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I realize there's a ton of 40k vs. Fantasy threads, and that's not what this is.

I'm going to be moving in the next month or so, and I don't even know where I'm going. Generally is it hard to find a group of Fantasy players compared to 40k? If I start a Fantasy army, then move, am I at risk that nearly every war gamer will be playing 40k?

Also, which are the most, and least popular of Fantasy armies?

Edit: I forgot to ask, is there an average age difference between 40k and Fantasy gamers? I'm 23 and would prefer to play with adults rather than kids.

I'm not sure about anywhere else but Fantasy is more popular here than 40k. Not sure on the average age.

I don't know if the average is going to matter even a fraction as much as what the specific break down is for your area.

Asking on an international board will get you opinions based on observations from all over the place. Looking at your flag, I assume you're in Australia, and moving to another city there.

I'd recommend you see if you can find a gaming store or club in advance and ask these same questions of them.

I don't know where I'm going, likely North America.

Squash wrote:I don't know where I'm going, likely North America.

Not Wales then? Figures... no one ever wants to go to Wales.

Where I live there are 2 gaming clubs within 10 miles of each other, One is populated by younger kids (11-18 on average) and 40k is way more popular than fantasy. In the other vlub which is mostly 20+ with the occasional exception they have mostly moved to Fantasy and Warmachine.

I've heard of something similar from my friends at university in Newcastle and oxford so I would say there that there is some proof (at least in my experience) that 40k attracts younger gamers

purplefood wrote:

Squash wrote:I don't know where I'm going, likely North America.

Not Wales then? Figures... no one ever wants to go to Wales.

I chuckled. I went to Wales for my stag do. We climbed Snowdon and then played poker all night in a cabin somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Makenshi wrote:Where I live there are 2 gaming clubs within 10 miles of each other, One is populated by younger kids (11-18 on average) and 40k is way more popular than fantasy. In the other vlub which is mostly 20+ with the occasional exception they have mostly moved to Fantasy and Warmachine.

This is my experience as well. In the U.S., 40k is the "gateway game" that brings in young gamers. Fantasy generally draws an older crowd, and Warmachine an even older one, from what I've seen.

It depends on your area what games are most popular (40k is always hugely popular, but as noted above, usually a decent percentage of that is younger gamers) with the older crowd, but I don't think you'll have a problem with the median age if you choose Fantasy or Warmachine. 40k, on the other hand, you'd be taking your chances with on the age level... but also have a greater likelihood of having many gamers in your area.

I say quality over quantity, and go with fantasy

Flashman wrote:

purplefood wrote:

Squash wrote:I don't know where I'm going, likely North America.

Not Wales then? Figures... no one ever wants to go to Wales.

I chuckled. I went to Wales for my stag do. We climbed Snowdon and then played poker all night in a cabin somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

'Middle of Nowhere' is pretty much an exact description of Wales. Any part of it. 'Middle of Nowhere with Sheep' more accurately describes the part I grew up in, but still....


Fantasy is pretty popular in our corner of the UK. A lot of younger kids play 40K, but by the time they get to about 20 they have made the switch over the Fantasy. A few vets also play 40k too, but there is no shortage of fantasy players- and in fact, a lot of people will scramble to get in on Fantasy battles just to avoid playing 40k with the kids.

Like others have said in the US, 40k is the intro game that gets people into the hobby.

In my local area there are very few kids (under 18) playing. Most of them play 40k and are starting to branch into fantasy. Then again whenever my FLGS has a 40k tournament most of the regular fantasy and warmachine players will bring out their 40k armies.


I would first find out where you are moving to and then searching for hobby stores in the area (not necessarily GW stores as they are less common in the US than you think). I live in SC, and theres not a GW store within 8 hours of me.

It really depends on the area you are ending up in.


Somewhere in North America is pretty vague.



Generally, a club with alot of younger players will have mostly 40k. older players often have Fantesy, but usually have 40k too.

if a place has Fantesy they will usually have 40k too.



it's really best to call the place in question and ask as each will be slightly different.

Here in Southern California there are a good number of fantasy players, almost none of which are younger than 18. That being said, there are a crap ton of 40k players here and many of them are 14-17ish, don't paint, are tragically annoying, and play space marines or tau.

If you end up in my neck of the woods hit me up for fantasy games. My wife and I both play.

Move, then look and ask around locally. We can't help much here. There are areas globally where noone plays either. In some areas Fantasy is more popular, but globally, GW makes 50% of all sales with Space Marines.

Fantasy is more expensive to play.

Phototoxin wrote:Fantasy is more expensive to play.

And? This statement really doesn't help the OP.

Grey pretty much has it on the head OP. You need to find exactly where your moving to. Research the local area for clubs/gaming stores and check with their owners/managers what the local fantasy population is like.

Yeah, really don't know where I'm going yet, consider it a continental job search. Cost isn't so much a factor.

Geez! Must be nice.

In Austin we have a hardened core of players that run both systems (I am not one of those). Outside of that are some that exclusively play one system, but try to play it a fair amount (yours truly).

As for maturity level- it seems that 40k tends towards a slightly younger crowd, but I'm also never around for 40k nights, so don't know for sure. And that being said, there are plenty of adults who probably make for worse company than a 14 year old.