Summary
Warhammer 40kis a vast grimdark setting filled with bloodthirsty daemons, ancient and arrogant xenos, and ruthless religious zealots. Thenumerous factions that occupy the 41st millenniumare engaged in a brutal war of survival that has no hope of ending.
On the tabletop, there are multiple factions with large and varied miniature ranges that players can choose to collect. WithWarhammer 40k’s expansive narrative moving forward, new factions can be regularly introduced to the setting and tabletop, with the latest being the Slaanesh worshiping Chaos Space Marines, The Emperor’s Children. Which faction will be introduced next is anyone’s guess. However, the lore is rich with possibilities, from corrupted servants of Chaos to ancient enemies thought long dead. The galaxy ofWarhammer 40kis large and mysterious, with hidden threats just waiting to emerge and join the never-ending battle.
1Chaos Votann
A New Deadly Chaos Faction
The Leagues of Votann are one of the newest factions introduced to theWarhammer 40ksetting. These highly advanced Space Dwarves, called The Kin, live in the galactic core, mining the numerous resources this dangerous region of space offers. They are led by ancient sentient machines known as Votann, which contain all the knowledge their race needs to continue and thrive. They also live side by side with advanced self-aware machines known as Ironkin.
While the Leagues of Votann have yet to becorrupted by Chaosin any meaningful way in the lore, Chaos Votann could be introduced in the future. Machines are as susceptible to ruinous powers as mortals, so it would not only be the Kin but also the Ironkin and ancient Votann that could become powerful weapons for Chaos.
2Men Of Iron
Ancient Machines Of Legend
In the lore ofWarhammer 40k, long before the time of the Emperor, humanity enjoyed a golden age of technology. The human race settled on millions of planets throughout the galaxy with the help of advanced AI. This utopian period would eventually be burned to ash in a devastating war. Advanced artificial intelligence, known as The Men of Iron, rebelled and brought human civilization to its knees.
While the Men of Iron were eventually defeated, the human race was greatly weakened and close to annihilation. Generations later, AI was outlawed by the Emperor. However, a few surviving Men of Iron remained. These deadly yet neutered machines were locked away and protected by the Dark Angels, only to be used in extreme situations. The Men of Iron could be easily brought back to the setting as a dangerous new faction, emerging as a powerful newthreat to the galaxy.
3Exodites
Tribal Aeldari Living In Exile
After the Eldar race was destroyed during the birth of Slaanesh, the survivors of the fall split into different smaller factions. The Craftworld Eldar, or Asuryani, the ruthless Drukhari, and the mysterious Harlequins, followers of the Laughing God, Cegorach. The Exodites, however, are a unique faction, as they are no longer space-faring people and live simple, pre-industrial lives close to nature.
The Exodites are a small faction of Aeldari who saw the downfall of their civilization coming and rejected the depravity and excess of their kin. They moved to lush planets named Maiden Worlds, far from the core homewards of their people. In the40ksetting, the Exodites continue their primitive way of life, only using basic technology. They fiercely defend their homes and way of life as much as they can. They use simple close-combat weapons while riding large dinosaur-like beasts.
4The Rangda
An Old Enemy Returns
Of all the many xenos races mentioned in the vast history ofWarhammer 40k, the Rangda is one of the most mysterious. Very little is known about the species except that the Imperium waged three devastating wars against them during the Great Crusade. The Rangda was an advanced empire that rivaled humanity in its power, ambition, and ruthlessness.
Duringthe most brutal conflicts, it is said that one hundred thousand space marines died. The disappearance of the two lost Primarchs and their legions is also closely connected to the Rangdan wars. While the species was eventually exterminated by the Dark Angels and Space Wolves during the Rangdan Xenocides, it is possible, somewhere, they have been waiting. The Rangda could be an entirely new faction introduced to the setting. This ancient enemy would seek bloody revenge against humanity and stretch the Imperium’s forces to breaking point.
5Chaos Sororitas
Devout Followers Of Chaos
The Sisters of Battle, known as the Adepta Sororitas, are among the most devout and fanatical followers of the God-Emperor of Mankind. These powerful warrior nuns are the military arm of the ruling church, known as the Ecclesiarchy. However, they are not immune to the powers of Chaos. While few Sisters would be swayed into following the ruinous powers, their souls can be corrupted against their will.
In the40klore, this has already happened at least once when Angron unleashed a powerful warp plague that infected an entire fleet of the Indomitus Crusade. Known as the murder curse, almost every mortal, barring the Custodians and Sisters of Silence, became blood-crazed berserkers. This included warriors of the Adepta Sororitas, who became unwilling servants of the blood god Khorne.
6The Fallen
Ancient Corrupted Dark Angels
The story of the Fallen stretches back to the end of the Horus Heresy, when Lion El’Jonson’s right-hand man, Luther, was corrupted by Chaos. He and his loyal followers would fire on the returning Primarch when he appeared over Caliban. This action would end in the destruction of the Dark Angel’s home planet and The Fallen being thrown through time and space.
In the current40ksetting, Luther is loose in the galaxy and is attempting to bring his Fallen back together. Meanwhile, The Lion has also returned and is seeking to reunite with his so-called Fallen sons, who remain loyal. The Fallen could be a powerful newAstartes factionled by a corrupted Luther. Wearing classic Heresy era armor, they would stand apart from other Chaos Space Marines.
7Corsairs
Aeldari Space Pirates
The Aeldari Corsairs, also known as Anhrathe, are a small faction of outcasts that have walked away from the common Eldar Path and exist as pirates, rangers, and mercenaries. These free-living Eldar found the strict and rigid rules of the Craftworlds too much to bear. They now live nomadic lives in small pirate fleets, often preying on merchant ships.
While Corsairs aredangerous foes to cross paths with, they pose little danger to larger battlefleets. Many have also joined Yvraine’s Ynnari faction, seeking to unite the fabled crone swords and awaken the Eldar God of the Dead. The Corsair Voidscarred forKill Teamis the only unit currently available in theWarhammerrange. However, this is rumored to be expanded on in the future.
8Dark Mechanicum
Tech-Priests Of The Ruinous Powers
Among fans, The Dark Mechanicum, also known as the New Mechanicum, is considered one of the most likely factions to be introduced next to the40ktabletop game. Like their imperial counterparts, the Adeptus Mechanicus, they worship their deity, the Omnissiah. However, the New Mechanicum believes their tech god is embodied by Chaos Undivided rather than the Emperor of Mankind.
Their goal is to unlock hidden knowledge, such as advanced AI, that the Imperium has outlawed or considered heretical. They often maintain the many terrifying weapons of war for the Chaos Space Marines, including the colossal Chaos Knights. Several miniatures areavailable in theWarhammerrangethat could be considered a part of this faction. The most notable being the daemon demi-god of invention and artifice, Vashtorr the Arkifane.
