Warhammer 40.000
Warhammer 40000 (shortened to Warhammer 40k or simply 40k) is a science fiction wargaming game published by Games Workshop. The game takes place in the distant future, where humanity and other races fight for power and control over the galaxy. The game involves battles between various armies, such as Space Marines, Necrons, Eldar, Orks, Tyranids, and Chaos Space Marines. Players can utilize different tactics and special abilities of their units to fight against their opponents. The game is played on a tabletop using miniatures, game rules, and maps. Like most wargaming games, Warhammer 40000 requires the assembly and painting of purchased miniatures, which many players consider to be part of the fun.
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Warhammer 40,000 — Your Complete Guide to Getting Started
Warhammer 40,000 is the world's most popular miniature wargame, published by Games Workshop since 1987. Set in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, it puts you in command of armies of detailed plastic miniatures — Space Marines, Chaos forces, alien Xenos and more — battling for supremacy across a war-torn galaxy. The hobby combines strategic tabletop gaming with the creative satisfaction of assembling and painting your own army.
At Colours of Warriors, we stock the full range of Warhammer 40,000 products — from starter sets and Combat Patrols to codexes, individual unit boxes and hobby supplies. Visit us in our store in Pilsen, Czech Republic, or order online with delivery across the EU.
Factions and Armies
Warhammer 40,000 offers over 20 playable factions, each with a unique aesthetic, playstyle and lore. The most popular choices for beginners include:
Space Marines — the iconic armoured supersoldiers of the Imperium. Versatile, well-supported with tutorials and the most extensive range of models in the game. The ideal starting faction for most new players.
Necrons — ancient mechanical warriors with an Egyptian aesthetic, awakening from aeons of slumber. Excellent durability, simple colour schemes and consistent performance make them one of the best beginner choices.
Orks — brutal, chaotic and endlessly creative. Orks reward kitbashing and conversions, and their rough aesthetic is very forgiving for beginner painters.
Tyranids — a horde faction of alien bio-organisms consuming everything in their path. Excellent for players who enjoy overwhelming numbers and organic aesthetics.
Chaos Space Marines — corrupted traitor legions serving the dark gods. Rich lore, sinister aesthetic and powerful rules make them a favourite among experienced players.
Beyond these, you'll find Astra Militarum, T'au Empire, Eldar (Aeldari), Dark Eldar (Drukhari), Adeptus Custodes, Sisters of Battle, Death Guard, Thousand Sons and many more — each with their own unique flavour and playstyle.
How to Start Playing Warhammer 40,000
The easiest entry point into 40k is the Combat Patrol format — small pre-selected armies designed specifically for beginner games. Each Combat Patrol box contains a complete army for the format, with rules included. Combat Patrol is also a recognised competitive format with its own tournaments and community.
For two players starting together, the starter sets offer the best value — they include two armies, dice, a ruler and basic rules in one box. The core rules are also available as a free download from the Games Workshop website.
Once you're comfortable with the basics, you'll want to pick up the Core Book for the full rules and your faction's Codex for complete army rules, detachments and stratagems.
The Hobby Side — Assembling and Painting
Warhammer 40,000 miniatures come unassembled on plastic sprues. You'll need clippers to remove parts from the frame and plastic glue to assemble them. Once built, most players apply a spray primer before painting with acrylic paints.
The standard painting approach follows three steps: Base (solid foundation colour), Shade (thin wash that flows into recesses and creates shadows) and Layer (highlight raised surfaces to bring out detail). This method works for any skill level and produces great results even for first-time painters.
We stock a complete range of paints, brushes and modelling tools from Citadel, Vallejo, Army Painter, Scale75 and more. Not sure where to start? Our beginner's guide has everything you need.
10th Edition — What's Current
Warhammer 40,000 is currently in its 10th edition, released in June 2023. The current edition streamlined the rules significantly compared to 9th edition — datasheets are cleaner, army building is more straightforward and the Combat Patrol format is fully integrated. All factions have up-to-date codexes or index cards available.
The latest major release is the Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon launch box for the upcoming 11th edition — check our 40k category for current availability.
Warhammer 40,000 at Colours of Warriors
We're a specialist hobby shop based in Pilsen, Czech Republic, stocking the full Warhammer 40,000 range — starter sets, Combat Patrols, unit boxes, codexes, terrain and painting supplies. Our store at Zbrojnická 116/2 is open Monday to Friday 13:00–18:00 and features a dedicated gaming area and Paint Zone where you can try painting before you buy. We ship across the Czech Republic and the EU.
Questions? Contact us at obchod@coloursofwarriors.com or +420 737 281 727.
Frequently Asked Questions — Warhammer 40,000
What is the best starter set for Warhammer 40,000?
For two players starting together, the boxed starter sets (Introductory Set, Starter Set, Ultimate Starter Set) offer the best value — they include two armies and everything needed to play. For a single player who already knows which faction they want, a Combat Patrol box is the ideal choice.
How much does it cost to start playing Warhammer 40k?
A complete starting package including a Combat Patrol box, basic paints, brushes and tools typically costs between 3,000–4,000 CZK (approx. €120–160). This gives you a complete army for Combat Patrol games and everything needed to assemble and paint your models.
Do I need a codex to play Warhammer 40,000?
The core rules are free to download. For casual games, index cards (available free on the Games Workshop app) are sufficient. A codex gives you the full rules for your faction including detachments, stratagems and lore — recommended once you're past the beginner stage.
How long does a game of Warhammer 40k take?
A Combat Patrol game typically takes 60–90 minutes. A standard matched play game (2,000 points) takes 2–3 hours. The smaller the format, the faster the game — Combat Patrol is ideal for an evening game.
What's the difference between Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar?
Both are Games Workshop miniature wargames, but they're set in different universes and have different rules. 40k is science fiction — the 41st millennium, Space Marines, lasers and spaceships. Age of Sigmar is high fantasy — gods, dragons and magical realms. The gameplay is also quite different; many players enjoy both.
Can I use Warhammer 40k miniatures in Kill Team?
Yes — Kill Team uses the same miniatures as Warhammer 40k. A Kill Team starter is also an excellent entry point into the 40k hobby, as you only need 6–12 models to play a full game.