Warhammerfans are a special breed. They’ll spend hours painting shoulder pads the size of thumbnails and arguing about which space monk betrayed who ten thousand years ago. If you’ve got one of these people in your life, congrats - you’re buying a gift for someone whose hobby is equal parts art project, war story, and mild obsession.
You don’t need to understand any of it. Really. All you need is something that looks cool, won’t get you roasted forpicking the wrong faction, and doesn’t require a workshop to assemble. These picks hit that sweet spot—fun, affordable, and just nerdy enough to make you look like you totally knew what you were doing.
7Astra Militarum - Leman Russ Battle Tank
This 137-part kit builds theImperial Guard battle tankwith multiple weapon configurations. To start off, we have three main sprues that cover hull, track/wheel assembly, and turret/weapons. Our turret options include Battle Cannon, Vanquisher Cannon extension, Exterminator twin autocannons, and Eradicator Nova Cannon and more.
Now, the hull mount choices give you lascannon, heavy bolter, or heavy flamer options. Optional sponsons add twin heavy bolters, heavy flamers, multi-meltas, or plasma cannons for extra firepower. The accessory sprue includes extra track links, fuel drums, searchlight, and command hatch variants for customization.
Here’s a cool tip I picked up from a friend: you can apparently leave the upper hull unglued for throwing in some interior LED installations. There’s a cavity behind the driver seat that fits a CR2032 pack perfectly. Now, I don’t know how much your Warhammer friend is going to like that, but regardless, this kit gives you some excellent weapon variety and customization options, making it a solid foundation piece for Imperial Guard armies.
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6Kill Team: Starter Set
This starter set brings in the heat with wo complete Kill Teams - seven Space Marine Heroes and seven Plague Marine Heroes. Both teams use push-fit models with scenic bases, so no glue required for assembly. The MDF-style terrain includes ten pieces of ruined outpost scatter - two large pieces plus eight smaller elements.
The game components include ten dice, two range rulers, full token sheets, and quick-reference cards. And if your friend is new to this, there is also a 64-page starter handbook that teaches core rules and includes datacards for both teams plus three narrative missions. You don’t get the full Core Rulebook, but the free PDF download covers advanced play when you’re ready for it.
All in all, this is the perfect introduction to Kill Team skirmish gaming. The included teams also provide good faction variety for learning different playstyles.
5Dark Angel Veteran Funko Pop
In case you didn’t know, the Dark Angels are one of the oldest Space Marine chapters, tracing their roots all the way back to the First Legion. They’ve always had this brooding, monastic vibe. Fiercely loyal to the Imperium, but carrying a heavy burden of secrecy tied to their Fallen brethren. That internal guilt and rigid discipline bleed into their aesthetic - robes over armor, winged helms, and that deep green that’s as iconic as their silence.
This 3.75-inch vinyl figure brings the Dark Angels aesthetic in classic Funko style. The dark green armor and chapter sword on the pauldron come through clearly, with some subtle weathering.
In case you’re planning on gifting your friend the Interceptor, this one pairs really well with it. you’re able to also try experimenting with different models from the same lineup, like Space Wolves, Ultramarine, and Blood Angel versions.
4Eisenhorn: The Omnibus
This paperback collects the complete Eisenhorn story - novels Xenos, Malleus, Hereticus, The Magos, plus four bridging short stories. Dan Abnett writes this like detective noir that happens to be set in the 40K universe, starting with investigation beats and escalating to interplanetary warfare and daemonic threats.
Story-wise, the focus stays on human-scale stakes and moral complexity rather than endless bolter action. There are themes of corruption versus duty play out as Inquisitor Eisenhorn gradually slides down morally questionable paths. The pacing moves from detective work to full-blown supernatural horror as the stakes escalate.
You don’t need any tabletop knowledge to follow along. Abnett’s writing helped bring 40K fiction to mainstream audiences beyond just gaming circles. The character development and noir atmosphere make this compelling reading whether you’re into 40K or just enjoy well-written science fiction. The omnibus format brings together the complete story arc in one volume, so you’re able to follow Eisenhorn’s journey from beginning to end without hunting down separate books.
3Space Marine Adventures
This board game bridges tabletop gaming and 40K lore in a way that actually works. You get five push-fit Space Marine Heroes representing different Chapters - Ultramarine, Blood Angel, Space Wolf, Salamander, and Imperial Fist - going up against a Necron Overlord and 15 Warriors. The minis use Hero Series sculpts, which are noticeably sharper than typical board game plastic.
The art reads a bit flat but makes game icons easy to spot during play. Action-point gameplay gives each Marine unique once-per-game abilities, while card-driven Necron AI keeps things moving without needing someone to play the villains.
Works as solo play or 1-4-player co-op, with difficulty scaling through Challenge cards. Light enough for family gaming but can be ramped up for more experienced players. The 40-page rulebook covers everything you need, plus you get six dice, tokens, datacards, and mission briefs. Another bonus here is that the push-fit models don’t require glue, making setup quick and painless. A great entry point for people curious about 40K without having to commit to building entire armies and learning complex rules.
2Basic Paints & Tools Set
This kit covers the basics pretty well with 13 Citadel pots spanning all the paint types you actually need - Base, Layer, Shade, Contrast, and Technical. The color selection works for both Ultramarines and Leviathan Tyranids, which gives you some flexibility depending on what army catches your interest.
You get essential colors like Abaddon Black, Corax White, Macragge Blue, plus some metallics like Runelord Brass and Leadbelcher. The Agrax Earthshade and Tesseract Glow give you important shading and contrast options. Having this range in one compact package saves you from hunting down individual pots when you’re starting out.
Tools include a mould-line scraper, plastic clippers, and a brush. The clippers are okay for basic work but can flex on thicker sprue. Nothing that stops you from building models, just not the most robust quality. The brushes handle basic painting tasks fine for getting your feet wet.
The whole thing is compact enough to fit in a GW Skirmish case for transport. Perfect to giftsomeone who’s just starting out with their 40K journey!
1BUY IT HEREUltramarines Primaris Assault Intercessor
Lore-wise, the Ultramarines are basically the gold standard of Space Marines - the template all other chapters are judged against. Disciplined, methodical, and fiercely loyal to the Codex Astartes, Led by the resurrected Primarch Roboute Guilliman, they’re often seen as the Imperium’s best hope at holding back the tide of heresy and xenos threats.
That aside, the articulation on this figure is pretty impressive. You get 22 points of movement including ball-joint neck, butterfly shoulders, and double-hinge elbows and knees. The shoulder pauldrons float on soft tabs, which means they don’t get in the way when you’re trying to pose the arms. That’s something a lot of action figures mess up.
The sculpted base with Chapter badge is a nice touch. Scale-wise, it apparently works well with JoyToy 1:18 weapons if you want to do some customization. The window box packaging with Ultramarines livery looks good on display too.
FAQ
Q: How do I know which faction they like?
If you’ve ever heard them say the words “Blood for the Blood God” or seen a suspicious number of skulls on their shelves, they’ve already chosen a side. If not, stick to safe bets, anything Ultramarine, Imperial Guard, or a box set that has a bit of everything.
Q: Do any of these need glue or paint?
A few do. But most of the stuff on this list is push-fit or pre-painted (like the Funko or board games), which means no hobby disasters on your conscience. We kept it beginner-safe.
Q: Will they already own this stuff?
Possible. Warhammer fans love to hoard shiny things. But even if they already have it, doubles arerarelya problem. Extra minis = custom kitbashes or painting practice. No need to worry at all, as long as it’s a good pick, your friend is going to find a use.
