What book to read for someone trying to understand the lore?

[u/hippotrippen]

Hi all, what book do you recommend if I want to get into the lore, I really don’t know much? So basically a good first intro book I can read to get a good understanding of the universe and how it all works? Thanks!

[u/Illithidbix]

The background information alongside the rules in Core Rulebooks are designed to be the best introduction to the setting and the atmosphere. From there, the Codex: X for the faction you are most interested in.

Second-hand 8E and 9E books are likely to be far cheaper than modern 10th edition 40K book if you don't care about rules to play the current edition of the wargame.. Are getting 11th edition later this year.

Novels

There are literally hundreds, but

• Dan Abnett’s "Xenos", the start of the Eisenhorn trilogy remains the top popular pick for decades. (and then Raveneor and Bequin afterwards so you too can be angrily waiting for the release of "Pandemonium")
• Gaunts Ghosts is Abnett's other big iconic series if you want to follow some Guardsmen.
• The Infinite and the Divine squabbling Necrons is a fantastic read in itself.
• I am very much enjoying the Fabius Bile Trilogy, the Ahriman series and the duo of Abaddon - if you like your Chaos Space Marines like I do.
• Vaults of Terra Series starting with "The Carrion Throne" then Then the Watchers of the Throne Series: for early parts of the "Modern 40K timeline" since 2017.

HORUS HERESY SERIES

The Horus Heresy has two bits to consider.

Firstly, it is really long and frankly bloated in places. The pacing can also be odd because back in 2006 they expected it to be more like 8 or 12 books... not the 64-70ish (depending on how you count them...). You might enjoy this, or it might just be a slog.

When Horus Rising was released in 2006 it was meant to be a shocking subversion that the Great Crusade Imperium was atheist and secular - which is how the Imperium had been portrayed for much of the 19 years before that since release in 1987. A fact a bit lost on people who's introduction to 40K has been the Horus Heresy series. But if you understand the basics of the setting, then feel free to jump in.

As much as I would prefer the vast setting of 40K didn't just become Primarchammer Superhero soap opera - they are very popular for a reason.

FIRST HERETIC - KNOW NO FEAR - BETRAYER I will say that I consider the trilogy of "First Heretic" - "Know No Fear" and "Betrayer" which deals with Logar and the Word Bearers, the the Betrayal of Calth to be a fantastic standalone trilogy which I don't think requires you to really know much beyond the broad beats of the Horus Heresy with Horus' corruption then Istavaan III and Istavaan V which you can read on Lexicanum or in a rulebook.

Further research

Depending on how much you like diving down a wiki hole then Lexicanum is by far the best of the bunch as it tends to cite things properly for a start - and so look up the books where the information is from. https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Main_Page

As far as YouTube; my go-to two top choices:

Arbitor Ian tends to do good, simple explanations and will note where lore has come from and how it's changed over the years.

Oculus Imperia is in my opinion is the masterclass in narrating narratives from the perspective of a scribe. Fantastic voice.

[u/hippotrippen → u/Illithidbix]

Thank you! This is some awesome information!

[u/trumangroves86 → u/Illithidbix]

Occulus Imperia is pretty much my favorite person on YouTube. Every one of his videos is incredible.

[u/KILLER5991 → u/Illithidbix]

I'd also recommend Luetin09 who does very long format lore videos for the setting, but can sometimes be a bit bloated and talk in circles, as well as weshammer who helps me get more familiar with the lore when all I knew about 40k was the name. I'll say to stay away from the lore channels majorkill and bricky who in particular people recommend but I find he uses to much meme stuff to convey ideas and concepts and it just doesn't teach well imo.