Getting into Warhammer 40k is exciting, but a few common missteps can cost you money, time, and wins. Here are the mistakes new players make most often, and how to sidestep them.
Buying too much, too fast
The biggest trap is buying a huge army before you’ve played a single game. You’ll end up with unpainted plastic and no idea what you actually enjoy. Start with a Combat Patrol or a small 500-point force, play a few games, then expand.
Also resist chasing the meta. Rules change every few months, so buying the current top army often leads to regret. Pick models you like the look of, because you’ll spend hours building and painting them.
- Start with a Combat Patrol box or a Start Collecting set.
- Play 500-point games before committing to 2000 points.
- Choose an army based on aesthetics, more than current win rates.
Ignoring the mission and objectives
New players often focus on killing enemy units and forget that most games are won by scoring objectives. In matched play, you need to hold points and complete secondary objectives to rack up victory points.
Read the mission before you deploy. Think about which objectives you can realistically take and how your army will get there. A unit that sits back and shoots might be better used to grab a mid-field objective.
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Only trying to kill | Play the mission; score points |
| Ignoring secondaries | Pick 2-3 you can achieve |
| Deploying without a plan | Plan objective grabs before setup |
Poor list building and unit synergy
A common error is taking a random mix of units without considering how they work together. Your army needs a plan: some units to hold objectives, some to deal damage, and some to screen or support.
Don’t overload on one type of unit. All-melee or all-shooting lists struggle against balanced opponents. Also, make sure you have enough anti-tank and anti-infantry firepower to handle different threats.
- Include a mix of objective holders, damage dealers, and support.
- Balance anti-tank and anti-infantry weapons.
- Don’t forget cheap units for screening and board control.
Forgetting terrain and positioning
Terrain is more than decoration. It blocks line of sight and provides cover, and ignoring it gets your units killed. New players often deploy in the open or move without using cover.
Learn how to use ruins, woods, and barricades to protect your key units. Also, keep your characters safe behind screens, and don’t bunch up against blast weapons.
Neglecting the hobby side
Warhammer 40k is a hobby as much as a game. Rushing through assembly and painting leads to models you’re not proud of and can even affect gameplay if you can’t tell units apart.
Take your time, use a simple paint scheme, and don’t compare your first models to veterans’ work. Also, don’t forget to read your codex and the core rules, because knowing your army’s rules inside out wins games.
Key facts
- Start with a small force (500 points) before buying a full army.
- Play the mission: objectives win games, more than kills.
- Balance your list with anti-tank, anti-infantry, and objective holders.
- Use terrain to protect your units and block enemy fire.
- Take your time with assembly and painting; it’s part of the fun.
FAQ
What’s the most common beginner mistake in Warhammer 40k?
Buying too many models before learning the game. It’s better to start small, play a few games, and then expand based on what you enjoy.
How many points should a beginner start with?
Most players recommend starting with 500-point games, often using a Combat Patrol box. That’s enough to learn the core rules without feeling overwhelmed.
Do I need to paint my army to play?
No, you can play with unpainted models. But painting is part of the hobby, and many events require at least a basic paint job.