Warhammer 40K.

[Warlokk]

I'll add my recommendation of Ravenor and Eisenhorn, they are both fantastic as far as the non-army stuff... actually anything from Dan Abnett is highly recommended. Also Graham McNeil.

The really awesome part is there are a whole lot of omnibuses out now that contain entire trilogies of great material, for only about $12. With so many authors and types of stories out there, these will at least let you choose one and get a good healthy chunk of it all at once. Space Wolves, Ultramarines, Gaunt's Ghosts (Imperial Guard), Ravenor (Inquisition), Eisenhorn (more Inquisition, Ravenor's mentor)... there's just so much. One warning though... once you start, you may not be able to stop... I have entire shelves dedicated just to Black Library novels.

Oh, and the Horus Heresy is fantastic if you really want to understand the backstory of the Imperium... some are better than others, but overall the whole series is great.

 

[Versuvius]

Oh. Titanicus and Mechanicum. Both gave me nerd boners.

 

[Iwata]

Alright, I'm gonna go a bit out of the norm here, but seriously, I'd recommend the 5th edition Rulebook. It has a comprehensive, well-detailed section on the universe's background and races, and it's the best place to get a first-contact for the overall feel of the setting.

A lot of people have been recommending the Horus Heresy series, and rightly so. They are the best 40k (well, 30K, technically) series of books out there, but they are not intended for a first look at the universe. In fact, it assumes you have some detailed knowledge of the background and its characters, like most retroactively-told origins stories.

 

[Midnight Llamaman]

Alright, I'm gonna go a bit out of the norm here, but seriously, I'd recommend the 5th edition Rulebook. It has a comprehensive, well-detailed section on the universe's background and races, and it's the best place to get a first-contact for the overall feel of the setting.

Yeah this is actually a pretty good bet, surprisingly. It's a good catch-all, plus if you ever decide to give the tabletop game a go you've got the exhaustive go to book already (rather than the mini-cliffsnotes in the Black Reach box).

A lot of people have been recommending the Horus Heresy series, and rightly so. They are the best 40k (well, 30K, technically) series of books out there, but they are not intended for a first look at the universe. In fact, it assumes you have some detailed knowledge of the background and its characters, like most retroactively-told origins stories.

In addition to this if you can find a copy of The Horus Heresy Collected Visions: Iconic Images of the Imperium, Betrayal and War it's worth it, once you know a little about the HH/40k Universe as a whole. Not only do you get a lot of art but you get a lot of information along with it about pretty much everything of that era.

 

[Meteor4118]

You know I heard that the reason the new codexes are so messed up is that they literally just pick the guys in the GW offices that play those armies, and have them write the books. Which is why some armies are really fluff heavy, and some armies rock out with their rules out.

 

[Nouw]

Wait..............
..................
..................
..............what?

Aren't the Necrons souless robotic zombies, why would they ally with the Space Marines?

From what I've read, they're not all loyal to C'tan and some are actually sentient.

 

[Kraj]

Lots of love for Ciaphas Cain out there...
I prefer the darker aspect, find something involving Eliphas or an Ork Warboss. >_>
kinda more my style.

 

[Midnight Llamaman]

You know I heard that the reason the new codexes are so messed up is that they literally just pick the guys in the GW offices that play those armies, and have them write the books. Which is why some armies are really fluff heavy, and some armies rock out with their rules out.

Well no, they have certain people in charge of Codexes (Graham McNeill used to write some when he was still there, for example - as a game developer/background writer) rather than picking some bloke that plays Ultrasmurfs. It's just that some of them (Matt Ward) are crazy in the head, which is why GK's will now pretty much stomp any other army (and are near immune to plasma weapons).

 

[Valkyrie101]

The Ultramarines are the quintessential example of a perfect Codex chapter and the most important and well-respected of them all, but they're not better per se, just more famous.

I've understood that the reason for the Ultramarines having such a high profile was more to do with the luck of the draw, really. I think it was the Alpha Legion (or one of the traitor legions, I forget exactly which one) was tasked with running a delaying action against the Ultra's in the Galactic south, which was largely successful. By the time they really got into the fight the siege of Terra was over and it was more mopping up than anything else. So while the other chapters where hurting for supplies and recruits, the Ultramarines were relatively well equipped and manned, leaving Guileman in prime position to take over the task of reorganising the legions.

Or something like that. I don't recall much of the post-siege stuff.

Yes, that's one of the major reasons why the Ultramarines were able to introduce the concept of standardised Codex chapters. Though I think they were very organised and efficient anyway, and no other Primarch would have written the Codex and demanded the others to follow its teachings - or if they had, it would have been very different. But if the Ultramarines had gone to Isstvaan V and been mauled, Guilliman wouldn't have had the time, or the ability to enforce compliance.

 

[Sir Shockwave]

Just avoid anything Matthew Ward has ever written and you'll be fine.

 

[SckizoBoy]

Just avoid anything Matthew Ward has ever written and you'll be fine.

Thankfully he's only ever written codex fluff... so no worries about having his grubby mitts on any novels.

Yes, that's one of the major reasons why the Ultramarines were able to introduce the concept of standardised Codex chapters. Though I think they were very organised and efficient anyway, and no other Primarch would have written the Codex and demanded the others to follow its teachings - or if they had, it would have been very different. But if the Ultramarines had gone to Isstvaan V and been mauled, Guilliman wouldn't have had the time, or the ability to enforce compliance.

That's quite a difficult one to call, in all honesty, because the dropsite massacre was what five traitor legions vs three loyalist legions. And bear in mind that the only two twenty-thousand plus legions were the Word Bearers and Ultramarines, and the latter were much larger, so they would've only committed part of their strength. Still, what would've happened after is subject to debate, but if they had been there, then the fight would've been much more even.

 

[Sir Shockwave]

Just avoid anything Matthew Ward has ever written and you'll be fine.

Thankfully he's only ever written codex fluff... so no worries about having his grubby mitts on any novels.

So far...but I still have nightmares every night about the horrors and Stilton flavored cheese inflicted on the Grey Knights. And now the Black Templars. And possibly the Necrons. And as someone in the store was telling me today, and now the Tau.

Still, I suppose we should be thankful he hasn't touched Novels...yet (or has he? How do we know he and C.S. Goto aren't the same guy? - ED).

For good Novel authors with a decent understanding, I'd point you in the direction of Graham McNeil. For good Codex's, possibly Phil Kelly or (if he can lay off the Assualt 20 weapons for five minutes) Robin Cruddance. And for good games, depends. I'd say either the Dawn of War franchise or possibly SPHESS MAREEN (if it's any good - so far it just resembles a 40K skinned God of War clone. At least they got the weapons right for once).

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Snip

People don't hate the Ultramarines. I love Marneus Calgar with his double power fists. People hate what Matt Ward did to them. The books by Graham McNeil are great supplements that give them character, but Ward is totally useless and destructive to canon.

 

[warrcry13]

Horus Heresy Gaunt's Ghosts or Caiaphus Caine would all be good starting points. Eisenhorn and Ravenor were good too.

I personally started out with Dawn of War 1 that's what got me into it. Now I'm a fanatic. I'd go with DoW2 though.




My captcha is skid row...... That sounds uncomfortable.

 

[Testosticore]

While I dont think the first Dawn of War would be an ACCURATE starting point, being that the Space Marines are hardly better than Gaurdsmen squads, it certainly is a very fun starting point. 2 beefed out gaurdsmen squads versus a beefed out space marine squad and the gaurdsmen win. Space marines are supposed to be worth a hundred gaurdsmen, not 2. Anyways, if youre looking for the most authentic experience, I'd go for Dawn of War 2. You really get a feel for how everything works, how they view certain enemies, how they stand against the other races. But it certainly is smaller, as in smaller armies, maps, unit choice, etc.

As for books, I'd definitely say Gaunts Ghosts or Ciaphas Cain.

 

[Weaver]

Just don't read Matt Ward unless you like monkeys in your army of demon hunters.
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=&prodId=prod1140066a

To be fair, the Jokaero were talked about for a long time and were even in Rogue Trader. Hoever, I still have no bloody idea why they are in the Grey Knights army as they are a different race. GK being known for their extrodanary xenophobia and distrust of all.

 

[SckizoBoy]

So far...but I still have nightmares every night about the horrors and Stilton flavored cheese inflicted on the Grey Knights. And now the Black Templars. And possibly the Necrons. And as someone in the store was telling me today, and now the Tau.

Still, I suppose we should be thankful he hasn't touched Novels...yet (or has he? How do we know he and C.S. Goto aren't the same guy? - ED).

For good Novel authors with a decent understanding, I'd point you in the direction of Graham McNeil. For good Codex's, possibly Phil Kelly or (if he can lay off the Assualt 20 weapons for five minutes) Robin Cruddance. And for good games, depends. I'd say either the Dawn of War franchise or possibly SPHESS MAREEN (if it's any good - so far it just resembles a 40K skinned God of War clone. At least they got the weapons right for once).

LOL, he and CS Goto are the two personae of a manic schizophrenic, one can't stop coming up with crazy shit while the other can't come up with anything!

Oh yeah, I met Graham McNeil at Oxford Street Plaza GW when he was signing for the latest HH novel a couple years ago. A nice genial chat we had as well. Anyway, him and Dan Abnett (though with his you really do need to know your fluff) are the best IMO, while James Swallow, Ben Counter and someone else I can't remember the name of are pretty good too.

And as for codices, yeah, I like Phil Kelly's stuff. I wonder what the SM would be like if he did their codex...

Oh, as for Space Marine, they've put in a new weapon, some mine-launching-thing. The combat's going to be more varied that GoW, though I'm wondering if you get to play as the other squad members as opposed to just the VetSerge.

 

[GonzoGamer]

I would try and find some of the old codexes (like around 3rd edition) on ebay for cheap. Not just the army codexes but the campaign codexes like Eye of Terror. I miss Lost & the Damned.
Great bathroom reading.
They aren't still available in stores but you should try and download some of the really old books like Rogue Trader, Waaaa The Orks, and 'Ere We Go.

 

[Salad Is Murder]

Snip

People don't hate the Ultramarines. I love Marneus Calgar with his double power fists. People hate what Matt Ward did to them. The books by Graham McNeil are great supplements that give them character, but Ward is totally useless and destructive to canon.

Actually, everyone does hate the Ultramarines...even GW. My husband and I used to own a store that sold GW stuffs and he would be chatting with the GW guys about how even the Ultramarines players are ashamed to play Ultramarines. I think one of the lines was like: "Derpy durr, I'mma' paint'em just like I see onna' box!". But yeah, Ward fluff isn't really helping that image except here's the trick.

READ EVERY CODEX'S FLUFF LIKE IT'S A PROPAGANDA ARTICLE FOR ITS ARMY. Take this for example:

Link should be safe, but keep an eye open if you're at work
[link]http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Who_Watches_Them[/link]

Also, Damnation Crusade (comic book mini series) is a really good piece of work.

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

Snip

People don't hate the Ultramarines. I love Marneus Calgar with his double power fists. People hate what Matt Ward did to them. The books by Graham McNeil are great supplements that give them character, but Ward is totally useless and destructive to canon.

Oh. Wow.

I honestly never knew Ward existed. This makes so much more sense now. I always thought people hated them because they are so by the book in terms of laws and tactics.

Glad to know there are lot's of fans of McNeil!