Warhammer is a popular franchise that encompasses a variety of tabletop games,
video games, novels, and other forms of media, primarily set in dystopian, high-
fantasy, and science fiction universes. The franchise is best known for its
tabletop wargames, in which players engage in tactical battles with miniature
armies. It was originally created by Games Workshop, a British company, and has
grown into one of the most iconic and influential franchises in gaming.
1. Warhammer Fantasy Battles (Warhammer Fantasy)
The original Warhammer Fantasy Battles was first released in 1983. Set in a dark
medieval world where magic, mythical creatures, and wars between various factions
are common, it introduced players to a fantasy setting filled with orcs, elves,
humans, dwarves, and chaos gods. The game is played with miniatures representing
different units, and players use dice and rulers to simulate combat, moving troops
and casting spells in a strategic and tactical manner.
Notable factions in Warhammer Fantasy include:
The Empire: A human-led nation fighting to hold back the forces of chaos and
other threats.
High Elves: Noble, ancient elves with magical abilities and skilled armies.
Chaos: A malevolent force of dark gods, demons, and monstrous beings,
constantly seeking to corrupt and destroy the world.
Dwarfs: A stalwart, industrious race of warriors and craftsmen, resistant to
magic and chaos.
The Warhammer Fantasy setting is known for its grimdark tone, where wars are
constant, and the forces of evil often seem overwhelming. The game features large-
scale battles, and the rules evolve with each new edition.
In 2015, Warhammer Fantasy Battles was replaced by Warhammer: Age of Sigmar, which
introduced a new storyline and world, but the original setting's legacy still lives
on.
2. Warhammer 40,000 (Warhammer 40K)
Warhammer 40,000, often abbreviated as Warhammer 40K, is a science fiction
counterpart to Warhammer Fantasy. It was introduced in 1987 and is set in a
dystopian far future (around 40,000 years from the present) where humanity is
locked in an endless war against various alien races, heretics, and demons.
In the Warhammer 40K universe, the Imperium of Man is an authoritarian, religious,
and militaristic empire, led by the God-Emperor of Mankind. This empire is
constantly under siege by numerous threats, including:
Orks: A warlike, brutish alien race that thrives on conflict and destruction.
Eldar: An ancient, near-extinct race with advanced technology and psychic
abilities.
Tyranids: A hive-minded, insectoid alien race that consumes all organic life in
their path.
Chaos Space Marines: Once noble warriors of the Imperium, they now serve the
chaos gods in a quest for domination and destruction.
Necrons: Ancient, mechanical beings who were once flesh but are now immortal,
seeking to reclaim their galaxy.
Tau: A technologically advanced but idealistic alien race that strives to unite
the galaxy under their "Greater Good."
The tone of Warhammer 40,000 is famously grimdark, with the tagline "In the grim
darkness of the far future, there is only war" encapsulating its philosophy. The
game is known for its sprawling lore, epic battles, and the complexity of its
factions and rules.
3. Miniature Wargaming
Both Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40K are miniature wargames. Players assemble
and paint detailed miniatures representing soldiers, vehicles, and creatures. The
game is played on a tabletop battlefield, using dice and tape measures to resolve
combat and movement. Each player's army is typically built around a specific
faction, and the success of a player's army depends on their ability to
outmaneuver, outthink, and outfight their opponent.
4. Video Games
The Warhammer universe has been adapted into numerous video games across different
genres. Some of the most well-known include:
Dawn of War (for Warhammer 40K): A series of real-time strategy games that
capture the tactics and grand battles of the 40K universe.
Total War: Warhammer: A series that merges the strategic gameplay of Total War
with the Warhammer Fantasy world, allowing players to command armies in large-scale
tactical battles.
Warhammer: Vermintide: A first-person action game set in the Warhammer Fantasy
universe, where players fight hordes of rat-men, known as Skaven.
Space Marine: A third-person shooter that lets players step into the boots of a
Space Marine, battling chaos forces in the 40K universe.
5. Books and Novels
The Warhammer franchise has an extensive collection of novels, many of which are
set in both the Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40K universes. These novels delve
deeper into the histories and personal stories of characters, factions, and epic
battles that occur within the worlds. Notable authors include Dan Abnett, Gav
Thorpe, and William King.
6. The Grimdark Setting
Both the Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40K universes are defined by their
"grimdark" tone. This term describes a setting where the world is harsh, and there
is little hope. In Warhammer 40K, the Imperium is a totalitarian state where
individual freedom is sacrificed for survival against countless threats.
Corruption, heresy, and betrayal are constant themes, and the line between good and
evil is often blurred. In Warhammer Fantasy, the world is constantly on the brink
of destruction due to the influence of dark gods, and the forces of evil are
relentless.
7. Warhammer Community
The Warhammer community is massive, with millions of fans worldwide. They are known
for their dedication to painting miniatures, creating custom armies, and discussing
the ever-expanding lore. Games Workshop also supports its fanbase with events like
Warhammer Fest, Grand Tournaments, and conventions that showcase new releases and
offer opportunities for fans to meet each other.
Conclusion
Warhammer is more than just a game; it's a cultural phenomenon that spans decades
of history. Its deeply immersive lore, strategic gameplay, and rich universe
continue to capture the imagination of fans worldwide. Whether through the tactical
gameplay of Warhammer 40K, the magical battles of Warhammer Fantasy, or the many
other adaptations in media, Warhammer remains a key player in the world of gaming
and storytelling.
