Many players have heard of the tabletop game Warhammer 40K. In addition, players of games like Dawn of War and Total War: Warhammer are likely already aware with WH40K and Warhammer Fantasy, respectively, which are the games’ parent franchises. For those who are unfamiliar, the Warhammer series is based on a tabletop wargame in which participants lead small “armies” on a battlefield as they compete for dominance. In the strategy game Warhammer 40K, players command one of the several factions battling for cosmic domination.
In addition, this grimdark science fiction wargame comes with supplemental materials and novels in addition to the rulebooks. Players must also choose their sides, buy and paint miniatures, and learn a lot of lore in order to complete the game. On the other side, how does a beginner fast pick up Warhammer 40K?
1. Learn The Core Rules
Painters and fighters are the two categories into which most WH40K gamers are categorised. Since different unit designs, depending on the side, are intriguing, most players start out as the former. The appeal of WH40K as a wargame becomes apparent to those who start building armies solely for the sake of playing them.
Players should always study the Core Rules before deploying their armies into combat. Fortunately, Games Workshop has included a straightforward tutorial to assist players in navigating the battlefield. These fundamental rules include everything from moving and fighting to employing psychic abilities, shooting and charging, and other essential battle manoeuvres.
2. Choose A Faction And Get Its Codex
One of the tips given to novice players when playing the game is to choose a faction, however this advice is rarely taken into consideration. After all, picking a group that is consistently “powerful” ought to be advantageous. The key idea is that it shouldn’t be the sole factor affecting a player’s choice of side. In Warhammer 40K, there are more than 20 distinct factions, each with its own aesthetic, army, mythology, and strategy.
Remember that playing Warhammer 40K is not a cheap pastime. Because they will spend a lot of time purchasing, painting, and using their soldiers, players must be adamant about the group they wish to join. The fact that the Ultramarines are Smurfs doesn’t seem to matter. Since it provides all the additional knowledge required to maximise their purchases, players that have a favoured faction should think about purchasing their Codex.
3. Form A Battle-Forged Army
An army that has been “Battle-Forged” is one that is a member of a Detachment or specific organisation. Depending on the side, armies are organised into detachments according to their unique talents. In Warhammer 40K, units can work together as a Detachment and have a specific battlefield mission (such as HQ, Troops, or Fast Attack).
An army can use Strategems after it has been Battle-Forged by fulfilling the requirements of a Detachment. Whether playing cooperatively or competitively, players should purchase soldiers in accordance with the Detachments they want to establish so they are prepared to combat. Players that use combat-forged armies also receive Command Points (CP), which they may use to support their armies in combat.
4. Create An Army List
Players can battle on an equitable playing field with the aid of army lists. Since not everyone has the money to purchase a large number of WH40K troops, they are likely to play with a range of small rosters. By compelling armies to adhere to a set of “points” that are agreed upon by all forces, the game levelizes the playing field. While players can choose their soldiers only based on point totals, army lists provide players an edge. They use these lists to plan how their faction’s soldiers will engage the opposition, after all.
Army lists can be wish lists or just a player’s collection of soldiers. As a guide for how players intend to employ their soldiers in battle, army lists, on the other hand, might contain special abilities, tactics, Detachments, and other information.
5. Keep Faction And Mission Stratagems In Mind
Players can utilise their CPs to employ Stratagems to aid their troops when they are engaged in battle with their armies. In the majority of confrontations, you have the option to use Command Re-Roll, Counter-Offensive, and Insane Bravery to re-roll any die. Additionally, players are only permitted to use them a specific number of times every game.
Surprisingly, players may generate more CP by splitting their army over more Detachments. Additional Stratagems are also made available to players by various sides. them must choose a side to play with, as was previously stated, and these Stratagems provide them an idea of how various sides “win” battles. These mechanics might change now that the 9th Edition of this well-known sci-fi wargame is on the way.
6. Choose Units Wisely
Players select units for a variety of reasons. The reason for the purchase can have anything to do with how they seem or what they can do. However, players should choose their soldiers based on how they advance their army and overall strategy. Players can achieve this by figuring out the unit’s main objective and how they plan to accomplish it.
For instance, assault troops need to be more than just powerful. Instead, they must assess how these troops enter the fray and, if necessary, make a getaway. More importantly, if players are competing for certain Detachments, this unit must be the most economical choice in the army. Players will have a cost-effective army and an army where everyone has a duty to complete if they abide by these rules.
7. Equip Appropriate Wargear
Apart from choosing your units, choosing your wargear may make or break each battle. WH40K appeals to a wide spectrum of gamers since no unit is constrained to a particular type of weapon. Units can take on a multitude of functions depending on the situation because to their versatility.
Players seek for units that are capable of a variety of assaults. However, it’s possible that this isn’t the best choice. Instead, concentrate on improving the effectiveness of the individual components. For instance, anti-tank units need to have anti-tank weapons. For instance, Dreadnaughts can defeat the majority of tanks with glass cannons (anti-tank), but when equipped with assault guns, they turn into anti-infantry.
8. Assign Defined Targets
Detachments and unit formations are still crucial in WH40K due to the variety of possible battle circumstances. while used properly, detachments should provide players some alternatives while facing different troops. On the other hand, players should take the initiative to make sure that their soldiers are equipped with a loadout that enables them to beat the enemies they are meant to face. This element maximises the points that the participants have given to that specific unit.
For instance, anti-tank troops should focus on tanks, whilst infantry should attack the enemy populace. Although this strategy is straightforward, it has the ability to swiftly exhaust your opponent’s vital units.
9. Always Assume You’re Going Second
When offered the chance to play first, players typically overextend themselves because they feel they have an edge. Due to the fact that it leaves first-turn players vulnerable to a commander counterattack the next round, this move has the potential to be costly. Those who are starting first should think they are starting second in order to get around this.
This strategy comprises positioning troops before the following turn. These strategies include, for instance, protecting crucial resources, disguising weaker soldiers, and positioning offensive forces behind cover. This strategy is akin to early base defence concentration in a sci-fi game. Players may also attain their core formation far more rapidly and, most crucially, securely, using this strategy.
10. Attack Fast And Hard
Battles may become tense when the opposition has a few powerful troops at their disposal. Contrarily, WH40K players have the option to launch an alpha attack, or an early decisive strike, in an effort to thwart the opponent’s onslaught. This tactic essentially argues that player units should concentrate on eliminating the enemy’s crucial soldiers as soon as possible in order to prevent their army from benefiting from the advantages such units provide. Heroic units and powerful tanks that would otherwise smash your troops make for simple targets.
In Warhammer 40K situations when taking down a huge target is risky, separating enemy troops to take them out piecemeal can be an alpha play.
