To play Warhammer 40,000 on Tabletop Simulator (TTS), load a virtual battlefield and army models, then play using the current Warhammer rules with your opponent. TTS supplies the digital table and tools for moving pieces; it does not enforce Warhammer’s rules. This guide covers Warhammer 40,000, not Age of Sigmar or other Warhammer systems.
What you need before starting
- Tabletop Simulator and a multiplayer session with your opponent.
- A suitable table, terrain, and models, usually loaded from Workshop content or a saved setup.
- An agreed mission, army roster, current rules and points, plus any house rules for measurements or disputes.
- A plan for making sure both players can see all models and other custom assets.
TTS is a sandbox with multiplayer, physics, Workshop content, and tools for importing assets. The players supply and apply the Warhammer rules. The platform says up to 10 people can play at one table, but that is a platform capacity—not a recommendation for a standard 40,000 match. Tabletop Simulator’s overview describes the platform’s features.
Set up a Warhammer 40,000 game
- Install and open TTS. Create or join a multiplayer table with your opponent.
- Choose a table or mod. Browse the in-game Workshop menu or Steam Workshop and subscribe to suitable community content. Read its description and setup instructions; Workshop contributions are community-made, and no particular Warhammer mod is guaranteed to be current or maintained. See TTS’s Workshop instructions.
- Load the battlefield. Load Workshop content or use the Save & Load menu for a saved setup. A save records the setup and placement of objects, but it does not include separate image and model asset files. TTS explains this in its mod importing guide.
- Add terrain and armies. Expand and spawn objects from Workshop content or saved games. The available models and the steps to set them up depend on the creator’s content; consult TTS’s object-spawning instructions.
- Check visibility for both players. An asset imported locally is visible only on the importing player’s computer. To share it, use an online hosting option both players can access. TTS documents Steam Cloud and third-party hosting, and recommends Steam Cloud rather than relying on third-party hosts, which can restrict access or stop serving assets. Review its custom model guide and asset importing guide.
- Confirm the game’s rules and details. Agree on the mission, army list, points, measurement conventions, and how to settle disputes before moving pieces. Check the latest official rules and updates on the Warhammer 40,000 downloads page.
Which rules and points should you use?
Games Workshop announced the 11th edition Core Rules as a free download on 1 June 2026. The announcement said a physical copy would be included in the Armageddon box, with a standalone rulebook to follow; check current availability if you want a printed copy. The publisher’s downloads page listed the Munitorum Field Manual as updated 30 September 2026. Because rules and points can change, check the live downloads page before a game rather than relying on an older guide or saved setup. Read the 11th edition announcement and the official downloads page.
Workshop content, saves, and custom imports
Workshop subscriptions are a straightforward way to load community tables and game objects. A saved setup can preserve object placement, but it is separate from the external asset files it references. Custom imports give players another way to add models or other content, but local-only assets will not appear on an opponent’s computer. Before play, make sure both players can access the assets and follow any creator-specific setup directions. TTS explains the distinction between saves and assets in its mod importing guide and how asset visibility works in its asset importing guide.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Includes 23 Space Marines: 1 Captain with Relic Shield, 1 Librarian, 1 Chaplain with Jump Pack, 1 Ancient, 10 Intercessors, 5 Vanguard Veterans with Jump Packs, 3 Eradicators with Heavy Bolters, and 1 Land Speeder
- Also included are 38 Orks: 20 Ork Boyz, 10 Gretchin, 1 Warboss, 1 Bannernob, 1 Bigboss, 1 Painboy with 1 Grot Orderly, 1 Weirdboy, 1 Wartrakk, 1 Big Mek Dakkarig
- One 114 page hardcover Armageddon: Operation Imperator book, 88 Page Core rules booklet, Chapter Approved 2026-27: Mission Deck 88 cards, 89 Cards Dominatus Narrative Campaign Deck,
- 17 Armageddon datasheet cards. Armageddon Transfer Sheet: 728 high-quality waterslide transfers to decorate your miniatures.
- These miniatures are unpainted and need to be assembled. We recommend using Citadel Plastic Glue and Citadel Paints.
What TTS does—and does not—handle
TTS provides the shared virtual table and manipulable objects. The players still need to apply the Warhammer rules, track the game, and resolve questions together; the cited TTS documentation describes Workshop, multiplayer, and asset mechanics, not automatic enforcement of Warhammer rules. Treat the table as a way to play remotely or practise, and agree in advance how to measure and handle disagreements.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- A 232-page rules supplement for Warhammer 40,000
- A guide to the background and history of the Space Marines, including evocative artwork and exhilarating photography
- Includes the rules you'll need to form your own strike force, including 15 detachments, and 85 datasheets
- Presented in an easy-to-carry softcover format, with a handsome slipcase
Rank #3
- Take the plunge into the 41st Millennium with the Ultimate Starter Set for Warhammer 40,000.
- This box gives you a complete introductory experience, with loads of incredible models, a battlefield to fight over, helpful guides, and all the dice, tools, and rules you need to play your first games.
- Pick the noble Space Marines or swarming Tyranids, give control of the other army to a friend or family member, and battle it out for hours of entertainment.
- There’s no better way to get into the Warhammer 40,000 hobby – this box is also an excellent way to expand your existing collections.
Rank #2
- Games Workshop - Warhammer 40,000: Introductory Set (10 Edition - 2023)
- A great way to begin your journey into the Warhammer 40,000 hobby
- Includes basic rules for the game, plus dice, a gaming mat, reference sheets, and a range ruler
- 16 push-fit models make up two balanced starter forces - Space Marines and Tyranids, plus hobby supplies to build and paint them
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
