How do I get started with Warhammer or Games Workshop Games?
Games Workshop, as well as Warhammer enthusiasts and players everywhere, take their hobby very seriously. They call it "The Hobby" and encourage a hobbyist to be involved in all aspects of the game, including collecting a substantial army of miniatures, modifying, assembling and painting them, and possibly even building terrain and creating battle scenes for play. It is a hobby that involves a great deal of time and commitment, not only commitment of skill and effort to developing your army and learning the rules, but a social commitment to gaming friends and fellow hobbyists. This is a game that can reap the benefits of incredible feelings of accomplishment as well as great social rewards in the vast network of GW hobbyists.
Everyone, however, must take it a step at a time to creating an army and learning the rules; here is Painted Fantasy Miniatures suggestions for steps to take in beginning the hobby:
- Choose a game: We suggest starting with basic Warhammer Fantasy or Warhammer 40K and purchasing a copy of the basic Warhammer rulebook.
- Choose an army. Do you want to be on the side of good or evil? Law or chaos? Somewhere in between? Choosing an army can be difficult, as each army has strengths and weaknesses that are unique to that army. Each has a favored method of attack and defense, a specific background and even a favored color scheme. Please browse the entire list of Warhammer Fantasy armies on the left navigation of Painted Fantasy Miniatures, and read each army summary there. Also, keep on the lookout for a new article written solely for the purpose of choosing a Warhammer army!
- Collect basic army miniatures, units, special pieces and monsters as well as the specific army rulebook.
- Assemble your army. Most army basics and units come on plastic "sprues" with dozens of miniatures per sprue. The larger pieces and special pieces are usually made of metal and come separately, however, they are never bought assembled unless you are buying second-hand. The artist suggests buying a good set of performance Hobby Knives, better known as Exacto knives, or X-acto knives, to trim the miniatures of metal and plastic "flash" (extra fragments). She uses tubes of "Zap Gel" (PT-27) as her preferred glue. Some people find that a hobby drill kit (a Dremmel kit) is also essential for assembling metal pieces or large monsters. And don't forget your modeling space; you will need a good space cleared away to make room for your newly emerging army as you assemble.
- Begin planning a color scheme and a battle strategy for your army, and lay out special pieces as you familiarize yourself with the rules.
- Painting your army. This is considered by most hobbyists to be the most demanding and extensive part of the hobby. This can be especially true at a time when you just want to start to play! It takes a lot of time to paint each miniature, especially for those who may not have an artists eye or steady hand. Everyone differs in how they want their army painted, but there are few who do not want the most fantastical army on the field. Paints can be purchased from Games Workshop as well as the very fine brushes needed for detail. However, if you do not have the time, patience, or skill to paint your own army, or, you want your army painted to be the most glorious on the field of battle, please check out the painted miniatures service page or contact us!
- Connect with local gaming groups and set up a place and times to play, or just sit, talk war, assemble or paint. Please see our section below with tips on how to find other gamers in your area! One tip; before you start play, make sure you have proper padded carrying cases for your army/armies so the paint doesn't chip! Games Workshop supplies stamped cases just for that purpose.
- CHARGE! Field your army on the field of battle. Don't worry, you are a new general and need to "season" your troops to top performance. But keep practicing and they (and you) will hack and slash and cut through the enemy with ease.