New Warhammer 40K starter sets are already discounted
The new beginner kits are available to pre-order for a lot less if you know where to look
The new Warhammer 40K starter set boxes are now up for pre-order, and they've already gotten (quite sizeable) discounts in some corners of the internet.
More specifically, we've seen the three kits (Ultimate, Introductory, and middle-of-the-road Warhammer 40K starter set) reduced by up to £25. Considering how they've literally only just gone up for pre-order via publisher Games Workshop's official store, them seeing a price cut already is a pretty big deal.
To help save you time as well as money, we've rounded up the best offers we can find below. So far as we've been able to tell, these are the lowest prices for the new Warhammer 40K starter sets.
Warhammer 40K Ultimate Starter Set | £125 £100.01 at Wayland Games
Save £24.99 - This is the best offer of the bunch, and the strongest discount we've seen for any of the Warhammer 40K starter sets (the closest comparison we've seen is around £106). Considering the fact that you're getting two full Combat Patrol armies in the box alongside plastic terrain and a rule book, that's pretty great value for money.
Buy it if:
✅ You want best value for money
✅ You want a full army out of the gate
✅ You need some terrain for your board
Don't buy it if:
❌ You aren't sure if you're going to stick with 40K
❌ You're overwhelmed by lots of models to paint
❌ You don't want to spend lots of money
Price check: Magic Madhouse £106.25 | Games Workshop £125
Warhammer 40K Starter Set | £65 £52.01 at Wayland Games
Save £13 - Of all the new 40K starter sets, this is the most 'classic' version. While its two armies aren't at full Combat Patrol strength (they're lacking the Ultimate version's Librarian and Barbgaunts), they're very respectable battlehosts nonetheless that'll serve you well regardless of whether you're starting fresh with the game or want to use them as a jumping-off point for something more. In other words, this is great for lapsed players coming back to the game or anyone wanting those new miniatures for their collections.
Buy it if:
✅ You want armies at a reasonable cost
✅ You want cheap Space Marine/Tyranid armies
✅ Friends and family will also be learning with you
Don't buy it if:
❌ You don't want to buy more units
❌ You're overwhelmed by lots of models to paint
❌ You're leery of spending too much
Price check: Magic Madhouse £55.25 | Games Workshop £65
Warhammer 40K Introductory Set | £40 £31.99 at Wayland Games
Save £8 - If you're completely new to 40K and the miniature wargaming hobby in general, this is the best option for you to pick up. Besides models and very basic rules for a small tutorial, you're getting paints and tools to make those troops.
Buy it if:
✅ You're starting 40K for the first time
✅ You've never painted before
✅ You're buying for a younger player
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to play real games
❌ You already have paints
❌ You've played 40K before
Price check: Games Workshop £40 | Goblin Gaming £32
In terms of which Warhammer 40K starter set you should buy, it really depends on your previous experience with the game. Are you completely new to the grim darkness of the future, have never rolled dice, or haven't painted a single miniature before, the Introductory Set is an obvious choice. It contains literally everything you need to get going, though the only games you'll be able to play are tutorials.
Are you an existing, returning, or new player who's all in on 40K? You should grab the Ultimate Starter Set. That one features two full Combat Patrol armies, the rules, and plastic terrain. While paints aren't included, it's undoubtedly the best-value package and the most practical overall.
That leaves us with the 'normal' Starter Set. This is a little harder to pin down; it doesn't have full Combat Patrol armies and lacks paints for total beginners, but is half the Ultimate kit's cost. It's also a great starting point if you're undecided whether you'd rather collect Space Marines or Tyranids, leaving you with enough that you could go up to Combat Patrol strength after purchasing an extra model or two. Basically, it's a good bet for returning fans who haven't played 40K for a long time or those who want the shiny new miniatures for their existing Space Marine / Tyranid battlehosts.
In terms of how the latest version of the game shakes out, check out our Warhammer 40K 10th Edition first impressions. As for whether you should get the launch box set instead, don't miss our Warhammer 40K Leviathan impressions.
For more tabletop offers, don't miss these board game deals. As for recommendations, check out the best board games or the best tabletop RPGs.
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As the site's Tabletop & Merch Editor, you'll find my grubby paws on everything from board game reviews to the latest Lego news. I've been writing about games in one form or another since 2012, and can normally be found cackling over some evil plan I've cooked up for my group's next Dungeons & Dragons campaign.