Overview
Warhammer 40,000 (informally known as Warhammer 40K, or simply 40K) is a table-top miniature wargame produced by Games Workshop, set in a dystopian science fantasy universe. Players assemble and paint individual 28-millimetre (1.1 in) scale miniature figures that represent futuristic soldiers, monsters and armoured fighting vehicles. These figurines are collected to constitute squads in armies that can be pitted against those of other players. Each player brings a roughly equal complement of units to a table-top battlefield with handmade or purchased terrain.
The players then decide upon a scenario, ranging from simple skirmishes to complex battles involving defended objectives and reinforcements. The models are physically moved around the table and the actual distance between models plays a role in the outcome of combat. Play is turn-based, with various outcomes determined by tables and the roll of dice. Battles may last anywhere from a half-hour to a whole weekend, and battles may be strung together to form campaigns. Many game and hobby stores host games, and official gaming events are held on a regular basis, such as the Throne of Skulls.
Warhammer 40,000's space fantasy is set in a fictional future during the 41st millennium AD. Its various factions and races include the Imperium of Man, a decentralized yet totalitarian interstellar empire that has ruled the vast majority of humanity for millennia, the Orks (Far more brutal than Tolkein’s), the Eldar (Space Elves with robots) and Daemons (Beasts of the WARP), although the precise natures of their creation and existence vary slightly), among others. The background and playing rules of each faction are covered in the game's rule books and supplemental army 'codex', along with articles in the Games Workshop magazines, White Dwarf and Imperial Armour. The game's miniatures are produced by Citadel Miniatures and Forge World.