The Tyranids are alien predators invading the galaxy from the vast intergalactic void beyond its edges. Like swarming insects falling upon precious crops, they devour all before them – consuming life upon each world in their path, and leaving nothing but airless rocks in their wake. They are a threat to every sentient species in the galaxy, and their numbers are growing.
The Orks are the most savage and warlike species in the galaxy, and can be found infesting every one of its corners, forever seeking their next big fight. The Beast Snaggas are a particular 'subkultur' of Orks, who shun fancy gadgets in favour of more traditional tools – muscles, choppas, and tamed squigs. They chase down the biggest and most impressive targets, from alien monsters to hulking war machines, in order to prove their sheer tuffness.
New races in the galaxy are as redoubtable, courageous or determined as the Kin who make up the Leagues of Votann. Nor are many as ruthless when it comes to the risk-and-reward calculus of war. To face them in battle is to stand before an armoured avalanche that crushes all in its path. It is to be appraised and then brusquely dealt with by attackers who see you as little more than an obstruction to wealth and glory – or else as a hated nemesis, whose annihilation is worth any cost.
Ork Meks always manage to accrue a following with promises of big explosions, bigger guns, and proximity to loud engines. When a Big Mek builds a Stompa, they're followed into battle by a band of Ork boyz, knowing it will attract some of the heaviest resistance, and best fightin'.
An absolute colossus of a machine, piloted by graduates of the Ves'oni'Vash, the KV128 Stormsurge is designed as an extreme heavy-weapons platform.
Nothing is so emblematic of Necron implacability as the Monolith. Like all Necron constructs, it is composed of living metal – a complex semi-sentient alloy that ripples and flows to repair damage in a blink of an eye
The Silent King rides to war aboard his Dais of Dominion, flanked by the phaerons of his Triarch and orbited by crackling noctilith Menhirs.
The Orks love fighting above all else. These brutal and violent aliens roam the galaxy in vast hordes, gleefully piling into battle with a deafening war cry of 'Waaagh!'. Morgrim's Butchas are a ferocious warband of Beast Snaggas, rugged Orks eager to prove their toughness by bringing down the biggest, baddest prey the galaxy has to offer. Whether they ride atop bad-tempered Squighogs or rush forward in bellowing mobs of Boyz, no foe is safe from becoming a Beast Snagga's next trophy.
The Necrons rise across the galaxy, android legions emerging from stasis-crypts after millions of years in deathless slumber. Amonhotekh's Guard stalk the worlds that once belonged to their master, the Overlord Amonhotekh, to cleanse the flesh-vermin and lesser civilisations that now infest his ancient territories. He will stop at nothing to eradicate these pests, calling upon mighty Canoptek constructs, mindless warrior phalanxes, and even the raving Destroyer Cults to eliminate all trespassers.
The Kin are a clone race of resilient and pragmatic warriors, who together form the ancient Leagues of Votann. Given wisdom and purpose by their ancient Ancestor Cores, armed and armoured by the pounding pistons of the forge, they scour the galaxy for the resources to expand their works and overcome any foe. Hernkyn Pioneers roam the battlefield on magna-rail bikes, scouting a path for doughty Hearthkyn Warriors and augmented Cthonian Beserks to secure their objectives – guided by battle-tested Kâhls such as the legendary Ûthar The Destined.
The Genestealer Cults erupt from the shadows in a tide of xenos-worshipping acolytes, employing ambush and subterfuge to outmanoeuvre their enemies. Utterly immersed in Tyranid gene-taint, the cult's Neophyte Hybrids and more mutated Acolyte Hybrids rise up against their oppressors, armed with a variety of repurposed industrial equipment – from powerful mining lasers to heavy machinery like the Goliath Rockgrinder. Guided by the insidious psychic presence of a Magus, the misshapen Aberrants lope from the shadows to reinforce their kin, swinging crushing mauls to deadly effect.
The Aeldari once ruled the galaxy, before their civilisation collapsed beneath the weight of its own hedonism. Now the Asuryani sail the stars aboard massive vessels called craftworlds, their citizens keeping to highly disciplined Paths to avoid drowning in the same decadent madness as their ancestors. Each craftworld's Guardians take up arms to defend their dying race, wielding deadly shuriken catapults or power blades, or shredding foes atop their swift Windrider jetbikes.