If you've been looking for a way to jump into skirmish gaming, picking up the octarius starter set is probably one of the smartest moves you can make. It's not just another box of plastic; it's basically the gold standard for how a two-player box should be handled. Whether you're a long-time Warhammer 40k veteran or someone who just thinks space orks look cool, this set packs in a ridiculous amount of value without making things feel overwhelming.
I remember when this first dropped—the hype was through the roof, mostly because people have been begging for plastic Death Korps of Krieg for years. But once the dust settled, we realized that the game itself, Kill Team, was actually the star of the show. It's fast, it's brutal, and you don't need a massive dining room table to play it.
What's Actually Inside the Box?
When you crack open the octarius starter set, the first thing you notice is that it's dense. You're getting two full kill teams, a bunch of terrain, the rules, dice, and all those little tokens that you'll inevitably lose under the sofa.
The two teams included are the Veteran Guardsmen (the aforementioned Krieg) and the Ork Kommandos. What's great about these specific models is that they aren't just "push-fit" clones. They are full multi-part kits. This means you get a ton of options for how to build them. You can give your guardsman a sniper rifle, a melta gun, or even a literal chainsaw if you're feeling spicy.
The Orks are equally impressive. These aren't your typical "run forward and scream" Orks. These are Kommandos, which means they have a bit more character and specialized gear. You've got a guy with a massive breaching ram, a sneaky git with a sniper rifle, and even a "bomb squig" which is exactly what it sounds like—a very angry explosive on legs.
The Veteran Guardsmen Experience
Let's talk about the Krieg boys for a second. If you're coming from big-scale 40k, you know that playing Imperial Guard usually involves painting about a hundred identical infantrymen. In the octarius starter set, you only have ten (plus some extras depending on how you build them), so you can actually take your time with them.
Playing them on the tabletop is a blast, though it can be a bit of a learning curve. They rely on "ancillary support," meaning they work best when they're calling in air strikes or using coordinated fire. They feel exactly like a desperate group of trench fighters should—fragile on their own, but dangerous when they work together. Plus, let's be honest, the gas masks and greatcoats just look incredible on the tabletop.
Those Sneaky Ork Kommandos
On the flip side, you have the Orks. If the Guardsmen are about discipline and coordination, the Kommandos are about brute force and weird tricks. These models are some of the most "human" Orks Games Workshop has ever made, if that makes sense. Each one has a distinct personality.
One of my favorite models in the whole octarius starter set is the Slasha Boy. He's just a guy with two massive knives who wants to get into melee as fast as possible. Then you have the Kommando Grot, who has a little grappling hook and can zip around the terrain like a tiny, green Batman. They are incredibly fun to paint because there are so many little details—pouches, grenades, scrap metal armor, and cigars.
The Terrain: More Than Just Window Dressing
One thing people often overlook in starter sets is the terrain, but the stuff in the octarius starter set is top-tier. You get a collection of "Ork Junk" ruins. We're talking ramshackle walls, scrap metal platforms, and even an old oil pump.
The reason this terrain is so good is that it's designed specifically for Kill Team's "vantage point" rules. In this game, height matters. Getting a sniper up on one of those scrap heaps gives you a massive advantage, but it also makes you a target. The terrain isn't just there to look pretty; it directly changes how you play the game. It's also surprisingly easy to paint—a bit of silver spray, a heavy brown wash for rust, and some dry brushing, and you're basically done.
Is the Octarius Starter Set Good for Beginners?
This is the big question. If you've never touched a miniature in your life, is this the right place to start? I'd say yes, but with a small caveat. The octarius starter set is a "lite" version of the original launch box. It contains a smaller rulebook and slightly less terrain, which actually makes it better for beginners. It's less intimidating.
The rules for Kill Team are definitely different from standard 40k. It uses an "alternating activation" system. This means I move a guy, then you move a guy. It keeps both players engaged the whole time. You aren't sitting there for twenty minutes while your opponent moves forty models. It feels more like a tactical skirmish, almost like a tabletop version of XCOM.
The core rules included in the set are streamlined. They get you into the action fast. However, you'll probably find yourself wanting the full "Compendium" or the specific "Octarius" book later on if you want to dive deep into the lore and specialized ploys.
Painting and Modeling Potential
If you're more into the hobby side than the gaming side, the octarius starter set still hits the mark. The Krieg miniatures are a dream for anyone who likes historical-style painting mixed with sci-fi. You can go for the classic blue coats, or try something grittier like a mud-caked grey or forest green.
The Orks allow for even more creativity. Since they're Kommandos, you can play around with camouflage patterns. Want to paint an Ork in purple camo because "purple is the sneakiest color"? Go for it. The level of detail on the plastic is sharp, which makes techniques like contrast painting or dry brushing work really well.
Final Thoughts on the Value
When you add up what it would cost to buy two separate kill teams and a set of terrain, the octarius starter set is a bit of a steal. It's one of those rare boxes where you don't feel like there's any "filler." Every model is useful, the terrain is essential, and the tools (like the combat gauges) are things you'll use in every single game.
Even if you eventually move on to other teams—like the Space Marine Intercessors or the Chaos Cultists—having these two teams in your collection is great for teaching friends how to play. They are balanced well against each other, which leads to some really tense, close games.
At the end of the day, if you want a self-contained hobby project that gives you a full game in a box, you really can't go wrong here. It's got the grit, the theme, and the gameplay to keep you busy for a long time. Whether you're Team Gas Mask or Team Waaagh!, there's plenty of fun to be had once you get those models off the sprue and onto the table.