Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar are Games Workshop’s two flagship tabletop games, and they’re easy to mix up until you’ve played one. 40k is sci-fi shooting in a grim future, Age of Sigmar is high fantasy melee in magical realms.
What each game actually is
Warhammer 40k launched in 1987 and is the older, bigger game. It’s set roughly 38,000 years in the future, where the Imperium fights aliens, daemons and everything in between with tanks, guns and genetically engineered super-soldiers. Shooting is the core of it, and you win by outmanoeuvring and outgunning your opponent.
Age of Sigmar arrived in 2015 as the successor to Warhammer Fantasy Battles. It follows Sigmar and his Stormcast Eternals fighting to reclaim eight magical realms from the Chaos Gods. Games run over four or five rounds, and you win on victory points from objectives and battle tactics rather than wiping out the enemy army.
The main differences at the table
40k leans on a wide, deep model range with plenty of troops, elites and vehicles, so list-building gets detailed. Age of Sigmar is sometimes nicknamed Hero-hammer because individual heroes cost more and hit harder, which means smaller armies, shorter phases and faster, punchier games.
The rule mechanics differ too. 40k uses stratagems, one-use abilities that let you bend the normal rules. Age of Sigmar uses command abilities instead, where you spend Command Points each round for tactical advantages.
| Warhammer 40k | Age of Sigmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 1987 | 2015 |
| Setting | Sci-fi far future | High fantasy realms |
| Core playstyle | Shooting-heavy | Melee and heroes |
| Signature mechanic | Stratagems | Command abilities |
How they’re connected
They’re separate universes running in parallel, but they share the Warp, a dimension of psychic energy and daemonic entities. Chaos shows up in both settings, and the relentless war theme runs through everything.
That overlap is why newcomers sometimes assume the games share rules or models. They don’t. You can’t use Age of Sigmar miniatures in 40k without house rules, and the army lists and codexes are entirely separate.
Which should you start with?
If you love brainstorming optimal builds, play-testing and tweaking lists, 40k rewards that. It’s the more popular game, so finding opponents is easier.
If you want faster games, big cinematic heroes and a painting-focused hobby, Age of Sigmar is the friendlier entry point. It’s still growing, with new factions and rules added regularly, which some players love and others find frustrating.
Key facts
- Warhammer 40k released in 1987; Age of Sigmar launched in 2015.
- 40k is sci-fi shooting; Age of Sigmar is high fantasy melee.
- 40k uses stratagems, Age of Sigmar uses command abilities and Command Points.
- Age of Sigmar succeeded Warhammer Fantasy Battles, which ended in 2015.
- Both settings share the Warp and Chaos daemons, but the rules and models are separate.
FAQ
Can you use Age of Sigmar models in Warhammer 40k?
No, not in official games. The two systems have separate rules, army lists and miniature ranges, so a Stormcast Eternal has no place in a 40k army.
Which is easier to learn, 40k or Age of Sigmar?
Age of Sigmar is generally considered the gentler introduction, with simpler list-building and quicker matches. 40k’s depth is a strength once you’re past the basics.
Do 40k and Age of Sigmar share the same lore?
They’re separate settings, but both involve the Warp and Chaos daemons. Think parallel universes with overlapping cosmic elements rather than one continuous story.