New beginner primer maps five entry points into Warhammer 40,000 hobby

A new official beginner primer lays out five core hobby activities — Collect, Build, Paint, Play and Read — as simple entry points for people curious about Warhammer 40,000. It is deliberately practical: the page walks new players through immediate actions that get models in hand, painted and onto the table.

The primer directs newcomers to their nearest official Warhammer store, noting many locations offer a free sample model and on-site help. A walk-in visit can cover basic assembly, a quick primer on paints and brushes, and a chance to meet local players. For people who want a physical starting point, the primer recommends picking up a Getting Started magazine or an introductory box set; Recruit, Elite and Command editions are highlighted as options that bundle models, rules and tools to shorten the learning curve.

To tackle the Build and Paint steps, the primer points to official video guides and Citadel paint resources that walk through assembly, subassembly, and basic brushwork. Those step-by-step videos aim to make cutting, gluing and basecoating less intimidating, and Citadel guides supply color recipes and technique primers so new painters can get consistent results without needing a thousand brushes.

On the Play side, the primer urges starting with a small, playable force. Combat Patrols or starter sets let you field a focused detachment and play legitimate matched games quickly, rather than waiting years to finish a full army. This approach reduces cost and hobby-atmosphere anxiety, and it gets models on the table where the rules and tactics really click. The primer also highlights the value of community: hobby clubs, local events and online channels provide coaching, opponents and painting nights that speed progress far more than solo practice.

Practically speaking, the guidance is aimed at conversion from curiosity to activity. Visit a store to try a model, buy a starter box or Combat Patrol to begin playing, use official video and paint guides for hands-on technique, and plug into local events and clubs for sustained learning and fun. The primer is a compact roadmap for someone who has seen a space marine in a shop window and wants to know the sensible next steps.

The takeaway? Start small, get one Combat Patrol or starter set, and lean on your local store and video guides to avoid paralysis by choice. Our two cents? Bring a friend, turn one afternoon into a painting session, and you’ll be surprised how fast you go from beginner to regular player.