Science fiction as a genre allows for just about anything your heart desires to come to life, whether it’s monolithic machine life forms, extraordinary extraterrestrials, or even creatures beyond the realm of human understanding. Shows like Star Trek and Doctor Who understood this intimately, and though a majority of their creations can be boiled down to “guy in makeup” or “guy in suit,” they were moreso vessels for their respective takes on a variety of real issues. But in the world of Warhammer 40k, it’s more than likely that these things will all try to kill you in their own unique way.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Henry Cavill, following his recent exit from the DCU and Netflix’s The Witcher series, has announced his plans to both produce and star in a live-action Warhammer 40k series for Prime Video. While plot details and casting are still up in the air, we can at least speculate which of the varied factions will make an appearance in the series, as each one has a plethora of lore and backstory behind their motivations and battle tactics.
Space Marines Are the Face of Warhammer 40k
Saber Interactive/Focus Entertainment/Games Workshop
Space Marines and Warhammer 40k go hand-in-hand. They are the unabashed mascots of the franchise, they’re the most recommended faction for new players, and their ludicrous weaponry, including “Chainswords” and high-powered “Bolter” rifles, embody the absurd violence that plagues Warhammer 40k’s universe. Genetically modified, clad in giant power armor, and towering over regular human beings, the Space Marines are the elite fighting force of the Imperium of Man, sacrificing the vices of humanity for the sake of defending it. Simply put, you’d be hard-pressed to find any piece of Warhammer 40k media that doesn’t have at least one Space Marine in it.
The Adeptus Mechanicus Are Mysterious
Bulwark Studios/Kasedo Games/Games Workshop
The Imperium of Man already has a lot on its plate. Aside from avoiding the temptation of Chaos Daemons, fighting off extraterrestrials, and quelling dissension in their own ranks, they also have to perform regular maintenance on the monolithic war machines they employ. Thankfully, research and maintenance are firmly the responsibility of the Adeptus Mechanicus, an ally of the Imperium of Man. Stationed on Mars, the Adeptus Mechanicus safeguard the knowledge that powers the Imperium of Man’s weaponry, viewing knowledge in general as a pathway towards divinity.
On top of their contributions to the Imperium of Man, the Adeptus Mechanicus are also huge proponents of mechanical synthesis. As one climbs the ranks of the faction, the ratio of machinery to flesh in their body starts to tilt towards the former. Instead of following the state religion imposed by the Imperium of Man, the Adeptus Mechanicus are also allowed religious autonomy, believing in the existence of a Machine God known only as the “Omnissiah.”
Orks Are Warhammer 40k’s Cruelest Joke
Games Workshop
Orks are vastly different from traditional fantasy orcs. Despite their primitive speech and propensity towards violent conquest, Orks are far more dangerous than they let on. Through fungal reproduction, Orks are able to throw tens of thousands of troops onto the battlefield, all while spawning millions more to backfill their armies. Their intelligence exponentially increases with their numbers, allowing them to fashion weapons, vehicles, and even spacecraft out of rusted junk, all for the sake of continuing their endless conquest. However, their brutal nature often leads to unnecessary in-fighting and internal power struggles, limiting their capacity to truly overwhelm the universe.
Necrons Are Egyptian-Inspired Cyborgs
Tindalos InteractiveFocus EntertainmentGames Workshop
Originally laying dormant for eons upon eons, the ancient Necrons have arisen from their elaborate tombs to wreak havoc on a universe they no longer recognize. Their original flesh has decayed away during their slumber, leaving behind nothing but cybernetic skeletons that can self-repair themselves at an alarming speed. The only way to put down a Necron for good is to practically obliterate it, leaving behind nothing for itself to fix. Should you fail to do so, the Necrons also have the terrifying capability to teleport themselves out of danger to the closest “stasis crypt,” a pyramid-like structure that houses hundreds of dormant Necrons.
They’re an incredibly mysterious faction with little outside knowledge about their anatomy and capabilities. It’s difficult to study Necrons due to their built-in contingency plans, from self-destructing upon capture, to locking away secrets within their ancient, impenetrable tombs.
Chaos Demons Are Absolutely Terrifying
Complex Games/Frontier Foundry/Games Workshop
Chaos Daemons are arguably the biggest threat to the Warhammer 40k universe. A physical manifestation of the will of the Chaos Gods, Chaos Daemons are composed entirely of psychic energy from “the Warp," a separate dimension that acts as the source of all “magical” abilities in Warhammer 40k. As interdimensional monsters, their physical appearance takes on a similar form to the Chaos God that spawned them, oftentimes resembling a horrible abomination as a result. What’s worse, however, is that Chaos Daemons are never truly “killed;" they are merely sent back to the Warp, where they may eventually return to the physical realm.
The T’au Try to be Diplomatic
Tindalos Interactive/Focus Entertainment/Games Workshop
The T’au are relative newcomers to the Warhammer 40k universe, both outside of the game and within the game’s lore, but their advanced technology and devotion to spreading the “Greater Good” have both won over players and worried the Imperium of Man. Tall, lithe, and blue, the T’au are frequently seen donning pulse weaponry and high-tech battle suits.
The T’au present a unique opportunity for opposing factions, one that is increasingly becoming a rarity in the Warhammer 40k universe: diplomacy. While the T’au will viciously fight for their goals if absolutely necessary, they’re not afraid to extend an olive branch and avoid conflict if at all possible.
