Warhammer 40K: The 5 Largest Threats To The Imperium
The Imperium of Mankind has threats from all over. But what looming threats could spell doom for them? Let’s chat.
The Great Crusade and then the Macharian Crusade were two of the most prosperous times in the Imperium’s history. These two Crusades marked a time of rapid expansion and world/system claiming by the agents of mankind. And while mankind has spread throughout the stars in the Grimdark the current state of things has them in a more defensive position. When you look at the big picture one starts to wonder how much longer the Imperium can hold on.
That said, we wanted to talk about some of the largest threats to the Imperium. Can the defenders of humanity keep it together to stave them off? Or will the Imperium be burned to the ground?
#5 – The Orks
Orks are a constant threat to the Imperium. Mostly because they are genetically a type of fungus that pops up and is just looking for a good fight. They are attracted to battle! They also get stronger the more they fight. They are reported to be the most “successful” race in the galaxy as well in terms of raw numbers. The only saving grace against the ork threat is that they are so war-like they can’t seem to stop fighting themselves long enough to get organized enough to dominate the galaxy. But then Ghaz showed up and is teleporting around the galaxy and putting together the biggest WAAAGH the Imperiaum has ever seen. So watch out!
#4 – The Necrons
The Necrons are another major threat to the Imperium because they are hidden among an untold number of systems. This race was running things millions of years before Humanity was on the scene. They have some crazy technology and can even mess with the emotions of entire sectors. If you’re not familiar with the events of the the Pariah Nexus, and the new 10th Edition Codex you might want to read up on them. Their undying ruler, The Silent King is back and he has a plan to control, or extinguish all organic life in the galaxy. The Necron threat is perhaps the most subtle and sinister threat out there. Short of…
#3 Chaos
The Chaos threat is very real and very much a major problem for the Imperium. The warp is a double edged sword because it’s used for interstellar travel — it’s how the Imperium functions over vast distances. However, it’s also the home to Warp entities who are attempting to manifest into the “reality” of the Grimdark. Chaos also corrupts mankind. From the greatest of warriors and heroes all the way down to the lowest citizen of the Imperium. Everyone in the Imperium is a possible target of Chaos. Of late, Abaddon The Despoiler, and his tenuous ally Vashtorr are up to no good in the Webway planning their revenge on the Imperium. And yet, it’s still not the biggest threat out there…
#2 – Tyranids
The Tyranids are an existential threat from beyond the galactic rim. They travelled unknown distances to come to the galaxy to feast on the biomass here. The massive fleets, known as these various tendrils, might have been detected, destroyed, or diverted so far…but those could just be the scouts. The Imperium doesn’t really know the exact size of this threat. There could even more tendrils enveloping the galaxy just waiting to strike. If the Tyranids can travel and survive those vast distances in the coldness of space then how can the Imperium hope to stop them all? Just recently, Hive Fleet Leviathan has struck from the Segmentum Pacificus and is headed straight at Terra! Already new unseen and lethal organisms are emerging from this Hive Fleet.
#1 – The Imperium Itself
The Imperium of Man covers the entire galaxy (or at least most of the habitable places). It functions off the back of Interstellar warp travel which, as mentioned above, is extremely dangerous. The Emperor is essentially stuck on his Golden Throne and acts as a beacon for the entire civilization. But how much longer can this be kept up?
You’ve seen the galactic map above. The Imperium is essentially split in two at this point. How long can the bureaucratic ties that bind it together hold? It sure seems like the quilt that is the Imperium is only a few thread pulls away from unravelling. Corruption, paranoid, greed, and mistrust are already taking root. Sure, Guilliman and The Lion are back and things were looking up for once — but just as the Primaris Protocol kicked in more threats rose to meet it. Will the Imperium tear itself apart before one of these other threats can?
There are so many MORE threats to the Imperium. What are the ones that keep you up at night?
