How Much Does It Cost to Start Warhammer? Realistic Budgets for Every System

Starting Warhammer costs approximately €100–200 for a complete first package — depending on which system you choose. This includes everything you need to play your first games: miniatures, basic rules, paints, brushes and tools. In this article we break down each system separately, explain exactly what you get for your money and show you where you can reasonably save without compromising quality.

What You Need to Buy — Basic Overview

Regardless of which system you choose, your first purchase falls into three categories:

Miniatures and rules — a starter set or basic box with miniatures and the rulebook for your system. This is the largest item in your budget.

Paints and brushes — a basic paint set, a primer (undercoat) and three to four brushes. You can play with unpainted miniatures, but most players want to paint from the start.

Assembly tools — clippers for removing parts from the plastic sprues, plastic glue and a pair of tweezers. A basic tool kit costs approximately €12–20 and will last for years.

Warhammer 40,000 — How Much Does It Cost to Start

Warhammer 40k is the world's most popular miniature wargame and the best entry point for new players is the Combat Patrol format — pre-selected boxes with a complete army for smaller games.

Combat Patrol box (miniatures + format rules): €70–90
Core Rules: free to download from the Games Workshop website, or included in starter sets
Codex for your faction: €30–40 (not required for Combat Patrol, but needed for full games)
Basic paint set (Citadel Colour Starter Set or Army Painter): €16–25
Brushes (basic set): €8–16
Tools (clippers, glue, tweezers): €12–20

Total for first games in Combat Patrol format: approximately €120–160

For this amount you get a complete army for the Combat Patrol format, basic paints and everything needed to assemble your miniatures. Combat Patrol is a fully recognised competitive format — not just a stepping stone, but a standalone way to play with its own tournaments and community.

Browse our Warhammer 40k starter sets.

Kill Team — The Lowest-Cost Entry into Warhammer

Kill Team is a skirmish game for two players where each controls a team of 6–12 operatives. Thanks to the small number of miniatures, Kill Team is the most financially accessible Warhammer game — while still offering deep tactical gameplay.

Kill Team Hivestorm launch box (two complete teams + terrain + Core Book + gaming mat): €140–160
Alternative: individual team box: €32–48
Core Book separately: €30–40
Basic rules: free to download from Games Workshop
Paints, brushes, tools: €28–48

Total for first games: approximately €100–140

If you buy the Hivestorm launch box, you get literally everything in one box — two complete teams, terrain, a gaming mat and the rules. Just add paints and brushes and you're ready to play. If you're interested in a specific faction, you can also start with just a team box and download the basic rules for free.

Browse our Kill Team range.

Warhammer Age of Sigmar — Fantasy in the Mortal Realms

Age of Sigmar is the fantasy Warhammer set in the mythical Mortal Realms. For beginners, the best entry point is the Spearhead format — pre-selected sets with a defined army roster that eliminates the complexity of army building from the start.

Spearhead box for your chosen faction: €48–72
Spearhead: Fire & Jade (two complete Spearhead sets + terrain + rules): €100–120
Battletome for your faction: €30–40 (not required for Spearhead games)
Paints, brushes, tools: €28–48

Total for first games in Spearhead format: approximately €100–140

Spearhead is currently the fastest way to get into Age of Sigmar — no points calculations, no army list building, just play. Browse our Age of Sigmar starter sets.

Warhammer: The Old World — The Return of Classic Fantasy

The Old World is the return of classic fantasy Warhammer with square bases and formation battles. One major advantage is compatibility with old Warhammer Fantasy Battles (WHFB) miniatures — if you have an old collection, it can be used directly.

The Old World starter set: €100–140
Army Book for your faction: €30–40
Core rulebook: €36–48
Paints, brushes, tools: €28–48

Total for first games: approximately €140–200

The Old World has a slightly higher entry cost than other systems, but if you have an old WHFB collection the miniature cost can be zero. Browse our Warhammer: The Old World range.

Horus Heresy — For Space Marine Fans and Deep Lore

Horus Heresy is the prequel to Warhammer 40k, set during the great galactic civil war of Space Marines. The game is more complex and the entry cost is higher — we recommend it for players with at least some miniature wargaming experience.

Age of Darkness starter box (two complete forces + rules): €160–200
Liber Astartes or Hereticus (army books): €30–40
Paints, brushes, tools: €28–48

Total for first games: approximately €160–240

Horus Heresy has the highest entry cost of all systems, but the Age of Darkness box offers exceptional value — the number of miniatures included represents significantly more than the box price if purchased separately. Browse our Horus Heresy range.

Budget Overview — At a Glance

Where to Save — and Where Not To

Where you can save: The core rules are free to download for both 40k and AoS — you don't need a printed Core Book for your first games. Paints can be bought as a small starter set and expanded gradually. Brushes don't need to be expensive — a mid-range set for €8–12 is perfectly adequate for starting out.

Where we don't recommend saving: Tools — cheap clippers will damage your miniatures when removing them from sprues and you'll replace them quickly. Primer — without a quality undercoat, paints don't adhere properly and will chip. And the miniatures themselves — Games Workshop starter sets are designed to offer the best value for money in combination with the rules that come with them.

Ongoing Costs — What Comes After Your First Purchase

Warhammer is a hobby that grows with you. After mastering your first set, it's natural to want to expand your army, try new paints and techniques. Typical monthly spending for an active player looks roughly like this:

Occasional player (1–2 new boxes per year): €40–120 per year
Active player (growing army, new paints): €120–320 per year
Enthusiastic collector (multiple armies, advanced paints and tools): €400+ per year

Warhammer doesn't have to be an expensive hobby — it entirely depends on how deeply you want to go. Many players spend years with a single army and are completely satisfied.

Come and Talk to Us

If you're not sure which system or miniatures to choose, we're happy to put together a starter package tailored to your budget and interests. Visit Colours of Warriors at Zbrojnická 116/2, Pilsen, open Monday to Friday 13:00–18:00.

Or start online — browse our beginner's guide or go straight to the shop. Questions? obchod@coloursofwarriors.com or +420 737 281 727.