What Do I Actually Need To Play Warhammer 40K?

So you are ready to jump into Warhammer 40K. Beautiful. Welcome to the world of tiny plastic soldiers, dramatic dice moments, lore that could fill a library, and the occasional argument about whether a unit is touching cover or spiritually connected to it. It is a good time. People love this hobby for a reason.

But if you are new, you are probably staring at the product wall thinking something like:
“Do I really need all of this?”

Short answer:
No. Absolutely not.

Most beginners waste money because they do not know what matters yet. This guide cuts through the noise and walks you through the essentials. No fluff. No pressure. Just the things that actually help you play the game and enjoy your first handful of battles.

This is the beginner checklist I wish I had when I started, and the same one I recommend when people corner me at a convention asking where to begin.

Let’s go.

1. A Small Army You Can Actually Finish

Here is the honest truth. You should start with less than you think. New players often buy a full army, get overwhelmed, and then wonder why their wallet is crying.

Start with something like:

A Combat Patrol box
A 500 to 750 point starter list
A couple units you genuinely like

The goal is simple. Get enough models built so you can play a real game and learn how your faction feels on the table. Shop at your friendly local game store.

What to Look For

Models you enjoy looking at
Units you can see yourself painting without pain
A faction with a vibe you like

What to Avoid

Buying an entire faction because someone online said it was cracked
Ultra-elite armies that punish beginners
Starting a side project before finishing anything
Giant piles of grey judgment staring at you from a shelf

Pick what excites you. Do not overthink it. Your first army is not your forever army.

2. The Core Rules and Your Faction Rules

Good news. You can get the basic rules for free. Games Workshop puts the Core Rules online for everyone. Same for faction rules. This is more than enough for your early games.

You do not need the big, hardback rulebook unless you love collecting books.

How Much You Need to Know

Your first goal is not memorizing the entire game. You only need enough to:

Move
Shoot
Fight
Score
Not feel completely lost

The rest gets easier the moment you start playing. Your local community will fill in the gaps. No one expects beginners to be walking encyclopedias.

3. Objective Markers That Stay Put

Every mission in Warhammer 40K revolves around objectives. Technically, you can use paper printouts. Sure. That is legal. But paper circles drift around the table like they have somewhere else to be.

A good set of rigid, accurate markers solves so many headaches. They:

Stay in place
Define the scoring area
Make measuring clean
Keep the game honest and smooth

If you invest in one accessory early, this is the one I recommend without hesitation. Your opponent will silently respect you for it. Check out our Objective Marker section to find your favorite design.

4. A Tape Measure You Trust

You need a tape measure. Any hardware store version works, but a flimsy, sad tape that folds over every three inches will ruin your day.

Look for:

A strong, rigid extension
Clear markings
A smooth retract
Something that does not try to take your skin with it

You will measure hundreds of distances in every game. A reliable tape is worth it. You can pick these up at any hardware store.

5. Dice. More Than You Think You Need.

Warhammer is a dice factory disguised as a strategy game. You will roll a lot. A normal beginner loadout is:

20 to 30 D6s
One or two special dice for tracking wounds

Readable dice matter more than flashy dice. You want to see the result from across the table, not squint and pray. We like Baron of Dice for this.

6. A Game Mat That Makes Games Flow Better

You can play on your kitchen table, but a good mat changes everything. A mat:

Defines the battlefield
Keeps models from sliding
Makes measuring easier
Helps terrain stay in place
Makes the whole setup look good

Neoprene is the gold standard. Vinyl is cheaper but tends to curl or slip.

If you plan to play at home even a little, a mat makes the experience smoother and way more fun. We like TableWar for this.

7. Terrain. Enough to Make Things Interesting.

You need terrain. Not a ton, but enough to break up the battlefield so games do not become long-range shooting galleries.

If you play at a local game store, they will have terrain. If you play at home, you only need:

Four to six medium or large pieces
A few small scatter pieces

The goal is simple. Create angles, cover, and places to hide. Terrain does not need to be perfect. It just needs to exist. We like Wicked Terrain for this.

8. A Simple Way To Track Your Score

Scoring is half the game. You will want a way to track:

Primary points
Secondary points
Command Points
Turn number

Most beginners use:

A notepad
A phone app
A small whiteboard
Dice arranged in clever little piles

Just keep it clean and visible so both players can follow along. Nothing slows a game down like unclear scoring. Shop around on Etsy for a few premade score trackers.

9. A Safe Way To Transport Your Army

This matters more than most beginners realize. Tossing your lovingly painted models into a backpack with keys, dice, and a half-eaten granola bar is the fastest way to learn heartbreak.

You want:

A foam case
A hard plastic case
A magnet tray inside a tote

There are cheap options. You do not need to start with high-end bags. Just protect your models. Your future self will clap for you. We like Battle Foam for this.

10. A Friend or Local Community To Play With

Warhammer is a social game. You can play test moves at home, sure, but the real experience happens with other people. You will learn faster, have more fun, and pick up the vibe of the game naturally.

If you are shy or new, here is a pro tip from someone who builds communities for a living. Just say, “I am new, can we play a slower game?” Most people will light up and help you. Gamers love onboarding new gamers. It makes the hobby better.

11. Optional Extras You Can Ignore For Now

These are nice later. Not now.

Laser lines
Movement templates
Fancy dice trays
Macro widgets
The glowing dice tower with sound effects
A second army
A third army
The entire Games Workshop catalog

Give it time. You will get there naturally.

12. Nice To Have Add Ons

These are not required, but they make your home games cleaner and faster.

Neoprene game mat
Basic case or tray
Extra dice
Printed mission pack
Terrain mats or terrain bases to speed up setup

Terrain bases are especially nice. They stop the classic problem of terrain moving around and help your battlefield look consistent every game.

Your Simple Starter Checklist

Must Haves

Starter army
Core rules
Faction rules
Objective markers
Tape measure
Dice
Score tracking
Terrain access
A place to play

Nice To Have

Good mat
Extra dice
Case or tray
Mission pack
Terrain mats or terrain bases

That is the real starter kit.

Final Advice: Just Start Playing

Do not get stuck in research mode. Build a few models. Show up to a game night. Play. Ask questions. Make mistakes and laugh at them. Play again.

No one cares if you are new. People care that you are excited and willing to learn. The sooner you get your army on the table, the sooner the rules click, the hobby opens up, and the whole thing becomes fun instead of overwhelming.

If you want to make those first games smoother, invest in the tools that matter: good markers, a real mat, a solid tape, and dice you can actually read.

Welcome to the hobby. You are officially in it now.