Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop miniatures game: build an army to an agreed points limit, then fight your opponent's army across 5 battle rounds. Move your models, resolve shooting and melee combat, and control objectives to score Victory Points. Whoever has the most points at the end wins. This guide walks you through it one step at a time, with no experience needed.
Updated for Warhammer 40,000 11th edition (released June 2026). Last checked: October 1, 2026, against Games Workshop's free Core Rules.
Download the free printable quick guide (PDF)
Two pages you can print and keep next to the table while you learn.
Want the full official rules? Visit Games Workshop's official Getting Started page (warhammer40000.com).
What do you need to play?
- An army of assembled miniatures. Painting is optional, you can play with unpainted or primed-only models.
- Six-sided dice and a tape measure (inches).
- The free core rules, included in a starter set or available online.
A starter set bundles all of this in one box and is the easiest way to try the hobby. Ask us at the counter, we're happy to help.
How do you build an army?
- Every unit has a points cost. Pick units until you reach an agreed points limit, shared with your opponent before the game.
- Common battle sizes: Combat Patrol (smallest), Incursion, Strike Force (2,000 points, the most common size), and Onslaught.
- A Detachment gives your army its special rules. Most beginner armies use a single Detachment.
What's your battlefield?
| Area | What's there |
|---|---|
| Deployment Zones | Where each army sets up before the game starts. |
| Objectives | Key terrain areas you fight to control. Add up the OC of your models inside the area; the higher total controls it. |
| Terrain | Blocks movement and line of sight. Cover makes units harder to hit, and units in terrain are easier to hide. |
How do you set up a game?
- Agree on a points limit and build your armies to match.
- Set up terrain, including the objective terrain areas, as the mission you're playing describes.
- Both players deploy their army in their own deployment zone, then roll off to see who goes first.
What happens on your turn?
Every turn follows the same five phases, in order. Both players take a turn each battle round.
- Command: gain Command Points (CP), and any badly-hurt unit takes a morale check.
- Movement: move your units, or Advance for extra distance, or Fall Back from melee.
- Shooting: ranged attacks from eligible units.
- Charge: declare charges and move into melee range.
- Fight: resolve melee combat.
A full game usually lasts 5 battle rounds.
How do you resolve an attack?
- Hit Roll: roll a D6 per attack, needing your weapon's Ballistic Skill (ranged) or Weapon Skill (melee) or better.
- Wound Roll: compare the weapon's Strength to the target's Toughness.
- Save Roll: the defender rolls their Save, worsened by the weapon's Armour Penetration (AP), or their Invulnerable Save if it's better.
- Damage: each failed save removes Wounds equal to the weapon's Damage.
An unmodified 1 always fails a Hit or Wound roll, and an unmodified 6 is always a critical.
How does scoring work?
You score Victory Points (VP) by completing the objectives in the mission you're playing. In 11th edition, part of your objectives depend on the type of army you bring, such as one built to hold ground, disrupt the enemy or destroy units. Objective Control (OC) is a stat on every model: add up the OC of your models inside an objective's terrain area, and the side with the higher total controls it.
How do you win?
Add up your Victory Points when the battle ends, usually after Battle Round 5. Whoever has the most wins. Skill, army building and a little luck decide who comes out on top.
Common terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| CP | Command Points, spent on Stratagems during the game. |
| Battle-shock | A morale roll for a unit at half strength or below. If it fails, its models have no OC until it recovers. |
| Detachment | Gives your army its special rules. |
| OC | Objective Control, a model's stat for contesting objectives. |
What are the best tips for your first game?
- A starter set is the easiest way to begin, it comes with everything you need.
- Play with unpainted models if you want, painting is a separate hobby from playing.
- Read a rule you haven't seen before you use it, and ask if you're unsure.
- Datasheet text always wins if it ever differs from these basics.
Quick reference
| Army | Points-limited, built from one or more Detachments |
| Turn | Command, Movement, Shooting, Charge, Fight |
| Attack | Hit roll, Wound roll, Save roll, Damage |
| Game length | 5 battle rounds, both players take a turn each round |
| Win | Most Victory Points when the battle ends (usually after Round 5) |
Printable quick guide
Everything above fits on two printable pages. Print it double-sided and keep it at the table.
Download the printable guide (PDF)
Official Warhammer 40,000 rules (free)
Games Workshop posts the official rules for free.
- Getting Started: the official beginner walkthrough and starter set guide.
- Get Started with Warhammer 40,000: starter bundles and tutorials.
- Free Core Rules (11th edition): the full official rules, free to download from Warhammer Community.
Where can you play Warhammer 40,000 near Newport, TN?
Landfall Outpost hosts Warhammer hobby and play for players of all experience levels at 138 North St, Newport, TN 37821. New to the hobby? We'll help you get started. Pick up miniatures, paints and supplies in our Warhammer 40,000 collection, and check our events page for our current schedule. Free on-site parking.