"Oh, great. The boy wants to learn 40K..." Topic

Until recently, my 15 year old could not have given a fiddler's fart for wargaming. He is an avid chess player and D&D enthusiast. Suddenly, he says he wants to learn to play wargames. I'm excited because it could mean he wants to spend more time with his old man. Then he says he wants a game with lots of players so he can find an opponent. Ego put away, I say 40K is the no brainer: lots of fluff, lots of players in lots of game stores, and plenty of shiny things to blow up. He wants to be play orks. I need some help. Should we invest in 7th edition? Is 8th coming out soon? Is 40K disappearing and going Age of Sigmar? Helpful thoughts and advice appreciated. Thanks.

Wait for 8th, ask around for one of the small versions of the 7th ed rules. 8th has some interesting rumors floating around – lots of fluff stuff is happening, but it's not going to be End Times, a la Age of Sigmar. But 8th may have a set of rules that is closer to AoS than before; there's a lot of speculation about how 30K and 40K rules are going to fit together. Look for a used copy of the latest Ork codex, and haunt eBay for people unloading their collections. Strip and repaint, and play.

Get something simple but entertaining to exorcise this delusion from his system like Deathwatch Overkill (which I think is kind of clever). Make him assemble and paint everything himself before playing. If that doesn't cure him of his mania… nothing will.

8th will be out soon but if he wants to play right away you should be able to pick up a cheap copy of the little 7th edition rules as nvdoyle suggested.

From what the rumour mill is putting out, it looks like there will be two versions of "40K" when 8th edition comes out.

There will be 40K which is going to be a simplified version of the current rule system, not quite as simplified as AoS was over WHFB but much simpler than 7th edition.

Then there is going to be 30K, or the Horus Heresy stuff, which is going to maintain most of what was in 7th edition with minor tweaks.

If you buy him the 7th edition rule book that will give him a start into the game and the nice thing about Orks is that you can use them with either 40K or 30K without, as far as I know, any modifications.

So when the new stuff does come out he will be familiar with 30K already and will actually have a stepped down version to learn to play 40K.

For figures his best bet is to start with this set:

link

It contains about $130 USD worth of stuff for $85. USD

OR the Battle for Vedros stuff might be an even better start as the figures are easier to put together and in some cases cheaper to boot:

link

I don't think GW sells those direct though, so you will have to get them from the local store.

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me if you want.

Unless he's already sold on 40K, what about Flames of War or Bolt Action instead? Assuming anyone is playing those in your locale.

But otherwise, 40k can be a lot of fun, try starting with Kill Team and build small squads together.

I wouldn't put much stock in the rumors about 40k. Even if 8th is eminent, the models will still be usable in 8th and you won't have to wait to assemble and paint to play. Think of 7th as a learn to play.

PM sent

I agree that he Should try Kill Team first! You need only a squad per side.

1st go to bank ask for loan and remortgage your home then, take him to a GW store, weep.

Agree with the general thread – lots of stuff out there on ebay and other sites

If he wants to do Tau I have some stuff I would be happy to part with

The easiest way to break him of 40K is to let him play Orks. Especially in the current 40K atmosphere. I've got about 9,000 pts. of the gits. Great fun to play, especially in a casual group, just don't expect to win. Now if he had chosen Space Marines, Eldar or Tau, that's when you should worry!:)

You say he's a "D&D enthusiast".

The no brainer is Age of Sigmar, really. Should be easier to handle, it's steadily growing (far more than lots of us would have thought not much ago), the minis are gorgeous (and not expensive if compared to 40K), and matched/scenario playing make it friendly for both campaigning and pick up games. It won't require more minis than 40K.

The fluff is fairly good (I'd say very good in fact, after having given it a thorough look last months) and looks dynamic and easy to interact with, and characterful. The incorporation of Moorcock-like influences has been done smoothly and has built a solid background.

A boon is that you can have the rules for free. Also the ministarter (Storm of Sigmar) is a cheap game by itself and can work as an inexpensive introduction.

If you're dead sure on 40K, above you've seen good advice, although I'd give the new Gangs of Comorragh set a try, because you know, the dark elves in it aren't poster boys, the game by itself seems pretty nice and can work as both a separate game, an intro to 40K and a change of pace regarding 40K.

Whatever it be, have fun!