Yes, if you are picking your first acrylic paint set and want a small, cheap way to try Warpaints Fanatic before committing to a bigger box. This is Army Painter's smallest starter offering in the Fanatic line, built to get a new painter through a first miniature rather than to stock a whole army. It is a real starter kit, not a scaled down version of the bigger sets, and knowing what it leaves out matters as much as what it includes.
What is in the box
The Starter Set holds eleven paints total: seven acrylic colors, two metallics, one wash, and one brush-on primer, along with a miniature to practice on and a brush. That breakdown comes straight from the product's own listing, but the exact names of the seven acrylic colors are not printed anywhere consistently across retailers, and Army Painter periodically rotates which shades ship in entry level boxes. Because of that, do not treat any specific color list you see online as fixed. Check the pot labels or the current listing photo before you plan a scheme around this set, and confirm any color name against the Warpaints Fanatic range before assuming it matches a paint you already know by that name.
What is consistent across versions of this set is the structure: a small spread of primary colors picked to mix into most tabletop schemes, two metallics for weapons and trim, one wash to pull the whole model together, and a brush-on primer so you can prep a model without an airbrush or spray can. That is a complete, if narrow, path from bare plastic to a finished tabletop miniature.
The one thing this set does not have
No effect paints. That is the real dividing line inside the Warpaints Fanatic starter lineup, and it is worth knowing before you buy. The larger Mega set and the mid-size Most Wanted set both include Technical effect paints, things like rust textures and blood glazes that go on after your base colors to add wear, grime, or gore. The Starter Set has none of that. It is pure basecoat, metallic, wash, and primer, aimed at teaching clean fundamentals before you touch a texture paint.
Coverage gaps
Seven acrylic colors will not cover a full paint scheme on their own, especially once you factor in skin tones, which are not called out separately in this box. You will likely need to add at least a flesh tone and probably a second metallic or two once you move past your first miniature. There are also no effect paints, no extra brushes beyond the one included, and no varnish, so plan on buying a matte or gloss varnish separately once you are ready to protect a finished model.
Who this suits
Someone buying their very first set of acrylic miniature paints, testing whether Warpaints Fanatic's thicker, more pigment dense formula suits their style before spending more, or a painter who already owns paints in another brand and wants a cheap way to sample Army Painter's brush-on primer and wash without committing to a full range swap.
Who should skip it
If you already know you want a real color range to start an army with, this set is too small. Go straight to the Mega set instead, since the per-pot value works out similarly and you avoid immediately needing a second purchase. Painters who specifically want effect paints from day one should also skip this and look at Most Wanted or Mega, both of which include them.
Buy it
Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set on Amazon(affiliate link)
FAQ
How many colors are actually in the Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set?
Eleven paints total: seven acrylic colors, two metallics, and one wash, plus a separate brush-on primer pot. The specific acrylic color names are not fixed across every printing of the set, so check the current listing before buying if you need exact shades.
Does the Starter Set include any effect paints?
No. Effect paints only appear in the larger Warpaints Fanatic boxes, specifically the Most Wanted and Mega sets. The Starter Set is limited to basecoats, metallics, a wash, and primer.
Is this set enough to paint a full miniature start to finish?
Yes for a single model as a first project. The brush-on primer, base colors, wash, and metallics cover the basic steps. You will run short on variety fast if you try to paint several different miniatures from just this box.
How does the Starter Set compare to a Citadel starter box?
Both aim at the same beginner, but Army Painter's Fanatic line leans toward thicker, punchier colors while Citadel's starter boxes lean toward its own base and layer system. The Army Painter vs Citadel comparison covers the practical differences if you are deciding between the two brands rather than just this one set.