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. If you'd rather collect a few models a week, the Spearhead magazine builds whole Spearhead armies issue by issue, usually for less than the boxes' RRP.
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.
Precision side cutter for close sprue trimming
Army Painter
Citadel mould line remover
Citadel
Liquid polystyrene cement, capillary applicator, 40ml
Tamiya
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.
Citadel (Warhammer Paints)
Citadel (Warhammer Paints)
Citadel (Warhammer Paints)
Citadel (Warhammer Paints)