Warhammer 40,000
Overview
Warhammer 40,000 (often abbreviated to Warhammer 40K, or just 40K) is a miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop. The game is set in a dystopian science-fantasy universe with its lore and art heavily influenced by gothic science fiction. The game was created by Rick Priestley and was first released in 1987.
Gameplay
Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop game where two or more players compete against each other with armies of 25 mm - 250 mm tall heroic miniatures. The rules of the game have been published in a series of books which describe how to move miniatures around the game's makeshift terrain, what actions they can take, and how to resolve those actions.
The game is played in turns, with each player taking a turn to move their units and perform actions such as shooting or charging at the enemy. The game is typically played on a flat table with terrain features placed on it.
Setting
The game is set in the 41st Millennium, a time where there is only war. The Imperium of Man, a vast interstellar empire, is the primary setting of the game. The Imperium is beset on all sides by various alien species such as the Orks, Eldar, and Tyranids, as well as internal threats from heretics, mutants, and the followers of the Chaos Gods.
Factions
There are numerous factions in Warhammer 40,000, each with their unique characteristics, playstyles, and lore. Some of the major factions include:
Imperium of Man
The Imperium of Man is a vast, interstellar empire that spans much of the Milky Way galaxy. It is a theocratic, totalitarian regime ruled by the God-Emperor of Mankind, who is worshiped as a deity by its citizens.
Chaos
Chaos refers to the malevolent entities that inhabit the Warp, a parallel dimension of psychic energy. The primary adversaries of the Imperium, they are divided into four major Chaos Gods: Khorne, Nurgle, Tzeentch, and Slaanesh.
Xenos
Xenos is a term used by the Imperium to categorize all alien species. Notable Xenos factions include the Orks, Eldar, Dark Eldar, Tyranids, Tau, and Necrons.
Miniatures
The game's miniatures are produced by Games Workshop and are a key aspect of the hobby. They are typically made from plastic or metal and are sold unpainted and unassembled. Players are encouraged to assemble and paint their miniatures, and many hobbyists spend more time on this aspect of the hobby than playing the game itself.
Editions
Since its inception in 1987, Warhammer 40,000 has gone through several editions, with each one refining and changing the rules of the game. The current edition, the 9th, was released in July 2020.