Warhammer 40K for Beginners: Your First 500 Point Army

What Is Warhammer 40,000?

Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniatures game where two players command painted armies across a battlefield of ruins, objectives, and shifting tactical problems. You assemble the models, make the army your own, and then use movement, ranged attacks, charges, and close combat to score objectives and wear down the opposing force.

For a new player, the biggest mistake is trying to learn the entire game and build a tournament-sized collection at once. A smaller force lets you learn how a few units work, finish games faster, and make smarter purchases after you know what style you enjoy.

Is 500 Points Still a Good Starting Size?

Yes—as a casual learning size. In the current edition, standard matched-play army sizes are larger, so 500 points is best treated as a friendly teaching format rather than the default competitive format. It is still a useful goal for building a compact first force and practicing the fundamentals with fewer datasheets to track.

For the most balanced official small-game experience, Combat Patrol is the cleaner entry point. Combat Patrol uses pre-set forces and dedicated rules so two boxes can meet on more even footing without requiring you to calculate an exact points list. Think of 500 points as your flexible hobby milestone and Combat Patrol as your ready-made learning format.

Why a Combat Patrol Box Is the Easiest Start

A Combat Patrol box gives you a themed group of units from one faction in a single purchase. That matters because the units are meant to function together, and the current Combat Patrol rules provide a defined force with fewer choices to manage. You can start learning the table before worrying about every enhancement, detachment, or competitive list-building decision.

Choose the faction you genuinely want to build and paint. Rules change, but enjoying the models keeps the project fun. Space Marines are approachable, but Orks, Tyranids, Necrons, Adepta Sororitas, Chaos armies, and the other factions can all be good first choices if their look and story grab you.

What Else Do You Need?

Besides models, you need the current core rules or official app resources, your faction’s current datasheets, dice, a tape measure, and a few objective markers. Clippers and plastic glue handle most assembly. Primer, a small brush set, and a handful of paints are enough to begin painting.

You do not need a display-quality army or a shelf full of terrain for game one. Build the models carefully, check the current rules before choosing wargear, and bring them unpainted if that is what gets you playing. A store demo table also saves you from buying scenery before you know how often you will play.

How to Build a Simple 500 Point Army

Start with one leader, one dependable unit that can hold an objective, and one or two units that solve a clear problem—speed, ranged pressure, durability, or close-combat threat. Avoid filling the list with many tiny units that each use different special rules. Repetition makes the first few games easier.

Before buying an extra box, write a rough 500 point list using the current official points document or app. Points and unit options can change, so verify the current values instead of copying an old list online. Your goal is not a perfect meta list. It is a legal, understandable force that gives you meaningful choices each turn.

Your First Turn, Without the Overload

A normal game is broken into ordered phases. You manage command resources, move units, shoot with eligible weapons, charge, and fight in close combat while scoring the mission. For the first game, focus on three questions: Which objective matters now? Which unit can reach it safely? What enemy unit can threaten that plan?

Use the reference sheet or app instead of trying to memorize every rule. Play a short practice round, talk through decisions, and look up only the rules that affect the table. By game two, the rhythm starts to feel much more natural.

Learn at Salt City Games

The fastest way to learn is across the table from someone who already plays. Salt City Games hosts free Warhammer 40K play on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Bring a Combat Patrol, a small 500 point force, or simply stop by with questions. Store staff and local players can help you check a list, understand current rules, and plan the next addition without overbuying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a beginner Warhammer 40K army cost?

A first force often lands around $150–$200 before tools and paint, depending on the faction, the box you choose, and current pricing. A Combat Patrol or another bundled set is usually the most efficient starting purchase.

Do I need to paint my army before I can play?

No. You can learn with assembled, unpainted models. Painting can be added gradually as part of the hobby.

How long does a 500 point game take?

A teaching game usually takes about one to one and a half hours. Expect the first game to run longer while you look up rules.

Is a Combat Patrol enough to start playing?

Yes. A Combat Patrol gives you a defined small force and access to the dedicated Combat Patrol format. You can later use many of those models as the foundation of a larger army.

Visit Salt City Games

Shop Warhammer: https://saltcitygames.shop/collections/warhammer

Shop paints and accessories: https://saltcitygames.shop/collections/paint-and-accessories

Free Warhammer 40K play: Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. and Sundays at 11:00 a.m.

Questions? Call Salt City Games at 801-964-4031.