If you’ve stumbled upon this then you’re probably considering getting into the game Warhammer 40K, or you’re a new player. However, if you’re just curious what 40K is then I have you covered there as well.
I wanted to explain the game a bit to help you decide if it’s the right game for you. I don’t mean that in any sort of elitist way either. Simply that not all games are for every person, and it comes down to time, money, and what you want out of a gaming system.
I’m also not going to over-explain here either. Odds are that you already know a bit about the game if you’re reading this.
Note: Throughout the series you will see reference to codex/index. When 8th first released we only had indexes for our armies. As time goes on, Games Workshop is releasing proper codices for each army. However, indexes remain a valid source material as well.
40K is, First and Foremost, a Hobby
This is a contentious point with some people, but ultimately Warhammer 40K is a hobby. There are games that are cheaper, with tighter rules that are easier to learn, and faster to play. There is not, in my opinion, another game that is so hobby focused, barring maybe historical wargames.
If you do not enjoy modeling (converting, sculpting, building), and painting then 40K may not be the best fit for you. You are going to do a lot of hobby work to get your army on the table.
If the hobby is just a means to an end for you then 40K will be a short-lived venture. The people who stick with the game, and have played it since its inception, are those who have embraced all elements of the game.
Those who only enjoy 40K for the game, and not the hobby, are the people I see enter and leave the game just as quick.
Warhammer 40K is not Cheap
I will not tell you that 40K is a cheap affordable gaming system. To give a quick idea of cost, the core rules for the game will cost you $70 new from Games Workshop. The rulebook explains the background, and history of the game, as well as giving you the rules required to play.
However, you can get the core rules of the game for free. These don’t contain anything but what’s required to play.
If you buy the rulebook, it’s a hefty investment up front. You can always hit up eBay to find just the rule book cheaper, take a look at Amazon, or buy it digitally for $50 if that’s your preference.
Other than the rules, you also have to buy the codex/index for your army to get those rules. A codex/index will run you around $25 for a physical copy, or $20 digitally.
Then you have to buy the models for your army, and it all adds up quickly.
I actually did an article about how expensive Warhammer 40K is if you’re looking for a dollar amount. To counter that article, I also have one on ways to save money on 40K also.
I’m not trying to scare anyone off. There are few hobbies that are cheap. There are also more affordable games to get into.
I emphasized get into because I find even those games that have little upfront costs will still cost you a fair amount in the long run as you build up your collection. Those games are generally still cheaper, but not as much as you may think.
There will always be expenses in a gaming system. There’s new rules, new models, etc., but at some point you will have a good-sized collection, and the expenses trail off. At this point I really only buy the new rules, and a few new units here and there. My expenses are pretty minimal.
Lastly, eBay is an amazing resource for new 40K players. Because it’s such a popular game you will find a lot of auctions for almost anything you need. When you’re starting off, and need everything, you can’t go wrong with eBay. It will really minimize your costs.
The Learning Curve
The game of Warhammer 40K used to be very complicated. In previous editions of the game, it was common for the core rules of the game to be 100+ pages.
However, in the latest edition of the game (8th), the rules have become very simplified. In fact, the core rules for the game are only 8 pages in length. Yep, just 8 pages.
So, anyone can pick up the rules for the game and pretty quickly learn how the game works. Think of it like Chess, simple rules that are easy to learn, but takes a lifetime to master them.
How the Game Plays
Warhammer 40K is what I consider a squad based combat game. I don’t know if there’s some official term that’s used, but that’s how I refer to it.
By contrast, games like Warmachine/Hordes, Malifaux, and Infinity are skirmish games. A skirmish game focuses on less models in a looser format, each man/woman for them self.
What I call a squad based game focuses on units of models (squads), that form up into a single army. Instead of having 10 models running around on their own you will have, for example, 8 squads of 10 models running around.
The focus being more on the army composition, and less on individual model choices.
A game of 40K is played by one player performing all his/her actions, and then the next player doing the same. After both players have had their turn, you then proceed to the next game turn.
The game does have less interaction in your opponent’s turn than other games. A lot of newer skirmish games have a lot of interactivity in all phases of a turn for both players.
This isn’t so much the case with 40K; it’s a more traditional approach to player turns.
Army Composition
The general game-play of 40K is very tactical in nature. In order to win a game you really have to have a good command of your entire army, and have all the components work well together. You are not relying on a single model to win the day for you.
There is a lot of strategy involved in creating your army. Where other games will let you choose the models/units that go into your army, 40K will give you further options within that.
Models and units are not stuck with a set of weapons. Instead you will have a lot of options and choices to make, allowing you to customize and refine how a model/unit operates in a game.
When you take this level of customization, and extend it across the entire army, it allows for countless ways to play any single army. Few other tabletop wargames give you this level of strategy with army creation.
Game Length
Games of WH40K are generally pretty quick. Two relatively inexperienced players can play a game in a few hours. I know that sounds long, but that’s two new players, which isn’t bad considering. Two experienced players can play a game in an hour or less depending on the game size.
As noted prior, it doesn’t have the same back and forth that other games have, so there can be lulls for a player, but I don’t find it overly much to the point you find yourself bored waiting.
The 40K Universe/Setting
Warhammer 40K is 30 years old, and has an amazingly rich and deep history. The history of the game is pretty universally agreed upon as being one of the best there is. There is a lot that sets the stage for 40K, and the narrative of the game is amazing. Each army has its own history and story, and those are also very well done.
If there’s one thing that the game does very well it’s that it pulls you into the setting, and places you in the battle through the eyes of someone there.
For me it’s the background of the game that really captivates me. It moves 40K from just being a game to a living piece of fiction. These armies waging war aren’t just fighting for the sake of bloodshed (though some do!), but for survival and dominance. There is cause for war, and nobody really holds the moral high ground in this universe. Some may feel their cause is just, and that they represent “good”, but the reality is the good are just as cruel as those they oppose.
Summary
I just wanted to hit some high points in this first part of the series. This article is by no means meant to be conclusive.
In short, I would describe Warhammer 40K like this. It’s a strategic wargame focusing on squad based combat in a very in-depth sci-fi setting that plays out in a very cinematic manner.
It’s not the most balanced game, the cheapest game, or fastest game to play, but it’s an extremely rewarding game that’s easy to embrace, and you will find yourself coming away from games with stories you will tell 20 years later.
From here I will dive into choosing your first army, and hopefully walk you through the process of learning to play Warhammer 40K.
How to Play Warhammer 40K
See these other articles to teach you how to play 40K.
I love painting miniatures and teaching people how to paint. I also really love blogging, so I've combined those two passions here.
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I think this will serve as a good primer for anyone getting into the hobby to be honest and I think I might send the link onto a couple of folks actually.
My goal is to give a resource for new players. There’s a lot to the game when you’re new to it and it can be overwhelming. I’m going to break it down into manageable chunks and give guidelines on how to approach things like choosing an army (next article in the series), learning the rules, etc. It’s going to be lengthy but should prove useful.
Well fair play to you on that man. I will keep reading them as i slowly bring my army together.
I wonder will I have my army ready by the time you are finished writing them.
Great stuff Thor. I wish there was something like this when I came back to the hobby. It is also good to remind people it really is a hobby, not just a game. Your point to the effect is very valid :)
Yeah, I wished there was something like this when I was starting too. I got into a good forum at the time though and had some close friends who played, so I didn’t have it too bad. Nowadays though, there’s so much negativity out there that it’s hard to find some positive information.
It’s a hobby for sure. People might find better games but as a hobby it’s second to none.
Great article and great article series idea. If I might recommend a tips/model building ideas I wish I had known when I started i would have ended up saving a lot of money and time down the road.
Build squads and magnetize options. Don’t build out desperate guys for each option you might want. Instead magnetize those options onto the guys who can take them but build just the squad size of guys. (Example for space marines I was so excited to get all the diffrent Sargent options into guys I built about 13 different sergeants while only having enough guys for two tactical squads. Instead if I had magnetized 3 sergeants I could have had 3 tactical squads. Less money spent and less guys to paint when I want to change up the list.)
Thanks.
I definitely plan to cover some hobby stuff in the third article about building an army. Magnets are a life saver and I will certainly be putting that in there.
Also pinning…pinning means you can remove stuff later for repainting or rebasing without destroying swathes of models. The big thing in this hobby is that it is expensive…but it is REALLY expensive if you don’t properly prep your models!
If I ever need to be able to remove something it gets magnets. I use pinning for stability but not for swapping or removal. Are you just gluing in the pin on one surface and relying on friction to hold it in place on the other side?
I generally pin to the base, so i either glue in one direction, or let friction hold it. If its something with a torso to leg setup, Usually friction can hold it. Of course remove enough times, and its not so useful. (magnets would be better there).
But for example, right now with my dread army…the entire dread mob is pinned to their bases. So I can pop them off when I’m ready to work more on them.
If it’s temporary, sure. Working on a model and needing to be able to field it, that makes sense. I’m going to be doing the same with my Steed of Slaanesh. However, once it’s all done then it gets glued down. Still, good point and I’ll mention pinning as well.
I’m not planning on the series covering the hobby in any real depth. I do want to give some tips and advice though. As you know, hobbying isn’t a small topic. I do want to get some tutorials up ahead of time though to point people towards them for the more in depth elements. I will also point people at tutorials of other bloggers and hobby resources. Basically, have the series serve as a resource.
Ya, once you are done, I’d pin AND glue. But being smart with your setup of pins will keep everything in place very tightly. (example on my bikes, one pin is offset from the other, so it creates a horizontal tension along with friction to hold them in)
I saw the initial post on FB Thor and it’s really informative and in bad need of editing. I do think it will be a great tool for those considering 40k for the first time.
Thank you.
Bad need of editing how? You talking grammar, structure, general content, etc?
Sorry, I should have been more specific. The grammar is in bad shape. The structure is good Thor, but will be better with better grammar. The general content, from what I can tell, is quite good, but it does seem to jump around a bit. If you like, we can chat on Facebook sometime and we can discuss it. I think the viewers you are trying to reach will take you more serious if your work is in better shape.
I have gone through and made edits since our conversation this morning. No doubt it’s not 100% correct, but it should at least be an improvement. Thanks again for all the help with this.
Let me take a look then ;)