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Hi all, sorry if I've posted this in the wrong section. Couldnt see a beginners board.

I've been painting for a while now but have been thinking about playing 40k. A lot of the books etc can cost quite a bit so wanted to know what I need to play. I'm building an ultramarine army.

From my research it seems to be pointing to core rules, codex space marines and the ultramarine supplement. Would this be correct? I'm hoping one of the local hobby places has spots for beginners

Thanks in advance for your advice

joelofdoom wrote:
From my research it seems to be pointing to core rules, codex space marines and the ultramarine supplement. Would this be correct?

Yes

Hi Joel,

Yes, that would be the best place to start. If you play at a game store, people may also refer to FAQ’s and Errata. They might also refer to Chapter Approved, or Campaign books.

If you have those three items, Rulebook, Codex, and Supplement (if inclined) than you’re 90% of the way there. The remaining 10% is spread across Hell’s Half-Acre in about 100 other sources, if certain posters are to be heeded.

If you’re looking to play the game, and are down for a bit of a learning curve in terms of rules and people introducing you to new rules sources, you should be fine.

So long as you and your opponent can agree on the interpretations of rules, you’ll have a fine time.

That said, start small. 500 point games, or even 3 units vs 3 other units to get a handle on the mechanics of the game. Fewer models is fewer rules to worry about, and more time to look things up without stalling the game too long.

joelofdoom wrote:
Hi all, sorry if I've posted this in the wrong section. Couldnt see a beginners board.

I've been painting for a while now but have been thinking about playing 40k. A lot of the books etc can cost quite a bit so wanted to know what I need to play. I'm building an ultramarine army.

From my research it seems to be pointing to core rules, codex space marines and the ultramarine supplement. Would this be correct? I'm hoping one of the local hobby places has spots for beginners

Thanks in advance for your advice

unless you're planning on taking an ultramarines specific character you don't even NEED to buy the supplement, althouough it's highly reccomended. you could however play with JUST the core codex and be fine. even with key characters if you put off buying the supplement and just ran tigerious as a standard librarian people will be understanding. but I do reccomend the supplement it does give you a LOT more. but if you're brand new and on a budget, you can let is slide and get the suppelement for christmas or something

Note that the core rules are available free from GW's site:

https://whc-cdn.games-workshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Warhammer-40k-Battle-Primer-English-3.pdf

This is the main rule section from the rulebook. The important rule things it does not have is the rules for arranging your army into detachments and additional scenarios. The former can be solved with a bit of googling an if your opponent has a book with more scenarios (the main rulebook or one of the Chapter Approved books) then you strictly don't need the book. Probably still a good idea to get it though.

And as noted, the Ultramarine supplement has really useful extra stuff, but it is technically not required. You probably want to get it though.

The Space Marine codex is the one thing you absolutely need.

he'll likely want the core book as the core rules that are free don't include detachments

BrianDavion wrote:
he'll likely want the core book as the core rules that are free don't include detachments

Sure, I mentioned that. Not that they are hard to come by, they've been posted even here on Dakka many times.


I recommend getting the corebook for the ease of use and fluff, but if one wants to just get started cheaply, then buying a whole book for three pages that are readily available on Google image search is not really necessary.

Thanks all for the advice, much appreciated.

If you want an easy peasey army to play without 99% of the FAQ errata gubbins come and embrace Renegades & Heretics. You will only need the core rule book, a FW index and a one page sheet of A4 which nerfs the beejeezus out of Malefic Lords.

On a positive we have sweet new models via Blackstone Fortress.

So if you want ease of reference, save some trees then come get on board with the scum of the universe.

P.S. you probably won't win any games with this army as a newbie or if ever in its current state.