Best Warhammer 40k Faction for Beginners in 2026
Starting 40k can be overwhelming with 25+ factions. This guide helps new players pick the perfect first army.
Best Warhammer 40k Faction for Beginners in 2026
Choosing your first Warhammer 40,000 army is one of the most exciting decisions in the hobby. But with over 25 factions available, how do you pick the right one?
This guide ranks the best beginner-friendly factions for 2026, helping you start your journey into the grim darkness of the far future.
How We Ranked These Factions
We evaluated each faction on:
Top 5 Beginner Factions
1. Space Marines
Difficulty: ⭐ (Easiest)
Cost: $$ (Medium)
Model Count: 30-50 models
Space Marines are THE beginner faction for good reason. They're forgiving, versatile, and have the best starter sets available.
Why They're Great for Beginners:
Recommended Start: Combat Patrol: Space Marines + a HQ character
2. Necrons
Difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Easy)
Cost: $ (Affordable)
Model Count: 40-60 models
Necrons are durable, forgiving, and have a relatively simple ruleset. Reanimation Protocols means your mistakes are less punishing.
Why They're Great for Beginners:
Recommended Start: Combat Patrol: Necrons
3. Death Guard
Difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Easy)
Cost: $$ (Medium)
Model Count: 30-40 models
Death Guard are slow but incredibly tough. They're perfect for players who don't want to worry about positioning as much.
Why They're Great for Beginners:
Recommended Start: Combat Patrol: Death Guard
4. Orks
Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
Cost: $$$ (Higher due to model count)
Model Count: 80-120 models
Orks are the most FUN faction. While they have more models, their random abilities mean even suboptimal plays can work out.
Why They're Great for Beginners:
Recommended Start: Combat Patrol: Orks + more Boyz
5. Tyranids
Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium)
Cost: $$ (Medium)
Model Count: 50-80 models
Tyranids offer a unique playstyle with synapse and swarm tactics. They're great if you want something different from power armor.
Why They're Great for Beginners:
Recommended Start: Combat Patrol: Tyranids + a big monster
Factions to Avoid as a Beginner
These armies are great but have steeper learning curves:
Final Thoughts
The best faction is the one you're excited to paint and play! While we've ranked these by beginner-friendliness, the most important factor is picking an army that inspires you.
Use GrimSlate to explore all factions, view datasheets, and start planning your first army list!