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Warhammer 40K quiz: test your lore, factions, and battles

Quick, free Warhammer 40K trivia. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Victoria SeverinoUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Warhammer 40K quiz paper art illustration on a coral background

This Warhammer 40K quiz helps you check your lore, factions, and famous battles in minutes. Want to explore more of the setting? Try the Warhammer 40K army quiz to find your faction fit, or brush up on the Age of Darkness with the Horus Heresy legion quiz.

Who is the immortal ruler of humanity, confined to the Golden Throne on Terra?
Szarekh
Horus Lupercal
The Emperor of Mankind
Nagash
The Emperor of Mankind is the immortal psyker who leads the Imperium and is interred on the Golden Throne guiding humanity's fate. His sacrifice during the Horus Heresy left him sustaining the Astronomican beacon aboard Terra. He is neither a Primarch nor a Chaos deity, but the central figure of the Imperium.
Which faction is known for vast green-skinned warbands and a love of close combat?
Tau Empire
Orks
Dark Eldar
Necrons
Orks are a brutal, warring species driven by instinct and a psychic gestalt that loves melee fighting and ramshackle technology. They form WAAAGH! armies under powerful Warbosses. Their green skin and crude weapons distinguish them from other factions.
What is the name of the eldar-alien race famed for their psychic prowess?
Eldar (Aeldari)
Necrons
Tau
Tyranids
The Eldar, also known as Aeldari, are an ancient race with powerful psykers and advanced technology. They once ruled vast swathes of the galaxy before their fall. Their psychic artists and seers guide their craftworlds through the dangers of the Warp.
Who was the Warmaster that led the traitors in the Horus Heresy?
Leman Russ
Horus Lupercal
Lion El'Jonson
Sanguinius
Horus Lupercal was appointed Warmaster by the Emperor and later rebelled, sparking the galaxy-wide Horus Heresy. He turned to Chaos and assaulted Terra, nearly toppling the Imperium. His betrayal shaped the entire Warhammer 40K setting.
Which faction fields heavily armed battlesuits called XV8 Crisis Suits?
Chaos Space Marines
Adeptus Astartes
Tau Empire
Necrons
The Tau Empire is renowned for its use of advanced Battlesuits, including the XV8 Crisis, which combine mobility with powerful ranged firepower. These suits are the hallmark of Tau combined-arms doctrine. No other faction uses this specific design at scale.
What is the name of the state church that worships the Emperor as a god?
The Ecclesiarchy
Adeptus Custodes
Officio Assassinorum
Adeptus Mechanicus
The Ecclesiarchy, also called the Adeptus Ministorum, is the official church of the Imperium that venerates the Emperor as a divine entity. It wields immense power over the millions of worlds in the Imperium. It is separate from the tech-worshipping Adeptus Mechanicus.
Which faction commonly summons daemonic hordes through warp rituals?
Sisters of Silence
Space Wolves
Chaos Space Marines
Imperial Guard
Chaos Space Marines, devoted to the Chaos Gods, often employ sorcery and warp-based rituals to summon daemons into realspace. These warp-spawned entities fight alongside traitor legions. Loyalist forces lack such overt daemon summoning.
What name is given to the genetically enhanced super-soldiers of the Imperium?
Custodians
Primarchs
Skitarii
Space Marines
Space Marines, or Adeptus Astartes, are superhuman warriors perfected with gene-seed and power armor. Primarchs are their godlike leaders, and Custodians serve the Emperor directly. Skitarii are cybernetic troops of the Mechanicus.
Which faction is composed of ancient skeletal constructs reborn from stasis?
Adeptus Mechanicus
Tau Empire
Necrons
Tyranids
Necrons are an ancient xenos race that transferred their consciousness into metal bodies, known as Necrons, after abandoning their organic forms. They sleep in stasis tombs until awoken by the galaxy's disturbances. They are distinct from Tyranids and Mechanicus constructs.
Who are the psykers that amplify communications across the Imperium?
Techpriests
Librarians
Navigators
Astropaths
Astropaths are psykers trained to send and receive psychic messages through the Warp, enabling instant interstellar communication. Navigators plot courses through warp space, but do not relay communications. Librarians and Techpriests have different roles.
What is the Tyranids' ultimate goal?
Establish trade
Colonize peacefully
Worship the Emperor
Consume all biomatter
The Tyranids are a hive mind driven to devour all organic matter to feed their endless swarm. They leave worlds as barren husks. They do not engage in diplomacy or worship.
Which Primarch is known as the Lion of Caliban?
Russ
Vulkan
Lion El'Jonson
Ferrus Manus
Lion El'Jonson is the Primarch of the Dark Angels, known for his prowess at Caliban and his secretive nature. He is often called the Lion of Caliban. The other Primarchs bear different titles.
What is the standard personal weapon of an Imperial Guardsman?
Gauss Flayer
Lasgun
Pulse Rifle
Boltgun
The lasgun is the ubiquitous mass-produced energy rifle issued to Imperial Guardsmen. It is reliable, inexpensive, and favored for its low cost. Boltguns are used by Space Marines.
What is the fortress-monastery of a Space Marine Chapter called?
Fortress-Monastery
Arcology
Spire
Citadel
A Fortress-Monastery is a combined fortress, monastery, and administrative center for a Space Marine Chapter, often built on or orbiting a home world. It houses the Chapter's warriors and relics. It differs from a simple citadel or arcology.
Which Chapter strictly follows the Codex Astartes?
Iron Hands
Dark Angels
Space Wolves
Ultramarines
The Ultramarines are renowned for their strict adherence to the Codex Astartes written by their Primarch, Roboute Guilliman. Other Chapters may adapt or ignore parts of the Codex to suit their traditions.
What is the name given to the massive warp storm that split the galaxy?
Phantom Storm
Warp Tornado
Eye of Terror
The Great Rift (Cicatrix Maledictum)
The Great Rift, also called the Cicatrix Maledictum, is a massive warp storm that divided the galaxy and expanded the Eye of Terror. It was created during the 13th Black Crusade. It is distinct from the original Eye itself.
Which Chaos God is associated with decay and plagues?
Khorne
Slaanesh
Tzeentch
Nurgle
Nurgle, the Plague Lord, embodies disease, decay, and biological corruption. His followers spread plagues across worlds in his name. The other major Chaos Gods represent fate, war, and excess.
Who struck down Horus at the climax of the Horus Heresy?
Sanguinius
The Emperor of Mankind
Roboute Guilliman
Rogal Dorn
During the final battle aboard Horus's flagship, the Emperor personally confronted and killed Horus, ending the Heresy. Sanguinius died earlier, and other Primarchs were not present. This act left the Emperor mortally wounded.
What is the home world of the Adeptus Mechanicus?
Forge World Graia
Stygies VIII
Ryza
Mars
Mars is the sacred Forge World and central seat of the Adeptus Mechanicus. It houses the Fabricator-General and the Machine Cult's highest rites. Other forge worlds serve specific roles but are subordinate to Mars.
Which Tyranid creatures serve as synapse nodes to control lesser organisms?
Genestealers
Hormagaunts
Tyranid Warriors
Termagants
Tyranid Warriors are powerful synapse creatures that link lesser hive mind organisms and convey the Hive Mind's will. Without Warriors or synapse animals, gaunts and other beasts become feral.
What is the name of the Imperium's secretive assassin organization?
Grey Knights
Officio Assassinorum
Inquisition Decree
Schola Progenium
The Officio Assassinorum trains and deploys elite killers in service of the Emperor's High Lords. Its temples each specialize in different methods of assassination. It operates outside the normal chains of command.
What rank commands a Space Marine Company?
Lieutenant
Chapter Master
Captain
Chaplain
A Captain leads a Company of approximately 100 Space Marines, overseeing multiple squads in battle. The Chapter Master commands the entire Chapter above the Captains. Lieutenants serve under Captains.
Which power armor pattern is the most common among Space Marines today?
Mark II 'Iron' Armor
Mark V 'Heresy' Armor
Mark IV 'Maximus' Armor
Mark VII 'Aquila' Armor
Mark VII Aquila Armor is the standard pattern issued to most Chapters in the 41st Millennium. It balances protection, mobility, and auto-sealing features. Older marks remain in limited use or relic status.
Who leads the Dark Angels Chapter in secret?
Inner Circle
Lord Commander
Chapter Master
Supreme Grand Master
The Supreme Grand Master is the hidden ruler of the Dark Angels, overseeing both outer and inner circle activities. The formal Chapter Master is a public-facing position. The Inner Circle serves the Supreme Grand Master's secret purposes.
Which Chaos God embodies excess and hedonism?
Tzeentch
Nurgle
Slaanesh
Khorne
Slaanesh, the Prince of Excess, represents pleasure, hedonism, and perfection. Its followers pursue extreme sensations and addictive experiences. It contrasts with Khorne's anger and Nurgle's decay.
Which Primarch led the Space Wolves Legion?
Jaghatai Khan
Leman Russ
Ferrus Manus
Lion El'Jonson
Leman Russ, the Wolf King, is the Primarch of the Space Wolves, known for ferocity and pagan-themed customs. He founded the legion on Fenris. Jaghatai Khan leads the White Scars.
What are the elite bodyguards of the Emperor called?
Sisters of Silence
Stormtroopers
Custodian Guard
Gray Knights
The Adeptus Custodes serve as the Emperor's personal bodyguard and palace protectors on Terra. They are genetically superior to Space Marines and wield Auric Armor. They differ from the Sisters of Silence who hunt psykers.
Which cataclysmic event created the Cicatrix Maledictum?
Battle of Macragge
Fall of Cadia
Thramas Crusade
Siege of Terra
The Fall of Cadia during Abaddon's 13th Black Crusade shattered the Fabric of Reality, creating the Great Rift called the Cicatrix Maledictum. Cadia's destruction was the catalyst for this warp-storm.
Which Librarian discipline allows reading of possible futures?
Telepathy
Telekinesis
Pyromancy
Divination
Divination is the psychic discipline used by Librarians to foresee future events and detect probabilities. It helps commanders avoid pitfalls or discover enemy plans. Other disciplines focus on mind control or physical force.
Name the elite daemon-slaying chapter of the Inquisition.
Red Hunters
Minotaurs
Grey Knights
Executioners
The Grey Knights are a secretive Space Marine Chapter created by the Inquisition's Ordo Malleus to combat daemonic incursions. Their gene-seed is unique and they never stray from daemon hunting. Other chapters may fight daemons but lack the same specialization.
Which Eldar seer led the defense of the Craftworld Ulthwé?
Asurmen
Iyanna Arienal
Njal Stormcaller
Eldrad Ulthran
Eldrad Ulthran is the chief Farseer of Ulthwé and one of the most powerful psykers of the Aeldari, guiding his craftworld through countless perils. He foresaw the emergence of the Great Rift. Njal Stormcaller serves Biel-Tan.
Which titanic war engine is the largest class of Imperial Titan?
Warlord Titan
Warhound Titan
Reaver Titan
Imperator Titan
The Imperator Titan is the apex class of Titan war engine, larger and more heavily armed than Warlord, Reaver, or Warhound classes. Only a few exist due to their immense size and cost.
What is the living metal that composes Necron bodies?
Fleshmetal
Bio-Alloy
Necrodermis
Living Steel
Necrodermis is the semi-sentient living metal that makes up Necron warriors, allowing them to regenerate damage and self-repair. It is unique to Necron technology. Other alloys lack these properties.
Which Black Crusade left the Eye of Terror permanently split?
5th Black Crusade
13th Black Crusade
1st Black Crusade
9th Black Crusade
Abaddon's 13th Black Crusade culminated in the Fall of Cadia, which shattered the nearby warp barriers and created the Great Rift. Earlier crusades failed to produce such colossal effects on the galaxy's fabric.
Which Primarch currently leads the Imperium's Crusade against the Great Rift?
Vulkan
Roboute Guilliman
Lion El'Jonson
Corvus Corax
Roboute Guilliman, resurrected as Lord Commander of the Imperium, organizes the Indomitus Crusade to reclaim worlds and stabilize the Great Rift. Vulkan remains missing. Other Primarchs are either missing or neutral.
Which Chapter is famed for their devotion to Salamanders and fire rituals?
Black Templars
Raven Guard
Iron Hands
Salamanders
The Salamanders Chapter, founded by Vulkan, venerates flame and craftsmanship, often performing pyromantic rituals. They are renowned for blacksmithing and compassion toward civilians. Other Chapters have different iconography.
Which Chaos God is known as the Changer of Ways?
Nurgle
Khorne
Slaanesh
Tzeentch
Tzeentch, the Architect of Fate and Changer of Ways, embodies magic, mutation, and manipulation of destiny. His followers seek forbidden knowledge and change. He contrasts with gods of war or decay.
Where is the hidden Black Library of the Eldar located?
On Ynnead
Within the Webway
On Commorragh
On Biel-Tan
The Black Library is a secret repository of knowledge hidden within the Aeldari Webway to protect it from Chaos. It is not on any physical craftworld or the Dark City of Commorragh. Only chosen librarians can access it.
Which branch of the Inquisition is dedicated to hunting daemons and warp threats?
Ordo Malleus
Ordo Chronos
Ordo Xenos
Ordo Hereticus
The Ordo Malleus is the Inquisition's branch tasked with combating daemons, Chaos sorcery, and Warp-borne threats. Ordo Xenos focuses on alien dangers, and Ordo Hereticus investigates heresy within the Imperium.
What is the name of the vault on Mars that stores gene-seed of lost Chapters?
The Gene-Fort
The Gene-Casket
The Codex Vault
The Genetic Archive
The Genetic Archive on Mars preserves the original gene-seed data for all Space Marine Legions and Chapters, including lost or fallen ones. It is guarded by the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Custodes. Other vaults do not hold this sacred archive.
Which Primarch was never rediscovered by the Emperor during the Great Crusade?
Rogal Dorn
Corvus Corax
Ferrus Manus
Alpharius Omegon
The twins Alpharius and Omegon of the Alpha Legion were never found by the Emperor; they joined Horus as covert assets. Their identities remain secret. All other Primarchs were reunited with the Imperium in some form.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Major Warhammer 40K Factions -

    Recall the defining lore and core characteristics of each army featured in this warhammer 40k quiz.

  2. Differentiate Space Marine Chapters -

    Describe the unique traits, heraldry, and battle doctrines of prominent Space Marine legions.

  3. Analyze Faction Strengths and Weaknesses -

    Evaluate the strategic advantages and vulnerabilities that set each warhammer faction quiz contender apart.

  4. Recall Key Historical Battles -

    Enumerate pivotal conflicts and turning points within the Warhammer 40K universe to demonstrate your faction lore knowledge.

  5. Apply Tactical Insights to Quiz Scenarios -

    Use your understanding of faction strategies to choose the most effective responses in challenging quiz questions.

  6. Assess Personal Mastery and Knowledge Gaps -

    Gauge your overall performance in the 40k quiz and identify areas for further study or improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Primarchs and Founding Chapters -

    Master the 20 original Space Marine legions and their Primarchs using the mnemonic "Unite Sanguine Dignity, Overcome Relentlessly". Recognizing traits like Horus's tactical genius and Angron's ferocity boosts your performance on the warhammer 40k quiz and warhammer chapter quiz. Source: Warhammer 40,000: The Horus Heresy (Black Library, 2010).

  2. Faction Doctrines and Special Rules -

    Each faction in the warhammer 40k faction quiz has unique doctrines codified in their codex; for example, Space Marines gain the And They Shall Know No Fear rule while Astra Militarum units use Steadfast. Use a comparison chart to group similar abilities (e.g., Defensive, Aggressive, Support) for quick recall. Official source: Games Workshop FAQs and codices (2023).

  3. Key Battles and Campaigns Timeline -

    Plot major events like the Horus Heresy (31st millennium) and the Siege of Terra (001.M31) on a timeline to visualize faction shifts across the 40k galaxy. Use the simple date format M31 → M41 to avoid confusion and ace the 40k quiz timeline questions. Refer to official timelines on Warhammer Community (Games Workshop, 2022).

  4. Iconic Units and Wargear -

    Familiarize yourself with unit stats and wargear options, such as selecting Bolt Rifles over Boltguns for range advantages - an essential tip for the warhammer faction quiz. Remember the "Tank and Spank" rule: combining Leman Russ tanks with Baneblade support can dominate ground assaults. Source: Warhammer 40,000 Core Rulebook (Games Workshop, 2021).

  5. Warp, Psychic Powers, and Daemons -

    Understand the Warp's mechanics by grouping psychic disciplines (Divination, Telekinesis, Biomancy) under three pillars: Offense, Defense, Utility; a quick mnemonic is "DoT DU". Mastering this is key for psychic card questions in a warhammer 40k quiz. Official reference: Psychic Phase rules in Warhammer 40,000 Core Rulebook (GW, 2021).

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