Warhammer is considered a sinfully expensive hobby and scares off potential fans just with the high prices of its figures. However, there are some offers that allow you to test whether the hobby is suitable for you at a low cost. MeinMMO presents three options for (relatively) little money.
This is how you start with Warhammer: Before buying a box with figures, you should consider which system you actually want to play. The world of Warhammer is divided into three worlds that differ significantly from each other: Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, and The Old World.
While the systems share the name, they are not connected in terms of story. You will find a detailed explanation in our special article about what makes Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar, and The Old World.
However, consider that The Old World was only released a few years ago as a replacement for the discontinued Warhammer Fantasy. There are still no affordable starter sets available.
This basic equipment you need: You definitely need tools and glue, as well as paints. The latter are included in some of the sets, but for most you will need to buy them additionally. You will need the following basic equipment:
- a small side cutter for crafting purposes or a scalpel (which is more dangerous to handle)
- a deburring tool or flash remover – they are more expensive, but also better for their purpose than scalpels and similar tools.
- plastic glue, you can use the one from Warhammer, one from Revell, or cheaper brands, as long as they are specifically for plastic
- brushes, a small set from Amazon is sufficient for starters, you don’t need professional brushes
- possibly a painting handle to hold miniatures while painting
- if you are sure you will be painting more, an investment in a wet palette is also worth it
- dice, a game board (which can also be improvised), and a measuring tape if you want to play
Paints and primers are usually cheaper when you need them than those from Warhammer, for example from Vallejo. How you paint your minis is up to you, but with the official app, you get the colors you need to replicate specific orders and regiments. Overall, you will likely pay around 50-70 euros for the basic equipment, depending on the number of colors.
45-55 euros: The starter sets with brushes and paints
You will likely get one of the best deals with the starter sets. They include a small selection of various models from two factions, a rulebook, dice, a side cutter, a measuring tape, a game board, and a brush. With the sets, you can start playing small rounds right away.
The special thing about the starter sets is that you don’t need glue. All models can be assembled without any additional equipment. However, the sets are only available for Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar, not for The Old World:
- The starter set of Warhammer 40,000 comes with 16 models (5 Space Marines and 11 Tyranids) and costs standard 55 euros
- The starter set of Age of Sigmar comes with 25 models (5 Stormforged Eternal and 20 Clanrats of the Skaven) and costs standard 55 euros
The Skaven are probably the coolest faction from Warhammer, by the way:
When buying, be sure to get the “starter set” and not the “beginner set” – the latter lacks colors and tools. You can also find cheaper offers at Taschengelddieb, Fantasywelt, or other providers, sometimes for 20% less.
However, consider that Warhammer 40,000 will receive its eleventh edition in June 2026. Current rules will still apply for a while but will soon be replaced. You can normally still use the figures. If you want to wait (and probably spend more money), a new box will come with the edition: Warhammer 40,000 returns in the new edition to the planet where the greatest wars in history took place
