Is Warhammer too expensive? Part 2- The cheapest way to start playing Warhammer

 In Part 1, I looked at some of the discussion surrounding the price of Games Workshop models. In Part 2, I'm going to break down the cost to start various different games, and think about why the 2 we see the most of; Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40k, are actually the worst games to start with.

We're going to have a look at the cheapest* ways to get into a few games in comparison to 40k and Age of Sigmar. In each case, I won't be factoring in hobby supplies (glue, paint, brushes etc.) as these are roughly similar for each game, or terrain (unless the game needs a custom board, such as Blood Bowl). I'm going to refer to prices on the Games Workshop store- but you can get most of these products 10-20% off if you shop around.

A Quick Note: Non-Games Workshop Games

This may be one of the first places you're pointed to, especially by those disgruntled with Games Workshop, if you're looking for a reasonably priced game to play. There are pros and cons with this though:

Firstly, these games aren't always cheaper. Companies who have models which are, in a direct comparison to Games Workshop models, cheaper, may not always be cheaper to get into. You may need more of those models for the game for example.

Secondly, you may struggle to find other players. This is true of all wargames to some extent, but Games Workshop does tend to draw a larger crowd in many areas (especially the UK). 

Finally, a lot of people simply enjoy the Games Workshop IP a lot more. They have universes which are established in their own right, and are probably some of the best to actually game in. You may not actually have any interest in a game like Kings of War, for example, but 40k draws you in.

As such, I'm not going to provide suggestions for non-Games Workshop games here, but they are out there!

1. Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar

Games Workshop's flagship titles- and as such, they command a premium price. Just have a look at some of the individual character models- they're marked up because you're only going to buy these once or twice in comparison to the 'troops', and Games Workshop knows you want that miniature!

Lelith Hesperax- a small one sprue miniature, at £26.50.

Let's start with Age of Sigmar. AOS is an interesting one- you could get into the game for as little as £50, by virtue of the rules and 'warscrolls' floating around on the internet.

£50 for 19 models.

I'm hesitant to leave it here though. You would be playing a shell of a game, without the full rules for your army and the full rules for the game. So the cheapest way to start would be the Start Collecting, along with the Rulebook and the Battletome.

Total: £115

Next up is Warhammer 40k. In 9th Edition, Games Workshop introduced a new kind of starter kit for factions- perhaps one which provides a more rounded start. What this has done though, is make 40k even more expensive to start at the smallest points cost. You'll need the Rulebook, your armies Codex and the Combat Patrol.

£85 for 18 models in the Combat Patrol Box.

Total: £155

The main reason I don't think these are good value: these are just about enough to play the smallest points games. Almost inevitably, if you want to keep playing, you're going to be spending more.

2. Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game

The 3rd of Games Workshop's main titles- and one which following the Film trilogy in the early 2000s made them an enormous amount of money. These days, it is a much smaller game to the main two, but is has a loyal fan base, and won't be too difficult to find players for- especially if you live in the UK.

The Heroes of this game make this an interesting one. You can get into the game very cheaply thanks to 2 boxes- The Fellowship and Thorin's company. For example:

The main rulebook, the Lord of the Rings Army Book and The Fellowship:

£30 for 9 models, though the sculpts are admittedly a little older.

Total: £100

The main advantage to this, in my opinion is that this scales to various points levels, and you'll remain reasonably competitive- provided you're not trying to win a GT. Unlike the flagship titles, you could never buy another model again should you wish, and play against any opponent at the main points levels.

I should note, if you spend a little more you can get the starter box set- which is phenomenal value, if not the cheapest way to actually play a game.

£95 makes this ridiculously good value!

3. Blood Bowl

Blood Bowl really is fantastic value for a game from Games Workshop. A full team (around 12-16 models)  will set you back only £26- and comes with all the options you need (except for some of the optional specialist players). However, you do need the custom dice, board, templates etc. in order to play. That's where the starter set comes in.

£85 for 30 miniatures.

Total: £85

And that really is all you need to start- £85 gets you everything you could need to play- everything else is just an optional extra. And even here, you get options- 2 teams, so you can play another if you're bored. Optional players included to change up your games. The full rulebook, with all the teams rules. All the dice, pitches and templates you need. Is this really the same company that produces Warhammer 40k?

(A quick note on why I think Blood Bowl is such good value: Blood Bowl isn't a flagship game, so Games Workshop knows they can't charge that premium, new players won't be drawn in like they are by the enormous following of 40k. Unlike 40k, Blood Bowls loyal fans don't really need new miniatures either. They could just buy that ruleboook. So actually, Games Workshop does have to price this more competitively- to draw in new players to a niche game, and to entice the veterans to buy something they could do without).

4. Kill Team and Warcry

If you want something 'closer' to 40k and AOS, then the skirmish versions of the game aren't a bad way to start. Strangely, they aren't actually that much cheaper to start, but don't have the same kind of ongoing cost of building up the larger force.

Starting with Warcry, you'll need the rulebook, and the cheapest way to do it is to pick up one of the warbands with included rulecards.

£30 for 10 miniatures in this box.

Total: £55

However, just be aware that for slightly more updated rules, or to play the majority of factions, you'll be adding a further £15-20 for the newer books which have the warband stats in.

Kill team is an interesting one. A month ago, Kill Team was probably the most advised game for new comers. You bought 1 book for £25, a box for £20-35, and you were done. Now with the new ruleset, it is a little different. The books are more expensive, and it appears like you now need some small pieces of terrain (the measuring gauges are technically optional, but as they come with the terrain...)

I'm including the 'Recruit' Version of the 40k Starter sets here- not technically the very cheapest- but you get a Space Marine Kill Team with some HQs and Necrons thrown in, for about the same price.

£32.50 for 20 miniatures.

Total: £112.50

Not too far from the 40k prices these days- and not that much cheaper than the limited time boxset. I imagine with the upcoming quarterly Kill Team releases they announced this is by design- lure in new players with the value sets. If you're serious about Kill Team, getting one of these boxes probably is the best value, and you get the terrain too.

5. Warhammer Underworlds

Want an even cheaper AOS game? Warhammer Underworlds is here to deliver. We're getting into the territory where you can pick this game up for 2-3 months pocket money as a kid quite easily.

£40 for 8 models.

Total: £40

Very cheap to get into- but it is worth noting. There is a deck building element to Underworld, and a rotation of 'legal' teams. If you're planning to play it competitively, you'll be paying more. But if you're happy to play without keeping up with the meta, underworlds is cheap.

6. Necromunda and Aeronautica Imperialis

Want an even cheaper game in the 40k universe? Lets look at the options:

Necromunda can cost around the same as Kill Team. Necromunda has one thing currently Kill Team does not have though. A cheaper starter set.

£90 for 20 miniatures.

Total: £90

This is similar in value to the Blood Bowl set for what you're getting. If you're serious about the campaign side of things, you'll want to pick up one of the House books (they're around £30).

Aeronautica Imperialis is an often overlooked game- but its fun enough, and is slowly building up the main factions of 40k. Each new boxset has the same rules, but gives a new expansion to 2 factions.

£55 for 9 models.

Total: £55

Conclusion

The two main games of AOS and 40k are by no means the cheapest way to get into playing miniature wargames. 

A few readers at this point will be thinking, but AOS and 40k are full army games- they're going to be more expensive. This is of course, true. But even when starting out, you're paying more than the other games out there. The smaller Games Workshop games need more publicity, because they're out there, and are much better for starting wargaming. In my experience, these 'smaller' games are often more enjoyable too- so don't worry about the focus on AOS and 40k, go and explore that Boxed Game tab on the Games Workshop webstore.

Join me for part 3 where I take a look at some more options, from the times of old.

Thanks for reading