"Collect"-ing
The collecting aspect of the Warhammer 40,000 hobby is a significant and enjoyable part for many players. It involves acquiring, assembling, and painting the miniature models that represent the various armies and factions in the game. Players have the opportunity to select from a wide range of factions, each with its unique aesthetic, lore, and playstyle. These factions include iconic ones like the Space Marines, Orks, Eldar, Chaos Space Marines, Necrons, and many more. Each faction offers a diverse selection of units, characters, vehicles, and monstrous creatures that players can choose to include in their armies. Collecting Warhammer 40,000 miniatures typically starts with selecting a faction that resonates with the player's interests and playstyle preferences. From there, players can purchase individual models or boxed sets that contain multiple models, such as starter sets or army-specific bundles. These models usually come unassembled and unpainted, requiring players to carefully cut the pieces from sprues, clean them, and assemble them using glue.
The Factions
The Imperium of Man
- Adeptus Astartes (Space Marines)
- Elite genetically-enhanced super-soldiers serving as the Emperor's finest warriors.
- Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard)
- Vast armies of regular humans, fighting in massive numbers to defend the Imperium.
- Adepta Sororitas (Sisters of Battle)
- Zealous and heavily armed warrior-nuns devoted to the worship of the Emperor.
- Adeptus Mechanicus (Tech-Priests)
- Machine-worshipping technologists and engineers, guardians of ancient technology.
- Adeptus Custodes
- Elite bodyguards of the Emperor, clad in golden armor and wielding powerful weaponry.
- Imperial Knights
- Noble pilots of towering war machines called Knights, representing powerful knightly houses.
- Deathwatch
- Specialized Space Marine force tasked with combating xenos threats and hunting down alien infiltrators.
- Grey Knights
- Elite Space Marines dedicated to battling daemons and protecting the Imperium from supernatural threats.
- Inquisition
- Secretive organization rooting out heresy, corruption, and alien influence within the Imperium.
- Officio Assassinorum
- Masters of assassination, utilizing deadly operatives to eliminate high-value targets.
Agents of Chaos
- Heretic Astartes (Chaos Space Marines)
- Renegade Space Marines who have turned against the Imperium and serve the Chaos Gods in their quest for power.
- Chaos Daemons
- Manifestations of the Warp, twisted entities representing the dark aspects of the Chaos Gods.
- Chaos Knights
- Giant war machines corrupted by Chaos, towering over the battlefield with destructive power.
- Renegade Imperial Guard
- Imperial Guard forces that have fallen to Chaos and now fight alongside the forces of Chaos.
- Chaos Cultists
- Fanatical worshippers of Chaos, willing to commit atrocities to further their dark gods' goals.
- World Eaters
- One of the original Astartes legions (12th) who turned traitor, dedicated to the Chaos God Khorne.
- Death Guard
- One of the original Astartes legions (14th) who turned traitor, dedicated to the Chaos God Nurgle.
- Thousand Sons
- One of the original Astartes legions (15th) who turned traitor, dedicated to the Chaos God Tzeentch.
- Emperor's Children
- One of the original Astartes legions (3rd) who turned traitor, dedicated to the Chaos God Slaanesh.
Galactic Xenos
- Orks
- Savage and warlike green-skinned aliens, driven by an innate desire for battle and conquest.
- Aeldari Craftworlders (Eldar)
- Highly advanced and psychic aliens, striving to prevent the doom of their dwindling race.
- Drukhari (Dark Eldar)
- Sadistic and piratical Eldar who revel in inflicting pain and suffering on others.
- Aeldari Harlequins
- Mysterious and agile Eldar performers, adept at both combat and manipulation.
- Ynnari
- Aeldari who follow the god of the dead 'Ynnead', seeking to unite their race and defy the Chaos threat.
- Tyranids
- Swarming and self bio-engineered alien organisms consuming everything in their path in an endless hunger.
- Genestealer Cults
- Human cults infiltrated by insidious Tyranid Genestealers, paving the way for Tyranid invasion and harvesting.
- T'au Empire
- Advanced alien civilization focused on the Greater Good philosophy, expanding their influence.
- Leagues of Votann
- Descendant 'abhuman' clones, highly advanced starfaring race who live among and mine extreme environments of worlds in the galactic core.
- Necrons
- Ancient robotic race re-awakening from eons-long slumber, seeking to reclaim their lost empire.