A Warhammer starter kit gets you the miniatures and rules to start playing, but it does not usually include enough paint or tools to finish an army, so the real starting cost is the kit plus a separate paint set. Knowing what is and is not in the box before you buy saves a second trip back to the store for basics you assumed were included.
What is actually in a starter kit
Warhammer starter sets like the current Warhammer 40,000 or Kill Team boxed sets include plastic miniature kits, a rulebook or quick-start rules, and sometimes dice and range measuring tools. What they typically do not include is paint, brushes, glue, or primer, all of which you need separately to actually field a painted army rather than bare grey plastic.
Kill Team boxes, aimed at smaller skirmish-scale games, are a genuinely good entry point for a completely new painter because the model count per box is low enough to finish in a reasonable timeframe rather than staring at forty unpainted infantry models.
A larger Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar starter set gives you two small armies at once, usually one for you and one for a friend or opponent, which is a reasonable way in if you already know you want to play the full-size game rather than a skirmish variant. The tradeoff is a higher model count to paint before the army looks finished on the table, which is worth weighing honestly against how much time you actually want to spend painting versus playing in the first few months.
Pairing a paint set with your kit
Once you have models, a paint set matched to your models' faction saves you from buying colors piecemeal. A Citadel Colour Essentials Set(affiliate link) covers a broad spread of core colors and tools if you are staying inside the Citadel ecosystem your kit likely came boxed alongside. If you want faster results with less technique to learn, a Citadel Contrast Starter Set(affiliate link) gets a model from primed to tabletop-ready in far fewer steps, at the cost of some of the depth a fully layered scheme gives you.
Painters who want a wider color range outside the Citadel ecosystem often start with an Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set(affiliate link) or a Vallejo Model Color Basic Set(affiliate link), both of which cost less per bottle than buying the equivalent number of Citadel pots individually. See the full Army Painter range guide for how that ecosystem compares if you are deciding between brands before you buy.
Tools beyond paint
A starter kit and a paint set still leave gaps: glue for plastic assembly, a hobby knife for trimming mold lines, and a primer, either liquid brush-on or spray depending on your workspace. The starter supplies list covers the full checklist beyond paint itself, and the seven-step painting guide walks through the actual sequence once everything is in hand.
Avoiding overbuying at the start
The most common new-painter mistake is buying a huge core paint set with colors that never get used because they do not match the faction actually being painted. Buy the smallest set that covers your faction's palette plus a couple of neutral colors like black, white, and a metallic, then add specific colors as you need them. This keeps first-purchase cost down and avoids a drawer full of unopened pots.
FAQ
Do Warhammer starter kits come with paint?
Most do not. Starter boxes typically include miniatures and rules only, with paint, brushes, and glue sold separately.
What is the difference between a Warhammer 40k starter set and a Kill Team starter set?
Warhammer 40k starter sets are built around larger army-scale games with more models per box. Kill Team is a smaller skirmish game with fewer models, which makes it a faster first project for a new painter.
Which paint set should a total beginner buy first?
A core set matched to your models' faction, either from Citadel if your kit is Citadel-branded, or Army Painter or Vallejo if you want a wider range for less cost per bottle.
Do I need an airbrush to start painting Warhammer miniatures?
No. Brush painting alone is enough to fully paint any starter kit. An airbrush speeds up priming and large basecoats later but is not required to begin.
How much does it cost to get started painting Warhammer beyond the kit?
Beyond the models themselves, expect to add a paint set, a couple of brushes, glue, and a primer as the minimum starting kit, with cost varying by which brand and set size you choose.