OT: Warhammer 40k

AgentZero · #1 January 3rd, 2006, 09:21 PM

Sometimes I wonder if me putting OT in my subject lines is redundant. It's a post by me, which almost by definition means it'll be OT.
Anyway, a friend of mine got me Warhammer 40: Dawn of War for Christmas (she read a review that said it was less strategy & more blood, and thought of me. Isn't that sweet?). I haven't had much time to play it, but what I have played has been pretty good, but it's also got me wondering a bit about the Warhammer 40k lore.
From peeking around a little I've determined there's a vast amount of lore about, dozens of books and such, but does anyone know where one might find a more condensed version? I'm not talking a page or two, a few dozen is fine, but a few dozen novels will take up far too much time I don't have.
Any suggestions? Preferably webpages over books since they're free & I can get them right away.

Randallw · #2 January 4th, 2006, 12:40 AM

Luckily for you I am a huge 40K fan. Here are a few links to get you introduced

http://www.criticalhit.co.uk/content/view/18/44/

http://www.redelf.h1.ru/w40k_astartes.html (by the way I collect Mortifactors)

I also visit a forum devoted to it every day

http://www.warseer.com/forums/index.php?

There are plenty of people there who could help you out, although you can't start a new thread till you've posted 5 times. I could start the thread for you if you want.

Later this year a trilogy starts detailing the Horus Heresy, which is pretty much the dfining event of 40K after the great crusade. No one can say at the moment how good it will be but we have long been looking forward to it. I have lots of other links but they aren't as informative. Feel free to ask me question, I'm sure I can probably answer them unless they're obscure questions, then I'd have to look them up.

Starhawk · #3 January 4th, 2006, 01:19 AM

Well here is the ultimate source just don't EVER let GW see it or they'll try and shut this poor sob down again.

http://www.student.tue.nl/t/j.c.a.v....ff%20bible.htm

Most of this fluff is a bit old and out of date but there are LOTS and LOTS of sources.....one of the best was already posted.

I'm an Imperial Guard player and trust me the TT game is FAR better then DoW.

Randallw · #4 January 4th, 2006, 01:33 AM

ooh the elusive fluff bible. I hear it's like 300 pages

note the slann are limited to fanatsy nowadays, and the Squats got eaten by a hive fleet, or evolved into Demiurg. Time will tell.

Starhawk · #5 January 4th, 2006, 02:17 PM

The squats were eaten by a hive fleet when their homeworlds on the fringe were wiped out Millions of guardsmen and thousands of space marines also died.

JAFisher44 · #6 January 5th, 2006, 01:16 AM

TT Warhammer 40K is a mediochre game at best. Unfortunately I love the 40K universe, and the 40K line of minis. Frankly the story and the minis kept me playing TT WH40K long after I became jaded with the system. However GW has recently alineated me even further with their overly greedy pricing hikes. Frankly I cant affort to pay almost $50 for 5 PLASTIC models. Granted Space Marine terminators are one of the worst case scenarios, but still, even $35 is more than I want to pay for 10 marines (or 8 chaos).

So, it is easy to enjoy the 40K universe, but if you don't want to spend, literally, thousands of dollars on it DoW is a good way to do that.

Also, DoW has an active modding community, ranging from very complex mods that add whole new races to the game to simple do it yourself skinning and adding shoulderpad iconography and banners. The modding forum is here.

DarkHorse · #7 January 5th, 2006, 01:47 AM

If you like the 40K universe (dark, lots of killing, futuristic, what's not to like?) and RTS games, then DoW is a fairly safe choice. It and its expansion (Winter Assault) are very well done and supported by both Relic and the community.

If you like tabletop miniatures and wargames, especially science fiction themed, then 40K TT is a worthy hobby to look into. As mentioned though, it is not to be undertaken lightly as there is some expense involved. But, you have to look at it as a hobby (and enjoy painting minis) and not just a single game. It's something to be built slowly and savored over time. Also, you don't have to buy everything new; check out local hobby stores and see what's for sale/trade. You'd be surprised, often people (kids, mostly) get stuff for Christmas or birthday, get bored with it quickly, and sell their stuff ridiculously cheap.

On a barely related note, if you also happen to like football (American style) and of course bloody violence, I'd also recommend you look into Blood Bowl, another Games Workshop product. It's loosely based on the warhammer fantasy universe (and I mean loosely), but it's great fun, allows some creative painting of miniatures, and isn't nearly as expensive as all-out 40K (or WH fantasy for that matter).

Don't just take other's subjective opinions about stuff though, check it out for yourself.

Oh yeah, and as for your your original question, the actual 40K rule book has a lot of fluff (sorry, background material) in it and makes interesting reading even if you don't play the game.

JAFisher44 · #8 January 5th, 2006, 02:08 AM

Yes, but $50 for some light reading isn't the best idea in the world. More GW megalomania at work. Don't get me wrong, I still collect GW minis, I love to paint them and I even play an occasional game of 40K if I find the time and an opponent. But, frankly, If I go on to collect another 40K army, it will likely take me years to do.

As for my opinion on the TT game, I just find that GW "dumbed it down" too much in order to appeal to a broader audience. Of course with their new pricing scheme they are driving away anything but the "hardcore" customre base. $200 is just too much to drop to find out if you like a game. It still does happen, but not as often as it used to.

Starhawk · #9 January 5th, 2006, 03:40 AM

UH I have a Guard army of over 100 minis two tanks and a CHimera APC total cost was only about $400 and that was over a period of 3 Years because a buddy and I play whenever we can get together. Of course I'm not done yet muahahahaha!

That's not so bad considering many people spend $400 dollars on Coffee a year lol

Besides that though I just don't see your problem with simple rules for the Tabletop game I like them because it allows for a fast paced action oriented game as opposed to sitting there for an hour just plotting MOVES heh.

Now add to that the fact that i am now getting into Full Thrust and literally scratch building a fleet at the total cost of about 5 bucks and I find ways to cut corners and expenses to play my hobby games

Strategia_In_Ultima · #10 January 5th, 2006, 09:01 AM

Try to read the "Status of the Book Publishing Industry" thread from the beginning (as I have just done), then read this and then try to think the world is not going down the crapper because of corporate greed..... G*****n, we need another world war. Really. Trust me, I'm a pacifist (well, outside the digital world then), and even I think a new world war (or at least a revolution) is in order. Something needs to be done.