Warhammer Age of Sigmar is Games Workshop's high-fantasy battle game - the spiritual successor to Warhammer Fantasy, set across the Mortal Realms. Getting started is straightforward, and the huge variety of armies means there is a look for everyone. This guide covers the hobby side: picking an army and getting models painted.
Step 1: Pick an army you love the look of
As with any wargame, the best first army is the one you think looks coolest - you will spend far more time building and painting than playing. Browse the faction painting guides to compare the signature looks. Age of Sigmar's range is enormously varied:
- Stormcast Eternals - heroic gold-armoured warriors, the poster boys. See how to paint Stormcast.
- Nighthaunt - glowing ghosts, one of the fastest striking armies. See how to paint Nighthaunt.
- Skaven - a scruffy, forgiving ratman horde. See how to paint Skaven.
- Gloomspite Gitz - moon-touched cave grots with a unique glowing palette. See how to paint Gloomspite Gitz.
Step 2: Get a starter or Spearhead box
A boxed set (Spearhead or a starter) is the cheapest, easiest way in - models, rules and often paints in one box. From there, add units for your chosen army.
Step 3: Build and paint
Assemble your models, then follow how to start painting miniatures for the basecoat-wash-highlight process. Pick your army's colours in the scheme generator for an exact paint recipe, and grab the gear from the starter kit checklist.
Tips
- Looks over meta. Pick the army that excites you - motivation is what gets models painted.
- Contrast paints suit AoS. Many AoS armies (ghosts, grots, lizards, ratmen) are organic and perfect for fast contrast methods.
- Start with one unit. Paint a single unit well before committing to a whole army.