In the grim darkness of the distant future, there is only war.
The galaxy writhes in the metal clutches of all-out war. The Imperium is on the brink of annihilation, besieged on all sides by heretical warlords, witches, demons, and opportunistic alien empires. The Great Rift tears the void, a jagged wound at the heart of the Emperor's realm that bleeds madness and mutation.
Across all star systems and planets the battle rages fiercer than ever as loyalists, heretics, and aliens tear reality itself apart in their war for dominance. Every day the flames rise higher: this is the most terrible era in history, and there is no peace among the stars...
The book
This 280-page hardcover book is an essential guide to Warhammer 40,000, containing everything you need to know to collect, assemble, paint and play Citadel miniatures in the bleak darkness of the 41st millennium.
Find an overview of the Warhammer 40,000 hobby in all its aspects, the basic rules for playing battles ranging from small skirmishes to giant Offensive matches, and an in-depth introduction to the rich and dark setting thanks to exciting background, illustrations and photographs narcotics and an evocative overview of every single faction engaged in the wars of the distant future.
THE WARHAMMER 40,000 HOBBY
The book opens with an introduction to this fantastic hobby, divided into four cornerstones: Collecting, Assembling, Painting and Playing. You'll discover how to start your own collection of Citadel miniatures, how hobbyists assemble and paint their own models, and get tips on what tools to use and what guides will help you further. You'll also begin your adventure as a commander with an overview of how, where and why players battle each other in dynamic battles on the tabletops of Warhammer 40,000, a Tale of War between two armies, and an explanation of the various playstyles: the format structured Combat Patrol, the Capitulum Adprobavit competitive matches and the Crusade narrative campaigns.
DARK IMPERIUM
This in-depth background section provides you with a portal into the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. It is a distant future dominated by an oppressive and corrupt human empire, whose unstable borders are defended by doomed heroes and threatened from both within and without. The history of the Imperium is marked by ignorance and slaughter and the laughter of thirsty gods.
The first part of this guide explores the decadent Imperium and the galaxy in which it is located: the long-dead God Emperor who sits eternally on his Golden Throne, the High Lords and the bureaucracy that rules in his name, the fanatical Ecclesiarchy who preaches the Imperial faith, the mysterious all-seeing Ordo of the Inquisition, and the post-human Space Marines who fight wars that no one else could survive. You will also discover the hellish dimension known as the Warp, which fuels mutations and interstellar travel, the mad Gods of Chaos who dominate its infinite depths, the blasphemous cults who serve them, and the Great Rift that divides real space in half.
There's also a double-sided galaxy map highlighting major planets, systems, war zones and warp storms.
The second half delves into the history of the setting, from the myth-shrouded past to the apocalyptic clashes of the present. You will find a timeline of the development of Humanity, up to the Age of Imperium. You will explore the superstitions that fuel the Imperium's adoration of lost technology and its fear and hatred of aliens and mutants, the Great Crusade with which the Emperor sought to reunite Humanity, the Horus Heresy that ignited the galaxy and the millennia of war and loss that shaped the Imperium.
Finally, you will enter the Indomitus Age, marked by the opening of the Great Rift, the birth of a new God of Death, and the resurrection of the Primarch Roboute Guilliman. As the new Lord Ruler's Indomitus Crusade attempts to reunite a dying Imperium, a psychic awakening heralds a terrifying Age of the Witches, and Abaddon the Destroyer haunts the galaxy with the help of the demonic demigod Vashtorr and his Arks of Omens. The return of Lion El'Jonson, the Emperor's First Primarch, only delays total disaster, and with the renewed attack of Hive Fleet Leviathan, the galaxy may turn into nothing more than fodder for the alien swarms.
FACTIONS
Explore each of the factions that go to war in Warhammer 40,000, with detailed background information, tactical descriptions and a showcase of miniatures of their Battle Patrols. The assembled Armies of the Imperium include the mighty Space Marine Chapters, the ranks of the Astra Militarum, the fanatical cults of Adeptus Mechanicus and Adepta Sororitas, and the golden guardians known as the Adeptus Custodes. The blasphemous Forces of Chaos are composed of the ancient Traitor Legions and more recent Heretic Astartes, as well as the supernatural Demons of Chaos. Finally, the insidious Xenon Threat ranges from the brutal Orks, the mercenary Votann Leagues and the expansionist T'au Empire, to the ancient Aeldari and Drukhari, the immortal Necrons and the ravenous Tyranids and their Genestealer Cults.
BASIC RULES
The Warhammer 40,000 Core Rules contain everything you need to know to launch into glorious battles in the war-torn galaxy of the 41st millennium. The core rules are used in games of all types and sizes, and are the foundation for other supplements.
You will learn the general principles and basic concepts of Warhammer 40,000, from the datasheets and characteristics used by your models, to the rules that apply to the five phases of the game: the Command phase, the Movement phase, the Shooting phase, the Charge phase and Combat phase. You'll also find Stratagems and abilities used by all armies, as well as additional rules for elements such as Strategic Reserves, terrain features and aircraft.
Finally, you will be able to read the rules for gathering your army, how to deploy your models in the game and how to conquer objectives to achieve victory. One mission (War Only) will allow you to start playing right away.
COMBAT PATROL
Combat Patrol is the ideal starting point for playing Warhammer 40,000. Quick and easy to learn, it uses the Basic Rules to allow you to play tactical engagements that shouldn't last more than an hour, using only the contents of the Combat Patrol boxes. Each of these forces has thematic rules that you can find online and in other publications, and provides you with everything you need to play. This section includes an introduction to the Combat Patrol game mode, an explanation of the Battle Ready paint standard, and six different Combat Patrol missions: Patrol Clash, Archeotech Recovery, Advanced Outpost, Sweep-Up, Demonstration of Power, and Scorched Earth; each has unique objectives, mission rules and a deployment map to provide you with a varied gaming experience.
The book ends with a separate index for the Basic Rules so you have a handy reference to use as you play.
The galaxy writhes in the metal clutches of all-out war. The Imperium is on the brink of annihilation, besieged on all sides by heretical warlords, witches, demons, and opportunistic alien empires. The Great Rift tears the void, a jagged wound at the heart of the Emperor's realm that bleeds madness and mutation.
Across all star systems and planets the battle rages fiercer than ever as loyalists, heretics, and aliens tear reality itself apart in their war for dominance. Every day the flames rise higher: this is the most terrible era in history, and there is no peace among the stars...
The book
This 280-page hardcover book is an essential guide to Warhammer 40,000, containing everything you need to know to collect, assemble, paint and play Citadel miniatures in the bleak darkness of the 41st millennium.
Find an overview of the Warhammer 40,000 hobby in all its aspects, the basic rules for playing battles ranging from small skirmishes to giant Offensive matches, and an in-depth introduction to the rich and dark setting thanks to exciting background, illustrations and photographs narcotics and an evocative overview of every single faction engaged in the wars of the distant future.
THE WARHAMMER 40,000 HOBBY
The book opens with an introduction to this fantastic hobby, divided into four cornerstones: Collecting, Assembling, Painting and Playing. You'll discover how to start your own collection of Citadel miniatures, how hobbyists assemble and paint their own models, and get tips on what tools to use and what guides will help you further. You'll also begin your adventure as a commander with an overview of how, where and why players battle each other in dynamic battles on the tabletops of Warhammer 40,000, a Tale of War between two armies, and an explanation of the various playstyles: the format structured Combat Patrol, the Capitulum Adprobavit competitive matches and the Crusade narrative campaigns.
DARK IMPERIUM
This in-depth background section provides you with a portal into the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. It is a distant future dominated by an oppressive and corrupt human empire, whose unstable borders are defended by doomed heroes and threatened from both within and without. The history of the Imperium is marked by ignorance and slaughter and the laughter of thirsty gods.
The first part of this guide explores the decadent Imperium and the galaxy in which it is located: the long-dead God Emperor who sits eternally on his Golden Throne, the High Lords and the bureaucracy that rules in his name, the fanatical Ecclesiarchy who preaches the Imperial faith, the mysterious all-seeing Ordo of the Inquisition, and the post-human Space Marines who fight wars that no one else could survive. You will also discover the hellish dimension known as the Warp, which fuels mutations and interstellar travel, the mad Gods of Chaos who dominate its infinite depths, the blasphemous cults who serve them, and the Great Rift that divides real space in half.
There's also a double-sided galaxy map highlighting major planets, systems, war zones and warp storms.
The second half delves into the history of the setting, from the myth-shrouded past to the apocalyptic clashes of the present. You will find a timeline of the development of Humanity, up to the Age of Imperium. You will explore the superstitions that fuel the Imperium's adoration of lost technology and its fear and hatred of aliens and mutants, the Great Crusade with which the Emperor sought to reunite Humanity, the Horus Heresy that ignited the galaxy and the millennia of war and loss that shaped the Imperium.
Finally, you will enter the Indomitus Age, marked by the opening of the Great Rift, the birth of a new God of Death, and the resurrection of the Primarch Roboute Guilliman. As the new Lord Ruler's Indomitus Crusade attempts to reunite a dying Imperium, a psychic awakening heralds a terrifying Age of the Witches, and Abaddon the Destroyer haunts the galaxy with the help of the demonic demigod Vashtorr and his Arks of Omens. The return of Lion El'Jonson, the Emperor's First Primarch, only delays total disaster, and with the renewed attack of Hive Fleet Leviathan, the galaxy may turn into nothing more than fodder for the alien swarms.
FACTIONS
Explore each of the factions that go to war in Warhammer 40,000, with detailed background information, tactical descriptions and a showcase of miniatures of their Battle Patrols. The assembled Armies of the Imperium include the mighty Space Marine Chapters, the ranks of the Astra Militarum, the fanatical cults of Adeptus Mechanicus and Adepta Sororitas, and the golden guardians known as the Adeptus Custodes. The blasphemous Forces of Chaos are composed of the ancient Traitor Legions and more recent Heretic Astartes, as well as the supernatural Demons of Chaos. Finally, the insidious Xenon Threat ranges from the brutal Orks, the mercenary Votann Leagues and the expansionist T'au Empire, to the ancient Aeldari and Drukhari, the immortal Necrons and the ravenous Tyranids and their Genestealer Cults.
BASIC RULES
The Warhammer 40,000 Core Rules contain everything you need to know to launch into glorious battles in the war-torn galaxy of the 41st millennium. The core rules are used in games of all types and sizes, and are the foundation for other supplements.
You will learn the general principles and basic concepts of Warhammer 40,000, from the datasheets and characteristics used by your models, to the rules that apply to the five phases of the game: the Command phase, the Movement phase, the Shooting phase, the Charge phase and Combat phase. You'll also find Stratagems and abilities used by all armies, as well as additional rules for elements such as Strategic Reserves, terrain features and aircraft.
Finally, you will be able to read the rules for gathering your army, how to deploy your models in the game and how to conquer objectives to achieve victory. One mission (War Only) will allow you to start playing right away.
COMBAT PATROL
Combat Patrol is the ideal starting point for playing Warhammer 40,000. Quick and easy to learn, it uses the Basic Rules to allow you to play tactical engagements that shouldn't last more than an hour, using only the contents of the Combat Patrol boxes. Each of these forces has thematic rules that you can find online and in other publications, and provides you with everything you need to play. This section includes an introduction to the Combat Patrol game mode, an explanation of the Battle Ready paint standard, and six different Combat Patrol missions: Patrol Clash, Archeotech Recovery, Advanced Outpost, Sweep-Up, Demonstration of Power, and Scorched Earth; each has unique objectives, mission rules and a deployment map to provide you with a varied gaming experience.
The book ends with a separate index for the Basic Rules so you have a handy reference to use as you play.