Warhammer 40,000 (informally known as Warhammer 40K, WH40K, W40K or just 40K) is a science fantasy game produced by Games Workshop. The game depicts combat between the armies of the fictional universe of the 41st millennium using 28 mm scale (approximately 1:65) miniature figurines that represent futuristic soldiers, creatures and vehicles of war. Lines of these miniatures are produced by Games Workshop^[1] and Forge World,^[2] and are available at their brick-and-mortar and online stores.^[3][4] There are currently eleven rival factions to choose from. The ethos is summed up by the game's subtitle slogan: Cover of 4th edition Warhammer 40,000 rulebook from http://www. ... A game designer is a person who designs games. ... Rick Priestly is a game designer for Games Workshop. ... 1. ... For the defunct company, see Game Designers Workshop. ... Two standard six-sided pipped dice with rounded corners. ... Tactic could refer to: Tactic (municipality) Tactic (method) Military tactics Tactics (manga) This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Arithmetic tables for children, Lausanne, 1835 Arithmetic or arithmetics (from the Greek word αριθμός = number) is the oldest and most elementary branch of mathematics, used by almost everyone, for tasks ranging from simple day-to-day counting to advanced science and business calculations. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... Science fantasy is a mixed genre of story which contains some science fiction and some fantasy elements. ... For the defunct company, see Game Designers Workshop. ... “Fights” redirects here. ... A fictional universe is an imaginary world that serves as the setting or backdrop for one or (more commonly) multiple works of fiction or translatable non-fiction. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A Norwegian soldier (a Corporal, armed with an MP-5) A soldier is a person who has enlisted with, or has been conscripted into, the armed forces of a sovereign country and has undergone training and received equipment to defend that country or its interests. ... This article is about the legendary creature. ... An armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is a military vehicle, protected by armour and armed with weapons. ... For the defunct company, see Game Designers Workshop. ... The term Forge World can relate to one of two concepts related to Games Workshops tabletop wargame, Warhammer 40,000; one within the games fictional universe, one in the real world. In Warhammer 40,000 A Forge World in the Warhammer 40,000 universe is a collective term...

"In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war."

Warhammer 40,000 is the science fiction companion to Warhammer Fantasy Battle, and shares many of the same game mechanics. The Warhammer 40,000 setting is also used for several other games such as Epic, as well as having spread to many other media, such as books and video games. It has been suggested that Armies of warhammer be merged into this article or section. ... Epic is a series of tabletop wargames set in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ...

History

Rogue Trader - the first edition of Warhammer 40,000

The first edition of the game, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, was published in 1987. Game designer Rick Priestley created the original rules set (based on the contemporary 2nd Edition Warhammer Fantasy Battle) alongside the Warhammer 40,000 gameworld. This original version came as a very detailed, though rather jumbled, rulebook, which made it most suitable for fighting small skirmishes.^{[citation needed]} Much of the composition of units was determined randomly, by rolling dice. In addition, supplemental material was continually published in White Dwarf magazine, which provided rules for new units and models. Eventually, White Dwarf provided proper "mr brimer's army lists," which could be used to create larger and more coherent forces than were possible in the main rulebook. Rogue Trader - the first edition of Warhammer 40,000 This image is a book cover. ... Rogue Trader - the first edition of Warhammer 40,000 This image is a book cover. ... Rogue Trader - the first edition of Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader is the common name of the first edition rule/source book for the Warhammer 40,000 miniature wargame by Games Workshop. ... Rick Priestly is a game designer for Games Workshop. ... It has been suggested that Armies of warhammer be merged into this article or section. ... See also the town of Battle, East Sussex, England Generally, a battle is an instance of combat between two or more parties wherein each group will seek to defeat the others. ... Two standard six-sided pipped dice with rounded corners. ... Cover of White Dwarf issue 90, June 1987. ...

A few elements of the setting (bolters, lasguns, frag grenades, Terminator armour) can be seen in a set of earlier wargaming rules called Laserburn (produced by the now defunct company, Tabletop Games) written by Bryan Ansell. These rules were later expanded upon by both Ansell and Richard Halliwell (both of whom ended up working for Games Workshop). The prototype game mechanics for Necromunda were also influenced by these men. LASERBURN A set of wargaming or roleplaying game rules written by Bryan Ansell in 1980. ... Goliath Ganger having fought off a Milliasaur. ...

One major expansion for Rogue Trader was the book Chapter Approved which gave army lists for the Space Marines and Eldar, albeit of a temporary, primitive form. Another major expansion was the two-volume Realm of Chaos (1988 and 1990) book which introduced the Horus Heresy and the Chaotic powers. The rank-and-file Imperial military organization, previously referred as the "Imperial Army" was then redubbed "Imperial Guard", the change was underlined with a new army list published in White Dwarf which stressed chain of command and platoon organization. This army list was then republished in the red-bound paperback manual Warhammer 40,000 Compendium, along with an updated army list for the Space Marines (instead emphasizing their commando-like flexibility) and one for the Squats, stressing their familiarity with technology, the abundant use of heavy weaponry and their bike- and trike-riding fast attack forces. The Warhammer Compilation paperback also included rules for the Eldar Harlequins, roaming troupes of outcast Eldar (spacefaring elves) which were warriors, troubadours, mimes and dancers at the same time. Cover of Slaves to Darkness Cover of The Lost and the Damned Realm of Chaos is a two-volume publication by Games Workshop concerning the forces of Chaos. ... This article or section contains a plot summary that is overly long or excessively detailed compared to the rest of the article. ... Cover of White Dwarf issue 90, June 1987. ... Space marines are fictional soldiers that operate in outer space. ... Squat Command Squad In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Squats are a dwarf-like race descended from the humans that colonised high gravity worlds. ... In the fictional universe of the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Harlequins comprise a sub-group of the Eldar race. ...

During 1990 new elements were introduced like the genestealer - an update of a concept cursorily described in the original Rogue Trader manual - which were turned from occasional nasty critter to a far-spanning menace gnawing at the empire from within, and later revealed to be a kind of "reconnaisance force" for the onslaught of the Tyranid Hive Fleets cruising towards the imperium from the cold depths of intergalactic void. The genestealer cult army list (proposing an interesting melange of human cultist and hybrid monstrosities) was published along with the Eldar army list (instead based on the highly formal, elegant and ritualized combat style of the elf-like aliens) in a yellow paperback manual called Warhammer 40,000 Compilation, while the Tyranid army list was never republished in a manual due to the impending change which would have soon rendered obsolete the original rules. The Orks received a huge deal of attention thanks to three hardback manuals Waagh da Orks, 'Ere we go and Freebooterz, with the first being made up of nothing more than background material ("fluff") and the other two containing proper army lists for each of the major orkish clans and mercenary contingents (including oddities such as daemon-possessed ork shamans, khorne-worshipping stormboyz and ork-genestealer hybrids). Another short-lived yet intriguing innovation was a vehicle combat system based on paper "datafaxes" to be targeted through clear acetate templates to discover if and where the targeted vehicle had been hit, this too did not survive transition to the 2nd edition. A Genestealer Brood In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000 by Games Workshop, a Genestealer (scientific name Corporaptor Hominii) is an alien creature associated with the Tyranids. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 setting, the Tyranids are a nomadic alien race comprising many genetically engineered forms. ... Eldar 4th edition codex In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Eldar are a race of elf-like humanoids. ... The Orks are a race from the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... In the fictional universes of Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy, Khorne is one of the four major Chaos gods. ... A Genestealer Brood In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000 by Games Workshop, a Genestealer (scientific name Corporaptor Hominii) is an alien creature associated with the Tyranids. ...

The second edition of "Warhammer 40,000" was published in late 1993. This and later developments of the game were developed under the direction of editor Andy Chambers. This edition came in a boxed set including Space Marine and Ork miniatures, scenery, dice, and the main rules. An expansion box set titled Dark Millennium was later released, which included rules for psychic powers. Although second edition Warhammer 40,000 was very similar in many aspects, it was designed to be more structured than Rogue Trader. It removed many interesting but complex rules linked to the rich, colourful backgrounds of the major galactic races and organizations. It focused attention away from the highly customizable rank-and-file units of the Rogue Trader version to concentrate more on powerful special characters, major figures within the background, who had access to equipment and abilities far beyond normal units and even regular heroes. This led to an emphasis on small armies consisting of powerful troops, rather than the massive armies which prevailed in the background, which designers such as Jervis Johnson found distasteful^{[citation needed]}. Second edition also introduced the concept of the "army codex"; a separate book that contained the rule information for a single army. Andy Chambers was an author and game designer for Games Workshop. ... The current Space Marine sourcebook (codex) cover The Space Marines are one of the major forces available in the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000. ... The Orks are a race from the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... A codex (plural codexes, although the correct English is codices), in the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop wargame, is a rules supplement containing information concerning a particular army, environment, or worldwide campaign. ...

The third edition of the game was released in 1998, and again concentrated on streamlining the rules for larger battles. Third edition rules were notably simpler, and less prone to use arbitrary or overly powerful abilities than the previous editions, in an attempt to combat the trend towards small armies made up of small and powerful individuals. The rulebook was available alone, or as a boxset with miniatures of Space Marines and the newly-introduced Dark Eldar. The system of army codexes continued in third edition.^[5] In addition to army codexes, a supplemental rulebook titled "Cityfight" introduced special rules for fighting in urban conditions. A squad of Dark Eldar Warriors In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Dark Eldar are a Kindred of the Eldar, an ancient and advanced race of elf-like humanoids. ...

Towards the end of the 3rd edition, three new armies were introduced, the Tau race, and two armies of the Inquisition: the Daemonhunters of the Ordo Malleus, and the Witchhunters of the Ordo Hereticus; elements of these armies had appeared before in supplementary material (such as Realm of Chaos). At the end of the third edition, these Inquisition armies were re-released with all new artwork and army lists. These new and remade armies had codexes that were far more in-depth and detailed than previous editions in regards to the background of each army within the game's universe - which would later be utilized by the codexes in 4th edition. Because of how in depth the new codexes were, these books are sometimes referred to as "Edition 3.5". In the universe of Games Workshops table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Tau are an alien race, inhabiting a small but dense region of space on the eastern edge of the Milky Way Galaxy, roughly 300 light years in diameter. ... The Inquisition (The Holy Orders of the Emperors Inquisition) is an organisation in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... In the game Warhammer 40,000, the Daemonhunters comprises of the Ordo Malleus and their chamber militant the Grey Knights . ... The Witch Hunters (or Ordo Hereticus) are a part of the Inquisition in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, similar to the Spanish Inquisition. ...

During this time, Games Workshop also held several world-wide events, telling the stories of important wars fought in the game's universe. Players were strongly encouraged to sign up for these events, where they could send in the results of their battles, with the overall results of all players having an influence on the outcome of the war.

Current edition

It has been suggested that Cities of Death be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

The fourth edition of Warhammer 40,000 was released in 2004. This edition did not feature as many major changes as prior editions, and was "backwards compatible" with each army's third edition codex. The fourth edition was released in three forms: the first was a standalone hardcover version, with additional information on painting, scenery building, and background information about the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The second was a boxed set, called Battle For Macragge, which included a compact softcover version of the rules, scenery, and Space Marines and Tyranid miniatures. The third was a limited collector's edition version of the hardcover book and was leather-bound, its front cover embossed in silver with the Warhammer 40,000 fourth edition logo. Each page was edged with silver foil, and the book was packaged in a protective black leather slipcover. Image File history File links Mergefrom. ... Cities of Death Cities of death is a new format of table top battling presented by Games workshop. ... The current Space Marine sourcebook (codex) cover The Space Marines are one of the major forces available in the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000. ... In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, Tyranids are a locust-like swarm of aliens which come in many shapes and sizes. ...

There are many variations to the rules and army lists that are available for use, typically with an opponent's consent. These rules are found in the Games Workshop publication White Dwarf, the Games Workshop website, or the Forge World publication Imperial Armour. Cover of White Dwarf issue 90, June 1987. ... The term Forge World can relate to one of two concepts related to Games Workshops tabletop wargame, Warhammer 40,000; one within the games fictional universe, one in the real world. In Warhammer 40,000 A Forge World in the Warhammer 40,000 universe is a collective term... Imperial Armour is a series of rules supplements to the Warhammer 40,000 table-top game, along with an associated range of vehicle-size resin model kits. ...

As of January 2008, the Space Marines, Tyranids, Black Templars, Tau Empire, Eldar, Dark Angels, Chaos Space Marines and the Orks codexes have been published for 4th edition Warhammer 40,000. The expansion Cities of Death was published in June 2006, which introduced additional rules for fighting in highly urbanized areas. Current Black Templars Sourcebook In the game Warhammer 40,000, the Black Templars are a Second Founding chapter derived from the Imperial Fists and their Primarch, Rogal Dorn. ... In the universe of Games Workshops table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Tau are an alien race, inhabiting a small but dense region of space on the eastern edge of the Milky Way Galaxy, roughly 300 light years in diameter. ... Eldar 4th edition codex In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Eldar are a race of elf-like humanoids. ... The Dark Angels are a fictional military unit in the Science Fantasy game Warhammer 40,000. ... The Cover of the new 4th edition Chaos Space Marines sourcebook, to be released in September 2007, Codex: Chaos Space Marines In the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Chaos Space Marines or Chaos Marines, are Space Marines who serve the Chaos Gods. ... Cities of Death Cities of death is a new format of table top battling presented by Games workshop. ...

The Black Templar and Dark Angel codexes are stand alone codexes, unlike their third edition counterparts, which were additions to the Space Marine codex. This is supposedly the trend of fourth edition codexes where there will be no 'sub-codexes' being released, though according to Jervis Johnson (one of Games Workshop's long-term strategy managers), the recently released Chaos Space Marines has been released as a single codex, which is opposite to rumours circulating that the book would be split and released separately for the different legions available. The sister army, Codex: Chaos Daemons is on schedule to be released with a new set of miniatures by May 2008^[6]. The Blood Angels codex has been published in White Dwarf in two parts, in UK issues 330 and 331 (although long-term a printed codex is planned), and is available for download on the Games Workshop Website. The Cover of the new 4th edition Chaos Space Marines sourcebook, to be released in September 2007, Codex: Chaos Space Marines In the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Chaos Space Marines or Chaos Marines, are Space Marines who serve the Chaos Gods. ... The Cover of the new 4th edition Chaos Space Marines sourcebook, to be released in September 2007, Codex: Chaos Space Marines In the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Chaos Space Marines or Chaos Marines, are Space Marines who serve the Chaos Gods. ... In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Blood Angels are one of the twenty First Founding Legions of the Space Marines. ...

The latest major expansion for Warhammer 40,000 was Warhammer 40,000: Apocalypse, which was released on 13th October 2007 and includes new rules for much larger battles than previously, with a minimum of 3000 points needed. Apocalypse also includes rules for large units, such as Squiggoths and Baneblades, as well as battle formations such as daemonic Warp Rifts and Space Marine Battle Companies. Squigs are fictional creatures from the Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40,000 universes. ...

Tabletop game

Overview

Each player assembles an army of metal and plastic miniature figurines (models) - each usually representing a single military figure from one of the official lists. These armies are constrained by rules contained within the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook, as well as in several army-specific codexes (although with the advent of Warhammer 40,000 Apocalypse, players are free to mix troops from different armies). The size and power of the army is determined on a points system, with each unit being assigned a number of points proportional to its worth on the battlefield. Before a game the players agree on how many points will be used as the maximum army size and each assemble an army up to that maximum limit. The Warhammer 40,000 game, and consequentially the fictional universe, is made up of many races and species. ... A codex (plural codexes, although the correct English is codices), in the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop wargame, is a rules supplement containing information concerning a particular army, environment, or worldwide campaign. ...

Common game sizes are between 400 and 2,500 points and played on tables 4' in width and 4' to 8' in length, but it is possible to play much larger games given time and inclination (larger point battles tend to include multiple players, as well as being played on larger tables). The recent Apocalypse expansion allows for games of 3000 points or more. Games generally run from half an hour to several hours depending on the size of the armies.

Play is divided into turns, with each player moving, firing and engaging in close combat with each squad. Six-sided dice and unit stats are used to determine the results of actions. Each battle, at the onset, is assigned a set of additional rules and a goal (collectively called a "scenario") specific to it. Standard goals range from taking and holding objectives to simply eliminating the opposition, with additional rules including night-fighting and reinforcements. More complex scenarios exist in the main rulebook. Victory is determined either simply by mission objectives or victory points, with points awarded for objectives and eliminated or damaged enemy units.

Some players organize a series of scenarios, called a campaign, where two or more players fight against each other in a number of battles. These campaigns may feature their own special rules, and are typically tied together by a storyline, which might alter according to the results of each scenario when it is played. Every few years, a global campaign is held in which people submit the results of their games to Games Workshop. These results are collated, and together affect the storyline of the game, which is then accounted for in the next rulebook and fiction releases. The most recent of these global campaigns was The Fall of Medusa V campaign which ended in a typically Pyrrhic Imperial victory. Previous global campaigns are The Eye of Terror and the third battle for Armageddon. For the defunct company, see Game Designers Workshop. ... Medusa V is a fictional world in the Warhammer 40,000 fictional universe. ... A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor. ... Battle for Armageddon is a strategic boardgame produced by Games Workshop. ...

Collecting

In addition to writing rulebooks for the game, Games Workshop also owns Citadel Miniatures and Forge World, two companies which manufacture the miniatures used to play Warhammer 40,000. In addition to the current line of units, Games Workshop makes available past model lines as a part of their mail-order-only "Classic" series. These are models that have been used for earlier versions of the game. This is one of many ways to get certain miniatures which have been discontinued. The Citadel Miniatures Logo Citadel Miniatures Limited is a producer of metal and plastic miniatures for tabletop wargames, such as Warhammer Fantasy Battle. ... The term Forge World can relate to one of two concepts related to Games Workshops tabletop wargame, Warhammer 40,000; one within the games fictional universe, one in the real world. In Warhammer 40,000 A Forge World in the Warhammer 40,000 universe is a collective term...

As of June 2006, new players wishing to start playing should expect to spend at least £200^{[citation needed]}, but may need to spend much more, for a basic playable army with ample room for customization (1,000 points). This figure includes costs for the rulebook, the army's codex, and modeling equipment such as paints and glue.^[7] Players must also purchase individual units in squads or in boxed sets. The cost of boxed sets varies widely (£5 to £100), depending on the contents. However, the boxed set may not provide for all available options, meaning that players may choose to purchase additional blister packs, each containing one to three models. Blister packs vary widely from £4 for essentially a metallic version of a single plastic model, to £14 for large (2-3 inches tall ) multi part models. Tablets in a blister pack Blister pack is a term for two distinct types of non-reclosable clear plastic packaging used for consumer goods. ...

Modeling

A converted Dark Angel Terminator Captain.

Since the models are hand-painted and assembled by the player, people are encouraged to design their own paint schemes as well as using the pre-designed ones displayed in the various books. They are also encouraged to experiment with miniature conversion using parts from other kits and models, scratch-built components, and modeling putty such as Milliput or Citadel's own "green stuff". These conversions are often entered into contests at sponsored tournaments and similar gaming events, including the Golden Demon Awards; an international Games Workshop-run event which judges a variety of entries every year that are on based upon conversion, painting, basing and atmosphere. Image File history File links Dark_angel_captain. ... Image File history File links Dark_angel_captain. ... A conversion kit released exclusively with Battle Games in Middle Earth magazine Miniature conversion refers to the practice of altering the appearance of a miniature or model so as to deviate from the standard version purchased in a boxed set. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... A Golden Demon statue The Golden Demon competition is the most prestigious miniature painting and modelling competition run by Games Workshop, and is held during the Games Day Event in the UK, USA and other countries. ...

Terrain

Terrain is a very important part of play. Although Games Workshop has terrain kits available, many hobbyists prefer to make their own elaborate and unique set pieces. Common household items like soft drink cans, coffee cups, styrofoam packing pieces, and pill bottles can be transformed into ruined cathedrals, alien habitats, or other terrain with the addition of plasticard, putty, and a bit of patience and skill. The Games Workshop sub-division Forge World also makes numerous detailed resin terrain sets. Games Workshop has also recently released the Cities of Death expansion, which saw the release of three new plastic building kits available at Games Workshop stores. The three building kits share the same gothic motif that ties them in to the 40K world: skulls and the twin-headed eagle (the Imperium's symbol and coat of arms) feature heavily in the overall design of the buildings. Styrofoam is a trademark name for polystyrene thermal insulation material, manufactured by Dow Chemical Company. ... For the defunct company, see Game Designers Workshop. ... The term Forge World can relate to one of two concepts related to Games Workshops tabletop wargame, Warhammer 40,000; one within the games fictional universe, one in the real world. In Warhammer 40,000 A Forge World in the Warhammer 40,000 universe is a collective term...

Background

Setting

Main article: Timeline of the Warhammer 40,000 universe

The Warhammer 40,000 game world is most readily characterized as a gothic science-fantasy universe, set approximately 38,992 years from now (as the year 40,999 is nominally taken as the 'present' time), in the 41st millennium. Most of the major storylines that provide the backdrop and history span over millennia at a time (eg, a 70 year-long civil war, a 10,000 year-long crusade). Technology enables select humans to continue living well beyond centuries long, some for thousands of years, although the cost of this extended life typically involves some kind of assimilation with a machine, and thereby loss of much of "the human". It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Great Crusade. ... Strawberry Hill, an English villa in the Gothic revival style, built by seminal Gothic writer Horace Walpole Gothic fiction is an important genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. ... Science fantasy is a mixed genre of story which contains some science fiction and some fantasy elements. ...

The central and most popular elements of the Warhammer 40,000 universe are the Space Marines, anachronistic combinations of genetically enhanced super-soldiers with world-destroying firepower, and crusading knights with an unswerving, fanatical loyalty to the God-Emperor. Their genetic modification enables these soldiers to live "naturally" and maintain their super-human physical prowess for hundreds of years, creating veterans and commanders of immense experience, ferocity and knowledge. These warriors are the elite guardians of the Imperium of Mankind, a dystopian galaxy-spanning empire. They function from an aggressive "first contact" shock troop to the very last line of defense against the enemies of the Imperium. The current Space Marine sourcebook (codex) cover The Space Marines are one of the major forces available in the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000. ... Look up Anachronism in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the philosophical concept and literary form. ...

While Space Marines act as the special forces of the Imperium, the bulk of mankind's military power is the Imperial Guard, which consist of thousands of regiments of billions of normal soldiers of the worlds of the Imperium. While most are tithed from the best of their respective Planetary Defense Forces, some are simple conscripts pressed into service for the endless wars. The Imperial Guard field masses of armour and infantry in fearsomely capable armies able to lay siege to worlds or withstand assaults from their sheer size alone. The current Imperial Guard sourcebook. ...

The setting of this story is the Materium, the real physical universe we inhabit, with all action here in the Milky Way Galaxy. Much of this is controlled by the Imperium of Man, though it is not the only galactic power. Other races include the Orks, a barbaric humanoid green-skinned semi-fungoid race; the Eldar, survivors of an ancient fallen civilization reminiscent of classic fantasy Elves; the Tau, technologically sophisticated aliens that work for a philosophy called the Greater Good; the Necrons, soulless living metal constructs tricked into slavery by god-like energy beings; and the Tyranids, an all-consuming, all-organic, bio-engineered, extragalactic hive-swarm. A dynamic, galaxy-spanning story line is possible because of a separate plane of existence, the Immaterium or "Warp." The Warp is described as a universe composed of desire and emotion, with currents and eddies that make travelling vast interstellar distances possible yet difficult. As this is a realm of thought, a coalescence yields an often-sinister warp entity. The strongest of these entities are the Chaos Gods, Khorne (a god of rage, bloodshed, and war), Nurgle (a god of despair, decay and pestilent disease), Tzeentch (a god of ambition, manipulation, change, deception, scheming, and sorcery) and Slaanesh (a god of pleasure, pain, depravity, pride and decadence). The bulk of the forces of Chaos are corrupted Imperial Guardsmen, mutants, social dregs cast off from imperial worlds and renegade Space Marines with the capability to summon daemons. For other uses, see Milky Way (disambiguation). ... The Imperium of Man is a fictional galactic empire of millions of star systems that contains the vast majority of humanity in the forty-first millennium, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe created by Games Workshop. ... The Orks are a race from the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... Eldar 4th edition codex In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Eldar are a race of elf-like humanoids. ... In the universe of Games Workshops table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Tau are an alien race, inhabiting a small but dense region of space on the eastern edge of the Milky Way Galaxy, roughly 300 light years in diameter. ... The Cover of the Current Necron sourcebook, Codex Necrons. ... The Cover of the current Tyranids sourcebook, Codex: Tyranids In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 setting, the Tyranids are a nomadic alien race comprising many genetically engineered forms (see Tyranid genetics). ... The Immaterium (also referred to as the Empyrean or Warp) is an alternate dimension in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... In Games Workshops Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy fictional universes, Chaos refers to the often stereotypically malevolent entities which live in some sort of parallel universe, known as the Warp in Warhammer 40,000 and as the Realm of Chaos in Warhammer Fantasy. ... In the fictional universes of Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy, Khorne is one of the four major Chaos gods. ... Nurgle overlooking his army, as depicted on the cover of Realm of Chaos:The Lost and the Damned In the fictional universes of Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy, Nurgle is one of the four major Chaos gods. ... In the fictional universes of Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy, Tzeentch is one of the four major Chaos gods. ... In the fictional universes of Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy, Slaanesh (pronounced sla-a-nesh) is one of the four major Chaos gods. ... The current Imperial Guard sourcebook. ... The current Space Marine sourcebook (codex) cover The Space Marines are one of the major forces available in the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000. ...

The Gods of Chaos are reflections in the immaterial universe of the strongest impulses expressed by the inhabitants of the material universe. Their cults have a dynamic and antagonistic relationship. Khorne opposes Slaanesh, while Nurgle opposes Tzeentch. Nurgle is the personification of stagnation and decay, Tzeentch personifies continual change; Khorne personifies hatred and rage, and Slaanesh personifies the epicurean or the sensual. These four powers are not the only entities in the Warp, but they are the greatest and most powerful. It is said in the background to Warhammer 40,000 that the nature of the Warp is beyond human comprehension and is truly unknowable.

Armies/races/species

Main article: Warhammer 40,000 species

The Warhammer 40,000 game, and consequently the fictional universe, is made up of many races and species. The main playable armies in the game are the Chaos Space Marines, Daemonhunters, Dark Eldar, Eldar, Imperial Guard, Necrons, Orks, Space Marines, Tau Empire, Tyranids and Witch Hunters. Most races have variant armies. For example, Space Marines are divided into "Chapters", which sometimes have unique traits or even their own rules. Players can create "Successor Chapters". The Warhammer 40,000 game, and consequentially the fictional universe, is made up of many races and species. ... The Cover of the new 4th edition Chaos Space Marines sourcebook, to be released in September 2007, Codex: Chaos Space Marines In the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Chaos Space Marines or Chaos Marines, are Space Marines who serve the Chaos Gods. ... The Cover of the current Daemonhunters sourcebook, Codex: Daemonhunters In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, the Daemonhunters (who make up the Ordo Malleus (Order of the Hammer), a sub-section of the Inquisition) are one of the three Ordos of the Holy Emperors Inquisition. ... A squad of Dark Eldar Warriors In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Dark Eldar are a Kindred of the Eldar, an ancient and advanced race of elf-like humanoids. ... Eldar 4th edition codex In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Eldar are a race of elf-like humanoids. ... The current Imperial Guard sourcebook. ... It has been suggested that Necron Monolith be merged into this article or section. ... The Orks are a race from the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... The current Space Marine sourcebook (codex) cover The Space Marines are one of the major forces available in the table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000. ... In the universe of Games Workshops table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Tau are an alien race, inhabiting a small but dense region of space on the eastern edge of the Milky Way Galaxy, roughly 300 light years in diameter. ... In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, Tyranids are a locust-like swarm of aliens which come in many shapes and sizes. ... When the people forget their duty they are no longer human and become something less than beasts. ...

Examples of variant armies include the following (however, this list is not exhaustive):

• Space Marine: Blood Angels, Space Wolves, Ultramarines, Dark Angels,^[8][9] etc.
• Imperial Guard: Armoured Companies, Catachan Jungle Fighters.^[8][9]
• Tau Empire: Kroot Mercenaries, Farsight Enclave
• Eldar: Iyanden, Saim-Hann, Ulthwé
• Chaos Space Marine: Death Guard, World Eaters, Thousand Sons, etc.
• Orks: Speed Freeks, Feral Orks
• Tyranids: Genestealer Cult
• Dark Eldar: Wych Cults

In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Blood Angels are one of the twenty First Founding Legions of the Space Marines. ... The Space Wolves are one of the twenty First Founding Legions of Space Marines serving the Imperium of Man in the fictional future of the tabletop wargame Warhammer 40,000. ... In the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the Ultramarines are considered to be one of the greatest of all the Space Marine Chapters in the Imperium of Man, almost single handedly holding the Imperium together after the Horus Heresy. ... Dark Angel can refer to: a fallen angel Dark Angel (band) Dark Angel (comics Dark Angel (manga) Dark Angel (1996 television movie) Dark Angel (2000 television movie) Dark Angel (TV series) Dark Angel (video game) Dark Angel: The Ascent (direct-to-video horror film) The Dark Angel (1925 film) The... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Armoured warfare. ... The following is a list of planets in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... A Kroot Carnivore Squad, including Kroot Hounds (right) and a Krootox (back) The Kroot are a fictional species in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... Commander Farsight in his Crisis Suit, wielding the Dawn Blade Commander Farsight is a character from the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... This is a list of Craftworlds, or planet like homes, of the Eldar race in the Warhammer 40,000 fictional setting. ... This is a list of Craftworlds, or planet like homes, of the Eldar race in the Warhammer 40,000 fictional setting. ... This is a list of Craftworlds, or planet like homes, of the Eldar race in the Warhammer 40,000 fictional setting. ... In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Death Guard are one of the traitor legions of Chaos Space Marines. ... In the fictional universes of Warhammer 40,000, the World Eaters are a Legion of the Chaos Space Marines. ... The Thousand Sons is one of the Legions of Chaos Space Marines in the game Warhammer 40,000. ... The Orks are a race from the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... The Orks are a race from the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... A Genestealer Brood In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000 by Games Workshop, a Genestealer (scientific name Corporaptor Hominii) is an alien creature associated with the Tyranids. ... A squad of Dark Eldar Warriors In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Dark Eldar are a Kindred of the Eldar, an ancient and advanced race of elf-like humanoids. ...

Notable characters

See also: Category:Warhammer 40,000 characters

The Warhammer 40,000 universe and game are made up of many different characters. The list below contains a selection of the figures and characters that have had the greatest impact on the Warhammer 40,000 fictional universe.

• The Emperor of Mankind
• Warmaster Horus
• Abaddon the Despoiler
• Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka
• Eldrad Ulthran

The Immortal God-Emperor of Mankind is the leader of the Imperium in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, the largest human organization within that universe. ... In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, the Black Legion is a legion of Chaos Space Marines, formerly under the command of the traitor Primarch Horus. ... Abaddon the Despoiler In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000 and Battlefleet Gothic, Abaddon the Despoiler is Warmaster of Chaos, captain of the Black Legion and is rumoured to be the clone-progeny of Warmaster Horus and at one time, his most favoured son. ... Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka is a fictional character from the table top miniature game Warhammer 40,000. ... Eldar 4th edition codex In the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000, the Eldar are a race of elf-like humanoids. ...

Spin-offs

Main article: Warhammer 40,000 spin-offs

Warhammer 40,000 has, over the years, inspired many spin-off games. The most popular of these include the miniature-based games Battlefleet Gothic, Epic Armageddon, Inquisitor and Necromunda, all of which have their own website^[10] and are available as "Specialist Games" from the Games Workshop catalog^[3] (and Gorkamorka a now out of production tabletop game), the Forge World game Aeronautica Imperialis available from their catalog,^[2] the video games Dawn of War, Dawn of War: Winter Assault, Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, Dawn of War: Soulstorm , Fire Warrior, Chaos Gate, Space Hulk, Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angels, Final Liberation, Space Crusade, Rites of War, Warhammer 40k Squad Command, Warhammer 40,000: Ultramarines and an upcoming unnamed MMO from THQ and Vigil Games.^[11] A wide number of "Warhammer 40,000" novels and background books has been published.^[12]. Also released in January 2008 is a role-playing game, Dark Heresy. Warhammer 40,000 spin-offs include the many side projects, copies, derivatives and other forms of spin-off, the creation of which has been influenced by the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop miniature wargame or its fictional universe. ... Battlefleet Gothic is a tabletop miniatures game based in Games Workshops fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, and is sold by Specialist Games. ... Epic is a series of tabletop wargames set in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... Inquisitor is a tabletop miniatures game based in Games Workshops Warhammer 40,000 Universe. ... Goliath Ganger having fought off a Milliasaur. ... Specialist Games is division of Games Workshop which sells tabletop wargames aimed at older gamers who seek more tactically challenging wargames than those sold to Workshops core market (which is served by such games as Warhammer 40,000). ... Cover of the Gorkamorka starter set Gorkamorka is a vehicle-using campaign game produced by Games Workshop. ... This article is about the tabletop miniature dogfighting game and the fictional universe in which it is set. ... Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is a Real Time Strategy game for the PC developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ. Based on Games Workshops popular tabletop wargame, Warhammer 40,000, Dawn of War was released in September 2004. ... Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior is the name of a Warhammer 40,000 computer game available for the PlayStation 2 and PC. The game is a first person shooter, where the player takes the role of a Tau Fire Warrior, Kais, defending his race against the aggressive Human Empire. ... Space Hulk is a first-person shooter/strategy computer game based upon the board game of the same name, Space Hulk, and it also incorporated elements from the Deathwing expansion. ... Space Crusade is a board game produced by Milton Bradley in conjunction with Games Workshop and was first made in 1990. ... Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War is a turn based strategy game set in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... THQ Inc. ... Vigil Games is an Austin, Texas based game development company owned by THQ. It was formed by comic artist Joe Madureira and David Adams. ... Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay is a role-playing game sharing the same dark, gothic background as the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop miniatures game. ...

Several expansions to Warhammer 40,000 have also been released. Cities of Death deals with city fighting, whilst Apocalypse deals with massive battles between huge armies containing gigantic tanks and titanic god machines with the firepower to level cities. Cities of Death Cities of death is a new format of table top battling presented by Games workshop. ... Warhammer 40,000 Apocalypse is an expansion for Games Workshops Warhammer 40,000 table top wargame. ...

Origins Awards

At the 1994 Origins Game Fair, the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design awarded the second edition of Warhammer 40,000 the Origins Award for Best Miniatures Rules of 1993.^[13] At the 1997 Expo, they gave the award for Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Figure Miniatures Series of 1996 for Jes Goodwin's Warhammer 40,000 Chaos range.^[14] At the 2004 Origins, Warhammer 40,000 was inducted into the Academy's Hall of Fame.^[15] Origins Game Fair is one of North Americas most prominent annual gaming conventions, second in size only to Gen Con. ... The Origins Awards, presented by the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design, are presented at the Origins International Game Expo for outstanding work in the game industry. ...

See also

• The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game
• Horus Heresy (card game)
• Armies of Warhammer
• Bryan Ansell
• Jervis Johnson

The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game (abbreviated as LotR SBG), often referred to by players as Lord of the Rings, is a tabletop miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop (GW). ... Sample card from Horus Heresy Horus Heresy is a collectible card game by Sabertooth Games set in the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Warhammer Fantasy Battle. ... Bryan Ansell is a British roleplaying and wargame designer. ... Jervis Johnson is a game designer for Games Workshop. ...

Notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 149th day of the year (150th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 149th day of the year (150th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 149th day of the year (150th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 149th day of the year (150th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Graham McNeill is a Games Developer in Games Workshop. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 149th day of the year (150th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 149th day of the year (150th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

External links

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Warhammer 40,000

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Warhammer 40,000

• Games Workshop Creators of the games Warhammer 40,000
• Forge World Games Workshop's division that creates resin miniatures