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is there any difference between them in 40k lore?

Abhumans if stable and sanctioned get to live.
Mutants get ..

LightKing wrote:
is there any difference between them in 40k lore?

Abhumans are more stable. Two abhumans will give birth to another abhuman, which is how they come about nowadays. Mutants is a much more broad term, and can include those who grow tentacles from the Warp and other not-even slightly stable mutants.

LightKing wrote:
is there any difference between them in 40k lore?

Abhumans are like a sub race. Ogryns, Ratlings etc. Ogryns are a stable form of human that are larger, dumber, etc but can still give birth to more humans, although their children will have the same traits, being large and dumb.

Mutants have recently mutated and are not always stable. Think about guys with a third arm, scaly skin, or deformed eyes. They sometimes cannot have children, if they do they likely will not pass their traits to their children.

Although at first glance, an uninformed individual may not be able to tell the difference, such as when a Black Templar terminator gunned down an entire room full of Longshanks because he mistook them for mutants.

The difference is mostly political.

Any change that is induced on an individual basis by for example chaos or warp powers is generally considered a mutation. Even if it might carry over to offspring. (Genestealer hybrids are sometimes seen as mutants, and that is techinically true even if Ordo Xenos would say otherwise)

As stated above: Abhumans are stable populations with very similar varation, compared to imperial norms. They are commonly explained in terms of evolution and/or intentional genetic design by imperium approved scientists a long time ago.

But there are other stable strains of variations of humans that are indeed considered "filthy mutants" and are supposed to be burned on sight. Rogue Trader (from FFG) has plenty of interesting ideas of what can have evolved for an inbred population on a star ship.

The Imperial Beastmen are an interesting example of the politization. In 40k 1st ed they were considered about on par with ogryns and saw widespread use in imperial armies. They also appeared in chaos aligned armies, just as ogryns and regular humans. Nowadays they are only rarely counted as legit members of the imperium, with the exception of some radical ordo xenos inquisitor now and then...

So a population with a stable variation might be seen and presented as "filthy mutants that is suitable as a common enemy to unite against" or "useful abhumans that can do menial labour so pure humans don't have to" depending on the needs and whims of powerful people that govern them.

Also: No One would dare suggest that the Navigators are filthy mutants or even abhumans. Despite them being a clear variation of the standard human. They are far too important for the Imperium ;-)

so Mutants are treated like heretics


are Abhumans treated as equals to regular humans in the imperium?

https://regimental-standard.com/2016/11/10/the-abhuman-and-you/

Listen up, Guardsmen,

Today, we bring you a lesson in tolerance – specifically of abhuman auxiliaries*, some of whom you may find yourself fighting alongside in the coming campaign.

As you well know, the Imperium is a diverse and inclusive** society made up of the many rich cultures of mankind’s million worlds. Some of these worlds, while populated, exhibit climates, gravity and environments that deviate quite some way from old-Terran norms. On many of these planets, the populations have developed abhuman mutations to help them survive.

Rather than a negative, it should be celebrated that the human species continues to prove itself the most adaptable, hardy, intelligent and advanced species in the galaxy***.

Some mistrust of the mutant is of course to be expected – it can be tricky to distinguish between the benign mutations of natural adaption (the abhuman), and the corrupting influence of darker powers (the unsanctioned mutant).

However, the fine citizens over in the Adeptus Munitorum have helpfully provided you with this guide on how to approach each…

While the sanctioned abhumans, for all their differences, still display a semblance of honest humanity, those foul specimens mutated by the power of the Warp or xenos taint show no such nobility. Such creatures are to be despised and hunted at every opportunity.

Key signs to watch out for are additional arms, horns and scales – all obvious giveaways of the taint of corruption.

Do:

Be prepared to fire upon such degenerates when ordered. Don’t think of them as humans – their existence is a continued heresy against the Emperor.

Don’t:

Fraternise, talk to, or look too long upon the mutant lest the taint of corruption spread to you!

This guide has been extremely helpful. You are now able to go forward with a renewed spirit of unity and make war on the heretic, together.

LightKing wrote:
so Mutants are treated like heretics


are Abhumans treated as equals to regular humans in the imperium?

Depends on the individual planet. Some planets will allow Abhumans like Ogryn and Ratlings to live there or, at least, stay aboard the ships they come down aboard. Other planets kill abhumans on sight, viewing them as heretical deviations from the purity of the human genome.

In almost every case, though, Abhumans are not treated the same as "pure" humans, no, being, at best, second-class citizens, if not treated as chattel-slaves outright.

Black templars and other fanatic factions are known for purging them both no questions asked.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Mellon wrote:


Also: No One would dare suggest that the Navigators are filthy mutants or even abhumans. Despite them being a clear variation of the standard human. They are far too important for the Imperium ;-)

There are quite a few factions and characters who openly despise them there are even examples of a few who oppose their rule.

The difference is this:

You kill mutants in the name of the emperor.

Abhumans may be honoured with the chance to die for the emperor.

The 6th ed BRB, and the fluff book from the 7th ed 3 book box both cover this.

Essentially Abhumans are variant strains of human, whereas mutants are caused by sickness of the soul.

Those born with mutation are seen by chaos followers as a sign of their gods' power in the area.

I believe other accounts give differing explanations to mutation.

nareik wrote:
The 6th ed BRB, and the fluff book from the 7th ed 3 book box both cover this.

Essentially Abhumans are variant strains of human, whereas mutants are caused by sickness of the soul.

Those born with mutation are seen by chaos followers as a sign of their gods' power in the area.

I believe other accounts give differing explanations to mutation.

Yeah, this sounds about right.

Mutants are brought about by Chaos corruption. Potentially anybody can be mutated. You might have a family pure as day, but then Billy grows a tentacle, or Lauren has green scales appear across her neck.

Abhumans are closer to a sub-species of human changed naturally by their environment. Ogryns come from high gravity worlds for example, that's not Chaos corruption but the galaxy (well, environment) working its natural mojo.

Navigators are technically mutants, but ones brought about by human science, and are required for the operation of the Imperium, so get a pass. Usually.

 Psienesis wrote:
Navigators are technically mutants, but ones brought about by human science, and are required for the operation of the Imperium, so get a pass. Usually.

Somewhat on that subject. I'm pretty sure I've read about a group within the Inquisition that is charged with overseeing and investigating the Navigators to make sure that their mutations stay within acceptable variations and that they remain loyal. But I can't remember where, and I can't find any info on them.

Have I made that up?

Navigator houses are serious political powers. They have a high lord of Terra and managed to outlaw tech that could compete with them.
I can't imagine that there would be many inquisitors willing to commit political suicide by questioning a high standing navigator noble.

 oldzoggy wrote:
Navigator houses are serious political powers. They have a high lord of Terra and managed to outlaw tech that could compete with them.
I can't imagine that there would be many inquisitors willing to commit political suicide by questioning a high standing navigator noble.

Unless you got some serious proof. Its not be a good idea.