40K: Where Do You Get Your Back Story?
What would the hobby be if we only had a set of rules and no story line to go with it? It’s a good thing there are SO many places to get 40K Lore:It would basically be a game of chess; each piece would have a set of rules and that’s it. It makes me shiver to think of such a place. Thought it would be interesting to explore how we get the information that is the foundation of our fascination with the Grimdark and its inhabitants.
So many places to find the knowledge we seek. Let’s start with the basic one:
Codices:
Yes, most of us find our basic back story in our army codex. The nature of that codex back story has certainly changes over the years. My first experience was with a pamphlet-style set of rules/story that told of the Deathwing returning to their home world. The subsequent discovery of a Genestealer infection and the climactic battle between a Librarian and a Patriarch had me sold. That was a LONG time ago! But that story, the rules and the Space Hulk scenarios all rolled into one were compelling and fascinating. I have been a 40K fan ever since. How times have changed! Now we get a hard bound book with 30-40 pages of story line detailing our army’s role in the 40K universe. Granted, some players just fly right over the fluff and get right to the rules and army lists. However, I think that back story itself is what helps provide context to the rules and the army list. Frankly, I am one who owns just about every codex (all except my own, Tyranids, and Chaos Space Marines) in digital form. Here, for many, is where the investment in back story ends.
Forge World:
For those with a few more resources and a strong need to get their info fix, there are the Imperial Armour books. I only have Amphelion Project; the Nid centered story that involves the Hive Mind, Imperial Guard, Inquisition and the Red Scorpions. It is full of intrigue and betrayal. Awesomeness…and that is just one of these bad boys! A few of the players in my local gaming group own a crap pot of these volumes. Recently, with the advent of “30K,” these books have become more essential to those who have chosen this path. The introduction of 30K has certainly causes some head scratching for those trying to integrating it into games of 40K, but the plethora of information and history has been fascinating to read (borrowed copies only for me). I am not going to include Forge World Apoc as I am considering Apoc as a separate category.
GW Apoc:
I only own the first Apoc volume, but these puppies are chocked full of miscellaneous back story, narrative and frankly, lots of entertaining craziness! I always have trouble taking Apoc story and rules seriously; they are so over the top. But damn…what a ride! The rules, formations, datasheets, showcases, War Zone and appendices. 40K on steroids on steroids! Each and every formation has its own brief back story. As little as I use this book (once or twice a year), I am glad that GW gave us the chance to throw reason out the window and just have a crazy ass good time!
Black Library:
The King of the Hill. Not only hard copy, but a bazillion bytes of digital copy. As far as hard copy (or as we call it in my house, Dead Tree Books), I got my start in Black Library with the first Gaunt’s Ghosts book; never looked back. I have since transitioned to digital copy, both books and audio dramas. Occasionally, I stop by a brick and mortar store and pick up a good read, but those times are few and far between. I usually check Black Library about once a week now to see what is new and interesting. As far as many of my local group, it is a pretty even split between hard copy and paper dexes. I am a hard copy guy myself. In game terms, I have issues with getting around the digital copy. For me, it is easier to turn a few actually pages. Guess it’s just a matter of personal preference, maybe even a bit generational. For the record, I am a Baby Boomer. If there is anything you want to know about any faction within the 40K universe, Black Library is the place to be.
Fan Wikis
Finally, we have the fan wikis. Reliable, cross-checked mountains of information that inform to a level of detail above and beyond all the previously mentioned sources. Lexicanum comes to mind for me. I have used this online tome many times. I look up individual characters,, factions, ship names, weapons; anything 40K that you need to know. I remember looking up Angron after reading a book from Black Library. Even though I had been playing 40K for years, I learned more that I could ever have wanted to know.
The 40K universe is truly an amazing place. Step back for just a moment, and you can’t help but marvel at its scope and diversity. Whatever issues we have with the company, the rules or the models, the Grimdark is an incredible place where we choose to spend a fairly large percentage of our free, waking hours.
Where to you get your back story?
