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For a first Warhammer Age of Sigmar hobby experience with a friend, buy the Age of Sigmar Introductory Set: it includes push-fit Stormcast Eternals and Skaven, six paints, a brush, and tutorial material. Choose the regular Starter Set if you already own hobby supplies and want more units. Choose the Ultimate Starter Set when two players specifically want complete Stormcast Eternals and Skaven Spearhead forces with terrain, cards, and the larger rulebooks. If you already know which faction you want to collect, a faction-specific Spearhead box is usually the more coherent first purchase.
The three boxes are not simply small, medium, and large versions of the same product. They serve different jobs: learning the hobby, expanding a two-player introduction, or starting the complete Spearhead game mode. This guide explains exactly what each contains, what you must buy separately, and how to avoid paying for models or rules that do not match your goal.
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| Name | Best for | Key spec | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of Sigmar Introductory Set | A first taste of building, painting, and tutorial games | 25 push-fit models; six paints; brush; 48-page beginner handbook; mat, ruler, and dice | Oct 2026 |
| Age of Sigmar Starter Set | Beginners who already have tools and want more units | 35 push-fit models; 64-page handbook; mat, rulers, reference sheets, and dice; no paints or brush | Oct 2026 |
| Ultimate Starter Set | Two players starting complete Stormcast Eternals and Skaven Spearhead forces | 37 push-fit models; four terrain pieces; mat; 36 Spearhead cards; 72-page handbook; 144-page Spearhead: Fire and Jade book | Oct 2026 |
Current US prices for these boxes were not established in the available product information, so compare the delivered price from an identified retailer rather than relying on an old listing or an unverified marketplace offer.
Which Age of Sigmar starter set is right for you?
The best choice depends on whether you are learning the hobby, adding to an existing kit, or deliberately starting Spearhead with two specific armies.
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Choose the Introductory Set for a true first purchase
Pick the Age of Sigmar Introductory Set if neither player owns modelling or painting equipment. Its models come on push-off frames, so you do not need side cutters to remove them and assembly does not require glue. Six paints and a starter brush let you begin painting immediately, while the beginner handbook, mat, ruler, and dice support short tutorial games.
The contents are deliberately limited: five Stormcast Eternals Liberators and 20 Skaven Clanrats. That makes it a low-friction way to find out whether you enjoy clipping, assembling, painting, and moving miniatures around a table. It is not documented as two complete Spearhead forces, so do not buy it expecting the full Ultimate rules-and-terrain experience.
Choose the Starter Set when supplies are already covered
The regular Starter Set adds meaningful units to both sides. Stormcast receive a Lord-Veritant with Gryph-crow and three Prosecutors alongside five Liberators. Skaven receive a Grey Seer, a Warlock Engineer, and three Rat Ogors alongside 20 Clanrats. The box also provides a 64-page handbook, gaming mat, rulers, reference sheets, and dice.
Those models are push-fit, but they must be removed from their frames with clippers. Paints and a brush are not included. This makes the set a poor “open the box and start painting” choice for a first-time household, but a sensible step up for someone who already has cutters, a brush, and suitable colours.
The Starter Set should not be described as supplying the same complete Spearhead experience as Ultimate. It contains substantial forces and teaching material, but the Ultimate box is the one documented to include both complete Spearheads, terrain, and the dedicated card-and-book package.
Choose Ultimate for the complete two-player Spearhead setup
The Ultimate Starter Set includes everything in the Starter forces, then adds a Lord-Vigilant on Gryph-stalker for Stormcast and a Clawlord on Gnaw-beast for Skaven. Those additions make the two forces complete Spearheads.
For the game table, the current official contents list four push-fit terrain pieces, a double-sided gaming mat measuring approximately 30 × 22.4 inches, and 36 Spearhead cards. It also lists a 72-page handbook, a 144-page Spearhead: Fire and Jade book, rulers, reference sheets, and six dice. Paints and a brush are absent from that current list, so budget for hobby supplies if you are starting from zero.
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Ultimate is the clearest one-box route for two people who specifically want Stormcast Eternals versus Skaven in Spearhead. It is not automatically the best value for a painter who only wants one faction, nor is it the right answer if you dislike both factions.
What exactly is in each box?
The differences are easier to see when the models, hobby equipment, and game materials are separated.
| Box | Stormcast Eternals | Skaven | Hobby equipment | Game materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory | Five Liberators | 20 Clanrats | Six paints, starter brush; no clippers or glue needed for the included push-off models | 48-page beginner handbook, mat, ruler, dice |
| Starter | Five Liberators, Lord-Veritant with Gryph-crow, three Prosecutors | 20 Clanrats, Grey Seer, Warlock Engineer, three Rat Ogors | Clippers and paints/brush supplied separately | 64-page handbook, gaming mat, rulers, reference sheets, dice |
| Ultimate | Starter Stormcast force plus Lord-Vigilant on Gryph-stalker | Starter Skaven force plus Clawlord on Gnaw-beast | Paints and brush are not listed in the current contents | Four terrain pieces, approximately 30 × 22.4-inch double-sided mat, 36 Spearhead cards, 72-page handbook, 144-page Spearhead: Fire and Jade book, rulers, reference sheets, dice |
The official product page currently lists six dice for Starter and Ultimate. A Games Workshop preview from July 2024 mentioned ten dice instead. Because those descriptions conflict, verify the seller’s live contents or the physical box before promising a particular dice count.
What is Spearhead, and do these boxes include a legal force?
Spearhead is a predefined, self-contained way to play Age of Sigmar with a thematic boxed force. Games Workshop calls it “the fastest way to learn and play Warhammer Age of Sigmar” and says games take about an hour; those are the publisher’s descriptions, not an independent performance result. Force rules are available as free downloads, so a player does not need to buy a paid battletome merely to begin a Spearhead game.
Ultimate is documented as containing the complete Stormcast Eternals and Skaven Spearhead forces. Introductory is a tutorial sampler, and Starter is a larger two-faction introduction; neither should be presented as the same complete pair of Spearheads without checking the current force rules and contents.
Do not assume that any collection of individual heroes and infantry forms a legal Spearhead. A box must correspond to the current named force, and its rules can change. Check the official Age of Sigmar downloads index for the latest core rules, Spearhead material, force rules, and battle-profile updates. The index lists updates marked October 28, 2026, so a printed Fire and Jade booklet should not be treated as permanently current.
What if you want one faction instead of two?
If you already love a faction, buy its current Spearhead box rather than accepting Stormcast and Skaven simply because they appear in the starter range. Games Workshop’s product finder specifically points to Spearhead: Stormcast Eternals as a boxed Stormcast force; other factions should be checked against their current force rules before purchase.
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A single-faction route has three advantages:
- You spend your model budget on the army you actually intend to collect.
- You avoid learning a second faction that may never see play.
- You can add units using that faction’s current rules rather than converting a tutorial assortment into a legal force.
The trade-off is that a faction box may not provide a second army for a friend. You may also need to supply the mat, terrain, cards, and teaching material that Ultimate bundles for its specific Stormcast-versus-Skaven matchup.
Which small sets are best for painting before committing?
For a painting-first test, the faction paint sets are smaller and more focused than any of the three starter boxes.
Stormcast Eternals Paint Set
This set pairs three push-fit Liberators with six paints and a brush. It gives a new painter repeated practice on one armour style without requiring a full two-faction purchase. It does not provide a complete Spearhead or a two-player game setup.
Skaven Paint Set
This set pairs five push-fit Clanrats with six paints and a brush. It is a compact way to try fur, cloth, metal, and skin before buying a larger Skaven force. Like the Stormcast set, it is a painting introduction rather than a complete Spearhead.
Getting Started With Warhammer Age of Sigmar magazine
The physical Getting Started With Warhammer Age of Sigmar magazine has 88 pages, one Liberator, and one Clanrat. It is the smallest lore-and-model introduction in the documented range. It cannot replace the two complete Spearheads, board, terrain, and cards in Ultimate.
What hobby supplies do you need to buy separately?
Start with the omissions in your chosen box, not with a generic shopping list.
| Chosen product | Included | Buy before assembly or painting |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Set | Six paints and a starter brush; push-off frames avoid the need for clippers and glue | Nothing essential for the included models; optional extra colours or tools can wait |
| Starter Set | Push-fit models and game materials; no paints or brush | Side cutters, a brush, and paint suitable for your chosen colour schemes |
| Ultimate Starter Set | Push-fit models, terrain, mat, cards, books, rulers, and reference sheets | Paints, brush, and clippers as needed; the current contents list does not include paint supplies |
| Warhammer Age of Sigmar Paint and Tools Set | Clippers, starter brush, mouldline scraper, and 13 paints | It is a conditional companion for Starter or Ultimate, not a mandatory purchase for every buyer |
| Faction paint set | Six paints, brush, and a few push-fit practice models | Additional colours and tools only if your scheme requires them |
The Paint and Tools Set is the natural add-on when Starter or Ultimate leaves you without equipment. The faction paint sets provide fewer colours but include practice models, so choose between breadth of tools and a smaller, faction-specific painting exercise.
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How should you buy and check a starter box?
Use this sequence before paying, especially when buying from a marketplace or an older listing.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Decide whether you need two factions. If one army is the goal, price that faction’s Spearhead box first. If two people are learning together, continue with the starter comparison.
- Check your tool drawer. No clippers, brush, or paint means Introductory is the simplest start. Existing supplies make Starter more practical; Ultimate still needs paint equipment unless you already own it.
- Choose the game format. Tutorial games point to Introductory. A larger two-faction introduction points to Starter. Complete Stormcast and Skaven Spearhead play points to Ultimate.
- Confirm the current contents. Match the listing against the official product page, including the model roster, terrain, cards, books, and dice. Be especially cautious about the six-versus-ten dice discrepancy.
- Check the delivered cost. Include shipping, taxes, and any separate paint-and-tools purchase. No reliable current US price or Amazon listing was established for these boxes here.
- Download current rules. Use the official downloads index for the chosen faction and the latest corrections instead of assuming every printed booklet is current.
- Plan the first session. Clear a flat surface for the mat, keep the reference sheets nearby, and decide whether one player will teach the basic movement, attacks, and objectives before introducing every rule at once.
Is the Hachette Spearhead collection a practical alternative?
In the United States, Games Workshop announced a Hachette partwork intended to build 12 complete Spearhead armies over its run. Hachette’s US FAQ describes 90 planned issues and says availability began September 1, 2026. This is a recurring collection, not a quick substitute for a one-box starter.
The published US offer states issue 1 at $6.99, issue 2 free, and issue 3 onward at $14.99, with $2.50 shipping and handling per issue and an optional premium costing an additional $4 per issue. These are publisher offer terms, not a guaranteed total cost or future price. Verify the live subscription terms before ordering.
The partwork can suit someone who wants a slow release schedule and many armies. It is a poor fit if you want a playable two-player table this weekend, because the models and rules arrive across a long sequence of issues.
What are the most common buying mistakes?
Assuming the biggest box is automatically best
Ultimate adds the most complete game package, but it also assumes you will use Stormcast and Skaven and supply your own paints. A one-faction collector may get more value from that faction’s Spearhead box.
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Starter’s additional units do not compensate for opening the box and discovering that no brush or paint is included. Add tools and colours to the budget before comparing its delivered price with Introductory.
Calling Introductory two complete armies
Its five Liberators and 20 Clanrats are excellent teaching material, but the documented contents are a sampler rather than the complete pair of Spearheads in Ultimate.
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Using old rules without checking updates
Printed books are useful for learning, yet force rules and battle profiles can receive updates. Check the official downloads page, including the October 28, 2026 updates listed there, before a matched game.
Trusting an incomplete marketplace listing
Listings can omit terrain, cards, or paint supplies and may repeat older dice information. Compare the seller’s itemized contents with the current official page and confirm whether the box is new, complete, and intended for your region.
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The recommendations use the documented use cases and contents: whether a buyer is new to building and painting, already owns tools, wants two factions or one, needs complete Spearhead forces, and requires terrain, cards, and rules in the same box. Model counts, included supplies, and game materials come from current Games Workshop product information; rules currency comes from the official downloads index. The choices are not claims about the lowest price, competitive army strength, or an independently measured beginner-success rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Age of Sigmar with only the Introductory Set?
You can use its handbook, mat, ruler, dice, and included models for the tutorial games supplied with the set. For the full Spearhead format, use a box documented as a complete force or download the current force rules and add the required models and materials.
Do Age of Sigmar starter models come assembled?
They are push-fit kits, not preassembled miniatures. Introductory uses push-off frames that avoid clippers and glue, while Starter and Ultimate require clippers to remove parts cleanly.
Are Age of Sigmar Spearhead rules free?
Games Workshop provides Spearhead force rules through its official downloads index. Check the current files for your faction because rules and battle profiles can be updated after a printed book is released.
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How long does a Spearhead game take?
Games Workshop describes Spearhead games as taking about an hour. Actual duration depends on the players’ familiarity, table setup, and how quickly they resolve movement and attacks.
Can I subscribe to the US Spearhead partwork for just a few issues?
The Hachette offer is structured as a recurring collection intended to run for 90 planned issues. Review its current cancellation, shipping, and premium terms before subscribing; it is not designed as a single-box replacement.
Quick Recap
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