Stepping into the vast, grim dark future of Warhammer 40,000 can feel a bit like looking up at a sky full of stars, wondering where to even begin. There are so many stories, so many battles, and, perhaps most importantly, so many distinct groups fighting for their place. Knowing about warhammer 40k all factions is a pretty big deal if you are just getting started, or even if you have been around for a while and want to see what else is out there, you know?
This universe, with its endless wars and strange creatures, really captures the imagination. People spend countless hours building and painting their armies, learning the lore, and playing out epic clashes on tabletops. It's a hobby that brings folks together, actually, whether they are talking tactics or just sharing cool model pictures.
So, if you are curious about who fights whom, what makes each group special, or even which army might be a good fit for you, this guide is here to help. We are going to take a closer look at the main players in this sprawling conflict, giving you a sense of their unique styles and what they are all about. It is, in a way, your first step into a very big, very exciting hobby.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Galactic Conflict
- The Imperium of Man: Humanity's Struggle
- The Xenos: Alien Threats
- The Forces of Chaos: Corruption and Damnation
- Choosing Your First Army: A Personal Quest
- Getting Started with Your Chosen Faction
- Frequently Asked Questions About 40k Factions
Understanding the Galactic Conflict
Warhammer 40,000 sets its stage in a very distant future, a time of constant war where humanity struggles to survive against countless threats. The setting is pretty grim, with very little hope, and that is part of its appeal, you know? Every faction has its own reasons for fighting, its own way of seeing the universe, and its own special kind of warriors and machines.
Some of these groups have been around since the very first playable factions in 40k appeared, while others are newer additions, bringing fresh ideas to the table. This ongoing story means the game keeps growing, too, with new models and rules coming out pretty often. It keeps things exciting, which is good.
The Imperium of Man: Humanity's Struggle
The Imperium is humanity's main power in the galaxy, a vast, decaying empire held together by blind faith and sheer force. It is, in some respects, a very sad story, but also one of incredible resilience. Their armies are huge, and they fight with a fanatical belief in their distant Emperor.
Space Marines: The Emperor's Finest
These are, arguably, the poster boys of Warhammer 40k. They are genetically engineered super-soldiers, typically clad in heavy power armor, fighting for the Imperium. Each chapter, or group, of Space Marines has its own unique traditions and fighting style, so you have a lot of variety even within this one group. They are very tough, and pretty much always look cool on the tabletop, that is for sure.
They are a solid choice for someone looking for an army that can take a hit and dish out a lot of damage. People often start with Space Marines because they are just so iconic, and there are lots of options for building them, too.
Astra Militarum: The Imperial Guard
The backbone of the Imperium, these are regular human soldiers, sometimes called the Imperial Guard. They fight with overwhelming numbers, powerful tanks, and heavy artillery. They might not be super-soldiers, but their sheer force of will and endless supply of troops can wear down almost any enemy. You know, it is a very different feel from Space Marines.
If you like the idea of commanding huge lines of infantry and lots of big vehicles, this faction could be for you. They are a bit more about strategy and positioning, given their numbers, and that can be a lot of fun.
Adepta Sororitas: Sisters of Battle
These are devout warrior women of the Imperium, fighting with holy fire and faith. They wear power armor, similar to Space Marines, but their weapons often include flamers and meltaguns, burning away heresy. They are, in a way, a very zealous force, and they look pretty amazing on the battlefield, too.
Their playstyle often involves getting up close and personal, relying on their strong faith to push through tough situations. If you like a mix of elite infantry and powerful short-range weapons, they are definitely worth a look.
Adeptus Mechanicus: Priests of the Machine
These are the keepers of technology for the Imperium, worshipping the Machine God and augmenting their bodies with bionics. Their armies feature strange, ancient machines, robots, and cyborg warriors. They are very unique in their appearance and their rules, too.
Playing Adeptus Mechanicus often involves intricate strategies, using powerful ranged weapons and synergy between different units. They are a bit more complex, perhaps, but very rewarding if you like a precise army that feels very different from others.
The Xenos: Alien Threats
Beyond humanity, the galaxy is home to countless alien species, many of whom are hostile. These are the "others," the ones the Imperium fights against constantly. They bring a huge amount of variety to the game, and that is really cool.
Orks: Green-Skinned Brutality
Orks are a warlike, green-skinned species that live for fighting. They are big, strong, and incredibly numerous, building ramshackle vehicles and weapons that work simply because the Orks believe they will. You know, their "Ork colour superstitions" are a big part of their charm, too, like red ones go faster!
An Ork army is typically about getting stuck in, overwhelming the enemy with a wave of bodies and loud, unpredictable machines. If you like a chaotic, fun, and aggressive playstyle, Orks are often a really good fit. They are, in a way, just pure fun.
Tyranids: The Great Devourer
These are a terrifying, insect-like alien race that consumes all biomass in their path. They are a hive mind, with countless creatures ranging from small, scurrying horrors to massive, monstrous beasts. They are, quite frankly, a very scary threat in the lore, and on the table, too.
Tyranid armies often swarm the enemy, using psychic powers and powerful close-combat units to overwhelm them. If you enjoy a very aggressive, organic playstyle that focuses on biological horror, Tyranids could be for you. They are pretty unique, that is for sure.
Aeldari: The Eldar
Once a dominant galactic empire, the Aeldari are now a dying race, elegant and ancient, trying to survive in a hostile galaxy. They are very skilled warriors, using advanced technology and psychic abilities. There are different kinds of Aeldari, too, like the Craftworld Aeldari, who are very disciplined, and the Drukhari, who are dark and cruel pirates.
Aeldari armies typically rely on speed, precision, and powerful psychic abilities. They are a bit more fragile than some other armies, but their ability to hit hard and then move away makes them very tricky to face. They are, in some respects, a very elegant army to play.
Necrons: Ancient Robot Warriors
These are ancient, robotic skeletons who have awoken from millions of years of slumber to reclaim their galactic empire. They are incredibly durable, capable of "reanimating" after being destroyed, and wield powerful gauss weapons that strip atoms apart. They are, in a way, a very persistent foe.
Necron armies are often slow but incredibly tough, grinding down their opponents with relentless firepower and their ability to stand back up. If you like an army that is hard to kill and has a very distinct, sci-fi horror feel, Necrons are a great option. They are pretty cool, actually.
T'au Empire: The Greater Good
The T'au are a relatively young, technologically advanced alien race that seeks to unite all species under their philosophy of the "Greater Good." They are known for their powerful ranged weapons, battlesuits, and lack of psychic abilities. They are, in some respects, a bit different from other factions, focusing on unity.
T'au armies excel at shooting, often staying at a distance and obliterating enemies with concentrated firepower. If you enjoy a very tactical, shooting-focused army that uses clever positioning and devastating ranged attacks, the T'au are a fantastic choice. They are very precise, too.
The Forces of Chaos: Corruption and Damnation
Chaos represents the corrupted aspects of the universe, drawing power from malevolent gods in another dimension called the Warp. These factions seek to overthrow the Imperium and spread their dark influence across the galaxy. They are, in a way, the ultimate villains, but very interesting ones.
Chaos Space Marines: Traitors Unleashed
These are Space Marines who turned against the Emperor during a galactic civil war ten millennia ago. They are now corrupted by the Chaos Gods, wielding dark powers and horrific mutations alongside their powerful armor and weapons. They are, perhaps, the most direct opposite to the loyal Space Marines.
Chaos Space Marine armies combine the elite infantry of Space Marines with the unpredictable, daemonic power of Chaos. They can be very aggressive, very versatile, and often have a lot of character. If you like a mix of power armor and dark magic, they are a strong contender.
Chaos Daemons: Entities of the Warp
These are pure manifestations of the Chaos Gods, creatures born from the Warp itself. They are bizarre, terrifying, and immensely powerful, each type reflecting the nature of their patron god. They are, in a way, the raw essence of evil, and they look pretty wild on the tabletop.
Chaos Daemons play with a lot of psychic powers and powerful close-combat attacks, often appearing suddenly on the battlefield. If you enjoy an army that is very magical, very unpredictable, and visually striking, Daemons are a very unique choice. They are just a little bit crazy, too.
Choosing Your First Army: A Personal Quest
With so many options for warhammer 40k all factions, picking your first army can feel like a big decision. Honestly, the best way to choose is to go with what looks coolest to you, or whose background story you find most interesting. Maybe you like the idea of endless green-skinned fighters, or perhaps the thought of ancient robots reanimating appeals more.
Think about the kind of playstyle you might enjoy, too. Do you like shooting from a distance, or getting up close for brutal fights? Do you prefer a small, elite force, or a huge swarm of models? You can often find starter army lists for each 40k race with costs online, which can give you a sense of what it takes to get going. This will be an ongoing article which will be updated, so new factions or changes will be added as they appear.
A lot of hobbyists search the web for copies of original build instructions booklets, to help them put together models. So, finding out how complex a model range is might be something you consider. Some armies have very intricate models, while others are a bit simpler to build. You know, it is worth looking into.
Getting Started with Your Chosen Faction
Once you have an idea of which faction calls to you, the next step is getting some models. Starter sets are often a good way to begin, as they usually include a small force and maybe some basic rules. You can also look for Warhammer and 40k plastic bits if you want to customize your models, which is a pretty common thing people do. There are excellent sites for bitz from virtually all plastic kits, and some even offer free shipping in the UK for orders over £30, which is pretty handy.
Connecting with the community is also super helpful. A large, independent wargaming community like Dakkadakka, for example, features discussion, tutorials, and a place to share your progress. They can offer advice on everything from painting tips to building your first army list. People often upload an image, choose areas to recolour, and share their painting ideas, which is cool. You can also find resources if you are traveling and want to see wargaming stores in an area, which is really useful, too.
Frequently Asked Questions About 40k Factions
What are the easiest 40k factions to play?
For newcomers, Space Marines are often considered a good starting point because their rules are pretty straightforward, and they are quite forgiving on the tabletop. Orks, with their focus on overwhelming numbers and aggressive play, can also be relatively simple to pick up. Astra Militarum, too, can be easy if you like the idea of just lining up tanks and shooting a lot, which is often a very direct approach.
How many factions are there in Warhammer 40k?
The number can vary a little depending on how you count sub-factions or smaller, allied groups, but there are over 20 distinct playable factions. These are typically grouped into the major categories we talked about: Imperium, Xenos, and Chaos. Each of these main groups has several different armies within it, so you have a lot of choices, actually.
Which Warhammer 40k faction is right for me?
The best faction for you really depends on what you like. Do you prefer a specific visual style, a particular kind of gameplay, or a compelling story? Watching battle reports online, looking at painted models, and reading up on the lore can help a lot. Sometimes, just picking the army that looks the coolest to you is the best way to go, you know? It is, after all, a hobby, so having fun with it is what counts.
Exploring warhammer 40k all factions is a big part of getting into this amazing hobby. Whether you are drawn to the grim determination of the Imperium, the strange ways of the Xenos, or the dark power of Chaos, there is a place for you. So, pick what calls to you, get some models, and join the endless war. You will find a very welcoming community, too, which is a great part of the experience. We are always adding new things to our site, so please check back often to learn more about Warhammer 40k on our site, as we aim to keep things fresh and helpful for everyone.