CurioRank · Best Picks

Best Miniature Wargames, Scored

Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, Star Wars Legion, Marvel Crisis Protocol - starter sets, codex books, paint sets for tabletop miniatures.

Miniature wargames combine hobby (assembling and painting miniatures), competitive gaming (tournament rulesets), and collecting (army-building over years). Dominant ecosystems: Warhammer 40K and Age of Sigmar (Games Workshop), Star Wars Legion (Atomic Mass), Marvel Crisis Protocol (Atomic Mass). Combat Patrol boxes and Starter Sets are the universal entry at $150-200.

Quick Take

Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol is the universal entry. Star Wars Legion Core Set is the Star Wars entry. Marvel Crisis Protocol Core for Marvel fans.

In 30 seconds

If you just want the answer, here are the three picks worth knowing.

Top Pick

Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol

Highest overall CurioRank · 84/100

Buy on Amazon · $160 →

Premium

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set

Top-tier build, no compromises

Buy on Amazon · $165 →
Research-based. We don’t physically test products in this category - rankings combine manufacturer specs, aggregated buyer reviews, and community consensus into a deterministic 0–100 CurioRank score. See the formula.
Spec
#1👑 Premium Pick
Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol
4.8
#2⭐ Best Value
Star Wars: Legion Core Set
4.8
#3⭐ Best Value
The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set (50-Bottle)
4.7
#4👑 Premium Pick
Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set
4.4
#5⭐ Best Value
Bolt Action 3rd Edition Starter Set (US Rangers vs German Grenadiers)
4.5
 
Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol
Star Wars: Legion Core Set
The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set (50-Bottle)
Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set
Bolt Action 3rd Edition Starter Set (US Rangers vs German Grenadiers)
Buy
Buy on Amazon · $160
Buy on Amazon · $120
Buy on Amazon · $100
Buy on Amazon · $165
Buy on Amazon · $110
CurioRank Scoremethodology →
Hobby Value
90
Ruleset Depth
81
Starter Value
90
Community & Support
87
Value
66
Owner Satisfaction
92
Hobby Value
86
Ruleset Depth
83
Starter Value
100
Community & Support
89
Value
79
Owner Satisfaction
90
Hobby Value
76
Ruleset Depth
76
Starter Value
76
Community & Support
76
Value
78
Owner Satisfaction
74
Hobby Value
76
Ruleset Depth
73
Starter Value
94
Community & Support
76
Value
63
Owner Satisfaction
60
Hobby Value
78
Ruleset Depth
81
Starter Value
90
Community & Support
72
Value
77
Owner Satisfaction
83
Buyer sentiment-
Quality Gameplay Value for money Detail

Buyers praise quality, gameplay, value for money and detail. Mixed feedback on assembly.

Based on 341 user mentions

Quality Functionality Value for money Speed
Bottle Durability Spill Resistance Appearance

Buyers praise quality, functionality, value for money and speed. Mixed feedback on color selection. Some flag bottle durability and spill resistance.

Based on 122 user mentions

Value for money
Durability

Buyers praise value for money. Mixed feedback on quality. Some flag durability.

Based on 23 user mentions

Game Quality Starter Set

Buyers praise game quality and starter set.

Based on 11 user mentions

Miniature Count10-2033-3240
PlasticPremium GW plasticPremium plastic-GW premiumHard plastic
Edition10th EditionStar Wars Legion-Age of Sigmar 3rd EdBolt Action 2nd Ed
Starter TypeSingle-army Combat PatrolTwo-army Core Set-Two-army starterTwo-army Band of Brothers
CommunityActiveActive---
Bottles--50--
Format--18ml dropper bottles--
Style--Speedpaint single-coat--
System--Acrylic--

* Prices are approximate and may not reflect current rates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are subject to change.

Read the full buying guide

Best Miniature Wargame Starter Sets 2026: 40K, Legion & AoS Compared

The five major miniature wargame starter sets aren't interchangeable - each optimizes for a different player. Here's how to pick the one that fits your group.

💬

What Parents Are Saying

r/Warhammer40kr/ageofsigmarr/StarWarsLegionr/MarvelCrisisProtocol

r/Warhammer40k recommends current Starter Set boxes for two-player entry. r/StarWarsLegion considers the Core Set the best two-army value.

Parents Love

  • Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol - $150 single-army starter. Best entry to 40K.
  • Star Wars Legion Core Set - Two complete armies, rules, dice, terrain. Best dollars-per-value entry.

Parents Warn Against

  • Single character boxes without rulebook - Buying a single character box leaves you with a paintable mini and no game.

💡 Surprising Truth

The miniature wargames hobby is roughly 50/50 split between painters who never play competitively and competitive players who barely paint.

▶Research Sources (2)

Buying Guide

📊 Average miniature count per launch starter set: 18.

Miniature wargames combine hobby (assembling and painting miniatures), competitive gaming (tournament rulesets), and collecting (army-building over years). Dominant ecosystems: Warhammer 40K and Age of Sigmar (Games Workshop), Star Wars Legion (Atomic Mass), Marvel Crisis Protocol (Atomic Mass). Combat Patrol boxes and Starter Sets are the universal entry at $150-200.

Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol product photo
Top Pick

Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol

👑 Premium Pick
4.8

$150 single-army starter. Best entry to 40K.

Buy on Amazon · $160

Pros

  • ✓Complete starter - full single-army Combat Patrol
  • ✓Active tournament support
  • ✓Iconic dystopian sci-fi setting
  • ✓High-quality plastic miniatures
  • ✓Excellent rulebook clarity
  • ✓Frequent codex releases

Cons

  • ✗Premium pricing - Games Workshop premium
  • ✗Requires assembly and ideally painting
  • ✗Steep learning curve
CurioRank
Score
Hobby Value
90
Ruleset Depth
81
Starter Value
90
Community & Support
87
Value
66
Owner Satisfaction
92
How we score →

Miniature Count

10-20

Plastic

Premium GW plastic

Edition

10th Edition

Starter Type

Single-army Combat Patrol

Community

Active

Star Wars: Legion Core Set product photo
Runner Up

Star Wars: Legion Core Set

⭐ Best Value
4.8

Two complete armies. Best dollars-per-value entry to wargaming.

Buy on Amazon · $120

Pros

  • ✓Complete starter - two armies included
  • ✓Rules and dice included
  • ✓Cardboard terrain pieces
  • ✓Iconic Star Wars characters and vehicles
  • ✓Active community
  • ✓Best value entry to miniature wargaming

Cons

  • ✗Requires assembly
  • ✗Painting recommended for full enjoyment
  • ✗Pricing for Star Wars brand premium
CurioRank
Score
Hobby Value
86
Ruleset Depth
83
Starter Value
100
Community & Support
89
Value
79
Owner Satisfaction
90
How we score →

Miniature Count

33

Plastic

Premium plastic

Edition

Star Wars Legion

Starter Type

Two-army Core Set

Community

Active

The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set (50-Bottle) product photo
Great Value

The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set (50-Bottle)

⭐ Best Value
4.7

The dominant single-coat miniature paint system 2025-26. For wargamers and paint-only hobbyists who don't want a 6-layer paint scheme to slow them down.

Buy on Amazon · $100

Pros

  • ✓Single-coat coverage cuts paint time 3-5×
  • ✓50 bottles cover most armies
  • ✓Strong color saturation
  • ✓Beginner-friendly
  • ✓Lower paint commitment vs Citadel layered system

Cons

  • ✗Not Citadel-compatible color codes
  • ✗Bottle nozzles can dry out if left open
  • ✗Some hobbyists prefer classic layering technique
CurioRank
Score
Hobby Value
76
Ruleset Depth
76
Starter Value
76
Community & Support
76
Value
78
Owner Satisfaction
74
How we score →

Bottles

50

Format

18ml dropper bottles

Style

Speedpaint single-coat

System

Acrylic

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set product photo
#4

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set

👑 Premium Pick
4.4

Fantasy answer to 40K. Two armies, dice, terrain, rulebook.

Buy on Amazon · $165

Pros

  • ✓Complete starter - two armies
  • ✓Dice, terrain, and rulebook included
  • ✓Active fantasy-themed setting
  • ✓GW premium plastic quality
  • ✓Active community

Cons

  • ✗Premium pricing for GW games
  • ✗Steep learning curve
  • ✗Requires painting investment
CurioRank
Score
Hobby Value
76
Ruleset Depth
73
Starter Value
94
Community & Support
76
Value
63
Owner Satisfaction
60
How we score →

Miniature Count

32

Plastic

GW premium

Edition

Age of Sigmar 3rd Ed

Starter Type

Two-army starter

Bolt Action 3rd Edition Starter Set (US Rangers vs German Grenadiers) product photo
#5

Bolt Action 3rd Edition Starter Set (US Rangers vs German Grenadiers)

⭐ Best Value
4.5

The current Bolt Action 3rd Edition starter - newer ruleset, two-army WWII tabletop in one box. Replaces the older 3.7★ Band of Brothers SKU.

Buy on Amazon · $110

Pros

  • ✓Historical accuracy - WW2 themed
  • ✓Complete starter with two armies
  • ✓Active competitive scene
  • ✓Less premium pricing than GW
  • ✓Rulebook included

Cons

  • ✗Niche community vs 40K / Legion
  • ✗Smaller tournament scene
  • ✗WW2 theme not for all
CurioRank
Score
Hobby Value
78
Ruleset Depth
81
Starter Value
90
Community & Support
72
Value
77
Owner Satisfaction
83
How we score →

Miniature Count

40

Plastic

Hard plastic

Edition

Bolt Action 2nd Ed

Starter Type

Two-army Band of Brothers

* Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You might also like

Adult LEGO - Display & Icons

LEGO Icons Botanical Bouquet (10280)

$59

View in Adult LEGO - Display & Icons →

Adult LEGO - Star Wars & UCS

LEGO Star Wars UCS Millennium Falcon (75192)

$849

View in Adult LEGO - Star Wars & UCS →

Adult LEGO - Technic & Mechanical

LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron (42083)

$399

View in Adult LEGO - Technic & Mechanical →

Related Reading

All guides →
Best Miniature Wargame Starter Sets 2026: 40K, Legion & AoS Compared

Best Miniature Wargame Starter Sets 2026: 40K, Legion & AoS Compared

The five major miniature wargame starter sets aren't interchangeable - each optimizes for a different player. Here's how to pick the one that fits your group.

CurioRank Editorial
4 min readMay 22, 2026