Warhammer 40k

Seananigans

Seananigans

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I’ve always been enamored of WH40k lore, but it has always felt unapproachable. Not really sure why, probably because it began just as the background lore for a minis war game as opposed to stories from shows/movies/games.

Anyway, for someone who’s very interested in learning more, where should I begin? Any good novels that do a solid job of laying groundwork and don’t require a bunch of pre-knowledge? Any particular vidya games that do a good job of explaining the lore, good stories, etc?

It kinda feels like the lore of Dark Souls or Elden Ring, but without the game to immerse myself in to absorb it. Yeah, I realize there are tons of games that have licensed the IP, but that’s not the same as the lore originating in a game by the creators. Hence the feeling of unapproachability.
 
Daidraco

Daidraco

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Seananigans said:
I’ve always been enamored of WH40k lore, but it has always felt unapproachable. Not really sure why, probably because it began just as the background lore for a minis war game as opposed to stories from shows/movies/games.

Anyway, for someone who’s very interested in learning more, where should I begin? Any good novels that do a solid job of laying groundwork and don’t require a bunch of pre-knowledge? Any particular vidya games that do a good job of explaining the lore, good stories, etc?

It kinda feels like the lore of Dark Souls or Elden Ring, but without the game to immerse myself in to absorb it. Yeah, I realize there are tons of games that have licensed the IP, but that’s not the same as the lore originating in a game by the creators. Hence the feeling of unapproachability.
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This guy's WH40k youtube channel is actually pretty good. Not only does he have lore videos etc., but some of his videos are tied directly to the units and the lore.

"PancreasNoWork" There are other WH guys out there, but .. even though its tied to action figures, he doesnt make it into some kind of child aged shit.
 
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Seananigans

Seananigans

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Daidraco said:
This guy's WH40k youtube channel is actually pretty good. Not only does he have lore videos etc., but some of his videos are tied directly to the units and the lore.

"PancreasNoWork" There are other WH guys out there, but .. even though its tied to action figures, he doesnt make it into some kind of child aged shit.
Click to expand...

Sweet thanks man, this dude seems right up my alley.
 
Dr.Retarded

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Seananigans said:
I’ve always been enamored of WH40k lore, but it has always felt unapproachable. Not really sure why, probably because it began just as the background lore for a minis war game as opposed to stories from shows/movies/games.

Anyway, for someone who’s very interested in learning more, where should I begin? Any good novels that do a solid job of laying groundwork and don’t require a bunch of pre-knowledge? Any particular vidya games that do a good job of explaining the lore, good stories, etc?

It kinda feels like the lore of Dark Souls or Elden Ring, but without the game to immerse myself in to absorb it. Yeah, I realize there are tons of games that have licensed the IP, but that’s not the same as the lore originating in a game by the creators. Hence the feeling of unapproachability.
Click to expand...
This guy also does some pretty neat videos about the stuff:

 
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Lasch

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I would recommend not diving into the Horus Heresy novels unless you're autistic + have a lot of time on your hands.
 
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Burren

Burren

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Seananigans said:
I’ve always been enamored of WH40k lore, but it has always felt unapproachable. Not really sure why, probably because it began just as the background lore for a minis war game as opposed to stories from shows/movies/games.

Anyway, for someone who’s very interested in learning more, where should I begin? Any good novels that do a solid job of laying groundwork and don’t require a bunch of pre-knowledge? Any particular vidya games that do a good job of explaining the lore, good stories, etc?

It kinda feels like the lore of Dark Souls or Elden Ring, but without the game to immerse myself in to absorb it. Yeah, I realize there are tons of games that have licensed the IP, but that’s not the same as the lore originating in a game by the creators. Hence the feeling of unapproachability.
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If you get into books, the Dan Abnett series are the best. Without exception.
- Eisenhorn trilogy
- Ravenor trilogy
- the Gaunt’s Ghost line of books

I tried the Horus Heresy series and most of the authors just aren’t good enough. Other people love them, however.
 
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Seananigans

Seananigans

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Thanks dudes, have plenty to dig into now! I think lore youtubes will probably be a good primer, then I’ll check out some of those books.

Anyone know if good audiobook versions have been made of them? I like to read books but I’m able to go much quicker in audiobook format because I can listen while I do other things. I’m a super slow reader because I reread and really absorb details and such, don’t like going fast, too much tism.
 
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Burren

Burren

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Seananigans said:
Thanks dudes, have plenty to dig into now! I think lore youtubes will probably be a good primer, then I’ll check out some of those books.

Anyone know if good audiobook versions have been made of them? I like to read books but I’m able to go much quicker in audiobook format because I can listen while I do other things. I’m a super slow reader because I reread and really absorb details and such, don’t like going fast, too much tism.
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Not sure about any audio version. Honestly, going slow with these will be beneficial because of the language used and the newness of the content to you.
 
CaughtCross

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Seananigans said:
Thanks dudes, have plenty to dig into now! I think lore youtubes will probably be a good primer, then I’ll check out some of those books.

Anyone know if good audiobook versions have been made of them? I like to read books but I’m able to go much quicker in audiobook format because I can listen while I do other things. I’m a super slow reader because I reread and really absorb details and such, don’t like going fast, too much tism.
Click to expand...

There are audio books for pretty much every Warhammer novel. I use audible and mainly just listen to 40k novels while driving.
 
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Lasch

Lasch

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I'm not sure how it would work as an introduction, but the Night Lord trilogy is easily my favorite. (Starts with Soul Hunter)

The Eisenhorn series is almost universally recommended, but I was not a fan of them.
 
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Sludig

Sludig

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If the books get heavy, I've always liked getting most of my dose from just the games, random Instagram reels, and can probably give full downloads of at least carrots old codexes, skip the roles and just scroll thru for fluff and pretty pictures
 
Burren

Burren

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Lasch said:
I'm not sure how it would work as an introduction, but the Night Lord trilogy is easily my favorite. (Starts with Soul Hunter)

The Eisenhorn series is almost universally recommended, but I was not a fan of them.
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Night Lird was also great. Fun to hear the other side’s perspective and it was well written.
 
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