Kill Team is Warhammer 40,000's skirmish game - small warbands of around 10-20 models instead of a full army. That low model count makes it the single best entry point to the hobby: you get a complete, playable, paintable force for a fraction of the cost and time of an army.
Why Kill Team is the ideal start
- Few models - you can build and paint a whole team in a week or two, not months.
- Each model matters - with so few, you can give each one real attention and improve fast.
- Cheaper - one boxed set is often a complete team for two players.
- Same models as 40k - your team doubles as the start of a full army later.
Painting a warband well
Because you have only a handful of models, Kill Team is the perfect place to push your painting. Pick a faction you love from the faction guides, pull an exact recipe from the scheme generator, and take the time to add the details you would skip on a horde - edge highlights, battle damage, characterful bases.
The core process is the same basecoat-wash-highlight workflow, just with more care per model. Distinct bases and small conversions help each operative feel like an individual.
Tips
- Theme the team. A consistent scheme and basing makes a warband look like a unit.
- Individualise the operatives. Small differences - a different shoulder pad, a trophy, a unique base - give each model character.
- Use it to level up. With so few models, Kill Team is where your painting improves fastest.