Best Place to Start With Warhammer 40,000 – Games, Novels, Tabletop and Animated Shows

Watch a Warhammer 40,000 expert explain the best games, novels, tabletop experiences and animated shows to get you started with 40K!

How would you introduce a newcomer to everyone’s favourite grimdark hobby? Or your favourite 40K setting, factions, and more? Well, we got Arbitor Ian, a Warhammer 40,000 master, to answer and explain the very best places to start with Warhammer 40,000! From must-play games such as Space Marine 2, to iconic Black Library books you can’t miss, like the Eisenhorn trilogy, alongside an introduction to tabletop, and Ian’s top picks for animated 40K shows with Astartes and other Warhammer+ choices!

Arbitor Ian is a Warhammer content creator with a focus on introducing 40K lore to newcomers and veterans alike.

00:00 – Intro 00:27 – Best Places To Start With Warhammer 40,000 01:13 – Best Video Games 01:46 – Space Marine 2 03:17 – Rogue Trader 04:54 – Tabletop Simulator and Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000 05:55 – Best Black Library Books 06:48 – Eisenhorn 08:27 – Ravenor 08:46 – Avenging Son: A Dawn of Fire Novel 09:46 – Brutal Kunnin 10:21 – Voidscarred 10:37 – Best Animations 11:08 – Astartes 12:14 – And They Shall Know No Fear 13:33 – Pariah Nexus 14:45 – Best Tabletop Games 15:58 – Warhammer 40,000 Starter Kits 16:35 – Combat Patrol 17:23 – Skirmish Games (Kill Team) 18:05 – Necromunda Underhive Wars 18:22 – Warhammer Quest: Blackstone Fortress 18:32 – Warhammer RPG’s (Wrath & Glory and Imperium Maledictum) 19:20 – Outro

Best Place to Start With Warhammer 40,000 – Games, Novels, Tabletop and Animated Shows

Warhammer 40,000 stands as one of the most expansive and interconnected universes in science fiction and fantasy storytelling. For newcomers, the sheer volume of material can be intimidating. This guide offers a structured starting path across four major entry points—games, novels, tabletop experiences, and animated shows—each chosen to build familiarity with the setting, tone, and core themes of the 41st Millennium.

1) Start with the core ambiance: Games, then broaden through narrative. – Video Games as a Gateway: If you’re drawn to fast-paced action or immersive worlds, begin with video games set in the 40k universe. Notable starting points include Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (for real-time strategy battles and squad-based tactics) and Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus (for lore-rich, tactical sci-fi exploration). These titles introduce key factions (Space Marines, Chaos, Tyranids, Orks, Eldar) and the grimdark mood without requiring extensive prior knowledge. – Thematic immersion through single-player campaigns: Games like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine or Deathwatch emphasize heroic action within recognizable faction archetypes. They provide accessible entry points to the setting’s tone—pervasive conflict, militarized brotherhood, and a universe where religion, superstition, and statecraft intertwine with warfare.

2) Build the lore foundation with novels – Start with accessible, character-driven introductions: Look for novels that foreground a clear cast and a focused, self-contained arc. Early reads often center on a Space Marine, inquisitional investigation, or human factions that reflect the broader 40k mood. These stories ease readers into the aesthetic—monastic gyms of power armor, the grim humor of soldiers under pressure, and the omnipresent sense of an empire under siege. – Then expand to the grand scale: As you become comfortable, explore novels that widen the canvas—epic campaigns across planets, political machinations within the Imperium, and encounters with daemons, xenos forces, and ancient powers. This progression mirrors the transition from intimate battles to the cosmos-spanning conflict that defines the universe.

3) Experience the tabletop as a social, strategic entry point – Learn the basics with approachable armies: The Warhammer 40,000 tabletop is as much about hobby craft as it is about competition. For beginners, smaller, simpler codices (or starter sets) provide straightforward rules and quicker games. The recommended approach is to learn the core mechanics—movement, shooting, melee, morale—through a starter box and a few units before diving into larger collections. – Engage with the hobby community: Painting, assembly, and narrative scenarios are all part of the experience. Joining a local club or online community offers practical rules clarifications, balanced game setups, and storytelling ideas that enrich your understanding of factions, equipment, and tactics.

4) Explore animated content for thematic grounding and accessibility – Animated shows as an introduction to tone and atmosphere: Animated adaptations and tie-in content can offer concise, visually rich glimpses into the 40k universe. They help you absorb the aesthetic—monastic corridors, vast starships, ritual banners, and the omnipresent aura of peril—without committing to longer book series or tabletop investments. – Use shows to map factions and iconography: Observing emblematic armor, weapons, and organizational structures in animation can help you identify what you’re most excited about in the broader universe, whether it’s the stoic discipline of the Space Marines or the chaotic glamour of Chaos forces.

5) A recommended phased starting plan – Phase 1 (up to 6 weeks): Play a couple of beginner-friendly games or demos, and read a short, accessible novel or novella tied to a familiar faction. Pair the hobby with one or two episodes of an animated property to anchor visual aesthetics. – Phase 2 (weeks 6–12): Expand to a larger game or campaign, and begin a longer novel in a preferred faction’s milieu. Attend a local hobby night or online event to gain practical knowledge about rules, army building, and storytelling cues. – Phase 3 (months 3+): Pick a major novel arc or a landmark game expansion to deepen your understanding of the universe’s complexities. Consider building a small, themed collection to explore different factions and playstyles, guided by your evolving interests.

6) Practical tips for a smooth start – Balance your exposure: Alternate between games, novels, and lore-focused media to avoid fatigue and maintain curiosity across formats. – Prioritize enjoyment over accumulation: It’s easy to feel pressured to own a lot of miniatures or read exhaustively. Start with what excites you, then gradually expand. – Keep a simple glossary: The Warhammer 40,000 universe uses distinctive terms (Adeptus, Primaris, Codex, Inquisition, etc.). A quick glossary of common terms will help you stay engaged without getting lost in nomenclature.

Conclusion Whether you’re drawn by the tactile charm of miniatures, the immersive depth of novels, or the visual grandeur of animated storytelling, Warhammer 40,000 offers a structured path from curious observer to confident participant. By starting with accessible entry points across games, novels, tabletop, and animation, you’ll develop a cohesive sense of the universe’s tone, factions, and overarching conflicts. Embrace the journey: each format complements the others, creating a layered, rewarding gateway into the 41st Millennium.

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