Stepping into the vast, grim darkness of the Warhammer 40,000 universe can feel a bit like looking up at a sky full of stars; it's truly immense, and you might wonder just where to begin. This tabletop miniature wargame, made by Games Workshop, is set in a far-off future that’s full of fighting, betrayals, and a constant struggle just to stay alive. It’s a place where countless groups are always battling for control, or simply trying to survive, or maybe even to gain more power.
For someone just getting into 40k, the sheer number of choices can feel a little overwhelming, you know? There are so many armies and groups that can catch the eye of any kind of tabletop player. Every single group has its own rich story, a distinct way to play, and unique strategies, making each battle feel truly special, which is a neat thing.
So, that, you might ask, brings us to a very common question for new folks: just how many factions are there in Warhammer 40,000? It’s a good question, and the answer, well, it's a bit more involved than a simple number, as a matter of fact. We're going to break it all down for you, making it easier to see what’s out there.
Table of Contents
- The Big Picture of 40k Factions
- The Three Main Alliances of the Grimdark
- How Many Are There, Really? Different Ways to Count
- Picking Your First Army for Beginners
- Frequently Asked Questions About 40k Factions
The Big Picture of 40k Factions
When we talk about how many factions there are in Warhammer 40k, it’s not just a single count, you see. The universe is truly vast and complex, filled with many groups, different races, and lots of armies. Some folks say there are over 20 main factions, which is a pretty big number to start with. Others might tell you there are about 34 main factions in this grimdark setting, which is quite a few more, honestly.
Then, there are those who count around 26 Warhammer 40k armies you can choose from. It seems like the exact number can shift a little depending on how you define "main" or if you include all the smaller groups. For instance, you have 20 main armies, but then there are also 13 offshoot races or factions, plus countless smaller groups and armies spread all over the place. This category holds all the big groups of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, which is good to know.
Each of these groups, you know, has its own special story and way of playing, which makes the game a cool mix of battles and deep lore. This wide range includes very specialized chapters within the bigger groups, too. Players get to pick from a large number of these groups, or armies, to play as. The sheer quantity can feel a bit much, but we've got you covered, you know, to help sort it out.
The Three Main Alliances of the Grimdark
To make sense of all these groups, it helps to think of them in bigger categories. Warhammer 40k factions, as a matter of fact, are generally put into three main types: Imperium, Chaos, and Xenos. This way of sorting them out gives you a good idea of their overall goals and how they fit into the universe, which is rather helpful.
The Imperium of Man: Humanity's Last Stand
The Imperium of Man is, basically, humanity's last big hope, or so they believe. These groups really focus on keeping things safe, sticking to strict rules, and using a lot of firepower. They are, you know, fighting to protect humanity from all the threats out there. Below is a list of all the Imperium of Man groups, as a matter of fact, that you might encounter.
- Space Marines: These are the poster children, almost, of Warhammer 40k. They are, you know, untouched by sickness and can take hits that would kill normal people many times over, yet still fight on. They wear old, powerful armor. After the Horus Heresy, the loyal Space Marine legions were broken into smaller chapters, each with a thousand Space Marines, to stop any one person from having too much power. This diversity includes specialized chapters within them, like the Raven Guard (both 30k/40k).
- Sisters of Battle: Also known as the Adepta Sororitas, their story of how they came to be is quite amusing, really. This is due to a rule that the Imperial Church couldn't have "men under arms." Each Sister is a warrior of amazing strength and super-human toughness, a thinker and planner who can match the best generals, and so much more, actually.
- Imperial Guard: Known as the Astra Militarum, these are the regular human soldiers, you know, the backbone of the Imperium. They fight with endless numbers and heavy weapons.
- Adeptus Mechanicus (AdMech): These folks are the tech-priests, basically, who keep the Imperium's machines running. They love technology and are often found with many robotic parts. They exist in both 30k and 40k.
- Imperial Knights: These are giant, walking war machines, piloted by nobles. They can be loyal to the Imperium, or sometimes, you know, turn to Chaos.
- Deathwatch: These are elite Space Marines, hand-picked from different chapters, whose job is to hunt down aliens.
- Black Templars: A Space Marine chapter known for their zealous crusades and close-quarters fighting.
- And probably several more, as the text suggests, like the Grey Knights, who have a new 10th edition codex, which is pretty cool.
The Imperium has many different branches, each with its own role, but all working, in a way, towards the same goal of protecting mankind. It’s a very disciplined setup, you see.
The Forces of Chaos: Corruption and Ruin
The Chaos groups are, well, the bad guys, in a way, to the Imperium. They get their strength from corruption, close-up fighting, and powerful psychic abilities. These are often corrupted versions of former Imperial forces, or entirely new monstrous creations. Chaos Marines are a big part of this, you know, like the Raven Guard mentioned earlier, but fallen to darkness.
- Chaos Space Marines: These are Space Marines who have turned away from the Emperor and now serve the Dark Gods. They are just as tough, but they fight with a twisted, brutal zeal.
- Chaos Daemons: Pure creatures of the Warp, these are manifestations of the Chaos Gods themselves. They are, you know, truly terrifying and powerful.
- Chaos Knights: Like their loyalist counterparts, but twisted by Chaos, bringing destruction wherever they go.
- And other cults and corrupted forces that swell their ranks.
Their strategies are often about breaking down the enemy, not just physically, but also mentally, which is pretty grim.
The Xenos: Alien Threats From Beyond
The Xenos are, quite simply, all the alien races that aren't human or part of Chaos. They are, you know, incredibly diverse, with their own goals, which often clash with everyone else's. Each Xenos group brings a totally different playstyle to the table.
The provided text doesn't list specific Xenos factions by name, but it mentions "offshoot races or factions" and "countless subgroups." This category would include well-known alien threats like the Orks, Eldar, Tyranids, Necrons, and Tau, to name a few. Each has its own unique lore, units, and gameplay rules, making them very distinct from each other, which is pretty neat.
How Many Are There, Really? Different Ways to Count
So, we've talked about the big three categories. But getting to a single, firm number for "how many factions in Warhammer 40k" is, honestly, a bit tricky. The text gives us a few different numbers, and it’s worth looking at why. It says there are "over 20 main factions," which is a good baseline, you know, for the major playable armies.
Then, it also mentions "about 34 main factions in this grimdark universe." This higher number probably includes some of the more distinct sub-factions that have their own rules and models, even if they fall under a broader category like Imperium or Chaos. For instance, while Space Marines are one "main" faction, their specialized chapters, like the Black Templars or Raven Guard, could sometimes be counted as distinct entities for gameplay purposes, which makes sense.
Furthermore, the text notes there are "~26 Warhammer 40k armies to choose from." This number might refer specifically to the armies that Games Workshop actively supports with current model ranges and rulesets for the tabletop game, as of today, for example. The universe also has "13 offshoot races or factions" and "countless subgroups and armies scattered across the universe." These are often smaller, less prominent groups, or perhaps older factions that aren't as actively supported in current editions but still exist in the lore, you know.
The important takeaway, really, is that there are *many* options. Whether you count 20, 26, or 34 "main" groups, plus all the smaller ones, the diversity is truly immense. This is why the game feels so deep, as a matter of fact, with each group offering a fresh experience. It’s a universe where every battle feels unique, simply because of who is fighting whom, which is pretty cool.
Picking Your First Army for Beginners
With all these choices, it can be hard to know where to start, you know? The game has a lot of rules – movement, psychic powers, shooting, charging, fighting, and morale phases for each turn. These rules might sound a bit scary at first, but practice makes them easier, honestly. We try to make it simpler for new players to figure out which Warhammer 40,000 armies are current, easy to pick up, and fun to play.
For example, some Imperial factions, like the Imperial Guard or even some Space Marine chapters, are often suggested for beginners because their playstyles can be more straightforward. They focus on things like holding ground and shooting a lot, which is a good way to learn the basics. Chaos factions, with their reliance on melee and psychic powers, might be a bit more complex for a first army, but they are very rewarding, too, for those who like that style.
The text mentions that Age of Sigmar, another Games Workshop game, has simpler rules, which can be perfect for people new to tabletop games in general. But for 40k, the key is to find a group whose story or playstyle truly excites you. You can learn how to play as your favorite 40k races and armies; it’s a popular tabletop miniature wargame that takes place in a distant future where humans are always fighting, you know.
Wayland Games is, for instance, a great place to begin your journey, as the text suggests. Also, Nick and Space Marine Steve host "Warhammer 40k First Steps," a series of quick introductions to the world of Warhammer 40k and tabletop gaming. This can be a really helpful resource, honestly, to get a feel for things.
Ultimately, the best first army is one that you find interesting and fun to paint and play with. The sheer number of groups can be overwhelming, but we've got you covered, you know, to help you find your way.
Frequently Asked Questions About 40k Factions
People often ask a few common things when they're learning about Warhammer 40k factions. Here are some answers that might clear things up, you know.
What are the main types of factions in Warhammer 40k?
Basically, the main groups in Warhammer 40k are divided into three big categories: the Imperium, which is humanity and its defenders; Chaos, which are corrupted forces serving dark gods; and Xenos, which covers all the alien races. This way of sorting them helps you understand their general goals and who they fight against, which is pretty helpful, actually.
Which Warhammer 40k factions are good for beginners?
For someone just starting out, some Imperium factions are often a good choice because they can be a bit easier to pick up and play. Armies like the Imperial Guard (Astra Militarum) or certain Space Marine chapters can be good for learning the game's core mechanics. They tend to focus on things like shooting and holding positions, which is a solid foundation, you know, for new players.
Are Space Marines a single faction, or do they have subgroups?
Space Marines are, in a way, a single broad faction, but they are also made up of many, many specialized chapters. After a big event called the Horus Heresy, the loyal Space Marine legions were split into smaller chapters, each with about a thousand Space Marines. This was done to stop any one person from having too much power. So, while they are all Space Marines, each chapter has its own unique lore, colors, and sometimes even special rules, which is pretty cool.
To learn more about Warhammer 40k lore on our site, and link to this page here for more beginner tips.
For more detailed information on specific factions and their rules, you can often find great resources on the Games Workshop official website, which is where all the game’s official stuff comes from, you know.
