Warhammer 40K vs Age of Sigmar: What’s the Difference and Which is Better?

Knowing the difference between Warhammer 40k vs Age of Sigmar is complicated. They share the Warp dimension and battle the same entities, yet there’s a world of difference between the two games. If you haven't played one or both, differentiating them can throw you for a loop.  

However, choosing the better pick is a breeze once you have a clear picture of both games. Lucky for you, we’re breaking down what they have in common, how they differ, which is easier to start, and why, in this guide. You’ll also learn the reasoning behind our verdict and why most people don’t play Warhammer Age of Sigmar vs 40k together. 

Danireon is the #1 Warhammer shop in Canada and the U.S. Beginners and pros rely on us for equipment, recommendations, and lightning-fast delivery. Embark on your Warhammer 40k  journey with Danireon today!

What is Warhammer 40K?

Warhammer 40K was released in 1987, and is the world’s most popular tabletop miniature game. It’s set 38,000 years into the future, where humans are at war with hostile aliens and supernatural creatures, utilizing futuristic weapons and powers. Players use their army of painted or unpainted Warhammer 40k miniatures to fight opponents on customizable battlefields such as jungles, urban ruins, or desert warzones. 

40K is primarily a shooting game; you win when you outmaneuver and outgun the opponent. List building is intense, with lots of options for troops, elites, and vehicles, allowing you to list more models and personalize your army. 40k will scratch that itch if you love brainstorming, play-testing, and spending time calculating optimal builds. 

What is Age of Sigmar?

Age of Sigmar is the sequel to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, which ended in 2015. The story follows God-King Sigmar and his Stormcast Eternals as they reclaim eight interconnected magical realms from the Chaos Gods. You win by scoring more victory points than your opponent over 4-5 rounds, which requires killing key enemy units, securing Battle Tactics, and scoring objectives, not just killing the entire enemy army.

Besides the game itself, a large part of AoS is dedicated to collecting, assembling, and painting miniatures. This allows players to customize their models, creating a more cinematic experience on the battlefield. 

Warhammer 40K vs Age of Sigmar: What’s the Difference?

Before I conclude my verdict on which is better: Warhammer 40k or Age of Sigmar, let’s discuss their core differences. 

Warhammer 40k prioritizes a larger, deeper model range, while Age of Sigmar (often called Hero-hammer) heavily utilizes the hero scale, where individual models cost more and have higher combat “strength”. This means smaller armies, shorter phases, quicker matches, and more damage.

In place of 40k’s stratagem system, AoS has a command ability system. Stratagems are special, one-use abilities that allow players to bend or break standard rules. On the other hand, the command ability is a tactical, round-based mechanism where players spend Command Points (CP) for tactical advantage. 

How Are They Related?

Though Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar are separate, parallel universes, they exist in the Warp dimension and battle the same Warp entities. They also share key elements like the unrelenting war theme and the Chaos Gods and their Daemons. And, even though each game’s overarching theme is different, there are some ranged units in AoS and plenty of melee units in 40k. 

What Are the Differences in Rules?

AoS uses a priority roll at the beginning of each battle round to determine who takes the first turn, while 40k operates a rigid I-Go-You-Go (IGYG) system where players alternate taking full turns throughout the battle. It's therefore possible to play two turns in a row in AoS. However, consecutive turns don’t change the tide much because AoS provides plenty to do during your opponent’s turn.

Secondly, AoS and 40k have distinct rules about unit coherence (moving and spacing your models). 40k requires models to stay within 2” horizontally and 5” vertically of another model (in a unit of 5 or fewer), while AoS requires  0.5” horizontally and 6” vertically. Also, AoS allows you to attack if your unit is within 3” of an enemy, whereas 40k requires a 1” engagement range. 

Finally, wounds carry over from model to model in AoS, so you can lose several models from a single high-damage attack. Whereas, excess damage from a single attack is lost in 40k, not carried over. AoS also allows you to resurrect units through magical or special abilities, which is less common in 40k

Which is Easier to Get Started With?

Age of Sigmar is easier to start than Warhammer 40k because it is streamlined and easier to understand, whereas 40k has more complex rules and stratagems. The shorter range and fewer shots prevent a situation where your cool models are shot off the table before they can do anything, and make movement and positioning more exciting. 

AoS battles are also generally faster due to increased lethality, simplified rules, and fewer models to move. Units also tend to have a general weapon profile (fantasy-style weaponry) rather than various options that do different things, allowing you to spend more time on the table than on rules and data sheets. Plus, AoS unit stats are simpler, resulting in a lot less notekeeping and cleaner listbuilding than 40k.

So, Which is Better - Warhammer 40k or Age of Sigmar?

When it comes to Warhammer Age of Sigmar vs 40k, it is ultimately a question of personal preference. That said, I prefer Age of Sigmar. 

I love 40k’s dystopian, grimdark lore and world, but I prefer Age of Sigmar’s world-building system, ease of play, and simplified combat. With AoS, I can fit my custom lore into the world (homebrewing) without contradicting the established areas and justify any army fighting another, anywhere. You’ll find AoS to be a sandbox where you can create epic, god-level conflicts.

Learning the basic lore of both is a great way to know your preference. Check out the armies, model ranges, gameplay, and settings, and see what appeals to you.

Can You Play Warhammer 40K With Age of Sigmar (and Vice Versa)?

Playing Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar together is tricky because their fundamental rulesets are different. 40k focuses more on shooting and complex tactical and mathematical rules, while AoS is more melee-focused with simpler mechanics. The systems aren’t directly compatible, but you can still play them in casual, house-rule settings by AoS models to represent 40k units and vice versa. 

Shop Models, Paint, and More for Warhammer 40K or Age of Sigmar at Danireon!

Your Warhammer 40k or Age of Sigmar journey starts with the right equipment. You need models, paints, brushes, and more. 

At Danireon, you can choose from hundreds of Warhammer 40k miniatures, Age of Sigmar models, Warhammer paints, and Warhammer paint brushes. Our friendly team is also here to help you at any point in your journey. We can recommend formidable models, brushes, paint, and even the easiest Warhammer 40K army to paint. We also provide speedy shipping throughout Canada to ensure you can start ASAP. 

You can also find additional resources, such as how to start Warhammer 40K and how to paint Warhammer 40K models in our blog. 

Final Words on Warhammer Age of Sigmar vs 40k

There you have it, our take on which is better: Warhammer 40k or Age of Sigmar. Warhammer 40k has the better lore, but Age of Sigmar is hands-down the better game. 

Both are designed to be sandboxes for creativity, but AoS invites it more openly. You can create literally anything and it'll fit in perfectly, as opposed to 40k’s more rigid aesthetic and lore. AoS rules are also clearer, sharper, and more innovative.

I prefer Warhammer 40k's lore by a tenfold, but Age of Sigmar does a much better job of being a streamlined game while maintaining character. It feels more geared towards casual play and fluffiness, whereas 40k is competitive and more rigid. 

Not sure where to start? Danireon has everything you need! Set yourself for success with our Warhammer 40k miniatures, Age of Sigmar models, Warhammer paints, and paint brushes.  

Frequently asked questions

Is Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar the same universe?

Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar are officially separate universes but they are linked through their mutual connection to the Chaos/Warp dimension. They also share occasional, lore-based elements such as characters or demons. 40k and AoS are separate storylines despite the shared connections. 

What is the difference between Age of Sigmar and 40k?

Age of Sigmar is set in a magical, post-apocalyptic universe, while 40k is set in a grimdark, futuristic one. 40k is a shooty, high-calculation game that emphasizes strategic depth, while AoS uses shorter-ranged, melee-driven combat.

Do more people play 40k or Age of Sigmar?

Warhammer 40k has a much larger player base than Age of Sigmar. As the world’s most popular miniatures wargame, 40k developed its player base from nearly 30 years of lore, tournament presence, and marketing. AoS has a strong, fast-growing following, but 40k is more popular.  

Are 40k and Age of Sigmar compatible?

40k and Age of Sigmar are not compatible because their rules and core mechanics are completely different. While some stats might line up, 40k is primarily a shooting game and AoS focuses on melee, so there will always be an imbalance.