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So fairly basic question, but one I'm having trouble finding a good straight answer to. Could be weak search-fu.

So I like the price point, a fair amount of fancy GW minis for about as cheap as you can get them. But how does the game play with the starter forces? I'm not unwilling to get more models at some distant point in the future, but I kinda like to 'complete' projects and don't want to be tied down buying a bunch more just to have an enjoyable game. Some boxed games play a lot better on their own than others. Infinity's Icestorm does a pretty good job though adding a few models jazzes it up quite a bit. The old 3rd edition 40k starter though was kinda lame on it's own, the rules just didn't make battles between a tactical squad and a bunch of dark eldar warriors terribly enjoyable Maybe a weird example, but the gaming quality of starter boxes is pretty variable.

So what do you guys think... in your experience, can you get some decent games in with the Age of Sigmar starter set, even if you don't plan on immediately bulking out the forces? If you really do *need* more models, how much more to bring the forces up to a point that the game will 'feel right'? I guess a second question, I've got a bunch of warhammer fantasy stuff laying about, how hard is it to make that stuff work for Age of Sigmar? Are there new army books for everything?

I have personally found the starter works just fine on its own. but if you already have warhammer miniatures it really doesnt offer anything you cant get free online except the new minis,.overall though both forces are pretty damn good.

As I understand it the two starter forces play very well against each other and are well-balanced even without any additions/modifications.

First, WHFB figures can be used as is in Age of Sigmar. The rules are free and available on GW's website. No need to buy anything else if you just want to try the game out. I recommend starting with a small force though.

As for the starter box, the two armies contained in it are roughly balanced against each other (I think the Stormcast has a slight advantage), but might be considered small compared to what most people generally play with. As a self contained experience, the scenarios in the box operate as a tutorial on how to play, with each new scenario employing different units and tactics, culminating in a free for all battle using all the models (kind of like Ice Storm). It will get a bit old after a while, but various additional scenarios (available in the campaign books, battletomes, or through the app) go a long way towards spicing things up without having to buy, build, and paint more models (though most scenarios are not free).

Ok good information. I hadn't realized that the rules were available online, although I probably did hear that at some point. Getting the set is as much about painting as it is playing but I guess I shouldn't rule out cleaning up some of my old stuff and maybe rebasing them instead/in addition.

Well, you guys got my main questions nailed down, the starter set should play well within a vacuum, and thanks for pointing out my other options

Thanks for that!

 NinthMusketeer wrote:
As I understand it the two starter forces play very well against each other and are well-balanced even without any additions/modifications.

We have played using only the forces in the starter set and have had a lot of fun.
Large enough armies to give you some choices but small enough to be able to play multiple games in an afternoon/evening.
Haven't used General's Handbook yet but the only thing I saw wonky (that was fixed by the GH) was summoning.
Initially, you could summon and summon, then summon some more. Apparently they tied that down with the GH.

If you're wanting to play Points, I think the Stormcast side has around 700 and the Khorne side closer to 600, but in the vacuum ofthe set it's pretty even, as the Khorne side has a lot of stackable buffs from the characters that make even the cheaper units very dangerous.

The easiest way to expand would be the Start Collecting sets for each side, you should easily hit 1000 points adding those in, which is plenty to be getting on with (the Khorne side could use either its own set or the Khorne Demons or Warriors of Chaos sets if you want some more variety).

Well, we started basically with the starter set since nobody wanted to field an army with ''actual'' rules. Its quite good to get into the game and learn the game mechanics.I've expanded the Bloodbound army with some mortal and demonic Khorne units. It plays very well at the competitive level.

Good stuff to know, thanks everyone!