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For a completely new hobbyist who wants to build, paint, and play with another person, the Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Introductory Set is the safest first purchase: it includes push-fit miniatures, six paints, a brush, and simple tutorial material. Choose the regular Starter Set if you already own hobby supplies and want 35 models. Choose the Ultimate Starter Set if two players specifically want complete Stormcast Eternals and Skaven Spearhead forces with terrain, cards, and the larger rulebooks. If your real goal is a different faction, buy that faction’s current Spearhead box instead of collecting models you do not want.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of Sigmar: Introductory Set | A first hobby and two-player tutorial | 25 push-fit models; six paints; brush; mat; beginner handbook | Oct 2026 |
| Age of Sigmar Starter Set | Beginners who already have paints and tools | 35 push-fit models; 64-page handbook; mat, rulers, reference sheets and dice | Oct 2026 |
| Ultimate Starter Set | Two players who want complete Stormcast Eternals and Skaven Spearheads | 37 push-fit models; terrain; 36 Spearhead cards; two rulebooks; mat | Oct 2026 |
| A faction Spearhead box | Someone who wants to collect one particular faction | Predefined single-faction force; current force rules are downloadable free | Oct 2026 |
Which Age of Sigmar starter set should a first-time buyer choose?
The right box depends on what you want to learn and what you already own. These are use-case recommendations, not claims that one box is the cheapest or strongest army.
- Choose Introductory if you need models, paints, a brush, and the gentlest route into assembly and tutorial games.
- Choose Starter if you have (or are ready to buy) clippers and painting supplies, and want more models than Introductory without paying for the full Spearhead package.
- Choose Ultimate if two players want complete Stormcast Eternals and Skaven Spearhead forces, a gaming board, terrain, cards, and the expanded books in one purchase.
- Choose a faction Spearhead if you already know which army you want. The official product finder and force rules let you start with that faction rather than treating Stormcast Eternals and Skaven as mandatory.
Do not assume that the larger model count automatically makes a box better. Starter adds characters and Rat Ogors, but it does not include paints or a brush and is not documented as the same complete two-Spearhead experience as Ultimate.
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Age of Sigmar: Introductory Set
Introductory contains 25 push-fit miniatures: five Stormcast Eternals Liberators and 20 Skaven Clanrats. The parts come on push-off frames, so the included models do not require clippers or glue for assembly.
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The hobby contents are six paints—Kantor Blue, Retributor Armour, Leadbelcher, Rakarth Flesh, Khorne Red, and Steel Legion Drab—plus a starter brush. A 48-page beginner handbook, gaming mat, ruler, and dice support tutorial games. This is deliberately a taste of modelling, painting, and play; it is not the documented pair of complete Spearhead forces found in Ultimate.
Age of Sigmar Starter Set
Starter increases the total to 35 push-fit models. The Stormcast side has five Liberators, a Lord-Veritant with Gryph-crow, and three Prosecutors. The Skaven side has 20 Clanrats, a Grey Seer, a Warlock Engineer, and three Rat Ogors.
The box includes a 64-page handbook, gaming mat, rulers, reference sheets, and dice. Its models still use push-fit construction, but they must be removed from their frames with clippers. Paints and a brush are not included, so plan for those separately.
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Ultimate Starter Set
Ultimate contains the Starter forces plus a Lord-Vigilant on Gryph-stalker and a Clawlord on Gnaw-beast, for 37 push-fit models in total. Those additions make the Stormcast Eternals and Skaven forces the complete Spearheads documented for the set.
Its contents also include four push-fit terrain pieces, a double-sided gaming mat measuring approximately 30 by 22.4 inches, 36 Spearhead cards, a 72-page handbook, a 144-page Spearhead: Fire and Jade book, rulers, reference sheets, and six dice on the current official product page. Paints and a brush are not listed in that current contents list.
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There is a dice-count discrepancy worth checking before you buy: a July 2024 preview described ten dice, while the current official product page lists six for Starter and Ultimate. Verify the actual seller listing or the sealed box if an itemized dice count matters.
What does “Spearhead” mean for a beginner?
Spearhead is a predefined force taken from a thematic faction box, designed to make a small game easier to start. Games Workshop describes it as “the fastest way to learn and play Warhammer Age of Sigmar,” and says each Spearhead is a self-contained force; those are the publisher’s descriptions, not an independent performance ranking. Games are described as lasting about an hour.
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Ultimate is the only one of the three starter sets documented here as containing both complete Stormcast Eternals and Skaven Spearheads, along with the cards, terrain, mat, and books built around that format. Introductory and Starter can teach the setting and basic games, but do not promise the same complete Spearhead setup.
A legal Spearhead is not created by combining any heroes and infantry you happen to own. Use the current force rules for the named box. If you choose another faction, check that faction’s current Spearhead rules before adding models or substituting units.
When Ultimate earns its extra contents
- You are buying for two players who want to begin Spearhead immediately.
- You want the board, terrain, cards, and reference material in the same package.
- You specifically like both Stormcast Eternals and Skaven and would otherwise buy their forces separately.
If you only want to paint a few figures, or already own a board and rules, those additions may not justify Ultimate. Starter or a faction-specific Spearhead can be more focused.
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What paints, tools, and glue do you need?
Buy only what the selected box omits. The following checklist separates mandatory gaps from optional upgrades.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Paints | Six included paints | Not included | Not listed in the current contents |
| Brush | Starter brush included | Not included | Not listed in the current contents |
| Clippers | Not needed for the included push-off models | Needed to remove models from frames | Needed to remove models from frames |
| Glue | Not required for the included push-fit models | Not specified as included; use the assembly instructions | Not specified as included; use the assembly instructions |
| Gaming surface and measuring items | Mat, ruler and dice included | Mat, rulers, reference sheets and dice included | Mat, rulers, reference sheets and dice included |
The officially documented Warhammer Age of Sigmar Paint and Tools Set contains clippers, a starter brush, a mouldline scraper, and 13 paints. It is a practical companion to Starter or Ultimate when you need a complete basic kit, but it is not a universal requirement. A faction paint set trades tool coverage for practice miniatures and a smaller colour selection.
Assembly order that avoids common mistakes
- Read the box’s assembly instructions before removing parts. Push-fit pegs and sockets are designed to meet in a particular orientation.
- For Starter or Ultimate, use hobby clippers rather than twisting parts from the frame; twisting can leave stress marks or tear details.
- Dry-fit each part before applying anything. Push-fit joints usually hold without glue, and glue can make a misaligned joint difficult to correct.
- Remove visible mould lines carefully with a scraper or the back of a hobby knife, keeping blades pointed away from fingers.
- Keep Stormcast Eternals and Skaven in separate trays or bags while assembling. Their silhouettes and small parts are easy to confuse once the sprues are cut.
How can I start with one faction instead of two?
If you already love a faction, start with that faction’s Spearhead box and download its current force rules. This gives you a coherent single-army collection and avoids spending your first purchase on an opponent’s models.
The official Spearhead page includes a “Which Faction Is Right for You?” route and currently points to a boxed Stormcast Eternals force. Other factions have their own boxes and rules; availability and contents vary, so check the corresponding current entry rather than assuming every faction uses the same units.
Painting-first alternatives
The Stormcast Eternals Paint Set includes three push-fit Liberators, six paints, and a brush. The Skaven Paint Set includes five push-fit Clanrats, six paints, and a brush. Either is a small, low-commitment way to practise painting a faction’s look, but neither substitutes for the two complete Spearheads in Ultimate.
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For an even smaller lore-and-model introduction, the physical Getting Started With Warhammer Age of Sigmar magazine has 88 pages, one Liberator, and one Clanrat. It is an orientation product, not a playable Spearhead force.
What should two new players do after opening the box?
Start with a short, repeatable routine rather than trying to finish every model before playing.
- Inventory the contents. Match the miniatures, mat, dice, rulers, cards, and books against the box’s current contents list. Set aside any damaged or missing part before cutting sprues.
- Choose sides. One player can take Stormcast Eternals and the other Skaven. In Introductory, use the handbook’s tutorial sequence; in Ultimate, use the Spearhead cards and force rules supplied for the two armies.
- Assemble a small learning group. Build enough models for the first tutorial rather than delaying play for a full painting project. Keep unbuilt parts labelled so the next session is easy to resume.
- Paint in stages. Prime or basecoat according to the paint instructions, then add a few high-contrast details before attempting elaborate effects. Introductory’s six colours are selected for a basic Stormcast-and-Skaven scheme, not every colour you may eventually want.
- Use the included measuring tools. Keep the mat, rulers, reference sheets, and dice together in the box so a second player can set up without a separate shopping trip.
- Move to the current rules. Once the tutorial is comfortable, download the latest core and faction material and use the Spearhead rules for the force you actually field.
Where should I check the current Age of Sigmar rules?
Use the official Warhammer Age of Sigmar downloads index for core rules, Spearhead material, individual force rules, and updates. The index includes rules and battle-profile updates marked October 28, 2026, so a printed booklet should not be treated as permanently current.
You do not need to buy a particular battletome or paid supplement for a first tutorial or a Spearhead game. Download the rules for the force in your box, check the date of the latest correction, and keep the current files with your printed references.
Is the US Hachette Spearhead partwork a better alternative?
It is a slower collection route, not a quick replacement for a starter box. Games Workshop announced a Hachette partwork intended to build 12 complete Spearhead armies over its run. Hachette’s US FAQ says availability began September 1, 2026 and describes 90 planned issues.
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The publisher’s stated US offer lists issue 1 at $6.99, issue 2 free, and issue 3 onward at $14.99, with $2.50 shipping and handling per issue. A premium option adds $4 per issue. These are offer terms, not a guaranteed total cost or a promise that future prices and stock will remain unchanged.
Choose the partwork only if you want a recurring, long-form collecting project and are comfortable with its schedule. Choose a boxed set when you want models and games in one purchase. Confirm the current terms before subscribing.
What should I check before paying?
- Contents and edition: Read the current product page, not just an old unboxing or preview. Contents can be revised between editions.
- Model count: Introductory has 25 models, Starter 35, and Ultimate 37. A higher count does not by itself indicate a complete Spearhead.
- Tools: Introductory’s push-off frames avoid clippers and glue for its models. Starter and Ultimate require clippers for frame removal.
- Paint coverage: Introductory includes six paints and a brush; Starter does not, and Ultimate’s current contents list does not list them.
- Dice count: Current Ultimate and Starter listings show six dice, while a July 2024 preview said ten. Ask the seller to confirm the sealed-box contents if the count affects your purchase.
- Rules date: Download the latest force rules and updates instead of relying only on the printed Spearhead: Fire and Jade book.
- Seller and region: Verify delivered cost, shipping, stock, and authenticity for your country. A current US listing was not established for every box.
- Faction fit: If you want one army other than Stormcast Eternals or Skaven, compare its current Spearhead box and force rules before buying a two-faction starter.
How we picked these recommendations
The choices above use the criteria that matter most to a new buyer: whether paints and tools are included, how many models are supplied, whether the box supports tutorial play or two complete Spearheads, whether terrain and cards are present, and whether the factions match what the buyer actually wants to collect. They do not rely on an independent price ranking, competitive win rate, or hands-on performance claim.
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Can I use the Introductory Set models in a later Spearhead army?
The box is designed as a beginner introduction, and its contents are not documented as the complete Stormcast Eternals and Skaven Spearheads supplied by Ultimate. Keep the models as painting and tutorial pieces, then consult the current force rules before assuming any model can fill a required unit.
Why might a Starter Set listing show a different number of dice?
A July 2024 preview described ten dice, while the current official product page lists six for Starter and Ultimate. Treat the current seller listing and the sealed box as the final check, especially when buying older stock.
Where can I find rules for a faction that is not in the starter boxes?
Start at the official Age of Sigmar downloads index and look for that faction’s current Spearhead force rules. The free force file is separate from the question of which physical box is in stock, so check both before ordering.
Is the Hachette collection cheaper than buying a boxed Spearhead?
No reliable total-cost comparison is established by the publisher’s offer terms. The partwork lists recurring issue prices, shipping, and an optional premium, while boxed-set prices vary by seller and region; compare the complete delivered totals for your location.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
