Millions of people worldwide play Warhammer 40K - and most of them had no idea what they were doing when they started. Sound familiar? Good. You're in the right place.

Warhammer 40K (short for Warhammer 40,000) is a sci-fi tabletop war game made by Games Workshop. You collect plastic miniature figures, build and paint them, then use them to fight battles against other players. It's part creative hobby, part strategy game - and once you start, it's genuinely hard to stop. This post covers everything a new player needs: miniatures, paints, tools, and where to find them at a Hobby Shop near you.

What Is Warhammer 40K?

The game is set in a dark, distant future where massive armies clash across ruined planets. You pick a faction- Space Marines, Necrons, Orks, Tyranids, and many more — and build your army from plastic model kits. Each figure starts as pieces on a plastic frame. You clip them out, assemble them, paint them however you like, and use them to play.

What surprises most beginners is how much of the hobby happens before any dice get rolled. Building and painting your models is a huge part of the experience, and many players enjoy that side just as much as the actual gameplay.

Picking Your First Army

This is where new players get stuck. There are dozens of factions, and the simplest advice is also the best: pick the one that looks coolest to you. You'll spend a lot of time with these miniatures, so personal connection matters more than which army is currently strongest.

Space Marines are the most popular starting point - forgiving, well-supported, and widely available. Necrons are durable and straightforward, with a striking metallic look. Orks are chaotic and fun, perfect if you don't want to take things too seriously. Any of these three will serve a beginner well.

Your First Starter Set

Combat Patrol boxes are the smartest first purchase. Each one is built around a specific faction and includes a solid model selection, a condensed rulebook, and enough to actually play a game. They're far better value than buying individual units and much less overwhelming than a full army box.

If you can visit a hobby store in Sandy, Utah or a hobby shop in Salt Lake City, staff can match you with the right Combat Patrol for your chosen faction. That in-person guidance saves a lot of early mistakes.

Paints You Actually Need

The paint range can look overwhelming at first, but it's simpler than it seems. Citadel paints by Games Workshop are designed specifically for Warhammer 40K and split into easy-to-understand categories.

Base paints go on first - thick, opaque, and great for solid coverage. Shade paints are thin washes that flow into recesses and add depth with almost no effort. Layer paints go on top to add highlights and bring out details. For a beginner, one base paint, one shade, and one layer paint in your faction's colors is genuinely enough to get started and produce solid-looking results fast.

Tools Every Beginner Needs

A few basics make a big difference. Plastic sprue cutters are the most important tool after your starter set - they let you remove model pieces cleanly without damaging them. A hobby knife cleans up mold lines, and plastic cement bonds the pieces with a stronger hold than super glue.

For painting, three brush sizes cover most of what you need: a medium brush for large areas, a small detail brush for faces and weapons, and a flat brush for drybrushing. A wet palette is worth picking up early too- it keeps paint from drying out mid-session and saves both paint and frustration. Any hobby shop near you will carry all of these basics.

Basing Your Models

Basing- decorating the round plastic base each model stands on — is often skipped by beginners, but it makes a huge visual difference. Games Workshop's texture paints make it simple: one coat straight from the pot, let it dry, and the base looks like gravel, mud, or rocky ground. A quick drybrush of a lighter color on top pulls the texture out. It takes ten minutes per model and pulls the whole army together instantly.

Pick Up Your Warhammer 40K Supplies at MRS Hobby Shop

MRS Hobby Shop has been Utah's go-to Hobby Shop Salt Lake City since 1984. The shop carries a strong selection of Games Workshop products including Warhammer 40K miniatures, Citadel paints, datacards, and tabletop gaming supplies - plus paint brands like Army Painter and Vallejo for players who want more options. Whether you're coming from across the Salt Lake City area or just looking for a reliable hobby shop near you, MRS has the stock and the know-how to get you started right.

 

FAQ

Q1. How much does it cost to start Warhammer 40K?

 A1. A Combat Patrol box runs $60 to $110 depending on the faction. Add basic paints and tools, and most beginners are set for around $100 to $150 total.

Q2. Do I need to paint my models to play?

A2. No. Unpainted models are fine for casual games. Painting becomes more important for tournaments, but there's no rush when you're learning.

Q3. Which faction is best for beginners?

A3. Space Marines and Necrons are the most beginner-friendly. Both have simple rules, solid starter sets, and strong community support.

Q4. What paints should I buy first?

A4. Start with a Citadel Base paint, a Shade paint, and one Layer paint in your faction's colors. That's all you need for clean, table-ready results early on.

Q5. How long does it take to assemble and paint a Combat Patrol box? A5. Assembly takes a few hours. A basic paint job on the same box takes around five to ten hours spread across sessions — there's no deadline, and the process itself is part of the fun.