Choosing Your First Warhammer 40k Army

Let’s talk about something near and dear to every Warhammer 40k player’s heart (or wallet): picking your army. Stepping into the grim darkness of the far future is exciting, but staring at that wall of brightly coloured boxes, filled with everything from hulking Space Marines to slavering alien monstrosities, can feel like facing down a Titan with just a laspistol. Where do you even begin?

Choosing your first (or heck, your next) 40k army is a big deal. You’re potentially investing a lot of time, money, and creative energy into these little plastic soldiers. You want an army you’ll love building, painting, and ultimately, smashing your opponents with (or getting smashed by, it happens!).

So, how do you navigate this minefield of awesome options? Forget chasing the “meta” (what’s currently winning tournaments) for your first pick – that changes faster than an Ork Mek can cobble something together. Let’s focus on finding the army that resonates with you.

Here are the big things to chew on:

1. The Rule of Cool: Do You Dig the Vibe?

Honestly, this is probably the most important factor. Let’s be real: you are going to spend HOURS assembling and painting these models. You’ll be staring at them across the tabletop for countless games. If you don’t think they look awesome, if their whole aesthetic doesn’t grab you, you’re going to lose motivation faster than a Guardsman facing a Carnifex.

Browse the Games Workshop Website: Seriously, just go look at the pictures. Click through the different factions. Which ones make you stop and go “Whoa, those guys look cool”?
Consider the Scale: Do you like ranks of infantry (Astra Militarum, Orks, Tyranids)? Big stompy robots and monsters (Imperial Knights, Chaos Knights, bigger Tyranids)? Elite warriors in gleaming power armour (Space Marines of all flavours, Custodes)? Spindly space elves (Aeldari)? Creepy robots (Necrons)?
Think About Painting: Some armies lend themselves to simple, bold schemes (like classic Ultramarines or Necrons). Others have tons of intricate detail, trim, or organic textures (Chaos Space Marines, Aeldari, Tyranids). Are you looking for a quick paint job to get gaming, or a long-term artistic project? Be honest with yourself about your patience and skill level (though don’t sell yourself short – everyone starts somewhere!).

If an army just looks amazing to you, that’s a massive point in its favour. Don’t underestimate the power of loving your models.

2. What’s Their Story? The Lore & Fluff

Warhammer 40k isn’t just about rolling dice; it’s got a ridiculously deep, dark, and often darkly humorous universe behind it. Every faction has a history, motivations, heroes, villains, and a unique place in the galaxy-spanning conflict.

Who Are the Good Guys? (Spoiler: Nobody, really): Do you want to be the stalwart defenders of a decaying empire (Imperium – Space Marines, Guard, Sisters of Battle, etc.)? The ancient, enigmatic aliens trying to survive or reclaim their glory (Aeldari, Necrons)? The ravenous, galaxy-consuming swarm (Tyranids)? The brutal, fun-loving green tide (Orks)? The technologically advanced optimists (T’au Empire)? Or maybe you just want to watch the galaxy burn and worship dark gods (Chaos Space Marines, Chaos Daemons, Chaos Knights)?
Read Some Background: Check out the Lexicanum wiki, watch some lore videos on YouTube (there are tons!), or pick up a faction’s Codex (rulebook) and read the background sections. Does their story resonate with you? Do you find their goals compelling, tragic, or just plain metal?
Find Your Connection: Playing an army you’re invested in narratively makes every game more fun. Your victories feel more earned, your defeats more poignant (or hilarious, especially if you’re playing Orks).

If you find yourself fascinated by the tragic fall of the Horus Heresy legions, maybe Chaos Space Marines are calling. If you love the idea of an endless, adaptable swarm, Tyranids might be your jam. If desperate last stands against overwhelming odds sounds heroic, look at the Astra Militarum.

3. How Do They Play? The Tabletop Style

Okay, so they look cool and you like their story. But how do they actually function in the game? Different armies have very different approaches to winning (or losing spectacularly). While you can often build an army list to lean slightly differently, most factions have a core identity on the tabletop. Think about what sounds fun to you:

Shooty: Armies that excel at blasting the enemy off the board from a distance. Often less durable in close combat. (Examples: T’au Empire, Astra Militarum artillery builds, some Space Marine chapters like Iron Hands).
Stabby/Bashy (Melee): Armies that want to get up close and personal, tearing things apart in glorious combat. Often need ways to survive getting shot on the way in. (Examples: World Eaters, Orks, Space Wolves, Tyranid swarm builds, Custodes).
Psychic Shenanigans: Armies that rely heavily on casting powerful psychic powers to buff allies, debuff enemies, or deal direct damage. Often have fragile psykers that need protection. (Examples: Grey Knights, Thousand Sons, many Aeldari lists).
Durable/Tanky: Armies that are just plain hard to kill. They might be slow, they might not hit the hardest, but they can absorb punishment. (Examples: Death Guard, Imperial Knights, Custodes, Necrons).
Tricksy/Mobile: Armies that rely on speed, stealth, redeployments, and cunning tricks rather than brute force or overwhelming firepower. Often have a higher skill ceiling. (Examples: Harlequins, Drukhari, Genestealer Cults, some Aeldari).
Horde: Armies that overwhelm the enemy with sheer numbers. Lots of models, often individually weak but dangerous en masse. Can take a long time to move and paint! (Examples: Orks, Tyranids, Astra Militarum infantry spam, Genestealer Cults).
Elite: Armies with fewer, but much more powerful (and expensive, points-wise) models. Every loss hurts, but every model packs a punch. (Examples: Custodes, Grey Knights, Imperial/Chaos Knights, some Space Marine builds).

Here’s a super simplified breakdown of broad playstyle vibes you might enjoy:

The Unstoppable Force: You want to march across the board, shrug off enemy fire, and smash whatever is in front of you. Think durable armies, strong melee, or overwhelming firepower that just rolls over opponents. (Consider: Death Guard, Orks, Imperial Knights, some Space Marine chapters, Custodes).
The Cunning Plan: You prefer maneuver, tricks, and hitting the enemy where they least expect it. Outsmarting your opponent is as important as out-fighting them. Think speed, psychic powers, deployment shenanigans, or fragile but deadly units. (Consider: Aeldari, Drukhari, Genestealer Cults, Thousand Sons, Grey Knights, Harlequins).

No army fits perfectly into just one box, and how you build your specific list matters a lot. But thinking about the general way you want to approach the game helps narrow things down. Watch some battle reports on YouTube featuring armies you’re interested in – see how they actually perform!

4. The Hobby Aspect: Time, Money, and Complexity

Let’s touch on the practicalities:

Cost & Model Count: Horde armies generally mean buying, building, and painting lots of models, which can be expensive and time-consuming (Orks, Guard, Tyranids). Elite armies have fewer models, meaning less building/painting time and potentially lower initial cost, but each model might be more expensive individually (Custodes, Knights, Grey Knights).
Ease of Building/Painting: Some ranges are older and might be more fiddly to assemble. Some have lots of smooth, easy-to-paint panels (Space Marines, T’au), while others are covered in trim and detail (Chaos Space Marines, Aeldari). Consider resins and metals (less common now, but still exist in some older kits or Forge World) which can be harder to work with than plastic.
Getting Started: Most factions have a “Combat Patrol” box. These are designed as starting points, giving you a small, playable force (around 500 points) with a variety of units, usually at a slight discount compared to buying them separately. It’s often a great way to dip your toes in without committing to a massive army purchase.

Don’t Get Stuck in Analysis Paralysis!

It’s easy to overthink this. At the end of the day, almost any army can be fun if you enjoy it.

Go with your Gut: Often, that first army that just looked cool is the right choice.
Start Small: Grab that Combat Patrol or just a single unit you love the look of. Build it, paint it, see how you feel. You don’t need a 2000-point tournament army overnight.
Visit a Local Store/Club: Talk to other players! See armies in person. Ask questions. Most hobbyists are thrilled to talk about their factions.
Remember You Can Always Change: It’s not a lifetime blood pact (unless maybe you chose World Eaters). If you start an army and find it’s not for you, you can always sell/trade it and try something else. Many veteran players have multiple armies.

The Final Word

Choosing your Warhammer 40k army is the first step in an awesome hobby journey. Prioritize what excites you – whether it’s the models, the story, or the way they play. Focus on the “Rule of Cool,” find a story that hooks you, get a feel for the playstyle, and be realistic about the hobby commitment.

Whatever you choose, welcome to the 41st Millennium. Have fun building, painting, playing, and becoming part of the massive 40k community.