Warhammer 40k faction guide - Army selection tips and faction overview

Oct 7, 2026

Upload by aboduw

Guide to choosing and comparing Warhammer 40,000 armies and playstyles, focusing on practical decision factors such as aesthetics, hobby effort (model assembly and painting), and enjoyment as the game changes. Explains how to narrow the 26 factions by looking for visual appeal, then refining based on preferred tactics like close combat versus ranged shooting. Includes a quick, non-definitive breakdown of several factions, highlighting Space Marines and their sub-factions, plus brief notes on Orks, Tau, and Astra Militarum.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryComic

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Choosing the right army

Start with visual appeal

Match the army to your play style

Quick breakdown of key armies

Warhammer 40k faction guide Continue There are many Warhammer 40K armies/factions. Choosing the right one is obviously the most important choice you are going to make. You will spend money on army , construction time and painting , and of course time playing with it. Choosing the wrong army for yourself can cost you not only time and money , but also the pleasure of the game. I'll give you some tips to consider when choosing an army. There is much to think about , besides how powerful the code is. The game is constantly changing so you want something that you will enjoy no matter what the game throws at you. Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links , that is , at no extra cost to you , I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. The commission you earn helps support this site. Where to start there are 26 Warhammer 40K armies to choose from. For those looking at 40K for the first time , that can be an overwhelming amount of options. When I got into the game in 2006 there were about 14 Warhammer 40K armies. Still a lot but a much more manageable amount to watch through. I know if I was to get into it now and see all the options , then I don't know where to start. I hope I can drive you a little bit. How cool does that look? My biggest tip is for those who want to get into the 40K game to find the army you like the look. Seriously. Unlike other small gaming systems out there , WH40K requires you to buy models , collect them , and paint them. The game has an element of hobbies , and if you don't care about the aesthetics of t he army , then you won't be very motivated to put them together and get it painted. I've always been a sucker for the big dumb beasts of t he game. 40K is not a skirmish game , so you will be putting together a lot of models and doing a lot of painting. Definitely start by looking at an army you think is visually appealing. Play Style Once you have found some Warhammer 40K armies you like the look , start refining the process by looking at those that seem to fit your style of play. If you've never played a game , then that may not be so cut and dry , but I believe most of us have a common preference. I always love close combat in any game I play , and will always lean towards more rough and aggressive types. When I was getting into 40K , my style of play preference meant starting with Orks. They are primitive beasts that love to charge the enemy with their heads with choppas (axes) , high. Looking at them , it's quite simple visual signal. Orcs are large and bulky , and most of them carry close combat weapons of some kind. Most Ork cars look fast and fragile , a means to reach the enemy. Tau is sure I like to shoot things. That's the thing with 40K , without even knowing much about game mechanics , you can still get a good sensor on the army by looking at it; Like I said to Orkes. would you have been Look at Tau , then you will notice that almost every model carries a long-range weapon , so they love to shoot. Taking a look at the Astra Militarum quickly tell you that they use a lot of tanks and infantry. About 40K armies , like space marines , have a good mix of everything as they are game generals. The models give a pretty clear idea of what the army is doing on the field. Also , once you decide on the army , check out our article on how to save money with 40K. This will really help you get the army started at a discount. Army Warhammer 40K Here is a quick and messy breakup of various armies of Warhammer 40K. This is not a definitive and just review. There are many mechanics in the game with all armies , and describing each detail will take a very long time. Note: All Adeptus Astartes (Space Marines) have a lot in common with the image of force armor (3 save) , and many of the same units and weapons. Space Marines are generals by nature , good at everything but rarely big on anything. They usually have a good mix of infantry and armored vehicles (tanks , transpo

FAQs

Why is choosing the right Warhammer 40K faction important?

It affects time, money, and enjoyment. Selecting an army you don’t like can reduce motivation to assemble and paint models, and it can hurt the overall game experience.

What should you consider first when picking an army?

Look for an army whose aesthetic you find visually appealing. Since Warhammer 40K requires buying, building, and painting models, visual preference strongly influences motivation.

How does play style help narrow down factions?

After you like how factions look, refine choices by matching them to how you want to play—such as preferring close combat and aggressive approaches or preferring long-range shooting and firepower.

Oct 7, 2026

Upload by aboduw