How to Play Warhammer 40,000

How to Play Warhammer 40,000: A Beginner's Guide

Want to play Warhammer 40,000? It's a super cool tabletop game with awesome miniatures and a rich backstory. Sounds complicated? Don't worry! This guide will get you started.

1. Building Your Warhammer 40,000 Army

First, you need an army! That means picking a faction and getting its miniatures. Choosing a faction is huge. Each one plays differently. Space Marines are tough. Necrons are sneaky. Orks are brutal. Eldar are all about psychic powers. Which one are you?

• Researching Factions: Check out the Warhammer 40,000 website and online communities. What kind of gameplay do you like? Close-up fighting? Long-range attacks? Magic?
• Buying Miniatures: Once you've chosen, get your miniatures! You can buy them directly from Games Workshop or online. Start small—a starter set is perfect.
• Assembly and Painting (Optional): Putting together your miniatures is important. Follow the instructions! Painting them is optional, but it really makes the game look better.

2. Learning the Warhammer 40,000 Rules

The rulebook is big, I know. But the core rules aren't that hard. It's a turn-based game. You take turns moving, fighting, and using special abilities. Think of it like a really cool chess game, but with awesome miniatures!

1. Movement Phase: Your units move a certain number of inches. Terrain can block you.
2. Psychic Phase: If you have psykers, they can use their powers. Roll some dice to see if they work!
3. Shooting Phase: Units with guns shoot at enemy units. You'll roll dice to hit and damage.
4. Charge Phase: Units can charge into melee combat. Roll dice to see if the charge works.
5. Fight Phase: Melee combat! More dice rolling to see who wins.
6. Morale Phase: Units might run away if they lose too many guys. More dice rolls!

Important Words: Learn words like "Initiative," "Weapon Skill," "Ballistic Skill," "Strength," "Toughness," "Wounds," "Save," and "Leadership." These tell you how good your units are.

3. Warhammer 40,000 Strategy

Warhammer 40,000 is about strategy and luck. Use your army's strengths. Attack your opponent's weaknesses. Control the battlefield.

• Army Composition: Mix your units. Some are good at shooting, some are great at close combat. Balance is key!
• Deployment: Where you put your units matters! Think about the terrain and your opponent's army.
• Objective Control: Many games involve taking control of points on the table. It's often more important than killing everything.
• Adaptability: Your opponent will do unexpected things. Be ready to change your plans!

4. Your First Warhammer 40,000 Game

Ready to play? Start with a small game to get a feel for things. Don't worry about mistakes; everyone makes them!

Finding Opponents: Local game stores often have Warhammer 40,000 nights. It’s a great way to meet people. You can also find online opponents.

5. Advanced Warhammer 40,000 Stuff

As you get better, you'll learn more advanced rules:

• Different Game Modes: There are different ways to play—matched play, narrative play, etc.
• Strategic Reserves: Holding some units back and bringing them in at the right time can be a game changer.
• Terrain: Hills, buildings, etc., affect how your units move and fight.
• List Building: You'll choose your units based on a point limit. This adds a strategic layer to army building.
• Warlord Traits and Relics: Special abilities and items to make your leader even better.

6. Resources for Learning

Lots of places can help you learn:

• The Warhammer 40,000 Rulebook: The main rulebook.
• Games Workshop Website: The official website has articles and videos.
• Online Communities: Forums and communities are great places to ask questions.
• YouTube: Many channels have tutorials and battle reports.

Have Fun!: Warhammer 40,000 can be tricky at first, but it's super rewarding. Be patient, practice, and enjoy the grim darkness of the far future!