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.

🏆 TOP PICK
Star Wars: Legion Galactic Empire Starter Set
Star Wars: Legion Galactic Empire Starter Set

★ 4.6 (43) · $99.99

Command the Dark Side

Check Price on AmazonReview
⭐ SMART PICK
The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set (50-Bottle)
The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set (50-Bottle)

★ 4.7 (513) · $239

Check Price
#3 pick
Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol
Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol

★ 4.6 (29) · $181.98

Check Price

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)

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)

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

Star Wars: Legion Galactic Empire Starter Set

Star Wars: Legion Galactic Empire Starter Set

Highest overall CurioRank · 75/100

Buy on Amazon · $99.99 →

Best Value

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

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

Strong score for the price · 80/100

Buy on Amazon · $54.63 →

Premium

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set

Top-tier build, no compromises

Buy on Amazon · $299.99 →
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⭐ Best Value
Star Wars: Legion Galactic Empire Starter Set
4.6
#2⭐ Best Value
The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set (50-Bottle)
4.7
#3👑 Premium Pick
Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol
4.6
#4👑 Premium Pick
Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set
4.3
#5⭐ Best Value
Bolt Action 3rd Edition Starter Set (US Rangers vs German Grenadiers)
4.5
 
Star Wars: Legion Galactic Empire Starter Set
The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set (50-Bottle)
Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol
Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set
Bolt Action 3rd Edition Starter Set (US Rangers vs German Grenadiers)
Buy
Check Price on Amazon · $99.99
Check Price on Amazon · $239
Check Price on Amazon · $181.98
Check Price on Amazon · $299.99
Check Price on Amazon · $54.63
CurioRankmethodology →
Hobby Value
76
Ruleset Depth
76
Starter Value
82
Community & Support
76
Value
77
Owner Satisfaction
66
Hobby Value
76
Ruleset Depth
76
Starter Value
76
Community & Support
76
Value
78
Owner Satisfaction
75
Hobby Value
86
Ruleset Depth
77
Starter Value
86
Community & Support
83
Value
64
Owner Satisfaction
65
Hobby Value
74
Ruleset Depth
71
Starter Value
92
Community & Support
74
Value
62
Owner Satisfaction
58
Hobby Value
78
Ruleset Depth
81
Starter Value
90
Community & Support
72
Value
77
Owner Satisfaction
81
Buyer sentiment-
Quality Color selection Functionality Value for money
Bottle durability Spill resistance

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

Based on 113 user mentions

-
Quality Value for money
Durability

Buyers praise quality and value for money. Some flag durability.

Based on 23 user mentions

Game quality Starter set

Buyers praise game quality and starter set.

Based on 11 user mentions

BrandAsmodee----
Bottles-50---
Format-18ml dropper bottles---
Style-Speedpaint single-coat---
System-Acrylic---
Miniature Count--10-203240
Plastic--Premium GW plasticGW premiumHard plastic
Edition--10th EditionAge of Sigmar 3rd EdBolt Action 2nd Ed
Starter Type--Single-army Combat PatrolTwo-army starterTwo-army Band of Brothers
Community--Active--

* 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

How to Paint Miniatures for Beginners: Your First Model

Your first mini isn't ruined by cheap tools; it's drowned in paint that's too thick. Prime, basecoat, wash, and control the brush. Here's the whole system.

💬

What the Community Says

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

Star Wars: Legion Galactic Empire Starter Set product photo
Top Pick

Star Wars: Legion Galactic Empire Starter Set

⭐ Best Value
4.6

The current on-ramp to Star Wars: Legion — a Galactic Empire force with the minis, terrain and rules to start playing. Legion is a two-player game, but each starter now covers one faction, so a second player needs the Rebel Alliance set.

Check Price on Amazon · $99.99

Pros

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

Cons

  • ✗Ships as a single-faction Galactic Empire force, not two opposing armies
  • ✗Miniatures arrive unpainted and need assembly before play
  • ✗Too few reviews so far for a reliable buyer-sentiment read
CurioRank
Score
Hobby Value
76
Ruleset Depth
76
Starter Value
82
Community & Support
76
Value
77
Owner Satisfaction
66
How we score →

Brand

Asmodee

The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Mega Set (50-Bottle) product photo
Runner Up

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
75
How we score →

Bottles

50

Format

18ml dropper bottles

Style

Speedpaint single-coat

System

Acrylic

Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol product photo
Great Value

Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol

👑 Premium Pick
4.6

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

Check Price on Amazon · $181.98

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
86
Ruleset Depth
77
Starter Value
86
Community & Support
83
Value
64
Owner Satisfaction
65
How we score →

Miniature Count

10-20

Plastic

Premium GW plastic

Edition

10th Edition

Starter Type

Single-army Combat Patrol

Community

Active

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set product photo
#4

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Starter Set

👑 Premium Pick
4.3

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

Check Price on Amazon · $299.99

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
74
Ruleset Depth
71
Starter Value
92
Community & Support
74
Value
62
Owner Satisfaction
58
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 · $54.63

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
81
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 →
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Your first mini isn't ruined by cheap tools; it's drowned in paint that's too thick. Prime, basecoat, wash, and control the brush. Here's the whole system.

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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.

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