Warhammer 40k: Where Shall I Start?

[Turbulenssi]

You might want to try DoW series on PC.

Absolutely awesome RTS games.

 

[Snor]

So I've been reading up on this whole Warhammer 40k franchise, and between all the powered armor, chainsaw guns, and mind-raping demons it seems pretty badass. With this in mind, I'd like to become more familiar with this franchise, and this is where I encounter my first problem: this is a HUGE franchise. I understand that at its core is the popular tabletop strategy game, and I'd probably get into that if it weren't for having to buy all the associated paraphernalia and having no reliable friends to play with (I do not wish to recount in detail the attendance fiasco of my attempt at Dungeons and Dragons). Knowing that there is a vast amount of printed literature set in this universe, that would seem like a more favorable alternative. Ergo, I ask you, fellow Escapists, to suggest to me what books or other material would be ideal to familiarize me with this franchise?

I recently got into this with a friend and enjoying it for now

For the table top game just download/torrent the 5th edition codex (general rules), same applies for race codexes, it will let you understand the game, units and give you some background. However Dawn of War (I or II) are both great games and nice as an intro.

When you know what race is cool and its either ork or space marine then buy Black Reach starter set. Also its not nearly as expensive as some people make you believe. Find a cheap mail order site which can give up to 15% discounts sometimes.
Moreover depending on your income judge how much 200 euros is worth to you (for that you can get a considerable amount of miniatures and paint). Income and money is very relative to a lot of factors so i cant judge for you.

Try to go to a local wargaming store and see if there are any cool people there, before you order stuff
Also don't ever for the sake of your wallet buy hobby knifes, GW glue or anything that can be bought at a local store without the GW logo. I just a stanley knife for al my warhammer needs and a nail file (not kidding), also check your garage its amazing how much you can use

longest escapist post ever *for me*

 

[Spoonius]

While the novels are great reads, they often require a good background knowledge of 40k. I honestly think that the best place to start would be the rulebook. They deliberately format it in a way that gradually introduces the setting, the races, and then the rules. It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but remember that it's designed to welcome (and hook) new players.

If you have others to play with, then it'll provide you with countless hours of fun. Good luck.


PS: Don't collect Space Marines, please. They already account for over 50% of Games Workshop's sales, and it's a nice change, once in a while, to fight an enemy that isn't encased in fucking power armour.

 

[black orchid1]

ive read alot of the books but i would recomend the games for a "crash course" in what army you like but make sure you read up on the stuff about the armys because trust me you dont want to pick one then change your mind it alot of money to waste

 

[Zykon TheLich]

I'd advise going to the free online stuff first before you empty your wallet:

http://www.warseer.com/ Cover most games workshop games lots of free pdf downloads of gamer fanzines

http://www.scholaprogenium.com/ Dark Heresy & Rogue Trader (40K RPGs) Site & background

http://www.philipsibbering.com/index.shtml freelance designer who has worked on 40k

http://www.malleus.dk/Ordo/ Dark Heresy site & Rogue trader

http://www.darkreign40k.com/ As above

http://www.lexicanum.com/ Background material

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/articleCategory.jsp?communityArticleCatId=1100014&articleCatId=1100014&catId=cat1290025&section= GW's specialist games site. Lots of free legal downloads of official material.

 

[Cab00se206]

While the novels are really cracking reads, the one problem with the 40K universe is that there is no one novel that anyone can point to give a basic overview of the entire universe. To build up an idea, you'd have to read a half-dozen series or more.

My opinion is that you pick up the big hardcover rulebook from Games Workshop. Skip the rules section for now, and go straight to halfway through the book, to the full-colour summary of all the races. This section is probably the best place to get an overview. Pay particular attention to the races you like the idea of the most, then read the rules. If this sounds like something you want to get into, the best place to go next are the various codexes (or codi, as I'm told I should call it).

Seriously, 5th Edition codexes are generally over 100 pages long, and over half of that is awesome fluff. They were great before, but now they are awesome sources of information.

But remember, this is not your usual science fiction. This is dark, DARK future fantasy, and suitably epic. You have been warned.

 

[spikeyjoey]

you dont haev the option of buying parts seperately anymore

here: http://www.thewarstore.com/

Use the search bar in the top left to look for parts.

For example, I wanted Cadian Shock Trooper parts, so I just typed in "Cadian".

no luck, just the books and some stuff like the 40k inquisitor model,

thanks though