Description

In the dreary darkness of the distant future, conflict reigns supreme.

The vast cosmos trembles in the iron grip of unending war. The Imperium stands on the precipice of extinction, besieged from all directions by heretical warlords, sorcerous witches, and voracious alien empires. The Great Rift, a gaping wound torn through the Emperor’s realm, oozes madness and mutation, staining the fabric of reality.

In every corner of the galaxy, battles rage with escalating ferocity as loyalists, heretics, and aliens vie for supremacy, tearing the very fabric of existence asunder in their quest for dominance. Each passing day brings higher flames – this era is darker and more dreadful than ever, with no respite amongst the stars…

The Book
This 280-page hardback tome serves as an indispensable guide to Warhammer 40,000, encompassing all aspects of collecting, assembling, painting, and engaging in battles with Citadel miniatures in the bleak setting of the 41st Millennium.

Within its pages, you will find a comprehensive overview of the Warhammer 40,000 hobby, core rules for various sizes of skirmishes and epic Onslaught games, and an immersive introduction to the rich and desolate universe, complete with captivating lore, breathtaking illustrations, and a detailed look at the factions entangled in eternal conflict in the distant future.

THE WARHAMMER 40,000 HOBBY
The book commences with an exploration of the hobby’s essence through its four pillars – Collect, Build, Paint, and Play. Delve into the art of starting your Citadel miniatures collection, discover the techniques of building and painting models, and uncover resources and tools to enhance your experience. Begin your journey as a commander with insights on where and why players engage in thrilling tabletop battles of Warhammer 40,000, showcased through a Battle Report between two armies, and an overview of different play styles – from self-contained Combat Patrols to competitive Chapter Approved games and narrative Crusade campaigns.

DARK IMPERIUM
This extensive lore section unveils the foreboding atmosphere of the 41st Millennium. A distant future dominated by a crumbling, corrupted Human empire, safeguarded by doomed heroes and besieged by threats from all sides, its history steeped in ignorance, bloodshed, and the sinister chuckles of malevolent deities.

The first part of this guide delves into the decaying Imperium and the tumultuous galaxy it inhabits – the eternal God-Emperor sitting upon his Golden Throne, the ruling High Lords and bureaucratic Adeptus organizations, the fanatical Ecclesiarchy preaching the Imperial faith, the enigmatic Inquisition, and the superhuman Space Marines who wage battles beyond mortal comprehension. Explore the warp, a nightmarish realm fueling psychic mutations and warp travel, the nefarious Chaos Gods reigning over its limitless depths, the heretical cults serving them, and the Great Rift cleaving realspace asunder.

The latter half delves into the turbulence of history, from myth-shrouded origins to apocalyptic conflicts of the present. Trace Humanity’s evolution through Ages of Terra and Technology, the tumultuous Ages of Strife and Darkness, to the Age of the Imperium. Uncover the superstitions fueling Imperial worship of lost technology and abhorrence of aliens and mutants, the Great Crusade uniting Humanity under the Emperor, the Horus Heresy sparking galactic conflagration, and the millennia of warfare shaping the Imperium.

Step into the Era Indomitus – marked by the emergence of the Great Rift, the rise of a new God of Death, and the rebirth of Primarch Roboute Guilliman. As the Lord Regent spearheads the Indomitus Crusade to restore the fading Imperium, a psychic awakening heralds a sinister Age of Witches, while Abaddon the Despoiler, aided by daemonic demigod Vashtorr and their Arks of Omen, plunges the galaxy into chaos. The return of Primarch Lion El’Jonson only delays inevitable catastrophe, while the resurgent Hive Fleet Leviathan threatens to consume the galaxy.

FACTIONS
Delve into the diverse factions embroiled in the conflict of Warhammer 40,000, with detailed background narratives, strategic insights, and miniature showcases of their Combat Patrols. From the stalwart Armies of the Imperium such as mighty Space Marine Chapters, Astra Militarum, Adeptus Mechanicus, Adepta Sororitas, and Adeptus Custodes, to the heretical Forces of Chaos including Traitor Legions, Heretic Astartes, and malevolent Chaos Daemons. Explore the insidious Xenos Threat posed by brutal Orks, mercenary Leagues of Votann, expansionist T’au Empire, ancient Aeldari and Drukhari, inscrutable Necrons, and ravenous Tyranids with their Genestealer Cults.

CORE RULES
The Warhammer 40,000 Core Rules encompass everything needed to wage epic battles across the war-torn galaxy of the 41st Millennium. These foundational rules serve games of all scales and types, providing a basis for use with other supplements.

Uncover the fundamental principles and core concepts of Warhammer 40,000, understand the datasheets and characteristics of your models, and grasp the rules governing the five phases of the game: Command, Movement, Shooting, Charge, and Fight. Explore Stratagems and abilities utilized by all armies, along with additional rules for elements like Strategic Reserves, terrain features, and aircraft.

Moreover, learn how to assemble an army, deploy your models for battle, seize objectives for victory, and engage in the mission – Only War – to commence playing promptly.

COMBAT PATROL
Combat Patrol offers an ideal starting point for Warhammer 40,000 gameplay. Swift, easy to learn, and leveraging Core Rules, this mode supports tactical clashes lasting approximately an hour, utilizing only the contents of Combat Patrol boxes. Each force features unique, self-contained rules accessible online and in other publications, furnishing all necessary resources for gameplay. This section provides an introduction to Combat Patrol gameplay, delineates the Battle Ready painting standard, and presents six diverse Combat Patrol missions – Clash of Patrols, Archeotech Recovery, Forward Outpost, Scorched Earth, Sweeping Raid, and Display of Might – each featuring distinct objectives, mission rules, and deployment maps for varied gaming experiences.

The book concludes with a separate index for the Core Rules, offering a convenient reference for use during gameplay.