I’ve been into roleplaying tabletop games since 2019, starting with Dungeons & Dragons, but my board game obsession started way earlier. I’ve dabbled in TCGs like Magic: The Gathering and Yugioh, but somehow, Warhammer 40K was always missing from my nerdy checklist. I never played it, and to be honest, I didn’t get the hype. But then my boyfriend, who used to be super into Warhammer, decided it was time for me to join the dark side… and somehow, it’s kind of working.
Apparently, many of the interest that I have somewhat connects to Warhammer that all he has to do is explain why one aspect of my hobby works for this other hobby. Note, this was a slow burn process, spanning many years, yet somehow, we’re so close to getting me into my first session.
Step 1: Keyboards & Paintbrushes?
The whole Warhammer conversation started when I got into keyboards. Apparently, the tools used to lube switches is similar to the ones used for painting Warhammer miniatures.
There was an connection, and from there, he started planting seeds about Warhammer. I wasn’t fully sold yet, but hey, it was a start.
Step 2: Magic: The Gathering x Warhammer
Next, my boyfriend decided to hit me where it hurt: Magic: The Gathering. In 2022, Magic launched a Warhammer 40K edition with four commander decks, and he convinced me to get in on it. The catch? My pre-order didn’t arrive until my birthday (thanks, Australian distribution), but we still had fun. The commanders in this set come from the most known factions the game offered, each having their own game mechanic and themed cards that suit their gameplay.
As we played, he casually dropped bits of Warhammer lore and connected it to the cards we were playing with. It was a low-key but effective way of introducing me to the universe and who the main players are. I wasn’t playing the game yet, but I was getting familiar with the factions and their lore.
Step 3: Finding My Faction: Enter the Adepta Sororitas
Despite the Magic intro, I still wasn’t super into it. The hobby felt super mascuiline in my opinion. But who knew that a trip to the Philippines would find a solution: JoyToy Warhammer figures.
These are larger-scale figures, featuring many factions from this franchise, and there is one in particular that caught my eye: Adepta Sororitas (aka Sisters of Battle). They’re an all-female faction, and according to their lore on the Warhammer website, Saint Celestine is described as “living embodiment of the God-Emperor’s might”
My boyfriend jokingly called them “weaponized Catholicism,” which sounds ridiculous but actually made sense when I thought about my country’s history (watch Gomburza or Maria Clara or Ibarra.)
Suddenly, I was into these angelic warrior sisters, and my boyfriend knew he had a shot at getting me into Warhammer for real.
Step 4: Henry Cavill + Warhammer TV Show = Game Changer
Now comes the cherry on top: Henry Cavill.
After his DCU exit and Netflix Witcher drama, Cavill announced he was working on a Warhammer 40K series for Prime Video, and it was confirmed last year that Prime and Games Workshop made an agreement to bring the show to life. As an entertainment journalist, I knew I’d have to get up to speed on the Warhammer lore if I wanted to cover it. This gave me a legit reason to learn the game and its story. Plus, I could tax-deduct all the resources!
Honestly, Cavill was the final push I needed. I was now invested in the IP, even if I wasn’t quite ready to play.
Step 5: Gunpla Building: Breaking the “Building” Barrier
The next problem: building the Warhammer miniatures. I’m used to buying pre-painted minis for D&D, but Warhammer requires some actual work. Thankfully, my boyfriend had a genius idea: Gunpla.
For those who don’t know, Gunpla are model kits based on the Mobile Suit Gundam series. They’re similar to Warhammer models, only larger. He thought if I could enjoy building Gunpla, I’d be into Warhammer too.
There were many beginner Gunpla workshops in offer during conventions that teach you the basics of figure building. And while the larger models on display tend to be intimidating, there are also beginner models that can help grow your skills. Not to mention, other IPs are also selling their version of Gunpla figures. While building the figures can be fun, the stickers don’t always work and the pieces were tough to snap off at times.
I’ve built a few figures since doing my first beginner course, like a Pokemon Piplup model and a Hello Kitty & RX-78-2, Spirits SD-EX. Will the next one be a Celestine, the Living Saint kit? Building these models made me realize that building Warhammer miniatures might not be as scary as I thought if I’m willing to put in the effort.
Will I fall into the Warhammer Rabbit Hole?
So, here we are. The only thing left to get me into the game is to pass through the dreaded painting part as they’re like $5-10 a pop depending on what I’m after. My boyfriend assures me we can split the cost of paints (because, yikes, they’re expensive), and there’s a Warhammer shops that offer beginner sessions. So, it’s only a matter of time before I bite the bullet and fully dive in.
Will I be playing Warhammer anytime soon? Who knows, but I’m definitely interested now. My boyfriend’s slow-burn strategy has worked. He’s introduced me to the lore, found a faction I actually vibe with, and I’m kinda excited for Henry Cavill’s upcoming show. And though I’m still on the fence about the painting, I’m closer than ever to committing. So, will I be rolling dice and building miniatures this year? Maybe. But one thing’s for sure: Warhammer’s on my radar now, and that’s a big win.
Leave a Reply