Warhammer Races: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The Warhammer fantasy universe is a rich and diverse world, home to a vast array of races, each with its own unique history, culture, and beliefs. From the noble Aelves to the savage Orruks, the Warhammer races offer a wide range of options for players to choose from when creating their armies.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the 12 major races of the Warhammer fantasy world, providing an overview of their history, culture, and military capabilities. We will also provide tips on how to play each race effectively in the tabletop game.

1. Aelves (Order)

The Aelves are an ancient and graceful race, with a long and storied history. They are divided into two main factions: the High Aelves and the Dark Aelves.

• High Aelves: The High Aelves are the most advanced and civilized of the Aelves. They are masters of magic and warfare, and their armies are renowned for their precision and discipline.
• Dark Aelves: The Dark Aelves are the twisted and corrupted counterparts of the High Aelves. They are cold-hearted and cruel, and their armies are known for their brutal tactics and use of poison.

2. Orruks (Destruction)

The Orruks are a savage and brutal race, driven by an insatiable lust for war and plunder. They are divided into three main factions: the Greenskins, the Orruks, and the Ironjawz.

• Greenskins: The Greenskins are the most numerous of the Orruks. They are a primitive and barbaric race, with a simple social structure and a love of violence.
• Orruks: The Orruks are a more civilized and organized version of the Greenskins. They are still savage and brutal, but they have a more complex social structure and a rudimentary understanding of warfare.
• Ironjawz: The Ironjawz are the elite warriors of the Orruks. They are heavily armored and armed, and their armies are known for their crushing strength and relentless aggression.

3. Skaven (Destruction)

The Skaven are a race of rat-like creatures, living in vast underground cities beneath the surface of the world. They are a cunning and treacherous race, with a fanatical devotion to their god, the Horned Rat.

4. Dwarfs (Order)

The Dwarfs are a stout and stubborn race, renowned for their strength, resilience, and skill in craftsmanship. They are divided into two main factions: the Duardin and the Fyreslayers.

• Duardin: The Duardin are the most common type of Dwarfs. They are master craftsmen and engineers, and their armies are well-protected and well-equipped.
• Fyreslayers: The Fyreslayers are a fanatical sect of Dwarfs who worship the god of fire, Grimnir. They are armed with powerful weapons and wear enchanted armor, making them formidable opponents in battle.

5. Human (Order)

The Humans are the most adaptable and diverse of the Warhammer races. They are found in all corners of the world, and their cultures and beliefs vary greatly.

6. Chaos (Destruction)

The Chaos forces are a collection of twisted and corrupted beings, drawn from the dark realms of the Warp. They are led by the four Chaos gods: Khorne, Nurgle, Slaanesh, and Tzeentch.

• Khorne: Khorne is the god of war and blood. His followers are berserkers, driven by an insatiable lust for battle.
• Nurgle: Nurgle is the god of disease and decay. His followers are plague-ridden and bloated, and their armies are known for their resilience and attrition warfare.
• Slaanesh: Slaanesh is the god of pleasure and pain. His followers are hedonists and sadists, and their armies are known for their speed and agility.
• Tzeentch: Tzeentch is the god of change and trickery. His followers are sorcerers and schemers, and their armies are known for their unpredictable tactics and use of magic.

7. Beasts of Chaos (Destruction)

The Beasts of Chaos are a horde of mutated and corrupted animals, led by the Bray-Shamans. They are a savage and unpredictable force, and their armies are known for their speed and ferocity.

8. Seraphons (Order)

The Seraphon are a race of ancient lizard-like creatures, who once ruled the world. They are now divided into two factions: the Seraphon and the Saurus.

• Seraphon: The Seraphon are the more civilized and advanced of the two factions. They are masters of magic and warfare, and their armies are renowned for their precision and discipline.
• Saurus: The Saurus are the more savage and primitive of the two factions. They are cold-blooded and merciless, and their armies are known for their brutal tactics and use of poison.

9. Sylvaneth (Order)

The Sylvaneth are a race of sentient trees and plants. They are a wise and ancient race, with a deep connection to the natural world. Their armies are known for their speed, agility, and use of magic.

10. Idoneth Deepkin (Order)

The Idoneth Deepkin are a race of aquatic elves, who live in the depths of the oceans. They are a graceful and mysterious race, with a deep understanding of the sea. Their armies are known for their speed, agility, and use of magic.

11. Fyreslayers (Order)

The Fyreslayers are a race of Dwarf warriors who worship the god of fire, Grimnir. They are armed with powerful weapons and wear enchanted armor, making them formidable opponents in battle.

12. Ogor Mawtribes (Destruction)

The Ogor Mawtribes are a race of massive, cannibalistic ogres. They are driven by an insatiable hunger, and their armies are known for their brutal tactics and use of brute force.