The following article was submitted by Luther
So you and your friend want to start Warhammer 40,000 (or 40k for short). You don’t know where to start though; the models look complicated to build and paint the models, the rules seem complicated and what makes it worse? It’s a new edition!
I have good news. Games Workshop, owners of the franchise, has been churning box set after box set to allow new people have an easier start at the game. They range from easy-to-build models to having the essentials of what you need to start your own community.
Here are the box sets you should be on the lookout for!
1. Know No Fear
In this starter set, you will find the makings of a Primaris Space Marine army, a new generation of Space Marines fighting for Imperium of Man, and a Death Guard army, servants and chosen of the Daemon God of Pestilence Nurgle. The models are easy to build (even without instructions), you can paint them in whatever colour scheme of your choice, and the armies are good enough for small games for your group. There is even a booklet in advising you what kind of brushes and paints to get for your painting purposes
The box set also comes with the simplified rules, booklets on lore for the two factions and units, dices, a ruler and datasheets for the miniatures in this box set. It even has a cardboard bunker which your miniatures can stand on for gameplay purposes and rule of cool.
However, if you want to bring your game to other players outside of your friends, you may need to combine with Number 2.
2. Dark Imperium
Dark Imperium is the full-scale version of Know No Fear. It has the 8th Big Rule Book (BRB), more miniatures that come with their own special rules, and more dices! Plus, if you and your friend bought Know No Fear, you can combine the miniatures from the two boxes to make a full-fledged army. It may not equal to Matched Play but if you just want to throw models on the table and play, it makes you feel like playing a regular 40k game.
If you want to keep playing, you might want some terrain for line-of-sight blocking goodness; which brings us to Number 3.
3. Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team
This latest edition pits players in squad level combat where sabotage and insertion strikes play a more key role than large scale battles. In this set, you have the choice of playing as the cybernetically enhanced soldiers of the Skitarii, or the alien-human hybrids known as the Genestealer cults. Unlike the last two, you only get 20 models for both factions and Kill Team is basically its own standalone.
However, you’re not only getting miniatures. You’re getting terrain pieces which you can build slowly to make your own personal gaming table. These terrain pieces can be used for Kill Team or regular 40k games. Bonus if you want to set the battle and watch your friends duke it out.
There are other things in Kill Team that will be mentioned in a later article. Since we’re on the topic of new additions…
4. Forgebane
In this box set, the Adeptus Mechanicus and their Skitarii army are trying to secure a planet rich of valuable minerals. Opposing them is the unliving Necrons that have risen from their tomb world. The box comes with the core rules pamphlet, data sheets for the models and a booklet detailing narrative missions you can play with the models from the box set.
It is by far the most complicated of what has been listed. The box does contain Armiger Warglaives, newest units added to the 40k universe. If you seen the Knight Titan from Dawn of War 3, these are the escort Titans of the big ones. The Necrons side has some of the toughest and most elite choices in the form of Canoptek Wraiths and Necron Lych Guards. Plus, they have a swanky new model in the form of their Cryptek (the guy with the staff).
It is a good alternative if you don’t want to pick up Dark Imperium or Know No Fear. It’s even better if you combine it with the factions’ respective Start Collecting boxes.
Whatever box set you pick, always remember to have fun building, painting and playing with your miniatures. If none of these boxes meet your fancy, you can always look for Start Collecting boxes in your local gaming store, or check out the Games Workshop webstore for web-exclusive bundles.
Happy gaming and welcome to the world of Warhammer 40,000.
