Warhammer 40k Starter Sets Beginner's Buying Guide 2026
If you've decided to get into Warhammer 40,000, a starter set is the usual first purchase. The catch is that "starter set" isn't one product. Games Workshop sells a few of them, they sit at very different prices, and the boxes on the shelf don't all contain the same edition. Pick the wrong one and you'll either overspend or wind up with too few models to play a proper game. This guide sorts out which is which.
First, the good news about the current range
The 2026 boxes are Space Marines versus Orks. You can check this at a glance from the Introductory Set contents: five blue Intercessors and a Lieutenant on one side, an Ork Nob and five Ork Boyz on the other. If a box shows those two factions, it's current. Older boxes that pit Space Marines against Tyranids are the previous edition. The miniatures in them are still perfectly good to build and paint, but the rules booklet inside will be out of date, so buy those knowing you'll want the free current rules.
The two main tiers
1. The Introductory Set — cheapest way in ($104.28)
This is the low-commitment option, and the one I'd steer most newcomers toward. The Introductory Set holds 12 push-fit miniatures (no glue needed), six Warhammer Colour paints, a starter brush, a double-sided playing mat, dice, a range ruler, punch-out card terrain, and a 48-page handbook that teaches you to build, paint, and play as you go.
For $104.28, you get a taste of all three sides of the hobby at once. Build a handful of models, paint them roughly (everyone's first attempts are rough), then run a guided game. The catch is scale. It's a sampler, not a pair of full armies.
2. The Starter Set — the proper two-player box ($331.80)
Step up to the Warhammer 40K: Starter Set and you get two complete Combat Patrol armies, a full Ork force and a full Space Marine one, all assembled without glue, plus terrain, gaming boards, dice, rulers, and the rules. At $331.80, it suits two friends who already know they want to play regularly and want enough plastic for real games. There are no paints in this one, so factor those in separately.
Quick comparison
| Set | Miniatures | Paints? | R&R price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Set | 12 | Yes (6 + brush) | $104.28 | Testing the waters, gifts, solo painters |
| Starter Set | ~46 (2 armies) | No | $331.80 | Two players wanting regular games |
Which is the best Warhammer 40k starter set for beginners?
For a complete beginner buying for themselves, the Introductory Set is the best starter set: it's the cheapest way in, it's the only box with paints and a brush included, and it covers building, painting and playing in a single purchase. If you're buying for two people who already know they're committed, the Starter Set is the better value per model.
Already know your faction?
If you've read some lore and you already know which side you want, you can skip the two-army boxes. R&R stocks single-faction starters that pair one army with matching paints:
- Orks – Getting Started — 33 push-fit Ork miniatures plus Warhammer Colour paints, $225.15.
- Space Marines – Getting Started — 13 push-fit Space Marines plus paints, $225.15.
Want a different army altogether? Browse the full Games Workshop range for Combat Patrol boxes across most factions. Each one is a self-contained, pre-set army you build and play straight away, such as Combat Patrol: Space Marines ($266) or Combat Patrol: Tyranids ($214.88).
What else you'll want early on
Whichever box you pick, a few extras make the first month easier:
- Paints and a brush if your set doesn't include them. The Warhammer 40K: Paints + Tools set ($60.83) covers both, and you'll find more in the Hobby Supplies range.
- The rulebook. The core rules are a free download from Games Workshop, though a physical Warhammer 40,000: Core Rules book ($31.60) is handy at the table.
- Terrain, once you've a few games in. R&R's own Tip Top Terrain range covers affordable MDF scenery, base plates, and pre-marked battle mats built to competitive 40k measurements.
Beginner FAQ
How much does a Warhammer 40k starter set cost?
The Introductory Set is $104.28, and the two-army Starter Set is $331.80 at R&R Hobbies.
Do I need glue?
No. Starter-set models are push-fit. Plastic glue gives a stronger bond if you'd rather use it, but it isn't required.
Which set is best for a complete beginner?
The Introductory Set. It's the cheapest, it includes paints and a brush, and it teaches every part of the hobby in one box.
Can I play straight out of the box?
Yes. Every starter set comes with rules, dice, and a mat, so you can play your first games without buying anything else.
Ready to start? Browse the current range at R&R Hobbies, or drop into the South Windsor store and ask which starter set suits you.
