The cheap new Warhammer 40k Kill Team Beginner set that was leaked is finally hitting stores; see what hobbyists are finding in the wild now!
Originally published in July 2025. Updated August 14th, 2025, by Rob Baer with images of the board game being orderable now.
Games Workshop may have just pulled a sneaky one, and this time, in a good way. A new Kill Team Beginner Set is making the rounds, and it’s looking like one of the cheapest entry points into Warhammer 40k in years.
Let’s talk about what’s inside, why it’s interesting, and how GW quietly shipped this box off to retailers like Barnes & Noble without making much noise.
Wait, $50 for a Kill Team Box?
The German version was spotted online already.
Yep, it’s true. GW is letting this thing go to certain retailers for just $50. That’s less than half the $112 you’d pay for the current Kill Team Starter Set from Games Workshop.
The catch? It’s trimmed down a bit, but not in any way that ruins the value.
This new box, dubbed the Kill Team Beginner Set, looks like a leaner version of the existing Starter Set, featuring fewer models and terrain pieces, but keeping the parts people actually care about.
We recently saw posts that hobbyists had already ordered it from Barnes & Noble, and we, too, were able to add it to a cart and check out as well.
So What’s Actually in the Box?
This is the GW Starter with a few more minis, but most are included in the new set.
You’re looking at a 10-model faceoff:
The core of each team remains intact. You still get:
Image Credit: Auspex Tactics Video
- Captain Justian, with his power fist and plasma pistol
- A uniquely sculpted Malignant Plaguecaster
- A solid spread of Intercessors, Assault Intercessors, and Heavy Intercessors
- Some very Nurgle-plagued Death Guard, including a plague spewer, icon bearer, flail, and plasma pistol
Gone are a couple of filler models like the guy chucking a smoke bomb or the Death Guard lobbing black grenades. Not a dealbreaker.
Terrain-wise, it’s lighter on MDF, but you still get a basic rule manual and beginner-friendly materials.
So, Why Is It So Cheap?
Barnes & Noble has it listed now with pictures
This thing isn’t going through the usual FLGS or Warhammer store route. It’s turning up in places like Barnes & Noble in the US and Ozzie Collectibles down under. That’s not an accident. It fits GW’s pattern of placing low-barrier products in mass-market channels to attract newcomers.
If you’ve seen Combat Arena or those quirky mixed-character boxes before, this is that same playbook, just with Kill Team branding.
What’s the Catch?
You’re not getting a tournament-ready setup out of the box. Since the teams are a little short on bodies, this probably isn’t meant for serious Kill Team players. You could fudge it by kitbashing a couple of extra minis, but this set feels more like a toe in the water than a full dive into the deep end.
Still, if you split the box with a friend, or resell the half you don’t want, you’re talking $25 for a character model and a handful of good sculpts. That’s almost absurd given how GW normally prices characters at $38+ each.
However, keep in mind that these are also normally available in $8 Space Marine Heroes blind boxes when they’re available.
Who Should Grab This?
If you’re:
- A 40k player who wants the models for cheaper
- Someone itching for conversion parts
- A parent looking for a cheaper way to get a kid into Warhammer
…then this is a steal.
For players looking to go all-in on Kill Team gameplay, the full $112 starter still might make more sense. That one comes with proper terrain, more models, and teams that are built to play out of the box.
Final Thoughts From Us
GW quietly pushed out a pretty solid product here. This Beginner Set isn’t trying to replace the full Starter Set; it’s just offering a cheaper, cleaner way to dip into the universe without dropping triple digits.
And if you’re already eyeing that Space Marine captain or the bloated nurgling party that is the Death Guard? This might be the easiest way to snag them without playing blind box roulette.
Would we recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t be surprised if these boxes disappear fast now…
See the Kill Team Starter From GW Here
B&N is now showing in stock on the web site. (Aug 11th). My local stores (Atlanta Area) don’t show stock.
Still no box art showing.