Two big doors lead into Warhammer, and if you're brand new it can feel like you have to pick the right one before you're allowed in. Good news: there is no wrong door. Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar are both brilliant, both use the same core hobby of building, painting and playing, and plenty of people end up doing both. But you've got to start somewhere — so here's an honest guide to help you choose your first army.
The quick answer
Warhammer 40,000 is the science-fiction one. Power armour, alien empires and endless war across a grim far-future galaxy. Age of Sigmar is the fantasy one. Storm-forged warriors, undead legions, orruks and gods, across a set of magical mortal realms. If you already know which of those makes you go "ooh" — that's your answer. Go with the models you most want to paint. Everything else is detail.
Warhammer 40,000 — the sci-fi one
Set 40,000 years in the future, this is a galaxy of constant war between humanity's Imperium and a rogues' gallery of aliens, traitors and horrors. It's dramatic, gothic, and gloriously over the top — the tagline is literally "in the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war," and it means it.
It's the bigger and more popular of the two, which means more players to find a game with, more starter sets, and the widest range of models and factions anywhere in the hobby. Space Marines — the poster-boys in power armour — are the most common starting point, and for good reason: iconic, easy to paint, and supported by loads of beginner content.
Pick 40k if: you love sci-fi, big guns and gothic drama, you want the largest community and the most choice, or you just think Space Marines look cool. (They do.)
Age of Sigmar — the fantasy one
Age of Sigmar is high fantasy on an epic scale, set across the Mortal Realms — worlds of magic, monsters and myth. Think shining knights, savage greenskins, skeletal legions and towering beasts, with a look that runs from heroic to genuinely gorgeous.
It's a slightly smaller community than 40k but a passionate one, and many people find its models a joy to paint — lots of dynamic poses, flowing capes and dramatic centrepieces. The Stormcast Eternals (gold-armoured warriors forged by the god-king Sigmar) are the classic entry faction and pair up neatly against undead or orruks in the starter boxes.
Pick Age of Sigmar if: you're drawn to fantasy over sci-fi, you love the idea of knights, monsters and magic, or a particular AoS model has already caught your eye.
40k vs Age of Sigmar, side by side
- Setting: 40k is grim sci-fi; Age of Sigmar is epic fantasy.
- The hobby itself: identical. Both are build, paint, play. Skills carry over completely between the two.
- Rules complexity: broadly similar these days. Neither is meaningfully harder to learn than the other, and both have simple intro rules to start with.
- Community size: 40k is bigger and easier to find pick-up games for; Age of Sigmar has a devoted following.
- Getting started: both have excellent all-in-one starter sets with models, rules and everything you need for two sides.
Still can't decide? That's fine too
Here's the reassuring bit: because the building and painting skills are identical, you're never really locked in. Loads of hobbyists start with one, dabble in the other, and happily paint models from both. Choosing your first army isn't a life sentence — it's just where you begin.
And if you genuinely can't split them, come and hold a few in the Barry shop. Picking up the actual models and seeing them in person settles it for most people in about thirty seconds. We're always happy to talk you through the factions and point you at a good first box, no pressure to buy.
Ready to start?
Once you've chosen, a starter set is the easiest first purchase — it comes with models, rules and a way to learn. Browse our Warhammer 40,000 starter sets or our Age of Sigmar starter sets to get going.
New to all of it? Our complete beginner's guide to Warhammer 40k covers the basics, and once your models are built, here's how to paint your first miniature.
Common beginner questions
Is Warhammer 40k or Age of Sigmar better for beginners?
Neither is harder to get into — the choice comes down to whether you prefer sci-fi or fantasy. 40k has a slightly larger community and more starter content, but both are very beginner-friendly.
Which is more popular?
Warhammer 40,000 is the larger of the two, with more players, factions and models. Age of Sigmar has a smaller but dedicated following.
Can I play both 40k and Age of Sigmar?
Yes. They're separate games with separate rules, but the building and painting skills are identical, so plenty of hobbyists collect and play both.
Do 40k and Age of Sigmar use the same rules?
No — each has its own rulebook and its own way of playing. The underlying hobby (assembling and painting the models) is the same, but the games themselves are different.
