Warhammer 40k

[Rick The Stick]

I'm new to Warhammer and while I was never much of a TTRPG guy I've always loved reading and the whole grimdark style worldbuilding has been quite intriguing to me, however there are so many books and I'm unsure where to really start. What would any of you recommend to a total beginner?

Legion

 

[DiabeticSydePhil]

What would any of you recommend to a total beginner?

This is impossible to answer because 40k is a setting, not a series.

There's so many novels and all are different. Themes, style, factions, genre.

You gotta give us some of what you like or are interested in so we can direct you to the most relevant novels.

However, generally, if you know nothing.

Eisenhorn - small scale (relatively) cloak and dagger political thriller and perpetually in print because it's that good and iconic. An Inquisitor investigates a conspiracy. Good introduction since its fairly self contained and the trilogy requires no background info.

Horus Heresy Books 1-5 - a prequel and introduction to the Greek tragedy character study that is the prequel setting. Epic space opera in scope.

Plague Wars (Dark Imperium) - introduction to 'current' plot and the return of Guilliman. Covers major factions and characters from things like Space Marines (and primaris), Custodes, Guard, Sisters of Battle, humans in general (a cool psychopathic as shit priest), and Chaos Demons/Death Guard. Introduces things to new readers as you go, fairly epic in scope, and features a mix of character moments and pure unhinged bolter porn set pieces.


Infinite and Divine - necron dark comedy/tragedy. Iconic novel. Doesn't require much background as its set over such a vast time period.

Helsreach - God's grumpiest warrior sulks about as Black Templars murder orks in a hopeless siege because fuck it they're taking xenos to hell with them. Another iconic novel, the audiobook fucks.


Otherwise go 'X faction seems neat' and we can direct you to the good stuff. Warhammer crime, grimdark psychological horror, dumbass action movies. The novels have it all.

 

[Professor Donger]

I'm new to Warhammer and while I was never much of a TTRPG guy I've always loved reading and the whole grimdark style worldbuilding has been quite intriguing to me, however there are so many books and I'm unsure where to really start. What would any of you recommend to a total beginner?

Like Diabeticsyde said it's a big setting and it's kind of hard to recommend stuff to people.

The Horus Heresy's first five books are a good starting point if you want to look into the early days of the setting (30k instead of 40k.)



Some other books that he didn't recommend.

Gaunt's Ghosts for Guard is a great read, and is a Guard-focused novel centered around Commissar Ibram Gaunt and his regiment of Tanith First and Only Guardsmen.

Fifteen Hours is another great guard novel that really sets the tone for the setting.

For Astartes, I'd say the Ultramarine Omnibus is always a good place to start, even if it is a bit dated. Helsreach, as was recommended above, Rynns World, Dante etc.

In general though Warhammer is pretty easy to get into novel wise, just find a faction you enjoy and find a book you like for them.

 

[dame dudi jench]

Daemonculaba is totally a thing chaos would do. Just not a thing Iron Warriors seem like they'd do.

Implication is a coward's way out. If you're going to have something, have it. Tip-toeing around the truth or what you're going for is for mystery novels. This is a setting where people get turned into drugs to snort and babies get turned into flying robots.

(1) yeah, a dadmonculaba is totally something chaos would do. But if you follow what chaos would do to its logical conclusions every depiction of chaos would be a cross between a Serbian Film and Precious and Trainspotting, and few ppl actually want that.
What most people mostly want is Saturday morning cartoon or pirate villainy with some horror tossed in. Chaos is at its most fun when it's camp and not mean-spirited. Metal bawkses!

(2)

 

[daniel day]

ewww
how can you even think that

fat bitches are gross
daemonic pregnant fat bitches?
how can your mind possibly go to sex?

Im making fun of you for this lmao:

the 1:1 daemonculaba-type stuff is literal gore porn, the person writing it was getting off and anyone who enjoys it is getting off at experiencing women suffering in close to real time.

 

[God of Nothing]

What most people mostly want is Saturday morning cartoon or pirate villainy with some horror tossed in. Chaos is at its most fun when it's camp and not mean-spirited. Metal bawkses!

it can be both
i've turned your cat into a daemon with quill fur that really want to cuddle you to death

Im making fun of you for this lmao:

reject fat bitches
embrace vegetables

 

[Kane Lives]

Like Diabeticsyde said it's a big setting and it's kind of hard to recommend stuff to people.

The Horus Heresy's first five books are a good starting point if you want to look into the early days of the setting (30k instead of 40k.)

Ver archivo adjunto 9189815

Some other books that he didn't recommend.

Gaunt's Ghosts for Guard is a great read, and is a Guard-focused novel centered around Commissar Ibram Gaunt and his regiment of Tanith First and Only Guardsmen.

Fifteen Hours is another great guard novel that really sets the tone for the setting.

For Astartes, I'd say the Ultramarine Omnibus is always a good place to start, even if it is a bit dated. Helsreach, as was recommended above, Rynns World, Dante etc.

In general though Warhammer is pretty easy to get into novel wise, just find a faction you enjoy and find a book you like for them.

Obligatory mention for the first Ciaphas Cain omnibus for a more Blackadder pisstake on the setting. (It's still serious, mind, but the POV character does not wallow in the grimderp and is fairly self aware.).