How to start Warhammer 40k cheaply (2026)
The cheapest way into Warhammer 40,000 is a Combat Patrol: a ready-to-play small army with its own rules for quick games. Here's the order to buy things in, with the cheapest UK prices right now. Cheapest Combat Patrol today: Combat Patrol: Chaos Space Marines at £76.00.
1. Not sure yet? Try a starter box
The Introductory Set is the cheapest way to try Warhammer 40,000; the Starter Set has two forces, the rules and a board for two players.
| Box | Cheapest | Shop |
|---|---|---|
Warhammer 40000: Introductory Set Lowest price we've seenEverything you need to start playing Warhammer 40,000 | £36.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome |
Warhammer 40000: Starter Set Lowest price we've seenEverything you need to start playing Warhammer 40,000 | £120.00 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome |
2. Pick an army: its Combat Patrol
Every Combat Patrol in stock, cheapest first. Each is a complete small army; the link next to it shows the cheapest way to build that army up.
| Combat Patrol | Cheapest | Shop |
|---|---|---|
Combat Patrol: Chaos Space Marines Start Chaos Space Marines ›Ready-to-play Chaos Space Marines starter army | £76.00 28% off RRP | Lvl Up Gaming |
Combat Patrol: Red Corsairs Start Chaos Space Marines ›Ready-to-play Chaos Space Marines starter army | £79.59 24% off RRP | Zatu |
| £80.00 24% off RRP | Lvl Up Gaming | |
| £80.00 24% off RRP | Lvl Up Gaming | |
| £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome | |
Combat Patrol: Adeptus Mechanicus Start Adeptus Mechanicus ›Ready-to-play Adeptus Mechanicus starter army | £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome |
| £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome | |
| £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome | |
| £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome | |
| £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome | |
| £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome | |
| £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome | |
| £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome | |
Combat Patrol: Emperor's Children Start Emperor's Children ›Ready-to-play Emperor's Children starter army | £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome |
Combat Patrol: Genestealer Cults Start Genestealer Cults ›Ready-to-play Genestealer Cults starter army | £81.75 25% off RRP | Gaming Frome |
3. Rules: start with the free ones
The core rules are a free download from Games Workshop. Your army's full rules are in its codex (which codex to buy for each army), which you'll want once you move on to bigger games. Every Combat Patrol, cheapest first ›
A typical army start (Combat Patrol plus codex) costs about £110.47 at today's cheapest prices, across 22 armies.
4. Paints and tools
You need clippers, plastic glue and a few paints. Start with the colours your army needs: our paint chart shows cheaper brands that match each Citadel colour.
| Tools | Cheapest | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| £10.00 20% off RRP | Lvl Up Gaming | |
| £4.00 20% off RRP | Travelling Man | |
Tool - Precision Side CuttersHobby tool for building kits | £10.35 10% off RRP | Element Games |
Questions
What's the cheapest way to start Warhammer 40k?
Buy the Combat Patrol for the army you like and start with the free core rules. Two players need one each; the Starter Set gives you two Combat Patrols and a board in one box.
Do I need a codex?
Not to try the game: the core rules are free. The codex has your army's full rules and is worth buying once you've settled on an army.
Where's the cheapest place to buy Warhammer in the UK?
It changes daily. Independent UK shops usually sell at 15 to 25% off RRP; this page shows the cheapest in-stock price we've found for each box, checked every hour.
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