So you've decided to get into Games Workshop's world of plastic soldiers, and now you're stuck at the first fork in the road: the grim darkness of the far future, or the shattered realms of high fantasy? It's the question we get asked across the counter more than almost any other, and the honest answer is "it depends" — but it depends on things you can actually reason about. Here's the plan for working out which one is your game.

The one-line difference

40K is science-fiction war on a galactic scale; Age of Sigmar is high fantasy across shattered magical realms. Everything else — the rules feel, the model ranges, the vibe of a game night — flows from that split. Get the setting that genuinely excites you and the rest tends to follow.

What each game actually is

Warhammer 40,000 is Games Workshop's flagship: gothic space marines, ravening alien hordes, daemon-haunted traitors, and a galaxy where, as the tagline has it, there is only war. It's the bigger of the two by player numbers, which matters when you're looking for opponents. If you're brand new to it, our beginner's guide to Warhammer 40K is a good first stop.

Age of Sigmar is the fantasy game that rose from the ashes of the old Warhammer Fantasy Battle. Think sprawling magical realms, god-forged Stormcast warriors, orruk (that's orc, spelled the GW way) waaagh-mobs, undead legions, and a heavier lean into magic and monsters. It's younger, and in many people's view the cleaner, more streamlined ruleset of the two. For a taste of how an Age of Sigmar army reads, our Hedonites of Slaanesh guide walks through one in full.

How the games feel to play

This is where the two genuinely diverge, and it's worth understanding before you commit a shelf and a wallet.

40K tends to reward combined-arms thinking: infantry holding objectives, tanks and heavy weapons trading fire at range, and a strong emphasis on shooting. Positioning and target priority win games. There's a satisfying puzzle to deciding what to shoot, what to screen, and when to commit. For a worked example of how a single 40K army plays out, our Blood Angels army analysis breaks one down end to end.

Age of Sigmar leans more into the clash — movement into combat, magic phases that can swing a turn, and monsters and heroes that hit like a runaway train. Melee matters more, and the game often has a faster, more aggressive rhythm. Neither is "simpler" in a dismissive sense, but many newcomers find AoS a gentler on-ramp.

Cost, models and painting

Both games cost roughly the same to start and to run — the plastic is priced the same whichever badge is on the box. The real variable is your army. Some factions are model-hungry horde armies; others are elite forces where a handful of expensive kits make a full list. That choice affects your budget far more than 40K-versus-AoS does.

On the painting side, 40K's gothic sci-fi palette suits people who like edge highlights, battle damage and grim metals. Age of Sigmar's fantasy range is a playground for skin tones, cloth, gems and bright heraldry. If painting is half the hobby for you — and for a lot of our regulars it is — flick through both ranges and notice which models make your hands itch to pick up a brush. That instinct is a better guide than any rules comparison.

Which has the bigger community?

40K is the larger game globally and usually locally too, which means more pickup opponents, more tournaments, and more people to learn from. Age of Sigmar has a smaller but passionate scene and is growing steadily. If your priority is walking into any club or store and finding a game, 40K has a slight edge on sheer numbers — but the gap matters far less than which system the people near you actually play. Ask your local store or club what hits the tables on a given week; in Barry and across South Wales we see healthy turnout for both.

So which should you pick?

Here's the short version of the plan:

Pick 40K if the sci-fi setting grabs you, you like shooting-led tactics and combined arms, and you want the largest possible pool of opponents. If that's you, our guide to 40K starter sets covers the best boxes to begin with.

Pick Age of Sigmar if fantasy is your thing, you enjoy fast melee-driven games and big magic and monsters, and you fancy a ruleset many find easier to pick up.

And if you're still torn? Buy the models that look coolest to you. That sounds glib, but it's the single most reliable predictor of which army you'll actually finish painting and keep playing. The hobby lives or dies on enthusiasm, and nothing generates it like a squad you're genuinely excited to build.

Frequently asked questions

Is Warhammer 40K or Age of Sigmar easier for beginners?

Many newcomers find Age of Sigmar has a slightly gentler learning curve, with a cleaner, more streamlined ruleset. That said, 40K is very beginner-friendly through its starter sets and the sheer volume of guides, opponents and community help available. The "easier" game is often just the one whose setting motivates you to learn it.

Can I use my 40K models in Age of Sigmar?

No — the two games have separate rules and separate model ranges, and the settings don't overlap. A 40K army isn't playable in Age of Sigmar and vice versa. Some hobbyists convert or repurpose models for display, but for actual games you build a dedicated army for whichever system you choose.

Which game is cheaper to start?

They cost about the same. Games Workshop prices its plastic kits consistently across both systems, so the bigger cost factor is which faction you pick — horde armies need more models than elite ones. Start with a boxed set for either game and you'll get the best value entry point.

Do I have to pick just one?

Not at all, and plenty of hobbyists play both. But if you're just starting out, we'd suggest committing to one system first. Learning one ruleset and finishing one army is far more satisfying than spreading yourself thin across two half-built forces.

Which one is more popular?

40K is the larger game globally by player numbers, which usually means more opponents and events. Age of Sigmar has a smaller but dedicated and growing community. Locally, popularity varies a lot — the best move is to ask your nearest store or club which system fills more tables.