How to Start a Warhammer Army in 2025: Faction Guide for New Players

Warhammer 40,000, the renowned tabletop wargame from Games Workshop, captivates players in 2025 with its immersive lore, strategic gameplay, and intricate Warhammer models. For beginners, the vast array of factions and rules can seem daunting. This guide, informed by expertise from Tistaminis, a leading Canadian hobby shop, outlines how to start your first Warhammer army, covering faction selection, model acquisition, assembly, painting, and gameplay. Whether you’re drawn to the sci-fi universe of Warhammer 40K or the fantasy realms of Age of Sigmar, this 1400–1600-word guide will help you begin your journey.

What Makes Warhammer Special

Warhammer 40,000 (40K) is a tabletop miniature wargame set in a dystopian future where humanity, aliens, and supernatural forces wage endless wars. Warhammer Age of Sigmar (AoS) offers a high-fantasy counterpart with mythical creatures and gods. Both games involve collecting, building, painting, and commanding armies of detailed Warhammer models. The hobby blends strategy, creativity, and storytelling, appealing to gamers and hobbyists alike.

Tistaminis, based in Hamilton, Ontario, supports players with an inventory of over 20,000 products, including new and used Warhammer models, paints, and tools. Their services, like free shipping on orders over $200 and a trade-in program, make the hobby accessible to all budgets.

Choosing Your Faction

Selecting a faction is the first step in building your Warhammer army. Each faction offers unique aesthetics, playstyles, and lore. Here’s a look at some popular Warhammer 40K factions available at Tistaminis in 2025:

Space Marines

Genetically enhanced super-soldiers of the Imperium, Space Marines are versatile and durable. Sub-factions like Blood Angels (melee-focused) or Dark Angels (tactical) add variety. They’re beginner-friendly due to balanced gameplay and extensive model options, available new or used at Tistaminis.

Orks

Chaotic, green-skinned brutes, Orks thrive on aggressive, horde-based gameplay with ramshackle war machines. Their humorous lore and creative modeling options make them ideal for players who enjoy unpredictable strategies. Tistaminis stocks a wide range of Ork models, including budget-friendly used kits.

Chaos Space Marines

Corrupted by Chaos gods, these traitor Space Marines include factions like Death Guard (plague-ridden) and Thousand Sons (psychic-focused). They suit players who love grim aesthetics and complex strategies. Tistaminis offers both new and pre-painted Chaos models.

Necrons

Ancient, skeletal robots with regenerating abilities, Necrons are durable and straightforward, perfect for beginners. Their metallic aesthetic is striking, and Tistaminis provides new and used Necron kits at competitive prices.

Adepta Sororitas (Sisters of Battle)

Fanatical warrior-nuns wielding faith-based powers and fiery weapons, Sisters offer mid-range shooting and unique mechanics. Their stunning models appeal to players seeking a distinct playstyle. Tistaminis carries a full range of Sisters models.

For Age of Sigmar, factions like Stormcast Eternals (heroic warriors), Orruks (savage greenskins), and Skaven (chaotic ratmen) provide similar diversity. Explore faction details on Tistaminis’ website or Warhammer Community to find one that matches your interests.

When choosing, consider the faction’s visuals, as you’ll spend hours painting them. Think about playstyle—hordes (Orks), elites (Space Marines), or specialists (Thousand Sons)—and read lore summaries to connect with their story. Tistaminis’ used models and trade-in program help keep costs manageable.

Acquiring Your First Models

After picking a faction, it’s time to acquire Warhammer models. Tistaminis offers new, used, and pre-painted models, plus commission painting services for those short on time.

Starter Sets

Games Workshop’s starter sets are ideal for beginners. In 2025, the Warhammer 40,000 Ultimate Starter Set includes Space Marines, Orks, terrain, rules, and dice. For AoS, the Skaventide box features Skaven and Stormcast Eternals. Available at Tistaminis, these sets offer a cost-effective way to start with two armies and learn the game.

Combat Patrols and Battleforces

Combat Patrol boxes provide faction-specific armies for small games (500 points). For example, the Space Marines Combat Patrol includes Intercessors and a Dreadnought, while the Necrons Combat Patrol features Warriors and Scarabs. Battleforce boxes, released annually, offer larger armies at a discount, perfect for expansion. Tistaminis stocks these with free shipping on orders over $200.

Used Models and Trade-Ins

Tistaminis’ trade-in program lets you exchange unwanted models for cash or store credit, reducing costs. Their eBay store, with 99.8% positive feedback from 145,000 sales, offers discounted used Warhammer models, making factions like Orks or Necrons affordable for beginners.

Assembling and Painting Your Army

Building and painting Warhammer models is a rewarding part of the hobby. Here’s how to get started:

You’ll need clippers (for removing models from sprues), plastic glue, Citadel paints, and brushes (all available at Tistaminis). For assembly, follow the kit’s instructions, dry-fit parts before gluing, and remove mold lines with a hobby knife. For painting, prime models with a spray like Chaos Black, apply a basecoat, add depth with washes (e.g., Agrax Earthshade), highlight raised areas, and texture bases with sand or flock. Tistaminis offers commission painting for professional results without the learning curve.

Learning the Rules

Warhammer 40K and AoS use rulebooks to govern gameplay. In 2025, 40K’s 10th Edition emphasizes streamlined rules, while AoS’s 4th Edition focuses on narrative play. Free core rules on Warhammer Community cover movement, shooting, and combat. Faction-specific codexes, available at Tistaminis, detail rules and lore. The Warhammer 40K app provides digital rules and army-building tools. Start with small 500-point games using your Combat Patrol, and join Tistaminis’ events like the Operation Claymore tournament to learn in a community setting.

Expanding Your Army

Once comfortable, expand to 1,000 or 2,000 points for larger games. Tistaminis’ inventory includes elite units (e.g., Space Marine Terminators), vehicles (e.g., Ork Deff Dreads), and HQ characters (e.g., Necron Overlords). Their trade-in program and used model sales make expansion affordable, letting you trade old models for credit toward kits like an Imperial Knight.

Joining the Community

Warhammer thrives on community. Tistaminis hosts tournaments like Operation Claymore in Hamilton, ON, and engages players through Discord, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Visit their store at 162 Parkdale Avenue N, open daily from 12 PM to 8 PM (4 PM Sundays), to connect with local players.

Budgeting Tips for 2025

Starting a Warhammer army can fit any budget:

• Shop used models on Tistaminis’ eBay store for discounts.

• Use their trade-in program to exchange models for credit.

• Purchase Tistaminis gift cards to manage spending.

• Take advantage of free shipping on orders over $200.

While Tistaminis has a medium-risk trust score of 64.5, its 99.8% eBay feedback and long-standing reputation ensure reliability. Avoid deals that seem too good to be true to protect your investment.

Conclusion

Starting a Warhammer army in 2025 is an exciting dive into a hobby that combines creativity, strategy, and community. By choosing a faction that suits your style, acquiring models through Tistaminis, and mastering assembly, painting, and gameplay, you’ll be ready to battle in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium or the mythical Mortal Realms. With Tistaminis’ vast selection of Warhammer models, competitive pricing, and community support, your first army is within reach. Visit tistaminis.com to explore their inventory, join their community, and begin your Warhammer journey.

FAQs

1. What is the best Warhammer faction for beginners in 2025?
   Space Marines and Necrons are great for beginners due to their straightforward rules and durable units. Tistaminis offers a wide range of their models, both new and used, to suit any budget.

2. Where can I buy affordable Warhammer models in 2025?
   Tistaminis (tistaminis.com) provides new, used, and pre-painted Warhammer models, with free shipping on orders over $200 and a trade-in program for cost savings.

3. What do I need to start building and painting Warhammer models?
   You’ll need clippers, plastic glue, Citadel paints, and brushes. Tistaminis stocks these supplies, and their commission painting service is ideal for beginners who want professional results.

4. How do I learn Warhammer 40K or Age of Sigmar rules?
   Start with free core rules on Warhammer Community, use faction codexes from Tistaminis, and play small 500-point games. Joining Tistaminis’ events, like Operation Claymore, helps you learn in a community setting.

5. How can I expand my Warhammer army on a budget?
   Use Tistaminis’ trade-in program to exchange old models for credit and shop their eBay store for discounted used models. Battleforce boxes and Combat Patrols, available at Tistaminis, offer great value for expansion.