Warmachine New Player Buyer's Guide

Starting a new wargame is always fun but also daunting!, so here's a full buyer's guide for Wamrachine mk4! I cover every faction at every points level, basic list building, and the actual BEST way to get started in WM4!
If you're thirsty, I have a Patreon: / glasshalfdead
Buying Warhammer in the USA? Give me a kickback with Noble Knight: www.nobleknight.com/affiliate...
Buying Warhammer in the UK? Give me a kickback from Element or Wayland: elementgames.co.uk/?d=10999 affiliates.waylandgames.co.uk...
Music is from the Warcraft OST
0:00 Intro
0:45 DecidingYOUR Faction
3:18 Old models?
3:47 Current models!
4:40 Buying what YOU want!
12:25 Extra Guide to Cadres and List Building!
#warmachine #WM4 #privateerpress

[@mrkingracoon]

I never really comment on videos but I'm so glad I found this video. I'm currently building a bigger community for warmahordes mk4 in the south of the UK. This video will do wonders. Cheers pal! 😊

[@GlassHalfDead]

Despite being a KZbinr myself, I am actually terrible for engagement with other channels and almost never comment or thumbs up! How South are we talking? I've got a surprising number of "I played in mk3 but for scared off from MK4 but if people push it harder I might get back into it..." Near me in Salisbury. And hey, the more people sharing by word of mouth the better! Expect a pretty damn hype 3 part how to play wm4 series "soon" ;)

[@mrkingracoon]

Based around Surrey/London. Got two clubs which are building up. Got the Surrey Spartans and then there's the gang at Badmoon cafe. Both have discords and fb pages if you ever want to come and roll some dice. I will be waiting on the next video bud. Can't wait! 😊

[@BonusHole]

@@mrkingracoon I'm in London... thanks for mentioning Bad Moon Cafe - I didn't know there was such a place here other than Darksphere in Shepherds Bush. I'll start lurking around Bad Moon and see if I make any friends. See you around (but you wont see me!)

[@GlassHalfDead]

Oh yes I played at Bad Moon right at the end of MK3 before I had to move away for work! Good group there, of course. Hopefully the scene they're can continue to grow!

[@darkrulerbob]

Thanks for these videos. I'm using them to get my buds into warmachine

[@GlassHalfDead]

Some way to digest beginner content is what this game needs, and I'm happy to provide! My patrons know what's coming next for WM4 ;) (So much editing though so it won't be any time soon lol)

[@Coltain476]

Here only for warmachine. Happy to see it!

[@GlassHalfDead]

More is on the way, but my next videos require me to paint some models, which means it will take me ages because I don't like painting at all!

[@Coltain476]

@GlassHalfDead army painter speed paints can be your friend for good quality quick paint jobs.

[@GlassHalfDead]

@@Coltain476 ahhh yes, the problem with you only being here for warmachine and not me! I'm familiar with painting. I'll get it done. See you in the next warmachine video

[@gstellar96]

Yeah, I agree on infantry being needed for fun games, which is why I love the recent cadres and the cryx starter which all have one caster/lock, one beast/jack, 1 infantry and one solo at a minimum with the cadres having a little bit more since theyre mini factions in of themselves

[@amc6354]

Loving warmachine videos- havnt played yet but got some models

[@GlassHalfDead]

Enjoying the artwork and the lore is a totally valid way of enjoying a world! The app has some good fiction and there are plenty of warmachine novels out there already.

[@AVhq11]

Nice. Welcome to the warmachine community. Which faction did you pick?

[@amc6354]

@@AVhq11 loving the Brinebloods . They are awesome looking characterful models plus pirates :)

[@AVhq11]

@@amc6354 same here. I really like the privateer mercenary faction from mk3 as well as trollbloods, so brineblood marauders are just 2 my favourite factions from mk3 combined.

[@amc6354]

@@AVhq11 cool :) the guy riding shark looks awesome

[@philvess6376]

Really hope Warmachine makes a comeback...

[@GlassHalfDead]

Fingers crossed!

[@KaptajnCongoboy]

This will prove useful for our new players! Thanks Glass! I've been playing this game for nearly two decades now and MkIV really hit the spot for me.

[@GlassHalfDead]

Everyone has to start somewhere, and youtube loves a solid "how to buy X" video! Also, you know, when people get into a game, they like to CONSUME outside of their local meta as well, so hopefully a bit of talking head content and guides will help :)

[@JessePerryAndCoffee]

This was a great into how to start figuring our WM. Super good, Andy.

[@GlassHalfDead]

I forgot how much editing I put into this video. It was rather fun to watch back months after doing it!

[@BryonStice]

It's a good day when I get to watch a 20 minute video of Glass rambling.

[@GlassHalfDead]

This is a tightly edited script, no rambling here my good sir! (That comes every Tuesday now!)

[@bigpawz9326]

I didnt do this all at once but my investment in Warmachine MK4 is Battlegroup, core army box, 2 expansions, 2 light jacks, 2 heavy jacks, and 2 80 mm models. This gave me pretty much Max Force allowance besides a couple of units. All bought at at least 15% off. Until more army expansions come out i dont need anything.

[@GlassHalfDead]

Whereas I bought this much for Cygnar and Khador all at once and immediately scared myself away from suddenly having too much hobby xD

[@earnestwanderer2471]

I was given to understand, at some point, that the warjacks are now sort of “modular”. As in, rather than having a separate box for each warjack variant, the boxes now come with optional components to build various versions of warjacks. This was supposed to help out brick and mortar stockists because there were fewer SKU’s in the line and fewer items needed to stock.

[@GlassHalfDead]

Yes that's correct. So before each army night have had, let's say 6 warjacks which were all roughly the same body and legs but with different armaments. Now those 6 warjacks are 1 warjack that can swap the weapons in their hands and their head. I personally prefer getting multiple warjacks, but this is a much cheaper option as instead of buying 6 jacks, you buy 1, stop despite my personal preference of having lots of models, I can't really complain about it xD

[@AVhq11]

Yeah, i think there's only one upgrade box for "special character" warjack/warbeast. Not to mention they are all made for magnetisation so you can easily customise them.

[@cambeul]

@@GlassHalfDead I mean you could always buy more. Say a Light Brine Blood has four options, if you wanted every Variation that is what like 216 Models? And you can get four of them, that is like 864, I dont think Privateer Press will complain :D

[@GlassHalfDead]

@@cambeul now you're on to something! The only ones I've glued into place have been the character jacks. I'm here for the narrative and fun, not the mechanics and WYSIWYG anyway

[@thelittlestgiant]

Is Hordes dead then? I just went to their website to browse Hordes and Warmachine models and Hordes hardly has any models for sale at all anymore. I thought they’d made both games interchangeable before or something, and maybe only like half a year ago I was browsing the site and they still had tons of Hordes stuff available.

[@GlassHalfDead]

Fair question. I didn't cover it in this video, but I do cover this in "what is warmachine in 2024". However, as it's SUCH a common question, I just made a short for it here: kzbin.info01hbRKiWcaU

[@thelittlestgiant]

@@GlassHalfDead Glad to see they’re finally just calling it a single game. Should’ve done a long time ago! So is the severe lack of “hordes” specific models for sale on their website due to all new sculpts coming for MK4 or something? I thought maybe they just lumped them all into the “Warmachine” products tab now, but I checked and it doesn’t seem like that’s the case. 🤔

[@luismarincioni]

Thanks for this One, I was really confused. I Saw The new "trencher" light warjacks designs on their insta, thought they were awesome and didn't find them anywhere. Now I get they are from a diferent subfaction than the storm dudes, that I never particularly liked. So I should wait for a box of trenchers and hopefully gunmages.

[@GlassHalfDead]

Yes, exactly! That's exactly what I'm hoping for. Trenchers with gunmage buddies.

[@pepdawg18]

Love the video! Subscribing for hopefully more Warmachine coverage in the future :)

[@GlassHalfDead]

Check out the playlist for the ones I've done so far! And yes, more on the way! In fact this Tuesday I MIGHT (if they turn up) be painting the new elves as I ramble on livestream

[@n3r0n3]

this was such a good game... and I say was because in EU it is long time dead. I really did not expect that, everyone loved it and In terms of ruleset it was one of the best skirmish games around maybe together with infinity (which is far more hardcore of course and still super popular here - rightfully so!). I believe something must have happened at privateer press and they retreated from the European market... then Brexit and we mostly imported Warmhordes from Britain... Your video is great but 1 thing they have to do if they wanna relaunch is opening shop in EU let's be honest, nobody buys from the UK anymore.

[@GlassHalfDead]

In fairness, it's been pretty dead EVERYWHERE from about a year before covid and then all through it. This was due to a whole bunch of reasons that at this point don't matter, what happened happened, we can't dwell on the past. It started to have a resurgence towards the end of mk3 when a fanmade format called Brawlmachine came out, which legitimised a much smaller points level format. And as you say, the genius idea that was Brexit (my country suuuuuuuuuucks, but let's not get into real politics as it's bloody depressing). I will say, from the things I hear on the grapevine, various rumours etc. it sounds like WM4 is starting to grow again. Sales are rising, app downloads are increasing. So I agree that getting around the import fees is needed and the ability to purchase below RRP (even if only 10%!). It must be possible because I know Poland is active. I had a quick google and apparently Germany is the best place to buy from: www.fantasywelt.de (they seem to be doing mk4 stuff at 15% off)

[@KaptajnCongoboy]

We had 80 peeps at Rheincon and the Welch Masters sold out at 64, so dead I would not call it :D Our LGS is now buying directly from PP, which means they get far better profit margins than they did when they were buying from distributors, if at the added hassle of having to handle importing themselves. I don't know where you are, but the "retreat from the european market" in many cases was their distributors being bought out by Asmodée and not really informing stores they were dropping PP products. At least that's what happened in Scandinavia with Arcane Tinmen and in Canada with Lion Rampant. Asmodée wanted to buy PP, but when negotiations fell through it seems they settled for some petty sabotage instead, because several of those distributors are still carrying non-Asmodée game lines.

[@cronkitepercussion]

I've long stopped playing the game, but I do love their paints.

[@BrotherCron]

After the shitstorm of this week, this video hits hard.

[@plantnerdsa]

What shit storm?

[@GlassHalfDead]

Warhammer is on a bit of a mad one but the internet's memory is 2 weeks. It'll all blow over soon. If you enjoy NON-GW rulesets and models then I think WM4 deserves a look. If you're just temporarily annoyed at GW, you'll be over it in a month

[@AVhq11]

Brilliant video. Explains really well army composition and how that fits with different box sets. Any plans on doing faction overviews?

[@GlassHalfDead]

Potentially yes. However up next on the hobby block is a 3 part how to play guide. That is obviously rather a lot of hobby and editing etc so don't expect it particularly soon. Also I'm currently writing another lore video. So 4/5 videos over the next 3 months. Plus I'll be painting some models on Steam every Tuesday, some of which will inevitably be WM4 models. Faction playstyle videos are a good idea, but I'm not a good player and that's not where my focus is in gaming right now, so would come after all the basics and lore videos I've got planned

[@AVhq11]

@@GlassHalfDead Nice. Sounds good. Looking forward to more lore stuff too. Thanks

[@gstellar96]

​@GlassHalfDead the Turtorial vids that privateer press did for mk3 are amazing and I would love to see some updated ones for MK4

[@GlassHalfDead]

@@gstellar96 Me too! The quality on those was far beyond what I'll do in mine. Maybe they're holding off until they have some more factions released for mk4.

[@anotherzingbo]

I'm here for emotional support, tbh. But I am feeling bad at knocking the comment count off 69...

[@GlassHalfDead]

I'll delete someone else's, not to worry!

[@hydra66]

the issue that I have is that Warmahordes Mk4 is marketed to existing players but hasn't really put effort into drawing new players in. How to play, discussion of lore etc aren't easy to find. Currently holding off until it's clear there's a player base.

[@GlassHalfDead]

I think this is a very valid point but goes a bit beyond simply "isn't marketed to new players". They should definitely take some steps to make beginner friendly content to ease people in to the game. And yes it's great that certain community members have stepped up and made these videos, but it really should come from the company itself first and foremost. Not necessarily in perpetuity, but the first shot. Any game that isn't 40k (not GW, specifically 40k) cannot guarantee you a local meta. There will always be pockets

[@hydra66]

@@GlassHalfDead Agreed. The advertising/ publicity around the cool new game is half the battle. Warmachine was huge back in the day - to the point where mk2 players still exist.

[@GlassHalfDead]

@@hydra66i think it's very important for the older players to understand that wm2 grew out of GW's failure. WM4 must now succeed in its own merits in a FAR tougher and more crowded market. Comparing it to mk2 doesn't help anyone, least of all Privateer. Now, how do they go about increasing their market share of the wargaming space? Well, a lot of money and time needs to be spent, and in reality they're fighting for 3rd place. The way the market works, they aren't competing with GW. It's a totally different level. And they can't compete with such a huge IP as Disney. So how do they win 3rd place and who are their actual competition...?

[@Bubbaj0e]

Good stuff

[@GlassHalfDead]

Got to help those warmachine-curious folk out!

[@Bubbaj0e]

Got into this game early this year, it great fun

[@johnnnysilverhand9819]

The new Khador looks really good, very command and conquer red alert style…. Comrade.

[@GlassHalfDead]

RTS warmachine when!

[@mathieubooth5243]

Hi, a very noob question but how does WM and hordes work together, as I love some of the horde figures and wonder if it’s the same game and I could use a horde army to play?

[@GlassHalfDead]

Hi hi. So, I believe that I cover this in my "what is Warmachine in 2024" video, and I'm actually JUST about to do a short so if anyone searches for "Is Hordes different to Warmachine" or "the difference between warmachine and hordes" you should get a quick 10 second answer, but for you, they are 100% the same game. All hordes models can be used in warmachine and vice versa. In warmachine mk4, they dropped the name "hordes" to make it clearer that it's all one game. But, umm, yes, we still have 15 years of confusing marketing to deal with lol

[@mathieubooth5243]

@@GlassHalfDead thx just watched the short on it and it makes it a lot easer to go and buy some toys now.

[@NewGuy2534]

Trolls for life.

[@GlassHalfDead]

I legit think their Ragemonger warcaster is a brilliant model people should have just to paint!

[@rykerm4249]

If we pick up a Battle group to start (caster and two Beasts/Jacks) does that reduce the value of the army starters since you are getting duplicates?

[@GlassHalfDead]

Fair question. So the only duplicates you get are the light and heavy warjacks (the warcaster from the battlegroup is different to the one in the starter box). Having extra warjacks is a very safe bet. Typically, taking 2 is very common! I'm not sure running all 4 is a regular thing, but certainly if you're playing at 100 points seeing all 4 on the table makes total sense. Even at 50 points, running 2 light or 2 heavies is common.

[@JanterCyrano]

Hi, how do each faction plays out? Even with the adaptative cadres is there a base strategy for each faction? Thanks for the guides!

[@Lawless4566]

Give me skorn or give me death!!!

[@GlassHalfDead]

They HAVE to be coming back! Them and protectorate. Soon I hope!

[@tobyskerman4775]

Is cryx still a faction in MK4…?? I’m to get the gunslinger and some of the helljack look to get the battlegroup

[@GlassHalfDead]

They are the next faction to release! We're expecting in July sometime (I think) and it will be the first faction released in a different format. So before we've had core, expansion, battlegroup, cadres. Now we're getting a cheaper up front first box, so a lower buy-in... And I've actually forgotten what comes next, but yeah, Cryx coming soon!

[@tobyskerman4775]

@@GlassHalfDead ah fantastic me and my old man are look at getting into the game and I’m hooked on the entire cryx range really want those satyxis gunslingers too such a awesome range of model element says there getting a restock on the 28th so I’m keep my eyes peeled

[@Tertion]

Does Privateer Press still have a webstore ??

[@GlassHalfDead]

They are transferring to the SFG store. They hope to have it up by Monday

[@dmeep]

Interesting.

[@GlassHalfDead]

Thanks! I edited this video 2 months ago, coming back to watch what I did with it was rather fun. I completely forgot that I ACTUALLY did editing instead of just like 3 random background pictures. Well done me

[@warp5p1d3r6]

you will have to update this video now...

[@GlassHalfDead]

When the 2 player box releases, sure!

[@robertchmielecki2580]

Don't underestimate Legacy factions when making your choice. They should be much cheaper second hand (often huge armies sold at a huge discount) and can absolutely hold their ground against dedicated mk4 armies, no feeling that they are sub-par in any aspect. Actually, they offer a lot more variety and choice, even if you just limit yourself to their officially allowed theme forces. I recommend checking Warmachine University, which offers incredible amounts of info on these factions. Even if rules vary as compared to new, mk4 (although often not that much tbh) descriptions of playstyles and themes for specific factions / theme forces and individual models are as relevant now as they were in mk3.

[@GlassHalfDead]

I agree that legacy factions, mechanically, and fine. But as they literally cannot be purchased, it really doesn't make sense to cover them in a new player buyer's guide 🤷‍♂️

[@robertchmielecki2580]

Can't they? Even in Poland with its miniscule WM scene there are constantly offers on our Discord or FB page. I'd assume eBay or UK / US second hand markets would be proportionally bigger. Do former players hold on to their old models so tightly there?

[@GlassHalfDead]

@@robertchmielecki2580 I do mention in the video that if you want to buy the old factions, you can check eBay. But again, let's be honest, a new player guide detailing how to use eBay really isn't healthy for anyone xD I'm trying my best to help new players get into the game. The actively sold models are the game :) Maybe one day I'll see you in Matisoft for a game. I've been there once before for Kill Team!

[@robertchmielecki2580]

@@GlassHalfDeadI actually play KT now (that's why I started watching your channel :)), as my home group prefers it, but I have been playing WM for a decade or so until very recently, and I still wish it well and observe it with interest. I also admire the job our local community head coach - PeterO - has done with popularizing WM :) It has gone from being on life support in the second half of mk3 to very much alive now. If you come to Matisoft for practice games for beginners, you're sure run into PeterO :)

[@snarkymcsnarkface1863]

As someone that dropped warmachine when mk3 launched. I have my hesitations in picking up mk4. my favorite faction retribution was deleted and then turned into hot topic elves that raided a cryx armory. Not into twilight elves, but sparkle on edge Lord sparkle on. My second favorite faction picked up an ascetic I am not into, trollblood fish pirates, umm no thanks. We will see what they do with mk4 skorne. Because if we are being honest Khador and orgoth are the only things even remotely interesting. And Khador was always over represented here. 12 players show up you would see 3 Khador and 3 or 4 cryx in mk2.

[@TheRoark]

Editing to be more charitable: Not a fan of Privateer Press as a former player, so I won’t be returning, but hope y’all enjoy mk4

[@elocmada]

This scares me lol how long do editions usually last?

[@GlassHalfDead]

@@elocmada the last models were valid for 20 years. They're still valid in a limited format. Privateer is letting their editions run around 8 years or so... Edit to add: I don't really want to be argumentative and I think it's totally fine for people to have complaints and to air them out. But in my view, this really is just a purely scaremongering comment. Almost every single model is still valid for play in the unlimited format. A lot of models are valid in prime tournaments too. If you are still griping from MK2... I think it's maybe time to re-evaluate a bit, you know. MK2 released 14 years ago. Let's focus on the current current edition :)

[@AVhq11]

​@@elocmada glasshalfdead is absolutely right. I think change to mk4 was to make it more friendly for new players and local game stores. But you cans still play with mk3 armiess and their rules are accessible for free on the app. To be honest given the state of things with pandemic mk4 was something that the game, PP and the community needed. I get that no everyone will like the change, but it was that or slow decline.

[@TheRoark]

@@GlassHalfDead I’m not saying people can’t enjoy mkIV, by all means go for it! But as someone who’s been burned by this company before, I don’t plan on giving them any more money and think it’s valid to raise concerns about that.

[@GlassHalfDead]

@@TheRoarki agree! But it's also fair to push back against such a damning statement within my comments. If I were to come across what you've said on a game that i didn't know but was curious about, it would very likely stop me from buying it. And so I simply wanted anyone who may see what you've written that it is, in my opinion, not just needlessly inflammatory but also quite frankly incorrect. However, discussion is good and so I'm responding to it instead of deleting it. We are indeed all allowed our own opinions, and it would be expected that someone making a video of the game is naturally more inclined to be forgiving it. But also there's another side to it, which I'm not oblivious to, but also think was completely blown out of proportion :)

[@Silvertaurus_]

The moment game takes more than 2 hour .. it's to big. You can play more than 2h for fluff .. big battles with your buddy that takes even entire day or more. But if competetive game takes more than 2 hours it's just wrong, and plain harmful to game - it gatekeep players who just can't spend 10 hour non stop tournament grind.

[@GlassHalfDead]

Not to worry! 50 points has an official round end time of 1.5 hours (and therefore should finish faster than that!) I'm really enjoying 50 point games right now tbh. Great pace, nice and fast. No complaints :)

[@robertchmielecki2580]

Actually 2h is the tournament limit for the biggest game (100pts and 1h per player). The games usually end earlier than that, because victory conditions - both scenario and assassinstion - are of the "sudden death" type, once achieved end the game immediately.

[@GlassHalfDead]

@@robertchmielecki2580 sorry, you're completely right! Don't know where I got my times from in the video lol. The official round time for a 100 point game is 2 hours total. 30 point game : 40 minutes 50 point game : 60 minutes 75 point game : 100 minutes 100 point game : 120 minutes

[@BonusHole]

OK Mr Glass Half Dead, we've heard about Warmachine now tell us what you think about female Custodes. ?

[@GlassHalfDead]

Ha! I honestly have SO MANY thoughts and opinions on this, but I won't do a video on it. I simply do not want my channel to be filled with the raw vitriol that will come my way no matter what I say on that. Long story short: it's all made up, who cares. Just enjoy the game 🤷‍♂️

[@BonusHole]

@@GlassHalfDead Ohhh careful there. Opinions get people in serious trouble these days. I'd leave WELL alone matey!