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.

Smart Pick

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

Best score-to-price ratio in this category at $100.

Buy on Amazon

Budget Pick

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

Lowest-priced 4.0+ pick at $110.

Buy on Amazon

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 · $144.50 →

Best Value

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

Strong score for the price · 80/100

Buy on Amazon · $57.80 →

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.
Swipe left to compare more products
Spec
#1👑 Premium Pick
Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol
4.8
#2⭐ Best Value
Atomic Mass Games Star Wars
4.9
#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
Atomic Mass Games Star Wars
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
Check Price on Amazon · $144.50
Check Price on Amazon · $99.99
Check Price on Amazon · $239
Check Price on Amazon · $165
Check Price on Amazon · $57.80
CurioRankmethodology →
Hobby Value
90
Ruleset Depth
81
Starter Value
90
Community & Support
87
Value
66
Owner Satisfaction
92
Hobby Value
82
Ruleset Depth
82
Starter Value
88
Community & Support
82
Value
80
Owner Satisfaction
94
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 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 Count10-20--3240
PlasticPremium GW plastic--GW premiumHard plastic
Edition10th Edition--Age of Sigmar 3rd EdBolt Action 2nd Ed
Starter TypeSingle-army Combat Patrol--Two-army starterTwo-army Band of Brothers
CommunityActive----
Brand-Asmodee---
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.

Filter by price

Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol product photo
Top Pick

Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol

👑 Premium Pick
4.8

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

Check Price on Amazon · $144.50

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

Atomic Mass Games Star Wars product photo
Runner Up

Atomic Mass Games Star Wars

⭐ Best Value
4.9

The current on-ramp to Star Wars: Legion — a two-player Galactic Empire starter with the minis, terrain and rules you need to start commanding troops on the tabletop.

Check Price on Amazon · $99.99

Pros

  • ✓Command the Dark Side
  • ✓600-point Recon-level Army
  • ✓Complete Game Components
  • ✓Immersive Star Wars Experience

Cons

    CurioRank
    Score
    Hobby Value
    82
    Ruleset Depth
    82
    Starter Value
    88
    Community & Support
    82
    Value
    80
    Owner Satisfaction
    94
    How we score →

    Brand

    Asmodee

    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.

    Check Price on Amazon · $239

    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.

    Check Price 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💎 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.

    Check Price on Amazon · $57.80

    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.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What's the best miniature wargame to start with?▼
    Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar have the largest communities and the most accessible starter sets, but smaller-scale skirmish games like Kill Team, Warcry, or Star Wars: Shatterpoint need far fewer miniatures for a full game - a lower-cost, faster on-ramp to the hobby.
    How much does it cost to get into miniature wargaming?▼
    A two-player starter box ($120-170) is the cheapest complete entry: it includes miniatures for both sides, rules, and dice. Beyond that, budget for paints, brushes, and glue. Skirmish games keep ongoing costs far lower than full army games.
    Do I have to paint the miniatures?▼
    Not to play - most groups happily field primed or unpainted models. But painting is core to the hobby for most people, and many tournaments reward or require a painted force. Speed-paint ranges like Army Painter Speedpaint make tabletop-standard results achievable for beginners.
    What scale are most wargame miniatures?▼
    28-32mm 'heroic' scale is the dominant standard for Warhammer and most skirmish games. Historical and mass-battle systems use smaller scales (15mm, 6mm) to fit large armies on the table affordably. Check a game's scale before buying terrain or basing materials.

    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