Warhammer 40k starter sets are Games Workshop’s boxed on-ramps to the tabletop hobby. Each bundles push-fit miniatures, dice, rules, and scenery at a discount, so you can go from opening a box to playing a first game in an afternoon.
What a starter set actually gives you
Every starter set pairs two small forces, Space Marines against Tyranids in the current line, with everything needed to play a first game. The models are push-fit, so no glue is required, and the boxes include dice, range rulers, a paper or cardboard mat, and a handbook that walks you through the rules.
The point isn’t to hand you a tournament army. It’s to get you playing fast, learn the core mechanics, and figure out whether you enjoy the hobby before spending more. You can expand any of them later into a full Combat Patrol or a larger force.
The three main boxes compared
There are three tiers, and they scale in contents, rules depth, and price. The Introductory Set is the cheapest and includes paints and clippers, so it’s fully self-contained. The Starter Set drops the hobby supplies but adds far more models and a more advanced handbook. The Ultimate Starter Set is the everything-included option, with full Combat Patrol-sized forces and a proper battlefield.
If you’ve never built or painted a miniature, the Introductory Set is the obvious first step. If you already own paints and tools, or you’re a returning player, the Starter Set is the sweet spot. The Ultimate Set is for people who want the complete experience from day one.
| Set | Models | Hobby supplies | Rules included | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Set | 16 (5 Marines, 11 Tyranids) | Yes (paints, brush, clippers) | Intro handbook | $65 / £40 |
| Starter Set | 38 (12 Marines, 26 Tyranids) | No | Starter handbook + reference sheets | $110 / £65 |
| Ultimate Starter Set | 44 (18 Marines, 26 Tyranids) | No | Full core rules + Combat Patrol rules | $210 / £125 |
What’s inside each box
The Introductory Set is built around a 48-page handbook with tutorials and training scenarios. You get five Infernus Marines, ten Termagants, and a Ripper Swarm, plus five paints, a starter brush, clippers, dice, a range ruler, and a paper mat with cardboard walls and tokens. It’s designed for training scenarios and small games rather than a full match, but it teaches the basics.
The Starter Set steps up to a 64-page handbook, two reference sheets, ten dice, two range rulers, and a cardboard gaming mat. The models are 38 push-fit figures: a Captain in Terminator Armour, five Terminators, five Infernus Marines, a Winged Tyranid Prime, three Von Ryan’s Leapers, a Psychophage, twenty Termagants, and two Ripper Swarms. You can play a proper game with these forces, though they’re a bit small for a standard Combat Patrol.
The Ultimate Starter Set adds a Librarian in Terminator Armour and five Barbgaunts, bringing both sides up to full Combat Patrol size. It also throws in an extra gaming board, an STC Hab-bunker, and eight stockades for a proper battlefield, plus a 72-page handbook and a separate 72-page Core Rules booklet. The double-sided board and terrain make it the most complete package.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Introductory Set if you’re brand new and want to test the waters without committing to paints and tools separately. It’s the cheapest option and comes with everything you need to assemble and paint your first models.
Buy the Starter Set if you already have hobby supplies or just want the most models for your money. You’ll need to supply your own hobby tools, but you get a decent-sized force for both factions and a proper rulebook.
Buy the Ultimate Starter Set if you want the full rules and a complete board to play on straight away. It costs more but includes two full Combat Patrol forces and enough terrain that you won’t need to buy extra scenery.
One thing worth knowing: the Starter Set’s forces are a bit small for Combat Patrol out of the box. You’d need one extra box per side to reach that game size. The Ultimate Set skips that step entirely.
- Introductory Set: cheapest, includes paints and tools, fewest models
- Starter Set: best all-rounder, no hobby supplies, 38 models
- Ultimate Starter Set: full rules, full Combat Patrol forces, scenery included
How they fit the wider hobby
These sets are tied to the current edition of Warhammer 40,000, which launched in 2023. The rules and models are compatible with the full game, so anything you buy later will work with what’s in the box.
The Space Marines and Tyranids in these sets are drawn from the lore of the 41st millennium. The Marines are genetically enhanced soldiers, while the Tyranids are a ravenous alien hive mind. Both factions have deep backgrounds you can explore through novels, codexes, and the wider community.
Key facts
- Three tiers exist: Introductory Set, Starter Set, and Ultimate Starter Set
- All current starter sets pit Space Marines against Tyranids
- Models are push-fit, so no glue is required
- The Introductory Set is the only one with paints and tools included
- The Ultimate Starter Set includes the full core rules and Combat Patrol rules
- Starter Set forces need one extra box per side to reach Combat Patrol size
FAQ
Do I need glue or paints to build a Warhammer 40k starter set?
No glue is needed, the models are push-fit and slot together. The Introductory Set also includes paints, a brush and clippers, so it’s the only one you can build and paint straight out of the box.
Can I play a full game with just a starter set?
Yes. Each set includes dice, rulers, and a handbook with scenarios designed to teach you the game. You won’t be playing competitive matched play, but you’ll learn the core rules and get a satisfying first game. The Ultimate Set includes two full Combat Patrol forces so you can play that mode right away.
Which starter set is the best value?
The Starter Set is usually the best balance of models and price if you already own paints and tools. The Ultimate Set costs more but includes the full core rules and enough models for Combat Patrol, which saves buying those separately.