Warhammer 40k: Where Shall I Start?

[KingGolem]

So I've been reading up on this whole Warhammer 40k franchise, and between all the powered armor, chainsaw guns, and mind-raping demons it seems pretty badass. With this in mind, I'd like to become more familiar with this franchise, and this is where I encounter my first problem: this is a HUGE franchise. I understand that at its core is the popular tabletop strategy game, and I'd probably get into that if it weren't for having to buy all the associated paraphernalia and having no reliable friends to play with (I do not wish to recount in detail the attendance fiasco of my attempt at Dungeons and Dragons). Knowing that there is a vast amount of printed literature set in this universe, that would seem like a more favorable alternative. Ergo, I ask you, fellow Escapists, to suggest to me what books or other material would be ideal to familiarize me with this franchise?

 

[Hollock]

first off it's expensive as hell. second depending on what race you want to be pick up their books.

Spoiler: like this

They'll teach you how to play them, and how to make your models pretty. And Theres this huge ass offical book that you should pick up that pretty much explains everything. I stopped playing when my comic shop closed down like 6 years ago. Good luck!

 

[ottenni]

Try the Dawn of War games. They do a good job of keeping the general feel. The Space Marines are suitably fanatical, the Chaos Marines are suitably evil, the Imperial guard are suitably squishy and the Orks are suitably orky. And they shouldn't be too expensive these days.

Oh and Orks iz da best!

 

[Scasey92]

i've been a big 40k nerd for years and i havent play in years which sucks cause i spent like 300 bucks on it

edit- but its great fun if you can. the eldar kick ass. that is all.

 

[w@rew0lf]

Wait what? Warhammer 40k is a board game? Like D&D? So...I'm guessing that my half-assed inference that it was some PC game franchise is completely wrong?

 

[Scasey92]

y

Wait what? Warhammer 40k is a board game? Like D&D? So...I'm guessing that my half-assed inference that it was some PC game franchise is completely wrong?

yes it was very very wrong. its like chess with guns +$50 tanks

 

[Indecizion]

So I've been reading up on this whole Warhammer 40k franchise, and between all the powered armor, chainsaw guns, and mind-raping demons it seems pretty badass. With this in mind, I'd like to become more familiar with this franchise, and this is where I encounter my first problem: this is a HUGE franchise. I understand that at its core is the popular tabletop strategy game, and I'd probably get into that if it weren't for having to buy all the associated paraphernalia and having no reliable friends to play with (I do not wish to recount in detail the attendance fiasco of my attempt at Dungeons and Dragons). Knowing that there is a vast amount of printed literature set in this universe, that would seem like a more favorable alternative. Ergo, I ask you, fellow Escapists, to suggest to me what books or other material would be ideal to familiarize me with this franchise?

bam ok depends what youre looking for the codex and rule books are a good place to start theres alot of lore in those but the best place is the books the novels i mean nighthunter is a good one from what im hearing i havent had the chance to start it yet but yeah that and the horus heresy series pwns

 

[Elader]

I would suggest the Horus Heresy series and Dan Abnett's Gaunt's Ghosts series as excellent starting points. Great reading there.

 

[w@rew0lf]

y

Wait what? Warhammer 40k is a board game? Like D&D? So...I'm guessing that my half-assed inference that it was some PC game franchise is completely wrong?

yes it was very very wrong. its like chess with guns +$50 tanks

I see. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Godhead]

If you want reading, I would go with the Imperial Guard Omnibus 1, and The Last Chancers. They're both really nice reads. And if you want to try out the actual board game. (please be prepared to give up many days assembling and painting, a shit load of money, and possibly losing your love interest for sometime) You should just find an army that you find appealing and one that you would enjoy assembling and painting. (I went for Tyranids since I love bugs, the ultimate baddies and they're one of the most dynamic of the armies out there.)

Hopefully this is enough to get you started. (The RTS's are really nice too)

Edit: MAKE SURE TO ASK MORE DETAILED QUESTIONS ATE YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP!!!

 

[DoW Lowen]

If you want to REALLY get into Warhammer 40k, play Dawn of War: Dark Crusade on the PC. After playing that I became a huge table top fan, I loved the lore, the aesthetics and the WAAAAAAGH.

 

[KingGolem]

Ah, of course, I had not considered there being an RTS. That seems like a good starting point. I will get a book as well. I like books. Thank you all for your expertise, I have some shopping to do.

 

[yaoi1990fan]

I would suggest the Commissar Kain Hero of The Imperium book if you like long novels but if you are trying to get in to the tabletop, try ebay and of course Games Workshop.
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/

For the Greater good of Tau!

 

[Kollega]

I'll suggest...

[HEADING=1]COMISSAR CHIAPAS CAIN, HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!!![/HEADING]

Okay, i didn't read anything 40k, but i heard that COMISSAR CHIAPAS CAIN, HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!!! is a good read. As far as i'm concerned, the dark military comedy is the only thing that can be done well in 40k. It's just too bloody ridiculous to take seriously.

And don't even try to get into tabletop game itself if you don't have disposable income worthy of Scrooge McDuck.

EDIT: Uh-oh, ninja'd on COMISSAR CHIAPAS CAIN, HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!!!

 

[FeetOfClay]

Another vote for *ahem* CIAPHAS CAIN: HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!, well written and funny. But best advice is to find an army you like the look of, and get their rulebook and a few models. The codex have lots of background info and a few in character stories and quotes and even if you never end up playing, painting a model or two can be very rewarding.

 

[AnAngryMoose]

I would suggest the Horus Heresy series and Dan Abnett's Gaunt's Ghosts series as excellent starting points. Great reading there.

The Horus Heresy series is an amazing set of books! Oh, and after you read it start collecting Chaos Space Marines. That skull throne won't collect more skulls by itself, you know!

 

[sms_117b]

> Read the Horus Heresy books
> Pick up a White Dwarf or two, preferably one with a 40K battle, and read through that to see how the games played well.
> Pop into Games workshop and look around, give yourself a buget before you go in and come out with some basic paint colours and a small (Tacticle) squad to paint just to see what it's like doing the modelling.
> Pick up a Codex for your prefered army
> Build and paint away
> Get some battling done
> MODIFY/CONVERT, the most fun bit of warhammer is doing some original stuff, but you can't really use the custom stuff in battles unless you've either use basic model rules or wrote rules that your opponent read over and agreed to.