40k: The Power of Narrative Warhammer 40,000 Gaming
Hi everyone BBF here to discuss the evocative and awesome narrative side of Warhammer 40k.
Warhammer 40k can be an extremely competitive game and is becoming more like Magic the Gathering every day with all the super powerful wombo combos and bad feelsies.
40K: The Richest of Backgrounds
The thing is though the game has a very deep rich history and by playing with like minded people you can experience an immersive time escaping everyday life. Playing narratively means that the game has the component of a story. There can be magic and fun times versus the feeling of frustration that comes with putting only the win above everything else.
You’ve got decades of 40k background to dive into.
If you like this type of wargaming or have a keen interest I recommend learning more about the background of the game – it is the number one reason which draws people into our ranks. Narrative gaming is also a great way to bring new players into the game as well. When I started the hobby I was the newb who are so often seen as the easy win. I would read the rules over and over every night to finally learn them inside out and finally after half a year with only two wins in many many games it all clicked for me.
Make Your Game Multi-Dimensional
The thing is the game doesn’t have to be this way with the win at all costs attitude. I fondly remember games from the Horus Heresy when you could play versus xenos or any other 40k army at the time. I was unhappy with the state of the game back then in seventh edition. By opting to play narrative style I experienced the immersion of the Warhammer universe and it is always a lot of fun win or lose. Sure most everyone would like to win BUT there can be a lot more to the game.
Originally when I started to play it was mono faction only which truly is a thing of the past in competitive play but can still be experienced in narrative play. For narrative play you can discuss your army lists and mission before you play to help ensure everyone enjoys the game. I still enjoy competitive play such as leagues and tournaments but I am wanting to return to the narrative play style again. In my opinion it can be a good thing to play both ways so as to keep each style exciting. I think now that most of the codices have been released we will see more Campaign Books like Vigilus being released to inject fresh material and keep things interesting.
Chapter Approved 2018 basically rebooted the game with all the point reductions on a truly wholesale basis. I see some are quite bitter about the current state of the game because their armies aren’t top tier like the much hated Ynnari and rightly so but if you opt to play narratively you don’t even have to worry about it.
Expand 40K the Way YOU Want To!
So in closing I personally invite you to give the narrative style a chance. From exploring the background through Black Library, exploring Lexicanum (you should join up and help record the endless ever-evolving background), to getting a group of friends together for a badass 40K Campaign you will talking about over drinks years from you, expand the game in any direction you want. If you haven’t experienced the Narrative side of 40K, I think you’re in for a good time so check it out.
The old Vogen campaign map from editions back. I still have great memories fighting it out in this city.
~Tell me about your favorite way and memories of exploring the 40K universe outside of competitive play.
