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I've never really explored the lore of the 40k universe and would like to start. Where is the best place to start? I know there is fluff in all of the various codex's, but I'd rather not have to purchase each codex just for that. There are tons of novels, and I think that may be a good place to start, but I'm unsure which novel is 'the beginning' or if there even is one.

So where's the best place to start reading and learning 40k lore?

The rulebook

 oldzoggy wrote:
The rulebook

As unlikely as it may seem this is a really good answer actually. It has all the basics of what you need to get a grasp of the universe. After that just reading a lot on the wiki can be a very cost effective (free) approach to take for learning more about the 40k universe.

the fluff and lore doesnt belong in the rule book but it does because gw wants you to spend $60 on a hard cover book. atleast it is not an expensive and soon to be out of date college text book which costs $200...

My method of finding out lore (which could, in this case, be used as a place to start) is to ask yourself "Is there something that I am really curious about?". If there's more than one answer, just randomly pick one. Then go onto one of W40K wiki sites and look it up. Then from there, you go onto the next thing and the next thing and so on.

For example, if you want to know about the Space Marines, you can go onto their page; then you might end up reading the pages for the Emperor, the First Founding, and the Legions. From there you might then go onto the Primarchs, and the Horus Heresy.

So go for a little bit of an adventure!

I know I started out with the HH novels, but that might not be the best place. That is, in fact the last place you want to see. Check out the rulebook, then if anything really piques your interest, check out those pages on the wikis. Then, if you really, really are still interested, there are full length novels about pretty much every sub faction in the universe.

 Filch wrote:
the fluff and lore doesnt belong in the rule book but it does because gw wants you to spend $60 on a hard cover book. atleast it is not an expensive and soon to be out of date college text book which costs $200...

On the bright side, the fluff is largely unchanged from previous editions. So if you can find a gamer looking to unload his old books to replace them with the ones with the latest rules, you might be able to get the fluff for cheep.

Then pick up the slim rules from the latest starter set.

At least with the 3-book set they are selling these days, you don’t need to lug all the fluff and hobby stuff to the FLGS anymore. But they are pricy.

I actually liked the three book collection GW put out because it gives a new player a introduction to the background and modeling aspect of the hobby. I like that GW is representing all three.

Thanks for all of the replies! I do have a 6th edition rule book laying around so I think I'll start there and see where that takes me. I've been meaning to pick up my own copy of the rule book anyway so maybe when I do I'll splurge for the box set.

Powerfisting wrote:I know I started out with the HH novels, but that might not be the best place. That is, in fact the last place you want to see. Check out the rulebook, then if anything really piques your interest, check out those pages on the wikis. Then, if you really, really are still interested, there are full length novels about pretty much every sub faction in the universe.

I second this. First 40k books that I read were Fallen Angels and False Gods, gave me a completely wrong view of the setting. My cousin, who plays Tau, didn't even know what I was talking about when I asked him about Primarchs. Although, tbf, he's always been in the game for the Crunch, not the Fluff.

EDIT: Although, if you really want to get psyched about the setting, reading the first three books of the HH series wouldn't be a bad place to start. They're excellent books and really serve to hook you into the setting, even if it's a setting that's 10k years ahead of 40k. I've honestly read more 30k novels than 40k novels, because so many of the 40k ones are just "lawlzeez, bolter to the face, i'm a badass spess muhreen", they bore the crap out of me.

 dusara217 wrote:

Powerfisting wrote:I know I started out with the HH novels, but that might not be the best place. That is, in fact the last place you want to see. Check out the rulebook, then if anything really piques your interest, check out those pages on the wikis. Then, if you really, really are still interested, there are full length novels about pretty much every sub faction in the universe.

I second this. First 40k books that I read were Fallen Angels and False Gods, gave me a completely wrong view of the setting. My cousin, who plays Tau, didn't even know what I was talking about when I asked him about Primarchs. Although, tbf, he's always been in the game for the Crunch, not the Fluff.

EDIT: Although, if you really want to get psyched about the setting, reading the first three books of the HH series wouldn't be a bad place to start. They're excellent books and really serve to hook you into the setting, even if it's a setting that's 10k years ahead of 40k. I've honestly read more 30k novels than 40k novels, because so many of the 40k ones are just "lawlzeez, bolter to the face, i'm a badass spess muhreen", they bore the crap out of me.

The battles novels remind me of really pulpy Star Trek stories, but sometimes you find a neat little gem. The Emperor's Gift is a really good book so far and I'm only half way through!

I recommend go to the black library site, and look through the eshorts list, find a few that intrest you, and buy and read. I prefer IG(AM) stories, so I recommend 15 hours. Gives you a good look at IG, and a little ork.

Yep, I second the fancy pants rulebook for an introduction to the fluff. Otherwise, something like Lexicanum or the Warhammer 40k wiki are good places to go for reference online.

This is the 40k wiki - http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Warhammer_40k_Wiki

If I want to read up on a specific character/army or an event, I go there.