Warhammer 40,000 miniatures are plastic kits you build, paint, and use in tabletop battles. The right first purchase depends on the faction you like, the way you want to play, and how many models you can paint at a time.
Warhammer 40K miniatures are sold as plastic kits on sprues, the plastic frames that hold the parts. You assemble each kit, paint it, and then use it in games, on display, or both.
Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop game and miniature range from Games Workshop. The range is sold through the official Warhammer store and through authorized retailers, including hobby shops and online marketplaces.
Your faction sets the look of your army, the units you can field, and the kits you need.
Choose this if you want an armored, human-led force.
Tactical Spec: Human Defenders
Choose this if you want corrupted, darker forces with an aggressive look.
Tactical Spec: Corrupted Legion
Choose this if you want alien armies with distinct, non-human designs.
Tactical Spec: Alien DesignA starter set is the usual entry point for newcomers. It bundles enough models to begin building a force in one purchase. Our starter set guide compares what is in each set.
Larger boxes add more models of one faction and suit players who already know which army they want.
Single kits fill gaps in a force, add specialist units, or let you expand a collection one kit at a time.
Practical guidance for your first Warhammer 40,000 army
Keep the whole army in one faction so every purchase works together.
It gives you a core force to build and paint first.
Buy the next unit after the last one is built and painted.
Retailers list the same kits at different prices, and availability changes often. Compare the official store with authorized retailers before you buy.