Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Warhammer 40k
1) What is Warhammer 40,000 (40K)?
It's a sci-fi tabletop miniatures wargame by Games Workshop set in a grimdark far future where countless factions wage endless war.
2) How do you play?
Players build armies, deploy units on a tabletop battlefield with terrain and take alternating turns moving, shooting, fighting and scoring objectives using dice and rules.
3) What do I need to start?
A small army (or Starter Set), the current Core Rules, dice, measuring tool, and some terrain. Many begin with a Combat Patrol box.
4) What is a Combat Patrol?
A curated, balanced starter army in one box designed for quick games and an easy entry point.
5) How big are standard games?
Common sizes range from small Combat Patrol games (500 points) to full battles around 1,000-2,000 points, depending on your group or event.
6) What is a Codex/Index?
Faction rulebooks (Codexes) or index datasheets provide unit stats, army rules and options specific to each faction.
7) How are turns structured?
Typically phases include Command (scoring/abilities), Movement, Shooting, Charge and Fight, with mission rules guiding objectives and scoring.
8) What dice do I need?
Mainly six-sided dice (d6). Some weapons/abilities roll multiple dice; having a handful (10-20) is helpful.
9) Do I have to paint my models?
It's encouraged and part of the hobby, but not mandatory for casual play. Many events award points for painting and basing.
10) How do I build an army list?
Choose a faction, pick units up to the agreed points limit, and follow detachment/slot requirements from your faction rules.
11) What are the main factions?
Broad groups include Imperium (e.g., Space Marines, Astra Militarum), Chaos (e.g., Chaos Marines, Daemons), Xenos (e.g., Orks, Aeldari, Tyranids, Necrons, T'au).
12) What scale are the models?
Roughly 28-32mm "heroic" scale infantry stand a few centimeters tall; vehicles and monsters are larger.
13) How long does a game take?
Small games can be under an hour; full 2,000 point matches often run 2-3 hours, depending on experience and terrain.
14) What's the difference between Lore and Rules?
Lore (fluff) is the setting's stories and history; rules (crunch) are the mechanics used to play the game.
15) How do missions and objectives work?
Matched play missions specify deployment, primary/secondary objectives and scoring; players earn points by holding markers and completing tasks.
16) Are there digital tools?
Yes-army builders, reference apps and official PDFs/datasheets help track rules, points and unit abilities.
17) How expensive is it?
Costs vary. Starting with a Combat Patrol reduces expense; painting and terrain can be done on a budget.
18) Can different factions ally?
Generally, armies are chosen from a single faction/detachment for balance; narrative games may allow alliances if your group agrees.
19) What's the hobby side like?
Building, converting and painting miniatures is a major part of 40K. Many hobbyists enjoy kitbashing and showcasing armies.
20) How do I find games?
Leicestershire Miniatures have a wide selection of 40k models in stock.
Common words and phrases connected to Warhammer 40k.
1. Imperium of Man: A galaxy-spanning human empire ruled by the God-Emperor.
2. God-Emperor: The immortal ruler and spiritual figurehead of humanity.
3. Space Marines: Genetically enhanced super-soldiers serving the Imperium.
4. Primarch: Superhuman sons of the Emperor, leaders of the Space Marine Legions.
5. Chaos: A malevolent force from the Warp that corrupts and destroys.
6. Warp: An alternate dimension of psychic energy, used for faster-than-light travel.
7. Chaos Gods: Four major deities of Chaos: Khorne, Nurgle, Tzeentch, and Slaanesh.
8. Horus Heresy: A galaxy-wide civil war where Warmaster Horus betrayed the Emperor.
9. Adeptus Astartes: The official name for the Space Marines.
10. Adeptus Mechanicus: The tech-priests who worship the Machine God and maintain technology.
11. Machine God: The deity worshipped by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
12. Imperial Guard: The vast human army of the Imperium, also known as Astra Militarum.
13. Astra Militarum: The formal name for the Imperial Guard.
14. Inquisition: A secretive organization rooting out heresy, Chaos, and xenos threats.
15. Orks: A brutal, green-skinned alien species that thrives on war.
16. Eldar: An ancient and psychic alien race, also known as Aeldari.
17. Dark Eldar: A sadistic offshoot of the Eldar race, dwelling in Commorragh.
18. Tyranids: A hive-mind alien species that consumes entire planets.
19. Necrons: Ancient robotic warriors awakening to reclaim the galaxy.
20. Tau Empire: A technologically advanced alien race focused on the "Greater Good".
21. Greater Good: The philosophy of unity and progress followed by the Tau.
22. Heretic: Someone who defies the Emperor and the Imperial Creed.
23. Loyalist: Someone who remains faithful to the Emperor.
24. Traitor Legion: Space Marine Legions that turned to Chaos during the Horus Heresy.
25. Black Legion: The primary Chaos Space Marine warband led by Abaddon the Despoiler.
26. Abaddon the Despoiler: The Warmaster of Chaos and leader of the Black Legion.
27. Khorne: Chaos God of blood, war, and skulls.
28. Nurgle: Chaos God of decay, disease, and plague.
29. Tzeentch: Chaos God of change, sorcery, and schemes.
30. Slaanesh: Chaos God of excess, pleasure, and perfection.
31. Daemon: A creature of the Warp serving the Chaos Gods.
32. Grey Knights: An elite Space Marine Chapter dedicated to fighting daemons.
33. Black Templars: A zealous Space Marine Chapter known for eternal crusades.
34. Ultramarines: One of the most famous and disciplined Space Marine Chapters.
35. Codex Astartes: A book of rules and strategies written by Roboute Guilliman.
36. Roboute Guilliman: Primarch of the Ultramarines, revived in the current era.
37. Adeptus Custodes: The Emperor's personal golden-armored bodyguards.
38. Sisters of Battle: Also known as Adepta Sororitas, holy warriors of the Ecclesiarchy.
39. Ecclesiarchy: The religious organization of the Imperium that worships the Emperor.
40. Commissar: A political officer in the Astra Militarum ensuring loyalty and discipline.
41. Hive World: A planet with massive hive cities and dense populations.
42. Forge World: A planet dedicated to manufacturing and technology, ruled by the Mechanicus.
43. Titan: A colossal war machine operated by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
44. WAAAGH!: A massive Ork invasion driven by their collective psychic energy.
45. Genestealer Cult: A hybrid of Tyranid infection and human societies preparing for Tyranid invasion.
46. Imperial Creed: The official religion of the Imperium, worshipping the Emperor as a god.
47. Warp Storm: A massive disturbance in the Warp that can trap or destroy fleets.
48. Exterminatus: The complete destruction of a planet to prevent it from falling to the enemy.
49. Death Guard: A Chaos Space Marine Legion dedicated to Nurgle.
50. Thousand Sons: A Chaos Space Marine Legion devoted to Tzeentch and sorcery.
Description and game play for Warhammer 40k.
Warhammer 40,000 is a cinematic tabletop battle game where gothic sci-fi armies clash across dense terrain. It rewards careful positioning, target priority and resource timing as much as lucky dice. New players win more by mastering fundamentals, mission scoring, movement and screening-than by chasing exotic combos. The game's lore is grand, but victories come from small, repeatable advantages each turn.
Build lists with a clear plan: durable units to hold primaries, fast pieces to pressure secondaries, and efficient "traders" to take ground, do damage, then die on your terms. Terrain matters; use obscuring pieces to stage threats safely, and insist on true lanes for movement. Conserve Command Points for pivotal re-rolls and defensive stratagems rather than flashy spikes. Above all, deploy to score every turn, not merely to table the opponent.
Best game plan, distilled:
Play the mission first-score primaries consistently and pick secondaries your list can achieve without dice spikes.
Trade early with expendable units to establish board control, then commit hammers once screens are gone.
Focus fire to remove an enemy unit completely; half-measures rarely change math on the table.
Layer threats so the opponent cannot answer everything at once; force difficult choices.
Protect characters and key auras; losing rerolls or objective control auras snowballs quickly.
On the table, think in phases. Opening: scout onto mid-board, screen flanks, and threaten angles while denying deep strikes. Midgame: rotate fresh units onto objectives, punish overextensions, and bank safe secondary points. Endgame: collapse on weakened sectors, flip contested markers, and spend remaining resources to guarantee final scoring. If you must charge, pre-measure heroic interventions and overwatch lanes; if you must hold, touch terrain for cover and keep an interrupt stratagem ready. Win by staying patient, trading smart, and letting the scoreboard pressure your opponent into mistakes.
About Warhammer.
Warhammer is a tabletop miniature wargame created by Games Workshop, set in rich fictional universes like Warhammer 40,000 (sci-fi) and Warhammer: Age of Sigmar (fantasy). The hobby is more than just gameplay; it's an immersive experience that combines strategy, creativity and community.
One of the core aspects of Warhammer is the modeling and painting of miniatures. Hobbyists spend hours assembling detailed figures from plastic sprues and then painting them using a variety of techniques. For many, painting is a relaxing and expressive part of the hobby, allowing for customization and artistic flair. Whether you're painting a grimdark Space Marine or a majestic Stormcast Eternal, every model is a chance to tell a story.
The game itself involves players using these painted armies in turn based battles on terrain filled boards. Each unit has its own stats, abilities and lore. Strategy and luck (through dice rolls) play key roles in every match. Army building is also a crucial component, with players balancing point costs and synergy between units to create effective forces.
Beyond the game and models, the Warhammer hobby includes an expansive universe filled with novels, animations and a passionate global community. Fans dive into the deep lore, collecting books and engaging in online discussions or local gaming clubs. Events like Warhammer Fest and tournaments give hobbyists the chance to showcase their armies and meet like minded individuals.
Whether you're drawn in by the tactical gameplay, the detailed models, or the storytelling, Warhammer offers something for everyone. It's a hobby that encourages patience, creativity and strategic thinking making it both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Warhammer shop near me, Leicester:-
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Shop opening times:-
Thursday 10am until 5pm
Friday 10am until 7pm
Saturday 10am until 5pm.
Unit 2, Queniborough Ind. Est. 1487 Melton Road, Queniborough, Leicestershire, LE7 3FP.
Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar