Learning
From a Random Box to a Full-Blown Obsession: Why Zero to Spearhead Exists
How one starter box turned into a hobby, and why I built a beginner's co-pilot for Age of Sigmar.
It started with a single, completely random purchase. I picked up the Skaven vs. Stormcast Ultimate Starter Kit on a whim, thinking it might be a fun distraction for a quiet weekend. Fast forward to today, and that one box has snowballed into a deep, passionate hobby that consumes hours of my week. Between assembling Reclusians, painting orange Vanquishers, and sacrificing my Skaven to terrible save rolls against my friends and family, I am entirely hooked.
But as much as I love the Mortal Realms, I quickly hit the same wall every new player hits: the sheer, crushing weight of the rules.
Age of Sigmar is a brilliant game, but it can feel incredibly intimidating to a newcomer. You have core rules, weapon profiles, phase timings, command points, and a massive glossary of keywords to memorise. During my first few games, I found myself spending more time flipping through rulebooks, searching for FAQs, and second-guessing mechanics than actually enjoying the match. I realised the tabletop ecosystem needed something different. Not just a digital rulebook, but an active, guiding co-pilot.
That is exactly why I started building Zero to Spearhead.
I wanted to combine my background in tech solutions with this new plastic addiction. The goal was simple: create an independent, beginner-focused toolkit that translates the official mechanics into plain, accessible English, built by someone who is actively learning the ropes right alongside you.
If you are browsing the site today, here is what is currently running under the hood to help you and your opponent at the table:
The Game Assistant This is the heart of the site: a tabletop co-pilot that runs entirely in your browser. Whether you are playing a quick Spearhead match or stepping up to full Age of Sigmar, it tracks your victory points, unit health and phases. It takes the load off by showing you what you can do in each phase (commands in full games, your battle tactic cards in Spearhead) and working out your attack rolls for you.
The Rule Engine Ever get stuck arguing about whether a unit can shoot in combat, or who actually controls an objective? The Rule Engine asks you a few simple yes/no questions and gives you a clear, colour-coded answer, along with the section of the official rules to check.
Your Armies Type your units in once, with the numbers from your battletome or warscroll cards, or start from a Spearhead box's unit list. Save the army, load it into any game, and export it to a file to keep or share. Keep your battletome open for the rules; the site keeps track of the game.
Plain-English Guides and Glossary From budget breakdowns and assembly tips to a searchable glossary of rules and hobby terms, every piece of content is written to get you from a sealed box to a 1,000-point game. There's no copied rulebook text, just straightforward, honest advice.
Ultimately, Zero to Spearhead is about lowering the barrier to entry. Warhammer shouldn't require a law degree to play. The aim of this site is to take a system that looks complex and intimidating from the outside and make it what it's supposed to be: deeply tactical, easy to manage, and the perfect excuse to spend an evening rolling dice with your friends.
I'm still learning too, so if you spot a mistake, tell me at hello@zerotospearhead.co.uk.
Zero to Spearhead is an unofficial fan site and isn't affiliated with Games Workshop.