? Jump into our community Discord or WhatsApp us on 01630 350150 and ask. We're happy to point you in the right direction.