Hi, starting after 15+ years

[ArcMek]

Hi everyone. Recently I visited a friend who I did not realize collects and plays Warhammer. I've been out of the loop for a long time, but it was enough to draw me back. He recommended this as a great and well moderated forum, so here I am. There's a comic store near me that I understand carries the products, has gaming tables and tournaments and such. I'm excited, but a little nervous to walk in there since I'm not a great people person. I'm watching a lot of painting videos and such that my friend recommended, since I've never painted, so I feel pretty good there. It's just a matter of figuring out what army I want to start with, I guess. Blood Angels, Genestealers, Adeptus Mechanicus, Necrons, and Orks are probably my favorites so I'm going to try to narrow my choice down.

I had one simple newbie question about the rulebooks I thought I should ask before I do anything. I've heard of a lot of different supplement books and so forth. Does the Warhammer 40,000: The Rules have all of this stuff consolidated in it? I know I'll need a Codex and the main rulebook, but I've heard of Chapter Approved and Vigilus and Psychic Awakening and have no idea what that stuff is. Just trying to figure out what I need, I'm pretty much a newbie starting from scratch.

Thank you, I look forward to hanging out here.

[Zephaniah Adriyen]

Yeeeeeeah, uh... rulebooks are expensive and you need a lot of them.

 

Or Battlescribe. Battlescribe is free and has all the rules for units (not stratagems, not specialist detachments, etc.) and basic detachments all ready to go right there. Also, if you have friends who play the same armies you do, ask them to temporarily borrow Codices for your armies whenever you need to play against them.

[WarriorFish]

Welcome to the B&C and back to the hobby :tu: The vigilus books are not essential; you only really need the rulebook (which your friend can probably provide for games) and your codex. Chapter Approved is something you can worry about later, my regular group just has a single group copy for these for example :) The priority is getting your army going after all ;)

 

A lot has changed in 15 years but the general core should be familiar enough, take your time to catch up then see which army takes your fancy. If you have any questions you're in the right place :D

[N1SB]

Hi, welcome back to The Hobby.

 

I'll just try to explain a bit more on what the books are, and their importance to you, then you can borrow or buy them.  I'm actually going to use some video game language in case that might help.  The most practically useful thing is, as suggested above, an application/app called Battlescribe.

 

 

+++ Must Reads +++

 

8th ed Warhammer 40,000 Main Rulebook (must read) - the core rules, obviously important

 

8th ed Codex (must read for whichever Codex you end up choosing) - the core rules cover the game, but the Codices cover YOUR army.  Your friend mentioned Supplementary Codices and they are only for the less specialised Space Marine Chapters (i.e. not including Blood Angels as they have their own book).  You're coming in fresh, so this only matters when you start narrowing down your search, but when you do, it matters a great deal.

 

 

+++ Must Check With +++

 

The Big FAQ and Codex: Orks FAQ (must check over) - Games Workshop "patches" their books for free at https://www.warhammer-community.com/faqs/ .  These patches are like specific rules errata and may apply to your army, so they're important to glance over to make sure you're following updated rules.

 

(Latest) Chapter Approved (must check over, especially for points costs) - the Chapter Approved are annual updates that are like big patches, the biggest of which are in points costs for units from all the factions.  Those points costs are probably the most beneficial thing, and the latest ones (and a new one is around the corner I think, so hold off for a bit maybe). They also contain some fun things like rules to create your own special characters, they're almost like a season pass for the game...so GW sells them as actual products.  

 

 

+++ Purely Optional +++

 

Vigilis Defiant and Vigilis Ablaze (purely optional) - these are story-driven "DLC" books that move the plot/setting of Warhammer 40,000 slightly forward and are purely optional IMHO.  They offer bonus upgrades to many armies.  I happened to have experimented with what's called a "Specialist Detachment" for Orks, but it wasn't all that interesting (neither useful or that flavourful), and really not at all necessary.

 

Psychic Awakening (purely optional) - is the JUST STARTING story-driven "DLC" and again moves the plot/setting forward, they seem very faction specific right now, maybe you'll want to look at one for the Orks but again, purely optional.

 

 

+++ Super Duper Useful Tool That Effectively Replaces Everything But the Rulebook +++

 

BattleScribe (purely optional but boy do I rely on it) - is a free fan-made application/app for your PC or phone.  It's an army list-building program that uses its own files containing all the Codex AND updated information (from FAQs, Chapter Approved, etc.)  After creating an army list, it provides a document view where you can see all the stats and special rules, etc., to actually play with.  GW knows it exists, it's an open secret that people do just use this instead of reading the actual Codices, but it's just so useful.

 

 

+++

 

 

Just a few final words, because I think I answered your broad question, but I think a better overall solution is to visit your Friendly Local Gaming Store or official Warhammer Store and see what's available.  There is a low model-count version of Warhammer 40,000, skirmish level, called Kill Team.  You may also find you like the fantasy range (recently, I've been having so much fun with their skirmish game, Warcry).  This all matters because, beyond the game, it depends on whom you're playing with, and there are definitely certain cultures & attitudes depending on your local "meta" or gaming scene.  Check that scene out before making final decisions, because it has a big impact on yours and others' enjoyment.

 

We're all socially awkward, in case that makes you less nervous.  You won't be alone in the store, Brother.

[ArcMek]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the information, and especially the breakdown of the books. I feel much less lost now. I downloaded Battlescribe as suggested and I can see why people recommend it.

 

I also see GW sells Codexes in ebook form. Do these update when fans release or points change? Just curious, I'm kind of a luddite and prefer paper books.

[Karack Blackstone]

Paper books lack and never need batteries, I know the lure. *Eyes collection of all 8th Ed. Codex books and BRB besides Codex: Daemons*

 

Well, here's the thing.

 

As above, you must have:

- BRB (Epub, PDF, or otherwise, hardback is worth the dive)

- Codex for your Army

- Chapter Approved 2018 (2019 Comes out in November, or maybe even later this month, kind of a game wide patch)

- Errata and FAQ for your army, if you're able to print it (Warhammer Community site has all these, for all books. There are at times some for the BRB as well, along with Supplements.)

- Models

- Paints

- Battlescribe works in a pinch, glad you already have it.

 

When in doubt:

- BRB, Book, hardcover (great read, wonderful lore)

- Army Codex

- CA 2018/9

- FAQ's, BRB, CA, etc. (If you have the book in question, get the most recent, as they always roll forwards and include prior points of note)

- When CA 2019 lands, it preempts 2018, replace, and once the two week after mark rolls by, FAQ check

 

Overall, it's not that complicated if you just go with the bare bones. Sadly, it's a great deal of data. Depending on locale, stop in and ask around, the current GW community is pretty cool and chill most of the time.

 

Also, any idea on an army yet?

[Trokair]

Welcome ArcMek

 

Others have already covered most of it but as somebody returning I would say focus on the rule book and whichever codex you end up choosing (plus the FAQ relevant to both) and don’t worry about the rest. Your local game group can fill in any gaps while you are learning.

 

As you start narrowing in on what you want to collect have a look at the relevant boards here on the forum for additional information and support.

 

 

In case it would help you getting started I am about to run a 4 month ‘Start a New Army’ event that other members can join in on. The idea is that anybody starting a new army can join in and then we help each other and motivate each other. If you think that would help click on the banner in my signature and it will take you to the initial thread, the full event thread will start up in a bit.

[Dosjetka]

Welcome to the B&C, ArcMek! :tu:

[ArcMek]

Thank you for the info and the warm welcome, everyone :)

 

 

 

Also, any idea on an army yet?

Well, I've been reading through the forums and getting an idea of how things work, and reading a few tactics articles. I'm starting to lean pretty heavily towards Genestealer Cults, they just seem like a lot of fun and I'm so happy to see they have their own army after all these years. I've kind of ruled out Blood Angels just because I'd prefer an all Primaris army, and Primaris don't have the kind of stuff that interests me just yet....maybe a second army down the line, I've read that they're still rolling out Primaris stuff for a while yet.

[AgramarTheLunarWolf]

Hello!! Welcome!!

[Karack Blackstone]

Thank you for the info and the warm welcome, everyone

 

 

 

 

Also, any idea on an army yet?

Well, I've been reading through the forums and getting an idea of how things work, and reading a few tactics articles. I'm starting to lean pretty heavily towards Genestealer Cults, they just seem like a lot of fun and I'm so happy to see they have their own army after all these years. I've kind of ruled out Blood Angels just because I'd prefer an all Primaris army, and Primaris don't have the kind of stuff that interests me just yet....maybe a second army down the line, I've read that they're still rolling out Primaris stuff for a while yet.

 

Yes, that looks correct.

 

There's the thought in various places here that the Primaris line still needs Gravis and Tacticus armor Troops, and/or some sort of force similar to the way that the previous Mark X Armor has worked. The Mark X PA generic is one, while Phobos and Reiver style also have been put out thus far. Thus the thought that said Gravis and Tacticus remain.

 

The only real issue remains to be seen is whether or not the Primaris line is in a 30K to 40K equivalent; meaning, are there going to be more options? If not, Normarines or the regular PA marine models ranges, C/SM, Chaos, Spare Marine both, are really the key to having options. A LOT of Bolt Rifles does not a tactically flexible unit make. However, an Intercessor squad with a IPL (Intercessor Pack Leader, Sergeant basically) and maybe a Hellblaster variant that's the equivalent to the IC unit's Bolt Rifle variant might make sense. That doesn't mean it's going to be done, sadly.

 

Still, Genestealer Cults are a variant Imperial Guard, so if you want to read up on both, some of the stuff will translate, while others will not. You, as a player, will likely want to make a thread in each place, favoring the GsC (Genestealer Cults) section, if you like it! That way, you can learn more, and do a better job of informing yourself as both a player and a person.

[Kolgrim DeathHowl]

Welcome back I just returned not too long ago too. I'm a pretty shy person but when I went to a few different game stores and watched some games when I did first want to get back into it everyone was really cool and welcoming. This is a great site for all kinds of help or inspiration!

[battle captain corpus]

Every one walks the path of the outcast at some point brother, you have found illumination once again and are back in its warm hobby embrace!

 

BCC

[Excessus]

I see others have provided information already so all that is left is to say: Welcome!