Getting into Warhammer 40k can be a daunting task. Compared to other games, it is a HUGE buy in. The old joke is that they call it 40k because that’s how much it costs to start playing. It’s… not that bad, but it can definitely feel like it. Add on the fact that you have to select an army to play, build and paint the miniatures, and then find someone to actually play the game with.
If you’re having a hard time selecting an army, check this article out. Space Marines are a great place to start, and that will give you a quick run through of all of the chapters. If the Adeptus Astartes aren’t winning you over, look here instead, to see a run through of everything else. Assuming we’re past that point, let’s check out miniatures.
Starter Sets
If you’re starting out with a friend, and aren’t overly attached to playing with any particular faction, the ‘Start Here’ sets are the absolute best first purchase you can make. Including Space Marines and Necrons, these have everything you need to start playing, right out of the box. The Recruit Edition is the lowest priced option, coming with 10 Necron Warriors, 3 scarab swarms, a Royal Warden, 5 Assault Intercessors & a Primaris Lieutenant.
If you’d like a more solid footing and are really into either of these factions, it is worth going for the Elite Edition instead. This adds quite a few more units, and has a greater figure to price ratio than the recruit edition. The Command Edition is the big boy, though this seems a bit less useful to me. It does have extra figures when compared to the Elite, but these come in the form of terrain, which is a bit unnecessary when starting out.
Combat Patrol Sets
Terminator robots and power armored commandos not your thing? Then what are you even doing here? Seriously though, if you’d like a starter pack with a little more oomph, or if you really have your heart set on another faction, like Orks or the Tau Empire (weeb… just kidding, at least you aren’t one of these sociopaths), Combat Patrol is your best bet. They are much larger than the ‘start here’ sets, and all include units that almost anyone is going to want to include in their army when all is said and done.
You may save a little more or less depending on what faction you’re going with (great article here going over the overall value for each), but with these, the bar is set at good and only gets better. Even if you’ve already gone with one of the start here sets, these are a very good way to get your Space Marines or Necrons to near complete.
Hopefully this gets you a little further down the path to starting your very first 40k army. If I missed anything, or if you have a suggestion for any other useful guides, let me know in the comments below.
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