Warmachine MKIV: A Beginner's Guide to Starting Your First Army

Warmachine MKIV is one of the most tactically rewarding miniatures games on the table — a fast, aggressive clash of steam-powered war machines and the soldier-sorcerers who command them. It has a reputation for being intimidating to start. It really isn't. Here's a clear, no-fluff roadmap that takes you from “those steampunk robots look incredible” to your first game.

What makes Warmachine tick

Every army is built around a Warcaster: a powerful hero who channels a resource called focus to cast spells and supercharge the hulking warjacks fighting at their side. That focus economy is the whole game in miniature — each turn you decide how much to spend on attacks, defence and spells, and how much to feed your 'jacks to make them hit like a freight train. It rewards bold, decisive play; there's very little sitting back and waiting in Warmachine.

Step 1 — Pick a faction you'll enjoy painting

Your faction sets the tone of your whole collection, so choose on looks and feel as much as rules. Cygnar brings storm-powered tech and ranged firepower. Khador fields heavy armour and grinding, durable attrition. Cryx leans into necromechanical horror and speed, while the brutal Orgoth and newer forces like Dusk, Khymaera and the Southern Kriels each play very differently. Scroll the whole range in our Warmachine collection and trust your gut — the army you think looks coolest is the one you'll actually finish painting.

Step 2 — Start with a Battlegroup Box

The single best first purchase is a Battlegroup Box. It's designed as the entry point for a faction: one Warcaster and a small group of warjacks — exactly enough models to learn the focus mechanic without drowning in rules. The Cygnar Gravediggers Battlegroup is a perfect example, and most factions have an equivalent. One box, one evening of assembly, and you have something playable.

Step 3 — Grow it with a Command Starter

Once your battlegroup feels comfortable, a Command Starter or Core set is the natural next step — it adds infantry, solos and a second caster option to round the force into a competitive list. Buying in this order (battlegroup first, then a command starter) is almost always cheaper and less wasteful than picking up single units one at a time.

Step 4 — The rules are free

You don't need to buy a rulebook to play. The official Warmachine App holds the full rules, every unit's stats and a list-builder, all free. Download it, build a list around your battlegroup and you can start playing immediately. If you love the lore or want a beautiful shelf reference, the Warmachine Core Book is there — but it's optional, not a barrier to entry.

Step 5 — Glue, prime, paint

MKIV models are supplied as unpainted plastic that needs assembling, so budget for plastic glue, a hobby knife and clippers alongside the miniatures. Painting is far less daunting than it looks — see our companion guide on painting your first army fast with Speedpaint, and grab everything in one trip from our paint & hobby supplies.

Your first shopping list

• A Battlegroup Box in the faction you love
• Plastic glue, clippers and a hobby knife for assembly
• A can of primer
• A Speedpaint set plus a wash to get tabletop-ready fast
• The free Warmachine App for rules and list-building

Pick your faction, grab a battlegroup, and we'll see you in the Iron Kingdoms.