Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I want to get into AOS, but I'm not sure how much of the rules I need to buy. I know that the core rules are for free, and I obviously need to buy the battletomes for my armies. Beyond that, is the smaller 56-page core rules book sufficient to play, or do I need the whole 300-plus page core book? I've heard that the hardback is packed with alot of art and lore, which is cool. But if I just want all the rules, do I need it?

Get a copy of the Generals Handbook 2021 as that has the core rules for the game as well as general point updates for several forces.

After that all you need is the battletome for your army and the FAQ/Errata for the core rules and your battletome.


AoS is going through a new edition so most armies don't have a new edition set of rules, and there's a few which have expansions rules within the recent narrative books. So a little bit depends on what army you want to collect; though in general the GHB and battletome will get you started.



The big rule book has the same core rules, nothing really more than that. The bulk of it is lore and artwork.

 Overread wrote:
Get a copy of the Generals Handbook 2021 as that has the core rules for the game as well as general point updates for several forces.

After that all you need is the battletome for your army and the FAQ/Errata for the core rules and your battletome.


AoS is going through a new edition so most armies don't have a new edition set of rules, and there's a few which have expansions rules within the recent narrative books. So a little bit depends on what army you want to collect; though in general the GHB and battletome will get you started.



The big rule book has the same core rules, nothing really more than that. The bulk of it is lore and artwork.

Thanks. Would the handbook include rules for other styles of gameplay, like narrative, or just matched play?

Just matched play so if you have that you miss out on super fun ptg rules.

All the rules you need for narrative, etc., are included in the big rule book. So if you are hoping to run a Path to Glory campaign then you will need to buy it. On the plus side, it is a really lush book.