Warhammer 40,000 is one of the most rewarding hobbies you can get into — but it can feel overwhelming from the outside. Hundreds of factions, thousands of models, rules that span multiple books. Where do you even begin?

This guide is written for complete beginners. By the end you’ll know exactly what to buy first, what to expect from the hobby and where to get help.

What actually is Warhammer 40K?

Warhammer 40,000 (40K) is a tabletop miniature wargame made by Games Workshop. You build and paint plastic miniatures — soldiers, vehicles, monsters — then use them to fight battles against other players using dice and a rulebook.

It’s three hobbies in one: collecting, painting and playing. Some people focus heavily on one aspect — some players never paint, some painters never play. Most end up loving all three.

The setting is a grimdark science-fantasy universe set 38,000 years in the future, where humanity fights for survival against alien races, chaos gods and worse. It’s spectacular, dramatic and deeply lore-rich.

Step 1 — Choose a Faction

Your first decision is which army to collect. There are dozens of factions in 40K — Space Marines, Orks, Tyranids, Necrons, Chaos Space Marines, Eldar and many more. Each plays differently on the tabletop and has a distinct visual identity.

Don’t overthink this. Pick the faction that appeals to you visually. You’ll be painting these models for many hours — it helps enormously if you love the look of them. Have a look through the Games Workshop website or ask us in store — we’re happy to talk through the options.

Step 2 — Start with a Combat Patrol

Once you’ve chosen a faction, a Combat Patrol box is your best first purchase. These are faction-specific starter sets containing enough models for a small, playable force — usually around 20-30 models depending on the faction.

Combat Patrols are designed specifically for new players. They give you a legal army for Combat Patrol sized games (the smallest format), introduce you to the faction’s key unit types and represent good value compared to buying units individually.

We stock a range of Combat Patrol boxes at The Jedi Archives — ask in store or browse online.

Step 3 — Get the Rules

The core rules for Warhammer 40K are available free from the Games Workshop website. You don’t need to buy a rulebook to start playing — the free rules cover everything you need for a basic game.

As you get deeper into the hobby you may want the full rulebook and your faction’s specific army book (called a Codex), but these aren’t essential on day one.

Step 4 — Paint Your Models

This is where many new players feel intimidated — but it doesn’t need to be. You don’t need to be an artist. Base colours, a wash and a drybrush will give you a tabletop-quality result that looks great on the battlefield.

We stock Citadel paints, brushes and hobby essentials in store. If you’re not sure where to start, Games Workshop’s Contrast paints are designed for beginners — one coat over a white primer gives strong, shaded results quickly.

Step 5 — Play a Game

This is the fun part. Gaming at The Jedi Archives in Dorchester is open to the community — we play most Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. If you’re new and want to learn the rules, we can arrange beginner sessions on request. Come in with your models (painted or not — nobody minds) and we’ll show you how it works.

There’s no better way to learn 40K than playing a game with someone who knows the rules. The community is welcoming to newcomers and nobody expects perfection from a first army.

What Does it Cost?

Warhammer 40K is not a cheap hobby — but it’s manageable if you start sensibly.

A Combat Patrol box will cost between £75 and £95 depending on the faction. Add a pot of primer, a few paints and some brushes and you’re looking at around £120-140 to get started with a playable, painted army.

From there, you expand at your own pace. There’s no pressure to build a massive army quickly — most experienced players have been collecting their armies for years.

Come and See Us

The Jedi Archives in Dorchester stocks a range of Combat Patrol boxes and add-on units across multiple 40K factions. We’re collectors and players ourselves — come in, ask questions and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Gaming nights run most Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Beginner sessions available on request.