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So back in my day, there was a general memoranda of understanding that people wouldn't create outrageous non-lore-friendly homebrews. For example, no creating a homebrew Chapter of Mercian Space Marines led by the live primarch Chestus Pullus.

But, at the same time, there was a vague acceptance of 'improbable' homebrews provided the numbers involved were marginal. For example i ran a homebrew Killteam of loyalist landlocked World Eaters in the 41st Millennium whilst my mate ran a BFG 33rd Millennium Imperial Navy list using the Chaos ruleset and the club couldn't care less because they rationalised it as have no impact on the wider lore at large.

Is this still the case in 2025? I am, of course, aware that the community is ever changing

I don't think there's ANY pattern at all.

Some people create their own chapters/armies/factions with lore, art, stories, unique paint schemes and everything

Other people just grab their army and throw down some models for a fight

Some just paint stuff

Some just create loads of lore but never play.


You get all kinds - and whilst some aspects might wax and wane at large, its very much down to the individual. Even then its not universal - you can have your pet army that has a whole unique theme and lore and such and then two other armies for different factions/games that are just bog standard.



The game has always had the "your models your stuff" angle to it. I mean what's GW going to do - come hit you round the head with the Codex for creating your own homebrew army and lore? This is GW not Hasbro - they aren't sending in the Pinkertons

I think that, generally, as long as you're not painting literal swastikas on your minis, you're probably fine.

 Overread wrote:
I don't think there's ANY pattern at all.

Some people create their own chapters/armies/factions with lore, art, stories, unique paint schemes and everything

Other people just grab their army and throw down some models for a fight

Some just paint stuff

Some just create loads of lore but never play.


You get all kinds - and whilst some aspects might wax and wane at large, its very much down to the individual. Even then its not universal - you can have your pet army that has a whole unique theme and lore and such and then two other armies for different factions/games that are just bog standard.



The game has always had the "your models your stuff" angle to it. I mean what's GW going to do - come hit you round the head with the Codex for creating your own homebrew army and lore? This is GW not Hasbro - they aren't sending in the Pinkertons

Funny you say that. We diiid have a new player basically get the cold shoulder because.... they created a penal legion army (i think this was in 3rd or 4th) and all of them had star of davids on them. I think it was referencing a forced mine clearing detachment from the war. Lets just say the club wasn't particular impressed.

I may crack a joke if your homebrew is ridiculous, but honestly, I just like to see enthusiasm. If you've got a whole elaborate lore for your Chapter/WAAAGH/Warband/Regiment/anything really, that's cool!

Honestly, how often do you ask someone about the lore behind their army?

Back in the old days there was absolutely a stigma around crazy homebrew, but now? I genuinely don't think people care enough to make a big deal out of it. As long as you aren't using it to try and justify game effects who cares if your dudes believe they are descended from the Secret Sensei 11th Primarch and they get on super well with Xenos and are the only objectively good guys in the whole setting, it doesn't affect anyone else

EDIT: This doesn't apply to deliberately offensive homebrew. You take to the table with your SS marines and I don't care how you try to justify it, off you go.

Home Brew Lore doesn’t often bother me. As covered already, if you’re exploring the taboo, do expect pushback from your local community, regardless of why you’re exploring said taboo.

But home brew rules I’ll remain eternally skeptical of.

If you look in my signature, I made an Mechanicum Knight House built around the accumulation of stuff.

It's a little tongue-firmly-in-cheek... but not to a ridiculous degree.