How Much Does It Cost To Get Into Warhammer 40K? A Detailed Breakdown

So you‘re interested in getting into Warhammer 40,000? Like any hobby, Warhammer requires an initial investment to get started and ongoing costs to grow your collection and skills over time. But just how expensive is it?

The internet is full of jokes about Warhammer costing an arm and a leg, with some claiming you‘ll need $10,000 just to stand a chance! This is a huge exaggeration – you can absolutely start playing Warhammer for under $500.

To help you understand the true costs, I‘ve put together this detailed breakdown as an experienced player. I‘ll cover everything you need to get started, ongoing costs as you expand your collection, and also tips to save money and keep your spending reasonable.

Let‘s dig in!

How Much Does It Cost to Start Playing Warhammer 40k?

If you‘re starting from absolute scratch, you‘ll need to budget around $350 to $550 to assemble your first small army and the basic supplies to play games. Here is a breakdown of those startup costs:

Select and Purchase Your Starter Army – $150 to $300

• Army boxes – Pick a 500 to 1,000 point starter army box in the $150 to $300 range. Great options include the Adeptus Mechanicus Combat Patrol ($140) or Necron Warriors + Paint Set ($160).

• Individual models – Alternatively, you can buy individual boxes of troops, vehicles, and heroes to customize your force. Expect to spend around $150 to reach 500 points minimum.

Helpful Tip: Check online retailers for discounts up to 20% off Games Workshop‘s prices on new box sets.

Essential Supplies – Around $50

• Rulebook – You‘ll need the Core Book for about $60 retail, or you can find a discount or buy digital. The free basic rules online are enough to get started.

• Codex – $40 for your army‘s Codex rulebook. Again, you can find discounts here.

• Dice, tools, glue – $35 to $50 should cover the basic dice, modeling tools, plastic glue and spray primer you need. Shop around for deals.

Playing Area & Accessories – $100 to $200

• Table/playing surface – A basic 4ft x 4ft table will run you $50 to $150 or you can build your own. A gaming mat or terrain boards add more.

• Carrying case – Hard and soft cases to transport your minis range from $50 to $300+ depending on size. Can wait on this.

• Paints – A starter pack of 10-15 paints will be $35 to $60. Allow more for brushes, basing materials, hobby tools, etc.

Total Starting Costs – Around $350 to $550

Adding it all up, expect your initial investment to come in around $350 if buying only the bare essentials, up to $550 if you get some extras and nicer accessories.

You can absolutely trim this budget further by looking for deals on used models, splitting starter sets with a friend, etc. This provides a good starting point to plan from.

Pro Tip: Start with 500 points and play low point "Combat Patrol" games before expanding. This allows you to dabble in the hobby before committing to a full 2000 point army.

What Are the Ongoing Costs for Warhammer 40k?

Once you have the basics covered, Warhammer does become an ongoing hobby where you‘ll invest each month to expand your collection. However, you have complete control over your pace, so you can keep costs reasonable.

Expanding Your Army – $30 to $100 Per Month

• Expect to spend around $50 per month on average for new units, characters, paints, and supplies. Some months might be $20 for a box of troops, others $100+ for a major new vehicle. This is the main cost as you build towards 2000 points to play full size games.
• Budget to eventually spend $600 to $1000 for a completed 2000 point force. High elite armies like Custodes fall on the lower end, horde armies like Imperial Guard will be more.

Pro Tip: Set a monthly hobby budget for yourself and stick to it. Paying for new models with side jobs orcutting other expenses helps fund the hobby.

Hobby Supplies – $15 to $50 Per Month

• Paints – Expect to spend $10 to $30 per month on new paints to expand your collection and replace depleted pots.

• Tools/Brushes – Budget $5 to $10 per month for wear-and-tear replacements.

• Other supplies – Basing materials, display cases, storage, etc. Allow $10 to $20 for ongoing incidentals.

Books & Accessories – $5 to $30 Per Month

• Rulebooks – New edition rulebooks every 3-4 years run ~$60 retail. Codex updates about the same. Budget $5 per month to cover these infrequent but pricier costs.

• Dice/templates – You‘ll eventually want more dice, templates, markers, etc. $5 to $10 per month covers incidentals.

• Apps – ~$5 per month allows you to grab battlescribe roster builder, painting apps, etc.

Monthly Cost Range – $60 to $200

Given all of the above, expect to invest around $60 to $100 per month at a minimum as you expand your army and supplies. Some months may run up to $200+ if buying a major new army centerpiece model.

You dictate the pace – play slower with smaller purchases to keep costs down, or go all-in buying new units each month to build your force faster. Warhammer can be expensive, but it doesn‘t have to break the bank.

5 Tips to Save Money and Stretch Your Hobby Budget

Here are some key ways you can enjoy Warhammer without spending a fortune:

• Buy discounted or used models – Retailers regularly discount new boxes 10-25%. Check eBay and forums for good deals on used.

• Split costs with a friend – Go halfsies on a rulebook, starter set, or large model. This saves you both money.

• Paint and play slowly – No need to rush to 2000 points. Take your time building skills before expanding.

• Set a budget and stick to it – Be disciplined only buying what you can afford each month.

• Sell models later – You can often sell painted models for 50-80% what you paid if discontinuing an army.

Is Warhammer a Worthwhile Hobby Investment?

At the end of the day, only you can decide if Warhammer is a worthwhile hobby to invest your time and money in. For many enthusiasts, the sheer joy of building, painting, and playing with epic miniatures in a rich sci-fi universe makes every dollar totally worth it. Like other hobbies, you‘re paying for an experience.

Here are a few things to consider as you decide if Warhammer is right for you:

• Try it out first – Attend a Games Workshop store, meet-up, or convention to experience Warhammer before fully diving in. This lets you get a feel before spending big.

• Start small – Build just 500 points and play Combat Patrol games to begin. You can always expand from there.

• Set a budget – Determine what you can reasonably afford to invest in a hobby each month. Having a fixed budget takes away stress.

• It‘s not a race – There is no rush to build a huge army or buy everything at once. Take your time to enjoy the modeling and gaming.

• Play other systems too – Try out free rulesets like OnePageRules alongside Warhammer to maximize your model value.

The bottom line? With reasonable expectations and self-control, Warhammer can be an incredibly rewarding hobby that provides endless modeling and gaming fun. Approach it at your own pace and enjoy the ride!

Now grab those models, paint brushes, and dice – it‘s time to experience the grimdark universe for yourself! Just beware – this hobby may end up consuming all your free time and money if you let it!