JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into Age of Sigmar

Age of Sigmar is Warhammer's fantasy wargame, and one of the most rewarding ways to spend a weekend if you go in with clear expectations. You will build plastic miniatures, prime them, paint them, and push them around a tabletop. The cost is real. The learning curve is steep. The hobby is genuinely excellent. Here's how to start without buying the wrong things first.

By Colin B. · Published June 5, 2026 · Last reviewed June 5, 2026
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The 60-second version

We earn commission on qualifying Amazon purchases — see our affiliate disclosure. Price tiers and budget totals shown below are editorial estimates; actual Amazon prices vary.

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Warhammer Age of Sigmar Warrior Starter Set — The on-ramp to AoS: two factions, a real rulebook, enough models to know if this hobby is for you.
  2. Warhammer Citadel Essentials Set — Everything you need to build your first squad in one box. Don't skip the plastic glue.
  3. Citadel Contrast Paint Starter Set — Contrast paints get beginners to results that look skilled on the very first model.
Budget total
$150
Typical total
$380
The starter set runs $60, but a complete paint kit, tools, and a proper army push you past $300 fast. Budget $150 to try it; $380 to commit.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
Starter SetsGames WorkshopWarhammer Age of Sigmar Warrior Starter Set$$ See on Amazon →
Hobby ToolsGames WorkshopWarhammer Citadel Essentials Set$$ See on Amazon →
PaintsGames WorkshopCitadel Contrast Paint Starter Set$$$ See on Amazon →
BrushesArmy PainterArmy Painter Hobby Starter Brush Set$ See on Amazon →
Carrying CaseGames WorkshopGames Workshop Citadel Army Carry Case$$$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Prime your models before painting. It sounds optional. It isn't. Paint without primer chips off in a week. A $15 spray can of Citadel Corax White or Army Painter Matte White is one of the most important purchases you'll make, and most beginners forget it until they've already painted something and watched it peel.

Pick one faction and commit. Age of Sigmar has dozens of armies, and browsing the full range is a trap. Find the aesthetic that makes you want to paint and stop there. Your first army should be something you genuinely want to look at, because you'll be spending 40-80 hours building and painting it.

The hobby has three phases: building, painting, and playing. Many people love two of the three and tolerate the third. Know which phase is your draw before spending big.

The gear

What you actually need

Starter Sets

The starter set is the most important decision you'll make, because it determines your first faction and first experience of the rules. The Warrior Starter Set is the official beginner product: two small warbands, a condensed rulebook, and dice. It gets you playing in an afternoon. Once you've decided which full army you want, the Spearhead box for your chosen faction builds it properly at a 25-30% discount versus buying units separately.

Starter Sets — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Warrior Starter Set

Two factions, full rules. The standard starting point.

Models
~20 total, 2 factions
Rulebook
Condensed included
Game size
Small skirmish

Best for First-time AoS players who haven't picked a faction

Tradeoff Forces too small for most organized play formats

↓ See our pick
Spearhead Box

Quick-play format, 45-min games, pre-set army lists.

Game length
~45 minutes
Models
~30 total, 2 factions
Rules
Streamlined Spearhead

Best for Players who want faster games without complex list-building

Tradeoff Pre-set lists limit customization; not the main game

Vanguard Box

Single-faction starter with 25-30% savings vs. buying separately.

Models
20-30, chosen faction
Value
~25-30% vs. individual
Warscrolls
Included in box

Best for Players ready to commit to a specific army

Tradeoff One faction only, can't try both sides

↓ See our pick
Best starter
Games Workshop

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Warrior Starter Set

$$

The official front door to Age of Sigmar. You get two small warbands (Stormcast Eternals and Kruleboyz), a condensed rulebook, and enough models to learn the game before committing to a full army. At $60, it's the honest way in. Build both sides, play ten games, then decide which faction deserves your painting hours.

What we like

  • Two factions included, so you can try both before choosing
  • Condensed rulebook teaches the full game, not a stripped demo
  • Lowest cost way into actual Age of Sigmar

What to know

  • Warbands are small, not tournament-legal without more models
  • No paints or tools included, add $80-100 for a basic kit
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Games Workshop

Spearhead: Stormcast Eternals

$$$

Once you know Stormcast is your faction, the Spearhead box is how you build your army. It contains 16 models at a solid discount vs. buying units separately, plus warscroll cards for every model inside. Stormcast are the most beginner-friendly faction to assemble and paint. Every major AoS army has its own Spearhead box.

What we like

  • 25-30% cheaper than buying the same units individually
  • Includes warscrolls for every model, no separate app required

What to know

  • One faction only, commit to your army before buying
  • Budget 8-12 hours to assemble and paint the full box
See on Amazon →
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Hobby Tools

Every plastic GW kit comes on a sprue. You cut models off the sprue with clippers, remove flash with a file, and glue parts together with plastic cement. These three tools are non-negotiable. The Citadel Essentials Set bundles clippers, glue, a brush, and starter paints for beginners. If you want only the clippers, the Tamiya side cutter is the professional standard at half the price.

Best starter
Games Workshop

Warhammer Citadel Essentials Set

$$

The all-in-one starter kit: clippers, plastic glue, a base brush, and 13 paints in a single box. The polystyrene cement fuses plastic with no visible join lines. If you've never built a plastic miniature, buy this and stop researching. The included paints get you started while you figure out which colors you actually need.

What we like

  • Clippers, glue, brush, and 13 paints in one purchase
  • Polystyrene cement bonds plastic with no visible join lines
  • Official GW kit designed around their plastic sprues

What to know

  • Clippers are adequate but pros use Tamiya side cutters instead
  • Small file wears faster than dedicated metal files
Find on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Tamiya

Tamiya Sharp Pointed Side Cutter

$

The best clippers in the hobby at any price, and they cost $18. Flush-cut blade removes models from sprue without leaving a nub to file down. Used by competitive painters and speed-painters alike. Pair with any plastic cement and you have a better cutting setup than anything GW sells.

What we like

  • Flush-cut blade leaves almost no nub to clean up afterward
  • Sharper than any GW clipper at half the price

What to know

  • Clippers only, pair with plastic cement and a file
  • Overkill if you're assembling just one starter box
See on Amazon →

Paints

Before you paint anything, prime it. A light grey or white spray primer (Citadel Corax White or Army Painter Matte White, ~$15) gives paint something to grip. Without it, your colors chip in a week. After priming, Citadel Contrast paints are the best thing that happened to beginner painters in a decade: one coat does shading, highlighting, and base color at once. Your first model will look like you knew what you were doing even before you did.

Best starter
Games Workshop

Citadel Contrast Paint Starter Set

$$$

Contrast paints are a genuine breakthrough for beginners. One coat over a grey primer handles shading, highlighting, and base color in a single pass. Your first models look good from day one. The starter set covers the essential colors for most starter armies.

What we like

  • One coat handles shading, highlighting, and color together
  • Beginner results look genuinely good, not beginner-mediocre
  • Full range covers almost any AoS faction's color scheme

What to know

  • Must use light grey or white primer, not black
  • Individual pots cost $7-8 each, pricier than Army Painter
Find on Amazon →
Budget pick
Army Painter

Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set

$$

The most respected GW alternative. Larger bottles, lower cost per ml, and works seamlessly alongside Citadel washes and contrast paints. Ten essential colors cover most basic army schemes. A solid starter if you'd rather not pay GW prices for every pot.

What we like

  • Larger bottles, better cost per ml than Citadel pots
  • Mixes and layers alongside Citadel paints without issues

What to know

  • Consistency varies more between pots than Citadel does
  • Less color-matched to GW's official paint guides and tutorials
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Games Workshop

Citadel Shade: Nuln Oil

$

Nuln Oil is the single most impactful technique product in the hobby. Brush it over painted metal or dark armor and it flows into recesses, creating instant depth and definition. Paired with Agrax Earthshade for skin and leather, these two washes transform flat base-coats into models that look finished. Buy both.

What we like

  • Flows into recesses automatically, adding depth without skill
  • Works on any base color, especially metallic armor

What to know

  • Pools on flat surfaces if over-applied
  • One color only; buy Agrax Earthshade separately for skin tones
See on Amazon →

Brushes

You need three brushes: a large one for base-coating, a medium one for most details, and a small one for eyes and fine work. The Army Painter starter set covers all three at a reasonable price. Don't buy individual sable brushes until you know you enjoy painting, then the Winsor and Newton Series 7 is the professional standard and worth the premium.

Best starter
Army Painter

Army Painter Hobby Starter Brush Set

$

Three brushes covering the essentials: a basecoat brush, a standard round, and a drybrush. Everything you need for the first few months of painting at a fair price. Comfortable handles, decent point retention. The honest starter set for someone who doesn't want to research every brush size before they've touched paint.

What we like

  • Three essential brush types cover 90% of beginner painting tasks
  • Comfortable handle diameter for hour-long painting sessions

What to know

  • Bristles lose their point after 3-4 months of regular painting
  • Detail brush too coarse for eyes and faces, plan to upgrade
Find on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Winsor and Newton

Winsor and Newton Series 7 Miniature Brush No. 1

$$$

The hobby's gold-standard detail brush. A single Series 7 No. 1 holds a point finer than any synthetic at any price and lasts years with proper care. Wait until you have 20+ hours of painting behind you, then buy one and feel the difference immediately.

What we like

  • Holds a finer point than any synthetic brush at any price
  • Lasts years with proper care, outlasting dozens of synthetics

What to know

  • Natural hair requires careful cleaning and reshaping each session
  • One brush, $12-18 each. A splurge until you know you love painting
See on Amazon →
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Carrying Case

Painted miniatures are fragile. Arms and weapons snap in a bag, paint chips on hard surfaces, and the join points on plastic kits are the weakest part. A proper carrying case with foam trays is not optional once you have 20+ painted models you care about. The GW Army Carry Case fits standard GW bases and handles car trips cleanly. The Plano tackle box is the open secret of the hobby: a $15 tackle box with self-cut foam carries 40+ infantry models perfectly.

Best starter
Games Workshop

Games Workshop Citadel Army Carry Case

$$$

Custom foam trays sized around GW's base sizes, a shoulder strap, and a handle. Your painted army survives car trips to game night and back. Worth it once you have a force you've spent 30+ hours painting and don't want to transport in a shoebox.

What we like

  • Foam tray sizes designed around standard GW base dimensions
  • Shoulder strap and handle for easy transport to game night

What to know

  • Expensive for a foam-lined bag at GW prices
  • GW foam trays won't fit all third-party models without adapting
Find on Amazon →
Budget pick
Plano

Plano 3600 Two-Tray Tackle Box

$

The open secret of the miniatures hobby: a $15 tackle box with foam lining stores 40+ infantry on 25mm bases perfectly. Fits in a backpack. Adjustable dividers protect models in transit. Not glamorous, completely functional, and every experienced hobbyist has at least two.

What we like

  • Under $15 and fits 40+ infantry in a standard backpack
  • Adjustable dividers protect models during transport

What to know

  • Foam must be self-cut for taller models and cavalry bases
  • No shoulder strap, less practical for armies over 50 models
Find on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first month of Age of Sigmar

The hobby has three phases: building, painting, and playing. Most people love two and tolerate the third. Here is what to actually expect in your first 30 days.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • A second army box — Play ten games with your starter forces before expanding. Most beginners buy their second army before they've finished painting their first.
  • An airbrush — Impressive technique, steep learning curve, expensive setup. Learn brush painting first and add an airbrush after a full year if you're still painting.
  • Forge World resin models — More detailed, significantly more expensive, and much harder to assemble and paint. Not for year one.
  • A full paint range — You need 8-12 paints for your first army. A full Citadel range costs $300+. Resist the urge until you know your palette.
  • Army-specific accessories — Branded dice, measuring tapes, and tokens can wait. Any six-sided dice and a standard tape measure work fine.
  • Wet palette — Useful later for keeping paints workable, but a ceramic tile or paper palette does the same job while you're learning.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Browse the Age of Sigmar faction gallery and pick one aesthetic that genuinely excites you. · Action
  2. Order the Warrior Starter Set. It arrives in a few days and gives you both factions to try. · Buy
  3. Order hobby tools and a basic paint kit so they arrive before the starter set. · Buy
  4. Watch one assembly video for your specific models before cutting anything off the sprue. · Learn
  5. Assemble one small unit (5-10 models). Don't rush. The glue needs 60 seconds to set. · Action
  6. Prime your assembled models before painting. Don't skip this step. · Action
  7. Paint one model start to finish before touching the rest. It teaches you more than reading guides. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

How much does it really cost to start Age of Sigmar?

Budget $150 to try it (starter set + basic paints + tools). Budget $350-400 to commit properly (proper starter army + full paint kit + case). The note about $300-800 starter armies is real, but you don't have to spend that on day one.

Do I have to paint my miniatures?

Not to play. Most game nights accept grey plastic models. But painting is a big part of why people love this hobby, and an unpainted army at a tournament will likely get you disqualified. Try at least one model before deciding painting isn't for you.

What's the difference between Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000?

Setting only: Age of Sigmar is high fantasy (Stormcast knights, demons, undead), while 40K is grimdark sci-fi (Space Marines, Orks, Tyranids). The core assembly and painting hobby is identical. The rules are different games. Pick whichever aesthetic appeals to you.

How long does it take to build and paint a starter army?

A Spearhead box (20-30 models) takes 15-25 hours of hobby time total. Spread over weekends, that's 4-6 weeks for most people. A full 1,000-point army runs 40-80 hours depending on how detailed your painting is.

Which faction should I pick first?

Pick the one you most want to paint, not the one that's best in the current meta. The meta changes. You'll be staring at these models for a long time. Stormcast Eternals are the most beginner-friendly to assemble and paint. Cities of Sigmar and Nighthaunt are popular starter choices too.

Can I play Age of Sigmar with the Warrior Starter Set, or do I need a bigger army?

You can absolutely play with the Warrior Starter forces. They're designed for learning games. They won't be competitive at organized events, but for learning the rules with a friend, they're ideal. Most people play dozens of games with their starter sets before expanding.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • Warhammer Community — Official Games Workshop hub for Age of Sigmar. Rules updates, faction reveals, painting tutorials, and tournament coverage.
  • Warhammer TV (YouTube) — Official GW channel. Best source for assembly walkthroughs and painting tutorials tied to specific kits. Watch before you cut anything.
  • Goonhammer — The best analysis site for competitive and semi-competitive play. Start with their Beginner's Guide after you've learned the rules.
  • Vince Venturella: Hobby Cheating (YouTube) — The most educational painting channel in the hobby. Dense, thorough, no fluff. Best for understanding the why behind techniques.
  • Duncan Rhodes Painting Academy (YouTube) — Former GW painter turned independent teacher. Gentle, methodical tutorials. Excellent for beginners learning techniques one at a time.
  • r/ageofsigmar — Active community. Good for army feedback, hobby progress posts, and 'which faction should I start' questions. Weekly hobby thread is welcoming to beginners.
  • Age of Sigmar: The App — Official free app with all warscrolls (unit rules) for every current faction. Download it before your first game; most rules questions are answered here.

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