Somebody in your house has announced they want to get into Warhammer Age of Sigmar. You head to the shelf and Games Workshop hands you three boxes with near-identical artwork, the same two armies on the front, and a price range running from roughly forty quid to well past a hundred. Helpful.
This guide breaks down every Age of Sigmar starter set on sale right now (the Introductory Set, the Starter Set and the Ultimate Starter Set), plus where the smaller Spearhead boxes fit in. What's inside each one, who it's actually for, and which we'd buy first.
The quick answer
If you only read one section, make it this one.
- Introductory Set: for a complete beginner, a younger hobbyist, or someone who mainly wants to try painting. It's the only box with paints and a brush.
- Starter Set: the one we'd point most people to. Two proper forces with heroes, a bigger handbook, and enough on the table to make the game feel like a game.
- Ultimate Starter Set: for anyone who already knows they'll play, especially the fast Spearhead mode. More models, terrain, cards and the Spearhead rulebook.
- Already got a mate with an army? Skip the starter sets and buy a Spearhead box of the faction you actually love. More on that below.
What every Age of Sigmar starter set has in common
All three boxes pit the same two armies against each other: the Stormcast Eternals, Sigmar's golden-armoured immortal warriors, against the Skaven, a scheming tide of ratmen who believe that numbers, stolen technology and a well-timed stab in the back will solve most problems.
- Same factions all the way up: nothing you buy first becomes an orphan if you trade up later.
- Push-fit plastic: the models snap together without glue, so you're not wrestling polystyrene cement on day one.
- A handbook: every box teaches building, painting and playing step by step, with missions that ease you into the rules.
- Rules for free: the Age of Sigmar core rules are a free download from Games Workshop, so you never need to buy a rulebook just to get started.
The real difference between the boxes is how much army you get, and how much of the game it unlocks.
Age of Sigmar Introductory Set: the gentle first step
The smallest box, and the only one that covers painting as well as playing. The Introductory Set gives you two small forces and everything needed to paint them.
- Miniatures: 5 Stormcast Eternals Liberators and 20 Skaven Clanrats (25 models).
- Book: a 48-page handbook covering the setting, hobby basics and your first battles.
- Paints: a starter brush and six paints (Kantor Blue, Retributor Armour, Leadbelcher, Rakarth Flesh, Khorne Red and Steel Legion Drab).
- To play: a playing mat, a range ruler and six dice.
- Price: RRP £44, £38.49 with us at the time of writing.
Who it's for: younger hobbyists, total beginners, and anyone who's more curious about painting than about tactics. The models come on push-off frames, so you don't even need clippers.
The honest bit: five Liberators is a taster, not an army. Games are short and simple by design. And don't buy it as a stepping stone to the Starter Set: the Starter Set includes the same Liberators and Clanrats, so you'd end up with doubles (lovely if you want a bigger rat horde, less lovely if you don't).
Age of Sigmar Starter Set: the sweet spot
This is where Age of Sigmar starts to feel like the real thing. The Starter Set adds heroes, elite units and big monsters to the basic troops, so you're making actual decisions on the table rather than just pushing everything forward and hoping.
- Stormcast Eternals: a Lord-Veritant with a Gryph-crow, 3 Prosecutors and 5 Liberators.
- Skaven: a Grey Seer, a Warlock Engineer, 3 Rat Ogors and 20 Clanrats.
- Book: a 64-page handbook with background, hobby tutorials and missions.
- To play: a double-sided gaming mat, two range rulers, two rules reference sheets and dice.
- Price: RRP £72.50, £63.99 with us at the time of writing.
Who it's for: two people learning together, or one person who wants both armies to paint. It's the best balance of models, game and price of the three.
The honest bit: there are no paints in this one, and these models sit on proper frames, so you'll want a pair of clippers. Budget for both (see the shopping list below).
Age of Sigmar Ultimate Starter Set: the whole works
The Ultimate Starter Set takes everything in the Starter Set and adds a centrepiece hero on a monster to each side. That turns both forces into complete Spearhead armies: the Vigilant Brotherhood for the Stormcast and the Gnawfeast Clawpack for the Skaven.
- Miniatures: 37 in total (11 Stormcast Eternals and 26 Skaven), including a Lord-Vigilant on Gryph-stalker and a Clawlord on Gnaw-beast.
- Books: the 144-page Spearhead: Fire and Jade (core rules, the Spearhead battlepack and rules for every Spearhead force available at launch) plus a 72-page handbook.
- Terrain and board: a double-sided gaming mat with printed objectives and a frame of plastic scenery.
- Extras: Battle Tactic and Twist card decks, two reference sheets, range rulers and dice.
- Price: RRP £140, £123.49 with us at the time of writing.
Who it's for: anyone who knows they want to play regularly. Spearhead is the easiest way to get proper games in without building a huge army first, and this box is ready for it straight away.
The honest bit: compared with the Starter Set you're paying roughly £60 more for two big models, some scenery, the Spearhead book and the cards. Brilliant value if you'll use all of it. If you mainly want to paint, the Starter Set does the job for less.
What is Spearhead, and should you just buy a Spearhead box?
Spearhead is Age of Sigmar's smaller, faster way to play. Each player brings one fixed force on a smaller board, and Games Workshop reckons a game can be wrapped up over lunch.
Spearhead boxes are complete, self-contained armies for that format, and there's one for most factions. They're around £81 to £85 with us (RRP £91 to £95), and the rules for each force are free from Games Workshop.
- Buy a Spearhead box if: you already know which army you love (and it isn't Stormcast or Skaven), or a friend already has an army to play against.
- Buy a starter set if: you're starting from zero and need both sides, the mat, the dice and a handbook that teaches you the game.
Not sure which army is yours? Our Stormcast Eternals and Skaven army analyses are a good place to start. If you're already hooked, the Age of Sigmar Christmas Battleforce boxes are the next step up.
What else you'll need (the bits nobody tells you)
Every starter set is a great box. None of them is quite everything.
- Clippers: essential for the Starter and Ultimate sets. Grab a pair from our hobby tools.
- Paints and a brush: only the Introductory Set includes them. Our Warhammer Colour paints range is the place to start.
- Glue (optional): push-fit models hold together without it, but a dab of plastic glue stops arms wandering off mid-battle.
- Know-how: our painting tips for beginners cover where to start and what to skip.
Buying an Age of Sigmar starter set as a present
Three quick questions get you to the right box.
Step 1: Are they going to paint, play, or both?
- Mostly painting, or not sure yet: the Introductory Set, because it's the only one with paints.
- Playing as well: the Starter Set or above.
Step 2: Have they got someone to play with?
- A sibling, partner or mate who'll join in: the Starter Set gives each of you an army.
- A friend who already plays: a single Spearhead box of their favourite faction.
Step 3: How keen are they, really?
- Already watching battle reports and naming their Rat Ogors: the Ultimate Starter Set.
- Curious but untested: the Starter Set, plus clippers and a few paints.
If you're still stuck, pop into the shop in Barry and we'll happily talk you through it.
The Starter Set is the box most people should buy. It's the best balance of models, game and price, and nothing in it goes to waste if you trade up later. Go Introductory for younger painters, and Ultimate if you already know you're going to play every weekend.
Further reading: Warhammer 40K vs Age of Sigmar: Which Should You Start? and Warhammer 40k 11th Edition Starter Sets: A Beginner's Guide.
Start your Age of Sigmar collection
Ready to fight for the Mortal Realms? Starter sets, Spearhead armies and everything you need to get your first battle on the table.
