First, test whether you really like the world
Many know Warhammer only as an expensive hobby or as the absolutely dark world it is often depicted as. That behind the grim setting is a whole world with lore that has been developed for over 40 years, is something especially newcomers do not see right away.
For confusion, there is, for example, that Warhammer consists of three different universes, which are all further subdivided. Here, you should first clarify what exactly you want:
- Are you into dystopian science fiction with spaceships and superhumans? Then Warhammer 40,000 is your setting.
- If you want more fantasy, magic, dwarves, and elves in a medieval-like world, then The Old World – or Warhammer Fantasy – is better suited for you.
- Are you looking for a middle ground with crazy magic, but at the same time exaggerated units and technologies along with gods, demigods, and everything in between? Then check out Age of Sigmar.
Additionally, there are specific offers from Games Workshop directly, designed to help you get a taste of the hobby. With battle patrols, spearheads, or starter sets, you often have a mix of different units, sometimes including paints and tools, bundled in an attractive offer.
To enter the world, you don’t have to start with an expensive mini set right away. There are plenty of video games to get to know Warhammer, which you can score for 10 euros or less, especially during sales on Steam and such. Especially to understand how the world feels, this is an excellent method.
If you don’t like gaming much or want to see more of the lore, video games might not be the best choice. However, there are plenty of series and hundreds of books that explore the world of Warhammer in detail. A selection for beginners can be found here: There are over 350 books on Warhammer 40,000 – Here are the 15 best to get into the world
