The community of Warhammer is already huge, the franchise has fans worldwide. Especially for newcomers, entering the world that has developed over decades can be daunting. MeinMMO editor and Warhammer expert Benedict Grothaus suggests that if you have ever considered starting with Warhammer, now is the best time.
Yes, yes. The guy who claims that World of Warhammer would be the biggest MMO in a perfect world today is now explaining what makes Warhammer so great. Again. Big surprise, yadda yadda.
But this time I don’t just want to nerd out about how great (and wonderfully dystopian) Warhammer is. Because, in case you haven’t noticed: the franchise is currently better off than ever – and not just financially.
For several years now, Games Workshop, the company behind Warhammer, has been expanding the various worlds of Warhammer. The innovations include tabletop games, but also series, planned films, and especially video games.
If you’ve only heard casually about the world or are looking for a new setting – whether Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or something in between – you should get into Warhammer now. Because those who start now will have a lot to look forward to and catch up on over the coming years.
A bunch of top games are already playable, and even more are coming soon
Let’s start with video games, since I still haven’t managed to rename us to MeinWarhammer. By the end of 2024 with the release of Space Marine 2, Warhammer will be a household name for all gamers.
The Warhammer universe currently offers more good and especially new games than ever before, which can be started without much prior knowledge. They all have one important thing in common: the games themselves are already great, lore is not essential. But those who engage with the lore or want to do so will find a much deeper experience in the game. Here are some examples of different genres:
- the aforementioned Space Marine 2, a co-op shooter based on missions, primarily with PvE content, but also with an optional PvP mode; ideal if you want to play as a genetically enhanced super soldier
- Rogue Trader, a role-playing game and probably the best way to dive into the world of Warhammer 40,000; perfect for story lovers
- for all who liked Left4Dead: Darktide, a horde shooter in one of the absurdly large Hive Cities of Warhammer 40,000 – also purely PvE, but without Space Marines
- Vermintide, which takes place during the apocalypse of Warhammer Fantasy and relies much less on firearms, but is distinguished by magic and well-known characters from the lore (if 40k is too spacey for you)
- and if you prefer building instead of destroying (and then destroying), there is Total War: Warhammer 3, one of the best strategy games ever with plenty of DLCs to mess around with
The (near) future holds
For more clarity, here are the 7 best games to start with Warhammer or the 5 best games that Warhammer Fantasy specifically offers. Those who start now catching up on all the games may just be in time to play all the upcoming titles at release:
- Dark Heresy is the spiritual successor to Rogue Trader, a role-playing game where you play as an Inquisitor and must uncover secrets. It is set to be released in 2026.
- With Total War: Warhammer 40k, Creative Assembly aims to revolutionize the Total War series and does many things differently than in the predecessors. A release date is still pending.
- Space Marine 2 is still receiving updates, but the creators are already planning a Space Marine 3 – just when, we don’t know yet.
- Mechanicus 2 continues the success of the first part, but this time you can play Space Robot Mummies or Sci-Fi Nerds in an X-COM-like game. It is expected in spring 2026.
- If you remember the past, you should look forward to the upcoming Dawn of War 4 from the German studio King Art. It is also set to release in 2026 and returns to the gameplay roots of the early strategy games of the franchise.
The lore of Warhammer 40,000 is on the verge of a major upheaval
Warhammer is now more than just a name slapped onto a video game. Behind it lies a vast world with immense lore – so much so that you can’t possibly catch up on it all in just this year. Except maybe if you quit everything and do nothing but read.
Since the 1980s, the stories of Warhammer Fantasy, 40,000, and Age of Sigmar have been developing, but significant changes are looming this year – particularly for Warhammer 40,000. The end of Space Marine 2 has hinted at it, and now there are more and more clues.
Games Workshop continues the current lore of Warhammer 40,000 with the 500 worlds. Captain Titus is to reclaim and unite Ultramar; the first boxes for the tabletop already include Necrons, a very obvious hint.
Necrons have been sleeping for tens of thousands of years and are only gradually awakening. They are potentially the most powerful species in the galaxy. Once they start, it won’t just be exciting for the Imperium, but also for Orcs, Tyranids, and Chaos.
What exactly will happen, we do not yet know. However, the new 11th edition for the tabletop of Warhammer 40,000 is expected to be released in July this year. The rulebooks often contain new lore or hints about how things will progress.
Those who like to craft, paint, and play at the table have more choices than ever
Sticking with tabletop: if you’re interested in Warhammer but don’t want to just read books or play video games, you can also engage with the “hobby” itself. The nearest Warhammer store will surely help you with the entry.
Why is this exciting right now? For various reasons. Firstly, you have more choices here than in gaming, as the range of settings is broader or more developed. While video games mostly draw from Warhammer 40,000, in tabletop you have:
- Warhammer Fantasy or The Old World with Elves, Dwarfs, and other classic fantasy content
- Age of Sigmar, the continuation of Warhammer Fantasy, but with Sci-Fi elements like massive armor, super soldiers, and travel between different worlds
- The Horus Heresy, the currently newest set that tells the backstory to Warhammer 40,000, but 10,000 years before during the “great brother war” that almost destroyed the Imperium of Mankind
- and of course Warhammer 40,000 itself, which has been a big favorite of the community for years and is regularly updated with new content – like the aforementioned 500 worlds
Here you can read what distinguishes Warhammer 40,000, Fantasy and Age of Sigmar in detail.
Each of these worlds continuously receives new miniatures and sometimes completely new factions. This means for you: you will surely find something that suits you, whether it be the Knights of the Holy Grail, voracious space bugs, or Ratmen with their own chaos god. The tabletop recently received a huge influx across all areas:
- The Grand Empire of Cathay is the first new fantasy faction in 15 years and even originates from a video game.
- Age of Sigmar now has Dwarfs that use chaos and stir up the forces of order.
- In Warhammer 40,000 you can now build an army of space dwarves and forbidden machines if the aliens and humans there do not appeal to you.
The biggest problem: Where do I actually start?
“Okay, cool, this is all way too much for me, I’ll stick with My Little Pony.” Noted, forwarded to the Inquisition, and recorded in the book of gripes.
All jokes aside, I know that starting with Warhammer can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be because: it doesn’t matter how or where you start. Just find something that interests you and start with it:
- Do you enjoy gaming? Take one of the suggested video games, grab it on sale, and just try it out. My personal tip: Rogue Trader.
- Do you enjoy crafting and spending time in “real life?” Visit a Warhammer store and get advice on your first army, build and paint. It’s like model making, but for… even nerdier nerds. Here are a few tips to save money when starting out.
- Do you prefer to snuggle up with a book before bed? There are literally hundreds of books from the Warhammer universe. Too much? With these books, getting started in Warhammer is easier.
- If all of this is too overwhelming and you prefer to lie lazily on the couch with Netflix, Warhammer has a whole channel with its own animation series – though it’s subscription-based.
In 2026 there are even a few new series on the agenda:
Warhammer still partially has a reputation as a hobby for people with too much money and no life. But contrary to this impression, many Warhammer fans are very happy when someone shows interest in their hobby and are eager to share their enthusiasm. Just don’t let the few lore-obsessed know-it-alls on Reddit discourage you.
2026 is a great year to start with Warhammer and fall in love with the world. The state and quality of the games and other works are at such a high level, as I have never seen in the 20 years I have been a fan. The future looks so bright that I look forward to being one step closer to the next release every day. So: don’t hesitate, start, real life needs no one anyway!
If you have thought until now that Warhammer 40,000 consists solely of hyper-masculine guys in bulky armor with big guns squashing much weaker bugs and poor aliens, you are quite mistaken: Space Marines are cool and all, but do you know these 6 factions from Warhammer 40,000?
