Pixel Sundays: Warhammer 40K: The Hidden Secrets That Propelled This Franchise to the Top of Sci-Fi!

The Warhammer 40K universe has been with us all for many years. It started as a tabletop war game and kept growing, gaining more and more fans. Here’s where you’ll find everything about this franchise.

Origins and Unique Setting

The Warhammer franchise has been around for many years now. It all started with the fantasy tabletop game Warhammer Fantasy Battle in 1983. Like Warhammer 40K, it was created by Games Workshop. The foundation for the Warhammer 40K we know and love today was laid in 1987 with the game Rogue Trader. This game had a super complex set of rules and was heavily influenced by role-playing elements. Players could create their own miniatures and scenarios, blending tabletop strategy and role-playing. Later versions simplified and standardized the rules, shifting the focus more towards tabletop gameplay and away from role-playing.

Warhammer 40K had a unique setting compared to other Games Workshop games, set in a dystopian future. Humanity suffers under the Imperium of Man, a theocratic, fascist regime led by the immortal Emperor. The universe’s key phrase is “There is only war,” with humanity constantly threatened by alien races, chaotic forces, and internal conflicts. These internal conflicts and sci-fi wars arise mainly because the Imperium is just as brutal as its enemies.

Warhammer 40K was inspired by many great works, including Dune by Frank Herbert, Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein, and Judge Dredd. These influences helped create a diverse universe with an apocalyptic and military setting. Mythological, religious, and historical elements were also incorporated into the lore.

Deep Lore and Worldbuilding

The depth of lore and worldbuilding are probably the most impressive aspects of the franchise. At its core, the game features a very complex and fascinating sci-fi story, filled with deep mythology, philosophical themes, and tons of detailed storytelling. On one side, you’ve got the Imperium of Man. Humanity is the heart of the story and the main focus. The empire is held together by the immortal Emperor, whose body sits on the Golden Throne in Terra.

Humanity lives in a highly theocratic society, controlled by imperial bureaucracy. Themes like fanatical belief, the rise of totalitarian regimes, the failure of utopias, and destruction from internal and external threats are some of the main topics in the human empire. Even though humanity is technologically advanced, it’s on the brink of collapse due to internal conflicts and ongoing wars.

One of the most famous stories in the Warhammer 40K universe is the Great Crusade. More than 10,000 years ago, the Emperor united humanity and led them on a galaxy-wide crusade, establishing and protecting the Imperium. The Emperor himself was an unbeatable warrior and powerful psychic (kind of like a mage in the 40K universe). He also created the Primarchs, superhuman sons and warriors, and started the creation of the Space Marines, who would protect the Imperium.

During the Horus Heresy civil war, the Emperor was gravely wounded by Primarch Horus, who rebelled against him but failed to win. This event was catastrophic and still shapes the Imperium today. Due to his injuries, the Emperor could no longer maintain his physical form, but through a kind of immortal stasis, he continues to sit on the Golden Throne and rule.

Of course, there are not only humans. A central threat in the universe is Chaos and the Chaos Gods. Chaos exists in the Warp, a parallel universe made of pure energy. The Warp is essential for space travel, but it is also home to the dangerous Chaos Gods, who are fueled by the emotions and negative traits of the universe’s inhabitants.

There are also several alien races, known as Xenos. Each race has its own empire, history, culture, and motivation, adding even more depth to the game.

Iconic Factions and Characters

Warhammer 40K features a variety of factions and characters. We’ve already covered humans and the Emperor, but there’s more. Probably the most iconic characters from humanity are the Space Marines, also known as Adeptus Astartes. They are genetically enhanced super soldiers created from the genes of the Primarchs to defend the Imperium.

Another well-known human character is Primarch Roboute Guilliman. After 10,000 years, he has returned to save the Imperium. He represents the ideal warrior and strategist but now faces the challenge of holding the crumbling empire together. There’s also the human army, which consists of billions of soldiers constantly fighting Xenos and Chaos.

So, what about the Xenos races? Xenos races are alien species, each with its own culture and motivations. One of the most well-known races is the Orks, a brutal, warlike species. They fight in massive hordes, chaotic and dangerous, posing a direct threat to humanity. Their greatest warlord is Ghazghkull Thraka, who led an invasion against humanity without mercy.

Next up are the Eldar (Aeldari), a mortal but highly advanced race. They once ruled the universe, but now they fight just to survive. Their most famous character is Eldrad Ulthran, who used his prophetic abilities and manipulation of the future to ensure the survival of the Eldar.

The next Xenos race we’ll talk about is the Tyranids. They’re a bio-organic horde from a distant galaxy that devours planets and uses the biomass to evolve. This makes them one of the biggest threats in the galaxy. The horde is led by the Hive Tyrant, a tactical genius commanding countless swarms into battle.

Then there’s the big threat of Chaos. The four Chaos Gods—Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, and Slaanesh—rule the Warp realm, aiming to corrupt and destroy the Imperium. However, the Imperium is not their only enemy; every species is a target. Internal conflicts are also part of their daily existence. Chaos includes some Chaos Space Marines, who have turned to the Chaos Gods and now fight for them. One of the most important is Abaddon the Despoiler, a Chaos champion who has led 13 Black Crusades against the Imperium.

Besides humans and gods, there are also Chaos demons, creatures born from the Chaos Gods that bring death and corruption into the real world. Even one of the Primarchs, Magnus the Red, has fallen to Chaos, corrupted by the Chaos God Tzeentch, now fighting as a powerful demon Primarch for Chaos.

To sum it all up and make it easy to see how the different races relate to each other, here’s a helpful table.

Miniatures and Tabletop Wargaming

Miniatures have always been a core part of Warhammer 40K and are the foundation of this franchise. From the start, players could collect detailed miniatures, paint them, and use them in strategic battles on a table against other players.

You can collect and buy all kinds of figures, whether it’s a Space Marine, one of the grotesque Chaos creatures, or the alien Tyranids. These figures come in parts, and players need to assemble, paint, and customize them to their liking. You can match them to your scenario or just go with whatever look you want. Games Workshop models are loved for their detail, and of course, you can mix and match characters to create something new. The technical term for this is “kitbashing,” and many players do it.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what it takes to finish your own figure.

But this hobby involves more than just painting and collecting figures. You can engage in tactical sci-fi battles on specially designed, often homemade game boards against other players. Tactics, strategy, and even luck play a big role. The game comes with a very detailed rulebook that dictates the number of troops, vehicles, and heroes. Each class has its own rules and more. Players must position their troops strategically and make the best use of the terrain.

There are international and national competitions where players from all over the world come together to compete. In these tournaments, players’ armies are optimized to the max, and each has its own complex strategy. You often see players running “meta builds,” which are particularly strong combinations. But with constant rule changes, the “meta” evolves, so players have to adapt for each tournament, keeping things fresh and unpredictable.

At these tournaments, it’s mostly about having fun and sharing a common hobby. The prize pool at such events is nothing like eSports or other competitions. You might win unique figures or vouchers, and a cash prize pool is rare. At international tournaments, the top prize usually ranges between €5,000 and €10,000.

Expanding Into Other Media

Over time, the Warhammer 40K universe got more and more popular, and it wasn’t just about the tabletop game and figures anymore. Soon, books and novels were written, telling stories from the universe. One of the most famous and extensive series is the Horus Heresy, which recounts the events of the great civil war in the Imperium. Some books are even available as audiobooks, so you can listen to the stories too.

But it wasn’t just books—comics and graphic novels were also published. There are plenty of them, but since 2020, Games Workshop has been working with Marvel to publish Warhammer 40K comics. One Marvel comic is Warhammer 40,000: Marneus Calgar.

Of course, there have been several board games set in the Warhammer 40K universe. These games, from Games Workshop, aim to reach a new audience and make the setting accessible to more people. Two of these games are Space Hulk, a classic board game from the 1980s, and Warhammer Quest: Blackstone Fortress, a dungeon crawler board game set in the 40K universe.

There have also been animations and films for 40K. One example is the CGI film Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie from 2010, and since 2021, Games Workshop has its own streaming service. It’s called Warhammer+, and it features animated series set in the Warhammer 40K universe.

Warhammer 40K also made its way into the gaming world, thanks to its sci-fi war setting, with many video games being produced. The latest game is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, which came out on September 9th. Here, you must defend the Imperium from the Tyranids as a Space Marine. You can do this alone or, even better, in co-op with some friends. There are also PvP modes where you can compete with other players in intense battles.

Another popular game is Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. Here, you fight alone or in co-op against hordes of enemies, similar to Left 4 Dead. The atmosphere is dark, and the game is set in a huge Hive city. A strategy game in the Warhammer 40K universe is Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III. In this game, you need to build a base and army to defeat your enemies. It offers an exciting single-player campaign and multiplayer where you can face off against other players.

A Dedicated and Passionate Community

The Warhammer 40K community is known for its passion and dedication. This is why the universe has lasted so long and keeps going strong. The franchise is very diverse, with fans from different genres. Whether you’re a tabletop player or a gamer, everyone can get into this franchise, and that’s how the community grew so fast.

Alongside the tabletop tournaments, there are always painting contests, like the Golden Demon, the most prestigious miniature painting competition from Games Workshop. Fans from all over the world come to show off their skills and creative ideas. Additionally, there are workshops held worldwide to introduce new fans to this hobby. Even if you’re a beginner, the Warhammer 40K community will welcome you with open arms and help you get started.

Conclusion

The Warhammer 40K franchise is more than just a tabletop war game. That should be clear by now. It’s a massive universe that spans across various media and has captivated many fans. Whether you’re into tabletop wargaming or just a fan of the games, everyone is part of this community. A community that’s been around for many years, dedicated to exploring a universe with incredible depth and a wide range of stories. Each faction has its own background and motivation. So maybe you’ve found your inspiration to dive into Warhammer 40K and become a part of this universe.

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By Kilian

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