How to Choose a Warhammer 40K Army: A Beginner’s Guide

Choosing your first Warhammer 40K army is one of the most exciting parts of getting into the hobby. There is no single correct choice, and you do not need to know every rule before you begin. The best starting point is usually the faction whose miniatures, colours and story make you want to build an army of your own.

This guide will help you compare the main factions, think about the kind of collection you would enjoy and choose a sensible way to start. If the whole hobby is new to you, our complete Warhammer beginner’s guide explains the models, games and basic equipment in more detail.

Start With the Miniatures You Like Most

Rules change over time, but you will spend many hours assembling, painting and playing with your miniatures. That is why appearance and theme are often more important than whichever army happens to be strongest at the moment.

Have a look through the range and notice what catches your eye. You might prefer heavily armoured warriors, disciplined infantry, tanks and walkers, alien creatures, daemons and corrupted soldiers, sleek technology, Gothic imagery or fast-moving vehicles. If one faction keeps drawing you back, that is a very good sign.

Explore the Three Main Faction Groups

Warhammer 40,000 contains a wide range of armies, but it is helpful to begin by thinking of them in three broad groups: the Imperium, Chaos and xenos. Every army has its own identity, so use these groups as a simple introduction rather than a strict guide to how each faction plays.

Armies of the Imperium

The Imperium is humanity’s vast, troubled empire. Its armies range from genetically enhanced warriors to ordinary soldiers, ancient machines and towering war engines.

• Space Marines offer iconic power armour and a huge variety of Chapters and models.
• Astra Militarum bring massed infantry, artillery and armoured vehicles.
• Adepta Sororitas combine ornate armour, religious imagery and determined warriors.
• Adeptus Mechanicus feature mysterious machine worshippers, cyborg troops and unusual technology.
• Adeptus Custodes are the Emperor’s golden guardians, represented by a compact range of imposing miniatures.
• Grey Knights are specialist daemon hunters with distinctive silver armour.
• Imperial Knights let you build a force around enormous armoured walkers.
• Imperial Agents bring together inquisitors and specialist operatives from across the Imperium.

Armies of Chaos

Chaos armies explore the darker side of the setting, with corrupted warriors, daemonic creatures and renegade war machines. They are a strong choice if you enjoy dramatic miniatures, sinister stories and plenty of scope for characterful painting.

• Chaos Space Marines offer corrupted power armour, dark champions and daemon engines.
• Death Guard feature plague-ridden warriors and gruesome organic detail.
• Thousand Sons combine ornate armour, sorcery and the servants of Tzeentch.
• World Eaters are built around the furious followers of Khorne.
• Emperor’s Children bring the distinctive warriors and excesses of Slaanesh to the battlefield.
• Chaos Daemons offer supernatural creatures associated with the Chaos Gods.
• Chaos Knights turn towering war machines into corrupted engines of destruction.

Xenos Armies

Xenos is the broad name used for the alien factions of Warhammer 40,000. These armies contain some of the setting’s most unusual designs and stories.

• Aeldari feature elegant warriors, advanced technology and graceful vehicles.
• Drukhari offer sinister raiders, fast craft and sharp, dramatic miniatures.
• Orks bring ramshackle machines, boisterous characters and plenty of modelling personality.
• Necrons are ancient mechanical warriors with a striking skeletal appearance.
• T’au Empire combine clean futuristic designs, battlesuits and advanced weaponry.
• Tyranids are a living swarm of alien organisms, from small creatures to enormous monsters.
• Genestealer Cults mix alien influence with secretive revolutionaries and industrial equipment.
• Leagues of Votann feature resilient warriors, explorers and advanced machinery.

Think About How You Would Like Your Army to Feel

You do not need to master the rules before choosing a faction, but it helps to picture the kind of army you would enjoy commanding. Would you like a small force of impressive models, a large collection of infantry, lots of vehicles, strange alien creatures or a mixture of different units?

Every faction can usually be built in more than one way, and new rules can change the details. Treat broad play-style descriptions as inspiration rather than a promise. Our guide to how Warhammer is played will give you a clearer idea of what happens during a game.

Consider the Size of the Painting Project

Your army is also a creative project. Some people enjoy painting ranks of troops, while others would rather spend more time on a smaller number of detailed miniatures. There is no wrong approach. Think about your available time, the colours you want to use and whether you enjoy variety or a consistent scheme.

You can start playing before every model is completely painted and build your confidence as you go. A few suitable brushes, paints and basic tools are enough to begin, and our Warhammer paints and modelling range can help you put together a practical first kit.

Set a Sensible Starting Budget

You do not need to buy a full-sized army at once. Starting with a focused set of miniatures gives you time to learn how they go together, try a colour scheme and discover what you enjoy before making a larger commitment.

The number of models in a box does not always tell you how expensive a finished army will be. Prices, army lists and the units you choose all matter, so begin with a manageable project and expand it gradually.

Is a Combat Patrol a Good Place to Start?

A Combat Patrol is often a convenient way to begin a Warhammer 40K faction. Each box brings together a selection of units from one army and gives you a clear first building and painting project. Combat Patrol games also provide a structured way to learn with forces designed for that format.

It is still worth choosing the faction first. A good-value box is only useful if you genuinely want to collect the miniatures inside it. You can compare Combat Patrols with other starting options in our guide to Warhammer starter sets.

Choose an Army That Gives You Somewhere to Grow

Before deciding, ask yourself five simple questions:

1. Do I enjoy the look of these miniatures?
2. Does the faction’s story interest me?
3. Would I enjoy painting its common colours and details?
4. Is there a sensible small set I can begin with?
5. Can I already see a few models I might add later?

If the answer to most of these is yes, you have probably found a good first army. You do not need to plan every future purchase, but it is reassuring to know the range contains different units you may enjoy adding over time.

Do Not Worry About Finding the “Best” Army

The strongest faction can change as rules and balance updates develop. Choosing only on current results may leave you with a large painting project that does not inspire you. A faction you love is much more likely to keep you interested through your first games and beyond.

If you eventually play organised events, you can refine your collection with the current rules in mind. For your first army, enthusiasm is the better foundation.

Your First Army Does Not Need to Be Large

A small collection is enough to learn assembly, painting and the flow of a game. Finish a unit, play a smaller battle and add the next model when you are ready. This makes the hobby easier to manage and lets your army develop around the parts you enjoy most.

Find Your Warhammer 40K Army at Bomran

Choosing an army should feel exciting, not intimidating. Begin with the miniatures and story you enjoy, keep your first project manageable and give yourself time to learn. You can explore our Warhammer 40,000 range for factions and starting points, then visit the Bomran Warhammer Guides whenever you need help with the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest Warhammer 40K army for a beginner?

There is no universal easiest army. Space Marines are a popular starting point because their range is broad and they appear in many starter products, but the best beginner faction is one you are motivated to build and learn.

Should I choose an army based on its current rules?

Current rules are worth considering, but they should not be your only reason. Rules and balance change, while your miniatures and your interest in their story are much more lasting.

Is a Combat Patrol a complete Warhammer 40K army?

A Combat Patrol gives you a self-contained force for Combat Patrol games and a useful foundation for a larger collection. What you add later will depend on the faction, the games you want to play and the current army-building rules.

Are armies with fewer models always cheaper?

Not necessarily. Model count, individual kit prices and the army you want to build all affect the total. Compare a realistic starting force rather than judging value by the number of miniatures alone.

Can I mix different Warhammer 40K factions?

Some current rules allow particular factions or units to be included together, but this is not a general option for every army. Check the latest rules for the factions you want to use before planning a mixed collection.

Do I need to paint my miniatures before playing?

You can learn with assembled miniatures and paint them as your confidence grows. Some events or scoring systems may have their own requirements, so check those details if you plan to attend organised play.