How much does a 2000-point army cost?

A typical Warhammer 40K 2000-point army costs £400-£800 at retail, depending on the faction. Horde armies (Orks, Tyranids) are more expensive due to sheer model count. Elite armies (Custodes, Knights) cost less in kits but more per model. Add £50-£100 for paints and supplies.

How can I save money building an army?

Buy Start Collecting / Combat Patrol boxes for discounted bundles. Shop at independent retailers (Element Games, Triple Helix) for 15-20% off retail. Buy second-hand on eBay or trading groups. Split box sets with friends. Paint with budget paints for non-display models.

Should I buy the whole army at once?

No. Buy and paint in stages — start with a 500-point patrol force, then expand. This keeps you motivated and spreads the cost. You might also change your mind about unit choices as you play more games.

Do I need to include paint costs?

Yes. A basic paint set for one army costs £30-£60. Add primer (£8-£12 per can), washes (£4-£5 each), and brushes (£5-£15 per brush). Budget £50-£100 for painting supplies for your first army, less for subsequent armies as you build your paint collection.

ModelCalcs

Army Cost Calculator — Full Army Budget

Estimate the real-world cost to buy and build your full army list.

Box 1 Cost (£)

RRP or sale price per box in £ (e.g. a Combat Patrol or unit kit)

Box 1 Qty

Number of this box you plan to buy

Box 2 Cost (£)

RRP or sale price per box in £ for a second kit type

Box 2 Qty

Number of this box you plan to buy

Box 3 Cost (£)

RRP or sale price per box in £ for a third kit type

Box 3 Qty

Number of this box you plan to buy

Box 4 Cost (£)

RRP or sale price per box in £ for a fourth kit type

Box 4 Qty

Number of this box you plan to buy

Paint & Brushes (£)

One-off cost of paints, washes, primer and brushes (£50–£100 for a first army)

Supplies (£)

Glue, primer, basing materials

How We Calculate This

Totals up kit boxes, paints and supplies to give you the full cost of getting an army table-ready.

Formula

Kit total = Sum of (Box cost × Quantity) for each box type
Discount saving = Kit total × Retailer discount %
Grand total = (Kit total − Discount saving) + Paint cost + Supplies cost + Shipping cost

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.